The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-06-21


old officer of the British army, who
perceived the folly Of paying such ex,
travagant honors TO a General who HAD
won no victories, said sadly: 4" What
will Washington think OF all this?"
Exactly month from that day the
British army evacuated Philadelphia,
and away they sped across Jersey, with
Gen. Washington at their heels. A
day or two agter q 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
man in the city. Arnold, vain, weak
man, ever fond OF display and luxury,
appropriated one of the handsomest
houses in the town, where he set up
costly establishment, kept great many
servants. gave splendid dinners, ana
maintained handsome equipage drawn
by four horses, scale Of expense utter
" incompatible either with his fortune
or his pay. No one, however, 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 public money
that passed through his hands.
In inviting his guests, as the patriotic
portion of the people remarked with
surprise, he was as likely to select To-
ries as Wings. He seemed to court the
adherents of the King, and he fire.
ouently had at his table the wives and
daughters of public enemies, who had
been publicly prescribed, and had found
refuge with the enemy, in New York.
Among the families who attracted his
regard was that of Edward Shipper,
and he was soon observed to pay par
ticular court to his daughter, Margaret.
Arnold was then widower, thirty-eight
years of age, just twenty years older
than the young lady. Ere long he for
mally asked her hand from her father,
and her father consenting, he addressed
the daughter, and they were engaged.
In the meantime Arnold had become
so odious by his extravagance, and his
insolent, overbearing conduct to the
people, that Congress was obliged to
take cognizance of the fact. On the
eve Of his marriage hew ordered to be
tried by court martial. Miss Shipper,
however, was true to her engagement,
and married him five days after. The
court martial, as every one knows, SEN
fenced him to be reprimanded by Gen.
Washington, and he was reprimanded
accordingly.
"Our profession" said General Wash.
ington to him, "is the chastest of all ;
even the shadow of fault furnishes the
luster of our finer achievements. The
least inadven ture may rob us Of the ia
vor, so hard to be acquired. l repre-
bend you far having forgotten that, in
proportion as you had rendered your.
self formidable to your enemies, you
should have been guarded and temper
ate in your department toward your
fellow citizens. Exhibit anew those no.
BILE qualities which have placed you on
the list of our most valued commanders.
l will, myself, furnish you, as far as it
may be in my power, with opportuni-
ties of regaining the esteem of your
country"
This was more like an eulogium 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 his 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 pr paration, 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 l have seen the
letter which he wrote to her on this oc
casion, telling her of the best way Of
reaching him, and what houses she
could sleep at on the road.
Arnold and his wife were seated al
the breakfast table, with Hamilton, La
fayette and an aid. Inthe midst OF the
meal horseman alighted at the door
and, moment after, a letter was placed
in ArnoIds hands, which informed hin
J of his ruin. He controlled his counter
ance, rose quietly from the table, ant
| beck oned his wife to follow him. The
: went up stairs to their room, where lay
their infant child and there he told he
} that he was a ruined man and must fly
} that instant, for his life. She fell sense
less to the floor. Leaving her there, h.
rushed from the room, hurried dow
!, stairs, sent some one to her assistance
and then returned to the breakfas
i room. He told his guests that Ger
f Washington was coming, and he mus
> make haste to prepare for his reception
He mounted the horse OF the messenge
> who had brought the letter, and gallon
ped away.
3 Col. Hamilton has left u, an intel
\ csting account of Mrs. Arnold's d.
9 meanor after her husbands departur,
t He says she remained frantic all day
t and accused every one who approache
a her of an intention to murder her chile