St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-16
Benedict Arnold's Wife.
Everett, M ass.

Was the wife OF the traitor snarer III
her husbands plots?
Alexander Hamilton believed her limo.
cent of the crime, if not of blame, and so
did Robert Morris. Historians such as
Sparks and Reed have united in declaring
that Mrs. Arnold was more sinned
against than a sinner. poor Mrs.
Arnold Was there ever such an Internal
villain ?" wrote the fnancer Of the revo-
luton in letter concerning Arnold's
treason.
Margaret Shipper, the young wife OF
Benedict Arnold, was Philadelphia girl.
She came OF family that was known as
one of the elite of the city. Wealth,
luxury and fattery were about her from
her earliest years. This youngest daugh.
ter of the man who later was chief justice
of Pennsylvania, the pet and baby" of
the household, the toast of the young
British officers while their army held the
city, was only Is years of age when
Arnold first met her, beautiful and fasci
mating.
In her home the Continentas had been
held up to rdicule, says writer in the
New York Sun. They were Doors, and
wanting in all the graces of the we'll
dressed, smooth-mannered British Off
GERS. Their clothing was ill-ftting, their
manners coarse. The sympathies of her
family were all with the more aristo-
cratic Tories.
Before this girl appeared Benedict
Arnold, some l o years or more her senior.
There are letters extant which show the
general feeling of her family toward this
young officer, who differed so much from
the rank and file of lis companions. Not
word concerning his character nor one
of his moral integrity, but all were of his
fine figure, his brilliant and dashing man.
ners, his ability to dance well and to
conduct himself properly.
The young girl was taken and appar-
emily took her family along with her.
There is published letter, written by
Arnold from the camp at Raritan to
Margaret Shipper in February, 1873
not long before their marriage, in which
he gives full play to his feelings. There
are bitter illusions to the leaders and
harsh complaints at their failure tc
recognize and do justice to his merits
and we may be sure young soldier sc
deeply in love as Arnold doubtless was
would not lave written in that fashion
unless he had known in just what man
ner his letter would have been received
His letters show by their expressions hi
knowledge of her real feelings in tn
struggle.
The marriage, which soon followed
increased the perls of Arnold. His wifi
still chung to her friends, who were o,
the other side in the struggle, an,
through her, her husband was brough
into frequent contact with the enemie
OF his country.
Arnold found no antdote in the cour
sells or example of his wife. For hersel
agay time was the only happy time, an
she had no taste or desire for the mario,
life of even one OF the ablest OF the Amer
can generals.
Nor was her influence alone with til
young British officers. At the very tim
when the little party of Washingto
arrived at West Point, Lafayette r.
minded the general that Mrs. Arnol
might be waiting breakfast for then
and that they had best hasten, and Il
leader laughingly responded: "Ah, yo
young men are all in love with Mr.
Arnold, and wish to get where she is {
soon as possible. Go breakfast with he
and do not wait for me"
The correspondence of Maj. Andre wit
Mrs. Arnold often has been quoted ;
she had share in the plot which va
then going on, but candid judgmel
can only pronounce it all part of II
life of the light-hearted woman. 81
simply must keep in touch with Il
gayer life of the world outside, ar
Andres letters, bright, witty and full
gossip, were only part of that.
When Arnold knew that his plot WI
discovered he FASTENED to his wife
room, quickly summoned her, and und
the necessity OF prompt action almo
brutally told her the exact condtio
When he left the room his wife hi
swooned and fallen.
When Gen. Washington saw her, as
did soon, she had recovered sufficient
to vent all her feelings upon him. I
was to blame for it all. He it was wi
had plotted to ruin her husband al
murder his wife and child. Col. Ham