Charles Town. 15th May 1775.
[Extract] p. Le Despenser
You will have heard before this reaches you of the "actual commencement of Hostilities" in New England against the Inhabitants by the Kings Troops & more particulars of the Action of the 19th April than we yet know of in this Country ー the Associated Colonies have taken the alarm & but three days ago I put the Question "is it your pleasure Gentlemen to agree with your Committee"? when the following association was Unanimously approved ofー
"The actual Commencement of Hostilities against this Continent ー the threats of arbitrary impositions from abroad ー & the dread of instigated Insurrections at home ー are causes Sufficient to drive an oppressed people to the use of Arms: We therefore the Subscribers, Inhabitants of this unhappy Colony holding ourselves bound by that most Sacred of all obligations, the duty of good Citizens towards an injured Country, & thoroughly convinced that under our present distressed circumstances we Shall be justified before God & Man in resisting force by force; do unite our Selves under every tie of Religion & of honour & associate as a band in her defence against every Foe & we do Solemnly promise that whenever her Continental or provincial Counsils Shall decree it necessary we will go forth & be ready to Sacrifice our Lives & fortunes in attempting to Secure her Freedom & Safety." ー This Association I Say was unanimously approved of in the General Committee 48 Members present ー it will be recommended to the Provincial Congress at their first meeting on the first of June ー I have no doubt of a favourable reception there & believe it will be Subscribed to by the Inhabitants throughout this Colony ー in the mean time the daily & nightly Sound of Drums & Fifes discover a Spirit in the people to make all possible resistance against that arbitrary power complained of ー upwards of one hundred Men besides the common Town Watch mount guard every Night & Committees of observation, of Intelligence & of Safety find employment every Day ー in a word the people are resolved to do all in their power to resist against the force & Stratagems of the British Ministry ー & I find that even among those few who are Suspected of disaffection to the Americans, there are many & perhaps a Majority who will in the day of trial appear on the Side of the American Cause.ー
1. Henry Laurens Letter Book, 1774-75, SCHS.