the living patriots of America? Alas! barely | brave Sullivan be often mentioned; and the to recount their names, their merits, and their name of St. Clair though sullied by malign honors, would exhaust the powers of language; censure, will shine untarnished there; and to do them justice is above all Ciceronian there shall the venerable name of Putnam be rhetoric, and calls for the eloquence of angels. found, that hoary chieftain, who, The fame of battle spread, When fourscore years had blanch'd his laurel'd head.' You, and you, with a very respectable part. of my audience, have fronted danger in the bloody field. With a truly masonic fortitude have we assisted in the structure of our inde-ing characters is swelling to my view, and I pendence; and ye will tell the story to your shall grow hoarse in repeating it; I will therechildren and your children shall tell their child-fore quit the attempt, and hasten to conclude: ren, and their children another generation. Thus shall your honors succeed with undiminished lustre to posterity; and future writers shall praise the brave man, and crown their eulogium with "his father was an American." Allow me, my auditors, one claim on your attention to the beloved name of Washington: for how, upon a celebration like this, can the name of Washington be distant? he whose unbiassed virtue, firm patriotism, unequalled abilities, and steady perseverance, are written upon the hearts of his brethren.-Though retired from the theatre of action, in the full splendor of meridian glories, he can never be lost to his country-we see him in our liberties, "For should I strive to mention ev'ry name, With which my country swells the list of fame, My time, my periods, and my voice would fail." Previous to my quitting this subject, permit me, gentlemen of South Carolina, to observe, that the very man who fills the seat of your government for the present year, must long remain high in his country's honors-honors, which he has most bravely acquired.—The gallant defence of Fort Moultrie will decorate the page of many a future history, and give at once immortal fame to the hero and historian. And now, my most respected auditors, hav and shall forever see him, while that opus maging in some measure paid our debt of acknowlnum, the independence of America, remains in existence. Where are those who admire the unexampled patriot, and "in whose ears the name of a soldier sounds like the name of a friend?" O that upon this day ye would join your friendly voices with mine, to eternize the name of Washington!-The august veteran of Prussia has himself led the way, and left it upon everlasting record, that Frederic was the oldest general in Europe, when Washington was the greatest general upon earth." But I proceed to pay that attention due to the memory of another distinguished character: For to what is America more indebted than to the gallant exertions of her beloved Greene? in whose amiable character the great soldier and the good citizen are so conspicuously blended -Long shall this country in particular retain his memory-long as the palmetto, that emblematic tree, shall flourish in Carolina. "To thee, O Greene, each muse her tribute pays, But see the long list! upon which the names of Gates, Lincoln, the brave Stark, and the gallant Wayne are conspicuously lettered! Men whose names shall descend to posterity with co-eternal honor; among them shall the edgment to the visible authors of our independence, let us lay our hands upon our hearts in humble adoration of that monarch, who (in the place of George the third) was this day chosen to reign over us: let us venerate the great generalissimo of our armies, from whom all triumphs flow and be it our glory, that not George the Third, but Jehovah the first, and the last, is king of America-He who dwelleth in the clouds, and whose palace is the heaven of heavens :-For independent as we are with respect to the political systems of this world, we are still a province of the great kingdom, and fellow subjects with the inhabitants of heaven. PATRIOTIC CHARGE OF JUDGE PENDLETON, TO THE GRAND Gentlemen of the grand jury-Is this fatal passion for sudden riches, so generally prevalent among us, to extinguish every sentiment of political and moral duty? Is it to be expected, that one assembly after another will be on the side of the debtor? No, gentlemen: the period is not far distant, when the laws of the state must be voluntarily obeyed, or executed by force. No society ever long en diers or military stores, and without authority to compel even our own citizens to obey the laws, we must fall a prey to any foreign power, who may think it worth the cost to subjugate us. dured the miseries of anarchy, disorder, and | attacked by a formidable enemy, without sollicentiousness. The most vile despotism will be embraced in preference to it. The nations, from which we derive our origin, afford innumerable examples of this. I will, however, mention but one. When the parliament of England had dethroned and beheaded that faithless tyrant, Charles the first-subdued all their enemies at home and abroad-and changed their monarchy into a republic-one would have supposed, that an assemblage of as great talents as ever adorned human nature, which so highly distinguished the patriots of that time, could not fail of forming a wise and just government, and of transmitting it to their posterity. But the event shewed that the disorderly temper of the people, occasioned by the civil war, would not bear the strong curb of legal authority. Expedient after expedient was tried and government assumed many different shapes to humor their passions and prejudices, and lead them to a willing obedience; but all to no purpose. The public disorders daily increased. Every little club of politicians were for making laws for the whole nation. The fair form of equal and legal liberty became defaced by a thousand fanciful and impracticable whimsies, until the general distress became insupportable. What followed? The very people, who, a few years before had dazzled the world with the splendor of their actions, invited back, and enthroned the son of that king, whom they had formerly put to death; gave him carte blanche to do as he pleased; and seemed to have forgotten, that they had ever lost a drop of blood, or spent a shilling, in defence of their liberty. Gentlemen, let us not lose sight of this awful precedent. To acquire freedom is nothing, in comparison to a wise and profitable use of it. Nothing can be more certain, than that Great Britain would eagerly seize any opportunity to compass our destruction. She would, to-morrow, pour her fleets and armies into this country, particularly the southern states, if the great powers of Europe could be so allied and connected, as to secure her from a hostile confederacy. The history of those nations every where shews us, what trivial causes occasion the most important changes in their political systems. Surely, then, it is wise to be on our guard, and in the first place to secure a free and just, but, at the same time, a strong government at home. Without this, the citizens are insecure in their persons and estates: that insecurity produces murmuring and discontent: and that discontent will ever produce a disposition favorable for trying new changes. In such a state, to be I have heard, gentlemen of the grand jury, great complaints against the illiberal and monopolizing spirit of the British government, on the subject of commerce with America—her numerous duties on American produce-and her refusal to enter into treaties for mutual benefits in trade. It must surely be highly ridiculous to abuse one nation for profiting by the follies of another. Do we expect that Great Britain, as a trading nation, will not exert every nerve to hold fast the commercial advantages, which our avidity for her negroes and manufactures hath given her? Is it not the steady policy of every nation in Europe, to promote and extend their own commerce by every possible means, let it be at the expense of whomsoever it will? Yes, gentlemen: and let us act with such caution and punctuality, as to make it her interest to solicit, and we shall soon find her courting, with douceurs, those commercial compacts, which she now so contemptuously declines. At the close of the war, indeed, she stood trembling with apprehension, lest our two allies, France and Holland, should monopolize our trade. A treaty, pressed at that moment, and properly urged-the sine qua non of all future amity and intercourse, would, in all probability, have produced an inlet of American built vessels into her islands, and an exemption from many other injurious restraints. But the favorable moment slipt through our hands unimproved, and (I fear) never to return. The only possible way left us to recover it, is, to live within our income; to secure a balance of trade in our favor; and to urge the federal government to such general regulations, as shall secure us from the infamous vassalage into which we are hurrying. If three or four thousand pounds sterling worth of merchandise, (annually) which sum will include a great many luxuries, be sufficient for all our rational wants, when our exports greatly exceed that sum, and are annu ally increasing—is it not obvious to the meanest capacity, that a large balance must yearly return to us in gold and silver? which, in spite of all the paper-money casuists in the world, is the only wholesome political blood that can give union, health, and vigor to the body politic. If we do not curtail our expenses, and export more than we import, a general bankruptcy must be the inevitable consequence. I have been actuated in the plain and pointed observations you have just heard, by an ardent Many people call for large emissions of pa- | trust, and neglects or abuses it, drag him forth, per-money. For what?-To shift the burdens, let his office, fortune, or character be what it which they have incurred by their avarice and may. If keepers of ferries, highways, or bridges, folly, from themselves to their better, and do not discharge their duty-if the officers of more deserving, creditors, whose property they justice violate the trust reposed in them--you choose to hold fast. Can anything be more are bound, in duty to your country, to yourfraudulent or astonishing? No, gentlemen: selves and to your children, as well as by the paper medium and sheriffs' sale bills, are only solemn oath you have just taken, to name them temporary expedients, a repetition of which, in in your presentments, together with the names a very short time, would be insupportable. of such witnesses as can prove the charge. They were intended, at a singular crisis, to Even in your private capacity, as citizens, to open a retreat even to the foolish and ex- inform against and prosecute all such offenders, travagant, as well as the unfortunate debtor, is highly meritorious. The malevolence which by affording an opportunity to retrieve, but not may, for a time, be directed against an honest, to give impunity to the one, or a release to spirited and patriotic citizen, is like the harmthe other. The honest and industrious man less hissing of serpents, that cannot bite. He will seize the opportunity to lay up against the will soon triumph over their impotent clamor, day of account and payment, while nothing and obtain the esteem and support of all will correct or reclaim the indolent and fraudu- good men. lent knave. But, as I said, the period is at hand, when the punctual payment of taxes and debts must take place voluntarily or the unin-zeal for the honor and prosperity of my counterrupted recovery of them, in the courts of justice, be enforced. Palliatives are exhausted. We must either relinquish government, resign our independence, and embrace a military master-or execute our laws by force of arms, if no alternative is left us. But, before we are compelled to resort to this disgraceful and painful ultimatum, let us all exert ourselves, and support each other, as free citizens, acknowledging no master but the laws, which we ourselves have made for our common good-ernment will soon tumble about our heads, and obeying those laws, and enforcing them, when and where we can. Let no man say, this or that is not my business. Whatever materially affects the honor and interest of the state, is every man's business; because he must, in common with all others, share the good or evil brought upon his country. The man who refuses or evades the payment of taxes imposed by his immediate representative, or excites or co-operates in the resistance of lawful authority, is the parricide of his country, as well as the voluntary assassin of his own interest; since it is impossible he can be tranquil or happy, or enjoy his property in peace and security, while his country is convulsed and distracted. As grand jurors, gentlemen, the laws have selected you, as their principal auxiliary and most responsible guardians. On you, then, it is peculiarly incumbent to interest yourselves in the conduct of all around you. You have the greatest property to lose; and your example, therefore, must be of the greatest weight. Investigate the police of your district: and, wherever any person has accepted a public try. This is not a time to lessen or extenuate the terror, which the present dangerous crisis must inspire. To know our danger, to face it like men, and to triumph over it by constancy and courage, is a character this country once justly acquired. Is it to be sacrificed in the hour of peace, with every incentive to preserve it? I repeat again, that, without a change of conduct, and an union of all the good men in the state, we are an undone people: the gov become a prey to the first bold ruffian, who shall associate a few desperate adventurers, and seize upon it. I I confess the subject very deeply affects me. shall, therefore pursue it no farther. I do not, however, despair of the republic. There are honest and independent men among us, to retrieve every thing, whatever may be opposed by the vicious and unprincipled, if they will but step forth, and act with union and vigor. If they will not, the miseries resulting to their country from the utter destruction of all public and private credit, a bankrupt treasury, and the triumph of all manner of fraud, rapine, and licentiousness, together with the scorn and derision of our enemies, if we should have any left, be on their heads! GENERAL MARION. INTERESTING SKETCHES RELATING TO HIS SERVICES. A biography of this revolutionary hero, it ap pears, by an article in the Southern Patriot, has been written by Judge James, of South Carolina; and the following extract has been given in that paper as a specimen of the work about to be published: "At that same place a worthy man, Mr. Swaineau, was killed. Ere this he had been a "Near the close of the year 1780, there took place a skirmish between a small patrol of whigs, under Captain Melton, and a large party of tories, under major Ganey, near White's Bridge two miles from Georgetown; a few shots "To people of good principles, particularly were exchanged, and Melton was obliged to rethe religious, at this period (1780 and 1781), treat. But, in this short affair, Gabriel Marion, was truly distressing. Those fit for military nephew to the general, was first taken prisoner, service, including men of sixty years of age and and when his name was announced, inhumanly boys of fourteen, few of whom dared to stay at shot. The instrument of death was placed so home, were engaged in active warfare, and near that it burnt his linen at the breast. He had their minds in constant occupation, which, was a young gentleman, who had received a in whatever situation man may be placed, good education-of whom high expectations brings with it a certain degree of satisfaction, were formed, and who was much beloved in if not content. But to the superannuated the brigade. The general had no children, and the female sex, no such satisfaction was and he mourned over this youth, as would a afforded. Most of those had relatives to whom | father over an only child, and all his men conthey were bound by the most tender and sa- doled with him, but he soon publicly expressed cred ties, who were exposed to constant danger, this consolation for himself that his nephew and for whose fate they were unceasingly anx- was a virtuous young man-that he died in deious. As a comfort in this situation, they might fence of his country, and that he would mourn employ themselves in household affairs, or re- over him no more. sort to private devotion; but those refined pleasures, which arise from social intercourse, were wanting; and particularly that faint pic-schoolmaster, but, finding there was no emture of heaven, the consolation which is derived from meeting one's friends in public worship, was wholly denied them. Most of the churches in towns and in the country were burnt or made depots for the military stores of the enemy-some, in fact, were converted into stables; and of the remainder, all in the country were closed. In a war of such atrocity there was no safety, where members, however peaceful, were collected; we have seen that the British tories* violated the sanctity of private dwellings by their murders, and how could it be expected they would be awed by the holiness of a church? In a camp where was no permanency, and but little rest, there was no place for chaplains—and at home there was no security, even for the pastors of the church; consequently they were compelled to go into exile. Had they gone out of their own families to administer comfort, it would have been said they were stirring up sedition; and, like some bigots of old, they would have made themselves voluntary martyrs. They took the wiser course of retiring with their families from the murderous rage of the times." *The British, under Tarleton, had already, (in May, 1780), cut to pieces Mr. Samuel Wyley, in his own house, at Camden, whom they mistook for his brother, John Wyley, who was sheriff of the district; and the tories, under Harrison, had murdered in their dwellings, the two Mr. Bradleys, Mr. Roberts, and others, in that part of Salem which lies on Lynch's creek. Lord Cornwallis soon made Harrison a colonel. ployment for men of his peaceful profession. now, he boldly shouldered the musket and died a soldier. But so prone are mankind to pass over the merits of this useful class of citizens, that, had he not fallen by the side of a Marion, perhaps his memory would have been forgotten. About the same time Mr. Bently, another schoolmaster, was killed in action. The suspension of all public education, which led to the fate of such men, and the fact stated above, that all public worship was now at an end, most forcibly shewed the calamitous state of the country during this eventful period." "Men at this time, and their generals too, had nothing but water to drink-they commonly wore homespun clothes, which lacked warmth-they slept in damp places, according to their means, either with or without a blanket; he was well off who had one to himself the one half of the general's had been burntthey were content to feed upon sweet potatoes, either with or without beef; there being neither mills nor leisure to grind corn-but all sighed for salt-for salt! that article of the first necessity to the human race. Little do the luxurious of the present day know of the pressure of such a want. Salt, when brought from the sea-shore off Waccanaw, where it was coarsely manufactured, brought at that time ten silver dollars, each more than ten at present; thus bay salt, one half brine, sold for at least one hundred dollars value of this day. As soon as General Marion could collect a sufficient quan- | that his master's life was in danger, and that tity of this desirable article, he distributed it out from Snow's Island, on Pedee, in quantities not exceeding a bushel, to each Whig family, and thus endeared himself the more to his followers." MARION'S ESCAPE FROM THE BRITISH on his exertions depended his safety, approached the barrier in his finest style, and with a bound that was almost supernatural, cleared the fence and ditch completely, and recovered himself without loss of time on the opposite side-Marion instantly wheeled about and saw his pursuers unable to pass the ditch, discharged his pistol at them without effect, and then wheeling his horse, and bidding them good morning, departed. The dragoons, astonished at what they had witnessed, and scarcely believing their foe to be mortal, gave up the chase. MR. HUNTER, OF DARLINGTON DISTRICT, SOUTH CAR- The following fact, though altogether worthy of being remembered, has never, I believe, been reported by the pen of any historian. General Marion was a native of South Carolina, and the immediate theatre of his exploits was a large section of maritime district of that state. The peculiar hardihood of his constitution, and his being adapted to a warm climate, and low marshy country, qualified him to endure hardships and submit to exposure, which, in that sickly region, few other men would have been competent to sustain. With the small force he was enabled to embody, he was continually annoying the enemy, cautious never to risk an engagement, till he could make victory certain. General Marion's person was uncommonly light, and he rode, when in service, one of the fleetest and most powerful chargers, the South could produce: when in fair pursuit nothing could escape, and Lest it should be thought a mere fabrication when retreating nothing could overtake him. to occupy a vacant column in the newspaper, I Being once nearly surrounded by a party of think it not unimportant to state, that the subBritish dragoons, he was compelled, for safety,ject of this memoir, Mr. Hunter, is well known to pass into a cornfield, by leaping the fence-in Darlington district, South Carolina; and this field, marked with considerable descent of surface, had been in part a marsh; Marion entered in at the upper side, the dragoons in chase, leaped the fence also, and were but a short distance behind him. So completely was he now in their power, that his only mode of escape was to pass over the fence at the lower side. To drain the field of its superfluous water, a trench had been cut around this part of the field, four feet wide, and of the same depth; of the mud and clay removed in cutting it, a bank had been formed on its inner side, and on the top of this was erected the fence, the elevation amounting to nearly eight feet perpendicular height-a ditch four feet in width running parallel with it on the outer side, a foot or more intervening, between the fence and ditch. The dragoons, acquainted with the nature and extent of this obstacle, and considering it impossible for their enemy to pass it, pushed towards him with loud shouts of exultation and insult, and summoning him to surrender or perish by the sword; regardless of their rudeness and empty clamor, and inflexibly determined not to become their prisoner, Marion spurred his horse to the charge. The noble animal, as if conscious the following narrative, which I had from himself, is familiar to his friends and acquaintances. Hunter, though a youth of perhaps eighteen years old, was very active in defence of his country's rights during the revolutionary war. It was the fate of this tyro in arms to fall into the hands of major Fanning, whose deeds as a cruel partisan leader in the service of Great Britain, are written in North and South Carolina, in characters of blood. Hunter, whose active services had roused the ire of the major, was told upon the spot to prepare for his fate, which was nothing less than death, for which awful event a few minutes only were allowed him to prepare. A band of tories, thirsting for the blood of a patriot, instantly formed a circle round the boy, leaving him no reasonable chance for escape. At this moment thought followed thought in quick succession. His home, his friends, his country, and the circumstances under which he was about to be torn from them all, together with the reflection that he must quickly realize a state of untried being, crowded upon his mind, and called up feelings not to be described. For the first time he bent his knees to the |