The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-10-12


Your Excellency,' says The Count.
will not read this letter Of Lady ,Asglll'a
without being extremely affected. Iiihus
affected the King and Queen to. whom
communicated il The good Of her M.
JesIies' heart induces them 10 desire ,iia,
the inquieiude Of an unfortunate molher
may be calmed and her tenderness reas-
sured. There is one consideration, si,.
which. though not decisive, NAV have AZ
influence on your resolution. Captain
AsgIllis doubtless your prisoner, but be
IS among hose whom The arms ur ihs
King contributed to put into yeur hands
at Yorktown. Though this circumstance
does mol operate as safeguard, il huwev.
er Jus'iiies The interest permit myself to
take in this affair. In seeking 10 deliver
Mr. Asgill from the fate which ihrea,ens
him, am far from engaging you 10 seek
another victim. The pardon to be per-
lecuy satisfactory, must be entire
The following letter is from Lady AsgiIl
10 the Coun, de yegennes. 0
'SR,-lf the poIiieness Of The French
CourI will permit a stranger to address il,
1t cannot be doubted that she who untes
IN herself all the more delicate sensations
whl'cn,an indi'idual can be penelraird, will
he received fAvorably by nobleman who
reflects honor not only on his nation but
on human nature. Tie subject on whh h
| implore your assistance is too hear.
rendlng to dwell upon. Most probably
the public report has already reached you.
This relieves me Of the burlhen oi $,
mournlul duty. My son, my only sou.
dear to me as he 10 brave, amiable as he
is beloved, olIly nineteen years Of age,
prisoner Of war in consequence Of the ca.
pIulalion Of Yorktown, is al present con.
fined in America as an object of rcprisal.
Shall the innocent share the fate of the
guilty! Figure to yourself flmily in
these circumstances. Surrounded as
am by The objects Of distress, bowed down
by lear and grief, words cannot express
what feel, and paint such scene Of mi.
sery. My husband given over by his
physicians some hours before the arrival
oi this news, not in a condition To be in
Formed oft; my daughter attacked VIII!
fever accompanied with delirium. speaking
Of her brother in tones of w!idnp4. aad
wilhou, an interval of reason, unless iifn1y
be To listen 10 some circumstances ~bicl,
may consule her heart. Let your sensi-
bllIiy, sir, paint 10 You my proIouad, nv
inexpressible misery, and plead in NV
favor. A word from you, like voice
from heaven, would liberale rs from the
last degree Of misfortune. know how
far Con. Washington reveres your charac-
Ter. Tell him that wish my son re-
stored 10 liberty, and he will restore him
10 happiness.
| feel the whole weight of the liberty.
taken in presenting this request, but feel
confident whether granted or moi, you will
pardon IT. distress by which il was sug-
gpsied. your humanity will drop tear on
ny fault, and blot il outforever.
May that Heaven which implore, grant
that you may never need the consolation
which you have. in your power to bes'ow
on '' THERESA ASGlLL.' D.
Cnpies of these letters, together with
one from his excellency Gen. Washington,
being transmitted 10 Congress, that body
resolved November The 9Th, that The Com
mander in Chief be directed 10 set Capt.
Asgill at liberty. A more grateful duty
could scarcely be assigned him. II re-
Iieved his mind from a weight that had
long oppressed and prcyed upon his
: spirits. lie Immediately transmitted n
Capt. AsgiI copy Of the resolution 0f
Congress, accompanied by passport for
hin 10 90 into New York, and also les-
er closing as follows: .r'
i cannot take leave Of you, sir, without
assuring You tia, in whatever light my
agency may be viewed in this unpleasant,
affair, | was never influenced through the
whole Of it, by sanguinaTy motives, but
; hy what conceived 10 be sense Of my
duty which called upon me 10 prevent a
I repetition Of those enorFsfti's which. have
hecn The subject Of discussion. And that
. this important end is hkely to be answered
p. without the eilusion Of the blood Of an hr-
nocent person, is na greater relief Id
! YOU than il is, sir, 10 your obedient scr
b. want, GEORGE WASHINGTON
{ Capt. AsgiII shortly after returned IA
y England. The early VOWS plightcd will
u Mary ST. Clare were fulfilled, and each
T. enjoy ed in the consummalion Of those vows
long years Of happiness, hallowed by ,h'
recollection Of'hs rerils he had escaped.