The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-21
BENEDICT ARNOLD.
A Rich Historical Treasure Recovered-The
Traitors Plea In His Own Behalf

A Rich Historical Treasure Recovered-The
Traitors Plea In His Own Behalf
KingstontN. ~ Freeman.
After Benedict Arnold had betrayed his coun-
try to the British, ne issued an address. on Oct.
4 1880. TO the American people, in vindication of
his course That address, in the traitors own
handwriting was found, this afternoon, in a
barrel of old papers, by 9. P. Carter, in Kings
ton. The precious document is now in the pos
session of The Freeman. For over century 1t
has ''laid around anywheres,h and it has finally
been discovered by the merest accident. The
document was found in the same loft where the
Aaron Burr letters and the secret ciphers were
discovered, recently. The Arnold letter is re
produced here, as near it is possible to do so
the capitalization, punctuation and paragraph
ing having been followed closely, as follows
T the Inhabitants of America:
I should forfeit in my opinion, the place I
have so long held in yours, if could be indif-
ferent to your own appreciation, and silent
the motives which have induced me to JOIN the
Kings Arms. A very few words, however,
shall suffice upon a subject so personal, for to
the Thousands who suffer under the tyranny of
usurpers, in the Revolted Provinces, as well rs
to the great multitude who have long wished for
its subverson, this instance of my conduct can
want no Vindication, and as to that Glass of
Men who are criminally protracting the War
from Sinister Motives at the E1pence OF the Pub
lie Interest, prefer their Enmlty to their APP
address to Explain myself to such of my Coun
trymen, as want abilities or Opportunities, to
detect the articles by which they are duped.
Having fought by your sides, when the Love
of our Country animated our Arms. l shall EX-
pect from your Justice and Candour what your
deceivers with more Art and less honesty, will
find it Inconsistent with their own Views to
Admit
When I quilted domestic Happiness for the
Perils of the Field ] conceived the rights of my
Country danger honor
called me to her defence. A redress Of grevience
was my only object and aim. However &C.
quiesced iii Step which thought precipitate
The Declaration of Independence. TO justify
this measure many plausible Reasons were
urged-which could no longer Exist. when Great
Britain with the Open Arms of Parent offered
to Embrace us as Children and grant the wished
for Redress,
And now that her worst Enemies are in her
own Bosom I should change my principles if l
conspired with their designs Yourselves being
judges, was the War less Just because fellow
Subjects were Considered as Foes-you have
felt the Tortures in which we raised our Arms
against Brother! God Incline the Guilty pro-
tractors of these unnatural dissentions, to Re-
sign their Ambition and cease from their de-
lusions in Compassion to kindred blood
| anticipate your question, was not the War
defensive one, Until the French Joined in the
Com bination2 Ianswer that thought so. You
will add was it not afterwards necessary till the
separation u the British Empire Compleat9
BY no means in contending for the welfare of my
Country am free to declare my opinion, that
this End attained, all Strife should have ceased.
/ lamente6 therefore the Impolicy tyrany, and
injustice. which with Sovereign contempt
of the people OF America Studiousy neglected to
take their collective Sentiments, OF the British
Proposals of Peace, and to negotiate under
suspension of Arms for an adjustment of differ
ences, as dangerous sacrifice of the great in
terests of this Country in the partial views of
proud, ancient and Crafty foe. / had my sus-
picions Of some Imperfections In our Councils
as proposals prior to the Parliamentary Com
mission of 1778, but having then less to do in the
Cabinet than the Field Il will not pronounce
premptorily as some may, and perhaps JUSTLY
that Congress have Yelled them from the public
Eye | continued to be guided in the negligent
confidence of a Soldier. But the whole world
saw, and all America Confessed that the
overtures Of the Second Commission ex
ceeded our Wishes and expectations, and
if there was any suspicion of the National lib
erality it was from its EXcess-Do any believe
we were at that time really entaneled by an AL
lance with France, unfortunate Deception! and
thus they have been duped, by a Virtuous
Credulity in the precautions moments of intern
perate passion to give up their felicity to save
Nation wanting both the viii and the Power to
protect us, and aiming at the destruction beth of
the Mother Country and the Provinces, in the
plainness of Common Sense, for pretend to no
casuistry, cid the pretended treaty with the
Court of Versailles amount to more than an Owes:
ture to America? Certainly not because no Au
thorty hass been given by the people to Con-
cude. Nor to this very Hour have have they
Authorized its Ratification, the Articles of Con-
federation Remain Still unsigned
In the firm persuasion therefore. that the
private Judgment of any Individual Citizen of
this Country is as free from all conventional re-
straints since as before the insduous offer of
France | preferred those from Great Britain,
thinking it infinitely wiser and safer, to cast my
confidence upon his justice and generosity, than
kax Mnx ntx - o1Al l. - A;oA
Independency so perilous to her distant do
minions the Enemy of the Protestant Faith, and
fraudently avowing an Affection for the liberties
of Mankind while she holds her Native Sons in
Vassalage and Chains.
/ Affect no disguise, and therefore frankly de-
clare, that in these principles ! hal determined
to Retain my Arms and Command for and OPP
pertunty to Surrender them to Great Britain,
and in Connecting the measures for purpose in
my Opinion. "a grateful as it would have been
beneficial to ny Country was only Solicitors
to Accomplish an Event of decisive Importance,
and to prevent as much as possible in the Exc
cution of it the Effusion of Blood
With the highest satisfaction bear testimony
to my Old fellow Soldiers and Citizens that /
find solid Grounds to rely upon the clemency of
our Sovereign. and abundant conviction that it
is the Generous Intention of Great Britain, not
only to leave the Rights and privileges of the
Colonies unimpaired together with their perpet-
ual Exemption from taxation, but to superadd
such further benefits as NAV consist with the
common prosperity of the Empire. In. short
fought for much less than the Parent Country is
willing to grant to her Colonies as they can be
to receive or Enjoy
some may think continued in the Struggle of
these unhappy days too long, and others that
quilted too soon. TO To the first reply, that
did not see with their Eyes, perhaps had so
favorable situation to look from, and that to
our Common Master am willing to stand or fall
in behalf of the candid among the latter-some
of whom believe serve blindy but honestly in
the bonds have left. pray God TO give them
all the light Requisite to their own Safety before
its too late, land with respect to that hord of
Censurers-whose enmity to me Originates in
their hatred to the principles by which am now
led to devote my life to the Reunion of the Brit
sish Empire, as the best, and only means to dry
up the Streams of Misery that have deuged this
Country, they may be assured that conscious of
the Rectitude of my pretentons. shall treat
their malice and Calumnies with contempt and
Neglect, B. ARNOLD.