.<2?s, issued a clared that they would transact no bu- circular letter to the several colonies, siness with him until he should concede inviting them to meet each other the just claims of the House: and this by their deputies in New York, in the siate of defiant hostility continued for month of October following. [11 July the two years, until Governor Boone, wearied letter was discussed before the House oi with the contest, left the province and Assembly. Alter a long discussion, in went home. which the call was su pported by Mr. ltut- ". During this suspension of legislative ledge, the subject was referred to a cora- ' Imsincss he gave several exhibitions of mittee of which Mr. Gadsden was chair- petty and childish insolence which must man. The committee reported in favor have made a deep impression on a high- of the proposed Congress, and Christo- toned, generous and manly people. Dur- pher Gadsden, John Rutledge and ing this session, Sir John Colleton pre- Thomas Lynch, Sen., were elected to re- sented himself and claimed Ins seat. Alter present the Colony. This action of the bis credentials were verified he was sent Assembly, Mr. Bancroft regards as the to the Governor to take the State oaths, founding of the American Union by South accompanied by Christopher Gadsden and William Moultrie, who were sent accord- ing to an old custom, first to certify to the Governor that the candidate had been duly elected, and then to certify to the House that they had witnessed the. ad- ministering of the oaths to tic new mem- ber. Governor Boone demanded of Una. "Massachusetts, he says, sound- ed the trumpet, but to South Carolina is it owing that it was attended to. Had it not been lor South Carolina, no Congress would then have happened. When we c nt up those who above others, con- ti United to the great result, wo are to name the inspired madman .lames litis, Messrs. Gadsden and Moultrie what was an d the great statesman, the magnani- their business there, and on being in- mous, unwavering, faultless lover of Ins formed in what capacity tlcy were there, country, Christopher Gadsden." These replied that the Assembly had no right to U re the words of Bancroft. The measure intrude visitors upon him, rang the bell, vvas supported by the eloquence of Rut- and ordered the servant who answered il ledge, but it was the zeal of Gadsden, to conduct these gentlemen out oi his which gave animation to the party of ex- house. Sir John Colleton was stopped, istence. In a letter written thirteen years and, it is to be supposed, took the oaths, afterwards to Wm. Henry Drayton, he The indignation of the Assembly at this says: "No man in America ever strove outrage offered to them through their more land more successfully) first to members may be conceived. At fust bring about a Congress in 1765, and then they refused to permit Colleton to take tosupportiteverafterwardsthan myself." his seat, inasmuch as none of their mem- Northern writers are disposed, I know bers had seen him take the oaths. Tins not why, to pass over (he services ol Rut- relented, however, so far as to permit ledge, and ascribe merit in preference to him to testify in his own case. Some any other claimant. I believe, however, time afterwards, when Sir John Colleton that in this case, but bare justice has been and Mr. Parsons were sent to attend a done to Mr. Gadsden. There was at that new member for the same purpose, the time this difference between his position loverner repeated the insult, with an ad ditional outrage. He refused the testi- mony of these gentlemen, as to the elec- tion of the new member, saying that he would examine the roll and judge for bound the colonies to the parent Stale, himself. Thus, now, were gentlemen, represi nta- tiscs of the people, who might he reason- ably supposed to represent the most re- fined class of the people, rudely dism' and that of Mr. Rutledge; the latter was earnest in hoping for a redress of griev- ances; the former, even then looked for- ward to a severance of the tie which Mind th The Congress of 1765 did little besides making tile several parts of America known to each other. Two of the dele- gates of South Carolina, Mr. Lynch and from the Governor's housed and their Mr. Rutledge, were at the head res] - testi v refused as untrustworthy. Is lively of the committees to address, the it surprising that such gentlemen should one, the House. >f Lords, the other, the eagerly catch at any opportunity for re- Commons of England. Here again, Mr. venge which offered itself? And shall we Gadsden gave an exhibition of his stub- be thought to diminish the lustre of their born consistency. As a subject of the fame, when we impute to wounded pride King, ho would address him on the sub- file bold determination which they not jecL of the grievances of the people, but lone- afterwards made to sever lien. lie would stoop to no petition to either selves entirely from a Government which could with impunity thus reck- lessly insult them ? House oi Parliament. "The House Com in ons, he said, refused to rcccix e He addresses of the Colonies, when the Whilst the petty and childish insults of ter was [.ending; besides, we hold our Governor Boone were still rankling in the hearts of these gentlemen, the British ights neither from them nor from the Lords," but he was induced al la-t I. withdraw his opposition, for, said he, the mercantile interest generally, nnion is most certainly all in all. two sets of candidates were presented to It is known that ii' the action of the the voters. Representatives of each were Congress was inoperative, the sturdy elected, Mr. Gadsden, Thomas Lynch, opposition of the people caused the re- and Edward Rutledge, representing th< peal of the Stamp Act. From this time extreme party; Henry Middleton, and until the next Congress, in 1771. we tin. I John Rutledge, the moderate party. Mr. nothing to record of Mr. Gadsden. Gadsden and J. Rutledge were respec- That he was diligently engaged in his tively the representatives, the first of the private business we know, and also* that extreme party for resistance, the he was generally a member of the Com- latter lone; continued to hope for mons House of Assembly. In 1773, a very a restoration of the old pleasant intelligent gentleman from Boston, -Tosiah relations with England by a redress- Quincy, saw him one day in the House of of greivanaes. The former was even Commons, and recorded a few Words of a before this time, anxious for inde- speech which is worth preserving as a pendence, the latter came very slo* v photograph memorial of the man. In his and very reluctantly into the "measure. journal, of March 19th, 1773, Mr. Quincey As the delegates elected represented the says: "Spent all the morning in hearing twoparties.it was agreed that no motion the debates of the House; hail an oppor- or resolution of the "Congress should be tunity of hearing the best speakers of the binding upon the colony, unless it was Province. T. Lynch, Esq., spoke like agreed to by the deputies of the colony. a man of sense and a patriot, wi6h dignity. They went to the Congress unpledged, tire, and laconism. Mr. Gadsden was uninstrucied. The people had perfect plain,blunt, hot and incorrect, though very faitii in their patriotism and their wisdom. sensible. In the course of the debate he It was desired to give the delegates an used these very singular expressions for official sanction by legislative action; but a member of Parliament, 'And, Mr. Goy. rSull had always kept a strict eve Speaker, if the Governor and Council over the House of Assembly, and inva- don'tsee fit. to fall in with us, I say let riaftly prorogued it whenever he thought the general duty law, and all. go to the it was Reading on dangerous ground. On devil,sir,and wegoaboutourbusiness." ■' the present occasion it had been pso- itis but a glimpse of the earnest man, rogued to the second of August. It was — but it reveals a world of character — he an old custom of the House to meet at 10 was very unparliamentary, but he was o'clock, but now all business had been very much in earnest. secretly arranged, and at 8 o'clock the We will not repeat the oft-told story members were in their seats; a message of British taxation and American re- was sent to the Gove.mor, to inform him sistance. You remember that a scheme of their organization, and they instantly was cunningly devised by which the adopted two resolutions, one' approving people would be enticed to drink and confirming the election of the rive their tea and pay the obnoxious duty, gentlemen whom the people bad chosen, Alarmed at the' prospect of seeing a anil another providing for the expense of whole people recreant to their pledges their voyage. The Governor, informed' by the" allurement of cheap tea, the of the unusal meeting of the House, in- leaders of the revolutionary movement stantly sent for them to prorogue them. organized resistance throughout the But he was too late. In less than half an country against this insidious measure, hour the House had met, resolved, and In many' places, in this city among was prorogued. others, the tea was openly put away for In this Congress we find Mr. Gadsden destruction. In Boston a party of dis- always acting with those who were fore- guised men went by night to the wharf most in leading on the revolution. Nay, where the tea laden vessels were lying, he may be said to have been the foremost, took out the accursed thing and cast it Fancying that war was inevitable he into the sea. The open and undisguised wished to secure to his country all the resistance met with no rebuke; but as all advantages possible, and he urged upon attempts to discover the Boston rioters the Congress the expediency of at- were baffled, the ministry lost their tacking Gen. Gage in Boston at once and temper, and, in an unguarded moment, defeating him before he could obtain re- annulled thecharterof Massachusetts,and inforcements. He was described by some closed the port of Boston, making all of the members as "if possible, worse commerce with that city a punishable than ever; more violent, more wrong- offence, headed." The non -importation and non This high handed act of oppressive exportation agreement was passed, with vengeance acted through the whole an exception in favor o' Carolina rice, country like an electric spark. All felt Mr. Rutledge gave good and satisfactory that the cause of disfranchised Massa- reasons for this exception, but Mr. Gads- ehusetts was the common cause. At the den stood alone in bis opposition to it, and call of New York a Congress of the Colo- even on his return home made efforts to nies met in Philadelphia, in September, have the exception rescinded. Interest 1771. The Representatives from South and expediency were powerless with Carolina were chosen by a general vote him when principle was involved, of the citizens. The first measure of re- When the delegates returned home the sistence which suggested itself was a subject of the exception of rice from the general non-importation and non-expor- non-intercourse agreement wasdiscussed, fat ion agreement. This was opposed by and Mr. Gadsden earnestly moved that ■*ne exception be repealed. But Mr. Rut- from Long Island. It is well knownth&l ledge insisted that the exception was the General Lee looked upon the tenure of ■only means by which the North and the Sullivan'-s Island as a desperate measure. South could be placed on an equality of aud but for the obstinacy of President suffering in the non-intercourse measure Rutledge, he would have drawn off the ■of resistence. It is, perhaps on account troops. He insisted upon the necessity of a of his speech on that occasion that he has bridge across the north channel, so that ever since been made the object of relent- the troops might retreat to the main land if less criticism by a certain party at the necessary. This work was accomplished North. at his own expense, by Colonel Gadsden. He sat 1 "that he was in favor of im- The successful defense of the Island, by mediate non-intercourse, hut the Con- Colonel Moultrie and Lieutenant-Colonel gress, in their wisdom, had postponed Thompson, deprived Colonel Gadsden of it until the following September. That any participation in the honors of the the Northern trade would be but 2xth of June. During the calm which 'i' tie affected by the association, and he followed the storm of war, we have little saw no reason why our's should be to record. Both Colonels were soon after- ruined. It was evident, he said, that the wards taken into the Continental service Colonies were less intent to annoy the and commissioned as Brigadier-Generals. mother country in the matter of trade, In August, 1777, General Gadsden re- thau to preserve their own trade; so he signed his commission and served his thoughtit but justice to his constituents country afterwards entirely in civil life, to preserve to them their trade as entire The successful defence of the island by as possible." It is very remarkable that Colonel Moultrie aud Lieutenant-Colonel this language should have been used re- Thompson, deprived Colonel Gadsden of specting the different positions of the any participation in the honors of the North and the South, not only by those 28th June. During the action which fol- who were founding the Uuioti, but at the lowed the storm of war we have little to very moment the work ol L'uiou was record. Both colonels were soon after- going on. wards taken into the Continental service, The exception was retained by the As- and commissioned as brigadier-generals. sembly, but Mr. Gadsden, though over- In August, 1777, General Gadsden re- ruled in this matter, does not seem to signed his commission and served his have lost the confidence of his constitu- country afterwards entirely in civil life, ents. He and Mr. Rutledge were both The accidental preservation and dis- returned to the Congress of 1775. covery of a small letter-book shed a ray Before that Congress met, the revolu- of light upon both his. own history and tionary war had commenced in the that of the State during the years 1777 skirmish at Lexington, and the Provin- and 177S, and with this precious relic be- ■cial Congress immediately set about or- fore one it is very hard to resist the ganizing the military force of the temptation to make full copies of his province. In pursuance of this organiza- letters. tion, Mr. Gadsden was elected Colonel of The resignation of General Gadsden the First Regiment of Foot, and William and the duel which arose out of it be- Moultrie of the Second. Both these gen- tween him and General Howe, is an tlemeu had seen service iu the Cherokee episode in the lives of both these gentle- war, and though elected on the same day, men, of so remarkable a character, that Colonel Gadsden was the senior of Colonel one who undertakes to give the history Moultrie, and on his return home to serve of General Gadsden's life can scarcely his country in the army, he assumed the refuse to narrate it. With every disposi- -commandof all the forces of the province, tion to see General Gadsden always right, It appears by a note iu Moultrie's Me- I am constrained to say that in this mat- moirs that he assumed the command in ter he appears to me to have been wrong. February, 1776. But he was, if I may so express myself, Iu March, of that year, it was found gloriously wrong. Iu the annals of pri- absolutely necessary to establish civil vate warfare there was never exhibited government in South Carolina ; the Pro- such pure chivalry, such perfect devotion vincial Congress, therefore, adopted a to the point of honor as was shown by Provisional Constitution, tinder which him on this occasion. Major Andre, who John Rutledge was elected President of seems to have had a keen sense of hu- South Carolina. It was thus that, the call mour, amused himself and the public by of the citizens for their services at a humorous balled on the occasion of the home, deprived Gadsdeu and Rutledge, duel; but though the British officer her two most eminent citizens, of the laughed, he could not but show the pro- distinction of enrolling their names found respect with which he was in- among the signers of the Declaration of spired by the high aud gallant bearing ol Independence. the two gentlemen who' furnished food Early in June, General Charles Lee for his mirth. The account of the meet- arrived in Charleston, and assumed the ing deserves to be studied by those per- general direction of military affairs, sons who in these modern times have Colonel Gadsdeu's post was at Fort John- converted the chivalrous settlement of son. Colonel Moultrie was stationed at a the point of honor into a barbarous and point on Sullivan's Island, which com- sanguinary riot. manded the entrance into the harbor, and The origin of the dispute lay in the Colonel Thompson at the northeast of the unsettled relations between the States Island, to prevent the landing of troops and the Congress. When General Lee arrived in Charleston, in June, 1776, the months before the date of his letter, that general direction of military affairs was is about May 1, after he had been more committed to him, but the Executive re- than six months in undisputed command linquished none of his rights as com- of this post, General Gadsden desired to mauder-in Chief. Thus President Rut- know by what right be commanded, and ledge wrote to General Moultrie, "General claimed that he himself was the natural Lee wishes you to evacuate the fort. You commander in South Carolina. General will not, without an order from me, and Howe explained to him his right, and I would sooner cut off my right hand showed the error into which General than write one." Gadsden had fallen respecting conflicting Not long after the action of fort Moul- claims of right. On the request of the trie, General Lee left Charleston for his latter that the matter be referred to Con- mad expedition against Florida. He gress. General Howe replied that as he had Howe and Moultrie in his army, had no doubt respecting his own right he Colonel Gadsden was probably left in would express none, but if the other defence of the city. Lee had not pro- desired it he would communicate tb*«- ceeded further than Savannah when an doubts to Congress as his, and this was- express called him to join Washington assented to. At a subsequent interview at the North; he obeyed the order, went a few davs afterward General Howe was North, and immediately entered upon led to believe that General Gadsden was that course of capricious opposition now satisfied as to his right, and the letter to the Commander-in-Chief which was not written. One day in August they resulted in his rediculous capture met at the house of President Lowndes, by a scouting party of the Brit- and General Gadsden inquired whether ish army. On his return through the letter had been written as had been Charleston he left General Moore in com- agreed, and on General Howe replying in mand, with a body of North Carolina the negative and giyina: his reasons for troops. Moore was succeeded by Nash, not havingdone it, he said that the matter and on his departure General Howe, the should be brought before the House of senior officer, assumed the command. Assembly. A motion was accordingly He was from North Carolina, and by his made shortly after by Wm. Henry Dray- own account well connected in both the ton, to inquire into the nature of Gen. Carolinas. On the 29th October, 1776, he Howe's com mand in tbisState. The motion published in orders the promotion of was, in my opinion, very properly re- Colonels Gadsden and Moultrie to the fected, and Gen. Gadsden immediately rank of Brigadier-General, and assigned resigned his commission into Gen. Howe's to them their respective commands, that hands. This is a brief of Gen. Howe's of General Gadsden being on Sullivan's letter, and I do not believe there was any Island. On the 23d August, 1777, General statement in it, which Gen. Gadsden con- Gadsden resigned his commission into tradicted. The rest of the story shall be the hands of General Howe. Unfortu- told in his own words: uately, while General Gadsden has pre- "On the 11th of August, I received by the served for us General Howe's report of General's Aide-de-Camp, a long expostu- the affair, he did not take the same pains latorv letter, dated two davs before, with to preserve his reply to General Howe. demand for satisfaction at the close, He had a profound reverence lor the unless I made him reparation for the ex- Congress, and it was this reverence which pressions I had made use of, relative to induced him to send his resignation to him in my letter of the 4th of July. I General Howe, and not as many other wrote for* answer next morning, that, I aggrieved officers had done- directly to was ready to give him an v satisfaction he Congress. Hesupposed thatsomeinquiry thought proper, when and where he would be made by the Congress as to the pleased. That I thought him the aggres- cause of his resignation, and he was hurt sor in having wrote such an unnecessary at its being received without any com- detail of that matter in it, omitting my merit. As he was in a manner the origi- principal objection, and especially for not nator of the Congress, he felt that his letting me, whom it so nearly concerned, resignation ought not to have been have a copy of it, and that he had nobody accepted without his being allowed an to blame but himself— that I never saw opportunity of vindicating himself. He his detail, which had such immediate wrote often and confidentially to his effect, for ten months after the date of it. friend Win. Henry Drayton, and through Three letters from him and two from me him received in June, 1778, a copy of passed before the matter came to a point. Howe's letter to Congress. To this letter In his. he gave me assurance that be did the General replied in a letter dated July not mean in anything he said to reflect 4, to Wm. Henry Drayton, a copy of upon or injure me, and as to the breach which was sent to General Howe. This of promise I accused him of, he declared letter, in his subsequent correspondence, he really understood me as he had set he refers to continually as a Public letter, forth, so that if there was a fault, his un- and perhaps it was because he so con- derstanding and not his integrity was to sidered it, that he took no pains to pre- blame; and had he imagined I w'ished to serve it. Unfortunately, Mr. Drayton did see his letter, he should most cheerfully not so consider it, and made no effort to have sent it to me; that he had not the publish it among the members of Con- least wish to conceal it from me. My gress. This letter was the cause of the friends, Col. Elliott and Col. Horry, who duel between the two Generals. were the only persons that had the least General Howe says that about four hint of this affair from me, seemed to think this a great concession, and re- Gadsden, 'Fire, sir.' General Gadsden' quired some notice or apology on my side, said, 'Do you fire first.' General Howe and our friend Col. Piuckney, who was replies, 'We will both fire together.' the General's second, appeared to be of General Gadsden made no answer, but the same opinion. But I, looking upon both presented. There was a pause for a it only as private and personal to me; few seconds, and General Howe lowered and whereas the expressions of me, he his pistol and said, with a smile, 'Why particularly referred to, (ot my letter to won't you fire, General Gadsden?' Gen- you) related to the manner of a public eral Gadsden replied, 'You brought me act, his getting as it seemed to me, in out, General Howe, to this ball-play, and command here, and as I did not see how ought to begin the entertainment.' Gen- it was possible with any kind of propriety eral Howe fired and missed. General or adherance to truth, to abstract the Gadsden, after a short interval, fired his private letter from the public, I deter- pistol over his left arm, about at right mined to make no concession, but to angles from General Howe, and then )eet him in any manner he pleased, called out to General Howe to fire again. Accordingly we met on the 30th, and General Howe smiled, and at the same were placed at the distance of eight very time dropping his hand, with the pistol small paces. As the Generai demanded in it, said, 'No, General Gadsden, I can- satisfaction of me, and I had already not, after this.' General Gadsden's sec- taken mine by exposing his letter with ond said he was glad to see so much my observations thereon, I was deter- honor in the General; that he did not mined to receive his fire, which I accord- think General Gadsden could have made ingly did — after some time, fired my a handsomer apology, or General Howe pistol broad off, and called him to fire have shown a higher sense of honor than again, which he declined. The matter in acting as he had done. Then Gen- thus being over, I thought the apology, eral Gadsden went up to him and said: or rather the notice my friends seemed to 'Now, General Howe, I will mention to think due on his concessions, would you what I could not do before, as my come in with propriety, I thereofore told letter was a public one, and the words him that though I might perhaps men- contained in it seemed to me proper; and tion the matter again, yet he might be as your's was a private one,the parts in it assured that I shall never in future, make which, in the opinion of my friends, left use of any harsh exposures concerning an opening for an apology, I could not him." take notice ol; but I told my friend This narration, compiled from original in the carriage, before I came on the sources, shows that Dr. Johnson was in ground that I intended to receive your error in stating in his Traditions of the fire; and though I may, perhaps, "talk Revolution that the duel arose out of this matter over again, I assure you I strictures by Gen. Gadsden of Howe's shall never in future make use of any conduct of the Florida expedition. I harsh expressions concerning you.' Gen- will supplement this account of the mat- eral Howe said that it was very agreeable ter with an extract from the South Caro- to him that the matter terminated in this linian and American General Gazette, way, and he was happy that he had dated Charleston, September 3, 1778. missed him. General Gadsden's second This report needs no comment from us, said he hoped now the differences that and I would commend it to the attentive had occasioned this duel might now sub- perusal of those gentlemen who, in side and be left on that spot. The Gene- modern times, have lost sight of the high rals, then, in token of this reconciliation, principle involved in the duel, and con- shook hands and parted." verted it into a means of blood thirsty The letters which have been my guide revenge: in the history of this duel show General "After the generals met and courteous- Gadsden during the same year as a magis- ly saluted each other, General Howe de- trate; and we still find the same indom- sired his second to acquaint his friends, itable courage in the discharge of duty, in case he should fall, that it was his earn- the same high regard for principle, and est request they should not prosecute the same respect for law and authority General Gadsden beyond the formality of which marked every incident of his a trial, and General Gadsden desired life. both the seconds to acquaint his friends. It must be remembered that in March, in case he should fall, that he entirely 1776, the Provincial Congress established forgave General Howe, and earnestly a provisional constitution for the goveru- begged them not to prosecute him; and he of the province during the continuation particularly enjoined Colonel Pinckuey of the unhappy disputes with the parent to charge his son not to intermeddle in country. Under this constitution John the affair at all. General Howe's second Rutledge was elected President, and then stepped off the distance fixed upon Henry Laurens Vice-President of South by him and Colonel Elliott— eight short Carolina. In March, 1778 the Legis- paces— and the Generals being placed, ture enacted a new constitution, and sub- Colonel Ellliott said: Gentlemen, we mitted it to the Presidentfor his approval, have marked out your distance, and Mr. Rutlege refused to approve of it, and leave you to act as you please, returned it to the Legislature with his not doubting but that, as this is reasons. It is out of our province to ex- an affair of honor, you will act consist- amine these reasons. Some cavillers ently with the strictest rules of hon- have inferred from a part of his speech or. General Howe then said to General that he still hoped for a reconciliation with Britain. Of this calumny his subse- nothing more, as I was prepared — than queut history is a sufficient refutation, what I did — laugh in his face. In order that the Legislature might have The President did all that he could do, free liberty of action, his veto message but to no purpose. A meeting was called contained, also, his resignation. As the in the evening, Dr. Budd put in thechair, Vice-President, Mr. Laurens, was, at every press prohibited from priutiug the that time, President of the Continental proclamation, and the magistrates de- Congress, it was necessary to elect en- terred from granting certificates to the tirely new executive officers. Mr. penitent. At this crisis. I, Don Quixote {Rawlins Lowndes was elected Presi- Secund us, who had never acted the mag- dent, and General Gadsden Vice-Presi- istrate before, gave out publicly that I dent, and ex-offieio chairman of the Privy would give the oath of fidelity, and cer- Council. I said at the outset that he tificates to all applicants by the 10th, and must have been a bad party man. Here accordingly did to many. I was in the we have a little prool of it from his own midst of the people when I found them pen. In one of his letters to Mr. Drayton chiefly a mere mob, with here and the£< he asserts that this honor was con- some who ought not to have been, and I ferred upon him for the purpose of getting was sorry to see there; and had reason rid of him at future meetings of the to suspect that day much negative im- House of Assembly, and to make him pulse. I told them I advised the measure, ineligible to the next. He says: " I saw and that they should put a halter around plainly their views, but could not avoid my neck and hang me at once if they accepting without throwing the State into thought it wrong. That they had a con- confusion. But this I did not do without stitutional remedy. They might impeach letting them know I plainly perceived the President and Council if they had their motives," acted improperly, and that they had bet- Towards the end of March, 1778, the ter do that. But all to no purpose. In Legislature had passed an ordinance ex- my opinion, if they were not set on, the acting an oath of fidelity and allegience, old I leven was at heart, sorry for it." imposing severe penalties upon those General Gadsden further on intimates who should refuse or neglect to take it by that the parties engaged in the riotous ■a certain day. Like all severe acts, it opposition to the President were ashamed was imperfectly executed. The time had of their conduct. But certain it is, that •spired, and there were many delinquents, the President was successfully resisted At the suggestion of the General Congress by a mob, and the proclamation was not and the Privy Council, President published. The truth was that the peo- Lowndes issued a proclamation to extend pie were never satisfied with the resig- the time for taking the oath. This act of nation of President Rutledge, and their indulgence gave rise to scenes which be- feelings were shown in factious op- trayed the weakness of the Government, position to his successor. In Sep- and the existence in the city of a power tember the Legislature met, and superior to the law. Whether the President Lowndes sent in his proclamation was printed I know not. message an account of the riots in op- I do not find it in the gazettes of the day, position to his proclamation. The but there is extant a letter from Gover- House of Assembly seemed to be un- nor Gadsden, who in consequence of the willing to deal with the subject, and after illness and domestic affliction of Mr. the lapse of a month, referred it to the Lowndes, was discharging Executive bu- consideration of the next House, that is, siness to Mr. Timothy, making an earn- to one which, according to the constitu- est appeal to him to print fifty copies, tion, would be be elected in the following This letter savours more of a petition January. Whereupon General Gadsden asking a fayor than the order of a Magis- wrote the following letter to the Hon. trate for the performance of work. The Thomas Bee, Speaker of the Commons rest of the story is best told in General House of Assembly, October 5, 1778: Gadsden's own words: "It, (the procla- "Dear Sir: The honorable House, -mation) was scarcely got into the Sheriff's thinking proper, after having had his hands, before some myrmidons alarmed Exceileney the President's message, rel- the town. We were setting up a procla- ative to his proclamation of the 5th June, mation against law — going to ruin their and the outrageous treatment it met with liberties — and what not? The proclama- from a part of the people of Charleston, a tion, I believe, was never read. A depu- month before them, to postpone the mat- tation was sent to the President, of Dr. ter to the next House, in parliamentary Budd, and some others. The proclama- language, 'ad Grecas Calendas, consider- tion was returned to him in my presence, ing the part I acted, in earnestly advising which of itself is insult enough, but be- that step, in which lam conscious of sides that, the spokesman, Ward, told having done nothing improper, I submit the President that he thought the people it to the House, how they think I must were right, and that he would lose the feel, under such, at least negative censure, last drop of his blood to support them, especially after the deliberately gross This I thought so high an insult that I treatment the Executive received from a immediately began with Ward, sarcasti- body of men, mentioned in no part of the cally applauded his heroism and great constitution, as I can recollect, who call exertions for the public good. In return themselves the Hint club, he told me I was a madman, but first The contemptible, surprising and use- took care to sneak out of my reach, how- less situation with regard to the public, ever. Had he not, I should have done I find myself reduced to, upon this oc- casiou, lays me under the necessity ol' Believe me, sir, the exquisite feelings entreating you to request the honorable arising from a consciousness • » f having House, for the public sake as well as my acted in this steady, uniform manner in own, to deliver me from it by accepting public life, has made me more than my resignation as Vice-President. It ampleamends for every neglect.eyery dis- may not be proper forme, perhaps, to let agreeable circumstance it has occasioned my feelings carry me further; am there- through selfish, ambitious, arbitrary, and fore resigned to stop here, it sir, you designing men whose private views have think my particular reasons following been occasionally thwarted thereby. I too tree, or will give offense to the House, have served with pleasure under the which I would be sorry to lie thought President and witness to his indefatiga- capable of intending. Hut if you judge ble attention to the public interest, not not, and the House will bear with the only in his present, but in several other remonstrance of an old and faithful ser- important stations on very trying ocoa- yant, I shall then be obliged to you to lay sious; have long and well known his -m before them." honest, sensible heart and fixed attach- . je letter is very long, anil must not ments to the public good, feel extremely be quoted at leugth. It fully justifies for his delicate situation, and most earn- Mr. Quincy's discription of his style as estly wish, for my country's sake, that he plain, blunt, hot and incorrect, though had that support he so much merited very sensible. He begins by avowing from every good and honest man in the himself the adviser of the proclamation, State, and to which as a private citizen I then shows the evil of mob law audits am hopeful to contribute my mite. In a inevitable tendency to degrade and mil- public station, as times go, I can afford lify the legitimate government. Here- none. Give leave to conclude, with de- fers casually as to a thing well known to daring that had I not thus shown my the circumstances which led to his elec- public resentment in the strongest man- tion as Vice-President and the reasons ner I am able, against the proceedings which induced him to accept it, and he justly represented by the President in concludes with this touching and manly his message of the 3d of September, I defence of his whole life: "I have had, should have ever thought myself accoun- without asking or soliciting any man's table for all the riots and mobs through- vote, directly or indirectly, the honor to out the Stale that may happen in conse- serve my country for many years in va- quence of that which happened iu rious stations, always totally devoted to Oharlestown, the 5th of June, and as that particular part occasionally alloted having abetted the artful opposers and tome — never quitting it while the least disturbers of the peace, by negatively at hope remained of having that necessary least, assisting them in their indirect, un- support the station required. Zealous derhanded praeticings in the weakest and attentive in all to the honor of the part of the Constitution, the present public and their nearest concerns; un- allowed dispoporti if members in order biased either by friend or foe — intimidat- to throw all into confusion, and when an ed by none— constantly attending to my opportunity serves, get the whole new duty while a member of Assembly— mak- modelled more to their gout, and ing'no promises, but always keeping my- as sacrificing the duty I owe as officer to self disengaged upon every ques- the whole slate, to the idle tickling of a tion for every officer whatever momentary popularity with a too assum- wanted for any department of the State ing small part." or concerning any other matter of Without pretending to decide the moment, 'till it came before the House, merits of the controversy between the and then voted according to my own President and Gen. Gadsden and thrf judgment for the good of the whole, House of Assembly, I take pleasure in "always thinking it cowardly to leave the recording that the latter body was House on a division upon any question composed of gentlemen. Not only whatever, unless it merely concerned were they not aggrieved at the myself, or I really did not understand the rebuke which the Vice-President terms it was put in. Seldom, upon administered to them, but they unaui making a motion, have I previously mously sent a deputation to entreat him secured even a second, but more than to withdraw his resignation. An extract this I always looked upon as caballing, from a letter to Mr. Drayton will explain warping men's judgments, and a kind of his conduct, and conclude the history of treason against, or at best pitifully and this affair: "The House met according dirtily crimping for the State; audit' I to adjournment, very few members in - now towards the close of a long, disin- deed; the President made a very proper terested and laborious service ask any and spirited representation of the be- favor, either of individuals or the public havior of the mob in Charleston on the iu general, let it be only to be looked 5th of June, which mob was ostensibly upon as a citizen detesting licentiousness on account of his proclamation, but and totally devoted to the cause of really (as I am verily persuaded ! artfully equal constitutional liberty, religious and stirred up and set a going by a cabal. civil to all, governor and governed, and The House, after having it before them a having not a desire, (and who never had) month, through the influence of the for himself and family in these respects, Town members, put it off to the next that he does not from the bottom of his House. In the meantime the President soul wish for every honest man in the and Privy Council are to put up with the State, and indeed iu all the world. insult. I was much afraid Mr. Lowndes LCI would have resigned, which would have ed by their paroles from doing anything put the State into great confusion, and injurious to the cause of His Britannic would have given the party, who were Majesty, yet the silent example of him- hopeful that officers would not have been self and others who fell with him, men found to set the new Constitution agoing, who were revered by their fellow-citizens, the utmost pleasure. The resignation of had a powerful influence in restraining the Council would have done the same; many from exchanging their paroles as as for ray part, as Vice-President, and a prisoners for the protection and freedom new election so near at hand, I thought of British subjects. After the unsuceess- mv resignation could be of little moment Ail attempt oi General Gates to relieve to'the State, and at the same time think- the State, Lord Cornwallis regarded it as jnf it would beof some good consequence aoonquered province, and utterly violated that some part of the Executive should the terms of the capitulation. On the 27th show a feeling upon so monstrous an in- August, General Gadsden, most of t lie suit as they received; I thought myself civil officers of the State, and some other in a manner peculiarly called upon to do whose attachment to the cause of the RTn - ^ it, from my station, and accordingly olution was conspicuous, were taken, wrote the within letter to the Speaker, early in the morning, from their beds which was laid before the House, who, I and their houses, and escorted by armed thought, would have accepted my resig- parties to the Exchange, whence they nation immediately. However," I was were sent to a guard ship, and a few days mistaken, for they did me the honor afterwards to St. Augustine, unanimously to send two members to This was a gross violation of the capit- desire I would continue. This I could ulation. General Moultrie, from his not refuse, therefore still remain in statu quarters in Christ Church Parish, whither •/no, and am not without reason to think he had been assigned on parole, wrote to my letter has done some good that may Colonel Balfour to protest against the out- appear in future." rage; to which the commandant replied. In January, 1779, the Legislature met that his letter was writien in such excep- in nursuanceof the provisions of the new tionable ami unwarrantable terms that it Constitution. In the same month, John should not be answered. Nothing daunt- Rutledge was elected Governor and ed by this repulse, the General made an- Thomas Bee Lieutenant-Governor. At other effort in behalf of the unfortunate what time Gen. Gadsden was elected to prisoners, to which he received a verbal the latter office does not appear, but it was answer, that the commandant would do probably in 1780, when Thomas Bee was as he pleased with the prisoners, for the sent to Congress and the approach of the good of His Majesty's service, and not as invading English army caused the Legis- General Moultrie pleases, lature to adjourn, after having conferred On their arrival at St. Augustine, the upon Governor Rutledge those extraor- prisoners were offered the liberty of the dinary powers which have since given town on their parole. This General Gads- bim the title of Dictator. It maybe ob- den indignantly refused to give. " I gave served, in passing, that this extraordinary my parole once," he said, "and it has power,' conferred bv the Legislature, is a been shamefully violated by the British sufficient reply to those malignant cavil- Government; I shall not give another to lers who see in Rutledge's veto of the people on whom no faith can be reposed." Constitution a longing to go back to He was told that a dungeon would be the British rule, and in his parley with Gen- alternative. "Be it so," be answered, eralPrevost, in 1779, a treasonable attempt "I give no more paroles to British offi- to effect the same object. cers." The next day he was confined in Whilst the siege of Charleston was a dungeon of the castle, were he remained going on, General Lincoln pressingly forty-two weeks. A common soldier, urged Governor Rutledge to leave the honoring the invincible firmness of the town with the whole of his Council, hero, offered to supply him with light- thinking that the civil authority of the for he was allowed no other light but that State would be more advantageously exe- of day, as this was contrary to orders, cuted in the country than in the besieged the General refused to accept the offer, metropolis, and that thus the executive Among other objects to which he devoted authority might be preserved, even if his enforced leisure was the study of the the Capital should fall — that the citizens Hebrew tongue, and he came out of the in the country should not conceive them- dungeon a more learned man than when selves deserted in the hour of danger, he entered it. In pursuance of this advice, Governor British severity did not deny them Rutledge left Charleston April 12, 17S0, books, but the prisoners wore studiously with three of the Privy Council. Lieu- kept misinformed respecting affairs at tenant-Governor Gadsden, with the other borne. The prospects of America were five remained, to await the issue of the brightening, but they were led to believe siege. A month afterwards, May 12, that ruin was hanging over them. They Lincoln surrendered his army, and by were threatened with being called upon, to the terms of capitulation, Lieutenant- expiate the death of Major Andre. They Governor Gadsden, together with all patiently endured all threats and out- others who held any civil authority, were rages, and not one sued for British pro- held as prisoners of war on parole. tection. It is needless to say that General Gads- After ten months of seclusion. General den though a prisoner, was firm to the Gadsden was liberated and sent with his cause of independence. Though restrain- fellow-prisoners to Philadelphia. So II heard of Greene's successful campaigns In compliance -with the instructions after the disastrous defeat of Gates. Gen. contained in his Will, his body was de- Gadsden hastened home to assist in re- posited in the family cemetery, in the covering South Carolina from the Brit- western church yard of St. Philip's, and ish, and was immediately elected a mem- the grave levelled— no stone marks the ber of the Legislature, which met in spot of his final resting place. Jacksonboro, 1782. Governor Rutledge, In reviewing the history of a country, laid down his office before the Legisla- we remember those only who have done ture, and Gen. Gadsden was elected to deeds that fire the imagination of the his- the vacant place. He declined the honor, torian. Brilliant talents dazzle for a day, however sayiti" ■ and secure for their possessor the plaudits "I have served you in a variety of sta- °, f contemporaries, but when time stills ■us for thirty years, and I would now the echo ot applause, the memory of the c.erfully make one forlorn hope on popular favorite passes away and poster- an assault on the lines of Charleston, if >% regards h.s name with listless em- it was probable that with the certain loss os i,y- . , . , ,, „ , - of my life you would be reinstaied in We cannot claim for the hero of our your capital. What I can do for my conn- sk <*ch tie performance of any of those try, lam willing to do. My sentiments great actions winch are among the land- forthe American cause, from the Stamp »»ark ? of history, and outside o South Act downward, have never changed. I Carolina h.s name is probably in the great am still of opin on that it is the cause of catalogue ot undistinguished celebrities liberty and of human nature. If my ao- **? shone for a day, and then passed into ceptanoe of the office of Governor would oblivion But in South Carolina he has serve my country, though my admiuis- a claim to our fond regard not so much tration would be attended witli the loss of £' what he did as for what he so largely personal credit and reputation, I would helped to do. If. in the his ory of our cheerfully undertake it. The present foun ry the South and South Carolina, times require the vigor and the activity has had an undue share of influence in of the primeof life; but I feel the in- guiding the political bark i was he re- creasing infirmities of age to such a de- f, lllt . not of the brilliant talents but of gree that I am conscious I cannot serve the solid character of her representatives. you to advantage. I therefore beg that They were felt to be men who might be you would induFge me with the liberty of trusted; who had noselhsh ends to carry; declining the arduous trust." wh ° had ""' ?" e ™ le ol •*» ln bo . th B private and public life, and that was de- He was indulged in his request. But votion to truth and to right. Men who though he declined the office of Chief act thus are representative men — a poor Magistrate, he continued to serve the constituency can never send such men to State both in the Assembly and in the represent them. They choose men like Council. Notwithstanding the long con- themselves. finement which ho had suffered in the A good public sentiment is formed by castle of St. Augustine, and the immense the influence of the men who stand at the loss of property which the war had caused head of society. As they direct, the him, he was one of the few who, in the masses think and act; and here is South Jacksonboro Begislatnre, opposed the Carolina largely indebted to Christopher bills for confiscating and amercing the Gadsden. He was the soul of honor, estates of those who had opposed the rev- His youth and early manhood were spent olution. In December of that year he where corruption in high places had had the satisfaction of witnessing the de- reached its highest point in England; but parture from Charleston of the British his pure spirit shrank from contamina- fleet and army, and the consequent resto- tion. He was the soul of integrity. The ration of the whole State to the govern- natural effect of the Revolution was to ment of her own citizens. Prom this produce anarchy, and disobedience to law time forward his life was devoted to pri- and authority. The wise spirit of Chris- vate pursuits, except in two cases. In topher Gadsden saw the danger and re- 1788 he was a member of the Convention sisted it, and in his own person set the which ratified the Constitution. To this highest example of obedience. He was a object, all the aspirations of his life were living illustration of dutv. It was not he devoted. He had in 1765 founded the alone that moulded public sentiment; no American Union by his exertions in the 'one man could do it; but he was foremost Provincial Assembly, and he had the among those who were unconsciously en- pleasure, twenty-three years afterwards, gaged in that good and noble work," and to assist in ratifying it by an act which he to no one is more applicable the motto fondly hoped would make that Union proposed by Major Gorden as his epi- perpetual. In 1790 he was a member of taph: Convention which formed the new Con- In difficillimis Keipublicas temporibus stitution of the State. He was now sixty- urbe.n nunquam deserui, in prosperis six years of age, and he lived fifteen years nihil de publico delibaui ; in desperatis longer a private citizen with the good nihil timui — [Cic. LIBRpRY OF CONGPFcc Hi UBBABVOFCONGBESS 014 417 305°. Hollinger pH 8.5 MiU Run F03-2193