Benedict Arnold's letter To the Inhabitants of America

Benedict Arnold was an American General who defected to the Kingdom of Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War. He wrote an open letter titled " [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Special:Search/Benedict_Arnold%27s_letter_To_the_Inhabitants_of_America To the Inhabitants of America] ", dated October 7, 1780, in which he attempted to explain his actions.

The events leading to the letter

Benedict Arnold entered the American Revolution as a patriot fighting for American independence. Arnold had many successful campaigns, and was considered by many to be the best general and most accomplished leader in the Continental Army. In September and October of 1777 he led a division against British General John Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga. In October of 1777, American General Horatio Gates arrived in time to lead the end of the battle. Gates took full credit for the American victory, and relieved Arnold of command of his division. Thus Arnold did not receive proper credit for a victory that was largely his. [Willard M. Wallace, "Traitorous Hero: The Life and Fortunes of Benedict Arnold" (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1954), 1-3.] In 1778 the American rebels formed an alliance with France, which Arnold was very much opposed to (as demonstrated by the letter).

In July 1780, Arnold sought and obtained command of the fort at West Point. Arnold offered to hand the fort over to the British for £20,300 and a Brigadier's commission. [citation
url=http://www.si.umich.edu/spies/letter-1780july15-code.html
title=July 15, 1780 – Benedict Arnold to John André (Code)
journal=Spy Letters of the American Revolution — From the Collection of the Clements Collection
accessdate=2007-10-21] But the Americans discovered his plans, and Arnold fled and joined the British forces.

The letter

In order to explain and justify his actions, Arnold published an open letter dated October 7, 1780 that was published October 11, 1780 in New York by the "Royal Gazette". This letter to “The Inhabitants of America” outlined what Arnold saw as the corruption, lies, and tyranny of the Second Continental Congress and the Patriot leadership.

Arnold says in this letter that he supported the war of independence in order to get a redress of grievances. But he argues that once Great Britain granted the redress, there was no reason to continue the war. So he encouraged Americans to reject the Articles of Confederation and return to the British Empire.

Arnold also objected to America's alliance with the French. He thought France was too weak to establish America's independence. He also depicts Catholic France as “the enemy of the Protestant faith” and accuses France of speaking of liberty while holding its people in bondage.

In his argument, Arnold makes a plea to the “common sense” of this action. [“To the Inhabitants of America,” "London Chronicle", 14 November 1780.] His choice of words references Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, "Common Sense", which had been circulating in America since 1776.

Arnold was living in British controlled New York when his letter was published and had been given a commission as a British officer. The letter “To the Inhabitants of America” was the first in a series of letters directed at different groups in America. He followed it with “A Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Army” dated October 20, 1780. These letters essentially echoed common Loyalist opinion. [Willard M. Wallace, "Traitorous Hero", 263.]

American reactions

Many New England newspapers published responses to Arnold’s letter. The "Connecticut Courant" published a response by Noah Webster that answered Arnold with “patriotic ardor.” [Spaulding E. Wilder, “The Connecticut Courant, a Representative Newspaper in the Eighteenth Century,” "New England Quarterly", 3d Ser., III (July, 1930), 458.] Washington’s reaction to Arnold’s treason was very bitter; he saw Arnold as villainous, misguided, and completely evil. [Willard M. Wallace, "Traitorous Hero", 270.]

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