登陆注册
5265800000098

第98章 Chapter (2)

This was early in the year 1782. The Legislature met at Jacksonborough, a little village on the Edisto or Pon-Pon river, on the 18th January of this year. This position, almost within striking distance of the British army at Charleston, was chosen with particular reference to the moral influence which the boldness of such a choice would be likely to have upon the people, and the confidence which it seemed to declare in the ability of the American army to render the place secure. To make it so, Greene moved his troops across the Edisto, and took post at Skirving's plantation, six miles in advance of Jacksonborough, and on the road which leads to Charleston. There was yet another step necessary to this object.

The British, in addition to Charleston and the "Neck", held possession of two islands, James and John, which belong to that inner chain of isles which stretches along the coast from Charleston to Savannah, separated from the main by creeks and marshes, and from one another by the estuaries of rivers, sounds, or inlets. On John's Island, which is fertile, extensive, and secure, the enemy held a very respectable force under Col. Craig. Jacksonborough was within striking distance of this force. It could be approached by boats or galleys, in a single tide. It was equally assailable from this point by land.

As a matter of precaution, it was considered necessary to disperse this force, and it was soon ascertained, not only that the island was accessible, but that the enemy, relying upon the protection of his armed galleys, was unapprehensive of attack. The attempt was entrusted to Cols. Lee and Laurens, who, with separate parties, were to reach the point of destination by different routes.

One of the parties lost the road, and failed to cooperate with the other.

The movement was only partially successful. A second was designed, and succeeded. The galleys were driven from their station by the artillery, and Laurens penetrated to Craig's encampment. But the latter had already abandoned it. A few stragglers fell into the hands of the Americans, but nothing more. The preceding attempt had just sufficed to convince Craig of the insecurity of the place, and he had taken timely precautions against suffering from a repetition of the attempt.

The Legislature assembled according to appointment. The proclamation of the Governor, to whom, from the beginning of the war, had been accorded almost dictatorial powers, precluded from election and suffrage all persons who had taken British protections; and, as those who were true to the State had been very generally active in the ranks of her military, it followed, as a matter of course, that a great proportion of the members were military men. Among these were Sumter and Marion. The former, about this time, yielded his commission to the authorities, on account of some slight or injustice to which he had been subjected, and left the army when he took his seat in the Assembly.

General Henderson succeeded to his command. The Jacksonborough Assembly was highly distinguished, as well for its talent as for its worth and patriotism. Its character was, perhaps, rather military than civil. Constituting as they did, in a slave community, a sort of feudal aristocracy, and accustomed, as, for so long a time they had been, to the use of the weapons of war, its members wore the deportment of so many armed barons, gathered together quite as much for action as resolve. It was not only unavoidable, but highly important at this juncture, that such should be the character of this body.

Who could so well determine what were the necessities of the country --what the exigencies of the people -- what the local resources and remedies --as those who had fought its battles, traversed every acre of its soil, and represented its interests and maintained its rights when there was no civil authority? What legislators so likely to wield the popular will, as men who, like Marion and Sumter, had become its rallying leaders --whom the people had been accustomed to obey and follow, and by whom they had been protected. It was equally important that the legislation should come from such sources, when we consider the effect upon the enemy, still having a foothold in the State. They might reasonably apprehend that the laws springing from such a body would be marked by a stern directness and decision of purpose which would leave nothing to be hoped by disaffection or hostility; and their proceedings did not disappoint the expectations of friend or foe.

The measures of this Assembly were marked by equal prudence and resolve.

They passed a new act respecting the militia, and one for raising the State quota of Continental troops. One of their measures has been questioned as unwise and impolitic -- that, namely, for amercing and confiscating the estates of certain of the loyalists, and for banishing the most obnoxious among them. Something, certainly, is to be said in favor of this act. If vindictive, it seems to have been necessary. It must be remembered that, in consequence of a previous proclamation of the Governor, none but the most implacable and virulent of the Tories were liable to its operation -- none but those who had rejected very liberal offers of indulgence and conciliation. This proclamation had opened the door to reconciliation with the State, on very easy terms to the offenders. It gave them timely warning to come in, enrol themselves in the American ranks, and thus assure themselves of that protection and safety which they had well forfeited.

Their neglect or refusal to accept this proffer of mercy, properly incurred the penalties of contumacy. These penalties could be no other than confiscation of property and banishment of person. Reasons of policy, if not of absolute necessity, seemed to enforce these penalties.

同类推荐
  • 佛祖统纪说

    佛祖统纪说

    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。
  • 六道伽陀经

    六道伽陀经

    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。
  • 霞笺记

    霞笺记

    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。
  • 周易参同契注·朱熹

    周易参同契注·朱熹

    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。
  • 夏商野史

    夏商野史

    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
  • 顽劣凤后:相君来接驾!

    顽劣凤后:相君来接驾!

    前世她只剩具枯骸,今生幻化为人她成了西瑾国众星捧月的皇子殿下!她炼丹炼药全靠一口锅,你没听错,她苏九卿背着口锅战遍天下炼丹师!打遍天下无敌手!她没灵宠打架?对不起她的灵宠不需要打架,她的灵宠早就化成美男跟着她吃香喝辣她还直接开上后宫养兽成仆!她需要女扮男装,简直美死她了好嘛,撩遍妹子掰弯男人的路还很长呢!可是本以为她苏九卿逍遥日子长久,没想到半路竟然还杀出个男人,他霸道将她拥入怀抱:“你是我看着长大的,羊肥了就要喂狼了!”世人都知道他睚眦必报、毒舌腹黑霸道不饶人甚至小气至极、不分黑白,却不知他的温柔、宠溺、宽容、大方、纵容、都给了一人。他能转眼跟别人说他一毛不拔,转头就为她挥洒一座金银宫阙!
  • 我要大宝箱

    我要大宝箱

    许阳的跳一跳小游戏变异了,跳到便利店上,获得一个宝箱,开出强身牛肉干,食用可以强身健体,增长力气;跳到音乐盒上,获得一个宝箱,开出催眠魔笛……只要成功跳到特定的格子上,就会获得宝箱,宝箱里面有功法、法宝、丹药等等。“宝箱开启成功,获得游戏外挂,怼气系统,怼人或气人收集怒气值,可以使用怒气值在游戏里开挂……”啥?宝箱还能开出系统来?ps:新书起航,需要各种支持,有书单的兄弟,加个书单呗O(∩_∩)O~书友群:884876601
  • 豪门隐婚之闪来的爱妻

    豪门隐婚之闪来的爱妻

    他是G市名副其实的钻石单身汉,身价位居本市第一,世人皆知他有一段刻骨铭心的恋爱,却无人知晓,五年前,他有过一段形式婚姻;她是G市人民医院的超级小护士,没身价也没高学历,众人皆知她离异且带着一个拖油瓶,却无人知晓,她曾经的丈夫,孩子的爹,就是站在那个金字塔最顶端的男人。片段一:被确诊怀孕那天,她结婚证上的丈夫回来了。翌日,早餐桌上,一张A4纸很突兀的出现在了他的右手边。“这是离婚协议书,请你签个字。”她说,五脏六腑都在颤抖。“……有人了?”他放下筷子,看着她,平静的反问,眉眼几不可见的跳了一下。他回来是有事想跟她谈的,眼下看来,应该是没必要了。“……嗯。”有孩子了,应该也算是有人了,因为从今以后,她要爱她的孩子了。当初他们结婚的时候,他就说过,如果有了爱人,她可以跟他提离婚。“好,我知道了。”他点头,拿过桌面上的协议书,起身离开了。“……”片段二:“你叫什么名字?”“厉有恒。”“姓厉?”母亲叫孟欣,是他前妻,父亲那一栏,没有填,不是吗?“嗯,我爸爸叫厉梓煜,他是空中飞人。”“……”下午五点,孟欣接儿子放学,看到儿子身旁的他,下意识的转身就跑。厉梓煜将厉有恒放到门卫室,叮嘱他不许乱跑后,迈着大长腿追了过去。“孟欣,站住。”“……”几乎是下意识的,她就真的站住了。他缓缓的迈步过去,人高马大的站到她面前,将夕阳全部挡去。孟欣忍不住抬头,夕阳的余晖照耀着他的脸,她根本就看不清楚他的模样。“跑什么跑?敢用八年的时间来暗恋,那敢不敢用一辈子的时间来明恋?”“……”
  • 蒋介石诱杀韩复榘

    蒋介石诱杀韩复榘

    1938年的元旦刚过,一场纷纷扬扬的大雪又开始光顾古老而深沉的开封城……大片大片的雪花从灰白的云空中跌落下来,转眼间,城墙变白了、铁塔变白了、龙亭变白了,古城的一切都变白了。一辆黑色的雪佛兰轿车从徐府街一座深宅大院里驶出,拐上中山路,冒雪而行,穿了几条街后,“吱”地一声停在开封防空司令部的门前。国民党陆军上将、第二集团军总司令、河南省政府主席刘峙披着黄呢斗篷从车内走出来,卫兵立即立正敬礼。刘峙大步跨进防空司令部的院子,矮胖的李司令急忙出来笑脸相迎。
  • 红与黑(语文新课标课外必读第八辑)

    红与黑(语文新课标课外必读第八辑)

    国家教育部颁布了最新《语文课程标准》,统称新课标,对中、小学语文教学指定了阅读书目,对阅读的数量、内容、质量以及速度都提出了明确的要求,这对于提高学生的阅读能力,培养语文素养,陶冶情操,促进学生终身学习和终身可持续发展,对于提高广大人民的文学素养具有极大的意义。
  • 穿越之凤凰余劫

    穿越之凤凰余劫

    高考前的寒假,夏夜一个触电给穿了。不知是老天偏爱还是出来BUG,她拥有身体主人的所有记忆。当宫主、开青楼、开赌坊、开各种~混的风生水起。却意外嫁给了一场阴谋,付出一切却却换来休妻。失落离开。她为了报复嫁与他人,他也终得与心仪女子喜结良缘。再次相见,相顾无言、却心中煎熬。两个男人、两次成亲、两次被休、当真是劫数难逃嘛。【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 外科十法

    外科十法

    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。
  • 代号D机关Ⅰ

    代号D机关Ⅰ

    背叛!欺骗!陷阱!策略!白热化的间谍大作战散发着妖异光芒的结城中校为你带来最精采的阅读体验在结城中校的力排众议下,日本陆军成立了间谍培训学校「D机关」。在这里,所有成员都被灌输了彻底否定军人信条的三大戒律:「不准死」、「不准杀人」、「不准被抓」。这样的组织自然成为他人的眼中钉,时时腹背受敌;然而「魔王」-结城中校以他犹如魔术师般的高超手腕交出间谍大战的丰厚战果,就连隐身在陆军内部的敌人也被他逐一消灭……从东京、横滨到伦敦、上海,紧张刺激的间谍殊死战,就此展开!
  • 龙凤宝贝偷偷藏

    龙凤宝贝偷偷藏

    她奋力抵抗,他冷眼一冽:“你放心,我不会再让你生孩子,就是怀上了也给我拿掉。”于是,他亲手毁掉了他们的骨肉。可当两个粉雕玉琢的娃娃一人抱着正在举办婚礼的男人的一条腿,天真烂漫叫爸爸。男人看着自己的缩小女版,和她的缩小男版,心里一动,抱起他们,眼里满是柔情:“你们妈咪人呢?”正在上班某女只觉得后背一凉,突然打了喷嚏,揉了揉鼻子,天凉了,明天得给那两个小坏蛋多穿一点衣服了。
  • 鲸鱼寄情大海

    鲸鱼寄情大海

    一条路,一段时光,会有人一起相约而行,也会有握手说再见的时候;问时光,怎么样?暖风送来低语。