About:Asgill Affair

The Asgill Affair was an event that occurred towards the end of the American Revolution. As a result of ongoing murders taking place between the Patriot and Loyalist factions, retaliatory measures were then taken by General George Washington against a British officer, Captain Charles Asgill, condemned to be hanged, in direct contravention of the Articles of Capitulation. To this end lots were drawn amongst 13 British Captains on 27 May 1782. As America's allies, the French monarchy became involved and let it be known that such measures would reflect badly on both the French and American nations. The French Foreign Minister, the comte de Vergennes, wrote to Washington on 29 July 1782 to express these views. After a six-month ordeal, awaiting death daily, the Continental Congress eventually