To the Inhabitants of America " To the Inhabitants of America " is an open letter written by former Continental Army Major General Benedict Arnold not long after his defection to the British side in the American Revolutionary War . The letter , dated October 7 , 1780 , was published in New York City on October 11 . In it , Arnold explains his justification for his actions . The events leading to the letter . Benedict Arnold entered the American Revolution as a patriot fighting for American independence . Arnold had many successful campaigns , and was considered by many to be the best general and most accomplished leader in the Continental Army . In September 1777 he led a division of the army commanded by Horatio Gates against British General John Burgoyne at the Battle of Freeman ' s Farm . Following that battle , disagreements between Arnold and Gates boiled over , for reasons including Gates ' failure to credit Arnold for his role in the battle , and Gates removed Arnold from command . In the Battle of Bemis Heights in early October , Arnold , against Gates ' orders , took to the battlefield , where he played a key role in rallying the troops to attack the British position . In 1778 the American rebels formed an alliance with France , which Arnold was very much opposed to ( as demonstrated by the letter ) . Arnold also made enemies everywhere he went , including politically well - connected military officers and members of the Continental Congress . Charges and countercharges between Arnold and his enemies led to multiple courts martial and investigations of Arnold ' s financial management of his various commands . These actions , and possibly the influence of his second wife , Peggy Shippen , the daughter of a wealthy Philadelphia Loyalist , led Arnold to begin negotiations to change sides with British Major John André in 1779 . In July 1780 , Arnold sought and obtained command of the fort at West Point . Arnold offered to hand the fort over to the British for £20 , 300 and a Brigadier ' s commission . Arnold ' s plot was exposed in September 1780 when Major André was captured by American troops while carrying incriminating documents . Arnold fled to New York when he learned of André ' s capture ; André was hanged as a spy . The letter . To explain and justify his actions , Arnold wrote an open letter dated October 7 , 1780 that was published on October 11 in New York by the " Royal Gazette " . This letter to “ The Inhabitants of America ” outlined what Arnold saw as the corruption , lies , and tyranny of the Second Continental Congress and the Patriot leadership . Arnold said in the letter that he supported the war of independence to get a redress of grievances . But he argued that once Great Britain granted the redress , there was no reason to continue the war . So he encouraged Americans to reject the Articles of Confederation and return to the British Empire . Arnold also objected to America ' s alliance with the French . He thought France was too weak to establish America ' s independence . He depicted Catholic France as “ the enemy of the Protestant faith ” and accused France of speaking of liberty while holding its people in bondage . In his argument , Arnold made a plea to the “ common sense ” of this action . His choice of words alluded to Thomas Paine ’ s pamphlet , " Common Sense " , which had been circulating in America since 1776 . Arnold was living in British - controlled New York when his letter was published and he had been given a commission as a British officer . The letter “ To the Inhabitants of America ” was the first in a series of letters directed at different groups in America . He followed it with “ A Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Army ” dated October 20 , 1780 . These letters essentially echoed common Loyalist opinion . American reactions . Many New England newspapers published responses to Arnold ’ s letter . The " Connecticut Courant " published a response by Noah Webster that answered Arnold with “ patriotic ardor . ” Washington ’ s reaction to Arnold ’ s treason was very bitter ; he saw Arnold as villainous , misguided , and completely evil .