Thus it will be seen, from its natural advantages, its defenses, and its obstructions, West Point was the key to the passage of the Hudson, and as matters stood in 1780, it was in fact an American Gibraltar. The British, then in possession of the city of New York, and thus prevented from the employment of vessels to maintain communication with the Northern Provinces, and unable to penetrate the country amid the desolate wildernesses which covered its face, found themselves restricted to surprising detached points, or raids, from which the patriots speedily recovered, and no northern campaign, save that of Burgoyne, which ended in defeat and surrender, was attempted, chiefly from their inability to control the passage of the Hudson. The winter of 1779 and 1780 was one of unexampled severity for the patriot army in the North, while in the South the surrender of Charleston and the disaster at Camden, had inspired universal gloom. A cloud of witnesses of the best authority bear testimony that at that period the majority of the American people manifested a willingness to cease further resistance, and return to their allegiance under the British King. In the midst of these forebodings there burst upon the nation the knowledge of a plot so comprehensive and momentous in all the circumstances attending it, and in the results designed to be accomplished, that even in its failure it struck terror and dismay to the hearts of all true lovers of American independence. This mighty plot comprehended not only the surrender of West Point, with all its garrison and armament, but had also for its object the betrayal of Washington and his staff into the hands of Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander of the King's forces in America. Major General BENEDICT ARNOLD, an officer of the patriot army, who had risen from the grade of Captain for gallant and perilous services in the contest, sought and received an assignment to command at West Point and its dependencies in August, 1780. Embittered by a few real, and many imaginary grievances, this officer had long but secretly become disaffected towards the American cause. After evidence has established the fact, that he deliberately bargained with the British Commander to become a traitor to the land of his birth--to sell for a stipulated price the trust confided to him, and to betray his command into the hands of the enemy. To accomplish this object he entered into negotiations secretly with Sir Henry Clinton, by which it was agreed that he should make such a disposition of his forces as would enable the British Commander effectually to surprise West Point.