The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 11
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 11
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
Head Quarters, Newburgh, State of New York, }
November 21st, 1782. }
Sir,
After I had the honor of receiving your Excellency's letter of the
29th of July, I lost not a moment in transmitting it to Congress, who
had then under deliberation the proceedings of the British Court
Martial upon Captain Lippincot for the murder of Captain Huddy, and
the other documents relative to that inhuman transaction. What would
otherwise have been the determination of that honorable body, I will
not undertake to say, but I think I may venture to assure your
Excellency, that your generous interposition had no small degree of
weight in procuring that decision in favor of Captain Asgill, which he
had no right to expect from the very unsatisfactory measures, which
had been taken by the British Commander in Chief to atone for a crime
of the blackest dye, not to be justified by the practices of war, and
unknown to this day amongst civilized nations. I flatter myself,
however, that our enemies have been brought to see this transaction in
its true light, and that we shall not experience a repetition of the
like enormity.
Captain Asgill has been released and is at perfect liberty to return
to the arms of an affectionate parent, whose pathetic address to your
Excellency could not fail of interesting every feeling heart in her
behalf.
I have no right to assume any particular merit from the lenient
manner, in which this disagreeable affair has terminated. But I beg
you to believe, Sir, that I most sincerely rejoice, not only because
your humane intentions are gratified, but because the event accords
with the wishes of his Most Christian Majesty and his royal and
amiable consort, who, by their benevolence and munificence, have
endeared themselves to every true American.
I have the honor to be, with profound respect, Sir, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Office of Foreign Affairs, November 26th, 1782.
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you, that Congress were pleased, on the
12th instant, to pass the enclosed resolution, by which they renew
their appointment of Mr Jefferson, as Minister Plenipotentiary for
negotiating a peace.
Mr Jefferson's established character, his abilities and the honorable
offices he has sustained with reputation in this country, leave no
room to doubt that this appointment will be highly acceptable to your
Court, when you shall have placed them in that favorable point of
view, in which, I persuade myself, you take a pleasure in representing
them.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Translation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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