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Benedict Arnold

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Benedict Arnold

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Auction Date:2014 Sep 10 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Revolutionary War–dated ALS signed “B. Arnold,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 6 x 7.5, November 2, 1779. Letter to his friend Jacob Thompson, giving instructions to sell his New Haven mansion: "As I believe People are under no Apprehension of the Enemy's Visiting New Haven again I am determined to make one more attempt to sell my House for which Papers I must request you to have the Inclosed Advertisement Inserted in the New Haven Papers, I will take One thousand Pounds in hard money or Thirty Thous[and] in Paper which is the present Exch[an]ge if sold for Paper I will give one or two years Credit with good Security & Interest. If any Person will give the Above I will execute & find them a deed on the shortest notice. If any offers are under, for it please to let me know as soon as you can—It is some time since I have heard from either Brother Giles or Sam[ue]l. I make no doubt the latter is Exchanged & in So[uth] Carolina at this time,—I was happy to hear by Mr. [Chauncey] Whittelsey that all Friends in New Haven were well. I am in hopes of having the pleasure seeing you soon but it is very Uncertain as it depends on the Settlement of my Public Acco[un]ts which are now before a Committee of Congress & great Bodies move slow. There was an Old Sail left in Leterman House if it is not cold I wish you to dispose of it. Mrs. Arnold Joins me in best Respects to Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Mansfield & Family…PS If you have any offer, please to let Mr. Whittelsey know He will do the same If any [offers] are made.” In very good condition, with fragile intersecting folds (one vertical fold passing through a single letter of the signature), some light foxing, and a few small tape repairs.

Arnold’s financial struggles are well known, usually cited as one of the main factors that led him to treason. Deeply in debt and with little hope for reimbursement from Congress, he was also about to face a court martial investigating his conduct while serving as military governor of Philadelphia. He had begun his secret correspondence with the British just months earlier in May 1779, and anticipated that his house would be confiscated in the event of his defection—thus the decision to sell. Despite Thompson’s best efforts, the house went unsold and was indeed confiscated and auctioned off to the highest bidder. A historically significant letter relating to one of the causes of Arnold’s treason, and an excellent example of premeditated financial planning in case his betrayal was discovered.