Dispatches from the Culture Wars

He didn't say so, but I assume he was using it as a counterpoint to America's treatment of prisoners of war over the last few years - Abu Ghraib, Gitmo, and so forth. I also assume that he got the quote second hand, since it's been showing up on a lot of blogs. Unfortunately, the quote isn't quite accurate. You can find the full text of the letter here.

In this letter, Washington is addressing none other than Benedict Arnold and ordering him to invade Quebec as part of our battle with King George. And he is speaking not of prisoners but of "Canadians and Indians" that they will inevitably encounter during the battles. Here is the full text:

Sir: You are intrusted with a Command of the utmost Consequence sequence to the Interest and Liberties of America. Upon your Conduct and Courage and that of the Officers and Soldiers detached on this Expedition, not only the Success of the present Enterprize, and your own Honour, but the Safety and Welfare of the Whole Continent may depend. I charge you, therefore, and the Officers and Soldiers, under your Command, as you value your own Safety and Honour and the Favour and Esteem of your Country, that you consider yourselves, as marching, not through an Enemy's Country; but that of our Friends and Brethren, for such the Inhabitants of Canada, and the Indian Nations have approved themselves in this unhappy Contest between Great Britain and America. That you check by every Motive of Duty and Fear of Punishment, every Attempt to plunder or insult any of the Inhabitants of Canada. Should any American Soldier be so base and infamous as to injure any Canadian or Indian, in his Person or Property, I do most earnestly enjoin you to bring him to such severe and exemplary Punishment as the Enormity of the Crime may require. Should it extend to Death itself it will not be disproportional to its Guilt at such a Time and in such a Cause: But I hope and trust, that the brave Men who have voluntarily engaged in this Expedition, will be governed by far different Views. that Order, Discipline and Regularity of Behaviour will be as conspicuous, as their Courage and Valour. I also give it in Charge to you to avoid all Disrespect to or Contempt of the Religion of the Country and its Ceremonies. Prudence, Policy, and a true Christian Spirit, will lead us to look with Compassion upon their Errors without insulting them. While we are contending for our own Liberty, we should be very cautious of violating the Rights of Conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the Judge of the Hearts of Men, and to him only in this Case, they are answerable. Upon the whole, Sir, I beg you to inculcate upon the Officers and Soldiers, the Necessity of preserving the strictest Order during their March through Canada; to represent to them the Shame, Disgrace and Ruin to themselves and Country, if they should by their Conduct, turn the Hearts of our Brethren in Canada against us. And on the other Hand, the Honours and Rewards which await them, if by their Prudence and good Behaviour, they conciliate the Affections of the Canadians and Indians, to the great Interests of America, and convert those favorable Dispositions they have shewn into a lasting Union and Affection. Thus wishing you and the Officers and Soldiers under your Command, all Honour, Safety and Success, I remain Sir, etc

It still applies quite well, of course, to our government's behavior in Iraq. Like the Canadians and Indians whose treatment Washington was concerned about, the Iraqi people have been caught up in a battle that they did not choose. And just as Washington was right that ill treatment of the Canadians and Indians in 1775 would bring disgrace and ruin and would turn their hearts and minds against us, the same is true of the Iraqis today.

What a shame, then, that instead of a commander in chief who demands that those he sends in to battle behave with honor at all times we have one who plays legalistic games with the definition of torture. A commander in chief who contracts tens of thousands of private soldiers to do the work of the military and insists that they not be subject to any rule of law, Iraqi or American.

George Washington demanded "severe and exemplary punishment" for any soldier who harms the person or property of innocent people in lands occupied by our military. Today, we have a government that sits idly by while a Blackwater soldier gets drunk and kills the bodyguard of a high ranking Iraqi official. And what was the State Department's primary concern when the perpetrator was quickly whisked out of the country, escaping any possible punishment for his actions? Here was their concern:

Within 36 hours after the shooting, the State Department had allowed Blackwater to transport the Blackwater contractor out of Iraq. The State Department Charge d'Affaires recommended that Blackwater make a "sizeable payment" and an "apology" to "avoid this whole thing becoming even worse." The Charge d'Affaires suggested a $250,000 payment to the guard's family, but the Department's Diplomatic Security Service said this was too much and could cause Iraqis to "try to get killed." In the end, the State Department and Blackwater agreed on a $15,000 payment.

Did they demand swift and severe punishment? No. Their only concern was that it was bad for PR and needed to be contained. And God forbid you place the value of that man's life at more than $15,000 because those crazy Iraqis will start jumping in front of the bullets fired by every drunk American they can find. That's exactly the time to negotiate a lower fee, don't you think?

I guess it's a good thing there was no Blackwater in George Washington's day. A good thing for Blackwater, that is; a sad day for America to come face to face with how far our leaders are today from what they once were. The shame, disgrace and ruin that Washington warned against has come as a result of this administration's contempt for the rule of law and concern only for covering their ass rather than doing the right thing.