officers to command the said negroes, as shall choose to go into that
service.

"_Resolved_, That Congress will make provision for paying the
proprietors of such Negroes as shall be enlisted for the service of
the United States during the war, a full compensation for the
property, at a rate not exceeding one thousand 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 return his arms, be emancipated,
and receive the sum of fifty dollars."

In connection with this Congress passed also the following resolution:

"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."

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1779, pp. 386, 418.

[49] Sparks, "Writings of Washington," VIII, 322, 323.

[50] Ford, "Washington's Writings," VII, 371.

[51] Letter from the Adjutant General of the U.S. War Department.

[52] Schloezer's "Briefwechsel," IV, 365.

[52a] The Washington Manuscripts in the Library of Congress.

[53] "The Spirit of '76 in Rhode Island," 186-188.

[54] Sidney S. Rider, "An Historical Tract in the Rhode Island Series,"
No. 10.

[55] Marquis de Chastellux, "Travels," I, 454.

[56] Moore, "Historical Notes," 19.

[57] "The Spirit of Rhode Island in '76," 186-188.

[58] Washington, "The Story of the Negro," I, 311, Note.

[59] Moore, "Historical Notes," 22.

[60] Ibid., 16.

[61] Bancroft, "History of the United States," X, 133.

[62] Lecky, "American Revolution," 364.

[63] Austin Dabney, a remarkable free man of color, died at Zebulon. His
remains repose, we understand, near those of his friend Harris. The
following account of Dabney, as given by Governor Gilmer, may be
interesting:

In the beginning of the Revolutionary conflict, a man by the name of
Aycock removed to Wilkes County, having in his possession a mulatto
boy