He was a young man of sympathetic nature.

Old Steuben, familiar with the usage in the Prussian army, said: "It is not possible to save him.

He put us to no proof, but a premeditated design to deceive."[3] [Footnote 1: Channing, III, 305.] [Footnote 2: Channing, III, 307.] [Footnote 3: _Ibid_., 307.] He was sentenced to death by hanging--the doom of traitors.

He did not fear to die, but that doom repelled him and he begged to be shot instead.

Washington, however, in view of his great crime and as a most necessary example in that crisis, firmly refused to commute the sentence.