Extract of a Letter from Wm. H. Drayton and Wm. Tennent to Council of Safety for South-Carolina

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The most perfect good order prevailed with the people, who heard us with much attention. But Kirkland treated the Congress, the Committee, the Council, and ourselves, with the highest insolence. Nay, he was on the point of assaulting Mr˙ Drayton; and in all probability would have done it, which would have brought on bloodshed, but that the pressure of the people about Mr˙ Drayton gave him to understand that an attack made by him would be premature. Imagine every indecency of language, every misrepresentation, every ungenerous and unjust charge against the American politicks that could alarm the people, and give them an evil impression of our designs against their liberties and the rights of Great Britain; imagine all you can on these points, and you will not exceed what we heard, as well from Kirkland as from Brown. Our indignation was painful, for we were obliged to conceal it; and our situation was as disagreeable as you can well conceive. Brown loudly declared, that when the King' s Troops arrived, he would join them against us; and he hoped every other person in these parts would do the same.

We have the pleasure, however, to inform you, that the address from the people of England to the people of America appears to have lost its credit. Brown read it; but he had but few hearers: we did not think it worth our while to attend to it, or say one word in answer to it.

We waited so long for the assembling of the people, and the discourses and pamphlet took up so much time, that no election could be held. This day fortnight is appointed for the holding of it.

Kirkland and the Cunninghams appeared here with arms, sword and pistol. Their intention did not appeal good, and the very small audience clearly manifests that the sentiments of the party continue inimical. However, we have acquired several of Fletchall' s Captains.

There was a subscription of the Association-about seventy names-but most of these persons had already signed, and now again signed in order to give a good example. We shall be at Ninety-Six Court-House on Sunday; and from thence we shall shape our course to Amelia.