The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-09-18
RETALIATION.


4 lesson for that sentimentalism Of the
day that would reject The policy II re-
tallailng npan The Yankee prisoners ii our
hands the deeds 1T outrage and ignominy
lhuieted upon our prisoners, may be found
IN the records II orr revolutionary history,
and in the distinguished example of Wash
ington himself
The conduct 81 General Washington III
the romantic case ot Capt. Assil was pcr-
haps one of Tie trlest exhibitions oi a char,
aeter at once firm and beneyolent--not IN
sensible TO humane sentiments, but regog-
nizlng The uuest humanity as that proceed.
Inc from the conscientious and unrelaxed
discharge 81 q plain and patriotic duty.
Inc iacts Of this interesting and roman
nc episode IN our revolutionary history are
as follows:
It was while negotiations were taking
place n Europe for the recognition II our
independence, after the American successes
In the caralinas and Georgia. and lie capit-
uiatioa Of Yorktown, that the Tories, mad
dened by the loss Of their property and
friends, exhibited the most savage and des.
perate spirit Of vengeance towards the Re
pnblleans. On the S0lh Of March, I7ss,
Philip White, notoriuus Tory, was execu-
Ted BY SET VI men called the /" Monmouth
Reta!iatoFs.' 4
\ iea weeks afterwards. Joshua IIuddy, 4
captain N Nashiagtuns army, Was seized
ami hinged hi tae Tories. 4 label beiny
an4ked u Us breast slailng thar lie had
been hanged ii m aet II fetrlbuton Tor the
execution 1T White.
Sir lieufy Clinton Immediately ordered
the murderer, 81 Huddy to tie arrested and
Captain Lippincott, their leader, being tried
BY court-maTtial, verdict uf not guilty vas
returned, on the plea that he had merely
acted IN obedience 10 the commands OF his
superiprs, the " Directors Of tie Board Of
Associated Loyalists."
The application Of Washington for he
rendition II the murderer. Lippincott, be-
ing refused, be Immediately resolved upon
retaliation. The circumstances Of the case
were peculiar. War had been suspended
vet Washington considered thar The right of
retaliation, recognized BY civilized code, |
still continued 10 existence. The outrage
had been committed BIZ Tory organization
yet Washington did not fail 70 perceive that /
the murderer had been protected and screen
ed By he British commander. He instantly /
gave notice TO Sir Henry Clinton, in re- /
sponse 70 bis refusal to surrender Lippin- |
colt, that be would retaliate-and that, 100.
upon the British prisoners in his hands.
For the purpose Of selecting an object Of |
just vengeance for The murder Of Captain
HuddF, lots we're cast among the prisoners.
The iatal lot fell upon Captain Asgill, |
prisoner tskea ii Yorktown. lie vas son
q sIr Charles Asgil!. and only nineteen
years If age. the rank and peculiar cir
cumstauees Of young Asgill aroused strong
party - intercsde 10 his behalf. Washing.
ton was inexorable. his dutF he felt 10 be
painful; but he knew il performance to BE
indispensable 10 check and destroy the
bands Of Tories that, under the protection
Of the British Government, were threaten
Ing 70 execute the vengeance Of assassius
lpon the Republicans
Lady Asgill. the mother Of the unfortu-
nate prisoner, had interceded In vain ID tie
British Government, 10 whom properly Be-.
ionged the power 10 release her son, IN the
performance Of an act of justice ID their
part ID the rendition of lie murderer 0f 4
Capt Huddy. She bethoughi herself oil
writing u the French Minister. Nergeanes,
beseeching his interference, 4 j friend If
Washington, with that commander. Her
affecting letter being read by Nergennes Il /
ihe King and Queen Of France. they COM
nlIssluned The Minister to add their desires
70 BIZ own, !" thar the inQuieiude II III III.
fortunate mother might Be calmed aud her
tenderness treasured" These letters, be- i
ing ia the nature ii an official infercession
81 friendly Government, Washington vas
prompt 70 lay before Congress and The Re.
suit was an order from that body To set
Capt. Asgill II liberty.
That Washington would have hanged
Young Asgill bat for The powerful and in.
posing intertession. aud despite 81 appeals
y IL mere sYmpsthies. where his sense III
duty had been interested, does not admit III
, reasonable doubt. ii hls action III this
instance. Il III liz actions we're, The dictate
Of judgment At once severe and humane,
and not unworthy = III example, what ppli-
cy other Than that liberalization, such IL Iii.
can We recommend III circumstances %
much stronger than those IN which TX exer-
cised i. Il should IL considered that TIE
present circlmstaDces il which We RECON-
mend retaliation are those 81 iagrant VAR
Of acts of barbarity committed directly ~
the public enemy himself; and 81 outrages
which, % themselves, tan have ID color 81
retri1utiyc lasiiee, from anything VI have
done y give cause Or occasion ior hem.
Hists,9ad Exqmtsr.
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