Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-06-29
INTERESTING SKETCH.

The following extract from history Of the A
merican War, by HANNAH ADAMS, cele-
brates tie virtues of q character too much
forgotten by his countrymen.
THIS, rshile fond uirtue wished in van to sape,
HA LIE, brivht s. generous, founda hapLeSs grave
WitH cenits' Euing flame his bosom gLozVed,
mi science charnedhirn to her sweet abode.
In 20 ms fair path his feet dduentsea far,
TIE bride Of peace, The rising grace Of zrdr.
IN fy'y frnI IN danger calm as eUen,
IT. friends tuchanging, and sincere TO Heaven.
Hoe riort his course, the prize h01y early 1vo1s-
Hale .eeebzg friendship mOln7is hcr faUOrite gone
DWIGHT
- This retreat left the British in COM
plete possession of Long Island. What could
be their future operations remained uncertain.
To obtain information of their situation, their
strength, and future movements, was OF high
Importance For this purpose general Wash
inctop applied to colonel Knowlton, who COM
rnandcd regiment of light infantry, which
fo ned he van of the American army, and de-
- i him to adopt some mode of gaining the
necessary information. Col. Knowlton comnu-
NC; I'D this request to CAPTAIN NATHAN
HALE, IF Connecticut, who was hen captain
IN his regiment.
Tins young officer, animated by a sense of
duty, considered that an opportunity pre-
sented itself by which he might be useful to his
country, at once offered himself volunteer for
this hazardous service. He passed in disguise
10 Long Island, examined every part OF the Bril-
tish army, and obtained the best possible
information respecting their situation and
future operations.
In his attempt to return he was apprehended,
carried before SIR William Howe, and the proof
of his object was so clear, that he frankly ac-
knowledgod who he was, and what were his
Views.
Sir William Howe at once gave an order to
IL. .I,,I al.
morning.
This order was accordingly executed in
most unieeling manner, and by as great saw
age rs ever disgraced humanity. A clergy
man, whose attendance he desired, was refused
him a bible for few moments devotion was
not procured, although he requested it, Let
tiers, which, on the morning of his execution, he
wrote to his mother and other friends, were
destroyed and this very extraordinary reason
given by the provost marshal, Z" that the rebels
should not know that they had "a man in thei.
army who could die with so much frmness"
Unknown to all around him, without sin
gle friend TO offer him the least consolation,
thus fell as amiable and worthy young
man rs America could boast, with this, his
dying observation-that " he only l9mentee
that he had but one lite to lose for his country
Although the manner of this execution viii
ever be- abhorred by every friend TO humanity
and religiony yet there cannot be a question but
that the sentence was conformabe 20 the rules
ofwar and the practice of nations in similar
cases
II is however, justice due 20 the character
of CAPTAIx HALE to observe, that his mo
tives for engaging IN this service were entirely
different from those which generally influence
Others in similar circumstances
Neither expectation OF promotion, nor pecu
mary reward, induced him 70 this attempt. A
sense Of duty, hope that he might in this wal
be useful to bis country, and an opinion whici
he had adopted, that every kind o service ne
cessary to the public good became honorable
by being necessary--were the great motive
which induced him to engage in an enterpriz
by which his connexions lost most amiabl
friend, aud his country one of its most prom
Sing supporters.
The fate Of this most unfortunate young ma
excites the most interesting reflections
To sec such a character, in the flower
you'll, cheerfully treading in the most hazai
tous paths, influenced by the puiest intent
ous, sDG only emulous to do good to his couI
Try, without the imputatIon OF crime, fall
victm o policy, must have been wounding
Tho Telirgs even Of his enemies.
Scnd comparison be drawn between m.
iog AEdse and CAPT. HALz, injustice woul