In the spring of 1779 General Prevost marched from Georgia into South Carolina.

On the 12th of May he was before Charleston demanding surrender.

We are astonished now to read that, in response to Prevost's demand, a proposal was made that South Carolina should be allowed to remain neutral and that at the end of the war it should join the victorious side.

This certainly indicates a large body of opinion which was not irreconcilable with Great Britain and seems to justify the hope of the British that the beginnings of military success might rally the mass of the people to their side.

For the moment, however, Charleston did not surrender.