The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Feb. 18, 1776
Lt. Henry Edwin Stanhope is sitting in a prison in Northampton, Massachusetts. The young British naval officer is intelligent, educated at both Winchester College and Oxford University. He entered the Royal Naval Academy in Portsmouth in May 1768 at age 14.
Stanhope began his service at sea in the Caribbean in the summer of 1772. But illness forced him to return to Oxford to finish his academic studies. By 1775, he was fully engaged in the Revolutionary War, serving under Capt. James Wallace.
Captain Howe, his previous commander, assigned him the task of going ashore to round up deserters. This was how he was captured by the Americans. Stanhope languished in prison. First in Providence, Rhode Island, and then Northampton. And it was here that he wrote to Gen. George Washington.
Stanhope asked for permission to travel to Providence to secure a personal loan. Stanhope tells Washington that being in captivity without money makes life “very gloomy.”
Lieutenant Henry Edwin Stanhope to George Washington
18 February 1776
From Lieutenant Henry Edwin Stanhope
Northampton [Mass.] Febry 18th 1776
Sir
May I venture once more to trespass upon your Excellencys Patience, what I should not do, but from the most urgent Motives, (to procure myself some Money a Commodity, which I never before knew the want off,) & which cannot possibly be done but by my going to Providence, where I have a Friend, who for my Note of Hand will supply me.
I hope your Excellency will condescend to grant this Request, no doubt your Excellency is sensible, it must be very disagreable to be a Prisoner, but to want the only Means, of rendering our Situation a little comfortable, must afford a very gloomy Prospect.
I flatter myself your Excellency will consider my Rank in Life, & not refuse, what cannot be of any Detriment to the Col⟨onies.⟩I need therefore only add (should your Excellency do me the Honour to comply) how punctuall I shall be, to any Time that may be allotted me, to transact my Business; as well as sensible of your Excellency’s kind Indulgence. I have the Honour to subscribe myself Yr Excellency’s most obedient, humble Servant,
H. E. Stanhope
ON THIS DAY: ACTION FEELS IMMINENT IN BOSTON
No response to this letter has ever been found. However, Washington had previously informed the President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, of the need to provide money to captive officers.