Hale, Nathan (1755-1776), an American patriot. He was a native of Coventry, Connecticut. He was graduated at Yale, shortly before the outbreak of the Revolution. He was a captain in the patriot army. He was sent by General Washington to bring intelligence of the British in New York City. He was captured within the British lines, and, though Washington made every effort to save him, was executed as a spy by order of Sir William Howe. His last words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." His sad fate was remembered later when Andre was in the hands of the Americans. In 1893 a statue was erected to Hale's memory in New York. See ANDRE.