Beschreibung:

RUTLEDGE, John (1739-1800), Governor of South Carolina. Autograph letter signed ("J: Rutledge") as Governor of South Carolina, to "His Excellency," the Governor of Havana; Charlestown, S.C., 6 February 1780. 2 pages, 4to, paper age-toned, otherwise fine. CRISIS IN CHARLESTON: THE GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA APPEALS TO THE SPANISH GOVERNOR IN HAVANA TO "CONCOCT A PLAN FOR REDUCING THE BRITISH FORCE IN GEORGIA" A highly unusual war-date letter, in response to the recent arrival of a British military force in Georgia. Governor Rutledge solicits aid from the Spanish governor of Havana, praising Spanish successes against the British in East Florida: "The Legislature of this State having requested that I would acquaint you of the Arrival of some British Man of War & Transports, with Troops from New York at Georgia, & solicit Aid for repelling the Enemy. And the Congress of the United States of America having authorised the Honble Major General [Benjamin] Lincoln, commanding their Troops in the Southern Department, to correspond with you, & concoct a Plan for reducing the British Force in Georgia, & for the Conquest of East-Florida, Lieut. Colonel Tornant, in the Service of the States, is directed to repair to Havanah, on that Business. This Gentleman being fully informed on the Subject of his Mission, I request your Attention to the Representations which he will have the Honor of making to you...such mode of Operations will be concocted, between your excellency & him, that the Spanish & American Arms, by causing a Diversion in favour of each Nation, or acting in Conjunction, may establish his Catholick Majority in the Possession of Florida, & deliver this Part of the Continent from the calamities of War." On other matters he writes: "I congratulate you, on the success of the Governor of Louisiana [Bernardo de Galvez], against the English settlements on the Mississippi [Galvez had successfully taken the British outposts at Baton Rouge and Natchez] & hope he has been equally fortunate against Pensacola & Mobille [Galvez took Mobile and about a month after this letter, Pensacola]." A few days before this letter was penned, Clinton had landed a large army at Savannah and re-embarked to land near Charlestown on 11 February, under cover of a British naval force which appeared in Charleston harbor on the 10th (6 days after this letter). The legislature accorded extraordinary powers to Rutledge during the crisis, especially after the city was cut off and beseiged. Governor Rutledge was able to slip out of the city and sought to gather militia to relieve the seige, but Lincoln surrendered in mid-May, turning over great numbers of prisoners and supplies to Clinton in the worst American defeat of the war.