every time of eminent danger, his fellow citizens contempt of danger, flew to the field of battle, flew to him for advice; like the orator of Athens, where, after a stern, and almost victorious resis. he gave it and dispelled their fears:-twice did tance, ah! too soon for his country! he sealed his they call him to the rostrum to commemorate the principles with his blood-thenmassacre of their brethren; and from that instance, "Freedom wept, that merit could not save, in persuasive language he taught them, not only Enriched indeed! and the heights of Charlestown the dangerous tendency, but the actual mischief, of stationing a military force in a free city, in a time of peace.-They learnt the profitable lesson, and penned it among their grievances. shall be more memorable for thy fall, than the Plains of Abraham are for that of the hero of Britain. For while he died contending for a single country, you fell in the cause of virtue and man But his abilities were too great, his deliberations kind. too much wanted, to be confined to the limits of a single city, and at a time when our liberties were The greatness of his soul shone even in the moment of death; for, if fame speaks true, in his last most critically in danger from the secret machinations and open assaults of our enemies, this town, with his wonted magnanimity, and with the true agonies he met the insults of his barbarous foe to their lasting honor, elected him to take a part in the councils of the state.-And with what faithspirit of a soldier, frowned at their impotence. fulness he discharged the important delegation, In fine, to complete the great character-like the neglect of his private concerns, and his un. HARRINGTON he wrote-like CICERO he spoke wearied attendance on that betrustment, will suf.-like HAMPDEN he lived-and like WOLFE he ficiently testify: and the records of that virtuous assembly will remain the testimonials of his accomplishments as a statesman, and his integrity and services as a patriot, through all posterity. died. And can we, my countrymen, with indifference behold so much valor laid prostrate by the hand of British tyranny! and can we ever grasp that The congress of our colony could not observe so hand in affection again? are we not yet convinced much virtue and greatness without honoring it with "that he who hunts the woods for prey, the naked the highest mark of their favor; and by the free and untutored indian, is less a savage than the king suffrages of that uncorrupted body of freemen, he of Britain!" have we not proofs, wrote in blood, was soon called to preside in the senate-where, that the corrupted nation, from whence we spráng, by his daily counsels and exertions, he was con(though there may be some traces of their ancient stantly promoting the great cause of general liberty. virtue left) are stubbornly fixed on our destruction! and shall we still court a dependence on such But when he found the tools of oppression were a state? still contend for a connexion with those obstinately bent on violence; when he found the who have forfeited not only every kindred claim, vengeance of the British court must be glutted but even their title to humanity! forbid it the spirit with blood; he determined, that what he could not of the brave MONTGOMERY! forbid it the spirit of effect by his eloquence or his pen, he would immortal WARREN! forbid it the spirits of all our bring to purpose by his sword. And on the memo- valiant countrymen! who fought, bled, and died rable 19th of April, he appeared in the field under for far different purposes, and who would have the united characters of the general, the soldier, thought the purchase dear indeed! to have paid and the physician. Here he was seen animating their lives for the paltry boon of displacing on e his countrymen to battle, and fighting by their set of villains in power, to make way for another. side, and there he was found administering healing No. They contended for the establishment of comforts to the wounded. And when he had re-peace, liberty, and safety to their country; and we pelled the unprovoked assaults of the enemy, and are unworthy to be called their countrymen, if we had driven them back into their strong-holds, like stop at any acquisition short of this. the virtuous chief of Rome, he returned to the senate, and presided fagain at the councils of the fathers. Now is the happy season, to seize again those rights, which, as men, we are by nature entitled to, and which, by contract, we never have and When the vanquished foe had rallied their dis-never could have surrendered:-but which have ordered army, and by the acquisition of fresh been repeatedly and violently attacked by the king, strength, again presumed to fight against freemen, lords and commons of Britain. Ought we not then our patriot, ever anxious to be where he could do to disclaim forever, the forfeited affinity; and by a the most good, again put off the senator, and, in timely amputation of that rotten limb of the em 1 62 pire, prevent the mortification of the whole? ought Go tell the king, and tell him from our spirits, Or if in bonds, the never conquer'd soul Are forg'd by hands, from which you hop'd for freedom. Yes, we ought, and will--we will assert the blood of our murdered hero against thy hostile oppressions, O shameless Britain! and when "thy cloud-capped towers, thy gorgeous palaces" shall, by the teeth of pride and folly, be levelled with the dust-and when thy glory shall have faded like the western sunbeam-the name and the virtues of WARREN shall remain immortal. Judge Jay's Charge. THE CHARGE DELIVERED BY JOHN JAY, ESQ. CHIEF JUS- a Whoever compares our present with our former constitution, will find abundant reason to rejoice. in the exchange, and readily admit, that all the calamities, incident to this war, will be amply compensated by the many blessings flowing from this glorious revolution. A revolution which, in the whole course of its rise and progress, is distinguished by so many marks of the Divine favor and interposition, that no doubt can remain of its being finally accomplished. It was begun, and has been supported, in a manner so singular, and I may say, miraculous, that when future ages shall read its history, they will be tempted to consider great part of it as fabulous. What, among other things, can appear more unworthy of credit, than that in an enlightened age, in a civilized and Christian country, in a nation so celebrated for humanity, as well as love of liberty and justice, as the English once justly were, prince should arise, who, by the influence of corruption alone, should be able to seduce them into a time when the assembly and senate were conven- a combination, to reduce three millions of his most ing, and the whole system of government, establish- loyal and affectionate subjects, to absolute slavery, ed by the constitution, about being put in motion under pretence of a right, appertaining to Gon The grand inquest was composed of the most respectable characters in the county, and no less than alone, of binding them in all cases whatever, not even excepting cases of conscience and religion?. twenty-two of them attended and were sworn. GENTLEMEN-It affords me very sensible plea- What can appear more improbable, although true, sure to congratulate you on the dawn of that free, than that this prince, and this people, should obmild and equal government, which now begins to stinately steel their hearts, and shut their ears, rise and break from amidst those clouds of anaragainst the most humble petitions and affectionate chy, confusion and licentiousness, which the arbi- remonstrances; and unjustly determine, by violence trary and violent domination of the king of Great and force, to execute designs which were reproBritain had spread, in greater or less degrees, bated by every principle of humanity, equity, grathroughout this and the other American states. titude and policy-designs which would have been And it gives me particular satisfaction to remark, execrable, if intended against savages and enemies, that the first fruits of our excellent constitution and yet formed against men descended from the appear in a part of this state, whose inhabitants same common ancestors with themselves; men, have distinguished themselves, by having unani- who had liberally contributed to their support, and cheerfully fought their battles, even in remote mously endeavored to deserve them. This is one of those signal instances, in which and baleful climates? Will it not appear extraor Divine Providence has made the tyranny of princes dinary, that thirteen colonies, the object of their instrumental in breaking the chains of their sub-wicked designs, divided by variety of governments jects; and rendered the most inhuman designs, and manners, should immediately become one peoproductive of the best consequences, to those ple, and though without funds, without magazines, without disciplined troops, in the face of their against whom they were intended. The infatuated sovereign of Britain, forgetful enemies, unanimously determine to be free; and, that kings were the servants, not the proprietors, undaunted by the power of Britain, refer their and ought to be the fathers, not the incendiaries cause to the justice of the Almighty, and resolve of their people, hath, by destroying our former con- to repel force by force? Thereby presenting to the stitutions, enabled us to erect more eligible sys- world an illustrious example of magnanimity and tems of government on their ruins; and, by unwar- virtue scarcely to be paralleled. Will it not be mat. rantable attempts, to bind us, in all cases whatever, ter of doubt and wonder, that, notwithstanding has reduced us to the happy necessity of being free these difficulties, they should raise armies, estab. lish funds, carry on commerce, grow rich by the from his control in any. spoils of their enemies, and bid defiance to the legislative, executive and judicial powers of goarmies of Britain, the mercenaries of Germany and vernment, as to promise permanence to the constithe savages of the wilderness?-But, however in- tution, and give energy and impartiality to the credible these things may in future appear, we distribution of justice. So that, while you possess know them to be true, and we should always re. wisdom to discern and virtue to appoint men of member, that the many remarkable and unexpect-worth and abilities to fill the offices of the state, ed means and events, by which our wants have been you will be happy at home and respectable abroad supplied, and our enemies repelled or restrained, -Your life, your liberties, your property, will be are such strong and striking proofs of the interposi-at the disposal only of your Creator and yourtion of heaven, that our having been hitherto deli selves. You will know no power but such as you vered from the threatened bondage of Britain, will create; no authority unless derived from your ought, like the emancipation of the Jews from grant; no laws, but such as acquire all their obligaEgyptian servitude, to be forever ascribed to its tion from your consent. true cause, and instead of swelling our breasts with Adequate security is also given to the rights of arrogant ideas of our prowess and importance, conscience and private judgment. They are, by kindle in them a flame of gratitude and piety, nature, subject to no control but that of the Deity, which may consume all remains of vice and irreli- and in that free situation they are now left. Every gion. man is permitted to consider, to adore and to wor. Blessed be God! the time will now never arrive ship his Creator in the manner most agreeable to when the prince of a country, in another quarter of his conscience. No opinions are dictated; no rules the globe, will command your obedience and hold of faith prescribed; no preference given to one sect you in vassalage. His consent has ceased to be to the prejudice of others.—The constitution, hownecessary to enable you to enact laws essential to ever, has wisely declared, that the "liberty of con. to your welfare; nor will you, in future, be sub. ject to the imperious sway of rulers, instructed to sacrifice your happiness, whenever it might be in. consistent with the ambitious views of their royal master. The Americans are the first people whom heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon, and choosing the forms of government under which they should live;-all other constitutions have derived their existence from violence or acci. dental eircumstances, and are therefore probably more distant from their perfection, which, though beyond our reach, may nevertheless be approached{ under the guidance of reason and experience. science, thereby granted, shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of this state." In a word, the convention, by whom that constitution was formed, were of opinion, that the gospel of CHRIST, like the ark of God, would not fall, though unsupported by the arm of flesh; and happy would it be for mankind, if that opinion prevailed more generally. But let it be remembered, that whatever marks of wisdom, experience and patriotism there may be in your constitution, yet, like the beautiful symmetry, the just proportions, and elegant forms of our first parent, before their maker breathed into them the breath of life, it is yet to be animated, How far the people of this state have improved and till then, may indeed excite adiniration, but this opportunity, we are at no loss to determine.- will be of no use-From the people it must reTheir constitution has given general satisfaction at ceive its spirit, and by them be quickened. Let home, and been not only approved, but applauded virtue, honor, the love of liberty and of science be, abroad. It would be a pleasing task to take a mi and remain, the soul of this constitution, and it nute view of it, to investigate its principles, and will become the source of great and extensive hapremark the connection and use of its several parts piness to this and future generations. Vice, igno-but that would be a work of too great length to rance, and want of vigilance, will be the only enebe proper on this occasion. I must therefore con-mies able to destroy it. Against these provide, fine myself to general observations; and among and, of these, be forever jealous. Every member those which naturally arise from a consideration of of the state, ought diligently to read and study this subject, none are more obvious, than that the highest respect has been paid to those great and equal rights of human nature, which should for ever remain inviolate in every society-and that such care has been taken in the disposition of the the constitution of his country, and teach the rising generation to be free. By knowing their rights, they will sooner perceive when they are violated, and be the better prepared to defend and assert them. This, gentlemen, is the first court held under, the authority of our constitution, and I hope its proceedings will be such, as to merit the approbation of the friends, and avoid giving cause of censure to the enemies of the present establish ment. who, fearless of danger, undaunted by opposition, uninfluenced by the hope of reward, in the worst of times, has stood among the foremost, an early, active, zealous, disinterested champion, in the cause of American liberty and independence—the followiug oration, originally drawn up at his request, is respectfully inscribed by his humble servant the author. It is proper to observe, that no person in this state, however exalted or low his rank, however dignified or humble his station, but has a right to Friends and fellow-citizens-Impressed with the the protection of, and is amenable to the laws of deepest sense of my insufficiency, I rise to address the land; and that if those laws be wisely made you with peculiar diffidence. When I consider and duly executed, innocence will be defended, the knowledge and eloquence necessary to disoppression punished, and vice restrained. Hence play the glorious prospects which independence it becomes the common duty, and indeed the com opens to this continent, I am stung with a degree mon interest, of every subject of the state, and of self-reproach for undertaking the important particularly of those concerned in the distribution task. But your known attachment to the cause of justice, to unite in repressing the licentious, in of America encourages me to hope, that you will supporting the laws, and thereby diffusing the bles-receive with indulgence, a well intended exertion sings of peace, security, order and good govern. to promote her welfare; and emboldens me to cast ment, through all degrees and ranks of men among myself on that candor, which looks with kindness on the feeblest efforts of an honest mind. us. I presume it will be unnecessary to remind you, We are now celebrating the anniversary of our that neither fear, favor, resentment, or other perso- emancipation from British tyranny; an event that nal and partial considerations, should influence will constitute an illustrious era in the history of your conduct. Calm, deliberate reason, candor, the world, and which promises an extension of ail moderation, a dispassionate, and yet a determined those blessings to our country, for which we would resolution to do your duty, will, I am persuaded, choose to live, or dare to die. be the principles by which you will be directed. You will be pleased to observe, that all offences committed in this county against the peace of the people of this state, from treason to trespass, are proper objects of your attention and enquiry. You will pay particular attention to the practice of counterfeiting the bills of credit, emitted by the general CONGRESS, or other of the AMERICAN STATES, and of knowingly passing such counterfeits. Prac tices no less criminal in themselves, than injurious to the interest of that great cause, on the success of which the happiness of AMERICA so essentially depends. Our present form of government is every way preferable to the royal one we have lately renounced. It is much more favorable to purity of morals, and better calculated to promote all our important interests. Honesty, plain-dealing, and simple manners, were never made the patterns of courtly be havior. Artificial manners always prevail in kingly governments; and royal courts are reservoirs, from whence insincerity, bypocrisy, dissimulation, pride, luxury, and extravagance, deluge and overwhelm the body of the people. On the other hand, re. publics are favorable to truth, sincerity, frugality, industry, and simplicity of manners. Equality, the life and soul of commonwealth, cuts off all pretensions to preferment, but those which arise from AN ORATION ON THE ADVANTAGES OF AMERICAN INDE- extraordinary merit: Whereas, in royal govern. PENDENCE, SPOKEN BEFORE A PUBLIC ASSEMBLY OF ments, he that can best please his superiors, by the THE INHABITANTS OF CHARLESTOWN, IN SOUTH-low arts of fawning and adulation, is most likely to CAROLINA, ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THAT obtain favor. GLORIOUS ERA, Dr. Ramsay's Oration. BY DAVID RAMSAY, M. B. Huic ego nec metas rerum, nec tempora pono: Virgil. To the honorable CHRISTOPHER GADSDEN, esq. It was the interest of Great Britain to encourage our dissipation and extravagance, for the two-fold purpose of increasing the sale of her manufactures, and of perpetuating our subordination. In vain we sought to check the growth of luxury, by sumptuary laws; every wholesome restraint of this kind was sure lieutenant governor of the state of South-Carolina; to meet with the royal negative. While the whole force of example was employed to induce us to on to determine on peace and war, treaties and copy the dissipated manners of the country from negociations with foreign states, and other subwhich we sprung. If, therefore, we had continued jects interesting to the peace, liberty, sovereignty, dependent, our frugality, industry, and simplicity and independence of a wide extended empire. No of manners, would have been lost in an imitation wonder that so little attention has been paid to of British extravagance, idleness, and false refine-learning; for ignorance was better than knowledge, while our abject and humiliating condition so ments. How much more happy is our present situation, effectually tended to crush the exertions of the when necessity, co-operating with the love of our human mind, and to extinguish a generous ardor country, compels us to adopt both public and for literary pre-emience. private economy? Many are now industriously The times in which we live, and the governclothing themselves and their families in sober ments we have lately adopted, all conspire to fan home-spun, who, had we remained dependent, the sparks of genius in every breast, and kindle would have been spending their time in idleness, them into flame. When, like children, we were and strutting in the costly robes of British gaiety. under the guardianship of a foreign power, our limited attention was naturally engrossed by The arts and sciences, which languished under agriculture, or directed to the low pursuit of the low prospects of subjection, will now raise wealth. In this state, the powers of the soul, their drooping heads, and spread far and wide, till benumbed with ease and indolence, sunk us into they have reached the remotest parts of this sloth and effeminacy. Hardships, dangers, and untutored continent. It is the happiness of our proper opportunities give scope to active virtues, present constitution, that all offices lie open to and rouse the mind to such vigorous exertions, men of merit, of whatever rank or condition; and as command the admiration of an applauding that even the reins of state may be held by the world. Rome, when she filled the earth with the son of the poorest man, if possessed of abilities terror of her arms, sometimes called her generals equal to the important station. We are no more from the plough: In like manner, the great want to look up for the blessings of government to of proper persons to fill high stations, has drawn hungry courtiers, or the needy dependents of Brifrom obscurity many illustrious characters, which tish nobility; but must educate our own children will dazzle the world with the splendor of their for these exalted purposes. When subjects, we names. The necessities of our country require had scarce any other share in government, but to the utmost exertions of all our powers; from which obey the arbitrary mandates of a British parlia- vigorous, united efforts, much more improvement ment: But honor, with her dazzling pomp, interest, of the human mind is to be expected, than if we had with her golden lure, and patriotism, with her remained in a torpid state of dependence. heart-felt satisfaction, jointly call upon us now to qualify ourselves and posterity for the bench, the Eloquence is the child of a free state. In this army, the navy, the learned professions, and all form of government, as public measures are dethe departments of civil government. The indetermined by a majority of votes, arguments enpendence of our country holds forth such generous forced by the arts of persuasion, must evermore encouragement to youth, as cannot fail of making be crowned with success: The rising patriot, many of them despise the syren calls of luxury and therefore, who wishes the happiness of his coun mirth, and pursue heaven-born wisdom with un-try, will cultivate the art of public speaking. In wearied application. A few years will now produce a much greater number of men of learning and abilities, than we could have expected for ages in our boyish state of minority, guided by the leading strings of a parent country. royal governments, where the will of one or a few has the direction of public measures, the orator may harangue, but most probably will reap prosecution and imprisonment, as the fruit of his labor: Whereas, in our present happy system, the How trifling the objects of deliberation that poorest school boy may prosecute his studies with came before our former legislative assemblies, increasing ardor, from the prospect, that in a few compared with the great and important matters, years he may, by his improved abilities, direct the on which they must now decide! They might determinations of public bodies, on subjects of the then, with the leave of the king, his governors and most stupendous consequence. councils, make laws about yoking hogs, branding Thus might I go through the whole circle of the cattle, or making rice; but they are now called up. arts and sciences, and shew that while we remain |