Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-01-01
The proclamation of Sir Hen

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the conclusion Of Proctors statement
But the speaker PAUSED for moment
and then he again spoke, the SUBJ
ject seemed to have been somewhat
changed.
Il am truly sorry. Colonel Walton
that it has not been heretofore in your
power to sympathize more freely and
openly with his majesty's arms In this
warfare against his rebellious sub
jects."
stay, sir, If you please; these sub
jects Of whom your phrase Is rather
| INSCRIPTIONS, are my relatives and
countrymen: and their sentiments on
this rebellion have been and are my
own, though l have adopted the expe-
dient Of a stern necessity. and in this
have suspended the active demonstra-
ton of principles which am neverthe-
less in no haste to forget, and do not
suppress"
Pardon me. sir: you will do me the
justice to believe l mean nothing of
offence. However erring your thought,
I must respect II as honest: but this
respect does not forbid that l should
lament such a misfortune. scarcely
less so to his majesty than to you. il
Is my sincere regret that you have
heretofore found II less than agreeable
to unite your arms with those of our
army in the arrest of this unnatural
struggle. The commission proffered
YOU by Sir Henry"
WAS rejected. Major Proctor, and
my opinions then fairly avowed and
seemingly respected. No reference
now to that subject need be made by
either of u.s."
yet am 1 called upon to make 1t
now, Colonel Walton. and l do so with
hope that what is my duty will not
lose me, by its performance, the re-
gard of him to whom l speak. I am
counselled to remind you, sir, Of that
proposition by the present command
er-in chief of his majesty's forces in
the south, Earl CORVALLIS. The proc
lamation of Sir Henry Clinton to
which have alluded. is of such ma
ture as opens fresh ground for. the
renewal of that offer; and in this
packet have instructions to that end,
with a formal enclosure Of seal and
signature, from his excellency him.
self, which covers the commission to
you. sir. in your full rank, as engaged
in the rebel army"
You will keep It. sir; again it is
repected. I cannot lift arms against
my countrymen, and though readi-
| ly understand the necessity which re-
quires you to make the tender, you
will permit me to say. that hold 1t
only an equivocal form of insult"
(which. again repeat, Colonel
Walton, is foreign to all intention on
the part of the commander -intchief.
For himself. I surely need make no
such attestation. He, sir. is persuad-
ed to the offer simply as he know
your worth and infiuence-he would
secure your cooperation in the good
cause of loyalty, and at the same time
would soften what may seem the harsh
features of this proclamation"
"And what is this proclamation. sir?
Let me hear that; the matter has
been somewhat precipitately discussed
in advance of the text"
Surely, SIR" said Proctor, eagerly,
as the language of Colonel Walton's
last remark left a hope in his mind
that he might think differently, on the
perusal of the document, which he
now took from the hands of his COM
panion. Dickson-"surely, sir, and l
hope you will reconsider the resolve
which l cannot help thinking precipi-
lately made"
The listener simply bowed his head,
and motioned the other to proceed.
Proctor obeyed, and unfolding the in
strument, proceeded to convey its
contents to the ears Of the astonished
Carolinian. AS he read, the cheek Of
Colonel Walton glowed like fire-his
eye kindled-his pulsation increased
and when the insidious decree, calling
upon him to resume the arms which
he had cast aside when his country
needed them, and lift them in behalf
Of her enemies, was fairly compre-
hended by his sense, his feelings had
reached that climax which despaired
of all utterance. He started abruptly
| from his seat and paced the room In
strong emotion: then suddenly ap-
preaching Proctor. he took the paper
from his hand, and read it with un-
wavering attention. For a few mo-
mentS after he had been fully possess
ed of its contents. he made no remark;
then, with a strong effort, suppressing
as much as possible his aroused feel
ings, he addressed the Briton in tones
Of inquiry which left it doubtful what,
in reality, those feelings were.
And you desire that / should en-
brace this commission. Major Proctor.
which. if I understand it, gives me
command in a service which this proc
lamation is to insist upon-am
| right
1T is so. sir; you are right. Here
is a cOloneTs commission under his
majesty, with power to appoint your
own officers. Most gladly would
place it in your hands"
"Sir-Maj. Proctor, this is the rank
est villainy-villainy and falsehood
BY what right, sir, does Sir Henry
Clinton call upon us for military SER
vice. when his terms of protection,
granted by himself and Admiral Ar
buthnot. secured all those taking them
in condition of neutrality"
1T is not for me, Colonel Walton
was Proctor's reply-"it is not for me
to discuss the commands of my supe-
riors. But does not the proclamation
declare these paroles to be null and
void after the twentieth"
! True. But by what right does
your superior violate his compact?
Think you, sir, that the Carolinians
would have made terms with the in
| vader the conditions and maintenance