n "The Royal Gazette" of New York, on the 3d of July, 1779.

"By his Excellency Sir HENRY CLINTON, K.B. General and
Commander-in-chief of all his Majesty's Forces within the
Colonies laying on the Atlantic Ocean, from Nova Scotia to
West-Florida, inclusive, &c., &c., &.

"PROCLAMATION.

"Whereas the enemy have adopted a practice of enrolling
NEGROES among their Troops, I do hereby give notice That all
NEGROES taken in arms, or upon any military Duty, shall be
purchased for [_the public service at_] a stated Price; the
money to be paid to the Captors.

"But I do most strictly forbid any Person to sell or claim
Right over any NEGROE, the property of a Rebel, who may take
Refuge with any part of this Army: And I do promise to every
NEGROE who shall desert the Rebel Standard, full security to
follow within these Lines, any Occupation which he shall
think proper.

"Given under my Hand, at Head-Quarters, PHILLIPSBURGH, the
30th day of June, 1779.

"H. CLINTON.

"By his Excellency's command,

"JOHN SMITH, _Secretary_."

The proclamation had effect. Many Negroes, weary of the hesitancy of
the colonists respecting acceptance of their services, joined the
ministerial army. On the 14th of February, 1780, Col. Laurens wrote
Gen. Washington, from Charleston, S.C., as follows:--

"Private accounts say that General Prevost is left to
command at Savannah; that his troops consist of the Hessians
and Loyalists that were there before, re-enforced by a corps
of blacks and a detachment of savages. It is generally
reported that Sir Henry Clinton commands the present
expedition."[568]

Lord Cornwallis also issued a proclamation, offering protection to all
Negroes who should seek his command. But the treatment he gave them,
as narrated by Mr. Jefferson in a letter to Dr. Gordon, a few years
after the war, was extremely cruel, to say the least.

"Lord Cornwallis destroyed all my growing crops of corn and
tobacco; he burned all my barns, containing the same
articles of the last year, having first taken what corn he
wanted; he used, as was to be expected, all my stock of
cattle, sheep, and hogs, for the sustenance of his army, and
carried off all the horses capable of service; of those too
youn