St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-09-04
The Simplicity Of WASHINGTON.


lish had permitted brutal company of
loyallsts, under one Captain Lippincott,
to take him from his prison in New York
and wantonly hang him in broad day
light on the heights near Middletown.
Washington at once notified the British
commander that unless the murderers
were delivered up to be punished, Brit
ish officer would be chosen by lot from
among his prisoners to suffer in their
stead, and, when reparation was with
held, proceeded without hesitation to
carry his threat into execution. The lot
fell upon Captain Charles Asgill, an en-
gazing youth Of but nineteen, the heir Of
great English family. Lady Asgill,
the lads mother, did not stop short of
moving the French court to intervene to
save her son, and at last the congress it.
self counselled his release, the English
commander having disavowed the act Of
the murderers in whose place he was to
suffer, aud Washington himself having
asked to be directed what he should do.
captain Asgill has been released"
Washington wrote Vergennes, in answer
to the great minister's intercession.
II have no right to assume any particu-
lar merit from the lenient manner in
which this disagreeabe affair has termi-
mated. But, l beg you to believe, sir,
that | most sincerely rejoice, not only be-
cause your humane intentions are graft
fed, but because the event accords with
the wishes OF his Most Christian Ma
jesty." 1t lifted great weight from his
heart to have the innocent boy 60 un-
hurt from his hands, and he wrote al.
most tenderly to him in acquainting him
with his release; but it was of his simple
nature to have sent the lad to the gal
lows, nevertheless, had things continued
to stand as they were at the first. He
was memorable to check perfdy and vim
dictate the just rules of war. Men were
reminded, while the affair pended, of the
hanging of Andre, Arnold's British con-
federate in treason, as a spy, and how
pitiless the commander-in-chief had
seemed in sending the frank, accom-
plished, lovable gentleman to his dis
graceful death, granting him not even
the favor to be shot, like a soldier. 1t
seemed hard to learn the inhexible lines
upon which that consistent mind worked,
as if it had gone to school to Fate.
But no one deemed him hard or stern,
or so much as a thought more or less
than human, when at last the British
had withdrawn from New York, and he
stood amidst his officers in Fraunces
Tavern to say good-by. He could hardly
speak for emotion; he could only lift hi:
glass and say: with heart full oflovt
and gratitude, l now take my leave o
you, most devoutly wishing that you
latter days may be as prosperous anc
happy as your former ones have been
glorious and honorable. .. | cannot
come to each of you and take my leave,
he said, "but shall be obliged if you will
come and take me by the hand" Wher
General Knox, who stood nearest
approached him, he drew him to hin
with sudden impulse and kissed him
and not soldier among them all went
away without an embrace from this mar
who was deemed cold and distant
After the parting they followed him ii
silence to Whitehall Ferry, and saw hin
take boat for his journey. And then
standing before the congress at Annapolis
to resign his commission, he added thu
browning touch of simplicity to his JUS
repute as a man beyond Others noble
and sincere. 81 have now the honor o
offering my sincere congratulations tt
congress-" he said, as he stood amids
the august scene they had prepared TO
him, land of presenting myself belor
them to surrender into their hands thu
trust committed to me, and to claim tn
indulgence of retiring from the service o
my country. Happy in the confirmation
of our independence and sovereignty, an(
pleased with the opportunity afforded
the United States OF becoming arespecta
BILE nation, l resign with satisfaction tn
appointment l accepted with difidence-
a difidence in my abilities to accomplish
so arduous task, which, however, wa
superseded by confidence in the rect
tude of our cause, the support OF tn
supreme power Of the Union, and tn
patronage of heaven. The successful
termination of the war has verified tn
most sanguine expectations; and m.
gratitude for the interposition OF Prov
dence and the assistance | have receive,
from my countrymen increases wit
every review OF the momentous contes!
consider it my indispensable dut
to close this last solemn act of my officia
life by commenting the interest
of our dearest country to the protectio
of Almighty God, and those who hav
the superintendent of them to His hol
keeping" 1t was as if spoken on tn
,,,o,.-ov, If the day upon which h