of Whites would give stringency to our Government; while an army
partly of Blacks would naturally operate in favor of freedom and
against those influences which at present most endanger our
liberties. At the end of five years, they could be sent to
Africa, and their places filled with new enlistments."

Receiving no specific response to this overture, Gen. Phelps made a
requisition of arms, clothing, etc., for "three regiments of Africans,
which I propose to raise for the defense of this point"; adding:

"The location is swampy and unhealthy; and our men are dying at
the rate of two or three a day.

"The Southern loyalists are willing, as I understand, to furnish
their share of the tax for the support of the war; but they
should also furnish their quota of men; which they have not thus
far done. An opportunity now offers of supplying the deficiency;
and it is not safe to neglect opportunities in war. I think that,
with the proper facilities, I could raise the three regiments
proposed in a short time. Without holding out any inducements, or
offering any reward, I have now upward of 300 Africans organized
into five companies, who are all willing and ready to show their
devotion to our cause in any way that it may be put to the test.
They are willing to submit to any thing rather than to slavery.

"Society, in the South, seems to be on the point of dissolution;
and the best way of preventing the African from becoming
instrumental in a general state of anarchy, is to enlist him in
the cause of the Republic. If we reject his services, any petty
military chieftain, by offering him freedom, can have them for
the purpose of robbery and plunder. It is for the interests of
the South, as well as of the North, that the African should be
permitted to offer his block for the temple of freedom.
Sentiments unworthy of the man of the present day--worthy only of
another Cain--could alone prevent such an offer from being
accepted.

"I would recommend that the cadet graduates of the present year
should be sent to South Carolina and this point, to organize and
discipline our African levies; and that the more promising
non-commissioned officers and privates of the army be appointed
as company officers to command them. Prompt and energetic efforts
in this direction wo