登陆注册
5265800000019

第19章 Chapter (2)

* "For St. John's, Berkeley County -- James Ravenel, Daniel Ravenel, JOB MARION, John Frierson, Esqrs., Mr. Gabriel Gignilliat, MR. FRANCIS MARION." Journals of the Provincial Congress of South Carolina.

** It is not so generally known that South Carolina did her part, as well as Massachusetts, in destroying teas and stamped paper.

--

The Provincial Congress having thus committed the country, without doubt, to the destinies of war, and having, to some extent, provided against its consequences, adjourned to re-assemble on the 20th June, 1775.

But this interval was shortened by the occurrence of events equally unexpected and important. The battle of Lexington, in the meantime, had taken place, and any hopes which might have been entertained, of a final reconciliation between the two countries, without a trial of strength, was fairly dismissed from every reflecting, if not every loyal mind.

Instead of the 20th of June, the Provincial Congress was brought together on the first day of that month.*--

* A letter from ISAAC MARION, one of the brothers of our subject, who dwelt at Little River, the Northern boundary of the province, is worthy of quotation, as serving to show that he was animated with the same public spirit that possessed his more distinguished kinsman.

It was written to accompany the express, which brought the news of the battle of Lexington. A letter to him, from R. Howe, of N.C., forwarding the express, remarking, "I know you stand in no need of being prompted when your country requires your service" --would seem to show that he too had shared in the reputation of his brother.

The following is the letter of Isaac Marion, addressed to the Committee of Safety of Little River.

==

Boundary, May 9, 1775, Little River.

Gentlemen of the Committee; -- I have just now received an express, from the Committee of the Northern Provinces, desiring I would forward the enclosed packet to the Southern Committees. As yours is the nearest, I request FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR COUNTRY, AND THE WELFARE OF OUR LIVES, LIBERTIES, AND FORTUNES, you'll not lose a moment's time, but dispatch the same to the Committee of Georgetown, to be forwarded to Charleston. In meantime, am, gentlemen, Your obliged humble servant, &c.

Isaac Marion.

To Danness, Hawkins and others.

==

--

The members of this body, assembling according to summons, proceeded, with the utmost vigor, to the consideration of the subjects before them.

They approached their tasks with equal speed and solemnity.

Their labors were commenced with Divine Service, and an act of association was then passed, though not without considerable opposition.

This act ran as follows:-- "The actual commencement of hostilities against this Continent by the British troops, in the bloody scene of the 19th of April last, near Boston -- the increase of arbitrary imposition from a wicked and despotic ministry -- and the dread of insurrections in the Colonies --are causes sufficient to drive an oppressed people to the use of arms.

We, therefore, the subscribers, inhabitants of South Carolina, holding ourselves bound by that most sacred of all obligations, the duty of good citizens to an injured country, and thoroughly convinced, that, under our present distressed circumstances, we shall be justified before God and man, in resisting force by force -- do unite ourselves, under every tie of religion and honor, and associate as a band in her defence, against every foe -- hereby solemnly engaging, that, whenever our Continental and Provincial Councils shall deem it necessary, we will go forth, and be ready to sacrifice our lives and fortunes to secure her freedom and safety. This obligation to continue in force, until a reconciliation shall take place between Great Britain and America, upon Constitutional principles -- an event which we most ardently desire.

And, we will hold all those persons inimical to the liberty of the Colonies, who shall refuse to subscribe to this association."*--

* Drayton's Memoirs, Vol. 1, p. 28.

--

This open declaration was followed up with measures equally fearless and decisive. On the fourth day of the session, the Provincial Congress resolved to raise fifteen hundred infantry, rank and file, in two regiments; and four hundred and fifty horse, constituting another regiment. The troops so to be raised, were to be subjected to military discipline, and to the articles of war, in like manner with the British. On the fourteenth day of their session, a million of money was voted, and a council of safety was elected, vested with the executive power of the colony. Among other acts of this body, non-subscribers to the association were made amenable to the General Committee, and punishable ACCORDING TO SOUND POLICY.

Absentees having estates, were, with certain exceptions, required to return;and it was further resolved that no persons ought to withdraw from the service of the Colony, without giving good and sufficient reasons to the Provincial Congress. Military duty was performed day and night, as in a state of actual warfare, by the militia companies in rotation;and thus, having placed the province in a state of preparation, with arms in the hands of the people, and given to the newly arrived Governor, Lord William Campbell, a reception which boded small repose to his authority, the Provincial Congress adjourned itself on the 22d day of June, leaving their authority, in great part, to the Council of Safety and General Committee.

It has been seen that the only share which Marion had in the proceedings of this body, was that of an assenting member.

同类推荐
  • 太上赤文洞古经注

    太上赤文洞古经注

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Shelley

    Shelley

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Character

    Character

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 金锁流珠引

    金锁流珠引

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 九月十日雨中过张伯

    九月十日雨中过张伯

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 山野妖事

    山野妖事

    关于末世和山野的那些事,最终的秘密,谁能揭晓
  • 郡主彪悍:夫君请下堂

    郡主彪悍:夫君请下堂

    她是一只鬼,于人界与地府游荡千余年,未曾知晓自己所追寻之物。一朝为人,又会有怎么样的命运在等待?前世今生,鬼域梦影,千年之恋,今生梦回。前生,那人是她的一切,却消逝在记忆深处。今生,青梅竹马的他,是恋人,是亲人,还是终究成为陌生人?懵懂无知的爱情,惊为天人的身世,暗波汹涌的朝堂,一切的一切,落幕之后,又将与谁人相守一生……命运轮回周转,黑夜终将过去,迎来黎明。
  • 流言蜚语

    流言蜚语

    当珍妮·马钱德离开了故乡法国,移居到远在爱尔兰岛亚特兰地海岸的一座小村庄,她希望自己能就此忘记痛苦的过去。她改名换姓,以全新的身份开始生活。但好奇的当地人很快就说起了她的闲话。而珍妮卷入了米克·欧时的生活,事态变得更复杂了。米克是位英俊的男士,却心怀着自己阴暗的秘密。尽管知道这个男人也许会危及她一直努力建筑的新生活,她还是义无反顾地爱上了他。当有村民找来了媒体,珍妮必须做出决定:再一次逃走,还是留下来与自己的过去对峙。
  • 瓮中人语

    瓮中人语

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 初熏心意

    初熏心意

    人人都道当朝一品小侯爷心狠手辣野心勃勃,如今却成痼疾缠身的病弱公子被逐出京。明明是京城最大药堂家正室生的大小姐,却被小娘以及妹妹设计嫁与一鳏夫做小妾。他与她在各自人生最狼狈黯淡的时候相逢、相知,又在细水长流的日子中携手走过,彼此陪伴,一个是冷漠高傲的天之骄子,一个是脾性温驯的甜美娘子,他与她能否终成眷属,又将共谱怎样一段美好姻缘?一切尽在这本美食与悬念兼具的温馨小品。
  • 凤还巢:盛后归来

    凤还巢:盛后归来

    昏暗的地宫,阴潮的湿气扑面而来,冰冷的墙体将其中的一切禁锢,无尽的黑暗恐惧涌向角落里残破的身影。“公主,您的囚期已满,请吧………”地宫内阴暗冷寂,地宫外艳阳明媚。妖术被封印,在这弱肉强食的妖界便是死路。 一位是冷血战王,另一位是她身后的操纵者,他们一个教会她恨,一个教会她狠。要生存,便要竞争,权位相争,便是你死我活。 当她的真实身份被揭穿,妖界已无她的容身之地,一朝叛变,她带领百万傀儡军团霸气归来。原来,从她进入皇城开始——这一切的一切, 都是一场精心筹划的阴谋……(妖界)
  • 特洛伊罗斯与克瑞西达

    特洛伊罗斯与克瑞西达

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 慈悲道场忏法

    慈悲道场忏法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 不懂责任,你一文不值

    不懂责任,你一文不值

    几乎所有的优秀企业都非常强调责任的重要性。“责任”是最基本的职业准则和商业准则,一个人的能力再强,如果没有责任心,他的能力将无法在工作在体现。因此在老板的眼里,责任是评估一个员工的第一法则。责任决定能力,责任催发能力。一个人的成功,与一个企业和公司的成功一样,都来自于他们追求卓越的精神和不断超越自身的努力。责任胜于能力,没有做不好的工作,只有不负责任的人。责任承载能力,一个充满责任感的人才有机会充分展现自己的能力。
  • 外交家成长故事

    外交家成长故事

    面对形形色色的难题和困境,开动脑筋,运用智慧,往往就能找出答案,想出对策。榜样的力量是无穷的,我们精选了著名文学家、军事家、思想家、艺术家、谋略家、外交家、发明家、科学家等重要人物的成长故事,这些故事纵横古今,包罗中外,蕴含着文化的力量,闪烁着智慧的光芒。愿孩子们在轻松的阅读旅程中,收获快乐,接受启迪,让健康的心智得到充分的滋养。