1801.] 
is known for many years to have been matter 
and fupercargo of one of thofe fmall veffels 
which trade betweenthe New England Pro- 
 Vinces and the Weft Indies, carrying lumber, 
live-ftock, &c. from the latter circumftance he 
has often been called a horfe-dealer, In this 
capacity he more than once vifited Quebec, and 
thereby became acquainted with the fituation 
of thattown. Some time before the cem- 
mencement a the difpute between Great Bri- 
tain and America,’ Arnold had fettled atNew 
Haven and was then chofen captain of a com- 
pany of volunteers by the inhabitants, who 
began ta ufe themfelves to arms, and to prepare 
for the crifis which was then to be expected 
When the firtt conteft between the king’s 
troops and the Americans happened at Lexing 
ton, a general alarm was given; and as foon 
as the news reached him, he called his com- 
pany together and afked them if they would 
march off with him- the next morning for 
Bofton (diftant 150.miles.) They agreed, and 
parade Fabéfate atavern where one of their com- 
mittees was fitting. fe applied to the gentle- 
men for powder and ball, but they demurred 
fupplyiag him, as he was not duly authorized. 
Arnold declared he was determined to have 
fome; and Colonel Woofter remontftrating with 
him, Arnold exclaimed, Bae but God Almighty 
feall prevent my marching! The committee 
yielded, and Arnold and his company fet oft:for 
head- -quarters. This fpirited condué brought 
him into notice; and we foon find him with the 
rank of colonel and commanding a- body. of 
troops on an expedition to Canada. This ex- 
ploit, one of the moft extraordinary during the 
war, deferves notice. The whole body of 
men were about 1100, under the command pf 
Arnold,and marched from Cambridge to New- 
bury-port, where they embarked on board 
Marriages and Deaths 
tranfports, for Kennebec, which carried them / 
up to Gardener’s-town. Here they embark- 
ed in batteaux, and proceeded in divifions; 
fhort of provifions, deferted by many of their 
companions, and undergoing inexprefiible fa- 
tigue, tillthey reached the banks of the river 
Chaudiere, where they met with fupplies, 
after having been thirty. one days in a wilder- 
nefs, without feeinga houfe. Afterrefrefhing 
his men, he arrived atPoint Luis, oppofite Que- 
bec: but found the city, which he intended to 
furprize, had been informed of his coming. 
This happened by his own imprudence in 
trufting a letter to an unknown Indian, who 
carriedit to the Lieutenant-governor. Arnold 
was therefore neceffarily obliged to wait here 
until General Montgomery arrived, whom he 
joined onthe 5th of December, before Que- 
bec. Inthe attempt to ftorm that city, Ar- 
nold behaved with his ufual fpirit, but re- 
ceived a wound in his leg, and was carried off 
to the hofpital, He however took the com- 
mand after Montgomery’s death, and drew off 
the fhattered remains of the army, and in 
June retreated to Crown-point, When Ge- 
neral Carlton advanced with the British forces, 
eneral Gates. appointed Coldncl Arnold to 
in and near London. 
547 
command the American fleet on Lake Cham- 
plain, although feveral complaints of mifcon- 
duét were made againftt him. With great in- 
duftry a naval force of one floop, three fchoon- 
ers, and five gondolas, was prepared, of 
which Arnold took the command, and was 
afterwards reinforced with three gallies and 
three gondolas; and with this force he en- 
gaged a much fuperior force of the Englith cn 
the r1th, whom hecheckedj but on the 13th 
found fence obliged to fly, and run moft of 
his fleet on fhore, to fave the men from being 
prifoners, Arnold here alfo gained much ap- 
plaufe for his bravery, but was cenfured as 
having made a bad difpofition of his force. 
With the rank of general, next year, he ferved 
at Danburg, and oppofed General Trvon, 
who was fent to deftroy provifions and ftorcs 
at that place. In an adtion at Redsfield he 
had his horte fhot under him, and faved himfelf 
from being run through the body with a bay- 
onet, by fhooting the English foldier who\ ate. 
tempted it. His conduct here was fo much 
applauded, that the congrefs prefented him 
Witn another horfe in the room of that he lof 
in the action, This was in 1777, and the 
fame campaign he relieved Fort Schuyler, at- 
taclkcd by Colonel St. Leger and Sir Wm. 
Johnfon. This was the memorable year in 
which Burgoyne met his difgraceful fate. 
In the attempt made to ftorm his intrench- 
ments, Arnold commanded a part of thearmy ; 
here he again fhewed extraordinary courage, | 
and was wounded in the thigh, of which he 
ever after felt the confequences, having one 
limb fhorter than the other. When the Bri- 
tith troops evacuated Philadelphia, in 1778, 
Arnold was appointed to command the Ameri- 
can ag Here he livedin a very expen- 
five ftile; far beyond his income, and to fup- 
port i it, engaged both in trade and privateering, 
in both hich he was unfuccefsful. He then 
fet up a claim againft the American Govern- 
ment, which was difallowed by the cominil-. 
fianers appointed to examine it, This led hien 
into. intemperate condu& and expreffions, for 
which he was tried by a court-martial, and 
fentenced to receive a reprimand. From bd 
moment he feems to have harboured the defig 
of quitting the American Service. He ac- 
cordingly opened a correfpondence, in i750, 
with Sir Henry Clinton, with whom he cun- 
tracted to deliver up Weft-point, the plac 
which he commanded. ‘To fettle all matte: > 
the unfortunate André was fent up the river, 
in the Vulture floop, tocoafer with Arnold. 
His detection and fateare well known. 
nold was more fortunate, and finding 
fcheme dete&ted, got fafe on board the Vui- 
ture. It was afterwards known, that, as tig 
price of the treafon, Arnold was to receive 
Soool. and the rank of brigadier-general, 
and pay of acolonel in the Laglifh Service, 
General Wathington withed to fave André ant 
exchange him for Arnold, and we cannot hela 
thinking General Clinton ought to have ac- 
ceded to thefe terms. Araol, j inthis new f¢ 
Recs 
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