The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1781-05-30 00:00:00, page 1

By the Right Honourable FRANCIS Lord RAWDON,
Colonel,- commanding a Corps of His Majesty's Forces in
South-Carolina, %. and NISBET BALFOUR, Efttire,
Lieutenant-Colonel, and Commandant of Charlestown, &c.
- LTHOUGH Attention to the ge
neral Security of the Province, has
obliged His Majesty's Troops, for the
present, to relinquish some of the up-
A ' per Parts of it, we trust, that it is
f/'iren, A\ unneccffary for us to exhort the Loyal
UV Inhabitants of those Diftrids to stand
°fi rm i n ^ Duty and Principles ; or
J to caution them against the insidious
Artifices of an Enemy, who must
" shortly abandon tc their Fate, those
unfortunate People whom they have deluded into Revolt.
But being well informed, that many Persons sincerely at
tached to His Majesty's Cause, have, notwithstanding, been
forced to join the Enemy, as the only Means of preferring
themselves and their Families from the savage Cruelty of the
Rebel Militia, until Escape Should be practicable ; We desire
all such to be confident, that they run no Rifque of fuffering
from us, through indiferiminate Vengeance, reminding them,
that the British Government never extends its Hand to Blood,
without the most convincing Proofs of intentional Guilt.
And we adrife all Persons in the above Predicament (as
likewise those who, from the Oppressions of the Enemy, have
been obliged to quit their Possessions) to take the earliest Op
portunity of coming in, with their Arms, to any Post or De
tachment of the Royal Army. We give them Assurances of
every Support, and of every' Endeavour, on our Part, to mi
tigate their prefcut Sufferings: Further declaring to them,
that we shall feel ourselves no less bound to reward the Fideli
ty of those who have remained unshaken in their Allegiance,
than to inflilt the Punishment due to reiterated Perfidy. Nor
should we give them this Invitation, yvere we not certain that,
in conjunction with the Army, (daily expecting powerful Rein
forcements) their Exertions will very shortly reinstate them in
the full and peaceable Possession of that Property, which they
will thus have only yielded for a Time, to receive again with
confirmed Security.
G lEEN under our Hands, in Camp, at Monk's Comer,
this twenty-fourth Da, of May, 1781, andin the Qen
ty-firJl Year of His Majeftfs Reign.
RAWDO N,
N. BALFOUR,
By Order of his Lordship?
and the Commandant, ,
H. BARRY, Dep. Adjut. General. __
HE^ME^INGS of the Fellowship Society are in
future to be held at Mrs. Stewart's on the Bay, where
the members are desired to attend at seven o'clock next Wed
nesday evening. B, Order of the Society,
ALEX. ALEXANDER, Secretary.
Charleflown, %ne I, <7Bl. U
TTeX&NDER & LESLIE,
No. 10, Tradd-ftreet>
HADE FOR SALE,
A Few Calks of high Proof Jamaica Spirits—a few Casks
of best Mufeovado Sugars—also white and brown Spanish
Sugars, and best Hollandfe Gin in Cases.
To be let, a PEW in the organ loft in St. Philip's Church.
Apply as above. t
RACHEL CAMPBELL begs leave to inform her friends,
and ladies in general, that she carries on the MANTUA
MAKING BUSINESS in all its branches, in King-street,
N 0.86. %
A Large WAGGON is to be disposed of for Cafli. Any
" person desirous of purchasing it, may enquire at the
Printers.f
A WOMAN who has been used to children, and is quali
" fied to educate them, would be glad of employment in a
genteel family. Apply to the Printer's.—N. B. She would not
obied to live in a healthy part of the country. *h.
A LL persons in lebted to John Speed in King-street, are
" requested to make immediate payment; and those who
have any demands againfthim, are desired to render in 'their
accounts, to any of the fubferibers, in fourteen days from this
date, as we then intend to make a final settlement.
JOHN SMITH,]
ARWIN & RUGGE, ,
WATSON & DENNISTON, (
EDWARD CORBETT, 3
Charleftoiun, May 31, 1781. „.
( ICLEN May 28, 1781, from Serjeant Shearer, of the firft
C battalion of the 71st regiment, a PINCHBECK WATCH,
with a tortoise-shell case, No. 662, maker's name Semwood.
Any person who will return, or give information of the above,
shall have one Guinea reward. *f.
LATELY IMPORT E D,
And for Sale for Cash, Bills or Produce, by
JOHN M A NSO N,
At No. 4, on the Bay,
CLAYED Sugar in Barrels
Bottled Port Wide in Calles of fix Dozens 'ach
Mess Pork in Barrels
Cargo Beef in Barrels and Tierces
Ship Briket in Hogfheads'
Pearl and common Barley in Kegs
A few Boes of Soap and Candles.l
To he fold ar publick Vendue, on Wednesday the 13th Day of June
infant, at the Plantation of the late Ca,t. James Akin, in
St. Thomas's Pari/b, for Cash,
A Parcel of Neat Cattle, and several valuable young blooded
Horse's, Mares, &c. being part of the personal estate of
the said deceased. *c. ANN AKIN, Administratrix.
WANTED TO CHARTER,
A VESSEL that will carry iqoo or 1200 barrels of turpen
tine. For particulars, enquire of
ALEXANDER & LESLIE, No. 10, Tradd-ftreet^
SOUTH-CAROLINA: Printed by R. WELLS & SON, Printers to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty.
ROYAL
Vol. I.
From WEDNESDAY, May 30,
For the ROYAL GAZETTE.
Longe mea difrepat if is
Ft vox, et ratio. Hor. Sat.
I UNDERTOOK in a former letter tc examine with candour the
objections to the Depreciation-Table, as well as the pretensions of
debtors refpe&ng the payment of their eld-contracted debts, in the
depreciated paper-currency; which, I Should have done before now,
it I had not been prevented by a variety of avocations.
, The objections, rather secretly than puhlickly made, to the Depre
ciation-Table, I find are these following.
I. That a proportional number of Planters, ought to have been ap
pointed on the enquiry.
2. That lands and negroes, fliould be comprehended in the table.
3. That the witnesses to the prices of fyecie, are Jews.
4. That, in some cases of contracts on the sale of lands and ne
groes, the table is not adequate.
As to the firft objection, it is presumed, by Planters are meant per
sons who possess no ofer species of property than a planting inters, or
iuch whose estates of that kind differ from those of their fellow
citizens only in magnitude; for independent of this idea, the objection
is destitute of foundation, most of the gentlemen named in the com
mission having considerable planting intereCs, exclusive of their for
tunes as merchants, money-lenders, &c. However, this objection
doth not seem to be so much levelled at ths Table, as the Commissi
oners; and although it is an indisputable proposition that wisdom
and knowledge are not inseparably incident to the possessors of great
estates, I am confident the gentlemen employed in the enquiry would
have been happy to have availed themselves of every light, on so in
tricate a fubje&, from that, or any other denomination of men : but
the truth is, that when the Commission issued, only a few Planters of
the above description hid returned to their allegiance, who immedi
ately retired into the country. Nor is it material, for independent of
the plan itfelf, which is submitted to the unerring tribunal of the im
partial Publick, the Commissioners are to be considered merely as
collectors of the evidence of facts, which seems to be methodically
and carefully digested; and if there is the least suspicion of their
integrity, a small share of the industry which they exerted, will
evince; whether it originated in a want of virtue on the part of the
Commiflioners or the objectors, who, it cannot be supposed would
be apt to attribute to others a criminality of conduct, which they
themselves are incapable of.
It is observable, on the second obje&ion, that the Commiffidners
are required to ascertain the progressive depreciation of the paper
currency, at twenty-seven periods of time; and as no plantation
or lot of land was so often disposed of, if either were introduced
into the Table, there would have been a necessity for supplying the
want of evidence by arbitrary compartfops; and negroes would have
been exceptionable on the fame principle, although, perhaps, in a less
degree. But lands and negroes are by no means disregarded in the
table; feeing the natural commodities of the country, which are pro
duced from our lands by the manual labouQ&pur negroes, com
prehends in fhictefl: sense the value of been, on the fame idea
that the 'Revolution-Parliament, so celebrated in history for its wis
dom, considered the lands in England as fufficiently estimated by the
annual rents, which regulate the land-tax there at this day.
The third obje&ion o doth not appear to be well founded, as the
table of specie contains the names of many refpedable persons, who
are not Jews; but even supposing the reverse, if the laws do not
exclude the testimony of Jews, their evidence is admissible, as the
highest proof the nature of the case is capable of, in the wretch
ed situation to which the once flourifhing trade of this country, was
reduced during the civil commotions. Now the genius and policy of
our laws are of too liberal a nature, to exclude the testimony of men
on the score of difference in religion: all that is necessary to give legal
validity to an oath, is a religious fan&ion. The various religions in
the world, are comprehended under the following denominations:
The Chrifian, feavife, Mabomedan, Perftan, and the Gentoo or Banian;
the profeffors whereof declare their belief of a Deity, and conse
quently are admissible as witnesses by the English laws. . Nor are the
external forms of an oath of any consequence : the laying the hand on
the book was originally borrowed from the Pagan custom of touching
their mysteries, and is not of the essence or substance of an oath.
Nations may change the ceremonious part, ad libitum. The laity of the
Gentoo religion, on taking an oath, touch the feet of a Bramin or
Priest, who being sworn, touches the hand of one of the fame order :
front whence it is evident the opinion of that oracle Lord Coke, res
pecting the reje&ion of Infidels as witnesses, which it is apprehended
has given rife to this objection, is exploded, notwithstanding his great
knowledge of the law, wherein there was a considerable mixture of
religious bigotry.
The Commimoners seem to be aware of the last objection, in the
close of their ' observations. The fallibility cf the human under
standing excludes the idea of absolute perfection, in every Sublunary
undertaking. A depreciation table exhibiting an unerring rule of
right in all cases, would perhaps be the ne plus ultra of ingenuity.
If the table in dispute will serve as a correct Standard, to regulate
the payment of old contrasted debts in the depreciated paper cur
rency, on principles of justice and equity, wherein I think it is
unexceptionable, it will be of infinite advantage to the community..
It is certain people in the disposal of their property, were governed
by the nominal,inftcad of the real value of the depreciated paper-cur
rency, which the arbitrary edicts of the times restrained any enquiry
into. The revolution has afforded an opportunity of investigating the
fubjedt, whereby it appears that the paper-currency, like an ignis
fatuus, has deluded the unwary, who have fold their inheritance at
an under rate, and, in some instances, like Esau, for a mess of pot
tage. How far it may be necessary for equity to interfere, on the
principles that were adopted in the South-Sea Scheme, I will not pre
tend to determine: However, it may not be improper to remark, that
when people estimate lands and negroes fold during the usurpation,
by their former value, they appear to be influenced by a fond attach
ment to their interests, as a half, or perhaps much greater proportion
of both, was pledged or mortgaged to the treasury of the State and
to Congress, for the payment of taxes; and consequently should be
deduced out of the value, on a transfer by one individual to an
other; and the purchasers having taken the bargains cum onere, they
are indebted to the restoration of this country to its political connec
tion with the crown and government of Great Britain, for the ex
oneration they have derived from that incumbrance, without any
merit on the part of the fellers.
It is a happiness peculiar to Britons, that they can have free access
to the press in conveying their sentiments to the publick, on every
interesting occasion; and individuals deserve the thanks of the com
munity by adopting that method, which has a natural tendency to elu
cidate the most intricate fubje& : But, when men, declining this
ineftiinable privilege, in a matter of so much importance to the wel
fare of the community as the depreciation-table, have recourse to
objections, which, indead of expofipg to publick examination, they
promote with all the power of private influence, I must confefs, I
think they may be reasonably fufpe&ed of sinister views, or a pre
dominant vanity, by endeavouring to impose their crude opinions or
' arbitrary dictums, in opposition to the sentiments of thirteen un
exceptionable persons on oath, after two months deliberate investi
gation of the fubje&, with every necessary evidence before them;
whereby it must be presumed they acquired more information than a
few individuals could do without Similar aid : especially, as it is ob.
sioi^^
«^^^ o fy^^
THE
GAZETTE.
to SATURDAY, June 2, 1781.
B Y PERMISSION.
To be SOLD at PUBLICK SALE,
By JOHN MORRIS,
On WEDNESDAY next, the 6th Day cf June,
To begin at TEN o'Clock,
At the Store lately occupied by Mr. Sampson Clarke, No. 30. on
the Bay, near the Exchange,
A large and compleat Assortment of
DRY GOODS,
Among which are,
Irish Linens, Cambritks, Ofnaburgs, Bread Cloths. Ker
feymires, Sattins, Luteftrings, Callicoes, Silk and Thread Stock
ings, Check Shirts, Soldiers ditto, Trowfers, &c. &c. Also, a
Quantity of Soap and Candles in Boxes, and Salt in Barrels ;
being late the Property of the said Sampson Clarke.
A N D,
On FRIDAY the Bth Day of June,
In the Exchange, at TWELVE o'clock,
A HOUSE and LOT, No. 30, on the Bay, near the Ex
change, an excellent Situation for Trade.
A HOUSE and LOT, No. 19, Beresford's Alley; 2n(
A vacant corner LOT of LAND, situated on the South Side
of Qjeen-ftreet and the Bay.
CONDITIONS of SALE.
One-third of the Purchase Money to be paid down either in Cash
or Government Bills, and four Months Credit for the Remainder,
with approved Security, paying Interest.
Possession will be given in ten Days from the Sale, upon the Terms
being complied with.
The Property may be seen, by applying at No. 30, on the Bay, or
to JOHN MORRIS.
Cbarlefonvn, May IT, 1,81,f
MR. James Carmichael having assigned ov& all his es
tate real and personal, as also his bonds, notes and books of
accounts to the fubferiber for the payment of his debts, he hath to
request that all indebted to him may discharge the fame without
delay, otherwise they may depend that accounts, bonds and notes
will be sued for without diftindtion.
The fubferiber has for falc, TWO HOUSES in King-street, No,,
31 and 50, the possession of which may be given immediately.
May 3d, 1781. 1 LEWIS LE^T/iRJEiTE.
vious, that like the drone in the hive, the obje&ors have exhibited
no proofs of their own industry, although the publick had an indubi
table right to expert, they would have proposed an ingenious sub
stitute to the work, they seem so zealous to defeat.
Having thus considered the objections to the depreciation- table, I
shall now with equal candour proceed to examine the pretensions of
debtors, refpe&ing the payment of their Gld-contradfed debts in §he
depreciated paper-currency.
It is urged that the paper-currency of usurpation, having circula
ted by the Sanction of publick authority, which had impressed upop
it a certain value, individuals are concluded thereby: In answer to
which, I must observe, it is a Self-evident proposition that publick au
thority, under the most regular and constitutional form of govern
ment on earth, much less under usurpation, cannot legalize injustice;
an( ! t^at human institutions cannot supersede the eternal and positive:
obligations of moral honesty.
But it is alledged, that creditors have not only asked fortheir money,
but even recovered it by a course of legal proceedure, which bein<r
indicative offree ^ill, precludes them from redress, according to the
maxim, volenti non ft injuria. —To such as promoted the Shutting of
the courts, or were advocates for a limited and defective administra
tion of justice during the usurpation, this may appear to be a criminal
wput^on; but those, whose ideas of equity are unpolluted by a blind
attachment to an unnatural system of politicks, will dispassionately
r, . on t, he distresses wherein creditors were involved by the tyranny
of their rulers, and view things through a different medium. In order
to this let me be permitted to flare the following case, which is equal
ly applicable to creditors at large.—-A widow is possessed of 26 cool, on
thc : n t ereft thereof, Being 16001. she is able to procure but
adcanty subsistence for herfelf and family. By the depreciation of the
papei- errency, the principal fam is diminished to a fortieth part of
its value, fayfool, and the councils of usurpation having redu ed in
terelf from eight to seven per cent, her income is only 3d Subject to
taxes. In this diftrefling Situation, she is driven by a ^lancboly
fity, to ask tor payment of the principal money, and the debtor re
futing to acquiesce, she is compelled to seek relief by application to a
court of law. Can this conduct of a person in such circumstances
preclude her from those rights which are founded in the eternal prin-'.
expies of natural justice? Besides, creditors might have inducements
from the great changes in people s affairs during the usurpation, not
only to ask, but sue for their money, on the apprehension of its bein^
u "j a f e in the hands of their debtors: and was it ever known that men
incurred any forfeitute or disability, for exercising their judgments
and understandings, in order to secure their property? Jurisprudence
revolts at the idea.-—)%io-gL„f;Juf, non dormentibusjurafubveniunt.
But to Shew, to a demonstration, that the free toil! and concur
rence of creditors, in the receipt of the depreciated paper-currency,
cannot be reasonably presumed in this case, I must observe, that the
strongest arguments may he drawn from the interefc of men. Can it
then be pretended, that it was confident with the interef of the credi
tor, to take a part for the vi+ole, or fapence in the pound, and consent
tliat the debtor Should put the remainder into his own pori-ct with
out the lead pretence of insolvency? The Supposition is so abferd, that
it hardly delerves a serious refutation; and the inference is obvious
that when tne creditor asked for his money, or feed the debtor, he ex^
pe&ed to have received good money, according to the tenour of the
contract, and not the depreciated paper-currency: and if debtors
taking advantage of the arbitrary edids of usurpation, imposed the
latter on their creditors, at the nominal instead of the real value it was
clearly a fraud; and courts that could be the instruments cf such in
justice, Subverted the very end of their institution. From whence it
evidently follows, that the injured parties have bright to redress by
all laws, divine and human; to which even Congress in this instance
have paid attention, by fettling a Standard of depreciation, differing
at Some periods, not essentially from that lately published in this pro
vince.'
Upon the wnole, although by an unhappy combination of politi
cal opinion with felf-interef, the laws of natural justice and morality
have been violated during the usurpation, it is hoped the right of cre
'?" ,° r^dre's, is combated by those only, who, having paid some of
their dents,- under the fari&ion of arbitrary edicts at the rate of Six
pence or if in the pound, wiffi for the interposition of the virtuous
Jew, to enable them to discharge the rest of such simple incumbrances
on terms of greater advantages,
l^id non morialia peflora cog^
Auri sacra fumes / Virg.
DRUSU&
Numb. 27.