Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-04
ARNOLD, THE TRAITOR.

AhNOLD,
Application was made this week, IN
this town, for assistance in making out
the necessary documents for pension,
by one Of the bargemcn, in the barge
that conveyed Gen. Arnold to the sloop
of war Vulture. He was bow oarsman
in the boat, next in rank to the cox
swain, whose name was James Larvey.
His memory is remarkably accurate,
and his veracity is unquestionable:
He is brother of Mr.. James Collins OF
this town. The day before the flight
of Arnold the barge brought him with
Major Andre from Lawyer Smiths,
below Stony point to the Generals
head quarters. They conversed very
little during the passage. The General
told his aid, who was at the landing
when they arrived, that he had brought
up a relation of his wife. Arnold kept
one of his horses constantly caparison-
ed at the door of his quarters, and the
next morning, soon after breakfast, he
rode down in great haste, with the
coxsvain just behind him on foot
The coxswain crying out 10 the barge
men to come out of their quarters that
| were hard by, and the General dashed
| down the foot path instead Of taking a
circuit, the usual one for those who
were mounted. The barge was soon
made ready, though the General in his
Impotence repeatedly ordered the bow
man TO push off, before all the men had
mustered. The saddle and holsters
were taken on board of the barge, and
Arnold, Immediately after they pushed
off, wiped the printing from the pistols
and primed anew, cooked and half
cooked them repeatedly. He inquired
of Collins if the men had their arms,
and was told that they came in such
haste that there were but two swords
belonging to himselfand the coxswain.
They ought to have brought their arms
he said He tied a white handkerchief
to the end of his cane for flag in pas
sing the forts. On arriving along side
the Vulture he took it off and wiped
his face. The General had been down in
the cabin about all hour, when the cox
swain was sent for, and by the signiti'
cant looks and laughing of the officers,
the men in the barge began to be ap-
prehensivc that all was not right. He
very soon returned and told them that
thew were all prisoners of war. The
barpemen were unmoved and submit
ted, as to the fortune of war, except
two Englishmen, who had deserted,
and who were much terrified and wept.
The bargemen were promised good
fare, if they would enter on duty aboard
the Vulture, but they declined and were
handcufed, and so remained four days.
General Arnold then sent for them at
Newly DIRK. In passing from the wharf
to his head quarters, the two English
men slipped aboard a Letter of Marqne
then nearly ready to sail. The others,
five in number, waited on Arnold who
told them, that they had always been
attentive and faithful, and he expected
they would stay with him-he had, he
said command of a regiment of Horse
and, Larvey, you and Collins may have
commissions, and the rest shall be nom
commissioned officers. Larvey an
swered that he could not be contented
he had rather be soldier, where he
was contented, than am officer where
he was not. The others expressed or
manifested their concurrence inLarvy's
opinion. He then gave the coxswain
guinea, and told him they should be
sent back. At night they were convey
ed to the Vulture, and the next day set
on shore. This worthy and intelli-
gent applicant perfectly remembers
Major Andres dress, when they took
him up in the barge from Smiths
house to Arnold's quarters.--blue
homespun stockiags-a pair Of wrin-
kled boots, not lately brushed-blue
cloth breeches, tied at the knee with
s.rings-waistcoat of the same--blue
surtout, buttened by single button
black silk handkerchief once round the
neck and tied in front with the ends
under the waistcoat, and Topped hat.
Old Colony Memorial