Atproject and returned to Manhattan Island. considered his Newport It was supposed at the time that his erratic action was occasioned partly by the delay in the arrival of his transports, partly by Washington's sudden move, and partly by information which he had received of the strengthening of the French troops by large bodies of militia. But the principal cause was undoubtedly the change in the command at West Point, made just at his time, which seemed to assure him of the early realization by treachery of his long-cherished dream of getting control of the Hudson.

CHAPTEE

CAPTURE

XXII

ANDRE1

^PjSpJXTIL 1778 West Point was a solitude, thickly covered with iilllii trees an<l nearly inaccessible. During 1778-79 it was coviJfgKfc: ered by fortresses, with numerous redoubts, and so con"'•'••'• "^ nected as to form a system of defense which was believed to be impregnable. Here were the stores, provisions, and magazines and ammunition for the use of the entire American army. It was the key of the military position and stronghold of the Americans. The British saw that the possession of the valley of the Hudson on their part would divide and weaken the power of those who were striving for liberty, that it would obstruct intercourse between the American forces in New England and those in New Jersey and to the northward, that it would open communication between the British forces in Xew York and Canada, and that the capture of the stores and ammunition collected there would so cripple the Americans that they would be obliged to give up the contest. In 17S0 a change was needed in the command at West Point. General "Robert Howe, then in command, was thought to be inefficient. Having knowledge of this fact, General Benedict Arnold (who had for several months been in traitorous correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, the commander-in-chief of the British forces in America) resolved to solicit the appointment to the command to this post in order that he might make it the subject of barter for British gold.