Well, now, this is exactly my case. I am in love; and my sweetheart is LIBERTY. Be that heavenly nymph my
companion, and these wilds and .Woods shall have charms beyond London
and Paris in slavery. To have no proud monarch driving over me with his gilt coaches; nor his host of excise-men and tax-gatherers insulting and robbing me ; but to be my own
master, my own prince and sovereign, gloriously preserving my national
dignity, and 'pursuing my true happiness; planting my vineyards, and
eating their lucious fruits; and sowing my fields, and reaping the
golden grain: and seeing millions of ‘brothers all around me, equally
free and happy as myself. “This, sir, is What I long for.†p. 155
...
On his return to Georgetown, he was asked by colonel Watson, why he looked so serious?
I have cause, sir,†said he, “to look serious.â€
Watson "What! has general Marion refused to treat?â€
"No, sir.â€
“Well, then, has old Washington defeated sir Henery Clinton, and broke up our army ?"
" No, sir, not that neither ; but worse.â€
“Ah! what can be worse?â€
"Why, sir, I have seen an American general and his officers,
without pay, and almost without clothes, living on roots and drinking water ;
and all for LIBERTY!
What chance have we against such men!â€
It is said colonel Watson was not much obliged to him for this speech.
But the young ofiicer was so struck with Marion’s sentiments, that he never rested until he threw
up his commission, and retired from the service. ' p 156
https://books.google.com/books?pg=PA155&dq=Francis+Marion+Weems&id=G79CAQAAMAAJ#v=onepage&q=Francis%20Marion%20Weems&f=false
Francis Marion
