It Was Treason Of The Blackest Dye

General George Washington described the event as “treason of the blackest dye.” He was referring to American General Benedict Arnold’s attempt to surrender the American fortification at West Point to the British.

Arnold escaped the clutches of Washington and his army. The British officer to whom Arnold provided the information about the strength of the Patriot garrison was captured, tried as a spy and hanged.

To recognize the people, events and sites related to Arnold's plot, Revolutionary Westchester 250 (RW250), is launching an aptly named initiative – This Man’s A Spy. Co-chaired by Westchester County residents Lynn Briggs and Bob Fetonti, this effort will create community awareness, understanding and enthusiasm for the historical significance of this critical event in U.S. history.

“We will cooperate with local volunteer groups at the events in Westchester and important sites in the other counties,” said Briggs, co-chair of This Man’s A Spy and a member of the Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission. “We will collaborate with volunteers to design, plan and execute projects that acknowledge and interpret the plot through a variety of colonial era demonstrations, mobile applications, art, music, presentations, re-enactments, theatrical plays, driving, walking and biking tours, and videos.”

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See the This Man's A Spy announcement here. See RW25's video about the plot here.

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This Man's A Spy will feature the stories about the Patriots of Westchester County who primarily were responsible for the capture of André and foiled Arnold’s treasonous plot. If Arnold’s plan had been successful, the loss of West Point could have led to an American defeat. The September 1780 serious of events has connections to more than 30 locations in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Orange counties.

RW250 Readies For Semiquincentennial

RW250 is Westchester County’s commitment to remembering the local events and people associated with the American Revolution in accordance with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016. With the upcoming observation of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America during 1776, many local events preceding, during and after the Revolutionary War will be recognized by RW250.

“RW250 is collaborating with local and regional groups to promote heritage tourism and to enhance the experience of the war for independence for Westchester residents,” said Constance Kehoe, president of RW250 and a resident of Irvington. “We are working with heritage and historic, art and cultural, and educational organizations along with libraries, veterans’ organizations, municipalities, private businesses and others to commemorate Westchester County’s contribution to the 250th anniversary of the founding of this great country. Treason and a spy – and, thankfully, quick-thinking Patriots – in our midst are part of our story.

“With the legislation recently passed in Albany creating a 250th Commission, the State of New York will join other states in the national plans for the 250th commemoration,” added Kehoe. “As the legislation points out, New York played a leading role in the struggles in the ensuing nearly 250 years to more fully realize - for all groups - the ideals of the revolution. Those ongoing movements will be an important part of the commemoration as well.”

RW250 and This Man's A Spy programs will continue during the 250th nationally planned commemorative year of 2026 and then through 2033 to mark the full eight years of the American Revolution (1775-1783) that includes the anniversary of the betrayal. Anyone who wishes to contribute to the preservation and interpretation of this critical period of local history should email ThisMansASpy@yahoo.com .