The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-12-02


unconcious one. Muor Andre who Ind been
intimate with her fathers family while Gen
Howe was in possession of philadelphia,
wrote TO her from New York in August, IL
| ~, to solicit her remembrance, aud offer his
service in procuring supplies, should she re-
quire any in the military department, in
which he says, playfiIlly, the Mischianza had
given him skill and experience.
The period ut which this missive was sent
more thnn year after Andre had parted
with The 'far circle for which he Processes
such lively regard, and the singhlarity of the
letter ITSELF justified the suspicion which be-
came general after its seizure by the Conn-
Gil fPennsylvania-that its offer of service
in the detail of capwre, needles, and gnuse,
covered meaning deep md dangerous
! This view was taken by many writer's of the
day; hut admitting that The letter was 10 con-
vey mysterious meaning, still it is not con-
elusive evidence of Mrs AIS participation
in the design or knowledge OF the treason,
the consummaton ofwhich was distant more
than year. The suggestion of Mr. Reed
seems more probable-ihat the guilty cores
pondence between the two officers under
feigned names having been commenced in
March or April, the letter 10 Mrs Arnold may
hive been intended by Andre to inform her
! husband ofIhe name and rank Of his New
York correspondent, and thus encourage u
fuller measure of confidence and regard
The judgment of MIR Reed, Mr. Sparks aud
others who have closely investigated the sub
ect, is in favor of Mrs. Arnold's Innocence
in the matter.
1t was after the plot WINS FAR advanced to-
wnrds It's denoumcnt, aud only TWO days
before General Washington commenced his
tour 10 Hartford, in the course of which lie
nade visit TO West POiut--that Mrs. Ar
mold came thilher with her infant, TO Ioin her
husband, travelling by short stages ia her
own carriage. She passed the last night AT
Smiths house, where she was met by the
General, and proceeded up the liver in his
barge Ia head quarters When Washington
and his otfirers arrive nt West Point, having
sent from Fishkill, TO announce their coming,
In FayeIte reminded the chief, who was
turning his horse Into n road leading 10 the
river-thnt Mrs. Arnold would be waiting
breakfast; to which Washington sportively
answered" Ah, you young men are all in love
with Mrs Arnold, and wish TO get where she
is us soon MS possible. Go breakfast with
her: aud do not wait for me"
Mrs Arnold was ut breakfast with her hus.
band and The aids de-camp Washington and
the other officers not having Yet comc-when
the letter arrived which, bore to the traitor
The first intelligence Of Andres capture. lie
left the room Immediately, went to his wife's
chamber, sent for her, and briefly Informed
her, mud when Arnold quilted The apartment
he left her lying in n swoon on the floor
Her almost frantic condition-plunged in
To the depths of distress-is described with
sympathy 10y Col. Hamilton, in letter writ
ten the next day: "The General went to
see her, she upbraidcd him with being in
a plot to murder her child; rnved shed tears
and lamented the fate of the infant. All the
sweetness U. bcuuty-a!! The loneliness of in
nocence-nl the tenderness ola wife, and
all the iondncss of mother, showed them
selves in her appearance and conduct" He
too, expresses his conviction that she had no
knowledge of Arnolds plan till his announce
ment 10 her that he must Danish himself from
his country forever. ......'
The opinions Of other persons, qualified to
Judge without prejudice, acquitted her of the
churge OF having participated in the treason.
John Jay, writing from Madrid to Catherine
Livingston, says: SAN the world nre ours
inc his poo. wife" Robert Morris writes,
"Poor Mrs. h,;:cld. Was there ever such an
Internal villain !"
Mrs Arnold went from West Point TO her
fathers house; but wnsnot long permitted to
remain in Philadelphia, The traitors pa.
pers having been seized by direction OF the
executive authorities the correspondence
with Andre was brought to light. suspicion
rested OIL her; and 10y order OF the Council,
dated October, 81, she was required to leave
the State. TO return no more during the war.
She accordingly departed for New York.
The respect and forbearance shown to her on
her way through the country notwithstand-
ing her Punishment, testified the popular be-
lief n her innocence. NJ. de Mardois relates
that when she stopped ut n village, where they
were about to hurn Arnold in effigy they put
it off till the next night. And when she en-
tered the carriage on her way TO join her hus-
hand, all exhibition of popular Indignation
was suspended, as if respectful pity for the
grief aud shame she suffered, for the time
overcome every other feeling. ......r
Mrs. Arnold resided for time with her
husband in the city of ST. Johns, NJ Bruins
wick, aud was long remembered by persons
who knew her there, and who spoke much
of her beauty aud facnations; She afterwards
lived in England. Mr. Sabine says she aud
Arnold were seen by an American loynlist in
Westminster Abbey, standing before the
centotaph erected by the command of the
King in memory ofthe unfortunate Andre.
With what feelings the traitor viewed the
monument of the man his crime had sacri-
feed, is not known; but he who saw him
there turned awny with horror. Mrs Arnold
survived her husband three years, and died
III London in 1904, at the age of 43.
Energy!