February 17, 1779

To the PUBLIC.

CONSCIOUS of having served my country faithfully for near four years, without once having my public conduct impeached, I little expected at this time to be charged with crimes of which I believe few who know would have suspected me. I find since I left Philadelphia that the President and Council of the state have preferred to Congress eight charges against me, for mal-administration while commanding in the state; and that, not content in endeavouring in a cruel and unprecedented manner to injure me with Congress, they have ordered copies of the charges to be printed and dispersed thro' the several states, for the purpose of prejudicing the minds of the public against me, while the matter is in suspence. Their conduct appears the more cruel and malicious in making the charges after I had left the city, as my intention of leaving it was publicly known for four weeks before.

I beg leave to inform the public, that I have requested Congress to direct a Court Martial to enquire into my conduct, and trust my countrymen will do me the justice to suspend their opinion in the matter until I have an opportunity of being heard, and condemned or acquitted. I hope the issue will show that, instead of my being guilty of the abuses of power with which I am accused, the present attack upon me is as gross a prostitution of power as ever disgraced a weak and wicked Administration; and manifests a spirit of persecution against a man (who has endeavoured to deserve well of this country) which would discredit the private resentments of an individual, and which ought to render any public body, who could be influenced by it, contemptible.

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

The printers who have inserted or may insert the charges of the President and Council against me are requested to insert the above address.

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