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.