USA > South Carolina > Documentary history of the American revolution: consisting of letters and papers relating to the contest for liberty, chiefly in South Carolina, from originals in the possession of the editor, and other sources, V.1 > Part 11
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jesty's service, as far as is consistent with the established rules of the army.
I confess to you, sir, that this appears to mne to be a matter of so much importance, that I cannot too earnestly recommend it to your attention ; and that no time may be lost, in case of absolute necessity. I have received his Majesty's commands, to write to General Gage, to apprise him of this favorable circumstance; and to instruct him, that he do, upon application from you, send some able and discreet officer to you, in order to concert the means of carrying so essential a service into effect ; and if necessary to lead the people forth, against any rebellious attempts, to disturb the public peace.
There are several other matters in your letters, which will require consideration and instruction ; but, as the mail for Charlestown will be made up to-night, I can only for the present add, that
I am, sir, your most obt. hum. servt.
DARTMOUTH.
His Eccel. Gov. Martin, North Carolina.
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COPIES OF LETTERS FROM THE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA SEIZED IN THE POST OFFICE AT CHARLESTON.
[Original MISS.]
SAVANNAH IN GEORGIA, the 27th of June, 1775.
STR :--- I had the honor to write to your Excellency, of the 7th inst. enclosed to Lieutenant-Governor Colden, which I hope you have received. And last night I received a letter from Lord William Campbell, ac- quainting me, that he is going to send the Scorpion with letters to your Excellency, and which opportunity I now embrace, and hope some method may be fallen upon that we may receive frequent information of the state of things your way; as it has the greatest effect and influence on the conduct of the people in these provinces, and may contribute much to his Majesty's service.
The unhappy affair of the 19th of April, and some late occurrences in the neighboring province, have at length drawn and forced the peo- ple of this province into the same predicament with others. And I now expect, that, as far as they possibly can, they will follow the example of them. And I see no probability of any tolerable quietude, unless the prudence and moderation of the Continental Congress, should lay a foundation for it. Your Excellency's order to Major Furlong, I have
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not ver forwarded; indeed, I have neither vessels uor money to pay the expense of sending for them, and, as things are circumstanced at present, it is the opinion of the gentlemen of the Council that such a number might only inflame the whole province, and be liable to insults, if not worse. For, we have no fort of defence for them to be in, or retire to; and they could neither awe or prevent any attempts against them. This number, a year ago, might have been of great use, or if things take a favorable turn may, but not just now. And it is our opinion. that not less than five times that number could answer any effectual purpose. And therefore, I do not mean to forward it yet. But, if your Excellency could for this length, and authorize me to draw for the expense of putting up a temporary fort, I think matters would soon wear a different aspect here. But without, neither law or govern- ment can be supported. And I have neither men or money. And the Governors had much better be in England than remain in America and have the mortification to see their powers executed by committees and mobs. And I am really amazed, that these southern provinces should be left in the situation they are, and the Governors and King's officers and friends to Government, naked and exposed to the regent- ment of an enraged people. Stuart has been obliged to take sanctuary in St. Augustine. I shall hope for a full and clear answer from your Excellency, that I may know better how to conduct myself. And have the honor to be with respect and esteem,
Your Excel. most obt. and most hum. servt. JAMES WRIGHT. To his Excel. Gen. Gage.
The above letter was withdrawn from the envelope, and the fol- lowing was substituted in its place, and forwarded, by the Secret Com- mittee :
SAVANNAH IN GEORGIA, 27th June, 1775.
SIR :- The unhappy affair of the 19th of April, and some late occur- rences in Carolina, have occasioned this province to put on an appear- ance which, I have the pleasure to assure your Excellency, is by no means real; and I am happy, that I can with equal confidence assure you, that there is nothing really formidable in the proceedings or designs of our neighbors of South Carolina, notwithstanding the late address of their Congress to Lord William Campbell; who being but just arrived, and as your Excellency knows but unexperienced in affairs of Govern- ment, may think them very serious, and express his apprehensions to
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you on the subject. However unwilling I write this, yet the good of his Majesty's service compels me to make this intimation to your Ex- celleney, lest you should otherwise be disposed to believe, that affairs are in extremity in these Colonies, and act accordingly.
My private intercourse is so extensive in these Colonies, and I am so well informed of the private sentiments of their leading men, that I assure you no danger is to be apprehended from their designs. And their measures I am convinced will quickly change, provided they are left to do it in their own way. And upon the best information, joined to certain knowledge of men and matters in Carolina and Georgia, I am fully assured, that if any ships or troops were to be sent into these parts, they would not only totally destroy the present favorable appearances ; but in all probability would prove destructive to the good of the service. Upon these ideas, I have regulated my conduct ; and I have not as yet even dreamed of applying to Major Furlong; and I firmly believe, that I shall have no occasion to do it.
I sincerely wish your Excellency success in your undertakings; and I have the honor to be, with perfect esteem,
Your Excel. most obt. and most hum. servt.
A fac-simile signature of JAMES WRIGHT, was afixed to this letter by the Secret Committee; and an impression of his seal having been taken in clay, the new envelope carried the resemblance of Sir James Wright's seal. *
To his Excel. General Gage.
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SAVANNAH IN GEORGIA, the 27th of June, 1775.
SIR :- Some time ago, I had the honor to receive a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, dated the 1st of February last, wherein he wrote me, that an order was gone from the Admiralty to you, sir, to send me one of your cruisers; but, none is yet arrived-nor have I heard any thing of it since. And I am now to acquaint you, that four or five boats, from the South Carolina side of our inlet have been here for ten
# It is said, this forged letter was received by General Gage; and was in a great measure the reason, why troops and vessels were not forwarded at that time to Geor- gia-and that upon Governor Wright's meeting General Gage afterwards in London, be asked the General, why he had not assisted him with troops as he had written to him for? When General Gage replied, you wrote me quite the contrary, as I can prove by your own letter in my possession-and upon Governor Wright's inspection of the same, the letter as coming from him, turned out to be a counterfeit !
DRAYTON'S MEM.
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or twelve. days past, fallof armed, men -- it is said near one hundred. We expect a vessel from London every day, with a considerable quantity of gun-powder on board --- and report says, that these people mean to tőke it out, and carry it away ; and it is not in my power to prevent it. And thus you see, sir, that our port may, and in short is, blocked up by our neighbors, and that they have it in their power to plunder any thing that arrives here, and do just what they please. I hope, therefore, that you will be kind enough to give much immediate assistance, as may be in your power, to prevent such insults and attempts as I have mentioned.
Pardon me, sir, for saving, that an armed schooner will be of little use ; or any thing less than a sloop of war of some force-and which, from Lord Dartmouth's letter, I have been long expecting, and impa- tiently looking out for.
I doubt not, but the situation we are in, will strike you in such a light, that you will see the propriety of immediate assistance.
Another matter seems to be also necessary for his Majesty's service ; Fiz : frequent accounts from yourself. and General Gage, with respect to the state of affairs, your way-as, I find it has the greatest influence on the conduct and proceedings of the people here. And I have no way by which this can be done, unless you are pleased to send it by some of his Majesty's vessels under your command. I have the honor to be, with perfect esteem,
Sir, your most ob. and most hum. servt. JAMES WRIGHT. Admiral Graves.
per The above letter was withdrawn from the envelope, and the fol- lowing was substituted in its place, by the Secret Committee and for- warded :
SAVANNAH IN GEORGIA, the 27th June, 1775.
SIR :- Some time ago, I had the honor to receive a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, dated the Ist February last, wherein he wrote to me, that an order was gone from the Admiralty to sun, sir, to send me one of your cruisers. It gives me the highest pleasure to acquaint you. that I now have not any occasion for any vesel of war, and fain clearly of opinion, that his Majesty's service will be better procited by the ab- sence than the presence of vessels of war in this port. On this subject of military forces, being at present sent to this part of the continent, I have written fully to the General, and I beg leave to referyou. Fir, to . that letter, which is of equal date with this.
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As I am persuaded it will be for the benefit of the service, that the Southern Governors should have early information of important trans- actions in your part of the continent, I doubt not, but that if you, sir, shall be of the same opinion, you will send such by some advice boat. And if such vessel proceeds to Charlestown, my packet may there be sent on shore, and it will reach me, by a secure land conveyance by Express from the Post Office.
Perhaps Captain Tollemache may give you, sir, some little alarm about two or three canoes from South Carolina in this river; waiting, as report says, to take some gun-powder from on board a vessel daily expected to arrive here. But, I acquaint you, sir, that they are sent upon a smuggling party of goods, into their own Colony, by private directions of their Committee. They mean to procure some gun-powder, and I shall not be displeased if under the appearance of some violence they purchase such an article-as, it is intended to make good the con- tract made by Mr. Stuart and myself, with the Indians, both Creeks and Cherokees ; the latter of whom, will be more convenient for the Caroli- nians, than the people of Georgia to supply. I have the honor to be, with perfect esteem,
Sir, your most humb, and most obt. servt. > A fac-simile signature of JAMES WRIGHT, was affixed to this letter, by the Secret Committee. Admiral Graves.
J. HABERSHAM TO P. CHIFFELLE.
[MISS. Letter.]
SAVANNAH, Friday, 16th June, 1775,
DEAR SIR :- The alarming height to which our disputes with the mother country has at length arisen, and the many detestable arts that are made use of by our enemies to involve us in one general scene of distress, are motives sufficient to stimulate every honest man to use his best endeavors to counteract the wicked designs of our enemies, which will be a sufficient excuse for my troubling you with this, as it conveys a piece of intelligence that I think very interesting, and should, when thought proper, be made known to the good people of your Province as well as our own.
Mr. John Stuart, who is now at Col. Muhynes' house at Thunderbolt, desired that the Colonel would wait on some gentlemen who are in oppo- sition to Government, as it is called here, and beg that they would be
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so good as to call on the Superintendant at his house yesterday, as he wanted to have an opportunity of clearing himself of some aspersions, and likewise to lay before us his letters with respect to Indian affairs, accordingly four or five of us. malcontents, attended, when Mr. Stuart, began with informing us that he had received letters by the last post from Charles Town, which made him very uneasy as a report had been circulated there that he had been tampering with certain Indians, at which he manifested not a little surprise. he showed us the letter he received from Charles Town, and his answer to Col. Howarth, whom he has desired to make the contents public, and which he means as a justi- fication of his conduct. So far, every thing appeared to me plausible, but unluckily for Mr. Stuart he produces a number of his letters to his deputy, Mr. Cameron, and the answer in one of which he writes thus : "I have received information from Gen. Gage, that certain persons at the northward have been tampering with the Six Indian Nations and endeavoring to alienate their affections from his Majesty. I mention this to caution you against any thing of the kind with you, and that you will use your influence to dispose those people to act in defence of his Majesty and Government, if found necessary." Mr. Cameron's answer
was couched nearly in the following words (I do not differ, I am positive as to the substance, though I may in some of the words) : "That Mr. Stuart's interest with the Indians was much greater, and that he was more beloved by them than any other man, and that he (Mr. Cameron) had the vanity to think that he could head any number he thought pro- per, whenever called upon in support of his Majesty and Government."
Now, sir, I shall leave you to make your own comments on the above, though I will acquaint you with what I said to him on its being read, "that we were at no loss to know what was meant by assisting or acting in defence of his Majesty and Government, if found necessary, for, as we were not at war with the French or Spaniards, it could not be against them that they were meant to act." Mr. Cameron further tells Mr.
Stuart that the Traders must by some means or other get ammunition among them or otherwise they may become very troublesome to him for the want of it. I do not know how far I am at liberty to make this public, but as Mr. Stuart has wrote to Mr. Howarth in order to justify himself in the eyes of the people of Carolina, I think as a further justi- fication, he should produce his letters to and from Mr. Cameron. Mr Stuart's letter, that contains the foregoing paragraph is dated about the middle of January last, and as copied among a number of others in a large book bound in calf. You may give the Secret Committee intelli- gence of this, and if they should think it of sufficient importance to
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deem a demand from Mr. Stuart of these letters, and he should then hesitate and will not grant what they request, and it should further be thought necessary, I can find four persons besides myself, to avow what I have said to be true, as any thing of this kind should come well authenticated ..
We are going on here tolerably well with respect to our political pro- ceedings, and hope soon to convince the world that Georgia will not take advantage of her sister colonies, in the present disputes.
I am, dear sir, your most obedt. servt.
JOSEPH HABERSHAM.
Mr. Philotheos Chiffelle.
EXTRACT FROM CAPT. F. MARION'S ORDERLY BOOK. 1775.
REGIMENTAL ORDERS BY COL. MOULTRIE.
Every officer to provide himself with a blue cloth coatee, faced and cuffed with scarlet cloth, and lined with scarlet. White buttons ; and white waistcoat and breeches (a pattern may be seen at Mr. Trezevant's); also, a cap and black feather.
GENERAL ORDERS BY COL. WM. MOULTRIE.
June 21st, 1775.
Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Huger of the First Regiment, and Lieuten- ant Colonel Isaac Motte of the Second Regiment, are Lieutenant Col- onels in the Provincial Troops, and are to be obeyed as such. Major Owen Roberts of the First Regiment, and Major Alexander McIntosh of the Second Regiment are Majors in the Provincial service, and to be obeyed as such.
Capt. Charles C. Pinkney, Wm. Cattel, Thomas Lynch, John Barn- well, Adam McDonald, Benjamin Cattel, Edmund Hyrne, William Scott, Roger Saunders, Thos. Pinkney, are Captains in the First Regi- ment of Provincial troops, and to be obeyed as such.
Captains Bernard Elliott, Francis Marion, Daniel Horry, Francis Hager, William Mason, James McDonald, Peter Horry, Nicholas Eve- leigh, Isaac Harleston, Charles Motte, are Captains in the Second Regi- ment of Provincials, and to be obeyed as such.
Lieutenants John Mcuat, Thomas Elliott, Glen Drayton, Richard Singleton, John Vanderhorst, Alexander McQueen, Benjamin Dicken- son, Joseph Ioor, Richard Armstrong, and James Ladson, are Lieuten- ants in the First Regiment, and to be obeyed as such.
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Lieutenants Richard Shubrick, John Allen Walker, William Oli- phant, Thomas Moultrie, Thomas Lessesne, Richard Fuller, William Charnock, Anthony Ashby, John Blake, and James Peroneau, are Lieutenants in the Second Regiment of Provincial troops, and to be obeyed as such.
REGIMENTAL ORDERS BY COL. MOULTRIE.
June 22d, 1775.
Capt. Eveligh, and Capt. Motte, with Lieutenant Thes. Moultrie, James Peronneau, and William Moultrie, to remain in town, and take charge of the recruits that may be sent to the Regiment from the coun- try, as also to pick up what recruits they can about town.
GENERAL ORDERS BY COL. MOULTRIE.
28th June, 1775.
The Quarter Masters of the First and Second Regiments, are Col. Gervais or Mr. Andrew Williamson who have contracted to supply the troops with provisions in the following manner ; one pound of good beef per day, or one pound fresh pork, or 12 oz. salt pork. One pound wheat flour, or one pound shipbread, or one half pint rice. Half pint vinegar per week, when in barracks or stated camps. One pint salt per week when they are served with fresh provisions, and one pound black pepper per year, if to be had.
Soldiers found drunk when on duty will certainly be punished ; especially sargeants, who ought to set good examples to the men.
W. H. DRAYTON'S AND REV. WM. TENNENT'S COMMISSION TO MAKE A PROGRESS INTO THE BACK COUNTRY TO QUIET THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE.
EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
Sunday, 23d July, 1775.
PRESENT-Col. Henry Laurens, President; Mr. Ferguson, Mr. A. Middleton, Hon. Mr. Lowndes, Hon. Mr. Drayton, Col. Pinckney, Mr. Brewton, Mr. Bee, Capr. Benj. Elliott, Mr. Heyward, Col. Parsons. ( After sundry resolutions,)
On motion,
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Resolved, That the Hon. W. H. Drayton, and the Rev. Wm. Tennant, be the two gentlemen to make a progress into the back country, to ex- plain to the people the causes of the present disputes, between Great Britain and the American Colonies.
Resolved, That the following commissions and powers be given to the Hon. William Henry Drayton, and the Rev. Wm. Tennant.
SOUTH CAROLINA-IN THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
July 28, 1775.
The Council of Safety elected and chosen by the Provincial Congress, begins to be holden the first day of June last ; by these presents testify- that they have nominated appointed and commissioned the Hon. Wm. Drayton and the Rev. W'm. Tennant to go into the interior parts of this Colony at the public expense, there to explain to the people at large the nature of the unhappy public disputes between Great Britain and the American Colonies-to endeavor to settle all political disputes between the people -- to quiet their minds, and to enforce the necessity of a gen- eral union in order to preserve themselves and their children from slavery; and that the said W. H. Drayton and W. Tennant may pro- ceed in this business with safety and advantage to the public-all the friends of the liberties of America are hereby requested to afford them every necessary aid, assistance and protection.
By order of the Council of Safety. HENRY LAURENS, President.
SOUTH CAROLINA-IN THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
Charles Town, 23d July, 1775.
GENTLEMEN,-In order to give you every necessary and proper sup- port and protection in your progress into the country in execution of our commissions of this date, you are hereby authorized to call upon all and every officer of the militia and rangers for assistance, support, and protection ; and they and each of them are hereby ordered to furnish such assistance, support, and protection, as you shall deem necessary.
By order of the Council of Safety.
HENRY LAURENS, President.
Hon. W. H. Drayton. Rev. Wm. Tennant.
Ordered that the above Commission and powers be engrossed.
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COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE.
[Printed Circular.]
IN GENERAL COMMITTEE, Charles Town, April 25, 1775.
Resolved, That the Hon. William Henry Drayton, Rev. William Tennent, Col. James Parsons, Arthur Middleton, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, John Lewis Gervais, Roger Smith, and Thomas Heyward, jr., Esquires. be a Committee of Intelligence, to correspond with, and com- municate to, the inhabitants of the interior and back parts of this colony, every kind of necessary information ; and that they hire horses, and send expresses for that purpose, upon such occasions as they shall think proper.
[Copy from the Minutes.]
PETER TIMOTHY, Secretary ..
A CIRCULAR LETTER TO THE COMMITTEES IN THE SEVERAL DISTRICTS AND PARISHES OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
CHARLES TOWN, June 30, 1775.
FELLOW-CITIZENS :- This year will be a grand epoch in the history of mankind. In this conspicuous and ever memorable year, America has been abused, and Britain has disgraced herself, in an unexampled manner. All the guilt of all the English Ministers of State, from the reign of the First William, to the conclusion of the late war, does not equal the guilt that British Ministers have incurred since the latter period. The measure of their iniquity appears now full. They seem fixed in the pursuit of their plan to enslave America, in order that they might enslave Great Britain; to elevate the Monarch that has been placed on a Throne only to govern under the law-into a Throne above all law. But, Divine Providence has inspired the Americans with such virtue, courage, and conduct, as has already attracted the attention of the universe, and will make them famous to the latest posterity. The Americans promise to arrest the hand of tyranny, and save even Britannia from shackles.
In a former letter, we declared to you, that there was "but little probability of deciding the present unhappy public disputes, by the parific measures we have hitherto pursued;" our ideas were just, and with the deepest grief, yet firmest resolution, we now announce to you, that the sword of civil war, is not only actually drawn, but stained with blood ! The King's troops have at length commenced hostilities against
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this continent ; and not confining their ungenerous attacks against men in arms defending their properties, they have slaughtered the unarmed --- the sick-the helpless-having long indiscriminately oppressed, they have now massacred our fellow-subjects in Massachusetts Bay. Mark the event. These enormities were scarcely perpetrated, when the Divine vengeance pursued the guilty, even from the rising uy of the sun until the going down of the same-the King's troops were discomfited-they tied before our injured friends-the night saved them from total destruction.
But, see in what manner the American civil war commenced : and we lay before you, the case as stated by General Gage on the one part, and by the voice of America on the other.
The General sent a detachment of about eight hundred soldiers into the country, to seize and destroy the property of the people of Massa- chusetts Bay. This detachment in their way to Concord, at Lexington saw "about two hundred men drawn up on a green, and when the troops came within one hundred yards of them (a situation out of the line of their march) they begin to file off." The soldiers upon " observ- ing this," "ran after them, to surround and disarm them. Some of them, who had jumped over a wall, then fired four or five shot at the troops," and "upon this," the soldiers " began a scattered fire, and killed several of the country people." Clear as it is, even from this State, that the King's troops, by running after, actually attacked the Provincials peaceably filing off; yet, General Gage has the integrity to entitle his narrative of this unfortunate affair, " a circumstantial account of an attack on his Majesty's troops by a number of the people of Mas- sachusetts Bay." But, men will cease to be surprised at this, when they are told the General makes no scruple to violate even a solemn engagement. After the General's defeated troops returned to Boston, he declared, that if the inhabitants of that devoted city would deliver up their arms, he would permit them to retire from the town, with their effects ; they delivered up near three thousand stands of arms-and to this day, they are in shameful breach of the capitulation, detained in captivity patiently enduring the calamities of famine.
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