The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-01-20
giugraphies,
fcoSrISUED.l
BENEDICT Arnold.

seized at Montreal in his retreat from Canada;
and at Philadelphia, he was determined to
make new acquisitions He laid his hands on
every thing in the city, which he considered as
the property of those who were unfriendly to
the cause of his country. He was first charged
with oppression, then with extortion, and enor-
nous charges upon the public, in his accounts,
and with applying the public money and prop
erty to his own use. Such was his conduct,
that he drew upon himself the odium of the in
habitants, not only of the city, but of the prov
ince in general He was engaged in trading
speculations, and had shares in several priva-
teers but was unsuccessful. From the judg-
ment of the commissioners, who had been APP
pointed to inspect his accounts, and who had
rejected above half the amount of his demands,
he appealed to Congress; and they appointed
committee of their own body to examine and
settle the business The committee confirmed
the report of the commissioners, and thought
they had allowed him more than he had any
right to expect or demand.
By these disappointments he became irritated,
and gave full scope to his resentment. His in
vectve against Congress- were not less violent
than those which he had before thrown ont
against the commissioners. He was, however,
soon obliged to abide the judgment of a court
martial, upon the charges exhibited against him
by the executive of Pennsylvania and he was
subjected to the modification of receiving a
reprimand from the great and good Washing
ton
His trial commenced June 177S, but such
were the delays occasioned by the movements
of the army, that it was not concluded until the
26th of January, 1879. The sentence of
reprimand was approved by Congress, and was
soon afterwards carried into execution. Such
was the humiliation to which General Arnold
was reduced, in consequence of yielding to the
temptations of pride and vanity, and indulging
himself in the pleasures of sumptuous table
and expensive equipage.
From this time probably, his proud spirit re-
volted from the cause of AMERICA He now
turned his eyes to West Point as an acquisi-
ton, which would give value to treason, while
its loss would intlict mortal wound on his for
mer friends He addressed himself to the dele
cation of New York in which State his repu-
tation was peculiarly high and a member of
Congress, from this State, recommended him to
General Washington for the service which he
desired But this requistion could not be i'm
mediately complied with.
The same application, to the commander-in
chief, was made not long afterwards through
General Schuyler. Washington observed, that
as there was prospect of active campaign,
he should be gratifed with the aid of General
Arnold in the field but intimated, at the same
time, that he should receive the appointment
requested, if it should be more pleasing to him.
Arnold, without discovering much solicitude,
repaired to camp in the beginning of August,
and renewed in person. the solicitations which
had been made by others. He was now offered
the command of the left wing of the army,
which was advancing against New York but
he declined it under the pretext that in conse-
ouence of his wounds, he was unable to perform
the active duties of the field
Without even suspicion of his patriotism,
he was at once invested with the command of
West Point Here it was that he came near
LTGlGOTOUSLy SulISHuOiluo lHio VI Wv "ho
my ingloriousy into the hands of the British;
but the wise disposer of events, who so often
and so remarkably interposed in favor of the
American cause, blasted his designs; need
not pursue this point futher, as all of your read
ers are as familiar with the sequel as can write
it; therefore I desist.
Arnold on the very day Of his escape, wrote
letter to Washington, declaring that the love
of his country had governed him in his late con-
duct and requested him to protect Mrs. Arnold.
She was conveyed to her husband at New York,
and his clothes and baggage for which he had
written. were transmitted to him. During the
exertions which were made to rescue Andre
from the destruction which threatened him, Ar
nold had the hardihood to interpose. He ap-
pealed to the humanity of the commander-ln-
chief, and then sought to intimidate him by
stating the situation of many of the principal
characters of South Carolina, who had forfeited
their lives, but had hitherto been spared through
the ciemency of the British General This
ciemency, he said could no longer in justice De
extended 70 them, should Major Andre suffer.
Arnold was made brigadier-general in the
British service which rank he held throughout
the war. Yet he must have been held in con-
tempt and detestation by the generals and nom