ALS signed “Go. Washington,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.25 x 9, June 5, 1786. A lengthy and darkly-penned letter to James Tilghman Esqr. In part: “That a calumny of this kind had been reported, I knew; I had laid my acct. for the calumnies of anonymous scribblers; but I never before had conceived that such an [sic] one as is related, could have originated with, or have met the countenance of Captn Asgill, whose situation often filled me with the keenest anguish; I felt for him on many accts. and not the least, when viewing him as a man of honour and sentiment, how unfortunate it was for him that a wretch who possessed neither, should be the means of causing in him a single pang, or a disagreeable sensation, My favourable opinion of him however is forfeited if, being acquainted with these reports, he did not immediately contradict them. That I could not have given countenance to the insults which he says were offered to his person, especially the grovelling one of erecting a Gibbet before his prison window, will I expect, readily be believed when I explicitly declare that, I never heard of a single attempt to offer an insult, and that I had every reason to be convinced that he was treated by the officers around him, with all the tenderness and every civility, in their power, I would fain ask Captn Asgill how he could reconcile such belief (if his mind had been seriously impressed with it) to the continual indulgences, and procrastinations he had experienced?...This concise acct. of the treatment of Captn. Asgill is given from a hasty recollection of the circumstances. If I had had time, and it was essential, by unpacking my papers and recurring to authentic files, I might have been more pointed, and full. It is in my power at any time to convince the unbiassed mind that my conduct through the whole of this transaction was neither influenced by passion, guided by inhumanity, or under the controul of any interference whatsoever. I essayed everything to save the innocent and bring the guilty to punishment, with what success the impartial world must and hereafter certainly will decide.” Professionally silked and its mailing folds professionally reinforced, the letter is in very good condition, with blocks of subtly irregular toning, show-through from writing on opposing sides, and a few pinpoints of ink erosion and paper loss.
Washington addresses a controversy in which he was accused of cruel and unusual punishment toward a young British prisoner during the Revolutionary War. The prisoner was selected by lottery in retaliation for the hanging of a militia captain by Loyalists. Washington was accused of erecting a gallows directly outside the prisoner’s window. The “Asgill Affair” prompted Washington to conduct an earnest review of his papers in order to defend his intentions; the recipient of the letter, James Tilghman, believed he had found some relevant documents among the papers of his deceased son. Rich historical content in a rare, well-preserved four-page letter. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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