[With all their discouragements, these unfortunate men were not too
much depressed to celebrate this day. I do not recollect to have seen
any notice of its celebration at a period earlier than this. It is
interesting to see how it was regarded by those who suffered in the
cause it commemorates.]
JULY 4th. This day was appointed for a general meeting of the officers
at Haddrel's Point, to celebrate the Independency of the Thirteen
United States of America. The following TOASTS were drank on the
occasion:
1st. The Free and Sovereign Independent States of America.
2d. The Honorable the Continental Congress.
3d. His Most Christian Majesty the King of France.
4th. His Most Catholic Majesty the King of Spain.
5th. May impartial justice guide the other powers of Europe.
6th. Stability and firmness to the Alliance between France and
America.
7th. Gen. Washington and the American Army.
8th. The American Navy.
9th. The American Ministry at Foreign Courts.
10th. _May the States of America be always found a sure refuge and
an asylum against despotism and oppression._
11th. May the sword never be drawn but in the cause of justice.
12th. The immortal memory of those patriots and warriors who have
fallen in the present war, in defence of the rights of
mankind.
13th. Our brethren in captivity, suffering in the glorious cause of
liberty.
From each toast there followed a discharge of _thirteen pistols_ and
three cheers. That night the barracks were illuminated.
July 5th. The enemy was much exasperated from our yesterday's
transactions. Capt. Roberts of the sixty-third regiment, who commanded
at Fort Arbuthnot, wrote to General Patterson, who commanded in
Charleston, informing him "the rebel officers on Haddrel's Point could
not be satisfied with celebrating _their supposed day_ of independency
by illuminating the barracks, but must fire small arms," which he
thought too great "an indulgence for rebel prisoners," and that we had
been guilty of a breach of our paroles.
6th. General Patterson wrote to General Moultrie and enclosed Captain
Roberts' letter, ordering a return of the names of the officers who
were at the head of the affair on the 4th instant. Likewise ordering
every pistol in our possession to be sent to Fort Arbuthnot. [After
considerable difficulty, it appears the pistols were given up, but no
names accompanied them. The prisoners were threatened with close
confinement for such behaviour in future. How differently are we
situated!]
For the Southern Literary Messenger.
_Copy of a Manuscript written but not published at the period of the
Missouri Question, 1821_.