1769-Slavery

Peter Timothy, editor of the South Carolina Gazette wrote:

From the first of January last to the first of July no less than 4,233 [Negroes] had been imported and many more were expected before the close of the year. This scarcely needs comment; every man’s own mind must suggest the consequences of such enormous importation, especially at this time.

1774-American Revolution – Foundations

Exchange Building, 1823

One hundred and four delegates arrived at the Exchange Building for a general meeting. Charlestonians Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Lynch, and Christopher Gadsden were named delegates to the First Continental Congress.

Dr. David Ramsay attended the meeting and wrote:

This Convention of the people, and these resolutions, laid the foundation of all subsequent proceedings which ultimately terminated in a revolution … The people, by virtue of their inherent right to resist illegal oppression by their rulers, delegated full powers to five men of their own choice to take care of their political interest … the germ of representative government then planted, has grown up to the tree of liberty and happiness …

Edward Rutledge wrote to Ralph Izard boasting that he was elected by a “great majority – 397.”

1775-American Revolution – Continental Congress

 Continental Congress issues a “Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of taking up Arms.” It stated that the Americans are “resolved to die free men rather than live as slaves.”

1777

John Laurens, 1780 (by Charles Willson Peale)

John Laurens secured a place on George Washington’s staff, with Alexander Hamilton and Marquis de Lafayette. Hamilton wrote that John had “stolen into my affections without my consent.”