From Dick Eastman's newletter  25 Mar 2000

Benedict Arnold Cannon Found on eBay

A cannon believed to be from a Revolutionary War boat commanded
by American traitor Benedict Arnold and plucked 70 years ago from
the shores of Lake Champlain turned up on the shores of online
auctioneer eBay Inc., according to Vermont's U.S. Attorney.

The bronze "swivel gun" was fetching bids above $2,000 on eBay
a  few weeks ago when Vermont historians heard about the auction
and contacted Vermont U.S. Attorney Charles Tetzlaff. Law enforcement
and eBay officials tracked down the seller -- a retired U.S. Air
Force general -- who said he bought the historic hardware for $500
two years ago at a Virginia antique show.

The seller had been told that the cannon was removed from the
shores of Lake Champlain with a truck and chain in the 1930's
when it was in the way of a planned boat pier. Based on that
information and a preliminary examination, experts believe the
cannon might have come from an area of the lake known as
Arnold's Bay, in Panton, Vermont, where Arnold destroyed four
ships on Oct. 13, 1776, after the Battle of Valcour Island.

Markings on the cannon indicate the same Philadelphia firm
that made the Liberty Bell cast this piece as well.

The seller "did the right thing." He closed the auction on eBay
and donated the cannon to the U.S Government.