The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-02-22

crime which uiShohore9 the Engnsn. george
III was not obeyed. In vain the United
States of Holland entreated of the United
Statesof America, to pardon the unhappy
Asglll In these circumstances, and al
most reduced to de pair, the mother of the un-
fortunate victim bethonght herself that the
ton, might succeed in obtaining that winch
was refused to her King Lady Asgil1 Wrote
to the Count de Vergennes, letter, the en-
quenee of which, independently OF natloll.li
forms, is that of all people and all ianguas ri
because it derives its power from ine hi'' an"
noblest sentiments of our nature. .. -H4i |
Washington was not Indifferent TO the sen
saton produced throughout Europe Oh aoooun'
of Asgill's case; indeed he was Willie " wiz
ness the general adherence winch was eA
messed for the conduct of the BRUSH COM
mander. and the general sympathy which re-
snonded TO his own in behalf OF the unfortu-
nate man. Whether it was through the sug-
oestions which he made to the Marquis de la
Favette and Count Rochambeau that encour-
agement went to the mother of Asgill, that her
suit at the Court of France, then at war with
England, might be more successful than the
petition to her own throne. perhaps never will
be known; but certain it is, she did address
a most eloquent letter to the French Minister
OF State at Paris, the Count de Vergennes
and that his letter to Washington, claiming
something ON the ground that Argyll was
prisoner captured by the French as well as the
American armies in alliance, gave him the
happy opportunity to represent the matter
anew to the Congress at Philadelphia, whereby
his own point Of duty was so far overruled
that he could enjoy the triumphs of humanity
which had long been struggling in his own
soul.
The letter of Lady Asgill, alluded to
above, is worth preserving, and we dare say
the reader will thank us for giving it a place in
this connection:
LETTER FROM LADY AsGILL TO THE COUNT
hM DE vERGENNEs. A
SIR:-If the politeness of the French Court
will permit stranger to address it, it cannot
be doubted but that she who unites in herself
all the more delicate sensations with which an
individual can be penetraed will be received
favOrably by a nobleman who reflects honor,
not only on his nation, but on human nature
The subject ON which implore your assist
ance is too heart-rending to be dwelt on; most
probably, the public report of it has already
reached you; this relieves me from the burden
of so mournful duty. My son, my only son,
dear to me as he is brave, amiable as he is be-
loved, only nineteen years of age, a prisoner of
war, in consequence of the capitalization of
Yorktown, is at present confined in America
as an object of reprisal Shall the innocent
share the fate of the guilty? Figure to YOUR
self, sir, the situation of family in these cir
cumstances. Surrounded as am with objects
OF distress, bowed down by fear and grief.
words are wanting to express what feel, and
to paint such a scene of misery; nv husband
given over by his physicians some hours before
the arrival of this news, not in a condition to
DE informed of it; my daughter, attacked by a
. fever, accompanied with delirium, speaking of
her brother in tones of wildness and without
an interval OF reason, unless it be to listen to
some circumstances which may console her
heart. Let your sensibility, sir, paint to you
my profound, my inexpressible misery, and
plead in my favor; a word, a word from YOU.
like voice from heaven would liberate us
from desoiation, from the last degree of mis-
fortune. L know how far General Washing
ton reveres your character Tell him only that
you wish my son restored to liberty and he
will restore him to his Responding family; he
will restore him, to happiness. The virtue
clemency. His honor, sir, led him to Ameri-
ca; he was born to abundance, to independ-
ence, and to the happiest prospects. Permit
me once more to entreat the interference of
your high influence in favor of innocency, and
in the cause of justice and humanity. Des-
patch, sir,sa letter from France. to General
Washington, and favor me with a COPY of it.
that it may be transmitted from hence / feel
the whole weight of the liberty taken in nre-
senting this request; but 1 feel confident
whether granted OF not, that you will pity the
distress by which it was suggested; your hu-i
manity will drop a tear or two on my fault, il
it be fault, and blot it out forever
May that Heaven, which l implore, grant
that you may never need the consolation
which you nave 1T In your power to bestOw on
~ THERESA AsGILL.
Tn is moving appeal from an afflicted moth
er, in behalf of a distressed family, was not
without its effect upon the French premier He
laid the letter before his King (Louis XVI)
and Queen, who also partook of his sympa-
thes, and directed him to write Immediately
to Gen. Washington, advising him and the
American Congress to pardon young Asgil
and allow him to return to his now widowed
mothers embrace. Washington needed no
such appeal to move his own lofty soul; but it
did open the way for the official accomplish
ment of his own desires. 0aoa
Under date of July 9th, the Count de YER
gennes addressed q letter to Gen. Washington,
covering that written by Lady Asgill, in which
he said "Your Excellency will not read
this letter Lady Asgill's) without being ,ex-
tremey affected. 1t thus affected the King
and Queen to whom communicated it, The
OF goodness of their Majesties' hearts
induces them to desire, that the inquietudes OF
an unfortunate mother may be calmed and
her tenderness treasured. There is one consid-
Grafton, sir which, though not decisive, may
have an influence on your resolution. Capt
Argyll is doubtless your prisoner but he is
among those whom the arms Of King Louis
contributed to put into your power at York
town. Though this circumstance does not op-
crate as a safeguard, it however, justifies the
interest permit myself to take in this matter.
In seeking to deliver Mr.. Asgill from the fate
which threatens him, L am far from engaging
you to seek another victim; the pardon, to be
perfectly satisfactory, must be entire"
Before the receipt of this letter, Washington
had granted parole to Capt. Asgill, allowing
him to ride several miles into the country for
his health and recreation, accompanied by his
friend Mai. Gordon. the senior officer of the
prisoners; but now he was prepared for more
efectual movement in his behalf On the re-
ceipt of the letters Of Vergennes and Mrs. As
gill, he made new representation to Congress,
relating the whole history of the case, and adj
wishing that body to authorize him to forbear a
AiAo'e Pe'ihiui uusy, W IcotoIc W INC young HAL
his liberty. On receiving this communication,
with the affecting letters accompanying it, that
body Congress, by a resolve dated Nov z, fully
authorized the Commander in chief to dis
charge young Asgill from custody, and send
him home. Through the whole Revolution
there was marked contrast between the treat
ment of English prisoners by the Americans,
and that of our soldiers in the power of the
naughty and arbitrary officers and Tories in the
British lines.
With much promptitude and satisfaction did
Washington transmit to Asgill copy of the
Congressional resolve, accompanied with a
passport, for him to proceed to New York and
take passage thence for home, kindly writing
him letter at the same time which closed as
follows: .. -,l.- ,-.. .
II cannot take leave of you, sir with
out assuring you, that, in whatever light my
agency in this unpleasant affair may be view
ed, was never influenced through it by SAN
culinary motives, but by what conceive to be
a sense OF duty, which loudly called on me to
take measures, however disagreeable, to pre-
vent a REPETITION of those enOrmities which
have been the subject of discussion. And,
that this important end is likely to be answer
ed without the effusion of the blood of an in
nocent person, cannot be greater rolief to
you than it is, sir, to your most obedient
hnmble servant, GEO. WASHINGTON.
With heart most thankful to his benefi-
cent fberator, did young Asgill take passage
In the first vessel for England, bearing with
h t1,n II.