needed to recuperate his wounded leg which in the end would be left crippled. Unfortunately, it was during this time that the thoughts of treason started to form. Arnold became very bitter with the fact that he was not recognized for his military genius on the part of Congress and the Continental Army. While others were promoted for their actions in the battle at Saratoga Arnold was punished. This injustice caused Arnold to turn against his nation. Faced with financial ruin, uncertain of future promotion, and disgust with congressional politics, Arnold made a fateful decision. A year and a half-later Arnold was in command of West Point, an American Fort on the Hudson River. Arnold was in great debt, couldnt make any money, was crippled and couldnt fight he desperately wanted the war to end. Embittered Arnold had had enough and decided that if he help Britain he could end the war sooner. He planned to turn over West Point to the British for 20,000 pounds. In the beginning there was much success in his plan. His contact was British Army Major John Andre. Arnold wanted 500 pounds a week for life, 10,000 pounds no matter what, and 20,000 to turn over West Point to the British. Arnolds plan was simple make it appear that West Point was becoming stronger while he was really weakening it. Arnold sent a rowboat, Vulture, up the Hudson to get Andre. Arnold took Andre behind American lines to Joshua Smiths house. However, in the midst of this plan Andre took off to New York. Three men stopped him. Andre mistook them for Tories but they were actually Americans. When they searched him they found letters implicating Arnold in Andres boot. They learned that both Andre and Arnold were spies. Arnold escaped on the boat that brought Andre. Unfortunately for Andre he was caught, tried and found guilty of spying. He was later hanged. Arnold escaped to Britain and was paid 6,000 pounds to join their armed forces. He believed that...
