noon
`` Sir Henry Clinton was much distressed on reading Washington 's despatch and the letter of André . He summoned a council of officers and it was at once resolved to send a deputation of three persons to the nearest American outpost to open communication with Washington , present proofs of André 's innocence , and try to procure his release . General Robertson , Andrew Elliott , and William Smith were the men chosen as the committee , and Beverly Robinson went with them as a witness in the case . Toward noon , on the last of October , they arrived at Dobbs Ferry , in the _ Greyhound _ schooner , with a flag of truce . `` General Greene had been appointed by Washington to act in his behalf , and was already at the ferry when the _ Greyhound _ came to anchor . General Robertson opened the conference with great courtesy of manner and flattering words , and was going on to discuss the subject of conference , when General Greene politely interrupted him by saying , ` Let us understand our position . I meet you only as a private gentleman , not as an officer , for the case of an acknowledged spy admits of no discussion . '