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 20
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I am, sir, Your most obedt. sert., W. H. D.
P. S. Mr. James Williams will convey to me. any letter you may think proper to favor me with.
MR. LAURENS TO MR. DRAYTON.
[Original MS.]
CHARLES TOWN, September 21st, 1775.
SIR :- We refer to our last dated the 15th, by your messenger from Ninety-Six, which we hope has reached you, and that you are now on your way to meet those Indians, who, led by Capt. Pearis, came from the Cherokees at your command, and who have, in the utmost anxiety and impatience, been many days waiting for you.
We have several copies of intercepted letters from the superinten- dant at St. Augustine to his agents in the Nation. They look so much like design to amuse us, that we hold it unnecessary to trouble you with them, but since you have entered upon that branch, a caution against erery stratagem may not he unnecessary. Capt. Pearis applies for a commission to the Good Warrior ; if one is granted it must be especial, and you will be the best judge of the necessary terms. We have. there- fore, referred him to you.
Col. Wofford has likewise applied for commissions, in order to erect a whole regiment in the Colony's service from Fletchall's district. For
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that purpose, we send you thirty-four, signed by us, and blanks left for you to fill up ; you will keep a copy of the names of officers, &c .. as formerly directed.
We are called together by an alarming account, which threatens the destruction of this town, by three frigates and a bomb-ketch. We hope it may prove a groundless report; but it becomes us to act con- stantly as if it was real. We shall be glad to hear that you have established peace and quietness on our backs, and of your outset for Charles Town as soon after as you please.
By order of the Council.
HENRY LAURENS, President. The Hon. W. H. DRAYTON.
MR. PRINCE TO MR. DRAYTON.
[Original MIS.]
EDGEHILL, TYGER RIVER, September 25th, 1775. To the Honorable W. H. Drayton, Esq.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOR :- Some of Fletchall's party pretend to talk high of the concessions that the gentlemen at Ninety-Sis were forced to make in their favor, but from the silence of their chiefs we pay little credit to them. However, it would be very pleasing to all the friends of liberty to have them transmitted into these parts as soon as it may be convenient.
For my part, I am satisfied that whatever concessions were made in their favor, were made purely from the dictates of humanity, and not from any fear of what the impotent wretches could do. Their inten- tions, I believe, were hostile enough, but the sight of your troops, and the cannon soon caused them to discover their own folly, by attumpt- ing to force, what in reality at last they begged. You have nothing to trust to now, but their importance ; whatever they may have plighted, .. it is but punic faith. For myself, I was ahrays willing they might be allowed salt and some necessaries, but earnestly entreat they may not get an ounce of ammunition, considering the ignorance and mali :- nancy of their natures.
Would it not be the best way to remove Fletchall from his authority altogether, enlarge Col. Thomas' district, place over the other fuld officers that you could confide in, and by removing the obnoxious Cap-
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tuins, and placing true friends to liberty at the head of the companies, the men would immediately be brought over. I do not presume to dic- tate to your honor, or the gentlemen below, neither do I, as one of the committee for this district; these are my sentiments as an obscure private individual.
Hlad your Honor's letter to Col. Thomas arrived about four or fire days sooner. Col. Fletchall would have been attended with a rear guard of ab mit four hundred men, in order to have secured his retreat, in case he had met with a check : but time would not permit it. I hope yourself and the rest of the gentlemen below will do everything in your power for the liberties of your country. I think you may depend on a good many friends here ; I can declare for myself and family that the strongest efforts have, and shall still be made, for the good of the common cause. These protestations, may it please your Honor, are not made with a view, or in expectation of any future post of honor, or pecuniary reward, which I have always declined since I have (by iny misfortunes) been thrown into the remote parts of this Province, but purely from an innate principle of love to liberty, and that of a true Revolution whig. I should be glad to receive a line from your Honor, if the multiplicity of affairs would permit at any time; it would be an honor I should be proud of. I could readily get them at any time from Col. Wofford's.
If any hints here thrown out should be of use to the public, no one would receive a greater pleasure than the public's well wisher, and your Honor's very humble servant,
JOHN PRINCE.
MR. DRAYTON TO MR. CAMERON.
[Copy from the Original.]
CONGAREES, S. C., September 26th, 1775.
SIR :-- In consequence of the powers vested in me by the Council of Safety for this Province, I take the liberty of addressing this letter to you, and I do most earnestly request that you will consider it with attention.
In this time of public calamity, when the King's troops hare un- naturally commenced and continue to prosecute a cruel war upon the people of America ; in this time, when we have just cause shortly to ex- pect the arrival of the King's troops in this Colony, in order to spread
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among us slaughter and devastation, we feel ourselves strongly actuated by the prevailing principle in human nature, and we cannot but en- deavor to remove at a distance from us, every object that has any ability, or is in any degree adapted, either to counteract, or to impede our means of defence, or to assist the enemy.
It gives me great concern, sir, to be under a necessity of telling you. that from your connection with the King's government, and our know- ledge of your incapability of betraying your trust, we look upon you as an object dangerous to our welfare; and, therefore, as an object, that we ought to endeavor to remove to a distance from your present resi- dence. We do most ardently wish to procure your removal by the mildest measures, and politest mode of application. I do, therefore, sir, in the name of the Colony request, that you will forthwith remove to such a distance, from the Cherokee Nation, as will satisfy us that you cannot readily exercise the functions of your office among them, and thereby remove our apprehensions, that the functions of your office inay be exercised to our prejudice. We shall be satisfied to find, that you fix your residence at St. Augustine or at Pensacola.
Your principal the superintendant, and his Excellency the Gover- nor, have removed in this time of confusion, the one from his usual place of residence, the other from among the people over whom the King sent him to preside-neither of them at the request of the Colony-but it appears they did not think it proper to expose them- selves to the just resentments of the public. You have the conduct of these officers of the Crown as an example for your conduct ; a conduct which will be much more justifiable in you, who are now publicly requested, by the Colony, to depart to a distance from the Cherokee Nation. A request, too, sir, that, you must know, carries all the force of a command, and that you cannot disobey, with safety to your person, and the people in your charge, if you should think proper to cause the Indians to attempt to enable you to remain in the Nation.
I am, sir, Your most humble servant, WM. HY. DRAYTON.
To ALEXANDER CAMERON, ESQ.,
Deputy Superintendent in the Cherokee Nution.
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MR. LAURENS TO MR. DRAYTON.
[Original MIS.]
CHARLES TOWN, September 27th, 1775. To the Honorable W. H. Drayton, Esq. :
SIR :- On Sunday last we received your letter of the 17th, together with the sundry papers which you refer to, and if Capt. Wilson is de- tained one day more, we will send by him the declaration and treaty to be printed in London, but shall defer a publication here, until we have an opportunity of considering the propriety of such a measure in your presence, which, we suppose, will happen in the course of a few days.
The intelligence from the Cherokees received in Mr. Wilkinson's letter is very alarming. We hope you have sent away the Good Warrior and his fellow-travellers in good humor, and that they will influence their countrymen to remain quiet and give us time to discover the per- petrators of the murder intimated by Mr. Wilkinson; in the mean time we trust that you have taken proper measures for that purpose.
Le Dispenser packet arrived here from Falmouth with advices from London to the 3rd August. Accounts in brief are, that the Adminis- tration were sending more troops and ships of war to America, deter- mined to persevere in the execution of their plan. General Gage, in his account of the Bunker Hill affair on the 17th June transmitted to Lord Dartmouth, owns about 1,056 of the King's troops killed and wounded, and his number of officers rather exceeds our early advices. We have heard nothing since the first of August from our delegates.
By order of the Council of Safety.
HENRY LAURENS, President.
EXTRACT FROM AN INTERCEPTED LETTER OF FREDERICK GEORGE MULCASTER TO GOVERNOR GRANT.
[ From a Letter published by order of Congress.]
DATED ST. AUGUSTINE, September 29th, 1775.
There arrived here about four days ago, a Col. Kirkland,* one of the back country settlers, in South Carolina; he refused to sign the Asso-
#Cal. Kirkland, signed the Association, accepted a commission in the Colony regi .. ment of rangers, deserted, and afterwards endeavored to be chosen a delicate for Ninety-Six District, which he never could accomplish. He never made above a thou- wand pounds weight of indigo-and never had above twenty-five negroes.
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ciation, and was the occasion of many others doing so. W. H. Dray- ton did his utmost endeavor to gain him over to their party, but in vain ; they then offered a reward of two thousand pounds sterling to any one that would apprehend him. He escaped at last from a party who was in pursuit of him, by getting between them and Charles Town, and took that road, which they not in the least suspecting, he got safe, after a journey of two hundred miles, to Lord William Campbell's house, and from thence the next morning, on board the man-of-war. He says the back settlers are two to one in number, more than the rebel party; they got some powder, but when it came to be divided, they had only tivo rounds a man. He sails from hence in the transports to Virginia. in order to proceed to General Gage. He has an honest, open counte- nance, good natural understanding, and may be a man of infinite use, when troops are sent to Charleston, (which surely will not be long,) even now a regiment to be sent up Savannah river, there back settlers would meet them, and the two provinces of Georgia and Carolina would be thrown into terror. The Committee here prevented salt and other articles, which they cannot be without, from being sent to them; these circumstances indame the back settlers, who only want ammunition to do themselves justice. Kirkland has, undoubtedly, great weight with those people; since he came away his plantation has been ransacked, five thousand weight of indigo destroyed, and his sixty negroes he knows not where. He has with him a son, about twelve or thirteen years old, who escaped by being dressed like a girl. for they used their utmost endeavors to get him, in hopes the seizing his child would bring him to terms ; you will, undoubtedly, see him, and he will give you a true state of the Southern Provinces. The above particulars you may depend upon, and I write them that you may not be without intelli- gence in regard to a part of the world you have already served in with so much success. The Catawba Indians are with the rebel party, but they consist of a few, and as these back settlers are seated around their Nation, they intend to seize their women and children the moment they hear they attempt violence. John Stuart got some powder from Tonyn, and sent it by an interpreter and an Indian to the Creek Nation, bat they were met by some Georgians on the north side of Mazo, who had got information from one Cane of this Province, who seized the annu- nition, and carried it to Savannah ; however, the interpreter and the Indian proceeded to the Nation. Stuart's Deputy wrote him word -ome time since, if they did not get powder he could. not answer for the Indians, as he believed they would certainly go down to Savanuch to demand it-so it is not unlikely they may have some of their rod
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brethren upon their backs. Some of the gentlemen of Georgia still hold out, and have not signed the Association ; but Governor Wright has no authority, nor has not had any for some time. Lord Dartn'outh bas directed the Land Office to be opened, for this Province, in order to grant land to any persons who choose to take refuge here, and to be free of quit rents for ten years.
MR. FERGUSON TO MR. GADSDEN.
[Original MIS.]
CHARLESTOWN, S. C., Oct. 3rd, 1775.
DEAR SIR :- I wrote you a few days ago by Mr. Stenson. You'll receive by this Express a public letter giving you an account of cur affairs and requesting you to come home, if you can be spared from the Congress. Our little army really wants you; Col. Moultrie is a very rood man, but very indolent and easy, so that things go on very slow. We have had the Fort in possession about twenty days, and he was desired to put it in good order as soon as possible, and spare no expense, but there is very little done. My Betsy is still but poorly ; the Doctors think she wont get well till there is a frost or two. that she can change the air into the country. She rides out every day and visits her friends but can't get quite rid of the bilious disorder. I never was for stopping the bar and fortifying the town till I found we could not get nine-tenths of the people to leave the town. We have had strange delays. In business and other affairs there's a party of men who strive to put back every measure, that we have nothing ready when the King's ships arrive, that they may have a pretense to lay down their arms and save their houses. I hope I may be mistaken. I have stated my suspicions to the General Committee, and there declared that if there were men baso and mean enough to act so, and if any persons would join me, I would burn the town over their heads. Our Volunteer Companies are still in a strange way which has given the tories some hopes. We ordered onc out of the province yesterday, James Brisbane. He had signed the Association and .then went about. fomenting the uneasiness among the Volunteers. I wish you could be at home when the Congress meets. Col. Powell is very busy preparing to attack the Ships of War. If the Express don't go this afternoon, Betsy, Polly and Phil will write to you. All your people are well. I have lost Watch, for which I am very sorry,
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I dont know when I shall get such another. Betsy joins me in love to you and Tom.
Dear sir, yours sincerely, THOS. FERGUSON.
P. S .- We have but a small stock of powder, and want muskets very much. We have some from the French hands, but they are very bad and every gunsmith in town is doing public work. The answer you have a copy of from J. W. came first to us without his name Wc suppose Capt. Innis gave him a copy of the letter, and when he had written it over, as Innis put no name, J. W. thought he ought not to do so.
To Col. Christopher Gadsden, Philadelphia.
T. F.
FROM THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO OBSTRUCT THE PASSAGES OVER THE BAR OF CHARLESTON TO THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
[Original MS.] CHARLESTON, Oct. 5, 1775.
The Honorable the Council of Safety.
GENTLEMEN : - The Commissioners honored with the charge of stop- ping or obstructing the passages over the Bar of Charlestown and to take and pursue all such measures as to them seem most effectual for carrying that measure into execution, and to apply to the Council of Safety for the proper means. conceive that by the vote of last night in General Committee, their service is no longer necessary, and therefore request a proper discharge, and an order for payment of the expenses incurred therein agreeable to the vouchers herewith.
We are, gentlemen, Your most humble servts.,
G. G. POWELL. EDWARD BLAKE. JNO. IZARD. DANIEL CANNON. ROG. SMITH. MICH, KALTEISEN. JOHN EDWARDS.
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CAPT. ROBERT CUNNINGHAM'S ANSWER TO HONORABLE WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON.
[Original MIS.]
PAGE'S CREEK, Oct. 5, 1775.
SIR :- This day I received your letter dated the twenty-first of last month desiring to know whether I considered myself as bound by the peace you made with Col. Fletchall and the other gentlemen from our Camp. I think sir, at this time the question is rather unfair ; however, as it always was my determination not to deceive either party, I must confess I do not hold with that peace-at the same time as fond of peace as any man-but upon honorable terms. But according to my principles, that peace is false and disgraceful from beginning to ending. It appears to me, sir, you had all the bargan making to yourself, and if that was the case, I expected you would have acted with more honor than taken the advantage of men (as I believe) half scared out of their senses at the sight of liberty caps and sound of cannon, as seeing and hearing has generally more influence on some men than reason.
I am sir, your most humble servt., ROBT. CUNNINGHAM.
MR. FERGUSON TO MIR. GADSDEN.
[MES. of C. Gadsden.]
CHARLESTOWN, S. C., October 5, 1775.
DEAR SIR :- I have just to acquaint you with the fact that after the Committee had recommended to the Council to have the Harbor stopped and batteries erected upon Sullivan's Island and upon Cummin's point, and also to drive the ships of war away or take her; and also after the Council had agreed to have it done, and matters were in great forward- ness, one of the Council, Thos. Bee, did privately withdraw and get up a petition from the people of Charlestown to the Council, praying they would desist from fortifying the town and stopping the bar. Very un- fair means were used to get the people to sign. A great many came and desired their names to be struck off. Notwithstanding, we last night determined to lay aside all fortifications of the place and harbor, I am sorry to say many of our people seem more inclined to lay down
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their arms than defend their country. I shall make a motion to-day to move all the goods out of Charleston; we are full of making lines across the neck, but I fear this has only been agreed to to frustrate the other matter. There are forts making in several parts of the country. I wish you were at home, for you are much wanted.
Dear sir, yours sincerely, THOS. FERGUSON.
To Christopher Gadsden.
MR. MUSGROVE TO MR. DRAYTON.
[Original MS.]
ENOREE, Oct. 14, 1775.
HONORED SIR :-- The inclosed was written you before Col. Fletchall's redezvous. which happened unexpectedly. The chief part of the com- pany tuarched by my house in a promiscuous manner, and returned as confusedly back again, very much displeased with the conduct of their Colonel, and were upon several conclusions for some days after-as peo .. ple chafed in their minds. Indeed, there were some schemes proposed, which if perpetrated would have been of a sanguine die. Sir, I was really sent to by particular persons to acquiesce in the thing; but sir, I absolutely rejected the matter as the most stupid foolish inconsistency that ever could be devised. However, the scales seems turned very much now, and you are much applauded for acting at Ninety-six, as it is visible to every person that will consider the thing, that is if it had come to action, how much you would have had it in your power to have used those people at pleasure, as your Battalion was well disciplined and the other so confused. I believe it appears now to the most of the peo- ple, a thing inadvertently done, to rise in the manner they did. I am apt to think they will not attempt such a thing again. I am sure they never will go with the Colonel again. But, however, there is a conten- tious spirit yet reigning in the hearts of some, for which cause it is wise to act with good economy in so great an exigency. There is one evil that has reigned and does still reign predominant; that is, the great inadvertancy of some of the backwoods committee, who should keep from letring out some foolish speeches to scare the people into their mensares, which effects quite the other way-rather exasperates than frightens. There is one man in particular, of the Committee, who has
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done more harm to the cause than he can ever make compensation for, and all by an intimidated spirit in himself, which has caused him to speak such foolish words, as -- that he would give all he had in the world if he was out of it ; and that, in the Provincial Congress they were one- half davided ; and telling some they had better stand as they were, if they knew as much as he did, they would : which occasions people to think some dreadful thing is at the bottom. I have thought after Court to attend at the sitting of the backwood's committee, and to be free enough to give my opinion in the method of proceeding in the matter. if not disagreeable to the Committee of Safety ; and if not thought pro- per, I will desist by a line from you, and not meddle at all. Sir, I have heard many say they did not regard the seaports being taken ; they could not take the country. Dnt upon a mature consideration it appears to be most espedient, by all means. to secure the seaports, and not permit any forces to be landed that are enemies to America ; for the day they land it will instigate many opinions and cause divisions. The nature of humanity is such that self-preservation very much prevails, and probably the voice will be, the town is taken and the Province is gone. which will make weak hearts and feeble hands; and it will be said if the town was taken by force, the country is no refuge and must surrender unless they could maintain the field in battle and force the trenches of circumva !- Lition and retake the town ; but while the town can be defended is some fold more strong than they will be if the town is lost. I may be deceived but I think I could make palpably plain that what I say is consistent. However, all sublunary things by ways and means of artifice may be accomplished, so that hearts may not fail till they know the determina- tion of Providence, &c.
Good discipline is very necessary-not the superfluity to be taught- that is only loosing time ; perhaps three words of command is best. In this case the Battalions, to be well taught in marching, and to keep their ranks without confusion ; the plattoons to-be acquainted well to know how to march out and return, to keep up a constant firing and quick charging, all which may be done at three words of command, and they can't forget that.
Sir, I am and remain your well wisher and humble servt. at command, EDW'D. MUSGROVE.
P. S .- Sir, as you may understand I was applied to by the people after the Colonel's defeat to undertake to acquaint you, I was also applied to and proposed to be set up as a Committee Representative in the backwoods and should have gone with a free vote by the Association
:
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people themselves. and are sure I should have had one hundred or two hundred votes from the people who never have given their voice in favor of the matter yet, but I refused ; so you see I have interfered on neither side, only so far as you might have expected of me, which I would not have come short of by any means. If [ was to undertake, I would be sorry to fail in the matter ; therefore it is wisdom to balance every thing in the right scale -- wisdom. Solomon tells of a poor old man who through his wisdom delivered the city and afterwards was no more thought of; so wisdom also failed on his side. It's a deep thing, and exceeding high tuo, so leave it as a paradox. I must tell you that there are particular reasons why people have been so divided in the Fork, and I knew from the first that it would be as it has turned out, and said so to the knowledge of several; and I think I know how it will be, and tell you it will be precarious. There is a wheel within a wheel; yet I wish you were to be at Ninety-six Court; I would communicate my mind to you from the bottom of my heart. I can't write it legibly ; and you may depend I cannot use deceit, and scorn to be frightened into anything : but you know there is a great deal of malice in the Province between them-and the town also ; and so there is a great deal of sub- tilty used in order to proceed violen ly when opportunity or a critical timme happens. If such things were reconsidered or had been judiciously considered before, all things in this Province would have gone easily on in one channel; two or three men sometimes may be worth a thou- sand, and be of no great ability either. However, time is not gone yet.
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