The Washington herald., 1913-02-22


Copyright, 1918 by Mcclure Newspaper syndcate.)
NO. AZ.
Washington had seldom seemed 80
sterp as in one incident of those trying
months
An officer of the American army had
been taken in a skirmish. and the Eng
lish had permitted a brutal company Of
loyalists. under one Capt. Lippincott
to take him from his prison in New York
and wantonly hang him in broad daylight
on the heights near Middletown.
Washington at once notified the British
commander that unless the murderers
were delivered up to be punished, a
British officer would be chosen by lot
from among his prisoners to suffer in
their stead; and, when reparation was
withheld, proceeded without hesitation
to carry his treat into execution.
French Minister Intercedes.
The lot fell upon Capt. Charles AS
gill, an engaging youth of only nineteen,
the heir Of a great English family.
Lady Asgill, the lads mother, did not
stop short of moving the very French
court itself to intervene to save her son.
and at last the Congress counseled his
release, the English commander having
disavowed the act of the murderers in
whose place he was to suffer. and Wash
ington himself having asked to be di-
rected what he should do.
Capt. AsgilI has been released"
Washington wrote to Vergennes, in an
swer to the great minister's intercession.
Il have no right to assume any particu-
lar merit from the lenient manner in
which this disagreeable affair has termi-
mated. But beg you to believe, sir. that
most sincerely rejoice, not only because
your humane intentions are gratifed. but
because the event accords with the wishes
of his Most Christian Majesty"
A Great Weight Lifted.
1t lifted great weight from his heart
to have the innocent boy go unhurt from
his hands. and he wrote almost tenderly
to him in acquainting him with his re-
lease; but It was Of his simple nature to
have sent the lad to the gallows. never
theless. had things continued to stand as
they were at the first
He was memorable to check perhdy and
vindicate the just rules of war
Men were reminded. while the anair
pended, Of the hanging of Andre, Ar
nold's British confederate in treason. and
how pItiless the commander-in-chief had
seemed in sending the frank, accom-
plished. lovable gentleman to his dis
graceful death, like any common spy.
granting him not even the favor to be
shot like a soldier. II seemed hard to
learn the inflexible lines upon which that
consistent mind worked. as if it had
gone to school to Fate.
Good-by to His Officers.
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 amid his officers in Fraunce's
Tavern to say goodbye.
He could hardly speak for emotion;
he could only lift his glass and say:
with a heart full of love and gratitude.
now take my leave of you. most de-
voutly wishing that your latter days may
be as prosperous and happy as your for
mer ones have been glorious and honor
able. :. cannot come to each of you
and take my leave he said. but shall
he obliged if you will come and take me
by the hand"
Feryent Parting.
When Gen. Knox. who stood near
est, approached lin. he drew him to him
with a sudden impulse and kissed him,
and not a soldier among them all went
away without an embrace from this man
who was deemed cold and distant. After
the parting they followed him in silence
TO Whitehall Ferry. and saw him take
boat for his journey.
And then, standing before the Congress
at Annapolis to resign his commission.
he added the crowning touch of simplicity
to his just repute asa man beyond others
noble and sincere.
Resigns His Commission.
II have now the honor of Offering my
sincere congratulations to Congress-" he
said as he stood amid the august scene
they had prepared for him. and of pre-
senting myself before them to surrender
into their hands the trust committed to
me. and to claim the Indulgence of re-
tiring from the service of my country.
Happy in the confirmation of our in
dependence and sovereignty, and pleased
with The opportunity afforded the United
States of becoming a respectable nation.
l resign with satisfaction the appointment
1 accepted with diffidence-a diffidence in
my abilities to accomplish so arduous a
task, which. however. was superseded by
a confidence in the rectitude of our cause.
the support of the supreme power Of the
Union. and the patronage of Heaven.
THE successful termination of the war
has verified the most sanguine expecta-
tions: and my gratitude for the inter-
position of Providence and the assist
ance I have received from my country
men increases with every review of the
contest. I consider 1t my
duty to close this last SOL
emn act Of my official life by commend
ing the interests of our dearest country
to the protection of Almighty God. and
those who have the superintendent OF
them to His holy keepjng',
It was as if-spoken on the morrow Of
the day upon which he accepted his COM
the same difidence. the same
trust in a power greater and higher than
his own.
Tb, ,,Ioud;,e ,b,, I,oA h,. I.,.x 49,