In two indictments on October 2, 1781, James Hewett was charged with speaking against the cause of the United States and against the Continental Army. He had allegedly made the statements on September 15 and September 25 of the same year. Hewett put in a not guilty plea, but the case did not go to trial as it was determined that Hewett was a British soldier taken prisoner at Saratoga, and he was delivered to Boston as a prisoner of war.

Commonwealth vs. James Hewet of GB. Lab.1

John Davis I heard James Hewet talking abt. the affair at New London. he said he wished to God they had all been kill’d & cut into peices & broiled (15. Septr.) talking of mischief to the Northward & of Levi Pier going he wished they will all scalped. Silas Pier 14) he sd: he was glad they cut them to peices he wished they would cut all the Gentlemen in the Country to peices Wm. Davis Eliza. Davis he dam’d the Rebells, said he wd. cut em in hunks, broil ’em on the Coals & eat them he wished he had the Key of Hell he would turn all the dam’d Rebells & kick ’em along, he wished all our Soldiers would go to the Regulars wished we could not raise an Army, he said to John Waters after he was enlisted, hoped the first bullet would go thro his head, & that he might loose his scalp. Dam’d the Congress to Hell

MS .

1.

RTP noted in his tallying of charges accrued during his time as attorney general: “James Hewit mis[demeanor]. sent to Bos. as Brit. Pris.” at the Oct. sitting of the Supreme Judicial Court at Great Barrington. Hewett’s own testimony claims that he was formerly a British soldier taken prisoner after the Battle of Saratoga. No further information.