Side one of two of a pass for Joshua Hett Smith to carry private letters for gentlemen in New York. Smith was later charged by American Major General Benedict Arnold to escort British Major John André across American lines. The pass is signed by Arnold. The pass reads “Permission is granted to Joshua Smith, Esq., to go to Dobbs’s Ferry with three Men and a Boy with a Flag to carry some Letters of a private Nature for Gentlemen in New York, and to Return immediately. "B. ARNOLD, M. Gen’l. "N.B. – He has permission to go at such hours and times as the tide and his business suits.”

NYSA_A4681-99_Smith_ Pass1

New York State Archives. New York (State). Governor (1777-1795 : Clinton). Papers found on British spy Major Andre ("Andre Papers"), 1780. Series A4681-99, Smith Pass 1.

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