Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-08-29
The "Traitor Arnold"

A writer in the New Haven Palladium gives
some Of the closing incidents in the life Of this
remarkable man--as remarkable for his brave
ry as his treachery- which, thought not new,
may be interesting to readers. The writer
says:
The close Of Arnolt's ignominous career was
characterized by the loss Of caste and the re-
spect of every body. succession Of personal
insults and pecuniary misfortunes tsltowed his
treason, and deep abiding retribution was fully
metcd out to the degraded culprit long be'ore
ire died
An eldcry lady, Of cultivated mind, resides
in Massachusetts, whose early social intimacy
with Arnold and his family, at 81. johns. New
Brunswick, gave her peculiar opportunities for
knowing many details concerning the close of
his miserable career. Subsequent to the ter
minaiioU Of the Revolutionary war, anc after
the perpetration of various atrocities against
his countrymen, Arnold went to England and
received a commission in the British army
He was frownet upon by the officers, and eve
ry where received with contempt, it not indig
nation. Various public insults were offered 10
him. and in private life he was the objec! OF
perpetual scorn.
Soon at,er, Arnold threw up his commission
in the army in disgust, and removed to st.
Johns He there engaged in the West India
trade becoming ss notorious for his depravy
in business as he had been before false to his
country his integrity was suspected at various
times, and on one occasion during his sudden
absence his store was consumed, upon which an
insurance had been effected. The Company
suspected foul play, and legal contest was
the result During the trial popular odium
against Arnold increased, and manifested itself
by a succession of mobs and the burning Of him
in ef6gy. During this painful scene his family
were greatly distressed, and the lady to whom
ailusion has been made, and who resided near
Aruold's house, was requested to 60 and pass
that trying interval of time with them. That
request, in the fair hand writing Of Mrs. Arnold
until recently was in my possession, as well as
copy Of a satrical handbili describing Arnolds
life, hundreds of which were circulated among
|
her note says, the General is himself today
meaning that he bore the insults with his usual
firmness; but she was alarmed herself, and
wished for the presence of some female friend
during the painful scene which followed.
The proof was not enough to condemn Ar.
mold, but there was enough detected Of foul play
to vitiate his policy. From that time the stu.
alton ofArnold, at st. Johns became even more
uncomfortable, and that of his family distressing
Mrs. A. was treated with great kindness, but
he was both Stunned and despised. She was a
lady of great delicacy and refinement, with a
mind cultivated by more than ordinary care,
and Of course, her suferings were rendered
acute by imputa,ions against her husbands in.
tegrity, ssiee from his treason They shortly
left st. Johns and went to England, where Ar
mold became lost to the public eye, and died in
degradation and obscurty.
There is a moral connected with The history
: of Benedict Arnold, which should he deeply
impressed upon the yonth OF the country. He
was headstrong. disobedient and viudictive
in early life, and often painfully wounded a
r mothers heart In mature years, the same
characteristics were visible, strengthened by
power and rendered perous by the absence OF
moral principle and self fcontrol. lie died as
he lived, man of ungovernoble passions, des.
> ,itute of integrity. deeply depraved and without
: ever having openly repentcd of his heinous Of
' fences.