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for which they gave a bill of exchange to the captain, and having secured a safe retreat to themselves by spiking the guns of the powder vessel, set sail for Carolina. Apprehending that they should be pursued, they steered for Beaufort. From that place they came by the inland navigation, and delivered their prize to the council of safety, whilst their pursuers were looking for them at the bar of Charlestown. This seasonable supply enabled the people of South Carolina to oblige their suffering brethren in Massachusetts; who, though immediately exposed to the British army, were in a great measure destitute of that necessary article of defence. Though the popular leaders had determined on a military opposition, yet fort Johnson, on James island, which commanded the harbor of Charlestown, continued in possession of the King's servants for more than three months after these resolutions were adopted. The Tamar sloop-of-war, and Cherokee armed vessel of eignteen guns, belonging to his Britannic majesty, lay in Rebellion road, opposite to Sullivan's Island; but the royal officers, either from an apprehension that indiscriminate violence could not to be justified, or from a contempt of the popular party, attempted nothing vigorous or decisive.

About the middle of September, 1775, the general committee became possessed of intelligence, obtained by artifice, directly from Lord William Campbell, "that troops would soon be sent out to all the colonies." On the next evening it was resolved, "that proper measures ought to be immediately taken to prevent fort Johnson being made use of to the prejudice of the colony." Colonel Motte, with a party of the new raised provincials, was appointed to execute this first military enterprise under the authority of the council of safety. Before he landed on the Island the fort was dismantled, the guns dismounted, and the people belonging to it retired on board the Cherokee and Tamar. On the following night Captain Heyward, with thirty-five of the Charlestown artillery, landed at the fort; and notwithstanding an incessant rain, they had three guns ready for action before the dawning of day. The officers of the men-of-war, then in the harbor, discovered a strong inclination to fire upon the fort; but, for prudent reasons desisted from the attempt.

The popular leaders issued orders forbidding the King's victuallers to supply the men-of-war with provisions and water, otherwise than from day to day. After sundry letters and messages had passed on this subject, Captain Thornborough, of the sloop Tamar, gave public notice, "that if his majesty's agents in Charlestown were not permitted regularly, and without molestation, to supply the King's ships Tamar and Cherokee, with such provisions as he thought necessary to demand,

he would not from that day, so far as it was in his power, suffer any vessel to enter the harbor of Charlestown, or depart from it."

The new Provincial Congress met, agreeably to their original appointment, on the 1st of November 1775. On that day, Captain Thornborough sent his menacing letter to the chairman of the general committee. This Congress had been chosen subsequent to the late resolution for raising troops, and resisting Great Britain. The royal servants presumed that the people at large would not justify these invasions of their master's prerogative; and, as they had lately had an opportunity given by a general and free election to express their real opinions on the state of the province, that the new Congress would reverse the determinations of the former. To the great surprise of the King's officers the new Provincial Congress, instead of receding from the resolutions of their predecessors, took methods to ward off the injuries that might arise from the execution of the menaces of Captain Thornborough. They sent out two armed pilot boats with orders to cruise near the bar, and to caution all vessels destined for Charlestown to steer for some other port.

The late Congress in June had agreed to arm the colony; but many still shuddered at the idea of hostile operations against their former friends and fellow-subjects. It was at length, after much debating, resolved by the new Congress, on the 9th of November 1775, to direct the American officer commanding at fort Johnson, "by every military operation to endeavor to oppose the passage of any British naval armament that might attempt to pass." Though the fort had been in the possession of the council of safety for near two months, yet a variety of motives restrained them from issuing orders to fire on the King's ships. When this resolution was adopted, they communicated it to Captain Thornborough, commander of the Tamar sloop-of-war.

An open passage to the town, without approaching fort Johnson, was still practicable for the small royal armed vessels Tamar and Cherokee. It was therefore, at the same time, resolved to obstruct the passage through Hog Island channel. Captain Tufts was ordered to cover and protect the sinking of a number of hulks in that narrow strait. While he was engaged in this business on board a coasting schooner, which was armed for the security of the town and called the Defence, the Tamar and Cherokee warped in the night of November 12, 1775, within gun-shot of him and began a heavy cannonade. The inhabitants were alarmed, expecting that the town, in its defenceless state, would be fired upon; but about sunrise both vessels dropped down to their moorings in Rebellion

This

road, without having done any material injury either to the schooner or to any of her crew. The schooner Defence returned a few shot, but they were equally ineffectual. was the commencement of hostilities in South Carolina. On the evening of the same day, on which this attack was made, the Provincial Congress impressed for the public service the ship Prosper; and appointed a committee to fit and arm her as a frigate-of-war. On the day following they voted that a regiment of artillery should be raised, to consist of three companies with one hundred men in each. A vote was taken about the same time for a new council of safety. Ten of the former thirteen were re-elected, and Henry Middleton, David Oliphant, and Thomas Savage, added in the room of three others. Their powers were enlarged so far as to authorize them "to do all such matters and things relative to the strengthening, securing, and defending the colony as should by them be judged expedient and necessary."

Agreeably to the menaces of Captain Thornborough, the King's ships in the road seized all the vessels within their reach which were either coming to Charlestown or going from it. These seizures commenced several weeks prior to the act of parliament for confiscating American property.

After these unauthorized seizures of private property had been continued about six weeks, the council of safety took measures to drive the royal armed vessels out of the road of Charlestown.* Colonel Moultrie, with a party, took possession of Haddrell's point and mounted a few pieces of heavy artillery on some slight works. A few well directed shot from this post induced the Commanders of the Cherokee and Tamar to put out to sea. The harbor and road being clear, the council of safety proceeded in their plans of defence. They completed the fortifications at Haddrell's point, and at fort Johnson-continued a chain of fortifications in front of the town, both to the eastward and southward-and erected a new fort on James Island to the westward of fort Johnson, and a very strong one on Sullivan's Island. The militia were diligently trained; the provincial troops were disciplined, and every preparation made to defend the colony.

In addition to the four regiments ordered to be raised in the year 1775, two regiments of riflemen were voted in February

1776.

*An opinion generally prevailed that these small royal armed vessels could at any time destroy Charlestown by firing into it. As often as they bent their sails, an alarm was communicated that they were about to commence a bombardment. The inhabitants were for several months kept in daily painful expectation of

such an event.

SECTION II.

Of the Extinction of Royal Authority, and of the Royalists.

The legal representatives met twice in the Constitutional Assembly after the general meeting of the inhabitants on July 6, 1774. In their first session, after that event, it was privately determined to give the sanction of their branch of the legislature to the resolutions adopted by the inhabitants at their late convention, though they were well aware that any vote for that purpose would induce the royal Governor to exert his prerogative for their dissolution. After finishing the necessary public business, the speaker of the house summoned a meeting of the members at a very early hour. A motion, previously prepared, was read and agreed to without any debate; which gave the sanction of the Assembly to the resolutions adopted by the people at their late general meeting in July. The same words were used by the people in their general meeting, and by the legal representative in the constitutional Assembly; and the same persons were members of both bodies. Lieutenant-Governor Bull endeavored to dissolve them while they were ratifying this resolution, but the business was completed before a council could be convened.

His majesty's justices made their last circuit in the spring of 1775. On this occasion William Henry Drayton, one of the assistant judges, and the only one who was born in America, in his charge to the grand jury inculcated the same sentiments which were patronized by the popular leaders. Soon after, he was elected President of ther Povincial Congress, and devoted his great abilities with uncommon zeal to the support of the measures adopted by his native country. Before the next circuit, his colleagues having refused to sign the association, were disarmed and advertised as inimical to the liberties of America. Not long after, he was appointed Chief Justice by the voice of his country.

Throughout the year 1775, and the first months of the year 1776, the popular assemblies by words avowed their allegiance to the King of Great Britain. Even while they were arming themselves they endeavored to reconcile this conduct with their allegiance, alleging it was only in self-defence against ministerial tyranny and not for purposes hostile to the King of Great Britain. After the Provincial Congress had raised regular troops Lord William Campbell gave commissions to the officers of volunteer companies of militia, which were formed and trained on the recommendation of the popular leaders. His Lordship also convened an assembly, and transacted

public business with officers in the new provincial regiments who were also members of the Constitutional Legislature; but he dissolved them on the 15th of September 1775, and never afterwards issued writs for a new election. For three months after his arrival he was unmolested, though indefatigable in secretly fomenting opposition to the popular measures. About the middle of September Captain Adam M'Donald had the address to get himself introduced to his lordship under the feigned name of Dick Williams, a supposed confidential messenger from the back country royalists to the Governor. In this assumed character he was informed that his lordship had on the day before, received a letter from the King of Great Britain; setting forth, "that his majesty was determined speedily to send out troops to execute his schemes from one end of the continent to the other." With a view of encouraging the royalists, the Governor gave an exaggerated account of the power of Britain and of her fixed resolution to compel the submission of America. He interspersed his discourse with the severest reflections on the new-fangled Congresses and committees. This conversation being speedily reported to the general committee they sent a deputation from their body, of which Captain M'Donald was one, to demand a communication of his lordship's late dispatches from England and a perusal of his correspondence with the back country. All these requisitions being peremptorily refused, it was moved in the committee to take the Governor into immediate custody; but the proposition was rejected by a considerable majority. His lordship, mortified at the deception which had been passed upon him and distrustful of his personal safety in Charlestown, took the province seal with him, and retired on board the Tamar sloop-of-war. In about a fortnight after, the general committee sent a deputation from their body with an address, inviting his return to Charlestown; in which they assured him, that while, agreeably to his own repeated declarations, he should take no active part against the good people of the colony, in the present arduous struggle for the preservation of their liberties, they should, to the utmost of their power, secure to his excellency that safety and respect for his person and character which the inhabitants of Carolina had ever wished to show to the representative of their sovereign. But his Lordship thought it most prudent to continue on board. Legislative, Executive and Judicial powers were insensibly transferred from their usual channels to a Provincial Congress, council of safety, and subordinate committees. The inhabitants, generally alarmed for their liberties, took sundry steps for their preservation. From their own impulse they met and chose their representatives in committees and Congresses.

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