66 REMINISCENCES OF 



happiness which is there described, continued to be 

 the portion of the people, until in the course of the 

 revolutionary war the British got possession of the 

 State, and established their military posts over every 

 portion of the country. Then the people became 

 more clearly divided into Whigs and Tories ; and 

 their misery was increased by the proclamation of 

 the British commander, offering to all who would 

 accept it, peace and protection ; and complete ex- 

 emption from the obligation of taking up arms 

 against their countrymen. 



Not only the Tories but even some of the most 

 zealous Whigs accepted this delusive protection. 

 With the exception of Marion and his handful of 

 men, resistance had ceased to be entertained, and 

 the State lay prostrate at the mercy of the conquer- 

 ors.' Some of the most sao^acious Whiors refused 

 to be deluded by the bait, and when a brief period 

 of repose exposed the hoUowness of the protection, 

 they again took up arms and abandoned the cultiva- 

 tion of their lands except for necessary provisions. 

 Their ingenuity was also taxed to conceal their 

 slaves and secure them from the avaricious clutches 

 of their foes. When peace was restored every planter 

 was in debt ; no market crops had been made for 

 years ; and where the river swamp was their sole 

 dependence, even provisions had not been made. It 

 was not a season therefore merely of embarrassment ; 



' See Note B., at the end. 



