To the Inhabitants of America
To the Inhabitants of America | |
---|---|
Created | October 7, 1780 |
Presented | October 11, 1780 |
Author(s) | B. Arnold |
Subject | Loyalism |
"To the Inhabitants of America" is an open letter written by former Continental Army Major General Benedict Arnold not long after his defection to the British side in the American Revolutionary War. The letter, dated October 7, 1780, was published in New York on October 11. In it, he explains his justification for his actions.
Background
Benedict Arnold entered the American Revolution as a patriot fighting for American independence. Arnold had many successful campaigns, and was considered by many to be the best general and most accomplished leader in the
In July 1780, Arnold sought and obtained command of the fort at
The letter
To explain and justify his actions, Arnold wrote an open letter dated October 7, 1780 that was published on October 11 in New York by the Royal Gazette. This letter to "The Inhabitants of America" outlined what Arnold saw as the corruption, lies, and tyranny of the Second Continental Congress and the Patriot leadership.
Arnold said in the letter that he supported the
Arnold also objected to the Americans'
In his argument, Arnold made a plea to the "common sense" of this action.
Arnold was living in British-controlled New York when his letter was published and he had been given a commission as a British officer. The letter "To the Inhabitants of America" was the first in a series of letters directed at different groups in America. He followed it with "A Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Army" dated October 20, 1780. These letters essentially echoed common Loyalist opinion.[8]
American reactions
Many New England newspapers published responses to Arnold's letter. The
References
- ^ Willard M. Wallace, Traitorous Hero: The Life and Fortunes of Benedict Arnold (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1954), 1-3.
- ^ "Benedict Arnold Letter to John André, July 15, 1780 (coded and decoded)". Henry Clinton Papers ~ William L. Clements Library. University of Michigan. July 15, 1780.
- ^ "July 15, 1780 – Benedict Arnold to John André (Code)", Spy Letters of the American Revolution — from the Collection of the Clements Collection, archived from the original on April 8, 2013, retrieved 2007-10-21
- ^ "John André Letter to Henry Clinton, September 29, 1780". Henry Clinton Papers ~ William L. Clements Library. University of Michigan. September 29, 1780.
- ^ Arnold, Benedict (July 15, 1780). "Benedict Arnold Letter Offering West Point for $20,000, July 15, 1780". NYSED.gov. Albany, New York: New York State Archives.
- ^ "To the Inhabitants of America", London Chronicle, 14 November 1780.
- LCCN 2006681076.
- ^ Willard M. Wallace, Traitorous Hero, 263.
- ^ Spaulding E. Wilder, "The Connecticut Courant, a Representative Newspaper in the Eighteenth Century," New England Quarterly, 3d Ser., III (July, 1930), 458.
- ^ Willard M. Wallace, Traitorous Hero, 270.
External links
- Arnold, Benedict (October 7, 1780). "Letter to the Inhabitants of America". TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Ashland, Ohio: Ashbrook Center at Ashland University.