But, as Washington held his headquarters at New Windsor, on the western bank of the Hudson, there was sufficient time to receive his answer. "This is short notice," said the veteran, holding the pen in his hand, in a suspense that had no object; "not a day to fit one so young for heaven?" "The royal officers gave Hale [Footnote: An American officer of this name was detected within the British lines, in disguise, in search of military information. He was tried and executed, as stated in the text, as soon as the preparations could be made. It is said that he was reproached under the gallows with dishonoring the rank he held by his fate. 'What a death for an officer to die!' said one of his captors. 'Gentlemen, any death is honorable when a man dies in a cause like that of America,' was his answer. Andre was executed amid the tears of his enemies; Hale died unpitied and with reproaches in his ears; and yet one was the victim of ambition, and the other of devotion to his country. Posterity will do justice between them.] but an hour," returned his comrade; "we have granted the usual time. But Washington has the power to extend it, or to pardon."
Mivel Washington éppen New Windsorban ütötte fel főhadiszállását, a Hudson nyugati partján, ezúttal is megérkezhetett a válasza még a kitűzött időpont előtt. - A határidő elég rövid - mondta a veterán, s kezében megállt a toll, mintha nem tudná, mit csináljon vele -, nem adhatnánk legalább egy teljes napot egy ilyen fiatalembernek, hogy felkészüljön a halálra? - Az angolok, mikor elfogták Hale-t, csak egy órát adtak neki - felelte az egyik bíró. - Mi megadtuk a szokásos időt. De Washington meghosszabbíthatja és kegyelmet is adhat.