t for their crimes, did them the
honour to send a Messenger from Heaven to instruct them, and set Them
a perfect Example of Integrity and kind Behaviour towards one another.
But this holy Person, with all his Eloquence and Sanctity of Life, was
able to make very little Reformation amongst them. Some few Old men
did listen a little to his Wholesome Advice, but all the Young fellows
were quite incorrigible. They not only Neglected his Precepts, but
derided and Evil Entreated his Person. At last, taking upon Him to
reprove some Young Rakes of the Conechta Clan very sharply for their
impiety, they were so provok'd at the Freedom of his Rebukes, that
they tied him to a Tree, and shot him with Arrows through the Heart.
But their God took instant Vengeance on all who had a hand in that
Monstrous Act, by Lightning from Heaven, & has ever since visited
their Nation with a continued Train of Calamities, nor will he ever
leave off punishing, and wasting their People, till he shall have
blotted every living Soul of them out of the World.
SECOND PERIOD ... 1750-1800.
HENRY LAURENS.
~1724=1792.~
HENRY LAURENS, one of the patriot-fathers of our country, was born in
Charleston, South Carolina. He was educated in his native city, and,
becoming a merchant, amassed a fortune in business. In 1771 he
travelled with his children in Europe in order to educate them.
Returning home he became in 1775 a member of the Provincial Congress,
and on Hancock's resignation, president of the Continental Congress.
He was appointed in 1779 minister to Holland, and on his way was
captured by the British and confined in the Tower fifteen months. He
became acquainted with Edmund Burke while in London. He was twice
offered pardon if he would serve the British Ministry, but of course
he declined. During this imprisonment, his son John, called the
"Bayard of the Revolution" for his daring bravery, was killed in
battle.
After his release, being exchanged for Lord Cornwallis, he was
appointed one of the ministers to negotiate peace in 1782. His health
was so impaired by the cruel treatment of his jailers, that he could
take no further active part in affairs, and he passed the rest of his
life in the retirement of his plantation. On his death, his body was
burned, according to his express will, the first instance, in this
country, of cremation.
His daughter Martha married Dr. David Ramsay, the historian.
WORKS.
Political Pa
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