Benedict Arnold's Plan for Privateering, 1782

Abstract

HE two documents printed below' give an interesting sidelight on Benedict Arnold's fortunes and state of mind after his return from James River Expedition, his last regular military employment. With his restless, ambitious Yankee mind endlessly producing great schemes for his advancement, based on someone else's money, he could not long remain content with role of a British brigadier-general on half-pay. He turned to his first trade, sea, and evolved an elaborate and speculative plan for privateering at government expense. There are also interesting insights into Arnold's financial position and his relations with his fellow-officers in British Army. According to Isaac Arnold,2 Mrs. Arnold's pension from British government amounted to ?500 per annum, but, as Sir Henry Clinton pointed out, this would amount to a net figure of ?350 after deductions.3 Arnold's own figure of ?375 is probably correct one, for he could have no motive for overstating his income in a begging letter. Arnold's reference to the prejudice of some gentlemen in connection with service in Gibraltar garrison probably refers to current and, in circumstances, not unjustifiable prejudice among British officers against Americans in general, rather than against pro-British turncoats as such. There is no record of Arnold's offer ever having been considered. Indeed, importance which Shelburne attached to offer can, perhaps, be gauged by fact that it was filed by his librarian, Samuel Patterson, among a variety of suggestions by cranks and schemers, in a volume labeled Projects and Proposals.