One of the most well-known traitors in history, Benedict Arnold was a successful general from Connecticut during the American Revolutionary War -- up until he switched sides and got caught trying to help the British in 1780. Manuscript DS: “Benedict Arnold” as Witness, 2p. New Haven, Connecticut, May 10, 1771. In part: “Whereas the Proprietors of the Common and undivided Land in New Haven appointed a Committee to make a plan of the Shore and flatts at the waterside in S[ai]d New Haven…which Committee made their Report unto the Prop[rieto]rs, and by their report it appeared…that there were Sundry Small parts of the flatts or Shore that might be Disposed off…Sd Prop[rieto]rs appointed James Pierpoint Tim[oth]y Bradly and a Stephen Ball all of S[ai]d New Haven a Com[mi]tee to Dispose of Such pieces of the Shore and flatts afores[ai]d as they Judged might be Disposed of without Detriment unto the Publick, thereby to Raise a Sum of money to Purchase such highways as would be Beneficial for S[ai]d Town of New Haven….” For “Seventeen pounds four Shillings Lawfull money,” Hezekiah Sabin of New Haven is assigned “forty three rods of S[ai]d Shore and flatts.” Signed at the conclusion: “James Pierpoint,” “Timothy Bradly,” and “Stephen Ball.” To the left of their signatures, Benedict Arnold and Samuel Bishop, Jr., have signed “in presence of” as witnesses. On an integral leaf, Judge Bishop has certified the appearance and signatures of Pierpoint, Bradly, and Ball. Accompanied by a book portrait of Arnold. In very good condition, with typical toning, folds, reinforcement on the reverse of both pages at the bisecting horizontal fold. Sealing wax is still intact beside the names of three signers. Considered a hero at battles in Saratoga, New York and Quebec, Arnold nonetheless had a difficult time getting along with other commanders and was continually feeling slighted by the upper brass, despite encouragement from General George Washington. On May 10, 1779, John Andre received an historic offer. American General Benedict Arnold, commander of West Point, the key to control of the Hudson Valley and New England, offered to surrender the fort to the English, for a fee. Negotiations continued for months, but bogged down over the fee. Arnold wanted 10,000 pounds, success or failure. Clinton demanded success. In 1779, Clinton's forces headed down to Savannah to meet the French flotilla commanded by Admiral d'Estaing, where Clinton's forces easily prevailed and returned to New York. On December 26, 1779, Andre was with Clinton for a successful amphibious assault on Charleston leading to a May 12 surrender. On or about May 1780, Arnold reinitiated his contact with Andre, informing him that the Rochambeau's French force was on its way to Newport, Rhode Island. In response, Clinton broke off his Southern campaign, left Cornwallis in charge and returned to New York to prepare for the French assault. Now, Benedict Arnold arranged to be made Commandant at West Point. On July 15, Arnold asked for 20,000 pounds in return for successfully ceding West Point to the enemy. Referring to Andre, Arnold wrote to Clinton, "A personal interview with an officer that you can confide in is absolutely necessary to plan matters." This arrangement was accepted. Andre was imprisoned at Tappan, New York, and on September 29, 1780, he was found guilty of being behind American lines "under a feigned name and in a disguised habit." Andre was hanged as a spy at noon on October 2, 1780. For the remainder of the war Arnold led British forces against American colonists, then settled in London as an officer. The British didn't exactly welcome him as a hero, and the rest of his military career was undistinguished. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
