The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1844-10-04

Ming anu 50 tue pToteNtluu wa g." ~
those only, who having been ia arms Tor
thoir country, or ayowed Wings, abandon
ed her cause. laid down their arms, and
declared themselves true subjects OF The
King. This is ahundanily proved by the
history and documents OF the period
And, therefore, when Lord Cornwafhs,
having granted protection 10 some militia
men, afterwards captured them at Cam
den, they were executed as traitors taken
in arms and not treated as prisoners OF
war. By his Proclamation, he directed
+, the Estate, both real aud personal, TO be
seQuestered, of all the inhabitants "who
we're actually in arms, or who had aoan-
doned their plantations TO Join or support
the army, and of all those who by an open
ayowal of what he termed rebelhous prin-
ciples should manifest their perseverance,
in opposing the re.establishment Of Royal
authority (See Marshall's life Of Wash
ington, Vol. i, chap. ~ And the hls,o-
Ran informs US, that these measures were
taken to break the spirit of lndePend-
ence." (See also 9Th Vol. of Washing
toms writings P. 500 ct sq
In order, therefore, TO obtain and pre-
serve the benefit of his protection" twas
necessary for Ezekiel Polk TO submit 10 the
authority of Cornrallis, protesting himself
"a British subject TO remain al hone
on his plantation, to abstain from joining or
supporting tho armies Of his country, and
not to express opinions adverse 10 the re-
storation of the Royal authority. All this
he did-he an officer, holding a commits
sion in the service, and having taken an
oath os allegiance to his native county
and, in so doing, he gave effect as far as
his presence and example would 60, TO ev.
cry measure adopted by the British Com
mander "to break the spirit, as the hlsto-
rian saws, "of INDEPENDENCE"
4 And what was the motive which urged
him 10 take this course Was he overpow-
cred bv force compelled by the fear Of in.
slant death to disSemble, and seem to be a
traitor Not so-had that been the case,
he would have been entitled 10 other and
more favorable Judgment than we are dis
posed now 10 pass upon him. The law Of
the country, in accordance with common
= sense, holds that If u citizens fall under the
! power Of traitors, and to save his life from
luInu5ie,s ord '.an1inent danger, takes pan
with them is not guilty Of Treason, II u,
makes his escape or return to the service
\ Of his country at the first opportunity h.
/ has. But no less reason will avail him 70
n detection from his duty. Now what cx
), cuse had Ezekiel Polk, for his submission
j. TO British authority, and recognition Of tn
e sovereignty Of the King. By the testimo
y ny Of the witnesses produced by him, hi
J. life was in no danger, he was not prison
IT er, nor in any way in the power Of Corn
a rails, but voluntarily rent 10 Cornualiis'
headquarters, at Charlotte, and made hi
;" submission, merely to sare his property.
Id George Oiirer says, he was forced, :"
or take protection or leave bis property 10 til
as ravages of the Tories"
as Reuben Hood says, he was forced IN o
of der TO save bis property, to take protection
he and TO the same purpose say George Ale!
T. auder, Daniel Alexander, John Smith, g.
C. (See their statements in Mr.. Haywood
en- address.)
he 1t is manifest then, that he roiuntdri
N, took protection as British subject, in o
lie der TO save his property. II is true Dai
ut, iel Alexander says, che had many slavt
ne with a good deal Of other property "-bl
Iat that makes no difference. The poor ma
at, might do TO preserve his little, what Il
X rich man nigh, do to keep his wealth.
Neither could lose more than his all, az
on the rich officer when he took arms for b
h. country, had agreed to surrender all,
H. needful, for his country's good.
Ter Let the matter be si(led as il may; !
as the Democratic Committee spread over
AT what mamie Of charity their piefy m.
sh- furnish, and after their task is fully don
re, the simple fact remains, that Ezekiel Pc
'us preferred his money 10 his country, al
ISL could not follow the path Of duty, when
les demanded the surrender, or even the ha
nd ard of all he had.
m Was this the conduct of true friend
10 a bold fricnd-a steadfast friend Of h
sc Country ! freedom What would have bee
on said, had Gen. WASHINGTON taken prote
Of lion, TO save his estate on the Potomac 2
rs, What American heart but feels the supp
"a sition 10 involve an insult, on that create
- uiII DtHt ~ y tst. IlNutiHs " ltdt Womb ia
ie- been The opinion and conduct Of WAsmrN
he TON under like circumstances A fact du
lr ing the War of the Revolution furnishes
ed full reply. When his oyerscer wrote BIZ
lei that The British required from his estate
no supply Of provisions, under a threat
;e, burning his house and properly, the reply
an the noble Patriot was" Lit them burn
RI YET, though lis station was more cxaltc
TO- his obligations Of duty were the same wi
te- those Of Captain Ezekiel Polk. Bot len
by ing the case Of the Commander. Chi,
20. does any one believe that Col. VIM. Pol
iel or Charles, or Thomas Polk, his brother
lie. or old Thomas Polk, their falher, could
IN Their Of them have been compelled to ta
10 protection as British subject Could al
in. thing have reconciled them to such de
radiation Not the fear Of instant dea
as probably, and certainly, not the loss of pr
sh perty.' No! When these men embar
not ed in the cause Of their country, in Il
he times which tried mems souls, they fl