Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-20
ARNOLDs TREASON AS NARRATED By
GENERAL WASHINGTON.

the Hon Richard Rush, and just published oy
Messrs. Lippincott & Co. The narrative wa wa
originally given by General Washington on 'n'
occasion of dinner party at his own mans'on'
ct Mount Vernon, and Afterwards "ri'.o
by Col. Lear, his private secretary "H
ilent, and Afterwards his conndeh'iai
We print the paper with the PREDATORY IT,
marks by Mr.. Rush
Since the foregoing Letters were received
from Mrs. Lear, she has favored me Win 'ne
ncrnsaI of other manuscripts introducing US to
the domestic hours of General Washington.
Among them is Diary kept by Mr.. Lear, at
Mount Vernon in 1856; anterior, therefore, to
the time when Washington became President.
From this document am permitted to copy a
massage entire 1t is dated the 23d OF October,
SO Mr. Drayton and Mr.. lizard, gentlemen
OfSouth Carolina, had been spending the day
Mount Vernon. After dinner, the company
stiII round the table, Washington was led to
.peak of ArnOld's treason, and Mr.. Lear wrote
down his account Of it in his Diary of that day
Although history has made US familiar with
that whole transaction in its essential facts, to
hear il under such circumstances from the lips
Of Washington, seems to impart TO Ii new in
terest. We listen with revived curiosity and
attention when such narrator speaks. The
copy from Mr. Lear's Diary, in which is record
ed this interesting dinner-table narrative, is
in the words following:
"MOUNT VERNON,
Monday, October 23d, 17S6. I
- Mrs. Washington went to Arlington with
the two children. Sent a letter directed to Mr..
Samuel StOrer, to the pOst-of1ice by Charles,
VINO went up to town (Aloxandria) with Master
Thompson and Lawrence Washington, who had
spent their vacation here. Mr.. DraytOn and
Mr. lizard here all day. After dinner General
W.shipotOr in ha enursa of cOnvarsatiOD
Led to speak Of ArnOld's treacherv, when he
gave the following account Of it, which / shall
put in his own words, thus: = / confess L had
Il good opinion of Arnold before his treachery
was brought to light; had that not then been the
ease, should have had reason to suspect him
sooner, for when he commanded in Philadel-
phia, the Marquis Ia Fayette brought accounts
from France OF the armament which was to
be sent to cooperate with Us in the ensuing
campaign. Soon after that was known, Arnold
pretended 10 have some private business to
transact in Connecticut, and on his way there
he called at my quarters; and in the course Of
conversation expressed desire Of quitting
Philadelphia and joining the army the ensuing
campaign. / told him that ii was probable we
should have a very active one, and that if his
wound and state of health would permit /
should be extremely glad of his services with the
army. He replied that he did not think his
wound would permit him to take a very active
part; but still he persisted in his desire Of be-
Ing with the army. He went on TO Connecti-
cut, and on his return called again upon me-
lie renewed his request Of being with Inc next
campaign and made him the same answer L
had done before. He again repeated that he
did Not think his wound would permit him to
d. active duty, and intimated desire to have
the command at West Point. l told him L did
not think that would suit him. "a | should
leave none in the garrison but invalids, because
II would be entirely covered by the main army.
The sub bject was dropped at that time, and he
returned to Philadelphia. 1t then appeared
somewhat strange to me, that man Of ArnOld's
known activity and enterprise, should be de-
sirous Of taking 80 inactive a part. /, how
ever. thought no moro Of the matter When
the French troops arrived at Rhode Island, /
hal intelligence from New York that General
Clinton intended to make an attack upon them
before they could get themselves settled and
fortified In consequence Of that, was deter
mined 10 attack New York, which would be
left much exposed By his drawing off the Brit
ish troops; and accordingly formed my line of
battle. and moved down with the whole army
tJ Kings ferry, which we passed. Arnold
eam9 10 camp at that time, and having no COM
mand, and consequently no quarters (all the
houses thereabouts being occupied by the army
he was Obliged 10 seek lodgings at some distance
frUm the camp. While the army was crossing
taehment over, and met Arnold, who asked me
II had thought Of anything for him. l told
HIM that he was to have the command of the
hSht troops, which was a post Of honor, and
which his rank, indeed, entitled him TO- Upon
this information his cOuntenance changed, and
he appeared To be quite fallen; and instead of
thanking me, or expressing any pleasure at the
appointment, never opened his mouth. / de-
sired hlm 10 60 on 10 my quarters and get some
thing % refresh himself and would meet him
there soon. He did 50. Upon his arrival there,
Ee fJund C0!. IIlghman, whom he took one
side, and mentioning what / had told him,
seemed 10 express great uneasiness at it-as
his leg, lie said, would not permit him to be
long ON horseback, and intimated a great de-
EiEe 10 have the command at West Point. When
returned 10 my quarters, Col. Tilghman in
f9rmed he OF what had passed / made no re-
pay 70 it-but his behavior struck me as strange
am unaccOuntable. In the course of that night
however, received Information from New York
'.it TeneTai Clinton had altered his plan and
va. debarkinS his troops. This information
C'hged me'likewise TO alter my disposition and
return 10 my former station, where / could
letter cover the country. L then determined
= comply with ArnOld's desire. and accordingly
Siye hun the command Of the garrison at West
FONT Things remained IN this situation about
iYrtnl5 5ht, when wrote to Count ROchambeau
N-siFihS 70 meet hiIn AT some intermediate place
lls we could neither Of Us be long enough from
our respective commands to visit the other,) in
'rIer 70 lay the plan for the siege of Yorktown,
AMI proposed Hartford, where / accordingly
went and met the Count On nv return
net the Chevaler Luzerne towards evening
within about ID miles Of West Point ION his
way To Join the Count at Rhode Island. which
Intended to reach that night, but he insisted
upon turning back with me 10 the next nnbIic
I5a>e; where IN P0liteness to him, / could not
but stay all night, determining however. to get
U "est Point to breakfast very early. sent
% my baggage and desired Colonel Hamilton
u 81 forward and inform General Arnold that
would breakfast with him. Soon after he
rTil'ed al Arnold : quarters, letter was de-
l'ered 70 Arnold which threw him into the
siea'est confusion. He told Colonel Hamilton
.I1t something required his immediate attend
a. ine garrison, which was on the opposite
..aI,Ie - the rlver 70 his quarters; and immedi-
THJ' ,S %Srlered horse, to take him to the river.
emu 'ne o9rge, which he kept to cross to be-
inf,r,, %ni desired Major Franks, his Aid. to
,,npa On .-1 ,t when should arrive, that he was
ar.l