LORD KENYON. 343 



like event, that my entrance into manhood 

 should not be marked by what appeared to me 

 an act of treason and rebellion. I was conse- 

 quently obliged to leave Carolina, altogether 

 uncertain of the future means of subsistence; 

 but I found them here, in the exertions of a 

 father, who, to supply me with what was neces- 

 sary for the prosecution of my studies, sub- 

 mitted to privations ill befitting his age, and 

 former habits of life. I was in this way enabled 

 to take the degree of doctor of Physic, at Edin- 

 burgh, in 1780. Charlestown was now in the 

 possession of his Majesty's forces, and I returned 

 to it for the purpose of collecting the scattered 

 remains of my father's fortune. While there, 

 though exempted by my profession from mili- 

 tary calls, I made an offer of my personal ser- 

 vices to the commandant of the town, the pre- 

 sent lieutenant-general Nesbitt Balfour, and 

 was appointed by him an officer in a body of 

 volunteers, who, by performing a part of the 

 duty of the garrison, enabled a greater number 

 of the regular troops to take the field, than 

 could have done so, without such aid. When 

 Charlestown was abandoned by the king's 

 forces, I went to East Florida. Shortly after 

 my arrival there, apprehensions being enter- 

 tained for the safety of the province, I requested 

 permission from governor, now general Tonjn, 



