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Hamilton Defends the Life of an Innocent British Soldier

Mere months after Cornwallis’ surrender, in the summer of 1782, George Washington ordered the execution of an innocent British officer. Alexander Hamilton, hoping such a “repugnant” act could be avoided, wrote to Henry Knox in June (GLC2437.01442) to discuss these hostilities which began on March 24th, 1782, when British forces captured Joshua Huddy. The British handed Huddy, a captain in the New Jersey militia, over to a group of Tories, the Associated Loyalists, for use in a prisoner exchange. However, in retaliation for partisan militia attacks on Tories, Huddy was hung by Loyalist irregulars under the command of Captain Richard Lipincot on April 2nd.

Upon hearing this news Washington demanded that the British turn over Lipincot. Washington warned that unless Lipincot was surrendered, an imprisoned British officer would be chosen at random and executed. The British refused and instead put Lipincot before their own court martial, forcing Washington to uphold his threat. The lot fell to Charles Asgill, a British captain only twenty years old. As Asgill awaited his execution, Lipincot was acquitted on the grounds that he was just following the orders of William Franklin, last Royal Governor of New Jersey, head of the Associated Loyalists and Benjamin Franklin’s son. In response, the British additionally disbanded the Associated Loyalists and promised to curtail partisan violence, hoping to calm hysteria fueled by the situation.

Hamilton hoped Washington would use this as an opportunity to avoid being “the avowed author of an act at which every humane feeling revolts.” Washington strongly wished to avoid committing such an act, but he felt obliged to stand behind his word and show his resolve. Fortunately, a solution was presented when Lady Asgill convinced the French to intervene on her son’s behalf, and Congress voted that the captain to be released. Thus a young officer’s life was saved as well as a young nation’s reputation.

Dan Wolf, Manuscript Cataloger
Gilder Lehrman Collection

Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox

Albany, New York, 7 June 1782.

Autograph letter signed, 3 pages + address leaf + docket + free frank.

D r. General

We are told here that there is a British Officer coming on from Cornwallis's army to be executed by way of retaliation for the murder of Capt Huddy. As this appears to me clearly to be an ill-timed proceeding, and if persisted in will be derogatory to [struck: the] the national character I cannot forbear communicating to you my ideas upon the subject. A sacrifice of this sort is intirely repugnant to the genius of the age we live in and is without example in modern history nor can it fail to be considered in Europe as wanton and unnecessary. It appears that the enemy (from necessity I grant but the operation is the same) has changed their system and adopted a more humane one; and therefore the only justifying motive of retaliation, the preventing a repetition of cruelty, ceases. But if this were not the case, so solemn and deliberate a sacrifice of the innocent for the guilty must be condemned on the present received notions of humanity, and encourage an opinion that we are in a certain degree in a state of barbarism. Our affairs are now in a prosperous [struck: state] [inserted: train], and so vigorous, I would rather say so violent a measure would want this plea of necessity. It would argue meanness in us that at the late stage of the war, in the midst of success, we should suddenly depart from that temper with which we have all along borne with as great and more frequent provocations. The death of Andr é could not have been dispensed with; but it must still be viewed at a distance as an act of rigid justice; if we wreak our resentment on an innocent person, it will be suspected that we are too fond of executions. I am persuaded it [2] will have an influence peculiarly unfavourable to the General's character.

If it is seriously believed that in this [struck: present] advanced stage of affairs retaliation is necessary let another mode be chosen. Let under actors be employed and let the authority by which it is done be wrapt [sic] in obscurity and doubt. Let us endeavor to make it fall upon those who have had a direct or indirect share in the guilt. Let not the Commander in Chief considered as the first and most respectable character among us come forward in person and be the avowed author of an act at which every humane feeling revolts. Let us at least have as much address as the enemy, and, if we must have victims appoint some obscure agents to perform the ceremony, and bear the odium which must always attend even justice itself when directed by [struck: an] extreme [struck: of] severity.

For my own part my Dear Sir I think a business of this complexion intirely out of season. The time for it, if there ever was one, is past.

But it is said the Commander in Chief has pledged himself for it and cannot recede. Inconsistency in this case would be better than consistency. But pretexts may be found and will be readily admitted in favour of humanity. Carelton will in all probability do something like apology and concession. He will give assurances of preventing every thing of the kind in future. Let the General appear to be satisfied with that assurance. The steps Carleton is said to have taken to suppress the refugee incursion will give the better color to [3] lenity.

[struck: I take the liberty]

I address myself to you upon this occasion because I know your liberality and your influence with the General. If you are of my opinion I am sure you will employ it – if it should not be too late. I would not think a letter necessary, but I know how apt men are to be actuated by the circumstances which immediately surround them and to be led into an approbation of measures which is another situation they would disapprove. M rs. Hamilton joins me in compliments to M rs. Knox; believe me to be very truly & affect ly D r Sir

Y r Obedt Sr
A Hamilton

Albany June 7 '82
[address leaf]
Free
General Knox
New Windsor

[docket]
From Colonel Hamilton
7 th June 1782.

Item Description and Credits

GLC2437.01442 to Henry Knox. Autograph letter signed

For more information or to obtain copies, contact Ana Ramirez-Luhrs at reference@gilderlehrman.com or call (212) 787-6616 ext. 209.