A turncoat collaborator named Michael Wittman was captured, and at this trial it was proven that he had given the British invaluable assistance on numerous occasions. He was found guilty of spying and sentenced to death by hanging. On the evening before the execution, an old man with white hair asked to see Washington, giving his name as Peter Miller. He was ushered in without delay, for Miller had done a great many favors for the army. Now he had a favor to ask of Washington, who nodded agreeably.
“I’ve come to ask you to pardon Michael Wittman.”
Washington was taken aback. “Impossible! Wittman has done all in his power to betray us, even offering to join the British and help destroy us.” He shook his head. “In these times we cannot be lenient with traitors; and for that reason I cannot pardon your friend.”
“Friend! He’s no friend of mine. He is my bitterest enemy. He has persecuted me for years. He has even beaten me and spit in my face, knowing full well that I would not strike back. Michael Wittman is no friend of mine!”
Washington was puzzled. “And you still wish me to pardon him?”
“I do. I ask it of you as a personal favor.”
“Why?”
“I ask it because Jesus did as much for me.”
Washington turned away and walked into the next room. Soon he returned with a paper on which was written the pardon of Michael Wittman. “My dear friend,” he said, placing the paper in the old man’s hand, “I thank you for this.”
Let me leave you with this short tale, and invite you to read it again and ask yourself if there are maybe a few Michael Wittmans in your life.
In the winter, 1777-78, Peter Miller, leader of the Ephrata Cloister, walked some 50 miles to Valley Forge.
ReplyDeleteHis reason for the long, cold trek was to plead with General George Washington, who was camped there with his army, to spare the life of Michael Whitman.
Whitman, an Ephrata tavern owner, was a Tory who remained loyal to the English Crown during the war for Independence. He was also a bitter enemy of Miller's, a fact that did not escape Washington, who asked Miller why he wished to save Whitman's life.
Miller replied that the Bible teaches us to forgive 70 times 7. Washington was so moved that he wrote out a pardon. Miller hand-carried it to West Chester just as the noose was being placed around Whitman's neck.
It is an incredible story of forgiveness and compassion.
It's also untrue.
"Michael Whitman was a Tory," says Michael Showalter, museum educator at the Cloister. "His property was taken by state government and sold. He was imprisoned in Lancaster. But it was Whitman who asked for the pardon, and the governor granted it. Miller had no part in it. But the story sounded good, and it was invented to help promote the Mountain Springs Hotel