Chap. XVIII.} 1780. |
1779. |
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him to peculation and treasonable connections; and
towards the end of February, 1779, he let it be known to the British commander-in-chief that he was desirous of exchanging the American service for that of Great Britain.
His open preference for the friends of the English in Pennsylvania disgusted the patriots.
The council of that state, after bearing with him for more than half a year, very justly desired his removal from the command; and, having early in 1779 given information of his conduct, against their intention they became his accusers.
The court-martial before which he was arraigned, on charges that touched his honor and integrity, dealt with him leniently, and sentenced him only to be reprimanded by the commander-in-chief.
The reprimand was marked with the greatest forbearance.
The French minister, to whom Arnold applied for money, put aside his request and added wise and friendly advice.
In the course of the winter of 1778-1779, he was taken into the pay of Clinton, to whom he gave on every occasion most material intelligence.
The plot received the warmest encouragement from Lord George Germain, who, towards the end of
September, wrote to Clinton: ‘Next to the destruction of Washington's army, the gaining over officers of influence and reputation among the troops would be the speediest means of subduing the rebellion and restoring the tranquillity of America.
Your commission authorizes you to avail yourself of such opportunities, and there can be no doubt that the expense will be cheerfully submitted to.’1
1 Lord George Germain to Clinton, 27 Sept., 1779. Extract. ‘It will not, I am persuaded, escape your sagacity that the gaining over some of the most respectable members of that body [congress], or officers of influence and reputation among the troops, would, next to the destruction of Washington's army, be the speediest means of subduing the rebellion and restoring the tranquillity of America. Your commission authorizes you to avail yourself of such opportunities and there can be no doubt that the expense will be cheerfully submitted to.’ I understand this letter as having been written after receiving from an officer returning to England some verbal information from Clinton of the having gained over Arnold. Otherwise, the letter would be a most marvellous instance of harmony. Germain was, no doubt, cognizant of the plot; for Clinton, who was too prudent to communicate it in official letters, referred him to a returning officer for information which he did not choose to write. There was always danger that his despatches might be intercepted. There were, in England, the greatest expectations from the complot up to the moment of its discovery.
Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1874.
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