England, which for generations has deafened the world with paeans of praise for her own love of fair play and for her generous humanity, stepped in here and threw the mantle of her protection over these cowardly hangmen.

It has not been uncommon for wild North American savages to deliver up criminals to the vengeance of the law, but English ministers and officers condoned the murder of Huddy, and sheltered his murderers.
When the case was laid before Washington it stirred him to the deepest wrath.

He submitted the facts to twenty-five of his general officers, who unanimously advised what he was himself determined upon, instant retaliation.

He wrote at once to Sir Guy Carleton, and informed him that unless the murderers were given up he should be compelled to retaliate.

Carleton replied that a court-martial was ordered, and some attempt was made to recriminate; but Washington pressed on in the path he had marked out, and had an English officer selected by lot and held in close confinement to await the action of the enemy.