September 24th
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ON THIS DAY IN 1780
BENEDICT ARNOLD FLEES
“Major General Arnold has gone to the Enemy.”
William Heath
New York Public Library
To Major General William Heath
26 September 1780
Dr Sir,
In the present situation of things I think it necessary that You should join the Army, and request that you will do it. You will come to Head Qrs: Yourself; the Route thro Litchfield will be the most eligible for You on account of security and You may direct your baggage to halt at Fish Kill for your further orders. I write to the Count de Rochambeau by this conveyance and I trust that your coming away now will not be attended with any material inconvenience to him.
I cannot conclude without informing You of an event which has happened here which will strike You with astonishment and indignation. Major General Arnold has gone to the Enemy. He had had an interview with Major André, Adjutant
Benedict Arnold, 1780
Library of Congress
Genl. of the British Army, and had put into his possession a state of our Army; of the Garrison at this post; of the number of Men considered as necessary for the defence of it; a Return of the Ordnance, and the disposition of the Artillery Corps in case of an Alarm. By a most providential interposition, Major André was taken in returning to New York with all these papers in General Arnold’s hand writing, who hearing of the matter kept it secret, left his Quarters immediately under pretence of going over to West point on Monday forenoon, about an hour before my arrival, then pushed down the river in the barge, which was not discovered till I had returned from West point in the Afternoon and when I received the first information of Mr. Andrés captivity Measures were instantly taken to apprehend him, but before the Officers sent for the purpose could reach Verplank’s point, he had passed it with a Flag and got on board the Vulture Ship of War, which lay a few miles below. He knew of my approach and that I was visiting with the Marquiss, the North and Middle Redoubts, and from this circumstance was so straitned in point of time that I believe, he carried with him but very few if any material papers, tho he has a very precise knowledge of the Affairs of the post.
The Gentlemen of General Arnold’s family*, I have the greatest reason to believe, were not privy in the least degree to the measures he was carrying on, or to his escape. I am Dr sir With very great esteem & regard Yr Most Obedt st
G:o Washington
* “Maj. David Solebury Franks and Lt. Col. Richard Varick. They were aides to Arnold.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
“The Heart which is Concious of its Own rectitude, Cannot attempt to paliate a Step, which the world may Censure as wrong.”
From Benedict Arnold
On Board the Vulture, 25 September 178
Sir
The Heart which is Concious of its Own rectitude, Cannot attempt to paliate a Step, which the world may Censure as wrong; I have ever acted from a Principle of Love to my Country, since the Commencement of the present unhappy Contest between Great Britian and the Colonies, the same principle of Love to my Country Actuates my present Conduct, however it may appear Inconsistent to the World: who very Seldom Judge right of any Mans Actions.
Letter to Washington from Arnold
Library of Congress
I have no favor to ask for myself, I have too often experienced the Ingratitude of my Country* to Attempt it: But from the known humanity of your Excellence I am induced to ask your protection For Mrs Arnold from every Insult and Injury that the mistaken Vengence of my Country may expose Her to: It ought to fall only on me She is as good, and as Inocent as an Angel, and is Incapable of doing Wrong. I beg She may be permitted to return to Her Friends in Philada or to come to me as She may choose; from your Excellencey I have no fears on Her Account, but She may Suffer from the mistaken fury of The Country.
I have to request that the Inclosd Letter may be delivered to Mrs Arnold, and She permitted to write to me.
I have also to Ask that my Cloths & Baggage which are of little Consequence may be Sent to me, If required their Value shall be paid in Money.
Letter to Washington from Arnold
Library of Congress
I have the honor to be With great reguard & Esteem
Your Excellencys
Most Obedt Hble Servt
B Arnold
NB In Justice to the Gentlemen of my Family Colonel Varick & Major Franks, I think myself in honor bound to declare, that they as well as Joshua Smith Esqr. (who I know is suspected) are totally Ignorant of any transactions of mine that they had reason to believe were Injurious to the Public.
* Arnold had been passed over for promotion by Congress; the slight was partially rectified by Washington’s intervention; however, Arnold would remain junior to those who were promoted over him.
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