Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-02-10

one COulQ Do IOuuu WHO was WiiliiiR w AuCuA
the odium and risk the danger of accepting
the office of Receiver. Hence the stamps
were conveyed to Fort johnson. The people
were divided in their opinion as to the proper
course to be pursued. Henry Laurens was
opposed to violent measures; but public sen.
timent was against him. Aparty of one hun
dred and fifty men were armed and sent out
to surprise the fort in which was stored away
the stamps. 1t so happened that although
Fort johnson was strong forti6cation, the
garrison was weak. The party found but lit.
tie difficulty in surprising the fort and getting
possession of the stamps. The heavy guns of
the fort were loaded, flag raised and every
preparation made for a conflict with the ves-
sel which had brought over the stamps 1t
was, however, agreed that the stamps would
not be destroyed, provided the captain of the
vessel would convey them away snd not land
them elsewhere in America. This was agreed
to. The captain took the stamps and tho
men returned to the city. Again the people
were triumphant. They had driven Boone
from South Carolina, and now they had sent
the stamps from America. Nothing was
talked of in the province but liberty. Chris
topher Gadsden was accustomed to meet the
multitudes under large live-oak near his
residence and discuss the great political ques-
tions of the day. Gadsden saw grand re-
public-far grander than that Of Greece or
Rome-springing into existence in South
Carolina. Under this live-oak, Christopher
Gadsden, long before any of his compatriots
in any quarter of North America, spoke of
American Independence. American liberty
was conceived in the brain of Christopher
Gadsen.
In 1859 the people of Charlestown entered
into what was called "non-importation"
agreement. In this it was determined not to
import any goods from England, and thus get
rid of the tax which was imposed upon Ger.
tain articles.
In 1774, the Continental Congress adopted
what was called the American Association.
This was complied with by the people of
South Carolina generally. The tea brought
into the colony was stored away in ware
houses and there it rotted not single pound
of it was ever sold. On the 18th of January,
1775, Provincial Congress, chosen by the
people, met at Charlestown. Charles Cotes-
worth Pinckney was chosen president. Things
now began to assume a warlike appearance.
Volunteer companies were formed and drill
ed, and everything indicated war. On the
18th of April, 1775-the very day that the
battle of Lexington was fought-the S,oallor,
packet ship, arrived in Charlestown. She
had dispatches for the Governors of the
Southern colonies. Henry Middleton, John
Rutledge, Christopher Gadsden, Thos. Lynch
and Edward Rutledge, by order of the council
Of safety, seized the mail. The private let
ters were returned to the post:oaice, but the
dispatches to the Governors were opened.
From these dispatches it was learned that
England had determined to force her colo.
nies into subjection. These dispatches were
sent to the Continental Congress, and from
them that body first learned the real inten'
tions of Great Britain.
So soon as the people of South Carolina
heard of the battle of Lexington, they regard
ed every tie which bound them to England as
severed, and began to make preparation tor
both defensive and offensive war. All the
arms and ammunition within their reach were
seized and vessel was sent out to capture the
Brig Betsy, which was known, from the inter-
cepted dispatches, to be on her way with
large quantity of powder for John Stuart, the
Indian Agent. The brig was found at anchor
of, the bar of St. Augustine, and completely
surprised. Ninety.one barrels Of powder,
amounting to about ten thousand pounds,
were obtained and safely delivered to the
council of safely. Part Of this powder was
used at the battle of Bunker Hill.
We have thus hastily run over the events
leading to the revolution in South Carolina.
Briefly as they have been treated, they still
show that South Carolina was one of the prin-
cipal actors in the beginning Of that wonder
full undertaking, the American Revolution.
In future we will con6ne ourselves to the par
ticular battles fought during that eventful Pc
riod, in South Carolina, North Carolina and
Georgia, together with brief sketch of the
principal heroes in the varioqs conflicts.
JuvEN1LE.-Children rarely comprehend
the idea that Providence watches over all
they do, and seldom appreciate the fact so