Deliver west point to the british offers insights. He talks about british and american participants after the plot was uncovered. This was hosted by colonial williamsburg. Its about an hour. Thanks so much for that warm welcome. Im really pleased to see as many people in the audience tonight when i was driving down from Northern Virginia through heavy rain it might be a biblical quote but fortunately thats not the case. You have to keep checking your assumptions. If your assumptions are incorrect it can lead you to some very wrong conclusions. I would like to illustrate that by the following story which i hope you will find somewhat humorous, although somewhat ribald as well. Heres the story. The smiths were unable to conceive children and decided to use a surrogate father to start their family. On the day the proxy father was to arrive, mr. Smith kissed his wife goodbye, said, well, im off nowment the man will be here soon. Half an hour later, just by chance, a baby photographer happened by to ring the doorbell, hoping to make a sale. Good morning, maam, i have no need to explain, said mrs. Smith, embarrassed. I have been expecting you. Have you really . Did you know my specialtieses are babieses . Thats what my husband and i hoped. Please have a seat. After a moment she asked, where do we start . Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, three on the couch and perhaps in the living room we have room to spread out there. Bathroom . Living room floor . No wonder it didnt work out for harry and me. [ laughter ] well, maam. None of us can guarantee a good one every time. If we try several positions and i shoot from six or seven angles im sure you will be pleased with the results. My, thats a lot, gasped mrs. Smith. Maam, in my line of work a man has to take his time. It would be nice i would love to be in and out in five minutes but im sure you would be disappointed with that. Dont i know it, said mrs. Smith, quietly. The photographer opened up his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of baby pictures. This was done on the top of a bus, he said. Oh, my god, mrs. Smith. These twins turned out exceptionally well, especially when you consider her mother was to difficult to work with. Difficult . Im afraid so. I finally had to take her to the park to get the job done right. People were crowding around four or five deep to get a good look. For more than three hours. The mother was squealing and yelling. I could hardly concentratement when the darkness approached i had to rush my shots. Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling at my equipment i had to pack it all in. Mrs. Smith leaned forward, you mean they chewed on your equipment . Its true. If youre ready, we can get right to work. I i will set up my tripod. Tri . Oh, yes. I need a tripod to hold my cannon. Its much too heavy to be held in my hand very long. With that, plt smith fainted. The moral is check your assumptions carefully. You know, it often puzzles me that there is a serious debate among historians about who is americas greatest leader. From my perspective as most of you know only too well, the evidence is simply overwhelming. George washington is americas atlas. The indispensable man in the winning of independence and the creation and sustaining of our during its critical years. In essence, George Washington made america possible. Without his leadership and vision, there would have been no union for Abraham Lincoln to save later on. Many factors combined to make washington such a remarkable leader. Thats a good topic perhaps for another talk if im lucky enough to be invited back. Foremost among his talents was remarkable talent that lay closebeh to the core of genius. This demonstrated itself in many ways, not the least of which was his ability to recognize talent in young men from various backgrounds. In using those gifted men to achieve the goals he had in mind. I think of some of the names that come to mind. Henry knox, nathaniel green, Alexander Hamilton, lighthouse harry lee, thomas jefferson, James Madison to name some. Well, it might surprise many of you, but in many ways Benedict Arnolds name belongs on the list as well. There are so many dramatic and implausible events connected with arnolds conspiracy and his treason that the story reads more like a dramatic novel than a true history. All the elements are there. You have a brilliant but deeply disillusioned and disaffected american Major General. A beautiful wife only half his age. A british general with an extremely appealing character. A daring plot to hand over west point. Americas most important fort to the british. A set of circumstances leading to the inevitable plot but not before the young british gentleman is facing death. We cant tell the story in all the detail it merits. It is a fascinating one. I want to focus on primarily washingtons connection, how it reveals aspects of his character, personality and leadership skills as he deals o. 3s÷ with Benedict Arnold and the treason. The horrendous nature of Benedict Arnolds treason has led many people to ignore or minimize his contributions to the cause of american independence. In fact, they were very substantial. In my view, the two most significant were, first his actions in lake champlain. My wife and i are lucky enough to have a place there which friends who are in the audience were happy to have them visit us this summer. Right near the island. This was in 1776. It is not a military victory. But it stopped the british from coming down lake champlain. Postponed their invasion for a full year which turned out to be absolutely crucial. In that following year, 1777, Benedict Arnold deserves tremendous credit for his daring and decisive contributions that led to the sur is render of oh general bagoins army at saratoga in october of 1777. An event equal in importance to americas victory at york town near the end of the war with. Now washington early recognized that Benedict Arnold possessed a unique set of talents. A british his tore yan accurately summarized what washington saw in arnold. To a Boundless Energy and enterprise he united quick insight into a situation, sound strategic instinct, audacity of movement, a swift and unnering eye in action, great personal daring and true magic of leadership. Washington and arnold were never personally close, certainly in the way he would be with someone like lafayette or henry knox. But washington is constantly working closely with arnold and seeks to help him. Now, there is no doubt Benedict Arnold has the kind of personality. Hes egotistical, arrogant, super sensitive to perceived slights to his honor, dismissive of legislative oversight of the military. That earns him a great many enemies. Washington recognized that although arnold is flawed in many ways, he needs him. Its a good principle and washington follows it throughout his leadership career. We must make the best of man kind as they are as we cannot have them the way we wish them ly to be. In thinking about their relationship for my talk tonight, i was reminded of Franklin Roosevelts comments about Douglas Macarthur and huey long. By the way, mentioning fdr, if you have not seen the pbs show the roosevelts, the new ken burns production, it is well worth your time and effort. Interestingly, fdr characterized long and macarthur in fdrs words as the two most dangerous men in america. Particularly interesting in connection with macarthur. Then he explained his goals to an aid. Fdr said we must tame these fellows and make them useful to us. George washington is going to do what he can to tame Benedict Arnold and make him useful to the cause. When or thold was passed over for promotion in 1777, washington wrote him a tactful letter urging him not to let personal slights cause him to resign his commission, begging him dont do anything hasty. We can resolve this problem. He urged washington these are urged arnold. In washingtons words, take comfort in a consciousness that you have not deserved the treatment for your exertions for the country. This is a paraphrase of washingtons most famous quote from his favorite play by joseph addison. Washington uses it to benedict or thold. Arnold used it as well. It is a quote. Xwr i think it is an excellent quote. Its not in the power of man to assure success. No matter what we do, we cant guarantee it will work. We will do more. We deserve it. Thats what hes saying to < r arnold. Stay with it. You know you have done the right thing. Take comfort in that. Behind the scenes, washington works tact fully to get arnold his promotion so hell stay in the service. He has to do it carefully. Arnold is dismissive of George Washington isnt. One of his greatest contributions is civilian control of the military. But he writes behindthescenes to friends in virginia. For example to his good friend Richard Henry lee. He writes about arnold. He says this. Surely a more active a more spirited and sensible officer fills no department in your army. He urged lee to speak with the fellow delegates to avoid the loss of such a good officer. As the campaign took place in 1777 and the need for militia, washington was always skeptical but knew this wases a case where they had to be employed. Washington wrote hancock urging that arnold be sent north to do the job. Hes active, judicious and brave. San offer with great confidence. Im persuaded his presence will assist them greatly and spur them on. Well, action with its promise of glory, frankly exhilarated arnold with his Commission Given back to him. He gives up the threat to resign and the stage is set for him to play the dramatic moments in the battles at saratoga that lead to burgoins defeat. In this tremendous victory where burgoin and over 5,000 men are forced to surrender, it leads directly to frances recognition of the United States as an independent country. Rather ironically it leads directly to Benedict Arnold to go down the road to conspiracy, to treason and infamy. Had Benedict Arnold been among the slain he would have come down to posterity, not as a nefarious villain but a remarkable military hero. If he died at saratoga, there is a new book out. I recommend it. If you are not familiar with it. Its called sons of the father. Washington and his proteges. I have an article on washington and hamilton. Quite similar to the one in my book. It has very good chapters. The one on jefferson is frankly the best of all. Mentioning jefferson, im excited that im going to have a chance to reinterview thomas jefferson, bill barker, in april of oh next year. Put april 15 on your calendar, come back and i will come through the worm hole and try to talk to him about his relationships with washington, et cetera. But if he had died of course he doesnt. He was severely injured. Same left leg that was almost destroyed at ttattle of quebec earlier in the war. And he survives for the story to unfold. Washington wrote letters of condolences, urged him to get better. Said, i will find a good spot for you when you do. In may of 1778, and i think a significant date because its right after france recognizes us as an independent country. Washington gives to Benedict Arnold had received a valuable set of epaulettes and sword knots from an important frenchman. He gave a pair to Benedict Arnold as he put it as a testimony of my sincere regard and approbation of your conduct. In a way hes recognizing to arnold, arnolds great importance in the victory. George washington, as i said, is a man of wise judgment. But George Washington is a man. Like every man he screws up from time to time. He makes bad judgments. He made an horrendous misjudgment, i think, when he decided to take benedict or fold and give him command of the city of philadelphia after general howes army with drew in 1778. One his tore yan exaggerates but makes the point when he said he could not have treated him more cruelly. To put this man with his grievances and condition in this situation, an extory strong hold sets the stage for trouble. Youve got to remember arnold is em bittered by what happens in the aftermath of saratoga where gates gets all the credit when he feels he deserves him. From his perspective, he sacrificed virtually his life for the cause. One of many quotes from arnold. Having made every sack fees of fortune and blood and become a cripple in the service of my country, i little expected to meet the ungrateful returns i received from hi countrymen. He is frankly disillusioned with republican government. It seems, from his perspective it cease run by a group of shortsighted and mainly corrupt officials. Feeling this way, concerned with advancing his own economic interest and or thold is always concerned about that. Especially after he starts courting the beautiful Peggy Shippen, the teenage daughter of a wealthy loyalist family, arnold soon runs aground or whats the word . Runs afoul is a better word, with civilian authorities. He finds himself facing numerous violations. Arnold is going to clash. The head of the president of the Pennsylvania Council is named joseph reed. A very interesting figure in his own right. One of washingtons early aids, later a critic. Not a man to trifle with. He despised arnold. Theres clasheses that leader arnold to be courtmartialed on a number of charges which absolutely outrages arnold. And the courtmartial takes a year before it can even be held. Hes found guilty on two of eight counts. Not super serious. One of them was denying allowing a pass for his shape, the charming nancy. Hes in control of the port of philadelphia. He invested in the cargo, lets the ship go. Doesnt let other ships go. He is found guilty. He censured him which he does in 1880. While many see the conviction and washingtons he opened up a secret correspondence with the british earlier. Promising, in effect, much if they would give him much. It is, i think, worth remembering that or thold enters into this negotiation shortly after he signs this is a photocopy of his oath of allegiance. Denying loyalty to the king. At the end, promising to serve the United States in the office of Major General with fidelity according to the best of my skill and understanding. Sworn in 1778 with henry knox as a witness. Now arnolds complicated dealings with the british are beyond the scope of this talk and frankly beyond the scope of my ability. As is the role of his very interesting, beautiful wife Peggy Shippen who was only a teenager when she marries Benedict Arnold. And many people see her as a prime figure. Certainly shes involvedment the ke agree shes involved, take your pick. There is a new book i read treacherous beauty. The book is better. Sounds like what you would pick up for a romantic read on an airplane. Its not a badly researched book. It is interesting that arnold begins his overtures one month after he marrieses peggy. He uses her connections as the intermediary to make the contact with the british. Now washington was naturally disappointed that arnold was guilty. He had to follow what the courtmartial said to do. He wrote arnold a letter in which he said, i will furnish you as far as in my power the opportunity of regaining the esteem of your country. Washington had not given up on him. Knew his remarkable leadership abilities on the field. And soon fulfills his pledge as arnold begins to recover from his injury by offering Benedict Arnold command of the left wing of the newly reconstituted american continental army. This is a plumb assignment. Arnolds reaction astounds washington. It only made sense in retrospect. Later he vividly remembered what happened. Arnolds countenance changed. He appeared quite fallen. Instead of thanking me or expressing any pleasure at the appointment, never opened his mouth. Pleading, lingering effects of his inquiry, as injury. Washington learned that arnold would not accept and, indeed, would much prefer a less active role, command of the key fort at west point. He lobbies with general Philip Skylar wo had the ear of washington for this position. Its interesting that skylar writes to arnold. Another example of how much washington still admires what arnold has done for thut[9qie9n skylar writes back to arnold and says, washington expressed a desire to do whatever is agreeable to you. Dwelt on your abilities, merits, sufferings. On the well earned claims you have on your country. Once in command of the vital stronghold which prevented the british ships from sailing upriver and basically splitting the new nation in two, arnold puts into motion the final stages of his treasonou uh s correspondence with the commander of the british forces, general sir henry clinton. The only thing that remains is a face to face meeting with clintons operatives to give them the plans for the fort, finalize the price for the treason which is extremely high and, frankly, ensure to the british that this is not some kind of tricky american counter espionage plot but arnold is arnold in what it is planning to do. Arnold had developed connections . 0 mli with one of the more interesting parts of the story. A young lawyer named joshua smith who is 31. His brother was the chief justice of oh new york state. William smith. Smith is one of the figures that is controversial. Arnolds aides were convinced he was a tory, that arnold and he were engaged in illegal trade orju something. Smith conducts let me see, if i move over here. K this is a good map. Can you hear me okay . Lets see if i can fool around with my there we go. I dont know how well you can read that. Is that clear or not . I dont know whether we can make it clearer on this thing. We have to do the best we can. This is smiths home. About 15 miles south of west point. And he meets with smith there. Then tells smith to get a pass, go out. This is where major john andre is on the british warship, the vulture. Hopefully they will finalize the deal and the trade. Arnold tells smith the reason youre going, youre going to meet a british merchant named john anderson. John anderson is going to help us g