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Hanging of Nathan Hale...
Hanging of Nathan Hale...
Item # 643411
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November 26, 1776
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 26, 1776
* Hanging of Nathan Hale - American Revolutionary War
* "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country" fame
Page 6 has a letter dated Sept. 23 from New York which includes an exceedingly significant report. The report includes: "...Yesterday we hanged an officer of the Provincials who came as a spy...". Noting that this letter is dated "From New York Island, Sept. 23", and with the records verifying that Nathan Hale was hanged on Sept. 22 in New York, it is very obvious that this "officer of the Provincials" was Nathan Hale although not mentioned by name. Hale was, indeed, a spy for the Continental Army having volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City before being captured by the British. He is probably best remembered for his purported last words before being hanged: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." It is my experience that any contemporary newspaper reference to the hanging of Nathan Hale is quite rare.
The front page begins with a letter from Sir Guy Carleton to Lord George Germaine written on board the ship Maria off Crown Point. The letter begins: "The rebel fleet upon Lake Champlain has been entirely defeated in two actions..." with various particulars & signed in type: Guy Carleton. This is followed by the "List of the Rebels' Vessels on Lake Champlain before their Defeat". The rest of the front page is taken up with further information concerning the military action on and around Lake Champlain including a "List of his Majesty's Naval force on Lake Champlain".
Inside includes: "...account says the action between General Howe & the Provincials happened on the 16th or 17th of October in which the enemy's loss was much more considerable than on our side. Some say that the loss of the Provincials was 5000 and that of the King's troops 1500..." (see).
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/4 inches, occasional foxing, generally nice condition.
Category: Revolutionary War
No Longer Available
