Question

What did Benedict Arnold offer to the British General Clinton in New York in exchange for money in 1779?

Answer 1

Benedict Arnold began negotiations with General Clinton to turn over the for at West Point NY (today the site of the US Military Academy) in exchange for money and a commission in the British Army.

Explanation:

Near the end of 1779, Benedict Arnold began secret negotiations with the British to surrender the American fort at West Point, New York, in return for money and a command in the British army.

Arnold’s main contact was British Major John André. André was captured in September 1780 trying to cross between British and American lines in disguise and not in uniform. André was carrying papers which incriminated Arnold in treason.

Upon learning of André’s capture, Arnold fled to British lines just avoiding capture by the Continental troops. West Point remained in American hands, and Arnold received only part of his promised bounty. André was hanged as a spy later in 1780.