That evening Varick received a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Benson, of Governor Clinton’s family, in answer to one of his of the 24th of August inquiring of Smith’s real political character and the truth of some information he had given Arnold. The answer contained an opinion by no means favorable. Varick showed it to Arnold and then told him that he considered his past conduct and language to him as unwarrantable and that he thought he did not place the confidence in his repeated friendly assurance and advice which he had a right to expect and which was necessary to be put in a person acting in his capacity, and that he could not act longer with propriety. Arnold gave him assurances of his full confidence in him, of a conviction of the rectitude of his conduct, of Smith’s being a rascal, and of his error in treating him with such cavalier language, and that he would never go to Smith’s house again, or be seen with him but in company.
We now come to the day of Arnold’s flight [Sept. 25, 1780]. Varick is not well, he remained in bed most of the morning. Before breakfast Arnold entered his room and inquired:
Arnold. Have you answered the letters received from Lt. Colonel Jameson? Has Major Tallmadge’s letter been answered? Have you written to Gov. Clinton inclosing copies of the letters of Colonel Beverly Robinson?
Varick. No sir, I am sick and am not able to.
Arnold. [Taking Colonel Tallmadge’s letter out of the office with him.] I will write to Tallmadge myself.
Some minutes later the messenger from Lieutenant Colonel Jameson hands Arnold two letters. After reading them he ascends the stairs to Mrs. Arnold’s room.
Two minutes later His Excellency General Washington’s servant comes to the door and informs Major Franks that His Excellency is nigh at hand. Franks goes immediately up stairs and informs Arnold of it. Arnold comes down in great confusion, orders a horse to be saddled, mounts him, and tells Franks to inform His Excellency that he is going to West Point and will return in about an hour.
Half an hour later General Washington arrives and after taking a hasty breakfast starts for West Point. Franks in the interval had stopped at Varick’s room and told him that Arnold had gone to West Point. Lieutenant Hubbell also entered Varick’s room and incidentally told him he saw Arnold’s barge going down the river. It should have been going up to reach West Point, but at the moment this made no impression.
Colonel Varick’s room was on the ground floor. There was a window near the bed that could be opened from the outside. Presently this was raised by Franks and with suppressed emotion he informed Varick that he believed Arnold was a villain: that he had heard a report that one Anderson was taken as a spy on the lines and that a Militia officer had brought a letter to Arnold and that he was enjoined secrecy by Arnold. Varick concurred and with indescribable agitation they discussed the subject, but finally concluded that it was uncharitable and unwarrantable even to suppose it.
Franks had only time to lower the window when Mrs. Arnold called for Varick. As soon as he conveniently could he waited on her. She was in great distress and had apparently lost her reason. Dr. Eustice was summoned. After an examination he addressed Varick: “Where has General Arnold gone? I beg you for God’s sake to send for him, or the woman will die.” Franks was with them by this time and taking Dr. Eustice into an adjoining room, after enjoining the most sacred secrecy, they informed him of their suspicions that Arnold had gone to the enemy. They made him understand that it was a bare suspicion, and that they were afraid to lisp it to any creature living, lest proving untrue it should ruin their reputations. Their suspicions were soon confirmed and communicated to Dr. Eustice, when upon Varick’s remarking to Mrs. Arnold that she would soon have the General with her again, she exclaimed, “Oh no, no! he is gone, gone forever!”[52]