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Dr. Ramsay to Hon. William Henry Drayton [Original MS.] CHARLESTOWN, September 1, 1779. DEAR SIR: Your favor of July 18th, came safe to hand on the 16th of August. A hurry of business prevented my acknowledging the receipt of it sooner. Our Assembly is now drawing near to the close of a long session. Little business is yet completed. A tax bill of twenty-one dollars a head has been read twice. A bill for filling our regiments by giving a negro bounty to every volunteer recruit, has also been read twice. This measure is now our ultima spes. Money will not procure soldiers. The militia will not submit to a draught; it has been once carried in the House to put them under Continental articles; but the friends of this measure, fear that it will be lost on the next reading. The patriotism of many people is vox et praterea nihil. The measure for embodying the negroes had about twelve votes; it was received with horror by the planters, who figured to themselves terrible consequences. Next Friday is set apart to choose a new delegate in the room of Mr. Lowndes, when it is probable that Mr. E. Rutledge will be chosen. Mr. A. Middleton will set out in a few weeks. Most people expect the enemy here in October or November, and yet we are half asleep. When the campaign closes to the northward, it will be easy for them to send a few thousands of a reinforcement to their troops in Savannah. Our back country is much disaffected especially at the high price of salt, which is 60 dollars a bushel. We mean to solicit aid from the grand army. I wish you would send us two thousand Continentals immediately. You know the importance of Charlestown; it is the vinculum that binds three States to the authority of Congress. If the enemy posses themselves of this town, there will be no living for honest whigs to the southward of Santee; at present, nothing is wanting to put them in possession of it, but vigor and activity on their part. A spirit of money-making has eaten up our patriotism. Our morals are more depreciated than our currency. It is with great pleasure I receive your letters, and I shall always be ready to acknowledge them. Yours, DAVID RAMSAY (From Documentary History of the American Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 2, p. 121) Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 2, p. 121 Date: 9/1/1779 |
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