260

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

[CHAP. III. ter-general, finding the difficulties of executing its duties too great for endurance, and that Congress was unwilling to change the system in conformity with his suggestions, resigned, and Colonel Pickering was appointed his successor. Similar difficulties were experienced in the Commissary-general's department, when news arrived that the French transports then expected had been blockaded by a British squadron at Brest. But it was still hoped that the combined fleets of France and Spain would raise the blockade. On a consultation between Washington and the French, the attack on New York was abandoned, to the great mortification and disappointment of Washington.

In the midst of these crosses and vexations, the cause of American independence was threatened with a far more serious disaster from the treachery of one of its sworn supporters.

Benedict Arnold was one of the most remarkable of the men whom the American Revolution raised from obscurity into conspicuous notice. Originally a druggist and bookseller in Connecticut, on the first prospect of war he became a soldier, and soon won a high military reputation. His character, as it was gradually developed, appeared a most extraordinary one; and in nothing more extraordinary than in its striking incongruities. Thus, though brave even to rashness, and panting for distinction and renown, ambition and courage did not produce their wonted ennobling effects on his mind, debased as it was by an inordinate love of money. Though he was habitually haughty and overbearing in his demeanor, yet in the pursuit of pelf, there was no means of gain, however low, to which he would not stoop: and lastly, with a miser's greediness of gold, he was free from the ordinary illusion of the miser in seeking wealth for its own sake,

1780.]

ARNOLD'S CONSPIRACY.

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but lavishly squandered what he had so eagerly coveted, and so unscrupulously obtained. Such was Benedict Arnold, as he at last appeared to those of his contemporaries to whom he was best known, and who were the most competent judges.

In consequence of the wounds that Arnold had received, first at Quebec and then at Stillwater, he was appointed by Washington to the command of Philadelphia after it was evacuated by Howe. He there married Miss Shippen, a lady of great beauty and accomplishments, the daughter of a gentleman who was at first ill-affected to the Revolution, but was subsequently made Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. Arnold now launched out into a style of living more ostentatious and expensive than ever, which he endeavored to support by every expedient he could devise-by trumping up claims against the government; by abuses of authority; by sharing in commercial schemes, in privateers, and even in the peculations of sutlers.' His acts of rapacity and meanness were patiently borne at first, in consideration of his past services; but the public authorities of Pennsylvania at length came forward as his open accusers. After a partial acquittal by a committee of Congress, the accusation was revived, and finally referred to a court-martial. A part only of the charges were deemed cognizable by a military tribunal. Of these he was acquitted of a part, and found guilty of a part, for which he was sentenced to be reprimanded by the Commander-in-chief. This sentence, deemed mild at the time, and intended to be so, afforded to Arnold the pretext of his country's ingratitude to justify that treason which subsequent facts show he had previously meditated.

His money-making schemes having utterly failedsome of them, indeed, adding to his debts rather than 1 Alexander Hamilton. See 1. Life of Hamilton, page 274.

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MAJOR ANDRÉ.

[CHAP. III. increasing his resources-he devised other plans of relief, at one time proposing to enter the naval service, and at another, to make himself the head of a community of Indians, both of which, however, he soon abandoned. One of his expedients was to obtain money from the King of France, through his minister, de la Lucerne;' but disappointed here, too, he determined to sell himself to the enemies of his country.

Among the officers of the British army which had possession of Philadelphia was John André, then a captain, who being amiable and accomplished, was well received at the house of Mrs. Arnold's father; and she and André were conspicuous characters in the mischianza pageant. After André returned to New York, letters passed between him and Mrs. Arnold, on the subject of millinery; and this correspondence is supposed to have paved the way to one between André and her husband, carried on under the signatures of "Gustavus" and "John Anderson," in which the plan of Arnold's treason was begun and matured. By adroit management he obtained from Washington the command at West Point, in place of General Howe, with a view of putting the British in possession of that important fortress. He had even then signified to Colonel Robinson, of the British army, his sense of ill-treatment, and his wish to restore himself to the favor of his prince, by giving some signal proof of his repentance.

André, now Adjutant-general, with the rank of Major, was selected by Sir Henry Clinton to have a personal conference with General Arnold, with Arnold's entire concurrence. He accordingly came on shore from the Vulture man-of-war, then lying in the Hudson, met with 1 M. de Marbois' Complot du Arnold. 2 Annual Register for 1778, page 264.

1780.]

ANDRÉ'S CAPTURE.

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Arnold on neutral ground, and was induced by him to enter within the American lines in the dress of a private citizen, and to remain there until the next day. The Vulture, having meanwhile been fired upon, had dropt lower down the river, and thus André was compelled to return by land. He was therefore, under the name of John Anderson, furnished with a passport from Arnold; and while on his way he was apprehended by three of a scouting party, who, in answer to his inquiry, pretended that they were "from below," that is, were royalists, to which he frankly and unwarily answered, "And so am I." On their telling him he was their prisoner, he showed them his pass, and remonstrated with them for detaining him. But they insisted on searching him, and in the feet of his stockings they found papers giving minute accounts of West Point, in the hand-writing of Arnold. He tried to tempt them by liberal offers, but they were immovable, and he was carried forthwith to Jamieson, Colonel of the scouting parties. André asked of Jamieson that General Arnold, who had given him his passport, should be informed of his capture; upon which Jamieson, an honest, but very dull man, whose faith in Arnold's integrity prevailed against the plain proof of his treachery afforded by the papers, wrote to Arnold, who thus had time to effect his escape. Jamieson at the same time sent the papers found upon André to Washington; but not knowing that the General had returned to West Point, the letter was addressed to him in Connecticut, which so delayed it, that Washington did not reach Robinson's house (the head-quarters) until four hours after Arnold had left it.

André's case was submitted by Washington to a numerous court-martial of general officers, who, on his own frank statement, decided that he was a spy, and must suffer death. The greatest efforts to save him were made

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ANDRÉ'S EXECUTION.

[CHAP. III. by Sir Henry Clinton, to whom André was greatly endeared; and even the degraded Arnold took on himself all the blame of André's violation of the laws of war: but Washington, who felt deeply for André, but would not permit his feelings to interfere with his duty, remained unshaken in his purpose; and the unfortunate young soldier was hanged as a spy; an ignominy which he seemed to regard as a greater misfortune than the loss of life itself. His youth and prepossessing person, his accomplishments, his bearing, at once gentle and dignified, the sad termination of his prospects lately so bright, melted all hearts; and none of those whose country's ruin he was so near effecting, witnessed his melancholy fate without tears.

It is believed, from the combined evidence of various circumstances, that the following was the plan and purpose of the conspiracy. On the assault of West Point by the British, for which they only waited the signal agreed on, Arnold was to post his men in ravines, and other situations, in which they must either surrender or be cut to pieces. With this strong post, with abundant stores and equipments, in the hands of the British, they must at once have obtained complete possession of New York; and, from that central position, have carried on the war with great, perhaps decisive, advantage against the Eastern and Middle States. The three most Southern States were now incapable of making much further resistance. André was to join in the assault, and was to be rewarded with the post of Brigadier-general. The memory of the captors of André-Isaac Van Wert, John Paulding, and David Williams-is held by their countrymen in as general respect, as that of Arnold is in detestation.

Arnold tried to make his sordid treachery wear the