? Weeks Sold at Auction Prices

ARNOLD, BENEDICT. 1741-1801.

BENEDICT ARNOLD TRANSFERS A LARGE SUM OF MONEY, MERE WEEKS BEFORE HE SOUGHT AND OBTAINED COMMAND OF WEST POINT. Autograph Letter Signed ("B Arnold"), 1 p, 4to, New Haven, June 26, 1780, to Thomas Mumford, seal hole to left margin, few minor spots, verso browned. Benedict Arnold betrayed his country out of pique and greed. He writes the present letter 10 days after he visited West Point on his way home to Connecticut. It was at this juncture that he sold his home and liquidated his other assets in anticipation of moving them to London. In full: "Mr Caleb Bull Junr of Hartford will in a few days receive about fourteen hundred pounds Lawful money for me in Treasury Stock Notes on Interest. If you have money in Philad:υa that you choose to Exchange for them-a part of the whole-at the Current Exchυge of Sixty per he will deliver them to your Order, and Receive a Bill in Philad:υa." Arnold was offered £20,000 to surrender West Point, but since the plot was discovered and Arnold fled, he was paid only a lump sum of £6,315 for his defection. See illustration.