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Domestic News
July 22, 1775
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
On June 20, 1775, South Carolina's Provincial Congress addressed Governor Lord William Campbell, explaining grievances against British policies, affirming loyalty to the King, and justifying arming for defense. Campbell replied on June 21, rejecting the Congress's legitimacy and promising truthful reports to the King.
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CHARLESTOWN, June 23.
To his Excellency the Right Hon. Lord WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the province of South Carolina.
The humble Address and Declaration of the Provincial Congress.
May it please your Excellency,
We his Majesty's loyal subjects, the representatives of the people of this colony, in Congress assembled, beg leave to disclose to your Excellency the true causes of our proceedings; not only that upon your arrival among us, you may receive no unfavourable impression of our conduct, but that we may stand justified to the world.
When the ordinary modes of application for redress of grievances, and the usual means of defence against arbitrary impositions have failed, mankind generally have had recourse to those that are extraordinary. Hence the origin of the Continental Congress, and hence the present representation of the people in this colony.
It is unnecessary to enumerate the grievances of America; they have been so often represented that your Excellency cannot be a stranger to them. Let it therefore suffice to say, that the hands of his Majesty's Ministers have long lain heavy, now press us with intolerable weight. We declare, that no love of innovation, no desire of altering the constitution of government, no lust of independence, has had the least influence upon our Councils: But, alarmed and roused by a long succession of arbitrary proceedings by wicked administrations, impressed with the greatest apprehensions of instigated insurrections, and deeply affected by the commencement of hostilities by the British troops against this continent, solely for the preservation and defence of our lives, liberties, and properties, we have been impelled to associate, and take up arms.
We sincerely deplore those slanderous informations and wicked counsels, by which his Majesty has been led into measures, which, if persisted in, must inevitably involve America in all the calamities of civil war, and rend the British empire. We only desire the secure enjoyment of our invaluable rights, and we wish for nothing more ardently than a speedy reconciliation with our mother country, upon constitutional principles.
Conscious of the justice of our cause, and the integrity of our views, we readily profess our loyal attachment to our Sovereign, his Crown and dignity; and, trusting the event to Providence, we prefer death to slavery.
These things we have thought it our duty to declare, that your Excellency, and, through you, our august Sovereign, our fellow subjects, and the whole world, may clearly understand, that our taking up arms is the result of dire necessity, and in compliance with the first law of nature.
We entreat, and trust, that your Excellency will make such a representation of the state of this colony, and of our true motives, as to assure his Majesty, that, in the midst of all our complicated distresses, he has, no subjects in his wide dominions who more sincerely desire to testify their loyalty and affection, or who would be more willing to devote their lives and fortunes in his real service.
By order of the Provincial Congress, at Charlestown.
June 20, 1775.
HENRY LAURENS, President.
The deputation being returned, the Hon. Mr. Drayton reported, that they having delivered the address to the Governor, his Excellency was pleased to make the following
ANSWER.
GENTLEMEN;
I KNOW of no representatives of the people of this province, except those constitutionally convened in General Assembly, and am incompetent to judge of the disputes which at present unhappily subsist between Great Britain and the American colonies.
It is impossible, during the short interval since my arrival, that I should have acquired such a knowledge of the state of the province as to be at present able to make any representation thereupon to his Majesty; but you may be assured that no representations shall be ever made by me, but what shall be consistent with truth, and with an earnest endeavour to promote the real happiness and prosperity of the province.
WM. CAMPBELL.
June 21, 1775.
Published by order of the Congress.
PETER TIMOTHY, Secretary
To his Excellency the Right Hon. Lord WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the province of South Carolina.
The humble Address and Declaration of the Provincial Congress.
May it please your Excellency,
We his Majesty's loyal subjects, the representatives of the people of this colony, in Congress assembled, beg leave to disclose to your Excellency the true causes of our proceedings; not only that upon your arrival among us, you may receive no unfavourable impression of our conduct, but that we may stand justified to the world.
When the ordinary modes of application for redress of grievances, and the usual means of defence against arbitrary impositions have failed, mankind generally have had recourse to those that are extraordinary. Hence the origin of the Continental Congress, and hence the present representation of the people in this colony.
It is unnecessary to enumerate the grievances of America; they have been so often represented that your Excellency cannot be a stranger to them. Let it therefore suffice to say, that the hands of his Majesty's Ministers have long lain heavy, now press us with intolerable weight. We declare, that no love of innovation, no desire of altering the constitution of government, no lust of independence, has had the least influence upon our Councils: But, alarmed and roused by a long succession of arbitrary proceedings by wicked administrations, impressed with the greatest apprehensions of instigated insurrections, and deeply affected by the commencement of hostilities by the British troops against this continent, solely for the preservation and defence of our lives, liberties, and properties, we have been impelled to associate, and take up arms.
We sincerely deplore those slanderous informations and wicked counsels, by which his Majesty has been led into measures, which, if persisted in, must inevitably involve America in all the calamities of civil war, and rend the British empire. We only desire the secure enjoyment of our invaluable rights, and we wish for nothing more ardently than a speedy reconciliation with our mother country, upon constitutional principles.
Conscious of the justice of our cause, and the integrity of our views, we readily profess our loyal attachment to our Sovereign, his Crown and dignity; and, trusting the event to Providence, we prefer death to slavery.
These things we have thought it our duty to declare, that your Excellency, and, through you, our august Sovereign, our fellow subjects, and the whole world, may clearly understand, that our taking up arms is the result of dire necessity, and in compliance with the first law of nature.
We entreat, and trust, that your Excellency will make such a representation of the state of this colony, and of our true motives, as to assure his Majesty, that, in the midst of all our complicated distresses, he has, no subjects in his wide dominions who more sincerely desire to testify their loyalty and affection, or who would be more willing to devote their lives and fortunes in his real service.
By order of the Provincial Congress, at Charlestown.
June 20, 1775.
HENRY LAURENS, President.
The deputation being returned, the Hon. Mr. Drayton reported, that they having delivered the address to the Governor, his Excellency was pleased to make the following
ANSWER.
GENTLEMEN;
I KNOW of no representatives of the people of this province, except those constitutionally convened in General Assembly, and am incompetent to judge of the disputes which at present unhappily subsist between Great Britain and the American colonies.
It is impossible, during the short interval since my arrival, that I should have acquired such a knowledge of the state of the province as to be at present able to make any representation thereupon to his Majesty; but you may be assured that no representations shall be ever made by me, but what shall be consistent with truth, and with an earnest endeavour to promote the real happiness and prosperity of the province.
WM. CAMPBELL.
June 21, 1775.
Published by order of the Congress.
PETER TIMOTHY, Secretary
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Rebellion Or Revolt
What keywords are associated?
Provincial Congress
Address To Governor
South Carolina Grievances
British Impositions
Loyalty Declaration
Taking Up Arms
What entities or persons were involved?
Lord William Campbell
Henry Laurens
Mr. Drayton
Peter Timothy
Where did it happen?
Charlestown
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Charlestown
Event Date
June 20 21, 1775
Key Persons
Lord William Campbell
Henry Laurens
Mr. Drayton
Peter Timothy
Outcome
governor dismissed the address, recognizing only the general assembly and committing to truthful representation to the king.
Event Details
The Provincial Congress, assembled as representatives of the people, presented an address to Governor Campbell disclosing causes for their proceedings, including grievances from British ministers, alarm at hostilities, and necessity to associate and take up arms for lives, liberties, and properties while professing loyalty to the Sovereign. The deputation delivered it, and Campbell responded rejecting their authority.