dollars for each active, able bodied negro man of standard size, not exceeding thirty-five years of age, who shall be so enlisted and pass muster.

     “That no pay or bounty be allowed to the said negroes, but
     that they be clothed and subsisted at the expense of the
     United States.

“That every negro who shall well and faithfully serve as a soldier to the end of the present war, and shall then return his arms, be emancipated, and receive the sum of fifty dollars."[565]

Congress supplemented the foregoing measure by commissioning young Col.  Laurens to carry forward the important work suggested.  The gallant young officer was indeed worthy of the following resolutions:—­

“Whereas John Laurens, Esq., who has heretofore acted as aide-de-camp to the Commander-in-chief, is desirous of repairing to South Carolina, with a design to assist in defence of the Southern States;—­

     “Resolved, That a commission of lieutenant-colonel be
     granted to the said John Laurens, Esq."[566]

He repaired to South Carolina, and threw all his energies into his noble mission.  That the people did not co-operate with him, is evidenced in the following extract from a letter he subsequently wrote to Col.  Hamilton:—­

“Ternant will relate to you how many violent struggles I have had between duty and inclination,—­how much my heart was with you, while I appeared to be most actively employed here.  But it appears to me, that I should be inexcusable in the light of a citizen, if I did not continue my utmost efforts for carrying the plan of the black levies into execution, while there remain the smallest hopes of success."[567]

The enemy was not slow in discovering the division of sentiment among the colonists as to the policy of employing Negroes as soldiers.  And the suspicions of Gen. Washington, indicated to Henry Laurens, in a letter already quoted, were not groundless.  On the 30th of June, 1779, Sir Henry Clinton issued a proclamation to the Negroes.  It first appeared in “The Royal Gazette” of New York, on the 3d of July, 1779.

     “By his Excellency Sir HENRY CLINTON, K.B.  General and
     Commander-in-chief of all his Majesty’s Forces within the
     Colonies laying on the Atlantic Ocean, from Nova Scotia to
     West-Florida, inclusive, &c., &c., &.

     “PROCLAMATION.

“Whereas the enemy have adopted a practice of enrolling NEGROES among their Troops, I do hereby give notice That all NEGROES taken in arms, or upon any military Duty, shall be purchased for [the public service at] a stated Price; the money to be paid to the Captors.

“But I do most strictly forbid any Person to sell or claim Right over any NEGROE, the property of a Rebel, who may take Refuge with any part of this Army:  And I do promise to every NEGROE who shall desert the Rebel Standard, full security to follow within these Lines, any Occupation which he shall think proper.

     “Given under my Hand, at Head-Quarters, PHILLIPSBURGH, the
     30th day of June, 1779.