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C. Pinckney, Jun., to Mrs. C. Pinckney [Original MS.] CHARLESTON, March 28, 1779. HONORED MADAM: This is the second or third time that I have wrote you without hearing a word from you or of you, only in general that you are very well. The last was on the 20th, by your servant, Moses, which I hope you have received. Since that General Lincoln has thought proper to remove the army from Purysburgh to the two Sisters (except about three hundred left as a guard to their camp under the command of Col. Pinckney) where it seems the enemy have assembled their whole force, and from whence an easy transition may be made into this State-this movement is if possible to prevent their crossing, and keep them at bay until our army is reinforced, either by the arrival of some auxiliaries from the northward, or by a body of our militia from Orangeburgh. I am led to believe the Governor's presence will have a good effect in inducing the militia to turn out more cheerfully than they have hitherto done. We must now or never turn our thoughts entirely to war; we must rouse our spirits and sacrifice with pleasure part of our estates to secure the rest; in short we must be wanting to ourselves in nothing that may be requisite to the common safety-have we any reason or the least pretence to be excused from so doing? In what fatal tranquility did we remain when we received the intelligence of the enemy's being in possession of Savannah, the defeat at Augusta, the taking of our gallies, and other affairs of less importance. We are now sufficiently punished by the consequences of our insensibility; for had we sent speedy relief to Savannah when besieged, which the common rules of policy and prudence required the enemy would not perhaps have been in possession of it at this day; but by perpetually neglecting the present and vainly hoping, that time would adjust matters and bring them to a better issue; we have established them in a situation, that they never could have hoped to have arrived at. And yet we need not despair if we have still courage and perseverence enough to make use of the present opportunity, and by properly reinforcing our General, enable him effectually to prevent their crossing. We must all be sensible of the particular protection of Providence, in blessings so often offered; and if we make a just estimate of its repeated favors, who is there but must be touched with the highest gratitude, for our losses are only to be imputed to the little concern we have shown to prevent them; while a superior power never ceasing to protect us, does yet point out a short and secure way of repairing all our former mistakes, by every man's resolving to do his duty, thereby providing for the safety of his country, and doing all in his power to retrieve her reputation. Those who neglect or do not improve the favorable opportunities offered by Providence, forget the acknowledgments that are due to her, and the same imprudence which makes them unfortunate, makes them ungrateful; for in the minds of men, the last accident commonly impresses the character of misfortune or happiness upon the whole. It is time for us to reform our false mode of reasoning and to be truly ashamed of our want of public virtue. We should preserve at least what remains to prevent an eternal stain upon our reputation. Nor is our interest less at stake. For Georgia being now in their possession, what barrier have we to secure us from the conquerors? I could mention a number of little skirmishes, that we have lately been unsuccessful in, but as the recital is disagreeable, I will pass them over. We must surely be convinced by this time that we have been exceedingly remiss in suffering these encroachments upon our neighbours; that we have a restless and enterprising enemy to deal with, that all their present designs are levelled against this town, and that all opposition to them, tends in some degree to the safety of the State-for can any one be so weak as to imagine that they would undergo all the fatigues and hazards of a winter campaign merely to possess a few paltry posts on Savannah river, and rather not with an eye to this place? Will they suffer us (if they can prevent it) to enjoy the advantages this town affords, and take up their quarters in a swamp? No! they endure the one that they may possess the other. We should in time reflect, what must be the last fatal scene of the bloody tragedy, if while they act the parts of indefatigable conquerors, we remain the patient and gentle spectators of their unbounded violence. Can any be so weak-sighted as not to see that the war is hastening to us? It must be blindness in them, who will not perceive that the calamities, the Georgians now endure, are the same that are preparing for themselves-I fear we shall sometime or other pay very dear for those soft and easy moments we now enjoy through the fatal remissness of our present disposition. You will perhaps say, how easy it is to find fault-that enduring is every body's talent; but that few do their duty, and that those who censure most do the least-they who deliver this opinion are commonly right; however, I shall endeavor as long as I am able to do my duty, and hope that in a little time the major part of my countrymen will do the same. My compliments to my cousin, conclude me Your affectionate nephew, CHARLES PINCKNEY, Jr. (From Documentary History of the American Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 2, p. 111) Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 2, p. 111 Date: 3/28/1779 |
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