Arnold took charge of West Point on August 3, 1780
Arnold took charge of West Point on August 3, 1780. On August 15, he received a coded letter from André containing Clinton's final offer: £20,000 and no reimbursement for his losses. Due to communication issues, neither side knew for several days that the other was in agreement with that offer. Arnold's dispatches continued to record Washington's military movements and provide information about French reinforcements on the way. Peggy ultimately delivered Clinton's agreement to the terms to him on August 25.
Arnold's command at West Point also granted him command over the whole American-controlled Hudson River, from Albany all the way down to the British lines outside New York City. While on his way to West Point, Arnold reconnected with Joshua Hett Smith, who had spied for both sides and owned a house on Hudson's western bank some 15 miles south of West Point. After establishing himself at West Point, Arnold began gradually eroding its fortifications and military strength. On the Hudson chain, needed repairs were never ordered. Troops were liberally distributed within Arnold's command area but only a little at West Point or provided on request to Washington. Simultaneously, he attempted to deplete West Point's supplies so that a siege would be more likely to succeed.
