Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1893-02-16
BENEDICT ARNOLD


Tru1nbull, who was governor Of the
Connecticut colony, greatly admired Ar
nold's energy in getting his company to-
gether within an hour after the lnessen-
ger brought the news Of Lexington. and
at the bayonet's point demanding pow
der from the hesitating New Haven al-
thorities. and then. equipped, leading
them in the march across country to
Boston. It was Trulnbull who advised
Washington Of this exploit, so that
Washington became early impressed
with Arnold's military ardor and ability.
Arnolds achievement in taking an
army across the wilds OF Maine to Que
bee, which has been hkened by some
writer's to the marches of Xenophon or
Hannibal, gained for him the warmest
friendship of Washington.
Arnold's letters show that the only
man in Revolutionary times for whom
he felt either fear Or respect was Wash
ington. In Washington's presence Ar
mold was subdued. gracious and respect
full. Some of his letters indicate that he
had for Washington feeling he had for
no other man. something Of affection,
and it was apparent to those who studied
the life of Arnold that the only person
before whom he stood tanned and whose
authority he cheerfully acknowledged
was Washington. That indicates some
thing of that great moral quality which
led Mr.. Gladstone to speak of Washing
ton as perhaps the greatest man since
Luther. When he was contemplating
his awful treachery the only thought
that gave Arnold pain was that Washing
ton would suffer. For the rest he cared
| not one jot.
Trlmbull, although not SO conspicuous
in the agitations which led to-the revolt
| of the colonies as Sam Adams or John
Hancock or Roger Sherman Or Thomas
Jefferson, was nevertheless regarded by
Washington 90 tho strongest friend that
he had to lean upon. It is probable that
he revealed more Of his condolences to
Trumbull than to any other man. They
were something alike in their moral quail
tiles, although Tru1nbull was Of Puri.
tanic piety, while Washington was not,
though each Of them was a religious
man.
Some fifty years ago the EEon Learned
Hebard was appointed executor Of the
estate of William Williams, who was 8
grandson Of Jonathan Trumbull, and
whose father was one CT the signers Of
the Declaration Of Independence. In the
settlement Of the estate Judge Hebar6
came across q vast amount of CORE
spondence, including letters which passed
between Washington and Governor
Trumbull. Some CT these letters were
formal business Documents; others were
of a more confidential nature. They re-
vealed on the part Of Washington g free
dom from reserve which none Of his
other correspondence shows. One OF two
of them contained that term which
Washington publicly applied to Gov
ernor Trumbull, and which for many
years was regarded as nickname for The
American nation, Brother Jonathan. .
Some of Trumbull's correspondence
was also found. which shows that thi:
man of genius and clear intellect. q MAJ
| born to be Of authority himself, hai
recognized in Washington that quality
Of greatness early in the time Of tn,
Revolution and before he had demon
strated it to the world. Trumbull's let
tiers, whilo not e1traTagant, for he wa
J not the man to use extravagant terms
indicate that Trumbull regarded Wash
ington as having been specially furnishes
by Providence with those greater quail
ties, not only military, but moral, which
were necessary to establish the Ameri
can nation. He had almost the feelin.
for Washington which Arnold had, al
though in his case there was personal in
tilnacy and almost an equality Of rela
ton which probably no other man of tn
Revolution enjoyed.
Thus the impression and infuenc
which Washington created and exerte'
upon these two men-one Of brillian
ability. but morally bad; the other Of in
tellectual and moral integrity and Q
statesn1an1ike quality suggest how j
was thatto men OF ell quality the i'm
!. preston thai he gavo was thatof great
/ ness, exactly Us to the greatest intellect
Of this day, Lie Gladstone's, the same i'm
preston has been given by a study Q
his life. E. JAY EDWARDS.