Why Didn't the British Trade Benedict Arnold for Major John André?

In 1780, during the American Revolutionary War, Major John André was captured while carrying plans for the American fortifications at West Point. Meanwhile, Benedict Arnold had already defected to the British side. The British faced a critical decision: to trade Benedict Arnold for Major André, or to retain Arnold to continue providing valuable intelligence and influence within the Continental Army.

Arnold's Betrayal

Benedict Arnold had betrayed his country and was serving as a general for the British Army. His defection brought with it a wealth of insider knowledge about American military strategies and fortifications. Trading Arnold for André, who was a British spy, would have been disadvantageous for the British. This is because Arnold's knowledge was more strategic and valuable than André's role in espionage.

André's Importance

John André was involved in espionage and was captured while carrying plans for West Point. The British likely viewed André as a valuable intelligence asset and felt that rescuing him or securing his release was more feasible through other means rather than a direct trade.

Political Considerations

The British government may have been reluctant to engage in a formal trade that could be seen as a sign of weakness. Furthermore, Arnold's defection had already caused a significant impact on the morale of the Continental Army. The British may have believed that keeping Arnold within their ranks was more beneficial than returning André.

Military Strategy

The British may have assessed that retaining Arnold could provide them with more strategic advantages in the ongoing conflict than trading him for André. André was not a general and did not have the same level of command or influence as Arnold.

Ultimately, the decision not to trade Arnold for André reflects a complex interplay of military strategy, intelligence value, and personal dynamics. There is also a persistent story that Arnold offered to exchange himself for André, which is a dramatic gesture he might have made, but the British command rejected the idea in part because exchanging a general for a major was not a common practice, and in part because there was still the hope that Arnold might still be of some use in rallying disaffected colonials.

Keywords: Benedict Arnold, Major John André, British Spy