George Washington rebukes Benedict Arnold, April 6th, 1780
It has never been determined when or even why Arnold made the decision to betray his country. Several factors may have culminated with being insulted by the man he admired most, George Washington. In 1779 Arnold’s oft-suspect business dealings resulted in thirteen charges of profiteering, including misuse of government property. He was court-martialed, and although he was acquitted of eleven charges and convicted of only two minor ones, part of his penalty is a public rebuke from General Washington, who calls Arnold’s conduct “imprudent and improper.” Arnold responds to this censure by resigning his post.