September 22nd
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“Public Bodies are not amenable for their Actions; They place and displace at pleasure, and all the satisfaction that an individual can obtain, when he is overlooked, is, if innocent, a consciousness that he has not deserved such treatment for his honest exertions.”
Benedict Arnold, 1780
Library of Congress
To Brigadier General Benedict Arnold
Head Quarters, Morris Town, 3 April 1777
Dear Sir,
I was this day favoured with yours of the 26th. last Month and a few days ago with that of the 11th.
It is needless for me to say much upon a Subject, which must undoubtedly give you a good deal of uneasiness. I confess I was surprised, when I did not see your name in the list of Major Generals, and was so fully of opinion that there was some mistake in the matter, that I (as you may recollect) desired you not to take any hasty Step, before the intention of Congress was fully known. The point does not now admit of a doubt, and is of so delicate a nature, that I will not even undertake to advise, your own feelings must be your guide. As no particular charge is alledged against you, I do not see upon what ground you can demand a Court of inquiry. Besides, public Bodies are not amenable for their Actions; They place and displace at pleasure, and all the satisfaction that an individual can obtain, when he is overlooked, is, if innocent, a consciousness that he has not deserved such treatment for his honest exertions. Your determination, not to quit your present Command, while any danger to the public might ensue from your leaving it, deserves my thanks, and justly entitles you to the thanks of your Country.
General Greene, who has lately been at Philadelphia, took occasion to inquire upon what principle the Congress proceeded in their late promotion of General Officers. He was informed, that the Members from each State seemed to insist upon having a proportion of Genl. Officers, adequate to the number of Men which they furnish, and that as Connecticut had already two Major Generals, it was their full share. I confess this is a strange mode of reasoning, but it may serve to shew you, that the promotion which was due to your Seniority, was not overlooked for want of Merit in you. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt.*
G:o Washington
* “The reasons for Arnold’s nonpromotion do not appear to have been committed to paper. Greene’s report to Washington seems to have been verbal, just as was the information he obtained in Philadelphia. This is unfortunate from the historical standpoint, as the Arnold treason, despite the failure of its main purpose, was an event of some moment. This ignoring of Arnold marks the beginning of the chain of happenings which rendered the treason possible four years later. The cause of the action of Congress is to be searched for in the year 1775 and the feeling aroused in Massachusetts by Connecticut’s successful activity in the surprise of Ticonderoga in that year, in which Arnold took part.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
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