Having been made a brigadier-general in the British Army, Arnold in Decemberheaded a naval expedition against Virginia. but did little besides destroying property along the James River and burning Richmond. In 1781 he led another ex pedition against Connecticut, which resulted in the burning of New London and the massacre of the surrendered garrison of Fort Griswold. In December, 17S1, he sailed for England with his family, who we•e-pensioned by the British Govern ment. He himself received £6315 (about$31,575) for his alleged losses in joining the British. was kindly treated by the royal family, and at the King's request prepared a plan for reconciling the colonies; but received either neglect or abuse from both political parties, and, failing to get a position in the army, was forced to take up his old trade of merchant. The years 1787-91 were chiefly spent at Saint John's, N. B., where he carried on trade with the \Vest Indies, but he returned with his family to London in the sum mer of 1791. On the breaking out of the war between England and France lie was exposed to great risks in prosecuting his West India trade, and on one occasion was captured by a French ship, but escaped with his customary daring.
The Government still refusing to give him active service in the army, he strove by fitting out privateers against France to recover his lost for tune, but being unsuccessful, weighed down by debt. and despised by two continents, lie sank into a state of melancholy, and died June 14, 1801. regretting, tradition says, his treason.
His wife, who appears to have been guiltless of any complicity in his treason, and who lead great strength of character, died in 1804. By his first wife, Arnold had three sons, and by his second wife, several other children. His eldest sons re ceived commissions in the British Army: and the second, James Robertson, who inherited his father's daring and military ability, rose to be a lieutenant-gene•al, was made aide-de-camp to King William 1V., and was created a knight. Others of Arnold's children held honorable posi tions, and one of his grandsons, Captain William Traill Arnold, a brave fighter. was killed in the Crimean War. Consult: Sparks, Lip- of Bene dict :I mold (Boston, 1838) : Arnold, Life of Benedict A mnold (Chicago, 1880).