From Arnold’s correspondence it would seem that at this particular time he was looking for some one besides his wife in whom he could confide his treasonable designs. His letters to Parsons became frequent. Elisha Sheldon’s letter in which he complains of the assignment General Washington had given him[39] may have given Arnold a reason to believe he could depend upon him, for Sheldon closed by saying: “The friendly acquaintance which I have been honoured with General Arnold, and his well known military character, will make me peculiarly happy in receiving any orders from him, which shall be implicitly obeyed.” Arnold the next day replied saying: “I am happy to have an officer on the lines in which I can place the greatest confidence.”
From Sheldon two spies from New York were sent to Arnold on August 14th, and another on the 19th.
Early in September he received a barrel of rum with Arnold’s compliments, which may have been responsible for his being off duty when so badly needed on September 23d. The order for the rum still exists among the Washington Papers, No. 19796, and shows that Arnold had no intentions of paying for it. In full it reads:
Head Quarters, August 28, 1780.
“Sir. In your return of Rum you will omit the puncheon of Spirits which I have ordered to be reserved for my own use. You will please to let me know how long the quantity on hand will serve the Troops and what State stores are in the Magazine. I have this day given an order for one Barrel Rum for Colonel Sheldon, that also to be left out.
“B. Arnold.”
Another now famous letter passed from Arnold to André dated August 30th, 1780. It reads:
“Sir: On the 24th instant I received a note from you without date, in answer to mine of the 7th of July, also a letter from your house of the 24th July, in answer to mine of the 15th, with a note from Mr. B——, of the 30th July; with an extract of a letter from Mr. J. Osborne of the 24th. I have paid particular attention to the contents of the several letters; had they arrived earlier, you should have had my answer sooner. A variety of circumstances has prevented my writing you before. I expect to do it very fully in a few days, and to procure you an interview with Mr. M——e, when you will be able to settle your commercial plan, I hope, agreeable to all parties. Mr. M——e assures me that he is still of opinion that his first proposal is by no means unreasonable, and makes no doubt, when he has had a conference with you, that you will close with it. He expects, when you meet, that you will be fully authorized from your House; that the risks and profits of the copartnership may be fully and clearly understood.
“A speculation might at this time be easily made to some advantage with ready money; but there is not the quantity of goods at market which your partner seems to suppose, and the number of speculators below, I think, will be against your making an immediate purchase. I apprehand goods will be in greater plenty, and much cheaper, in the course of the season; both dry and wet are much wanted and in demand at this juncture; some quantities are expected in this part of the country soon. Mr. M——e flatters himself that in the course of ten days he will have the pleasure of seeing you; he requests me to advise you, that he has ordered a draft on you in favor of our mutual friend S——y for £300, which you will charge on account of the tobacco. I am, in behalf of Mr. M——e & Co., Sir, your obedient humble servant,
“Gustavus.