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.3 > Part 22
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Your obedient servant, F. MARION.
[No. 272.] Gov. Matthews to Gen. Marion.
JACKSONBOROUGH, March 3, 1782. Sir :
Major Gen. Greene has applied to me for a body of militia as a permanent force, and on which he can rely in support of his opera- tions. I therefore desire you will immediately proceed to draught your Brigade into three classes ; the first class to rendezvous at your Head Quarters on the first day of April next, and to continue in service for one month from that day ; the second you are to hold in readiness to relieve with punctuality, the first on the day their time of service shall expire, and in the same manner the third, to relieve the second. Your Brigade is to continue this routine of du- ty until further orders from me. If your Brigade has been already classed into three classes, and are now serving under that arrange- ment, I would not wish to break in upon it, as it must create some confusion, but rather continue it, only that they must be relieved every month instead of every two months, agreeably to the new militia law ; but if they have not been thus organized, then you must pursue the instruction I have above laid down, which although attended with some inconvenience in the first instance, must be sub- mitted to, as the good of the service renders it absolutely necessa- ry. I must insist sir, that you pay the strictest attention to the bringing into the feld, all persons in your Brigade liable by law to bear arms agreeably to their drafts, and that the law be carried vig- orously into execution against all delinquents; unless this is done it is
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impossible for me to comply with my engagements to Gen. Greene, the service must suffer, and confusion necessarily ensue. I must also insist that you oblige all those persons who have come from within the enemy's lines, and are liable to do duty in your Brigade under the late Gov. Rutledge's proclamation, and the law lately passed for pardoning such as come out after the said proclamation, to comply with the conditions on which they are to be pardoned, as far as relates to their military engagements. As soon as you can ascertain the number of men in each class, you are to make me a return and continue so to do as is directed by the militia law.
I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant, JOHN MATTHEWS.
[No. 273.] Cornet Elholm to Col. Peter Horry.
JNO. KAIN'S PLANTATION, March 3, 1782. My Dear Colonel :
It is an impossibility for me to bring you John Kains ; he is since he was started, by a command from Gen. Marion, perpetually mounted upon an extraordinary good horse when he makes his ap- pearance, and which is but seldom, and only to those which he is conscious are incapable or will not take him prisoner, and the re- mainder of his time he spends in the woods; his connections of other crimes is equally careful. I am confident that evidence can be produced that Capt. Chiney is the only man connected with John Kains in carrying stolen negroes of by water. Mr. M- B ---- is connected in trade with said Kains in regroes and Virginia horses; as I am not able to judge in that matter and he complains he is so indisposed as not able to wait upon you, I desired him to remain with me until I receive your orders. Said Kains has several negroes, but the most of them are small; I detain them as public property until ordered to the contrary. Said Kains has declared he will not be taken, and I suppose he will go to another State as soon as it is in his power, and as he has an expanded con- nection, he may do it with case.
I am, with esteem, dear Colonel,
Your most obedient humble servant, GEO. ELHOLM.
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[No. 274.] Gov. Matthews to Gen. Marion. JACKSONBOROUGH, March 4, 1782.
Sir :
Col. Senf will wait on you to confer on the necessity and practi- cability of fortifying the harbor of George Town. Gen. Greene is very anxious that it should be done immediately. After conferring with you Col. Senf is to proceed to make a survey, and report to me accordingly. I am, sir,
Your obedient servant, JNO. MATTHEWS.
[No. 275.] Col. Laurens to Gen. Marion.
MR. JOORS, AT THE CYPRESS, March 4, 1782.
Dear General :
I have this moment arrived here with Washington's Cavalry and the Cavalry of Lee's Legion ; the Infantry of the latter corps and the Delaware Battalion have halted at Rumpp's ; after a night march we require a few hours refreshment and repose, and shall put our- selves in motion at 10 o'clock ; my guides advise me to take the road from hence to Daniel Ravenel's, sr. A movement on your part to that place, or as much further towards us as you please, would, I apprehend, secure our junction. My corps is by no means as strong as I would wish, but it is composed of good sol- diers ; we are rather fatigued and will esteem it a favor, if you will save us in marching. I mention the junction above simply from the information of Mr. Glaize. Your views relative to the enemy may require a junction in another point ; the sooner I can hear from you on the subject, the better able I shall be to execute your inten- tions ; my Infantry amount to about 170, my Cavalry to 94.
I have the honor to be,
With the greatest attachment and respect,
Dear General, yours sincerely, JNO. LAURENS.
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[No. 276.| Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry.
MARCH 7, 1782.
Dear Sir :
Yours of the 4th ult., came to hand yesterday afternoon. I have sent Capt. Gough to join you, and hope you will. with all expedi- tion, equip and put your Regiment in order for duty ; and I cannot be easy until I have satisfaction of our cruel enemy. I wrote you before I came from the Southward of my approbation in sending Capt. Pinckney to George Town ; had you not done it you would be wanting in your duty. As you are in the vicinity of George Town, you will take the command of that place, and you are to act as Commandant of George Town and its vicinity. Capt. Wey- man will show you my orders, which you will attend to. You will be particular in defending the trade, and every vessel which may come in, and give orders for the good regulation of trade, and every other matter which may be for the good of the service. You will be particular in not suffering any person to go to Charles Town without the Governor's, Gen. Greene's or my permission. I have enclosed an order to Capt. Bossard to reinforce Capt. Weyman's Artillery ; and that the Charles Town militia which I have order- ed to take post in that town, I would advise to remove every vessel and goods out of the town to Black Mingo, and send a guard there for their protection from the Tories. Every article that is brought in for sale, I wish to have regulated, that it may not be sold at too extravagant prices, giving such a generous profit to the importers as to encourage the trade as much as possible. Salt must not be more than four hard dollars per bushel. Every article that is or may tend to luxury may be at whatever price the seller pleases, and my meaning is to regulate nothing but what may be absolutely necessa- ry for the support of life, such as salt, sugar, coffee, tea and medi- cines. I hope that your disorder is not so great as to prevent you from presiding over the necessary business above mentioned, and you are hereby authorized and empowered to take the command of all the troops in George Town, or in its vicinity, which is not order- ed otherwise by me. I am, with esteem,
Your obedient servant,
F. MARION.
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[No. 277.] Extract of a Letter from Gov. Burke ( North Caro- lina ) to Gou. Rutledge.
HALIFAX, March 6, 1782.
Sir :
Though I do not admit that any treaty of neutrality made by the officers of one State with people inhabiting such State, can be obligatory on the citizens of any other State, yet I am very far from being disposed to contravene any mea- sures taken by Gen. Marion, for his character sufficiently assures me they were judicious. But the truth is no prepa- rations are making in this State, of which the people within your line are the objects. An officer from the county of Blanden, which borders on the State of South Carolina, and in which are several waters that discharge themselves into Little Pee Dee, has represented to me, that about one hundred of the people who in- habited these waters, and who are the most desperate and destruc- tive of those who were put in motion against this State by the ene- my, had taken shelter among the people, to whom Gen. Marion had granted a neutrality, and from thence infested our people. I had intended writing to the Executive magistrate of South Caroli- na on this subject, requesting that Gen. Marion might cause the abuse of his compact to be remedied, and that he would co-operate with us in measures which are now nearly ready for execution, the object whereof is to make all these people of whom the enemy can always avail themselves while they remain amongst us, either Con- tinental soldiers or prisoners of war. We hope by this means to raise a considerable reinforcement of recruits, to obtain persons to be exchanged for our citizens and Tories, and at all events to deprive the enemy of the advantages they derived from having a body of such men in the heart of the country, devoted to them and ready to undertake enterprizes which greatly distressed the State and di- vested its powers and resources in a great measure from the com- mon object. The checking the furious resentments which prevail among the people and produce tragical effects, and the preventing the number of judicial convictions for treason which involved the government in the dilemma of suffering numbers to be executed
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summo jure, only interposing pardons, to weaken the due authority of the land, were with me strong motives for adopting those mea- sures ; by removing the objects, I hope both will be effected, and on the return of the soldiers, their country will be reconciled to them. In a few days, a force will move into the disaffected part of the country, for carrying those measures into execution ; such as are obstinate may possibly remove over the line, thinking to avail them- selves of Gen. Marion's compact by mingling with the people there; should they escape by this means they will prove very trouble- some, both to you and to us, in case the enemy get a reinforcement sufficient to enable them to act offensively. I hope therefore you will recommend to Gen. Marion, to take measures for preventing those people from availing themselves of a protection to which they have no claim, and which we cannot admit, and to enable us to dis- criminate under the necessity of pursuing our enemies into your borders ; the predatory habits of the people, here referred to, be- ing originally outlaws, and since the war, remorseless plunderers and murderers, make them an object of terror to their vicinity ; nor will government, by any civil interposition, be able to restrain the disorders which they provoke and commit; whether measures simi- lar to ours are expedient to you, I will not presume to say.
[No. 278.] Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry.
MARCH 8, 17S2.
Sir :
I received yours of the 7th ult. You will order Capts. Allison's and Murrell's companies to join you at George Town. I mean one third of each, as only that proportion is now ordered out ; for the George Town company I gave you orders in my last. Mr. White who acts as Commissary, will want drivers that know the country ; let him have a sufficient number. Mrs. W- must be sent to Charles Town immediately, with only such property as came with her or attends her with all her wearing apparel ; nothing of B- estate, or such as as is her husband's by marriage, she must take away. A number of negroes I am told are going north wardly ;
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you will stop all such negroes, and prevent as much as possible negroes travelling anywhere without a pass from me or some officer commanding any detachment in the Continental service. Fishburn I sent on business to the Southward ; the rest I know nothing of. I expect particular orders respecting impressing horses ; till that comes, nothing can be done.
I am, sir, your very humble servant. F. MARION.
[No. 279.] Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry.
SMYTH'S PLANTATION, March 10, 1782.
Sir :
Yours of this date is before me. The orders respecting not thrashing out rice, extend to every part of my Brigade ; those who presume to disobey that order must be taken prisoners and sent to me under guard, and all such rice thrashed contrary to orders, must be seized for the use of the public. I would wish Mrs. Stewart may be indulged to remain with her friends as long as her behavior is not consistant with the good of the Americans. Mrs. W- must immediately go to Charles Town as before directed ; persons coming from Charles Town (I mean men) must join our forces in George Town or be made prisoners of war. Women who may come from there and have husbands or fathers in Charles Town, must be sent back to them; respecting Mr. and Mrs. H- I shall as a friend give my private advice, and favor them as much as may be consistent with my duty. Capt. Chaney and crew must be absolutely made prisoners and put in close confine- ment, and the vessel and cargo sent to Black Mingo under guard, and be taken care of until settled by a Court. Kains and his ac- complice, if taken, must be put in irons, and kept as felons ; and every negro in custody of whatever person that has not a pass from Governor Mathews, Gen. Greene, or myself, must be stopped, and kept in close confinement until further orders. I believe the gal- levs were not at. Seowee as mentioned in my last, it was there they are gone. I heard yesterday from Daniel's Island and Wappetaw. The enemy have returned to town. This day I have accounts that
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an order of Gen. Leslie is, that one half of the British troops are to hold themselves in readiness to embark by the 15th ult., for New York. This comes from a person in town attached to the British, and that they are casting down to the water, provisions and officers baggage. I shall remain here some time, where you may direct every occurrence as soon as I can settle my camp, which may be in a day or two ; I will send you a reinforcement from here. Cha- ney and his crew must at all events be secured in jail. If you can- send a small detachment of men of your Cavalry after the villain Kains and his accomplices, do it without delay.
I am, sir, your humble servant,
F. MARION.
[ No. 280.] Col. Peter Horry to Gen. Marion.
GEORGE TOWN, March 11, 1782.
Dear General :
I am favored with yours of the 9th and 10th insts. Your orders respecting the North Carolina cutter and the flag schooner shall be complied with. I have sent Capt. Lenud with every horse that can be of service. Capt Withers is very wrong to suffer officers under his command to send off any man whatever without his permission, and on very urgent necessity. Mr. Wragg is an assistant of Mr. Waties, who is gone to Virginia as Continental agent ; he only went out as a temporary volunteer to act immedi- ately should there be an action ; he is returned but I supposed with leave. Mr. Gueny I have not seen lately. Mr. Lesesne and every other volunteer but Blamyer, I have sent you ; he is a good wri- ter, and has so much to do in that way that he acts as iny secretary or clerk. I do not much wonder at Gen. Greene's delays respect- ing me ; it is as usual, difficulties always arose whenever anything was to be determined relative to me; however, by your urging him, I suppose he may determine sooner than he otherwise would do. I shall put myself in the way to equip and clothe ry mec, and wish for full orders so to do. I have sent Col. Grimake your order for rice, but have not yet had his answer. Nove of the mer- chants or vessels want rice, they all want Indigo. If I can, you
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till rely on it, I will get you rum, sugar and coffee. I beg you to write to North Carolina, or to the General Governor and Council of this State, to endeavor to put a stop to the depredations commit- ted on our coast by North Carolina privateers. No vessels can come in here ; a flag. Gen. Greene's, the Governor's or your pass or pro- tection to vessels coming in this harbor, are of no signification; they are captared by those plunderers continually. Howell and his crew and a number of ofber sailors he collected on shore, have be- haved in a very riotous manner respecting the flag vessel; I have been obliged to confine some of thein in goal, and under a guard ; Meyers is on board the flag; Moors case is desperate, he deserted the British with his arms, and was endeavoring to make his escape; he was taken off' a sea island and brought here; his family is at Black River ; if he is sent back he will be h nged ; he and Broderick, the inhabitants have petitioned me to suffer to remain on shore till your further orders ; they also petitioned you in their favor; as the flag vessol has not a fair wind, I have indulged their petition. 'Tis likely the enemy will make another sally soon, as they find Col Laurens retired from this quarter to Gen. Greene. They ap- pear in their designs to harrass us as much as possible, by landing alternately on both sides of the river, against yourself and Col. Lau- rens. Mr. Lesesne has Dr. Hyrne's house without his knowledge or consent, and refuses to pay the rent of thirty guineas, (asked by Hyrne) and says you promised him a billet in town. If you do not approve his billet, he says he will leave the work Col. Senf has given him the superintendance of, and do his duty as a soldier; he will be a loss to Senf. I bink Lesesne should pay the rent and the public pay him for his work. You will please determine this matter by your orders to me. Solomon Miller, formerly a volun- teer of my corps, has never produced the man, whose attestation he delivered me ; I have every reason to think he forgot it. Welch, of this place, has been tempted from duty on said accounts, as hav- ing given a substitute. Miller I before wrote you of, he went away to North Carolina before I could put your orders in execution, which was to confine him in goal as a cheat; your former order to confine him is now in execution ; let me know if he is to be con- tinu ed in goal. Capt. Gough I gave leave of absence to go to his Santee plantation; I expected him to join you. Four casks of In-
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digo are left at Mr. Trapier's plantation, (public) the former Gover- nor impressed it. It is under your direction ; if you give me a sanction, I will take it for public service. I assure you General I am sensible of furnishing you with every man, as I know you want them ; were you here, you would be convinced that the trust you repose in my command here, require them little less than yourself. My exertions for my country I need not inform you of, whatever is in my power you may rely on.
I am, dear General, your obedient servant, PETER HORRY.
[No. 281.] Gen. Marion to Col. Peter Horry.
MARCH 12, 1782. Dear Sir :
Since I wrote you the enclosed, I received yours of yesterday's date. Mrs. W -- will send you a note respecting her. Mrs. So- dy must be sent to town immediately, and if she does not go or ev- er comes back, she must be confined in jail. Mr. Brown's age enti- tles him to pardon ; he has mine, and will give him a certificate as soon as I see him. Capt. Mathews will carry round the schooner for the purpose you mention, and I wish the galley could be got up, it would be of great service; every effort must be made to get her up, and if got up to put her in order. I shall send you in a few days those I have mentioned in the enclosed ; such of Pos- tell's company which are gun-men, you will order to join you ; I mean the division which ought to be out, which is one third. The rate of salt, sugar, and coffee as mentioned, I approve of, and ought not to be sold higher. I wish you to procure me all the paper you can for public use.
I am, your humble servant, F. MARION.
[No. 282.] Gov. Mathews to Gen. Marion. JACKSONBOROUGH, March 12, 1782. Sir :
I have consulted Gen. Greene on the plan you propose of incor- porating Maham's and Horry's corps into one, and forming them
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into one Legion. The General and myself both approve of the plan, and you are therefore authorized to carry into execution and to make such arrangements as you shall think will best tend to pro- mote the service. I hope this incorporation will prevent the ne- cessity of your making use of the power I lately gave you to im- press horses ; it is grievous to the inhabitants, and ought to be avoided if possible. I herewith send you one dozen copies of the Militia law, and some of the recruiting acts.
I am, sir, with much regard, your most obd't. serv't.,
JNO. MATHEWS.
[ No. 283.] Gen, Marion to Col. Peter Horry.
MARCH 13, 1782.
Dear Sir :
In your return of your horses, you did not mention how many were lost on the 23th and 25th of last month in the action, which I wish to know separately, from the wanting to complete mine, as I cannot think you lost 35 horses, as in that return; if you have, let me know, that I may transmit it to Gen. Greene. I send you the men of Bossard's, Murrell's and Allston's companies, that are in camp, with eight British prisoners of war, whom you will keep in the jail in George Town or at Black Mingo, with a guard. I think it will be best to have a guard at Black Mingo, as the salt and other merchandize will be kept there; the greater part of your men should be kept there, and the prisoners, and only keep a small party at George Town for observation ; in order to secure the post at Black Mingo, a small party redoubt should be made to prevent the Tories from attempting to surprise them. I would prefer a circu- lar redoubt made very high, with abbatis is in the center, a block house, made with square timber, so high as to overlook the parapet of the redoubt, the block house to be 17 feet square, with loop- holes to fire through ; it should stand on large posts, the lower part to be open in the middle of the second story, to be open one foot across to fire under the house. You will collect negroes for the above purpose, and get Col. Senf, who is now up that way, to lay out the redoubt; there should be no gateway to the redoubt, but
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the going in and out must be by ladders, that the outward one may be taken in every night. Your situation should be such as to com- mand the river within musket shot. If I can spare time I will be with youin a few days. Capt. Weyman will carry your orders in- to effect, and take of the trouble from you, as you are not yet well. From various intelligence from town, the enemy is preparing to evacuate ; they are getting all the sea stock they can and packing up all the stores they have. It is said that Daniel Horry says that it is worse in England than here. Mobs are going about in every part, and the King is openly cursed and threatened; that there is no living in England. This I hope, will produce us a peace on our terms.
I am, your obedient servant, F. MARION.
[No. 284 ] John Dorsious (merchant) to Col. Peter Horry. GEORGE TOWN, March 14, 1782.
Sir :
I take the freedom of addressing a few lines to you respecting the orders Gen. Marion is pleased to issue, relative to the trade of this place. My indisposition prevents ine from waiting upon you. Those orders do immediately operate to the prejudice of every one concerned in trade, as well as myself, and done without the least enquiry or concurrence of those it injures. I must therefore ac- quaint you that I have been at a great deal of trouble to ride through North Carolina (attended with heavy expenses) and there pledged my honor to the gentlemen interested in trade, that if they would send vessels with cargoes here, they should be at, fall fiber- ty to dispose of their cargoes to the best advantage, without restric- tion or hindrance whatever, which I made the agents acting for Gen. Greene's army and the State acquainted of, and received their approbation ; two or three vessels. I so passed my honor for, have already arrived here, and more may be dally expected ; some of the articles on which the General is pleased to lay restrictions, belong to gentlemen in North Carolina, I have still by me instore. I can- not help judging no good can arise to the State from Gen. Marion's
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orders, but that they will be the means of putting a total stop to the small trade established here, as I shall be under the necessity of informing the gentlemen concerned in trade to this place hereof. I am certain that all vessels coming to this port will be stopped ; indeed it is so repugnant to the principles upon which I have acted, as will obligo me to decline trade. I would therefore wish the General would be pleased to withdaaw his orders, being respect- fully, sir,
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