[1] : WordNet (r) 2.0

nathan hale
     n : a soldier of the american revolution who was hanged as a spy
         by the british; his last words were supposed to have been
         `i only regret that i have but one life to give for my
         country' 1755-1776 syn: hale
see also:
hale 

[2] : Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)

nathan hale n. an asterisk see also splat, ascii. oh, you want
   an etymology? notionally, from "i regret that i have only one asterisk
   for my country", a misquote of the famous remark uttered by nathan hale
   just before he was hanged. hale was a failed spy for the rebels in the
   american war of independence.


see also:
splat ascii 

[3] : The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)

nathan hale
     
         an asterisk "", see also splat, ascii.
        notionally, from "i regret that i have only one asterisk for
        my country" "life to give" -> "ass to risk" -> "asterisk",
        a misquote of the famous remark uttered by nathan hale just
        before he was hanged.  hale was a failed spy for the rebels
        in the american war of independence.
     
        jargon file
     
        1996-09-22
     
     
see also:
splat ascii jargon file 

Nathan >> N Words
Nathan, definition of term: Nathan
nathan_pag1.html

Hale >> H Words
Hale, definition of term: Hale
hale_pag1.html