# A Supernumerary Crisis explained — The American Crisis

> Chapter companion for The American Crisis by Thomas Paine.

## What happens

Paine addresses Sir Guy Carleton on the case of Captain Asgill, a British officer doomed to die in retaliation for the murder of Captain Huddy by a refugee under British command. He argues that by sheltering the murderer, Carleton becomes the executioner of his own officer, and calls for justice to prevent further barbarity.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Cost of War

The chapter highlights the human cost of war through the impending execution of an innocent officer.

### Freedom vs. Tyranny

Paine contrasts American justice with British barbarity, framing the conflict as a struggle against tyranny.

### Reason and Rebellion

Paine uses reasoned argument to demand justice, appealing to Carleton's sense of morality and honor.

## Character check-ins

### Thomas Paine

Author of the crisis, addressing Sir Guy Carleton directly.

### General Carleton

British commander being appealed to for the surrender of the murderer Lippencott.

### Captain Asgill

British officer selected by lot to die in retaliation for Huddy's murder.

### George Washington

American general who demanded the murderer be handed over and authorized the retaliatory execution.

### General Clinton

Previous British commander who received Washington's demand but did not comply.

### General Gage

Mentioned as one of the British generals who spoke falsely of British honor.

### Britain

Portrayed as a barbarous enemy whose army commits atrocities.

### Tories

Implied as the refugees trained in wickedness by British commanders.

## Key lines

> The consequence of their tutored villany is now descending on the heads of their encouragers.

The evil that British commanders taught their refugee allies is now coming back to harm those who encouraged them.

_Paine warns that the British are reaping what they sowed by training the refugees in cruelty._

> You hold the one and we the other. You disown, or affect to disown and reprobate the conduct of Lippincut, yet you give him a sanctuary; and by so doing you as effectually become the executioner of Asgill, as if you had put the rope on his neck.

You have the murderer, we have the victim. You claim to condemn Lippencott's actions but protect him, making you directly responsible for Asgill's death.

_Paine holds Carleton morally accountable for Asgill's fate if he refuses to hand over the real culprit._

> It is an original in the history of civilized barbarians, and is truly British.

This crime is unprecedented among so-called civilized nations, and it is characteristically British.

_Paine condemns the murder of Huddy as a uniquely British atrocity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters/a-supernumerary-crisis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_american_crisis_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_american_crisis_se/chapters