1783 newspaper GEORGE WASHINGTON SENTENCES BRITISH PRISONER to HANG Asgill Affair

London: The Gentleman's Magazine, 1783. 1st Edition. 8vo. Very Good. Item #15635

This February, 1783 issue of the Gentleman's Magazine features a complete printing of the famous letter to George Washington by the French Foreign Minister, the comte de Vergennes, pleading with the Commander in Chief to reconsider his decision to execute a British Prisoner of War in retaliation for the murder of a Patriot officer by a band of New Jersey tory militia.

This event, known as the Asgill Affair, sensational at the time, remains one of the few blemishes on Washington's character, during the American Revolution. In fact, his own officers were quite reluctant to carry out his orders, though they did until the point where Washington reconsidered and Asgill was set free and returned to England.

Asgill was condemned to die by, in effect, drawing straws with a series of other British officers.

This letter is printed on an inside page and features the signature of Vergennes at the end in block type.

This issue also features the letter from Asgill's mother to Vergennes pleading for her son's life.

A fantastic piece of Washington history printed during the Revolutionary War.

Disbound. #2C-068.

Price: $125.00