Her friends whispered it about New York and Philadelphia that she would gladly forsake her husband and return to her father’s home; but there is absolutely no proof of the truth of such a statement, and it was probably passed about to protect her family.  No such choice, however, was given her; for within a month there came to her an official notice that decisively settled the matter: 

     “IN COUNCIL
     “Philadelphia, Friday, Oct. 27, 1780.

“The Council taking into consideration the case of Mrs. Margaret Arnold (the wife of Benedict Arnold, an attainted traitor with the enemy at New York), whose residence in this city has become dangerous to the public safety, and this Board being desirous as much as possible to prevent any correspondence and intercourse being carried on with persons of disaffected character in this State and the enemy at New York, and especially with the said Benedict Arnold:  therefore

     “RESOLVED, That the said Margaret Arnold depart this State within
     fourteen days from the date hereof, and that she do not return
     again during the continuance of the present war.”

It is highly probable that she would ultimately have followed her husband, anyhow; but this notice caused her to join him immediately in New York, and from this time forth she was ever with him, bore him four children, and was his only real friend and comforter throughout the remainder of his life.

XII.  Women in Business

Despite the popular theory about woman’s sphere, men of the day frequently trusted business affairs to her.  A number of times we have noted the references to the confidence of colonial husbands in their wives’ bravery, shrewdness, and general ability.  Such belief went beyond mere words; it was not infrequently expressed in the freedom granted the women in business affairs during the absence of the husband.  More will be said later about the capacity of the colonial woman to take the initiative; but a few instances may be cited at this point to show how genuinely important affairs were often intrusted to the women for long periods of time.  We have seen Sewall’s comment concerning the financial ability of his wife, and have heard Franklin’s declaration that he was the more content to be absent some time because of the business sense of Mrs. Franklin.  Indeed, several letters from Franklin indicate his confidence in her skill in such affairs.  In 1756, while on a trip through the colonies, he wrote her:  “If you have not Cash sufficient, call upon Mr. Moore, the Treasurer, with that Order of the Assembly, and desire him to pay you L100 of it....  I hope a fortnight ... to make a Trip to Philadelphia, and send away the Lottery Tickets.... and pay off the Prizes, etc., tho’ you may pay such as come to hand of those sold in Philadelphia, of my signing....  I hope you have paid Mrs. Stephens for the Bills."[125]