/ AN HISTO ICAL ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS Of THE COLONIES OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. By ALEXANDER HEWATT PRINTED FOR ALEXANDER. DONALDSON, No. 48. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD, LONDON. M. DCC. L XXIX. / 7-7-9 F- f--7 P. I- rm P R E F A C E. THE author of the following performance prefents it to the public, not from any great value he puts upon it, but from an anxious defire of contributing towards a more complete and general acquaintance with the real ftate of our colonies in America. Provin cial affairs have only of late years been made the objects of public notice and attention. There are yet many, both in Great Britain and America, who are unacquainted with the ftate of fome of thefe fettlements, and with their ufefulnefs and importance to a commer cial nation. The fouthern provinces in parti cular have been hitherto neglected, infomuch that no writer has favoured the world with any tolerable account of them. Therefore it is hoped, that a performance which brings thofe important, though obfcure, colonies in to public view, and tends to throw ibme light upon their fituation, will meet with & favour able reception* As many of the inhabits nts of the eaftenl world will find themfelves little interefted ia Y the trifling tranfactions and events here rela- a2 ted, iv P R E F A C 1. ted, fuch readers will eafily difcover in what latitude the author wrote, and for whofe ufe his work was principally intended. They will alfo foon perceive, that this hiflory, like that of Dr. DOUGLAS refpe&ing a northern fettle* ment in America, is only a rough draught, and far from being a finifhed piece; and the author will frankly and candidly acknowledge it. The cafe with refpect to him is this, to which he inuft beg the reader's attention. Having been feveral years a refklent at Charleftown in South Carolina, he was at ibme pains to pick up fuch original papers and detached manufcripts as he could find, containing accounts of the paft tranfactions of that colony. This he did at firft for the fake of private amufement; but after having collected a eonfiderable number of thofe papers, he refolved to devote fuch hours as could be fpared from more ferious and important bufinefs, to arrange them, and form a kind of hiftorical account of the rife and progrefs of that fettlement. For the illuflration of particular periods, he confefles that he was fometimes obliged to have recourfe to very confufed materials, and to make ufe of fuch glimmering lights as occurred ; indeed his means of informa tion, in the peculiar circumftances in which he flood, were often not fo good as he could have defired, and even from thefe he was ex-. eluded p R E.F.A. c E. T eluded before he had finiihed the collection neceflafy to complete his plan. Befides, while he was employed in arranging thefe materials, being in a town agitated with popular tumults, military .parade, and frequent alarms, hisfituation was very unfavourable for calm iludy and recollection. , WHILE the reader attends to tbefe things, and at the fame time cpnilders that the author has entered on a new field, where, like the wildernefs he defcribes, there were few beaten tracks, and no certain.guides, he will form feveral excufes for the errors and imperfec tions of this hiftory. Many long fpeeches, petitions, addreffes, &c. he might no doubt have abridged; but as thefe were his princi pal vouchers, for his own ,fake, he chofe to give them entire. Being obliged to travel over the fame ground, in order to mark its progrefs in improvement at different periods, it was no eafy matter to avoid repetitions. With refpecl to language, ftyle, and manner of arrangement, the author not being accuf- tomed to write or correcl for the prefs, muft crave the indulgence of critics for the many imperfections of this kind which may have efcaped his notice. Having endeavoured to render his performance as complete as his circumihnces would admit, he hopes the ^ public- vi P R E F / C E. public will treat him with lenity, although it may be far from anfwering their expectations. In fhort, if this part of the work lhall be deemed ufeful, and meet with any {hare of public approbation, the author will be fatisfied; and may be induced afterwards to re view it, and take fome pains to render it not only more accurate and correct, but alfo more complete, by adding fome late events more interefling and important than any here rela ted : but if it fhall turn out otherwise, all muft acknowledge that he has already beftowed fufficient pains upon a production deemed ufelefs and unprofitable. Senfible therefore of its imperfections, and trufting to the public fa vour and indulgence, he fends it into the world with that modefly and diffidence be coming every young author on his firft pub lic appearance. CON- CTM 3 CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME C H A P. I. MOST" men fleafed with the hi/lory of their an- cejtors, page I A notion early entertained of territories in the we/I, ^ Aprojeft of Columbus for attempting a difcovery, 3 Ibe difcovery of Columbus, 5 *--------------- John Cabot, ib. ,______ Sebaftian Cabot', 7 -------------- Americus Vefpuccius, ib. -------------- Cabraly 8 V America inhabited, ib. Various conjectures about thejirjl population of America, 9 The natural proprietors of the country, 14 Religious diviftons the primary caufe of emigrations to the-weft, 16 Colignt'sfcttlemcnt in Florida, 18 Extirpated by Spaniards, 19 A traffic in negroes, 20 Reflefiions on it, 24 Virginia fettled, 26 Itsprogrefs, 28 Diflurbances in England promote foreign fettlements, 29 eopled by Puritans, 32 Wk viii C O N I E Who turn perfecutors, Divide into different governments, A ctlony planted in Maryland, Genera/ remarks on colonization, T S. page 34 36 1b. 37 C H A P. n. Thejirjl proprietors, and their charter^ 42 Of thefundamental conjlitutions, 44 William Sayle viftts Carolina, 47 And is appointed ttiejir/} governor of it, 48 Settles his colony on AJhley river, 49 HaT-dffiipbftbej&rJlfehlerrfrtmtheclitidte, if. An& 'from the Indians, 51 &r Jbbn Teamans arrives at Carolina, 55 And is appointed gowrnar, i6. Yeriotu caufes contribute to thefettlement ofthe country, 54 Jthteriea peopled in an improved age, J7 I'befirft treaty with Spain refpefiing it, jS jt council of commerte is inftituted, , 59 Jikgi/lature is formed in the colony, Co Its troubles from the Spaniards, 61 &s clbmejlic troubles and hardjhips, 6z Ji ivar among the Indiansfeafonablefor thefettlement, 64 Of 'Inefians in g'enefat, ib. he occajion of Europeans being peaceably admitted a- tiiong them, 6$ General remarks on the manners, government, reK-> gion, &c. of the Indians, 67 ^f Dtrtch colony brought to Carolina, 73 Jofeph Weft made governor, 74 Variances break out in the colony', f$ A trade in Indians encouraged, 78 A general defeription of tie climate, 79 Of CONTENTS. ix Of the country, page So Of itsfoil and lands* 81 --r-i-farms and natural phenomena) 82 ------ animals, 84 ----Jt/hes* 85 ----r-- birds , ibk ---- fnakes and vipers, 86 ." !. i*nf/e* cits, oO oO Jofepb Marton made governor^ 89 Pennfylvania fettled, ib. "The proprietors forbid the trade in Indians, 91 The toleration of pirates in Carolina, 9a Caujf of migration from England, 93 Cauje of migration from France, 94 The European animals iitereafe, 95 Ti)* manner of obtaining turpentine in Carolina, p5 And of making tar and pitch, 7 A difference with the civil officers^ 98 Jathes Colleton made governor, 99 Hit difference with the houfe of a/emblytl \ oo Seth Sothell, chofen governor, ioa His oppreffion, and expulfton, 103 C H A P. Ill A revolution in England* 107 The French refuges meet with encouragement, 108 Philip Ludwell appointed governor, 109 Harjh treatment of the. coloni/ls to the refugees, lit The manner of obtaining lands, 113 Juries chofen by ballot, 114 Pirates favoured by the coloni/ls, 115 Thomas Smith appointed governor, 118 'Theplanting of rice introduced, ib. VOL*!I b Occaftow x CONTENT S... Occafwns a necejfityfor employing negroes, page 120 PerpetualJlavery repugnant to the principles of hu- ikanity and Chri/tianity, ib. Fcfeign colonies encouragedfrom views of commercial - Advantage, j^j Indians complain of injujtice, 127 The troubles among the fettiers continue, 128 John Archdale appointed governor, 129 Archdale's arrival and.new regulations, . 13 Treats Indians with humanity, 132 The proprietors Jhamefully negkcl agriculture, 135 Archdale returns to England, and leaves Jofeph Blake governor, 137 A colony of French in Florida, 138 fhe French refugees Incorporated by law, 140 Depredations of pirates, 14* A hurricane, and other public calamities vifit the province, 142 James Moore chofen governor, *45 Lord Granville palatine, 146 Kin% William's charter to the fociety for propagating tbegofpel, 147 An'ejlablijhed church projected by the Palatine, 148 But di/liked by the majority of the-people, 149 Governor Moore refolves to get riches, ib. Encourages irregularities at elections, 150 Profofes an expedition againft Augujiine> 152 Which proves abortive, *54 The\firft paper currency made, . i$5 The expedition again/I the Apalachian Indians, 156 The culture ofjilk, 1 57 And of cotton, 158 Rice fixed an by the planters as ajtaple commodity, ib. CHAP. C O N T EN T S. . C H A P. IV, War declared again/I France, page 16 \ Sir Nathaniel Johnfon appointed governor^ ib. Hisinjlruclions, 162 He endeavours to ejlablijh the church of England, \ 63 Purfues violent meafuresfor that purpofe, 164 The church of England eftablijhed by laiy, .166 The inhabitants ofColleton county remonftrate again/I tt, 16? Lay commiffioners appointed, 169 The afls ratified by the Proprietors^ 170 'The petition of Diffenters to the Houfe of Lords, 171 Refactions of the Houfe of Lords, 1.74 Their addrefs to the Slueei\^ 175 The Queen's anfwer, 177 A project fanned for Invading Carolina^ 1 73 . A Spanifo and French invajion, 181 ; The invaders repulfed and defeated by the militia, 186 The union of England and Scotland, 18 8 Miffionaries fent out by the fociety in England^ 190 Lord Craven palatine, 193 Edward Tynte governor, 194 The revenues of the colony, 196 The invafion of Canada, 197 A French colony planted in Louifiana, 198. A colony of Palatines fettled, 199 Robert Gibbes governor, ib. Charles Craven governor, 200 An Indian war in North Carolina, 201 The Tufliorora Indians conquered, 2^3 Bank-bills ejlablified, , 204 Remarks on paper currency, 205 b2 Trade xlt C O N T NTS. Trade infefad by pirates, Several Englijhfatutes adopted, page acy 2.69 C H A P. V. A dejign formed for purchajing all charters and proprietary governments, 2.1* the Tamaffees con/fire the deftruSion of the cohoy^ ib. $he Tama/ee war, a18 37tf Taniflffees defeated and expelled^ 222 ?#ot. Here he found inhabitants clothed with (kins, who made ufe THE HIST )RY OF ufc of darts, bows and arrows, and had the addrefs to perfuade fome of them to fail with him to England* On his return to Briftol he was knighted by the king, .?nd reported that the land appeared rocky and barren, but that the fea abounded with fifh of various kinds. KING HENRY was no fooner made acquainted with the fuccefs of John Cabot, than he gave an invita tion to mariners of character and ability to enter his fervice, for the purpofe of attempting further difcoveries. Cabot declared, he doubted not to make difcoveries for him equally honourable and advantageous as thofe Columbus had made for Ferdinand and Ifabella, Accordingly, terms were propofed and agreed on between them. " Henry, in the eleventh year of " his reign, gave a commiffion to John Cabot and *' h|s three fons, Sebaflian, Lewis, and Sancius, and ** their heirs, allowing them full power to fail to all *' countries and feas of the eaft, weft, and north, un" dcr Englifh colours, with five fhips of fuch burden M and force as they fliouid think proper, and with as . NOT long after this, Don Pedro Alvarez Cabral, Thedif- Admiral of the Portuguefe fleet, bound for the Edft covwy of Indies, was driven by a ftorm on the coaft of that a country now called Brazil. There ne found fine land, inhabited ; by favages, of which he took poffeffion in name of his king. This difcpvery he deemed of great confequence, and therefore, having put a native or two of the new-found land on board, he fent Gafper Lataida&back to Portugal with the news. He reported, at the fame time, the gentle treatment he received from the natives of the country, the excellent foil and beautiful profpefts it exhibited ; and, upon his report, a fettlemeht was foon after made, which advanced by rapid degrees in riches and population, and foon be came the moft valuable of the Portuguefe poifeffions. America | THIS vaft territory of America being now difcover- ^j. B lt~ I ed by different nations, in eyery place they found it f inhabited by human creatures j but from what country they derived their origin, or by what means they were conveyed to this diftant region, has been the fubjeft i ^ of SOUTH CAROLINA. 9 of much fpeculation and inquiry, not only in that, but alfo in every future period. Hiftory claims not the province of peremptorily determining inquires, which can have na better foundation than the proba ble opinions and uncertain conjectures of ingenious men, and therefore muft leave every man to adopt fuch accounts as appear to him leaft abfurd or liable to exception. Yet, as the fubjecVis curious, it may be amufing to fome readers to prefent them ' 'with the 'different conjectures refpeding it, efpecially fudi as are fupported by late obfervations and dif- coveries. ' ; '' : : : ONE perfon fancies that this country was peopled Various from Britain, and has recourfe to a romantic ftory of tu"cs CaaWellh hiftorian in fupport of his wild conjecture, bout the This'author gives an account of a difcovery made in firy P" the year 1170^ by Maddock, a younger fort of Owen ef Ame6uineth, prince of Wales. That prince, obferving ricahis brethren engaged in civil war about the fucceffion to his father's throne, formed a refolution to abandon his country. Having procured a (hip, with plenty of neccflaries for a long voyage, he embarked-, and failtd far to the weftward of Ireland, where he difcovered a rich and fertile country, in which he refolved to eftabltflv a fettlement. \Vith this view he returned to Wales, prepared ten fail of (hips, and tranfported a nuthber df both fexes to this wcftern territory. Some men, who Mtfft bC*n rather too zealous for proofs in coflfirmatioh of this conjecture, haA?e induftrioufly traced, and flattered thernfclves With having found a ftriking tcfemblance between feveral words in the native language of fome Indian nations and the old Welfh tongue. B OTHER THE HIST >RY OF OTHER authors are of opir; on, that the American tribes are the defcendants of the ancient Phenicians and Carthaginians, who early formed fettlements on the coaft of Barbary and the Canary iflands. The Tyrians and Carthaginians, beyond doubt, were a commercial people, and the firft who diftinguiihed themfelves by their knowledge in navigation. They built fliips which carried vaft numbers of people. To plant a colony on the weft of Africa, Hanno, a Carthaginian captain, embarked in a fleet of fixty Ihips, containing no fewer than thirty thoufand pcrfons, with implements neceflary for building and cultivation. While he failed along the ftormy coaft of Africa, it is not improbable that fome of his fliips might be driven out of fight of the land. In this cafe, the mariners finding the trade winds blowing conftantly againft them, might neceffarily be obliged to bear away before them, and fo be wafted over to America. The complexion of the inhabitants of the African iflands refembled thofe Columbus found in the Weft Indies: The bows, arrows, fpears, and lances of both were alfo nearly fimilar, only thofe of the latter were pointed with flints and the bones of fifhes: There were alfo fome refemblance in their religious rites and fuperftitions to thofe of the ancient Carthaginians, which afford fome prefumptive evi dences that they might have derived their origin from nations where fuch arms were ufed, and fueh fuperftition prevailed. That America might receive fome of its firft inhabitants IVotn the-beft and boldcft navi gators of the eaft, is a thing neither impoflibie nor incredible; and, if this be acknowledged, they had many hundred years to-multiply and increafe, before the period in which Columbus vifited them. OTHER. SOUTH CAROLINA. OTHER, authors of confiderable merit and ingenu ity have contended, that America was. firft peopled by Norwegians, and the northern countries of Eu rope, formerly fo populous and enterprifing. They confidered the route by Iceland and Greenland, where the fea is covered with ice and fnow, as the mofb eafy and practicable. They affirm, that colonies were planted in Greenland, by adventurers from the north of Europe; that the north-weft coaft of Greenland is removed at no great diftance from America, and that it is not improbable thefe two territories may, in places yet undifcovered, be contiguous. In fupport of which conjecture, an affinity between the language of the Efquimaux Indians and that of the Greenbnders has been difcovered by modern Danifli travellers. It is aficrted, that they underftand each other in their commercial intercourfes. Befides, fo great is their likenefs in features and manners, in their boats and darts, that late geographers have not fcrupled to believe that the lands are united, as the inhabitants of both fides fo manifeftly appear to be descended from the fame nation. OTHER writers, with greater probability and rca- fon, fuppofe, that the weftern continent niuft have received its firft inhabitants from the north-cad parts of Ana and Europe. Some ancient Greek hiftorians fay, that the Scythians, from whom the Tartars deri ved their origin, were all painted from their infancy, and that they flayed tlte he'ads of their enemies, and wore their fcalps, by way of triumph, ?.t the bridles of their horfes. Sophocles (beaks of having the head (horn, and of wearing a Ikull-cajv like the: Scy thians. Thefe indeed ban- r. faint rcfcir.blaace to B .2 fonic i2 THE HISTf RY OF fome cuftoms of the Indian tk DCS in America; but late difcoveries furnifli us with the bcft proofs in fa* vour of this conjecture. Some Ruffian adventurers, on the fea of Kamfchatka, have difcovered1 the eoafb of America, and reported, that the diftaiice between the two-continents is fo linall and inconfidcrabk, that a paflage between them, at certain feafons, is.eafy and practicable, and that, though it be yet uncertain, it is by no means improbable that, thefe two greats territories are united.. It is remarkable, .that the af- pefl:, language, and manners, of the people, on each, fide of the narrow channel, are nearly fimilar; that the arms they ufe for procuring fubfift^nce are the fame; that their boats and method of filhing are ex actly alike ; that both make ufe of a wooden inflru- ment for procuring fire by friction ; ; that neither at-' tack their enemies in the open field,..but i take all ad vantages of enfnaring them by wiles and ftfatagem; and that the vanquiflied, when taken prifoncrs, are tortured without mercy. Thefe qbfervations indicate a linking refemblance between the Tartars and -the. favages of America. One thing is certain, that emi-,, grations to the \veftern world by this narrow channel are eafier accounted for than by any, other route, and it is to be hoped a few years more will' remove every difficulty attending this curious and important inquiry. . . , , , : .,.->' NOTWITHSTANDING all thefe conjectures, various, may have been the ways and means of peopling this large continent. It is not improbable that,-fevera! nations may have contributed towards fqpplying it at difFerent times with inhabitants. The,Scripture that all mankind originally fprung from the fame SOUTH CAROLINA. 13 fame root, however now diversified in characters and complexions. In the early ages of the world, as mankind multiplied they difperfed, and occupied a greater extent of country. When thus divided, for the fake of felf-prefervatiori and mutual defence, they would naturally unite and form feparate ftates. The eager defire of power and dominion would prove the occafion of differences and quarrels, and the weaker party Or date would always be oblig'ed to flee before the ftronger. Such differences would neceflarily pro mote diftant fettlements, and'when navigation was introduced and improved, unforefeen accidents, feaftorms, and unfortunate fhipwrecks, would contri bute to the general difperfion. Thefe, we may natu rally fuppofe, would be the effects of divifion and war hi the earlier ages. Nor would time and higher degrees of civilization prevent fuch confequences, or prove a fufficient remedy againft domeftic difcord and trouble. Ambition, tyranny, factions and commo tions of various kinds, in larger focieties, would oc cafion emigrations, and all the arts of navigation would be employed for the relief and afliftance of the diflrefled. So that if America was found peopled in fome meafure nigh 5,500 years after the creation, it cannot be deemed a thing more wonderful and un accountable, than the population of many eaftern. iflands, efpccially thole lying at a confidcrable diftance from the continents. The great Author oi" nature, who firft framed the world, iVill fupcrintends and governs it; antl as.all filings vifib'c and invifible are inftruments in his hand, lie can make them all confpire towards promoting the defigns of his pro vidence, and has innumerable method?, incompre'lienfible by us, oi". dillufing the knov>'ledge of his name. 14 THE HIS' ORY OF name, and the glory of his . ngdom, throughout the fpacious univerfe. THOSE Scattered tribes of fayages difpcrfed by Providence through the American continent, occu pied its.extenfive forefts ; and it muhV be confcfled, uiral ro- t^at no innat>ltants f Europe, Africa or Afia could prietors , produce a better title to their . pofleflions. Their of the ; j-jght was founded in nature and Providence : it country. s was th. e trree and, l..i.beral..g,if.t ,o.r .heaven to th. em, ; which no foreigner could claim any pretenfion to I invade. Their lands they held by the firft of all teI nures, that of defending them with their lives. How1 ever, charters were granted to European intruders, from kings who claimed them on the foot of prior difcpvery; but neither the fovereigns who granted away ,thofe lands, nor the patentees who accepted their grants, and by fraud or force acquired pofleffion,. could plead any title to them founded on natu ral right. Prior difcovery might give foreigners a kind of right to lands unoccupied, or pofleflions relinquimed, but neither of thefe was the cafe of the American territories. Nations who lived by hunting like the favages in America, required a large extent of territory ; and though fome had more, others lefs extenfive diftri&s to which they laid claim, yet each tribe knew its particular divifion, and the whole coaft /was occupied by them. Indeed, in a general view, the whole earth may be called an inheritance common to mankind; but, according to the laws and cuftoms of particular nations, ftrangers who encroach on their neighbours property, or attempt to take forcible poffeflion, have no reafon to wonder if they obtain fuch property at the rifque of life. In juftice and equity, Indian SOUTH CAROLINA. Indian titles were the beft ones ; and fuch European emigrants as obtained lands by the permiflion and confent of the natives, or by fair and honourable purchafe, could only be faid to have a juft right to them. IN the centre of the continent the people, compa ratively fpeaking, were numerous and civilized; the tribes farther removed from it on each fide lived "more difperfeii, and confequently were more rude. Some hiftorians have reprefented them as naturally ferocious, cruel, treacherous and revengeful;. but no man ought to draw conclufions, with refpeft to their original characters, from their conduft in later times, efpecially after they have been hoftilely invaded, injurioufly driven from their natural pofleffions, cruelly treated, and barbaroufly butchered by European aggreiTors, who had no other method of colouring and vindicating their own conduft, but that of blacken ing the characters of thofe p'oor natives. To friends they are benevolent, peaceable, generous andhofpitable: to enemies they are the reverfe. But we forbear en tering minutely into this fubjeft at prefent, as we {hall have occafion afterwards to make feveral remarks on the character, manners and cuftoms of thefe tribes. Jufl views of them may indeed excite compaflibn ; yet, for our inftrucYion, they will exhibit to us a ge nuine piturc of human inature in its rudeft and moil uncultivated ftate. WIT.H the revival.of learning in Europe, towards the clofe of the fifteenth century, a more free and liberal way of thinking, with refped to religion, was introduced and encouraged, than had taken place 3 duringb i THE HIS' DRY O.I? during many preceding age , At this period feveral men of genius and courage appeared, who difcovered to the world the grofs abfurdity of many of the tenets and practices of the Romifh church, but were unwilling totally to overturn hereftabliftied jurifdiftion and authority. At length Luther boldly expofed her errors to public view, and the fpirit of the age, groan ing under the papal yoke, applauded the undertaking. Multitudes, who had long been opprefied, were ripe for a change, and well difpofed for favouring the pro- grefs of that reformation which he attempted and in troduced. By this means great commotions were ex cited throughout Chriftendom, and thoufands united Religious and entered warmly into defigns of afferting their reli- the' 'pri- lous liberty. Hence a fpirit of emigration arofe, maty and men feemed bent on vifiting the remoteft regions ecraauifgerao-f tions to Ojp trie ear(:h ' rather "on at nome. than fubmit to f^piritual oTM ppref- the weft. . INSTEAD of improving the difcovertes made in America during the reign of his father, Henry the eighth was bufily engaged in gratifying the crav-> ings of licentious appetites, or in oppofing by wri tings'the progrefs of the reformation; In his reign Sebaftian Cabot, that eminent mariner, finding him- felf fhamefully neglected by the capricious and vo luptuous monarch, went over to Spain.. There he got employment for feveral- years, and made fome new and ufeful difcoveries in America for the Spanifh nation. After the young Piince Edward afcended the Englifh throne, the enterprifing merchants of Briftol invited Cabot to return to Britain ; and he, having a natural fondnefs for that city in which he was born, the more readily accepted their invitation. SOUTH CAROLINA. 7 King Edward, having heard of the fame of this bold navigator, exprefled a defire of feeing him; and ac cordingly Cabot was fent for and introduced to the king by the Duke of Somerfet, at that time Lord Protector of England. The king being highly plea- fed with his converfation, kept him about court, and from him received much inftru&ion, both with re- Jpeft to foreign parts, and the ports and havens within his own dominions. In all affairs relating to trade and navigation Cabot was confulted, and his judg ment and (kill procured him "general refpeft. A , trade with Ruffia was projected, and a company of merchants being incorporated for carrying it on, Se- baftian Cabot was made the firft governor of the company. In 1549, being advanced in years, the king, as a reward for his fervices, made him Grand Pilot of England, to which office he annexed a pen- fion of L.166 : 13 :4 per annum, which Cabot held during his life, together with the favour of.his prince^ and the friendship of rile trading part of the nation. . WHEN Mary, that cruel and inflexible bigot, fuc- ceeded to the throne, domeftic troubles and ecclefi- aftkal perfecution were fo prevalent in England, that commerce funk into decay, and navigation was de- fpifed and neglefted. The fpirit of murmur and dif- content pervaded the country, and multitudes wifhed for fome foreign fettlement, as an afylum againft do- meflic trouble and perfecution ; and, had they been fufficiently acquainted with the weftern territories, would certainly have emigrated to that quarter. After Elifabeth afccnded the throne, the bloody fcene of violence clpfed, and national affairs took a more C fuccefsful iS THE HIS' ORY OF fuccefsful turn. During IK reign the reformation advanced to a peaceable eitabliihment in England, and commerce was encouraged and protected. IN France the reformation met with greater ob'ftacles, and was productive of more fcrious and fatal confequences. It occafioncd a civil war between the Proteftant and Catholic parties of that kingdom, which raged for feveral years with great violence. Coligni's During thefe domeflic troubles, Jafper de Coligni, fettle- onc of tjie c}ji ef ]ea(iers of the Proteftant army, Fjnloenritdai,n formed a project for carryi.ng a coiony to Ameri.caJ . Forefeeing the dangers to which he and his followers would be expofed, mould the caufe in which they were engaged prove unfuccefsful, it is probable he intended this foreign fettlement as a retreat. Ac cordingly, having fitted out two (hips, he gave the command of them to Jean Ribaud, and fent him with, a colony of Proteftants to America. Ribaud landed at the mouth of the river now called Albemarle, which was then confidered as part of Florida, where he built a fort, for the fecurity of himfelf and fol lowers, and called the country Carolina. By this time the'Spaniards had incurred the irreconcileablc hatred and refeminent of the Indian nations by their cruelty and treachery in the heart of the continent. Ribaud found means of acquainting the Indians that lie was an enemy to the Spaniards, and of confequence he was the more kindly received by them. He had the addrefs to engage their affeftions, infomuch that in a little time they became fond of his alliance. But while the flames of war continued in France, Coligni could find no leifure to fend fupplies to his infant colony, and Ribaud was .obliged to aban don S O U T H C A R O L I N A. 19 don the fettlement. Great were the extremities to which he was reduced in returning to Europe : one of his crew was killed for fubfiftence to the reft, who had fcarcely done eating him, when an Englifh vefTel providentially appeared, took the emaciated crew on board, and carried them to England. MEA>? while, a peace being patched up between the Papifts and Proteftants in France, Admiral Coligni, who was feemingly received into favour by that political court, fitted out three (hips, loaded them with provifions and arms, and fent them to Carolina. Rene Laudoner, to whom he had given the com mand, embarked with a number of adventurers. On his arrival he found the fpot Ribaud had relin- quifhed ; but defpaired of being able to keep poffeffion of it without regular fupplies. When he found his provifions beginning to fail, he had form ed refolutions of returning -to Europe. While he was making preparations to embark, Ribaud fortu nately arrived with feven {hips, a large fupply of ncceflaries, and a confiderable body of fettlers. This animated them to enter with greater vigour on clear ing and cultivating lands, and making provifion for their future fubfiftence. The Indians rejoiced at Ribaud's return, and waited on him with their afiurances of friendlhip. But while this French colony were be ginning to flatter themfelves with fome faint hopes of fuccefs, Peter Mclandez, who pretended a right to the Extirwhoie territority, came againft them with- "an armed j^s a force, killed Ribaud and feven hundred of his men, marc and compelled the remainder to return to France. M. de Gorgues, a Gafcoon, afterwards, to avenge the difafter of his countrymen, diflodged Melandez, but Ca made T'HE HIST ORY OF np attempt toward planting a cplony in that fjuarter. This extenfivc country remained a 'wilderriels until the reign of Charles the fecond of Eng land. To keep pofieffion, the Spaniards fupported a fmall garrifon at Auguftine, on the moft barren Ipot of the whole territory, upon, which, together with the difcovcry of Ponce de Leon, they ever after founded their claim to all thefouthern parts of North America. ABOUT the fame time a traffic in the human fpeA traffic cies, called Negroes, was introduced into England^ ^hich is one of the moft odious and unnatural branches of trade the fordid and avaricious mind of mortals ever invented, It had indeed been carried on before tnjs period by (Genoefe traders, who bought a patent from Charles the fifth, containing an exclufive right of carrying negroes from the Portuguefe fettlements in Africa, to America and the Weft In dies ; but the Englifh nation had not yet engaged in the iniquitous traffic. As it has fince been deeply concerned in it, and as the province, the tranfatlions of which I narrate, owes its improvements almoft entirely to this hardy race of labourers, it may riot be improper here to give fomc account of the origin and firft inventor of this trade. WILMAM HAWKINS, an expert Englifh feaman, having made feveral vovages to the coaft of Guinea, and from thence to Brazil and the Weft Indies, had acquired confiderable knowledge of the countries. At his death he left his journals with his fon John HawkinSj in which he defcribcd the lands of Ameri ca and the Weft Indies to be exceedingly rich and fertile, SOUTH CAROLINA. i fertile, but utterly negledted for want of bands to jrnprove them. He reprefented the natives of Eu rope as unequal to the talk in fuch a fcorching cli mate; but thpfe of Africa as well adapted to under go the labours requifite. Upon which John Hawkins immediately formed a defign of tranfporttng African* into the weftern world j and having drawn apian for the execution of it, he laid it before fome of his opu lent neighbours for encouragement and approbation. To them it appeared promifing and advantageous. A fubfcription was opened, and fpcedily filled up, by Sir Lionel Ducket, Sir Thomas Lodge, Sir William Winter and others, who plainly perceived the vaft profits that would refult from fuch a trade. Accord ingly three fhips were fitted out, and manned by an hundred feleft failors, whom Hawkins encouraged to go with him by promifes of good treatment and great pay. In the year 1562 he fet fail for Africa, and in a few weeks armed at t*>e country now called Sierra Leona, where he began his commerce with the negroes. While he trafficked with them, he found fome means of giving them a charming defcription of the country to which he was bound j the unfufpicious Africans liftened to him with apparent joy and fatisfadtion, and feemed remarkably fond of his Eu ropean trinkets, food and clothes. He pointed out to them the barrennefs of the country, and their naked and wretched condition, and promifed, if any of them were weary of their miferable circumftances, and would go along with him, hie would carry them to a plentiful land, where they mould live happy, and receive an abundant recompenfe for their labours. He told them, that the country was inha bited by fuch men as himfelf and his jovial compa nions, aa THE HIS .'ORY OF nions, and aflured them f kind ufage and great friendfhip. In fhort, the negroes were overcome by his flattering promifes, and three hundred (tout fel lows accepted his offer, and commented to embark along with him. Every thing being fettled on the mbft amicable terms between them, Hawkins made preparations for his voyage. But in the night before his departure, his negroes were attacked by a large body from a different quarter; Hawkins, being alarmed with the fhrieks and cries of dying perfons, ordered his men to the affiftance of his flaves, and having furrounded the aflailants, carried a number of them on board as prifoners of war. The next day he fet fail for Hifpaniola with his cargo of human creatures; but, during the pafiage, treated the prifoners of war in a different manner from his volunteers. Upon his arrival he difpofed of his cargo to great advantage; and endeavoured to inculcate on the Spaniards who bought the negroes the fame diftin&ion he obferved: but they, having purchafed all at the fame rate, confidered them as flaves of the fame condition, and confequently treated all alike. WHEN Hawkins returned to England with pearls, hides, fugar and ginger, which he had received in ex change for his flaves, multitudes flocked after him, *tti inquire into the nature, and learn the fuccefs of the new and extraordinary branch of trade. At firft the nation was fhocked at the unnatural trade of dealing in human flem, and bartering the commodi ties and trinkets of Europe for the rational race of Africa. The queen, though a patronefs of com merce, was doubtful of the juftice and humanity of this SOUTH CAROLINA. this new branch, it appearing to her equally barba rous as uncommon, and therefore fent for Hawkins to inquire into his method of conducting it. Hawkins told her, that he confidered it as an aft of hu manity to carry men from a worfe condition to a bet ter, frotn a ftate of wild barbarifm to another where they might mare the bleffings of civil fociety and Chriftianity; from poverty, nakednefs and want to plenty and felicity. He affured her, that m no ex pedition where he had the command mould any Afri cans be carried away without their own free will and eonfent, except fuch captives as were taken in war and doomed to death ; that he had no fcruple about the juftice of bringing human creatures from that barren wildernefs, to a condition where they might be both happy themfelves and beneficial to the world. Indeed it would appear that Hawkins had no idea of perpetu al flavery, but expected they would be treated as free fcrvants, after they had by their labours brought their matters an equivalent for the expence of their purchafe. O^een Elizabeth feemcd fatisfied with his account, and difmifleU him, by declaring, that while he and his owners afted with humanity and juftice, they mould have her countenance and protection. SOON after Hawkins made preparations for a fecond voyage, in which the Queen offered him a (hip of war for his affiftance and protection. But he de clined accepting her offer, by telling her Majefty, that the profits of the trade would anfwer for all the rifque and expences attending it. In his paffage, how ever, he fell in with the Minion man of war, which accompanied him to the coaft of Africa. After his ar rival he began as formerly to traffic with the negroes, endea- 44 THHIS13RYOF endeavouring by perfuafion a id the profpeQs of re ward to induce them to go along with him. But now they were more referred and jealous of his defigns, and as none of their neighbours had returned^ they were apprehenfive he had killed and eat them. The crew of the man of war obferving the Africans back ward and fufpicious, began to laugh at his gentle and dilatory methods of proceeding, and propofed having immediate recourfe to force and compulfion. The failors belonging to his own fleet joined thofc of the man of war, and applauded the propofal. But Hawkins confidered it as cruel and unjuft, and tried by perfuafion, promifes and threats to prevail on them to defift from a purpofe fo unwarrantable and barbarous. In vain did he urge his authority and inftruclions from the Queen: the bold and headftrohg failors vrpuld hear of no reftraints. Drunkennefs and ava rice are deaf to the voice of humanity. They purfue their violent defign, and, after feveral unfuccefsful attacks, in which many of them loft their lives, the cargo was at length compleated by barbarity and force* HENCE arofe that horrid and inhuman' praftice of dragging Africans into flavery; which Jias fince been fo purfued, in defiance of every principle of juftice Rcflec- an(j religion. Though Hawkins was the firft Englifhjtnionson man w,ho engaged, .in tithi.s trafaf-ic, fro r epugnant to th, e fpirit of the English conftitution ; though he made ufe of fuch fraudulent arts even in his firft method of conducing it, as few men -can have the affurance to vindicate; yet, as he was a man of prudence and humanity, he is no ways chargeable with thofe dia bolical abufes which have fince crept into this trade. i Had SOUTH CAROLINA. 45 Had men continued to conduct it according to his plan and propofal, and hands been tranfported by their voluntary confent to labour in burning climates, where Europeans ate difqualified by nature for the tafk; had the Spaniards allowed them the common privileges offervants, after they had cleared the char- , ge$ they coft them j had negroes been bought from the flames, to which in fome countries they were de voted on their falling prifoners of war, and in others facrific^d at the funeral obfequies of the great and. powerful among'themfelves; in fliort, had they been by this traffic delivered from torture or death, Eu ropean merchants might have fome excufe to plead in its vindication. But, according to the common mode in which it has been conducted, we muft con- fefs it a difficult matter to conceive a fingle argument in its defence. It is contrary to all laws of nature and nations to entice, inveigle and compel fuch mul titudes of human creatures, who never injured us, from their native land, and difpofe of them like flocks of (heep and Cattle to the higheft'bidder; and, what compleats the cruelty and injuftice of the traffic, to cpnfign them over to ignorance, barbarifm, and per petual flavery. After this, where will infatiable ava rice flop? As a free and independent people, they had unqueftionably an equal right to make flaves of the inhabitants of Europe. Nature has given the peo ple of the one continent no fuperiority over thofe of the other ; the advantages of Europeans were the ef fects only of art and improvement. And though poli cy has given countenance and fanction to the trade, yet every candid and impartial man muft confefs, that it is atrocious and unjuftifiable in every light in which it can be viewed, and turns merchants into a band of D robbers, 26 THE HISTOR f OF robbers, and trade into atrocious j&s of fraud and violence. WE {hall now return to thofe naval adventurers, whofe objeft was the eftablifhment of colonies in 1584.' America. About the year 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh, an able ftatefman and gallant officer, formed a proVireinia jecl for planting an Englifli colony in America. His fettled, penetrating genius eafily difcerned the great advanta ges which would accrue from a fucccfsful foreign fetdemcnt. He applied to the Queen, and having ob tained from her letters-patent, immediately began to carry into execution what his ingenuity had project ed. He fitted out, two veflels, and gave the; com mand of them to Philip Amidas and Arthur Barlow, and fent them to America. They landed at the ifland Roanock, and took pofieflion of the country in the name of the Queen of England, and Sir Walter cal led it Virginia, in honour of his virgin Queen. The favourable report made by thefe two mariners, en couraged Sir Walter to purfue his defign with refor lution. Great minds are fond of new fchemes and grand enterprizes, but it commonly falls to pofterity to reap the advantages refulting from them. Sir Hichard Grenville, one of Sir Walter's intimate com panions, afterwards vilited this country, and left one hundred and eight men in it to keep pofleflion of the territory. But they running (hort of provifions, and having no fource of fupply, were reduced to great {traits. Happily for them, admiral Drake, who had been fent with a fleet to Spantm America in fearchof treafurc, had imlrucYions to touch at Virginia in his return to England. On his arrival lie found the in fant S 0 U T H C A R O LI N A. fant colony in great diftrefs, and at their requeft (Car ried them back to England. SOME years afterwards another attempt was made, and fifty men were left to begin a fettlement. Whe ther thefc fuffered death by hunger, or the hands of favages, is uncertain ; but, on the arrival of ano ther embarkation, none of the fifty could be found* They obferved the word Croatan marked on fome trees, from which they conjectured that the colony had moved to a place called by that name, and left this as a mark to conduct their friends to it. But a ftorm afterwards arifing, thefe adventurers were dri ven out to fea, and, without finding their unfortunate countrymen, returned to England, FROM this period till the year 1606 Virginia wa left without an inhabitant, except its original favagcs. In the mean time, Sir Walter Raleigh, having incur red the difpleafure of the king and the jealoufy of the court, fell a facrifice to the malice and power of his enemies. However, fome merchants of London and Briftol kept trading to the weftern world, and barter ed beads, knives, hatchets and coarfe cloths for the fldns and furs which the Indians brought them. The immenfe profits arifing from this commerce encoura ged them to enlarge it. For this purpofe two com panies were incorporated for trading to America and eftabliming fettlementsin it, the one was called the Vir ginia Company, the other the Plymouth Adventurers. King James granted them all the territory which Iks between the 34th and 4jth degrees of north latitude. The former of thefe corporations laid the foundation of James-Town in Virginia, which was the firfl Bri- D2 tilh 23 THE HIST jRY OK tifh fettlenaent in America hkh proved permanent and fuccefsful. So after Sir,-Walter Raleigh had.pro- jefted and fpent forty thoufand pounds, in vain at tempts to eflablifli a colony in this quarter, this com pany reaped the firft advantages of his enterprihng fpirJLt and. great defign. , /.. HOWEVER, for many years, fmall and inconfiderable was the pr.qgre.fs of this diftant fettlement. Their objeft was rather Indian trade than cultivation, till, Lord Delawar was appointed governor, of the colony.; Its pro- After his arrival in Virginia, he turned ;the attention of the fettlers to induftry and application.^ From the rivers,which abounded with fifh, and the woods with, game, he taught them the arts of procuring a plenr tiful fupply of provifions. He mewed them the poffibility of chaftifing thofe Indian tribes who prefiimed to harafs the colony, pointed out the methods of defence in the woods, and by his example inlpired them with resolution and perfeverance. At length, having by his zeal and indefatigable labours brought the colony to a growing and hopeful condition,, at the. rifque of his own health, he appointed his fon deputy-governor, and returned to England. . Bv.this time feveral men of opulence and diftinetion in JEngland had begun to form the moft Janguin.e hopes-with refpeft to this fettlement, and united.in a plan for carrying inhabitants to it. Sir Thomas Yates and Sir George Somers embarked with 500 men for. Virginia:' the latter being driven by a florm wiihin fight of the ifland called Bermuda, formed a defign of fettling i,t. This embarkation proved a great.acquifition to the colony in Virginia. On their arrival the S O U T H C A R O L 1 N A. 29 colonifts began to think themfelves ftrong, and there fore, not content with the lands about James-Town, they forced their way up the large rivers, and made 'bold excursions into the country, in fearch of the moft convenient and fertile fpocs of ground. The wifdoni of their governor was no iefs confpicuous in the divifion of property, than in the distribution of juftice. His tendernefs arid indulgence fet the fprings of induftry in motion, which fpread through the fettlement, and excited a fpirit of emulation with refpect to the culture of lands. By degrees little fpots were cleared and planted, which rewarded the dili gent, and the country began to make fonie feeble advances towards improvement. In proportion as the colony multiplied, the inhabitants fpread themfelves through the country, yet abundance of land ftill re mained for additional numbers, with which it might in time be augmented. DURING the reign of the family of Stuart, a feries of weak and oppreffive meafures, purfued in England, occafioned dome/tic troubles and difcontent to the nation, and contributed greatly to promote American fettlements. James the firfr, furrounded by a crowd Difturbof flatterers, began to entertain high ideas of his g1",*,^ power and prerogative, to inculcate the extravagant promote do'cVmes of divine indefeafible right, paffive obedi- f-^'S11 ence, arid non-refiftance, on a people whom he was nic^ts. ill qualified to govern, and who had conceived an irreconcileable averfion from fuch political princi ples. The confequence was, he loft by his weaknefs and pedantry the affeftions of the tution, yet his reign is memorable for giving rife to many foreign fettlements. From him the Eaft-lndia Company re ceived 3o THE HIST RY OF ceivcd a new patent, which e couraged the corpora tion to enlarge their ftock, and to fit out a greater number of mips for that trade. In his reign Barbadoes was fettled by an aflbciation of noblemen, of whom the Earl of Pembroke was the chief. And though it afterwards changed its mafter, and fell into the hands of the Earl of Carlifle, yet it profpered from its firft population, and foon became a rich and flourifhing ifland. St. Chriflophers may alfo date its origin from the clofe of this king's reign. The Ply mouth Adventurers, who had carried a colony to New-England, at different times added numbers to it, and, notwithftanding every difficulty, it grew and profpered. Sir William Alexander received a grant of that territory now called Nova Scotia from the fame king, but never made any ferious attempts to wards fettling it. DURING the fucceeding reign feveral thoufands emigrated to the weftern continent. Both the King and Queen were attached to the Popifli religion, which vaft multitudes of the nation abhorred. This ferved to alienate the people's afteftions not a little from the royal family: but the tyrannical and oppreflive regulations eflablifhed by the rulers of the church, doubled the diflrefs of the people, and ferved to complete their difaffedlion to their na tive country. The Puritans, fo called for their ta king, or affe&ing to take, the pure and fimple word of God for the rule of their faith and practice, regardlefs of ecclefiaftical authority and inftitutions, were a numerous party in the nation. Thefe people had begun their ftruggles for religious liberty, and as they afterwards occafioned fuch commotions in England, SOUTH CAROLINA. 31 England, a general (ketch of their character, and the rife and progrefs of their party, may not perhaps be unacceptable. FROM the great sera of the Reformation the Englifli nation had been diftracted with religious difputes, and divided into contending parties. One part of the people adhered to the old fuperftitious fyftem of the Romiih church, and ftridly obferved all the abfurd tenets and practices of that eftablilhmenr. Another party, of which the church of England was compoied, receded fevcral fteps from popery, but maintaincd the hierarchy in its full power and authority. The third fet were Puritans, who had imbibed fuch high notions of civil and religious liberty, as itruck at the foundation of both hierarchy and monarchy. On all occafions they difcovered a ftrong tendency towards a republican form of government, and an irreconcileablc averfion towards the whole fabric of the Epifcopalian church. This party, during the two preceding reigns being chiefly compofed of the dregs of the people, were regarded as of little confequence, and treated with fupercilious contempt by the adminiftration. But in the reign of King Charles the firft they had amazingly increafed, and many men of opulence and diftinftion had joined them, from motives of difcontent or ambition, or from a paffion for fingularity and po pular applaufe. When the religious difputes became warm in the nation, the zeal of this party broke out, and burned with fuch amazing ardour that it levelled all diftindions. To increafe the confufion, Archbifliop Laud infifted on conformity, and perfccuted all who refufed obedience to his mandates with the utmoft rigour. But perfecution, for the mofl part, proves st THE HIST BY OT proves deftru&ive to the caufc it is intended to pr0* mote. The miferies the Puritans endured, aftd their firmnefs and perseverance in the midft of fuSerings, contributed to give them that merit and importance in the eyes of the nation, which ptherwife perhaps they had never attained. Their fober and rigid man* ner of life, the plainnefs of drefs which they, affected, and the ftrong tendency they flicked towards religion in all their words and aftionSj had great weight with the vulgar and credulous part, and induced them to entertain high notions of their fanftity, and to vene rate them as the peculiar people of God. Their number increafed and became formidable. Many men of rank, difgufted at the meafures of court, and apprehenfive that the liberties of the nation Iwere in danger, turned zealous republicans, and feemed to aim at a total fubverfion of the conftitu- tion, both in church and ftate; The King, though ;si well-wifher to religion, hated the principles of the Puritans, and eonfidered them as dangerous and deceitful* Thofe enthufiaftsj on the other hand, were determined to endure the fevereft perfections, rather than admit the common prayer, organs, and furplices into-their worfhlp, and conform to the po- pifli ceremony of kneeling at the facrament. In ihort, the difpute about trifling ceremonies became lerious on both fides, and augured no good to the nation. Dr. Laud, obferving not Only the laity but the clergy alfo infefted with puritanical principles, deprived many of their livings, merely for not con- New- forming to all the .ceremonies of the church. Du- England ring thefe troubles many fled to New England; and by^ri- ot^ers caufed houfes to be built and lands cleared tans. for them, with a view of retiring there, fhould their i contention SOUTH CAROLINA. 33 contention for religious freedom in England prove unfuccefsful. In vain did 0r Laud obtain an order of court to put a flop to eajJgrationi There was not a corner of the globe to which thefe people would fiot fleey rather than conform to ceremonies which they thought favoured of popery and idolatry, and endangered.their falvatiom To thefe difturbances New-England owed its popuf' th, e' i. r tioas. colony; in which arduous tafk they called in the greit philofopher John Locke to their affiftance. A model of government, confifting of no lefs than an hundred and twenty different articles, was framed by this learned man, which they agreed to eflablifh, and to the careful obfervance of which, to bind them felves SOUTH CAROLINA. 45 felves and their heirs for ever. But there is danger of error, where fpeculative men of one country at tempt to (ketch out a plan of government for ano ther, in a different climate and fituation. This legiflator muft be acknowledged to have poflefled great abilities and merit; yet his fine-fpun fyftem proved in effect ufelefs and impracticable. Several attempts were afterwards made to amend thefc fun damental conftitutions, but all to little purpofe; the inhabitants, fenfible of their impropriety, and how little they were applicable to their circumftances, neither by thcmfelves, nor by their reprefentatives in affembly, ever gave their affent to them as a body of laws, and therefore they obtained not the force of fundamental and unalterable laws in the colony, What: regulations the people found applicable and ufeful, they adopted at the requeft of their governors; but obferved them on account of their own proprie ty and neceffity, rather than as a fyftem of laws im* pofed on them by Britifh legiflators. As the proprietors were fo fond of thefe conftitu tions, and expreffed fo much zeal for their eftablifhment, it may not be improper to give a fhort and imperfed view of them, efpecially fuch as were allow ed to take place in the government of the colony. The eldeft of the eight proprietors was always to be Pala tine, and at his deceafe was to be fucceeded by the eldeft of the feven furvivors. This palatine was to fit as prefident of the palatine's court, of which he and three more of the proprietors made a quorum, and had the management and execution of all the powers of their charter. This palatine's court was to (land in room of the king, and give their iflent or diffent tc 46 THE HI STOP f OF to all laws made by the legiflai .re of the colony., Tile palatine was to have power to nominate and ap point the governor, who, after obtaining the royal approbation, became his reprefentative in Carolina. Each of the feven proprietors was to have the priviledge of appointing a deputy to fit as his reprefenta tive in parliament, and to act agreeable to his inftructions. Betides a governor, two other branches, fomewhat fimilar to the old Saxon conftitutionj:\verc to be eftablilhed, an upper and lower houfe of aiTembly; which three branches were to be called a Par liament, and to conftitute the legiflaturc of the coun try. The parliament was to be chofen every two years. No act of the legislature was to have any force unlefs ratified in open parliament during the fame feflion, and even then to continue no longer in force than the next biennial parliament,; unlefs in the mean time it be ratified by the hands and feals of the palatine and three proprietors. The upper houfe was to confift of the feven deputies, feven of; the oldefl landgraves and caffiques, and feven chofen by the affembly. As in the other provinces; the lower houfe was to be compofed of the rcprefentatives from the different counties and towns. Several officers were alfo to be appointed, fuch as an admiral, a fecretary, a chief juftice, a furveyor, a treafurer, a marfhal, and regifter; and befides thefe,' ,each county was to have a.meriff and four juftices of the peace. Three claffes of nobility were to be eftablimed, called Ba rons,, Caffiques, and Landgraves ; the firft to poflefs twelve^ the fecond twenty-four,, and the third fortyeight thoufand acres of land, and their pofleffions were to be unalienable. Military'officers were alfo to be nominated, and all inhabitants from fixtcen to fixty SOUTH CAROLINA. 47 fixty years of age, as in the times of feudal govern ment, when fummoncd by the governor and grand council, were to appear under arms, and, in time of war, to take the field. WITH rcfped to religion, three terms of commu nion were fixed: Firft, To believe that there is a God: Secondly, That he is to be worfhipped : And, thirdly, That it is lawful, and the duty of every man when called upon by thofc in authority, to bear witnefs to the truth. Without acknowledging which, no man was to be permitted to be a freeman, or to have any eftate or habitation in Carolina. But perfccution for obferving different modes and ways of worfliip, was cxprefsly forbid, and every man was to be left full liberty of confcience, and might worfhip God in that manner which he in his private judg ment thought moft conformable to the divine will and revealed word. This was the opinion of Mr. Locke with refpcct to religious matters. He chofe the word of God for his rule of life, and was ufcd to fay, " That, at the day of judgment, it would " not be aiked whether he was a follower of Luther " or Calvin; but whether he embraced the truth in " the love of it." NOTWITHSTANDING thefe preparations, fevcral years elapfed before the proprietors of Carolina made any ferious efforts towards its fettlemcnt. In 1667, they fitted out a ftiip, gave the command of it to William Captain William Sayle, and fent him out to bring them fome account of the coaft. In his paffage Cap- lia. tain Sayle was driven by a ftorm among the Bahama Jflands, which accident he improved to the purpofe of 4* THE HIST >RY OF of acquiring fome knowledgi of them; particularly the ifland oi Providence^ which he judged might be ef fervice to the intended fettlement of Carolina; for, in cafe of an invafion from the Spaniards, this ifland, fortified, might be made to ferve either as a check to the progrefs of their arms, or a ufeful re treat to unfortunate colonifts. Leaving Providence, he failed along the coaft of Carolina, where he obferved feveral large navigable rivers emptying themfelves into the ocean, and a flat country covered with woods. He attempted to go afliore in his boat, but obferving fome favages on the banks of the rivers, he was obliged to drop his defign; and, after having explored the coaft and the mouth of the rivers, he took his departure and returned to England. His report to his employers, as might naturally be expected, was favourable. He praifed their poffeffions, and encouraged them to engage with vigour in the execution of their projeft. His obfervations reipe&tng the Bahama iflands induced them to apply to the king for a grant of them. Charles beftowed on them by patent all thofe iflands lying between the lad and 2yth degrees of north latitude. Nothing then remained but to make preparations for fending a colony to Carolina. Two mips were procured, on board of which a number of adventurers embarked, with prpyifions, arms, and utenfils requifiteforbuildAnd is jng and cultivation. William Sayle, who had vifited ed the the country^ was appointed the firft governor of it, firft go* an(} received a commifllon, bearing date July 6, gg^ The expences pf this firft embarkation amounted to twelve thoufand pounds, which vigorous effort was a proof that the proprietors entertained no fmall SOUTH CAROLINA. 49 fmall hopes with refpcft to their palatinate. The number of men, however, muft have been inconfiderable, and no ways adequate to the undertaking^ efpecially when we confider the multitude of favages that ranged through that extenfive wildernefs. IN what place Governor Sayle firft landed is un certain j but he was diffatisfied with his firft fituation, and, moving to the fouthward, took pofieffion of a neck of land between Afiiley and Cooper rivers. Settlei The eaflieftinftructions we have feen upon record were lolny Oon'n directed to the governor and council of Afhley river, Aftiley in which fpot the firft fettlement was made that pro- nver* ved permanent and fuccefsful. This place, however, was more eligible for the convenience of navigation than for the richnefs of its foil. But to ftruggle amidft a complication of difficulties and dangers was the lot of fuch adventurers j to funnount which, at this, early period, no fmall degree of fortitude, patience and perfeverance muft have been requifite. NEW fettlers in all countries and climates are fub- jeft to many hardfhips, efpecially fuch as are in low and indigent circumftances; but thofe of the firft fettlers of Carolina muft have equalled, if not fur- paired, every thing of the kind to which men in any age have been expofed. To fell the trees of the Hardfliip thick foreft, and build habitations for themfelves, of the firft fettlers, would probably be their firft employment, before-^rotn'the they began to clear their fpots of ground for raifi the neceffaries of life. In fuch a low country, and* warm climate, even this tafk muft have been a con- fiderable burden. But Carolina, like other level G countries eo THE HIST< RY OF I, countries overflowed with w; ter, is productive of I; many diforders, fuch as putrid fevers, agues, dyfeni teries, and the like j and to fix habitations on fueh places where the- exhalations from ftagnated waters | and marfhy fvvamps poifoned the air, muft have ren\ dered them extremely unwholefome. During the fummer months the climate is fo fuhry, that no Euro pean, without hazard, can endure the fatigues of la bouring in the open air: for the moft part, the wea ther during this feafon is very clear and ferenc, except ing when a thunder-ftorm happens, which cools the air, fuddenly Hops perfpiration, and becomes exceed ingly dangerous to labourers of little precaution. Befides, the violent heat continues through the night, and denies the weary workman the natural refrefhment of fleep. The autumn introduces cool even ings and mornings, while the noon-day is intolerably warm j which change, together with the thick fogs that commonly fall at this feafon, rendered it the moft unhealthy divifion of the year. In winter, though the degree of cold is not fo great as in the more nor thern climates of America, yet it is feverely felt by the human body, exhaufted and relaxed with the fummer heat ", arid when the wind Ihifts fuddenly from any quarter to the north-weft or north, it blows extremely fharp and piercing, brings along with it fometimes froft and fnow, and renders the warmeft clothing requifite. The fpring is the moft tempe rate and delightful feafon of the 'year: it begins ear ly, and diffufes its enlivening influence over the fields and forefts. Experience had not yet taught the young colonifts the methods either of improving the advantages, or guarding againft the difadvantages of the climate, arid therefore it is no wonder that they found SOUTH CAROLINA. 51 found themfelves involved at this period in a compli cation of hardlhips. To enhance their diftrefs, they were furrounded with tribes of warlike favages, who viewed them Andfrom with a jealous eye, and were by no means pleafed at * n* the encroachments made on their natural pofieffions. The tribes called Stonoes and Weftoes were particu larly troublefome* The colonifts, indeed, were furnifhed with arms and ammunition from the|vie- : tors, THE HIST Om' OF tors, where it was thought they migl : in time enrich themfelves, and become beneficial to the commerce and navigation of the mother country. FROM this period every year brought new adven turers to Carolina. The friends of the proprietors were invited to it, by the flattering profpe&s of ob taining landed eflates at an eafy rate. Others took refuge there from the frowns of fortune and the ri gour of unmerciful creditors. Youth reduced to mi- fery by giddy pafiion and cxcefs embarked for the new fettlement, where they found leifure to reform, and where necefiky taught them the unknown virtues of prudence and temperance, llciileis fpirits, fond of roving abroad, found alfo the means of gratifying their humours, and abundance of fcope for enterprife and adventure. It cannot be deemed wonderful if many of them were diiappointed, efpecially fuch as emigrated with fanguine expectations, The gaiety, luxury and vices of the city were bad qualifications for rural indufvry, and rendered feme utterly unfit for the frugal fimplicity and laborious tafk of the firft ftate of cultivation. An hardy race, inured to la bour, hunger, and fatigue, were belt adapted for making imprefiions on the thick foreft, and not fuch emigrants as left the city, tinctured with its vices and fond of luxury and eafe. Nor could the Puritans, who fettled before them, promife themfelves much greater fuccefs than their neighbours: though more rigid and auftere in their manners, and more reli- gioufly difpofed, their fcrupulofity about trifles and ceremonies, and their violent and litigious difpo- fitions, created trouble to all around them, and difturbcd that general harmony fo necefiary to the. i welfare SOUTH CAROLINA. 57 welfare and profpcrity of the young fettlement. From the various principles which actuated the popu lace of England, and the different lefts who compbfcd, the firft fettlcrs of Carolina, nothing lefs could be expected, but that the feeds of divifion fhould be imported into that country with its earlieft inhabitants. WE arc apt to attend chiefly to the defolating wars, or the great and furprifing revolutions which happen to kingdoms in their populous and advanced ftate, and to pafs over the events of their rife and progrefs as trifling and inconfiderable ; but as the greateft nations upon earth have gradually fprung from fuch beginnings, it is no lefs curious and inftructive to view the fmaller tranfadYtons of their infant ftate, than the grander events of their mature age. King doms in the political world, like plants in the vege table, have their ftages of rife, progrefs, perfection, and decline ; and, in the fields of nature, it is equally pleafant to mark the buds of the fpring, as the bloom of iiiminer, or the decay of autumn. ONE advantage certainly attended the various fet- America tlements in America, of which no European ftate p*0?1?* can bii oafnt. Bnei ng peopiledj trrom civ-i1l-izedi nati.ons .in pinroavneidm- an enlightened age, when records are carefully kept aSe- and faithfully preferred, the events of their rife and progrefs, though not fo important, were equally clear as thofe of their more perfect ftate: whereas the hi- ftory of the origin of eaftern nations could only be tranfmitted to future generations by the fongs of bards or oral tradition. Ignorance of geography, and the art of printing not being then invented, muft have rendered the tranfaclions of rude and barbarous ages H fo 58 THE HIS TO ,lnefs and deliberation, and nothing is determined but by the general confent. When war is the refult of their councils, and the great leader takes the field, any one may refuie to follow him, or may defer-t him, without incurring any punifliment; but by fuch ignominious conduft he lofes his reputation, and forfeits the hopes of diftinclion and preferment. To honour and glory from warlike exploits the views of every man are direfted, and therefore they aire ex tremely cautious and watchful againft doing any ac tion for which they may incur public cenfiire and difgrace. THE Indians, like all ignorant and rude nations; are very fuperftitious. They believe that fupefior beings interfere in, and direct, human affairs, and in voke all fpirits, both good and evil, in hazardous un dertakings. Each tribe have their conjurers and ma gicians, on whofe prophetic declarations they place much confidencej in all matters relating to health, hunting, and war. They are fond of prying into fu-> SOUTH CAROLINA. 73 ture events, and therefore pay particular regard to figns, omens, and dreams. They look upon fire as facred, and pay the author of it a kind of worfhip. At the time of harveft and at full moon they obferve feveral feafts and ceremonies, which it would feem were derived from fome religious origin. As their fuccefs, both in warlike enterprises and in procuring fubfiftence depends greatly on fortune, they have a number of ceremonious obfcrvances bfiore they en ter on them. They offer in facrifice a part of the firft deer or bear they kill, andirom this they flatter themfelves with the hopes of future fuccefs. When taken fick they are particularly prone to fuperftition, and their phyficians adminifter their fimple and fecret cures with a variety of ftrange ceremonies and ma gic arts, which fill the patients with courage and confidence, and are fometimes attended with happy effete. DURING the time Sir John Yeamans vns governor A Dutch of Carolina, the colony received a great addition to colony its ftrength from the Dutch fettlement of Nova Bel- tocfro- gia, which, without any refiftance, furrenclered to the Una. armament commanded by Sir Robert Carr, and be came fubjeft to England. Charles the fecond gave it to Ms brother the Duke of York, who called the province New-York, and governed it on the fame arbitrary principles which afterwards rendered him fo obnoxious to the Englifh nation. After the conqueft many of the Dutch colonifts, who were difcontented with their fituation, had formed refolutions of mov ing to other provinces. The proprietors of Carolina offered them lands and encouragement in their pala tinate, and fent their mips Eleiling and Phoenix and K brought 74 THE HIS TO ,Y OF brought a number of Dutch fai .ilies to Charleftown. Stephen Bull, furveyor-general of the colony, had inftrudions to mark out lands on the fouthweft fide of Afhley river for their accommodation. There each of the Dutch emigrants drew lots for their property, and formed a town, which was called James-town. This was the firft colony of Dutch who fettled in Carolina, whofe induftry furmounted incredible hard/hips, and whofe fuccefs induced many from ancient Belgia afterwards to follow them to the weftern world. The inhabitants of James town, afterwards rinding their fituation too narrow and circumfcribed, in procefs of time fpread themfelves through the country, and the town was totally deferted. A. D. ABOUT the year 1674, Sir John Yeamaus being 1 /4- reduced to a feeble and fickly condition by the warm climate, and his indefatigable labours for the fuccefs of the fettlement, returned to Barbadoes, where Jofeph he died. After his departure the grand council aSa'm cn fc Jofeph Weft governor ; and the palatine gover- confirmed the election. A meeting of all the free nor. men was called at Charleftown, where they elefted reprefentatives, for the purpofe of making laws for the government of the colony. Thomas Gray, Henry Hughs, Maurice Mathews, and Chriftopher Portman^ were chofen deputies from the people, and took their feat at the upper houfe of aiTembly. Thefe new members were obliged to take an oath, that they fhould fhew equity and juftice to both rich and poor, without favour or affeftion; that they fliould obferve the laws of England, and thofe that fliould hereafter be eftablifhed in the colony ; that they ihould obey the SOUTH CAROLINA. 75 the rules and directions of the proprietors ; that they fhould not divulge the fecrets of the grand council, without fufficient authority from that board. A queftion being put, whether the deputies of the proprie tors fhould take the fame oath ? it was judged unnecelTary, as they held their appointments during pleafure, and were immediately anfwerable to the pro prietors for their conduct. Now the colony had its governor, its upper and lower houfe of aflembly, which three branches took the name of Parliament, agreeable to the conftitutions. This was the firft par liament that paffed acts which are ratified by the pro prietors, and found on record in the colony. IT might have been expected, that thefe adventu- Variance rers, who were all embarked on the fame defign, |re*k ou> would be animated by one fpirit, and zealous above ionv_ all things to maintain harmony and peace among themfelves; they had all the fame hardfhips to en counter, the fame enemies to fear, and the fame caufe, the profperity of the fettlement, to promote. In fuch circumftances, the governor had good reafon to hope, that one common defire of fafety, and principle of love and friendfhip, would pervade the whole colony; yet nothing is more certain than that the contrary effect took place. The moft numerous party in the country were difienters, of various denominations, from the eltablifhed church of England; which body of men, whatever high pretenfions they may affett to fuperior fanctity of manners, have not always been found the moft peaceable members of fociety. A num- berof cavaliers having received grants from the proprie- j had now brought over their families and effects, K2 and 7" THEHISTOtYOF and joined the Puritans in Carol na. The latter were looked upon by the proprietors with a partial eye, a men of honour, loyalty and fidelity, and met with great indulgence and encouragement; by which means they thruft themfelves into offices of truft and authority. The Puritans, on the other hand, viewed them with the eye of envy and jealoufy, and having fuffered from them in England, could not bear to fee the fmalleft {hare of power committed to them in Carolina. Hence the feeds of ftrife and divifion, which had been imported into the colony, began to fpring forth, and, as if brought to -a warmer and more fertile foil, to grow fo rank as to promife little peace and happinefs to the young fettlement. No common dangers or difficulties could blot out of their memories the prejudices and animofities contracted in England : the odious terms of diftincYion were re vived and propagated among the people, and while one party were attached to the church of England, the other, who had fled from the rigour of ecclefiaftical power, were jealous above all things of rejigious liberties, and could bear no encroachment on them. The governor found that matters of religion were tender points, and therefore wifely avoided all deliberations about them, chufing rather to leave every man to his free choice, than propofe an eftablifhment of any kind, which he faw would occafion trouble and divilion among the people. ANOTHER fource of difficulty arpfe to government, from the different manners of thefe colonifts. Thefe emigrants were not a people accuftomed to rural la bours and frugal fimplicity, but many of them pam pered citizens, whofe wants luxury had increafed, and SOUTH CAROLINA. 77 and rendered them impatient of fatigue and the reftraints of legal authority. The fober and morofe life,, the ftiff and rigid morals of the Puritans, were hiade the objects of ridicule by their neighbours, and all the powers of wit and humour were employed in expofing them to public derifion and contempt. Their levelling fpirit, republican principles, and contenti ous difpofition, they declared merited the hatred and abhorrence of every man of honour and honefty, as they had ferved to produce in England that race of fly, deceitful and hypocritical wretches, who had been the cuffe and fcourge of the nation. The Puritans, on the other hand_, poflefied of no fmall fhare of ran cour and malevolence, and exafperated by their li centious manners and grievous abufe, violently oppofed their influence among the people. Hence arofe a number of difficulties in framing laws, in diftributing juflice, and in maintaining public order and tran quillity. Governor Weft, obferving thofe diffentions breaking out in the fettlement, was at no fmall pains to keep them within the bounds of moderation, but having a council compofed of ambitious cavaliers, was unable entirely to check the diforder. In fpite of his authority, the Puritans were treated with infolence and neglecl, and the colony, diftracled with domeftic differences, were ill prepared for defence agaiml external enemies: not only fo, but fuch divilions occalioned a neglecl: of induftry and application, which prevented the country from making that progrefs in improvement which might have been expeftcd from its natural advantages. AT this unfavourable jundure the Indians, from j came down in draggling parties, and plun dered $8 THE HIS 'ORY OF dered the plantations of thi Icanty and dearly earned fruits of labour and induftry. Being accuftomed to the practice of killing whatever came in their way, they ranked the planter's hogs, turkeys and geefe among their game, and freely preyed upon them,. The planters as freely made ufe of their arms in de fence of their property, and feveral Indians were kil led during their depredations. This occafioned a war, and the Indians poured their vengeance indifcriminately, as ufual, on the innocent and guilty, for the lofs of their friends. Governor Weft found it necef* fary to encourage and reward fuch of the colonifts as would take the field againft them for the public A trade defence. Accordingly, a price was fixed on every in Indians jncjian the fettlers fhould take prifoner, and bring to ged. Charleftown. Thefe captive favages were difpofed of to the traders, who fent them to the Weft-Indies, and there fold them for flaves. This traffic was deemed by fome an inhuman method of getting rid of troublefome neighbours ; yet, at this period, the planters had fome reafons to plead in its vindication. Lands indeed were given as the reward of valour; but lands, without hands to cultivate them, were rather a burden, than any way beneficial, to men who were allowed more by the proprietors than they could turn to any profit. But the planters had an imme diate reward for Indian prifoners, and while it encou raged' bold adventurers, it was made a profitable branch of trade. Whether the rum which was im ported into the colony, in return for thefe Indians, proved of beneficial confequence or not, we mail not pretend to determine, as this depended on the ufe or abufe that was made of it. Where the water is bad, a little rum mixed with it is accounted wholeforr.q SOUTH CAROLINA. 79 wholefome and nourifhing; but excefs in drinking, every where, deftroys the conftitution, and proves a fruitful fpring of pains, difeafes, and death. THOUGH Carolina lies in the fame latitude with. A genefome of the moft fertile countries on the globe, yet ^n-ptl-0e^ he is in danger of error who forms his judgment of of the its climate from the latitude in which it lies. Many chmatelocal circumftances concur to occafion a difference between it and Paleftine, the north of Egypt, or the dominions in the fame latitude in China. Befides the bleak mountains, frozen lakes, and the large un cultivated territory over which the north and northweft winds blow in winter, by which they are' ren dered dangerous ; when the extreme heat of fummer is united with a low marfliy foil, where the water ftagnar.es, and the effluvia anting from it thicken and poifon the air, it muft prove the occafion of a numberlefs lift of fatal diftempers. This laft circumftance ferves to decide the healthinefs of climates in every latitude. Sudden changes from heat to cold are every where dangerous; but, in countries where little caution is ufed in drefs, they muft often prove fatal. The winds in Carolina are changeable and erratic, and, about the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, commonly boifterous. In fummer, they are fultry and fuffocating ; in winter, cold and dry. Beyond doubt, the flat maritime part is a moft un healthy fituation, and the firft fettlers could fcarcely have been caft afhore in any quarter of the globe where they could be expofed to greater hazards from the climate. YET 8o THE HIS TORY OF Of the YET the country, low a d unhealthy as it is, aft countiy. for(j g many advantages for commerce and navigation. ; As you approach towards the (Lore, the fea gradually ebbs, which furnifhes good foundings for the help of navigators. For eighty, and infome places an hundred, miles from the Atlantic, the country is an even plain, no rocks, noftones, fcarce a hill of any height is to be fcen. Backwards from this the lands begin to rife gradually into little hills and beautiful inequalities, which conti nue increafing inheight and variation until you advance to the Apalachian mountains, three hundred miles and more from the fea. Here a vaft ridge of mountains begins, and runs through North America, in the bowels of which no man can fay what riches lie irt ftore. Thefe mountains give rife to four large rivers, called by their Indian names, Alatahama, Savanna, Santee and Pedee. Among the hills thefe rivers are compofed of different branches, and run in a rapid courfe; but lofe their velocity when they reach the plains, through which they glide fmoothly along, in a ferpentine courfe, to the ocean. Up thefe large rivers the tide flows a considerable way, and renders : them navigable for mips, brigs, Hoops and fchqoncrs, and fmaller craft force their way ftill higher, than the tide-flows. Befides thefe large rivers, the hills in the heart of the country give rife to others of a fecondary fize, fuch as Ogetchee, Cufaw, Cambahee, Edifto., Afhley, Cooper, and Black rivers; all which are alfo navigable many miles from the ocean. The coaft is alfo chequered with a variety of fine iflands, around which the fea flows, and opens excellent channels, for the eafy conveyance of produce to the market. BY SOUTH CAROLINA. Si BY the different trees which cover the lands the foil is d,.i,,ft.mgu.i,,med,, wh,.ic,hmd that of the people were placed in oppofite fcales, and the more rigoroufly the gover nor exerted his authority, the more turbulent and feditious the people became. At laft they proceeded to avowed ufurpation: they iffued writs in their own name, and held affemblies in opposition to the governor and the authority of the proprietors. Letters from England, containing deputations to perfons obnoxious to the people, they feized and fuppreffed, and appointed other men better affeted to the popular caufe. Paul Grimball, the fecretary of the province, they imprifoned, and forcibly took pofleiEon of the public records. The militia aft they refufed to fettle, becaufe recommended by the governor, even though their own fecurity depended on it. In fhort, the lit tle community was turned into a fcene of confufion, and every man afted as he thought proper, without any regard to legal authority, and in contempt of the governor and other officers of the proprietors. LANDGRAVE Colleton, mortified at the lofs of power, and alarmed at the bold and feditious fpirit of the people, was not a little perplexed what ftep to take in order to recal them to the obedience of legal authority. Gentle means he perceived would be vain and ineffectual. One expedient was fuggefted, which he and his council flattered themfelves might be productive of the defired effect, and induce the I I D D n i t- /-> IDS THE HI5T )RY OF the people through fear to ret >rn to his flandard, and ftand by the perfon who alone had authority to punifh mutiny and fedition, which was to proclaim the martial law, and try to maintain by force of arms the proprietary jurifdiftion. Accordingly, without let ting the people into his fecret defign, he caufed the militia to be drawn up, as if fome danger had threat ened the country, and publicly proclaimed the mar tial law at their head. His defign, however, did not long remain a fecret, and, when difcovered, ferved only to exafperate the more. The members of the aflembly met, and taking this meafure under their deliberation, refolve'd, that it was an encroachment upon their liberties, and an unwarrantable exertion of power, at a time when the colony was in no dan ger from any foreign enemy. The governor, however, infifted on the articles of war, and tried to car ry the martial law into execution; but the difaffection was too general to admit of fuch a remedy. In the year 1690, at a meeting of the reprefentatives, a bill was brought in and pafled, for difabling Land grave James Colleton from holding any office, or exercifing any authority, civil or military, within the province: nay, fo outrageous were they againft him, that nothing lefs than banifhment could appeafe them, and therefore gave notice to him, that, in a limited time, he muft depart from the country. Seth So- DURING thefe public commotions Seth Sothell, thell cho- pretending to be a proprietor by virtue of fome re- " gu^atlons lately made in England, ufurped the go vernment of the colony. At firft the people feemed difpofed to acknowledge his authority, while the cur rent of their enmity ran againft Landgrave Colleton j and SOUTH CAROLINA. 103 and as he had flood forth as an active and kading man in oppofition to that governor, and ratified the law for his exclufion and banimment: but afterwards, finding him to be void of every principle of honour and honefty, they perfecuted him alfo with deferved and implacable enmity. Such was the infatiable avarice of this ufurper, that his popularity was of fhort duration. Every reftraint of common juftice His opand equity was trampled upon by him; and oppref- P""100 fion, fuch as ufually attends the exaltation of vulgar and ambitious fcramblers for power, extended her rod of iron over the diffracted colony. The fair traders from Barbadoes and Bermuda were feized as pirates by order of this popular governor, and con fined until fuch fees as he was pleafed to exact were paid him : bribes from felons and traitors were ac cepted to favour their efcape from the hands of juf tice : plantations were forcibly taken pofleffion of, upon pretences the mod frivolous and unjuft, and planters were compelled to give bonds for large fums of money, to procure from him liberty to remain in pofleffion of their property. Thefe, and many more acts of the like atrocious nature, did this rapacious governor commit, during the fhort time of his adminiftration, to increafe his fees as governor and pro prietor. At length the people, weary of his grievous impofitions and extortions, agreed to take him by force, and Ihip him off for England. Then, to his other- ill qualities he added meannefs of fpirit, and humbly begged of them liberty to remain in the country, promifing to fubmit his conduct; to the trial of the affembly at their firft meeting. When the affembly met, thirteen different charges were brought againft him, and all fupported by the ftrongeft evi- dence: 104 THE HIS TO cY OF dence: upon which, being fou, d guilty, they compelled him to abjure the government and country for ever. An account of his infamous and wicked conduft was drawn up and fent to the proprietors, which filled them with aftonifhment and indignation. He was ordered to England, to anfwer the accufations brought againft him before the palatine's court, and, in cafe of refufal, was given to understand it would be taken as a further evidence and confirmation of his guilt. The law for difabling Landgrave James Colleton from holding any authority civil or military in Carolina, was repealed, and drift orders were fent out to the grand council, to fupport the power and pre rogative of the proprietors. To compofe the minds of the people, they declared their deteftation of fuch unwarrantable and wanton oppreffion, and protefted that no governor mould ever be permitted to grow rich on their ruins; enjoining them, at the fame time, to return to the obedience of their magiftrates, and fubjection to legal authority. HITHERTO this little community has been a fcene of continual contention and mifery. The fundamen tal conftitutions, which the proprietors thought the mo ft excellent form of government upon earth, have been little regarded. The governors have been either ill qualified for their office, or the inftruciions given them have been unacceptable to the people. The inhabitants, far from living in friendfliip and har mony among themfelves, have alfo been feditious and ungovernable. Indeed, while the proprietary govern ment fhall continue to be thus weak and unftable, its authority will be little refpe&edj while the en- i couragemcnt SOUTH CAROLINA. 105 couragement given to civil officers and magistrates is trifling and inconfiderable ; men of judgment and ability will not throw away their time and pains for fupparting the honour and authority of others, which might be otherwife employed to purpofes more ad vantageous to themfelves. The titles of Landgraves and Caffiques will not compenfate for the lofs of fuch time and labour, efpecially when they come only joined with large traces of land which, for want of hands, muft lie uncultivated. The money arifing from quitrents and the fale of lands was inconfiderable, hard to be colle&ed, and by no means adequate to the fupport of government. The proprietors were imwilling to involve their Englifh eftates for the im provement of American property; hence their go vernment was feeble and ill fupported in Carolina, and there is reafon to fear it will become more fo, in proportion as the colonifts mail become richer and more independent, and the country mall advance $p a, more populous and better cultivated ftate, O CHAP. C CHAP. III. D tJRING the reign of the infatuated King James II. the Englilh nation, oppreffcd by a VopUh faftion, aad apprehenfive about their civil and religious liberties, were ripe for a revolt; and, upon his abdication, William Prince of Orange accepted A rcrooff th,.e rt>nght-lnh crown, on fFuchi terms as thi e TParhva- lEuntigolnanidn. mcnt thought proper to offer it. Though hiftory can furnifli few examples of a daughter confpiring with fubje&s to exclude her father from the throne, and then accepting of a crown from his head} yet, by this Revolution the long-eonteiled boundaries between the prerogative of the king and the rights and liber ties of the people, were more clearly marked and de termined than they had been in any former period, to the great relief and happinefs of the nation. This event is diftinguiflied in the annals of England as the sera of freedom; and it muft be confefled, that the change has been productive of many important and feappy confequences. As nothing tends more to the increafe of induftry and commerce than religious toleration, and great freedom to fcrupulous confciences, foon after the Re volution an a& paffed in parliament, for exempting i>is tnajefty's Proteftant fubjefts from the penalties of certain laws, under which they had formerly fuf- fered great feyerities. King William and his council, *t that juncture, wifely judged, that fuch a law might O2 be io8 THE HIST >RY OP be of excellent ufe in remo ing the complaints of many of his good fubjects, and uniting their minds in intereft and affecYion. Though the variances of Whigs arid Tories may have fometimes obftrufted the falutary effe&s of this law, yet it muft be ac knowledged to have anfwered many wife and valu able purpofes to the nation. IN the hiftory of England, nothing is found to redound more to the honour of the people than their fignal and uncommon afts of generofity and humaThe nity. Even in the reign of King James large collecrefugees tions had been made for the diftreffed French refumeet gees. After King William's acceffion to the throne, coura e"" ^le Par^amentvted fifteen thoufand pounds fterling to ment. be diftributed among perfons of quality, and all fuch as through age or infirmities were unable to fupport themfelves or families. To artificers and manufac turers encouragement was offered in England and Ireland, who have contributed not a little to the im provement of the fiIk and linen manufactures of thefe kingdoms. To hufbandmen and merchants agree able profpefts were opened in the Britifh colonies. In 1690, King William fent a large body of thefe people to Virginia. Lands were allotted them on the banks of St James's river, which by their diligence and induftry they foon improved into excellent eftates. Others purchafed lands from the proprietors of Ca rolina, tranfported themfelves and families to that quarter, and fettled a colony on Santee river. Others, who were merchants and mechanics, took up their refidence in Charleftown, and followed theif different occupations. At this period thefe new fettlers were a great acquifition to Carolina. They had takea SOUTH CAROLINA. icg taken the oath of allegiance to the king, and promifed fidelity to the proprietors. They were difpofed to look on the colonifts, whom they had joined, in the favourable light of brethren and fellow-adventurers, and though they underftood not the Englifli language, yet they were defirous of living in peace and harmo ny with their neighbours, and willing to ftand forth on all occafions of danger with them for the common fafety and defence. ABOUT the fame time Philip Ludwell, a gentleman from Virginia, being appointed governor of Caroli- PM'P na, arrived in the province. Sir Nathaniel Johnfon, appo;nt. who had been general of the Leeward Iflands in the ed reign or King James, being created a Caffique of Carolina, after the Revolution retired to that country, and took his feat as a member of the council. The proprietors having found the fundamental conftitutions difagreeable to the people, and ineffe&ual for the purpofes of government, repealed all their for mer laws and regulations, excepting thofe called Agrarian Laws, and fent out a new plan of govern ment to Mr. Ludweil, confifting of forty-three articles of inftruftion, for the better management of their co lony. The inhabitants, who had been long in a confufed and turbulent ftate, were enjoined to obedience and fubmiflion. Liberty was granted to the reprefentatives of the people to frame fueh laws as they judged neceflary to the public welfare and tranquilli ty, which were to continue in force for two years, but no longer, unlefs they were in the mean time ratified and confirmed by the palatine and three more proprietors. Lands for the caffiques and landgraves were ordered to be marked out in fquare plats, and freedom iir> THE HISTORY OF freedom was granted them o chufe their fituation* Hitherto the planters remained utter ftrangers to the* value and fertility of the low lands, the fwamps were therefore carefully avoided, and large tra&s of the higher lands, which were efteemed more precious, were furveyed, and marked out for eftates by the provincial nobility. GOVERNOR Ludwell, who was a man of great hu manity, and confiderable knowledge and experience in provincial affairs, by thofe large eftates which were allowed the leading men, and the many indulgence's he was authorized to grant to others, had the good fortune to allay the ferment among the people, and reconcile them to the proprietors. But this domeftic tranquillity was of fliort duration. New fources of difcontent broke out from a different quarter. He had inftruftions to allow the French colony fettled in Craven county, the fame privileges and liberties with the Englifh colonifts. Several of the refugees being pofleffed of confiderable property in France, had fold it, and brought the money with them to England. Having purchafed large trafts of land with this mo ney, they fat down in more advantageous circumflances than the poorer part of Englifli emigrants. Some of them, who had gone to the northern pro vinces, hearing of the kind treatment and great en couragement their brethren had received in Carolina, came to fouthward and joined their countrymen. Having clergymen of their own perfuafion, for whom they entertained the higheft refpet and veneration, they were difpofed to encourage them as much as tbeir narrow circumftances would admit. Governqr Ludwell received the wandering foreigners with great civility, SOUTH CAROLINA. ju (Civility, and was not g little felicitous to provide them ??ith fettlements equal to their expectations. While Harih thefe refugees were entering on the hard talk of ^Ttb*1TM* clearing and cultivating fpots of land, encouraging foniftt to and relieving each other as much as was in their tbe rcfu' power, the Englifli fetilers began to revive the odious diftinftions and rooted antipathies of the two nations, and to confider them as aliens and foreigners, entitled by law to none of the privileges and advantages of natural-born fu-bjedb. The governor had inftru&ions fa allow them fix reprefematives in aflembly; this the Englilhmen confvdered as contrary to the laws of 4he land, and beyond the power of the proprietors, who were fubjeft to the lavrs, to grant. Inftead of considering thefe perfecuted Grangers in the enlarged 4ight of brethren defcended frora the fame common, parent, and entitled to the free biddings of Provi dence; inftead of taking compaffion on men who had fought an afylum from oppreflion in their couivtry, whom they were bound to welcome to it by eve?y tie of humanity and intereft; they began to exe cute the laws of England refpefting aliens in their vitmoft rigour againft them, Their haughty fpirit could not brook the thoughts'of. fitting in aflembly with the rivals of the EngHfh nation for powe* and dominion, and of receiving laws from Frenchmen, the favourers of a fyftem of flavery and abfoiute go vernment, ^n this unfavourable light they were held forth to the people, to the great prejudice of the re fugees ; which fentiments, however narrow and im proper, ferved to excite no fmall jealoufies and ap~ prehenfions m their minds, with refped to thefe linfeaj>py foreigners. na THE HI TORY OF HARD as this treatment was, this violent party did not flop here. They infifted, that the laws of Eng. land allowed no foreigners to purchafe iands in any part of the empire under her fupreme jurifdi&ion, and that no authority but the houfe of commons in Britain could incorporate aliens into their communi ty, and make them partakers of the rights and pri vileges of natural-born Englifhmen ; that they ought to have been naturalized by parliament before they obtained grants of lands from the proprietors; that the marriages performed by their clergymen, not be ing ordained by a bifhop, were unlawful; and that the children begotten in thofe marriages could be confidered in law in no other light than baftards. In fhort, they averred, that aliens were not only denied a feat in parliament, but alfo a voice in all elections, of members to ferve in it; and that they could nei ther b.e returned on any jury, nor fworn for the trial of iffues between fubjeft and fubjed. THE refugees, alarmed at thefe proceedings, and difcouraged at the profpefts of being deprived of all the rights and liberties, of Britifli fubjects, began to ibfped that the oppreffion of England would fall hea vier upon them than that of France from which they had fled. Dejected at the thoughts of labouring they knew not for whom, if their children could not reap the fruits of their labours, or if their eftates fhould efcheat to the proprietors at their deceafe, they could confider themfelves only as deceived and impofed upon by falfe prpmifes and profpects. After holding feveral corrfultations among themfelves about their deplorable circumftances, they agreed to ftate their cafe before the proprietors, and beg their advice, 2 In, SOUTH CAROLINA. 113 Iri arifwer to which the Proprietors inftrufted Gover nor Ludwell to inform them, that they would enquire what does in law qualify an alien born for the enjoy ment of the rights and privileges of Englim fubjects, and in due time let them know j that, for their part, they would take no advantages of the prefent grievous circumftances of the refugees; that their lands fhould defcend to fuch perfons as they thought proper to be* queath them ; that the children of fuch as had been married in the fame way were not deemed baftards in England* nor could they be confidered as fuch in Carolina, where fuch unlimited toleration was allowed to all men by their charter. Though this ferved in fome meafure to compofe the minds of the refugees, yet while the people harboured prejudices againft them the relief was only partial ', and, at the next eledYion of members to ferve in affembly, Craven county, in which they lived, was not allowed a fingle rcprefentative. FROM the firft fettlement of the colony, the com- The mon method of obtaining lands in it was by purchafe, manner either from the Proprietors themfelves, or from offi- cers commiffioned by them, who difpofed of them lands. agreeable to their directions. Twenty pounds fter- iing for a thoufand acres of land, and more or lefs, in proportion to the quantity, was commonly demand ed, although the pioprietors might accept of any ac knowledgment they thought proper. The emigrants having obtained warrants, had liberty to go in fearch of vacant ground, and to pitch upon fuch fpots as they judged mod valuable and convenient. This was furveyed, and marked out to them, according to the extent of their purchafe, and plats and grants were figned, regiftered and delivered to them, referving P one ii4 THE HIST DRY OF one {hilling quitrent for ever/ hundred acres, to be paid annually to the Proprietors. Such perfons ,88 could not advance the fum demanded by way of purchafe, obtained lands on condition of paying one penny annual-rent for every acre to the landlords. The former, however, was the common method of obtaining landed eftates in Carolina, and the tenure was a free hold. The refugees having purchafed their eftates, and meeting with fuch harm treatment from the colonifts, were greatly difcouraged, and apprehenfive, notwithHanding the fair promifes of the Proprietors, they had efcaped one abyfs of mifery only to plunge themfelvts deeper into another* Juries THE manner of impannelling juries in Carolina chofen bgjng remarkably fair and equitable, juftly claims our lot. particular notice. Juries here are not returned by fheriffs, whofe ingenuity and integrity are well known, particularly in England ; but according to an article in the fundamental conftitutionS. The names of all the freemen in the colony being taken down on fmali pieces of parchment of equal fize, they are put into a ballot-box, which is fhaken oa purpofe to mix them, and out of which twenty-four names arc drawn, at every precincl: court before it rifes, by the firft boy under ten years of age that appears; which names are put into another box, and twelve out of the twenty-four are drawn by another boy under the fame age, and fumtnoned to appear at the next meet ing of court; which perfons are (the jury, provided no-exceptions are taken againft any of them. If any of them are challenged -by the prifoner, the boy continues drawing other names till the jury be full. In this mild and fair manner prifoners are tried, \vhich allows them every chance for life hu manity SOUTH CAROLINA. 115 inanity can fuggeft or require: for after the mod careful examination of witnefles, and the fulleft de bate on both fides from the bar, the jury have inftru&ions about the evidences given, and the point of law -which is to guide them in their decifion, from. the bench ; and are (hut up in a room, where they muft remain until they agree, and return their una nimous verdift, guilty or not guilty. NOTWITHSTANDING the excellence of this form of trial, it muft be eonfefled that juftice has not al ways had. its free courfe, nor been adminiftercd with impartiality by the officers and judges appointed by tbc proprietors for this purpofe. Pirates, for inftince, arc Pirate* a body of men whom all civilized nations are bound hi honour and juftkc to crufh; yet, inftcad of this, by bribery and corruption they often found favour with the provincial juries, and by this means efcaped the hands of juftice. About this time forty men arrived in a privateer, called the Royal Jamaica, who had been engaged in a courfe of piracy, and brought into the country treafures of Spanifh gold and filver. Thefe men were allowed to enter into recognizance for their peaceable and good behaviour for one year, with fecu- rities, till the governor ihould hear whether the pro prietors would grant them a general indemnity. At another time a veffel was fhipwrecked on the coaft, the crew of which openly and boldly eonfefled, they had been on the Red fea plundering the dominions of the Great Mogul. The gentlenefs of government towards thofe public robbers, and the civility and friendship with which they were treated by the people, were evU dences of the licentious fpirit which prevailed in the colony. For although all men ought to be tender P2 of ii6 THE HI TORY OF of the lives of their fello /^creatures^ and permit ten guilty perfons to efcape rather than one innocent man fhbuld fuffer; yet, to bring pirates to juftice is a duty which both national honour and the common welfare of fbclety necefiarily require. For if we allow fuch publicrobbers to efcape with impunity, it may be attended with ferious and fatal confequences; it may prove the occa. fion of war and bloodlhed to nations in general, to the prejudice of navigation, and the deftruction of many innocent lives, which might have been prevented by proper and legal punifhments. The Proprietors were difpofed to confider piracy in this dangerous light, and therefore inftru&ed Governor Ludwell to change the form of electing juries, and required that all pirates fliould be tried and punifhed by the laws of England made for the fuppreffion of piracy. Before fuch inftrudions reached Carolina, the pirates, by their money and freedom of intercourfe with the people, had fo ingratiated themfelves into the public favour, that it was beqome no eafy matter to bring thpm to trial, and dangerous to punifh them as they deferved. The courts of law became fcenes of al tercation, difcord, and confufion. Bold and feditious ipeeches were made from the bar, in contempt of the Proprietors and their government. Since no par dons could be obtained but fuch as they had authorrfed the governor to grant, the affembly took the matter under deliberation, and fell into hot debates among themfelves about a bill of indemnity. When they found the governor difpofed to refufe his affent to fuch a bill, they made a law impowering magiflrates and judges to put in force the habeas corpus acl made in England. Hence it happened, that feveral of thofe pirates efcaped, purchafed lands from the colonifts, aild SOUTH CAROLINA. 117 and took up their relidence in the country. While money flowed into the colony in this channel, the au thority of government was a barrier too feeble to ftem the tide, and prevent fuch illegal practices. At length the proprietors, to gratify the people, granted an in demnity to all the pirates, excepting thofe who had been plundering'the Great Mogul, moft of whom alfo found means of making their efcape out of the country. IN this,community there fubfifted a conftant ftruggle between the people and the. officers of the Pro prietors : the former claimed great exemptions and indulgences, on account of their indigent and dan gerous circumftances; the latter were anxious to difcharge the duties of their truft, and to comply -with the inftruflions of their fuperiors. When quitrents were demanded fome refufed payment, others had nothing to offer. When actions were brought againft all thofe who were in arrears, the poor planters mur mured and complained among themfelves, and were difcomented at the terms of holding their lands, though, comparatively (peaking, eafy and advantage ous. It was impoffible for any governor to pleafe both parties. The fees alfo of their courts and fheriffs were fuch, that, in all aftions of fmall value, they ex ceeded the debt to be recovered by them. To reme dy this inconvenience, the afietnbly made a law for empowering juftices of the peace to hear, and finally to determine, allxaufes of forty (hillings fterling value and under. This was equally agreeable to the people, as it was otherwife to the officers of juflice. At length, to humour the. planters, the governor propofed to the affembly, to conlider of a new form of a deed for holding lands, by which he encroached on the pre^ rogative fig THE HIS DRY OF rogativc of the proprietor,, who had referred to themfelves the fole power oi judging in fuch a cafe, incurred their difpleafure, and was foon after remoYcd from the government. To find another man equally well qualified for the truft, was a matter at this time of no fmall difficulty Thomas to the Proprietors. Thomas Smith was a man pof* abptmpothint- feffed of confiderable 'pro^pertyJ , much efleemed byJ ed gover- the people for his wifdom and fobriety; fuch a pcrnor- fon they deemed would be the moft proper to fucceed Ludwell, as he would naturally be both zealous and aclive in promoting the profperity and peace of the fettlement. Accordingly a patent was fent out to him creating him a landgrave, and, together with it, a commiffion invefting him with the government of the colony. Mr. Ludweil returned to Virginia, happily relieved from a troublefome office, and Land grave Smith, under all poffible advantages, entered on it. He was previoufly acquainted with the ftat< of the colony, and with the tempers and complexions of the leading men in it. He knew-that the intereft of the Proprietors, and the profperity of the fettlement were infeparably conne&ed. He was difpofed to allow the people, ftruggling under many hardihips, every indulgence confident with the duties of his truft. No ftranger could have been appointed to the government that could boaft of being in circumftances equally favourable and advantageous. The of^rk? introduced' ABOUT this time a fortunate accident happened, which occafmned'the introduction of rice into Carolina, a commodity which was afterwards found very fuitable to the climate and foil of the country. A brigantine SOUTH CAROLINA. brigantme from the ifiand of Madagafcar touching *t that place in her way to Britain, came to anchor off Sullivan's ifland. There Landgrave Smith, upon an invitation from the captain, paid him a vrfit, and re ceived from him a prefent of a bag of feed ric, which he faid he had feen growing in eaftem coun tries, where it was deemed excellent food, and produ ced an incredible increafe. The governor divided his bag of rice between Stephen Bull, Jofeph Wood ward, and fome other friends, who agreed to m^kp the experiment, and planted their fmaU parcels ittdifferent foils. Upon trial they found it anfwered their higheft expectations. Some years afterwards, Mr. Du Bois, treafurer to the Eaft- India Company^ fent a bag of feed rice to Carolina> which, U is iuppofed,, gave rife to the diftindion of red and white rice, which are both cultivated in that country. Se-p veral years, however, elapfed, before the planters found out the art of beating and cleaning it to per fection, and that the loweft and richeft lands were beft adapted to the nature of the grain ; yet, from this period, the colonifts perfevered in planting it, and every year brought them greater encouragement. From this fmall beginning did the ftaple cotrunodity of Carolina take its rife, which foon became the chief fupport of the colony, and its great fource of opulence Befides provisions for man and bead, as rice employs a number of hands in trade, it became alfo a fource of naval ftrength to the nation, and of courfe more bene6cial to it, than foreign mines of filver and gold. From the fuccefs attending this inconfiderable beginning, projectors of new fchemes for improvement may draw fome ufeful leflbns, efpe- cially" THE HISTC RY OF cially where lands are good, ai i the climate favouf* able to vegetation. WITH the introduclion of rice planting into this aOnceccaeffifointys country, and.t.he..fi.xing upon i. t as fts lnlapl,e commofor em- dity, the neceflity of employing Africans for the purne^roef P*e ^ cu^'v^i 00 was doubled. So laborious is the tafk of raifing, beating, and cleaning this article, that though it had been poffible to obtain European fervants in numbers fufficient for attacking the thick foreft and clearing grounds for the purpofe, thoufands and ten thoufands muft have perifhed in the arduous attempt. The utter inaptitude of Europeans for the labour requifite in'fuch a climate and foil, is obvious to every one pofiefied of the fmalleft degree of know* ledge reflecting the country; white fervants would have exhaufted their ftrength in clearing a fpot of land for digging their own graves, and every rice plantation would have ferved no other purpofe than a burying ground to its European cultivators. The low lands of Carolina, which are unqueftionably the richeft grounds in the country, muft long have remained a'wildernefs, had not Africans, whofe natural conftitutions were fuited to the clime and work, been employed in culti vating this ufeful article of* food and commerce. Perpetual So mucn may be faid for the neceflity of employ- flaveryre- ing Africans in the cultivation of rice ; but great to^the* ^s l^c difference between employing negroes in principles clearing and improving thofe rich plains, and that of huma- miferable ftate of hardfhip and flavery to which they Chriftia- are there devoted, and which has been tolerated and eftablifhed by the law of the land. If we view this race, firft ranging over the hills of Africa, equally free i and SOUTH CAROLINA. m and independent as other rude nations on earth> and from thence inveigled by fraud, or compelled by force, and then configned over to a ftate of endlefs flavery, we muft confefs the change is great and de plorable, efpecially to an impartial and difirtterefted eye. Without them^ it is acknowledged, flow muft have been the progrefs of cultivation in Carolina; but, from fuch a confiderationj what man will prefume to vindicate the policy of keeping thofe rational creatures in perpetual exile and flavery. Nature had given them an equal right to liberty as to life, and the general law of felf-prefervation was equally concerned for the pre- fervation of both. We would be glad then to know, Upon what principle of equity and juftice the Englifli traders found their right to deprive the freeborn in habitants of Africa of their natural liberty and native country ; or on what grounds the planter afterwards founds his right to their fervice during life, and that of all their pofterity, to the lateft generation. Can the particular laws of any country fuperfede the general laws of nature ? Can the local circumftances of any province upon earth be pled in excufe for fuch a violent trade, and for fuch endlefs flavery in confequence of it? BefideSj has not this trade a tendency to encourage war and plunder among the natives of Africa ? to fet one tribe againft another, to catch and trepan tlieir neigh bours, on purpofe to barter them for European trinkets to the fa&ories? Nor is the traffic confined to the cap tives of war alone^ who have been fubje&ed to flavery by many nations; for fo ardently do they covet the per nicious liquors and trifling commodities carried tothem from Europe, that, without fcruplej they will part with their neareft relations, their wives and children not ex- tepted, to procure them. Thus civilized nations, by Q fuch THE HIS ORY OF fuch a traffic, have made b, .'barians more barbarous, and tempted them to commit the moft cruel and un natural actions-. NOTHING can be more evident, than that fuch a trade is tolerated and carried on in violation of the grant! rule of equity prefcribed to Chriftians. For example, let us fuppofe the people of Africa had difcovered an ifland, fuch as Newfoundland, in a cli mate too cool for the natives of that continent to cul tivate, and that the inhabitants of the north of Eu rope were alone adapted to the work. In confequence of this difcovery, were they to fail to Britain with a cargo of their gold duft, and ftir up one county to wage war with another for the fake of captives: were they to tempt the father to jdifpofe of his fon^ the mother of her daughter, the hulband of his wife, and the neareft friends, firft to (leal and kidnap, andthen barter each other, for Africa's golden idol: we may with juftice put the queftion, Ye inhabitants of England, what would ye think of fuch a traffic? We will readily own, there are few nations upon earth more fond of gold duft than you, or have gone far ther lengths in the commercial way to procure it; yet, fond as ye are of this favourite metal, we muft do fo much juftice to your humanity as to believe, that your nation would refound with complaints againft a traffic fo unjuft and cruel. Yet certainly the African's natural right to purfue it is equally well grounded as that of the European. What principle of Chri-ftianity can youjthen plead in its vindication? Your fuperior power, avarice, and craft, the African acknowledges to his fad experience; but he complains of being made abfclute property, fuch as cattle, good? and SOUTH CAROLINA. and chattels, and fubjecl to be feized, levied upon, and tofled from hand to hand for the payment of com mercial debts, by the laws of your realm, to which he never owed any fubjeftion or obedience. He complains of the means ufed to bring him into fuch grievous and deplorable circumftances, as unfair and iniquitous, He complain?, that his utmoft labour and induftry for any-limited time will not be accepted by the ma tter he fenres, as a compenfation for the expence of his purchafe, and that he and all his generation muft remain ilaves for ever, without hope of redemption or deliverance. And, without doubt, hard is his cafe, and well grounded are his complaints. Indeed the planter's concern only Commences with the arri val of thefe flaves, and his contract made with the merchant, who, under the colour and authority of tha laws, brought them into the country where he lives; For the purchafe be makes he has alfo the fanftion and countenance of law, which is in feme meafure a. juftification of his conduct On provincial reguhu tions, with refpec~l to the fubfequent management and treatment of negroes, we fliall afterwards take occafion to make fome remarks. At prefent we fhall only add, that in no inftance can it be faid to be a more plain and lamentable truthj that the lore of money is the root of all evil, than when it urges men to trade jn the bodies and fouls of their fellow-creatures, DURING the period of the ufurpation in England, Foreign when the great councils of the nation were under the 1^TM* direction of men of mean birth and little education, gedfrom the confiderations of mercantile profit became con- views of _necfited, wi.th,,m,, ole or/- diominion and,1the 1hi.g1her f,,pnngs cCowml maedr-- ef government. After the conqueft of Jamaica, it vantage, 0^ 2 was THE HIST RY OF was refolved, that the nation il :>uld make a commer cial profit of every colony that had been, or fhould be, planted in the weftern. world. At the Reftoration the fame turn in politics was alfo adopted, and the parliament which brought about that great event made a law, by which it was enabled, that no fugary cotton, wool, indigo, ginger, fuftic, or other dying wood, of the growth of any Engltfh plantation in Aliaj, Africa, or America, mould be tranfpofted. to any other place than to fome Englifh plantation, or to England, Ireland, Wales, and Berwick upon Tweed, upon pain of forfeiture of fhip and goods; that, for every veflel fah% ing from England, Ireland, Wales, and Berwick, upon Tweed, bond {hall be given, with fecurity of one or two thoufand pounds fterling, money of Great Britain, that if ftie load any of the faid commodities at fuch plantations, flie fhall bring them to fome port of thefe Englifh dominions. And for every vefTei coming to the faid plantations the governor ihall, before fhe be permitted to load, take fuch bond as a/orefaid, that ihe fhall carry fuch commodities to England, Ireland,, Wales, or Berwick upon Tweed,. This laid the founr dation of what was afterwards called enumerated coin*. modifies ; and to thefe already mentioned, rice, hemp, copper ore, beaver Ikins, and naval ftores, were af terwards added, and, with fome exceptions, fubject? ed to the fame reftraint. THIS navigation law, though it cramped the trade of the colonies, yet it has been attended with many beneficial confequen.ces to Britain: and while fhe maintained the fupreme power of legislation through out the empire, and wifely regulated the trade and commerce of her foreign fettlemei^ts, fhe might reap. many SOUTH CAROLINA. 125 and fubftantial advantages from them. She might render them a market for her manufa&ures, and at the feme time fupply herfelf with fuch commomodities as her northern climate refufed, and obliged her to purchafe from other nations. By fuch means Jhe might enlarge her commerce and trade, at the fame time (he increafed her naval ftrength. It was her intercft in a particular manner to encourage fettlements. in a different climate, the productions of which luxury had made neceflfary to the fupport of her domeftie dominions. Their articles of produce interfered pot with thofe of Britain, and were in no danger of rivalling her at any market. But mould the planters in thefe colonies begin to think thenv fclves entitled to the privileges of raifing what pror du&ions they pleafe, and of fending them to any market they judged moil advantageous to themfelves, they would then become colonies equally ufeful tp all the world; and the mother country, who difcovered, peopled and protected them, would {hare no more advantage from them than rival ftates around her. Qn this principle Great Britain grounds her right to expeft a market for her manufactures in the (Colonies fhe planted and nurfed, and to regulate their produce and trade in fuch a channel as to render them only fubfervient to her own intereft. Without this right they would not only be ufelefs to her, but very prejudicial. Colonies planted in the fame latitude with the parent ftate, raifing the fame productions, and enjoying the fame privileges, muft in time be both de trimental and dangerous; for while they drain her of inhabitants, they are growing ftrong upon her ruins. They meet her at the fame market with the fame commodities, a competition arifes between them, and occafions 126 THE HIS 'ORY OF occafions jealoufies, quarrei , and animofities. Then fhe will become fenfible of the bad policy of having promoted fuch colonies, when they prove dangerous rivals in trade and commerce, and when perhaps it is become too late to remedy the evil: for a rival daughter often becomes the more abufive and, troublefome, in proportion as fhe is better acquainted than ftrangers with the natural fondnefs and indulgent tem per of a tender mother. FROM Carolina indeed Britain had lefs to fear than from the more northern colonies, as the latitude was more remote, and the climate .and foil better fuited to different productions. Here the people naturally engaged in purfuits different frorn thofe of the mother country, and a mutual exchange of commodities and good offices would of confequence the more neceflarily take place. They might barter their fkins, furs, Jm4 naval ftoresj for clothes, arms, ammunition, and utenfils neceflary for cultivation, imported from England* They might fend their provHions, lumber, and Indian captives to the Weft Indies, and receive the luxuries of thefe iflands, and the refufe of their cargoes of flavcs, in return, without any prejudice to Britain: for as the two climates differed greatly, they were of confe quence adapted to different articles of produce. To fuch ftaples the firft views of the planters ought to have been chiefly directed, and, for their encou ragement in raifing them, premiums from the Pro-, prietors might have been attended with the moft beneficial effects. BEFORE this time the Carolineans had found out the policy of fetting one tribe of Indians againft an other, SOUTH CAROLINA. ^^^ ther, on purpofe to fave themfelves. By trifling prefents they purchafed the friendfhip of fome tribes, whom they employed to carry on war with others, which not only diverted their attention from them, but encouraged them to bring captives to Charles- toun, for the purpofe of tranfportation to the Weft Indies* and the advantage of trade. In the year 1693, twenty Cherokee chiefs waited on Governor A. D. Smith, with prefents and propofals of friendfihip, era- l693 ' ving the protection of government againft the Efaw Indians and Cdngaree Indians, who had deftroyed feveral of cn?P.la'n their towns, and1t1 aken a numbL. er ofC thT. ei r peopl1e pn'- t;ce. f inJ Uf- foners. They complained alfo of the outrages of the Savanna Indians for felling their countrymen, con trary to former regulations eftablifhed among the dif ferent tribes; and begged the governor to reftore their relations, and protect them againft fuch in- fidious enemiesv Governor Smith declared to them, that there was nothing he wifhed for more than friendfhip and peace with the Cherokee warriors, and would do every thing in his power for their de fence : that the prifoners were already gone, and could not be recalled ; but that he would for the fu ture take care that a flop mould be put to the cuftom offending them off the country. At the fame time the Chihaw king complained of the cruel treatment Jie had received from John Palmer, who had barba- royfly beat and' cut him with his broad-fword. In anfwer to which charge Palmer was infolent and co'n- tiimacious, and protefted, in defiance and contempt of both governor and council, he would again treat him in like manner upon the fame provocation; for 'Which he was ordered into cuftody, until he aikcd pardon of the houfe, and found fccurity for his fu- 10 ture THE HIS t'ORY OF ture peaceable behaviour tt Indians. Such inftance* of harfti treatment ferve to account for many out rages of Indian nations, who were neither infenfiblc to the common feelings of human nature, nor igno rant of the grievous frauds and impofuions they fuf. fered in the courfe of traffic. By fome planters indeed they were ufed with greater humanity, and employed as fervants to cultivate their lands, or hunt for frefh provifions to their families; and as the woods abounded with deer, rabbits, turkeys, geefe, ducks, fnipes, &c. which were all accounted game, an expert hunter was of great fervice in a planta tion, and could furnifli a family with more provifions than they could confume. The WITH relpeft to government Carolina ftill remain- among e^ m a confufed and turbulent ftate. Complaint; the fet- from every quarter was made to the governor, who was neit'ier ab"e to ^u'et tne mm^s of the people, nor afford them the relief they wanted. The French refugees were uneafy that there was no provincial law to fecure their eftates to the heirs of their body, or the next in kin, and afraid that their lands at their death would efcheat to the Proprietors, and their children become beggars, notwithftanding theif ut- moft induftry and application j and, in fuch a cafe, the fooner they removed from the colony the better it would be for themfelves and their pofterity* The Englifti c.olonifts, not only kept up variances among themfelves, but alib perplexed the governor with their complaints of hardships and grievances. At laft Landgrave Smith wrote the Proprietors^ and frankly told theiti, that he defpaired of ever uniting the peo ple in intereft and affe&ion; that he and naafiy more, a weary SOUTH CAROLINA. 129 weary of the fluctuating flate of public affairs, had refotved to leave the province; and that he was con vinced nothing would bring the fettlers to a date of tranquillity and harmony, unkfs they fent out one of the Proprietors, with full powers to redrefs grievan ces, and fettle differences prevailing and likely to pre vail more in their colony. THE Proprietors, aftonifhed at the difcontented and turbulent fpirit of the people, yet anxious to prevent the fettlement from being defcrted and ruin ed, refolved to try the remedy Landgrave Smith had fuggeft'ed ; and accordingly pitched on Lord Afliley, an ingenious and bright young nobleman, to go to Carolina, and inverted him with full powers, after viewing the pofture of affairs on the fpot, to eftablifh fuch regulations as he judged trioft conducive to the peace and welfare of the colony. Lord Amfeyj how ever, having either little inclination to the voyage, or being detained in England by bufiriefs of greater confequence. John Archdale agl-eed to embark in his John place. Archdale was a man of confiderabte know- Arch.dale l*edge: and da.fcretkion, a (Quaker, and a Proprietor; eadppeooinvt*great truft was repofed in him, and much was expe&- ed from his iiegociations. IN the mean time Landgrave Smith having refign- ed his charge, Daniel Blake was chofen governor, until the pleafure of the Proprietors was known. So great was the antipathy of the Englifh fettlers to the French refugees now grown, that they infifted on their total exclufion from a voice in the legiflature. For this purpofe an addrefs was prepared and figned by a great number of them, and prefented to Go- R vernor THE HI TORY OF vernor Blake, praying, t at the refugees might not only be denied the privilege of fitting as members of the legillative body, but alfo of a vote at their ele&ion, and that the afiernbly might be compofed only of Englifh members, chofen by Englifhmen. Their requeft, however, being contrary to the inftrucYions of the Proprietors, Blake, it is probable, judged be yond his power to grant, and therefore matters rela ting to them continued in the fame unfettled ftate, until the arrival of Governor Archdale, which hap pened about the middle of the year 1695. Arch- THE arrival of this pious man occafioned no fmali arrival Jov among a^ tne fettlers, who crowded about him, and new each expecYmg fome favour or indulgence. Amidft regula- tke genera], jOVj private animofities and civil difcord feemed for a while to lie buried in oblivion. The governor foon found, that three interefting matters demanded his particular attention. The firft was, to reftore harmony and peace among the colonifts themfelves ; the fecond, to reconcile them to the jurifdiction and authority of the Proprietors; and the third, to regulate their policy and traffic with the Indian tribes. For thefe purpofes he fummoned his council for advice, and the commiffions to the different de puties were read. The members appointed were Jofeph Blake, Stephen Bull, James Moore, Paul Grimball, Thomas Carey, John Beresford, and William Hawett. All former judges of the courts, officers of the militia, and juflices of the peace, were conti nued in their refpeclive offices. But fuch was the national antipathy of the Engliih fettlers to the poor French refugees, that Archdale found^ their total exelufjon from all concern in legiflature vas abfolutely neceffarr SOUTH CAROLINA. 131 neceflaryto the peaceable convocation of the delegates, and therefore iffued writs dire&ing them only to Berk ley and Colleton counties. Ten members for the one, and ten for the other, all Englilhmen, were according, ly chofen by the freemen of the fame nation. At their meeting the governor made a feafonable fpeech to both houfes, acquainting them with the defign of his appointment, his regard for the colony, and great defire of contributing towards its peace and profperity. They, in return, prefented affectionate addreflfes to him, and entered on public bufinefs with great tem per and unanimity. Matters of general moment and concern Governor Archdale, by his extenfivc powers and great difcretion fettled to the fatisfaftion of all, excepting the French refugees. The price of lands $nd the form of conveyances were fixed by law. Three years rent was remitted to thofe who held land by grant, and four years to fuch as held them by furvey, without grant. Such lands as had efcheated to the Proprietors, were ordered to be let out or fold for their Lordfhips benefit. It was agreed to take the arrears of quitrents either in money or commo dities, as mould be moft eafy and convenient for the planters. Magiftrates were appointed, for hearing all caufes between the fettlers and Indians, and final ly determining all differences between them. Public roads were ordered to be made, and water paflages cut, for the more eafy conveyance of produce to the market. Some former laws were altered, and fuch new ftatutes made as were judged requifue for the good government and peace of the colony. In fhort, public affairs began to put on an agreeable afpecl, and to promife fair towards the future progrefs and wel fare of the fettlement. But as for thq French refu-r R2 THE HIS' ORV Of gees, all the governor could do for them was., totecommend it to the Engliih freeholders to confider, them in the moft friendly and compaffionate point of fight, and to treat them with lenity and modera tion. Treit No man could entertain more benevolent fendwmIntdhmiahtnyus.- wm...aennt8GLowv'eitrhnorerfApAerfcth ctolal1tehe; ihgin'sorcaonmt phaen&aitohnenfcofravtah?geems. was probably one of the weighty motives which in duced him to undertake the Voyage to this cpuntry.. To protect them againft infults, and eftablifli a fair trade and friendly intercourfe with them, were regula tions which both humanity required and found policy dictated. But fuch was the rapacious fpirjt of indivi. duals, that it could be curbed by no authority. Many advantages were taken of the ignorance of Indians iti the way of traffic. The liberty of feizing their, pcrfons, and felling them for flaycs to the Weft-India planters, , the colonifts cbuld not beprevailedop entirely to refign, without much reluctance. At this time a war raged between two Indian nations, the one living in the Britifli, the other in the SpanHh territories. The YamafTees, a powerful tribe jn Carolina, having made an incurfion into Florida, took a number of Indians, prisoners, whom they brought to Charleftown for fale to the provincial traders to Jamaica and Barbadoes. Governor Archdale no foonef heard of their arrival, than he oiderecj the Spaniih Indians to be brought to him, and rinding that they had been inftrufted 'in the rites and principles of the Catholic religion, he could not help confidcring it ^s an atrocious crime to fell Chriftians of any .denomination. To maintain a gprid .undei'ftanding. between the two provinces, lie feni ' SOUTH CAROLINA. the prifoners to Auguftine, and along with them the Yatnaflee warriors, to treat of peace with the Indians of Florida. The Spaniflr governor wrote a letter to Mr. Afchdalc, thanking him for his humanity, and expreffing a defire to live on terms of friendfliip and peace with the Carolineans. In confequence of which* Governor Archdale iffued orders to all Indians in tho Britifli intereft, to forbear molefting thofc under thd jurifdi&ion of Spain. The two kings being at that time confederates, the like orders were iffued at Sti Auguftine, and in a fhort time they were attended with beneficial effects. Such wife fteps ferved not only to prevent flaughter and mifery among thefe favages themfelvcs, but an Englifh veffel being accidentally fliipwrecked on the coaft of Florida, the Indians did the crew no harm, but, on the contrary, conducted them fafe to Auguftine, where the commandant furniihed them with provifions, and fent them to the Englifli fettlements. iSJoa did Governpr Archdale confine his views to the eftablifhment of a good correfpondence with the Indian nations on the fouth of this fettlement, but extended them alfo to thofe on the north Tide of it. Stephen Bull, a member of the council and an Indian trader, at his requeft entered into a treaty of friendftiip with the Indians living on the coaft of North Carolina. This proved alfo favourable for fome adven turers from New England, who were foon after the conclusion of the treaty fhipwrecked on that coaft. Thefe emigrants got all fafe to land, but finding themfelves furrounded by barbarians, expected no thing but inftant death. However, to defend themfelves in the beft manner they could, they encamped in THE HIS' DRY OF in a body on the fhore, and threw up an entrench ment around them. There they remained until their finall ftock of provifions was almoft exhaufted. The Indians, by making figns of friendfliip, frequently in vited them to quit their camp j but they were afraid, to truft them, until hunger urged them to run the hazard at all events. After they came out, the Indians received them with great civility, and not only furliimed them with provifions, but alfo permitted fome of them peaceably to travel over land to Charleftown, to acquaint the governor with their misfortune. Up on which a veflel was fcnt to North Carolina, which brought them to Cooper river, on the north fide of which lands were allotted them for their accommo dation; and they formed that fettlement afterwards known by the name of Chrift's-church parifh. ABOUT the fame time, two Indians of different tribes being intoxicated with liquor, a vice which they learned from the EngliJh fettlers, quarrelled at Charkftown, and the one murdered the other. Ampng thefc barbarians, not to avenge the death of a friend is confidered as pufillarnmous, and when ever death enfues, drunkennefs, accident, or even ielf-de.fence, are in their eyes no extenuation of thd crime. The relations of the deceafed, hearing of his death, immediately came to CharleftoWn, and de manded fatisfa&ion. Governor Archdale, who had confiaed the murderer, being-defirous to fave his life^ offered them a cornpenfation J but they refufed it, and infifted on blood for blood and death for death, according to the law of retaliation. To prevent the quarrel fpreading wider among them, he was obliged to deliver the prifoner up to junifliment and death. While SOUTH CAROLINA. 135 While they were conducing him to the place of exe cution} his king, coming up to him, enjoined him, fince he muft die, to ftand and die like a man; adding, at the fame time, that he had often warned him of the danger of rum, and now he muft lofe his life for neglefting Ms counfel. When he had advanced to the ftakc to which he was to be fattened, he defired that they would not bind him, promifing not to ftir a-foot from the fpot; and accordingly he did not, but with aftoniming refolution braved the terrors of death, and fell a facrifice to juftice, the frequent wages of blind drunkennefs and mad excefs. IT may now be thought a matter of furprife by fame The Pro- gmre.anu,l,teufrpee,citah,lalyt bth,ye fPrurcohpraisetkonros wof>thCs*e.araodl1-ivnaan,tawgiheos of awere tEmy0an6me*g0elfTMeuAl- men of knowledge, and zealous for the intereft and *gncul- itnprovement of the colony, paid fo little regard to ture" the only thing upon which the fubfiftence of the in habitants and the fuccefs of the fettlement depended. Inftead of framing codes of laws, and modelling the government of the country on principles of fpecula- tion, in which men are always in danger of error, efpecially when living in a different climate, far re mote from the country they mean to govern; had they eftablifhed a plantation in it for the particular purpofe of making experiments, to find out what productions were moft fuitable to the foil and climate; this would have been of more real ufe than all the viiionary laws they ever framed. The firft planters were men of little knowledge or fubftance, many of them utter ftrangers to the arts of agriculture; and tnofe who had been aceuftomed to hufbandry in Eu rope, followed the fame ruleSj and planted the fame grain THE HIST )RY Or grain in Carolina, as they lad formerly done lit England; which were by no means adapted to the climate. They moved on in the old line, exhaufted their ftrength In fruttlefs efforts, without prefuming to imagine, that different articles of pro duce, and a deviation from the eaftern modes of cul tivation, could be beneficial. Hence the planters, though they had lands on the eafieft terms, remain ed poor ^ and the fault was occafioned more by their ignorance and inexperience than by the climate or foil. It was the bufinefs of the Proprietors to have directed their views to fuch productions as were beft fuited to the nature of their lands, and moft likely to reward their toil; and not to have left a matter of fuch importance to chance, or the ingenuity of poof labourers. Agriculture was certainly an object of the higheft confequence to the fettlers, and of courfe ahV to the Proprietors of the country. GOVERNOR Archdale having finifhed his negbciations in Carolina, made preparations for returning to Britain. During his time though the government had acquired confiderable refpecl: and liability, yet the differences among the people frill remained. For mer flames were rather fmothered for a while than extinguished, and were ready on the firft occafion td break out again and burn with greater violence. Before he embarked, the council prefented to him an addrefsj to be tranfmitted to the Proprietors; expfeffing the deep fenfe they had of their Lordfliips paternal care for their colony, in the appointment of a man of fuch abilities and integrity to the govern ment, who had been fo happily inftrumental in eftablifhing its peace and fecurity. They told them, they had SOUTH CAROLINA. 137 had now no contending factions in government, or clafhing interefts among the pepple, excepting what refpected the French refugees, who were unhappy at their not being allowed all the privileges and liberties of Englilh fubjefts, particularly thofe of fitting in aflembly, and voting at the election of its members, which could not be granted them without lofing the affections of the Englim fettlers, and involving the colony in civil broils j that Governor Archdale, by the advice of his council, had chofe rather to. refufe them thofe privileges than difoblige. the bulk of the BritHh fettlers; that, by his wife conduct, they hoped all mifunderftandings between their Lordfhips and the colonifts were now happily removed; that they would For the future cheerfully concur with them in every meafure for the fpeedy population and improvement of the country } that they were now levying money for building fortifications, to defend the province againft foreign attacks, and that they would flrive to maintain harmony and peace among themfelves. Governor Archdale Archdale received this addrefs with peculiar fatisfac- rlll'nsto tion, and, promn. red, to prelrent it to thi e PT->roprietors on aEnndglelaanvdes, his arrival in England. Being hnpowered to nomi- Jofeph nate a lieutenant-governor, he made choice of Jofeph ye',encr Blake for his fucceffor, and embarked for Britain about the clofs of the year 1696. AFTDR Mr. Archdale's arrival in England, he laid this addrefs, together with a ftate of the country, and the regulations he had eftablifhed in it, before the Proprietors, and (hewed them the necefllty of abolifhing many articles in the conftitutions, and framing a new plan of government. Accordingly, they began to compile new conftitutions; from his in- S formation 138 THE HIS OUT OF formation and intelligence < jrty-one different articles were drawn up and fent out Dy Robert Daniel, for the better government of the colony. But when the governor laid thefe new laws before the aflembly for their aflent and approbation, recommending the careful perufal and confideration of them, they treated them as they had done the former conftitutions, and, inftead of taking them under deliberation, modeftly laid them afide. A colony MEAN while France, having thought proper to re- in FloriU cgn'lze King William in the quality of king of Great da. Britain and Ireland, a treaty of peace was concluded between the two nations. After which, a project was formed by Lewis XIV. for eftablifhing a colony of his people at the mouth of the great river Miffiffipi. To that immenfe territory lying to the eaftward of that river, and extending along the back, of the Ap palachian mountains, from the Mexican feas to his dominions in Canada, he laid claim, which, in honour of him, was afterwards called Louifiana. Some dif- cerning men in England early warned the nation of danger to the Britifh fettlements from a French colo ny eftablifhed on this quarter; yet many years elap- fed before they began to feel the inconveniences and troubles arifmg from it. It was forefeen, that, befides the Spaniards, another competitor for power and dominion would fpring up, .in a fituation where they had a fair opportunity of engrafting the trade and af- fe&ions of Indian tribes, and haraffing the weakefl frontiers of the Britim colonies: and doubtlefs, from the influence and addrefs of the Frenchmen among Indians, the Englilh fcttlers had more to fear, than from the religious zeal and bigotry of indolent Spa- nidi friars. JOHN SOUTH CARD LI N A. JOHN Earl of Bath having fucceeded Lord Craven as Palatine, feveral perfons of character and influ ence in Carolina were by him created landgraves; among whom were Edmund Ballenger, John Bayley, and Robert Daniel; Edmund Bohun was ap pointed Chief JuRice of the colony. About the fame time Nicholas Trott, a learned and ambitious man, left the Bahama iflands, and took up his refidencc in Carolina. Numbers from different quarters con tinued to refort to this country, and, notwifth/landing its warm and unhealthy climate, the flattering profpects of landed eftates induced men to run every rifque; and the Proprietors neglected no means which they judged conducive towards its fpeedy po pulation. WITH refpect to the French refugees, the national antipathies among the cobnuts now began to abate, who, from their quiet and inofFenfive behaviour, en tertained daily more favourable fentiments of them. Along with their neighbours they had defied the dan gers of the defert, and given ample proofs of their fidelity to the Proprietors, their love to the people, and their zeal for the fuccefs of the colony. They had cleared little fpots of land for raifing the necef- faries of life, and in fome meafure furmounted the difficulties of the firft ftate of colonization. Yet none of them could boaft of great fuccefs, excepting one man who had taught the Indians dancing and mufic, for which arts they difcovered an amazing fondneis, and liberally rewarded him for his inftruc- tions. At this favourable juncture the refugees, by the advice of the governor and other friends, peti- S2 tinned THE HIS ORY OF Honed the legiflature to be : icorporated with the freqmen of the colony, and allowed the fame privileges The and liberties with thofe born of English parents, Acrefugees corciingly an ?S paffed for making all aliens free, for jncorpo- enabling them to hold lands, and to claim the fame as rated by jjeirg ^ ^eir anceft0rs, who fhould^ake the oath of allegiance to King Willjam. With this condition the refugees joyfully complied, and the Proprietors, without fcruple, ratified the law; in confequence of which, the French and Englim fettlers, united in intereft and affection, have ever fince lived together in harmony and peace. THOUGH every perfon enjoyed liberty of confcience with refpeft to religion, yet as the Proprietors were Epifcopalians, the tendency of their government lean ed towards that mode of religious worfhip. Gover nor Blake, though a diffenter himfelf, poffeffed the. moft liberal fentiments towards men of a different perfuafion. During his time a bill was brought into the affembly, for allowing the Epifcopal minifter of Charleftown, and his fucceffors for ever, a falary of one hundred and fifty pounds fterling, together with a houfe, glebe, and two fervants. Samuel Marfbal, a pious and learned man, being the Epifcopal minifter at that time, whofe prudence and ability had gained him great efteem from Chriftians of all denomina tions, the bill paffed with the lefs oppofition. Diffenters in general, a large body of the people, confcious of the amiable character and g'reat merit of the man, acquiefced in the meafuie; and as no motion had been made refpeding any eftablilhed church, they ieemed apprehenfive of no ill cpnfequences from it. However, foon after this, when the defign of the Pro prietors SOUTH CAROLINA. 141 prietors became more plain, this party, jealous afcove all things of their religious liberties, took the alarm, and oppofed the eftablifhment of the church pf England in the colony with fuch violence, as ocipafioned no fmall ferment for many years in the fettlement. ABQUT this time the coaft of Carolina was infeft; Depredaed with pirates, who hovered about the mouth of tlon Afliley river, and obftrucled the freedom of trade, In the laft year of the feventeenth century, the plantt ers had raifed more rice than they could find veffels jto export. Forty-five perfons from different nations, Englifhmen, Frenchmen, Portuguefe, and Indians, had manned a fhip at the Havanna, and entered on a -cruife of piracy. While they were on the coaft. of Carolina, the people felt feverely the pernicious effeds of that lawlefs trade, which in former times they were too apt to, encourage. Several fhips belonging to Charleftown were taken by thofe public robbers, who fent the crews afhore, but kept the yeffels as their prizes. At laft having quarrelled among themfelves about the divifion of the fpoil, as frequently happens among fuch free-booters, the Englishmen, proving the weaker party, were turned adrift in a long-boat. They landed at Sewee bay, and from thence travelled over land to Charleftown, giving out that they had been Shipwrecked, and fortunately efcaped to more in their boat. But, to their fad difappointment and furprife, no lefs. than three matters of fhjps happened to be at Charleftown at the time, who had been taken by them, and knew'them; upon whofe teftimony the pirates were inftantly taken up, tried and condemned, feven but of nine fuffered death. DURING THE HIS 'ORY OF A hum- DURING the autumn of :he fame year, a dreadful eane> hurricane happened at Charleftown, which did great damage, and threatened the total deftru&ion of the town. The lands on which it is built being low and level, and not many feet above high-water mark, the fwelling fea rufhed in with amazing impetuofity, and obliged the inhabitants to fly for fhelter to the fecond ftories of their houfes. Happily few lives were loft in town ; but a large veffel, called the Rifing Sun, belonging to Glafgow, and commanded by James Gibfon, which had come from Darien with part of the unfortunate Scotch fettlers, at the time of the ftorm rode at anchor off the bar. This fhip the hurricane drove from her anchor, and daftied to pieces againft the fand-banks, and every perfon on board perimed, Archibald Stobo, a Prefbyterian clergyman, Lieutenant Graham, and feveral more belonging to the (hip, being accidentally on fhore during the tempeft, efcaped the difafter. Thefe men going next day in fearch of their unfortunate country men, found the corpfes of the greateft part of them driven afhore on James's Hland, where they fpent a whole day in burying them, the laft aft of huma nity they could then perform to their beloved com panions. and other NOR was this the only difafter which diftinguiflied publicca- this year in the annals of Carolina. A fire broke the a^ out 'n Charleftown, and laid the moft of it in province, afhes. The fmall-pox raged through the town, and proved fatal to multitudes of the rifing generation. To complete their diftrefs, an infeftious diftemper broke out, and carried off an incredible num ber SOUTH CAROLINA. 143 ber of people, among whom were Chief Juftice Bohun, Samuel Marfhal the Epifcopal clergyman, John Ely the receiver-general, Edward Rawlins the provoft-martial, and almoft one half of the members of aflembly. Never had the colony been vifited with fuch general diftrefs and mortality. Few families efcaped a mare of the public calamities. Almoft all were lamenting the lofs, either of their habitations by w * the devouring flames, or of friends or relations by the infectious and loathfome maladies. Difcouragement and defpair fat on every countenance. Many of the furvivors could think of nothing but abandoning a country on which the judgments of heaven fcemed to fall fo heavy, and in which there was fo little, profpecT: of fuccefs, health, or happincfs. They had heard of Pennfylvania, and how pleafant and flourifliing a province it was defcribed to be, and therefore were determined to embrace the firft op portunity that offered of retiring to it with the re mainder of their families and effects. GOVERNOR Blake, deeply fenfible of the public diftrefs, tried every art for alleviating the mifery of the people, and encouraging them to perfeverance; but the members of aflembly who furvived, be came f6 negligent about public affairs, that he found himfelf under a neceflity of diffblving the houfe, and calling another, hoping that they might be more zealous and active in concerting meafures for the public relief. Of this new aflembly Nicholas Trotr, whofe ta*. - ,had raifed him above the level of his felbw-reprelentatives, was made fpeaker, and who Warmly efpoufed the caufe of the people, in oppofition to the intereft of the proprietors. The governor and 144 THE HI TORY OF and council claimed the \ rivilege of nominating pub lic officers, particularly a receiver-general, until the pleafure of the proprietors was known. The affcrably, on the other hand, infifted that it belonged to them. This occasioned feveral mefiages between the two houfes, and much altercation. However, the Upper houfe appointed their man. The lower houfe refolved, that the perfon appointed by them was no public receiver, and that whoever mould prefume to pay money to him as fuch, fhould be deemed an infringer of the privileges of affembly, and an enemy to the country. Trott flatly denied they could be called an upper houfe, though they thus ftyled themfelves, as they differed in the mofl eflential circumftances from the houfe of lords in England; and therefore led the affernbly to call them the Proprietors deputies, and to treat them with indignity and con tempt, by limiting them to a day to pafs their bills, and to an hour to anfwer their mefiages. At this time Trott was eager in the purfuit of popularity, and by his uncommon abilities and addrefs fucceeded in a wonderful manner. Never had any man there, in fo Ihort a time, fo thoroughly engroffed the public favour and efteem, or carried matters with fo high a hand, in oppofition to the proprietary counfellors. ABOUT the clofe of the year 1700, Governor Blake died, and a difpute arofe in the upper houfe about the fucceffion to the government. Jofeph Morton, as eldeft landgrave, claimed thje. preference,, until the pleafure of the Palatine was : = *=m. But James Moore, a needy, forward and ambitious man, flood forth in competition, and, by activity and art, gained a number over in fupport of his preten- i fions. SOUTH CAROLINA. 145 si He obje&ed to" Landgrave Morton, becaufe he had accepted a commimon from King William to be judge of the court of vice-admiralty, while, at the fame time, he held one of the Proprietors to the fame office: this Moore and his friends declared to be a breach of the truft repofed in him; and that he might with equal propriety have accepted of a commiilion from King William to be governor, while he held that office of the Proprietors; Landgrave Morton replied, that there was a neceffity for hold ing a commiffion from the king to be judge of the court of vice-admiralty, becauie it did not appear from the charter that the Proprietors could impovver their judge to try perfons for als committed without the bounds of their colony, and that with fuch jurifdi&ion the judge of the admiralty ought for many reafons always to be vefted. However, the upper houfe deemed the objection of force fufficient to fet Morton afide, and James Moore was chofen fucceffor James to Governor Blake. From which period the colony Mcm: may date the beginning of further jealoufies and o-ovcrt'roubles, which continued for feveral years, and ob- "r. ftrucled its progrefs in improvement. Various in trigues crept into the feat of government, and feveral encroachments were made on the liberties and privi leges of the people, both civil and religious. KING William, though he maintained the power bf the eftablHhed church, yet he often difcovered a fccret attachment to Presbyterians, and on all occa- uons treated them with lenity and moderation. Hence many of the more zealous friends to the church of England, alarmed at the profpecls of its dangerous Situation, became eagerly bent not only in fupport of T its THE HIS ORY OF its conftitution, bat even os its minuteft forms, uiages, and veftm'ents. Lord Granville among the reft, after he was called up to the houfe of peers, had there diftingnifhed himfelf as an inflexible bigot for the High-church, having been early taught to enter tain the moft fupercilious contempt for Diflenters of Lord all denominations. Being now alfb Palatine of Caro]ina hg foon dlfcovered that the eftabliflirrient of Epifeopacy, and the fuppreffion of all other modes of religious worfhip, in that country, was the chief objel of his zeal and attention. James Moore being confidered as a man more fu than Landgrave Morton for aflifting him in the accomplimment of his favou rite defign, the more eafily obtained a confirmation of his ele&ion to the government. HERE it may not be improper to obferve, that feveral eminent men had appeared in England, who, pitying the miferable ftate of the weftern world xvith refpeft to religion, had propofed fome publicfpirited defign for the propagation of the gofpfil ainong the heathens on that vaft continent. Robert Boyle, no lefs diftinguifhed for his eminent piety thati univerfal learning, had been appointed by Charles }I. governor of a corporation eftablifhed for the propa gation of the Chriftian religion among Indians, the natives of New England and parts adjacent, in Ame rica. Queen Mary afterwards difcovered a great defire for enlarging their plan, and for this purpofe gave a bounty of two hundred pounds fterling annually to fupport miffionaries in that quarter, Dr. Compton, bifhop of London, was at pains to procure a ftate of religion among the Englifh colonies, from a perfuafion of the neceffity and propriety of beginning this cha ritable SOUTH CAROLINA. 147 n:able work among them; and Dr.Thomas Bray, his commiffary in Maryland, furnimed him with one fuited to excite fyinpathy and companion in every pious and generous bread. At length Dr. Tennifon, archbifliopof Canterbury, undertook the laudable defign, appliedr to the crown, and obtained a charter incorporating King a fociety for the propagation of the gofpel in foreign ^3"^'* parts. The nation in general entered into the delign thefociety with their ufual ardovr for all benevolent and charita- forPrPable inftitutions. From different parts large benefactions gofpcl were received by this fociety, and it was foon enabled to fupport a number of miffionaries in the plantations, Religious books were purchafed and fent out to dif, ferent provinces, and Carolina among the reft recei ved a number of them. A law paffed for inftituting a public library in the prov^ce, to remain under the care and cuftody of the Epifcopal minifter of Charlestown. Edward Marfton at this time took the charge of it, and was difpofed to contribute every thing iu his power towards rendering it generally ufeful. But the Diffenters, from the choice of the books, moft of which were wrote by Epifcopal divines, and in defence of the doctrine, difcipline and worfliip of the church of England, foon perceived the intention of the fociety, and a library framed on foch a narrow foundation was treated with neglect, and proved utterly ineffectual for promoting the defired end, 1 mean, the religions iu^ ftruction of the people, ABOUT this time the number of inhabitants in the tolony amounted to between five and fix.thouiand, be- fides Indians and negroes. In Charle&own they had one minifter of the church of England, and another of. the church of Scotland ; but in the country there Ta \vao i4S THE HIS DRY OF was no fuch thing as public .vorfhip, nor fchools fbp the education of children ; and people living thus fcattered through a foreft, were likely in time to fink by degrees into the fame ftate of ignorance and barT barifm with the natural inhabitants of the wildernefs, To fupply thefe deftitute colonifts with proper means of inftruction, called for the firft attention of the fo-r ciety ; for as Indian? and negroes would naturally take their firft religious impreffipns from their neigh bours, to begin at this place was like paving the way for extending wider the benefits of inftru&ion. In what planner the colony was fupplied with minifters from this fociety, and how far the intereft of reli gion in that country was promoted by it, we fliall afterwards have occafion more particularly to nar? rate. n efta- fo prepare the province for the charitable church ance f tn 's fociety, it was judged neceffary to have projected the church of England eftablifhed in it by a provincial p7, * e law, arid the country divided into different parifhes, The Palatine imagined that tbefe internal troubles and differences, by which the colony had hitherto been agitated, and- the government rendered feeble and fluctuating, were occafioned by the claming fentiments of the people with refpeft to religion. To remedy this evil, he perceived that fome bond of unicfti was neceflary, to carry on public meafures with. eafe and fucceis ; and religion had been deemed the, firmeft cement oi every ftate. He knew that the Epifcopai form of cnurch government was more fa vourable to monarchy and the civil conftitution than the Prefbyterian, as in it a chain of dependence fubfifts, from the higheft to the Joweft in the church, : While SOUTH CAROLINA. 149 While therefore he inftru&ed Governor Moore to ftudy all poffible means of perfuading the afletnbly to acquicfce in that form contained in the fundamen tal constitution*, he was equally zealous for an cftablifhed ehurch, that the wheels of their government might be no more clogged by religious diflentions. BUT as a great majority of the colonifts were Dif- Bat 4SC. fenters, who rigorous a&s had fled from . 6f uniformity, England on their minds account of i. were ill dif- 1^e<1 ?>r the tnajo- ritrof the pofed to admit of any eftablifhment. Their former P60?1*? prejudices they had not yet thrown afide; their hard- ftiips in England they had not yet forgot. Their pri vate opinions refpefting religion were various as their different complexions, and unlimited toleration was granted to all by the charter. They could hear of no propofals about an eftablifhed church, and the Pala tine, at fuch an unfeafonable time, fhewed more zeal than prudence of good policy in attempting to intro duce it among them. The governor found them in flexible and obftinate in oppofing fuch a meafure; and the people even began to repent of having pafled a law for fixing a falary for ever on the reclor of the Epifcopal church, and confidered it as a ftep prepara tory to further encroachments. THE great object with Governor Moore was to Governor improve his nous power timmieg,ihtnoiltaik-rL,notrworinibgehttoewri. nlgon,hgi.shi,lsowpreacnad-, Moore rtoelplvgeest indigent circumftances. It appeared to him, that the riches, traffic in Indians was the fborteft way to riches. He therefore granted commiffions to feveral perfons, to affault, trepan and captivate as many Indians as they could, and refolved to turn the profits of fuch trade to THE HIST- BY OF to his own private emolument Not contented with this cruel method of acquiring wealth, he formed a defign for engroffing the whole advantages arifing to the colony'from their commerce with Indian nations. For this purpofe a bill was brought into the aflembly for regulating the Indian trade, and drawn up in fuch a manner as would caufe all the profits of it to cen ter in his hands. But Nicholas Trott, Robert Ste phen, and others, proved to the, aflembly the pernicioui tendency of fuch a bill, and therefore it was thrown out. At which Governor Moore being highly offended, diflblved the houfe,, in hopes of procuring another more favourable to his private views and interefts. AT the ele&ion of the next aflembly the governor and his friends exerted all their power and influence to bring in men of their own complexion, I mean fuch as would be moft compliant with Moor's in ft ruc tions from England, and moft ready to affift him in advancing his intereft. Nicholas Trott, who had hi therto fhone like a ftar of the firft magnitude on the cppofite fide, being now appointed Attorney-general, threw all his influence and weight into the fcale of government, turned his back on his former friends, and ftrongly fupported that, tottering fabric which he had formerly endeavoured to pull down. Charleftown, where all freeholders met to give their fuffrages, at |fi in-e. fhe time of this election was a fcene of riot, intempeft < *anetf a"d eonfufion. The meriff, having inftructieni fo to do, admitted every perfon to vote; the members of Colleton county fay, even common failors, fervami, foreigners, and mallattoes. Such freeholders II fteed forth in oppofition to the governor's party, abufd and iufulted. At length, when the poll WUJ SOUTH CAROLINA. 151 was clofcd, one half of the perfona eleed were found to be men of neither fenfe nor credit; but being the chofen creatures of the governor, it was his bufmcfs to prevent all inquiry into the coddud of the fhcriff, and the qualifications of fuch mem bers. AT this time Cartcret county was inhabited only by Indians; but in Coileton county there were no kfe than two hundred freeholders, who had a right to vote for delegates to affembly. The principal planta tions in it were thofe of the late Sir John Yeamafls, Landgraves Mortpn, Ballenger, and Axtell, and thofc of Blake, Boone, Gibbes, Schinking, and others. The people of this county being highly offended at the manner of election, particularly the arts and intrigues praftifed, and the riot and intemperance per mitted at it, drew up a reprefentation of the whole tranfacYion, and tranfm'itted it to the Proprietors in England: but the Palatine was too deeply concern ed in promoting thofe meafures of which they com plained, to grant them any favourable anfwer. In Berkley county the principal fettlements were thofe of Sir Nathanial Johnfon, Governor Moore, Landgraves Weft, Smith, Bayley, and Daniel; together with thoTc belonging to Godfrey, Mathews, Izard, Coileton, Grimball, &c. ; fcveral of whom were alfo difiatisfied with the public proceedings. But Craven county being compoftd of French refugees, who having little knowIcdg: of the Englifh language, were eafiiy managed; many of whom fupported the governor purely out of affecYion to the Proprietors. In fhort, the houfe confilled of thirty members, one half of whom were elefted from the dregs of the people, utter flrangers to -. v public i?a THE HIST JRY OF public affairs, and in every i fped unqualified for fit* ting'as provincial legiflators. IN the mean time, a rupture took place in Europd between England and Spain, which turned the at tention of the colony to a different objeft, and af forded Governor Moore an opportunity of exercifmg his military talents, and a new profpeft of enriching Propofes himfelf by Spanifh plunder or Indian captives^ Ac* d".QXPa- cordingly, inftead of private difputes among them* gainft felves, he propofed to the aflembly an expedition a- Auguf- gainft the Spanifh fettlement at Auguftine. Many of the people, from mercenary motives, applauded the propofal; however, men of cool reflection, having yet had no intelligence of the declaration of war, were averfe from rufhing into any hazardous enter- prize, until they had certain advice of it from England. As the expedition was projected, contrary to the opinion and inclination of many Carolineans, with out any recent provocation from the Spanifh gar- rifon; it is probable that the governor engaged in it chiefly from views of private emolument. Florida, he affured the people would be an eafy eonquefl -f and treafures of gold and filver were held out to them as the rewards of valour. In vain did fome members of the aflembly oppofe it, by reprefenting the province as weak, and ill provided for warlike cnterprifes, and by hinting at the many hazards and difficulties always attending them 5 in vain did they urge the ftrength of the Spanifh fort, and the expen- ces incurred by a fruitlefs and perhaps bloody expe dition: fuch men were called enemies and traitors to' their country, and reprefented as timid and pufillani- 2 mous SOUTH CAROLINA. 153 inous wretches, who were utter flrangers to great and glorious undertakings. Accordingly, a great majority of the afiembly declared for the expedition, and a fum of two thoufand pounds fterling was voted for the fervice of the war. Six hundred Indians were engaged, who, being fond of warlike exploits, gladly accepted of arms and ammunition offered them for their aid and aiTiftance. Six hundred provincial mi litia were raifed, and fchooners and merchant ftiips were imprefied, for tranfports to carry the forces. Port-Royal was fixed upon as the place of general rendezvous, and there, in September 1702, the go vernor, at the head of his warriors, embarked in an expedition equally ra(h and fool-hardy on one fide, as it was well known and unprovoked on the other. WHILE thefe preparations were going on in Caro lina, the Spaniards, apprifed of the governor's defign, were making ready for their defence. In the plan of operations it had been agreed, that Colonel Daniel, who was an officer of fpirit, {hould go by the inland paffage with a party of militia and Indians, and make a defcent on the town from the land, while the go vernor with the main body fhould proceed by fea, and block up the harbour. Colonel Daniel loft no time, but advanced againft the town, entered and plunder ed it before the governor got forward to his affift- ance. But the Spaniards having laid up provifions for four months in the caftle, on his approach reti red to it, with all their money and mod valuable ef fects. Upon the arrival of Governor Moore, the place was inverted with a force againft which the Spaniards could not appear, and therefore kept them- felves fhut up in their ftrong hold. The governor U finding 154 THE HIST IRY OF finding it impoflible to dilloc ge them without fuch artillery as are neceflary to a fiege, difpatched a flbop to Jamaica, on purpofe to bring cannon, bombs, and mortars, for attacking the caftle ; and Colonel Da niel embarked and failed with the greateft expedition to bring them. During his abfence two Spanifh {hips, the. one of 22 guns and the other'of 16, appearing off the mouth of the harbour, ftruck fuch a panic into the governor, that he inftantly raifed the fiege, abandoned his mips, and made a precipitate retreat Which to Carolina by land. In confequence of which the abor" Spaniards in the garrifon were not only relieved, but tive. the fhips, provifions, and ammunition, belonging to the Carolineans, fell alfo into their hands. Colonel Daniel, on his return, (landing in for the harbour of Auguftine, found to his furprife the fiege raifed, and made a narrow efcape from the enemy. MILITARY expeditions raihly undertaken, conduct ed by a headftrong and unexperienced officer, and executed by raw and ill-difciplined troops, feldom fucceed. We are not able to account for the gover nor's conducl in raifing this fiege, after he had been a month in pofleflion of the town, unlefs he was in immediate want of provifions or ammunition, or his men, having little confidence in his abilities, threaten ed to defert him: for if the Spanilh mips drew more than ten feet water, which it is probable they muft have done, they could not come over the bar to in jure him : if .they landed their men, yet ftill his force was fuperior to that of the enemy, and he might at Jeaft have rifked a battle on fuch grounds, before he made an inglorious retreat. The Indians were averfe from leaving the field, without fcalps, plunder, or glory. SOUTH CAROLINA. 155 glory. It is true, the Spanifn (hips of war might have prevented Colonel Daniel from getting into the har bour with the fupply of military (lores, yet the coaft was large, and afforded many more places for landing them. The governor had Indians to hunt for provifions to his men, and it was by no means impoffible to have ftarved the garrifon, and compelled them to furrender. What then mail we think of a commander, who, on the firft appearance of a little danger, aban dons his flation, however advantageous, and tamely yields up, not only the town, but alfo his own ihips and provifions to the enemy ? UPON his return to Carolina many fevere reflec tions were thrown out againft him, as might natural ly have been expe&ed ; but efpecially' by that party who oppofed the enterprife. It is true, it proved not 8. bloody expedition, the governor having loft no more than two men in it; yet it entailed a debt of fix thoufand pounds flerling on a poor colony, which, at that period, was a grievous burden. The provm- cial aflembly, who, during the ablence of the gover nor, had been under prorogation, now met, to con cert ways and means for difcharging this public debt. Great diflenfions and cpnfufion prevailed a- niong them ; but the gpvernqr, having a number of men under arms to whom the country flood indebt ed, defpifed all ppppfitipn, and filenced the malecon- tents by threats and compulfion. A bill was brought The firi! into the aflembly for (lamping bills of credit, to an- paper fwer the public expence, which were to be funk in three years by a duty laid upon liquors, ikins, and furs. In this meafure all parties acquiefced, as it fell eafy on private perfons, at the fame time that it fatisv U2 fied 156 THE HIST >RY OF fied the public creditors. T tis was the firft paper inoney iflued in Carolina, and, for five or fix years after the etniffion, it pafled in the country at the fame value and rate with the fterling money of England. How, in procefs of time, it increafed in quantity and funk in value ; how it was deemed ufeful by debtors and prejudicial by creditors, we (hall afterwards have occafion more particularly to demonftrate. At prefent it may fuffice to obferve, that it was abfolutely neceflary to fupport the public credit, and the moft practicable method the colony had of defraying the expences incurred by the unfuccefsful expedition. NOTWITHSTANDING his paft misfortunes, Gover nor Moore, fond of warlike exploits, had ftill in view the ftriking fome blow that might diftingui(h his adminiftration. The Appalachian Indians, by their conneftion with the Spaniards, had become The ex- infolent and troublefome. Mr. Moore determipedition necj to chaftife them, and for this purpofe marched the An-' at tn head of a body of white men arid Indian palachian allies, into the heart of their fettlements. Wheren Ians- cver he went he carried fire and fword along with him, and ftruck a terror into his enemies. The towns of thofe tribes who lived between the rivers Alatamaha and Savanna he laid in aflies, captivated many favages, and obliged others to/ fubmit to the Englifh government, This exertion of power in that quarter was attended with good effefts, as it filled the favages with terror of the Britifh arms, and help ed to pave the way for the Englifh colony afterwards planted between thefe rivers. The governor received the thanks of the Proprietors for his patriotifm and courage, who acknowledged that the fuccefs of his arms SOUTH CAROLINA. 157 arms had gained their province a reputation; but, what was of greater confequence to him, he wiped off the ignominy of the Auguftine expedition, and procured a number of Indian flaves, whom he em ployed to cultivate his fields, or fold for his own pro fit and advantage. ABOUT this time Sir Nathaniel Johnfon introduced Thecnlthe raifing of filk into the country, which is an article of commerce exceedingly profitable, and, by proper encouragement, might have been made very benefi cial both to the colony and the mother country. Mul berry trees grew fpontaneoufly in the woods, and thri ved as well as other natural productions. The great demand for filk in Britain made it an objeft of the fcigheft confequence. About the beginning of March the worms are hatched from the eggs; nature having wifely fo ordered it, that the filk-worms ihould come into life at the time mulberry leaves, on which they feed, begin to open. The feeding and cleaning them required rather {kill than ftrength. Young persons might have been employed in furnifhing leaves j one man of judgment and fkill might have attended a large houfe full of worms; and in fix weeks their whole operations are over. An article fo profitable, and fo eafily raifed, ought to have engaged the attention of the Proprietors, and induced them to give premiums to fuch men as fliould bring to market the greateft quantities of it. Men of knowledge and {kill from Europe ought to have been hired and fent out by them, for inftrufting the colonifts in the management of the worms and winding of the filk. Where the climate was fo well adapted to the purpofe, could any article of improvement be conceived more likely to reward them 158 THE HIST ORY OP them for their expence? How :ver, Sir Nathaniel Johnfon, after all his pains, rather {hewed what might have been done towards the culture of filk in that province, than made fuch progrefs in it as to render the com modity of national advantage. To the culture of cotton the climate and foil were And of equally favourable. It might have been planted on fiotton> lands newly cleared, or on light and fandy grounds, fuch as the maritime parts of Carolina, which are by no means unfuitable to the production. The feeds are commonly fown about two feet and a half afunder, and grow up like other plants. Indeed the fields require to be kept clean, and the frefh earth carefully thrown around the plant, to defend it againft the winds; but this is no difficult tafk, and might be performed by hands incapable of more fevere labour. When the pods burft, cotton is gathered, and feparated from the feeds ; which is the moft tedious and troublefome part of the bufinefs requifite. This article alfo, though not of importance enough to have engrofled the whole attention of the colonifts, might neverthelefs, in conjuneYion with other ftaples, have been rendered pro fitable and ufeful. INSTEAD of thefe and feveral other articles, to which the views of the planters in the weaker and ^earlier ftate of the colony ought to have been turned Ricefixed in fome degree, we find from this period the culture plantersas ^ "ce engrout"ing their wholeftrength and attention, a .ftaple This commodity being an article of provifion, was incommo- ^ed ijke]y always to find a good market; yet it was fcarcely poffible ta have fixed on a ftaple which re quired more fevere labour during- the whole pror cefs SOUTH CAROLINA. cefs of its preparation. The warm climate and low lands were doubtlefs well adapted to the nature of the grain, after experience had taught the hufband- man to clear and cultivate the fwampy grounds for that j purpofe: yet it is certain that the planters long went on with this article, and exhaufted their ftrengfh in railing it on higher lands, which poorly rewarded them for their toil. After clearing the lands they commonly plant it in furrows made with a hoe, about eighteen inches afunder. When the feed is fown the fields muft be carefully kept clear of noxious weeds, which retard its growth, and the earth muftalfo be laid up to the root of the rice, to facilitate its progrefs. No work can l>e imagined more pernicious to health, than for men to (land in water mid leg high, and often above it> planting and weeding rice ; while the fcorching heat of the fun renders the air they breathe ten or twenty degrees hotter than the human blood, and the putrid and unwholefome effluvia from an oozy bottom and ftagnated water poifon the atmofphere. They fow it in April, or early in May, and reap in the latter end of Auguft, or in the month of September. After which it is dried and carried to the barn-yard, and built in flacks, in like manner as the corn in Europe. After this it is threfhed, winnowed, and ground in mills made of wood, to free the rice from the hulk; Then it is winnowed again, and put into a wooden mortar and beat with large wooden peflles, which labour is fo oppreffive and hard, that the firmefl nerves and molt vigorous conftitutions fink under it. To free it from the duft and flour occafioned by .poundingj it is fifted firft through one fieve, and then, to feparafe the fmall and broken rice from the large, ]2 I through l6o THE HIS 'ORY OF through another. Laft of all, it is put into large barrels of enormous weight, and carried to the market. During the whole tedious procefs of its prepa* ration, much care and great ftrength are requisite, and many thoufands of lives from Africa have been facrificed, in order to furnifh the world with this cofamodity. CHAP. SOUTH CAROLINA. 161 CHAP. IV. AFTER the death of King William, which hap pened on the 8th of March 1702, agreeable to the act made For fettling the fucceffion, thfc crown devolved on Anne Stewart, the youngeft daughter of King James IL by his fir ft marriage. At her, acceffion to the throne, though in reality me was no friend to the Whig party, me declared that, me would make the late king's conduct the model of her own^ and maintain the fucceffion to. the crown in the Proteftant line. The firft object of her reign was to humble the pride of France, the power of which nation had at that time growi* to fuch an exorbitant height, as to endanger the liberties of Europe. Lewis XIV. had fuch influence with the Spanilh nation, as to perfuade theifi to join him in proclaiming the pretended Prince of Wales king of Great Britain and Ireland. He had alfo made many encroach men ts on the freedom, of Englifli commerce and navigation. The indignity offered to her crown Queen Anne determined to refent, and therefore, on the 4th of May, dedared war agalnft France and Spain, which, for many years, fhe tarried on with amazing vigour and fuccefs. ABOUT this juncture Sir Nathaniel Johnfon recei ved a cornmiffion from John Lord Granville, invert ing hinv with the government of Carolina, to which a falary of two hundred pounds was annexed, ":.' X ' te 162 THE HIST >KY OF to be paid annually by the a eceiver-general of the colony. This gentleman had not only been bred a foldier from his youth, but had been alfo a member of the houfe of commons, and was well qualified for the trufl. But it being fufpected that he was no friend to the Revolution, the Proprietors could not obtain her majefty's approbation of him, but on the following terms: That he qualify himfelf for the of fice in fuch a manner as the laws of England requi red ; that he give fecurity for his obferving the laws of trade and navigation, and obey fuch inftrudions as mould be fent out from time to time by her majefly; and the Lords Commiffioners of trade and plantations were ordered to take care that good and fufficient fecurity be given by him. His in- WITH refpeft to his own conduct in the governonrsu. m. ent of the colony", he had instructions from the Proprietors to follow fuch rules as had been given to former governors, in the fundamental conftitutipns and temporary laws entered upon record, and to be guided by the fame as far as in his judgment he might think fit and expedient. He was required, with the advice and afliftance of his council, careful ly to review the confutations, and fuch of them as he mould think neceffary to the better eftablifhment of government, and calculated for the good of the people, he was ordered to lay before the affetnbty for their concurrence and affent. He was to ufe his endeavoyrs to difpofe of their lands; but to take nothing lefs than twenty pqmnds for a thoufand acres; and, in all future grants to make them efcheat to the Proprietors, unlefs a fettlement be made on them within the fpace of four years. He was to take fpecial care that the Indians SOUTH CAROLINA. 163 Indians be not abufed or infulted, and to ftudy the propereft methods of civilizing them, and creating a firm friendfhip with them, in order to proteft the colony againft the Spaniards in the neighbourhood. He was to tranfmit to England exaft copies of all laws paffed, accounts of the lands fold, and of all annual-rents paid, &c. Thefe, and fuch other regulations as he might judge effential to the welfare of the country, and the jntereft of the Proprietors, he had particular injuncr tions to ftudy and adopt. I HAVE already obferved, that the colony was in a deplorable ftate with refpeft to religion. The firft emigrants from England, where public worfhip was countenanced, and had the fancYion of the civil au thority, retained indeed for a little time fome fenfe of religion, and fliewed fome refpeft for the ordinances of the gofpel: but their children, born in a wildernefs^ where .there was 'not fo much as even the femblance of public wormip, were likely to grow up in ignoranee> and to live entirely void of all fenfe of religion. The ;Proprietors were either unable to furnifh them with the proper means of inftruftion, or they were unwilling bliih the to bear the expence of it, having as yet received little^. ^urch ^ recompence for the paft charges of the rfettleirient. Notronly the emigrants from England, but alfo thofe from France and Holland, were much divided in their private opinions with refpedl; to modes, of religious worfhip; and for this reafon all governors, excepting the laft, had prudently deferred meddling in a matter which would occafion uneafinefs and confufion among the fettlers. Still, however, the eflablifljtnent of.the church of England in Carolina was the chief objedt io view with the Proprietors. The Palatine was a bi- S2 goted THE HISTC gY OF goted zealot for this mode ot eqclefiaftical worflilp and government: the governor was ftrongly at tached to it. James Moore, who was made Receivergeneral, and Nicholas Trott the Attorney-general, were alfo men of the fame complexion. Thefe men, aflifted by a majority of the councilj now began to concert meafures with art and flqll, arid to purfuq them with firmnefs and refolution, for accomplishing this end, and gratifying the earneft defire of the Pa latine. IT was not, however, without fome difficulty and confiderable ftruggles, that the keen opposition raifeci by DifTenters, who now plainly perceived their de(ign, and who had an irreconcilable averfion from Epifcopacy, could be overcome. This the governor and his. party forefaw, and therefore it became neceffary firft to exert themfelves to fecure a majority in the afferably in favour of the meafure they had in view. Hither-. to the riotous proceedings at the former ele&ton had been overlooked, an4 the rioters, by the countenance and protection of the preceding governor had efcaped profecution. The grand jury prefented this neglect as a grievance to the court ; but the judge told them, " That was a matter which lay before the governor '* and council, his fuperiors." When the complaint was made to the governor in council, he replied, "That thefe irregularities happened before his ap'' pointment to the government, but that he would " take care to prevent them for the time to come." Purfucs Notwithflanding this declaration, if we may believe the Diffenters, at the following ele&ion ftill greater fop that irregularities prevailed. By the fame undue influence puipofe. ancj Vj0ience (he governor and his adherents gained their. SOUTH CAROLINA. i6| point, and fecured a majority in the houfe;. fa that a fpecies of corruption had nov* infe&ed the great; fountain of liberty, the ele&ion of reprefentatives. IT would appear that fome of the colonifts at this period had diftinguifhed themfelves by loofe princi ples and licentious language, and had treated fome pf the fundamental doctrines of the Chriftian reli gion with the ridicule and contempt of profefled infidelity. To bring an odium upon this clafs of Diffenters, and to difcourage fuch licentious prac tices, 3 bill was brought into the new affembly for the fuppreffion of blafphemy and profanenefs; by which bill, whoever Ihould be convi&ed of having fpokcn or written any thing againft the Trinity, or the divine authority of the Old or New Teflament, by the path of two or more credible witneffes, were to be made incapable, and difabled in law to all intents and purpofes, of being members of affembly, or of holding any office of profit, civil or military, within the province: and whoever mould be convicted of fuch crimes a fecond time, were alfo to be difable4 from fuing or bringing any action of information in any court of law or equity, from being guardian to any child, ejcecutor or adminiftrator to any perfon; and without bail fuffer imprifonment for three years. Which law, notwithftanding its fine glofs, favoured not a little of an inquifition, and introduced a fpecies of perfccution ill calculated to anfwer the end for which it was intended. To punifli men guilty of blafphemy and profanenefs in this way, inftead of bringing their atrocious crimes into public difreputc and abhorrence, ferved rather to render their perfons objects of compaffion, and induce men to pity them oa *6iS THEHIS'ORYOF cm account of their fufferin^ . Bad as the world '$ thefe wicked practices feldom mifs their deferved re wards, public ignominy and deteftation, which per haps would fall heavier on fuch wretches without pe nal laws than with them. HOWEVER, had Sir Nathaniel Johnfon flopt here, jiiany reafons might have been urged in his vindica tion ; but he had other meafures in view, much more unpopular and oppreffive, He looked upon Diflenters of every denomination as enemies to the conft'ttutions of both church and {late, and therefore, to fubvert their power and influence, or compel them to uniformity of fentiment, another bill was brought into .the aflembly, framed in fuch a manner as to ex-elude them entirely from the houfe of representatives. This bill required every man who mould hereafter be chofen a member of aflembly, to take the oaths and fubfcribe the declaration appointed by it, to conform to the religion and worfhip of the church of England, iand to receive the facrament of our Lord's Supper, according to the rites and ufage of that church; a qualification which Diflenters confidered as having a mauifeft tendency to rob them of all their civil rights The or religious liberties. To carry this bill through the England houfe, all the art and influence of the governor and eftablifh- his party were requifhe. In the lower houfe it pafled edbykw. ky a majority of one votej an d in the upper .houfe Landgrave Jofeph Morton was refufed liberty to en ter his pi-oteft again-ft it. At this juncture no bill could have been framed more inconfiftent with the rights and .privileges of the freemen, and more per nicious to the interefl and profperity of the country. Diffenters, who were a numerous and powerful b<*iy of SO U T H CAROL IN A, 167 of the people, were highly offended, and raifed a great outcry againft it. Seeing themfelves reduced to the neceffity of receiving laws from men whofe principles of civil and ecclefiaftical government they abhorred, and fubjecled to greater hardihips than they fufFerexi in England, many had formed refolutions of abandon ing the colony. Loud clamours were not only heard without doors, but jealoufies and difcontent filled the hearts of many within them, not of Diflenters only, but alfo of thofe who adhered to the church, IN this diuracled ftate of the colony, the inhabi- The intants of Golleton county, compofed chiefly of Dif- ^f'colkfentersy met and drew up a ftate of their grievous toncouncircumftances, which they refolved to tfanfmit to tyremonthe Proprietors, praying their Lordfhips to repeal gainft it. this oppreflive aft. John Afli, one of the moft zeal ous men in the oppofition, agreed to embark for Eng land as agent for the aggrieved party, computed to be at leaft two thirds of the whole inhabitants of the co lony. The governor and his friends, apprized of this, . defign, ufed all poffible means to prevent him from obtaining a paflage in any fhip belonging to Carolina^ Upon which Am went to Virginia, to which province his inftructlons were conveyed to him, and from, thence he fet fail for England. AFTER his arrival he waited on Lord Granville, the Palatine, acquainting him with the defign of his ineffage j but met with a very cold reception. That nobleman was too deeply concerned in bringing about that eftablifhment againft which Am came to complain, favourably to liften to his reprefentations. Accordingly, 168 THE HIST ,RT OF Accordingly, after flaying fou . time in London, arid giving the Proprietors all the information in his power relating to public affairs, the only fatisfa&ion he could obtain from the Palatine was this, that he mould caafe his fecretary write to the governor an account of the grievances and hardships of which Mr. Aft complained, and require an anfwer from him with refpeft to them. Mr. Afh, obfervmg how the Pala tine flood affected, and defpairing of fuceefs, im mediately began to draw up a reprefentation of their cafe, which he intended for the prefs: but before he had finifhed it he was taken fick, and died; and his papers fell into his enemies hands. He was a man of a warm and paffionate temper, and pofleffed of all thofe violent fentiments which ill ufage, dit appointment, and oppreflion, naturally kindle in the human breaft. His reprefentation, intended as an appeal to the nation in general, for the fafferings of the people under the tyrannical proprietary govern* ment, was full of heavy charges againft the gover nor and his party in Carolina, and bitter reflection* on their conduft, which he confidered as in the higheft degree injurious to the colony. WITHOUT doubt the Lords Proprietors planned this eftabiifhment with a view to the peaceful hf- fluence it would have upon the civil government of the country, as the preamble to the a& exprefsly indicates. Thtir feeble and flu&ating ftate required the affiftance and authority of an eftablifhed chb'fcn, and the fanftion of religion, to give it more weight and influence with the people; How far the mea- fures adopted ferved to promote the defired end, and i were SOUTH CAROLINA. 169 were confiftent with prudence and good policy, will afterwards more clearly appear. SIR Nathaniel Johnfon having advanced fo farj was determined to proceed in fpite .of every obftacle thrown in his way. He inftituted what the inhabitants of Carolina took to be a high-commiffion coart, like 'that of King James the fecond. It was ena&ed, that Laycom- twenty lay-perfons be conftituted a corporation for TM |)""8 the exercife of ecclefiaftical jurifdiction, with full pow- ed. er to deprive minifters of their livings at pleafurc, not for immorality only, but alfo for imprudencej or on account of unreatonable prejudices taken agamftthem. In vain did many perfons complain of this institution^ as tearing the ecclefiaflieal jurit'dicYion out of the hands of the biftiop of London, in whofe diocefe the whole Britifli colonies in America were included. The go vernor, bent off carrying into execution the favourite plan of the Palatine^ paid little regard to the uneafy apprehenfions of the people. According to the aft for erefting churches, the colony is divided into ten pariflles 5 feven in Berkley, two in Colleton, and one in Craven counties* Money is provided for building churches; lands are granted for glebes and church yards ; and falaries for the different reclors are fixed and appointed, payable from the provincial treafury. When thefe bills were tranfmitted to England, to.be ratified and confirmed by the Proprietors, John Arch- dale oppofed them, and infiftedj that the Diflenters of Carolina had not yet forgot the hardfhips they fuf- fered in England from acts of uniformity j that the right of private judgment in religious matters was the birth-right of every man; that undifturbed liber ty of confcience was allowed to every inhabitant of Y Carolina 17$ THE HIS TO tY OF Carolina by the charter; that act of conformity, witti penalties annexe4to them, have in general proved de* flruclive to the caufe they were intended to promote, and were utterly inconilftent with Proteftant princi ples; and therefore that thefe bills, fb unpopular and oppreffive in Carolina, ought to be repealed,as contrary to found policy and religious freedom. The majority of the Proprietors, however, did not vie^fr them in this light, and the debate ran high between them,. At length the Palatine, equally- tyrannical as bigot^ ted:, put an end to the difpute, by telling Mr. Archdale : C4 Sir, you are of one opinion, I am of ano" ther; our lives may not be long enough to end " the controverfy. I am for the bills, and this isf " the party that I will head and fupport," In confequence of which the acts were ratified by four Pro prietors, and the following letter was fent to Sir NaTke z&s thaniel Johnfon; " Sir, the great and pious work ratified " quaint your Majefty, that fome of the Proprietors " abfolutely refufed to join in the ratification of thefe " aclis. We humbly beg per million to inform your " Majefty, that other great injuftices and oppreffions " are complained of in the petition ; but the nature " of the fact requiring a long examination, it was " not poffible for the houfe to find time for, fo near " the conclufion of the feffion; and therefore we " prefume with all duty to lay the petition itfclf be" fore your Majefty, at the fame time we prefent our " addrefs. We cannot doubt but your Majefty, who " from the beginning of your reign has fhewn fo " great a concern and tendernefs for all your fub" jets, will extend your compaffion for thofe diftref* " fed people, who have the misfortune to be at fo " great a diftance from your royal perfon, and not " fo immediately under your gentle adminillration, " Your Majefty is fully fenfible of what great eonfe-> " quence the plantations are to the crown of Eng" land, and to the trade of your fubjeets, and there" fore we reft affured, that as your Majeity will have " them all under your royal care, fo, in particular, *' you will be gracioufly pleafed to find out and pro-" fecute the moft effectual means for the relief of the " provinGe of Garclina.-" 2 To* SOUTH CAROLINA. 177 To which addrefs Queen Anne returned the fol- The lowing anfwer : " I thank the houfe for laying thefe -" matters fo plainly before me: I am fenfible of " what great confequence the plantations are to Eng" land, and will do all in my power to relieve my " fubje&s in Carolina, and protel them in their " juft rights." But as it likewife appeared that fome of the Proprietors themfelves had refufed to approve of the acts, the matter was farther referred to the Lords of trade and plantations; who, after examina tion, found that all the charges brought againfl the provincial government and the Proprietors were well grounded; and represented farther to her Majefty, that the making of fuch laws was an abufe of the powers granted to the Proprietors by the charter, and will be a forfeiture of it, and humbly begged that fb.e vyould be pleafed to give directions, for reaffuming the fame into her Majefty's hands, by a fare facias in the court of Queen's Bench. The Queen approved of their representation, and after de claring the laws null and void, for the effectual pro ceeding againit the charter by way of quo warrants, ordered her Attorney and Solicitor-General to inform themfelves fully concerning what may be moft effec tual for accomplifhing the fame, that (he might take the government of the colony, fo much abufed by others, into her own hands, for the better protection of her diflreffed fubjecls. Here, however, the mat ter was dropt for the prefent, and no farther fteps were taken againft the charter of the Proprietors, or for the relief of the people. IN the mean time the diftant colonifts, though they had heard nothing of what had puffed in England re- 176 THE HIS' ORY OF lating to thofe grievous acts became daily more fen. fible of their oppreffive nature and pernicious q0R. iequence. Several fettlers had left the eoWfltFy on account of them, and moved to Pennfylyania. Archibald Stobo, a Prefbyterian minifter in Charjeftown, who had warmly oppofed this eftablifhment frorn the beginning, had alfo convinced many who remained of the feverities and hardihips the DifTenters in England had fuffered from the rigors of the Epifcopal govern ment. Several circumftances proved favourable tp Stobo's oppofition ; he poffeffed thofe talents which render a minifter confpicuous and refpected, and the people that party-zeal which becomes violent from ill ufage and perfecution. To his treafures of knowledgp and excellent capacity for inftrucYion, he added uneO,niinon activity and diligence in the difcharge of the va rious duties of his facred function. He had a natu ral ayerfion from the1 Epifcopal jurifdilion, and no minifter of the colony had engrofled fo univerfally the public favour and efteein. The Governor and his adherents found it neceflary to fow the feeds of divifion among his followers, and, from maxims ofpolicy, to magnify his failings, in order to ruin his great power and influence. BUT the Prefbytcrian party were not the only male'contents during thefe ftrange and unwarrantable proceedings of the legiflature. Many wife and reli gious men of all denominations condemned them, .as grievous and impolitical, They confidered diiFerences in religious opinion as improper objects of tem poral punifhment, and that magiftrates had no bufirvefs with them, unlefs they occafion danger and difiurbance to the ftate. . They looked .upon religion as a perfonal SOUTH CAROLINA. 179 a perfonal affair, which lies between God and a man's cdnfcience, and that it was the prerogative of the Su preme Being to judge of men's hearts, as he alone Was capable of forming'a right judgment. In fuch a cafe, doubtlefs every man had a right to judge and chuie for himfelf, as he alone, and not the church, muft at laft be accountable to God for the choice. Ift every country this is reafonable; but in Proteftant countries it is the fundamental principle on which they ground their right of protefting agsinfl the rules and errors of any particular church. For which reafdrt judicious men in Carolina oppofed the acls of afieinbly, as unreafonable in themfelves, repugnant to the principles of Proteftants, and robbing many of the colonifts of their mod valuable privileges, for theii' difference in religious opinion. Even the fociety for propagating the gofpel difapproved of them, and, at a meeting in St. Paul's Church, refolved not to fend any miffionaries to Carolina, until the claufe relating to lay-commiffioners was annulled. So that all impartial men, in fome meafure, condemned the a&s, and feemed to deteft both the factious men who framed them, and the method by which they had been promoted in the province. AT length from thefe domeftie troubles the atten tion of the people was drawn off, and turned towards a more important object, their common defence againft foreign enemies. The war between Great Britain and' A Prje& France and Spain (till raged in Europe. The Governor for'invad- received advice of a projecl framed for invading Caro- ing Canx> Una, and had inftructions to put the country in the ma' beft pofture of defence. The Spaniards pretended a right to it On the foot of prior difcoveiy, confidering Za it iSo THE HIS r ORY OF it as a part of Florida, and iad now determined by force of arms to afiert their right. Sir Nathaniel Johnfon, as a military commander, was well qualified for his duty, and formed to {nine in a more confpicuous manner in that line than in any other. No fooner had he received intelligence of the defigns of his enemy, than he fet all hands to work upon the fortifications, appointed a number of gunners to each baftion, and held frequent mutters to train the men to the ufe 01 arais. A ftorthoufe was prepared, and a quantity of ammunition laid up in it, to be ready on the firft emergency. A frnall fort, called Fort Johnfon, was creeled on James's Ifland, and feveral great guns mounted on it. Trenches were caft up on WhitePoint, and other places where they were thought jieceflary. A guard was (rationed on Sullivan's Ifland, with orders to kindle a number of fires oppofite to the town, equal to the number of {hips they might fpy on the coaft. in fhort, fuch prudent regulations were made, as to prevent any furprife from an enemy, and at what time foever they might come, to give them as warm a reception as poffible. FEW months had elapfed before they found the ufefulnefs and neceffity of thefe wife precautions. Carolina was at this juncture the fouthern frontier of the Britiih empire in America. The colony, though it had acquired fome degree of ftrength, was yet in a feeble ftate to refill an enemy of force and enterprize. From its fituation there Avas reafon to appre hend that the French and Spaniards would attack it, as it would fall an eafier conqueft than the more po pulous northern fettlements. Before this time a plan had been concerted at the Havanna for invading it. Monf. SOUTH CAROLINA. 181 JVlonf. le Feboure, captain of a French frigate, toge ther with four more armed floops, encouraged and affifted by the Spanifti governor of that ifland, had already fet fail for Charleflown. To facilitate the conqueft of the province, he had directions to touch at Auguftine, and carry from thence fuch a force as he judged adequate to the enterprize. Upon his ar rival at Augultine, he had intelligence of an epide mical diftemper which raged at Charleftown, arid had fwept off a vaft number of inhabitants. This ani mated him to proceed with greater expedition. Ima gining the town to be in a weak and defencelefs ftate, and that the militia in the country would be averfe from coming nigh it through fear of the fatal infec tion, he took on board a confiderable number of for ces at Auguftine, and made all the f^il he could for {Carolina. BEFORE this time a Dutch privateer, formerly be longing to New-York, by order of the governor of Carolina, had been refitted at Charleftown for cruifing on the coaft. The command had been given to Captain Stool, who was fent out on purpofe to inter cept the fupplies regularly fent to Auguftine from the Havanna. After being out a few days he returned, and 'brought advice of having engaged a French floop off the bar of Auguftine ; but upon feeing four fhips more advancing to her affiftance, he thought proper to make all the fail he could for Charleitown, and that he narrowly efcaped falling into the enemy's hands. Scarcely had he delivered the news, when 4 ^pa" five feparate fmokes appeared on Sullivan's ifland, as a fignal to the town that the fame number of mips invafion, were obferved on the coaft. Sis. xSa 1HE HIST ORY O t SIR. Nathaniel Jbtinfon be ag at that time at his plantation) feveral miles from town, LieutenahtColonel William Rhett, commanding officer of the militia, immediately ordered the drums to beat, and the whole inhabitants,to be put under arms, A meflfefiger was difpatehed with the neus to the Gover nor, and letters to all the captains,of the militia in the country, to fire their alarm guns, raife their com* paniesj and With all poffible expedition march to the afTiftance of the town. IK the evening the enemy's fleet came the length ef Charleftoisvn bar; but as the pafTage was intricate and dangerous to ftfangers, they did not think it prudent to venture over it while the darknefs of the night approached, and therefore hovered on the coall all night within fight of land. Early next morning the watchmen ftationed on Sullivan's Ifland obferved them/a little to the fouthward of the bar, manning their gallles afld boats, as if they intended to land on James's Ifland 5 but there having come to an anchor, they employed their boats all that day in founding the fouth ban which delay was of great fen-ice to the Carolineans, as it afforded time for the militia in the country to march to townt THE fame day Sir Nathaniel Johnfon the governor cametoGharleftown,and found the inhabitants in great confternation ; but he being a man of courage, and {killed in the arts of war, his prefertce infpired them with frefli confidence and refolution. He proclaimed the, martial law at the head of the militia, an3 gave the neceflary orders: he fent to the Indian tribes in aWance with SOUTH CAROLINA. 183 with the colony, and brought a number of them to his affiftance. As the contagious diftemper {till raged in Charleftown, the Governor judged it imprudent to espofe his men to the dangerous infection, unlefs neceffity required it, and therefore held his head quar ters about half a mile diftant from town. In the even ing a troop of horfe, commanded by Captain George Logan, and two companies of foot, under the cQn> jnand of Major George Broughton, reached the car pital, and kept diligent watch during the night. The next morning a company from James's Ifland, under the command of Captain Drake, another from Wattr dp, under Captain Fenwi.ck, and five more ppnvr manded by Captains Cantey, Lynch, H.earn, Long? bois, and Seabrook, joined the militia of the tows; fplhat the whole force of the province, with the Go vernor at their head, was now colle&ed together in one place, THE day following the enemy?s fow (hips and a galley came over the bar, with all their beats out for land ing ttteir men, and flood dire&ly for the towa having the advantages of a fair wind and ftrong fide. Whea they had advanced fo far up the river as to difcover the fortifications, they caft anchor a little above Sullivan's Ifland. The Governor, obferving the enemy ap proaching towards the town, marched his men in to it to receive them; but finding they had ftopt by the way, he .had time to call a council of war, in which it was agreed to put fome great guns .on board of fuch ihips as were in the harbour, and employ the gallant failors in their own way, for the better de fence of the town. William Rhett, a man pofieffed of confiderable condud and fpirit,.: received a com- , , miffion THE HI.ST /RT OF mifiiori to be vice-admiral of t i little fleet, and boifted his flag on board ;of 'the CroVi n galley. THE .enemy cbferving them employed in ma* king all poffible preparations for refiftance, fent up a flag of truce to the Governor, to fummon him to furrender. George Evans, who commanded Gran- ville baftion, received their meflenger at his landing from the boat, and conducted him blindfolded into the fort, until the Governor was in read'mefs to re ceive him. In the mean time the Governor, having drawn up his men in fuch a manner as to make them appear to the greateft advantage, received the Frendh oflicer at their head ; and having firft mown him one fort full of men, he then conducted him by a diffe rent route to another, giving theifame men time to go by a mprter way, and be drawn up beforehand : and there, having given him a view of his ftrength, he demanded the purport of his meflage. The oflicer told him, that he was fent by Mbnf le Feboure, ad miral of the French fleet, to demand a furrender of the town and country, and their perfons prifoners of war j and that his orders allowed him no more than one hour for an anfwer. Governor Johnfon replied, that there was no occafion for one minute to anfwer that meffage: he told him, he held the town and country for the Queen of England j that he could depend on his men, who would fooiier die than furren der themfelves prifoners of war j that he was refolyed to defend the country to the laft drop of his blood againft the boldeft invader, and he might go when he pleafed and acquaint Monf. le Feboure with his- refolutibn* 1 THB SOUTH CAROLINA. 185 THE day following a party of the enemy went aJhore on James's liland, and burnt the houfes on a plantation by the river fide. Another party, confifting of an hundred and fixty men, landed on the oppofite fide of the river, and burnt two veflels in Dearfby's Greek, and fet fire to his ftorehoufe. Sir Nathaniel Johnfon, from fuch beginnings perceiving that they were determined to carry fire and fword wherever they went, doubled his diligence for the defence of the town. He ordered Captain Drake and his company, with a imall party of Indians,, to James's Ifland, to defend their properties on that fide* Drake marched againft them^ but before he could bring up his men, the Indians, whom he could keep under no controul, and who ran through the woods with their ufual impatuofity, had driven the invaders to their boats. Then advice was brought to town, that the party who landed on Wando Neck had kil led a number of hogs and cattle, and were feafting on the plunder* To prevent their farther ptogrefs into the country, and give them a check if poffible, Captain Cantey, with an hundred chofen men, was ordered to pafs the river privately in the nighij and watch their motions. Before break of day the captain came up with them, and finding them in a ftate of fecurity, with fires lighted around them, furrounded and furprifed them with a {harp fire from every quarter,; in coflfcquence of which, they were put in confufion and fled, and a confiderable part being killed, wounded, ^nd drowned, the re mainder furrendered prifoners of war- HAVING by this blo\v confiderably weakened the force of the enemy, and being encouraged and ani- , Aa mated THE HIS OUT OF mated by their fuccefs at i >nd, the CarbVmcans de termined alfo to try their fortune by fea. Accord ingly William Rhett fet failwith his fleet of fix fmall fhips, and proceeded down the river to the place where the enemy rode at anchor; but the 'French perceiving this fleet Handing towards them, in great hafte weighed anchor and failed over the bar. For fome days nothing more was heard of them; but^ to make fure, the Governor ordered Captain Watfon of the Sea-Flower out to fea, to examine whether or not the coafl was clear. The captain returned with out feeing the enemy, but obferving fome rridn on fliore whom they had left behind, he tools them on board and brought them to town. Thefe men aflared the Governor that the French were gone. In confequence of which, order* were given -for the martial law to ceafe, and : the inhabitants began to rejoice at their happy deliverance. HOWEVER, before night, certain ad vice was brought that a fhip of force was feen in Sewee -Bay, and that a number of armed men had landed from frer at that place. Upon examination of the prifoners the Go vernor found that the French expected a fliip of war, with Monf. Arbufet their general and about two hunThe -fn- dred men more to their ailiftance. The Governor vadersre- ordered Captain Fenwick to pafs the river, and defeated m ^rch again ft them by'land ; w.hile Rhett, with the die Dutch privateer and. A Bermuda floop armed, faile the credit'ami courage of his men. It is probable he expected to find the province in a weak and de- fencelefs fituation, and that the Governor would in- llantly furrender on his appearance before the town'. But he was deceived, as many commanders have been who entertain a defpicable opinion of their ene my. The Governor was a man of approved: courage and conduft; the militia undertook the various little enterprises with the fpirit of men who had not only the honour of the province, but alfo their whole pro perties at ftake, and amazing fuccefs crowned their endeavours. Out of eight hundred men who came againft this little colony, near three hundred were killed and taken prifoners,; among the latter were Monk Arbufet, their commander in chief by land, with feveral fea officers, who together offered ten_ thoufand pieces of eight for their ranfom. On the Other hand, the loft fuftained by the. provincial mili tia was incredibly fmall. The Governor publicly thanked them for the unanjinity and courage they had fhewn : in repelling the iflvaders : and recrived from the Proprietors ibon after the following letter.. " W heartily congratulate you on your great and- (l happy fuccefs againft the French and Spaniards;.. Aa 2 u and i88 THE HIS TORY OF " and for your eminent cc irage and conduct in thjj " defence and prefervation of our province, we re" turn you our thanks, and affure you, that we (hall " always retain a juft fenfe of your merit, and will '" take all opportunities to reward your llgnal fer- vices," The iini- ABOUT this time the long-projecied union between Eheland England and Scotland took place in Britain;, which, and Scot- was attended, as might have been expefted, with the and> moft interefting and happy qpnfequences to both kingdoms. God and nature had joined the two to gether, and pf courfe all differences and divifionsj fubfifting between them, while they acknowledged jho lame fovereign, were 'unpolitical and abfurd. Unity of affecYion and intereft unqueftionably con-? ftituted the ftrength of the ifland, and could alone enable it to oppofe foreign enemies with vigour and i'uccefs. Among the number of articles which compofed this important and bene6cial treaty, it was agreed, " That all the fubjefts of the united kingdom " of Great Britain, Ihould, from and alter this union, " have full freedom and intercciurfe of trade and na" vigation to and from any port or plac^ in, the faid " united kingdom, and the dominions and planta" tions therednto belonging; and that there mould " be a communication of all rights, privileges and ad" vantages which do or may belong to the fubje&s " of either kingdom, except where it is otherwiie '* exprefsly agreed jn thefe articles." Unfortunate ly, however, two modes pf religious worfhip were, cftablifhed in the nation, which ferved to perpetuate differences among the more (lift and rigid partizans of both the Epifcupa"lian a" nd' P"refbyterian cl^rch-eAs. SOUTH CAROLINA. 189 A division in the ecclefiaftical eftablifhment was as improper and unreasonable as a difunion in the nation. With refpeft to the effential principles and docVmes of religion, they are the fatne in both churches, and the difference between them lies in the modes of worfhip and government, in ufages, veftmeiitSi forms and ceremonies, matters of little confequence with regard to religion. Both modes of worfhip and government have their advantages and difadvantages, and had delegates from both churches met at this juncture, and yielded a little on both fides, for the fake of mutual harmony, and uniformity, fuch compliance might have been attended with happy effe&s. But the infelicity of the times, and narrow fentiments of the people, not admitting of this expedient, it was agreed that the Epifcopalian government was only to extend to the colonies, and be considered as the establishment in them. As the greateSt part of emigrants to America carried along with them prejudices againft this establishment, and discovered a tendency towards a republican form of church-government, it is remarkable that this difaffection lias continued, and in procefs of time been acquiring Strength, infomuch that the hands of govern ment, engaged in fupport of the eftablifhed church, have often been weakened by it, and rendered un able to anfwer the ends of their appointment. ABOUT this time the fociety incorporated by King William, having received large benefactions for the purpofe of propagating the gofpel, began to exert themlelves for fending over, and maintaining miffionaries in the plantations. As fome colonies were totally defthute of the means pf iriftrq&ion, and others 190 THE HIST VRY OF others ill provided with mi, ifters, and unable to fupport them, the fociety confidered the Britifh fubjefts as the primary pbjefts. of their charity. To pre vent the influence of Roman Catholic miffionaries among the heathens was a fecondary end in view with this charitable corporation, who were alfo to improve every favourable opportunity for the inftrucMiffion- ^on ard converfion of negroes and Indians. While aries fent a number of miffionaries were ordained for the norfocietv in tnern colonies, Samuel Thomas was fent out to England. Carolina for the inftru&ion of the Yamaflee Indians; and to fupply the different parifhes, feveral more miffionaries were on the palTage to the province. The fociety had wrote to Sir Nathaniel Johnfon, expreffing -their zeal for the intereft of religion, and earneft defire for fpreading the knowledge of the gofpel among the inhabitants of the Britifh colonies, and their hopes of his concurrence towards the accomplimment of their excellent defign. Upon the receipt of which the governor fummoned a meeting of his council, and fent an anfwer to the corpora tion in the following words: " We could not omit " this opportunity of teftifying the grateful fenfe we '" have of ; your moft noble Chriftian charity to our " poor infant church in this province, exprefled by " the generous encouragement you have been plea" fed to give to thofe who are coming miffionaries, " the account of which we have juft now received ** by our worthy friend and minifter Mr. Thomas, " who, to our great fatisfaftion, is now arrived. " The extraordinary hurry we are in, occafioned " by the late inya/ipn attempted by the French and " Spaniards, from whom God hath miraculouQy.deH hath'prevented o.ur receiving a particular " account SOUTH CAROLINA. 191 " account From Mr. Thomas of your bounty, and " atfo hath not given us leifure to view your miffion" aries inftru&ions, either in regard to what relates to " them or to ourfelves: but we {hall take fpeedy CSTC to give them all due encouragement, and the veM nerable fociety the uttnoft fatisfacjion. There is " nothing fo dear to us as our /holy religion, and "the intereft of the eftablimed church, in which tt we have been happily educated; we therefore de*e voutly adore God's Providence in bringing,, arid K heartily thank your fociety in encouraging, fo marry " miflionaries to come among us. We promrfe your " honourable fociety, it fhall be our darly ftudy t> " encourage their pious labours, to prottft therrper* " fons, to revere their authority, to improve by their ** mmifterial inftruftions, and, asfoon as poffibfe, to " enlarge their annual falaries. When we>have pla" ced your miflionaries in their feveral pariflies- ao " cording to your directions, and received from : them " an account of your noble benefaftion of books for " each parifh, we fhall then write more particular " and full. In the mean time, we beg your honour" able fociety to accept of our hearty gratitude, and " be affured of ourfincere endeavour to concur with " you in the noble defign of propagating Chrift's ho-^ " ly religion." SOON after, the miflionaries arrived, and were fet tled in their refpective parifli.es, Edward Marfton minifter at Charleftown died, and Mr. Thomas, whom the governor intended for his fucceflbr, did not long furvive him : in confequence of whofe death, the go vernor and council applied by letters to the fociety, requefting farther ftipplies, particularly a kiarned and prudent 34 THE HIST (RY OF prudent man to take the chan e of the capital. The Archbifhop of Dublin recommended Gideon John* fton to them as a perfon for whofe fobriety, diligence^ and ability, he dared to be anfwerable, and doubted not but he would execute the duty required m fuch a manner as to merit the approbation of every one with whom he mould be concerned. Accordingly^ Mr. Johnfton, being made commiffary to the Bilhop of London for the province of Carolina, and having fifty pounds a-year fettled on him from the fociety, embarked for Charleflown. On his arrival he had almoft loft his life in going afhore : the fhip in which he failed being obliged to come to an anchor off the bar to wait the return of the tide, and Mr. Johnfton, with feveral more paflengers, being impatient to get to land, went on board of the fmall boat to go up to the town; but a fudden guft of wind arifing, drove the boat upon a fand bank, where they lay two days, almoft perifhing with hunger and thirft, when lome perfons accidentally difcovered and relieved them. MR. Johnfton was not the only perfon that fhared ef the charitable fund ; for five more minifters were fettled in the country, to each of whom an allowance of fifty pounds a-year, befides their provincial falary, was given by this incorporated fociety. Two thoufand volumes of books were alfo fent tobediiiributedan>ong the people, by thefe miffionaries, for their private ufe and inftruftion. Juftice requires a relation of thefe facls for the honour of that fociety, who fupplied the province with inftruftors at this early period, when it was poor in itfelf, and flood fo much in need of their generous affiftance. As the church of England, how ever, continued to be confidered as the eftablifhed i religion SOUTH CAROLINA. religion of the province; and as all the minifters fent out by this fociety were of that perfuafion, Diflenters, who in general are not the moft charitable in their judgments with regard to the conduct of their neigh bours, and who perhaps contributed, like many others, towards raifing this fund, concluded that the fociety had the propagation of Epifcopacy .more in their eye than that of Chriflianity. Bat certainly it cannot be denied, that the members of this corporation, who oot only contributed largely, but were alfo at fuch pains in colle&ing a fund for this laudable end, were the proper judges in what manner it mould be applied. Charity obliges us to believe^ that this fociety, whofe defigh was fo benevolent, employed their money in fuch a way as they judged would be moft agreeable to the intentions of thofe who gave it, and moft ufeful for the inftrucYion and happinefs of their fellow creatures: yet mankind, in fuch tafes, are apt to be forward in advancing their opinions with regard to the conduft of fuch public managers, and, as they ftand aftefted themfelves, to praife or condemn them. ABOUT the clofe of the year 1707, Lord Granville Lord the Palatine diedj and was fucceeded in that high dignity by William Lord Craven. The death of that nobleman, by whofe inftrucYion and encouragement the feveral violent Heps for the eftablimment and fup- port of the church of England in Carolina had been taken, was now likely to produce fome change in the future ftate of public affairs. Though the Go vernor and his friends ftill maintained a majority in the houfe of aflembly, yet, from the number and temper of Diflenters, they were not without fome fufpicions of feeing the fabric, which they had with Bb fuch 194 THE HIS DRY OF fuch uncommon induftry b; en creeling, totally overturned. While many Episcopalians .in England were terrified with the profpefts of danger to their church, the- Carolineans took the alarm, and pafled- an aft for its fecurSty in that province. The preamble of this aft runs thus : " Whereas the church of England has of " late been fo happily eftablilhed among us, fearing " that by the fucceffion of a new Governor this church " may be either undermined or wholly fubverted, " to prevent which calamity falling upon us, be it *' enacted, That this prefent affembly (hall conti" nue to fit two years, and for the time and term fl of eighteen months after the change of govern' 5 ment, whether by the death of the prefent Cover"nor, or the fucceflion of another in his time." Whether the church mud not have been in great danger when men were obliged to take fuch an ex traordinary meafure for its fecurity, we leave it to the world to judge. Edward ABOUT the end of the year 1708, Colonel Edward governor Tynte received a commiflkm from Lord Craven, in verting him with the government of the colony. About the fame time Charles Craven,, brother to the Palatine, was made fecretary to the province. During the time Sir Nathaniel Johnfon had governed the country, it had not only been threatened with-a for midable invafion, but alfo torn to pieces with faftions and divifions, which had much retarded its p.rogrefs and improvement. Great confufiun among the peo ple had been occafioned by the violent ftretch of power in favour of an ecclefiaftical eftablifhment. The new Palatine, fenfible of tho.fe things, inftrufted Governor Tynte to adopt fuch healing meafures as would SOUTH CAROLINA. 195 would be moft conducive to the welfare of the fettlernent. Soon after his arrival he received a letter from the Proprietors to the following eifedt; " We " hope by this time you have entered upon your " government of our province of Carolina, and " therefore we earneftly require your endeavours to " reconcile the minds of the inhabitants to each " other, that the name of parties, if any yet remains u among them, may be utterly extinguimed: for we " can by no means doubt, but their unanimous con" currence "with our endeavours for their profperity, " will moft efFe&ually render Carolina as flomifhing " a colony as any in America." The late Palatine, from a mixture of fpiritual and political pride, defpifed all Difienters, as the enemies of both the hierar chy and monarchy, and believed the ftate could only be fecure, while the civil authority was lodged in the hands of high-church men. Lord Craven poflefied not the fame proud,and intolerant fpirit, and thought thdfe Carolineans, who maintained liberty of confcience, merited greater indulgences from them; and, though a friend to the church of England, he always was doubtful whether-the minds of the people were ripe for the introduction of that eilablifhment. He therefore urged lenity and toleration, which in ge neral have been productive of peace and union, while rigour and perfecution have feldom failed to excite diicord and promote fuperftition in every com munity. THE expences incurred by the French invafion, though it terminated much to the honour of the Ca-r rolineans, fell heavy on the colony, ftill In a poor and languishing condition. No taxes as yet had been Bb 2 bid. THEHIS'OHYQf The re- ]z\$ on reai or perfohal efta es : the revenues of the colony were a^ raited by duties laid on fpirituous li- y. quors, fugar, molaifes, and a few other articles im ported ; and on deer-fkins and furs exported. The amount of thefe feveral duties was applied towards defraying the charges of government, fuch as raifing and repairing fortifications, paying the. Governor's falary, maintaining garrifons, providing military ftores, and falaries to ten minifters of the church of England, and finking bills of credit flamped for an* fwering the extraordinary expences of the province. Eight thoufand pounds had been iffued for defraying the public expences occafioned by the French invafion ; and the aft laying an imposition on furs, fkins, and liquors, was continued, for the purpofe of can celling thefe bills of credit. From this time forward there was a gradual rife in exchange and produce, owing, as many thought, to the emiffion and eftablimment of paper currency in the province. JJeforc this period, French and Spanifli gold and filver, brought into the country by pirates, privateers, and the over-balance of trade with the Weft Indies, anfwered all the purpofes of internal qommerce, and very little Englim coin was circulating irt the country, However, foon after this emiffion, fifty per cent, ad vance was given by the merchants for what Englilh money there was ; that is to fay, for one hundred pounds English coin, they gave one hundred ancl fifty pounds paper currency of Carolina. A BLOODY war ftill continued between England and France in Europe, and the fuccefs which had attended an expedition againft Acadia, had encou raged the Britiih administration to enter on bolder; under- SOUTH CAROLINA. undertakings in America. The French in Canada were numerous and flrong, and Lord Godolphin, convinced of the neceffity of maintaining a fuperiorijy over them, formed a defign of attacking Quebec, T^6 in" andi lninMking mr eni a 1b1low i n thi at quarter as migih_ t Cvaafnioandao,f render his adminiftration diftinguiihed- He fent for Sir Hoyenden Walker, rear-admiral of the white, and after holding a private confutation with him refpe&ing the enterprize, immediately began to make preparations for it. Six thoufand men were drawn from the army in Flanders, and the command of them, was given to General Hill. Eleven fhips of the line, one>frigate, and two bomb-fhips, were fitted out: franfports were provided, on board of which the ar my embarked and failed for Bofton in New England. They arrived there on the 24th of June 1711, but by no means met with that zeal and ardour for the ex pedition among the people of New England that might have been expected, confidering its interefting confequence with refpefi to them. Colonel Francis NU colfon, who had been fucccfsful in Acadia the year before, haftened to Boflon, and firfl ufed his uttnoft endeavours to forward the expedition, and then march ed by land, with a body of white men and Indians, againft Montreal. Before Sir Hoyenden Walker had procured every thing requifite to his expedition, the feafon of the year was too far advanced. The navi gation up the river St. Laurence was hazardous, and pone but unikilful pilots could be found. A fudden blow muft neceflarily be {truck, or othensrife, as the frofly feafon begins there fo early, the fleet might find it difficult to return down the river. When they fet fail, they had every thing to dread from their own ignorance and a dangerous navigation. In proceed- ig8 THE HIS nO RY O F ing up the river they founc uncertain and rapid cur rents, and met \vith dark and foggy weather: in confequence of which eight tranfports ran upon a rock, and almoft nine hundred men perifhed. This unhappy accident caft a damp upon the fpirits of the army, and their plan was frustrated. In a council of war it was judged imprudent and impracticable to carry large fhips up fuch a river without the mo!t {kilful pilots, and therefore they returned to New England. General Francis Nicolfon having heard of the mifcarriage of the expedition upon the river, re treated alfo from Lake George, and no more attempts were made for many years againfl the French fettlements in Canada. AFrench IN the year following the French planted a colony colony at tils mouth of the great river Mifliffipi. Lewis the n^Loui. XlVth thought proper to grant a territory of vaft exfiana. tent in that quarter to Secretary Crozat, by which he evidently encroached on lands belonging to the Proprietors of South Carolina. Though the Carolineans had not a little to fear from a fettlement in fuch a fituation, yet Crozat was allowed to take peaceable poffeffion, without any complaints from the Proprie tors, or oppofition from the Britiili government. From this period a new competitor for the affection and intereft of Indian nations arofe, more active and enterprifing than the Spaniards, whofe motions the Carolineans had good reafon to watch with a jealous and vigilant eye. ABOUT the fame time application was made to the Proprietors for lands in Carolina, by a number of Palatines harafled in Germany by the calamities of a tedious SOUTH CAROLINA. tedious war, and reduced to circumfiances of great indigence and mifery. The Proprietors wifely judg ing, that by fuch acquifuions the value of their lands would increafe, and the ftrength of their fettlement would be promoted, determined to give every poffibie encouragement to fuch emigrants. Ships were f provided for their tranfportation. Inllruclions were t;nes fet. fent to Governor Tynte to allow an hundred acres of land for every man, woman, and child, free o,f jquitrents for the firft ten years; but, at the expiration of that term, to pay one penny per.'acre annual-rent for ever, according to the ufages and cuiloms of the province. Upon their arrival Governor Tynte grant ed them lands in North Carolina, where they fettled, and flattered themfelves with having found in the hi deous wildernefs an happy retreat from the florins and defolations of war raging in Europe. HOWEVER, like many others, Governor Tynte had fcarcely time to learn the real (late of the country, in order to eftablifh proper regulations in it, before he died. After his death, a competition arofe in the council about the fucceffion. One party declared for Robert Gibbes, and another for Thomas Broughton. Gibbes, However, carried his election, and for a lit- Robert tie while flood at the head of the colony. During his time, we know nothing remarkable that happened. An act of aflembly pafTed for appointing commiffioners, impowering them to take fubfcriptions and col lect public contributions for building a church at Charlefto.wn. Water pafiages were carried fouthward to Port-Royal, for the eafe and convenience of paffengers by fea, and money was provided for building pub lic 200 THE HI 5 TORY OF lie bridges,, and eftabliftnn ; ferries, for the accom* modation of travellers by land. BUT as it appeared to the Proprietors, that bribery and corruption had been tfcd by Robert Gibbes to gain his election to the government, he was not per mitted to continue long in that office; they forbade their Receiver-General to pay him any fala'ry, and ordered the money due to be tranfmitted to Richard Shelton their fecretary in England. A commiilion Charles was fent out to Charles Craven, a man of great know- governor. kdg6' courage and integrity, by his brother, invert ing him with the government of the colony. His coun cil was compofed of Thomas Broughton, Ralph Izard, Charles Hart, Samuel Eveleigh, and Arthur Middle- ton, &c.-) all men of confiderable property, and expe rience in provincial affairs". The affembly in his time was not elcfted, as formerly, in a riotous and tumul tuary manner, but with the utmoft harmony and regu larity, and proceeded to their deliberations with great temper and mutual friendfliip. The Governor had instructions to defend the province againft the French and Spaniards, and for that purpofe to form and cul tivate the firmeft friendfliip and alliance with the In dians ; to promote fisheries and manufactures, which was certainly an abfurd and ridiculous inftruclion; for while they had fo much land, agriculture was evi dently more profitable and beneficial to both the pof- feflbrs and Proprietors of the province. He was re quired to overlook the courts, and take fpecial care that juflice be equitably adminiftered, and that no interruptions or delays attend the execution of the laws: he was ordered to employ eight men to found Port-Royal river for the benefit of navigation, and i to SOUTH CAROLINA. 201 to fix on the mod convenient fpot for building a town, with a harbour nigh it; and to tranfmit all acts of affembly made from time to time to England, for the Proprietor:* approbation or difapprobation; and fuch other public matters as appeared to him of ge neral concern and utilityj he was required carefully to ftudy and promote. IN the year 1712, after Governor Craven had affum- ed the management of the colony, a dangerous cdri- fpiracy was formed by the Indians of North Carolina againft the poor fettlers in that quarter. The caiife of An Indi- the quarrel we have not been able clearly to find out; N'o,"^ 10 probably they wepe offended at the encroachments Carolina: made on their hunting lands. The powerful tribes of Indians called Corees, Tufcororas, and feveral more, united, and determined to murder or expel the European invaders. As ufual, they carried on their bloody defign with amazing cunning and pro found fecrecy. Their chief town they had in the firfl place furrounded with a wooden bread-work, for the fecurity of their own families. Here the different tribes met together to the number of twelve hundred bowmen, and formed their horrid plot. From this place or rendezvous they fent out fmall parties, who entered the lettlements, under the mafk of friendfhip; by different roads. At the change of the full moon all of them had agreed to begin their murderous operations, on the fame night. When that night caines they entered the planters houfes, demanded provi- fions, out of pretence were diipleafed with them, and then murdered men, women, and children, without mercy or diftincYion. To prevent the alarm fpreading through the fcttlement, they ran like fierce and bloody Cc tygers 2D2 THE HISTORY OF tygers from houfe to houfe, fp -eading flaughter among the fcattered families wherever they went. None of the colonifts, during the fata? night, knew what had befallen their neighbours, until the barbarians had reached their own doors. About Roanock one hun dred and thirty-feven fettlers fell a facrifice to their favage fury the firft night; among whom were a Swifs baron, and almoft all the poor Palatines who had late ly come info the country. Some, however, who had hid thenifelves in the woods, having efcaped, next morning gave the alarm to their neighbours, and prevented the total deftru&ion of that colony. Every family had orders fpeedily to aflemble at one place, and the militia, under arms, kept watch day and night around them, until the news of the fed difafter reach ed the province of South Carolina. HAPPY was it for the diflrefled North Carolineans Governor Graven loft no time in collecting and difpatching a force to their afliftance and relief. The affembly voted four thoufand pounds for the fervice of the war. A body of militia, confiding of fix hun dred men, under the command of Colonel Barnwell, marched again ft the favages* Two hundred and eighteen Cherokees, under the command of Captains Harford and Turftons 5 feventy-nine Creeks, under Captain Bailings; forty-one Catabaws* under Cap tain Cantey,, and twenty-eight Yainafies, under Captain Pierce, being furnifhed with arms, join ed the Carolineans'in this expedition. Hideous and dreadful, at this time, was that wildernefs, through which Colonel Barnwell had to march ; and to get t0 North Carolina in time} far the relief of the peo ple, the utmoft expedition was requifite. In fuch a cafe SOUTH CAROLINA. 203 cafe it was not poffible for his men to carry a fuffi- cient quantity of provisions, together with arms and ammunition, along with them, or to have thefe things provided at different ftages by the way. There was no road through the woods upon which either horfes or carriages could conveniently pafs; and his army had all manner of hardships and dangers from flic climate^ the wildernefs, and the enemy, to encounter. In fpite of every difficulty, Barnwell advanced againft them, employing his Indian allies to hunt for prdvi- fions to his men by the way. At length, having come up with the favages, he attacked them, and being much better fupplied with arms and ammunition than' his enemy, he did grea.t execution among them. In the firft battle he killed three hundred Indians, and took about one hundred prifoners. After which the Tufcororas retreated to their town, within a wooden breaftwork; there Barnwell furrounded them, and having killed a confiderable number, forced the re- The Tuf- mainder to fue for peace: fomeofhismenbeingwound- ">rra ed, and others havingfuffered rnuchby conftant watch * conquer ing, and much hunger and fatigue, the favages the ed- more eafily obtained their requeft. In this expedition it was computed that Barnwell killed, wounded, and captivated near a thoufand Tufcororas. The remain der, who efcaped on the terms of peace, fooa after this heavy chaitifement, abandoned their country, and joined a northern tribe of Indians on the Ohio river. King Blunt, who afterwards came to South Carolina, confirmed the account of the number the enemy had loft. Of Barnwell's party five Carolineans were kil led, and feveral wounded : of his Indians, thirty-fix were killed, and between1 fixty and fevenfy wounded. In juftice to this officer it mult be owned, never had Cc a any 204 THE HISTC AY OF any expedition againft the fayi jes in Carolina been, attended with fuch hazards and difficulties, nor had the conqueft of any tribe of them ever been more general and complete. Bankbliihed. ALTHOUGH the expedition to North Carolina was well conducted, and proved as fuccefsful as the moft fanguine of the Carolineans could have expected, yet the expence the public had incurred by it fell heavy on the province, the revenues of which were inconfiderablej and not at all adapted for fuch important and extenfive enterprizes. But as great harmony at this time fubfifted between the Governor and affembly, they were well difpofed for concurring with him in every rneafure for the public fafety and relief. The damping of bills of credit had been ufed as theeafieft tnethqd of defraying thefe expences incured for the public defence: however, at this time tjie legiilature thought proper to eftablifh a publie bank, and iffued forty-eight thoufand pounds in bills of credit, called Bank-bills, for anfwering the exigencies of government, and for the convenience of domeftic commerce. This money was to be lent out at intereft, on landed or perfonal fecUrity; and, according to the tenour of the acl for ilTuing the fame, it was to be funk gradually, by four thouland pounds a-year; which fum was ordered to be paid; annually by the borrowers, into the hands of commiffioners appointed for that purpofe. After the emiffion of thefe bank-bills, the rate of exchange and the price of produce quickly arofe, and in the firft year advanced to one hundred and fifty, in the fecpnd to two hundred per cent. WITH SOUTH CAROLINA. toy WITH refpeft to the utility of this paper mosey, Remarks. the pilanters andi mercihants, accordi-ing to thi_ ei r aJiTi> ocnurpeanpcy".. /erent views and interefts, were divided in opinion. The former, who, for the mod part, flood indebted; to the latter, found that this provincial currency was not only neceflary to anfwer the exigencies of government, but alfo very ufeful and convenient inthe payment of private debts. This money being local, in proportion as it increafed in quantity, it raifed the nominal price of provincial commodities : and became of courfe prejudicial to creditors, in pro portion as it was profitable to debtors ; for though it depreciated fifty per cent, in a year, during which time the planters flood indebted to the merchants, the next year fuch creditors were obliged to take it in payment, or produce, which had advanced in price, according to the quantity of money in circulation. By the,ae~b of affembly which eftablifhed thefe bills of credit, the currency was fecured, and made a tender in law in all payments; fo that if the creditor refufed this money before witnefies offered to him, the debt wasdifcharged from the minute of his refufal. Befides, the planters knew, that in a trading country gold and filver, by various channels, would make their way out of it, when they anfwer the purpofes of remit tance better than produce, to their great prejudice: paper-money ferved to remedy this inconvenience, and to keep up the price of provincial commodities, as it could not leave the colony, and anfwered the purpofe for paying private debts as well, or rather better, than gold and filver. As the trade of the country increafed, no doubt a certain quantity of money was neceflary to carry it on with cafe and freedom j but when paper bills arc permitted to in- creafe ao6 THE HIS .ORY OF creafe beyond what are nee flary for commercial cafe and utility, they fink in value; and in fuch a cafe creditors lofe in proportion to their depretiation. IN Carolina, as well as in the other Britifli colonies in America, the greateft part of gold and filver cur rent was foreign coin, and the different aflembliesfettled their value from time to time, by laws pecu liar to each province. To remedy the inconveniences: arifing from the different rates at which the fame fpecies of foreign coin did pafs in the feveral colonies and plantations, Queen Anne, in the fixth year of her reign, had thought fit, by her royal proclamation, to fettle and afcertain the current rate of foreign coin; in all her colonies. The ftandard at which currency was fixed by this proclamation, was at an hundred and thirty-three pounds, fix {hillings and eight-pence per cent.; but this regulation, however convenient and advantageous to trade, was afterwards little re garded in thefe provinces, and the confufion of cur rent money continued and prevailed. AFT.T.R the emiffion of this great quantity of bankbills in Carolina, and fpeedy rife of the price of pro duce in confequence of it, the merchants of London, to whom the colony flood indebted, judging it pre judicial to trade, complained of it to the Proprietors. They perceived that the trade of the country, by this means, would be carried on entirely without fiiver or gold ; and although their factors in Carolina might raife the price of Britifli commodities and manufac tures, equal to the advanced price of the produce, yet it might be for their intereft fomctirues to take gold and )&lver rather than produce in return for their Britifli SOUTH. CAROLINA. 207 Britifh goods. They confidered the idling of fuch bank-notes as a violation of the laws of England, and prevailed on the Proprietors to write Governor Cra ven a letter to the following effeft. " We have heard " complaints from feveral hands of an aft you have " paffed, called the Bank Aft. We do recommend " to you to confider of fome expedient for prevent*' ing the mifcbievous confequences of that aft, left, '" upon further complaints, we be forced to repeal it. *' The aft is exclaimed againft by our London mer" chants as injurious to trade, as an infringement " and violation of the laws of Great Britain, and " made almoft in oppofition to the aft of the fixth " of Queen Anne. Therefore we expeft, for pre" venting fuch complaints for the future, that you "will endeavour, as much as in you lies, to reduce " that paper credit, pretended to be eftablifhed in " your bank aft, and that you will (triftly put in ex"ecurion the aforefaid aft of Queen Anne." As the trade of the colony bad of late years confiderably increafed, and was almoft entirely car ried on in Britifh mips, it's protection was an objeft which demanded the attention either of the Proprie tors or the Britifh adminiftraricn. The war in Europe had engrofled the care of the latter, and the former Were either unable or umvilling to bear the expence of its protection. They had leafed their property in the Bahama iflands to a company of merchants, xvhich turning out to little account; the Ifland of Providence became a receptacle for vagabonds and villa'ms of ail nations. From this place of rendezvous a crew of Trade !n- defperate pirates had been accuftomed to pufli out to fe.fted b5" fea, andj in defiance of the laws of nations, to ob- 15 firuft THE HIS O R Y OF Navigation. The trade of Carolina and that of the Weft Indies fufiered greatly from their depreda tions. For five years after this period thofe lawlefs robbers reigned as the mafters of the Gulph of Flo rida, plundering and taking Ihips of every nation. North Carolina, by the conqueft of its maritime tribes of Indians, had alfo become a refuge for thofe rogues, who carried their prizes into Cape Fear river, or Pro vidence, as beft fuited their convenience or iritereft. Their fuccefs induced bold and rapacious fpirits to join them, and in time they became fo formidable, that no inconfiderable force was requifite to fupprefs them. AFTER a long and expenfive war, a treaty of peace and commerce was concluded between Britain, France and Spain in Europe; and orders were fent to all the colonies to defift from ads of hoftility. Governor Cra ven, deeply interefted in the profperity of Carolina, now turned his attention to improve the precious blef- fmgs of peace, and to diffufe a fpirit of induftry and Agriculture throughout the fettlement. The lands in Granville county were found upon trial rich and fertile, and the planters were encouraged to improve them. Accordingly a number of plantations were fettled in the neighbourhood of Indian nations, with whom the Governor fludied to cultivate a friendly correfpon- dence. For the purpofes of trade fome men took up 'their refidence in their towns, and furnifhed them with clothes, arms, and ammunition, in exchange for their furs and deer-ikins. An agent was appointed to fuper- intend the affairs of Indian tribes, and to conciliate by all poffibie means their friendfhip and efleem. Seve ral interior regulations, conducive to the peace and 2 profperify SOUTH CAROLINA. 209 profperity of the colony, were alfo eftablimed. The colonifts, as an eminent writer obferves, in general carry with them fb much of the Englifh law as is ap plicable to their local circumftances and fituation j fiich as, the general rules of inheritance, and of proteftion from perfonal injuries. What may be proper to be admitted, and what are neceffary to be rejected, is judged and determined, in the firft inftance, by the provincial judicature, then fubjeft to the approbation or difapprobation of the Proprietors; and fo far of the Britifh parliament, that nothing may be attempted by them derogatory to the fovereignty and fupreme jurifdicYiori of the mother country. At this time Cover- Several nor Craven obtained the aflent of the General Affem- j^f1/* bly, to make feveral Engliih ftatutes of the fame force adopted. in Carolina as if they had been enacted in it. The people regarded him as a wife and indulgent parent, and wifhed to copy the fpirit of their laws from the Englifh original, although they received their obliga tion and authoritative force from their being the laws of the colony. ABOUT this time Nicholas Trott, the Chief Juftice of the colony, returned from England, where he had been for fome time engaged in the fettlement of pri- vate affairs. During his ftay in Britain he had en- grofled the favour of the Proprietors, who finding him to be a man of great abilities, profeffed a high refpect for him, and afterwards defired his afiiftance and advice in every cafe refpecting the future manage ment of their colony. They sadvanced his falary to one hundred pounds a-year, and he agreed to carry on a regular correfpondence with their fecreta- ry, and to give them the beft intelligence with refpect Dd to iio THE HI ; TORY OF to their provincial affairs. Trott having thus fecured the confidence of the Proprietors in England, foon after he came to Carolina, began to plume himfelf on his advantageous circumftances, and to treat his former friends in the colony with that pride and infolencc too common to mofl men in office and power. On the other hand, thofe men, offended at his arrogance, watched his conduct with an envious and malignant eye, and feemed to defire nothing more than to humble his pride and deftroy his influence. To this fatal difference may be afcribed feveral future jealoufies and difturbances with which the colonifts w.erc haraffed, and which terminated in the total fubverfion of the proprietary government, CHAP. SOUTH CAROLINA. au CHAP. V. AFTER the death of Queen Anne, George, Eleclor of Hanover, afcended the Britifh throne, and was crowned on the 12th of Oftober, 1714. This event was far from giving general fatisfa&ion to the Britifh nation. A confiderable party of the principal landholders favoured the pretenfions of the houfe of Stewart, but were fo divided in their councils and fchemes, that they loft all influence and weight. Having no head, they were unable to turn the balance againft the party in the other fcale, who, by degrees, engroffed the royal favour, and all offices of power and truft in the kingdom. By this differ ence, however, a fpirit of civil difcord and fedition was excited in the nation, and the Chevalier, encou raged by it, and flattered with the hopes of affiftance from France, formed a project of fnatching the fcepter by force of arms from the family of Hanover. For this purpofe, a party in Scotland had recourfe to arms, but meeting with little affiftance from the pre tended friends of the caufe in England, the infurrection was foon quelled, and their rafh defign totally defeated. DURING the former reign the Lords Commiffioners of trade and plantations, from the contentions that prevailed in fome of the colonies, had taken occafion to look more narrowly than formerly they ufed to do, into the ftate of proprietary governments in America, Dd 2 In aia THE HIS .'O RY OF A defign jn order to form a plan or purchafing and unitfo^puv- *nS them more clofely to the crown. They eafily chafing perceived the advantage of beginning this negotiaall char- tjon as fom as pofljt,]^ for the fooner the purchafe proprie- was made, the eafier it would be obtained. Accordtary go- ingly, they wrote to the Proprietors of each colony, ment's. acquainting them, it was her Majefty's pleafure and command, that all governors of her foreign planta* tions do tranfmit to them frequent and full informa tion of the ftate of their refpeclive colonies, as well in refpecl: to the administration of government and juflice, as to their progrefs in trade and improvements. The Queen, though no friend to non-conformifts, had alfo ftretched out a hand of relief to the diftrefled Diffenters of Carolina, and publicly difapproved of fome oppreffive als to which they had been fubjedled. This ferved to encourage a fpirit of murmur and dif. content among the Carolineans at the proprietary go vernment, and to give their eyes a direction to the crown at every future period, when they thought themfelves aggrieved under it. DURING the fame year in which the attention of Britain was occupied by a civil broil, the colony of Carolina was vifited with a terrible Indian war, which The Ya- threatened its total extirpation. The numerous and confpire powerful tribe of Indians called Yamaflees, probably the de- at the inftigation of the Spaniards at Auguftine, were ojTth t^ie mo^ ac^ve 'n promoting this confpiracy againft colony, the fettlement, though every tribe around was more or lefs concerned in it. The Yamaflees poflefled a large territory lying backward from Port-royal Ifland, on the north-eafl fide of Savanna river, which to this day is called Indian Land. By the Carolineans this SOUTH CAROLINA. 315 this tribe had long been efteemed as friends and al lies, who had admitted a number of traders into their towns, and feveral times affifted the fettlers in their war like enterprizes. Of all other Indians they were be lieved to habour in their minds the moft inveterate and irreconcilable enmity to Spaniards. For many years they had been accuftomed to make incurfions into the Spanifh territories, and to wage war with the Indians within their bounds. In their return from thofe fouthern expeditions, it had been a common practice with them to lurk in the woods round Augufline, until they furprized fome Spaniard, and brought him prifoner home to their towns. On the bodies of thefe unfortunate prifoners they were ac cuftomed to exercife the moft wanton barbarities; fometimes cutting them to pieces flowly, joint by joint, with knives and tomahawks; at other times burying them up to the neck under ground, then Handing at a diftance and marking at their heads with their pointed arrows; and, at other times, binding them to a tree, and piercing the tendered parts of their naked bodies with lharp-pointed fticks of burn ing wood, which laft, becaufe the moft painful and excruciating method of torture, was the moft com mon among them. To prevent fuch horrid cruelties from being com mitted on the bodies of human creatures, the legiflature of Carolina patted a law, offering a reward of five pounds for every Spanifh prifoner thefe Indians fhould bring alive to Charleftown; which law, though it evidently proceeded from motives of humanity, yet, in the event, it proved very inconfiftent with good policy: for, in confequence of this act, the Yamaf- fces 2i 4 THE HIS L'ORY OF fees brought feveral Spania is, at different times, to Charleftown, where they claimed the reward for their prifoners, and delivered them up to the gover nor. Charles Craven, who was no lefs dift'mguiftied for humanity than valour, ufed to fend back fuch prifon ers to Auguftine, charging the Spanim government with the expences of their paffage and the reward to the Yamaffees. But this humane practice, while it difplayed Englifh greatnefs of mind, ferved alfo to begin an intercourfe, which will exhibit to us a fad fpecimen of Spaniih honour and gratitude. FOR twelve months before the war broke out, the' traders among the Yamaffees obferved that their chief warriors went frequently to Auguftine, and returned loaded with prefents; but were not apprehenfive of any ill confequence from fuch generofity. John Frafer, an honeft Scotch Highlander, who lived among the Yamaffees, and traded with them, had of ten heard thefe warriors tell with what kindnefs they iiad been treated at Auguftine. One had received a hat, another a jacket, and a third a coat, all trimmed with filver lace. Some got hatchets, others great knives, and almoft all of them guns and ammunition, to pre pare them for ftriking fome great and important blow. Thefe warriors told Mr. Frafer, that they had dined with the governor at Auguftine, and waflied his face, (a ceremony ufed by Indians as a token of friendship), and that now the Spanifii governor was their king, and not the Governor of Carolina. Still, however, the Carolineans remained fecure, and, having fuch confidence in the Indians, dreaded no ill confequences from this new intercourfe and uncommon kindnefs. They knew the Yamaffees antipathy to the Spaniards, their SOUTH CAROLINA. their fondnefs for prefents, but could fufpeft no mifchievous plot meditated againft the fettlement by friends and allies. They were not ignorant that the fubjets of both England and Spain always endeavour ed, for the fake of peace, to court the friendfhip of Indian nations, who were fuch powerful and dangerous enemies. Each competitor knew their paffion for war, and how heavy their vengeance, wherever it pointed, generally fell, and therefore good policy dictated the neceflity of turning the edge of their fierce and bloody temper againflf their neighbours, in order to fave themfelves. IT was a common thing for the traders who refided among thefe favages to fingle out a particular war rior of influence and authority among them, and to court his favour with trifling prefents and conftant civility. Among the Yamaflees one named Sanute was Frafer's friend, who, with his fellow-warriors, had alfo been at Florida, and fhared of the Spaniards infidious liberality. During his abfence Mr. Frafer had married a fine woman ; and Sanute, who had a great regard for him, after his return home came to his houfe, and brought along with him fome fweet herbs, to fhow the lady a mark of refpeft, agree able to cuftoms of Indian nations. So foon as he entered the habitation of his friend, he called for a bafon of water, in which he bruifed the herbs, and firft warned Mrs. Frafer's face and hands, and then, clapping his own hands upon his breaft, told her, that, for the future, he would communicate to her all he knew in his heart. She, in return, thanked him, and made him fome prefent. Accord, ingly, about nine days before hoflUities commenced, Sanute 216 THE HIST.C RY OF Sanute came to Mrs. Frafer'. aoufe, and told her, that the English were all wicked heretics, and would go to hell, and that the Yamafiees would alfo follow them, if they fuffered them to live in their country; that now the governor of Auguftine was their king ; that there would be a terrible war with the EnglHh, and they only waited for the bloody ftick to be re turned from the Creeks before they began it. He told them, that the Yamaflees, the Creeks, the Cherokees, and many other nations, together with the Spaniards, were all to engage in it; and advifed them to fly to Charleftown with all they had in the greateft hafte, and if their own pettiauger was not large enough to carry them, he would lend them his canoe. Frafer, not a little aftoniihed at the news, afked him, how the Spaniards could go to war with the Carolineans, while at peace with Great Britain? To which Sanute replied, the Spanifh governor told him that there would foon be a war again with the Englim, and that while they attacked the Carolineans by land, he would fend to Spain for a fleet of {hips to block up the harbour, fo that not a man or woman of them ihould efcape. Frafer afked him, how long it might be fince they had formed this horrid defign ? Sanute anfwered, Do not you remember about twelve months ago that Ifhiagaika, one of our chief warriors, with four more Indians, went to the Creeks. Frafer faid, he remembered it well. Then it was, faid Sanute, he carried with him a Spanifh talk for deftroying all the Englifh inhabitants of the province ; and, laying his hand upon his heart, declared he had told them all he knew, and repeated his advice to them to fly with all expedition : but, if they were determined to ftay and run all hazards, he concluded by affuring i them. SOUTH CAROLINA. 217 them, that, to prevent torture, he would claim the privilege of performing the la-ft friendly office to them,: which was to kill them with his own hands. Frafcr ftill entertained fome doubts, but his wife be ing terrified, he refolved at all events to get out of the way, and accordingly, without delay, put his wife, his child, and moft valuable effscls, into his boat, and made his efcape to Charleltown. WHILE the time drew nigh in which this dark plot was to be put in execution, Captain Nairn, agent for Indian affairs, aruHnany traders, reficied at Pocota- ligo, the largeft town belonging to the YatnaiTees. Mr. Frafer, probably either clifcrediting what he had heard, or from the hurry and confufion which the alarm occafioned, unfortunately had not taken time to communicate the intelligence he had received to his friends, who remained in a flate of falfe fecurity in the midft. of their enemies. The cafe of the fcat- tered fcttlers on the frontiers was equally lament able, who were living under no fuipicicns of danger. However, on the day before the Yamaflces began their bloody operations, Captain Nairn and fome of the traders obferving an uncommon gloom on their favage countenances, and apparently great agitations of fpirit, which to them prognofltcated approach ing mifchief, went1 to their chief men, begging to know the caufe of their uneafinefs, and promifing, if any injury had been done them, to give them fatis- faftion. The chiefs replied, they had no complaints to make againft any one, but intended to go a-hunting early the next morning. Captain Nairn accordingly went to fleep, and the traders retired to their huts, and pafied the night in feemir.g friendUiip and tran- Ee quillity. ai8 THE HIST* RY OF TheYa- quillity. But next morning, \ iout the break of day, being the if.th day of April, 1/15, all were alarmed with the cries of war. The leaders were all opt under arms, calling upon their followers, and pro claiming aloud defigns of vengeance. The young men, burning with fury and paffion, flew to their arms, and, in a few hours, maflacred above ninety perfons in Pocotaligo town and the neighbouring plantations; and many more mufl have fallen a facrifice on Port-royal llland, had they not providentially been warned of their danger. Mr. Burrows, a captain of the militia, after receiving two wounds, by fwiinming one mile and running ten, efcaped to Port-royal and alarmed the town. A veflel happening fortunately to be in the harbour, the inhabitants in great hurry re paired on board, and failed for Charleflown; only a few families of planters on that ifland, not having timely notice, fell into their barbarous hands, fomeof whom they murdered, and others they made prifoners of war. WHILE the Yamafiees, with whom the Creeks and Apallachians had joined, were advancing againft the ibuthern frontiers, and fpreading defolation and ilaughter through the province; the colonii'ts on the nor thern borders alfo found the Indians down among the fettlemehts in formidable parties. The Carolineans had foolifhly entertained hopes of the friendfhip of the Congarecs, the Catawbas and Chero.kees;' but they foon found that they had alfo joined in the eonfpiracy, and declared for war. It was computed that the fouthern divifion of the enemy confifted of above fix thoufand bowmen, and the northern of be tween fix hundred and a thoufand. Indeed every In dian tribe, from. Florida to Cape Fear river, had joined in SOUTH CAROLINA. in this confederacy for the deflrufUon of the fettlement. The planters fcattered here and there had no time to gather together in a body, fufficiently ftrong to withftand fuch numbers , but each confulting his own fafetv, and that of his helplefs family, in great hurry and confternation fled to the capital. Every one who came in brought the Governor different accounts of the num ber and (trength of the favages, infomuch that even the inhabitants of Charleftown were doubtful of their fafety, and entertained the mod difcouraging apprehenfions of their inability to repel a force fo great and formidable. In the mufter-roll there were no more than one thoufand two hundred men fit to bear arms, but as the town had feveral forts into which the in habitants might retreat,: the Governor, with this fin all force, fefolved to march into the woods againft the enemy. He proclaimed the martial law, and laid an embargo on all {hips, to prevent either men or provifjons from leaving the country. He obtained an aft of aiTembly, impowering him to imprefs men, and feize arms, ammunition, and {lores, wherever they were to be found, to arm fuch trufly negroes as might be ferviceable at a juncture fo critical, and to profecute the war with the utmoft vigour. Agents were fent to Virginia and England, to folicit affiftance; bills were ftamped for the payment of the army, and , other neceflary expences; Robert Daniel was appointe-d deputy-governor in town, and Charles Craven, at the head of the militia, marched to the country againit the largeft body of favages. IN the mean time, the Indians on the northern quarter had made an inroad as far as a plantation belonging to John Hearne, about fifty miles from Ee 2 town, 220 THE HIS "OIIY OF town, and entered his houfe in a fee mi ngly peace able and friendly manner ; but afterwards pretending to be difpleafed with the provifions given them, mur dered him and every peribn in it. Thomas Barker, a captain of militia, having intelligence of the ap proach of thefe Indians, collected a party, confifling of ninety horfemen, and advanced againft them: but by the treachery of an Indian, whom he unluc kily trufted, he was led into a dangerous ambufcade in a thicket, where a large party of Indians lay concealed on the ground. Barker having advanced into the middle of them before he was aware of his danger, the Indians fprung from their conceal ments, and fired upon his men on every fide. The Captain and feveral more fell at the firft onfet, and the remainder in confufion were obliged to retreat. After this advantage, a party of four hundred Indians came down as far as Gpofe Creek. Every family there had fled to town, except in one place, where feve-nty white men and forty negroes had furrounded themfelves with a breaft-work, and refolved to remain and defend themfelves in the beft manner they could. When the Indians attacked them they were difcouraged, and raihly agreed to terms of peace; and, ha ving admitted the enemy within their works, this poor garrifon were barbarouily butchered: after which the Indians advanced ftill nigher to town ; but at length meeting with Captain Chicken and the whole Goofe Creek militia, they were repulfed, and obliged to re treat into the wildernefs, BY this time the Yamafiees, with their confederates, had fpread deftructicn through the parifli of St. Bar tholomew, and advancing downwards as far as Stono, they SOUTH CAROLINA. 221 they burned the church at that place, together with every houfe on the plantations by the way. John Cochran, his wife, and four children ; Mr. Bray, his wife, and two children ; and fix more men and women, having found fome friends among them, were fpared for fotne days ; but, while attempting to make their efcape from them, they were retaken and put to death. Such as had no friends among them were tortured in the moft {hocking manner, the Indians feeming to negleft their progrefs towards conqueft on purpofe to affift in tormenting their .enemies. We forbear to mention the various tortures inflicted on fuch as fell in to their mercilefs fangs: none can be pleafed with the relation of fuch horrid cruelties, but the man who, with a fmile of fatisfacYion, can be the fpeftator of a SpaniuH auto de fe, or fuch favage hearts as are fteeled againft every emotion of humanity and companion. BY this time Governor Craven, being no ftranger to the ferocious tempers of his enemies, and their horrid cruelty to prifoners, was advancing againft them by flow and cautious Iteps, always keeping the ftricteft guard round his army. He knew well un der what advantages they fought among their native thickets, and the various wiles and ftratagems they made ufe of in conducting their wars; and therefore was watchful above all things againft fudden furprifes, which might throw his followers into diforder, and defeat the end of his enterprize. The fate of the whole province depended on thefuccefsof his arms, and his men had no other alternative left but to conquer or die a painful death. As he advanced the drag gling parties fled before him, until he reached Saltcatchers, where they had pitched their great camp. Here THE HIS ^ORY OF The Ya- Here a (harp and bloody In ttle enfued from behind drfSted trees and bumes' the Indians hooping, hollowing and and ex- giving way one while, and then again and again re pelled, turning with double fury to the charge. But the Governor, notwithftanding their fuperior number and all their terrible fhrieks, kept the provincials clofe at their heels, and drove them before him like a flock of ravenous wolves. He expelled them from their fettlement at Indian land, puriued them over Savanna river, and rid the province entirely of this formidable tribe of favages. What rrumber of his army he loft, or of the enemy he killed, we have not been able particularly to learn; but in this Indian war near four hundred innocent inhabitants of Carolina were murdered by thefe wild barbarians. They take re- THE Yamaffees, after their defeat and expulilon, went directly to the Spanifh territories in Florida, "where they were received with bells ringing and guns firing, as if they had come viftorioufly from the field; from which circutnftance, together with the encou ragement afterwards given them to fettle in Florida, there is too good reafon to believe, that this horrid confpiracy was contrived by Spaniards, and carried on by their encouragement and afliflance. Two prifoners, whom they had faved and carried to Auguftine along with them, Mrs. Siffon and Mrs. Macartey, afterwards reported to -the Carolineans the news of this kind reception the Indians met with from the Spa niards. On the other hand, though the province of Ca rolina fuffered much at this time, yet the Governor had the good fortune to prevent its total deftrucYion. From the loweft ftate of defpondency, Charleftown, on the Governor's return to it, was raifed to the higheft pitch SOUTH CAROLINA. pitch of joy. He entered it with fome degree of tri umph, receiving from all fuch applaufes as his wife conduct and unexpected futcefs juftly merited. Indeed his profperous expedition had not only difconcerted the mod formidable confpiracy ever formed againfl the colony, but alfo placed the inhabitants in general, howevef much expofed individuals might be to fmall fcalping parties, in a ftate of greater fecurity and tran quillity than they had hitherto enjoyed. HOWEVER, from that period in which the Yamaflee Retain a Indians were compelled to take up their refidence in TMd.'&ive Florida, they harboured in their breafts the mod inve- gainft the terate ill-will and rancour to allCarolineans, and watch- Carolme- ed every opportunity of pouring their vengeance on them. Being furnifhed with arms and ammunition from the Spaniards, they often broke out on fmall fcalping parties, and infefted the frontiers of the Britifh fettlement. One party of them catched William Hoop er, and killed him by degrees, by cutting off one joint of his body after another, until he expired. Another party furprifed Henry Quinton, Thomas Simmons, and Thomas Parmenter, and, to gratify their revenge, tor tured them to death. Dr. Rofe afterwards fell alfo into their hands, whom they cut acrofs his nofe with their tomahawk, and having fcalped him left him on the fpot for dead; but he happily recovered of his wounds. In fhort, the emiflaries of St. Auguiline, difappointed in their fanguinary defign of destroying root and branch in Carolina, had now no other re- fource left but to employ the vindictive fpirit of the Yamaffees againfl: the defencelefs frontiers of the pro vince. In thefe excursions, it muft be confefled, they were too fuccefsful, for many poor fettlers at different times fell a facrifice to their influiable revenge. 36 DURING 224 THE HIS TORY OF DURING the time of this hard ftruggle with Indi ans, the legiflature of Carolina had made application to the Proprietors, reprefenting to them the weak flate of the province, the deplorable dangers which hung over it, and begging their paternal help and protection ; but being doubtful whether the Proprie tors would be inclined to involve their Englifh eftates in debt for fupporting their property in Carolina, in fo precarious a fituation, they inftruted their agent, in cafe he failed of fuccefs from them, to apply to Thecolo- the king for relief. The merchants entered cordially their eye" 'nto ^ie meafure fr making application to the crown, for pro- and confidered it as the moft effeftual expedient for ttheeftciroonwnto. wreh,tri.iceh,vinth,gretahteeinr ecdr,.edthi. teincEounngtlrayn,d,anlod,ft thb, ye tphieradteasngthe, rast infefted the coaft. They perceived at once the many advantages which would accrue to them from being taken under the immediate care and protection of the crown. Ships of war would foon clear the coaft of peftilent fea-robbers, and give free fcope to trade and navigation. Forces by land would overawe the war like Indians, prevent fuch dreadful attempts for* the future, and they would reap the happy fruits of public peace and fecurity. The inhabitants in ge neral were much diflatisfied with living under a government unable to prote.cl them, and what ren dered their cafe ftill more lamentable, prevented the interpofition of the crown for their defence, and therefore were very unanimous in the propofed appli cation to the crown. ABOUT the middle of the year 1715 the agent for Carolina waited on the Proprietors, with a reprefen- tation of the heavy calamities under which their co lony laboured from the ravages of barbarous ene- i mies, SOUTH CAROLINA. 225 rrties, and the depredations of lawlefs pirates. He acquainted thetn that the Yamaflees, by the influence of Spaniih emiflaries, had claimed the whole lands of the country as their ancient poflefiions, and confpired with many other tribes to aflert their right by force of arms, and therefore urged the neceffity of fending im mediate relief to the colony. But not being fatisfied \vith the anfvver he received, he petitioned the Houfe of Commons in behalf of the diftrefied Carolineans. The Commons addreffed the King, praying for his kind interpofition and immediate afliftance to the colony. The King referred the matter to the Lords Commiffioners of trade and plantations. The Lords of trade made an objedion, that the province of Carolina was one of the proprietary governments, and were of opi nion, that, if the nation mould be at the expence of its protection> the government ought to be veiled in the Crown. Upon which Lord Carteret wrotd them a letter to the following effect: " We the " Proprietors of Carolina having met on this me" lancholy occafion, to our great grief find, that " we arc utterly unable of Ourfelves to afford our " colony fuitable affiftance in this conjuncture, and " unlefs his majefty will gracioufly pleafe to inter" pofe, we can forefee nothing but the utter deftruc'* tion of his majefty's faithful fubjefts in thofe parts." The Lords of trade alked Lord Carteret what furrt might be neceffary for that fervice, and whether the government of the colony ihould not devolve on thti Crown, if Great Britain fhould agree to bear the expence of its defence. To which Lord Carteret replied, " The Proprietors humbly fubmitted to his majefty's " great wifdom, what funl of money he fhould be ** pleafed to gfant for their affiftance; and in cafe the Ff 226 THE HIS ORY OF " money advanced for this t >urpo.fe mould not be in " a reafonable time repaid, they humbly conceived " that then his majefty would have an equitable right " to take the government under his immediate care " raid protection." The pro- THE fame year a bill was brought into the Houfe jett ved revifor of Commons in Kiv'laiici. , .' for the better reygulation purchaf- r tiie charter and proprietary governments in Anie- mg the rica, and of his nia.jelty's plantations there; the chief farycolo- defign of which was, to reduce all charter and pro bes, prietary governments into regal orres. Men conver- fant in the hiftory of pad ages, particularly in that of the rife and progrds of different itates, had long forefeen the rapid increafe of American colonies^ and wifely judged, that it would be for the intereft of the kingdom to purchale them for the Crown as fodn as poffible. At different times administration, in the reigns of King William and Queen Anne, held treaties with the Proprietors for this purpofe: but fome obftacles always came in the way, or fome accidents occurred^ which prevented a final agreement. At this time while Penn was about felling the government of Pennfylva- nia, for twelve thoufand pounds, to the Crown, he was feized with an apoplexy, and died before the deeds were executed. Lord Baltimore, the Duke of Beuu- fort, and Lord Craven, all minors, petitioned to be heard by counfel againft palling the bill. The province of Mailachufet's Bay petitioned againft it, alledging that the charter they had received from King William placed them on the fame footing with the different cor porations in England, and that it would be equally hard and unjuft to deprive them of their charter privi leges, as to disfranchife the Engliih corporations. Tha colony SOUTH CAROLINA. 227 colony of Connecticut, whofe charter was intended to be taken away by this bill, in like manner petitioned to be excepted out of it. Thefe petitions, together with the reafons affigned in fupport of them, the committee of the Houfe found fome difficulty in anfwering, and therefore, inftead of proceeding farther in an affair of fuch national concern, the defign was entirely dropt. IT is remarkable, that the Proprietors of Carolina, at the time they obtained their charter, as is exprefly mentioned in it, were excited to form that fettlement by their zeal for the propagation of the Chriftian faith among the Indians of America: yet, to their ihame it muft be confeffed, that they have either never ufed any endeavours for this laudable purpofe, or they have been utterly fruitlefs and ineffectual. At this time, indeed, the fociety incorporated for propagating the Gofpel maintained feveral miffionaries in Carolina, as well as in the northern provinces. The parifhes of St. Helen's, St. Paul's, Clirift-Church, St. Andrew's, St. James's, and St. John's, were all fupplied with mi- nifters from this charitable corporation, who were in- Aru&ed lo.ufe their bed endeavours for fpreading the Gofpel among the heathens in their neighbourhood, and received an annual allowance from the fociety for that purpofe; yet. we have not been ab!e to learn tha: thefe heathens ever reaped the fmalleft advantage from them. The Spaniards, though they have often made ufe of the, more fevere and rough means of converfion, and ere&ed the ftandard of the crofs in a field of blood, yet they have alto been exceedingly diligent and affiduous in teaching heathens the prin ciples of the Catholic religion. In point of policy, Ff~2 tli 328 THE HI TORY OF this zeal was more praiU worthy than Englifli negli, gcnce : for fuch barbarians would certainly have been much eafier tamed and civilized by mild inftrudVion than by force of arms. The Tumican and Apalachian Indians,before Governor Moore's inroads among them, had made fome advances towards civilization,and paid, by means of inftruction from Roman Catholic million. aries, ftri& obedience to the Spanifh government at Auguftine. Had the Proprietors of Carolina ere&ed fchools, for the inftruftion of young Indians in the language, manners and religion of the Englifli nation, fuch an inftitution might have been attended with the moft beneficial effects, For while the children of fuch rava ges were living among the colonifts, they would have been like fo many hoitages to lecure the goodwill and peaceable behaviour of their parents, and when they returned to the nation to which they belonged, their knowledge of the EnglUh language and cuftoms would, for the future, have rendered all commercial treaties and transactions between them eafy and prac ticable. Befides, they would have all the prejudices of education in favour of the Englifh manners and govern ment, which would have helped both to fortify them againft the fatal influence of Spanim rivals, and to ren der them more firm and fteady to the Britifli intereft. JDfftrefles ALTHOUGH the Yamaflce war had terminated much edCbythe to the honour f * Carolineans, yet the fatal efFefts -,var. of it were long and heavily felt by the colony. Many of the planters had no negroes to afilft them in raifing provifions for their families, and thcfe perfons who. had negroes, could not be fpared to overlook them, fo, that the plantations were left uncultivated, and the produce of the year was trifling and inconfiderable. The SOUTH CAROLINA. 229 The men being more felicitous about the fafety of their families than the increafe of their fortunes, purchafed bills of exchange at any price, to fend with them to the northern provinces, in order to procure for them there the necelferies of life. The provincial merchants being much indebted to thofe in London, the latter were alarmed at the dangers which hung over the co lony, and preffed them much for remittances. The In dians, who ftpod indebted to the merchants of Caro lina for ten thoufand pounds, in/lead of paying their debts, had cancelled them, by murdering the traders, and abandoning the province. No remittances could be made, but in fuch commodities as the country pro duced, and all hands being engaged in war, rendered them both very fcarce and extremely dear. To anfwer the public exigences of the province, large emiffions of paper currency were alfo requifite. Hence the rate of exchange arofe to an extravagant height. The province was indebted no lefs than eighty thoufand pounds, and at the fame time obliged to maintain garrifons on the frontiers for the public defence, which ferved to increafe the debt. While ftruggling amidfl thofe hardships, the merchants of London complained to the Proprietors of the increafe of paper money, as injurious to trade; in confequence of which they ftrittly ordered their Governor to reduce it. All thofe things ferved to aggravate the diftrefs of the poor colonifts, and caufed them to murmur againft their landlords for want of companion, and to turn not a little difaiffe&ed to their government, TH E next ft ep taken by the leglfiature of Carolina, ferved to widen the difference. The YamaiTces be ing expelled from Indian land, the aflcmbly paiTed two. 2?o THE HI:,' TORY OF two acts to appropriate thy ; lands gained by conqued for the ufe and encouragement of fuch of his majefty's fubjects as fhould come over and fettle upon them.. Extracls of thefe ats being fent to England and Ireland, and publifhed among the people, five hundred men from Ireland tranfported themfelves to 'Carolina, to take the benefit of them ; which influx was a great acquifition at this juncture, and ferved to ftrengthen thefe frontiers againft future incurfions from barbarians. But the beneficial confequenccs of thefe acts were . all fruftrated by the Proprietors, who repealed them, pvietors. claiming fuch lands as their property, and infixing on the right of difpofing of them as they thought fit. Not long afterwards, to the utter ruin of the Irifli emigrants, and in breach of the provincial faith to them, the Proprietors ordered the Indian lands to be furveyed for their own ufe, and run out in large baronies; by which harfh ufage the old fettlers, having loft the prote&ion of the new comers, deferred their plantations, and again left the frontiers open to the enemy ; as for the unfortunate Irifh emigrants, having fpent the little money they had, many of them, reduced to mifery, periihed-, and the remainder moved to the northern colonies. ABOUT this time Governor Craven, having received advice from England of Sir Antony Craven's death, in- timated to the Proprietors, that the affairs of his family required his prefence, and obtained their leave to re turn to Britain. No Governor had ever gained more general love and deferved refpect from theCarolineans, nor had any man ever left the province whofe depar- Danie? ture was more univerfally regretted. Having appoint* is made ed Robert Daniel deputy-governor, he embarked for. deputy- governor. Ens]and at>out ^ enci Of Ap* ril, >7iG. While the man SOUTH CAROLINA. 231 man of war rode at anchor near the bar, Mr. Gideon John (ion, with about thirty more gentlemen, went into a floop to take leave of their beloved Gover nor, and failed with him over the bar. On their return a ftorm arofe, the Hoop was overfet, and Mr. Johnfton, being lame of the gout and in the hold, was drowned. The other gentlemen, who were upon deckjfavedthemfelvesbyfwimming to the land. Afterterwards the floop drove, and what has been thought fomewhat remarkable, Mr, Johnfton's body was taken out of it while beating againft the fame bank of fand upon which he had almoft perifhed at his firft arrival in Carolina. BEFORE Governor Craven arrived in England, Lord John Lord Carterer, a nobleman no lefs diftinguifhed Cartaret by his illuflrious defcent than perfonal merit, had fucceedcd to the dignity of Palatine. Nicholas Trott, who was Chief-JuPtice of Carolina, received a warrant from this nobleman, impowering him to fit alfo as judgeqftheprovificial court of vice-admiralty. William, Rhett, who was Trott's brother-in-law, and Receivergeneral, was likewife made Comptroller of his majefty's cuitoms in Carolina and Bahama Iflands. The many offices of truft and emolument which thefe two men held, together with their natural abilities, gave them great weight and influence in the province, efpecially at the elecTion of members to ferve in alterably. When the provincial affembly met, a bill was brought into the houfe for the better regulation of the Indian trade, nominating commifiioneis, and impowering then) to apply the profits aiifing from it to the public benefit and defence, and pafled with little oppofition. As the colonifts had been accuftomed to chufe. all their 232 THE HIS' ORY OF their members of aflembly ; Charleftown, at which election great riots and tumults had often happened j to remedy this diforder, another bill was brought into aflembly for regulating elections; in which, among other things, it was enacted, " That every *' parifh fhould fend a certain number of reprefenta'* tives, in all not exceeding thirty-fix; that they ** fhould be ballotted for at the different parifh **' churches, or fome other convenient place, on a ** day to be mentioned in the writs, which were to " be directed to the church-wardens, who were re" quired to make returns of the members elected," This was a popular act, as the inhabitants, found it not only allowed them greater freedom, but was more conformable to the practice in England, and more convenient for the fettlers than their former cuftorn of electing all members in town. Thedif- BY this time theftruggle between the Proprietors and ofe6th0" Pofleffors of the foi1' which had lonS fabfifted, and in people which the officers intruded with fupporting their Lord- inereafes. fhjps power and prerogative always found themfelves deeply interested, was become more ferious. Thofe po pular acts, but particularly the latter, gave great offence to fome members of the council, who plainly perceived its tendency to ruin their influence at elections* and of courfe the power of the Proprietors. Among o- thers, Trott and Rhett ftrenuoufly oppofed the bills. Though they were not able to prevent their pafling in Carolina, yet they took care to fend to England fuch reprefentations of them as could not fail to render them the objects of the Proprietors difapprobation. Indeed the aft refpecting elections had broke in upon a for> mer law, which had been ratified in England, and ne- 2 ver SOUTH CAROLINA. 233 fcr repealed by the fame authority. The confequence was, both thofe bills in a little time were fent back repealed', by an inftrument under the Proprietors hands and feats. The colonifts, far from being plea* fed with the former conduct of their landlords, now became outrageous, and ipoke boldly of their tyranny^ bad policy, and want of compalfion for diftrefied free men. Being dill expofed to incurfions from the fan*. guinary and vindictive Yamaffees, furnifhed with arms and ammunition from the Spaniards, they were obliged to maintain a company of rangers, to protect the frontiers againft them. Three fmall forts were creeled at Congarees, Savanna, and Apalachicoia, for the public defence, and money mud be raifed for the payment of garrifons. Prefents of confiderable value were alfo neceffary, to prcferve the friendfliip of other Indian tribes* Thefe public expences tat up all the fruits of the poor planter's indu'ftry; The law appropriating the profits of the Indian trade for the public protection had been repealed; the pub lic credit was at fo low an ebb, that no man would truft his money in the provincial treafviry. None would filk their lives in defence of the colony without pay, and the province, bpprefled with a load of debt, was utterly unable to furnifh the neceflary fupplies. The people complained of the inefficiency of that government which could not proteft them, and at the fame time prevented the interpofition of the Crown for this purpofe. Governor Daniel himfelf joined them in their complaints, and everyone fee med ardently to ivifh for thofe advantages which other colonies en joyed, under the immediate care and protection of a powerful fovereigri. 234 THE HIS r ORY OF Robert IN this difcontented a^ unhappy flate Robert appointed Jhnfon found the Carolineans, when he arrived governor, with a commiffion from Lord Carteret, bearing date April 30, 1717, inverting him with the government of the province: to which office a falary of four hun. dred pounds fterling was now annexed. He was fon to Sir Nathaniel Johnfon, who formerly held the fame office, and had left him an eftate in Carolina. This nexv governor was a man of wifdom, integrity, and moderation ; but came out with fuch inftruclions as were'ill adapted to the circumftances and fituationof the colony. Soon after his arrival he perceived the difaffedlion of the people to the proprietary government, and the many difficulties with which he would have to ftruggle in the faithful difcharge of his duty. His council confifted of Thomas Broughton, Alexander Skene, Nicholas Trott, Charles Hart, James Kinloch, Francis Yonge, &c. fome bf whom were highly diffatisfied with the harfli treatment of the Proprietors. After calling an afiembly, the Governor, as ufual, fignified to them his efteem for the people, his love to the province, and his refolutions of purfuing fuch meafures as might be judged moft conducive to its peace and profperity. The affembly, in anfwer, exprefied great fatisfaftion with appointing a man of fo goo'd a character to that .high office 5 but, at the fame time, were not infenfible of the oppreffion of their landlords, nor of the many hardfhips they had to expet under their weak and contemptible govern ment. ABOUT this time fome merchants and mailers of fhips, trading to America and the Weft Indies,- having furTered SOUTH CAROLINA. 235 differed much from the barbarity and depredations Of the of pirates, complained to the King in c6uncil of the t;e0^rse 07 heavy lofles the trade of the nation had fuftained from pirates, thofe public robbers, who had grown fo numerous and infolent, that unlefs a fpeedy check fliould be given to them, the navigation in thofe feas would be totally ruined. In confequence of which the King iffued a proclamation, promifing a pardon to all pirates who fliould furrender themfclves in the fpace of twelve months, and at the fame time ordered to Tea a force for fuppreffing them. As they had made the ifland of Providence their common place of refidenoe, Cap tain Woodes Rogers failed againft this ifland, with a few fhips of war, and took pofleffion of it for the Crowri. Except 6ne Vane, who with about ninety more made their efcape in a floop, all the pirates took the benefit of. the King's proclamation, and furren^ dered. Captain Rogers having made himfelf mafter of the ifland, formed a council in it, and appointed offi cers civil and military for the better government of its inhabitants. He built fome forts for its fecurity and defence, and fo ordered matters, that, for the future, the trade of the Weft Indies was well protected againft this lawlefs crew. THOUGH the pirates on the ifland of Providence were crufhed, thofe of North Carolina ftill remained, and were equally infolent and troublefome. Vane, who efcaped from Captain Rogers, had taken two fhips bound from Charleftown to London. A pirate floop of ten guns, cpmmanded by Steed Bonnet, and another commanded by Richard Worley, had taken pofleffion of the mouth of Cape Fear river, which place was now the principal refuge left for thofe rogues. G 2 Thai- 23$ THE HI TORY OF Their .ftatipn there was fo lonvenient for blocking up the harbour of Oharleftpwn, that the trade of the co lony was greatly pbftru&ed by them. No fooner had one crew left the coaft than another appeared, fo that fcarcely one fliip coming in or going out escaped them. Governor Johnfpn, refolving to check their infolcnce, fitted out a fliip of force, gave the command of it to, William. Rhett, and fcnt him out to fea for the prote&ion of trade. Rhett had fcarcely got over the bar. when Steed Bonnet fpied him, but finding he was more than match for him, made all the fail he could for his refuge in Cape Fear river. Thither Rhett fol lowed him, took the fldop, and brought the comAnd their rnander and about thirty men with him toCharleftpwn, tirpation. Son z&$r $U Gpvernor Johnfon himfelf embarked, and failed in purfuit pf the other (lopp of fi? guns, commanded by Richard Worley, which, after a def. perate engagement off the bar of Charleftpwn, was alfp taken. The pirates fought like furies, until they were all killed or wounded, excepting Worley and another man, who even ;hen refufed to furrender, until they were likewife -dangeroyfly wounded. Thefe two men, together with their (loop, the Governor brought into Charleftown, where they were inftantly tried, condemned, and executed, to prevent tbeir dying of their wounds. Steed Bpnnet and his crew were alfa. ^ried, and all, except pne man, hanged, and buried on White Ppint, belpw high-water mark. GOVJ-RNOR Jphnfbn, fprmerly a pppular man, was npw become much mpre fo, by his cpuragc in expoiing his perfon, and the fuccefs attending his expedi tion againft the pirates. The coaft being happily clear ed, and free fcope given to trade, afterwards no pirates durft SOUTH CAROLINA. 337 durft venture to fea in that quarter. This check, to-* gether with that they received among the iflands, ferved to extirpate thefe peftilent robbers, who had declared war againft all mankind; and, by redu cing themfelves to the favage ftate of nature, had Jed fuch lives as rendered them the common enemy pf every civilized nation. But thefe two expeditions from Carolina, though crowned with fuccefs, coft the poor province upwards of ten thoufand pounds, an additional burden which, at this juncture, it was jll qualified to fupport. AT the fame time, Governor Johnfon had inftruc- Troubles fidns to reduce the paper currency circulating in the ^*J^* province, of which the mercantile intereft loudly com- rency. plained, as injurious to trade. He recommended to the aflembly to confider of ways and means for finking it, and told them they were bound in honour and juftice to make it good. The Indian war had occasioned a fcarcity of provifions; by the large emifiibns pf paper money it funk in value, and the price of produce arofe to an exorbitant height. As the va lue of every commodity is what it will bring at mar ket, fo the value of paper money is according to the quantity of commodities it will-purchafe. ven gold and filver, though the univerfal medium of com merce, grow lefs precious in proportion as their quan tity is increafed in any country. Both rice and naval ftores, however high, by doubling the quantity of paper money, though the commodities remain the fame as formerly, become ftill much higher. The mer chants and money-lenders were lofers by thofe large cmiflions 5 and the planters indebted tQ them, on the other 238 THE HI TORY OF other hand, were gainers by them. Hence great de bates arofe in the affembly about paper-money, be tween the planting and mercantile interefts. At this time the Governor, however, had fo much influence as to prevail with the affembly to pafs a law for fink ing and paying off their paper credit in three years, by a tax on lands and negroes. This act, on its ar rival in England, gave great fatisfaclion both to, the Proprietors and people concerned in trade, and the Governor received their thanks for his attention to the commercial interefts of the country. THIS compliance of the affembly with the Gover nor's inftructions from England, and the good hu mour in which they at prefent appeared to be with government, gave him fome faint hopes, of recon-r ciling them by degrees to the fupreme jurifdicYion of the Proprietors, But their good temper was of fhort duration, and the next advices from England blafted all his hopes of future agreement. The plant ers finding that the tax-act fell heavy on them, began to grumble and complain of it-s injufticej and to contrive ways and means for eluding it, by ftamping more bills of credit. The Proprietors having in formation of this, and alfo of a defign formed by the affembly to fet a price on country commodities, and make them at fuch a price a good tender in law for the payment of all debts, they ftrictly enjoined their Governor not to give his affent to any bill fra med by the-affembly, nor to render it of any force in the colony, before a copy of the fame mould be laid be fore them. About the fame time the King, by his or der in council, fignified-to the'Proprietors, that they fhould repeal an at paffed in Carolina, of pernicious confer SOUTH CAROLINA. 239 confequence to the trade of the mother country, by which a duty of ten per cent, was laid on all goods of Britifli manufacture imported into that province. Accordingly this aft, together with that for regulat- Several ing elections, and another for declaring the right of law* TM~ aflembly for the time being to nominate a public re ceiver, were all repealed, and fent to Governor Johnfon in a letter, which enjoined him inftantly to diffolve the prefent aflembly and call another, to be chofen in Charleftown, according to the ancient ufage and cuftomS of the province. The Proprietors confidered themfelves as the head of the legiflative body, who had not only power to put a negative on all laws made in the colony of which they difapproved, but alfo to repeal fuch as they deemed of pernicious confequence. GOVERNOR Johnfon, fenfible of the ill-humour which prevailed among the people at the proprietary government, and the ill confequences that would -at tend the immediate execution of his orders, fummoned his council together, to take their advice about what was moft proper to be done. When he communicated his orders and inftruftions from England, the majority of the council were aftonifhed at them. Trott, indeed, who was one of them, probably knew from what fpring they derived their origin, and to whofe advice and influence the repeal of thofe laws ought to be afcribed. But as the aflembly were at that time deli berating about the means of paying the provincial debt contracted by the expedition againft the pirates, and other contingent charges of government, it was agreed to poftpone the difibJuVion of the houfe until the bufinefs then before them fhould be finimed. However, 24*5 THE HI >TGRY OF However, the repeal of the duty-law being occafioned by an order from the King in council, they refolved to acquaint the affembly immediately with the royal dif. pleafure at that claufe of the law laying a duty on all goods manufactured in Great Britain, and recommend it to them to make a new act, leaving out that claufe which had given offence. Mean while, though great pains were taken to conceal the Governor's iriftrucWhich tions from the people, yet by fome means they were great dif- divulged, and kindled violent flames among them, affcftion. The affembly entered into a warm debate about the Proprietors right of repealing laws paffed with the affent of their deputies. Many alledged, that the de putation given to them was like a power of attorney fent to perfons at a diftaoce, authorifmg them to aft in their ftead; and infifted, that, according to the charter, they were bound by their affent to ads, as much as if the Proprietors themfelves had been prefent, and ratified and confirmed themt Further troubles 4ians. WHILE the colony was thus haraffed with fears an(j trout,les from rigorous landlords, to enhance their mifery, their favage neighbours werfc alfo now and then making incurfions into their fettlementSj and fpreading havock among the fcattered families. At this time a fcalping party penetrated as far as the Euhah lands, where having furprifed John Levit and two of his neighbours, they knocked out their brains with their tomahawks. They then feized Mrs; Borrows and one of her children, and carried then* off with them. The child by the way., finding him- felf in barbarous hands, began to cry, upon which they put him to death; The diftreffed mother, being 2 unabl? SOUTH CAROLINA. 24* unable to refrain from tears while her child was mur dered before her eyes, was given to under/land, that fhe muft not weep, if flic defired not to ihare the fame fate. Upon her arrival at Auguftine fhe would have been immediately fent to prifori, but one of the Yamaffee kings declared he knew her from her in fancy to be a good woman, interceded for her liber ty, and1 begged fhe might be fent home to her hufband. This favour, however, tlie Spanifh governor refufed to grant, and the garrifon feemed to triumph with the Indians in the number of their fcalps. When Mr. Borrows went to Auguftine to procure the releafe of his wife, he alfo was fliut up in prifon along with her, where he foon after died : but fhe furvived all the hard mips of hunger, licknefs, and confinement, to give a relation of her barbarous treatment. After her return to Carolina^ fhe reported to Governor Johnfon, that the Hufpah king, who had taken her prifoner and carried her off, informed her, he had orders from the Spanifh governor to fpare no white man, but to bring every negroe alive to Auguftine; and that rewards were given to Indians for their priforiers, to encourage them to engage in fuch rapaciou.s and murderous enterprizes. BY this time Chief Juftice Trott being fufpefted of Corn- holding a private correfpondence with the Proprietors, P'3TM1* to the prejudice of the Caroiineans, had incurred their Q,;ef .hatred and refentment. Richard AHein,Whitaker, and Jufticmany bafe and iniquitous practices. No lefs than thirty-one articles of com plaint againft him were prefented to the affefnbly, fctting forth, among other things, " That he had Hh " been 242 THE HI! TORY OF " been guilty of many pirtial judgments; that he *' had contrived many ways to multiply and increafe " his fees, to the great grievance of the fubject, and " contrary to acls of affembly; that he had contri- " ved a fee for continuing caufes from one term to " another, and put off the hearing of them for years; " that he took upon him to give advice in caufes " depending in his courts, and did not only ad as " counfcllor in that particular, but alfo had drawn " deeds between party and party, fome of which had " been contefted before him as Chief Juftice, and in " determining of which he had (hewn great partiali- " ties; with many more particulars; and, laftly, " complaining, that the whole judicial power of the " province was lodged in his hands alone, of which " it was evdent he had made a very ill ufe, he being " at the fame time fole judge of the courts of Com- " mon Pleas, King's Bench, and Vice-Admiralty; " fo that no prohibition could be lodged againft the " proceedings of the court, he being obliged, in fuch " a cafe, to grant a prohibition againft himfelf; he " was alfo, at the fame time, a member of the coun- " cil, and of confequence a judge of the Court of " Chancery." '. THOSE articles of complaint, though they took their rife from the bar, and might have proceeded in fdme meafure from envy, ill-will, or refentment, were neverthelefs too well grounded, and the fafts contain ed in the charge were fupported by ftrong evidence before the affembly. But as the Judge held his cominiffion from the Proprietors, he denied that he was accountable to the affembly for any part of his conduft in his judicial capacity; and declared that he would be anfwer- SOUTH CAROLINA. 243 anfwerable no where but in. England. The afiembly, however, fenfible that he held his commiflion only during good behaviour, fent a meffage to the Gover nor and Council, requefting they wpuld join them in reprefenting his partial and unjuft conduct in his of fice to the Proprietors, praying them either to remove him from his feat in the courts of juftice, or at leaft to grant him only one jurifdidtion, and the people liberty of appeal from his judgments. The Governor and major part of the council, convinced of the maleadminiftration of the Judge, agreed to join the Com mons in their reprefentation. But being fenfible of the great intereft the Chief Juftice had with their Lordfhips, they judged it moft prudent to fend one of their counfellors to England with their memorial, that it might find greater credit and weight, and the more certainly procure .redrefs; and Francis Yonge, a man of confiderable abilities, who had been prefent at all their debates, was pitched upon as one well qualified for giving their Lordfhips a faithful account of the whole matter. Accordingly Yonge, being furniflied with all the inftruclions, powers, and creden tials, neceflary to a commiffioner for the aggrieved party of the colonifls, fet fail for England, and arri ved in London early in the year 1719, SOON after his arrival, he waited on Lord Carte- ret, the Palatine; but as his Lordihip was prepa ring to fet out on an embafly to the court of Swe den, he referred him to the other Proprietors for an anfwer to his representation. When the Prop^e- tors met, Yonge prefented to them a memorial, fet- Laid be ting forth, " That he had been appointed by the pr'oe * Hh2 " Governor toi-s. 244. THE HI iTORY OF " Governor and Counc i of, South Carolina, to lay " before them, not only feveral als-of affembly paf. " fed there during their laft feflions for their appro" bation, but alfo to inform them of the reafons that f induced the Governor and Council to defer the ^ drflbiution of the affembly, in confequence of their " Lordfhips commands ; that he was inftrucled to ^ fliew their Lordlhips the arguments between the " upper and lower houfes of affembly, touching their " Lqrdfliips right of repealing laws ratified and con" firmed by their deputies; and prefeuted to them *' a fpeech made by Chief Juftice Trott at a general " conference of both houfes, together with 1 the an" fwer of the commons to it, and the feveral meffa" ges that paffed between them, which he hoped " would (hew their Lordfhips, that no arguments or " endeavours were wanting on their part, to aflert " the right the Proprietors had of repealing laws not " ratified by them. " AT the fame time, he was defined to requeft their *' Lordfhips to augment their Secretary's falary, to " allow the members of the council fo much money " for the time and expence of attending the council " on their fervice; to eftablim cuflom-houfe officers at " Beaufort; to grant fix thoufand acres of land to the " three garrifons at Congarees, Savanna Town, and " Apalachicola; and liberty of appealing from erro" neous judgments in law, which at that'time- th: " people had not, the whole judicial power in all the " provincial courts being lodged in the hands of one " man." Then he delivered to them, a letter from Governor Johnfon, the articles of .complaint againft Chief Juftice Trott, and the. joint addrefs of the Governor, SOUTH CAROLINA. -945 Governor, Council, and Affembly, praying to have him removed entirely from the bench, or confined to > fingle jurifdiftion. THIS memorial, however, xvas far from fatisfying the Proprietors, forne of whom inferred from it, that the people feemed to be induftrious in fearching for caufes of diffatisfaelion, and grounds of quarrel with them, with a view to make off the proprietary author rity, and renounce their allegiance. Their letters from Trott ferved to confirm the truth, which inti mated that Yt>nge, though an officer of the Proprie tors, by mean fubtilty and chicane had affifted the people.in forming plaufible pretences for that purpofe. For three months Yonge attended the Palatine's court, to give the board all poffible information about the fiate of affairs in .heir colony, and to accomplifli the ends of his appointment. After all, he was given to Their an* underftand, that the bufinefs on which he was fent was weu extremely difagreeable to them; that both the trouble he had taken, and the office he had accepted as agent for the people, were inconfiftent-with his duty as one of their deputies, bound to act agreeable to their inftructions. They declared their difpleafure with the members pf the council who had joined the lower houfe in their complaints againft Trott, and removed them from the board, appointing others in their place, and'increafing the number of members; and told Yonge, that he alfo would have been deprived of his feat, but for the high refpeft they had for Lord Cartaret, the abfent Palatine, whofe deputy he was. With refpeft to Chief Juftice Trott, they had too much confidence in his fidelity and .capacity to remove him from his office. On the con trary, they fent him a letter, thanking him, for his ex cellent THE HI TORY OF celletit fpeech in defence f their right ,of repealing all laws made in the coloay; together with a copy of the articles of complaint brought againft him, on purpofe to give him an opportunity of vindicating himfelf; at the fame time acquainting him, that it Was their opinion and order, that he withdraw from the council-board whenever appeals from his judg ments in the inferior courts {hall -be- brought before the' Governor and council as a court of chancery. How far Governor Johnfon, in their opinion, had deviated from his duty, in joining the other branches of the legiflature in their reprefentation, may he And let- learned from the Proprietors letter, brought over to ^m ^Y Yonge, which runs in the following words: ** Sir, we M railed none but fuch as afterwards ferved t others in the difficult progrefs of their future opera tions. AT the election of affembly in Charleftown^ Trott The peo- and Rhett, who formerly had fuch influence and fway, p s en* were now become fo obnoxious that they could not ment to bring one man into the houfe. Alexander Skene, formerly excluded from the council, was elected a member of this new affembly, which was chofen on purpofe to oppofe the civil officers, confidering him- felf as ill ufed by the Proprietors, turned a zealous and active perfon for pulling down the tottering fa bric of their government. This man, together with 18 feveral THE HI .TORY OF feveral other members -f afiembly, held frequent meetings, to confider of all their grievances, and the encouragements they had received from time to time from Britain, refpecting the gregt end they now had in view. They recalled to mind what had pafled in the IJoufe of Peers during the reign of Queen Anne, how her maj'elty had then ordered her Attorney and Solicitor-general to confider of the moft effectual me thods of proceeding againft the charter. They knew alfo, that a bill had been brought into the Houfe of Commons, for reducing all charter and proprietary governments into regal ones. They had been inform ed that Lord Carteret, confcious of the inability of the Proprietors to defend their province in the Yamaffee war, had publicly applied for affiftance froirt the Britim government, and that the Lords of trade were of opinion, that the government of the province ihould belong to that power which bore the fefcpence of its protection. They had confidered all thefe things, and flattered themfelves with the hopes, that the King ivould take the colony under his care as fobn as they renounced allegiance to the Proprietors. And as the time drew nigh in which they expected an attack from a powerful nation, they concluded that the province needed affiftance of the Crown at the prefent, more than at any time paft. They had convinced the peo ple of the manifold advantages of the Britim conftitution, and the great happlnefs of thofe colonies which were under the immediate care and protection of the Crown, infomuch that they now defired nothing more upon earth, than to enjoy the fame invaluable privi leges. To SOUTH CAROLINA. 457 To thefe fecret meetings and tranfactions Governor Johnfon, who lived at his plantation feveral miles,from Charleftown, was an entire ftranger, until he recei ved tke folloXving letter, bearing date November a8, 1719, and figned by Alexander Skene, George Lo- . gan, and William Biakeway. " Sir, we doubt not ter to t^ *' but you haVe heard of the whole province enter- Governor " ing into an aflbciation to ftand by their rights and la\I~- " privileges, and to get rid of the oppreffion and at- defign. " bitrary dealings of the Lords Proprietors. As we " always bore you the greateft deference and fefpeft " imaginable, we take this opportunity to let you " know, that the committe of the people's reprefen* tc tatives were laft night appointed to Wait on you. " this morningj to acquaint you, that they have come ** to a refolution to have no regard to the Prbprie- *' tors officers, iior their adminiftration: and withal " to beg, that your honour will hold the reigns of "government for the King, till his Majefty's pfea- " fure be known. The great value the whole coun- " try exprefs for your honour's perfon, makes them *' deflrous to have nobody but yourfelf to govern ' them ; and as you muft be convinced, that no per- " foHs Can be more paffionately fond of your go- " vernment than oiirfelves, we hope you will not take " amifs any advice given by faithful and affectionate " friends; and therefore we take the liberty to tell *' you freely, we Sre of opinion that your honour ' may take the government upon you, upon the of- " fer of the people, for the King, and reprefent to " the Proprietors, that rather than the whole coun- " try fhould be in confufion, and want a governing " power, you held it for their Lordthips, though ycTu Kk " were 258 THE HI TORY 0F " were obliged to comr, y with the colohifts, who " were unanimoufly of opinion they would have net " Proprietors government. We could wifh for a " longer and better opportunity to explain this mat" ter to you; but it is impoffible, for the gentlemen " will be with you in two hours at fartheft. We " heartily wifh your honour the utmoft fuccefs, let it " go which way it will; but beg leave to obferve, " that your compliance will not only be the.greateft " fatisfa&ion to the province in general, but alfo to " your humble fervants." Which THIS letter, though fraught with the higheft prolernoren- fe^10 " 8 f refpeQ: to the Governor, he neverthelefs deavours confidered as an infult; but efpecially the advice, to defeat. V(,jjjch ne deemed both highly derogatory to his integrity as a man, and his fidelity as a governor. The bait thrown out to appearance was fpecious and flattering, yet the Governor had too much pene tration, not to fee under its falfe colours the na ked hook. The letter, however, ferved to give him notice of the afTociation, and the refolution of the people, which it was his duty by all means pcffible to defeat. For this purpofe he haftened to town, and fummoned his council, to take their advice in a cafe fo unexpected and alarming. Meeting accident ally with Alexander Skene, he informed him that the committee who were appointed to wait on him had changed their minds, and were gone to their refpective places of abode. Governor Johnfon, neverthe lefs, informed his council of the aflbciation, and required their advice and afliflance about the moft ef fectual methods of breaking it up, and fupporting the proprietary government. He perceived that, although he SOUTH CAROLINA. 159 lie was eatled Governor, yet Trott ruled the province, and therefore refolved to do nothing without his ad vice, that he might be equally refponfible with the reft for the ill confequences which he was apprehenfive would attend their future proceedings. The coun cil were not a little perplexed what ftep To take; but as the committee had altered their intention of wait ing on the Governor, they were of opinion that no notice mould be taken of their proceedings, until the affembly fhould meet in a legal manner, revive the matter, and bring it regularly before them; hoping that the people, upon more cool reflection, might; drop their dangerous refolution. IN the mean time the members of afiembly were ufing their utmoft diligence among the people of the province to keep them firm to their purpofe, having got almoft every perfon, except the officers of the Pro prietors and a few of their friends, to fign the aflb- ciation. All agreed to fupport whatever their repre- fentatives fhould do for difengaging the colony fronv the yoke of the Proprietors, and putting it under the government of the King. Having thus fortified them- felves by the union of the inhabitants, the afiembly met on purpofe to take bolder and more decifive Aeps: and being apprehenfive that the Governor would diffolve them, fo foon as their proceedings reached his ears, they inftantly came to the following refolutions : " Firft, That the feveral laws pretended proceed- " to be repealed are flill in force within the province, ings of " and could not be repealed and made void and null ventjon * " but by the General Affembly of this province, and " that all public officers and others do pay due re- Kk 2 " gardL ' 2 6o T H E H I i T O IIY O F " gard to the fame accoi iingly. Secondly, That thq " writs, whereby the reprefentatives here met were " elecled, are illegal, becaufe they are figned by fuel} " a council as we conceive the Proprietors have not a " power to appoint; for that this council does confift " of'a greater number of meu;bcrs than that of the " Proprietors themfelves, which we believe is contrary " to the defign and original intent of their charter, and. " approaching too near the method taken by his ma" jefty and his predeceffors in his plantations, whom " they ought not to pretend to imitate or follow, his " majefty not being confined to any number of conn" fellors, but as lie thinks fit; but the Proprietors, " as fubjecls, we believe, are bound by their charter. " Thirdly, That we the representatives cannot aft at. *' an affembly, but as a convention delegated by th<; ' people, to prevent the ut'.er ruin of this government, " if not the lofs of the province> till his majelly's plea-. " fure be known : and, laiUy, That the Lords Pro prietors have by fuch proceedings unhinged the " frame of their governmcT.t, and forfeited their " right to the fame ; and that an addrefs be prepa" red, to defire the honourable Robert Johnfon, our " prefent Governor, to take the government upon " him in the King's name, and to continue the ad'* miniftration thereof until his majefty's pleafure be " known." AGREEABLE to the laft refolution, an addrefs was drawn up, figned by Arthur Middleton as prefident and twenty-.two members of the convention. The Governor having fent them a mefiage, acquainting them that he was ready with his council to receive and order them to chufe a fpeakcr; they came to the upper SOUTH CAROLINA. ?e fhaken by perfuafion, nor intimidated by threats, from their firm purpofe. " We have it. " already acquainted you, that we would not re- " ceiye SOUTH CAROLINA. 271 ' ceive any meflage or paper from your honour, in " conjunction with the gentlemen you are pleafed " to call your council; therefore we muft now again " repeat the fame, and beg leave to tell you, that " the paper your honour read and delivered to us, " we take no notice of, nor fhall we give any farther " anfwer to it but in Great Britain." IMMEDIATELY after this they came with the follow ing addrefs to. the Governor, publicly avowing their refolution to caft off all obedience to the proprietary government, and urging and intreating him to com ply with their defire, and take upon him the go vernment of the province in the name of the King. " It is with no fmall concern that we find our- u felves obliged to addrefs your honour, in a matter " which nothing but the abfolute neceffity of felf- " prefervation could at this juncture have prevailed " on us to do. The reafons are already by us made " known to your honour and the world, therefore " we forbear to rehearfe them ; but proceed to take " leave to aflure you, that it is the greateft fatisfac- " tion imaginable to us, to find throughout the whole " country, that univerfal affeclion, deference and re- " fpecl the inhabitants bear to your honour's perfon " and with what paffionate defire they wifli for a con- " tinuance of your gentle and good adminiftration ; " and fince we, who are intruded with, and are the " uffertors of their rights and liberties, are unani- " moufly of opinion, that no perfon is fitter to go- " vern fo loyal and obedient a people to his facred " majefty King George, fo we mod earneflly defire " and intreat your honour, to take upon you the ]9 " govern- 272 THE H STORY OF " government of this pn vince, in his majefty's name, " till his pleafure (hall be known ; by which means, " we are convinced, that this (at prefent) unfortu" nate colony may flourifh, as well as thofe who feel " the happy influence of his majefty's immediate " care. " As the well-being and prefervation of this pro" vince depends greatly on your honour's comply* " ing with our requefts, fo we flatter ourfelves, that " you, who have expreffed fo tender a regard for it " on all occafions, and particularly in hazarding your " own perfon in an expedition againft the pirates, " for its defence, an example feldom found in go" vernors; fo we hope, Sir, that you will exert " yourfelf at this juncture for its fupport; and we " promife your honour, on our parts, the moft faith" ful affiftance of perfons duly fenfible of your ho" nour's great goodnefs, and big with the hopes and " expectation of his majefty's countenance and protec" tion. And we farther beg leave to aflure yourho" nour, that we will, in the mofl dutiful manner, ad" drefs his moft facred majefty King George, for the *< continuance of your government over us, under '* whom we doubt not to be a happy people." To this flattering addrefs the Governor returned the following anfwer; fuch as became his honour and TheGo truft. I am obliged to you for your good opinion of anfwer. " me > ^ ut ^ hold my commiffion from the true and " abfolute Lords and Proprietors of this province *, " who recommended me to his majefty, and I have " hi* * This is the term the charter gi-res tbtaw. SOUTH CAROLINA. 273 his approbation ; it is by that commiflion and *< power I aft, and I know of no power or authority " can difpoiTefs me of the fame, but thofe only who " gave me thofe authorities. In fubordination to " them I {hall always aft, and to my utmoft main" tain their Lordfliips juft power and prerogatives, " without encroaching on the people's rights and " privileges. 1 do not expecl or defire any favour "' from you, only that of ferioufly taking into your " confiderat'ion the approaching danger of a foreign " enemy, and the fteps you are taking to involve l yoiirfelves and this province in anarchy and con" fufion." THE reprefentatives having now fully declared their The af- intentions, and finding it impoffible by ail their art {eTMTM7 andiiadid,re-i* to win !ov_ er /th- e .(jovernor to a compli-i- danifcljolvtje,ae, ance with their meafures, and to accept of the go- proceed- 1 O /* vernment only from his having the King's approba- tj!,fs _ tion, began to treat him with indifference and neglect, pie. He, on the other hand, perceiving that neither harfh nor gentle means could recal them to their duty and allegiance, and that they became the more outrage ous and ungovernable by his endeavours to this pur- pofe, iffued a proclamation for diffclving the houfe, and retired to the country. The reprefentatives or dered his proclamation to be torn from the marihal's hands, and proceeded next to avowed ufurpation. They met upon their own authority, and in direct bppofition to that of the Proprietors, and chole Co lonel James Moore their Guvenw; who was a man of a bold and turbulent dilpofuion, and excellently qualified for being a popular leader in perilous ad ventures. To Governor Johnfon he was no friend, - M r. having THE HI,' TORY OF having been by him rernc fed from his command of the militia, for warmly efpouiing the caufe of the people: to the Proprietors he was an inveterate ene my. In every new enterprise he had been a volun teer, and in whatever he engaged he continued to his purpofc fteady and inflexible. A day. was fixed by the Convention for proclaiming him, in name of the King, Governor of the province, and orders were iffued for directing all officers civil and military to con tinue in their different places and employments, till they (hall hear further from them. GOVERNOR Johnfon, fome time before this, had appointed a day for a general review of the provincial militia; and the Convention, that they might have the opportunity of the people being under arms, and ready to forward their fcheme, fixed on the fame day for publicly proclaiming Moore. The Governor, how ever, having intelligence of their defign, fent orders to Colonel Parris, the commander of the militia, to portpone the review to a future day. Parris, though a zealous friend to the revolution, in anfwcr affured him his orders fhould be obeyed. Notwithitanding this affurance, on the day fixed, when Governor John fon came to town, he found to his furprife the militia drawn up in the market fquare, colours flying at the forts, and on board all the {hips in the harbour, and great preparations making for the proclamation. Exafperated at the infults offered to his perfon and au thority, he could fcarcely command" his temper and reftrain his refentment. Some he threatened to chsftife for flying in the face of government, to which they had fworn allegiance and fidelity. With others he cool ly reafoned, and endeavoured to recal them by repre- fen ting SOUTH C A R O L I N A. 275 fenting the fatal confequences that would certainly attend fuch rafh proceedings. But advancing to Parris, who had betrayed him, he afked him, how he durft appear in arms contrary to his orders ? and . commanded him, in the King's name, inftantly to difperfe his men. Colonel Parris infolentiy replied, lie was obeying the orders of the Convention. The Governor in great rage walked up towards him ; upon which Parris immediately commanded his men to prefent, and bid him at the peril of life advance no nearer. The Governor expected, during this ftruggle, that fome friends would have flood by him, cfpecially fuch as held offices of profit and truft under the Proprietors, or that the militia would have laid down their arms at his command : but he was difappointed; for all either flood filent, or kept firm to the ftandard of the Convention. However, to amufe him, and prevent his taking any rafh ftep in the heat of paffion, John Lloyd, one of their party, was fent, out of pretence of friendfhip, to walk and converfe with the Governor. Vain indeed were the efforts of a fingle arm, in fo general a defection. Even Trott and Rhett, in this extremity, forfook him, and kept at a diltance, the filent and inactive fpectators of their matters ruined authority. AFTER this the members of Convention attended, James and, efcorted by the militia, publicly marched to the fort, and there declared James Moore governor of the province in name of the King, which was follow- nor. ed by the loudeft acclamations of the populace. Upon their return, they next proceeded to the clcclion of twelve counfellors, of whom Sir Hovenden Walker M HI i v.as ;6 THE HI TORY OF \vas made prefident. In Hs, however, it is remark able, that they afTumcd a right and power to themfclve's which they had refilled to the Proprietors, and made one of the principal articles of complaint againd them. So that thcIV rcvoli.uiom.TK had now their Governor, Council ami (.'.wv.mtion, and all of their own free election. In confi.-qucncc of which the de legates met, and, in the fir!' place, rd'olvi-d to publifh The de- their declaration, to the following dfc ct: " Whereas o^thc* " ^1C PrPri etors ' th'is province have of late anV Conven- " med to. themfclves an arbitrary and illegal power, Of repealing fuch laws as the General Affembly of " this fettlement have thought fit to make for the " prefervation and defence thereof, and acted in ma" ny other things contrary to the laws of England, " and thr charter to them and us, freemen, granted; " whereby we are deprived of thofe meafures we " had taken for the defence of the fettlement, being " the fouth-\yeft frontier of his majefty's territories " in America, and thereby left naked to the attacks " of our inveterate enemies and next-door neigh" bours the Spaniards, from whom, through the " divine Providence, \ve have had a iiiirncuioiis tie" liverance, and daily expel to be invaded by them, " according to the repeated advices we have from *' time to time received from fcveral places : And " whereas, purfuant to the inftrucYions and authori" ties to us given, and truft in us repofed by the in" habitants of this fettlement, and in execution of " the refolutions by us made, we did in due form " apply ourfelves in a whole body, by an addrefs, to " the honourable Robert Johnfon, appointed gover'*' r.or of this province by the Lords Propnt-fors, and " dcfircd SOUTH CAROLINA. 27? ** defired him, in name of the inhabitants of this " province, to take upon him the government of the " fame, and in behalf of his majefty the King " of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, until his " majefty's pleafure had been known, which the " faid Governor refufing to do, exclufive of the pre*' tended power of the Lords Proprietors over the " fettlement, has put us under the neceffity of apply" ing to feme other perfon, to take upon him, as " Governor, the adminiftration df all the affairs civil " and military within the fettlement, in the name " and for the fervice of his moil fecred majefty, as * well as making treaties, alliances and leagues with " any nation of Indians, until his majefty's pkafure " herein be further known.: And whereas James " Moore, a perfon well affected to his prefent maje" fty, and aifo zealous for the intereft of the fettle" ment, now in a finking condition, has been pre*' vailed with, purfuant to fuch our application, to f take upon him, in the King's name, and for the " King's fervice and fafety of the fettlement, the " above-mentioned charge and truft: We therefore, f whofe names are hereunto fubfcribed, the repre(t fentatives and delegates of his majefty's liege peo*' pie and free-born fubjefts of the faid fettlement, " now met in convention at Charleftown, in theif ^ names, and in behalf of his facred Majefty George, " by the grace of God king of Great Britain, France, ft and Ireland, in consideration of his former and " many great fervices, having great confidence in " his firm loyalty to our moft gracious King George, " as well as in his conduct, courage, and other great " ablit-ies; do hereby declare the faid James Moore " his majefty's Governor of this fettlement, inverted " with THE HI, TORY OF " with all the powers am authorities belonging and " appertaining to any of his majefty's governors in " America, till his majefty's pleafure herein (hall be " further known. And we do hereby for ourfelves, " in the name and on the behalf of the inhabitants " of the faid fettlement, as their reprefentatives and " delegates, promife and oblige ourfdves mod ib" lemnly to obey, maintain, affift and fupport the *' faid James Moore, in the adminiftration of all af" fairs civil and military within this fettlement, as " well as in the execution of all his functions afore" faid, as Governor for his facred majefty King " George. And further, we do expect and coin" mand, that all officers both civil and military with" in the fettlement, do pay him all duty and obedi" ence as his majefty's Governor, as they fhall an" fvver to the contrary at their utmo'l peril. Given " under our hand, at the Convention, this 2: ft day "of December, 1719." GOVERNOR Johnfon, after this public and folemn declaration, perceiving his power totally overthrown, and the current too violent and ftvong for him to withftand, had little hopes of recalling them to the obedience of proprietary authority. Still, however, he flattered himfelf, that inch men as had ufurped the government in oppofition to h\\-fui authority would not long remain in a ftate of union, harmony and peace among themfelves. The finl unpopular ilep of their Governor might create difturbance and difaffection; the firft difference among the leading men might di vide them into parties: he determined to wait for fucli occurrences, and to improve them towards recover- - ing SOUTH CAROLINA. ing his power and command. In the mean time he called together the civil officers of the Proprietors, and ordered them to fecure the public records, and fliut up all offices againfl the revolutioners and their adherents. THAT the proprietors in England might have no tice of what had happened through a proper channel, *I "e "" Governor Johnfon drew up a ftate of the whole pro- tranfmits ceedings, and tranfmitted it them. He told them that an ac-_ the colonifts had long laboured under difficulties and ^"^hole hardfliips, by debts contracted in the Indian war, and 'proceedin protecting their trade againft pirates; that an un- thFProhappy difference had broke out between their Lord- prietors. fhips and the people, about the privileges of their charter; that fome of the richeft of the inhabitants had perfuaded the reft, that neither they themfelves nor their pofterity could ever be fafe in their perfons, or fecure in their properties, without the protection of the crown : That they had therefore with one accord difclaimed and renounced all obedience to their Lordfhips, and put themfelves under the care and government of the King ; that he, though earneftly foliated by them, had refuied to govern them in any other way, than as commiffionecl and ap pointed by the Lords proprietors; that the people ior that rcitfon had fhaken oft" his author i-t.yj and chof-n another Governor for themfelves in name and behalf of the King : In fliort, that the revolution was in no ways occafioned by his imprudence or mal-adminillration, and therefore he hoped, what ever might be the iffiie, that their Lord (hips would ufe thei-r iniereft to continue him in the government t the province. To the fame purpofc- he wrote to the THE HIS roar OF the Lords Commiffioners if trade and plantations, who were no friends to the proprietary governments in America, and waited for fucli a favourable feafon as now offered in Carolina to purchafe every one of them for the crown. IN the mean time the members of the popular le- giflature were going on, and with all their diligence and {kill regulating public affairs. The reprefenta- tives of the people took a diflike to the name of a Convention, as different from that of the other regal governments in America, and therefore voted them- felves an Affembly, and aflumed the power of appoint ing all public officers. In place of Nicholas Trottj they made Richard Allein Chief Juftice. Another per- fon was appointed Provincial Secretary, in the room of Charles Hart. But William Rhett and Francis Yonge, by becoming obfequious to the humours of the revolutioners, fecured to themfelves the fame offices they held from the Proprietors. Colonel Barnwell was chofen agent for the province, and em barked for England, with inftructions and orders to apply only to the King, to lay a ftate of their pub lic proceedings before him, praying him to take the province under his immediate care and protection. The Re- ^ new duty-law and others for railing money to volution- defray the various expences of government were pa'fers ap- .fccj t -j-fa fortifications at Charleftown they ordered officers, to be immediately repaired, and William Rhett, and eila- whorn every one efleemed a friend to the rcvoluabulitfhhotrhietyir, ti. on, was nomi.natedi Iicfrpecnlor-gcn erali crc thre t'tepairs. To their new Governor they voted two thoufand five hundred pounds, and to their Chief Jufiice' .tight hundred current money, as yearly falarics. To 2 their SOUTH CAROLINA. 281 their agent in England one thoufand pounds fterling was tranfmitted: and to defray thofe and the other expences of .government, a law .was pafied for laying a tax on lands and negroes, to raife thirty thoufand pounds Carolina-money, for the fervice f the current year. In (hort, this popular affembly impofed fuch burderts on their conitituents, as under the proprietary government would have been deem ed intolerable grievances. IN confequence of the rax-acl:, when they began to levy thoie heavy taxes, Governor johnibn and fome of his party refufed to pay, giving for reafon. that the aft was not made by lawful authority. On ac count of his particular circumftances, Mr. johnfon was exempted; but they refolved to compel every other perfon to fubmit to their jurifdiction, and yield implicit obedience to their laws. They forcibly feized the effefts or negroes of fuch as refufed;, fold them at public auclion, and applyed the money for the pay ment of their taxes. Thus, in fpite of all oppofition, they eftabliflied themfelves in the full pofiefiion of government, both in their legiflative and executive capacities. GOVERNOR Johnfon, though obliged to ftand at a In vain diftance, carefully obferved their progrefs, and was not the ^" a little mortified by their great fuccefs. He however ftill tempts to perfifted in throwing every obftacle poffible in their way: difconcert he wrote to William Rhett, who was not only the Pro- em' prietors Receiver-general, but alfo Comptroller of the cuftoms, a letter to the fol lowing erFecl; informing him, That " as the people had found means to hinder all ma- " fters of fliips from coming to him as the Governor for Nn " clearances. THE HIS f DRY OF "clearances, and from clt ring in the lawful fecreta" ry's offices, notwithftandmg the laws of trade made " fuch neglects the forfeiture of fhip and cargo, and the " naval officer, by his orders, did all he could to induce " them to act according to law: and as he was fenfi" ble that the defection was fo general, and his au" thority fo deprefled, that he had no power left to " punifh them for difobedience ; he therefore could " think of no other way to oblige them to their duty " but by {topping their obtaining clearances from the " cuftom-houfe officers, until they paid their diky to "him as the lawful governor of the province. He " therefore defired Mr. Rhett would confult his pow" ers and inftruflions as Surveyor and Comptroller " of the cufloms, and aft in this affair as he mould " think agreeable to them, to the laws of trade, " and to the ferviee of his majefty, and of the " Lords Proprietors." Indeed it muft be acknow ledged, had Rhett fo far confulted the intereft of the Proprietors, as to have commanded the officers of the cuftoms to do their duty, according to the Governor's project, it would have given the revolutioners no finall trouble. They would have had the mortification to fee the matters of fhips difowning their authority, and going only to that office where they could obtain authentic and legal clearances. The fees due to the Governor and Secretary would alfo have gone in their ufual channel, which otherwife were transferred to fuch perfons as had no juft right, nor Rhett re- evcn tne final left pretenfions to them. But Rhett's endience to mty to ^e Governor, and his profpecls of profit from hisordeis. the prevailing party, induced him to negleft the duties of his ftatibn. He had already joined, or at leaft feemed1 to join, the revolutioners, being determined to SOUTH CAROLINA. 283 to retain at all events his places of profit and emolu ment. The countenance and encouragement he had given the people, they confidered as a justification of their meafures-, and though they had pafled" a vote, that no perfon who held an office under the Proprie tors fiiould be permitted to contiwue in it, yet, as they found Rhett fo obfcquious to their, views, they thought proper to difpenfe with it for an acquifition of fuch importance. They not only allowed him to continue in his former offices, but alfo made him Lieutenant-General of the militia, and Overfeer to the works in repairing the fortifications. So tjiat, inftead of giving afiiftance to Governor Johnfon for fupporting the intereft. and power of the proprietary government, he fhamefully deferted him, betrayed his truft, and joined the revolutio.ners, RHETT, neverthelefs, to the aftonifhment of eve- And pre- ty one, ftill maintained his credit with the Proprie- *cn'" tilc tors, and had the art to perfuacle them he had done dence of all out of zeal for the fervice of his majelly, and for the Pro- the good of the province. He wrote them two letters, pl "" r" giving them an account of all that had happened, and affuring them he had accepted of a commiinon from Mr. Moore, in order the more effectually to promote their intereft, by giving him an opportunity of con- verfing freely with the people, and periaading them to return to their duty and allegiance. He rcprefent- ed the inflexibility of Governor Johnfon as one fource of the difcontent and defcdion of the people, and utterly inconfiftent with good policy. He told them, that there are times when the minds of men \viil not bend to authority, when the rigid exertion cf power defeats its end, and when lenity bcconu-s a more Kn2 cfS;-ciou3 284 THE HIST ORY OF efficacious remedy againft di affection to government than feverity. The Proprietors believed him, and fuch was their confidence in his honour and fidelity, that they fent him a letter expreffing their approba tion of his conduit, in the following words: " We " have received your letters, wherein you give us a " melancholy account of the prefent confufed govern" ment of our province, and of the great confterna *' tion of the inhabitants, from the dreadful appre" henfion they have of a foreign invafion. But fince " they have been fo unfortunate as to bring them" felves into fo much confufion, we are not a little " pleafed that your zeal for the fervice of his majefty, " and the fafety of the province, has engaged you " to take upon you the command of the forces; for " as, by your command of the faid forces, you for-T " merly defended and faved the country from the in" fults of an invading enemy, fo we doubt not but " you will again ufe your utmoft fltill to free your " fame fellow-fubjecls from the imminent danger " they at prefent labour under. And fince you have " taken upon you the fame command, we earneftly " intreat you, that, with the greateft application, you " will continue your endeavours in that command " fof the fafety and prefervation of the province, " until you fhall hear farther from us: We wifh you " all imaginable fuccefs, and bid you heartily fare" well." IN the mean time Governor Johnfon received cer tain advice, that the Spaniards had failed from the Havanna with a fleet of fourteen fliips, and a force confiding of twelve hundred men, againft South Ca rolina and Providence liland, and it was uncertain wbkk SOUTH CAROLINA. 485 and nothing to hope for from their Governor. The many attempts made to defeat their meafures were alfo evidences of his' fidelity to their Lordfhips, and firmnefs in fupport of their government. He indeed differed with Trott and Rhett, the two favou rites of the Proprietors, and perhaps to this, among other caufes, the negledl with which he was treated by their Lordfhips may be afcribed. For as they difcovered on all occafions fuch a partial regard to thefe men, and placed fuch unlimited confidence Oo in THE HIS TORY OF in them, the perfon who di j'eredfrom them, however fair and unbleniifhed his character, however firmly attached to their intereft, was not likely, in fuch circumftances of trouble and difficulty, to efcape all injurious fufpicions. We have blamed the Pro prietors in many refpefts with regard to the management jf. their colony, and we cannot think them worthy of praife in withdrawing their coun tenance and friendfhip from a Governor, who manifeRed fuch zeal and refolution in fupport of their authority. Being equally fubjecl to the laws of their country with the Garolineans over whom -they ruled,, their power was likely to be feeble, even when exercifed in the nioft.'prudent and gentle manner; but more efpecially when executed with rigour. Britifii fubjecls in general abhor oppreffion, even from a fupreme, and it could fcarcely be expe&ed they would tamely fubnlit to it,' from a fubordinate jurifdidion. IN the mean time the agent for Carolina had pro cured a hearing from the Lords of the regency and council in England, the King being at that time in Hanover; who gave it as their opinion, that the Proprietors had forfeited their charter, and ordered the Attorney-general to take out a fcire facias againft it. In confequence of which, in September Francis 1720, they appointed General Francis Nicolfon proanpoint- v ^ona^ Governor of the province, with a commifedCover- fion from the King. Nicolfon was a man poffeiTed. rneogrebnyctyh.e Qf ajj tke honourable pr rinciples of a good foldier. He was generous, bold, and fleady. He had been Gover nor of feveral different colonies, and it was thought his knowledge and experience in provincial affairs would render him well qualified for the important truft. He SOUTH CAROLINA. 291 He knew his duty as commander and chief, and was afraid of neither dangers nor difficulties in the execution of it 5 a warm friend to the King, and deeply concerned for the profperity of his country : fcarcely could they have pitched upon a man more fit to govern the province in fuch a confufed and iniferable ftate. UPON a review of thofe paft tranfaclions, and the General various caufes which concurred for bringing about onsontiie - this event, which 1 have narrated the more fully whole and circumftantially on account of the interefting tranfactions. nature and important confequences of the change, we may obferve, that although the conduct of the Carolineans during this violent ftruggle cannot, ftriSJy fpeaking, be deemed legal, equitable and juft, yet neceffity, which has no law, and felf-prefcr- vation, the moft powerful principle of affion, both ftrongly plead in their vindication. When the Pro prietors firft applied to the King for a grant of this large territory, at that time occupied by heathens, it is faid they were excited thereto by their zeal for the propagation of the Chriftian faith; yet it is now- plain that they have either ufed no endeavours for that purpofe, or they have been utterly ineffectual. The Society for the propagation of the Gofpel have indeed employed and fupported miflionaries- for the converfion of thofe heathens; yet it is a lamentable truth, that their bed endeavours have been vaftly inadequate to the extent of the work, and therefore their fuccefs has proved fmall and inconfiderable. The Proprietors by their charter were empowered to build churches and chapels within the bounds of their province for divine worfhip; yet they Oo 2 have 20.2 THE H STORY OF have left the burden c f this work entirely to the inhabitants, who have received no encouragement nor affiftance, except from the incorporated So ciety, towards its accomplimment. They were impowered by their charter to erecl: caflles and forts for the protection and defence of the colony; but all thofe the people have alfo been obliged to raifc. at their own expence. By the charter his Malefty faved to himfelf, his heirs arid fucceffors, the, ibvereign dominion of the province, and the faith and allegiance of his fubjeds, the inhabitants of it, declaring them to be the liege people of the crown of England ; yet the Proprietors have aflumed to themfelves a defpotic authority in repealing and abrogating, by themfelves alone, laws made by the Affembly, and ratified by their deputies in Caro lina. They not only tyrannized over the poor colony, but alfo employed and protected officer* ten times more tyrannical than themfelves. When the whole Icgiflature complained of Chief Juflice Trott, they paid n,o regard to their complaints, and abfolutely refufed to circumfcvibe his jurifdiftion, or remove him from the bench. In times of immi nent danger, when the colony applied to them for affiflance, they were either unable or unwilling to bear the expence of its protection. When the Af fembly allotted the Indian lands obtained by conquefl for the encouragement of fettlcrs, to ftrengthcn the Provincial frontiers, the Proprietors claimed the fole right of difpohng of thofe lands, and fruftiated their plans of public fecunty. When the trade of the province was infefled and ruined by pirates, they could neither obtain a force fufficient to extir pate them, nor a ccnirrmation of their laws made {or defraying SOUTH CAROLINA. 493 defraying the expence of fuch expeditions as the co lony fitted out againft them. The current money of the province, Stamped for anSwering its public exigen ces, was, at the requeft of the merchants of London, cried down and cancelled. In fhort, the people faw no end of troubles and dangers. Sad exigence dic tated the neceffity of fome remedy againft their poli tical evils. No remedy under heaven appeared to them fo proper and effectual as that of throwing themfelves under the immediate care and protection of the crown of Great Britain. For under the excellent constitution of England, where the fupreme power was both able and willing to protect them againft every enemy, they evidently perceived they could only live happy and fecure ; therefore, lick of the feeble proprietary government., the people, after many violent Struggles and convulsions, by one bold and irregular effort entirely (hook off the yoke, and a revolution, fruitful of happy confequences, took place, to their great relief and unfpeakablc fatisfaftion. THE Proprietors, after long trial and frequent amendrnents, now finding that fine-fpun fyftem, by which they flattered themfelves with having avoided the inconveniencies and fupplied the defects of the Englifh form of government, ufelefs and impracticable, were at length convinced, that it was a much eafier thing to find fault with the constitution of Old England than to mend it. They now perceived that all fajpis of government muft be made for men as they really are, and not for them as they ought to be, and that it was impoliible for the wifelt legislators upon earth to mould men into any form they pleafed by laws and THE HI'5 TORY OF and regulations. From ti e firft fettlement of thi< colony, one perpetual itruggle has fubfifted between the Proprietors and poffeffors of the province. A divifion fomewhat fimilar to that of the "conn and country parties in England, early fprung up in the fettlement, and kept it in continual ferment and agi tation. The exertions of proprietary power and pre rogative, the people confidered as inconfiftent with their rights and privileges; hence they became tur bulent and feditious, and were feldom fatisfied with their governors in their public capacity, however efteemed and beloved as private men. The hands of government were always weak, and the inftrucYions and regulations received from England were, for the mod part, ill adapted to the local circumftances of the people, and the firft flate of colonization. The pa latines in England and Germany, whole jurifdidlion and authority have been eftabliflied by time, and whofe governments have acquired firmnefs and (labi lity, would probably have deemed this ufurpation illegal and rebellious, and punifhed the authors and abettors of it. No doubt a firm yet moderate oppofition to the meafures of government in defence of the rights and liberties of the people, differs as much from ufurpation, as a wholefome remedy to a difordered conftitution differs from deadly poifon. But the great diftance, dangerous circutnitatices, and complicated hardihips of the Carolineans; the negligence, bad poli cy and tyranny of the Proprietors; all concurred to ren der their ufurpation not only excufeable, but abfolutely neceflary. The Revolution in England had exempli fied and confirmed the doctrine of refinance, when the executive magiftrate prefumes to violate the fun damental SOUTH CAROLINA. 295 damental laws, and fubvert the conftitution of the nation. The Proprietors had done ads, which the Lords in regency had declared amounted to a forfei ture of their charter, and had ordered a writ of fare facias to be taken out, for repealing their patent and rendering the grant void and null. By which means all political connection between the Proprietors and people of Carolina was now entirely diflblved, and a new relation formed, the King having taken the province under his immediate care and protection, and made it a part of the Britifh empire. ABOUT the beginning of the year 1721, Francis , Nicolfon arrived in Carolina, and having the fanlion r;vai oc. of the Britifh government for his appointment, Mr. cafions Johnfon acquiefced in his authority, and made no mon j0y. more efforts in behalf of the Lords Proprietors. The people in general congratulated one another on the happy change, and received General Nicolfon with the moft uncommon and extravagant demonftrations of joy. The voice of murmur and difcontent, together with the fears of danger and oppreffion, were now banifhed from the province. Happy under the royal care, they refolved to forget all former an'unofities and divifions, and bury all paft offen ces in eternal oblivion. The only contention now remaining was, who fhould be the moft faithful fubje&s of his majefty, and the moft zealous in promoting the union, peace and profperity of the fettlement. From a confufed and diftrafted ftate they now looked upon themfelves as happily delivered, and anticipated in imagination all the bielfings of freedom and fecurity, followed by indufty and plenty, approaching, 296* THE HIS' ORY OF approaching, and as it we 2 ready to diffufe their happy influence over the country. SOON after his arrival, Governor Nicolfon iflued writs for the election of a new affembly, who now en tered with great temper and cheerfulnefs on the regu lation of provincial affairs. They chofe James Moore, their late popular governor, fpeaker of the houfe, of whom the Governor declared his entire approbation. The pco- The firft bufinefs they engaged in, was to make an perecog- ^Q.^ declaring they recognized and acknowledged his Georgeas facred majefty King George to be the rightful Sove- theirJawrfeuilgfno.ve- rejgn of a,,'l tne dGomrei.anti.oBnrsitaainnd, France, and Ireland, provi.nces ,belongi.ng and of to the empire, and in particular his undoubted right to the province of Carolina. All actions and fuits at law commenced on account of the late adminiftration of James Moore by particular perfons, creating mifun- derftandings and animofities among the people, were declared void and null, till his majefly's pleafurc touching fuch adminiftration fhall be known ; but all judicial proceedings under the fame adminiftration were confirmed ; which acls were at this time judged proper and neceffary for eftablifliing harmony and tranquillity among the inhabitants. The two parties formerly fubfilting, the one compofed of a few ad herents to Governor Johnfon, and the other of the followers of James Moore, Nicolfon had the good fortune to unite, and, by the wifdpm and equity of his adminiftration, to render both equally happy and contented under the royal government and protec tion* t EEFORI SOUTH CAROLINA. 297 BEFORE Governor Nicolfon left England, a fufpenfion of arms between Great Britain and Spain had been publifhed, and^ by the treaty of peace which af terwards took place, it was ftipulated and agreed, that all fubje&s and Indians living under their diffe rent jurifdiflions fhould ceafe from a wefe defcendents of French mily of " refugees, who came into Carolina after the rcvoDutartre. catjon of the efo& of Nantz . They lived in " Orange-quarter, and though in low circumftan" ces always maintained an honefl character, and " were efteemed by their neighbours perfons of " blamelefs and irreproachable lives. But at this " time a (trolling Moravian preacher happening to " come to that quarter where they lived, infmuated " himfelf into their family, and partly by converfa" tion, and partly by the writings of Jacob Behman, " which he put into their hands, filled their heads " with wild and fantaftic ideas. Unhappily for the " poor family thofe ftrange notions gained ground " on them, infomuch that in one year they began ~" to withdraw themfelves from the ordinances of " public worfhip, and all converfation with the world " around them, and ftrongly to imagine they were " the only family upon earth who had the know" ledge of the true God, and whom he vouchfafed " t,6 inftruQ:, either by the immediate impulfes of " his Spirit, or by figns and tokens from heaven. " At length it came to open vifions and revelations. " God raifed up a prophet among them^ like unto '' Mofes, to whom he taught them to hearken. " This SOUTH CAROLINA. 303 " This prophet was Peter Rombert, who had mar" ried the eldeft daughter of the family when a wi" dow. To this man the Author and Governor of " the world deigned to reveal, in the plaineft man" ner, that the wicked riefs of man was again fo " great in the world, that as in the days of Noah he " was determined to deftroy all men from off the face " of it, except one family whom he would fave for " raifing up a godly feed upon earth. This reve" lation Peter Rombert was fure of, and felt it as " plain as the wind blowing on his . body, and the " reft of the family, with equal confidence and pre" fumption, firmly believed it. " A FEW days after this, God was pleafed to re* veal .himfelf a fecond time to the prophet, fay" mg, Put away the woman whom thou haft for thy " wife, and when I have deftroyed this wicked ge" nerationy I will raife up her firtt hufband from the " dead, and they ihall be man and wife as before, " and go chou and take to wife her youngeft filter, " who is a virgin, fotfhaHthe chofen family be re" ftored entire, and the holy feed preferred pure " and undented in it. At firft the father, when he " heard of this revelation, was ftaggered at fo ex" traordinary a command from heaven; but the pro" pjiet affured him that God would give him a fign, " which accordingly happened ; upon which the old " man took his youngeft daughter by the hand, " and gave her to the wife prophet immediately for " his wife, who without further ceremony took the " damfel and deflowered her. Thus for fome time " they continued in acts of inceft and adultery, un- '" til , $04 THE HIS TORY OF " til that period which i iade the fatal difcoveryj " and introduced the bloody fcene of blind fanati- " cifm and madnefs. " THOSE deluded wretches were fd far pofiefled R Y O F It is hard for the wifdom of men to conceive a re medy for a diftemper fuch as religious infatuation. Severity and perfccution commonly add ftrength to the contagion, and render it more furious. Indul gence and lenity might perhaps pro,ve mere effi cacious, as the fwellings of phrenzy would in time fubfide, in proportion a they exceed the bounds of nature. Had they given this unhappy fa mily time for cool thought and reflection, it is not 'improbable that thofe clouds of delufion which overfpread their minds might have difper-fed, and they might have returned to a fenfe of their frailty and error. But it belongs to the civil power to pro hibit wild enthufiafts and mad vifionaries from fpreading doctrines' among vulgar people, deftrutlive of civil order and public peace. The majority of man kind every where are ignorant and credulous, and therefore are objects of companion, and ought to be protefted agairift the baleful influence of fuch men as feduce them from their duty and fubjeelion to legal authority, by poifoning their minds with notions hurtful to themfelves and others. EroTi-efs ABOUT this time the number of white inhabitants, 6f 'he including men, women, and children, was computed co any. tQ amouRt to fourteen thoufand, an incrcafe, in the fpace of fifty-four years after the arrival of the firft colony, very linall and inconfiderable, and occafipned, no doubt, both by the unheakbinefs of the cli mate and by the difcouragements and troubles which prevailed during the proprietary government. The province now furnifhed the inhabitants with provifions in abundance, and exported what it could fp'are to the Weft Indies. The white inhabitants lived frugally, as luxnrj" SOUTH CAROLINA. 305 'luxury had not yet crept in among them, and, except a little rum and fugar, tea and coffee, were content ed with what their plantations afforded. Maize and Indian peafe feemed congenial with the foil and cli mate : and as they had been cultivated by the favages for provifion, they were found alfo to be excellent food for European labourers, and more wholefome and nouriftiing than rice. Maize delights not to grow on a watry foil, but on dry and loofe land, fuch as the higher fpots on the maritime parts of the province. As the ufe of the plow could not be introduced until the lands were cleared of the roots of trees, to prepare a field for planting it great labour was requifite. They commonly made ridges with the hoe about fivefeet afunder, upon the top of which they planted the fe,ed three inches deep. One gallon of maize will fow an acre, which, with fkilfal management on good lands, will yield in favourable feafons from thirty to fifty bufhels. While it grows it requires to be frequently weeded, and the earth carefully thrown up about the root of the plant, to facilitate its progrefs. As it rifes high, at the root of it the Indian peafe. are ufually planted, which climb up its ftalk like a vine, fo that the lands yield a double crop. From the ftem of maize large blades fpring, which the planters carefully gather, and which, when properly cured, the horfes or cattle will prefer before the fineft hay. Thefe two articles, maize, Indian, peafe, together with the Spanifh potatoes, art the chief fubfiftence of their flaves, confiding chiefly of negroes and a few Indians, and who, at this time, men, women, and children, amounted to between fixteen and twenty thoufand. 3io THE HIS r ORY OF IN the year 1724, four h indrcd and thirty-nine flavcs, as alfo Britifh goods and manufactures of dif ferent kinds, to the amount of between fifty and fixty thoufand pounds fterling, were imported into the province In exchange for thefe flaves and commodifies, eighteen thoufand barrels of rice, and about fifty-two thoufand barrels of pitch, tar and turpentine, together with deer-fkins, furs, and raw filk, were ex ported to England. This trade was carried on almoft entirely in Britifh mips, and employed a number of hands. The Carolineans alfo traded to the Weft In dies, and feveral fmall mips and. {loops were employed in carrying provifions, lumber, ftaves and naval ftores to thefe iflands, which they bartered for fugar, rum, molaffes, coffee, cotton, and Spanifli gold and filver. To New England, New York, and Pennfylvania, they fent fome rice, hides, deer-fkins, tar and pitch, which they exchanged for flour, fait fifh, fruit, beer, and cyder, ALL gold and filver that came into the province from the Weft Indies they commonly fent into Bri tain, to anfwer the demands againft them ; and bills of credit continued increafing and circulating, for the convenience of domeflic commerce. Forty thou fand pounds were iffued during Nicolfon's govern ment, over and above former emiffions, by which increafe the exchange with Britain, and the price of produce arofe in one year from five to fix hundred per cent. This has never failed to be the confequence of iffuing large quantities of paper money in Carolina : for whenever this currency was per mitted to increafe beyond what was neceffary for the purpofes of commerce, it funk in value, and pro- SOUTH CAROLINA. 311 proportionally increafed the nominal price of provifions and labour; and of courfe fhould it by any accident be diminifhed, the price would again fall. Befides this, when the imports happened to ex ceed the exports, the great demand for bills of ex change railed the price of them, and helped to increafe the depreciation. of the current money of the province. AMONG other traders, at this time Othneal .Beale The ad- commanded a fhip in the Carolina trade ; and while 0 failing from Charleftown to London, not being Beale. provided with a Mediterranean pafs, he was takeri by an Algerine rover, who determined to carry him to Barbary, and for this purpofe took the Englifh failors 'on board, and manned Captain Beale's fhip with Algerines, giving them orders to follow him to the Mediterranean fea. Soon after, a ftorm arifing in the night feparated the two fhips, and Captain Beale being the only perfon on board that underftood navi gation, refolved to avail himfelf of the advantage, and accordingly, inftead of failing for Africa, fleered. direftly for England. Upon his arrival the Algerine failors were furprized, but not at all difpleafed ; they even confefTed to their ambaflador the kind ufage they had received ; upon which Captain Beale had all he loft returned by agreement, together with thanks for his humanity. This bold adventure likewife pro cured the captain the honour of an introduction to the King, who expreffed a defire of feeing him, and ordered Lord Carteret, then Secretary of flare, to make him a handfome prefent on the occafion. This memorable anecdote being publiflied, ferved to mark him for a man of addrefs and courage in - Carolina, 3 i2 THE HISTC RY OF Carolina, where he afterwards ook up his refidence, and in time arrived at the chief command of the militia, was made a member of his majefty's council, and died at the age of eighty-five, a rare inftance of longevity in that country. Arthur Middleftoidnenptr.e- I NT the year 1725, Governor Nicolfon having o'btained leave from his majefty, returned to Great B_ ri. tai. n, and, the government d,evol,vedi on A, rth, ur Middlcton, prefideut of the council. Mr. Middieton, though of a referved and mercenary difpofition, was a fenfible rnan, and by no means ill qualified for go verning the province. But having fucceeded a man who liberally fpent all his falary and perquisites of of fice in promoting the public good, he was neither fo much diftinguiihed nor refpe&ed among the colonifts. Being poflefied of a moderate fortune, his chief ftudy was to improve it, and he feemed to afpire after the character of a rich man in private life, ra ther than that of a popular governor and generous benefa&or. As he had taken an a<5live part againft the proprietary government, he was not infenfible of the advantages now gained from the countenance given them by the crown, and was equally careful to promote loyalty to the King as the freedom and fafety of his fellow-fubjedts. AT this time the boundaries between the provinces of Carolina and Florida were neither clearly marked nor well underftood, as they had never been fettled by any public agreement or treaty between England and Spain. To prevent negroes efcaping to the Spanifh territories, and overav/e the Indians under the Spanim juridic- tion,, the Carolineans had built a fort on the forks of i the SOUTH CAROLINA. 313 the river Alataraaha, and fupportcd a fmall garrifon in it. This gave umbrage to the governor of Augu- (line, who complained of it to the court of Madrid, ries be- reprefenting it as an encroachment on the dominions twe,enCa~ orrSpa.in, and i. ntended, to r_ed, uce thi_e TIndvians frrom their Frololirniadaan. d allegiance to his Catholic Majefty. The Spanifli ambaf- fador at London lodged the complaint before the court of Britain, and demanded that orders be fent out to Carolina immediately to demolish that fort. To pre vent any interruption of the good correfpondence then fubfifting between the two courts, it was agreed to fend orders to both governors in America to meet in an amicable manner, and fettle the refpeflive boun daries between the Britifh and Spanifh dominions in that quarter. Accordingly foon after Don Fran- cifco Menandez, and Don Jofeph de Rabiero, came to Charleftown, to hold a conference with the pre- fident and council of Carolina about this matter. At their meeting, Mr. Middleton fhewed thofe deputies, that this fort was built within the bounds of the char. ter granted to the Proprietors, and that the preten- fions of Spain to fuch lands were vain and ground- lefs. At the fame time he told them, that the fort on the river Alatamaba was creeled for defending themfelves and their property againft the depreda tions of Indians living under the jurifdiclion of Spain. Then he begged to know from them their reafons for protecting felons and debtors that fled from Carolina. to them, and for encouraging negroes to leave their matters and take refuge at Auguftine, while peace fubfifted between the two crowns ? The deputies re plied, That the governor of Florida would deliver up all felons and debtors; but had exprefs orders for twenty years paft, to detain all fiaves who ihould fly. Rr to 314 THE HIST RY OF to Auguftine far liberty and , rotetion. Middleton declared he looked on fuch injurious orders as a breach of national honour and faith, efpecially as negroes were real property, fuch as houfes and lands, in Car rolina. The deputies anfwered, That the defign of the King of Spain was not to injure private men having ordered compenfation to be made to the mafters of fuch flaves in money ; but that his humanity and religion enjoined him to iflue fuch orders for the fake of converting flaves to the Chriftian faith. In fhort, the conference ended to the fatisfacYion of neither party, and matters remained as they were i but foon after, the Englifli fort, built of wood, was burned to the ground, and the fouthern frontiers of Carolina were again left naked and defencelefe. Colonel ^ s no ^nal agreement, with refpeft to the limits of Palmer the two provinces had been concluded, the Indians in "rifak M a"' ance w'tn Spain continued to. harafs the Britifh fet-^ the Spa- tlements: particularly the Yamaffees, as ufual, penetramards. t;ng into Carolina infcalping parties, perfifted in killing white men, and carrying off every negroe they could catch. Though the owners of flaves had been allowed from the Spanifh government a compenfation in money for their loffes, yet few of them ever received it. At length Colonel Palmer refolved to make reprifals on thofe plunderers, fince no adequate recompence could otherwife be obtained. For this purpofe he gathered toge-. ther a party of militia and friendly Indians, confiding in all of about three hundred men, and entered Florida, with a refolution of fpreading defolation throughout the province. He carried his arms as far as the gates of Auguftine, and compelled the inhabitants to take refuge in their caflle. Scarce a houfe or hut in the SOUTH CAROLINA. 3*5 the colony efcaped the flames. He deftroyed their provifions in the fields, and drove off their cattle, hogs and horfes. Some Indians he killed, and others he made prifoners. In fhort, he left the people of Florida little property, except what was protected by the guns of their fort, and by this expedition con vinced the Spaniards of their weaknefs, and the bad policy of encouraging Indians to moleft the fubjefts of Britain. He (hewed them that the Carolineans could prevent the cultivation and fettlement of their province whenever they pleafed, and render the improvement of it impracticable, on any other than peaceable terms with their neighbours. BUT by this time the Spaniards were not the only neighbours that created trouble to the Caroli- c^jj. neans. The French fettled in Louifiana were alfo ad- ment vancing nearer them, and ufmg all their art and ad- S. e, drefs for gaining the intereft and affe&ions of thefe in Lou, favage nations. They erected a ftrong hold, called Fort Alabama, high up on Mobile river, which was ex cellently fituated for opening and carrying on a cor- refpondence with the mod powerful nations around the Britifh fettlement. The Carolineans had good reafon to be on their guard againft the influence of thefe infmuating and enterprifing neighbours. The tribes of Upper Creeks, whofe hunting lands ex tended to their fort, were foon win over by promifes and largefles to an alliance with them. The Che- rokees indeed lived at a greater diftance from them, and yet by means of Creeks and other emiflaries, whom they fent among them, they endeavoured alfo to bring them over to their intereft. The river Mif- fiffippi being navigable a great way from its mouth, 11 r 2 opened ji6 THE HIST JRY OF opened a communication wu i the Cho&aws, Chikefaws, and other nations refiding near it. So that the French had many excellent opportunities of feducing Indians from their alliance with Britain. The prefident of Carolina employed Captain Tobias Fitch among the Creeks, and Colonel George Chicken among the Cherokees, to keep thefe tribes fteady and firm to the Britifh intereft. Thefe agents, how ever, during the whole time Mr. Middleton prefided over the colony, found no fmall difficulty in counteracting the influence of French policy, and preventing their union and alliance with thefe enemies. From this period the Britifh and French fettlers in America became competitors for power and influence over Indian nations, the one or the other of whom were always expofed to danger and trouble from them, in proportion to the fuccefs of their rivals. Now the Carolineans were farther from peace and fafety than ever. The French fupplied thefe favages with tomahawks, mufkets, and ammunition, by which means they laid afide the bow and.arrow, and became more dangerous and formidable ene mies than they had been in any former period* DURING the fummer 1728, the weather in Ca rolina was obferved to be uncommonly hot, by which the face of the earth was entirely parched, the. pools of {landing water dried up, and the beafts of the field were reduced to the greateft diflreTs. After fuch a long and general drought the inhabitants having ufually obferved hurricanes and tormadoes to follow in autumn, they began accord ingly to look out with fnperftitious dread fr them, as that feafon of the year approached. Accordingly SOUTHCAROLINA. a dreadful hurricane happened in the end of Auguft, and occafioned an inundation, which overflowed the town and the low lands, and did incredible damage to the fortifications, houfes, wharfs, fhipping, and corn fields. The ftreets of Charleftown were covered with boats, boards, ftaves, and the inhabitants were obliged to take refuge in the higher {lories of their dwellinghoufes. Twenty-three fliips were driven a-fhore, moft of which were either greatly damaged, or dafhed to pieces. The Fox and Garland men of war, Rationed there for the protection of trade, were the only (hips that rode out the ftorm. This hurricane, though it levelled many thoufand trees in the maritime parts, yet fo thick was the foreft, that it was fcarcely perceived an hundred miles from the fliore. But as fuch violent dorms are probably occafioned by the rarefaction of the air, with exceffive heat, they arc feldom of long duration, for having reftored the equipoife in the atmofphere, the wind commonly fliifts, and the tempeft ceafes. THE lame year an infeftious and peftilential dif- . , temper, commonly called the Yellow Fever, broke Yellow out in town, and fwept off multitudes of the inha- Feverbitants, both white and black. As the town de pended entirely on the country for frefh provisions* the planters would fuffer no. perfon to carry fupplies to it, for fear of catching the infedtion, and bringing it to the country. The phyficians knew not how to treat the uncommon diforder which was fo fuddenly caught, and proved fo quickly fatal. The calamity was fo general, that few could grant amftance to their diltreffed neighbours, however much needed and earneftly defired. So many funerals happening every day,. 3*8 THE HIST JRY OF which was attended with many beneficial confevincepur- quences to the province. An aft of parliament paffed the C r *n Britain for eftablifhing an agreement with feven crown. of the Proprietors for a furrender of their right and intereft, not only in the government, but alfo in the foil and lands of the province, to the King. The purchafe was made for feventeen thouiand five hundred pounds fterling, to be paid before the end of September 1729, free of all deductions j after ^hich payment, the province was to be veiled in the Crown of Great Britain. At the fame time feven-eight part;s of the arrears of quit-rents, due from the colonifts to the Proprietors, amounting to fomewhat more than nine thoufand pounds fterling, were alfo purchafed fer the crowrj for five thoufand ; fo that feven^ eight parts of this vaft territory coft no more than twenty-two thoufand five hundred pounds. But, in this at of parliament there is a claufe, referring to John Lord Carteret the remaining eight mare of the property and arrears of quit-rents, which continues to this day legally vefted in that family, only all his fhanr in the government he furrendered to the crown. The Proprietors who fold their (hares at this time, were Henry Duke of Beaufort, William Lord Craven, JajJies Bertie, Dodington Greville, Henry Bertie, Mary Danfon, Elifabeth More, Sir John Colleton, John SOUTH CAROLINA. 319 John Cotton, and Jofeph Blake, who before the furrender were poffefied, either in their own right or in truft, of feven eight parts of the government and property of the province. This furrender was made to Edward Bertie, Samuel Horfey, Henry Smith, and Alexis Clayten, in truft for the crown. In confequence of the powers granted to his Majefty by this ad of parliament, he claims the preroga tive of appointing Governors to both South and North Carolina, and a council fimilar to the other regal governments in America, THE END OP VOLUME FIRST. 22 THE FIRST SET OF THE FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS oF SOUTH CAROLINA. As COMPILED BY Mr. JOHN LOCKE. O UR SOVEREIGN LORD THE KING having, out of his royal grace and bounty, granted unto us the province f CAROLINA, with all the royalties, properties, jurifdiftions and privileges of a county palatine, as large and ample as the county palatine of Durham, with other great privileges 5 for the better fettlement of the government of the faid place, and eftablifhing the intereft of the Lords Proprietors with equality, and without confnlion; and that the government of this pro vince may be made moft agreeable to the monarchy under which we live, and of which this province is a part; and that we may avoid creeling a numerous democracy t we the Lords and Proprietors of the province aforefaid, have agreed to this following form of government, to be perpetually eftabliftied amongii us, unto which we do oblige ourfelves, our heirs and fucce/Tors, in the mofl binding ways that can be devifed. I. TnE-eldeft of the Lords Proprietors fhall be Palatine; and, upon the deceafe of the Palatine, the eldeft of the feven ifurviving proprietors fhall always Tucteed hiin. II. THERE fliall be feven other chief offices erected, viz. the admirals, chamberlains, chancellors, conftables, chief juftices, high ftewards, and treasurers; which places (hall be enjoyed by none but the Lords Proprietors, to be affigned at firft by lot; and upon the vacancy of any one of the feven great offices by death, or otherwife, the eldeft proprietor {hall have his choice of the faid phce. VOL. I. Sf II THE LA / S OF III. THE whole province (hi* be divided into counties; each county (hall confift of eig.it figniories, eight baronies, and four precincts 5 each precinct ftiall confift of fix colonies. IV. EACH figniory, barony, and colony, {hall confift of twelve thotifand acres; the eight figniories being the fhare of the eight proprietors, and the eight baronies of the nobility, both which (hares, being each of them one fifth part of the whole, are to be perpetually annexed, the one to the proprie tors, the other to the hereditary nobility, leaving the colonies, being three fifths, aroongft the people , that fo in fetting out, and planting the lands, the balance of the government mgy be preferved. V. AT* any time before the year one thou&nd feven hun dred and one,, any of the Lords Proprietors fhall have power to relinquifh,. alienate, and difpofe, to any other perfon, his proprietorftvip, and all the figniories, powers, and intereft, thereunto belonging,, wholly and entirely together, and not otherwife. But, after the year one thonfand feven hundred, thofe who are then Lords Proprietors fhall not have power to alienate or make over their proprietorfhip, with the figniories and privileges thereunto belonging, or any part thereof, to any perfon whatfoever, otherwife than as in . xvm ; but it fhall all defcend unto their heirs male, and, for want of heirs male, it fhall all defcend on that Landgrave or Caflique of CAROLINA, who is defcended of the next heirs female of the Proprietor; and, for want of ftrch heirs, it fhall defcend on the next heir general; and, for want of fuch heirs, the remaining feven proprietors {hall, upon the vacancy, chufe a Landgrave to fuceeed the deceafed proprietor, who being chofen by thq majority of the feven furviving proprietors, he and his heirs fucceflivcly frull be proprietors, as fully to all intents and purpofes as any of the reft. VT. THAT the number of eight proprietors may be confiantly kept; if, upon the vacancy of any proprietorfhip, the feven furviving proprietors ftiall not chnfe a Landgrave to be a proprietor, CAROLINA. 3*3 proprietor, before the fecond biennial parliament after the vacaney; then the next biennial parliament but one after fuch vacancy, fhall have power to chufe any landgrave to be a. proprietor. VII. WHOSOEVER after the year one thoufand feven hun dred, either by inheritance or choice, (hall fucceed any pro prietor in his prbprietorfhip, and figniories thereunto belong ing ; fhall be obliged to take the name and arms of that pro prietor whom he fucceeds; which from thenceforth fhall be the name and arms of his family and their posterity, VIII. WHATSOEVER Landgrave or Caffique lhall any way come to be a proprietor, fhall take the figniories annexed to the faid preprietorfhip; but his former dignity, with the ba ronies annexed, ftiall devolve into the hands of the Lords Proprietors. * IX. THERE fhall be juft as many landgraves as there are counties,, and twice as many caffiques, and no more. Thefe ihall be the hereditary nobility of the province, and by right of their dignity be members of parliament. Each Jandgrare fhall have four baronies, and each cffique two baronks, he reditarily and unalterably annexed to, and fettled upon, the, faid dignity. X. THE firft landgraves and caffiques of the twelve firft, counties to be planted, fhall be nominated thus; that is to fay, of the twelve landgraves the Lords Proprietors fhall each of them feparately for himfelf nominate and chyle one; and the remaining four landgraves of the firft twelve, fhall be nomi nated and chofen by the Palatine's court. In like manner of the twenty-four firft caffiques, each proprietor for himfelf fhall nominate and chufe two, and the remaining eight ftiall be nominated and chofen by the Palatine's court; and when the twelve firft counties fhall be planted, the Lords Proprie tors fhall again-in the fame manner nominate and chufe twelve more landgraves, and twenty-four caffiques, for the twelve Sfa 324 THE LA 7 S OF. rjcxt counties to be planted; that is to fay, two thirds of each, number by the fingle nomination of each proprietor for himfelf, and the remaining one-third by the joint pledlion of the, Palatine's court, and fo proceed in the. fame manner till the whole province of CAROLINA be iet out and planted, accord ing to the proportions in thefe FUNDAMENTAL CONSTI TUTIONS. XL ANY landgrave or caflique at any time before the year. one thoufand feven hundred and one, (hall have power to alienate, fell, or make over, to any other perfon, his dignity, with the baronies thereunto belonging, all entirely together. But, aftec the year one thoufand feven hundred, no landgrave or caflique (hall have power to alienate, fell, make over, or. let, the hereditary baronies of his dignity, or any part there of, therwife than as in . xvm; but they (hall all entirely, with the dignity thereunto belonging, defcend unto his heirs Wale; and, for want of heirs male, all entirely and undivid ed, to the next heir general; and, for want of fuch heirs, Aiall devolve into the hands of the Lords Proprietors. XII. THAT the due number of landgraves and cafliques may be always kept up; if, upon the devolution of any landgravefhip or cafliqueftiip, the Palatine's court (hall not fettle the devolved dignity, with the baronies thereunto annexed, before the fecond biennial parliament after fuch devolution; the next biennial parliament but one after fuch devolution (hall have power to make any one landgrave or caffique in the room, of him, who, dying without heirs, his dignity and baronies; devolved. XIII. No one perfon (hall have more than one dignity, with the (igniories or baronies thereunto belonging. But whenfoever it (hall happen that any one, who is already pro prietor, landgrave, or ca(fiquc> (hall have any of thefe dig nities defcend to him by inheritance; it (hall be at his choice to keep which of the dignities, with the land annexed, he (hall likebeft} but ftiall leave the other, with the lands an nexed, CAROLINA. 325 nexed, to be enjoyed by him, who, not being his heir appa rent and certain fucceflbr to his prefent dignity, is next of blood. XTV. WnosoEVERf by the right of inheritance, (hall come to be landgrave or cafTique, fliall take the name and arms of his predeceflbr in that dignity, to be from thence forth the name and arms of his family and their pofterity. XV. SINCE the dignity of proprietor, landgrave, or cat fique, cannot be divided, and the figniories or baronies there unto annexed muft for ever all entirely deicend with, and ac company that dignity j whenfoever, for want of heirs male, it /hall defcend on the ifiqe female, the eldeft daughter and her heirs {hall be preferred, and in the inheritance of thofe dignities, and the figniories or baronies annexed, there (hall be no co-heirs. XVI. IN every figmiory, barony and manor, the relpec"Kve lord (hall have power, in his own name, to hold court-leet there, for trying of all caufes both civil and criminal; but where it (hall concern any perfon being no inhabitant, va/Tal, or leet-man of the faid figniory, barony, or manor, he, upon, paying down of forty {hillings to the Lords Proprietor's ufe? {hall have an appeal from the figniory or barony-court to the county-court, and from the manor-court to the precinctcourt. XVII. EVERT manor ftiall confift of not lefs than three thoufand acres, and not above twelve thoufand acres, in one entire piece and colony; but any three thoufand acres or more in one piece, and the pufleflion of one man, {hall not be a manor, unlefs it be conftituted a manor by the grant of the Palatine's court. XVIII. THE lords of figniories and baronies {hall have power only of granting eftates not exceeding three lives, or thirty- 3.2 THE LA '''S OF thirty-one years, in two thirds of 'ie faid figniorics or baro nies, and the remaining third fhall be always demefue. XIX. ANY lord of a manor may alienate, fell, or difpofe, te-aay other perfon and his heirs for ever, his manor, all entkely together, with all the privileges and leet-mcn thereunto belonging, fo far forth as any colony lands ; but no grant of any part thereof, either is fee, or for any longer term than three lives, or one and twenty years, fhall be good againft the next heir. XX. No ma.nor, for want of ifTne male, fhall be divided amongfl co-heirs ; but the manor, if there be but one, fhall all entirely defcend to the eldefl daughter and her heirs. If there be more manors than one, the eldefl daughter firft fhall have her choice, the fecond next, and fo on, beginning again at the eldefl, till all the manors be taken up; that fa the pri vileges which belong to manors being indivifible, the lands of the- manors, to which they are annexed, may be kept entire, and the manor not lofe thofe privileges, which, upon parcelling out to feveral owners, mull necefla-rily ceafe. EVERY lord of a manor, within his manor,, (hall have all the powers, jurifdiftions, and privileges, which a landgrave or caffique hath in his baronies. XXII. IN every figniory, barony, and manor, all the leetnien fhall be under the jurifdiction of the refpeftive lords of the faid figniory, basony,- or manor, without appeal from him. Nor fhall any leet-man, or leet-woman, have liberty to gp off' from the land of their particular lord, and live any vyhese elie,. without licence obtained from their faid lord, undef Hand and feal, XXIII. ALL the children of leet-men fhall be leet-meo, a.nd fa to iiil generation^, XXIV. No CAROLINA. 32; XXIV. No man (hall be capable of having a court-leet, or leet-men, but a proprietor, landgrave, caffique, or loidof a manor. XXV. WHOEVER (hall voluntarily enter himfelf a leetman, in the regiftry of the county-court, lhall be a leet-maa. XXV-I. WHOEVER is lord of leet-men, (hall, upon the marriage of a leet-man or leet-woman of his, give them tea acres of land for their lives; they paying to him thereforenot more than one eighth part of all the yearly produce and growth of the faid ten acres. XXVII. No landgrave or caffique Aull be tried for any criminal cado, in any but the chief juflice's court, and that by a jury of his peers. XXVIII. THERE flxall be eight fupreme courts. The firft called the Palatine's court, eonfifting of the palatine and the other ftven proprietors. The other feven courts of the other feven great officers, (hall confift each of them of a proprietor, and fix counfellors added to him. Under each of thefe latter feven courts, (hall be a college of twelve affiftants. The twelve affiftants of the feveral colleges (hall be chofen, two out of the landgraves, caffiques, or eldeft fons of proprietors, by the Palatine's court; two out of the landgraves, by the landgraves chamber; two out of the caffiques, by the caffique's chamber; four more of the twelve (hall be chofen by the commons chamber, out of fuch as have been, or are, members of parliament, flieriffs, or juftices of the county court, or the younger fons of proprietors, or eideft fons of landgraves or caffiques; the two other fhall be chofen by the palatine's court, out of the fame fort of perfons, oat of which, the commons chamber is to chufe. XXIX. Ou T of thefe colleges (hall be chofen at firft, by the Palatine's court, fix counfellors, to be joined with each proprietor in his court; of which fix, one (hail be of thofe who 3 a8 tH E LAW 5 O F who were chofen in any of the a Jeges by the Palatine's court, out of the landgraves, cafliques,. or eldeft fbns of pro prietors ; one out of thofe who were chofen by the land graves chamber; and one out of thofe who were chofen by the caffiques chamber; two out of thofe who were chofen by the commons chamber; and one out of thofe who were cho fen by the Palatine's court, out of the proprietors younger fons, or eldeft fons of landgraves, cafliques, or Commons, qualified as aforefaid. XXX. WHEN it fhall happen that any counsellor dies, and thereby there is a vacancy, the grand council fliall have power to remove any counfellor that is willing to be removed out of any, of the proprietors courts to fill up the vacancy; provided they take a man of the fame degree and choice the other was of, whofe vacant place is to be filled up* But if no counfel lor confent to be removed, or upon fuch remove; the laft re maining vacant place, in any of the proprietor's courts, (hall be filled up by the choice of the grand council, who fiiall have power to remove but of any of the colleges^ any affiftant, who is of the fame degree and choice that counfellor was of, into whofe vacant place he is to fucceed. The grand council alfo fhall have power to remove any affiftant, that Is willing, out of one college into another, provided he be of the fame degree and choice. But the laft remaining vacant place in any college, fliall be filled up by the fame choice^ and-out of the fame degree of perfons the affiflant was of, who is dead or removed. No place fliall be vacant in any proprietor's court above fix months. No place fliall be va cant in any college longer than the next feffion of parlia ment* XXXL No man, being a member of the grand council, or of any of the feven colleges, fliall be turned out but for mifdemeanour, of which the grand council /hall be judge ; and the vacancy of the perfon fo put out fhall be filled, not by the election of the grand council, but by thofe who firft chofe him, and out of the fame .degree he was of who is ei- i pelled. CAROLINA. 329 pelleJ. But it is not hereby to be underftood, that the grand council hath any power to turn oot any one of the Lords Proprietors or their deputies, the Lords Prtfprieiors having in therafelves an inherent original right. XXXII. ALL elections in'the parliament, in the leveral chambers of the parliament, and in the grand council, fliall. be 'paifed by balloting. XXXIII. THE Palatine's court (hall confifl of the Palatine and feven proprietors, wherein nothing {ball be acted without the prefence and content of the Palatine or his deputy, and three others of the proprietors or their deputies, This court fhall have power to call parliaments, to pardon all offences, to make elections of all officers in the proprietor's difpofe, and to nominate and appoint Port Towns; and alfo (hall have power by their order to the trenfurer to dtfpoie of all public treafure, 'excepting money granted by the parliament, and by them directed to fame particular public ufe; and alfo (ball have a negative upon all acts', orders, Totes and judgments, of the grand council and the parliament, except only as in ". vi. and 'Xi'r; and Ih'all have all the powers granted to the Lords Proprietors, by their'patent from Ouk SOVEREIGN LORD THE KING, except in fuch things as are limited by thefe FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS, XXXIV. THE Palatine himfeif, -when he in perfon (hall be either in the army or in any of the proprietors courts, fliall then have the power of general, or of that proprietor, in whoie court he is then prelem$ and the proprietor, in whofe ourt the Palatine then prefides, flialJ during his prefence there be but as one of the council. XXXV. THE chancellor's court, confifting of one of the proprietors, and his fix connfellors, who fliall be called vice- chancellors, fliall have the cuftody of the feal of the palati nate, under which all charters of lands, or otherV'ife, com- ouflions and grants of the Palatine's court, fliall pafs. And Vol. I. Tt it 330 'THE LAWS OF it (hall not be lawful to put the feal of" the palatinate to any writing, which is not figned by the Palatine or his deputy, and three other proprietors or their deputies. To this court alfo belong all ftate matters, difpatchesj and treaties with the neighbour Indians. To this court alfo belong all invafions of the law, of liberty of confcience, and all disturbances of the public peace, upon pretence of religion, as alfo the licence of printing. The twelve afiiftants belonging to this court (hall be called recorders. XXXVI. WHATEVER pafles under the feal of the pala tinate, (hall be regiftered in that proprietor's court, to which the matter therein contained belongs. XXXVII. THE chancellor or his deputy ftiall be always fpeaker in parliament, and prefident of the grand council, and, in his and his deputy's abfence, one of his vice-chancellors. XXXVIII. THE chief juftice's court, confifting of one of the proprietors and his fix counfellors, who ftiall be called juftices of the bench, {hall judge all appeals in cafes both civil and criminal, except all fuch cafes as (hall be under the jurlfdiclion and cognizance of any other of the proprietor's courts, which (hall be tried in thofe courts refpeftively. Th? government and regulation of the regiftries 6'f writings and contracts;, ftall belong to the jurifdiclion of this court. The twelve affiftants of this court {hall be called matters. XXXIX. THE constable's court, confifting of one of the proprietors and his fix counfellorSji who ftiall be .called marihals, ftiall order and determine of all military affairs by land, and1 all land-forces, arms, ammunition, artillery, garrifons, forts, Sic. and whatever belongs unto war. His twelve affiftants Ihall be called lieutenant-generals; XL. IN time of adhu'. war, the conftable, whilft he is in the army, -Ihall be general of the army, and the fix counfeJ- lors, or fuch of them as the Palatine's court ftiall for that time CAROLINA. 331 time or fervice appoint, fhall be the immediate great officers under him, and the lieutenantrgenerals next to them. XLL THE admiral's court, confifting of one of the pro prietors, and his fix counfellors, called confuls, fhall have the care and infpeclion over all ports, moles, and navigable rivers, fo far as the tide flows, and alfo all the public fliipping of CAROLINA, and ftores thereunto belonging, and all maritime affairs. This court alfo fhall have the power of the court of admiralty; and (hall have power to conftitute judges in port-towns, to try cafes belonging to la\y-merchant, as fhall be moft convenient for trade. The twelve affiftants, belonging to this court, fhall be called proconfuls. XLII. IN time of actual war, the admiral, whilft he is at fea, fhall command in chief, and his fix counfellors, or fuch of them as the Palatine's court fhall for that time and fervice appoint, fhall be the immediate great officers under him, and the proconfuls next to them. XLIII. THE treafurer's court, confining of a proprietor and his fix counfellors, called under-treafurers, (hall take care of all matters that concern the public revenue and treafury. The twelve affiftants fhall be called auditors. XLIV. THE high-fteward's court, confiffing of a proprie tor and his fix counfellors, called comptrollers, fhall have the care of all foreign and domeftic trade, manufactures, public buildings, work-houfes, high-ways, pafTages by water above the flood of the tide, drains, fewers, and banks againft in undations, bridges, pofl, carriers, fairs, markets, corruption or infection of the common air or water, and all things in order to the public commerce and health; alfo fetting out and furveying of lands; and alfo fetting out and appointing places for towns to be built on in the precincts, and the pre- fcribing and determining the figure and bignefs of the faid towns, according to fuch models as the faid court fhall order; contrary or differing from which models it fhall not be law- Tt 2 ful T HE L A .1 S OF ful for any one" to build in any to >i. This court fhali have, power alfo to make any public Luilding, Of any new high way, or enlarge any old high-way, upon any man's land whatfoever; as alfo to fliak-e cuts, channels, banks, locks, and bridges, for making rivers navigable, or for draining fens,, or any other public uft. The damage the owner of fuch lands (on or through which any fuch public things (hall be made) fliall receive thereby, fliall be valued:,, and fatisfac^ion made by fuch ways as the grand council (frail appoint. The twelve affiftants, belonging to this court, fbajl be called furveyors. XLV. THE chamberJain!s court, confifling of a proprie tor and his fix councilors, called vice-chamberlains, fljall have the care of all ceremonies, precedency, heraldry, re ception of public meflengers, pedigrees, the regiftry of aU births, burials, and marriages, legitimation, and all czCes. concerning matrimony, or arifing from itj and (hall alfo have power to regulate all fafliions, habits, badges, games and fports. To this court alfo it fhall belong to convocate the grand, council. The twelve afliftants, belonging to this court, fliall be called provofts. XLVI. ALL caufes belonging to, or under the jurifdj&ion of, any of the proprietors courts, (hall in them refpeftively be triedj and ultimately determined, without any farther ap peal. XLVH. T,HE proprietors courts fliall have a power to mi tigate all fines, and fuipend all executions in criminal caufes, either before or after fentence, in any of the other inferior courts refpetively. XLVIII. IN all debates, .hearings, or trials, in any of the proprietor's courts, the twelve afiiftants belonging to the faid courts rei'pe^Hvely, fliall have liberty to be prefent, but (hall not interpofe, unleft their opinions be required, nor have any vote at all; but their bufinefs fhall be, by the direction of the rclpeftive CAROLINA. 333 refpecYive courts, to prepare fuch bufmefs as (liall be commit ted to them ; as alfo to. bear fuch offices, and difpatch fuch affairs, either where the court is kept pr elfewhcre, as the court (hall think fit. XLIX. IN all the proprietors courts, the proprietor, and any three of his counfellors, fhall make a quorum; provided always, that, for the better difpatch of bufmefs, it fhall be in the power of the Palatine's court, to direft what fort of caufes ihall be heard and determined by a quorum of any three. L. THE grand council fhall confift of the Palatine and feven proprietors, and the forty-two counfellors of the feveral proprietors courts, who fhall have power to determine any controvcrfies that may arife between any of the proprietors courts, about their refpedtive jurifdiftions, or between the members of the fame court, about their manner and methods of proceeding ; co make peace and war, leagues, treaties, &c. with any of the neighbour Indians ; to iflue out their general orders to the confhble's and admiral's courts, for the raifing, difpofing, or difbanding the forces, by land or by fca. LI. THE grand council fhall prepare all matters to be. propofed in parliament. Nor fhall any matter whatfoever be propofed in parliament, but what hath firft pafled the grand council; which, .after having been read three feveral days in the par"liament, fliall by majority of votes be pafled or re- LII. THE grand council fliall always be judges of all cau fes and appeals that concern the Palatine, or any of'the Lords Proprietors, or any counfellor of any proprietor's court, in any caufe, which otherwife fhould have been tried in the court in which the faid counfellor is judge liimfelf. LHI. THE 334 HE L A \ S OF LIII. THE grand council, by i -ir warrants to the treal'urer's court, (hall diipofe of all the i. loney given by the parlia ment, and by them directed to any particular public ufe. LIV. THE quorum of the grand council (hall be thirteen, whereof a proprietor or his deputy fliall he always one. LV. THE grand council (hall meet the fjrft Tuefday in every month, and as much oftener as either they fliall think fit, or they (hall he conyocated by the chamberlain's court. LVI. T:IE Palatine, or any of the Lords Proprietors, (hall have power under hand and feal, to be regifter'ni in the grand council, to make a deputy, who fliall have the fame power to all intents and purpofes as he himfelf who deputes him; ex cept in confirming afts of parliament, as in . LXXVI, and except alfo in nominating and chufing landgraves and catfiques, as in . x. All fuch deputations ftiall ceafe and de termine at the end of four years, and at any time fliall be revocable at the pleafure of the deputator. LVII. No deputy of any proprietor fliall have any power whilft the deputator is in any part of CAROLINA, except the proprietor, whofe deputy h.e is, be a minor. LVIII. D.uRiNG; the minority of any proprietor, his guar dian (hall have power to Conftitute and appoint his deputy. LIX. THE eldeft of the Lords Proprietors, who ftiall be. perfonally in CAROLINA, fliall of courfe be the Palatine's deputy, and if no proprietor be in CAROLINA, he fliall chufe his deputy out of the heirs apparent of any of the proprietors, if any fuch be there; and if there be no heir apparent of any of the Lords Proprietors above one and twenty years old in CAROLINA, then he fhall chufe for deputy any one of the landgraves of the grand council; and till he have by depu tation under hand and feal chofen any one of the forementioned heirs apparent or landgraves to be his deputy, the eld- eft CAROLINA. 33 j t-ft man of the landgraves, and> for want of a landgrave, the ddeft man of the caffiques, who fhall be perfonally in'CARO- fhall of courfe be his deputy. LX. EACH proprietor's deputy fhall be always one of his own fix couhfellors reflectively', and in cafe any of the proprifctors hath not, in his abfence out of CAROLINA, a depu ty, commiffioned under his hand and feal, the eideft noblemari of his court fhall of courfe be his deputy. LXI. Is every county there fhall be a court, cdnfifting of a fheriff, and four juftices of the county^ for every precinct one. The fherifF fhall be an inhabitant of the county, au4 have at leafl five hundred acres of freehold within the laid county; and the juftices fhall be inhabitants, and have eacli of them five hundred acres a-piece freehold within the pre cinct for which they ferve reflectively. Thefe five fhall be chofen and commiffioned from time to time by the Palatine's court. LXII. FOR any perfonal caufes exceeding the value of two hundred pounds fterlihg, or in title of land, or in any crimi nal caufe; either party, upon paying twenty pounds fterling to the Lords Proprietors ufe, fhall have liberty of appeal from the county-court unto the refpeftive proprietor's court. LXIII. IN tvery precindt' there fliall be a court confifling of a fteward and four juftices of the precinct, being inhabi tants, and having three hundred acres of freehold within the laid precinft, who fhall judge all criminal caufes; except for treafbn, murder, and any oiher offences puriifhable with. death, and except all criminal caufes of the nobility ; and fhall judge alfo all civil caufes whatfoever ; and in all perfonal actions not exceeding fifty pounds fterling, without appeal; but where the caufe (hall exceed that value, or concern a title of land, and in all criminal caufes ; there either party, upon paying five pounds fterling to the Lords Proprietors uie, fliall have liberty of appeal to the county-court. LXIV. No 336 T HE L AW OF LXIV. No caufe'fhall be twice tr. 1 in any one court, up on any reafou or pretence whatfoever. LXV. FOR treafon, murder, and all other offences punifiiable with death, there {hall be a commiffion, twice a year at lead:, granted unto one or more members of the grand coun cil or colleges, -who fliall come as itinerant judges to the feve ral counties, and with the {lieriff and four juftices (hall hold affizes to judge all fuch caufes; but, upon paying of fifty pounds fterling to the Lords Proprietors ufe, there fliall be liberty of appeal to the refpeftive proprietor's court. LXVI. THE grand jury at the feveral affizes, r'! "1, upon their oaths, and Under their hands and feals, deliver in to the itinerant judges a prelentmeht of fuch grievances/ inifdemeanors, exigences, or defeats, which they think rieceffary for the public good of the county; which preferments fiiall, by the itinerant judges, at the end of their circuit} be delivered in to the grand council at their next fitting. And whatfbevef therein concerns the execution of laws already made; the fcVe'ral proprietors courts, in the matters belonging to each of them refpeclively, fliall take cognizance of it, and give fuch order about it, as fliall be effectual for the due execution of the laws. Bat whatever concerns the making of any hew law, fli'all be referred to the feveral refpeftive courts to which that matter belongs, and be by them prepared and brought to the gian'd couhcih LXVII. FOR terms, there fhall be quarterly fuch a certain number of days, not exceeding one and twenty at any one tiihej as the feveral refpeftive courts {hall appoint. The time for the beginning of the term, in the precinift-court, fliall1 be the firfr, M'cndny in January, April, July, and Oftober ', in the county-court, the firft Monday in February, May, Auguft, and November 5 and in the proprietors courts, the firft Monday in March, Tline, September, and December. LXVIII. Ix CAROLINA. 337 LXVIII. IN the precinct-court no man fliall be a jnry-maa under fifty acres of freehold. In the county-court, or at the aflizes, no man (hall be a grand juryman under three hun dred acres of freehold 5 and no man (hall be a petty jury-man under two hundred acres of freehold. In the proprietors courts no man (hall be a jury-man under five hundred acre* of freehold. LXIX. EVERY jury (hall coniift of twelve nen; and It fliall not be neceffary they fhould all agree, but the Verdict fliall be according to the confent of the majority. LXX; IT fliall be a bafe and vile thing to plead for money cr reward; nor (hall any one (except he be a near kinfman, not farther off than coufin-german to the party concerned) be permitted to pltad another man'3 caufe, till, before the judge in open court, he hath taken an oath, that he doth not plead for money or reward, nor hath nor will receive, nor directly nor indirectly bargained with the party, whofe caufe he is going to plead, for money or any other reward for pleading his caufe. LXXL THERE fhall be A parliament, confifting of the proprietors or their deputies, the landgraves and caffiques, and one freeholder out of every precinct, to be chofen. by the freeholders of the iaid precinct refpectively. They (hall fit ftll together in one roomy and have every member one vote. LXXIL No man (hall be chofen a member of parliament, who hath lefs than five hundred acres of freehold within the precinct for which he is chofen} nor (hall any have a vote in chufiog the faid member that hath lefs than fifty acres of free hold within thd faid precinct; LXXIII. A NEW parliament (hall be adeitibled the firft Monday of the month of November every fecond year, and ./hall meet and fit in the town they laft fat in, without any fnmmohs, unlefs by the Palatine's court they be fummoned to VoL. I. Uu meet 33$ T H E L A S OF meet at any other place. And it .here (hall be any occaflon of a parliament in thefe intervals, it (hall be in the power of the Palatine's court to afiembie' them in forty days notice, and at fuch time and place as the (aid court fliall think fit; and the Palatine's court ihall have power to diflblve the laid parliament when they .(hall think fit. ' LXXIV. AT the opening of every parliament, the firfl thing'that', (hall be done, fliall be the reading of thefe FUN DAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS, which the Palatine and proprietors, and the reft of the members then prefent, (hall nibfcribe. Nor (hdl any perfon whatfoever fit or vote in the parliament, till he hath that feffion fubfcribed thefe FUNDA MENTAL CONSTITUTIONS, in a book kept for that purpofe by the clerk of the parliament. LXXV. IN order to the due election of members for the biennial parliament, it (hair be lawful for the freeholders of the refpecVive precin&s to meet the firft Tuefday in Septem ber every two years, in the fame town or place that they laft met in, to chufe parliament-men ; and there chufe thofe mem bers that are to fit the next November following, unlefs the fteward of the precincT: {hall, by fufficient notice thirty days before, appoint fome other place "for their meeting, in order to the election.' LXXVI. No aft or order of parliament fliall be of any force, unlefs it be ratified in open parliament during the fame feffion, by'the Palatine or his deputy, and three more'of the Lords Proprietors or their deputies; and then not to continue longer in force but until the next biennial parliament, unlefs in the mean time it be ratified under the bands and feals of the Palatine himfelf, and three more of"the Lords Proprietors themfelves, and by their order publiflied at the next biennial parliament. ' '. .' LXXVil. ANY 'proprietor or his deputy may enter his proteftatkm againfl any aft of the parliameat, before the Pa latine CAROLINA. 339 latine or his deputy's confent be given as aforefaid; if he (hall conceive the faid act to be contrary'to this eftablifhmerit, or any of thefe FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS of the go vernment. And in fuch cafe, after full and free debate, the feveral eftates fliall retire into four feveral chambers; the Pa latine and proprietors into one; the landgraves into another; the caffiques into another; and thofe chofen by the precincts into a fourth : and if the major part of any of the: four eftates fliall vote that the law is not agreeable to this eftablifhment, and thefe FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS of the govern ment, then it ftiall pafs no farther, but be as if it had never been propofed. LXXVUI. THE quorum of the parliament (hall be one half of thofe who are members, and capable of fitting in the houfe that prefent feflien >f parliament. The quorum of each of the chambers of parliament fliall be one half of the members of that chamber. LXXIX. To avoid multiplicity of laws, which by degrees always change the right foundations of the original .govern ment, all acts of parliament whatfoever, in whatfoever form pafled or enacted, ftiall, at the end of an hundred years after their enacting, refpectively ceafe and determine of themfclves, and without any repeal become null and void,, as if. no fuch afts of laws had ever been made. LXXX. SINCE multiplicity of comments, as well as of laws, have great inconveniences, and ferve only to obfcure and per plex; all manner of comments and expofltions on any part of thefe FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS, or any part of the common or ftatute law of CAROLINA, are abfolutelv prohibited. LXXXI. THERE fliall be a regiflry in every precinct, wherein (hall be enrolled all deeds, leafes, judgments, niort-r gages, and other conveyances, which may concern any of the land within the faid precinct; and all Fuch .conveyances not Uu 2 io THE L "AW! OF. io entered or regiftered, (hall not . e of force ngainft any perfon nor party to the faid contrail or conveyance. LXXXII. No man (hall be regifter of any precincl, who hath not at leaft three hundred acres of freehold within the faid precinft. LXXXIII. THE freeholders of every precinft flinll nomi nate three men; out of which three, the chief juftice's court fliall chufe and commiflion one to be regifter of the faid prec.inft, whilft he (hall well behave himfelf. LXXXIV. THERE (hall be a regiftry in every flgniory, barony, and colony, wherein fliall be recorded all the birrhs, marriages and deaths, that (hall happen within the refpeclive (igniories, baronies, and colonies. LXXXV. No man (hall be regifter of a colony, that bath not above fifty acres of freehold within the faid colony. LXXXVI. THE time of every one's age, that is born in CAROLINA, (hall be reckoned from the day that his birth is entered in the regiftry, and not before. LXXXVII. No marriage (hall be lawful, whatever contraft and ceremony they have ufed, till both the parties mu tually own it before the regifter of the place where they were married, and he regifter it, with the names of the father ami mother of each party. LXXXVIII. No man (hall adminifter to the goods, or have right to them, or enter upon the eftate of any perfon deceafed, till his death be regiflered in the refpeclive regiftry. LXXXIX. HE that doth not enter in the refpecYive regiflry the birth or death of any perfon that is bbrn or dies in $is houfe or ground, (hall pay to the faid regifler one (hilling CAROLINA. per week for each fuch negleft, reckoning from the time of each birth or death refpeftively, |o the time of regiftering it. XC. IN like manner the births, marriages, and deaths of the Lords Proprietors, Landgraves, and Caffiques, (hall be r,egiflered in the chamberlain's court. XCL THERE fliall be in every colony one conftable, to be chofen annually by the freeholders of the colony; his efhite fhall be above a hundred acres of freehold within the faid colony, and fuch fubordinate officers appointed for his afliftance as the county-court /hall find requisite, and fliall be eftablifhed by the faid county-court. The election of the Jiibordinate annual officers (hall be aHb in the freeholders of the colony. XCII. ALL towns incorporate fhall be governed by a Mayor, twelve Aldermen, and twenty-four of the commoncouncil. The faid common-council ftiall be chofen by the prefent houfholders of the faid town 5 the aldermen fliall be chofen out of the common-council; and the mayor out of the aldermen, by the Palatine's court. XCIII. IT being of great confequence to the plantation, that Port-Towns friould be built and preferved; therefore, whofoever fhall lade or unlade any commodity at any other place but a Port-Town, (hall forfeit to the Loi\J s Proprietors for each tun fo laden or unladen, the fum of ten pounds fteriing; except only fuch goods as the Palatine's court fliall liccnfe to be laden or unladen elfewhere, XCIV. THE firft port-town upon every river fhall be in a colony, and be a port-town for ever. XCV. No man (hall be permitted to be a freeman of CAROLINA, or to have any eftate or habitation within it, that-doth not acknowledge a GOD 5 and that God is publiciv and folemnly to be worfhipped. XCVI. [As 342 THE L WS 0F XCVI. [As the country cc nes to be fufficiently planted and diftributed into fit divifions, it fhall belong to the parlia ment to take care for the building of churches, and the pub lic maintenance of divines, to be employed in the exercife of religion, according to the church of England; which being the only.true and orthodox, and the national religion of all the king's dominions, is fo alfo of CAROLINA ; and therefore it alone (hall be allowed to receive public maintenance, by grant of parliament * ]. XCVII. BUT fince the natives of that place, who will be concerned in our plantation, are utterly Arangers to Chriflianity, whofe idolatry, ignorance, or miflakei gives us no right to expel, or ufe them ill; and thofe who remove from other parts to plant there, will unavoidably be of different opinions concerning matters of religion, the liberty whereof they will expeft to have allowed them, and it will not be reafonable for us on this account to keep them out; that civil peace may be maintained amidft the diverfity of opinions, and our agree ment and compact with all men may be duly and faithfully obferved; the violation whereof, upon what pretence foever, cannot be without great offence to almighty God, and great fcandal to the true religion, which we profefs; and alfo that Jews, Heathens, and other diflenters from the purity of Chriftian religion, may not be feared and kept at a diftance from it, but, by having an opportunity of acquainting themfelyes with the truth and reafonablenefs of its doctrines, and the peaceablenefs and inofFenfivenefs of its profeflbrs, may by good.ufage and perfuafion, and all thofe convincing methods of gentlenefs and meeknefs fuitable to the rules and defign of the gofpel, be won over to embrace and unfeignedly receive the truth; therefore any feven or more perfons agreeing in. any religion, (hall conftitute a church or profeffion, to which they mall give fome name, to dutinguifh it from others. * This article was not drawn up by Mr. LOCKE; but inferted by Tome of the chief of the proprietors, againft his judgment; as Mr. LOCKE him- fclf informed one of his friends, ta whom he prefentcd a copy of iheft Confiitutious. XCVIII. THE CAROLINA. 343 XCVHI. THE terms of admittance and communion with any church or profeflion, Shall be written in a book, and therein be fubfcribed by all the members of the faid church or profeffion; which book (hall be kept by the public regifter of the precinft where they refide. XCIX. THE time of every one's fubfcrtption and admit tance (hall be dated in the faid book of religious record. C. IN the terms of communion of every church or profeClion, thefe following (hall be three > without which no agree ment or aflembly of men, upon pretence of religion, (hall be accounted a church or profeffion within thefe rules: 1. " That there is a GOD. 2. " That GOD is .publicly to be wbr/hipped. 3. " That it is lawful and the duty of every man, being '* thereunto called by thofe that govern, to bear witnefs to " trqth; and that every church or profeffion /hall, in their " terms of communion, fet down the external way whereby " they witnefs a truth sts in the prefence of GOD, whether " it be by laying hands on, or kiffing the Bible, as in the ** church bf England, or by holding up the hand, or any " ether fenfible way." CI. No per/on above fevemeen years of age fliall hare any benefit or protection of the- law, or be capable of any place of profit or honour, who is not a member of fome church or profeffion, having his name recorded itt fom one, and but one religious record at once. CII. No perfon of any other church or profeffion /hall difturb or moleft any religious aflembiy. ClII. No perfon whatfoever ihall fpeak any thing in their religious aflembly irreverently or feditloiifly of the govern ment, or governors, or ftate matters. CIV. AN* 344 T HE LAW .OF CIV. ANY perfon fubfcribing the erms of cpnimnniofi in the record of the faid church or profeffion, before the pre~ tinft regifter, and any five members of the faid church or profeffion, fhall be thereby made a member of the faid church or profeffion. , CV. ANY perfon ftriking out hisown name out of any reli gious record^ or his name being ftruck out by any officer, there unto authorifed by each church or profeffion reflectively, fhall ceafe to be a member of that church or profeffion. CVI. No man fhallufe any reproachful, reviling, or abu- five language, againft the religion of any church or.profet- fion; that being the certain way of disturbing the peace, and of hindering the converfion of any to the truth, by engaging them in quarrels and ammo/hies, to the hatred, of the pro- fefTors and chat profeffion> which otherwife they might, be brought to aflent to. . , CVII. SINCE charity obliges us to wifh well to the fouls f all men, and religion ought to alter nothing in any man's civil eftate or right, it fhall be lawful for flaves, as well as others, to eater themfelves, and be of wirat church or pro feffion any of them fhall think beft, and therefore be as ful ly members; as any freeman. But yet no Have fhall hereby be exempted from that civil dominion his mafter hath over him, but be in all other things in the fame Irate and condi tion he was in before. , CVIII. ASSEMBLIES, upon what pretence foever of religi on, not observing and performing the aborefaid rules, ftrall not be efteemed as churches* but unlawful meetings, and be punifhed as other riots. C1X. No perfon whatsoever fhall difturb, mbleftr or perfecute another for his fpeculative opinions in religion, or his way of worfhip. CX. EVERY CAROLINA. 345 CX. EVERY freeman of C ROI.INA (hall Have abfolnte power and authority over his i.egro (laves, of what opinion or religion foever. CXI. No caufe, whether civil or criminal, of any freemrrn, ihall be tried in any court of judicature, without a jury of his peers. CXH. No perfon whatfoever /hall hold or claim any land in CAROLINA by purchafe or gift, or olherwife, from the natives, or any other whatfoever $ but merely from and un der the Lords Proprietors; upon pain of forfeiture cf all his eftatc, rnoveitble or iminoveable, and perpetual banifhment. CXIII. WHOSOEVER (hall pofiefs any freehold in CARO LINA, upon what title or grant foever, (hall, at the fartheft, from ,and after the year one thoufand fix hundred and eightyjbine, pay yearly unto the Lords Proprietors for each acre of land, Englifh meafure, as much fine fiber as is at this prefent hi one EngliflV penny, or the value thereof, to be as a chief rent and acknowledgment to the Lords Proprietors, their heirs and fucceffors, for ever. And it (hall be lawful for the Palatine's court, by their officers at any time, to take a new furvey of any man's land, not to out him of any part of his pofieilion, but that by. fuch a furvey the juft number of acres he poffefleth may be known, and the rent thereupon due may be paid by him. CXIV. ALL wrecks, mines, minerals, quarries of gerus, and'precious ftones, with pearl-fifhing, \vhale-fifhing, and one half of all ambergrcafe, by \vhomibever found, fliaJl \vholly belong to the Lords Proprietors. CXV. ALL revenues and profits belonging to the Lords Proprietors in common fliall be divided into ten parts, where of the Palatine (hall have three, and each proprietor one; but if the Palatine fliall govern by a. deputy, his deputy fliall Vor.. I. Xx have 346 THE L A\ S Q F have one of thofe three tenths, ai 1 the palatine the other two tenths. CXVI. ALL inhabitants and freemen of CAROLINA above ftventeen years of age, and- under fixty, (hall be bound to bear arms, and ferve as Ibldiers whenever the grand council lhall find it neceflary. CXVII. A TRUE copy of thefe FUNDAMENTAL CON STITUTIONS fliall be kept iq a great book by the regifter of every precinct., to be fubfcribed before the faid regifter. Nor fhall any perfon, of what condition or degree foever, above feventeen years old, have any eftate or po/Teilion m CARO LINA, or protection cr benefit of the law there, who hath not before a precinct regifter fubfcribed thefe FUNDAMEN TAL CONSTITUTIONS in this form : " I A. B. do promife to bear farth and true allegiance to " our foyereign lord king CHARLES the Second, his " heir? and fucceflbrs; and will be true and faithful to " the Palatine and Lords Proprietors of CAROLINA, " their heirs and fucceflbrs; and with my utmofl power " will defend them, and maintain the government ac" cording to this efkblifhment in thefe FUNDAMEN" TAL CONSTITUTIONS." CXVIII. WHATSOEVER alien (hall, in this form, before sny precinct regifter, fubfcribe thefe FUNDAMENTAL CON STITUTIONS, fliall be thereby naturalized. CXIX. IN the fame manner fhall every perfon, at his ad mittance into any office, fubfcribe thefe FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS. CXX. THESE FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS, in number a hundred and twenty, and every part thereof, fliall be and remain the facred and unalterable form and rule of government of CAROLINA for ever. Witnefs our hands and feals, the firft day of March, 1669. RULES CAROLINA. 347 RULES OF PRECEDENCY. I. THE Lords Proprietors; the eldeft in age firft, and fo in order. II. THE eldeft fons of the Lords Proprietors; the eldeft in age firft, and ib in order. HI. THE landgraves of the grand council; he that hath been longeft of the grand council firft, and fo in order. IV. THE caffiques of the grand council; he that hath been longeft of the grand council firfi, and fo in order. V. THE feven commoners of the grand council that have been )ongeft of the grand council; he that hath been longeft of the grand council firft, and fo in order. VI. THE younger fons of proprietors; the eldeft firft, and fo in order. VII. THE landgraves; the eldeft in age firft, and fo in order. VIII. THE feven commoners, who, next to thofe beforementioned, have been longeft of the grand council j he that hath been longeft of the grand council firft, and fo in order. I.. THE caffiques; the eldeft in age firft, and fo in order. .. THE feven remaining commoners of the grand council; he that hath been longeft of the grand council firft, and fo in order. XL THE male line of the proprietors. TH E reft (hall be determined by the chamberlain's court