[51] Colonel Richard Varick was born in New Jersey, on March 25, 1753. Making law his profession, he entered the office of John Morin Scott, in New York City, with whom he served his law apprenticeship in 1772, 1773 and 1774, and who from friendship and personal confidence embarked him in professional business as soon as he attained the years of maturity and responsibility. The Revolutionary troubles coming on, he took up his sword, being appointed sixth Captain of McDougall’s regiment on June 28, 1775. A day or two later, July 1, Schuyler made him his Private Secretary, and when the General resigned in 1776, Congress appointed Varick, September 26, Deputy Muster Master General of the Northern Department, giving him the rank, November 7, of Lieutenant-Colonel. This office he held until January 12, 1780, when all the mustering officers of the department were discharged. Varick was then on the point of retiring to civil life, when he received Arnold’s invitation to become his Secretary. Nor was he long off duty after the traitor’s family was broken up, as he favorably impressed the Commander-in-Chief, who appointed him Recording Secretary under resolution of Congress in the spring of 1781, for the purpose of arranging his military correspondence for preservation; and this office he retained to the close of the war. Resuming his law practice in 1784, Varick rose to influence, became Recorder of the city, Attorney-General of the State, and finally Mayor, which office he held for twelve years, from 1789 to 1800. His death occurred July 30, 1831. He left a widow, formerly Miss Maria Roosevelt, of New York, who survived him a number of years. They had no children. The above, written by H. P. Johnston, will be found on p. 733 of the Magazine of American History, November 1882, copied from the original papers, then in possession of the Mercantile Library, New York City.

[52] The name of Mrs. Arnold’s baby, born that fall, was Edward Shippen Arnold. He died Dec. 15, 1813.