The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-27


AND SOMEWHAT New VERSION OF TIE Ar
TEMPTED SURRENDER OF WEST PoINT.-
In his address to the last graduating class
of the military academy at West Point,
Professor Coppee told anew, and with inte-
resting details not generally known, the
story of Arnold's attempted surrender of
the fort at West Point to the British in the
Revolutionary war, as follows: On the I'D
of February, 1Te0, General Arnold re-
turned from his interview with Majo An
Dire at and near the house of Joshua Hett
Smith to his quarters at Beverly, and then
made all the preliminary arrangements for
the surrender of this post; but without, as
far as known, taking any one into his con-
hdence. On the oath the British were to
come up the river and take West Point.
This was well-timed, as Washington was
not expected to return from Hartford until
the 2Sth. Most Unexpectedly, however, he
changed his plans, and returned through
Duchess county to Fishkill on the oath.
He stayed that night with the French
Ambassador, who was there; and in happy
ignorance of the snaky treason whose final
coil was being wound, he took saddle before
the dawn of the oath, in order to reach
General Arnold's headquarters in time to
breakfast with the General and Mrs. Ar
mold, and then to inspect the works at West
Point. Some soldiers had gone before with
Washington's baggage to announce his pur-
pose to Arnold but as he approached Ar
nold's house he turned off toward the river.
Lafayette, who was riding with him, ex-
claimed, General, that is the wrong way ;
you know Mrs. Arnold is waiting for u.s."
Washington replied, in pleasant way, "All
the young men are in love with Mrs. Ar
nold," and added eco and take your
breakfast, and tell Mrs. Arnold not to
wait for me; that l will be there
by-and-by.' So the staff went to
Arnold's house and took breakfast,
the countenance of the host, old-blooded
as was the man, being unable to con-
ceal his secret trouble and misgivings. The
British had not come, and there were no IL
dings. Washington had arrived two days
sooner than he was expected. While ut
breakfast Lieutenant Allen, Of Arnold's
command, came in with letter. 1t was
from below. He tore it open, expecting to
read news of the enemy's move up the
river. Horror and sstonishment the tt
dings were from Major Jameson that Major
Andre was in his hands, prisoner and o
spy. Leaping from his seat, he announced
to his guests that an urgent message called
for his presence at West Point; and he left
as a message, should General Washington
arrive before his return, he would return,
he said, as soon as possible. He then went
to his wife's room and sent for her. In
q few words he announced the necessity Of
going at once to the British lines. Leay-
ing her in a swoon on the floor, he
rushed out, mounted one of the horses
of Washingron's caSaleade in waiting al
the door, galloped down O steep pathway
to Beverly dock, got in his six-oared barge
and ordered the oarsmen to pull with q will
for Teller's Point, promising them an extra
ration of rum and reward in money, and
telling them that he was hurrying that he
might transact his business there and
return without delay to meet Genera
Washington. AS they passed Teller's Point
and neared the Vulture man-of-war, ne
spread his white handkerchief as flag o.
truce, and reached the British ship 8
traitor in safety-a villain under protection
which could not fail. 1t was race fol
life and he won it.. Just after Arnold
fight, Washington arrived at Beverly. Or
being told that Arnold had gone to Wes
Point he took hasty breakfast and hur'
ried over to meet him there. AS the boa
approached the landing Washington was
surprised to find that there was NJ
salute and no guard turned out to receive
him. Indeed, the commanding officer
Colonel Lamb, of the artillery,-was lei
surely strolling down the path as the barge
landed. Confused when he saw the Gene
ral-in-Chief, he stammered out, :" Had
any idea that your Excellency was coming
l would have given you a proper recep.
tion." "Sir," exclaimed Washington, "i:
not General Arnold here ?'' "No, sir; hi
has not been here these two days, and
have not heard from him in that time.'
Astonished, and recurring to his old suspi
cions, Washington inspected the works, ane
returned about noon to Arnold's house
There Hamilton met him with the proofs o
the treason, all the apers taken out of An
dre's boot, which had by this time arrived
The messenger had arrived just four hour
after Arnold's escape. Looking around him
he turned to Knox and Lafay ette, and sait
in solemn, almost heart-broken manner
"Whom can we trust now"