never to desert them_. They formed themselves into
associations throughout the colonies, renouncing the use of teas and
other imported luxuries, and engaged to card, spin and weave their own
clothing. And still further, to arouse a patriotic spirit in every
hesitating or laggard bosom, we find in the "South Carolina and
American General Gazette," of February 9th, 1776, the following
paragraph, illustrative of female patriotism under a manly and
_singular_ incentive:

"The young ladies of the best families of Mecklenburg
county, North Carolina, have entered into a voluntary
association that they will not receive the addresses of any
young gentlemen of that place, except the brave volunteers
who served in the expedition to South Carolina, and assisted
in subduing the Scovillite insurgents. The ladies being of
opinion that such persons as stay loitering at home, when
the important calls of their country demand their military
services abroad, must certainly be destitute of that
nobleness of sentiment, that brave, manly spirit, which
would qualify them to be the defenders and guardians of the
fair sex. The ladies of the adjoining county of Rowan have
desired the plan of a similar association to be drawn up and
prepared for signature."

Accordingly, at a meeting of the Committee of Safety, held in
Salisbury, May 8th, 1776, we find the following entry in their
minutes:

"A letter from a number of young ladies in the county,
directed to the chairman, requesting the approbation of the
committee to a number of resolutions enclosed, entered into,
and signed by the same young ladies being read,

"_Resolved_, That this committee present their cordial
thanks to the said young ladies for so spirited a
performance; look upon these resolutions to be sensible and
polite; that they merit the honor, and are worthy the
imitation of every young lady in America."

And who were the young ladies of Mecklenburg and Rowan counties then
prepared to sign such an association, and willing to bestow their fair
hands, and pledge their loving hearts _only to those brave soldiers_,
who, on the calls of duty, fought the battles of their country?
Imagination carries us back to that eventful period, and pictures to
our admiring view, among others, the following daughters of Western
Carolina, as actuated by such patriotic motives:

Mis