按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
below Eutaw； on the Santee； and he continued to hold it during life。*
Others fix his settling in St。 John's； at a later period： this is of little
consequence； but what is of some； was that in this most useful of all
stations； a tiller of the ground； he was industrious and successful。 In the
same year； 1759； the Cherokee war broke out； and he turned out as a
volunteer； in his brother's troop of provincial cavalry。 In 1761； he served in
the expedition under Col。 Grant； as a lieutenant in Captain Wm。 Moultrie's
company； forming part of a provincial regiment； commanded by Col。
Middleton。 It is believed that he distinguished himself in this expedition；
in a severe conflict between Col。 Grant and the Indians； near Etchoee； an
Indian town； but； if he did so； the particulars have not been handed down
to us； by any official account。 General Moultrie says of him； 〃he was an
9
… Page 10…
Life of Marion。
active； brave； and hardy soldier； and an excellent partisan officer。〃 We
come now to that part of Marion's life； where； acting in a more
conspicuous situation； things are known of him； with more certainty。 In the
beginning of the year 1775； he was elected one； of what was then called
the provincial congress of South Carolina； from St。 John's。 This was the
public body which agreed to the famous continental association；
recommended by congress； to prevent the importation of goods； wares；
and merchandizes； from Great Britain： they likewise put a stop to all suits
at law； except where debtors refused to renew their obligations； and to give
reasonable security； or when justly suspected of intentions to leave the
province； or to defraud their creditors； and they appointed committees in
the several districts and parishes in the state； which were called
committees of public safety； to carry these acts into effect。 These exercised
high municipal authority； and supported generally by a population
sometimes intemperate； inflicted singular punishments** upon such as
were not only guilty； but even suspected； of infringing the association。 The
provincial congress also； after receiving the news of the battle of
Lexington； determined upon a defensive war； and resolved to raise two
regiments of infantry； and one of cavalry。 Marion was elected a captain in
the second regiment of these two； of which William Moultrie was colonel。
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney； and Thomas Pinckney； since so much
distinguished； were likewise elected captains in this regiment at the same
time。 The first of Captain Marion's appearing in arms against the British；
was in the latter part of this year； when he acted as one of three captains
under Colonel Motte； in taking possession of Fort Johnson； on James
Island。 On this occasion much resistance was expected； but the garrison
abandoned the fort； and escaped to two British vessels； the Tamar and
Cherokee； then lying in Charleston harbour。 In the autumn of the same
year a post was established at Dorchester； where it was thought prudent to
send part of the military stores； and the public records out of Charleston；
and here Captain Marion had the command。 This is only worthy of remark
in the circumstance； that as the climate of this place is remarkably bad in
autumn； it shows that our patriots had already so much enthusiasm in the
cause in which they had embarked； that they refused no station； however
10
… Page 11…
Life of Marion。
perilous。 As the provincial congress and committees of public safety
exercised all the legislative and judicial powers in the state； as might have
been expected； they soon became too complicated for them； and were
thrown into great confusion。 The criminal code was still left in force； but
there were no judges to exercise that jurisdiction。 The provincial congress；
therefore； without waiting for a convention of the people； framed a
constitution： by this they took the name of the general assembly of South
Carolina； and limited their own continuance until the 21st October； 1776；
and； in every two years after that period； a general election was to take
place for members of the assembly。 The legislative powers were vested in
a president； the assembly； and a legislative council； to be chosen out of
their own body。 All resolutions of the continental and provincial congress；
and all laws then of force； were continued。 They passed a law； that only
two thirds of the rice made in the state should be permitted to be exported；
the other third was to remain in the country for its consumption； and for
exchange for the necessary articles of life： and upon these prices were to
be fixed； it was recommended to the people to cultivate cotton； the breed
of sheep was directed to be improved； and； after a certain day； none were
to be killed for market or home consumption； but the continental congress
soon after； passed a law that no rice should be exported； and it was
submitted to； without a murmur。 A vice…president and privy council of six
members were elected； and among other duties； were to exercise chancery
jurisdiction； and other judges were directed to be chosen by the general
assembly。
* Pond Bluff is presently at the bottom of Lake Marion； S。C。 A。 L。；
1997。 ** Such as tarring and feathering。
In a few years； such confusion followed； that we shall see the president；
soon after denominated governor； and two of the privy council； exercising
all the civil and military powers of the state。
John Rutledge was chosen president； Henry Laurens vice…president；
and ~ex…officio~ president of the privy council。 In this year； （1776；）
Francis Marion had risen to the rank of major in the second regiment； and
was stationed with his colonel in the fort at Sullivan's Island。 He was in
the action of the 28th of June； between that fort and nine of the British
11
… Page 12…
Life of Marion。
ships； under Sir Peter Parker。 Of the particulars of this battle； every one
has heard