Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-05-03
AN INTERESTING ORIGINAL LETTER.
PROM THE rHIIADrIrHIA SUI.
Gen. Wayne's Opinion Of .a,uol,

Gen. Haynes Opinion of .drnold.
A kind friend has placed in our hands an oriui.
nal letter written by Gen. ANTHONY WAYNE 10 |.
gentleman Of this vicinity, which will be read with
interest as containing the opinion of one of the
bravest of our Revolutionary officers upon the
treachery and previous character of Benedict Ar
mold. We give the letter entire:
| HAvERsrRAw, NEAR SroSr Po1Sr
OCTOBER /, 1850.
MT DEAR SIR: Will you do me the Justice to believe
want of affection inclination but thousand other
intervening circumstances have prevented me from writing
sooner Indeed my dear sir have hitherto had but yerv
campaign what with private feud and public mis-
fortunes am almost distracted and down. Just as had
eneced temporary reconciliation among the officers Of this
line to measures which had wounded their feelings and be-
ginning feel little happy. the perdy Of Gen. Arnold h..
opened field for anxiety of mind and dstrust Of .oma
others, both in the cabinet and the field
can't say that much shocked on the occa.ion Ib.A
long known the man early I776 he produced con-
to me that honor and true virtue were strangers 10 hs
sou-and, however contradictory may appear he did NOT
possess either ortude personal courage He was natur
ally coward, and went into danger but when s,mu
lated by liquor even to inoxcaton consequently not ca
pab'e OF conducting any command committed to his charge
But however that may be- had he succeeded in the dark a
fair Charleston and the other military checks we have
experienced In South Carolina would be fes to the loss Of
West Point and its dependencies for, by possessing that
pass the enemy would esctua separate the Northern and
Middle States and any possible communication short
OF ha moon, situate twelve miles north Of Albany By this
means they might direct their whole force to any point with
Out being in danger junction Of the forces of these States
to moles them in their operation.
The storm was have taken place last Tuesday night or
tne next morning The garrison of West Point was so de-
ached and the works so wrehedy manned and provided
'nat 'ne whole must have been carried in twenty minutes
his Excelency fortunatey-vey founately-aived athat
place about half hour before the reachery was discovered
but Arnold made his escape in boat and proceeded down
the river as fag and got board the Vuure
The General expecting that the enemy were embarked
and every thing in perfect readiness for the enterprise Sir
Henry Clinton would Notwithstanding the discovery at
tempt to carry the works by assault well knowing the deb
ated state Of the garrison and the proper points Of attack and
that our army was not within supporting distance he there
fore dispatched express o'clock that evening, which
reached US BY twelve at night, directing Gen. greene to
order the Pennsvania line to proceed with all possible dis
patch under command and endeavor if possible 10 ce DOS
session OF the de6es leading from Stony to West Point
We Immediately marched leaving camp standing, and
by sunrise passed that being upwards sixteen miles
In four hours, performed in the night without single man
left behind.
Here yet remain, waiting for Sir Harrys motions but
knowing position, he will be hardy enough to perse-
in enterprise (ahough very favorte one) that
would be the price of much blood shall not commit myse
to the ortfcatons but will decide the fate of the day at the
point Of the bayonet in the gorges of the dees through
which the enemy must pass before they reach the works
My kndest wishes to Sister Sally and her little people
present my best respects mother Penrose and believe me
yours, most afectonalely ANTY: WAYNE.