Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801) to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03559 Author/Creator: Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801) Place Written: Fort Ticonderoga, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 May 1775 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 18.5 x 15.6 cm. Order a Copy
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 Revolution" Vol. I, page 330, but has slight differences, including the reference to Ethan Allen. The letter was confiscated by Pierpont Edwards on behalf of Connecticut state authorities after Arnold's treason. The Edward's family held the letter for generations. Damaged with loss of text in center.
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