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 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
To the Delegates of South Carolina at Philadelphia.
LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE.
[MSS. of C. Gadsden.]
SOUTH CAROLINA, July 4th, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- The enclosed is a copy and extracts of letters which fell into the hands of the Secret Committee, who laid them before the Council of Safety. They are thought to be of so great importance. that the Council have desired the Committee of Intelligence to transmit them to you, not only by sea, but through Committee conveyance by land. They seem to give some light on the real intentions of the Administra- tion, and thereby you may in some degree be enabled to guard against its machinations. We have also transmitted proper copies of them to North Carolina and Georgia, and we have desired the former colony to forward to you our duplicate of this. We also enclose to you some copies of our circular letter to the Committees of this Colony. This day the Provincial Congress of Georgia is to sit in Savannah ; it is thought they will make ample amends for their past conduct-indeed there is no doubt of it. Our own affairs continue in a good posture. The Regi- ment of horse is nearly completed, and the Regiments of infantry are in great forwardness. At present between two hundred and three hundred garrison the barracks, and we mean immediately to establish a fortified
119
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
post at Dorchester. The Council of Safety will go there on Thursday to reconnoitre the situation.
We have the honor, to be. gentlemen,
Your most obt. and most hum. servts .. WM. H'Y. DRAYTON. WM. TENNENT, THOS. HEYWARD. Jr .. ROGER SMITH. JOHN LEWIS GERVAIS. . Committee of Intelligence.
P. S .- This goes by a pilot boat, which we have sent express on this occasion. You will, therefore, dispatch her back with all expedition, and we hope you will not fail to transmit every intelligence in your power. I have written and delivered to Joskey a letter of no importance, that he may have something like a dispatch to show to any military enquirer. W. H. D.
To the Delegates from South Carolina at Philadelphia.
ORDERS AND COMMISSION TO CLEMENT LEMPRIERE, ESQ.
SOUTH CAROLINA-IN THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY. Charles Town, July 24, 1775.
To Clement Lempriere, Esq.
The Council of Safety elected and chosen to be holden on the first day of June last,-By these presents testify, that Clement Lempriere, Esq., has been and is hereby appointed and commissioned to command in the sloop Commerce belonging to New York, and over all and every person and persons engaged to embark on board the said sloop, under the authority of the said Council of Safety. And the said Clement Lempriere is hereby ordered to proceed to such places and to take such measures as he shall think most proper, to procure gun-powder, for the public of this colony, which when he shall have procured, he is ordered to convey to this colony with all possible dispatch. It is also, hereby, declared, that if any commander or officer, under the King's authority shall in any degree ill-treat the said Clement Lempriere or any of his company, the King's officers now in our power shall be treated with equal severity, of which all persons are required to take due notice.
Given under the authority and by order of the Council of Safety
120
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
Ordered, That the foregoing Commission, be engrossed, sealed, dated, and signed by the President, and by him delivered, sealed up, to Capt. Lempriere, with orders not to be opened until he shall be arrived in sight of the Island of New Providence.
All which was accordingly executed.
IN THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
Thursday, 25th July, 1775.
The Council met.
PRESENT,-Col. Henry Laurens, President; Col. Pinckney, Hon. Mr. Drayton, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Brewton, Mr. Benj. Elliott, Hon. Mr. Lowndes, Col. Parsons. Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Bee, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Heyward.
Resolved, That the following orders and Commission be given to Capt. Lempriere.
SOUTH CAROLINA-IN THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
Charles Town, July 25, 1775. To Clement Lempriere, Esq.
The Council of Safety elected and chosen by the Provincial Congress begun to be holden on the first day of June last, by these presents tes- tify, that Clement Lempriere, Esq., has been and is hereby appointed and Commissioned to command in the sloop Commerce, belonging to New York. and over all and every person and persons engaged to em- bark on board the said sloop on the intended voyage, under the author- ity of the said Council of Safety. And the said Clement Lempriere is hereby ordered to proceed forthwith, with all convenient dispatch, to the Island of New Providence, on that island to seize, and from that island to embark on board the said sloop, all such quantity of gun-powder as he shall find and be able to take on and from the said Island, and then forthwith to return to this Colony, and put into Tucker's Creek, Tucker's Island, North Edisto, and from thence to give notice to the zaid Council of Safety of his arrival with all possible dispatch; and if the said Clement Lemupriere, shall not be able to seize any considerable quantity of gun-powder in the island of New Providence aforesaid, be shall then proceed to such places, and take such measures to procure gun-powder, as he shall think most proper, and then to proceed to
121
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Tucker's Creek aforesaid, and thence to give due notice as aforesaid. And for so doing this is your warrant.
By order of the Council of Safety.
HENRY LAURENS, President.
CAPT. LEMPRIERE'S JOURNAL-SLOOP COMMERCE.
[Original MS.]
MEMORANDUMS ON BOARD OF THE SLOOP COMMERCE.
1775. July 24. Our voyage towards New Orleans commenced.
25. Took on board our stores of provisions, &c.
26. Sailed over the bar with the wind at north-east; and rain at 6 P. M. ; anchored at South Edisto,
27. Fresh gales with thunder squalls and a great deal of lightning ; weighed and sailed up Port Royal Creek, where we anchored.
28. It continued to blow hard, with rain; we got through Port Royal Creek, and came too at the town, and landed our stores in order to clean.
29. We hauled on shore, and cleaned, and in the evening hauled her off again.
30. Took on board our stores, and got ready to sail ; fell down the river a little.
31. Sailed from Port Royal with the wind at south and turned down to Jenkin's landing.
August 1. Got under way and turned through Skub Creek and came too at Callabage.
2. Sailed out of Tybee with the wind at south, turned to windward at meridian ; observed in latitude 31°45'.
3. Still plying to windward with the wind at south; latitude ob- served 31º28'.
4. Fine settled weather, wind southerly beating to windward; lati- tude observed 31°09'.
5. Fresh breeze and thunder squalls, wind southerly; latitude oh- served 30°51'.
6. Fine settled weather with fresh gales, latitude observed 20955'.
7. Made the Matanzas at night, came too under the fort in seven fathoms water, and rode all night; at 6, A. M., got under way and run down towards the bar of St. Augustine, where we saw a sail at anchor
122
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
off the bar, we run down to her aud hailed her, and found her to be the brigantine Betsy, commanded by Captain Alvere Lofthouse from Lon- don, we boarded her with our sloop and upon strict search found on board of her a large quantity of gun-powder, of which we took one hun- dred and eleven barrels, one half-barrel and thirty small kegs. Said vessel had on board of her twelve soldiers from the shore, eight seamen, the captain, two mates and steward, which was in number twenty-three men ; and our number was twenty-one whites and five blacks. Our sit- uation was such on this occasion that we thought it most prudent to bribe the men, which we did with one hundred pounds currency, and the Captain accepted a draught for one thousand pounds sterling for the powder drawu on Mr. John Edwards of Charlestown, and at half-past 11, A. M., after spiking up two pieces of cannon that was mounted on board said brigantine, we reembarked our men and made sail with a light air at E. N. E., the wind veered to the northward at 4 P. M., we passed the river St. Wans and passed a small boat stretching to the southward.
Turning to windward with the wind at N. E .; squally with rain ; latitude observed, 31º26'.
9. Fresh gales at N. E. ; plying to windward, with all sail set and a growing sea ; latitude observed 31950'.
10. Light breezes of wind; set square-sail and top-sail, and made Tybee Tower, and we steered in at it through Scub Creek, and came too in Port Royal Creek; latitude observed 31950'. Got under sail, and at 10 A. M., we came too at Port Royal, and dispatched away an express to Charlestown, and at 3, P. M., we landed the powder.
11. Fine settled weather with the wind to the westward.
12. Showery and thunder squalls at anchor at Port Royal.
13. Ditto weather.
14. Ditto weather.
15. Showery and thunder squalls, and express from Charles Town arrived with an account of the Governor's Sloop being in pursuit of us.
16. Squally weather with a great deal of rain ; sundry companies of militia and light infantry came to town from the different Islands to guard the gun-powder.
17. Ditto weather. Our Express arrived from Charles Town and brought with him a detachment of the Artillery in order to escort the gua-powder to Charles Town.
18. Received on board of the Success, ninety-one barrels of powder and got in readiness to sail, at 10, A. M., Captain Cattel arrived in town with sixty men of the provincials, and offered to join us to protect the gun-powder to town, which we accepted of.
123
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
19. Got all in readiness to sail ; and at meridian we weighed anchor and sailed through Port Royal Creek, and run down as low as Morgan's Island, when we came to, with our small squadron, consisting of nine sail and rode all the night.
20. At 6 A. M., we got under way, and sailed down towards Otter Island, and fell down to South Edisto Inlet to wait the flood at 11, A. M., we weighed and towed up towards Fenwick's Bluff. where we came too, to wait the tide, and water the vessel, in company with the different detachments, at midnight got under way again and towed up.
21. Towed up to Block Island and down to Slann's Bluff, where we waited the tide and cooked provisions at 4, P. M .; we run down to White Point and came too, to wait tide to New-cut.
22. Got under way and towed up and through New-cut, and down to Wappoo. and there waited tide, to come through; at 4, P. M., we got under way and run into the cut and towed through and came to anchor in Ashly river and lay all the night.
23. Got under way and towed up Cumming's Creek, and at 6, A. M., we come to the Bluff where we landed ninety-one barrels of gun-powder. JOHN HAITER.
THOS. FLETCHALL TO PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
[Original.]
FAIRFOREST, Monday, July 24, 1775.
HONORED SIR :- I received yours dated the 14th ult., wherein I am informed, that many reports have been maliciously asserted against me to the Committee of this Province, which I can make appear to be false. I received a letter from Messrs. John Caldwell, John and James Wil- liams, who is said to be committee men, dated the 4th of this instant, requesting me to call my regiment together, in order to sign the Associa- tion paper. Accordingly, on the 13th of this instant, I did in obedi- ence to those gentlemen, and went to every Captain's company that was in the regiment, when drawn up, and requested Major Farry to read the paper to every company, which accordingly was done. I don't remem- ber that one man offered to sign it, which was out of my power to compel them too; but that it was agreed amongst the people in general to sign a paper of their own resolutions, and that application was made to Major Joseph Robinson, who was then present to draw a paper of some resolves, which the people in general did sign unto, from Sivan-
124
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
nah river to Broad river, which consisted of my regiment, Col. Stark's regiment, and part of Col. Savage's regiment. I must inform you, sir, there is some of our highland gentlemen who are very aspiring and fond of commission; thinking to get in favor with the gentlemen in town, will say any thing but the truth, and when they are as well known in town as they are in the country, I believe they will be of my opinion. In fact, we never had any representatives, not one man in fifty ever gave any vote for any such thing. You seem, sir, to intimate to me that I should have joined, but the thought of losing my commission seem to deter me. As for my commissions, I care not who has them ; a man that is to be bought by a commission, is not worthy of one, al- though that is the price of many. I must say this in favor of myself, I never have concurred in those matters now in hand, knowing I was not calculated for such an enterprise ; but must inform you, sir, I am heartily sorry that I am looked on as an enemy to my country, I wish you may have no greater reason to complain against some that you little suspect, than you have against me. But, in the mean time, I must inform you, sir, I am resolved, and do utterly refuse to take up arms against my king, until I find it my duty to do otherwise and am fully convinced thereof.
I am, sir, your honor's most obedient and humble serv't.,
Hon. H. Laurens.
THO. FLETCHALL.
COL. MOULTRIE TO COL. GADSDEN.
[MSS. of C. Gadsden.]
NEW YORK, July 28th, 1775.
DEAR SIR :- I am forced from Carolina to seek for health in this happier climate, and was desired by Col. Huger to mention to you that there are thirty-five Epauletts wanted for your Regiment; also fifes and drums. He begs that you will send them by the first opportunity. I saw Mr. Ferguson an hour before I came away ; he says all his family are well. No news in Carolina but a confirmation of Maitland's being taken in Georgia with fifteen thousand weight of gun-powder.
Sir, with great respect, yours, &c., WM. MOULTRIE, jr.
Our recruiting parties meet with great success. We had in barracks when I left Carolina about four hundred men.
To Col. Gadsden of the Continental Congress, Philadelphia.
125
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN W. H. DRAYTON AND ISAAC CATON FOR GUNPOWDER:
[Original.]
SOUTH CAROLINA.
It is hereby covenanted and agreed by and between William Henry Drayton on the part of this colony, on the one part, and Capt. Isaac Caton on the other part in manner following, viz : that for all such quan- tities of gun-powder not exceeding twenty thousand weight, as the said Capt. Catou shall import into this Colony and deliver to the said Wil- liam Henry Drayton or his order on or before the fifth day of November next, he, the said William Henry Drayton shall, for the powder afore- said, delivered as aforesaid, pay to the said Isaac Caton. the full value thereof at the rate of eighteen shillings currency for each pound of pow- der delivered as aforesaid. In witness whereof, we have hereunto, in- terchangeably set our hands, this twenty-eighth day of July, one thou- sand seven hundred and seventy-five.
WM. H'Y. DRAYTON. ISAAC CATON.
COL. THOMSON TO W. H. DRAYTON.
[Original.]
CAMP TWO MILES BELOW KEOWEE, Aug. 4, 1775. SIR :- I received your Excellency's favors of the 26th and 27th ult. by express. In my last letter to your Excellency of the 31st ult., I in- formed you of my spies, being returned with two white persons, who gave an account of Cameron's being arrived from over the Hills with twelve white men, and that he with the Seneca and other Indians, were encamped at Oconee Creek, about thirty miles distant from Twenty- three Mile Creek, where I then lay encamped ; this intelligence induced me to march immediately to attack their camp before they could receive any information of my being so far advanced, I accordingly marched about six o'clock in the evening, with thirty-three men on horseback, (taking the two prisoners with me to show where the enemy were en- camped, and told them before I set out if they deceived me, I woald order them instantly to be put to death) intending to surround their camp by day-break, and to leave our horses about two miles behind with a party of men to guard them ; the river Keowee lying on the route, and only passable at a ford at Seneca, obliged me (though much against
126
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
my inclination) to take that road ; the enemy either having discovered my march or laid themselves in ambush with a design to cut off any spies or party I had sent out, had taken possession of the first houses in Seneca, and posted themselves behind a long fence on an eminence close to the road where we were to march, and to prevent being discovered had filled up the openings betwixt the rails, with of and corn blades; they suffered the guides and advance guard to pass, when a gun from the house was discharged (meant as I suppose, for a signal for those placed behind the fence, who a few seconds after poured in a heavy fire upon my men), which, being unexpected, staggered my ad- vanced party. Here Mr. Salvador received three wounds, and fell by iny side ; my horse was shot down under me, but I received no hurt. Lieut. Farar, of Captain Prince's Company, immediately supplied nie with his. I desired him to take care of Mr. Salvador, but before he could find him in the dark, the enemy unfortunately got his scalp, which was the only one taken. Capt. Smith, son of the late Capt. Aaron Smith saw the Indian, but thought it was his servant taking care of his master, or could have prevented it. He died about half after two o'clock, in the morning, forty-five minutes after he received the wounds, sensible to the last. When I came up to him after dislodging the ene- my, and speaking to him, he asked whether I had beat the enemy, I told him yes, he said he was glad of it, and shook me by the hand, and bade me farewell and said he would die in a few minutes. Two men died in the morning, and six more who were badly wounded I have since sent down to the settlements, and given directions to Dr. DeLaHowe and Russell to attend them. I remained on the ground till day break and burnt the houses on this side the river and afterwards crossed the river : the same day reduced Seneca entirely to ashes, Knowing that the Indians would carry immediate intelligence of my strength to the place where Cameron lay encamped, who would directly move from thence, and having ordered the detachment from Col. Neil's and Thomas' Regi- ment to attack and destroy Estatoe and Taxaway and join me at this day at Sugar Town obliged me to march that way, which this. day a strong detachment consisting of four hundred men has totally reduced to ashes, only oue Indian was found there, who said the enemy had deserted the town four days ago, on hearing by a white man, that an army was advancing against them.
[ Extract from Drayton's MS.]
"The white prisoners gave account that Cameron had a few days before come from over the Hills with 13 white men and had encamped at a
127
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
place about thirty miles of our camp, and that there were about one hundred and fifty white men and Indians there, and that their women and children had all left the town and were encamped near that place about the distance of five miles in length. About 1 in the morning we rutered the town of Seneca, which we had certain accounts by a party of our men, who had been there two days before was entirely evacuated, we had, therefore, not the least suspicion of meeting with any opposition there-the road went past the fence and not being above twelve or fifteen yards to a steep descent which rendered it impossible for any but a few of our men to engage at a time. The guides and a few others advanced up to the houses when they fired five or six guns on us, with- out any damage than killing a horse, then they began a heavy fire upon the advance guard and centre, by which Salvador was shot through the body and left leg, and Salvador falling among the bushes, it being night and both parties mixed, they got his scalp-he died without knowing he was scalped. Several tomahawks, blankets, shirts, &c .. which fell into our hands were very bloody, and a great many tracks of blood were seen the way they retreated." Next day retreated to his camp in order to preceed to join Neel and Thomas .- Purres' letter.
This attack was by thirty Indians and thirty white men. Lost one Indian killed and three wounded.
The Indian's spies had observed the Major's march and alarmed their camp; upon which about thirty Indians, and as many white men went to Seneca and placed themselves in ambush. The Indians had one killed and three wounded.
Seneca, four miles long, on each side the river, with six thousand bushels of corn &c., burnt August 1st.
Sugar Town and Keowee, Aug. 4th.
CAMP AT MINERAL SPRINGS, August 7th, 1775.
SIR :- You are hereby ordered to give your men leave to go to their respective homes, and you are to order them to get their horses recruited, and themselves properly equiped, and on the 18th instant you are to rendezvous with your company in Amelia place, known by the name of Flechall's old field, where you are to camp till further orders.
From the Honorable W. H. Drayton, or
Your most humble servant,
WM. THOMSON.
To Capt. ROBERT GOODWYN.
128
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF
FROM DRAYTON AND TENNENT.
CONGAREE STORE,* August 7th, 1775.
To the Council of Safety.
GENTLEMEN :- Having left Charles Town on Wednesday morning, we arrived here early on Saturday afternoon, 130 miles distant from town. In our way, we spent some hours at Col. Gaillard's, + and we datter ourselves the visit had a good effect. It is to be hoped, he has not delivered himself in public so warmly, as he has expressed himself to us.
Upon our arrival at the Congaree Store, we found two gentlemen of the bar, John Dunn, andB enj. Booth or Boote, prisoners from North Carolina, who had arrived here the evening before, from the committee at Camden. For other particulars on this subject, we beg leave to refer you to our letter of this date addressed to the General Committee.
As a first step to the particular object of our progress, upon our arrival here, we despatched notices to particular persons of influence among the Dutch, to endeavor to procure a meeting of them at the place of election as on this day. To our great mortification not one German appeared, but one or two of our friends who had been indus- trivus to procure a meeting. By them we were informed, their coun- trymen were so much averse to take up arms, as they imagined, against the king, least they should lose their lands; and were so possessed with an idea, that the rangers were posted here to force their signatures to the association, that they would not by any arguments be induced to come near us. Add to this, that a report had ran among them, that we had brought up orders to let the rangers loose upon them to destroy their properties. However unfavorable these circumstances are, we hope you will not be alarmed at them ; we yet have some hopes of suc- cess, though we confess they are but small in this quarter.
We have engaged Col. Thomson to order a muster of two Dutch com- panies in this neighborhood on Wednesday next, and we have declared if the officers disobey they shall be broke. This threat was highly ne- cessary, as the Dutch Captains had some little time ago disobeyed such an order, alledging that extra musters were warranted only by orders from the Governor. We hope this step will oblige a part of the Ger-
# This was situated just below the large ditch, which crossed the road & few hundred yards below Granby.
+This was Tacitus Gaillard who lived in St. Mathew's Parish, about the Eutaws, and was then a member of the Commons House of Assembly.
120
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
mans to give us a hearing ; and as we flatter ourselves that our discour- ses to them will not be entirely lost upon them, we expect these will induce others of their countrymen to be willing to hear what we have to say. With this view, and to give such persons an opportunity of hear- ing us; we have engaged one Dutch clergyman to perform service at one place on Friday next, and another, at a second place on Sunday next, at both which places Mr. Drayton will be present. And in the mean time, as we know in general. that an argument relating to money matters most readily catches a Dutchman's ear, we have declared that no non-subscriber in this settlement will be allowed to purchase at, or sell to this store or Charles Town. When Mr. Drayton shall quit the Dutch settlements ou Sunday next, after having had on Saturday a meeting with a large number of people of all sorts, at one MeLaurin's, a store keeper, hitherto an enemy, but now, at least in appearance, a. friend, he will proceed up the fork to Col. Fletchall's, at which place he may arrive on Tuesday. While Mr. Drayton shall be thus proceeding in the fork between Broad and Saluda rivers, Mr. Tennent will, on Wednesday set out to proceed through the Irish settlements on the north side of Broad river up to Rocky Creek and thenee join Mr. Drayton at or near Col. Fletchall's. Those settlements are numerous and ready to sign the Association.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.