25 July 1778

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Mentions that business and ill health have kept him from writing. Congratulates him on the arrival of the French fleet and the minister. Informs that the fleet has gone to Rhode Island. Addressed to "Dear General." Washington is suggested as a possible recipient based upon Arnold's comments about the French fleet. The letter has suffered severe damage and lacks its address leaf.

GLC03302

25 July 1768

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Margaret Arnold

Writes to his wife, Peggy, in New Haven, Connecticut. Informs that he has sent her brandy, oranges, coconuts, handkerchiefs, and more from the West Indies and hopes the shipment has arrived safely. Briefly discusses his own trade. Desires to return to his family, " ... a separation from you is attended with the most Cruel Anxiety, you who are with your Friends Cannot Imagine my Impatience to leave this Savage Island & be with you & my Friends who are most Dear to me." Mentions some pending law suits. Gives love to the family. With an initialed postscript.

GLC03301

14 May 1775

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety

A retained copy written by Colonel Arnold four days after the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. With initialed postscript. Says last letter sent was 11 May 1775. Announces that Crown Point has been captured. Mentions logistics of moving captured cannons to Albany. Mentions future moves northward to Canada, including his intention to capture St. Johns. Says there is tension between him and Ethan Allen, who he worked with in the capture of Ticonderoga. Says "Mr. Allens Party is Decreasing & the Dispute between us is Subsiding." Similar to published version in "Naval Documents of the American…

GLC03559

10-31 October 1775 circa

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown [incomplete]

Possibly written to Benjamin Church. Apparently incomplete, this part being the conclusion. Arnold closes by addressing "Gentlemen." He expresses his dismay at Congress' plan to abandon Fort Ticonderoga, "which being the only post of this country, leaves our very extensive frontier open to the ravages of the enemy ... " Writes that he has 150 men and expects to have his regiment complete soon.

GLC06634

10 December 1778

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Thompson

Updates Thompson on family news. States that his sister has told him that Fitch has not paid his debt yet and advises Thompson to consult a lawyer to recover the money owed. Asks him what price he can get for selling his house. Hopes to see Thompson next spring if his army service does not take him to the field. Gives love to the rest of the family. Addressed to Thompson as a merchant in New Haven, Connecticut. Free franked by Arnold.

GLC06637

20 October 1780

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Broadside

Title: [Proclamation to officers and soldiers of the Continental Army]

Full title as follows, "A Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Army who have the real Interest of their Country at Heart, and who are determined to be no longer the Tools and Dupes of Congress, or of France." An appeal to American soldiers to join the British Army and advance the cause of "Union with Britain, and true American Liberty." "Friends, fellow soldiers, and citizens, arouse, and judge for yourselves - reflect on what you have lost - consider to what you are reduced, and by your courage repel the ruin the still threatens you." With various monetary…

GLC07701

July 8, 1780

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Titus Homer

Encloses a certificate from the Board of War (not included), needed to settle his pay. Arnold informs Homer that he will accept the command of West Point. Although Homer was a friend of Arnold, he probably was unaware of his treasonous plans. Possibly a retained draft, with several deletions in the text by Arnold.

GLC01542

19 September 1775

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Trumbull

Written by General Arnold as commander of one of the two columns marching on Canada (General Philip Schuyler's forces in New York being the other) to Trumbull as Commissary General of Purchases to George Washington's army at Cambridge. In August 1775 Arnold had convinced Washington to give him a command to march through the Maine wilderness to Quebec. This letter references the good weather at the start of his journey northward, by ship, from the coastal town of Newburyport to Maine. Thanks him for his letter he sent by Mr. Thomas. Says he has added to his army's provisions. Wishes him…

GLC02451

8 August 1780

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Conclusion of letter to Brigadier General Henry Knox ] [incomplete]

Concluding portion of the letter including only the close and signature, stating, "Please to present my best respects to Mrs. Knox ... " With initialed postscript by Arnold, "A line from you at any time when you are at leisure will be very acceptable." Date from docket.

GLC02633

4 March 1777

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Manuscript letter

Title: to Lucy Knox

Later copy. Has enclosed a letter for "the heavenly Miss DeBlois," a friend of Lucy's, which he wishes Lucy to pass on to her. Has also sent a trunk of gowns to Lucy's house via Mr. Colburn, intended for Miss DeBlois. Also asks Lucy to report to him about Miss DeBlois when she next sees her. A newspaper clipping, the obituary of one of Arnold's sons, is attached to the document. The copy was made around 1855.

GLC02437.00543

4 September 1780

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ebenezer Foote

From West Point, Arnold writes to a supplier asserting that "The Enemy from their Preparations seem to have some important movement in contemplation, their object may be an attack on these ports." Consequently, he requests the cattle meant for the post be expedited so that they will be well provisioned. Written at "Robinson's House."

GLC08919

1778/06/22

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Henry Jackson re: British troops marching to Philadelphia

Arnold, who now commanded in Philadelphia, orders Jackson to harass the British who had just evacuated the city (18 June) and were marching across New Jersey. "You will march with the Troops under your command at three O'Clock tomorrow morning and follow the route of the Enemy as nearly as you can with Conveniency, you will in Conjunction with any Continental Troops or Militia Attack the rear of the enemy and endeavor to harass them by all means in your power...." Docketed by recipient "My Marching Orders from Philadelphia." Jackson commanded a regiment (later designated the 16th…

GLC07122

1776/05/10

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Clinton re: last stages of unsuccessful Canadian invasion

GLC07493

1775/09/06

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Mr. Deane.

Account of Ticonderoga.

GLC07938