The Life of Gen. Francis Marion | Page 5

extraordinary French couple, viz., the grandfather
and mother of our hero -- their early and happy loves -- cruel
persecution of the priests -- final expulsion from their native country --
providential settlement in South Carolina -- their prosperous and
exemplary lives -- singular will of old Marion -- and birth of his
grandson, Francis.
Immortal may their memory be Who fought and bled for liberty.

One thousand seven hundred and thirty-two was a glorious year for
America. It gave birth to two of the noblest thunderbolts of her wars,
George Washington and Francis Marion. The latter was born in St.
John's parish, South Carolina. His father also was a Carolinian, but his
grandfather was a Huguenot or French Protestant, who lived near
Rochelle, in the blind and bigoted days of Louis XIV.
The priests, who are the persecutors in all countries except America,
could not bear that he should worship God in his own way, or dream of
going to heaven but in their leading strings, and therefore soon gave
him to understand, that he must either "recant or trot"; that is, quit his
heresy or his country.
Too brave to play the hypocrite, and too wise to hope for happiness
with a "wounded spirit", he quickly made up his mind, and, like faithful
Abraham, forsook his country, to wander an exile in lands unknown.
The angel who guides the footsteps of the virtuous, directed his course
to South Carolina; and as a reward for his piety, placed him in a land
where mighty deeds and honors were ripening for his grandson. Nor

did he wander alone. A cherub, in the form of a lovely wife, followed
his fortunes, and gave him to know, from happy experience, that where
love is, there is no exile.
Previous to his expulsion, the priests had, for some time, suspected
young Marion of what they called "heresy". But, learning that he was
enamoured of the beautiful and accomplished Mademoiselle Louisa
D'Aubrey, and like to win her affections, they withheld for a while,
their sacred thunders, hoping, that through fear of them, and love of her,
he might yet return to the bosom of the Catholic Church, to which she
belonged.
Young Marion's suit to his fair mistress, was fortunate to the full extent
of an ardent lover's wishes. The charming girl repaid his passion with
such liberal interest, that, in a short time after the commencement of
their delicious friendship, she received him for her husband, in spite of
all that wealthier wooers could promise, or frowning friends could
threaten.
The neighboring clergy now marked the conduct of Marion with a
keener eye; and discovering in him no symptoms that pointed to
recantation, they furiously pressed the bishop to enforce against him
the edict of banishment.
At this time, Marion with his lovely Louisa, were living on a small
farm in the vicinity of Rochelle. As he walked one afternoon in the
main street of that city, he was very rudely accosted by a couple of
officers of the holy inquisition, whose looks and dress were as dark and
diabolical as their employment.
"Vous etes nommes Marion?" said they; that is "your name is Marion?"
"Yes, gentlemen, that is my name."
Upon this, they rudely thrust a letter into his hand, and turned away, but
with such looks as tigers throw at a tender lambkin, whose
well-guarded fold forbids their access. On opening the letter he found
as follows:
"Your damnable heresy, well deserves, even in this life, that purgation
by fire which awfully awaits it in the next. But, in consideration of your
youth and worthy connexions, our mercy has condescended to
commute your punishment to perpetual exile. -- You will, therefore,
instantly prepare to quit your country for ever. For, if after ten days
from the date hereof, you should be found in any part of the kingdom,

your miserable body shall be consumed by fire, and your impious ashes
scattered on the winds of heaven.
"Pere Rochelle."*
-- * I forewarn all my friends from thinking me capable of charging this
vile persecuting spirit on the "Old W---e of Rome" exclusively. No,
thank God, I have not so learned human nature. And they who are yet
to learn, may, by reading the "Catholic Layman", soon get satisfied,
that the PRIESTS are as apt to abuse power as the PEOPLE, and that,
when "clad with a little brief authority," protestants as well as papists,
have committed those cruelties which make milder devils blush. [By
way of a note on a note, I would observe, that the "Catholic Layman",
is a very sensible and spirited pamphlet; the production, it is said, of
Mathew Carey, Esq., of Philadelphia, who though a Roman Catholic,
has printed more protestant Bibles and Testaments than half the
preachers