On the morning when Washington was due at Robinson House to breakfast with Arnold, two of the aides-de-camp of the Commander-in-Chief were sent ahead to inform General Arnold that the General was delayed because he wished to inspect the redoubts across from West Point, and not to wait breakfast. General Arnold then sat down to breakfast with Mrs. Arnold and the two aides.
During the progress of the meal a messenger arrived and presented the Jameson despatches to General Arnold.
Arnold read them and excused himself from the table without a sign of excitement. He went to Mrs. Arnold’s chamber and ordered a servant to call Mrs. Arnold. When she came to him, he hurriedly explained that his life depended upon escape. She swooned in his presence and he left her prostrate on the floor.
He went to the dining-room and stated to the aides:
“I have to go to West Point and prepare for the arrival of the General.”
He then hurriedly mounted a horse of one of the aides and dashed to the landing where his barge was moored. Then ordering his men to row with all their might, as he drew his pistols and sat in the stern, he sped past the guard boats with a flag and reached the British Sloop-of-War Vulture, fifteen miles below Robinson House.
After introducing himself, he surrendered the innocent boatmen to the British Commander and wrote a letter to General Washington asking mercy for his wife.
After General Washington had inspected the redoubts opposite West Point, he went with his suite to Robinson House. Upon their arrival they were informed that General Arnold had been hurriedly called to West Point. Washington ate his breakfast and started with all of his staff except Colonel Hamilton. They took a barge across the Hudson to the forts.
As Washington stood in the barge viewing the highlands about him, he said:
“Well, gentlemen, I am glad on the whole, that General Arnold has gone before us, for we shall now have a salute and the roaring of the cannon will have a fine effect among these mountains.”