[222] Later that same month, Charles Asgill was chosen from amongst 13 British Captains by the drawing of lots from a hat. This was a violation of the 14th article of the Yorktown Articles of Capitulation, which protected prisoners of war from acts of retaliation.[220][221] Washington's feelings on matters soon changed, declaring in a June letter to General Elias Dayton, "I most devoutly Wish his Life may be saved."[220] Nonetheless, Washington refused to reconsider the death sentence. Rather, he passed on the responsibility of determining Asgill's fate to the Continental Congress.[219][221] After much consideration, and due in large measure to appeals from French Foreign Minister, the comte de Vergennes, Asgill was released to return to England in November 1782.[223] Peter Henriques writes that the Asgill Affair "could have left an ugly blot on George Washington's reputation", calling it "a blip that reminds us even the greatest of men make mistakes".