Norwich bulletin., 1922-07-04
Great Mems Love Letters
BENEDICT ARNOLD TO PEGGY
 sHIPPEN.

The love story Of Benedict Arnold, the gallant young American officer, and Peggy shippen, the pretty Philadt phia Tory, is full of interest, even in it's tragic ending. When Arnold took com mand in Fhilgde4Ifaia, crippled with honorable wounds in the service of his country, few soldiers in the American army had a higher reputation for skill It was, not surprising that he should have won the heart of the beautiful and fascinating Miss Shippen. who was just past IS years Of age.
 On the 18th of September, 177S, Ar hold made to Peggy formal declara- tion of love Tn part this letter was as follows:
 Dear Madame: Twenty times have have taken up my pen to write to you, and as often has my trembling hand re- fused to obey the dictates Of my heart a heart which, though calm and serene amidst the clashing of arms and all the din and hoddors Of war-trembles with difidepce and the fear of giving offence which when it attempts to address you on a subject so inlbortant to it's nappi- ness. Dear Madame your charms have lighted up a flame in my bosom which can never be extinguished your haav- enly image Is too deeply impressed ever to be effaced.
 My passion is not founded on per- sonal charms only: that sweetness of disposition and goodness of heart. that sentiment and sensfbillIy whish io strongly mark the character Of the love- ly, Miss P. SBippen, render her amiable beyond expression and will ever retain l the heart she has once captivated. On 1 you alone my happiness depends and will you doem me to Ianguish and despair? Do you feel no pity in your bosom for the man who would die to make you happy?
 Whatever my fate may be, my most l ardent wish is for your happiness, and my last breath will be to implore the blessing of heaven on the idol and only wish Of my soul. Adieu, dear Madame, and believe me unalterably your sincere admirer and devoted humble servant. l B. Arnold soon reeiprocated. for on the 9th of Feb ruary, 177s, he writes to her with the I fervor of an accepted lover
 | My Dearest Life :: Never did I2so ard I ently long to see or hear from you as al 1 this instant, I am all impatient and l anxious to know how you do; six days l absence, without hearing from my deal Peggy is intolerable. Heavensi whai I must I have suffered if I had continuee my jourRey-the loss of happiness for few dirtN acresi I daily discover se \ much baseness and ingratitude among s'l mankind that I almost blush at befns I of the same species. and could quit thl
 stage without regret were it not fol
 some gentle. generous souls like my deal Peggy, who still retain the lively i'm
 pression of their Makers image and who fwith smiles of benignfty and goodness
 make all happy around them. | On the 22d of March, 1779, Gen. Arnoi, ; in anticipation of his marriage purchaset
 the fine old country seat called Noun
 Pleasant situated on the east bank 0
 the SchuylkflI and made a settlement 0
 the estate on himself for life, ''remainde to his wife and children Two week
 thereafter Gen. Arnold and Peggy Ship
 pen were married at the residence of he
 father. a fine substantial mansion on tn west side of Fourth street.