Marattas against the common enemy, until I can hear from you in answer to my letter dated the 27th of January, because I should think it incumbent upon me to agree to almost any conditions of that nature, which they might appear determined to annex to their decision for making an immediate declaration in our favour.

I am, &c.,

CORNWALLIS.

APPENDIX.

IN my letter from Camden of the 2nd instant I had the honour to inform you that I was employed in regulating the militia, and establishing some kind of government in this province; and I likewise mentioned the state and the steps that I had taken relative to our friends in North Carolina. I will first proceed with the affairs of South Carolina. As the different districts submitted, I, with all the despatch in my power, formed them into militia, and appointed field-officers, according to the old divisions of the province. I invested these field-officers with civil as well as military power, as the most effectual means of preserving order and re-establishing the King's authority in this country. I divided the militia into two classes; the first to consist of men above forty, and of certain property, family, or service. This class to be depended upon for the preservation of order in their respective districts, and to do the patrole duty, but never to be called out, except in case of an insurrection or an actual invasion of the province. The second class composed of younger men, not only to assist in the home duties, but liable to be called out for six of each twelve months to serve in either of the Carolinas or Georgia; promising, however, to call upon this class in such proportions as to occasion the least distress possible to the country. This militia, both officers and soldiers, is composed of men either of undoubted attachment to the cause of Great Britain, or whose behaviour has always been moderate; and the field-officers of the Rebel Militia, members of their council, assembly men, and acting magistrates, were ordered to go on their paroles to the islands on the coast between Charlestown and Beaufort, to remain there until their conduct and character could be inquired into, and that their presence in the country might not awe those that were inclined to return to their duty, and our friends from assuming the authority necessary to give vigour to our Government. The rest of those that were notoriously disaffected, I ordered to be disarmed, and to remain at home on their parole, but subject, in lieu of personal services, to furnish moderate contributions of provisions, waggons, horses, &c., towards carrying on the war. About this time I readily agreed to a proposal made by a Mr. Harrison to raise a provincial corps of 500 men with the rank of major, to be composed of the natives of the country between the Pedee and Wateree, and in which it is at present extremely probable that he will succeed.

I had advanced thus far when I was met on the 11th of this month by two gentlemen, one of whom had been in an high station, and both principally concerned in the rebellion, who said they were come to surrender, upon the proclamation of the Commissioners of the 1st of June. However extraordinary it might appear to them, I was forced to acknowledge that no proclamation of that date had been communicated to me, and that consequently I could not acquiesce in the terms of their proffered submission; and indeed, when I saw that proclamation, as well as your Excellency's of the 3rd of June, which was soon after transmitted to me, I found that those gentlemen had overstrained the meaning of the first, for, after considering both, I thought myself at liberty to persevere in sending on parole to the islands the fieldofficers of militia, the members of council, assembly men, acting magistrates, &c., the first as falling under the exception of the military line in your Excellency's proclamation, and the remainder as under the description of those polluted with the blood of their fellow subjects, excepted by the proclamation of the Commissioners. This measure appeared absolutely necessary for the security of the province, especially as our hold is much loosened of a considerable number of people, who, being notoriously disaffected, cannot with prudence be trusted with arms, and admitted into the militia, but are disengaged from their paroles by the proclamation of the 3rd instant. The submission of General Williamson at Ninety-Six, whose capitulation I inclose with Captain Paris' letter, and the dispersion of a party of Rebels, who had assembled at an iron work on the north-west border of the province, by a detachment of dragoons and militia from Lieut.-Colonel Turnbull, put an end to all resistance in South Carolina.

After having made the following disposition of the troops, I arrived in town on the 25th. Major M'Arthur with the 71st Regiment, a troop of dragoons, and a six-pounder, on the Cheraw Hill, with orders to cover the raising of Major Harrison's corps, and to establish the militia in the districts on the Pedee; the remainder of Lieut.-Colonel Webster's brigade, and the provincials that marched with me and Brown's corps remain at Camden, and Lieut.-Colonel Turnbull's, with some cavalry, at Rocky Mount; the whole under the command of Lord Rawdon. Lieut-Colonel Balfour's detachment is dispersed from the Forks of Santee by the Congarees to Ninety-Six; whilst he and Lieut.-Colonel Innes, and Major Graham, are giving orders for the militia of those districts. I have ordered Major Ferguson to visit every district in the province as fast as they get the militia established, to procure lists of each, and to see that my orders are carried into execution. I apprehend that his commission of major-commandant of a regiment of militia, can only take place in case a part of the 2nd class should be called out for service, the home duty being more that of a justice of peace than of a soldier. I have given to the militia regiments temporary commissions, which perhaps your Excellency will find more convenient to confirm by a line in your next despatch, than to take the trouble of signing, as the number for the whole province will amount to some hundreds. I have had some conversations with Brigadier-General Patterson and Mr. Simpson, and have made a little progress in the arrangement of this place.

In regard to North Carolina, I have established the most satisfactory correspondence, and have seen several people of credit and undoubted fidelity from that province; they all agree in assurances of the good disposition of a considerable body of the inhabitants, and of the impossibility of subsisting a body of troops in that country till the harvest is over. This reason, the heat of the summer, and the unsettled state of South Carolina, all concurred to convince me

of the necessity of postponing offensive operations on that side until the latter end of August or beginning of September, and in consequence I sent emissaries to the leading persons amongst our friends, recommending in the strongest terms that they should attend to their harvest, prepare provisions, and remain quiet until the King's troops were ready to enter the province. Notwithstanding these precautions, I am sorry to say that a considerable number of loyal inhabitants of Tryon county, encouraged and headed by a Colonel Moore, whom I know nothing of, and excited by the sanguine emissaries of the very sanguine and imprudent Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton, rose on the 18th instant without order or caution, and were in a few days defeated by General Rutherford, with some loss. I still hope that this unlucky business will not materially affect the general plan, or occasion any commotions on the frontiers of this province. The force of the enemy in North Carolina consists of about 1000 militia at Cross Creek, under General Caswell, 400 or 500 militia under General Rutherford, at or near Salisbury, and 300 Virginians in that neighbourhood under General Porterfield. Mons. Treville returned with information that he saw 2000 Maryland and Delaware troops at Hillsborough under Major-General De Kalbe; other accounts have corresponded with his, but I have since heard that the greatest part of the last have returned to Virginia.

After having thus fully stated the present situation of the two Carolinas, I shall now take the liberty of giving my opinion with respect to the practicability and the probable effect of further operations in this quarter, and my own intentions, if not otherwise directed by your Excellency.

I think that with the force at present under my command (except there should be a considerable foreign interference) I can leave South Carolina in security, and march about the beginning of September with a body of troops into the back part of North Carolina, with the greatest probability of reducing that province to its duty; and if this be accomplished, I am of opinion that (besides the advantage of possessing so valuable a province) it would prove an effectual barrier for South Carolina and Georgia, and could be kept, with the assistance of our friends there, by as few troops as would be wanted on the borders of this province, if North Carolina should remain in the hands of our enemies; consequently, if your Excellency should continue to think it expedient to employ part of the troops at present in this province in operations in the Chesapeake, there will be as many to spare as if we did not possess North Carolina. If I am not honoured with different directions from your Excellency before that time, I shall take my measures for beginning the execution of the above plan about the latter end of August or beginning of September, and shall apply to the officer commanding his Majesty's ships for some co-operation by Cape Fear, which at present would be burdensome to the navy, and not of much importance to the service.

I have seen a letter from St. Augustine, which mentions that two officers had arrived there from Pensacola, who reported that Don Galvez was at Mobile when they came away, and short of provisions, and that the 'Mentor' had taken three Spanish victuallers on their passage from the Havannah to Mobile, and brought them into Pensacola.

I shall immediately, in compliance with the directions contained in your letter of the 8th of June, order proper people to examine the receipts granted for cattle previous to the taking of Charlestown, and to certify such as they think ought to be paid. A great number of claims are likewise made for provisions delivered to the troops through the Commissary of Captures, and for which no receipts were given. These claims shall undergo the same examina

tion as the receipts, and shall depend upon similar certificates. You will be pleased to direct from what fund the whole sum, when ascertained, is to be paid.

I opened the inclosed letter from Governor Tryon, but as the point appears to me to be out of the common line of Indian business, and the service suffers no inconvenience from a little delay, I herewith send Mr. Moore's letter to General Patterson on the subject, and have likewise directed Mr. Moore to transmit his other papers to New York for your Excellency's determination. Mr. Graham, Lieut.-Governor of Georgia, has presented an account of money advanced to refugees, to which is added a charge of twenty shillings per diem to the 24th of June, as Inspector of Refugees in Georgia; but as he informs me that his commission for that office is not signed, I beg to know your pleasure whether his account is to be allowed. I must likewise know whether the pay is to be continued to the Commissary of Captures, and if it is, to what fund it is to be charged; or, if your intention is that it should cease whilst the troops are inactive, whether you wish that when the troops take the field the office should be revived in the persons of the present Commissioners.

Judge Pendleton, who, in his judicial character, committed a number of barbarous murders on the persons of his Majesty's loyal subjects, has escaped from his parole, and I find by returns which I called for that not less than 500 continental prisoners have made their escape since the town was taken. I have now taken measures which I hope will enable us to keep those that remain until an exchange can take place.

Brigadier-General Patterson showed me a letter which he received from Major André relative to the general court-martial left with him, in which he expressed your desire that I should give my opinion of the proper objects of mercy or severity. I must lament the fate of those unhappy people who have been and must remain so long confined; but as all those under sentence of death are convicted of desertion and carrying arms against their country, I cannot bring myself to say that they are proper objects of mercy.

The morning that I left Camden I had the honour to receive your Excellency's despatches and instructions that had been left in charge of BrigadierGeneral Patterson. Your Excellency may depend on my utmost attention to them, and on my zeal in fulfilling your wishes in every respect. The detachment of the 17th Dragoons will sail for New York with the first convoy, which Captain Henry informs me will be in a week or ten days; and now I think, having completely tired both your Excellency and myself, I shall only add that I have the honour to be, &c.,

No. II.

CORNWALLIS.

EARL CORNWALLIS TO LORD GEORGE GERMAIN.

Camden, Aug. 20, 1780.

MY LORD, Your Lordship will have been informed by Sir Henry Clinton of everything that passed in the province of South Carolina from the reduction of Charlestown to the defeat of the corps under Colonel Burford by the great exertion and valour of Lieut.-Colonel Tarleton.

Sir Henry soon afterwards embarked for New York, and appointed me to the