(AMERICAN REVOLUTION) Thompson Jacob Letter to Benedict Arno

Sale 2380 - Lot 37

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(AMERICAN REVOLUTION.) Thompson, Jacob. Letter to Benedict Arnold, weeks before his treason was exposed. Autograph Letter Signed. One page, 12 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches, addressed on verso "To Major Generall Arnold at West Poynt" and docketed in Arnold's hand; minor wear, inked stamp on verso from Mercantile Library Association. (MRS) New Haven, CT, 2 September 1780

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Jacob Thompson was apparently Benedict Arnold's caretaker and representative for his Connecticut properties. He likely had no involvement whatsoever in Arnold's treasonous schemes, and this letter appears quite mundane on the surface. However, it takes on new resonance when considering that Arnold was in active negotiations with the British at the time, plans which would be exposed just three weeks later. Thompson writes that he has received the account Arnold sent, "which I was surprised to see & have no knowleg of & beleav it must be a mistake . . . I am confident I never had that money you charg'd sent. . . . I have paid about three pounds in money for you in repairing your fences & plowing your garden & paying rates. I will sent your account & the balance of my note in October and can't before. It arn't likely I shall collect aney mony for you, thirfore beleav tis best to give the accounts to sum aturney." Arnold had apparently been pressing his agent for quick cash--and Thompson's promises to pay in October were probably not well received by a man who was secretly planning to cut ties with his nation.