On the Asgill Affair - Foto 1
On the Asgill Affair - Foto 2

On the Asgill Affair

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05.02.2026 10:00UTC +00:00
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Los 123 | On the Asgill Affair
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(ASGILL AFFAIR). GREVILLE, Henry Francis (1760-1816). Manuscript copy of a letter to his mother, Lancaster, 29 May 1782.

Six pages in a single sheet and one bifolium, 248 x 197mm (small marginal losses repaired with issue, light toning and occasional foxing).

A contemporary manuscript copy of a letter describing the infamous Asgill Affair, being Henry Francis Greville's account of the "strangest transaction that ever happened between two civilized nations." Graville was an imprisoned British officer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania who, together with his friend, Captain James Asgill, was compelled to draw lots to see who would stand for execution following the murder of an American officer by Loyalists in New Jersey, or as Graville put it: "A Captain had been hanged some time since by our refugees; as a rebel and fixed at his head, viz., after they retaliated upon him for the death of a Captain (Robt. Lockhart) who, they pretend, had been unjustly put to death by the enemy, had concerted with hanging his unfortunate companion within their pickets, having crossed them and left his body there. This exasperated the inhabitants very much. Complaints were made to Gen. Washington, who immediately demanded of Sir H. Clinton the perpetrators of the above inhuman act. I saw G. Washington’s letter—it is very strongly worded. 'Sir H. Clinton, to save the innocent, I demand the guilty.' Sir H. Clinton in his answer finds great fault with G.W.’s improper expressions, as he terms them, & tho’ he assures him he had ordered a board of inquiry to sit upon the people who had been guilty of this action, which, he says, was entirely without his knowledge, yet he does not say whether he will give them up or not."

Then, a "letter came to Gen. Hazen … to summon all the British Captains at York and Lancaster, to make them know who should be given up; as he meant to retaliate on one of us…. Little did we think an article of so solemn a capitulation as ours, concluded between two nations, could be so shamefully violated. However, there was no alternative; we were all officers from York Town to Lancaster, which is twenty miles from hence. We were but thirteen Captains, with the whole of their officers belonged to the Guards. On our arrival, we all repaired to Major Gordon’s house—he is our commanding officer here. We there learnt for certainty that one must be given up; & that the next morning was the time appointed for lots to be drawn. We were determined, as you may suppose, in refusing to draw ourselves. He said we had been guilty pro forma & deserved no punishment. We were in their power—they might do what they pleased with us; but that we positively would not lend a helping hand to our own destruction."

"This was the evening of the 26th. I can’t say I slept remarkably well that night—on the morrow, we were all summoned to the Major’s house. He there informed us that at ten o’clock all the British Captains were ordered to repair to the Bear Inn…. We were ushered into a little room with a great deal of ceremony. Gen. Hazen, attended by his whole corps, appeared. Our men of Congress joined as almost instantly. Every tongue was silent at his appearance. He, with many apologies for his errand, informed us it was Gen. Washington’s orders that one should be given up; that he was to be pitched upon by lots. We refused to do as he desired; then the lots must be drawn for you. Major Gordon stood by this, his patience for a few minutes with infinite feeling. He expressed his horror & amazement at such an unprecedented transaction taking place. He urged the injustice, the innocent suffering for the guilty. Whatever, said he, cannot consent to it. Since you must obey your orders, I have to request a passport for an officer to go immediately to Philadelphia with such letters as I shall choose to write; & likewise hope he may be allowed to proceed to New York with letters for his Excellency. General Hazen, whose behavior throughout the whole affair has been noble & generous, immediately granted his request, again apologizing for being obliged to execute his orders. He said he was but a servant & as such must behave. He then ordered the lots to be made & desired we would all be present at the drawing them. Altho I have felt many more disagreeable sensations upon other occasions than I did upon this. Yet I can assure you my mind was in a very uneasy state for above half an hour while they were cutting out the lots. Having fixed them, we sat in a circle where there was a dead silence observed. Judge, George, what our feelings must have been at that time. I cannot think the most hardy field of battle could cause half the terror this horrid lot. They were brought in, the one was clean, the other twelve black. One piece of paper with “unfortunate” upon it. Right lots were drawn. Blank. Then came the fatal piece to draw. I wish that piece. The eighth my name was mentioned. Tho’ too criminal ever wished for the verdict of a jury with more impatience than I did for mine. I was blank. Of the two whose appearances were most affected by it, yet I never was much happier in my life; I devoutly returned my thanks to that God who protected me. No longer alarmed for my own safety, I began to be anxious for that of my friends—two particular ones (Capt. Ludlow & Capt. Asgill) of the Guards, who were visited to draw. It was with inexpressible concern that I saw the unfortunate lot fall upon Asgill. He is an amiable young man, perfectly adored by his parents, & venerated & respected by his friends. When the commissary of prisoners mentioned the name of the sufferer, he burst into tears, & I was sure none could be otherwise. We were all indeed very much agitated. Major Gordon in particular never did a man possess more exquisite sensibility than he does—he was affected at his misfortune. There was more tears shed on the 27th day than ever fell upon other occasions. I’ll enclose his letter till I hear every thing is settled."

But then Asgill's life was spared, on "July 19th It is currently believed that Asgill will not be delivered up; yet we know nothing for certain, except that our unfortunate friend is still living. I am obliged to send my other off now as I might not have another opportunity this age.

The transcript additionally includes the text of a letter from Asgill to Greville 28 May 1782: "I should be unpardonably remiss did I not leave behind some token of gratitude for the feeling situation, the inexpressible grief which your humane countenance in defiance of all efforts to conceal, has undesignedly betray. You seemed to participate my misfortune, from your looks pity my situation. I only wish I at that time had possessed sufficient power of utterance to have alleviated your distress, & to have acknowledged sensibility of your conduct. This, my dear Greville, is the only method I can take of letting you know…."

Asgill had been sent to Chatham, New Jersey under the supervision of Elias Dayton to await his fate. In the end, Washinton, mindful of how the execution could exacerbate an already volatile situation, decided to let Congress decide Asgill's fate, while asking Dayton "to treat Capt Asgill with every tender Attention and politeness." Asgill's mother, the Lady Theresa Pratviel Asgill lobbied Vergennes, the French foreign minister, to intervene. Vergennes wrote to Washington, who advised Congress on the matter, noting that Louis XIV would be pleased with Asgill's release. On 13 November 1782, Congress set Asgill free.

But the affair did not end there. In 1786, Washington began hearing rumors that Asgill had been claiming that he had been ill-treated during his captivity. The accusations drew a sharp letter from Washington, who pointe out that Asgill had the freedom to roam for miles "for the benefit of his health, and recreation of his mind," and "the treatment he had met with, in my conception merited an acknowledgment. None, however, was offered, and I never sought for the cause." In 1785, Luois Le Barbier wrote a play on the subject in which Asgill is portrayed as a hero, although the Washington is seen as forgiving in the end. Washington ultimtely publsihed all of the relevant correspondence regarding the affair in January 1787 in the New Haven Gazette and the Columbian Magazine. (For a fuller treatment see: Jefferey Messina, "Asgill Affair," https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/asgill-affair). Provenance: the descendants of Thomas Iredell (1720-1796).
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