primanded by the commander in chief. This sentence was approved by Congress, and carried soon afterwards into execution.

From the time the sentence against him was approved, if not sooner, it is probable that his unprincipled spirit revolted from the cause of his country, and determined him to seek occasion for making the objects of his resentment the victims of his vengeance.

Every history of the American war exhibits the importance of West Point. Its preservation had been the principal object of more than one campaign; and its loss, it was believed, would enfeeble all the military operations of the continent. Selected for the natural strength of its situation, immense labour, directed by skilful engineers, had been employed on its fortifications, and it was justly termed the Gibraltar of America.

To this fortress Arnold turned his eyes, as an acquisition which would give value to treason, while its loss would inflict a mortal wound on his former friends. As affording the means of enabling him to gratify both his avarice and his hate, he sought the command of it.

To New York the safety of West Point was peculiarly interesting; and in that state, the reputation of Arnold was particularly high. To its delegation he addressed himself: and from a respectable member* belonging to it, a letter had Mr. Livingston.

been

been written to General Washington, suggesting doubts respecting the military character of Howe, to whom its defence was then intrusted, and recommending Arnold for that service. From motives of delicacy, this request could not be immediately complied with; but it was not forgotten. Some short time afterwards, General Schuyler, who was then in camp, mentioned to the commander in chief a letter he had received from Arnold, intimating his wish to join the army, and render such service as might be in his power; but stating his inability, in consequence of his wounds, to perform the active duties of the field. The letter also suggested that he could discharge the duties of a stationary command, without much inconvenience or uneasiness from his wounds. General Washington observed, that as there was a prospect of an active and vigorous campaign, he should be gratified with the aid of General Arnold, but did not believe there would be at his disposal any such command as that gentleman had suggested. That so soon as the operations against New York should commence, he designed to draw his whole force into the field, leaving even West Point to the care of invalids and a small garrison of militia. Recollecting, however, the former application on the part of a member of Congress respecting this particular post, he added, " that if, with this previous information, that situation would be more

agreeable

agreeable to him than a command in the field, his wishes should certainly be indulged." This conversation being communicated to Arnold, that officer, without openly discovering any solicitude on the subject, caught with eagerness at a proposition which promised to place in his possession the object of his most ardent wishes; and in the beginning of August, he repaired to camp, where he renewed in person the solicitations which had before been indirectly made.

It was at this juncture that the principal part of the British force was embarked on the expedition against Rhode Island; and that General Washington was advancing on New York, in order to avail himself of the weakened state of that place. He offered Arnold the left wing of the army; which he declined under the pretexts mentioned in his letter to General Schuyler. Incapable of suspecting a man who had given such distinguished proofs of courage and patriotism, the commander in chief was neither alarmed at his refusal to embrace so splendid an opportunity as this promised. to be, of recovering the favour of his countrymen, nor at the embarrassment accompanying that refusal. Pressing him no further, he assented to the request which had been made; and Arnold was invested with the command of West Point. Previous to his soliciting this station, he had, in a letter to Colonel Robinson, signified his change

of

of principles, and his wish to restore himself to the favour of his prince by some signal proof of his repentance. This letter opened to him a correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton; the immediate object of which, after obtaining the appointment he had solicited, was to concert the means of putting the important post he commanded into the possession of the British general.

Major John André, an aid-de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton, and adjutant-general of the British army, a young gentleman who had in an uncommon degree improved the liberal endowments of nature, and who seems to have held a very high place in the esteem and affections of his general, was selected as the person to whom the maturing of Arnold's treason, and the arrangements for its execution, should be committed. A correspondence was for some time carried on between them, under a mercantile disguise, and the feigned names of Gustavus and Anderson; and at length, to facilitate their communications, the Vulture sloop of war moved up the North river, and took a station convenient for the purpose, but not so near as to excite suspicion.

The particulars of the plan digested between them are unknown; but from acts and expressions of Arnold since recollected, its general outlines have been conjectured. Under the pretext of fighting the enemy in the defiles and narrow passes

passes leading to the fortress, he is understood to have designed so to post the greater part of his army in the gorges of the mountains, as to leave unguarded a particular pass, through which the assailants might securely approach and surprise West Point. It is also understood that he was so to have disposed of that part of the garrison which remained in the works, as to make the least possible opposition to those who should attack them; and at the same time, to place his troops in a situation which would compel them to surrender, or be cut to pieces. Arnold had expressed a wish to obtain copies of those exact and minute maps of the neighbouring country, especially on the east side of the river, which General Washington had caused to be made; and, in conversation with his officers, he had frequently avowed a decided opinion, that the enemy ought not to be waited for in the works, but should be met and fought in the narrow passes leading through the mountains.

The time when General Washington was at Hartford was selected for finally adjusting every part of the plan: and, as a personal interview with Arnold would be necessary to complete their arrangements, Major André came up the river, and went on board the Vulture. The place appointed for the interview was the house of a Mr. Smith, without the American posts. Both parties repaired thither in the night at the hour agreed on. Major

André