Howard Times

Benedict Arnold's Last Year.
The last twenty years of the life of Benedict Arnold were probably the most unhappy that ever fell to the lot of man. The British were willing to use him to promote their own plans and to pay him for his disgraceful services, but everywhere he was held in such scorn and contempt that for years he scarcely ventured to appear in public. Before his treachery he stipulated for a fortune in cash and a commission as major-general in the British army. He got both, and soon spent the former in speculation, while the latter did him no good as no officer in the army would serve under him, and although his talents and bravery were unquestioned he remained to the end of his days a general without command, even at the time when the British government was sorely pressed for officers and men. In 1798 during the French war, when the country was anxiously gathering all its resources, he applied to the Duke of York for a command but was refused. He went home in despair, and said to his wife, "They will not let me find a soldier's death." He never rallied after this blow, and soon after his mind appeared to wander. He ordered his continental uniform to be brought and put it on, including the sword he had worn when in the American service, and so he died a raving maniac in 1801 at his residence in London.-Baltimore American.