in a strain still more lamentable, as numbers have actually died from pure want. 1778. SUFFERERS IN THE INDIAN WARS. The supplicating tears of the women, and moving petitions of the men, melt me into such deadly sorrow, that I solemnly declare, if I know my own mind, I could offer myself a willing sacrifice to the butchering enemy, provided that would contribute to the people's ease. 1756. WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND THE INFIRM. When I consider, that the city of New York will, in all human probability, very soon be the scene of a bloody conflict, I cannot but view the great numbers of women, children, and infirm persons, remaining in it, with the most melancholy concern. It would relieve me from great anxiety, if your honorable body would immediately deliberate upon it, and form and execute some plan, for their removal creatures, to say in a note, "Yet Washington, the Tertius Cato of these latter times, is said to have sold his old charger." So far is this from the truth, that the old war-horse was put under the special care of an old servant, was never ridden after the war, and died at Mount Vernon, long before the death of Washington. *The New York Convention. and relief; in which I will co-operate and assist, to the utmost of my power. 1776. THE SICK. The case of our sick is worthy of much consideration. Their number, by the returns, forms at least one fourth of the army. Policy and humanity require, that they should be made as comfortable as possible. 1776. KINDNESS TO PRISONERS OF WAR. I have shown all the respect I could to them* here, and have given them some necessary clothing, by which I have disfurnished myself; for, having brought no more than two or three shirts from Will's Creek, that we might be light, I was ill provided to supply them. 1754. If Lord Chatham's son should be in Canada, and in any way should fall into your power, you are enjoined to treat him with all possible deference and respect. You cannot err in paying too much honor to the son of so illustrious a character, and so true a friend to America. Any other prisoners who may fall into your hands, *Prisoners taken, near the Great Meadows, May, 1754. Col. Arnold, about to march against Quebec, 1775. you may treat with as much humanity and kindness, as may be consistent with your own safety and the public interest. Be very particular in restraining, not only your own troops, but the Indians, from all acts of cruelty and insult, which will disgrace the American arms, and irritate our fellow-subjects against us. THE CASE OF MAJOR ANDRE. André has met his fate; and with that fortitude which was to be expected from an accomplished man and gallant officer. The circumstances under which he was taken, justified it, and policy required a sacrifice. But, as he was more unfortunate than criminal, and, as there was much in his character to interest, while we yielded to the necessity of rigor, we could not but lament it. 1780. RETALIATION AND HUMANITY. I know not what to say, on the subject of Retaliation. Congress have it under consideration; and we must await their determination. 1781. Of this I am convinced, that, of all laws, it is the most difficult to execute, where you have not the transgressor himself in your possession. Humanity will ever interfere, and plead strongly against the sacrifice of an innocent person for the guilt of another. THE CASE OF CAPTAIN ASGILL. The enemy, persisting in that barbarous line of conduct which they have pursued during the course of this war, have lately most inhumanly executed Captain Joshua Huddy, of the Jersey State troops, taken prisoner by them at a post on Tom's river. In consequence, I have written to the British Commander-inchief, that, unless the perpetrators of that horrid deed were delivered up, I should be under the disagreeable necessity of retaliating, as the only means left to put a stop to such inhuman proceedings. You will, therefore, immediately, on receipt of this, designate by lot, for the purpose, a British captain, who is an unconditional prisoner, if such a one is in your possession. I need not mention to you, that every possible tenderness that is consistent with the security of him, should be shown to the person whose unfortunate lot it may be to suffer. 1782. *Brigadier-General Hazen. NECESSITY OF THE CASE. Sincerely lamenting the cruel necessity, which alone can induce so distressing a measure in the present instance, I do assure your Excellency, that I am as earnestly desirous as you can be, that the war may be carried on agreeably to the rules which Humanity formed, and the example of the politest nations recommends. Keenly wounded as my feelings will be, at the deplorable destiny of the unhappy victim, no gleam of hope can arise to him, but from the conduct of the enemy themselves. This he may be permitted to communicate to the British Commander-in-chief, in whose power alone it rests to avert the impending vengeance from the innocent, by executing it on the guilty. THE CASE COMPASSIONATED. While my duty calls me to make this decisive determination, humanity prompts a tear for the unfortunate offering, and inclines me to say, that I most devoutly wish his life may be spared. In the mean time, I must beg that you will be pleased to treat Captain Asgill with every tender attention and politeness, (con * General Robertson, the British Commander-in-chief. + Colonel Elias Dayton. |