Head Quarters, March 14, 1779.
Dear Sir:
Colonel Laurens, who will have the honor of delivering you this
letter, is on his way to South Carolina, on a project which I think, in the
present situation of affairs there, is a very good one, and deserves every kind
of support and encouragement. This is, to raise two, three, or four battalions
of negroes, with the assistance of the government of that State, by
contributions from the owners, in proportion to the number they possess. If you
should think proper to enter upon the subject with him, he will give you a
detail of his plan. He wishes to have it recommended by Congress to the State;
and, as an inducement, that they would engage to take their battalions into
Continental pay.
It appears to me, that an expedient of this kind, in the
present state of Southern affairs, is the most rational that can be adopted,
and promises very important advantages. Indeed, I hardly see how a sufficient
force can be collected in that quarter without it: and the enemy's operations
there are growing infinitely serious and formidable. I have not the least
doubt, that the negroes will make very excellent soldiers, with proper
management: and I will venture to pronounce, that they cannot be put in better
hands than those of Mr. Laurens. He has all the zeal, intelligence, enterprise,
and every other qualification, requisite to succeed in such an undertaking. It
is a maxim with some great military judges, that, with sensible officers,
soldiers can hardly be too stupid: and, on this principle, it is thought that
the Russians would make the best soldiers in the world, if they were under other
officers than their own. The King of Prussia is among the number who maintains
this doctrine, and has a very emphatic saying on the occasion, which I do not
exactly recollect. I mention this because I have frequently heard it objected
to the scheme of embodying negroes, that they are too stupid to make soldiers.
This is so far from appearing to me a valid objection, that I think their want
of cultivation (for their natural faculties are as good as ours), joined to
that habit of subordination which they acquire from a life of servitude, will
enable them sooner to become soldiers than our white inhabitants. Let officers
be men of sense and sentiment; and the nearer the soldiers approach to
machines, perhaps the better.
I foresee that this project will have to combat much
opposition from prejudice and self-interest. The contempt we have been taught
to entertain for the blacks, makes us fancy many things that are founded
neither in reason nor experience; and an unwillingness to part with property of
so valuable a kind, will furnish a thousand arguments to show the
impracticability, or pernicious tendency, of a scheme which requires such
sacrifices. But it should be considered, that if we do not make use of them in
this way, the enemy probably will; and that the best way to counteract the
temptations they will hold out, will be, to offer them ourselves. An essential
part of the plan is, to give them their freedom with their swords. This will
secure their fidelity, animate their courage, and, I believe, will have a good
influence upon those who remain, by opening a door to their emancipation. This
circumstance, I confess, has no small weight in inducing me to wish the success
of the project; for the dictates of humanity, and true policy, equally interest
me in favor of this unfortunate class of men.
While I am on the subject of southern affairs, you will
excuse the liberty I take in saying, that I do not think measures sufficiently
vigorous are pursuing for our defence in that quarter. Except the few regular
troops of South Carolina, we seem to be relying wholly on the militia of that
and the two neighboring States. These will soon grow impatient of service, and
leave our affairs in a miserable situation. No considerable force can be uniformly
kept up by militia; to say nothing of the many obvious and well-known
inconveniences that attend this kind of troops. I would beg leave to suggest,
Sir, that no time ought to be lost in making a draught of militia to serve a
twelvemonth, from the States of North and South Carolina and Virginia. But
South Carolina, being very weak in her population of whites, may be excused
from the draught, on condition of furnishing the black battalions. The two
others may furnish about three thousand five hundred men, and be exempted, on
that account, from sending any succors to this army. The States to the
northward of Virginia, will be fully able to give competent supplies to the
army here; and it will require all the force and exertions of the three States
I have mentioned, to withstand the storm which has arisen, and is increasing in
the South.
The troops draughted, must be thrown into battalions, and
officered in the best possible manner. The supernumerary officers may be made
use of as far as they will go. If arms are wanted for their troops, and no
better way of supplying them is to be found, we should endeavor to levy a
contribution of arms upon the militia at large. Extraordinary exigencies demand
extraordinary means. I fear this southern business will become a very grave one.
With the truest respect and esteem,
I am, Sir, your most
obedient servant,
Alex. Hamilton.
His Excell'y John Jay,
President of Congress.
SOURCE: John C. Hamilton, Editor, The Works of Alexander Hamilton, Volume 1, p. 76-78
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