SOUTH CAROLINA 205 



more commendable, held and openly expressed by up- 

 right men repeatedly, at a time when the blind zeal of 

 the people was still everywhere crying for vengeance, 

 holding it for a crime unpardonable to think in any 

 way different from the crowd. 



The laws of South Carolina are no more favorable 

 than those of the other states to distinctions of rank. 

 But even if there are no class distinctions as such, it 

 is observable that many circumstances and conditions 

 have almost that effect, certain members of society 

 being more nearly and closely associated, and to them 

 is tacitly ascribed more or less superiority. America 

 knows no nobility, rather hates the thought of such 

 a thing, and refuses any respect demanded by those 

 whose only claim is that of descent and birth. There 

 is however a class of citizens who by natural gifts, 

 useful acquirements, or wealth, are plainly enough 

 superior to the rest, know how to make themselves 

 influential and regarded in many situations and to 

 maintain their hold, and in many respects think and 

 act precisely as do the nobility in other countries. 



At this time discontented officers were to be found 

 here in great numbers. The grounds of their dissatis- 

 faction were valid enough. Many of them had for 

 years devoted health and property to the service of 

 their country, and now saw themselves abandoned to 

 their fate. A Major of South Carolina troops assured 

 me that during the whole of the war he had received 

 no more than 70 Pd. pay in cash money, and that in 

 order to live conformably to his position he had been 

 obliged to sell many negroes, and even land, and as 

 circumstances were, at prices far below the real values. 

 For 2 and 3 years' service many officers had been paid 



