\805 mm* Glass. r 1 / BookJlii i 1 9^ C ;> €■ DISCOURSE ON THE DEATH OF General William Moultrie. A DISCOURSE COMMEMORATIVE OF THE LATE Major-Gen. William Moultrie; DELIVERED IN THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH, ON THE FIFTEENTH OF OCTOBER, 1805, AT THE REQUEST OF THE Society of the Cincinnati of South-Carolina> BEFORE THAT SOCIETY AND THE americajy revolution society^ BY WILLIAM HOLLINSHEAD, D. D. One of the Pastors of the Independent or Congregationjil Church, in Charleston. Published by Request of the two Societiea. CHARLESTON, FRINTED BY PETER FSENEAU; EAST-BIT. 1805. ^~- !?07 . h >5^^.^ Moulcrievillcs October 16, 1805. REVEREND SIR, THE Revolution and Cincinnati Societies have assigned to me the highly ^deasing office of exfiress- i7ig to you their acknowledgements^ for your comfili- ance with their wishes, by fiublicly cominemorating the virtues and services cf the late Major-General MovL' fRiE ; and of communicating their entire afi^ircbaticn of the able, judicious and impressive discourse deliv- ered by you on that occasion. I have, therefore, RevC' rend Sir, to request, in their behalf, that you will aC' cejit their united thanks for thls^. service ; and further to assure you, that the obligation will be much en- hanced^ if you will consent to furnish them with a copy fjr fiublication. As this measure will tend more amjdy to disuse correct ideas of the connection betiueen reli- gion and f nib lie utility, and to exhibit in its proper view the character of our much lamented fallow-citizen, I trust that the same motives, on which your compliance with the frst desire of the Cincinnati was founded, will induce you to accede to this joint request of the two Societies. I remain, with respectful consideration, Reverend Sir, Your most obedient servant, THOMAS PIJVCKJ^E Y, Vice-President of the Society of Cincinnati of S. C. The Rev. Dr. IIollinshead, Charleston^ October 19, 1805. DEAR SIR, THE apfirobation of the Revolution and Cincinnati Societies, on the occasion of commemorating the late Major^General MouLtRiE, is highly gratify ~ ing ; and permit me to say, that the polite manner in %vhich you ha^'e communicated their sense of that ser- vice, has rendered it more pleasingly acceptable. The opinion and request of i fie tivo Societies are sufficient induceme?its to me to submit a copy of the discourse to their disposal, in any manner in n^hich they may tlrnik it can possibly contribute to the public good. I have the honor to be, Sir^ With the most respectful consideration^ Your most obedient humble servant^ W, HQLLINSHEJD. Major TuoMjLs FiKCKNEr, A DISCOURSE COMMEMORATIVE ©F THE LATE MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM MOULTRIE. ACTS, X.III. 36. « For David, after he had served his own genera* ove every name that is in heaven or upon e-arth.'* The vvords of our text, however, ascribe to I'im an intrinsic personal excellehc y, as the servant of mankind, by the appointment of heaven, and place him in a light that com- mands admiration a)id respect. Our present duty leads us Id observe, on thl.'^ passage, m the first place, tfiat public usefu'nes,' IS the highest excellency < f hmnaii greatness, Man does ik t possess his noble powers^ bis great capacities and strong energies onl/ B ■* Ephc^ians, i. 21, an'd Phih ;i. q?. 10 jfor fliiilself. A limited being, of a social na-f ttire, ivitli urgent desires and innumerable necessities, ever dependent oil the assistance of others for tha conveniences and enjoyments cf hfe, cannot but perceive his obhgatious to the exercise of tlie social virtues. Christianity inculcates these obligations, and ranks the ob- servance of them among the first and most ennobhng duties of our nature. He that isf most attentive to these considerations j who pursues a generous course of activity, condu- cive to the benefit of sjciety, and the pro- niotion of human happiness; best accom- plishes the end of his existence, and becomes truly the most honorable of his species. Men are apt to be dazzled by the splendors bf a throne, with the honors of a court, and with the authority of power; yet, with all .tliesfe, never did the monarch of Jiidea appear so much to advantage, in his poHtical charac- ter, as when it was said, he served his gene- riition. He had fought the battles of his country, extended her coasts and her bor- ders, established his dominion, and compelled the surrounding nations to peace; bnt it was the principal glory of his diadem, that Urn victories and his reign multiplied the blessings and encreased the happiness of his nation. History takes pleasure in immortalising he- roes whose actions, in the opinion of the mu'-' titude, are sublime, because they are terrible; brilliant, becauiie they astonish; and honora- 11 ble because they raise the worms who per- formed them to a supremacy unfit for mortals^, and arm them fjr oppression. How much more noble, heroic and worthy of immortah- ty are they, who endure the toils of v\ ar only to break the yoke of inordinate power, and equal'y to distribute the blessings of peace, hWrty and prosperity amongst a happy peo- ple? Shall tliey not be had in everlastuig ye- me'pibraiice ? Fathers shall tell to their soni?. their virtues and their glory J rising patriots, shall catch their falling mantle, and, emulous of their spirit, convey the blessings they have bequeathed, in long succession, to geneiatian;? yet to come. Can any thing enhance this glory ? It is this which IS a second observation arising from my text, that men enter upon and pro^ ceed ill this honorable career, only by the wiil of heaven, by the pecuhar care and ap- pointment of the Deity, for the fuHihnent of his own wise and benevolent purpo^ses. 1 o be a chosen instrument in the hand of Omnipotence ; to carry on the plans of hjs eternal counsel, for promoting tli£ toppines;^ cf niankind, is man's highest earthly distinc- tion. Will you permit me to select a few scripture instao^ces, to exhibit the usual man- lier of the divine proceedings in tli's respect ? Moses, the man of God, appeared, ironj liis infancy, to have b^en fore-ordaiiied, and by a peculiar provid nee, that followed liim thiough Lis juvenile educat'on, prepared {01' that dig- nified and formidable, though difficult station, to which he \\ as afterwards set apart, b}^ a dir vine commission, at Mount Horeb. In the execution of this commission, we fnid tlie same providence directing his path, and con- chicting h m to glory and success, till he had fulfilled ihe intention of his appointment. Of Cyrus it was said, more than a century before he was born 1 hus saith the 1 ord to his annointed; to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden to subdue nations before him. I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straght; I will break in pieces the gates qf brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron. For Jacob, my seivant's s; ke and Israe!, mine elect, I have even called thee by name; I have surnam^d thee, thougli thcju hast not known me. More need not be added thai! tlie circumstance of David in the text ; after he had served his own generation by the will of God, he fell on sleep, i hese are only specimens of the superintending piov dence of the Almghty in tie affa rs of men, whose -f'' kingdom luetli over a^l ;" t" who number- eth ev n the hairs of our head, and suflereth not a sparrow to fall unnoticed to the ground." Man, see ng but partial y into tlie plans of infinite wisdcm, perceiving not the connec- tion between his. own conduct and^the deter- |ermin ate counsel and fore-knowiedge of God^ t Psalm, ciii. ig. J Matt. x. 29, 30, o 13 Slid iinconsci(3iisof tbehriKllIiat moves tho^e -(lelicate liiiges, oa which ihp events of liie are turned, loses half his glory by ascribing tq .secondary' causes, what he was chosen to by the will of heaven. But these observations carry back our thoughts into eternity, long beibre the world was, or ever the mountains vveie brought forth. Before the almighty mandate sepai ated light from darkness^ and ordaiied the sun and moon to divide the years of liuman life ; e\ en then the mighty purpose \vas coucti\ed that determined the times appointed, and set ihe bounds of their habitations to the wdiole hu- man race.§ And surely it is no unfair con- clusion, nor is it presumptuous to say, that even then that volume was written that en- rolls each patriot's and hero's name, and des- tines them to their career of usefulness and honor. What are their enterprises and achie\ements for the benefit of mankind, oc even their bold exj)loits and triumphant vic- tories, but the gradual unfolding of that per- fect mysterious plan vvhicli they are raised up to accomplish, and which a ceitain though secret providence guides and enab'es them to fulfil ? What generous bosom would not ex- pand with pleasure to be thus iippointed? Who that knows how to appreciate the ho- nors apportioned to men on eat th, would not v;steem it a singular felicity to laiovv that he i$ i Acts, xvii. 26. 14 fionored of God, to be a chosen agent for the fuifihnent of his most beneyoleiit inten-? lions; and to be assured, that in aU his exer- tions for the piibiic good, he is acting under a divine commission, and executing the de- cree ({ the Almighty ? My brethren....! have been endeavoring to demonstrate the honor of the chosen servaiit of God, who fulfils tlie will of heaven in arts pf pubic usefiihiess; whose life is a blessing to mankind; who§e generous toils evince a spirit animated by a celestial inspiration, and guided by the imerring eye of lieayen to a successful accomplishment of its own pur- poses. As the mtention of our present meet- ing is to commemorate tlie virtues and emi- nent services pf that esteeiiied and veteraiii public servant General Moultrie; will not the high opinion expressed of him by many pf his fellow-citizens, the honoriible rank m vvhicji history is lianding down his name to posterity, and your own public testimony on this occasion, warrant the application of a ji that has been said, to him ?.... Fully to esti- i^ate the worth of his character in every de- partnient, would lead us into scenes wiiich probably have long passed av\ay from general recollection, and \vhich arc not now so uiime- 4iately interesting to the pub ic mind. From a paper with which J^ have been fa- vored, which was drawn up by a friend vvlip loved him, I learn^ that in the ordinary wallc^ 15 of life he was a cheerful, manly, siiicere and unaffected frieDc1....UnassiimiDg and unosten- tatious, he was sn easy, affable and agreeabJe Gompanion....Generou3'y hospitable, his roof gave shelter to the we^iry traveller; the poor and the necessitous partook freely of his liene^ fi. ence, and the worthy stranger found in his habitation the sanctuary of merit De\oted to his country, he served her in peace and in War with fidelity; braved every danger to redress her wrongs ; and v/illingly sacrificed fevery private consideration for the public good.... He bore the adversities of war with a inagiianimity only to be equalled by that with which he engaged in its enterprises and pur- sued its successes.... And when that conflict was ended, in which he Was most distinguished, and peace was restored to his beloved coun- try, he with pleasure exchanged the tented- iield,for the more peaceful scenes of civil and domestic tranquility j where he continued to enjoy the confideiice ot his fellow-citizens, and frequieiitly was honore 1 to be elected by themj lo the first offices in the communityj, till age and infirmity deprived them of his further services. But it was in the m.ost prominent parts of General Ivloultrie's character that he most excelled. It did great honor to his feelings as a man, to his patriotism as a citizen, and to his bravery as a hero, that, at a period of life when iimwy wculd liave pit^lered tlie pursuits 16 of pleasure or of personal emolument, li^Vo-^ luntarity e.icoiiiitertd the hardships of th^ wilderness, in several expeditions ae^ainst ^ savage foe. Though m these fexpeditiuns he had not the honor of a principal command, he shared in the glory of chastising the ene- my, and achieving an advantageous and ho- norable peace with the then powerlbl Chero- kee nation, v^hich forntied an important era in the history of this couiitry. ||At this dis- tance of time, the beneficial elleets of such services are n.t distinctly seen, and make a proportidnably less impession on the mind^ but (crta nly the achic vemenis of those occa- sions ought to be considered as an interesting part in a train of provideuces whieh have con- ducted the present generation to cspulence and [II osperityo 1 he security obtained to the frontiers, and the confidence inspired in the breasis of the interior settler-, were highly advaritagebus to the white population of a territory, lately the habitation of the untutor- ed Indian ad ferocious beasts of prey. By these mea s, the pursuits of agriculture were again conchictcd wiih safety; the linctiltivated Wiid WTtS soors covered with fruitful fields; and the toils of industry crowaied with generous har^ e'sts. New sou! ces of wealtj^were opened to the activity of commerce, and e\ eiy elas.^ of citizens enjoyed tiie benefit in the subse- qu( lit prosperity. I " The peace with the Chcrokecs was concliided iu the summer of 1761, 17 At the commencement of our revolutionaiy war, \\e tmd the name of Moultrie among the foremost to assert the liberty of America, against the encroachments of Great Britain, and to arm in defence of the dearest rights and privileges of a free people. The manlj firmness with which he girded on the bword, the intrepid zeal which he displayed as an ad- vocate of freedom, and the cheerfulness with whicli he exposed his all, in a cause which, to many, considering all things, appeared hazard- ous, if not desperate, added great weight to the patriotic counsels of his virtuous iellow- citizens, and rein spired the confidence of those who began to despond and to entertain thoughts of relinquishing an undertaking, from which they expected nothing but disappoint- ment or destruction. The action of that memorable day, the 28tli of June, 1 7 76:) which covered him with glory, was more extensive in its effects, llie cir- cumstances are in the recollection of many, and are faithfully recorded in the historic page. Though every heart beat high with tlie love of liberty, and the shores v/ere crouded by citi- zens, with arms in their hands, prepared to dispute the landing of the enemy on the main, if they had proved victorious at bullivan's Island ; yet, what anxiety filled every bosom on that important occasion ? What doubrs were entertained of the possibility of defend- 18 iY\g a i^jll:lll unliiiisliL'd H)rircAS, Imsiily con^ ^imcted, vvitli a liaiidfui of men, only foniii- (labie by their boldness and resolutioii, against siich a siioeriority of British seamen and land forces, as appx^oached to the attack ?.... An in- h I'nciency of amvnanition, and the opinion of his o.iDerior in coiTimand, that the place was Vjitenable/vvere considerations extremely dis- courasinjJ,' ; but the cool fortitude of tlic liian raised^ op hy heaven for the purpose, sur- moiiiited every difficulty, and the calm, deli- berate manner of his conducting the dcience, Mjgether with sjme incidents whoily<5; provi- t'ential, <; r-;Ie i the victory in his ilivor, and uio\o o,i :^.' enemy with great loss, and with the iiiortii^iiig conviction oi ihe valor ut th<^ Anieric.uis. Seldom is the hand of OmnipoieDce more evidenlbv visible in the ai]airs of men, tlian at that critical period j and sddom has a single incident produced an equal change in the tone of the pub]ic mlud. They who a lew hours befoie looke;! on with fear and conster- nation at the une(.|Uid combat ; they who had nearly given cill up for lost, and were prepar- ing their minn^s Ihi: an humiliating submission to^'an invading ciicmy ; now put on a Conn- er Three, of the enemy's ships, in attempting to gain a position for attacking the western extremity of the fort, got aitanglea wuli a shoal, where one of them stuck fast, and was set on hre by her ow« people ; which saved the fort from a gpUing hve, on a part that was entirely defenceless See Rumsa/s ilutury rj thi Rav/uiicfi ej; 19 Penance of joy, and tlie scenes of terror wef&- exdiaiigedVor those of coiigrata];Vi:ioa. '1 he tidings of tliis happy event flew hke lightning to tljc extremities of the milted colonies, and carried with tiiem a spirit of gratitude ainl emulation. New ^igor seemed to bo inspired into k\ll classes of the citizens, and a strong ;ih~ sui-ance of tiie success of the American iUTni-- niu\ersally ])revailed. Public thanksgiving^^ were e\'ery where offered up in oia* religioii,'» as'semlilies, and it was piously inierred, from so signal an interpositiali of Divine Provi- dence, that the cause of America was tlie cause of heaven. 1 he advantage of this stroke to the revolutionary interest is incon- cxjivable. It ecemcd to array the whole c< iViti- nent in robes of confidence. . It raised the desponding ; it coniirmed the vva'v efing ; it gave new nerves to the authority of our coun- cils, and cemented the people universally in, the most hannonious union. The martial conduct of General Moultrie, In his attack and dcieat of a chosen body of iiritish infantry ai^d artillery, in 0})e,n lield- iight, with a: \olunteer detachment of citizens of Charleston, and of the ClKu-leston y\ncient, Eattalion of Artillery, on Ee;ruibrt L-kdid, did him great honor. I.lis retreat li'oni r'u]-}h- burgh, to cover this ('ity, aiid to prevent the entrance of a Britisli force tuKler the coinm.ami of General Provost, who was achancing l.)y i;apid marches to\vards it, and his iirm aiid^ 20 manly ccndnct in Charleston, defeatiiig the inteiitions' of the i^riti:h general, compell- ing hirn to retire with precipitation from be- fore the tpViai, and saving it ibr tliat time from falling into the hands of the enemy, oiigiit also lo be set dox\ n amongst his highly interesting services to his country. i^ut the glory of these honorable services was surpassed by his integrity, his disinter- estedness and the sn.periority of his soul, above very powerfbi artifices of the enemy, to seduce him fioiii the standard of hiberly. After the fall of Charleston, it w^as known to the royrd party, that, with others, he had suilered much in his private fortune. A man of his influence and military character Vvould have been a great acquisition to them, if they could ha\e obtained him, and his weight in the scale against his country would have been highly prejudicial to her interests. The attempt was made through his former friend, one of the provincial governors of South-Carolina. In- demnification for his losses, command, honors and preferment were olTered as the price of Iris revolt from the cause he had embarlied in. He spurned the offer with indignation, and resented the insult with the highest ex- pressions of woinided sensibility. 'Such was the man whose virtues w^comme- morate. How justly may it be said of him, ^' he served his generation by the will of God 1 " You have witnessed iiis honorable pursuits. 21 liis heroism, his victories, his magnanimous devote dnoss to the pubHc good You have seen the finger of God conducting him to a successful and glorious issue of his undertak- ings; and you have performed the duty in- feral?] e from the last part of the text^ you liave laid him^ with the most honorable testimony of your approbation, to liis. fathers. But tlie benefit of his services v/ill not die with him. Millions of the human race have already reap- ed the advantage of them, and millions of fu- ture generations shall bless the man v\ho has !>een so generously insts'iiniental in securing to them the enjoyment of ])eace, liberty and prosperity. ITie volmnes of fame shall peipe- tuate the memory of his deeds ; and while the names of a Washington, a Greene, a Clarion zaid a Gadsden are mentioned v/ith honor, the name of ^loultrie shall never be forgotten. To conclude this discourse,.... The ci ream- stances of the present occasion remind us of the shortness and frailty of human life. The brave, the generous and tlie good, the v/ise, the honorable, the benefactors of mankind, flvvell but a lew short years at tlie utmost in the house of their pilgrimage. Short is the career of their usefulness and duty, till they pass away into the land of silence and inactivity. How- instructive a lesson!. ...It vvHtes vanity upon ^11 eartlily grandeur, and teaches us not to take up our rest, nor seek our portion, in a world fiom which we are so soon to depart for- 22 ^ver; not undiily to set our aCections upon. <^jiioyments that ]>CTish with tlie usiDi.»;, nor too highl;f to estimate the honors that float only upon the breath of niorttds, whose ap- plauses phali shortly descend with them into tile grave. It admonishes vis of the importaru'e of fiiKng up the transient period of our exist- ence here below with works of useful iiess imd benelicence, and of piety and virtue. It directs our eye to the \vorld Inyond the skies, Tijid urges our pursuit of that honor which is the gift of Gcd, and ol' that inheritance and glory wli^ch are incorruj)tible and undefiled, nwd cani:iot idde a\tay. It exhorts us to a di- iigent improvement in the sentiments^, and ])rincip]es, and habits of our holy religion ; in the humble hope, that when our work is done VvC shall die in peace, with the pleashig con- sciousness of having served our generation by liie will of God. It is proper, however, also to recollect,^ that in all our pursuits, and enterprises, and achievements, we are only secondary agents ; instruments in the hand of the Almigiity, to promote his "own eternal designs, to bring for- ^vard in our measure that glorious plsfn of Providence, which shall issue in the establish- ment of his authority, to v» horn all power is given, in heaven and upon earth, and in tlic complete salvation of his church To him be glory and honor, and dominion, v.rA powcr^ ibr ever and ever Amen. '■■■^a -U ^^7/ ^U I