The execution of Major André: a blot on Washington’s reputation?

Question

George Washington's character was / is admired on both sides of the Atlantic. Yet Washington insisted on hanging Major John André as a spy ... despite appeals to at least give him a "gentleman's death" by shooting ... and despite the fact that the British did not execute American officers for spying.

So, was Washington showing a vicious, vindictive streak? Or did he have good reasons for insisting that André must hang?

dutch132004 is quite correct about Nathan Hale of course. I apologize. But Hale was executed summarily (no court martial) within hours of arrest, and in the course of a hunt for saboteurs due to the New York fires of 2 days previously. Andre was executed after lengthy due process, and Washington certainly had ample time to reflect on the pros and cons of hanging, versus firing squad, versus clemency.

Answer 1

In times of war tough decisions have to be made. Yes, this was a very controversial one, but in hindsight perhaps this is also a classic example of how American historians just delight in destroying the reputations of Americans, while neglecting similar criticisms of other, foreign leaders who do identical things. Truly, was the execution of Andre' any different, at all, than the execution of Nathan Hale? Has anyone ever bothered to even discuss the disgusting brutality of the British in North and South Carolina? These are events that are forgotten. Major John Andre' was a spy and was partially responsible for the traitorous acts of Benedict Arnold. It was a time of war. Yes, he deserved to be executed. It's one of the risks that a person in his shoes had to undertake. The fact that he is honored in Britain today is completely irrelevant. In 1780, they were the enemy, and that the enemy would honor one of their own doesn't mean anything to us today. It's what enemies do.

Answer 2

You mean the British did not execute Captain Nathan Hale for spying by hanging Sept. 22, 1776 in New York City following the Battle of Long Island. Next time check your facts.

Answer 3

Sadly, indeed it is a mark against Washington, both then and in some places in England even now.

It made many in Britain who supported the colonials change their mind, as it was viewed as a "dispicably French" move by Washington and completely unneccessary as an exchange for other captured American officers would have been the usual and gentlemanly thing to do.

Major John Andre lays at rest in Westminster Abbey in London. Only royalty and those of great significance are buried there.

Answer 4

I'd have had Andre hung myself.Personally though I feel Andre's hanging was a result of the only way Washington could express his outrage at Benedict Arnold's traitorus defection.