My last address went forward, under the 31st ult. by Mr Renshaw, one of the corps of escorts. The 10th instant, General Lincoln was on the point of ordering the Ranger frigate to conduct me to France. Governor Rutledge had given his consent, and I believe there would have been no opposition in Council, but on the 11th we received authentic intelligence of the arrival of the enemy’s troops from New York, at and near Tybee, and the next day of their having landed a large detachment on John’s Island, within sixteen miles of this capital. We heard yesterday, that another detachment had landed, and repossessed Beaufort, and we know that two ships of the line, two frigates, and several armed vessels, are cruising near the bar of this harbor. Thus environed an attack upon Charleston, very illy prepared for defence, may be every hour expected.
In these circumstances, were I to study my own private interests and desires, I should remain here, and stand or fall with my country. Whatever her fate may be, exceedingly heavy losses to me will be the consequence of my absence at this critical conjuncture, but the Governor and other judicious friends urge me to use every endeavor for obtaining a passage through some other channel. Duty dictates the same measure. I shall therefore proceed to North Carolina, where are four vessels belonging to this port, and embark immediately on board of one of them. In the mean time, I shall omit no opportunity of acquainting you with my circumstances.
I have the honor to be, &c.
HENRY LAURENS.
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Charleston, February 24th, 1780.
I had the honor of intimating on the 14th instant, by a public messenger, my purpose of seeking a passage to Europe from North Carolina, but upon inquiry into the circumstances of the four vessels alluded to, I judged it best to embark at this port. General Lincoln has hired a swift sailing brigantine, the Adriana, Josiah Hill master, to conduct me to Martinique, and the government has relaxed the embargo on the vessel, and such cargo as she will be laden with, which will be no more than sufficient to ballast her. By agreement, this vessel should have sailed on the 20th instant, but bad weather and distracted times have been impediments. She will be ready for sea tomorrow. Nothing that I foresee will then detain her, unless the wind shall be unfavorable.
The General has contracted to insure the value of the vessel, with the condition of shipping such quantity of goods on Continental account, as I should judge proper, freight free; but I must pay for the use of the cabin, this being the perquisite of the master; and although it is small and very inconvenient, I suppose it will cost me forty or fifty guineas. I cannot yet bring Captain Hill to be explicit in his demand, but it shall be ascertained before I embark. Considering that the circuitous voyages, which I must make, will be attended with great expense; that Congress would have furnished me with means for defraying my expenses had it been in their power; that they had in contemplation when I left Philadelphia to raise a fund abroad, by the exportation of indigo; that I had an opportunity of shipping that and other articles free from freight, and at very moderate prices, compared with those of the staples of other States, I presumed that it would be pleasing to Congress that I should make such an export, on account of the United States, as will appear in the enclosed invoice and bill of lading. The indigo alone will probably yield upwards of £3200 sterling, at some market in Europe. The whole shall be faithfully accounted for, and I trust that Congress will enter into a resolution for indemnifying me, and order the amount of the invoice to be placed to my credit. If it please God to conduct me in safety, a part of the money arising from the sale of the goods may be very acceptable to Mr Jay, or other gentlemen in the service of these States abroad.