See Se SE A FR SADE AE IG II BEIT A RELL A ESSAI D OLD ALAA LENA APIA WALD Sarah sernacaeie aera "(@LI S$43jia7 enbouo sidinoy The date shows when this volume was taken. To renew this book copy the call No. and give to the librarian, HOME USE RULES. cece oe All Books subject to Recall. : =T ae MP All books must be : : returned at end of col- lege year for 1nspec- eau - ag tion and repairs. : F Students. must re- j-2- 070 UE turn all books before 5 : leaving town. Officers ; should arrange for . the return of books wanted during their absence from town. Books needed by ‘more than ofie person are held on the reserve list. Volumes of periodi- cals and of pamphlets are held in the library as much as_ possible. For special purposes they are given out for a limited time. Gorn ell , Borrowers should not use their library : privileges forthe bene- 4 fit of other persons. Books of special \ value and gift books, “pon ON, vee § when the giver wishes it, are not allowed to ee ; circulate. 3 Readers are asked to report all cases of books marked or muti- lated. } A28S204. sae Do not deface books by marks and writing. re 3777 “Where to hide myself—from myself,” a ie MOULTRIE. oo oo _ MONTAGUE LETTERS - ‘4781 . Some Related Matters _ he Keo eowee 3 Custer Presse: © fed Mg thalla, S.C. me 994 iii “ Where to hide myself—from myself.” _ sae Care MOULTRIE MONTAGUE LETTERS 178} Some Related Matters This historic correspondence is reprinted in this per- manent form, for the use of the members of the Massa- chusetts Historical Society, by the Hon, William Ashmead Courtenay, LL. D., of South Carolina, a corresponding member of the Society, The edition consists of two hundred copies. WILLIAM MOULTRIE. 1730-1805 A native and resident of Charleston, S. C. Colonel Commanding Fort Sullivan June 28, 1776. Defeating decisively Sir Peter Parker’s British Fleet. Major General U.S. A. in the War of Independence. Governor of South Carolina, 1785-87 — 1794-96. The Moultrie-Montague Correspondence. Charlestown, February 9th, 1781. Dear Sir: It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of seeing you, but the length of the time has not effaced the civilities and marks of friendship I received from you. I wish much to see you; you know I have again re- turned to this country for a short time. If it is agreeable to you, I will either call upon you or be glad to see you here, at No. 57, Old Church street. I send this by my old servant, Fisher. Your sincere friend, Charles Montague. Gen. Moultrie. sk March JJth, 178). Se A sincere wish to promote what may be to your advantage induces me now to write, and the freedom with which we have often conversed makes me hope you will not take amiss what I say. My own princi- ples, respecting the commencement of this unfortunate war, are well known to you, and, of course, you can conceive what I mention is out of friendship. You have now fought bravely in the cause of your country for many years, and, in my opinion, fulfilled the duty every individual owes to it. You have had your share of hardships and difficulties, and if the contest is still to be continued, younger hands should now take the toil from you. You have now a fair opening of quitting that service, with honor and reputation to yourself, by going to Jamaica with me. The world will readily attribute it to the known friendship that has subsisted between us, and by quitting this country for a short time you would avoid any disagreeable conversations, and might return at leisure, to take possession of your estates for yourself and family. The regiment Iam going to command, the only proof I can give you of my sincerity is, that I will quit that command to you with pleasure, and serve under you. I earnestly wish I could be the instrument to effect what I propose, as I think it would be a great means towards promoting that reconciliation we all wish for, A thousand circumstances concur to make this a proper period for you to embrace; our old acquaintance; my having been formerly Governor of this Province; the interest I have with present com- manders. I give you my honor, what I write is entirely unknown to the Commandant, or to any one else; so shall your answer be, if you favor me with one. Think well of me. Yours sincerely, Charles Montague. Gen. Moultrie. To Lord Charles Montague: Haddre’s Point, March 12th, 1781. My Lord: I received yours, this morning, by Fisher. I thank you for your wish to promote my advantage, but am much surprised at your proposition. I flattered myself I stood ina more favorable light with you, I shall write with the same freedom with which we used to converse, and doubt not, you will receive it with the same candor. I have often heard you express your sentiments respecting this unfortunate war, when you thought the Americans injured, but am now astonished to find you taking an active part against them, Though not fighting particularly on the continent, yet seducing their soldiers away, to enlist in the British service, is nearly similar, My Lord, you are pleased to compliment me with having fought bravely in my country’s cause for many years, and, in your opinion, fulfilled the duty every individual owes it; but I differ very widely with you in thinking that I have discharged my duty to my country, while it is still deluged with blood and over- run with British troops, who exercise the most savage cruelties, When I entered into this contest, I did it with the most mature deliberation, and with a deter- mined resolution to risk my life and fortune in the cause. The hardships I have gone through I look back upon with the greatest pleasure and honor to myself. I shall continue to go on as I have begun, that my example may encourage tle youth of America to stand forth in defence of their rights and liberties. You call upon me now, and tell me I have a fair opening of quitting that service with honor and reputation to myself by going with you to Jamaica. Good God! Is it possible that such an idea could arise in the breast of aman of honor? Iam sorry you should imagine I have so little regard for my own reputation as to listen to such dishonorable proposals. Would you wish to have that man whom you have honored with your friendship play the traitor? Surely not. You say, by quitting this country for a short time I might avoid disagreeable conversations, and might return at my own leisure and take possession of my estates for myself and family, but you have forgot to tell me how Iam to get rid of the feelings of an injured honest heart, and where to hide myself from myself. Could I be guilty of so much baseness I should hate myself and shun mankind, This would be a fatal exchange from my present position, with an easy and approved conscience of having done my duty, and conducted myself as a man of honor, My Lord, Iam sorry to observe, that I feel your friendship much abated, or you would not endeavor to prevail upon me to act so base a part. You earnestly wish you could bring it about, as you think it will be the means of bringing about that reconciliation we all wish for. I wish for a reconciliation as much as any man, but only upon honorable terms. The repossess- ing my estates, the offer of the command of your regi- ment, and the honor you propose of serving under me, are paltry considerations to the loss of my reputation. No, not the fee simple of that valuable island of Jamaica should induce me to part with my integrity. My Lord, as you have made one proposal, give me leave to make another, which will be more honorable to us both: As you have an interest with your com- manders, I would have you propose the withdrawing of the British troops from the Continent of America, allow the independence, and propose a peace. This being done, I will use my interest with my command- ers, to accept of the terms, and allow Great Britain a free trade with America. My Lord, I could make one proposal, but my situa- tion asa prisoner circumscribes me within certain bounds. I must, therefore, conclude with allowing you the free liberty to make what use of this you may think proper, Think better of me. Iam, my Lord, Your lordship’s most obedient, Humble servant, Wm. Moultrie. In republishing this noted correspondence, the record of this distinguished soldier and model citizen, may well be recalled in the present generation. It is con- tained in his epitaph on the mural tablet in St. Philips church, Charleston, S. C., erected by “the State Society of the Cincinnati of South Carolina.” At his lamented death, in 1805, there were many survivors of the War for Independence, men who had shared with him, the perils of the contest, and who had, later, listened to his wise advice in the Councils of the Union he had helped to found, As this heartfelt tribute is nowhere printed, in accessible form, it may well be included in this permanent record, and is accordingly submitted to the Society, for which, the letters are being published. The tablet was originally erected, soon after his death, in the old Colonial Church of St. Philips, (41751-23.) The celebrated Edmund Burke, speaking of it, says: “It is spacious, executed in a very hand- some taste, exceeding anything of that kind, which we have in America.” It was destroyed by fire in 1835, and rebuilt on the original site soon after, when the “Cincinnati” renewed the Tablet and Epitaph, and it is still pre- served at this writing. 28th June, 1904, SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF IMA JOR GENERAL WILLIAM MOULTRIE Who by his mtrepidity and good conduct on the 28th June, 1776, gained with his Regiment the first complete victory achieved by America over the forces of Britain, preserving Charleston from capture, giving confidence to the Union, and showing that the boasted Navy of England was no longer invincible. Who in 1778 saved Beaufort from capture, by gal- Jantly displaying his faithful band of Militia in the open field, discomforting an equal number of British Regu- lars, and proving the superiority of patriotic valor well directed, over the sheltered discipline of despots. Who in 1779, by his activity and firmness, again rescued his native city, assailed by a formidable British army, thus thrice meriting the mural crown, and Who, though captured and distressed, rejected with disdain the splendid bribe of Rank and Emolument in the enemy’s army, demonstrated that a reverse of for- tune, could only add fresh lustre to his laurels, Though daring in action and inflexible in patriotic principles, he was in society, mild, benevolent and unassuming ; no domestic character was more beloved, no friend more cherished, The “Cincinnati of South Carolina,” have dedicated this second monument of their affection and gratitude to their beloved first President. He died on 27th September, 1805, in the 76th year of his age. (0 Francis Marion, 1732-95. His commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the Second South Carolina Regiment bears date September 16th, 1776, His military service was continuous to the end of the war. Escaping froni Charleston before its sur- render in May, 780, he was prominent for three years, keeping alive the spirit of liberty and resistance to the British forces, then dominating the State. His parti- san corps carried his fame to all parts of the Union, He died without issue, After three generations an incident occurred, which proved how universally his memory was cherished. About 1890 a storm threw down a tree, which destroyed his original tomb, The Legislature, by a unanimous vote, arranged for a new tomb, from the Treasury of the State. Over his grave now stands a granite sarcophagus of stately propor- tions and elegant finish, with bronze panels, bearing inscriptions, The first is the original epitaph, the second expresses the opinion of his people after the lapse of a century. As this record is not accessible elsewhere, it is included here, as relating to South Carolina’s sacrifices and achievements in the Revolu- tion. ij East panel— Sacred to the Memory of GENERAL FRANCIS MARION Who departed this life on the 27th February 1795 in the sixtythird year of his age. History will recall his worth, and rising generations Embalm his memory as one of the most distinguished Patriots and Heroes of the American Revolution, Which elevated his native Country to Honor and Independence And secured to her the blessings of Liberty and Peace. This Tribute of veneration and gratitude is erected in Commemoration of the noble and disinterested virtues Of the citizen and the gallant exploits of the soldier Who lived without fear and died without reproach, West panel— Topreserve toposterity this burial place of anhonored son The General Assembly of South Carolina Replaces the crumbling and broken Tomb, nearly a century old, with this enduring memorial cut from her own granite hills, “Esto perpetua.” 1893 WHAT THE HISTORIAN GEORGE BAN- CROFT SAID AT KING’S MOUNTAIN, SOUTH CAROLINA, OCTOBER, 1855: “No State may celebrate the great events of the American Revolution with juster pride than South Carolina. At the very beginning of the struggle in 2 1765, she was the first to adhere to a general union; and to her it is due that the Colonies then met in Con- gress, When, in 1774, a tyrannical government endea- vored by slow torture of starvation to crush Boston into submission, South Carolina opened her granaries of rice and ministered abundantly to its relief. While the sons of the Scottish Covenanters in Mecklenburg were the first to sever the connection with Great Bri- tain, and institute government for themselves, the immediate of the great reform rose within the borders of this State; the victory gained at the Palmetto Fort by Moultrie was the bright and the morning star, which went before the declaration of American independ- ence, Wherever the camp-fires of the emigrant shall light up the forest of the West, wherever the history of our country is honestly told, wherever the struggies of brave men in the caus: of humanity are respected, high honor will be rendered to the triumph at King’s Moun- tain and at Cowpens, and to that sad victory at Eutaw Springs, where the voicc of exultation is chastened by sorrow for the brave who fell, * * * “There is still a stronger reason why the North should give you its sympathy on this occasion, She sent you no aid in the hour of your greatest need, It is a blessed thing to give even a cup of cold water in a right spirit; it was not then possible to give even that. All honor must be awarded to the South, since she was left to herself alone in the hour of her utmost dis- tress.”