Horse-Shoe Robinson: A Tale of the Tory Ascendency Read online

  PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

  The events narrated in the following pages, came to my knowledge in theprogress of my researches into the personal history of some of thecharacters who figure in the story. I thought them worth being embodiedinto a regular narrative, for two reasons:--

  First, because they intrinsically possess an interest that may amuse thelovers of adventure, and,

  Second, because they serve to illustrate the temper and character of theWar of our Revolution.

  As yet, only the political and documentary history of that war has beenwritten. Its romantic or picturesque features have been left for thatindustrious tribe of chroniclers, of which I hold myself to be anunworthy member, and who have of late, as the public is aware, set aboutthe business in good earnest. It shall go hard with us if we do not soonbring to light every remnant of tradition that the war has left!

  An opinion has heretofore prevailed that the Revolution was too recentan affair for our story-telling craft to lay hands upon it. But thisobjection, ever since the fiftieth anniversary, has been nullified bycommon consent,--that being deemed the fair poetical limit whichconverts tradition into truth, and takes away all right ofcontradiction from a surviving actor in the scene. The pension roll ismanifestly growing thinner, and the widows--married young after thepeace--make a decided majority on the list. These are the second-handretailers of the marvels of the war; and it is observed that, like winewhich has descended to the heir, the events have lost none of theirflavor or value by the transmission. This is all so much clear gain toour fraternity; and it is obvious, therefore, that we must thrive.

  My reader will perceive that I have been scrupulous to preserve theutmost historical accuracy in my narrative: and I hope, when he hasfinished the perusal, that he may find reason to award me thecommendation of having afforded him some pleasure, by the sketch I haveattempted of the condition of things in the south during the veryinteresting period of the "Tory Ascendency."

  THE AUTHOR._May 1, 1835._

  HORSE SHOE ROBINSON.