Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-24
PRIZE ESSAY
On The Treason of Benedict Arnold and Its Effect on the
American Revolution"

-, AWNING mat Sucn n prize would
Drlng great honor and emolumeat into
the hands of the enemy.
~ Grange now appeared in his de-
po,unent. SullenneSS gave way TO af-
lapliity, and the fire of patriotism APP
peared to have kindled anew i'll his
neart. His wounded knee, that had
Deen his excuse for compare tive mac
tion. now healed rapidly. He expressed
iLn anxiety to take more responsible
situation. He visited the commander
ln-ch1ef in his camp, and asked him to
give him the command of West Point
ana It's dependencies. His zeal for the
cause seemed TO be sincere, and Wash
lnSton, unSuspicious of wong acceded
TO his request, and furnished him with
written instructions, dated the third
OF August, 1850. He was thus invested
with supreme command, from Stony
FONT to tfshllill. the most important
In the whole county. Upon fertile pla-
teau, high above the river, opposite
West Point. at the country seat of
colonel Beverly Robinson, who was q
confere with Major Andre in this Sc
cret. he established his quarters.
Now for the first time. CMntons sus-
piclon that his correspondent was GEN.
eral Arnold. was confirmed. Unwilling
10 go further upon uncertainties. Arm
ola proposed TO Sir Henry to send some
trusty officer to confer with him per-
sonally. Major Andre was chose7, for
mission.
After some delays, and the Illustration
OF attempts to bring about Il meeting,
1t was accomplished at the house of
Joshua Hett Smith, about half way
between Stony Point and the village
OF Haverstraw. They first met by
starlight, near the river shore and then
went to Smiths house. There. in per-
feet secrecy, the whole plan was ar
ranged. 1t was simple, yet, il carried
OUT, would be efficient Washington
mad gone to Hartford to confer with
the French officers. The treasona BILE
service might be performed with bet
ter chances of success when the vigil
liant and ever-active chief was away.
ana 1t was agreed that Ii should be
executed Instantly. Arnold was TO
weaken the garrison at West Point. by
dispersion, and Clinton was to sail up
the river with u competent force and
take possession. This accomplished
Arnold was to be commissioned n brig
hdier-general in the British army, and
receive further compensation for his
services. in cash payment, OF $40. 600
Inc whole business was arranged be-
fore noon. The vessel which brought
Andre up the Hudson had been COM
peiled, by cannon shot from the Amer
leans, to fail down the river, and was
now out of sight. Andre, fully dis
Sulsed by blue-surtout, prepared to
cross the Hudson at Kings Ferry, and
return To New York by land. Arnold
offered him full statements of the con-
dition of West Point. for Sir Henry
Clinton. and contrary to the orders of
MS commander. not to receive IL single
paper from the traitor Andre took
them placed them in the bottom of
MS boot, and with pass from Arnold,
he set out on his perious journey.
ON the day after his departure An
Ore had reached Tarrytown. little more
than Il dozen miles from Kingsbridge,
without moleStaton, and was riding
along with the most pleasant antici-
pations of complete success, and
dreaming, perhaps. of bright honors
mat awaited him. when suddenly three
young m1litiamen, who had been play-
ing at cards in the bushes near the
road. stepped out and demanded his
business and destination. He knew not
whether they We're friends or foes, and
his brief words caused them to suspect
al was not right. He was ordered to
dlsmount, when, having discovered
them to be Wings. he showed them Ar
nold's pass. Still they were dissatisfied
ana insisted upon searching him. They
finally ordered him to pull off his
boots. and when he reluctantly obey
ed, they found. beneath his feet. the
papers that had been given him by
Arnold.
Andre, perceiving his peril, for he
was menaced with the death and dis
honor of a spy, offered them large
brides of money and merchandise, If
they would allow him TO pass on.
But their patriotism was too dear for
any price IN the power of his royal
master to give. and those innexlble
young men conducted him to the near
est post, at North Castle. and deliver
ed him TO the commander Colonel
Jameson. That officer, with most en-
-lraord ary-nllnseneSs-A xaS-nhnut-
send him to General Arnold. when
Major Tallmadge, with quickerspercep-
lions and better judgment, induced
Jameson to send the prisoner to Col
onel Sheldon's quarters at North Sa-
lem. Jameson could not suspect his
commanding general of unfaithfuness.
and before he had sent Andre to Shell
don, under the charge of Tallmadge.
he actually wrote "A letter to Arnold. 10
inform him, that "a Mr.. John Ander-
son Cthe name assumed by Andre. and
so written in Arnold's pass) was n
prisoner in his hands"
On the morning of the twenty fourth
of September the very day when Gin
ton was to have assembled the Hud-
son to take possession of West Point
Washington returned from Hartford.
1t was two days earlier than Arnold
expected him. The chief approached
by way of FiShkill, and when within
mile of Arnolds quarters, at sun
rise. having directed Lafayette and
Hamilton to ride forward and apprizc
Mrs. Arnold (who was with her hus-
band) that they and his eXcellency
would breakfast with her, he rode
down to the river bank to inspect n
redoubt there. After leaving his COM
panions, Washington changed his
mind. and Went over to West Point,
instead of going to Arnold's quarters.
Arnold WAS astounded when Lafayette
and Hamilton appeared, but adroitIy
concealed his feelings. Mrs. Arnold
was confined TO her room with her
babe, and did not appear at the break