The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1872-04-18
nWhat will

!, Exactly month after that day the
British army evacuated Philadelphia
and away they sped across Jersey with
General Washington at their heels A
day or two after body of American
troops marched in, commanded by Gen
Benedict Arnold. All was changed
The red coats had .disappeared-blue
coats were in the ascendant; and the
new Yankee General was the foremost
in the city. Arnold, a vain weak man,
ever fond of display and luxury, appro-
priated to himself one of the handsom.
est houses in the town, where he set up
costly establishment, kept great
many servants, gave splendid dinners,
and maintained handsome equipage
drawn by four horses-A scale of ex-
pense utterly incompatible either with
his fortune or his pay. No one, how
ever, knew at the time that, to maintain
this costly pomp, he was concerned in
speculations unworthy of an officer and
gentleman, and sometimes used the pub
licmoney that passed throug h his hands,
In inviting his guests, as the patriotic
portion of the people remarked with
surprise, he was as likely to select tories
as wings. He seemed to court the ad-
herents of the king, and he frequently
had at his table the wives and daugh-
tiers of public enemies, who had been
publicly prescribed, and had found ref
uge with the enemy in New York,
Among the families that attracted his
regard was that of Edward Shipper,
and he was soon observed to pay partic-
ular court to his daughter, Margaret
Arnold was then a widower, thirty
eight years of age; just twenty years
older than the young lady. Ere long he
formally asked her hand from her father,
and her father consenting, he addressed
the daughter and they were engaged.
In the meantime Arnold had become
50 odious by his extravaganza, and inso-
lent, overbearing conduct TO the people,
that Congress was obliged to take cog.
uizance of the fact. On the very eve OF
his marriage he was ordered to be tried
by a court martial Miss Shipper, how
ever, was true To her engagement, and
married him FIVE days after The court
martial, as every one knows, sentenced
him to be reprimanded by Gen. Wash
ington, and he was rcpvimanded &C
cordingly.
"Our profession" said General Wash.
ington to him, rs the chastcst Of all;
even the shadow Of fault furnishes the
lustre Of Our finest achievements. The
least inadvcrtencc may rob IL Of the
public favor. SO hard 10 be acquired. !
reprchend YOU for having forgotten that,
in proportion IS you had rendered your
self formidable To your enemies, YOU
should have been guarded and temper
ate in your department towards your
fellow citizens, Exhibit anew those
noble qualities which have placed You
on the list Of our most valued comman-
ders Twill, myself, furnish You, rs
far as it may be in my power, with OPP
portunities Of rcgaining the esteem of
your country"
This was more like an culogium than
a reprimand; but it did not touch the
heart Of Arnold, who went from the
presence Of his commander, not to re-
gain the esteem Of his country, but to
betray that country.
A year passed away. He was in com
mand at West Point, in correspondence
with the enemy. Whether she shared
her Husbands secret during those months
of preparation, will perhaps never be
known with certainty. Just before the
explosion of the treason at West Point
Arnold sent for his wife and child to
join him; and | have seen the letter
which he wrote to her on this occasion,
telling her the best way of reaching
him, and at what houses she should
sleep on the road She had not been
many days at West Point when the
treason was discovered.
Arnold and his wife were seated at
the breakfast table, with Hamilton
Lafayette and an aid. In the midst of
the meal, horseman alighted at the
door; and moment later letter was
placed in Arnold's hands which inform
ed him of his ruin. He controlled his
countenance, rose quietly from the table
and beckoned his wife to follow him.