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July, to destroy the fort on Sullivan's Island, near Charleston, S. C., by Gen. Clinton and Sir Peter Parker. After an action of upwards of ten hours, the British were obliged to retire, having their ships greatly injured, and with the loss of two hundred killed and wounded. The loss of the Americans was but ten killed, and twenty-two wounded.

The fort was commanded by Col. Moultrie, whose garrison consisted of but three hundred and seventy-five regular troops, and a few militia. On the fort was mounted twenty-six cannon of eighteen and nine pounders. The British force consisted of two fifty gun ships, and four frigates, each of twenty-eight guns, besides several smaller vessels, with three thousand troops on board. By this repulse of the British, the southern states obtained a respite from the calamities of war for two years and a half.

In the

Among the American troops who resisted the British, in their attack on Fort Moultrie, was a Sergeant Jasper, whose name has been given to one of the counties in Georgia, in commemoration of his gallant deeds, and who deserves an honorable notice in every history of his country. warmest part of the contest, the flag staff was severed by a cannon ball, and the flag fell to the bottom of the ditch, on the outside of the works. This accident was considered, by the anxious inhabitants in Charleston, as putting an end to the contest, by striking the American flag to the enemy. The moment Jasper made the discovery, that the flag had fallen, he jumped from one of the embrasures, and took up the flag, which he tied to a post, and replaced it on the parapet, where he supported it until another flag staff was procured.

The subsequent activity and enterprise of this patriot, induced Col. Moultrie to give him a sort of roving commission, to go and come at pleasure, confident that he was always usefully employed. He was privileged to select such men from the regiment as he should choose, to accompany him in his enterprises. His parties consisted generally of five or six, and he often returned with prisoners, before Moultrie was apprised of his absence. Jasper was distinguished for his humane treatment, when an enemy fell into his power. His ambition appears to have been limited to the characteristics of bravery, humanity, and usefulness to

the cause in which he was engaged. By his cunning and enterprise, he often succeeded in the capture of those who were lying in ambush for him. He entered the British lines, and remained several days in Savannah, in disguise, and, after informing himself of their strength and intentions, returned to the American camp, with useful information to his commanding officer.

In one of these excursions, an instance of bravery and humanity is recorded, by the biographer of General Marion, which could not be credited, if it was not well attested. While he was examining the British camp at Ebenezer, all the sympathy of his heart was awakened by the distresses of a Mrs. Jones, whose husband, an American by birth, had taken the king's protection, and been confined in irons for deserting the royal cause, after he had taken the oath of allegiance. Her well founded belief was, that nothing short of the life of her husband would atone for the offence with which he was charged. Anticipating the awful scene of a beloved husband expiring on the gibbet, had excited inexpressible emotions of grief and distraction. Jasper secretly consulted with his companion, Serjeant Newton, whose feelings for the distressed female and her child were equally excited with his own, upon the practicability of releasing Jones from his impending fate. Though they were unable to suggest a plan of operation, they were determined to watch for the most favorable opportunity, and make the effort.

The departure of Jones and several others, all in irons, to Savannah, for trial, under a guard, consisting of a serjeant, corporal, and eight men, was ordered upon the succeeding morning. Within two miles of Savannah, about thirty yards from the main road, is a spring of fine water, surrounded by a deep and thick underwood, where travellers often halt to refresh themselves with a cool draught from this pure fountain. Jasper and his companion selected this spot as the most favorable for their enterprise. They accordingly passed the guard, and concealed themselves near the spring.

When the enemy came up, they halted, and two of the guard only remained with the prisoners, while the others leaned their guns against trees in a careless manner, and went to the spring. Jasper and Newton sprung from their place of concealment, seized two of the muskets, and shot the sentinels. The possession of all the arms placed the enemy in their power, and compelled them to surrender

The irons were taken off from the prisoners, and arms put into their hands. The whole party arrived at Perrysburg, the next morning, and joined the American camp. There are but few instances upon record where personal exertions, even for self-preservation from certain prospects of death, would have induced a resort to an act so desperate of execution; how much more laudable was this, where the spring to action was roused by the lamentations of a female unknown to the adventurers!

Subsequently to the gallant defence at Sullivan's Island, Col. Moultrie's regiment was presented with a stand of colors by Mrs. Elliot, which she had richly embroidered with her own hands; and, as a reward of Jasper's particular merits, Governor Rutledge presented him with a very handsome sword. During the assault against Savannah, two officers had been killed and one wounded, endeavoring to plant these colors upon the enemy's parapet of the Springhill redoubt. Just before the retreat was ordered, Jasper endeavored to replace them upon the works, and while he was in the act, received a mortal wound and fell into the ditch. When a retreat was ordered, he recollected the honorable condition upon which the donor presented the colors to his regiment, and among the last acts of his life, succeeded in bringing them off.

Major Horry called to see him soon after the retreat, to whom, it is said, he made the following communication. "I have got my furlough. That sword was presented to me by Governor Rutledge, for my services in the defence of Fort Moultrie. Give it to my father, and tell him I have worn it with honor. If he should weep, tell him his son died in the hope of a better life. Tell Mrs. Elliot that I lost my life, supporting the colors which she presented to our regiment If you should ever see Jones, his wife and tell the that Jasper is gone, but that the remembrance which he fought for them, brought a secret heart when it was about to stop its motion forde expired de expired a few minutes after closing this sen

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Sec. 39. During these transactions in the south, the continental congress was in session, intently observing the aspect of things, and deeply revolving the probable issue of the present important

*M'Call's Georgia, Vol. II.

contest. The idea of independence had now been broached among the people, and the way was, in a measure, prepared to bring the subject before congress.

Accordingly, on the 8th of June, Richard Henry Lee, one of the deputies from Virginia, rose and made a motion to declare America free and independent.

Mr. Lee addressed the house on this motion, and concluded as follows: "Why then do we longer delay, why still deliberate? Let this most happy day give birth to the American republic. Let her arise, not to devastate and conquer, but to re-establish the reign of peace and of the laws. The eyes of Europe are fixed upon us; she demands of us a living example of freedom, that may contrast, by the felicity of the citizens, with the ever increasing tyranny which desolates her polluted shores. She invites us to prepare an asylum, where the unhappy may find solace, and the persecuted repose. She entreats us to cultivate a propitious soil, where that generous plant, which first sprang up and grew in England, but is now withered by the poisonous blasts of Scottish tyranny, may revive and flourish, sheltering under its salubrious and interminable shade, all the unfortunate of the human race.

*

"This is the end presaged by so many omens, by our first victories, by the present ardor and union, by the flight of Howe, and the pestilence which broke out amongst Dunmore's people, by the very winds which baffled the enemy's fleets and transports, and that terrible tempest which ingulfed seven hundred vessels upon the coast of Newfoundland. If we are not this day wanting in our duty to our country, the names of the American legislators will be placed, by posterity, at the side of those of Theseus, of Lycurgus, of Romulus, of Numa, of the three Williams of Nassau, and of all those whose memory has been, and will be, for ever dear to virtuous men and good citizens."

* Alluding to the evacuation of Boston by the British, under Howe, page 232.

+ Lord Dunmore, the royal governor of Virginia, retired to the Fowey man of war, as noticed page 231, on board of which, and the other vessels of his squadron, a pestilential malady broke out, which carried off great numbers of the crowd, both white and black, which had thronged the vessels.

Sec. 40. The resolution of Mr. Lee, so eloquently supported by him, was still further discussed on the 11th of June. On this last day it was postponed for further consideration to the first day of July; and at the same time it was voted that a committee be appointed to propose a DECLARATION to the effect of the resolution. This committee was elected by ballot on the following day, and consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.

It is usual, when committees are elected by ballot, that their numbers are arranged in order, according to the number of votes, which each has received. Mr. Jefferson, therefore, probably received the highest, and Mr. Adams the next highest number of votes. The difference is said to have

been but a single vote.

Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Adams, standing thus at the head of the committee, were requested by the other members, to act as a sub-committee to prepare the draft; and Mr. Jefferson drew up the paper. The original draft as brought. by him from his study, with interlineations in the handwriting of Dr. Franklin, and others in that of Mr. Adams, was in Mr. Jefferson's possession at the time of his death. The merit of this paper is Mr. Jefferson's; some changes were made in it on the suggestion of other members of the committee, and others by congress, while it was under discussion. But none of them altered the tone, the frame, the arrangement, or the general character of the instrument. As a composition, the declaration is Mr. Jefferson's. It is the production of his mind, and the high honor of it belongs to him clearly and absolutely.

While Mr. Jefferson was the author of the declaration itself, Mr. Adams was its great supporter on the floor of congress. This was the unequivocal testimony of Mr. Jefferson. "John Adams," said he, on one occasion, was our Colossus on the floor; not graceful, not elegant, not always fluent in his public addresses, he yet came out with a power, both of thought and of expression, that moved us from our seats." And at another time he said, “John Adams was the pillar of its support on the floor of con

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