Transcript
TO THE CITIZENS OF AMERICA.
My Fellow-citizens,
The last flag from Charlestown brought us the affecting intelligence of Col. ISAAC HAYNE having fallen a victim to British cruelty. Every patriot eye must drop a tear to the memory of this gentleman, when his history is known. A warmer friend America had not within her limits. He early stepped forth in defence of her liberties, and his distinguished zeal and activity in her service pointed the artillery of British vengeance against him. His having taken a British protection may have made an unfavourable impression on the minds of some; but a circumstantial recital of the transaction will remove every suspicion of infidelity to his country, and clearly convict those concerned in his destruction of a palpable violation of the law of nations. As I am perfectly acquainted with all the circumstances, I think it an act of justice due to his memory, to publish them to the world.
Colonel Hayne was, at the time of the surrender of Charlestown, confined to his bed. The small-pox, which had been spread through the country by the British army, soon after visited his family. He, with the utmost tenderness, visited the household of his plantations, where he had a wife, six young children, and upwards of an hundred servants who were liable to the disease, and there was no possibility of removing them to town, while his family on the plantations were in that situation. As long as there was an American army in the state, or any opposition made to the British arms, he never suffered any solicitation of the enemy to shake his allegiance. He was made a prisoner at discretion by their united hostilities; with whom the country was overrun, and those who had not taken protection were imprisoned at Charlestown. In this perplexing choice of difficulties, he determined to go down and surrender himself a prisoner “at parole,” not having the most distant intention of accepting protection.
The Commandant General Paterson, who probably had received some information respecting his character, influence, and abilities as an officer, assured him in positive terms that he must either take protection or prepare for a prison-ship. Col. Hayne replied, that he might be only indulged that indulgence until his family should get through the small-pox, when he would return and surrender himself at discretion. This was refused. He then desired to see the certificate or form of protection. Upon its being produced, his patriotic mind revolted at the idea of taking up arms against his country, as there expressed, and he objected to that part of it. He was asked whether he would fight against the French; his reply was, that he could never think of fighting either against America, or any nation in alliance with her. The Commandant then told him, that that was the usual form of a “declaration of allegiance,” but that the inhabitants would never be called upon to take up arms; and Sir Henry Clinton was quiet to Mr. Hayne by Mr. James Simpson, superintendent of the police, as having said that he never intended to call out the militia, and that he had entered, as a reason, “that the holding it high time to quit the country, when matters should arrive at such a pass as to make their assistance necessary.” Col. Hayne therefore declined to bear arms. This the Commandant declined; but repeated also the assurance that he should never be called upon. Upon obtaining these assurances he was induced, from regard to his family, who must have been exposed to instant and accumulated distress by his absence, to take the certificate or protection.
He declared, at the time, that he did not consider it as binding him to bear arms; and he conceived himself under no obligation to turn his arms against America, and that the invitation of protection, with that exception, expressed no more, as he conceived, than a profession of peaceable submission to their government, as long as they should hold possession of the country. When the Americans regained possession of the country where he was, he returned to his allegiance of the United States; this he was perfectly justified in by the law of nations; more especially if it be considered that the profession of allegiance to them had been extorted by an actual physicum per minas, and that he was repeatedly called upon, in direct violation of the solemn assurances of the Commandant, to bear arms against America, which however he always found means to avoid. Upon his joining the American army General Greene, in consideration of his merit and abilities, conferred on him the rank of Colonel.
He soon after had the misfortune to fall into the hands of the enemy. It would grieve every feeling citizen, and touch his crime, whom those savages Rawdon and Balfour have consigned to a gallows. Quæ lacrimas patriorum si forsan misserit auris! How long, O ye brave Americans! how long will ye suffer the incarnate fiends thus wantonly to sport with the lives of your fellow-citizens! How long, O Congress! will ye, at the presence of example of your sufferings, desert a natural ally of a nation of Britons! while ye are thus outraging every rule of civilized society, every principle of humanity, while your legislators trifle, when every law human and divine, can ye expect to escape their righteous vengeance and sufferings? If ever a people had reason to resolve that no exertion should be spared, the world have not the alarm at your insolence or your crimes, and to obtain justice; ye might have a refuge; but conduct unexemplified may with the most want on levity, of the vices of your blood-thirsty nation may be left on the face of the globe.
Philadelphia, Aug. 29, 1781.
A CITIZEN OF AMERICA.
