Harper's New Monthly Magazine: No. XVI.—September, 1851—Vol. III.Various
History
Harper's New Monthly Magazine: No. XVI.—September, 1851—Vol. III.
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
In consequence of a bad wound received in his leg while gallantly
fighting at Saratoga (and which was yet unhealed), Arnold was not fit
for active service when the British evacuated Philadelphia in the spring
of 1778. Washington, desirous of keeping him employed, appointed him
military governor of that city, in command of a small corps of soldiers.
Fond of show, and feeling the importance of his station, Arnold adopted
a style of living incompatible with his resources and the character of a
republican. He made the fine old mansion of William Penn his residence;
kept a coach-and-four; gave splendid soirées and banquets, and charmed
the gayer portion of Philadelphia society with his princely displays.
His station, and the splendor of his equipage, captivated the daughter
of Edward Shippen, a leading loyalist, and afterward Chief Justice of
the State. Her beauty and accomplishments won the heart of the widower
of forty. She had bloomed but eighteen summers, and admirers of every
degree coveted her smiles; yet she gave her hand to Arnold, and they
were married. Stanch Whigs shook their heads in distrust, and the
equally stanch loyalists were gratified. To the former, this union
augured of evil; to the latter, it had promises of hope. Both were right
interpreters.
Arnold's extravagance soon brought importunate creditors to his door.
Rather than retrench his expenses, he procured money by a system of
fraud and prostitution of his official power. The city being under
martial law, his power was supreme. He forbade shopkeepers selling
certain articles, and then, through agents, he trafficked in those very
articles, and sold them at enormous profits. The people were incensed,
and a deputation went before the President and Council of Pennsylvania,
and preferred charges against him. These were laid before Congress, and
that body referred the whole matter to Washington, to be adjudicated by
a military tribunal.
After a delay of more than a year Arnold was tried, and found guilty of
two of four charges preferred against him. The court pronounced the
mildest sentence in its power--a mere reprimand by the Commander-in-chief.
Washington performed the duty with the greatest delicacy. "Our profession,"
he said, "is the chastest of all. Even the shadow of a fault tarnishes the
lustre of our finest achievements. The least inadvertence may rob us of the
public favor, so hard to be acquired. I reprimand you for having forgotten
that, in proportion as you had rendered yourself formidable to our enemies,
you should have been guarded and temperate in your deportment toward your
fellow-citizens. Exhibit anew those noble qualities which have placed
you on the list of our most valued commanders. I will myself furnish
you, as far as it may be in my power, with opportunities of regaining
the esteem of your country."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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