AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE COLONIES OFSOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA. In Two Volumes. VOL. I. By ALEXANDER HEWATT PREFACE. The author of the following performance presents it to the public, notfrom any great value he puts upon it, but from an anxious desire ofcontributing towards a more complete and general acquaintance with thereal state of our colonies in America. Provincial affairs have only oflate years been made the objects of public notice and attention. Thereare yet many, both in Great Britain and America, who are unacquaintedwith the state of some of these settlements, and with their usefulnessand importance to a commercial nation. The southern provinces inparticular have been hitherto neglected, insomuch that no writer hassavoured the world with any tolerable account of them. Therefore it ishoped, that a performance which brings those important, though obscure, colonies into public view, and tends to throw some light upon theirsituation, will meet with a favourable reception. As many of the inhabitants of the eastern world will find themselveslittle interested in the trifling transactions and events here related, such readers will easily discover in what latitude the author wrote, andfor whose use his work was principally intended. They will also soonperceive, that this history, like that of Dr. DOUGLAS respecting anorthern settlement in America, is only a rough draught, and far frombeing a finished piece; and the author will frankly and candidlyacknowledge it. The case with respect to him is this, to which he mustbeg the reader's attention. Having been several years a resident atCharlestown in South Carolina, he was at some pains to pick up suchoriginal papers and detached manuscripts as he could find, containingaccounts of the past transactions of that colony. This he did at firstfor the sake of private amusement; but after having collected aconsiderable number of those papers, he resolved to devote such hours ascould be spared from more serious and important business, to arrangethem, and form a kind of historical account of the rise and progress ofthat settlement. For the illustration of particular periods, he confessesthat he was sometimes obliged to have recourse to very confusedmaterials, and to make use of such glimmering lights as occurred; indeedhis means of information, in the peculiar circumstances in which hestood, were often not so good as he could have desired, and even fromthese he was excluded before he had finished the collection necessary tocomplete his plan. Besides, while he was employed in arranging thesematerials, being in a town agitated with popular tumults, militaryparade, and frequent alarms, his situation was very unfavourable for calmstudy and recollection. While the reader attends to these things, and at the same time considersthat the author has entered on a new field, where, like the wilderness hedescribes, there were few beaten tracks, and no certain guides, he willform several excuses for the errors and imperfections of this history. Many long speeches, petitions, addresses, _&c. _ he might no doubt haveabridged; but as there were his principal vouchers, for his own sake, hechose to give them entire. Being obliged to travel over the same ground, in order to mark its progress in improvement at different periods, it wasno easy matter to avoid repetitions. With respect to language, style andmanner of arrangement, the author not being accustomed to write orcorrect for the press, must crave the indulgence of critics for the manyimperfections of this kind which may have escaped his notice. Havingendeavoured to render his performance as complete as his circumstanceswould admit, he hopes the public will treat him with lenity, although itmay be far from answering their expectations. In short, if this part ofthe work shall be deemed useful, and meet with any share of publicapprobation, the author will be satisfied; and may be induced afterwardsto review it, and take some pains to render it not only more accurate andcorrect, but also more complete, by adding some late events moreinteresting and important than any here related: but if it shall turn outotherwise, all must acknowledge that he has already bestowed sufficientpains upon a production deemed useless and unprofitable. Sensibletherefore of its imperfections, and trusting to the public favour andindulgence, he sends it into the world with that modesty and diffidencebecoming every young author on his first public appearance. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME CHAP. I. _Most men pleased with the history of their ancestors. _ _A notion early entertained of territories in the west. _ _A project of Columbus for attempting a discovery. _ _The discovery of Columbus. _ _The discovery of John Cabot. _ _The discovery of Sebastian Cabot. _ _The discovery of Americus Vespuccius. _ _The discovery of Cabral. _ _America inhabited. _ _Various conjectures about the first population of America. _ _The natural proprietors of the country. _ _Religious divisions the primary cause of emigrations to the west. _ _Coligni's settlement in Florida. _ _Extirpated by Spaniards. _ _A traffic in negroes. _ _Reflections on it. _ _Virginia settled. _ _Its progress. _ _Disturbances in England promote foreign settlements. _ _New-England peopled by Puritans. _ _Who turn persecutors. _ _Divide into different governments. _ _A colony planted in Maryland. _ _General remarks on colonization. _ CHAP II. _The first proprietors, and their charter. _ _Of the fundamental constitutions. _ _William Sayle visits Carolina. _ _And is appointed the first governor of it. _ _Settles his colony on Ashley river. _ _Hardship of the first settlers from the climate. _ _And from the Indians. _ _Sir John Yeamans arrives at Carolina. _ _And is appointed governor. _ _Various causes contribute to the settlement of the country. _ _America peopled in an improved age. _ _The first treaty with Spain respecting it. _ _A council of commerce is instituted. _ _A legislature is formed in the colony. _ _Its troubles from the Spaniards. _ _Its domestic troubles and hardships. _ _A war among the Indians seasonable for the settlement. _ _Of Indians in general. _ _The occasion of Europeans being peaceably admitted among them. _ _General remarks on the manners, government, religion, &c. Of the Indians. _ _A Dutch colony brought to Carolina. _ _Joseph West made governor. _ _Variances break out in the colony. _ _A trade in Indians encouraged. _ _A general description of the climate. _ _Of the country. _ _Of its soil and lands. _ _Of its storms and natural phenomena. _ _Of its animals. _ _Of its fishes. _ _Of its birds. _ _Of its snakes and vipers. _ _Of its insects. _ _Joseph Morton made governor. _ _Pennsylvania settled. _ _The proprietors forbid the trade in Indians. _ _The toleration of pirates in Carolina. _ _Cause of migration from England. _ _Cause of migration from France. _ _The European animals increase. _ _The manner of obtaining turpentine in Carolina. _ _And of making tar and pitch. _ _A difference with the civil officers. _ _James Colleton made governor. _ _His difference with the house of assembly. _ _Seth Sothell chosen governor. _ _His oppression, and expulsion. _ CHAP. III. _A revolution in England. _ _The French refugees meet with encouragement. _ _Philip Ludwell appointed governor. _ _Harsh treatment of the colonists to the refugees. _ _The manner of obtaining lands. _ _Juries chosen by ballot. _ _Pirates favoured by the colonists. _ _Thomas Smith appointed governor. _ _The planting of rice introduced. _ _Occasions a necessity for employing negroes. _ _Perpetual slavery repugnant to the principles of humanity and Christianity. _ _Foreign colonies encouraged from views of commercial advantage. _ _Indians complain of injustice. _ _The troubles among the settlers continue. _ _John Archdale appointed governor. _ _Archdale's arrival and new regulations. _ _Treats Indians with humanity. _ _The proprietors shamefully neglect agriculture. _ _Archdale returns to England, and leaves Joseph Blake governor. _ _A colony of French in Florida. _ _The French refugees incorporated by law. _ _Depredations of pirates. _ _A hurricane, and other public calamities visit the province. _ _James Moore chosen governor. _ _Lord Granville palatine. _ _King William's charter to the society for propagating the gospel. _ _An established church projected by the Palatine. _ _But disliked by the majority of the people. _ _Governor Moore resolves to get riches. _ _Encourages irregularities at elections. _ _Proposes an expedition against Augustine. _ _Which proven abortive. _ _The first paper currency made. _ _The expedition against the Apalachian Indians. _ _The culture of silk. _ _And of cotton. _ _Rice fixed on by the planters as a staple commodity. _ CHAP. IV. _War declared against France. _ _Sir Nathaniel Johnson appointed governor. _ _His instructions. _ _He endeavours to establish the church of England. _ _Pursues violent measures for that purpose. _ _The church of England established by law. _ _The inhabitants of Colleton county remonstrate against it. _ _Lay commissioners appointed. _ _The acts ratified by the Proprietor. _ _The petition of Dissenters to the House of Lords. _ _Resolutions of the House of Lords. _ _Their address to the Queen. _ _The Queen's answer. _ _A project formed for invading Carolina. _ _A Spanish and French invasion. _ _The invader repulsed and defeated by the militia. _ _The union of England and Scotland. _ _Missionaries sent out by the society in England. _ _Lord Craven palatine. _ _Edward Tynte governor. _ _The revenues of the colony. _ _The invasion of Canada. _ _A French colony planted in Louisiana. _ _A colony of Palatines settled. _ _Robert Gibbes governor. _ _Charles Craven governor. _ _An Indian war in North Carolina. _ _The Tuskorora Indians conquered. _ _Bank-bills established. _ _Remarks on paper currency. _ _Trade infested by pirates. _ _Several English statutes adopted. _ CHAP. V. _A design formed for purchasing all charters and proprietary governments. _ _The Yamassees conspire the destruction of the colony. _ _The Yamassee war. _ _The Yamassees defeated and expelled. _ _They take refuge in Florida. _ _Retain a vindictive spirit against the Carolinians. _ _The colonists turn their eyes for protection to the crown. _ _The project revived for purchasing the proprietary colonies. _ _Distresses occasioned by the war. _ _Aggravated by the Proprietors. _ _Robert Daniel is made deputy-governor. _ _Lord Cartaret palatine. _ _The disaffection of the people increases. _ _Robert Johnson appointed governor. _ _Of the depredations of pirates. _ _And their utter extirpation. _ _Troubles from paper currency. _ _Several laws repealed. _ _Which occasions great disaffections. _ _Further troubles from Indians. _ _Complaints against Chief Justice Trott. _ _Laid before the Proprietors. _ _Their answer. _ _And letter to the governor. _ _Who obeys their commands. _ _An invasion threatened from Spain. _ _An association formed against the Proprietors. _ CHAP. VI. _The people's encouragement to revolt. _ _Their letter to the governor signifying their design. _ _Which the governor endeavours to defeat. _ _Proceedings of the convention. _ _The perplexity of the Governor and council. _ _The Governor's speech for recalling the people. _ _Their message in answer to it. _ _The Governor's answer. _ _The assembly dissolved, and the proceedings of the people. _ _James Moore proclaimed Governor. _ _The declaration of the Convention. _ _The Governor transmits an account of the whole proceedings to the Proprietors. _ _The Revolutioners appoint new officers, and establish their authority. _ _In vain the Governor attempts to disconcert them. _ _Rhett refuses obedience to his orders. _ _And preserves the confidence of the Proprietors. _ _Further attempts of the Governor to recal the people. _ _The invasion from Spain defeated. _ _The Governor's last attempt to recover his authority. _ _Injurious suspicions with regard to the conduct of the Governor. _ _Francis Nicolson appointed Governor by the regency. _ _General reflections on the whole transactions. _ _Nicolson's arrival occasions uncommon joy. _ _The people recognize King George as their lawful sovereign. _ _The Governor regulates Indian affairs. _ _And promotes religious institutions. _ _The enthusiasm of the family of Dutartre. _ _Their trial and condemnation. _ _Progress of the colony. _ _The adventure of Captain Beale. _ _Arthur Middleton president. _ _A dispute about the boundaries between Carolina and Florida. _ _Colonel Palmer makes reprisals on the Spaniards. _ _Encroachment of the French in Louisiana. _ _A terrible hurricane. _ _And Yellow Fever. _ _The Province purchased for the crown. _ _The Fundamental Constitutions of South Carolina. _ THE HISTORY OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE COLONY OF SOUTH CAROLINA. CHAP. I. Among the various events recorded in the history of past ages, there arefew more interesting and important than the discovery of the westernworld. By it a large field for adventures, and a new source of power, opulence and grandeur, opened to European nations. To obtain a share ofthe vast territories in the west became an object of ambition to many ofthem; but for this purpose, the maritime and commercial states possessedthe greatest advantages. Having first discovered the country, withfacility they transported people to it, settled colonies there, and inprocess of time shared among them the extensive wilderness. [Sidenote] Most men pleased with the history of their ancestors. All accounts relating to these settlements afford pleasure to curious andingenious minds, in what quarter of the globe soever they live; but tothe posterity of the first adventurers they must be peculiarlyacceptable. In the lives of our ancestors we become parties concerned;and when we behold them braving the horrors of the desert, andsurmounting every difficulty from a burning climate, a thick forest, andsavage neighbours, we admire their courage, and are astonished at theirperseverance. We are pleased with every danger they escaped, and wish tosee even the most minute events, relating to the rise and progress oftheir little communities, placed before us in the most full andconspicuous light. The world has not yet been favoured with a particularhistory of all these colonies: many events respecting some of them lieburied in darkness and oblivion. As we have had an opportunity ofacquiring some knowledge of one of the most valuable and flourishing ofthe British settlements in that quarter, we propose to present the worldwith a particular, but imperfect, detail of its most memorable andimportant transactions. [Sidenote] A notion early entertained of territories in the west. To pave the way for the execution of this design, it may not be improperto cast our eyes backward on the earliest ages of European discoveries, and take a slight view of the first and most distinguished adventurers tothe western world. This will serve to introduce future occurrences, andcontribute towards the easier illustration of them. Beyond doubt, anotion was early entertained of territories lying to the westward ofEurope and Africa. Some of the Greek historians make mention of anAtlantic island, large in extent, fertile in its soil, and full ofrivers. These historians assert, that the Tyrians and Carthaginiansdiscovered it, and sent a colony thither, but afterwards, from maxims ofpolicy, compelled their people to abandon the settlement. Whether thiswas the largest of the Canary islands, as we may probably suppose, ornot, is a matter of little importance with respect to our presentpurpose: it is enough that such a notion prevailed, and gained so muchcredit as to be made the grounds of future inquiry and adventure. With the use of the compass, about the close of the fifteenth century, the great era of naval adventures commenced. Indeed the Tyrian fleet inthe service of Solomon had made what was then esteemed long voyages, anda famous Carthaginian captain had sailed round Africa: the Portuguesealso were great adventurers by sea, and their discoveries in Africaserved to animate men of courage and enterprise to bolder undertakings:but the invention of the compass proved the mariner's best guide, andfacilitated the improvements in navigation. Furnished with this new andexcellent instructor, the seaman forsook the dangerous shore and launchedout into the immense ocean in search of new regions, which, without it, must long have remained unknown. Even such expeditions as provedabortive, furnished observations and journals to succeeding navigators, and every discovery made, gave life and encouragement to braveadventurers. [Sidenote] A project of Columbus for attempting a discovery. About this period Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, appeared, whowas a man of great ingenuity, courage, and abilities, and had acquiredbetter notions of the globe, and greater skill in navigation, than any ofhis cotemporaries. Imagining there might be territories in the west tobalance those in the east he directed all his views to that quarter, andwas eagerly bent on a voyage of discovery. He drew a plan for theexecution of his project, which, together with a map of the world, helaid before his countrymen, shewing them what grandeur and advantagewould accrue to their state, should he prove successful. But the leadingmen of the republic considered his project as wild and chimerical, andshamefully treated him with neglect. Though mortified at this ill usage, he nevertheless remained inflexible as to his purpose, and thereforedetermined to visit the different courts of Europe, and offer his serviceto that sovereign who should give him the greatest encouragement andassistance. While he resolved to go in person to France, Spain and Portugal, he senthis brother Bartholomew to England; which nation had now seen an end ofher bloody civil wars, and begun to encourage trade and navigation. ButBartholomew, in his passage, was unfortunately taken by pirates, androbbed of all he had; and, to augment his distress, was seized with afever after his arrival, and reduced to great hardships. After hisrecovery, he spent some time in drawing charts and maps, and sellingthem, before he was in a condition to appear at court. At length, beingintroduced to the king, he laid before him his brother's proposals forsailing to the west on a voyage of discovery. King Henry, who was rathera prudent manager of the public treasure, than an encourager of greatundertakings, as some historians say, rejected his proposals: but othersof equal credit affirm, that the king entered into an agreement withBartholomew, and sent him to invite his brother to England; and that thenation in general were fond of the project, either from motives of merecuriosity or prospects of commercial advantage. [Sidenote] A. D. 1492. [Sidenote] The discovery of Columbus. In the mean time Columbus, after surmounting several discouragements anddifficulties, found employment in the service of Spain. Queen Isabellaagreed with him on his own terms, and went so far as to sell her jewelsin order to furnish him with every thing requisite for his intendedexpedition. Accordingly he embarked in August 1492, and sailed from Paloson one of the greatest enterprises ever undertaken by man. Steeringtowards the west, through what was then deemed a boundless ocean, hefound abundance of scope for all the arts of navigation of which he waspossessed; and, after surmounting numberless difficulties, from amutinous crew and the length of the voyage, he discovered one of theBahama islands. Here he landed, and, after falling on his knees andthanking God for his success, he erected the royal standard of Spain inthe western world, and returned to Europe. [Sidenote] 1494. [Sidenote] The discovery of John Cabot. Upon his arrival in Spain, the fame of this bold adventurer and thesuccess of his voyage, quickly spread through Europe, and excited generalinquiry and admiration. John Cabot, a native of Venice, (at that time oneof the most flourishing commercial states of the world), resided atBristol in England, and, having heard of the territories in the west, fitted out a ship at his own expence and steered to that quarter on avoyage of discovery. Directing his course more to the northward, he wasequally successful, and, in the year 1494, discovered the island ofNewfoundland. He went ashore on another island, which he called St. John's, because discovered on the festival of St. John the Baptist. Herehe found inhabitants clothed with skins, who made use of darts, bows andarrows, and had the address to persuade some of them to sail with him toEngland. On his return to Bristol he was knighted by the king, andreported that the land appeared rocky and barren, but that the seaabounded with fish of various kinds. King Henry was no sooner made acquainted with the success of John Cabot, than he gave an invitation to mariners of character and ability to enterhis service, for the purpose of attempting further discoveries. Cabotdeclared, he doubted not to make discoveries for him equally honourableand advantageous as those Columbus had made for Ferdinand and Isabella. Accordingly, terms were proposed and agreed on between them. "Henry, inthe eleventh year of his reign, gave a commission to John Cabot and histhree sons, Sebastian, Lewis, and Sancius, and their heirs, allowing themfull power to sail to all countries and seas of the east, west, andnorth, under English colours, with five ships of such burden and force asthey should think proper, and with as many mariners as they should chuseto take on their own cost and charges, to seek out and discover all theisles, countries, regions and provinces of heathens and infidels theycould find, which to all Christians before that time had remainedunknown. " In these letters-patent though it appears that Henry grantedthem a right to occupy and possess such lands and countries as theyshould find and conquer, yet he laid them under an obligation to erectthe English standard in every place, and reserved to himself and hisheirs the dominion, title and jurisdiction of all the towns, castles, isles and lands they should discover; so that whatever acquisitions theyshould make, they would only occupy them as vassals of the crown ofEngland. And lest they should be inclined to go to some foreign port, heexpressly bound them to return to Bristol, and to pay him and his heirsone fifth part of all the capital gains, after the expences of the voyagewere deducted: and, for their encouragement, he invested them with fullpowers to exclude all English subjects, without their particular licence, from visiting and frequenting the places they should discover. [Sidenote] A. D. 1497. [Sidenote] The discovery of Sebastian Cabot. Soon after receiving this commission from the king, John Cabot died; andhis son Sebastian, who was also a skilful navigator, set sail in 1497, with the express view of discovering a north-west passage to the easternspice islands. Directing his course by his father's journals to the samepoint, he proceeded beyond the 67th degree of north latitude; and it isaffirmed, that he would have advanced farther, had not his crew turnedmutinous and ungovernable, and obliged him to return to the degree oflatitude 56. From thence, in a south-west course, he sailed along thecoast of the continent, as far as that part which was afterwards calledFlorida, where he took his departure, and returned to England. ThusEngland claims the honour of discovering the continent of North America, and by those voyages of John and Sebastian Cabot, all that right andtitle to this extensive region, founded on prior discovery, must bevested in the crown of England. [Sidenote] 1498. The discovery of Americus Vespuccius. In the year following, Americus Vespuccius, a native of Florence, havingprocured a commission, together with the charts of the celebratedColumbus, sailed to the southern division of the western continent. Inthis voyage he discovered a large country, and drew a kind of map ofthose parts of it he visited. He also kept a journal, making severaluseful remarks on the coast and inhabitants; which, on his return toEurope, were published for general instruction. By this means he had thegood fortune to perpetuate his name, by giving it to the whole westernworld. Posterior writers naturally following the same tract, and usingthe same names found in the first performance, America by accident becamethe denomination by which the western continent was distinguished, andprobably will be so through all succeeding ages. [Sidenote] A. D. 1500. The discovery of Cabral. Not long after this, Don Pedro Alvarez Cabral, admiral of the Portuguesefleet, bound for the East Indies, was driven by a storm on the coast ofthat country now called Brazil. There he found fine land, inhabited bysavages, of which he took possession in name of his king. This discoveryhe deemed of great consequence, and therefore having put a native or twoof the new-found land on board, he sent Gasper Lamidas back to Portugalwith the news. He reported, at the same time, the gentle treatment hereceived from the natives of the country, the excellent soil andbeautiful prospects it exhibited; and, upon his report, a settlement wassoon after made, which advanced by rapid degrees in riches andpopulation, and soon became the most valuable of the Portuguesepossessions. [Sidenote] America inhabited. This vast territory of America being now discovered by different nations, in every place they found it inhabited by human creatures; but from whatcountry they derived their origin, or by what means they were conveyed tothis distant region, has been the subject of much speculation andinquiry, not only in that, but also in every future period. Historyclaims not the province of peremptorily determining inquires, which canhave no better foundation than the probable opinions and uncertainconjectures of ingenious men, and therefore must leave every man to adoptsuch accounts as appear to him least absurd or liable to exception. Yet, as the subject is curious, it may be amusing to some readers to presentthem with the different conjectures respecting it, especially such as aresupported by late observations and discoveries. [Sidenote] Various conjectures about the first population of America. One person fancies that this country was peopled from Britain, and hasrecourse to a romantic story of a Welsh historian in support of his wildconjecture. This author gives an account of a discovery made in the year1170, by Maddock, a younger son of Owen Guineth, prince of Wales. Thatprince, observing his brethren engaged in civil war about the successionto his father's throne, formed a resolution to abandon his country. Having procured a ship, with plenty of necessaries for a long voyage, heembarked, and sailed far to the westward of Ireland, where he discovereda rich and fertile country, in which he resolved to establish asettlement. With this view he returned to Wales, prepared ten sail ofships, and transported a number of both sexes to this western territory. Some men, who have been rather too zealous for proofs in confirmation ofthis conjecture, have industriously traced, and flattered themselves withhaving found a striking resemblance between several words in the nativelanguage of some Indian nations and the old Welsh tongue. Other authors are of opinion, that the American tribes are thedescendants of the ancient Phenicians and Carthaginians, who early formedsettlements on the coast of Barbary and the Canary islands. The Tyriansand Carthaginians, beyond doubt, were a commercial people, and the firstwho distinguished themselves by their knowledge in navigation. They builtships which carried vast numbers of people. To plant a colony on the westof Africa, Hanno, a Carthaginian captain, embarked in a fleet of sixtyships, containing no fewer than thirty thousand persons, with implementsnecessary for building and cultivation. While he sailed along the stormycoast of Africa, it is not improbable that some of his ships might bedriven out of sight of the land. In this case, the mariners finding thetrade winds blowing constantly against them, might necessarily be obligedto bear away before them, and so be wafted over to America. Thecomplexion of the inhabitants of the African islands resembled thoseColumbus found in the West Indies: The bows, arrows, spears, and lancesof both were also nearly similar, only those of the latter were pointedwith flints and the bones of fishes: There were also some resemblance intheir religious rites and superstitions to those of the ancientCarthaginians, which afford some presumptive evidences that they mighthave derived their origin from nations where such arms were used, andsuch superstition prevailed. That America might receive some of its firstinhabitants from the best and boldest navigators of the east, is a thingneither impossible nor incredible; and, if this be acknowledged, they hadmany hundred years to multiply and increase, before the period in whichColumbus visited them. Other authors of considerable merit and ingenuity have contended, thatAmerica was first peopled by Norwegians, and the northern countries ofEurope, formerly so populous and enterprising. They considered the routeby Iceland and Greenland, where the sea is covered with ice and snow, asthe most easy and practicable. They affirm, that colonies were planted inGreenland, by adventurers from the north of Europe; that the north-westcoast of Greenland is removed at no great distance from America, and thatit is not improbable these two territories may, in places yetundiscovered, be contiguous. In support of which conjecture, an affinitybetween the language of the Esquimaux Indians and that of theGreenlanders has been discovered by modern Danish travellers. It isasserted, that they understand each other in their commercialintercourses. Besides, so great is their likeness in features andmanners, in their boats and darts, that late geographers have notscrupled to believe that the lands are united, as the inhabitants of bothsides so manifestly appear to be descended from the same nation. Other writers, with greater probability and reason, suppose, that thewestern continent must have received its first inhabitants from thenorth-east parts of Asia and Europe. Some ancient Greek historians say, that the Scythians, from whom the Tartars derived their origin, were allpainted from their infancy, and that they flayed the heads of theirenemies, and wore their scalps, by way of triumph, at the bridles oftheir horses. Sophocles speaks of having the head shorn, and of wearing askull-cap, like the Scythians. These indeed bear a faint resemblance tosome customs of the Indian tribes in America; but late discoveriesfurnish us with the best proofs in favour of this conjecture. SomeRussian adventurers, on the sea of Kamschatka, have discovered the coastof America, and reported, that the distance between the two continents isso small and inconsiderable, that a passage between them, at certainseasons, is easy and practicable, and that, though it be yet uncertain, it is by no means improbable that these two great territories are united. It is remarkable, that the aspect, language, and manners of the people, on each side of the narrow channel, are nearly similar; that the armsthey use for procuring subsistence are the same; that their boats andmethod of fishing are exactly alike; that both make use of a woodeninstrument for procuring fire by friction; that neither attack theirenemies in the open field, but take all advantages of ensnaring them bywiles and stratagem; and that the vanquished, when taken prisoners, aretortured without mercy. These observations indicate a strikingresemblance between the Tartars and the savages of America. One thing iscertain, that emigrations to the western world by this narrow channel areeasier accounted for than by any other route, and it is to be hoped a fewyears more will remove every difficulty attending this curious andimportant inquiry. Notwithstanding all these conjectures, various may have been the ways andmeans of peopling this large continent. It is not improbable that severalnations may have contributed towards supplying it at different times withinhabitants. The Scripture affirms, that all mankind originally sprungfrom the same root, however now diversified in characters andcomplexions. In the early ages of the world, as mankind multiplied theydispersed, and occupied a greater extent of country. When thus divided, for the sake of self-preservation and mutual defence, they wouldnaturally unite and form separate states. The eager desire of power anddominion would prove the occasion of differences and quarrels, and theweaker party or state would always be obliged to flee before thestronger. Such differences would necessarily promote distant settlements, and when navigation was introduced and improved, unforeseen accidents, sea-storms, and unfortunate shipwrecks, would contribute to the generaldispersion. These, we may naturally suppose, would be the effects ofdivision and war in the earlier ages. Nor would time and higher degreesof civilization prevent such consequences, or prove a sufficient remedyagainst domestic discord and trouble. Ambition, tyranny, factions andcommotions of various kinds, in larger societies, would occasionemigrations, and all the arts of navigation would be employed for therelief and assistance of the distressed. So that if America was foundpeopled in some measure nigh 5, 500 years after the creation, it cannot bedeemed a thing more wonderful and unaccountable, than the population ofmany eastern islands, especially those lying at a considerable distancefrom the continents. The great Author of nature, who first framed theworld, still superintends and governs it; and as all things visible andinvisible are instruments in his hand, he can make them all conspiretowards promoting the designs of his providence, and has innumerablemethods, incomprehensible by us, of diffusing the knowledge of his name, and the glory of his kingdom, throughout the spacious universe. [Sidenote] The natural proprietors of the country. Those scattered tribes of savages dispersed by Providence through theAmerican continent, occupied its extensive forests; and it must beconfessed, that no inhabitants of Europe, Africa or Asia could produce abetter title to their possessions. Their right was founded in nature andProvidence: it was the free and liberal gift of heaven to them, which noforeigner could claim any pretension to invade. Their lands they held bythe first of all tenures, that of defending them with their lives. However, charters were granted to European intruders, from kings whoclaimed them on the foot of prior discovery; but neither the sovereignswho granted away those lands, nor the patentees who accepted theirgrants, and by fraud or force acquired possession, could plead any titleto them founded on natural right. Prior discovery might give foreigners akind of right to lands unoccupied, or possessions relinquished, butneither of these was the case of the American territories. Nations wholived by hunting like the savages in America, required a large extent ofterritory; and though some had more, others less extensive districts towhich they laid claim, yet each tribe knew its particular division, andthe whole coast was occupied by them. Indeed, in a general view, thewhole earth may be called an inheritance common to mankind; but, according to the laws and customs of particular nations, strangers whoencroach on their neighbours property, or attempt to take forciblepossession, have no reason to wonder if they obtain such property at therisque of life. In justice and equity, Indian titles were the best ones;and such European emigrants as obtained lands by the permission andconsent of the natives, or by fair and honourable purchase, could only besaid to have a just right to them. In the centre of the continent the people, comparatively speaking, werenumerous and civilized; the tribes farther removed from it on each sidelived more dispersed, and consequently were more rude. Some historianshave represented them as naturally ferocious, cruel, treacherous andrevengeful; but no man ought to draw conclusions, with respect to theiroriginal characters, from their conduct in later times, especially afterthey have been hostilely invaded, injuriously driven from their naturalpossessions, cruelly treated, and barbarously butchered by Europeanaggressors, who had no other method of colouring and vindicating theirown conduct, but that of blackening the characters of those poor natives. To friends they are benevolent, peaceable, generous and hospitable: toenemies they are the reverse. But we forbear entering minutely into thissubject at present, as we shall have occasion afterwards to make severalremarks on the character, manners and customs of these tribes. Just viewsof them may indeed excite compassion; yet, for our instruction, they willexhibit to us a genuine picture of human nature in its rudest and mostuncultivated state. [Sidenote] Religious divisions the primary cause of emigrations to the west. With the revival of learning in Europe, towards the close of thefifteenth century, a more free and liberal way of thinking, with respectto religion, was introduced and encouraged, than had taken place duringmany preceding ages. At this period several men of genius and courageappeared, who discovered to the world the gross absurdity of many of thetenets and practices of the Romish church; but were unwilling totally tooverturn her established jurisdiction and authority. At length Lutherboldly exposed her errors to public view, and the spirit of the age, groaning under the papal yoke, applauded the undertaking. Multitudes, whohad long been oppressed, were ripe for a change, and well disposed forfavouring the progress of that reformation which he attempted andintroduced. By this means great commotions were excited throughoutChristendom, and thousands united and entered warmly into designs ofasserting their religious liberty. Hence a spirit of emigration arose andmen seemed bent on visiting the remotest regions of the earth, ratherthan submit to spiritual oppression at home. Instead of improving the discoveries made in America during the reign ofhis father, Henry the eighth was busily engaged in gratifying thecravings of licentious appetites, or in opposing by writings the progressof the reformation. In his reign Sebastian Cabot, that eminent mariner, finding himself shamefully neglected by the capricious and voluptuousmonarch, went over to Spain. There he got employment for several years, and made some new and useful discoveries in America for the Spanishnation. After the young Prince Edward ascended the English throne, theenterprising merchants of Bristol invited Cabot to return to Britain; andhe, having a natural fondness for that city in which he was born, themore readily accepted their invitation. King Edward, having heard of thefame of this bold navigator, expressed a desire of seeing him; andaccordingly Cabot was sent for and introduced to the king by the Duke ofSomerset, at that time Lord protector of England. The king being highlypleased with his conversation, kept him about court, and from himreceived much instruction, both with respect to foreign parts, and theports and havens within his own dominions. In all affairs relating totrade and navigation Cabot was consulted, and his judgment and skillprocured him general respect. A trade with Russia was projected, and acompany of merchants being incorporated for carrying it on, SebastianCabot was made the first governor of the company. In 1549, being advancedin years, the king, as a reward for his services, made him Grand Pilot ofEngland, to which office he annexed a pension of _L_. 166: 13: 4 _perannum_, which Cabot held during his life, together with the favour of hisprince, and the friendship of the trading part of the nation. When Mary, that cruel and inflexible bigot, succeeded to the throne, domestic troubles and ecclesiastical persecution were so prevalent inEngland, that commerce sunk into decay, and navigation was despised andneglected. The spirit of murmur and discontent pervaded the country, andmultitudes wished for some foreign settlement, as an asylum againstdomestic trouble and persecution; and, had they been sufficientlyacquainted with the western territories, would certainly have emigratedto that quarter. After Elizabeth ascended the throne, the bloody scene ofviolence closed, and national affairs took a more successful turn. Duringher reign the reformation advanced to a peaceable establishment inEngland, and commerce was encouraged and protected. [Sidenote] Coligni's settlement in Florida. In France the reformation met with greater obstacles, and was productiveof more serious and fatal consequences. It occasioned a civil war betweenthe Protestant and Catholic parties of that kingdom, which raged forseveral years with great violence. During these domestic troubles, Jasperde Coligni, one of the chief leaders of the Protestant army, formed aproject for carrying a colony to America. Forseeing the dangers to whichhe and his followers would be exposed, should the cause in which theywere engaged prove unsuccessful, it is probable he intended this foreignsettlement as a retreat. Accordingly, having fitted out two ships, hegave the command of them to Jean Ribaud, and sent him with a colony ofProtestants to America. Ribaud landed at the mouth of the river nowcalled Albemarle, which was then considered as part of Florida, where hebuilt a fort, for the security of himself and followers, and called thecountry Carolina. By this time the Spaniards had incurred theirreconcilable hatred and resentment of the Indian nations by theircruelty and treachery in the heart of the continent. Ribaud found meansof acquainting the Indians that he was an enemy to the Spaniards, and ofconsequence he was the more kindly received by them. He had the addressto engage their affections, insomuch that in a little time they becamefond of his alliance. But while the flames of war continued in France, Coligni could find no leisure to send supplies to his infant colony, andRibaud was obliged to abandon the settlement. Great were the extremitiesto which he was reduced in returning to Europe: one of his crew waskilled for subsistence to the rest, who had scarcely done eating him, when an English vessel providentially appeared, took the emaciated crewon board, and carried them to England. [Sidenote] Extirpated by Spaniard. Mean while, a peace being patched up between the Papists and Protestantsin France, Admiral Coligni, who was seemingly received into favour bythat political court, fitted out three ships, loaded them with provisionsand arms, and sent them to Carolina. Rene Laudoner to whom he had giventhe command, embarked with a number of adventurers. On his arrival hefound the spot Ribaud had relinquished; but despaired of being able tokeep possession of it without regular supplies. When he found hisprovisions beginning to fail, he had formed resolutions of returning toEurope. While he was making preparations to embark, Ribaud fortunatelyarrived with seven ships, a large supply of necessaries, and aconsiderable body of settlers. This animated them to enter with greatervigour on clearing and cultivating lands, and making provision for theirfuture subsistence. The Indians rejoiced at Ribaud's return, and waitedon him with their assurances of friendship. But while this French colonywere beginning to flatter themselves with some faint hopes of success, Peter Melandez, who pretended a right to the whole territory, cameagainst them with an armed force, killed Ribaud and seven hundred of hismen, and compelled the remainder to return to France. M. De Gorgues, aGascoon, afterwards, to avenge the disaster of his countrymen, dislodgedMelandez, but made no attempt toward planting a colony in that quarter. This extensive country remained a wilderness until the reign of Charlesthe second of England. To keep possession, the Spaniards supported asmall garrison at Augustine, on the most barren spot of the wholeterritory, upon which, together with the discovery of Ponce de Leon, theyever after founded their claim to all the southern parts of NorthAmerica. [Sidenote] A traffic in negroes. About the same time a traffic in the human species, called Negroes, wasintroduced into England; which is one of the most odious and unnaturalbranches of trade the sordid and avaricious mind of mortals everinvented. It had indeed been carried on before this period by Genoesetraders, who bought a patent from Charles the fifth, containing anexclusive right of carrying Negroes from the Portuguese settlements inAfrica, to America and the West Indies; but the English nation had notyet engaged in the iniquitous traffic. As it has since been deeplyconcerned in it, and as the province, the transactions of which Inarrate, owes its improvements almost entirely to this hardy race oflabourers, it may not be improper here to give some account of the originand first inventor of this trade. William Hawkins, an expert English seaman, having made several voyages tothe coast of Guinea, and from thence to Brazil and the West Indies, hadacquired considerable knowledge of the countries. At his death he lefthis journals with his son John Hawkins, in which he described the landsof America and the West Indies to be exceedingly rich and fertile, bututterly neglected for want of hands to improve them. He represented thenatives of Europe as unequal to the task in such a scorching climate; butthose of Africa as well adapted to undergo the labours requisite. Uponwhich John Hawkins immediately formed a design of transporting Africansinto the western world; and having drawn a plan for the execution of it, he laid it before some of his opulent neighbours for encouragement andapprobation. To them it appeared promising and advantageous. Asubscription was opened, and speedily filled up, by Sir Lionel Ducket, Sir Thomas Lodge, Sir William Winter and others, who plainly perceivedthe vast profits that would result from such a trade. Accordingly threeships were fitted out, and manned by an hundred select sailors, whomHawkins encouraged to go with him by promises of good treatment and greatpay. In the year 1562 he set sail for Africa, and in a few weeks arrivedat the country now called Sierra Leona, where be began his commerce withthe negroes. While he trafficked with them, he found some means of givingthem a charming description of the country to which he was bound; theunsuspicious Africans listened to him with apparent joy and satisfaction, and seemed remarkably fond of his European trinkets, food and clothes. Hepointed out to them the barrenness of the country, and their naked andwretched condition, and promised, if any of them were weary of theirmiserable circumstances, and would go along with him, he would carry themto a plentiful land, where they should live happy, and receive anabundant recompense for their labours. He told them, that the country wasinhabited by such men as himself and his jovial companions, and assuredthem of kind usage and great friendship. In short, the negroes wereovercome by his flattering promises, and three hundred stout fellowsaccepted his offer, and consented to embark along with him. Every thingbeing settled on the most amicable terms between them, Hawkins madepreparations for his voyage. But in the night before his departure, hisnegroes were attacked by a large body from a different quarter; Hawkins, being alarmed with the shrieks and cries of dying persons, ordered hismen to the assistance of his slaves, and having surrounded theassailants, carried a number of them on board as prisoners of war. Thenext day he set sail for Hispaniola with his cargo of human creatures;but, during the passage, treated the prisoners of war in a differentmanner from his volunteers. Upon his arrival he disposed of his cargo togreat advantage; and endeavoured to inculcate on the Spaniards who boughtthe negroes the same distinction he observed: but they, having purchasedall at the same rate, considered them as slaves of the same condition, and consequently treated all alike. When Hawkins returned to England with pearls, hides, sugar and ginger, which he had received in exchange for his slaves, multitudes flockedafter him, to inquire into the nature, and learn the success of the newand extraordinary branch of trade. At first the nation was shocked at theunnatural trade of dealing in human flesh, and bartering the commoditiesand trinkets of Europe for the rational race of Africa. The queen, thougha patroness of commerce, was doubtful of the justice and humanity of thisnew branch, it appearing to her equally barbarous as uncommon, andtherefore sent for Hawkins to inquire into his method of conducting it. Hawkins told her, that he considered it as an act of humanity to carrymen from a worse condition to a better, from a state of wild barbarism toanother where they might share the blessings of civil society andChristianity; from poverty, nakedness and want to plenty and felicity. Heassured her, that in no expedition where he had the command should anyAfricans be carried away without their own free will and consent exceptsuch captives as were taken in war and doomed to death; that he had noscruple about the justice of bringing human creatures from that barrenwilderness, to a condition where they might be both happy themselves andbeneficial to the world. Indeed it would appear that Hawkins had no ideaof perpetual slavery, but expected they would be treated as freeservants, after they had by their labours brought their masters anequivalent for the expence of their purchase. Queen Elizabeth seemedsatisfied with his account, and dismissed him, by declaring, that whilehe and his owners acted with humanity and justice, they should have hercountenance and protection. Soon after Hawkins made preparations for a second voyage, in which theQueen offered him a ship of war for his assistance and protection. But hedeclined accepting her offer, by telling her Majesty, that the profits ofthe trade would answer for all the risque and expences attending it. Inhis passage, however, he fell in with the Minion man of war, whichaccompanied him to the coast of Africa. After his arrival he began asformerly to traffic with the negroes, endeavouring by persuasion and theprospects of reward to induce them to go along with him. But now theywere more reserved and jealous of his designs, and as none of theirneighbours had returned, they were apprehensive he had killed and eatthem. The crew of the man of war observing the Africans backward andsuspicious, began to laugh at his gentle and dilatory methods ofproceeding, and proposed having immediate recourse to force andcompulsion. The sailors belonging to his own fleet joined those of theman of war, and applauded the proposal. But Hawkins considered it ascruel and unjust, and tried by persuasion, promises and threats toprevail on them to desist from a purpose so unwarrantable and barbarous. In vain did he urge his authority and instructions from the Queen: thebold and headstrong sailors would hear of no restraints. Drunkenness andavarice are deaf to the voice of humanity. They pursue their violentdesign, and, after several unsuccessful attacks, in which many of themlost their lives, the cargo was at length compleated by barbarity andforce. [Sidenote] Reflections on it. Hence arose that horrid and inhuman practice of dragging Africans intoslavery; which has since been so pursued, in defiance of every principleof justice and religion: Though Hawkins was the first Englishman whoengaged in this traffic, so repugnant to the spirit of the Englishconstitution; though he made use of such fraudulent arts even in hisfirst method of conducting it, as few men can have the assurance tovindicate; yet, as he was a man of prudence and humanity, he is no wayschargeable with those diabolical abuses which have since crept into thistrade. Had men continued to conduct it according to his plan andproposal, and hands been transported by their voluntary consent to labourin burning climates, where Europeans are disqualified by nature for thetask; had the Spaniards allowed them the common privileges of servants, after they had cleared the charges they cost them; had negroes beenbought from the flames, to which in some countries they were devoted ontheir falling prisoners of war, and in others sacrificed at the funeralobsequies of the great and powerful among themselves; in short, had theybeen by this traffic delivered from torture or death, European merchantsmight have some excuse to plead in its vindication. But, according to thecommon mode in which it has been conducted, we must confess it adifficult matter to conceive a single argument in its defence. It iscontrary to all laws of nature and nations to entice, inveigle and compelsuch multitudes of human creatures, who never injured us, from theirnative land, and dispose of them like flocks of sheep and cattle to thehighest bidder; and, what compleats the cruelty and injustice of thetraffic, to consign them over to ignorance, barbarism, and perpetualslavery. After this, where will insatiable avarice stop? As a free andindependent people, they had unquestionably an equal right to make slavesof the inhabitants of Europe. Nature has given the people of the onecontinent no superiority over those of the other; the advantages ofEuropeans were the effects only of art and improvement. And though policyhas given countenance and sanction to the trade, yet every candid andimpartial man must confess, that it is atrocious and unjustifiable inevery light in which it can be viewed, and turns merchants into a band ofrobbers, and trade into atrocious acts of fraud and violence. [Sidenote] A. D. 1584. Virginia settled. We shall now return to those naval adventurers, whose object was theestablishment of colonies in America. About the year 1584, Sir WalterRaleigh, an able statesman and gallant officer, formed a project forplanting an English colony in America. His penetrating genius easilydiscerned the great advantages which would accrue from a successfulforeign settlement. He applied to the Queen, and having obtained from herletters-patent, immediately began to carry into execution what hisingenuity had projected. He fitted out two vessels, and gave the commandof them to Philip Amidas and Arthur Barlow, and sent them to America. They landed at the island Roanock, and took possession of the country inthe name of the Queen of England, and Sir Walter called it Virginia, inhonour of his virgin Queen. The favourable report made by these twomariners, encouraged Sir Walter to pursue his design with resolution. Great minds are fond of new schemes and grand enterprizes, but itcommonly falls to posterity to reap the advantages resulting from them. Sir Richard Grenville, one of Sir Walter's intimate companions, afterwards visited this country, and left one hundred and eight men in itto keep possession of the territory. But they running short ofprovisions, and having no source of supply, were reduced to greatstraits. Happily for them, admiral Drake, who had been sent with a fleetto Spanish America in search of treasure, had instructions to touch atVirginia in his return to England. On his arrival he found the infantcolony in great distress, and at their request carried them back toEngland. Some years afterwards another attempt was made, and fifty men were leftto begin a settlement. Whether these suffered death by hunger, or thehands of savages, is uncertain; but, on the arrival of anotherembarkation, none of the fifty could be found. They observed the wordCroatan marked on some trees, from which the conjectured that the colonyhad moved to a place called by that name, and left this as a mark toconduct their friends to it. But a storm afterwords arising, theseadventurers were driven out to sea, and, without finding theirunfortunate countrymen, returned to England. From this period till the year 1606 Virginia was left without aninhabitant, except its original savages. In the mean time, Sir WalterRaleigh, having incurred the displeasure of the king and the jealousy ofthe court, fell a sacrifice to the malice and power of his enemies. However, some merchants of London and Bristol kept trading to the westernworld, and bartered beads, knives, hatchets and coarse cloths for theskins and furs which the Indians brought them. The immense profitsarising from this commerce encouraged them to enlarge it. For thispurpose two companies were incorporated for trading to America andestablishing settlements in it, the one was called the Virginia Company, the other the Plymouth Adventurers. King James granted them all theterritory which lies between the 34th and 45th degrees of northlatitude. The former of these corporations laid the foundation ofJames-Town in Virginia, which was the first British settlement in Americawhich proved permanent and successful. So after Sir Walter Raleigh hadprojected and spent forty thousand pounds, in vain attempts to establisha colony in this quarter, this company reaped the first advantages of hisenterprising spirit and great design. [Sidenote] Its progress. However, for many years, finall and inconsiderable was the progress ofthis distant settlement. Their object was rather Indian trade thancultivation, till Lord Delawar was appointed governor of the colony. After his arrival in Virginia, he turned the attention of the settlers toindustry and application. From the rivers which abounded with fish, andthe woods with game, he taught them the arts of procuring a plentifulsupply of provision. He showed them the profitability of chastising thoseIndian tribes who presumed to harass the colony, pointed out the methodsof defence in the woods, and by his example inspired them with revolutionand perseverance. At length, having by his zeal and indefatigable laboursbrought the colony to a growing and hopeful condition, at the risque ofhis own health, he appointed his son deputy-governor, and returned toEngland. By this time several men of opulence and distinction in England had begunto form the most sanguine hopes with respect to this settlement, andunited in a plan for carrying inhabitants to it. Sir Thomas Yates and SirGeorge Somers embarked with 500 men for Virginia: the latter being drivenby a storm within sight of the island called Bermuda, formed a design ofsettling it. This embarkation proved a great acquisition to the colony inVirginia. On their arrival the colonists began to think themselvesstrong, and therefore, not content with the lands about James-Town, theyforced their way up the large rivers, and made bold excursions into thecountry, in search of the most convenient and fertile spots of ground. The wisdom of their governor was no less conspicuous in the division ofproperty, than in the distribution of justice. His tenderness andindulgences set the springs of industry in motion, which spread throughthe settlement, and excited a spirit of emulation with respect to theculture of lands. By degrees little spots were cleared and planted, whichrewarded the diligent, and the country began to make some feeble advancestowards improvement. In proportion as the colony multiplied, theinhabitants spread themselves through the country, yet abundance of landstill remained for additional numbers, with which it might in time beaugmented. [Sidenote] Disturbances in England promote foreign settlements. During the reign of the family of Stuart, a series of weak and oppressivemeasures, pursued in England, occasioned domestic troubles and discontentto the nation, and contributed greatly to promote American settlements. James the first, surrounded by a crowd of flatterers, began to entertainhigh ideas of his power and prerogative, to inculcate the extravagantdoctrines of divine indefeasible right, passive obedience, andnon-resistance, on a people whom he was ill qualified to govern, and whohad conceived an irreconcilable aversion from such political principles. The consequence was, he lost by his weakness and pedantry the affectionsof the nation, yet his reign is memorable for giving rise to many foreignsettlements. From him the East-India Company received a new patent, whichencouraged the corporation to enlarge their stock, and to fit out agreater number of ships for that trade. In his reign Barbadoes wassettled by an association of noblemen, of whom the Earl of Pembroke wasthe chief. And though it afterwards changed its master, and fell into thehands of the Earl of Carlisle, yet it prospered from its firstpopulation, and soon became a rich and flourishing island. St. Christophers may also date its origin from the close of this king'sreign. The Plymouth Adventurers, who had carried a colony to New-England, at different times added numbers to it, and, notwithstanding everydifficulty, it grew and prospered. Sir William Alexander received a grantof that territory now called Nova Scotia from the same king, but nevermade and serious attempts towards settling it. During the succeeding reign several thousands emigrated to the westerncontinent. Both the King and Queen were attached to the Popish religion, which vast multitudes of the nation abhorred. This served to alienate thepeople's affections not a little from the royal family; but thetyrannical and oppressive regulations established by the rulers of thechurch, doubled the distress of the people, and served to complete theirdisaffection to their native country. The Puritans, so called for theirtaking, or affecting to take, the pure and simple word of God for therule of their faith and practice, regardless of ecclesiastical authorityand institutions, were a numerous party in the nation. These people hadbegun their struggles for religious liberty, and as they afterwordsoccasioned such commotions in England, a general sketch of theircharacter, and the rise and progress of their party, may not perhaps beunacceptable. [Sidenote] New England peopled by Puritans. From the great aera of the Reformation the English nation had beendistracted with religious disputes, and divided into contending parties. One part of the people adhered to the old superstitious system of theRomish church, and strictly observed all the absurd tenets and practicesof that establishment. Another party, of which the church of England wascomposed, seceded several steps from popery, but maintained the hierarchyin its full power and authority. The third sect were Puritans, who hadimbibed such high notions of civil and religious liberty, as struck atthe foundation of both hierarchy and monarchy. On all occasions theydiscovered a strong tendency towards a republican form of government andan irreconcileable aversion towards the whole fabric of the Episcopalianchurch. This party, during the two preceding reigns being chieflycomposed of the dregs of the people, were regarded as of littleconsequence, and treated with supercilious contempt by theadministration. But in the reign of King Charles the first they hadamazingly increased, and many men of opulence and distinction had joinedthem, from motives of discontent or ambition, or from a passion forsingularity and popular applause. When the religious disputes became warmin the nation, the zeal of this party broke out, and burned with suchamazing ardour that it levelled all distinctions. To increase theconfusion, Archbishop Laud insisted on conformity, and persecuted all whorefused obedience to his mandates with the utmost rigour. Butpersecution, for the most part, proves destructive to the cause it isintended to promote. The miseries the Puritans endured, and theirfirmness and perseverance in the midst of sufferings, contributed to givethem that merit and importance in the eyes of the nation, which otherwiseperhaps they had never attained. Their sober and rigid manner of life, the plainness of dress which they affected, and the strong tendency theyshewed towards religion in all their words and actions, had great weightwith the vulgar and credulous part, and induced them to entertain highnotions of their sanctity, and to venerate them as the peculiar people ofGod. Their number increased and became formidable. Many men of rank, disgusted at the measures of court, and apprehensive that the libertiesof the nation were in danger, turned zealous republicans, and seemed toaim at a total subversion of the constitution, both in church and state. The King, though a well-wisher to religion, hated the principles of thePuritans, and considered them as dangerous and deceitful. Thoseenthusiasts, on the other hand, were determined to endure the severestpersecutions, rather than admit the common prayer, organs, and surplicesinto their worship, and conform to the popish ceremony of kneeling at thesacrament. In short, the dispute about trifling ceremonies became seriouson both sides, and augured no good to the nation. Dr. Laud, observing notonly the laity but the clergy also infected with puritanical principles, deprived many of their livings, merely for not conforming to all theceremonies of the church. During these troubles many fled to New England;and others caused houses to be built and lands cleared for them, with aview of retiring there, should their contention for religious freedom inEngland prove unsuccessful. In vain did Dr. Laud obtain an order of courtto put a stop to emigration. There was not a corner of the globe to whichthese people would not flee, rather than conform to ceremonies which theythought savoured of popery and idolatry, and endangered their salvation. To these disturbances New-England owed its population. Enthusiasm hasoften stimulated men to bold and arduous undertakings, and animated themto perseverance amidst great difficulties. Of this truth the firstemigrants to New-England afford us a striking example. They seemed to biddefiance to the hardships to which they were exposed, having what theyvalued most of any thing in the world, I mean, liberty of conscience. Amidst cold, hunger, toil, disease, and distress of every kind, theycomforted themselves with the thoughts of being removed far out of thereach of tyrants, and triumphed in their deliverance from an idolatrousand wicked nation. Neither the hideous gloom of the thick forest, nor theravages and depredations of savage neighbours, appeared to them sogrievous and intolerable as conformity to the that of England, and animplicit obedience to civil authority. [Sidenote] Who turn persecutors. It might reasonably have been expected, that those emigrants who madeNew-England their asylum from what they deemed civil tyranny andecclesiastical persecution, would have guarded against every degree ofoppression and persecution in that form of government they were about toestablish among themselves. This, however, was far from being the case. Some of their first laws favour of a degree of persecution andintolerance unknown in the most despotic governments of Europe; and thosewho fled from persecution became the most bitter persecutors. Those whowere found dancing or drunk were ordered to be publicly whipped, in orderto deter others from such practices. The custom of wearing long hair wasdeemed immodest, impious and abominable. All who were guilty of swearingrashly, might purchase an exemption from punishment for a schilling; butthose who should transgress the fourth commandment were to be condemnedto banishment, and such as should worship images, to death. Children wereto be punished with death, for cursing or striking their father ormother. Marriages were to be solemnized by magistrates; and all whodenied the coercive authority of the magistrate in religious matters, orthe validity of infant baptism, were to be banished. Blasphemy, perjury, adultery, and witchcraft, were all made capital offences. In short, wemay challenge the annals of any nation to produce a code of laws moreintolerant than that of the first settlers in New-England. Unlimitedobedience was enjoined to the authority of the magistrate, by the samemen who had refused such submission in England, and fled from theirnative country because it was demanded. Thus, however incredible it mayappear, blind fanatics became public legislators, and those who wereunable to endure tyranny in England, became the most insupportabletyrants in America. This oppressive rigour of their first laws was soon heavily felt by many, but especially by that peaceable society of people called Quakers. Someof this sect, who had been banished on account of their religion, out ofmere zeal for making proselytes, returned to the country. They wereinstantly seized by those oppressors, condemned and hanged, to preventthe clandestine incursions of others. Those who had the misfortune to betaken with convulsions, or any disorder to which vulgar ignorance was astranger, were accused of witchcraft, and condemned to death. No age norsex were secure from such suspicions, when ignorance, malice and phrenzyjoined in framing accusations, and selecting victims at pleasure. Dreams, apparitions and tortures were all employed as evidences against personsaccused, and served to increase the number of horrid executions. Theclergy were often accused, and sometimes the judges themselves. The jailswere filled with infants, old men and women, the people were distractedwith gloomy apprehensions, and the country was stained with innocentblood. At last the popular phrenzy began to subside, and gave way topainful remorse. The eyes of the blinded fanatics were opened, so as todiscern their guilt; and a general fast was appointed to implore thepardon and mercy of God for their enormous crimes and horrible delusions. [Sidenote] Divide into different governments. This colony, which was planted by oppression, in process of time owed itsextension to the same cause, Dissenters, who all claim an equal right toliberty in religion, with respect to private judgment and opinion, werenot likely to remain long in harmony and peace among themselves. Thoughthey reprobated the doctrine of uniformity in England, yet they becamethe most bigoted sticklers for it in their new settlement. The tenets ofothers, who differed from their mode of worship, were condemned withoutscruple or hesitation, insomuch that the oppression from which they fledin Britain was like gentle toleration, when compared with that to whichthey subjected their fellow-refugees. Hence various sectaries arose intheir settlement, who claimed the same right to dissent from them, whichthey formerly did from the church of England. But their claim wasrejected, and of consequence a persecution for conscience sake commencedamong that people, who had become separatists in defence of universaltoleration. However, these sprigs, torn by violence from the old root, had the same resource left; they separated, and planted themselves in anew soil, and spread their branches over the country. Hence differentgovernments took their origin, and different colonies were settled, bypersons who were denied religious freedom, and the right of privatejudgment, in Massachuset's bay. [Sidenote] A colony planted in Maryland. From the same source, I mean, a division in England, another colony ofcatholics took its rise. The king not only lost the affections of hisProtestant subjects, but was also obliged to give the Roman catholics upto the rigour of those laws enacted against them in the preceding reigns. Lord Baltimore therefore resolved to leave England, and settle a colonyon lands which had been granted to his father a few years before hisdeath. This territory he called Maryland, in honour of the queen, whogave him all the assistance in her power towards forwarding thesettlement. [Sidenote] General remarks on colonization. From the establishment and progress of these foreign settlements, and thespirit of emigration which prevailed in England, discerning men earlyforeboded ill consequences to the mother country. They were no strangersto the troubles which the colonies of Greece and Rome occasioned thoseancient republics. Such vast territories as America contained, opened aboundless field for the encouragement of emigration, and every additionwhich these colonies received from Britain was prejudicial to herinterest, as it served to weaken her, in proportion as it strengthenedthem. The riches of every country unquestionably depend on the number ofits industrious inhabitants. America could furnish employment forinnumerable hands, and emigrations from the mother country would inprocess of time dry up the sources of her wealth and power. England, though populous, could spare none, without prejudice to herself, but suchas had either no employment at home, or no inclination to labour: for allindustrious men serve to enrich their country, and whatever they earn bytheir labour, be it more or less, so much doth the nation profit by them. It is true, a number of idle and indolent people, like voracious dronesin the hive, are a burden to every community. Such indeed might be sparedfor the purpose of colonization, without any detriment to the parentstate; but every diligent and honest labourer that emigrates from hisnative country, helps to depopulate, and of course to impoverish it. Had England at that time been too populous for its extent, or incapableof employing and maintaining its inhabitants, in that case, her plantingforeign colonies might have served the purpose of public utility, andgiven relief from domestic hardship, just as bees send off their youngswarms without injuring the industrious hive. Britain, no doubt, mightreap some advantages from her foreign plantations, especially such ofthem as are situated in a different climate, and produce such commoditiesas luxury obliged her to purchase from strangers; and while shemaintained her supreme jurisdiction over them, she could bind them bylaws to continue her customers for taking off her manufactures, and soextend her commerce and navigation. By such policy she might make thewealth of her laborious colonies center in herself, and add greatly toher opulence and power. In every other case, numerous and extensiveforeign settlements must prove hurtful, if not troublesome and dangerous:for while they are draining her of her useful inhabitants, they aregrowing on her ruins; and if they turn not headstrong and ungovernable, they will at least oblige her to keep a much larger army and fleet thanotherways she would have any occasion for, and double her expence fortheir protection. From Charles the first Sir Robert Heath obtained a grant for an immenseterritory lying to the southward of Virginia, which is now divided intoseveral distinct provinces, but made no settlement on it. Excepting asmall garison the Spaniards supported at Augustine, this country remaineda rude wilderness, the habitation of savages and wild beasts, till therestoration. Soon after that important event several leading men of thenation, actuated by a pious and laudable zeal for the propagation of theGospel, associated, and formed a design of settling it at their ownexpence. To give an account of the rise and progress of this settlement, especially of that division now called SOUTH CAROLINA, shall be ourbusiness in the following pages of this history. CHAP. II. During the period of the usurpation in England, popular anarchyprevailed, and levelled all ranks and distinctions throughout the nation. The lineal heir of the crown being expelled, Oliver Cromwell, thatambitious and crafty leader of the people, seized the reins ofgovernment, and ruled England with a rod of iron for several years. Thenobles bowed to a fanatic, and the republican part of the constitutionpreponderated to such a degree, that the other two became as nothing inthe balance. When the restoration took place, to the great joy and happiness of thenation, the nobles and royalists again stood forth, and assumed theirformer dignity and weight in the government of their country. Domesticpeace being re-established on the solid foundation of regal andconstitutional authority, England, amidst other national objects, turnedher views toward the improvement of commerce, navigation, and hercolonies. Hitherto the extensive territory of North America had been divided intotwo districts, which were called South and North Virginia. All landslying towards the river St. Lawrence, from the northern boundaries of theprovince now called Virginia, belonged to the northern, and all those tothe southward, as far as the Gulf of Florida, to the southern district. And though the first European settlement in America was attempted inFlorida by the French, yet they were compelled to relinquish that place;and the English, preferring what they esteemed a more favourable climate, had hitherto neglected it. [Sidenote] The first proprietors and their charter. After the restoration, England began to recognize her claim to a largeterritory in the southern district. In the year 1662, Edward Earl ofClarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John LordBerkeley, Antony Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkeley, and Sir John Colleton, being apprized of the excellent soil of thiscountry, united and formed a project for planting a colony in it. Uponapplication to the crown for a charter, Charles granted them all thelands lying between the thirty-first and thirty-sixth degrees of northlatitude. Two years afterwards he confirmed this grant, and by a secondcharter enlarged the boundaries of it, from the 29th degree of northlatitude to 36 degrees 30 minutes, and from these points on the sea-coastwestward in parallel lines to the Pacific ocean. Of this immense regionthe king constituted them absolute lords and proprietors, saving tohimself, his heirs and successors the sovereign dominion of the country. At the same time he invested them with all the rights, jurisdiction, royalties, privileges and liberties within the bounds of their province, to hold, use and enjoy the same, in as ample a manner as the bishop ofDurham did in that county palatine in England. This province they were tohold and possess of the king, his heirs and successors, as of his manorof East Greenwich in Kent, not _in capite_, or by knight's service, butin free and common soccage. These absolute lords and proprietors were by their charter empowered toenact, and, under their seal, to publish any laws or constitutions theyjudged proper and necessary to the public state of the province, with theassent, advice and approbation of the freemen of the colony; toconstitute counties, baronies and colonies within the province; to erectcourts of judicature, and appoint civil judges, magistrates and officers;to erect forts, castles, cities and towns; to make war; to levy, musterand train men to the use of arms, and, in cases of necessity, to exercisethe martial law; to confer titles of honour, only they must be differentfrom those conferred on the people of England; to build harbours, makeports, and enjoy customs and subsidies, which they, with the consent ofthe freemen, should impose on goods loaded and unloaded; reserving thefourth part of the gold and silver ore found within the province to thecrown. By the said charter the king granted them the patronage andavowson of all churches and chapels, to hold and exercise the samerights, powers and privileges as the bishop of Durham did in England: butas it might happen that several of the inhabitants could not in theirprivate opinions conform to the exercise of religion, according to theliturgy and ceremonies of the church of England; the proprietors hadpower and authority granted them, to allow the inhabitants of theprovince both indulgences and dispensations, as they in their discretionshould think proper and reasonable; and no person, to whom such libertyshould be granted, was to be molested, punished, or called in questionfor any differences in speculative opinions with respect to religion; sothat all persons, of what denomination soever, had liberty to enjoy theirown judgments and consciences in religious concerns, provided theydisturbed not the civil order and peace of the province. And as theassembly of freeholders could not be immediately called, the proprietorshad power granted them to make such orders and ordinances as might benecessary to the government of the people and the preservation of peace, and as were not repugnant to the laws and statutes of England. Libertywas given to the king's liege subjects to transport themselves andfamilies to settle the province, only they were to remain immediatelysubject to the crown of England, and to depend thereon for ever; and werenot compellable to answer to any cause or suit in any other part of hismajesty's dominions but in England and Wales. [Sidenote] Of the foundamental constitutions. Agreeable to the powers with which the proprietors were invested by theircharter, they began to frame a system of laws for the government of theircolony; in which arduous task they called in the great philosopher JohnLocke to their assistance. A model of government, consisting of no lessthan one hundred and twenty different articles, was framed by thislearned man, which they agreed to establish, and to the carefulobservance of which, to bind themselves and their heirs for ever. Butthere is danger of error, where speculative men of one country attempt tosketch out a plan of government for another, in a different climate andsituation. This legislator must be acknowledged to have possessed greatabilities and merit; yet his fine-spun system proved in effect uselessand impracticable. Several attempts were afterwards made to amend thesefundamental constitutions, but all to little purpose; the inhabitants, sensible of their impropriety, and how little they were applicable totheir circumstances, neither by themselves, nor by their representativesin assembly, ever gave their assent to them as a body of laws, andtherefore they obtained not the force of fundamental and unalterable lawsin the colony. What regulations the people found applicable and useful, they adopted at the request of their governors; but observed them onaccount of their own propriety and necessity, rather than as a system oflaws imposed on them by British legislators. As the proprietors were so fond of these constitutions, and expressed somuch zeal for their establishment, it may not be improper to give a shortand imperfect view of them, especially such as were allowed to take placein the government of the colony. The eldest of the eight proprietors wasalways to be Palatine, and at his decease was to be succeeded by theeldest of the seven survivors. This palatine was to sit as president ofthe palatine's court, of which he and three more of the proprietors madea quorum, and had the management and execution of all the powers of theircharter. This palatine's court was to stand in room of the king, and givetheir assent or dissent to all laws made by the legislature of thecolony. The palatine was to have power to nominate and appoint thegovernor, who, after obtaining the royal approbation, became hisrepresentative in Carolina. Each of the seven proprietors was to have theprivilege of appointing a deputy to sit as his representative inparliament, and to act agreeable to his instructions. Besides a governor, two other branches, somewhat similar to the old Saxon constitution, wereto be established, an upper and lower house of assembly; which threebranches were to be called a Parliament, and to constitute thelegislature of the country. The parliament was to be chosen every twoyears. No act of the legislature was to have any force unless ratified inopen parliament during the same session, and even then to continue nolonger in force than the next biennial parliament, unless in the meantime it be ratified by the hands and seals of the palatine and threeproprietors. The upper house was to consist of the seven deputies, sevenof the oldest landgraves and cassiques, and seven chosen by the assembly. As in the other provinces the lower house was to be composed of therepresentatives from the different counties and towns. Several officerswere also to be appointed, such as an admiral, a secretary, a chiefjustice, a surveyor, a treasurer, a marshal, and register; and besidesthese, each county was to have a sheriff and four justices of the peace. Three classes of nobility were to be established, called Barons, Cassiques, and Landgraves; the first to possess twelve, the secondtwenty-four, and the third forty-eight thousand acres of land, and theirpossessions were to be unalienable. Military officers were also to benominated, and all inhabitants from sixteen to sixty years of age, as inthe times of feudal government, when summoned by the governor and grandcouncil, were to appear under arms, and, in time of war, to take thefield. With respect to religion, three terms of communion were fixed: First, Tobelieve that there is a God; Secondly, That he is to be worshipped; And, thirdly, That it is lawful and the duty of every man when called upon bythose in authority, to bear witness to the truth. Without acknowledgingwhich, no man was to be permitted to be a freeman, or to have any estateor habitation in Carolina. But persecution for observing different modesand ways of worship, was expressly forbid, and every man was to be leftfull liberty of conscience, and might worship God in that manner which hein his private judgment thought most conformable to the divine will andrevealed word. This was the opinion of Mr. Locke with respect toreligious matters. He chose the word of God for his rule of life, and wasused to say, "That, at the day of judgment, it would not be asked whetherhe was a follower of Luther or Calvin; but whether he embraced the truthin the love of it. " [Sidenote] William Sayle visits Carolina. Notwithstanding these preparations, several years elapsed before theproprietors of Carolina made any serious efforts towards its settlement. In 1667, they fitted out a ship, gave the command of it to CaptainWilliam Sayle, and sent him out to bring them some account of the coast. In his passage Captain Sayle was driven by a storm among the Bahamaislands, which accident he improved to the purpose of acquiring someknowledge of them; particularly the island of Providence, which he judgedmight be of service to the intended settlement of Carolina; for, in caseof an invasion from the Spaniards, this island, fortified, might be madeto serve either as a check to the progress of their arms, or a usefulretreat to unfortunate colonists. Leaving Providence, he sailed along thecoast of Carolina, where he observed several large navigable riversemptying themselves into the ocean, and a flat country covered withwoods. He attempted to go ashore in his boat, but observing some savageson the banks of the rivers, he was obliged to drop his design; and, afterhaving explored the coast and the mouth of the rivers, he took hisdeparture and resumed to England. [Sidenote] And is appointed the first governor of it. His report to his employers, as might naturally be expected, wasfavourable. He praised their possessions, and encouraged them to engagewith vigour in the execution of their project. His observationsrespecting the Bahama islands induced them to apply to the king for agrant of them. Charles bestowed on them by patent all those islands lyingbetween the 22d and 27th degrees of north latitude. Nothing then remainedbut to make preparations for sending a colony to Carolina. Two ships wereprocured, on board of which a number of adventurers embarked, withprovisions, arms, and utensils requisite for building and cultivation. William Sayle, who had visited the country, was appointed the firstgovernor of it, and received a commission, bearing date July 26, 1669. The expences of this first embarkation amounted to twelve thousandpounds, which vigorous effort was a proof that the proprietor entertainedno small hopes with respect to their palatinate. The number of men, however, must have been inconsiderable, and no ways adequate to theundertaking, especially when we consider the multitude of savages thatranged through that extensive wilderness. [Sidenote] Settles his colony on Ashley river. In what place Governor Sayle first landed is uncertain; but he wasdissatisfied with his first situation, and, moving to the southward, tookpossession of a neck of land between Ashley and Cooper rivers. Theearliest instructions we have seen upon record were directed to thegovernor and council of Ashley river, in which spot the first settlementwas made that proved permanent and successful. This place, however, wasmore eligible for the convenience of navigation than for the richness ofits soil. But to struggle amidst a complication of difficulties anddangers was the lot of such adventurers; to surmount which, at this earlyperiod, no small degree of fortitude, patience and perseverance must havebeen requisite. [Sidenote] Hardship of the first settlers, from the climate. New settlers in all countries and climates are subject to many hardships, especially such as are in low and indigent circumstances; but those ofthe first settlers of Carolina must have equalled, if not surpassed, every thing of the kind to which men in any age have been exposed. Tofell the trees of the thick forest, and build habitations for themselves, would probably be their first employment, before they began to cleartheir spots of ground for raising the necessaries of life. In such a lowcountry, and warm climate, even this task must have been a considerableburden. But Carolina, like other level countries overflowed with water, is productive of many disorders, such as putrid fevers, agues, dysenteries, and the like; and to fix habitations on such places wherethe exhalations from stagnated waters and marshy swamps poisoned the air, must have rendered them extremely unwholesome. During the summer monthsthe climate is so sultry, that no European, without hazard, can endurethe fatigues of labouring in the open air: for the most part, the weatherduring this season is very clear and serene, excepting when athunder-storm happens, which cools the air, suddenly stops perspiration, and becomes exceedingly dangerous to labourers of little precaution. Besides, the violent heat continues through the night, and denies theweary workman the natural refreshment of sleep. The autumn introducescool evenings and mornings, while the noon-day is intolerably warm; whichchange, together with the thick fogs that commonly fall at this season, rendered it the most unhealthy division of the year. In winter, thoughthe degree of cold is not so great as in the more northern climates ofAmerica, yet it is severely felt by the human body, exhausted and relaxedwith the summer heat; and when the wind shifts suddenly from any quarterto the north-west or north, it blows extremely sharp and piercing, bringsalong with it sometimes frost and snow, and renders the warmest clothingrequisite. The spring is the most temperate and delightful season of theyear: it begins early, and diffuses its enlivening influence over thefields and forests. Experience had not yet taught the young colonists themethods either of improving the advantages, or guarding against thedisadvantages of the climate, and therefore it is no wonder that theyfound themselves involved at this period in a complication of hardships. [Sidenote] And from the Indians. To enhance their distress, they were surrounded with tribes of warlikesavages, who viewed them with a jealous eye, and were by no means pleasedat the encroachments made on their natural possessions. The tribes calledStonoes and Westoes were particularly troublesome. The colonists, indeed, were furnished with arms and ammunition from the storehouse of theproprietors, yet as they lived in the midst of perpetual alarms, theircondition must have been deplorable. Nor did the musket give thosestrangers to the woods such an advantage over the bow and arrow in thehands of the Indians, as some people may be apt to imagine. The savage, quick-sighted, and accustomed to perpetual watchfulness, springs from hisden behind a bush, and surprizes his enemy with the pointed arrow beforehe is aware of danger. He ranges through the trackless forest like thebeasts of prey, and safely sleeps under the same canopy with the wolf andbear. His vengeance is concealed, and sends the tidings in the fatalblow. The first settlers were obliged to stand in a continual posture ofdefence; and as they could not be supposed to understand the politicalmethods of managing their barbarous neighbors, they must have beensubjected to all the hardships arising from their ignorance and dangerouscondition. While one party was employed in raising their little habitations, anotherwas always kept under arms, to watch the motions of these Indians. Thegovernor shared those hardships along with his fellow adventurers, and byhis example animated and encouraged them to perseverance. The only freshprovisions they could procure were fish from the river, and what gamethey could kill with their gun. While the settlers were struggling underthe difficulties inseparable from the first state of colonization, theship Blessing, belonging to the proprietors, commanded by CaptainMatthias Halstead, happily arrived, and brought them a seasonable supplyof necessaries. At the same time deputies from the other proprietors cameover, to assist the governor in the discharge of the duties of hisoffice. They brought with them twenty-three articles of instruction, called Temporary Agrarian Laws, intended for the equitable division oflands among the people; but whatever difficulties or inconvenienciesmight occur in the execution of them, the governor had directions torepresent them to the proprietors, who had reserved to themselves thesole power of making alterations in them. At the same time, the governorreceived a plan of a magnificent town, to be laid out on the neck of landbetween the two rivers, to be called Charlestown, in honour of the king. Captain Halstead was employed, during his stay, in sounding the rivers, for the benefit of navigation, which were found sufficiently deep, andexcellently calculated for the purposes of trade. [Sidenote] Sir John Yeamans arrives at Carolina. About this time the Duke of Albemarle, who was the first palatine, died, and was succeeded by the Earl of Craven, as eldest proprietor. JohnLocke, Sir John Yeamans, and James Carteret, were created landgraves, tomake part of the nobility required by the fundamental constitutions. SirJohn was the eldest son and heir of Robert Yeamans alderman of Bristol, who was imprisoned and executed in 1643, by order of Nathaniel Fienes, son to Lord Say, who had been appointed governor of Bristol by theparliament. His son, Sir John, was afterwards advanced to the dignity ofbaronet by King Charles the second in 1664, as a reward for the steadyloyalty and heavy sufferings of his father. But as the violence of thepreceding times, which had deprived Sir John of his father, had alsoinjured him in his private fortune, he embarked for the island ofBarbadoes, at that time in a flourishing condition, to hide his povertyfrom his acquaintance in England, and endeavour to acquire a fortunesuitable to his dignity. When Carolina was settled, having received agrant of a large tract of land from the proprietors, he, with severalrespectable followers, retired to that infant colony, to forward by hispresence and example, the interest of his generous and beloved friends, from whom he had received great encouragement and assistance. [Sidenote] A. D. 1671. [Sidenote] And is appointed governor. Soon after his arrival in Carolina, Governor Sayle fell a sacrifice tothe hardships of the climate. Upon his death the council met, and SirJohn claimed the office of vice-palatine in consequence of his rank, being the only landgrave resident in the colony. But the council, whowere empowered to elect a governor in such a case, chose to prefer JosephWest, until a special appointment arrived from England. West was apopular man, much esteemed among the colonists for his activity, courage, and prudence. However, he did not long remain in office, for the firstvessel that arrived from England brought a commission to Sir JohnYeamans, constituting him governor of the colony. [Sidenote] Various causes contribute to the settlement of the country. Here it may be remarked, that various causes contributed towards thepopulation of this settlement, as well as those in the more northernclimates. After the Restoration, a total change in the manners of theEnglish nation took place, and many of the people from the strictestrigour and severity in point of morals, became profane, dissolute andabandoned. The Cavaliers, who had suffered during the usurpation, beganto retaliate on the Puritans, and having obtained the ascendency overthem in public affairs, on all occasions treated them with severeridicule and supercilious contempt. On the other hand, the moroserepublican party, highly offended at the licentious manners and growingwickedness of the times, ardently wished for some distant retreat toshelter themselves from the storm of divine judgments which they believedhung over the corrupted and profligate nation. To prevent disturbancesfrom these different parties, Lord Clarendon, and many more of the king'scouncil, from maxims of policy, encouraged emigration, which theyconsidered as a sovereign remedy for political disorders. A new field wasopened in Carolina for discontented and turbulent spirits, to whom theproprietors promised grants of land, upon condition they would transportthemselves and families to that quarter. They knew that industry was agood cure for enthusiasm, and that enthusiasm was an excellent spur tonew and hazardous undertakings. The privilege of liberty of conscienceallowed to every one by the charter equally suited all parties, andproved a great encouragement to emigration. New-England indeed had drawnover many of the warmest and most turbulent republicans, and proved ahappy shelter to some against the terrors of future reckonings. Still, however, multitudes remained in the nation, who, being discontented withtheir present circumstances, were willing to seek for liberty ofconscience in the deserts of America. Accordingly, many dissentersembraced the offers of the proprietors, and the infant colony receivedits earliest acquisitions from this restless and troublesome party. Other reasons of state contributed to render those new settlementsseasonably useful and important to the king. Several of his zealousfriends had been ruined by their steady adherence to his family duringthe civil war, which had subverted the English monarchy; many braveofficers and soldiers of the royal army had been reduced to indigentcircumstances, for whom the king could make little provision in England;these useful subjects and faithful friends merited the compassion oftheir country, and being inured to face dangers, for landed estates werewilling to accept of grants in the neighbourhood of Indian savages. Bythis time several of the settlers in Virginia and Barbadoes had beensuccessful, and having surmounted the difficulties attending the firststate of colonization, were living in easy and plentiful circumstances. The lands of Carolina were esteemed equal, if not superior in value, tothose of the northern colonies. Here the servants of the king couldprovide for his friends without any expence to the nation, and by thismeans not only secured their attachment, but also extended his power. Grants of land were allowed them in Carolina by the proprietors, where itwas thought they might in time enrich themselves, and become beneficialto the commerce and navigation of the mother country. From this period every year brought new adventurers to Carolina. Thefriends of the proprietors were invited to it, by the flatteringprospects of obtaining landed estates at an easy rate. Others took refugethere from the frowns of fortune and the rigour of unmerciful creditors. Youth reduced to misery by giddy passion and excess embarked for the newsettlement, where they found leisure to reform, and where necessitytaught them the unknown virtues of prudence and temperance. Restlessspirits, fond of roving abroad, found also the means of gratifying theirhumours, and abundance of scope for enterprise and adventure. It cannotbe deemed wonderful if many of them were disappointed, especially such asemigrated with sanguine expectations. The gaiety, luxury and vices of thecity were bad qualifications for rural industry, and rendered someutterly unfit for the frugal simplicity and laborious task of the firststate of cultivation. An hardy race, inured to labour, hunger, andfatigue, were best adapted for making impressions on the thick forest, and not such emigrants as left the city, tinctured with its vices andfond of luxury and ease. Nor could the Puritans, who settled beforethem, promise themselves much greater success than their neighbours;though more rigid and austere in their manners, and more religiouslydisposed, their scrupulosity about trifles and ceremonies, and theirviolent and litigious dispositions, created trouble to all around them, and disturbed that general harmony so necessary to the welfare andprosperity of the young settlement. From the various principles whichactuated the populace of England, and the different sects who composedthe first settlers of Carolina, nothing less could be expected, but thatthe seeds of division should be imported into that country with itsearliest inhabitants. We are apt to attend chiefly to the desolating wars, or the great andsurprising revolutions which happen to kingdoms in their populous andadvanced state, and to pass over the events of their rise and progress astrifling and inconsiderable; but as the greatest nations upon earth havegradually sprung from such beginnings, it is no less curious andinstructive to view the smaller transactions of their infant state, thanthe grander events of their mature age. Kingdoms in the political world, like plants in the vegetable, have their stages of rise, progress, perfection, and decline; and, in the fields of nature, it is equallypleasant to mark the buds of the spring, as the bloom of summer, or thedecay of autumn. [Sidenote] America peopled in an improved age. One advantage certainly attended the various settlements in America, ofwhich no European state can boast. Being peopled from civilized nationsin an enlightened age, when records are carefully kept and faithfullypreserved, the events of their rise and progress, though not soimportant, were equally clear as those of their more perfect state:whereas the history of the origin of eastern nations could only betransmitted to future generations by the songs of bards or oraltradition. Ignorance of geography, and the art of printing not being theninvented, must have rendered the transactions of rude and barbarous agesso precarious and obscure, that if the dead of past ages were to revive, they could scarcely be able to recognize the complexion of their owntime. Even in the ages preceding the invention of printing, and the happyReformation, many events lie buried in darkness and oblivion. The smallknowledge which then existed being confined to the clergy, their accountsdo not merit entire credit; for the various orders of ecclesiastics atthat time were too much under the influence of monkish pride andsuperstition, to transmit faithful memorials to posterity. [Sidenote] The first treaty with Spain respecting it. Before the year 1667, there is no mention made of America in any treatybetween England and Spain, the latter being contented to keep up herancient claims to that country, and the former careful to keep andimprove the footing she had already gained in it. However, a few yearsafter Carolina was settled, Sir William Godolphin concluded a treaty withSpain, in which, among other articles, it was agreed, "That the King ofGreat-Britain should always possess, in full right of sovereignty andproperty, all the countries, islands, and colonies, lying and situated inthe West Indies, or any part of America, which he and his subjects thenheld and possessed, insomuch that they neither can nor ought thereafterto be contested on any account whatsoever. " The Bucaniers, who had formany years infested Spanish America, were now cut off from all futureprotection from the English government in their hostile invasions ofthese dominions, and all commissions formerly granted to such pirates, were recalled and annulled. By this treaty, the freedom of navigation inthese American seas was opened to both nations; and all ships indistress, whether from storms, or the pursuit of enemies and pirates, taking refuge in places belonging either to Britain or Spain, were to betreated with humanity, to meet with protection and assistance, and to bepermitted to depart without molestation. These things merit particularnotice, as by this treaty Spain evidently gave up all future pretensionsto the country of Carolina granted to the proprietors by the king; andthis freedom of navigation, provided for in such express terms, wasviolated, as we shall afterwards see, by the Spaniards, and proved theoccasion of a bloody war between the two nations. Not long after this, atreaty of neutrality between Britain and France was also concluded; bywhich negotiations the possessions of Great Britain, France, and Spain, in the western world, were better ascertained; and the freedom ofcommerce and navigation was more firmly established by those three greatpotentates, than had taken place in any former period. [Sidenote] A council of commerce is instituted. It is not improbable that King Charles the second, during his exile, hadacquired in Holland some knowledge in trade, and seen the vast advantageresulting from it to that republic; for after his return to his nativedominions, he made the naval strength of England, and her commercialaffairs, the principal objects of attention. He instituted a selectcouncil of commerce, consisting of a president, vice-president, and ninecounsellors, for the encouragement of trade, navigation and the colonies. Instead of the former method, of referring all commercial concerns to afluctuating committee of the privy-council, this institution was intendedto chalk out a particular line of duty, which was to engage the wholeattention of that board. But the king was so immersed in private luxuriesand pleasures, that it was difficult to keep him steady and firm to anylaudable public regulation. The annual expence attending this excellentinstitution he soon found was too heavy, and therefore it was dropt, andthe affairs of commerce returned to their former tedious and fluctuatingchannel. [Sidenote] A legislature is formed in the colony. In Carolina Sir John Yeamans had entered on the government with anuncommon zeal for the success of the settlement, and a grateful anxietyto discharge the duties of his trust with fidelity and honour. Theproprietors, fond of their new form of government, had instructed him touse his endeavours to introduce it, as the most excellent of its kind, and wisely adapted to promote the prosperity and happiness of the people. Accordingly, Sir John summoned the people together, ordered thefundamental constitutions to be read, and representatives to be elected. The province was divided into four counties, called Berkeley, Colleton, Craven, and Carteret counties. The people, who had hitherto lived under akind of military government, now began to form a legislature forestablishing civil regulations. Ten members were elected asrepresentatives for Colleton, and ten for Berkeley counties. A committee, consisting of Stephen Bull, Ralph Marshal, and William Owen, werenominated for framing some public regulations. Three acts were proposedby them as beneficial; the first, to prevent persons leaving the colony;the second, to prohibit all men from disposing of arms and ammunition toIndians; and the third, for the regular building of Charlestown. [Sidenote] Its troubles from the Spaniards. Notwithstanding the public treaty already mentioned, a religious societyof the Spanish nation laid claim to the large territory of Florida, notonly on the foot of prior discovery, but also by virtue of a grant fromthe pope; and the garrison kept at Augustine regarding the Britishsettlement as an encroachment on their possessions, were disposed tothrow every difficulty in the way of the Carolineans, in order to compelthem to relinquish the country. They encouraged indented servants toleave their masters, and fly to them for liberty and protection. Theyinstilled into the savage tribes the most unfavourable notions of Britishheretics, and urged them on to the destruction of the colony. Good policyrequired that the governor should keep a watchful eye on the motions ofsuch neighbours, and guard his weak and defenceless colony against thepernicious designs of their Spanish rivals. Some men he discovered whowere attempting to entice servants to revolt; these were ordered toreceive so many stripes. Others, in defiance of the feeble power of themagistrate, took to such courses as were subversive of public peace andjustice. Except a few negroes whom Sir John Yeamans and his followersbrought along with them from Barbadoes, there were no labourers butEuropeans for the purposes of culture. Until the fields were cleared thebrute creation could afford the planters no assistance; the weak arm ofman alone had to encounter all the hardships of clearing and cultivation, and the thick forest seemed to bid defiance to his strength. Hard indeedwas the task of these labourers while employed in felling the large andlofty trees, and all the while exposed to the heat of an inclement sky, and the terrors of barbarous enemies; with great truth it may be said ofthem, that they purchased their scanty morsel with the sweat of theirbrows. After all, the provisions they raised were exposed to theplundering parties of savage neighbours, and one day often robbed them ofthe dear-bought fruits of their whole year's toil. [Sidenote] Its domestic troubles and hardships. It is no easy matter to describe the dreadful extremities to which thesepoor settlers were sometimes reduced. During the government of Sir JohnYeamans a civil disturbance broke out among the colonists, whichthreatened the ruin of the settlement. At such a distance it was verydifficult for the proprietors to furnish their colony with regularsupplies; and the spots of sandy and barren land they had cleared poorlyrewarded their toil. Small was the skill of the planter, and Europeangrain, which they had been accustomed to sow, proved suitable to neithersoil nor climate. The emigrants being now, from sad experience, sensibleof difficulties inseparable from their circumstances, began to murmuragainst the proprietors, and to curse the day they left their nativeland, to starve in a wilderness. While they gathered oysters forsubsistence with one hand, they were obliged to carry their muskets forself-defence in the other. A great gun had been given to FlorenceO'Sullivan, which he placed on an island situate at the mouth of theharbour, to alarm the town in cases of invasion from the Spaniards. O'Sullivan deserted his island, being ready to perish with hunger, andjoined the discontented party in the town. The people became seditiousand ungovernable, and threatened to compel the governor to relinquish thesettlement: even Mr. Culpepper the surveyor-general, joined them in theircomplaints and murmurs. The greatest prudence and courage were requisiteto prevent tumults, and animate the colonists to perseverance. FlorenceO'Sullivan was taken up by the marshal on a charge of sedition, andcompelled to find security for his future good behaviour. One sloop, commanded by Joseph Harris, was despatched to Virginia, another toBarbadoes, to bring provisions. Happily before their return a seasonablesupply arrived from England, together with a number of new settlers, which revived the drooping spirits of the people, and encouraged them toengage in more vigorous efforts. The governor, sensible of the hardshipsthe people had suffered, the more readily forgave them for their pastmisconduct; but as Mr. Culpepper held an office from the proprietors, hesent him to England to be tried by them for joining the people intreasonable conspiracies against the settlement. The garrison at Augustine having intelligence from servants who fled tothem of the discontented and miserable situation of the colony inCarolina, advanced with a party under arms as far as the island of St. Helena, to dislodge or destroy the settlers. Brian Fitzpatrick, a notedvillain, treacherously deserted his distressed friends on purpose to jointheir enemies. However, Sir John Yeamans having received a reinforcement, set his enemies at defiance. Fifty volunteers, under the command ofColonel Godfrey, marched against the Spaniards, who, on his approach, evacuated the island of St. Helena, and retreated to Augustine. [Sidenote] A war among the Indians seasonable for the settlement. At this period, to form alliances with Indian tribes was an object ofgreat importance with the governor and council. One circumstance provedfavourable to the colony at the time of its settlement. The Westoes, apowerful and numerous tribe, who harboured an irreconcileable aversion tothe white faces of strangers, would have proved a dangerous enemy tothem, had not their attention been occupied by the Serannas, anotherIndian nation. A bloody war between these two tribes providentiallyraged, and was carried on with such fury, that in the end it proved fatalto both. This served to pave the way for the introduction andestablishment of this British settlement, which otherwise might haveshared the same unhappy fate with the first adventurers to Virginia. Manytribes besides that might no doubt have extirpated the colony, but it isprobable the governor studied by every means to avoid giving them anyprovocation, and to conciliate their affection and esteem. [Sidenote] Of Indians in general. While we now and then turn our eyes to those wild hunters who rangedthrough the American woods, we must guard against such false and horriddescriptions of them, as some who have suffered from their warlike temperhave exhibited to the world. Many authors have discovered unreasonableprejudices against them, and shewn that they either wanted judgment todistinguish, or candour to make due allowances for, the failings peculiarto all nations in the same rude and uncultivated state. When Julius Cesarcarried the Roman arms into Britain, and Germanicus over-run the forestsof Germany, did they not find the silvestres of those countries little, if at all, more civilized than the brown natives of America? If theIndians were offended at the encroachments made by strangers on landswhich they had possessed unmolested for time immemorial, that is nothingwonderful or uncommon. Lands may be called the first property of allnations on the face of the earth. While unacquainted with the advantagesof pasturage and agriculture, a greater extent of hunting lands arerequisite for their subsistence. Through this territory, now possessed byEuropeans, they had been accustomed to range, independent, fearless andfree. If they were ready to defend their property at the risque of life, this practice is nothing more than what all nations in the same barbarousstate have followed. Until laws were made to prevent and redress wrongs, and men delivered up their arms to the civil magistrate, have they not, in every age, had recourse to forcible means for the defence of theirproperty? The natives of Carolina were doubtless displeased at theencroachments of strangers on their inheritance, and if they had notadvanced a single step towards civilization, no man can reasonably expectfrom them a conduct incompatible with their natural circumstances. Thewoods abounded with deer and buffaloes, which, when young, might havebeen domesticated; but on such employment no Indian had entered; itprobably appeared to him equally despicable as that of agriculture. [Sidenote] The occasion of Europeans being peaceably admitted among them. The first bond of union and affection between Europeans and Americans wasconveniency. At this early period, to the Indian a knife, a hatchet, or ahoe, was a useful and invaluable acquisition. He observed with whatfacility the strangers supplied their wants, which were many incomparison with his, by means of the various implements they used. Thewoods fell before the axe, the earth opened before the hoe or the spade;and the knife was useful on numberless occasions. He admired the skill ofwhite men in making those implements of ease and profit, and voluntarilyoffered them his deer skins, the only riches he had which could procurethem. The love of ease was as natural to the one as the other, and hewould rather give them the profits of a year's hunting than want suchinstruments. Having obtained these in process of time, he found thetomahawk and musket equally useful; these he also coveted, and could notrest till he obtained them. What was at first only convenient, as hiswants increased, became absolutely necessary, by which means the originalbond was strengthened and confirmed. As the channel of commerce opened, the Indian found that he was not only treated with friendship andcivility, but that the white people were equally fond of his skins, fursand lands, as he was of their gaudy trinkets, and various implements ofconvenience and advantage. It was this connection that induced the nativeinhabitants of the forest, peaceably to admit stranger differing so muchin complexion, language and manners, among them and allow them to clearand cultivate their lands. From the ignorance of Englishmen with respect to the policy and customsof these wild tribes, they must have been exposed to numberless dangersin the earlier periods of their commercial intercourse. At first, therude manners of the western savages must have been equally strange to theEuropean, as the civilized manners of eastern nations to the Indian. Thecommerce itself served to enhance the danger; for although Indians livedmuch dispersed, yet they united under one chief, and formed differenttowns, all the lands around which they claimed as their property. Theboundaries of their hunting grounds being carefully fixed, each tribe wastenacious of its possessions, and fired with resentment at the leastencroachment on them. Every individual looked on himself as a proprietorof all the lands claimed by the whole tribe, and bound in honour todefend them. This may serve to account for many umbrages (which we shallafterwards have occasion to mention) taken by Indians in general atpurchases made and titles obtained by private persons, and even byparticular provinces: for no Indian, however great his influence andauthority, could give away more than his own right to any tract of land, which, in proportion, is no more than as one man to the whole tribe. Toall such gifts the concurrence and consent of the whole nation must beobtained. Here a large source of difference and quarrels opened, and afoolish bargain of an individual often exposed the European settlers tothe fury and vengeance of the whole clan. [Sidenote] General remarks on the manners, government and religion, _&c. _ of the Indians. Those inhabitants, like beasts of prey, traverse the forest, and whilethey neither encroach on their neighbours territories, nor are at warwith another tribe, enjoy freedom in the most extensive sense of theword. In stature they are of a middle size, neither so tall nor yet solow as some Europeans. To appearance they are strong and well made; yetthey are totally unqualified for that heavy burden or tedious labourwhich the vigorous and firm nerves of Europeans enable them to undergo. None of them are deformed, deformities of nature being confined to theages of art and refinement. Their colour is brown, and their skin shines, being varnished with bears fat and paint. To appearance the men have nobeards, nor hair on their head, except a round tuft on its crown; butthis defect is not natural, as many people are given to believe, but theeffect of art, it being customary among them to tear out such hair by theroot. They go naked, except those parts which natural decency teaches themost barbarous nations to cover. The huts in which they live are foul, mean and offensive; and their manner of life is poor, nasty anddisgustful. In the hunting season they are eager and indefatigable inpursuit of their prey; when that is over, they indulge themselves in akind of brutal slumber, indolence and ease. In their distant excursionsthey can endure hunger long, and carry little with them for theirsubsistence; but in days of plenty they are voracious as vultures. Whiledining in company with their chieftains, we were astonished at the vastquantity of meat they devoured. Agriculture they leave to women, andconsider it as an employment unworthy of a man: indeed they seemamazingly dead to the tender passions, and treat their women like slaves, or beings of an inferior rank. Scolding, insults, quarrels, andcomplaints, are seldom heard among them: on solemn occasions they arethoughtful, serious, and grave; yet I have seen them free, open and merryat feasts and entertainments. In their common deportment towards eachother they are respectful, peaceable, and inoffensive. Sudden anger islooked upon as ignominious and unbecoming, and, except in liquor, theyseldom differ with their neighbour, or ever do him any harm or injury. Asfor riches they have none; nor covet any; and while they have plenty ofprovisions, they allow none to suffer through want: if they aresuccessful at hunting, all their unfortunate or distressed friends sharewith them the common blessings of life. Although in some particular customs the separate tribes of Indians differfrom each other, yet in their general principles and mode of governmentthey are very similar. All have general rules, with respect to otherindependent tribes around them, which they carefully observe. The greatconcerns relating to war or peace, are canvassed in assemblies ofdeputies from all the different towns. When injuries are committed, andIndians of one tribe happen to be killed by those of another, then such ameeting is commonly called. If no person appears on the side of theaggressors, the injured nation deputes one of their warriors to go tothem, and, in name of the whole tribe, to demand satisfaction: if this isrefused, and they think themselves able to undertake a war against theaggressors, then a number of warriors, commonly the relations of thedeceased, take the field for revenge, and look upon it as a point ofhonour never to leave it till they have killed the same number of theenemy that had been slain of their kinsmen. Having accomplished this, they return home with their scalps, and by some token let their enemyknow that they are satisfied. But when the nation to whom the aggressorsbelong, happen to be disposed to peace, they search for the murderers, and they are, by the general judgment of the nation, capitally punished, to prevent involving others in their quarrel; which act of justice isperformed often by the aggressor's nearest relations. The criminal neverknows of his condemnation until the moment the sentence is to be put inexecution, which often happens while he is dancing the war dance in themidst of his neighbours, and bragging of the same exploit for which he iscondemned to die. In different ages mankind in similar circumstances, with respect to theirprogress in improvements, bear a striking resemblance one to another. Theaccounts of rude and barbarous Indians may be so far curious andinstructive, as they serve to throw light on several earlier periods ofhistory, both sacred and profane. The American savages almost universallyclaim the right of private revenge. It is considered by them as a pointof honour to avenge the injuries done to friends, particularly the deathof a relation. Scalp for scalp, blood for blood, and death for death, canonly satisfy the surviving friends of the injured party. The same law ofretaliation was established among the ancient Jews and Romans. But shouldthe wise and aged men of weight and influence among Indians interpose, onaccount of some favourable circumstances on the side of the aggressor, perhaps satisfaction may be made by way of compensation. In this case, some present made to the party aggrieved serves to gratify their passionof revenge, by the loss the aggressor sustains, and the acquisition ofproperty the injured receives. Should the injured friends refuse thiskind of satisfaction, which they are entirely at liberty to do, then themurderer, however high his rank may be, must be delivered up to tortureand death, to prevent the quarrel spreading wider through the nation. This custom of making compensation also prevailed among European nationsin their earlier and more uncultivated ages. In the time of Tacitus, therelations of the maimed or murdered person, among the Germans, wereobliged to accept of a compensation, and restrain the spirit of revenge. During the Anglosaxon period in England, laws were made to determine thevarious fines for murder, man-slaughter, wounds and other injuries, andprices were fixed on the heads of men according to their rank. In case ofadultery among Indians, the injured husband considers himself as under anobligation to revenge the crime, and he attempts to cut off the ears ofthe adulterer, provided he be able to effect it; if not, he may embracethe first opportunity that offers of killing him, without any danger fromhis tribe. Then the debt is paid, and the courage of the husband proved. This is more severe than the law of Ethelbert, which admitted of a finefrom the adulterer, and obliged him to purchase another wife for theinjured husband. With respect to internal government, these savages have also severalcustoms and regulations to which the individuals of the same tribeconform. Personal wisdom and courage are the chief sources of distinctionamong them, and individuals obtain rank and influence in proportion asthey excel in these qualifications. Natural reason suggests, that the manof the greatest abilities ought to be the leader of all possessed ofinferior endowments; in him they place the greatest confidence, andfollow him to war without envy or murmur. As this warrior arrives athonour and distinction by the general consent; so, when chosen, he mustbe very circumspect in his conduct, and gentle in the exercise of hispower. By the first unlucky or unpopular step he forfeits the goodwilland confidence of his countrymen, upon which all his power is founded. Besides the head warrior, they have judges and conjurers, whom they callBeloved Men, who have great weight among them; none of whom have indeedany coercive authority, yet all are tolerably well obeyed. In thiscommonwealth every man's voice is heard, and at their publicdeliberations the best speakers generally prevail. When they consulttogether about important affairs, such as war or peace, they are seriousand grave, and examine all the advantages and disadvantages of theirsituation with great coolness and deliberation, and nothing is determinedbut by the general consent. When war is the result of their councils, andthe great leader takes the field, any one may refuse to follow him, ormay desert him, without incurring any punishment, but by such ignominiousconduct he loses his reputation, and forfeits the hopes of distinctionand preferment. To honour and glory from warlike exploits the views ofevery man are directed, and therefore they are extremely cautious andwatchful against doing any action for which they may incur public censureand disgrace. The Indians, like all ignorant and rude nations, are very superstitious. They believe that superior beings interfere in, and direct, humanaffairs, and invoke all spirits, both good and evil, in hazardousundertakings. Each tribe have their conjurers and magicians, on whoseprophetic declarations they place much confidence, in all mattersrelating to health, hunting, and war. They are fond of prying into futureevents, and therefore pay particular regard to signs, omens, and dreams. They look upon fire as sacred, and pay the author of it a kind ofworship. At the time of harvest and at full moon they observe severalfeasts and ceremonies, which it would seem were derived from somereligious origin. As their success, both in warlike enterprises and inprocuring subsistence depends greatly on fortune, they have a number ofceremonious observances before they enter on them. They offer insacrifice a part of the first deer or bear they kill, and from this theyflatter themselves with the hopes of future success. When taken sick theyare particularly prone to superstition, and their physicians administertheir simple and secret cures with a variety of strange ceremonies andmagic arts, which fill the patients with courage and confidence, and aresometimes attended with happy effects. [Sidenote] A Dutch colony brought to Carolina. During the time Sir John Yeamans was governor of Carolina, the colonyreceived a great addition to its strength from the Dutch settlement ofNova Belgia, which, without any resistance, surrendered to the armamentcommanded by Sir Robert Carr, and became subject to England. Charles thesecond gave it to his brother the Duke of York, who called the provinceNew-York, and governed it on the same arbitrary principles whichafterwards rendered him so obnoxious to the English nation. After theconquest many of the Dutch colonists, who were discontented with theirsituation, had formed resolutions of moving to other provinces. Theproprietors of Carolina offered them lands and encouragement in theirpalatinate, and sent their ships Blessing and Phoenix and brought anumber of Dutch families to Charlestown. Stephen Bull, surveyor-generalof the colony, had instructions to mark out lands on the southwest sideof Ashley river for their accommodation. There each of the Dutchemigrants drew lots for their property, and formed a town, which wascalled James-town. This was the first colony of Dutch who settled inCarolina, whose industry surmounted incredible hardships, and whosesuccess induced many from ancient Belgia afterwards to follow them to thewestern world. The inhabitants of James-town, afterwards finding theirsituation too narrow and circumscribed, in process of time spreadthemselves through the country, and the town was totally deserted. [Sidenote] A. D. 1674. Joseph West made governor. About the year 1674, Sir John Yeamans being reduced to a feeble andsickly condition by the warm climate, and his indefatigable labours forthe success of the settlement, returned to Barbadoes, where he died. After his departure the grand council again chose Joseph West governor;and the palatine confirmed the election. A meeting of all the freemen wascalled at Charlestown, where they elected representatives, for thepurpose of making laws for the government of the colony. Thomas Gray, Henry Hughs, Maurice Mathews, and Christopher Portman, were chosendeputies from the people, and took their seat at the upper house ofassembly. These new members were obliged to take an oath, that theyshould shew equity and justice to both rich and poor, without favour oraffection; that they should observe the laws of England, and those thatshould hereafter be established in the colony; that they should obey therules and directions of the proprietors; that they should not divulge thesecrets of the grand council, without sufficient authority from thatboard. A question being put, whether the deputies of the proprietorsshould take the same oath? it was judged unnecessary, as they held theirappointments during pleasure, and were immediately answerable to theproprietors for their conduct. Now the colony had its governor, its upperand lower house of assembly, which three branches took the name ofParliament, agreeable to the constitutions. This was the first parliamentthat passed acts which are ratified by the proprietors, and found onrecord in the colony. [Sidenote] Variances break out in the colony. It might have been expected, that these adventurers, who were allembarked on the same design, would be animated by one spirit, and zealousabove all things to maintain harmony and peace among themselves; they hadall the same hardships to encounter, the same enemies to fear, and thesame cause, the prosperity of the settlement, to promote. In suchcircumstances, the governor had good reason to hope, that one commondesire of safety, and principle of love and friendship, would pervade thewhole colony; yet nothing is more certain than that the contrary effecttook place. The most numerous party in the country were dissenters, ofvarious denominations, from the established church of England; which bodyof men, whatever high pretensions they may affect to superior sanctity ofmanners, have not always been found the most peaceable members ofsociety. A number of cavaliers having received grants from theproprietors, had now brought over their families and effects, and joinedthe Puritans in Carolina. The latter were looked upon by the proprietorswith a partial eye, as men of honour, loyalty and fidelity, and met withgreat indulgence and encouragement; by which means they thrust themselvesinto offices of trust and authority. The Puritans, on the other hand, viewed them with the eye of envy and jealousy, and having suffered fromthem in England, could not bear to see the smallest share of powercommitted to them in Carolina. Hence the seeds of strife and division, which had been imported into the colony, began to spring forth, and, asif brought to a warmer and more fertile soil, to grow so rank as topromise little peace and happiness to the young settlement. No commondangers or difficulties could blot out of their memories the prejudicesand animosities contracted in England: the odious terms of distinctionwere revived and propagated among the people, and while one party wereattached to the church of England, the other, who had fled from therigour of ecclesiastical power, were jealous above all things ofreligious liberties, and could bear no encroachment on them. The governorfound that matters of religion were tender points, and therefore wiselyavoided all deliberations about them, chusing rather to leave every manto his free choice, than propose an establishment of any kind, which hesaw would occasion trouble and division among the people. Another source of difficulty arose to government from the differentmanners of these colonists. These emigrants were not a people accustomedto rural labours and frugal simplicity, but many of them pamperedcitizens, whose wants luxury had increased, and rendered them impatientof fatigue and the restraints of legal authority. The sober and moroselife, the stiff and rigid morals of the Puritans, were made the objectsof ridicule by their neighbours, and all the powers of wit and humourwere employed in exposing them to public derision and contempt. Theirlevelling spirit, republican principles, and contentious disposition, they declared merited the hatred and abhorrence of every man of honourand honesty, as they had served to produce in England that race of sly, deceitful and hypocritical wretches, who had been the curse and scourgeof the nation. The Puritans, on the other hand, possessed of no smallshare of rancour and malevolence, and exasperated by their licentiousmanner and grievous abuse, violently opposed their influence among thepeople. Hence arose a number of difficulties in framing laws, indistributing justice, and in maintaining public order and tranquillity. Governor West, observing those dissentions breaking out in thesettlement, was at no small pains to keep them within the bounds ofmoderation, but having a council composed of ambitious cavaliers, wasunable entirely to check the disorder. In spite of his authority, thePuritans were treated with insolence and neglect, and the colony, distracted with domestic differences, were ill prepared for defenceagainst external enemies: not only so, but such divisions occasioned aneglect of industry and application, which prevented the country frommaking that progress in improvement which might have been expected fromits natural advantages. [Sidenote] A trade in Indians encouraged. At this unfavourable juncture the Indians, from Stono, came down instraggling parties, and plundered the plantations of the scanty anddearly earned fruits of labour and industry. Being accustomed to thepractice of killing whatever came in their way, they ranked the planter'shogs, turkeys and geese among their game, and freely preyed upon them. The planters as freely made use of their arms in defence of theirproperty, and several Indians were killed during their depredations. Thisoccasioned a war, and the Indians poured their vengeanceindiscriminately, as usual, on the innocent and guilty, for the loss oftheir friends. Governor West found it necessary to encourage and rewardsuch of the colonists as would take the field against them for the publicdefence. Accordingly, a price was fixed on every Indian the settlersshould take prisoner, and bring to Charlestown. These captive savageswere disposed of to the traders, who sent them to the West-Indies, andthere sold them for slaves. This traffic was deemed by some an inhumanmethod of getting rid of troublesome neighbours; yet, at this period, theplanters had some reasons to plead in its vindication. Lands indeed weregiven as the reward of valour; but lands, without hands to cultivatethem, were rather a burden, than any way beneficial, to men who wereallowed more by the proprietors than they could turn to any profit. Butthe planters had an immediate reward for Indian prisoners, and while itencouraged bold adventurers, it was made a profitable branch of trade. Whether the rum which was imported into the colony, in return for theseIndians, proved of beneficial consequence or not, we shall not pretend todetermine, as this depended on the use or abuse that was made of it. Where the water is bad, a little rum mixed with it is accounted wholesomeand nourishing; but excess in drinking, every where, destroys theconstitution, and proves a fruitful spring of pains, diseases, and death. [Sidenote] A general description of the climate. Though Carolina lies in the same latitude with some of the most fertilecountries on the globe, yet he is in danger of error who forms hisjudgment of its climate from the latitude in which it lies. Many localcircumstances concur to occasion a difference between it and Palestine, the north of Egypt, or the dominions in the same latitude in China. Besides the bleak mountains, frozen lakes, and the large uncultivatedterritory over which the north and northwest winds blow in winter, bywhich they are rendered dangerous; when the extreme heat of summer isunited with a low marshy soil, where the water stagnates, and theeffluvia arising from it thicken and poison the air, it must prove theoccasion of a numberless list of fatal distempers. This last circumstanceserves to decide the healthiness of climates in every latitude. Suddenchanges from heat to cold are every where dangerous; but, in countrieswhere little caution is used in dress, they must often prove fatal. Thewinds in Carolina are changeable and erratic, and, about the vernal andautumnal equinoxes, commonly boisterous. In summer, they are sultry andsuffocating; in winter, cold and dry. Beyond doubt, the flat maritimepart is a most unhealthy situation, and the first settlers could scarcelyhave been cast ashore in any quarter of the globe where they could beexposed to greater hazards from the climate. [Sidenote] Of the the country. Yet the country, low and unhealthy as it is, affords many advantages forcommerce and navigation. As you approach towards the shore, the seagradually ebbs, which furnishes good soundings for the help ofnavigators. For eighty, and in some places an hundred, miles from theAtlantic, the country is an even plain, no rocks, no stones, scarce ahill of any height is to be seen. Backwards from this the lands begin torise gradually into little hills and beautiful inequalities, whichcontinue increasing in height and variation until you advance to theApalachian mountains, three hundred miles and more from the sea. Here avast ridge of mountains begins, and runs through North America, in thebowels of which no man can say what riches lie in store. These mountainsgive rise to four large rivers, called by their Indian names, Alatahama, Savanna, Santee and Pedee. Among the hills these rivers are composed ofdifferent branches, and run in a rapid course; but lose their velocitywhen they reach the plains, through which they glide smoothly along, in aserpentine course, to the ocean. Up these large rivers the tide flows aconsiderable way, and renders them navigable for ships, brigs, sloops andschooners, and smaller craft force their way still higher than the tideflows. Besides these large rivers, the hills in the heart of the countrygive rise to others of a secondary size, such as Ogetchee, Cusaw, Cambahee, Edisto, Ashley, Cooper, and Black rivers; all which are alsonavigable many miles from the ocean. The coast is also chequered with avariety of fine islands, around which the sea flows, and opens excellentchannels, for the easy conveyance of produce to the market. [Sidenote] Of its soil and lands. By the different trees which cover the lands the soil is distinguished, which in some places is very rich, and in others very poor. Where thepine-trees grow the ground is sandy and barren, and produces littleexcept in rainy seasons. The oaks and hickories delight to grow in alower and richer soil, running in narrow streaks through the differenteminences, which grounds, when cleared and cultivated, amply reward theindustrious planter. The cypresses and canes chuse a still deeper andmore miry soil, which is exceedingly fruitful, having had the fruits andfoliage of trees from the higher grounds flowing into it from thecreation. The river swamp lands, by proper culture and judiciousmanagement, are of inexhaustible fertility. The savannas and open plainsare of a deep fat and greasy mould, which when drained and freshened, become also fruitful and excellent parts of a plantation. The marshygrounds, some of which are fresh and others salt, are much neglected, yetthey yield a kind of grass grateful to some animals, and are used as yetonly for pasturage. Many years elapsed before the planters found out thedifferent grains suited to those different soils, and we shall takeoccasion to mention them as time and experience taught them the usefuldiscoveries. The soil of the hilly country differs from all these; forthere, in the vallies between the hills, a black and deep loam is found, probably formed of rotten trees and vegetables, which the showers andfloods have carried into them from the adjacent heights. Marble, clay, chalk and gravel grounds are also observed among these hills in themiddle of the country, and a variety of soil nearly similar to that foundin Europe. [Sidenote] Of its storms and natural phenomena. At this period Carolina, in her natural and rural robes, to an ingeniousstranger must have exhibited a noble and striking appearance, as allobjects of nature do in their primeval state. Still we may fancy what newscenes would command his attention, and excite his admiration. Athunder-storm here is a grand phenomenon, especially in the night; it issaid to be the voice of the supreme Author of nature, whose command allthe various elements obey, and it speaks his majesty and glory in theloudest and most exalted strain. The frequent balls of fire bursting fromcloud to cloud; the forked flashes darting from the clouds to the earth, and from the earth to the clouds alternately, illuminating the wholesurrounding atmosphere, and men, like so many worms, crawling in the dustin the midst of flaming fire, form a magnificent and striking scene. Thecontinual muttering noise of thunder at a distance the dreadful explosionon the right hand, the repercussive roar on the left, while the solidfoundations of the earth shake, and the goodly frame of nature seemsready to dissolve, to the eyes of an intelligent stranger must haveappeared awful and great. The beasts of the field retire from thethicket, and shew evident symptoms of silent awe and astonishment duringthe storm, and man's ultimate source of confidence is in the divineprotection. In every quarter you meet with the blasted trees of theforest, which wither and decay at the lightning's stroke. No earthquakes, such as are commonly known in the West-India islands, have ever been felthere; but whirlwinds sometimes have made avenues through the thickforest, by levelling the loftiest trees, or sweeping them away beforethem like chaff. These terrible blasts are generally confined to anarrow tract, and run in an oblique and crooked direction. Hurricaneshave also often visited the country and through such low and flat landshave spread their defolation far and wide. In travelling along the coast of Carolina, partly by water and partly byland, the stranger has an excellent view of the natural beauties, andrural inhabitants of the forest. At a distance the marshes and savannasappear like level meadows, with branches or creeks of the sea runningthrough them. On one hand the evergreen pines appear, and engross almostthe whole higher lands of the country; on the other the branching oaksand stately hickories stand covered with mossy robes: now he passes agrove covered with cypress; then the laurels, the bays, the palmetoes, the beech or mulberry-trees surround him, all growing as the hand ofnature hath wildly scattered them. In the spring the dogwood, cherry-trees, and many others blossom, and, together with the jessamines, perfume the air; while the luxuriant vines climb over the loftiest trees, and bushes or shrubs of humbler growth fill up the thicket. At this early period the rude hunters, though masters of the woods, while they attracted the attention of the stranger, must also haveconvinced him how little human nature uncultivated is exalted above thebrute creation. Numbers of deer, timorous and wild, ranged through thetrees, and herds of buffaloes were found grazing in the savanna. Abovehis head the feathered tribes, more remarkable for the splendour of theirplumage than the harmony of their notes, would fly; whilst under his feetwould crawl innumerable reptiles and insects. Here it may not be improperto enumerate some of the different kinds of living creatures found in thecountry, and leave the particular description of them to the naturalhistorian. [Sidenote] Of its animals. Beyond doubt Carolina teems with animals both of the useful and hurtfulkind. The alligator, probably a species of the crocodile, is found herenigh the rivers and ponds, and is very destructive to young creaturesabout a plantation. He is perhaps the largest animal, except thecrocodile in Africa, of the ovarious kind. The bear is a fierce animal, but in many respects a rich prize to the Indian hunter. The beaver isalso a native of Carolina, and his fur is a precious article of Americancommerce. The racoon and oppossum are also natives of the country, andscarcely found in any other continent. The latter demands the particularnotice of naturalists; its young are said to breed at the female's teats, which is furnished with a double belly, into one of which, on theappearance of danger, the young ones retreat, and are saved by beingcarried up a tree. The leopard, the panther, the wolf, the fox, therabbit, wild and pole cats, are all found in the country, on which theAmerican hunter pours his vengeance. Squirrels of various kinds anddifferent hues are numerous here; one of which is called the flyingsquirrel, not from its having wings like a bird, but from its beingfurnished with a fine loose skin between its fore and hind legs, which itcontracts or expands at pleasure, and which buoys it up, and enables itto spring from branch to branch at considerable distances, with amazingnimbleness. [Sidenote] Of its fishes. In the mouth of the rivers, and on the coast, the shark, the porpoise, the sword, the guarr, and devil fishes, are all found, but in no respectsrendered useful. However, the sea coast and rivers furnish a variety offine fish for human use, both of the salt and fresh-water kinds. Theangel fish, so called for their uncommon splendour; the sheephead, sonamed from its having teeth like those of sheep; the cavalli, the mullet, the whiting, the plaice, and young bass, are all esteemed delicate food. Besides these, porgy, shads, trout, stingre, drum, cat, and black fish, are all used, and taken in great abundance. The fresh-water rivers andponds furnish stores of fish, all of which are excellent in their season. The sturgeon and rock fish, the fresh-water trout, the pike, the bream, the carp and roach, are all fine fish, and found in plenty. Nigh thesea-shore vast quantities of oysters, crabs, shrimps, _&c. _ may be taken, and sometimes a kind of turtle. [Sidenote] Of its birds. There were also vast numbers of winged fowls found in the country, manyof which for human use and subsistence. Besides eagles, falcons, cormorants, gulls, buzzards, hawks, herons, cranes, marsh-hens, jays, woodpeckers; there are wild turkeys, pigeons, black-birds, woodcocks, little partridges, plovers, curlieus and turtle-doves, in great numbers;and also incredible flocks of wild geese, ducks, teal, snipes, andrice-birds. There has been found here, nigh rivers, a bird of an amazingsize, some think it a species of the pelican. Under its beak, which isvery long, it is furnished with a large bag, which it contracts or letsloose at pleasure, to answer the necessities or conveniences of life. Thesummer duck is a well known and beautiful creature, and has got this nameto distinguish it from others of the same species, which continue not inthe country during the summer months, but search for a cooler retreat. The mockbird of Carolina is a fine bold creature, which mimics thevarious voices of the forest, both in captivity and in the enjoyment ofnatural freedom. The red bird is exceedingly beautiful, and has a softmelodious note, but with few variations. The humming bird is remarkablefor its small size, flies from flower to flower like a bee, and issometimes caught by children while lying buried in a large flower it issucking out the juice. Its nest is very curious, and discovers amazingart and contrivance. These are some of the feathered inhabitants of thisforest, among which there is little melody, and, were it otherways, themusic would all be lost, by the continual croaking of frogs, which swarmin millions over the flat country. [Sidenote] Of its snakes and vipers. While ranging over the natural field, there is no reptile merits moreparticular notice than the rattle-snake, which is one of the mostformidable living creatures in the whole universe. Providence hath kindlyfurnished him with a tail which makes a rattling noise, and no doubt wasintended to warn every other creature of the danger of approaching nighhim. He indeed possesses that noble fortitude, which is harmless unlesswhen provoked and molested. He is never the aggressor, and seems aversefrom making use of his weapons of destruction. He flies from man; butwhen pursued, and he finds he cannot escape, he instantly gathers himselfinto a coil, and prepares for self-defence. He has a sharp and sparklingeye, and quickly spies any person approaching towards him, and winds hiscourse out of the way into some thicket or concealed place. The greatestdanger is, when we inadvertently trample upon him as he lies coiled amongthe long grass or thick bushes. On each side of his upper jaw he has twolong fangs, which are hollow, and through which he injects the poisoninto the wound they make. When he penetrates a vein or nerve sudden deathensues, unless some effectual remedy be instantly applied. The usualsymptoms of being bit by him are, acute pains from the wound, inflammatory swellings round it, sickness at the stomach, and convulsivevomitings. In all countries, however, where venomous creatures exist, thehand of nature hath kindly planted some antidote against their poison, which it is the business of rational creatures to investigate and apply. Even the rude and ignorant Indians were not strangers to the method ofcuring the wounds of this dreadful reptile; as quickly as possible, afterbeing bit, they swallowed a strong doze of the decoction of snake-root, which they found every where growing in the woods, which caused them tovomit plentifully; at the same time, having sucked the poison out of thewound, they chewed a little snake-root, and applied it externally to it. This remedy, when timely applied, sometimes proved efficacious, whichinduced the early settlers of Carolina to follow their example. Besidesthe rattle-snake, the black and brown vipers have fangs, and are alsovenomous. The horn-snake is also found here, which takes his name from ahorn in his tail, with which he defends himself, and strikes it withgreat force into every aggressor. This reptile is also deemed veryvenomous, and the Indians, when wounded by him, usually cut out the partwounded as quickly as possible, to prevent the infection spreadingthrough the body. There are, besides these, a variety of other snakesfound here, such as the green, the chicken, the copperbelly, the wampum, the coach-whip and corn snakes; all of which are esteemed harmlesscreatures. [Sidenote] Of its insects. Innumerable are the insects in Carolina, as might naturally be expectedfrom the heat of the climate. The bees are found in several places, andthey chuse the hollow trees for their habitation, but whether imported ornot is uncertain. The fire-fly, so called from its emitting sparks offire in the night, resembling flashes from the strokes of steel uponflint, is a curious creature. About the beginning of summer, when theseinsects are very numerous, they illuminate the woods, and strike astranger with astonishment. Millions of pestiferous gnats, calledMusketoes, are hatched during the summer, and swarm over the country insuch numbers, that, during the day, it requires no small trouble for theinhabitants to defend themselves in every quarter against them; and, during the night, gause pavilions are necessarily used, to exclude themfrom their beds, without which it is impossible to enjoy undisturbedrepose. The sand-flies are also vexatious insects, and so minute, thatone would imagine it needless to provide any defence against them; yet, wherever they bite, their poison occasions itching and painfulinflammations. Besides these, there are ticks, flies, wasps, and manymore insects which are very troublesome. To these plagues, with whichthis country is cursed, we may also add the water wood-worms, whichinfest the rivers as far as the salt-water flows, eat the bottoms ofvessels into the form of honey-combs, and prove extremely destructive toshipping. [Sidenote] A. D. 1682. Joseph Morton made governor. About the year 1682, Governor West having incurred the displeasure of theproprietors, Joseph Morton, who had lately been created a landgrave, received a commission from Lord Craven, investing him with the governmentof the colony. About the same time, Joseph Blake sold his estate inEngland, and with his family and several substantial followers retired toCarolina. Lord Cardross also, a nobleman of Scotland, having formed aproject for carrying over some of his countrymen to Carolina, embarkedwith a few families, and made an attempt to establish a colony onPort-Royal Island: but observing the government in a confused andfluctuating state, he soon after returned to Britain. The island on whichhe left his few followers having excellent conveniencies for navigation, was a place of all others in the country the most advantageous for asettlement; but, to effect it, a greater number of emigrants wasabsolutely requisite. The Spaniards sent an armed force, and dislodgedthe Scotch settlers, after which no attempts were made for many yearstowards establishing a colony in that quarter. [Sidenote] Pennsylvania settled. About the same time, William Penn, an eminent quaker, obtained a grantfrom the king of a large territory in the middle of North America, whichhe called Pennsylvania, and which he resolved to settle on the enlargedbottom of universal benevolence, friendship and humanity. Not satisfiedwith the title he held from the crown to this extensive territory, hethought himself bound in conscience to purchase one also from its naturalpossessors, and therefore gave the Indians some consideration for theirproperty; by which means he obtained not only an equitable right, butpeaceable possession. At first, it is probable, he intended his provinceas an asylum for the hamlets and peaceable people of his own persuasion, who were oppressed in Britain, and persecuted in a degree equal to theSpanish inquisition in New England; yet, so liberal were his principles, that he opened a door to mankind in general who were unhappy in theirexternal circumstances, and persecuted for their conscientious opinions. His plan of settlement was so large, and the regulations he establishedfor preventing idleness, luxury and vice, were so wise and judicious, assoon to attract the eyes and admiration of vast numbers of men in thedifferent quarters of Europe. Multitudes flocked to Pennsylvania, and satdown happy under Penn's gentle laws and government. His own example ofbenevolence, frugality and temperance, endeared him to every inhabitant;and a general simplicity of manners for several years prevailed in thesettlement. It remained for the future ages of pride, luxury andambition, to defeat the wise maxims of this legislator. A plan of a citywas framed, which, for order, beauty and magnificence, was excelled bynone upon earth. Indeed, every thing relating to the first settlement ofthat province was conducted with such wisdom and equity, that it couldnot fail of speedy population and improvement. The industrious plantersand merchants of Pennsylvania, soon advanced to an easy and independentstate; an advantage far from being common to the other Britishsettlements in America, and therefore to be ascribed chiefly to theirgeneral harmony, temperance and application. The colony of Carolina, though planted at an earlier period, from variouscauses and impediments, advanced by slower steps in population andimprovement. Pennsylvania, being farther removed from the equator, wasconsidered as a better climate. The lands were found better adapted toBritish grain, and more favourably situated for cultivation. Like ayounger beauty, she attracted the eyes of many admirers, and promised tobe a powerful rival to Carolina. She flattered her labourers with theprospects of longer life, and with the hopes of greater increase in thosekinds of grain they had been accustomed to cultivate in Europe. Herinstitutions, with respect to government, were more applicable andprudent; her planters, blessed with health and good-humour, laboured withgreater pleasure and success: the tribes of savages around her, beingmore gently used, were more peaceable. Hence it happened, that thePennsylvanians, having fewer obstacles to surmount than their southernneighbours, prospered in a more rapid manner. [Sidenote] The proprietors forbid the trade in Indians. The proprietors of Carolina had indeed instructed Governor Morton to takeall Indians within four hundred miles of Charlestown under hisprotection, and to treat them with humanity and tenderness; but suchinstructions were very disagreeable to many of the people, especially tothose members of the council who were concerned in the Indian trade, andtherefore great opposition was raised to the execution of them. MauriceMathews, James Moore, and Arthur Middleton, members of the council, warmly opposed the governor, while he proposed regulations for thepeaceable management of Indians, and considered the proprietors asstrangers to the interest of their colony by such impolitic restrictions. The people, who had lost some friends and relations by the savages werealso greatly irritated against them, and breathed nothing but vengeanceand implacable resentment. These members of the council were removed fromit for their disobedience; nevertheless they had such influence among thepeople, as to occasion great trouble to the governor, and totally tosubvert his authority; in consequence of which, Joseph West appearedagain at the head of the colony, and gave his assent to several laws madein it. During which time the people followed their former practice, ofinveigling and kidnapping Indians where-ever they found them, and shippedthem off to the West Indies, without any restraint from government. [Sidenote] The toleration of pirates in Carolina. Soon after Governor West was superseded by Sir Richard Kirle, an Irishgentleman, who died six months after his arrival in the country. Afterhis decease, Colonel Robert Quarry was chosen his successor. During thetime of his government, a number of pirates put into Charlestown, andpurchased provisions with their Spanish gold and silver. Those publicrobbers, instead of being taken and tried by the laws of England, weretreated with great civility and friendship, in violation of the laws ofnations. Whether the governor was ignorant of the treaty made with Spain, by which England had withdrawn her former toleration from theseplunderers of the Spanish dominions; or whether he was afraid to bringthem to trial from the notorious courage of their companions in the WestIndies, we have not sufficient authority to affirm; but one thing iscertain, that King Charles II. For several years after the restoration, winked at their depredations, and many or them performed such valiantactions as, in a good cause, had justly merited honours and rewards. Evenas the case was, Charles, out of mere whim, knighted Henry Morgan, aWelshman, who had plundered Porto Bello and Panama, and carried off largetreasures from them. For several years so formidable was this body ofplunderers in the West Indies, that they struck a terror into everyquarter of the Spanish dominions. Their gold and silver, which theylavishly spent in the colony, ensured to them a kind reception among theCarolineans, who opened their ports to them freely, and furnished themwith necessaries. They could purchase the favour of the governor, and thefriendship of the people, for what they deemed a trifling consideration. Leaving their gold and silver behind them, for clothes, arms, ammunitionand provisions, they embarked in quest of more. However, the proprietors, having intelligence of the encouragement given to pirates by GovernorQuarry, dismissed him from the office he held; and, in 1685, LandgraveJoseph Morton was reinstated in the government of the colony. [Sidenote] Cause of migration from England. During the reign of King James II. The hardships under which the peopleof Britain laboured, and the troubles they apprehended, brought muchstrength to the colonies. The unsuccessful or unfortunate part of mankindare easily induced to emigrate; but the oppressed and persecuted aredriven from their country, however closely their affections may cleave toit. Such imprudent attempts were made by this prince against what thenation highly revered, that many Protestants deserted it, preferring thehardships of the first state of colonization abroad, to oppression athome. So far was he from concealing his attachment to the Popishreligion, that he gloried in the open profession of it, and took everyopportunity of transferring both the legal authority and military commandinto the hands of such men as were best affected to that religion, andwould most readily contribute their assistance towards the accomplishmentof his favourite design. The Protestants in general were alarmed, andfilled with the most gloomy apprehensions from the bloody and persecutingspirit of the Popish faction. They foresaw the subversion of theirreligion and liberties, and fled over the Atlantic from the approachingrigours of persecution, being determined to submit to any hardshipsabroad, rather than to the establishment of Popery in England. [Sidenote] Cause of migration from France. The next acquisition America gained, was from the revocation of the edictof Nantz; in consequence of which the flames of persecution broke out inFrance, and drove many of its best subjects out of that kingdom. TheseProtestant refugees were beneficial in many respects to England andHolland, and served greatly to promote the trade and manufactures ofthese nations. Among the other colonies in America which reaped advantagefrom this impolitic measure of France, Carolina had a large share. Manyof the Protestant refugees, having purchased lands from the proprietors, embarked with their families for that colony, and proved some of its bestand most industrious inhabitants. [Sidenote] The European animals increase. Small was the progress in cultivation which the colonists of Carolina hadyet made, and fatal had the heat of the climate and the labours of thefield proved to many of them. Yet their cattle increased in an amazingmanner, and thrived exceedingly well in their forest. Having littlewinter, the woods furnished them with both shelter and provisions all theyear; neither houses nor attendants were provided for them, but eachplanter's cattle, distinguished only by his mark, every where grazed withfreedom. Hogs still fared better, and increased faster. The woodsabounded with acorns, and roots of different kinds, on which they fed andfattened, and were reckoned most excellent food. Stocks of cattle, atthis period, were a great object with the planters, for several reasons. Little labour was requisite to raise and render them profitable. Theplanters were at no trouble in building houses for them, nor at anyexpence in feeding them. If either cattle or hogs were fed, it must onlyhave been intended to accustom them to keep nigh their owner's abode, orto return under his eye every evening. Besides, a planter fond of huntingmight supply his family with game through the year, with which the woodsabounded, and save his stock. Horses were also bred in the same manner, and though they degenerated greatly, they multiplied fast. No part of theworld could prove more favourable to poultry of all kinds. By the tradeof the colony to the West Indies, they had rum and sugar in return fortheir lumber and provisions; and England supplied them with clothes, arms, ammunition, and utensils for building and cultivation, in exchangefor their deer-skins, furs, and naval stores. [Sidenote] The manner of obtaining turpentine in Carolina. Turpentine is the gum in a liquid state of that species of the pine treecalled Pitch-pine, extracted by incision and the heat of the sun, whilethe tree is growing. The common manner of obtaining it is as follows:about the first of January the persons employed in making turpentinebegin to cut boxes in the trees, a little above the ground, and make themlarge or small in proportion to the size of the tree; the box of a largetree will hold two English quarts, of a middling tree one, and of a smallone a pint. About the middle of March, when the weather becomes warm, they begin to bleed, which is done by cutting about an inch into the sapof the tree with a joiner's hatchet; these channels made in the greenstanding tree, are framed so as to meet in a point where the boxes aremade to receive the gum; then the bark is peeled off that side of thetree which is exposed to the sun, that the heat may extract theturpentine. After bleeding, if rain should happen to fall, it not onlycondenses the sap, but also contracts the orifices of the vessels thatdischarge the gum, and therefore the trees must be bled afresh. Aboutfourteen days after bleeding the boxes will be full of turpentine, andmust be emptied into a barrel. When the boxes are full, an able hand willfill two barrels in a day. A thousand trees will yield at every gatheringabout two barrels and a half of turpentine, and it may be gathered onceevery fourteen days, till the frost comes, which chills the sap, andobliges the labourer to apply to some other employment, until the nextseason for boxing shall approach. The oil of turpentine is obtained bydistillation; and rosin is the remainder of the turpentine, after the oilis distilled from it. [Sidenote] And of making tar and pitch. From the same pine trees tar and pitch are also made, but by a differentmode of operation. "For extracting tar they prepare a circular floor ofclay, declining a little towards the centre, from which there is laid apipe of wood, extending almost horizontally two feet without thecircumference, and so let into the ground, that its upper side may belevel with the floor: at the outer end of this pipe they dig a hole largeenough to hold the barrels of tar, which, when forced out of the wood, naturally runs to the centre of the floor as the lowest part, and fromthence along the pipe into the barrels. Matters being thus prepared, theyraise upon the clay floor a large pile of dry pine-wood split in pieces, and inclose the whole pile with a wall of earth, leaving only a littlehole in the top, where the fire is to be kindled; when that is done, andthe inclosed wood begins to burn, the whole is stopped up with earth, that there may be no flame, but only heat sufficient to force the tar outof the wood, and make it run down to the floor. They temper the heat asthey think proper, by thrusting a stick through the wall of earth, andletting the air in at as many places as they judge necessary. As toPitch, it is nothing more than the solid part of the tar separated fromthe liquid by boiling. " As Carolina abounds with this kind of pine trees, vast quantities ofpitch, tar, and turpentine might have been made in it. At this earlyperiod the settlers, having little strength to fell the thick forest andclear the lands for cultivating grain, naturally applied themselves tosuch articles as were in demand in England, and for procuring whichmoderate labour was requisite. Lumber was a bulky article, and required anumber of ships to export it. Naval stores were more valuable and lessbulky, at the same time that the labour necessary to obtain them waseasier, and more adapted to European constitutions. The province as yetcould supply Britain with a very inconsiderable quantity of naval stores;but by encouraging the planters in preparing them, the expence of itsvast importations from the Baltic might have been in some measure savedto the nation. [Sidenote] A difference with the civil officers. Though Governor Morton was possessed of a considerable share of wisdom, and was connected with several respectable families in the colony, yet soinconsistent were his instructions from England, with the prevailingviews and interests of the people, that he was unable, without greattrouble, to execute the duties of his trust. He was a man of a sober andreligious temper of mind, and had married Mr. Blake's sister, latelyarrived from England, by which alliance it was hoped the hands ofgovernment would be strengthened, and a check given to the morelicentious and irregular party of the people. His council was composed ofJohn Boone, Maurice Mathews, John Godfrey, Andrew Percival, ArthurMiddleton, and James Moore, _&c. _; some of whom differed widely from himin opinion with respect to public measures, and claimed greaterindulgences for the people than he had authority to grant. Hence twoparties arose in the colony: one in support of the prerogative andauthority of the proprietors, the other in defence of the liberties ofthe people. The former contended, that the laws and regulations receivedfrom England respecting government ought to be strictly and implicitlyobserved: the latter kept in view their local circumstances, andmaintained, that the freemen of the colony were under obligations toobserve them only so far as they were consistent with the interest ofindividuals and the prosperity of the settlement. In this situation ofaffairs, no governor could long support his power among a number of boldadventurers, who improved every hour for advancing their interest, andcould bear no restraints which had the least tendency to defeat theirfavourite views and designs: for whenever he attempted to interpose hisfeeble authority, they insulted his person and complained of hisadministration, till he was removed from his office. [Sidenote] James Colleton made governor. The proprietors also finding it prudent to change their governor so soonas he became obnoxious to the people, James Colleton at this time wasappointed to supersede Joseph Morton. He was a brother to Sir PeterColleton, one of the proprietors, but was possessed neither of hisaddress nor abilities for the management of public affairs. He leftBarbadoes and retired to Carolina, where he built an excellent house onCooper River, in hopes of settling in that country, and long enjoying, bythe influence of his brother, the emoluments of his office intranquillity and happiness. To give him the greater weight, he wascreated a landgrave of the colony, to which dignity forty-eight thousandacres of land were unalienably annexed: but to his mortification he soonfound, that the proprietary government had acquired but little firmnessand stability, and, by his imprudence and rigour, fell into still greaterdisrespect and contempt. [Sidenote] A. D. 1687. About the year 1687, having called an assembly of the representatives, heproposed to make some new regulations respecting the government of thecolony. Having examined the fundamental constitutions, and finding thepeople disposed to make many objections to them, he thought proper tonominate a committee, to consider wherein they were improper ordefective, and to make such alterations and amendments in them as theyjudged might be conducive to the welfare of the country. This committeeconsisted of the Governor, Paul Grimball, the secretary, William Dunlop, Bernard Schinking, Thomas Smith, John Far, and Joseph Blake. Accordingly, by these men a new code of laws was framed, consisting of many articlesdifferent from the former, which they called _Standing Laws_, andtransmitted to England for the approbation of the proprietors. Thesestanding laws, however, the proprietors rejected, and insisted on theobservance of the fundamental constitutions; and all the while the peopletreated both with equal indifference and neglect. [Sidenote] His difference with the house of assembly. At this early period a dissatisfaction with the proprietary governmentappeared, and began to gain ground among the people. A dispute havingarisen between the governor and the house of assembly about the tenuresof lands and the payment of quitrents, Landgrave Colleton determined toexert his authority, in compelling the people to pay up their arrears ofquitrents, which, though very trifling and inconsiderable, wereburdensome, as not one acre out of a thousand of these lands for whichquitrents were demanded yielded them any profit. For this purpose, hewrote to the proprietors, requesting them to appoint such deputies as heknew to be most favourably disposed towards their government, and wouldmost readily assist him in the execution of his office. Hence theinterest of the proprietors and that of the people were placed inopposite scales, and the more rigorously the governor exerted hisauthority, the more turbulent and seditious the people became. At lastthey proceeded to avowed usurpation: they issued writs in their own name, and held assemblies in opposition to the governor and the authority ofthe proprietors. Letters from England, containing deputations to personsobnoxious to the people, they seized and suppressed, and appointed othermen better affected to the popular cause. Paul Grimball, the secretary ofthe province, they imprisoned, and forcibly took possession of the publicrecords. The militia act they refused to settle, because recommended bythe governor, even though their own security depended on it. In short, the little community was turned into a scene of confusion, and every manacted as he thought proper, without any regard to legal authority, and incontempt of the governor and other officers of the proprietors. Landgrave Colleton, mortified at the loss of power, and alarmed at thebold and seditious spirit of the people, was not a little perplexed whatstep to take in order to recal them to the obedience of legal authority. Gentle means he perceived would be vain and ineffectual. One expedientwas suggested, which he and his council flattered themselves might beproductive of the desired effect, and induce the people through fear toreturn to his standard, and stand by the person who alone had authorityto punish mutiny and sedition, which was to proclaim the martial law, andtry to maintain by force of arms the proprietary jurisdiction. Accordingly, without letting the people into his secret design, he causedthe militia to be drawn up, as if some danger had threatened the country, and publicly proclaimed the martial law at their head. His design, however, did not long remain a secret, and, when discovered, served onlyto exasperate the more. The members of the assembly met, and taking thismeasure under their deliberation, resolved, that it was an encroachmentupon their liberties, and an unwarrantable exertion of power, at a timewhen the colony was in no danger from any foreign enemy. The governor, however, insisted on the articles of war, and tried to carry the martiallaw into execution; but the disaffection was too general to admit of sucha remedy. In the year 1690, at a meeting of the representatives, a billwas brought in and passed, for disabling Landgrave James Colleton fromholding any office, or exercising any authority, civil or military, within the province: nay, so outrageous were they against him, thatnothing less than banishment could appease them, and therefore gavenotice to him, that, in a limited time, he must depart from the country. [Sidenote] Seth Sothell chosen governor. [Sidenote] His oppression and expulsion. During these public commotions Seth Sothell, pretending to be aproprietor by virtue of some regulations lately made in England, usurpedthe government of the colony. At first the people seemed disposed toacknowledge his authority, while the current of their enmity ran againstLandgrave Colleton; and as he had stood forth as an active and leadingman in opposition to that governor, and ratified the law for hisexclusion and banishment: but afterwards, finding him to be void of everyprinciple of honour and honesty, they persecuted him also with deservedand implacable enmity. Such was the insatiable avarice of this usurperthat his popularity was of short duration. Every restraint of commonjustice and equity was trampled upon by him; and oppression, such asusually attends the exaltation of vulgar and ambitious scramblers forpower, extended her rod of iron over the distracted colony. The fairtraders from Barbadoes and Bermuda were seized as pirates by order ofthis popular governor, and confined until such fees as he was pleased toexact were paid him: bribes from felons and traitors were accepted tosavour their escape from the hands of justice: plantations were forciblytaken possession of, upon pretences the most frivolous and unjust, andplanters were compelled to give bonds for large sums of money, to procurefrom him liberty to remain in posession of their property. These, andmany more acts of the like atrocious nature, did this rapacious governorcommit, during the short time of his administration, to increase his feesas governor and proprietor. At length the people, weary of his grievousimpositions and extortions, agreed to take him by force, and ship him offfor England. Then, to his other ill qualities he added meanness ofspirit, and humbly begged of them liberty to remain in the country, promising to submit his conduct to the trial of the assembly at theirfirst meeting. When the assembly met, thirteen different charges werebrought against him, and all supported by the strongest evidence: uponwhich, being found guilty, they compelled him to abjure the governmentand country for ever. An account of his infamous and wicked conduct wasdrawn up and sent to the proprietors, which filled them with astonishmentand indignation. He was ordered to England, to answer the accusationsbrought against him before the palatine's court, and, in case of refusal, was given to understand it would be taken as a further evidence andconfirmation of his guilt. The law for disabling Landgrave James Colletonfrom holding any authority civil or military in Carolina, was repealed, and strict orders were sent out to the grand council, to support thepower and prerogative of the proprietors. To compose the minds of thepeople, they declared their detestation of such unwarrantable and wantonoppression, and protested that no governor should ever be permitted togrow rich on their ruins; enjoining them, at the same time, to return tothe obedience of their magistrates, and subjection to legal authority. Hitherto this little community has been a scene of continual contentionand misery. The fundamental constitutions, which the proprietors thoughtthe most excellent form of government upon earth, have been littleregarded. The governors have been either ill qualified for their office, or the instructions given them have been unacceptable to the people. Theinhabitants, far from living in friendship and harmony among themselves, have also been seditious and ungovernable. Indeed, while the proprietarygovernment shall continue to be thus weak and unstable, its authoritywill be little respected; while the encouragement given to civil officersand magistrates is trifling and inconsiderable; men of judgment andability will not throw away their time and pains for supporting thehonour and authority of others, which might be otherwise employed topurposes more advantageous to themselves. The titles of Landgraves andCassiques will not compensate for the loss of such time and labour, especially when they come only joined with large tracts of land which, for want of hands, must lie uncultivated. The money arising fromquitrents and the sale of lands was inconsiderable, hard to be collected, and by no means adequate to the support of government. The proprietorswere unwilling to involve their English estates for the improvement ofAmerican property; hence their government was feeble and ill supported inCarolina, and there is reason to fear it will become more so, inproportion as the colonists shall become richer and more independent, andthe country shall advance to a more populous and better cultivated state. CHAP. III. [Sidenote] A revolution in England. During the reign of the infatuated King James II. The English nation, oppressed by a Popish faction, and apprehensive about their civil andreligious liberties, were ripe for a revolt; and, upon his abdication, William Prince of Orange accepted of the English crown, on such terms asthe Parliament thought proper to offer it. Though history can furnish fewexamples of a daughter conspiring with subjects to exclude her fatherfrom the throne, and then accepting of a crown from his head; yet, bythis Revolution the long-contested boundaries between the prerogative ofthe king and the rights and liberties of the people, were more clearlymarked and determined than they had been in any former period, to thegreat relief and happiness of the nation. This event is distinguished inthe annals of England as the era of freedom; and it must be confessed, that the change has been productive of many important and happyconsequences. As nothing tends more to the increase of industry and commerce thanreligious toleration, and great freedom to scrupulous consciences, soonafter the Revolution an act passed in parliament, for exempting hismajesty's Protestant subjects from the penalties of certain laws, underwhich they had formerly suffered great severities. King William and hiscouncil, at that juncture, wisely judged, that such a law might be ofexcellent use in removing the complaints of many of his good subjects, and uniting their minds in interest and affection. Though the variancesof Whigs and Tories may have sometimes obstructed the salutary effects ofthis law, yet it must be acknowledged to have answered many wise andvaluable purposes to the nation. [Sidenote] The French refugees meet with encouragement. In the history of England, nothing is found to redound more to the honourof the people than their signal and uncommon acts of generosity andhumanity. Even in the reign of King James large collections had been madefor the distressed French refugees. After King William's accession to thethrone, the parliament voted fifteen thousand pounds sterling to bedistributed among persons of quality, and all such as through age orinfirmities were unable to support themselves or families. To artificersand manufacturers encouragement was offered in England and Ireland, whohave contributed not a little to the improvement of the silk and linenmanufactures of these kingdoms. To husbandmen and merchants agreeableprospects were opened in the British colonies. In 1690, King William senta large body of these people to Virginia. Lands were allotted them on thebanks of St. James's river, which by their diligence and industry theysoon improved into excellent estates. Others purchased lands from theproprietors of Carolina, transported themselves and families to thatquarter, and settled a colony on Santee river. Others, who were merchantsand mechanics, took up their residence in Charlestown, and followed theirdifferent occupations. At this period these new settlers were a greatacquisition to Carolina. They had taken the oath of allegiance to theking, and promised fidelity to the proprietors. They were disposed tolook on the colonists, whom they had joined, in the favourable light ofbrethren and fellow-adventurers, and though they understood not theEnglish language, yet they were desirous of living in peace and harmonywith their neighbours, and willing to stand forth on all occasions ofdanger with them for the common safety and defence. [Sidenote] Philip Ludwell appointed governor. About the same time Philip Ludwell, a gentleman from Virginia, beingappointed governor of Carolina, arrived in the province. Sir NathanielJohnson, who had been general of the Leeward Islands in the reign of KingJames, being created a Cassique of Carolina, after the Revolution retiredto that country, and took his seat as a member of the council. Theproprietors having found the fundamental constitutions disagreeable tothe people, and ineffectual for the purposes of government, repealed alltheir former laws and regulations, excepting those called Agrarian Laws, and sent out a new plan of government to Mr. Ludwell, consisting offorty-three articles of instruction, for the better management of theircolony. The inhabitants, who had been long in a confused and turbulentstare, were enjoined to obedience and submission. Liberty was granted tothe representatives of the people to frame such laws as they judgednecessary to the public welfare and tranquillity, which were to continuein force for two years, but no longer, unless they were in the mean timeratified and confirmed by the palatine and three more proprietors. Landsfor the cassiques and landgraves were ordered to be marked out in squareplats, and freedom was granted them to chuse their situation. Hithertothe planters remained utter strangers to the value and fertility of thelow lands, the swamps were therefore carefully avoided, and large tractsof the higher lands, which were esteemed more precious, were surveyed, and marked out for estates by the provincial nobility. [Sidenote] Harsh treatment of the colonists to the refugees. Governor Ludwell, who was a man of great humanity, and considerableknowledge and experience in provincial affairs, by those large estateswhich were allowed the leading men, and the many indulgences he wasauthorized to grant to others, had the good fortune to allay the fermentamong the people, and reconcile them to the proprietors. But thisdomestic tranquility was of short duration. New sources of discontentbroke out from a different quarter. He had instructions to allow theFrench colony settled in Craven county, the same privileges and libertieswith the English colonists. Several of the refugees being possessed ofconsiderable property in France, had sold it, and brought the money withthem to England. Having purchased large tracts of land with this money, they sat down in more advantageous circumstances than the poorer part ofEnglish emigrants. Some of them, who had gone to the northern provinces, hearing of the kind treatment and great encouragement their brethren hadreceived in Carolina, came to southward and joined their countrymen. Having clergymen of their own persuasion, for whom they entertained thehighest respect and veneration, they were disposed to encourage them asmuch as their narrow circumstances would admit. Governor Ludwell receivedthe wandering foreigners with great civility, and was not a littlesolicitous to provide them with settlements equal to their expectations. While these refugees were entering on the hard task of clearing andcultivating spots of land, encouraging and relieving each other as muchas was in their power, the English Settlers began to revive the odiousdistinctions and rooted antipathies of the two nations, and to considerthem as aliens and foreigners, entitled by law to none of the privilegesand advantages of natural-born subjects. The governor had instructions toallow them six representatives in assembly; this the Englishmenconsidered as contrary to the laws of the land, and beyond the power ofthe proprietors, who were subject to the laws, to grant. Instead ofconsidering these persecuted strangers in the enlarged light of brethrendescended from the same common parent, and entitled to the free blessingsof Providence; instead of taking compassion on men who had sought anasylum from oppression in their country, whom they were bound to welcometo it by every tie of humanity and interest; they began to execute thelaws of England respecting aliens in their utmost rigour against them. Their haughty spirit could not brook the thoughts of sitting in assemblywith the rivals of the English nation for power and dominion, and ofreceiving laws from Frenchmen, the favourers of a system of slavery andabsolute government. In this unfavourable light they were held forth tothe people, to the great prejudice of the refugees; which sentiments, however narrow and improper, served to excite no small jealousies andapprehensions in their minds, with respect to these unhappy foreigners. Hard as this treatment was, this violent party did not stop here. Theyinsisted, that the laws of England allowed no foreigners to purchaselands in any part of the empire under her supreme jurisdiction, and thatno authority but the house of commons in Britain could incorporate aliensinto their community, and make them partakers of the rights andprivileges of natural-born Englishmen; that they ought to have beennaturalized by parliament before they obtained grants of lands from theproprietors; that the marriages performed by their clergymen, not beingordained by a bishop, were unlawful; and that the children begotten inthose marriage could be considered in law in no other light as bastards. In short, they averred, that aliens were not only denied a seat inparliament, but also a voice in all elections of members to serve in it;and that they could neither be returned on any jury, nor sworn for thetrial of issues between subject and subject. The refugees, alarmed at these proceedings, and discouraged at theprospects of being deprived of all the rights and liberties of Britishsubjects, began to suspect that the opposition of England would fallheavier upon them than that of France from which they had fled. Dejectedat the thoughts of labouring they knew not for whom, if their childrencould not reap the fruits of their labours, or if their estates shouldescheat to the proprietors at their decease, they could considerthemselves only as deceived and imposed upon by false promises andprospects. After holding several consultations among themselves abouttheir deplorable circumstances, they agreed to state their case beforethe proprietors, and beg their advice. In answer to which the Proprietorsinstructed Governor Ludwell to inform them, that they would enquire whatdoes in law qualify an alien born for the enjoyment of the rights andprivileges of English subjects, and in due time let them know; that, fortheir part, they would take no advantages of the present grievouscircumstances of the refugees; that their lands should descend to suchpersons as they thought proper to bequeath them; that the children ofsuch as had been married in the same way were not deemed bastards inEngland, nor could they be considered as such in Carolina, where suchunlimited toleration was allowed to all men by their charter. Though thisserved in some measure to compose the minds of the refugees, yet whilethe people harboured prejudices against them the relief was only partial;and, at the next election of members to serve in assembly, Craven county, in which they lived, was not allowed a single representative. [Sidenote] The manner of obtaining lands. From the first settlement of the colony, the common method of obtaininglands in it was by purchase, either from the Proprietors themselves, orfrom officers commissioned by them, who disposed of them agreeable totheir directions. Twenty pounds sterling for a thousand acres of land, and more or less, in proportion to the quantity, was commonly demanded, although the proprietors might accept of any acknowledgment they thoughtproper. The emigrants having obtained warrants, had liberty to go insearch of vacant ground, and to pitch upon such spots as they judged mostvaluable and convenient. This was surveyed, and marked out to them, according to the extent of their purchase, and plats and grants weresigned, registered and delivered to them, reserving one shilling quitrentfor every hundred acres, to be paid annually to the Proprietors. Suchpersons as could not advance the sum demanded by way of purchase, obtained lands on condition of paying one penny annual-rent for everyacre to the landlords. The former, however, was the common method ofobtaining landed estates in Carolina, and the tenure was a freehold. Therefugees having purchased their estates, and meeting with such harshtreatment from the colonists, were greatly discouraged, and apprehensive, notwithstanding the fair promises of the Proprietors, they had escapedone abyss of misery only to plunge themselves deeper into another. [Sidenote] Juries chosen by ballot. The manner of impannelling juries in Carolina being remarkably fair andequitable, justly claims our particular notice. Juries here are notreturned by sheriffs, whose ingenuity and integrity are well known, particularly in England; but according to an article in the fundamentalconstitutions. The names of all the freemen in the colony being takendown on small pieces of parchment of equal size, they are put into aballot-box, which is shaken on purpose to mix them, and out of whichtwenty-four names are drawn, at every precinct court before it rises, bythe first boy under ten year of age that appears; which names are putinto another box, and twelve out of the twenty-four are drawn by anotherboy under the same age, and summoned to appear at the next meeting ofcourt; which persons are the jury, provided no exceptions are takenagainst any of them. If any of them are challenged by the prisoner, theboy continues drawing other names till the jury be full. In this mild andfair manner prisoners are tried, which allows them every chance for lifehumanity can suggest or require: for after the most careful examinationof witnesses, and the fullest debate on both sides from the bar, the juryhave instructions about the evidences given, and the point of law whichis to guide them in their decision, from the bench; and are shut up in aroom, where they must remain until they agree, and return their unanimousverdict, guilty or not guilty. [Sidenote] Pirates favored by the colonists. Notwithstanding the excellence of this form of trial, it must beconfessed that justice has not always had its free course, nor beenadministered with impartiality by the officers and judges appointed bythe proprietors for this purpose. Pirates, for instance, are a body ofmen whom all civilized nations are bound in honour and justice to crush;yet, instead of this, by bribery and corruption they often found favourwith the provincial juries, and by this means escaped the hands ofjustice. About this time forty men arrived in a privateer called theRoyal Jamaica, who had been engaged in a course of piracy, and broughtinto the country treasures of Spanish gold and silver. These men wereallowed to enter into recognizance for their peaceable and good behaviourfor one year, with securities, till the governor should hear whether theproprietors would grant them a general indemnity. At another time avessel was shipwrecked on the coast, the crew of which openly and boldlyconfessed, they had been in the Red sea plundering the dominions of theGreat Mogul. The gentleness of government towards those public robbers, and the civility and friendship with which they were treated by thepeople, were evidences of the licentious spirit which prevailed in thecolony. For although all men ought to be tender of the lives of theirfellow-creatures, and permit ten guilty persons to escape rather than oneinnocent man should suffer; yet, to bring pirates to justice is a dutywhich both national honour and the common welfare of society necessarilyrequire. For if we allow such public robbers to escape with impunity, itmay be attended with serious and fatal consequences; it may prove theoccasion of war and bloodshed to nations in general, to the prejudice ofnavigation, and the destruction of many innocent lives, which might havebeen prevented by proper and legal punishments. The Proprietors weredisposed to consider piracy in this dangerous light, and thereforeinstructed Governor Ludwell to change the form of electing juries, andrequired that all pirates should be tried and punished by the laws ofEngland made for the suppression of piracy. Before such instructionsreached Carolina, the pirates, by their money and freedom of intercoursewith the people, had so ingratiated themselves into the public favour, that it was become no easy matter to bring them to trial, and dangerousto punish them as they deserved. The courts of law became scenes ofaltercation, discord, and confusion. Bold and seditious speeches weremade from the bar, in contempt of the Proprietors and their government. Since no pardons could be obtained but such as they had authorised thegovernor to grant, the assembly took the matter under deliberation, andfell into hot debates among themselves about a bill of indemnity. Whenthey found the governor disposed to refute his assent to such a bill, they made a law impowering magistrates and judges to put in force the_habeas corpus_ act made in England. Hence it happened, that several ofthose pirates escaped, purchased lands from the colonists, and took uptheir residence in the country. While money flowed into the colony inthis channel, the authority of government was a barrier too feeble tostem the fide, and prevent such illegal practices. At length theproprietors, to gratify the people, granted an indemnity to all thepirates, excepting those who had been plundering the Great Mogul, most ofwhom also found means of making their escape out of the country. In this community there subsisted a constant struggle between the peopleand the officers of the Proprietors: the former claimed great exemptionsand indulgences, on account of their indigent and dangerouscircumstances; the latter were anxious to discharge the duties of theirtrust, and to comply with the instructions of their superiors. Whenquitrents were demanded some refused payment, others had nothing tooffer. When actions were brought against all those who were in arrears, the poor planters murmured and complained among themselves, and werediscontented at the terms of holding their lands, though, comparativelyspeaking, easy and advantageous. It was impossible for any governor toplease both parties. The fees also of their courts and sheriffs weresuch, that, in all actions of small value, they exceeded the debt to berecovered by them. To remedy this inconvenience, the assembly made a lawfor empowering justices of the peace to hear, and finally to determine, all causes of forty shillings sterling value and under. This was equallyagreeable to the people, as it was otherwise to the officers of justice. At length, to humour the planters, the governor proposed to the assembly, to consider of a new form of a deed for holding lands, by which heencroached on the prerogative of the proprietors, who had referred tothemselves the sole power of judging in such a case, incurred theirdispleasure, and was soon after removed from the government. [Sidenote] Thomas Smith appointed governor. To find another man equally well qualified for the trust, was a matter atthis time of no small difficulty to the Proprietors. Thomas Smith was aman possessed of considerable property, much esteemed by the people forhis wisdom and sobriety; such a person they deemed would be the mostproper to succeed Ludwell, as he would naturally be both zealous andactive in promoting the prosperity and peace of the settlement. Accordingly a patent was sent out to him creating him a landgrave, and, together with it, a commission investing him with the government of thecolony. Mr. Ludwell returned to Virginia, happily relieved from atroublesome office, and Landgrave Smith, under all possible advantages, entered on it. He was previously acquainted with the state of the colony, and with the tempers and complexions of the leading men in it. He knewthat the interest of the Proprietors, and the prosperity of thesettlement were inseparably connected. He was disposed to allow thepeople, struggling under many hardships, every indulgence consistent withthe duties of his trust. No stranger could have been appointed to thegovernment that could boast of being in circumstances equally favourableand advantageous. [Sidenote] The planting of rice introduced. About this time a fortunate accident happened, which occasioned theintroduction of rice into Carolina, a commodity which was afterwardsfound very suitable to the climate and soil of the country. A brigantinefrom the island of Madagascar touching at that place in her way toBritain, came to anchor off Sullivan's island. There Landgrave Smith, upon an invitation from the captain, paid him a visit, and received fromhim a present of a bag of seed rice, which he said he had seen growing ineastern countries, where it was deemed excellent food, and produced anincredible increase. The governor divided his bag of rice between StephenBull, Joseph Woodward, and some other friends, who agreed to make theexperiment, and planted their small parcels in different soils. Upontrial they found it answered their highest expectations. Some yearsafterwards, Mr. Du Bois, treasurer to the East-India Company, sent a bagof seed rice to Carolina, which, it is supposed, gave rise to thedistinction of red and white rice, which are both cultivated in thatcountry. Several years, however, elapsed, before the planters found outthe art of beating and cleaning it to perfection, and that the lowest andrichest lands were best adapted to the nature of the grain; yet, fromthis period, the colonists persevered in planting it, and every yearbrought them greater encouragement. From this small beginning did thestaple commodity of Carolina take its rife, which soon became the chiefsupport of the colony, and its great source of opulence. Besidesprovisions for man and beast, as rice employs a number of hands in trade, it became also a source of naval strength to the nation, and of coursemore beneficial to it, than foreign mines of silver and gold. From thesuccess attending this inconsiderable beginning, projectors of newschemes for improvement may draw some useful lessons, especially wherelands are good, and the climate favourable to vegetation. [Sidenote] Occasions a necessity for employing negroes. With the introduction of rice planting into this country, and the fixingupon it as its staple commodity, the necessity of employing Africans forthe purpose of cultivation was doubled. So laborious is the task ofraising, beating, and cleaning this article, that though it had beenpossible to obtain European servants in numbers sufficient for attackingthe thick forest and clearing grounds for the purpose, thousands and tenthousands must have perished in the arduous attempt. The utter inaptitudeof Europeans for the labour requisite in such a climate and soil, isobvious to every one possessed of the smallest degree of knowledgerespecting the country; white servants would have exhausted theirstrength in clearing a spot of land for digging their own graves, andevery rice plantation would have served no other purpose than a buryingground to its European cultivators. The low lands of Carolina, which areunquestionably the richest grounds in the country, must long haveremained a wilderness, had not Africans, whose natural constitutions weresuited to the clime and work, been employed in cultivating this usefularticle of food and commerce. [Sidenote] Perpetual slavery repugnant to the principles of humanity and Christianity. So much may be said for the necessity of employing Africans in thecultivation of rice; but great is the difference between employingnegroes in clearing and improving those rich plains, and that miserablestate of hardship and slavery to which they are there devoted, and whichhas been tolerated and established by the law of the land. If we viewthis race, first ranging over the hills of Africa, equally free andindependent as other rude nations on earth, and from thence inveigled byfrauds or compelled by force, and then consigned over to a state ofendless slavery, we must confess the change is great and deplorable, especially to an impartial and disinterested eye. Without them, it isacknowledged, slow must have been the progress of cultivation inCarolina; but, from such a confederation, what man will presume tovindicate the policy of keeping those rational creatures in perpetualexile and slavery. Nature had given them an equal right to liberty as tolife, and the general law of self-preservation was equally concerned forthe preservation of both. We would be glad then to know, upon whatprinciple of equity and justice the English traders found their right todeprive the freeborn inhabitants of Africa of their natural liberty andnative country; or on what grounds the planter afterwards founds hisright to their service during life, and that of all their posterity, tothe latest generation. Can the particular laws of any country supersedethe general laws of nature? Can the local circumstances of any provinceupon earth be pled in excuse for such a violent trade, and for suchendless slavery in consequence of it? Besides, has not this trade atendency to encourage war and plunder among the natives of Africa? to setone tribe against another, to catch and trepan their neighbours, onpurpose to barter them for European trinkets to the factories? Nor is thetraffic confined to the captives of war alone, who have been subjected toslavery by many nations; for so ardently do they covet the perniciousliquors and trifling commodities carried to them from Europe, that, without scruple, they will part with their nearest relations, their wivesand children not excepted, to procure them. Thus civilized nations, bysuch a traffic, have made barbarians more barbarous, and tempted them tocommit the most cruel and unnatural actions. Nothing can be more evident, than that such a trade is tolerated andcarried on in violation of the grand rule of equity prescribed toChristians. For example, let us suppose the people of Africa haddiscovered an island, such as Newfoundland, in a climate too cool for thenatives of that continent to cultivate, and that the inhabitants of thenorth of Europe were alone adapted to the work. In consequence of thisdiscovery, were they to sail to Britain with a cargo of their gold dust, and stir up one county to wage war with another for the sake of captiveswere they to tempt the father to dispose of his son, the mother of herdaughter, the husband of his wife, and the nearest friends, first tosteal and kidnap, and then barter each other, for Africa's golden idol:we may with justice put the question, Ye inhabitants of England, whatwould ye think of such a traffic? We will readily own, there are fewnations upon earth more fond of gold dust than you, or have gone fartherlengths in the commercial way to procure it; yet, fond as ye are of thisfavourite metal, we must do so much justice to your humanity as tobelieve, that your nation would resound with complaints against a trafficso unjust and cruel. Yet certainly the African's natural right to pursueit is equally well grounded as that of the European. What principle ofChristianity can you then plead in its vindication? Your superior power, avarice, and craft, the African acknowledges to his sad experience; buthe complains of being made absolute property, such as cattle, goods andchattels, and subject to be seized, levied upon, and tossed from hand tohand for the payment of commercial debts, by the laws of your realm, towhich he never owed any subjection or obedience. He complains of themeans used to bring him into such grievous and deplorable circumstances, as unfair and iniquitous. He complains, that his utmost labour andindustry for any limited time will not be accepted by the master heserves, as a compensation for the expence of his purchase, and that heand all his generation must remain slaves for ever, without hope ofredemption or deliverance. And, without doubt, hard is his case, and wellgrounded are his complaints. Indeed the planter's concern only commenceswith the arrival of these slaves, and his contract made with themerchant, who, under the colour and authority of the laws, brought theminto the country where he lives. For the purchase he makes he has alsothe sanction and countenance of law, which is in some measure ajustification of his conduct. On provincial regulations, with respect tothe subsequent management and treatment of negroes, we shall afterwardstake occasion to make some remarks. At present we shall only add, that inno instance can it be said to be a more plain and lamentable truth, thatthe love of money is the root of all evil, than when it urges men totrade in the bodies and souls of their fellow-creatures. [Sidenote] Foreign colonies encouraged from views of commercial advantage. During the period of the usurpation in England, when the great councilsof the nation were under the direction of men of mean birth and littleeducation, the considerations of mercantile profit became connected withthose of dominion and the higher springs of government. After theconquest of Jamaica, it was resolved, that the nation should make acommercial profit of every colony that had been, or should be, planted inthe western world. At the Restoration the same turn in politics was alsoadopted, and the parliament which brought about that great event made alaw, by which it was enacted, that no sugar, cotton, wool, indigo, ginger, fustic, or other dying wood, of the growth of any Englishplantation in Asia, Africa, or America, should be transported to anyother place than to some English plantation, or to England, Ireland, Wales, and Berwick upon Tweed, upon pain of forfeiture of ship and goods;that, for every vessel sailing from England, Ireland, Wales, and Berwickupon Tweed, bond shall be given, with security of one or two thousandpounds sterling, money of Great Britain, that if she load any of the saidcommodities at such plantations, she shall bring them to some port ofthese English dominions. And for every vessel coming to the saidplantations the governor shall, before she be permitted to load, takesuch bond as aforesaid, that she shall carry such commodities to England, Ireland, Wales, or Berwick upon Tweed. This laid the foundation of whatwas afterwards called _enumerated commodities_; and to these alreadymentioned, rice, hemp, copper ore, beaver skins, and naval stores, wereafterwards added, and, with some exceptions, subjected to the samerestraint. This navigation law, though it cramped the trade of the colonies, yet ithas been attended with many beneficial consequences to Britain: and whileshe maintained the supreme power of legislation throughout the empire, and wisely regulated the trade and commerce of her foreign settlements, she might reap many and substantial advantages from them. She mightrender them a market for her manufactures, and at the same time supplyherself with such commodities as her northern climate refused, andobliged her to purchase from other nations. By such means she mightenlarge her commerce and trade, at the same time she increased her navalstrength. It was her interest in a particular manner to encouragesettlements in a different climate, the productions of which luxury hadmade necessary to the support of her domestic dominions. Their articlesof product interfered not with those of Britain, and were in no danger ofrivalling her at any market. But should the planters in these coloniesbegin to think themselves entitled to the privileges of raising whatproductions they please, and of sending them to any market they judgedmost advantageous to themselves, they would then become colonies equallyuseful to all the world; and the mother country, who discovered, peopledand protected them, would share no more advantage from them than rivalstates around her. On this principle Great Britain grounds her right toexpect a market for her manufactures in the colonies she planted andnursed, and to regulate their produce and trade in such a channel as torender them only subservient to her own interest. Without this right theywould not only be useless to her, but very prejudicial. Colonies plantedin the same latitude with the parent state, raising the same productions, and enjoying the same privileges, must in time be both detrimental anddangerous; for while they drain her of inhabitants, they are growingstrong upon her ruins. They meet her at the same market with the samecommodities, a competition arises between them, and occasions jealousies, quarrels, and animosities. Then she will become sensible of the badpolicy of having promoted such colonies, when they prove dangerous rivalsin trade and commerce, and when perhaps it is become too late to remedythe evil: for a rival daughter often becomes the more abusive andtroublesome, in proportion as she is better acquainted than strangerswith the natural fondness and indulgent temper of a tender mother. From Carolina indeed Britain had less to fear than from the more northerncolonies, as the latitude was more remote, and the climate and soilbetter suited to different productions. Here the people naturally engagedin pursuits different from those of the mother country, and a mutualexchange of commodities and good offices would of consequence the morenecessarily take place. They might barter their skins, furs, and navalstores, for clothes, arms, ammunition, and utensils necessary forcultivation, imported from England. They might send their provisions, lumber, and Indian captives to the West Indies, and receive the luxuriesof these islands, and the refuse of their cargoes of slaves, in return, without any prejudice to Britain: for as the two climates differedgreatly, they were of consequence adapted to different articles ofproduce. To such staples the first views of the planters ought to havebeen chiefly directed, and, for their encouragement in raising them, premiums from the Proprietors might have been attended with the mostbeneficial effects. [Sidenote] A. D. 1693. Indians complain of injustice. Before this time the Carolineans had found out the policy of setting onetribe of Indians against another, on purpose to save themselves. Bytrifling presents they purchased the friendship of some tribes, whom theyemployed to carry on war with others, which not only diverted theirattention from them, but encouraged them to bring captives toCharlestown, for the purpose of transportation to the West Indies, andthe advantage of trade. In the year 1693, twenty Cherokee chiefs waitedon Governor Smith, with presents and proposals of friendship, craving theprotection of government against the Esaw and Congaree Indians, who haddestroyed several of their towns, and taken a number of their peopleprisoners. They complained also of the outrages of the Savanna Indiansfor selling their countrymen, contrary to former regulations establishedamong the different tribes; and begged the governor to restore theirrelations, and protect them against such insidious enemies. GovernorSmith declared to them, that there was nothing he wished for more thanfriendship and peace with the Cherokee warriors, and would do every thingin his power for their defence: that the prisoners were already gone, andcould not be recalled; but that he would for the future take care that astop should be put to the custom of sending them off the country. At thesame time the Chihaw king complained of the cruel treatment he hadreceived from John Palmer who had barbarously beat and cut him with hisbroad-sword. In answer to which charge Palmer was insolent andcontumacious, and protested, in defiance and contempt of both governorand council, he would again treat him in like manner upon the sameprovocation; for which he was ordered into custody, until he asked pardonof the house, and found security for his future peaceable behaviour toIndians. Such instances of harsh treatment serve to account for manyoutrages of Indian nations, who were neither insensible to the commonfeelings of human nature, nor ignorant of the grievous frauds andimpositions they suffered in the course of traffic. By some plantersindeed they were used with greater humanity, and employed as servants tocultivate their lands, or hunt for fresh provisions to their families;and as the woods abounded with deer, rabbits, turkeys, geese, ducks, snipes, etc. Which were all accounted game, an expert hunter was of greatservice in a plantation, and could furnish a family with more provisionsthan they could consume. [Sidenote] The troubles among the settlers continue. With respect to government Carolina still remained in a confused andturbulent state. Complaint from every quarter was made to the governor, who was neither able to quiet the minds of the people, nor afford themthe relief they wanted. The French refugees were uneasy that there was noprovincial law to secure their estates to the heirs of their body, or thenext in kin, and afraid that their lands at their death would escheat tothe Proprietors, and their children become beggars, notwithstanding theirutmost industry and application; and, in such a case, the sooner theyremoved from the colony the better it would be for themselves and theirposterity. The English colonists, not only kept up variances amongthemselves, bur also perplexed the governor with their complaints ofhardships and grievances. At last Landgrave Smith wrote the Proprietors, and frankly told them, that he despaired of ever uniting the people ininterest and affection; that he and many more, weary of the fluctuatingstate of public affairs, had resolved to leave the province; and that hewas convinced nothing would bring the settlers to a state of tranquillityand harmony, unless they sent out one of the Proprietors, with fullpowers to redress grievances, and settle differences prevailing andlikely to prevail more in their colony. [Sidenote] John Archdale appointed governor. The Proprietors, astonished at the discontented and turbulent spirit ofthe people, yet anxious to prevent the settlement from being deserted andruined, resolved to try the remedy Landgrave Smith had suggested; andaccordingly pitched on Lord Ashley, an ingenious and bright youngnobleman, to go to Carolina, and invested him with full powers, afterviewing the posture of affairs on the spot, to establish such regulationsas he judged most conducive to the peace and welfare of the colony. LordAshley, however, having either little inclination to the voyage, or beingdetained in England by business of greater consequence, John Archdaleagreed to embark in his place. Archdale was a man of considerableknowledge and discretion, a Quaker, and a Proprietor; great trust wasreposed in him, and much was expected from his negociations. In the mean time Landgrave Smith having resigned his charge, Daniel Blakewas chosen governor, until the pleasure of the Proprietors was known. Sogreat was the antipathy of the English settlers to the French refugeesnow grown, that they insisted on their total exclusion from a voice inthe legislature. For this purpose an address was prepared and signed by agreat number of them, and presented to Governor Blake, praying, that therefugees might not only be denied the privilege of sitting as members ofthe legislative body, but also of a vote at their election, and that theassembly might be composed only of English members, chosen by Englishmen. Their request, however, being contrary to the instructions of theProprietors, Blake, it is probable, judged beyond his power to grant, andtherefore matters relating to them continued in the same unsettled state, until the arrival of Governor Archdale, which happened about the middleof the year 1695. [Sidenote] Archdales's arrival, and new regulations. The arrival of this pious man occasioned no small joy among all thesettlers, who crowded about him, each expecting some favour orindulgence. Amidst the general joy, private animosities and civil discordseemed for a while to be buried in oblivion. The governor soon found, that three interesting matters demanded his particular attention. Thefirst was, to restore harmony and peace among the colonists themselves;the second, to reconcile them to the jurisdiction and authority of theProprietors; and the third, to regulate their policy and traffic with theIndian tribes. For these purposes he summoned his council for advice, andthe commissions to the different deputies were read. The membersappointed were Joseph Blake, Stephen Bull, James Moore, Paul Grimball, Thomas Carey, John Beresford, and William Hawett. All former judges ofthe courts, officers of the militia, and justices of the peace, werecontinued in their respective offices. But such was the nationalantipathy of the English settlers to the poor French refugees, thatArchdale found their total exclusion from all concern in legislature wasabsolutely necessary to the peaceable convocation of the delegates, andtherefore issued writs directing them only to Berkley and Colletoncounties. Ten members for the one, and ten for the other, all Englishmen, were accordingly chosen by the freemen of the same nation. At theirmeeting the governor made a seasonable speech to both houses, acquaintingthem with the design of his appointment, his regard for the colony, andgreat desire of contributing towards its peace and prosperity. They, inreturn, presented affectionate addresses to him, and entered on publicbusiness with great temper and unanimity. Matters of general moment andconcern Governor Archdale, by his extensive powers and great discretionsettled to the satisfaction of all, excepting the French refugees. Theprice of lands and the form of conveyances were fixed by law. Three yearsrent was remitted to those who held land by grant, and four years to suchas held them by survey, without grant. Such lands as had escheated to theProprietors, were ordered to be let out or sold for their Lordshipsbenefit. It was agreed to take the arrears of quitrents either in moneyor commodities, as should be most easy and convenient for the planters. Magistrates were appointed, for hearing all causes between the settlersand Indians, and finally determining all differences between them. Publicroads were ordered to be made, and water passages cut, for the more easyconveyance of produce to the market. Some former laws were altered, andsuch new statutes made as were judged requisite for the good governmentand peace of the colony. In short, public affairs began to put on anagreeable aspect, and to promise fair towards the future progress andwelfare of the settlement. But as for the French refugees, all thegovernor could do for them was, to recommend it to the Englishfreeholders to consider them in the most friendly and compassionate pointof light, and to treat them with lenity and moderation. [Sidenote] Treats Indians with humanity. No man could entertain more benevolent sentiments, with respect to theignorant heathen savages, than Governor Archdale; his compassion for themwas probably one of the weighty motives which induced him to undertakethe voyage to this country. To protect them against insults, andestablish a fair trade and friendly intercourse with them, wereregulations which both humanity required and sound policy dictated. Butsuch was the rapacious spirit of individuals, that it could be curbed byno authority. Many advantages were taken of the ignorance of Indians inthe way of traffic. The liberty of seizing their persons, and sellingthem for slaves to the West-India planters, the colonists could not beprevailed on entirely to resign, without much reluctance. At this time awar raged between two Indian nations, the one living in the British, theother in the Spanish territories. The Yamassees, a powerful tribe inCarolina, having made an incursion into Florida, took a number of Indiansprisoners, whom they brought to Charlestown for sale to the provincialtraders to Jamaica and Barbadoes. Governor Archdale no sooner heard oftheir arrival, than he ordered the Spanish Indians to be brought to him, and finding that they had been instructed in the rites and principles ofthe Catholic religion, he could not help considering it as an atrociouscrime to sell Christians of any denomination. To maintain a goodunderstanding between the two provinces, he sent the prisoners toAugustine, and along with them the Yamassee warriors, to treat of peacewith the Indians of Florida. The Spanish governor wrote a letter to Mr. Archdale, thanking him for his humanity, and expressing a desire to liveon terms of friendship and peace with the Carolineans. In consequence ofwhich, Governor Archdale issued orders to all Indians in the Britishinterest, to forbear molesting those under the jurisdiction of Spain. Thetwo kings being at that time confederates, the like orders were issued atSt. Augustine, and in a short time they were attended with beneficialeffects. Such wise steps served not only to prevent slaughter and miseryamong these savages themselves, but an English vessel being accidentallyshipwrecked on the coast of Florida, the Indians did the crew no harm, but, on the contrary, conducted them safe to Augustine, where thecommandant furnished them with provisions, and sent them to the Englishsettlements. Nor did Governor Archdale confine his views to the establishment of agood correspondence with the Indian nations on the south of thissettlement, but extended them also to those on the north side of it. Stephen Bull, a member of the council and an Indian trader, at hisrequest entered into a treaty of friendship with the Indians living onthe coast of North Carolina. This proved also favourable for someadventurers from New England, who were soon after the conclusion of thetreaty shipwrecked on that coast. These emigrants got all safe to land, but finding themselves surrounded by barbarians, expected nothing butinstant death. However, to defend themselves in the best manner theycould, they encamped in a body on the shore, and threw up an entrenchmentaround them. There they remained until their small stock of provisionswas almost exhausted. The Indians, by making signs of friendship, frequently invited them to quit their camp; but they were afraid to trustthem, until hunger urged them to run the hazard at all events. After theycame out, the Indians received them with great civility, and not onlyfurnished them with provisions, but also permitted some of them peaceablyto travel over land to Charlestown, to acquaint the governor with theirmisfortune. Upon which a vessel was sent to North Carolina, which broughtthem to Cooper river, on the north side of which lands were allotted themfor their accommodation and they formed that settlement afterwards knownby the name of Christ's-church parish. About the same time, two Indians of different tribes being intoxicatedwith liquor, a vice which they learned from the English settlers, quarrelled at Charlestown, and the one murdered the other. Among thesebarbarians, not to avenge the death of a friend is considered aspusillanimous, and whenever death ensues, drunkenness, accident, or evenself-defence, are in their eyes no extenuation of the crime. Therelations of the deceased, hearing of his death, immediately came toCharlestown, and demanded satisfaction. Governor Archdale, who hadconfined the murderer, being desirous to save his life, offered them acompensation; but they refused it, and insisted on blood for blood anddeath for death, according to the law of retaliation. To prevent thequarrel spreading wider among them, he was obliged to deliver theprisoner up to punishment and death. While they were conducting him tothe place of execution, his king, coming up to him, enjoined him, sincehe must die, to stand and die like a man; adding, at the same time, thathe had often warned him of the danger of rum, and now he must lose hislife for neglecting his counsel. When he had advanced to the stake towhich he was to be fastened, he desired that they would not bind him, promising not to stir a foot from the spot; and accordingly he did not, but with astounding resolution braved the terrors of death, and fell asacrifice to justice, the frequent wages of blind drunkenness and madexcess. [Sidenote] The Proprietors shamefully neglected agriculture. It may now be thought a matter of surprise by some men, especially bysuch as know the advantages of agriculture, that the Proprietors ofCarolina, who were men of knowledge, and zealous for the interest andimprovement of the colony, paid so little regard to the only thing uponwhich the subsistence of the inhabitants and the success of thesettlement depended. Instead of framing codes of laws, and modelling thegovernment of the country on principles of speculation, in which men arealways in danger of error, especially when living in a different climate, far remote from the country they mean to govern; had they established aplantation in it for the particular purpose of making experiments, tofind out what productions were most suitable to the soil and climate;this would have been of more real use than all the visionary laws theyever framed. The first planters were men of little knowledge orsubstance, many of them utter strangers to the arts of agriculture; andthose who had been accustomed to husbandry in Europe, followed the samerules, and planted the same grain in Carolina, as they had formerly donein England; which were by no means adapted to the climate. They moved onin the old line, exhausted their strength in fruitless efforts, withoutpresuming to imagine, that different articles of produce, and a deviationfrom the eastern modes of cultivation, could be beneficial. Hence theplanters, though they had lands on the easiest terms, remained poor; andthe fault was occasioned more by their ignorance and inexperience than bythe climate or soil. It was the business of the Proprietors to havedirected their views to such productions as were best suited to thenature of their lands, and most likely to reward their toil; and not tohave left a matter of such importance to chance, or the ingenuity of poorlabourers. Agriculture was certainly an object of the highest consequenceto the settlers, and of course also to the Proprietors of the country. [Sidenote] Archdale returns to England, and leaves Joseph Blake governor. Governor Archdale having finished his negociations in Carolina, madepreparations for returning to Britain. During his time though thegovernment had acquired considerable respect and stability, yet thedifferences among the people still remained. Former flames were rathersmothered for a while than extinguished, and were ready on the firstoccasion to break out again and burn with greater violence. Before heembarked, the council presented to him an address, to be transmitted tothe Proprietors, expressing the deep sense they had of their Lordshipspaternal care for their colony, in the appointment of a man of suchabilities and integrity to the government who had been so happilyinstrumental in establishing its peace and security. They told them, theyhad now no contending factions in government, or clashing interests amongthe people, excepting what respected the French refugees, who wereunhappy at their not being allowed all the privileges and liberties ofEnglish subjects, particularly those of sitting in assembly, and votingat the election of its members, which could not be granted them withoutlosing the affections of the English settlers, and involving the colonyin civil broils; that Governor Archdale, by the advice of his council, had chose rather to refuse them those privileges than disoblige the bulkof the British settlers; that, by his wise conduct, they hoped allmisunderstandings between their Lordships and the colonists were nowhappily removed; that they would for the future cheerfully concur withthem in every measure for the speedy population and improvement of thecountry; that they were now levying money for building fortifications, todefend the province against foreign attacks, and that they would striveto maintain harmony and peace among themselves. Governor Archdalereceived this address with peculiar satisfaction, and promised to presentit to the Proprietors on his arrival in England. Being impowered tonominate a lieutenant-governor, he made choice of Joseph Blake for hissuccessor, and embarked for Britain about the close of the year 1696. After Mr. Archdale's arrival in England, he laid this address, togetherwith a state of the country, and the regulations he had established init, before the Proprietors, and showed them the necessity of abolishingmany articles in the constitutions, and framing a new plan of government. Accordingly, they began to compile new constitutions; from hisinformation and intelligence forty-one different articles were drawn upand sent out by Robert Daniel, for the better government of the colony. But when the governor laid these new laws before the assembly for theirassent and approbation, recommending the careful perusal andconsideration of them, they treated them as they had done the formerconstitutions, and, instead of taking them under deliberation, modestlylaid them aside. [Sidenote] A colony of French in Florida. Mean while France, having thought proper to recognize King William in thequality of king of Great Britain and Ireland, a treaty of peace wasconcluded between the two nations. After which, a project was formed byLewis XIV. For establishing a colony of his people at the mouth of thegreat river Mississipi. To that immense territory lying to the eastwardof that river, and extending along the back of the Appalachian mountains, from the Mexican seas to his dominions in Canada, he laid claim, which, in honour of him, was afterwards called Louisiana. Some discerning men inEngland early warned the nation of danger to the British settlements froma French colony established on this quarter; yet many years elapsedbefore they began to feel the inconveniences and troubles arising fromit. It was foreseen, that, besides the Spaniards, another competitor forpower and dominion would spring up, in a situation where they had a fairopportunity of engrossing the trade and affections of Indian tribes, andharassing the weakest frontiers of the British colonies: and doubtless, from the influence and address of the Frenchmen among Indians, theEnglish settlers had more to fear, than from the religious zeal andbigotry of indolent Spanish friars. John Earl of Bath having succeeded Lord Craven as Palatine, severalpersons of character and influence in Carolina were by him createdlandgraves; among whom were Edmund Ballenger, John Bayley, and RobertDaniel; Edmund Bohun was appointed Chief Justice of the colony. About thesame time Nicholas Trott, a learned and ambitious man, left the Bahamaislands, and took up his residence in Carolina. Numbers from differentquarters continued to resort to this country, and, notwithstanding itswarm and unhealthy climate, the flattering prospects of landed estatesinduced men to run every risque; and the Proprietors neglected no meanswhich they judged conducive towards its speedy population. [Sidenote] The French refugees incorporated by law. With respect to the French refugees, the national antipathies among thecolonists now began to abate, who, from their quiet and inoffensivebehaviour, entertained daily more favourable sentiments of them. Alongwith their neighbours they had defied the dangers of the desert, andgiven ample proofs of their fidelity to the Proprietors, their love tothe people, and their zeal for the success of the colony. They hadcleared little spots of land for raising the necessaries of life, and insome measure surmounted the difficulties of the first state ofcolonization. Yet none of them could boast of great success, exceptingone man who had taught the Indians dancing and music, for which arts theydiscovered an amazing fondness, and liberally rewarded him for hisinstructions. At this favourable juncture the refugees, by the advice ofthe governor and other friends, petitioned the legislature to beincorporated with the freemen of the colony, and allowed the sameprivileges and liberties with those born of English parents. Accordinglyan act passed for making all aliens free, for enabling them to holdlands, and to claim the same as heirs to their ancestors, who should takethe oath of allegiance to King William. With this condition the refugeesjoyfully complied, and the Proprietors, without scruple, ratified thelaw; in consequence of which, the French and English settlers, united ininterest and affection, have ever since lived together in harmony andpeace. Though every person enjoyed liberty of conscience with respect toreligion, yet as the Proprietors were Episcopalians, the tendency oftheir government leaned towards that mode of religious worship. GovernorBlake, though a dissenter himself, possessed the most liberal sentimentstowards men of a different persuasion. During his time a bill was broughtinto the assembly, for allowing the Episcopal minister of Charlestown, and his successors for ever, a salary of one hundred and fifty poundssterling, together with a house, glebe, and two servants. Samuel Marshal, a pious and learned man, being the Episcopal minister at that time, whoseprudence and ability had gained him great esteem from Christians of alldenominations, the bill passed with the less opposition. Dissenters ingeneral, a large body of the people, conscious of the amiable characterand great merit of the man, acquiesced in the measure; and as no motionhad been made respecting any established church, they seemed apprehensiveof no ill consequences from it. However, soon after this, when the designof the Proprietors became more plain, this party, jealous above allthings of their religious liberties, took the alarm, and opposed theestablishment of the church of England in the colony with such violence, as occasioned no small ferment for many years in the settlement. [Sidenote] Depredations of pirates. About this time the coast of Carolina was infested with pirates, whohovered about the mouth of Ashley river, and obstructed the freedom oftrade. In the last year of the seventeenth century, the planters hadraised more rice than they could find vessels to export. Forty-fivepersons from different nations, Englishmen, Frenchmen, Portuguese, andIndians, had manned a ship at the Havanna, and entered on a cruise ofpiracy. While they were on the coast of Carolina, the people feltseverely the pernicious effects of that lawless trade, which in formertimes they were too apt to encourage. Several ships belonging toCharlestown were taken by those public robbers, who sent the crewsashore, but kept the vessels as their prizes. At last having quarrelledamong themselves about the division of the spoil, as frequently happensamong such free-booters, the Englishmen proving the weaker party, wereturned adrift in a long-boat. They landed at Sewee bay, and from thencetravelled over land to Charlestown, giving out that they had beenshipwrecked, and fortunately escaped to shore in their boat. But, totheir sad disappointment and surprise, no less than three masters ofships happened to be at Charlestown at the time, who had been taken bythem, and knew them; upon whose testimony the pirates were instantlytaken up, tried and condemned, and seven out of nine suffered death. [Sidenote] A hurricane, During the autumn of the same year, a dreadful hurricane happened atCharlestown, which did great damage, and threatened the total destructionof the town. The lands on which it is built being low and level, and notmany feet above high-water mark, the swelling sea rushed in with amazingimpetuosity, and obliged the inhabitants to fly for shelter to the secondstories of their houses. Happily few lives were lost in town; but a largevessel, called the Rising Sun, belonging to Glasgow, and commanded byJames Gibson, which had come from Darien with part of the unfortunateScotch settlers, at the time of the storm rode at anchor off the bar. This ship the hurricane drove from her anchor, and dashed to piecesagainst the sand-banks, and every person on board perished. ArchibaldStobo, a Presbyterian clergyman, Lieutenant Graham, and several morebelonging to the ship, being accidentally on shore during the tempest, escaped the disaster. These men going next day in search of theirunfortunate countrymen, found the corpses of the greatest part of themdriven ashore on James's island, where they spent a whole day in buryingthem, the last act of humanity they could then perform to their belovedcompanions. [Sidenote] and other public calamities, visit the province. Nor was this the only disaster which distinguished this year in theannals of Carolina. A fire broke also out in Charlestown, and laid themost of it in ashes. The small-pox raged through the town, and provedfatal to multitudes of the rising generation. To complete their distress, an infectious distemper broke out, and carried off an incredible numberof people, among whom were Chief Justice Bohun, Samuel Marshal theEpiscopal clergyman, John Ely the receiver-general, Edward Rawlins theprovost-martial, and almost one half of the members of assembly. Neverhad the colony been visited with such general distress and mortality. Fewfamilies escaped a share of the public calamities. Almost all werelamenting the loss, either of their habitations by the devouring flames, or of friends or relations by the infectious and loathsome maladies. Discouragement and despair sat on every countenance. Many of thesurvivors could think of nothing but abandoning a country on which thejudgments of heaven seemed to fall so heavy, and in which there was solittle prospect of success, health, or happiness. They had heard ofPennsylvania, and how pleasant and flourishing a province it wasdescribed to be, and therefore were determined to embrace the firstopportunity that offered of retiring to it with the remainder of theirfamilies and effects. Governor Blake, deeply sensible of the public distress, tried every artfor alleviating the misery of the people, and encouraging them toperseverance; but the members of assembly who survived, became sonegligent about public affairs, that he found himself under a necessityof dissolving the house, and calling another, hoping that they might bemore zealous and active in concerting measures for the public relief. Ofthis new assembly Nicholas Trott, whose talents had raised him above thelevel of his fellow-representatives, was made speaker, and who warmlyespoused the cause of the people, in opposition to the interest of theproprietors. The governor and council claimed the privilege of nominatingpublic officers, particularly a receiver-general, until the pleasure ofthe proprietors was known. The assembly, on the other hand, insisted thatit belonged to them. This occasioned several messages between the twohouses, and much altercation. However, the upper house appointed theirman. The lower house resolved, that the person appointed by them was nopublic receiver, and that whoever should presume to pay money to him assuch, should be deemed an infringer of the privileges of assembly, and anenemy to the country. Trott flatly denied they could be called an upperhouse, though they thus styled themselves, as they differed in the mostessential circumstances from the house of lords in England; and thereforeled the assembly to call them the Proprietors deputies, and to treat themwith indignity and contempt, by limiting them to a day to pass theirbills, and to an hour to answer their messages. At this time Trott waseager in the pursuit of popularity, and by his uncommon abilities andaddress succeeded in a wonderful manner. Never had any man there, in soshort a time, so thoroughly engrossed the public favour and esteem, orcarried matters with so high a hand, in opposition to the proprietarycounsellors. [Sidenote] James Moore chosen governor. About the close of the year 1700, Governor Blake died, and a disputearose in the upper house about the succession to the government. JosephMorton, as eldest landgrave, claimed the preference, until the pleasureof the Palatine was known. But James Moore, a needy, forward andambitious man, stood forth in competition, and, by activity and art, gained a number over in support of his pretensions. He objected toLandgrave Morton, because he had accepted a commission from King Williamto be judge of the court of vice-admiralty, while, at the same time, heheld one of the Proprietors to the same office: this Moore and hisfriends declared to be a breach of the trust reposed in him; and that hemight with equal propriety have accepted of a commission from KingWilliam to be governor; while he held that office of the Proprietors. Landgrave Morton replied, that there was a necessity for holding acommission from the king to be judge of the court of vice-admiralty, because it did not appear from the charter that the Proprietors couldimpower their judge to try persons for acts committed without the boundsof their colony, and that with such jurisdiction the judge of theadmiralty ought for many reasons always to be vested. However, the upperhouse deemed the objection of force sufficient to set Morton aside, andJames Moore was chosen successor to Governor Blake. From which period thecolony may date the beginning of further jealousies and troubles, whichcontinued for several years, and obstructed its progress in improvement. Various intrigues crept into the seat of government, and severalencroachments were made on the liberties and privileges of the people, both civil and religious. [Sidenote] Lord Granville Palatine. King William, though he maintained the power of the established church, yet he often discovered a secret attachment to Presbyterians, and on alloccasions treated them with lenity and moderation. Hence many of the morezealous friends to the church of England, alarmed at the prospects of itsdangerous situation, became eagerly bent not only in support of itsconstitution, but even of its minutest forms, usages, and vestments. LordGranville among the rest, after he was called up to the house of peers, had there distinguished himself as an inflexible bigot for theHigh-church, having been early taught to entertain the most supercillouscontempt for Dissenters of all denominations. Being now also Palatine ofCarolina, he soon discovered that the establishment of Episcopacy, andthe suppression of all other modes of religious worship, in that country, was the chief object of his zeal and attention. James Moore beingconsidered as a man more fit than Landgrave Morton for assisting him inthe accomplishment of his favourite design, the more easily obtained aconfirmation of his election to the government. [Sidenote] King William's charter to the society for propagating the gospel. Here it may not be improper to observe, that several eminent men hadappeared in England, who, pitying the miserable state of the westernworld with respect to religion, had proposed some public-spirited designfor the propagation of the gospel among the heathens on that vastcontinent. Robert Boyle, no less distinguished for his eminent piety thanuniversal learning, had been appointed by Charles II. Governor of acorporation established for the propagation of the Christian religionamong Indians, the natives of New England and parts adjacent, in America. Queen Mary afterwards discovered a great desire for enlarging their plan, and for this purpose gave a bounty of two hundred pounds sterlingannually to support missionaries in that quarter. Dr. Compton, bishop ofLondon, was at pains to procure a state of religion among the Englishcolonies, from a persuasion of the necessity and propriety of beginningthis charitable work among them; and Dr. Thomas Bray, his commissary inMaryland, furnished him with one suited to excite sympathy and compassionin every pious and generous breast. At length Dr. Tennison, archbishop ofCanterbury, undertook the laudable design, applied to the crown, andobtained a charter incorporating a society for the propagation of thegospel in foreign parts. The nation in general entered into the designwith their usual ardour for all benevolent and charitable institutions. From different parts large benefactions were received by this society, and it was soon enabled to support a number of missionaries in theplantations. Religious books were purchased and sent out to differentprovinces, and Carolina among the rest received a number of them. A lawpassed for instituting a public library in the province, to remain underthe care and custody of the Episcopal minister of Charlestown. EdwardMarston at this time took the charge of it, and was disposed tocontribute every thing in his power towards rendering it generallyuseful. But the Dissenters, from the choice of the books, most of whichwere wrote by Episcopal divines, and in defence of the doctrine, discipline and worship of the church of England, soon perceived theintention of the society, and a library framed on such a narrowfoundation was treated with neglect, and proved utterly ineffectual forpromoting the desired end, I mean, the religious instruction of thepeople. About this time the number of inhabitants in the colony amounted tobetween five and six thousand, besides Indians and negroes. InCharlestown they had one minister of the church of England, and anotherof the church of Scotland; but in the country there was no such thing aspublic worship, nor schools for the education of children; and peopleliving thus scattered through a forest, were likely in time to sink bydegrees into the same state of ignorance and barbarism with the naturalinhabitants of the wilderness. To supply these destitute colonists withproper means of instruction, called for the first attention of thesociety; for as Indians and negroes would naturally take their firstreligious impressions from their neighbours, to begin at this place waslike paving the way for extending wider the benefits of instruction. Inwhat manner the colony was supplied with ministers from this society, andhow far the interest of religion in that country was promoted by it, weshall afterwards have occasion more particularly to narrate. [Sidenote] An established church projected by the Palatine. To prepare the province for the charitable assistance of this society, itwas judged necessary to have the church of England established in it by aprovincial law, and the country divided into different parishes, ThePalatine imagined that these internal troubles and differences, by whichthe colony had hitherto been agitated, and the government rendered feebleand fluctuating, were occasioned by the clashing sentiments of the peoplewith respect to religion. To remedy this evil, he perceived that somebond of union was necessary, to carry on public measures with ease andsuccess; and religion had been deemed the firmest cement of every state. He knew that the Episcopal form of church government was more favourableto monarchy and the civil constitution than the Presbyterian, as in it achain of dependence subsists, from the highest to the lowest in thechurch. While therefore he instructed Governor Moore to study allpossible means of persuading the assembly to acquiesce in that formcontained in the fundamental constitutions, he was equally zealous for anestablished church, that the wheels of their government might be no moreclogged by religious dissentions. [Sidenote] But disliked by the majority of the people. But as a great majority of the colonists were Dissenters, who fled fromEngland on account of rigorous acts of uniformity, their minds were illdisposed to admit of any establishment. Their former prejudices they hadnot yet thrown aside; their hardships in England they had not yet forgot. Their private opinions respecting religion were various as theirdifferent complexions, and unlimited toleration was granted to all by thecharter. They could hear of no proposals about an established church, andthe Palatine at such an unreasonable time, shewed more zeal than prudenceor good policy in attempting to introduce it among them. The governorfound them inflexible and obstinate in opposing such a measure; and thepeople even began to repent of having passed a law for fixing a salaryfor ever on the rector of the Episcopal church, and considered it as astep preparatory to further encroachments. [Sidenote] Governor Moore resolves to get riches. The great object with Governor Moore was to improve his time, not knowinghow long his precarious power might last, for bettering his low andindigent circumstances. It appeared to him, that the traffic in Indianswas the shortest way to riches. He therefore granted commissions toseveral persons, to assault, trepan and captivate as many Indians as theycould, and resolved to turn the profits of such trade to his own privateemolument. Not contented with this cruel method of acquiring wealth, heformed a design for engrossing the whole advantages arising to the colonyfrom their commerce with Indian nations. For this purpose a bill wasbrought into the assembly for regulating the Indian trade, and drawn upin such a manner as would cause all the profits of it to center in hishands. But Nicholas Trott, Robert Stephen, and others, proved to theassembly the pernicious tendency of such a bill, and therefore it wasthrown out. At which Governor Moore being highly offended, dissolved thehouse, in hopes of procuring another more favourable to his private viewsand interests. [Sidenote] Encourages irregularities at elections. At the election of the next assembly the governor and his friends exertedall their power and influence to bring in men of their own complexion, Imean such as would be most compliant with Moor's instructions fromEngland, and most ready to assist him in advancing his interest. NicholasTrott, who had hitherto shone like a star of the first magnitude on theopposite side, being now appointed Attorney-general, threw all hisinfluence and weight into the scale of government, turned his back on hisformer friends, and strongly supported that tottering fabric which he hadformerly endeavoured to pull down. Charlestown, where all freeholders metto give their suffrages, at the time of this election was a scene ofriot, intemperance, and confusion. The sheriff, having instructions so todo, admitted every person to vote; the members of Colleton county say, even common sailors, servants, foreigners, and mallattoes. Suchfreeholders as stood forth in opposition to the governor's party, wereabused and insulted. At length, when the poll was closed, one half of thepersons elected were found to be men of neither sense nor credit; butbeing the chosen creatures of the governor, it was his business toprevent all inquiry into the conduct of the sheriff, and thequalifications of such members. Ar this time Carteret county was inhabited only by Indians; but inColleton county there were no less than two hundred freeholders, who hada right to vote for delegates to assembly. The principal plantations init were those of the late Sir John Yeamans, Landgraves Morton, Ballengerand Axtell, and those of Blake, Boone, Gibbes, Schinking, and others. Thepeople of this county being highly offended at the manner of election, particularly the arts and intrigues practised, and the riot andintemperance permitted at it, drew up a representation of the wholetransaction, and transmitted it to the Proprietors in England: but thePalatine was too deeply concerned in promoting those measures of whichthey complained, to grant them any favourable answer. In Berkley countythe principal settlements were those of Sir Nathanial Johnson, GovernorMoore, Landgraves West, Smith, Bayley, and Daniel; together with thosebelonging to Godfrey, Mathews, Izard, Colleton, Grimball, _&c. _; severalof whom were also dissatisfied with the public proceedings. But Cravencounty being composed of French refugees, who having little knowledge ofthe English language, were easily managed; many of whom supported thegovernor purely out of affection to the Proprietors. In short, the houseconsisted of thirty members, one half of whom were elected from the dregsof the people, utter strangers to public affairs, and in every respectunqualified for fitting as provincial legislators. [Sidenote] Proposes an expedition against Augustine. In the mean time, a rupture rook place in Europe between England andSpain, which turned the attention of the colony to a different object, and afforded Governor Moore an opportunity of exercising his militarytalents, and a new prospect of enriching himself by Spanish plunder orIndian captives. Accordingly, instead of private disputes amongthemselves, he proposed to the assembly an expedition against the Spanishsettlement at Augustine. Many of the people, from mercenary motives, applauded the proposal; however, men of cool reflection, having yet hadno intelligence of the declaration of war were averse from rushing intoany hazardous enterprize, until they had certain advice of it fromEngland. As the expedition was projected, contrary to the opinion andinclination of many Carolineans, without any recent provocation from theSpanish garrison; it is probable that the governor engaged in it chieflyfrom views of private emolument. Florida, he assured the people would bean easy conquest; and treasures of gold and silver were held out to themas the rewards of valour. In vain did some members of the assembly opposeit, by representing the province as weak, and ill provided for warlikeenterprises, and by hinting at the many hazards and difficulties alwaysattending them; in vain did they urge the strength of the Spanish fort, and the expenses incurred by a fruitless and perhaps bloody expedition:such men were called enemies and traitors to their country, andrepresented as timid and pusillanimous wretches, who were utter strangersto great and glorious undertakings. Accordingly, a great majority of theassembly declared for the expedition, and a sum of two thousand poundssterling was voted for the service of the war. Six hundred Indians wereengaged, who, being fond of warlike exploits, gladly accepted of arms andammunition offered them for their aid and assistance. Six hundredprovincial militia were raised, and schooners and merchant ships wereimpressed, for transports to carry the forces. Port-Royal was fixed uponas the place of general rendezvous, and there, in September 1702, thegovernor at the head of his warriors, embarked in an expedition equallyrash and fool-hardy on one side, as it was well known and unprovoked onthe other. [Sidenote] Which proves abortive. While these preparations were going on in Carolina, the Spaniards, apprised of the governor's design, were making ready for their defence. In the plan of operations it had been agreed, that Colonel Daniel, whowas an officer of spirit, should go by the inland passage with a party ofmilitia and Indians, and make a descent on the town from the land, whilethe governor with the main body should proceed by sea, and block up theharbour. Colonel Daniel lost no time, but advanced against the town, entered and plundered it before the governor got forward to hisassistance. But the Spaniards having laid up provisions for four monthsin the castle, on his approach retired to it with all their money andmost valuable effects. Upon the arrival of Governor Moore, the place wasinvested with a force against which the Spaniards could not appear, andtherefore kept themselves shut up in their strong hold. The governorfinding it impossible to dislodge them without such artillery as arenecessary to a siege, dispatched a sloop to Jamaica, on purpose to bringcannon, bombs, and mortars, for attacking the castle; and Colonel Danielembarked and sailed with the greatest expedition to bring them. Duringhis absence two Spanish ships, the one of 22 guns and the other of 16, appearing off the mouth of the harbour, struck such a panic into thegovernor, that he instantly raised the siege, abandoned his ships, andmade a precipitate retreat to Carolina by land. In consequence of whichthe Spaniards in the garrison were not only relieved, but the ships, provisions, and ammunition, belonging to the Carolineans, fell also intotheir hands. Colonel Daniel, on his return, standing in for the harbourof Augustine, found to his surprise the siege raised, and made a narrowescape from the enemy. Military expeditions rashly undertaken, conducted by a headstrong andunexperienced officer, and executed by raw and ill-disciplined troops, seldom succeed. We are not able to account for the governor's conduct. Inraising this siege, after he had been a month in possession of the town, unless he was in immediate want of provisions or ammunition, or his men, having little confidence in his abilities, threatened to desert him: forif the Spanish ships drew more than ten feet water, which it is probablethey must have done, they could not come over the bar to injure him: ifthey landed their men, yet still his force was superior to that of theenemy, and he might at least have risked a battle on such grounds, beforehe made an inglorious retreat. The Indians were averse from leaving thefield, without scalps, plunder, or glory. It is true, the Spanish shipsof war might have prevented Colonel Daniel from getting into the harbourwith the supply of military stores, yet the coast was large, and affordedmany more places for landing them. The governor had Indians to hunt forprovisions to his men, and it was by no means impossible to have starvedthe garrison, and compelled them to surrender. What then shall we thinkof a commander, who, on the first appearance of a little danger, abandonshis station, however advantageous, and tamely yields up, not only thetown, but also his own ships and provisions to the enemy? [Sidenote] The first paper currency made. Upon his return to Carolina many severe reflections were thrown outagainst him, as might naturally have been expected; but especially bythat party who opposed the enterprise. It is true, it proved not a bloodyexpedition, the governor having lost no more than two men in it; yet itentailed a debt of six thousand pounds sterling on a poor colony, which, at that period, was a grievous burden. The provincial assembly, who, during the absence of the governor had been under prorogation, now met, to concert ways and means for discharging this public debt. Greatdissensions and confusion prevailed among them; but the governor, havinga number of men under arms to whom the country stood indebted, despisedall opposition, and silenced the malecontents by threats and compulsion. A bill was brought into the assembly for stamping bills of credit, toanswer the public expence, which were to be sunk in three years by a dutylaid upon liquors, skins, and furs. In this measure all partiesacquiesced, as it fell easy on private persons, at the same time that itsatisfied the public creditors. This was the first paper money issued inCarolina, and, for five or six years after the emission, it passed in thecountry at the same value and rate with the sterling money of England. How, in process of time, it increased in quantity and sunk in value; howit was deemed useful by debtors and prejudicial by creditors, we shallafterwards have occasion more particularly to demonstrate. At present itmay suffice to observe, that it was absolutely necessary to support thepublic credit, and the most practicable method the colony had ofdefraying the expences incurred by the unsuccessful expedition. [Sidenote] The expedition against the Appalachian Indians. Notwithstanding his past misfortunes, Governor Moore, fond of warlikeexploits, had still in view the striking some blow that might distinguishhis administration. The Appalachian Indians, by their connection with theSpaniards, had become insolent and troublesome. Mr. Moore determined tochastise them, and for this purpose marched at the head of a body ofwhite men and Indian allies, into the heart of their settlements. Where-ever he went he carried fire and sword along with him, and struck aterror into his enemies. The towns of those tribes who lived between therivers Alatamaha and Savanna he laid in ashes, captivated many savages, and obliged others to submit to the English government. This exertion ofpower in that quarter was attended with good effects, as it filled thesavages with terror of the British arms, and helped to pave the way forthe English colony afterwards planted between these rivers. The governorreceived the thanks of the Proprietors for his patriotism and courage, who acknowledged that the success of his arms had gained their province areputation; but, what was of greater consequence to him, he wiped off theignominy of the Augustine expedition, and procured a number of Indianslaves, whom he employed to cultivate his fields, or sold for his ownprofit and advantage. [Sidenote] The culture of silk. About this time Sir Nathaniel Johnson introduced the raising of silk intothe country, which is an article of commerce exceedingly profitable, and, by proper encouragement, might have been made very beneficial both to thecolony and the mother country. Mulberry trees grew spontaneously in thewoods, and thrived as well as other natural productions. The great demandfor silk in Britain made it an object of the highest consequence. Aboutthe beginning of March the worms are hatched from the eggs; nature havingwisely so ordered it, that the silk-worms should come into life at thetime mulberry leaves, on which they feed, begin to open. The feeding andcleaning them required rather skill than strength. Young persons mighthave been employed in furnishing leaves; one man of judgment and skillmight have attended a large house full of worms; and in six weeks theirwhole operations are over. An article so profitable, and so easilyraised, ought to have engaged the attention of the Proprietors, andinduced them to give premiums to such men as should bring to market thegreatest quantities of it. Men of knowledge and skill from Europe oughtto have been hired and sent out by them, for instructing the colonists inthe management of the worms and winding of the silk. Where the climatewas so well adapted to the purpose, could any article of improvement beconceived more likely to reward them for their expence? However, SirNathaniel Johnson, after all his pains, rather shewed what might havebeen done towards the culture of silk in that province, than made suchprogress in it as to render the commodity of national advantage. [Sidenote] And of cotton. To the culture of cotton the climate and soil were equally favourable. Itmight have been planted on lands newly cleared, or on light and sandygrounds, such as the maritime parts of Carolina, which are by no meansunsuitable to the production. The seeds are commonly sown about two feetand a half asunder, and grow up like other plants. Indeed the fieldsrequire to be kept clean, and the fresh earth carefully thrown around theplant, to defend it against the winds; but this is no difficult task, andmight be performed by hands incapable of more severe labour. When thepods burst, cotton is gathered, and separated from the seeds; which isthe most tedious and troublesome part of the business requisite. Thisarticle also, though not of importance enough to have engrossed the wholeattention of the colonists, might nevertheless, in conjunction with otherstaples, have been rendered profitable and useful. [Sidenote] Rice fixed on by the planters as a staple commodity. Instead of these and several other articles, to which the views of theplanters in the weaker and earlier state of the colony ought to have beenturned in some degree, we find from this period the culture of riceengrossing their whole strength and attention, This commodity being anarticle of provision, was indeed likely always to find a good market; yetit was scarcely possible to have fixed on a staple which required moresevere labour during the whole process of its preparation. The warmclimate and low lands were doubtless well adapted to the nature of thegrain, after experience had taught the husbandman to clear and cultivatethe swampy grounds for that purpose: yet it is certain that the planterslong went on with this article, and exhausted their strength in raisingit on higher lands, which poorly rewarded them for their toil. Afterclearing the lands they commonly plant it in furrows made with a hoe, about eighteen inches asunder. When the seed is sown the fields must becarefully kept clear of noxious weeds, which retard its growth, and theearth must also be laid up to the root of the rice, to facilitate itsprogress. No work can be imagined more pernicious to health, than for mento stand in water mid leg high, and often above it, planting and weedingrice; while the scorching heat of the sun renders the air they breatheten or twenty degrees hotter than the human blood, and the putrid andunwholesome effluvia from an oozy bottom and stagnated water poison theatmosphere. They sow it in April, or early in May, and reap in the latterend of August, or in the month of September. After which it is dried andcarried to the barn-yard, and built in stacks, in like manner as the cornin Europe. After this it is threshed, winnowed, and ground in mills madeof wood, to free the rice from the husk. Then it is winnowed again, andput into a wooden mortar, and beat with large wooden pestles, whichlabour is so oppressive and hard, that the firmest nerves and mostvigorous constitutions sink under it. To free it from the dust and flouroccasioned by pounding, it is sifted first through one sieve, and then, to separate the small and broken rice from the large, through another. Last of all, it is put into large barrels of enormous weight, and carriedto the market. During the whole tedious process of its preparation, muchcare and great strength are requisite, and many thousands of lives fromAfrica have been sacrificed, in order to furnish the world with thiscommodity. CHAP. IV. After the death of King William, which happened on the 8th of March 1702, agreeable to the act made for settling the succession, the crown devolvedon Anne Stewart, the youngest daughter of King James II. By his firstmarriage. At her accession to the throne, though in reality she was nofriend to the Whig party, she declared that she would make the lateking's conduct the model of her own, and maintain the succession to thecrown in the Protestant line. The first object of her reign was to humblethe pride of France, the power of which nation had at that time grown tosuch an exorbitant height, as to endanger the liberties of Europe. LewisXIV. Had such influence with the Spanish nation, as to persuade them tojoin him in proclaiming the pretended Prince of Wales king of GreatBritain and Ireland. He had also made many encroachments on the freedomof English commerce and navigation. The indignity offered to her crownQueen Anne determined to resent, and therefore, on the 4th of May, declared war against France and Spain, which, for many years, she carriedon with amazing vigour and success. About this juncture Sir Nathaniel Johnson received a commission from JohnLord Granville, investing him with the government of Carolina, to whichoffice a salary of two hundred pounds was annexed, to be paid annually bythe Receiver-general of the colony. This gentleman had not only been breda soldier from his youth, but had been also a member of the house ofcommons, and was well qualified for the trust. But it being suspectedthat he was no friend to the Revolution, the Proprietors could not obtainher majesty's approbation of him, but on the following terms: That hequalify himself for the office in such a manner as the laws of Englandrequired; that he give security for his observing the laws of trade andnavigation, and obey such instructions as should be sent out from time totime by her majesty; and the Lords Commissioners of trade and plantationswere ordered to take care that good and sufficient security be given byhim. [Sidenote] His instructions. With respect to his own conduct in the government of the colony, he hadinstructions from the Proprietors to follow such rules as had been givento former governors, in the fundamental constitutions and temporary lawsentered upon record, and to be guided by the same as far as in hisjudgment he might think fit and expedient. He was required, with theadvice and assistance of his council, carefully to review theconstitutions, and such of them as he should think necessary to thebetter establishment of government, and calculated for the good of thepeople, he was ordered to lay before the assembly for their concurrenceand assent. He was to use his endeavors to dispose of their lands; but totake nothing less than twenty pounds for a thousand acres; and, in allfuture grants to make them escheat to the Proprietors, unless asettlement be made on them within the space of four years. He was to takespecial care that the Indians be not abused or insulted, and to study theproperest methods of civilizing them, and creating a firm friendship withthem, in order to protect the colony against the Spaniards in theneighbourhood. He was to transmit to England exact copies of all lawspassed, accounts of the lands sold, and of all annual-rents paid, _&c. _These, and such other regulations as he might judge essential to thewelfare of the country, and the interest of the Proprietors, he hadparticular injunctions to study and adopt. [Sidenote] He endeavors to establish the church of England. I have already observed, that the colony was in a deplorable state withrespect to religion. The first emigrants from England, where publicworship was countenanced, and had the sanction of the civil authority, retained indeed for a little time some sense of religion, and showed somerespect for the ordinances of the gospel: but their children, born in awilderness, where there was not so much as even the semblance of publicworship, were likely to grow up in ignorance, and to live entirely voidof all sense of religion. Proprietors were either unable to furnish themwith the proper means of instruction, or they were unwilling to bear theexpence of it, having as yet received little recompence for the pastcharges of the settlement. Not only the emigrants from England, but alsothose from France and Holland, were much divided in their privateopinions with respect to modes of religious worship; and for this reasonall governors, excepting the last, had prudently deferred meddling in amatter which would occasion uneasiness and confusion among the settlers. Still, however, the establishment of the church of England in Carolinawas the chief object in view with the Proprietors. The Palatine was abigoted zealot for this mode of ecclesiastical worship and government:the governor was strongly attached to it. James Moore, who was madeReceiver-general, and Nicholas Trott the Attorney-general, were also menof the same complexion. These men, assisted by a majority of the council, now began to concert measures with art and skill, and to pursue them withfirmness and resolution, for accomplishing this end, and gratifying theearnest desire of the Palatine. [Sidenote] Pursues violent measures for that purpose. It was not, however, without some difficulty and considerable struggles, that the keen opposition raised by Dissenters, who now plainly perceivedtheir design, and who had an irreconcilable aversion from Episcopacy, could be overcome. This the governor and his party foresaw, and thereforeit became necessary first to exert themselves to secure a majority in theassembly in favour of the measure they had in view. Hitherto the riotousproceedings at the former election had been overlooked, and the rioters, by the countenance and protection of the preceding governor had escapedprosecution. The grand jury presented this neglect as a grievance to thecourt; but the judge told them, "That was a matter which lay before thegovernor and council, his superiors. " When the complaint was made to thegovernor in council, he replied, "That these irregularities happenedbefore his appointment to the government, but that he would take care toprevent them for the time to come. " Notwithstanding this declaration, ifwe may believe the Dissenters, at the following election still greaterirregularities prevailed. By the same undue influence and violence thegovernor and his adherents gained their point, and secured a majority inthe house; for that a species of corruption had now infected the greatfountain of liberty, the election of representatives. It would appear that some of the colonists at this period haddistinguished themselves by loose principles and licentious language, andhad treated some of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian religionwith the ridicule and contempt of professed infidelity. To bring an odiumupon this class of Dissenters, and to discourage such licentiouspractices, a bill was brought into the new assembly for the suppressionof blasphemy and profaneness; by which bill, whoever should be convictedof having spoken or written any thing against the Trinity, or the divineauthority of the Old or New Testament, by the oath of two or morecredible witnesses, were to be made incapable, and disabled in law to allintents and purposes, of being members of assembly, or of holding anyoffice of profit, civil or military, within the province: and whoevershould be convicted of such crimes a second time, were also to bedisabled from suing or bringing any action of information in any court oflaw or equity, from being guardian to any child, executor oradministrator to any person; and without fail suffer imprisonment forthree years. Which law, notwithstanding its fine gloss, savoured not alittle of an inquisition, and introduced a species of persecution illcalculated to answer the end for which it was intended. To punish menguilty of blasphemy and profaneness in this way, instead of bringingtheir atrocious crimes into public disrepute and abhorrence, servedrather to render their persons objects of compassion, and induce men topity them on account of their sufferings. Bad as the world is, thesewicked practices seldom miss their deserved rewards, public ignominy anddetestation, which perhaps would fall heavier on such wretches withoutpenal laws than with them. [Sidenote] The church of England established by law. However, had Sir Nathaniel Johnson stopt here, many reasons might havebeen urged in his vindication; but he had other measures in view, muchmore unpopular and oppressive. He looked upon Dissenters of everydenomination as enemies to the constitutions of both church and state, and therefore, to subvert their power and influence, or compel them touniformity of sentiment, another bill was brought into the assembly, framed in such a manner as to exclude them entirely from the house ofrepresentatives. This bill required every man who should hereafter bechosen a member of assembly, to take the oaths and subscribe thedeclaration appointed by it, to conform to the religion and worship ofthe church of England, and to receive the sacrament of our Lord's Supper, according to the rites and usage of that church; a qualification whichDissenters considered as having a manifest tendency to rob them of alltheir civil rights or religious liberties. To carry this bill through thehouse, all the art and influence of the governor and his party wererequisite. In the lower house it passed by a majority of one vote, and inthe upper house Landgrave Joseph Morton was refused liberty to enter hisprotest against it. At this juncture no bill could have been framed moreinconsistent with the rights and privileges of the freemen, and morepernicious to the interest and prosperity of the country. Dissenters, whowere a numerous and powerful body of the people, were highly offended, and raised a great outcry against it. Seeing themselves reduced to thenecessity of receiving laws from men whose principles of civil andecclesiastical government they abhorred, and subjected to greaterhardships than they suffered in England, many had formed resolutions ofabandoning the colony. Loud clamours were not only heard without doors, but jealousies and discontent filled the hearts of many within them, notof Dissenters only, but also of those who adhered to the church. [Sidenote] The inhabitants of Colleton county remonstrate against it. In this distracted state of the colony, the inhabitants of Colletoncounty, composed chiefly of Dissenters, met and drew up a state of theirgrievous circumstances, which they resolved to transmit to theProprietors, praying their Lordships to repeal this oppressive act. JohnAsh, one of the most zealous men in the opposition, agreed to embark forEngland as agent for the aggrieved party, computed to be at least twothirds of the whole inhabitants of the colony. The governor and hisfriends, apprized of this design, used all possible means to prevent himfrom obtaining a passage in any ship belonging to Carolina. Upon whichAsh went to Virginia, to which province his instructions were conveyed tohim, and from thence he set sail for England. After his arrival he waited on Lord Granville, the Palatine, acquaintinghim with the design of his message; but met with a very cold reception. That nobleman was too deeply concerned in bringing about thatestablishment against which Ash came to complain, favourably to listen tohis representations. Accordingly, after staying some time in London, andgiving the Proprietors all the information in his power relating topublic affairs, the only satisfaction he could obtain from the Palatinewas this, that he should cause his secretary write to the governor anaccount of the grievances and hardships of which Mr. Ash complained, andrequire an answer from him with respect to them. Mr. Ash, observing howthe Palatine stood affected, and despairing of success, immediately beganto draw up a representation of their case, which he intended for thepress: but before he had finished it he was taken sick, and died; and hispapers fell into his enemies hands. He was a man of a warm and passionatetemper, and possessed of all those violent sentiments which ill usage, disappointment, and oppression, naturally kindle in the human breast. Hisrepresentation, intended as an appeal to the nation in general, for thesufferings of the people under the tyrannical proprietary government, wasfull of heavy charges against the governor and his party in Carolina, andbitter reflections on their conduct, which he considered as in thehighest degree injurious to the colony. Without doubt the Lords Proprietors planned this establishment with aview to the peaceful influence it would have upon the civil government ofthe country, as the preamble to the act expressly indicates. Their feebleand fluctating state required the assistance and authority of anestablished church, and the sanction of religion, to give it more weightand influence with the people. How far the measures adopted served topromote the desired end, and were consistent with prudence and goodpolicy, will afterwards more clearly appear. [Sidenote] Lay commissioners appointed. [Sidenote] The acts ratified by the Proprietors. Sir Nathaniel Johnson having advanced so far, was determined to proceedin spite of every obstacle thrown in his way. He instituted what theinhabitants of Carolina took to be a high-commission court, like that ofKing James the second. It was enacted, that twenty lay-persons beconstituted a corporation for the exercise of ecclesiasticaljurisdiction, with full power to deprive ministers of their livings atpleasure, not for immorality only, but also for imprudence, or on accountof unreasonable prejudices taken against them. In vain did many personscomplain of this institution, as tearing the ecclesiastical jurisdictionout of the hands of the bishop of London, in whose diocese the wholeBritish colonies in America were included. The governor, bent on carryinginto execution the favourite plan of the Palatine, paid little regard tothe uneasy apprehensions of the people. According to the act for erectingchurches, the colony is divided into ten parishes; seven in Berkeley, twoin Colleton, and one in Craven counties. Money is provided for buildingchurches; lands are granted for glebes and church-yards; and salaries forthe different rectors are fixed and appointed, payable from theprovincial treasury. When these bills were transmitted to England, to beratified and confirmed by the Proprietors, John Archdale opposed them, and insisted, that the Dissenters of Carolina had not yet forgot thehardships they suffered in England from acts of uniformity; that theright of private judgment in religious matters was the birth-right ofevery man; that undisturbed liberty of conscience was allowed to everyinhabitant of Carolina by the charter; that acts of conformity, withpenalties annexed to them, have in general proved destructive to thecause they were intended to promote, and were utterly inconsistent withProtestant principles; and therefore that these bills, so unpopular andoppressive in Carolina, ought to be repealed, as contrary to sound policyand religious freedom. The majority of the Proprietors, however, did notview them in this light, and the debate ran high between them. At lengththe Palatine, equally tyrannical as bigotted put an end to the dispute, by telling Mr. Archdale: "Sir, you are of one opinion, I am of another;our lives may not be long enough to end the controversy. I am for thebills, and that is the party that I will head and support. " Inconsequence of which the acts were ratified by four Proprietors, and thefollowing letter was sent to Sir Nathaniel Johnson. "Sir, the great andpious work which you have gone through with such unwearied and steadyzeal, for the honour and worship of Almighty God, we have also finallyperfected on our part; and our ratification of that act for erectingchurches, _&c. _ together with duplicates of all other dispatches, wehave forwarded to you by Captain Flavel. " [Sidenote] The petition of Dissenters to the House of Lords. The Episcopal party having now got their favourite form of divine worshipestablished by law in Carolina, began to erect churches in suchsituations as were most centrical and convenient for the settlers; and, to supply them with clergymen, application was made to the society inEngland for the propagation of the Gospel. The Dissenters, despairing ofall hopes of redress from the Proprietors, became greatly discouraged, and could not brook the thoughts of being again subjected to the sametroubles and miseries which had compelled them to leave their nativecountry. Some were for transporting their families and effectsimmediately to Pennsylvania, in order to sit down under Penn's free andindulgent government; others proposed an application to the House ofLords in England, praying that august body to commiserate their distress, and intercede with her Majesty for their relief. For this purpose apetition was drawn up, and carried over by Joseph Boone to England. Several merchants in London, after Boone's arrival, being convinced ofthe illegal means by which those grievous acts were brought to pass, andof their pernicious consequence to trade, joined the petitioners. Accordingly, about the beginning of the year 1706, the following petitionwas presented to the House of Lords: setting forth, "That when theprovince of Carolina was granted to the Proprietors, for the betterpeopling of it, express provision was made in the charter for atoleration and indulgence of all Christians in the free exercise of theirreligion; that, in the fundamental constitutions, agreed to be the formof government by the Proprietors, there was also express provision made, that no person should be disturbed for any speculative opinion inreligion, and that no person should, on account of religion, be excludedfrom being a member of the General Assembly, or from any other office inthe civil administration: That the said charter, being given soon afterthe happy restoration of King Charles II. And re-establishment of thechurch of England by the Act of Uniformity, many of the subjects of thekingdom who were so unhappy as to have some scruples about conforming tothe rites of the said church, did transplant themselves and families intoCarolina; by means whereof the greatest part of the inhabitants therewere Protestant Dissenters from the church of England, and through theequality and freedom of the said fundamental constitutions, all theinhabitants of the colony lived in peace, and even the ministers of thechurch of England had support from Protestant Dissenters, and the numberof inhabitants and the trade of the colony daily increased, to the greatimprovement of her majesty's customs, and the manifest advantage of themerchants and manufacturers of the kingdom. "But that, in the year 1703, when a new assembly was to be chosen, which, by the constitution, is chosen once in two years, the election wasmanaged with very great partiality and injustice, and all sorts ofpeople, even aliens, Jews, servants, common sailors and negroes, wereadmitted to vote at elections: That, in the said assembly, an act waspassed to incapacitate every person from being a member of any GeneralAssembly that should be chosen for the time to come, unless he had takenthe sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to the rites of the churchof England; whereby all Protestant Dissenters are made incapable of beingin the said assembly; and yet, by the same act, all persons who shalltake an oath that they have not received the sacrament in any dissentingcongregation for one year past, though they have not received it in thechurch of England, are made capable of fitting in the said assembly: Thatthis act was passed in an illegal manner, by the governor calling theassembly to meet the 26th of April, when it then stood prorogued to the10th of May following: That it hath been ratified by the LordsProprietors in England, who refused to hear what could be offered againstit, and contrary to the petition of one hundred and seventy of the chiefinhabitants of the colony, and of several eminent merchants tradinghither, though the commons of the same assembly quickly after passedanother bill to repeal it, which the upper house rejected, and thegovernor dissolved the house. "That the ecclesiastical government of the colony is under the bishop ofLondon; but the governor and his adherents have at last done what thelatter often threatened to do, totally abolished it; for the sameassembly have passed an act, whereby twenty lay-persons, therein named, are made a corporation for the exercise of several exorbitant powers, tothe great injury and oppression of the people in general, and for theexercise of all ecclesiastical jurisdiction, with absolute power todeprive any minister of the church of England of his benefice, not onlyfor immorality but even for imprudence, or incurable prejudices betweensuch minister and his parish; and the only minister of the churchestablished in the colony, Mr. Edward Marston, hath already been citedbefore their board, which the inhabitants of the province take to be anhigh ecclesiastical commission-court, destructive to the very being andessence of the church of England, and to be held in the utmostdetestation and abhorrence by every man that is not an enemy to ourconstitution in church and state. "That the said grievances daily increasing, your petitioner Joseph Booneis now sent by many principal inhabitants and traders of the colony, torepresent the languishing and dangerous situation of it to the LordsProprietors; but his application to them has hitherto had no effect: Thatthe ruin of the colony would be to the great disadvantage of the trade ofthis kingdom, to the apparent prejudice of her Majesty's customs, and thegreat benefit of the French, who watch all opportunities to improve theirown settlements in those parts of America. " [Sidenote] Resolutions of the House of Lords. After reading this petition in the house of Lords, the Palatine desiredto be heard by his council, which was granted, and the furtherconsideration of the matter was postponed for one week. Then having heardwhat Lord Granville had to offer in his behalf, the Lords agreed toaddress her Majesty in favour of the distressed petitioners of Carolina. They declared, that, after having fully and maturely weighed the natureof the two acts passed in Carolina, they found themselves obliged in dutyto her Majesty, and in justice to her subjects, (who, by the expresswords of the charter, were declared to be the liege people of the crownof England, and to have a right to all the liberties, franchises, andprivileges of Englishmen), to come to the following resolutions: "First, That it is the opinion of this house, that the act of assembly inCarolina, lately passed there, signed and sealed by John Lord Granville, for himself, Lord Carteret and Lord Craven, and by Sir John Colleton, four of the Proprietors of that province, in order to the ratifying ofit, entitled, An Act for the Establishment of Religious Worship in theProvince according to the Church of England, _&c. _ so far forth as thesame relates to the establishing a commission for the displacing ofrectors and ministers of the churches there, is not warranted by thecharter granted to the Proprietors, as being not consonant to reason, repugnant to the laws of the realm, and destructive to the constitutionof the church of England. Secondly, That it is the opinion of this house, that the act of assembly in Carolina, entitled, An Act for the moreeffectual Preservation of the Government of the Province, by requiringall persons that shall hereafter be chosen members of the Commons Houseof Assembly, and sit in the same, to take the oaths and subscribe thedeclaration appointed by this act, and to conform to the religiousworship in this province according to the Church of England, and toreceive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to the rites andusage of the said church, _&c. _ is founded on falsity in matter of fact, is repugnant to the laws of England, contrary to the charter of theProprietors, is an encouragement to atheism and irreligion, destructiveto trade, and tends to the depopulation and ruin of the Province". [Sidenote] Their address to the Queen. After which resolutions the house addressed her Majesty in the followingwords: "We your Majesty's dutiful subjects, having thus humbly presentedour opinion of these acts, we beseech your Majesty to use the mosteffectual methods to deliver the said province from the arbitraryoppressions under which it now lies, and to order the authors thereof tobe prosecuted according to law; at the same time we represent to yourMajesty, how much the powers given by the crown have been abused by someof your subjects, justice requires us to acquaint your Majesty, that someof the Proprietors absolutely refused to join in the ratification ofthese acts. We humbly beg permission to inform your Majesty, that othergreat injustices and oppressions are complained of in the petition; butthe nature of the fact requiring a long examination, it was not possiblefor the house to find time for, so near the conclusion of the session;and therefore we presume with all duty to lay the petition itself beforeyour Majesty, at the same time we present our address. We cannot doubtbut your Majesty, who from the beginning of your reign has shewn to greata concern and tenderness for all your subjects, will extend yourcompassion for those distressed people, who have the misfortune to be atso great a distance from your royal person, and not so immediately underyour gentle administration. Your Majesty is fully sensible of what greatconsequence the plantations are to the crown of England, and to the tradeof your subjects, and therefore we rest assured, that as your Majestywill have them all under your royal care, so, in particular, you will begraciously pleased to find out and prosecute the most effectual means forthe relief of the province of Carolina. " [Sidenote] The Queen's answer. To which address Queen Anne returned the following answer: "I thank thehouse for laying these matters so plainly before me: I am sensible ofwhat great consequence the plantations are to England, and will do all inmy power to relieve my subjects in Carolina, and protect them in theirjust rights. " But as it likewise appeared that some of the Proprietorsthemselves had refused to approve of the acts, the matter was fartherreferred to the Lords of trade and plantations; who, after examination, found that all the charges brought against the provincial government andthe Proprietors were well grounded; and represented farther to herMajesty, that the making of such laws was an abuse of the powers grantedto the Proprietors by the charter, and will be a forfeiture of it, andhumbly begged that she would be pleased to give directions for reassumingthe same into her Majesty's hands, by a _scire facias_ in the court ofQueen's Bench. The Queen approved of their representation, and afterdeclaring the laws null and void, for the effectual proceeding againstthe charter by way of _quo warranto_, ordered her Attorney andSolicitor-General to inform themselves fully concerning what may be mosteffectual for accomplishing the same, that she might take the governmentof the colony, so much abused by others, into her own hands, for thebetter protection of her distressed subjects. Here, however, the matterwas dropt for the present, and no farther steps were taken against thecharter of the Proprietors, or for the relief of the people. In the mean time the distant colonists, though they had heard nothing ofwhat had passed in England relating to those grievous acts, became dailymore sensible of their oppressive nature and pernicious consequence. Several settlers had left the country on account of them, and moved toPennsylvania. Archibald Stobo, a Presbyterian minister in Charlestown, who had warmly opposed this establishment from the beginning, had alsoconvinced many who remained of the severities and hardships theDissenters in England had suffered from the rigors of the Episcopalgovernment. Several circumstances proved favourable to Stobo'sopposition; he possessed those talents which render a ministerconspicuous and respected, and the people that party-zeal which becomesviolent from ill usage and persecution. To his treasures of knowledge andexcellent capacity for instruction, he added uncommon activity anddiligence in the discharge of the various duties of his sacred function. He had a natural aversion from the Episcopal jurisdiction, and nominister of the colony had engrossed so universally the public favour andesteem. The Governor and his adherents found it necessary to sow theseeds of division among his followers, and, from maxims of policy, tomagnify his failings, in order to ruin his great power and influence. But the Presbyterian party were not the only malcontents during thesestrange and unwarrantable proceedings of the legislature. Many wise andreligious men of all denominations condemned them, as grievous andimpolitical. They considered differences in religious opinion as improperobjects of temporal punishment, and that magistrates had no business withthem, unless they occasion danger and disturbance to the state. Theylooked upon religion as a personal affair, which lies between God and aman's conscience, and that it was the prerogative of the Supreme Being tojudge of men's hearts, as he alone was capable of forming a rightjudgment. In such a case, doubtless every man had a right to judge andchuse for himself, as he alone, and not the church, must at last beaccountable to God for the choice. In every country this is reasonable;but in Protestant countries it is the fundamental principle on which theyground their right of protesting against the rules and errors of anyparticular church. For which reason judicious men in Carolina opposed theacts of assembly, as unreasonable in themselves, repugnant to theprinciples of Protestants, and robbing many of the colonists of theirmost valuable privileges, for their difference in religious opinion. Eventhe society for propagating the gospel disapproved of them, and, at ameeting in St. Paul's Church, resolved not to send any missionaries toCarolina, until the clause relating to lay-commissioners was annulled. Sothat all impartial men, in some measure, condemned the acts, and seemedto detest both the factious men who framed them, and the method by whichthey had been promoted in the province. [Sidenote] A project formed for invading Carolina. At length from these domestic troubles the attention of the people wasdrawn off, and turned towards a more important object, their commondefence against foreign enemies. The war between Great Britain and Franceand Spain still raged in Europe. The Governor received advice of aproject framed for invading Carolina, and had instructions to put thecountry in the best posture of defence. The Spaniards pretended a rightto it on the foot of prior discovery, considering it as a part ofFlorida, and had now determined by force of arms to assert their right. Sir Nathaniel Johnson, as a military commander, was well qualified forhis duty, and formed to shine in a more conspicuous manner in that linethan in any other. No sooner had he received intelligence of the designsof his enemy, than he set all hands to work upon the fortifications, appointed a number of gunners to each bastion, and held frequent mustersto train the men to the use of arms. A storehouse was prepared, and aquantity of ammunition laid up in it, to be ready on the first emergency. A small fort, called Fort Johnson, was erected on James's Island, andseveral great guns mounted on it. Trenches were cast up on White Point, and other places where they were thought necessary. A guard was stationedon Sullivan's Island, with orders to kindle a number of fires opposite tothe town, equal to the number of ships they might spy on the coast. Inshort, such prudent regulations were made, as to prevent any surprisefrom an enemy, and at what time soever they might come, to give them aswarm a reception as possible. Few months had elapsed before they found the usefulness and necessity ofthese wise precautions. Carolina was at this juncture the southernfrontier of the British empire in America. The colony, though it hadacquired some degree of strength, was yet in a feeble state to resist anenemy of force and enterprize. From its situation there was reason toapprehend that the French and Spaniards would attack it, as it would fallan easier conquest than the more populous northern settlements. Beforethis time a plan had been concerted at the Havanna for invading it. Mons. Le Feboure, captain of a French frigate, together with four more armedsloops, encouraged and assisted by the Spanish governor of that island, had already set sail for Charlestown. To facilitate the conquest of theprovince, he had directions to touch at Augustine, and carry from thencesuch a force as he judged adequate to the enterprize. Upon his arrival atAugustine, he had intelligence of an epidemical distemper which raged atCharlestown, and had swept off a vast number of inhabitants. Thisanimated him to proceed with greater expedition. Imagining the town to bein a weak and defenceless state, and that the militia in the countrywould be averse from coming nigh it through fear of the fatal infection, he took on board a considerable number of forces at Augustine, and madeall the sail he could for Carolina. [Sidenote] A Spanish and French invasion. Before this time a Dutch privateer, formerly belonging to New-York, byorder of the governor of Carolina, had been refitted at Charlestown forcruising on the coast. The command had been given to Captain Stool, whowas sent out on purpose to intercept the supplies regularly sent toAugustine from the Havanna. After being out a few days he returned, andbrought advice of having engaged a French sloop off the bar of Augustine;but upon seeing four ships more advancing to her assistance, he thoughtproper to make all the sail he could for Charlestown, and that henarrowly escaped falling into the enemy's hands. Scarcely had hedelivered the news, when five separate smokes appeared on Sullivan'sisland, as a signal to the town that the same number of ships wereobserved on the coast. Sir Nathaniel Johnson being at than time at his plantation, several milesfrom town, Lieutenant Colonel William Rhett commanding officer of themilitia, immediately ordered the drums to beat, and the whole inhabitantsto be put under arms. A messenger was dispatched with the news to theGovernor, and letters to all the captains of the militia in the country, to fire their alarm guns, raise their companies, and with all possibleexpedition march to the assistance of the town. In the evening the enemy's fleet came the length of Charlestown bar; butas the passage was intricate and dangerous to strangers, they did notthink it prudent to venture over it while the darkness of the nightapproached, and therefore hovered on the coast all night within sight ofland. Early next morning the watchmen stationed on Sullivan's Islandobserved them a little to the southward of the bar, manning their galliesand boats, as if they intended to land on James's Island; but therehaving come to an anchor, they employed their boats all that day insounding the south bar; which delay was of great service to theCarolineans, as it afforded time for the militia in the country to marchto town. The same day Sir Nathaniel Johnson the governor came to Charlestown, andfound the inhabitants in great consternation; but he being a man ofcourage, and skilled in the arts of war, his presence inspired them withfresh confidence and resolution. He proclaimed the martial law at thehead of the militia, and gave the necessary orders: he sent to the Indiantribes in alliance with the colony, and brought a number of them to hisassistance. As the contagious distemper still raged in Charlestown, theGovernor judged it imprudent to expose his men to the dangerousinfection, unless necessity required it, and therefore held his headquarters about half a mile distant from town. In the evening a troop ofhorse, commanded by Captain George Logan, and two companies of foot, under the command of Major George Broughton, reached the capital, andkept diligent watch during the night. The next morning a company fromJames's Island, under the command of Captain Drake, another from Wando, under Captain Fenwick, and five more commanded by Captains Cantey, Lynch, Hearn, Longbois, and Seabrook, joined the militia of the town; so thatthe whole force of the province, with the Governor at their head, was nowcollected together in one place. The day following the enemy's four ships and a galley came over the bar, with all their boats out for landing their men, and stood directly forthe town, having the advantages of a fair wind and strong tide. When theyhad advanced so far up the river as to discover the fortifications, theycast anchor a little above Sullivan's Island. The Governor, observing theenemy approaching towards the town, marched his men into it to receivethem; but finding they had stopt by the way, he had time to call acouncil of war, in which it was agreed to put some great guns on board ofsuch ships as were in the harbour, and employ the gallant sailors intheir own way, for the better defence of the town. William Rhett, a manpossessed of considerable conduct and spirit, received a commission to bevice-admiral of this little fleet, and hoisted his flag on board of theCrown galley. The enemy observing them employed in making all possible preparations forresistance, sent up a flag of truce to the Governor, to summon him tosurrender. George Evans, who commanded Granville bastion, received theirmessenger at his landing from the boat, and conducted him blindfoldedinto the fort, until the Governor was in readiness to receive him. In themean time the Governor, having drawn up his men in such a manner as tomake them appear to the greatest advantage, received the French officerat their head; and having first shown him one fort full of men, he thenconducted him by a different route to another, giving the same men timeto go by a shorter way, and be drawn up beforehand: and there, havinggiven him a view of his strength, he demanded the purport of his message. The officer told him, that he was sent by Mons. Le Feboure, admiral ofthe French fleet, to demand a surrender of the town and country, andtheir persons prisoners of war; and that his orders allowed him no morethan one hour for an answer. Governor Johnson replied, that there was nooccasion for one minute to answer that message: he told him, he held thetown and country for the Queen of England; that he could depend on hismen, who would sooner die than surrender themselves prisoners of war;that he was resolved to defend the country to the last drop of his bloodagainst the boldest invader, and he might go when he pleased and acquaintMons. Le Feboure with his resolution. The day following a party of the enemy went ashore on James's Island, andburnt the houses on a plantation by the riverside. Another party, consisting of an hundred and sixty men, landed on the opposite side ofthe river, and burnt two vessels in Dearsby's Creek, and set fire to hisstorehouse. Sir Nathaniel Johnson, from such beginnings perceiving thatthey were determined to carry fire and sword wherever they went, doubledhis diligence for the defence of the town. He ordered Captain Drake andhis company, with a small party of Indians, to James's Island, to defendtheir properties on that side. Drake marched against them, bur before hecould bring up his men, the Indians, whom he could keep under no control, and who ran through the woods with their usual impetuosity, had driventhe invaders to their boats: Then advice was brought to town, that theparty who landed on Wando Neck had killed a number of hogs and cattle, and were feasting on the plunder. To prevent their farther progress intothe country, and give them a check if possible, Captain Cantey, with anhundred chosen men, was ordered to pass the river privately in the night, and watch their motions. Before break of day the captain came up withthem, and finding them in a state of security, with fires lighted aroundthem, surrounded and surprised them with a sharp fire from every quarter;in consequence of which, they were put in confusion and fled, and aconsiderable part being killed, wounded, and drowned, the remaindersurrendered prisoners of war. Having by this blow considerably weakened the force of the enemy, andbeing encouraged and animated by their success at land, the Carolineansdetermined also to try their fortune by sea. Accordingly William Rhettset sail with his fleet of six small ships, and proceeded down the riverto the place where the enemy rode at anchor; but the French perceivingthis fleet standing towards them, in great haste weighed anchor andsailed over the bar. For some days nothing more was heard of them; but, to make sure, the Governor ordered Captain Watson of the Sea-Flower outto sea to examine whether or not the coast was clear. The captainreturned without seeing the enemy, but observing some men on shore whomthey had left behind, he took them on board and brought them to town. These men assured the Governor that the French were gone. In consequenceof which, orders were given for the martial law to cease, and theinhabitants began to rejoice at their happy deliverance. [Sidenote] The invaders repulsed and defeated by the militia. However, before night, certain advice was brought that a ship of forcewas seen in Sewee Bay, and that a number of armed men had landed from herat that place. Upon examination of the prisoners the Governor found thatthe French expected a ship of war, with Mons. Arbuset their general andabout two hundred men more to their assistance. The Governor orderedCaptain Fenwick to pass the river, and march against them by land; whileRhett, with the Dutch privateer and a Bermuda sloop armed, sailed roundby sea, with orders to meet him at Sewee Bay. Captain Fenwick came upwith the enemy, and briskly charged them, who, though advantageouslyposted, after a few volleys gave way, and retreated to their ship; andsoon after Rhett coming to his assistance, the French ship struck withoutfiring a shot. Rhett, being obliged by contrary winds to remain all thatday in Sewee Bay, dispatched John Barnwell, a volunteer, to the Governor, with an account of their success; and next morning, the wind changing, hereturned to Charlestown with his prize, and about ninety prisoners. Thus ended Mons. Le Feboure's invasion of Carolina, little to his ownhonour as a commander, or to the credit and courage of his men. It isprobable he expected to find the province in a weak and defencelesssituation, and that the Governor would instantly surrender on hisappearance before the town. But he was deceived, as many commanders havebeen who entertain a despicable opinion of their enemy. The Governor wasa man of approved courage and conduct; the militia undertook the variouslittle enterprizes with the spirit of men who had not only the honour ofthe province, but also their whole properties at stake, and amazingsuccess crowned their endeavours. Out of eight hundred men who cameagainst this little colony, near three hundred were killed and takenprisoners; among the latter were Mons. Arbuset, their commander in chiefby land, with several sea officers, who together offered ten thousandpieces of eight for their ransom. On the other hand, the loss sustainedby the provincial militia was incredibly small. The Governor publiclythanked them for the unanimity and courage they had shown in repellingthe invaders: and received from the Proprietors soon after the followingletter. "We heartily congratulate you on your great and happy successagainst the French and Spaniards; and for your eminent courage andconduct in the defence and preservation of our province, we return youour thanks, and assure you, that we shall always retain a just sense ofyour merit, and will take all opportunities to reward your signalservices. " [Sidenote] The union of England and Scotland. About this time the long-projected union between England and Scotlandtook place in Britain, which was attended, as might have been expected, with the most interesting and happy consequences to both kingdoms. Godand nature had joined the two together, and of course all differences anddivisions subsisting between them, while they acknowledged the samesovereign, were impolitical and absurd. Unity of affection and interestunquestionably constituted the strength of the island, and could aloneenable it to oppose foreign enemies with vigour and success. Among thenumber of articles which composed this important and beneficial treaty, it was agreed, "That all the subjects of the united kingdom of GreatBritain, should, from and after this union, have full freedom andintercourse of trade and navigation to and from any port or place in thesaid united kingdom, and the dominions and plantations thereuntobelonging; and that there should be a communication of all rights, privileges and advantages which do or may belong to the subjects ofeither kingdom, except where it is otherwise expressly agreed in thesearticles. " Unfortunately, however, two modes of religious worship wereestablished in the nation, which served to perpetuate differences amongthe more stiff and rigid partizans of both the Episcopalian andPresbyterian churches. A division in the ecclesiastical establishment wasas improper and unreasonable as a disunion in the nation. With respect tothe essential principles and doctrines of religion, they are the same inboth churches, and the difference between them lies in the modes ofworship and government, in usages, vestments, forms and ceremonies, matters of little consequence with regard to religion. Both modes ofworship and government have their advantages and disadvantages, and haddelegates from both churches met at this juncture, and yielded a littleon both sides, for the sake of mutual harmony, and uniformity, suchcompliance might have been attended with happy effects. But theinfelicity of the times, and narrow sentiments of the people, notadmitting of this expedient, it was agreed that the Episcopaliangovernment was only to extend to the colonies, and be considered as theestablishment in them. As the greatest part of emigrants to Americacarried along with them prejudices against this establishment, anddiscovered a tendency towards a republican form of church-government, itis remarkable that this disaffection has continued, and in process oftime been acquiring strength, insomuch that the hands of government, engaged in support of the established church, have often been weakened byit, and rendered unable to answer the ends of their appointment. [Sidenote] Missionaries sent out by the society in England. About this time the society incorporated by King William, having receivedlarge benefactions for the purpose of propagating the gospel, began toexert themselves for sending over, and maintaining missionaries in theplantations. As some colonies were totally destitute of the means ofinstruction, and others ill provided with ministers, and unable tosupport them, the society considered the British subjects as the primaryobjects of their charity. To prevent the influence of Roman Catholicmissionaries among the heathens was a secondary end in view with thischaritable corporation, who were also to improve every favourableopportunity for the instruction and conversion of negroes and Indians. While a number of missionaries were ordained for the northern colonies, Samuel Thomas was sent out to Carolina for the instruction of theYamassee Indians; and to supply the different parishes, several moremissionaries were on the passage to the province. The society had wroteto Sir Nathaniel Johnson, expressing their zeal for the interest ofreligion, and earnest desire for spreading the knowledge of the gospelamong the inhabitants of the British colonies, and their hopes of hisconcurrence towards the accomplishment of their excellent design. Uponthe receipt of which the governor summoned a meeting of his council, andsent an answer to the corporation in the following words: "We could notomit this opportunity of testifying the grateful sense we have of yourmost noble Christian charity to our poor infant church in this province, expressed by the generous encouragement you have been pleased to give tothose who are coming missionaries, the account of which we have just nowreceived by our worthy friend and minister Mr. Thomas, who, to our greatsatisfaction, is now arrived. The extraordinary hurry we are in, occasioned by the late invasion attempted by the French and Spaniards, from whom God hath miraculously delivered us, hath prevented ourreceiving a particular account from Mr. Thomas of your bounty, and alsohath not given us leisure to view your missionaries instructions, eitherin regard to what relates to them or to ourselves: but we shall takespeedy care to give them all due encouragement, and the venerable societythe utmost satisfaction. There is nothing so dear to us as our holyreligion, and the interest of the established church, in which we havebeen happily educated; we therefore devoutly adore God's Providence inbringing, and heartily thank your society in encouraging, so manymissionaries to come among us. We promise your honourable society, itshall be our daily study to encourage their pious labours, to protecttheir persons, to revere their authority, to improve by their ministerialinstructions, and, as soon as possible, to enlarge their annual salaries. When we have placed your missionaries in their several parishes accordingto your directions, and received from them an account of your noblebenefaction of books for each parish, we shall then write more particularand full. In the mean time, we beg your honourable society to accept ofour hearty gratitude, and be assured of our sincere endeavour to concurwith you in the noble design of propagating Christ's holy religion. " Soon after the missionaries arrived, and were settled in their respectiveparishes, Edward Marston minister at Charlestown died, and Mr. Thomas, whom the governor intended for his successor, did not long survive him:in consequence of whose death, the governor and Council applied byletters to the society, requesting farther supplies, particularly alearned and prudent man to take the charge of the capital. The Archbishopof Dublin recommended Gideon Johnston to them as a person for whosesobriety, diligence, and ability, he dared to be answerable, and doubtednot but he would execute the duty required in such a manner as to meritthe approbation of every one with whom he should be concerned. Accordingly, Mr. Johnston, being made commissary to the Bishop of Londonfor the province of Carolina, and having fifty pounds a-year settled onhim from the society, embarked for Charlestown. On his arrival he hadalmost lost his life in going ashore: the ship in which he sailed beingobliged to come to an anchor off the bar to wait the return of the tide, and Mr. Johnston, with several more passengers, being impatient to get toland, went on board of the small boat to go up to the town; but a suddengust of wind arising, drove the boat upon a sand bank, where they lay twodays, almost perishing with hunger and thirst, when some personsaccidentally discovered and relieved them. Mr. Johnston was not the only person that shared of the charitable fund;for five more ministers were settled in the country, to each of whom anallowance of fifty pounds a-year, besides their provincial salary, wasgiven by this incorporated society. Two thousand volumes of books werealso sent to be distributed among the people, by these missionaries, fortheir private use and instruction. Justice requires a relation of thesefacts for the honour of that society, who supplied the province withinstructors at this early period, when it was poor in itself, and stoodso much in need of their generous assistance. As the church of England, however, continued to be considered as the established religion of theprovince; and as all the ministers sent out by this society were of thatpersuasion, Dissenters, who in general are not the most charitable intheir judgments with regard to the conduct of their neighbours, and whoperhaps contributed, like many others, towards raising this fund, concluded that the society had the propagation of Episcopacy more intheir eye than that of Christianity. But certainly it cannot be denied, that the members of this corporation, who not only contributed largely, but were also at such pains in collecting a fund for this laudable end, were the proper judges in what manner it should be applied. Charityobliges us to believe, that this society, whose design was so benevolent, employed their money in such a way as they judged would be most agreeableto the intentions of those who gave it, and most useful for theinstruction and happiness of their fellow creatures: yet mankind, in suchcases, are apt to be forward in advancing their opinions with regard tothe conduct of such public managers, and, as they stand affectedthemselves, to praise or condemn them. [Sidenote] Lord Craven Palatine. About the close of the year 1707, Lord Granville the Palatine died; andwas succeeded in that high dignity by William Lord Craven. The death ofthat nobleman, by whose instruction and encouragement the several violentsteps for the establishment and support of the church of England inCarolina had been taken, was now likely to produce some change in thefuture state of public affairs. Though the Governor and his friends stillmaintained a majority in the house of assembly, yet, from the number andtemper of Dissenters, they were not without some suspicions of seeing thefabric, which they had with such uncommon industry been erecting, totallyoverturned. While many Episcopalians in England were terrified with theprospects of danger to their church, the Carolineans took the alarm, andpassed an act for its security in that province. The preamble of this actruns thus: "Whereas the church of England has of late been so happilyestablished among us, fearing that by the succession of a new Governorthis church may be either undermined or wholly subverted, to preventwhich calamity falling upon us, be it enacted, That this present assemblyshall continue to sit for two years, and for the time and term ofeighteen months after the change of government, whether by the death ofthe present Governor, or the succession of another in his time. " Whetherthe church must not have been in great danger when men were obliged totake such an extraordinary measure for its security, we leave it to theworld to judge. [Sidenote] Edward Tynte governor. About the end of the year 1708, Colonel Edward Tynte received acommission from Lord Craven, investing him with the government of thecolony. About the same time Charles Craven, brother to the Palatine, wasmade secretary to the province. During the time Sir Nathaniel Johnson hadgoverned the country, it had not only been threatened with a formidableinvasion, but also torn to pieces with factions and divisions, which hadmuch retarded its progress and improvement. Great confusion among thepeople had been occasioned by the violent stretch of power in favour ofan ecclesiastical establishment. The new Palatine, sensible of thosethings, instructed Governor Tynte to adopt such healing measures as wouldbe most conducive to the welfare of the settlement. Soon after hisarrival he received a letter from the Proprietors to the followingeffect: "We hope by this time you have entered upon your government ofour province of Carolina, and therefore we earnestly require yourendeavours to reconcile the minds of the inhabitants to each other, thatthe name of parties, if any yet remains among them, may be utterlyextinguished: for we can by no means doubt, but their unanimousconcurrence with our endeavours for their prosperity, will mosteffectually render Carolina as flourishing a colony as any in America. "The late Palatine, from a mixture of spiritual and political pride, despised all Dissenters, as the enemies of both the hierarchy andmonarchy, and believed the state could only be secure, while the civilauthority was lodged in the hands of high-church men. Lord Cravenpossessed not the same proud and intolerant spirit, and thought thoseCarolineans, who maintained liberty of conscience, merited greaterindulgences from them; and, though a friend to the church of England, healways was doubtful whether the minds of the people were ripe for theintroduction of that establishment. He therefore urged lenity andtoleration, which in general have been productive of peace and union, while rigour and persecution have seldom failed to excite discord andpromote superstition in every community. [Sidenote] The revenues of the colony. The expences incurred by the French invasion, though it terminated muchto the honour of the Carolineans, fell heavy on the colony, still in apoor and languishing condition. No taxes as yet had been laid on real orpersonal estates: the revenues of the colony were all raised by dutieslaid on spirituous liquors, sugar, molasses, and a few other articlesimported; and on deer-skins and furs exported. The amount of theseseveral duties was applied towards defraying the charges of government, such as raising and repairing fortifications, paying the Governor'ssalary, maintaining garrisons, providing military stores, and salaries toten ministers of the church of England, and sinking bills of creditstamped for answering the extraordinary expences of the province. Eightthousand pounds had been issued for defraying the public expencesoccasioned by the French invasion; and the act laying an imposition onfurs, skins, and liquors, was continued, for the purpose of cancellingthese bills of credit. From this time forward there was a gradual rise inexchange and produce, owing, as many thought, to the emission andestablishment of paper currency in the province. Before this period, French and Spanish gold and silver, brought into the country by pirates, privateers, and the over-balance of trade with the West Indies, answeredall the purposes of internal commerce, and very little English coin wascirculating in the country. However, soon after this emission, fifty _percent_. Advance was given by the merchants for what English money therewas; that is to say, for one hundred pounds English coin, they gave onehundred and fifty pounds paper currency of Carolina. [Sidenote] The invasion of Canada. A bloody war still continued between England and France in Europe, andthe success which had attended an expedition against Acadia, hadencouraged the British administration to enter on bolder undertakings inAmerica. The French in Canada were numerous and strong, and LordGodolphin, convinced of the necessity of maintaining a superiority overthem, formed a design of attacking Quebec, and striking such a blow inthat quarter as might render his administration distinguished. He sentfor Sir Hovenden Walker, rear-admiral of the white, and after holding aprivate consultation with him respecting the enterprize, immediatelybegan to make preparations for it. Six thousand men were drawn from thearmy in Flanders, and the command of them was given to General Hill. Eleven ships of the line, one frigate, and two bomb-ships, were fittedout: transports were provided, on board of which the army embarked andsailed for Boston in New England. They arrived there on the 24th of June1711, but by no means met with that zeal and ardour for the expeditionamong the people of New England that might have been expected, considering its interesting consequence with respect to them. ColonelFrancis Nicolson, who had been successful in Acadia the year before, hastened to Boston, and first used his utmost endeavours to forward theexpedition, and then marched by land, with a body of white men andIndians, against Montreal. Before Sir Hovenden Walker had procured everything requisite to his expedition, the season of the year was too faradvanced. The navigation up the river St. Laurence was hazardous, andnone but unskilful pilots could be found. A sudden blow must necessarilybe struck, or otherwise, as the frosty season begins there so early, thefleet might find it difficult to return down the river. When they setsail, they had every thing to dread from their own ignorance and adangerous navigation. In proceeding up the river they found uncertain andrapid currents, and met with dark and foggy weather: in consequence ofwhich eight transports ran upon a rock, and almost nine hundred menperished. This unhappy accident cast a damp upon the spirits of the army, and their plan was frustrated. In a council of war it was judgedimprudent and impracticable to carry large ships up such a river withoutthe most skilful pilots, and therefore they returned to New England. General Francis Nicolson having heard of the miscarriage of theexpedition upon the river, retreated also from Lake George, and no moreattempts were made for many years against the French settlements inCanada. [Sidenote] A French colony planted in Louisiana. In the year following the French planted a colony at the mouth of thegreat river Mississippi. Lewis the XIVth thought proper to grant aterritory of vast extent in that quarter to Secretary Crozat, by which heevidently encroached on lands belonging to the Proprietors of SouthCarolina. Though the Carolineans had not a little to fear from asettlement in such a situation, yet Crozat was allowed to take peaceablepossession, without any complaints from the Proprietors, or oppositionfrom the British government. From this period a new competitor for theaffection and interest of Indian nations arose, more active andenterprising than the Spaniards, whose motions the Carolineans had goodreason to watch with a jealous and vigilant eye. [Sidenote] A colony of Palatines settled. About the same time application was made to the Proprietors for lands inCarolina, by a number of Palatines harassed in Germany by the calamitiesof a tedious war, and reduced to circumstances of great indigence andmisery. The Proprietors wisely judging, that by such acquisitions thevalue of their lands would increase, and the strength of their settlementwould be promoted, determined to give every possible encouragement tosuch emigrants. Ships were provided for their transportation. Instructions were sent to Governor Tynte to allow an hundred acres ofland for every man, woman, and child, free of quit-rents for the firstten years; but, at the expiration of that term, to pay one penny _per_acre annual-rent for ever, according to the usages and customs of theprovince. Upon their arrival Governor Tynte granted them lands in NorthCarolina, where they settled, and flattered themselves with having foundin the hideous wilderness an happy retreat from the storms anddesolations of war raging in Europe. [Sidenote] Robert Gibbes governor. However, like many others, Governor Tynte had scarcely time to learn thereal state of the country, in order to establish proper regulations init, before he died. After his death, a competition arose in the councilabout the succession. One party declared for Robert Gibbes, and anotherfor Thomas Broughton. Gibbes, however, carried his election, and for alittle while stood at the head of the colony. During his time, we knownothing remarkable that happened. An act of assembly passed forappointing commissioners, impowering them to take subscriptions andcollect public contributions for building a church at Charlestown. Waterpassages were carried southward to Port-Royal, for the ease andconvenience of passengers by sea, and money was provided for buildingpublic bridges; and establishing ferries, for the accommodation oftravellers by land. [Sidenote] Charles Craven governor. But as it appeared to the Proprietors, that bribery and corruption hadbeen used by Robert Gibbes to gain his election to the government, he wasnot permitted to continue long in that office; they forbade theirReceiver-General to pay him any salary, and ordered the money due to betransmitted to Richard Shelton their secretary in England. A commissionwas sent our to Charles Craven, a man of great knowledge, courage andintegrity, by his brother, investing him with the government of thecolony. His council was composed of Thomas Broughton, Ralph Izard, Charles Hart, Samuel Eveleigh, and Arthur Middleton, _&c. _; all men ofconsiderable property, and experience in provincial affairs. The assemblyin his time was not elected, as formerly, in a riotous and tumultuarymanner, but with the utmost harmony and regularity, and proceeded totheir deliberations with great temper and mutual friendship. The Governorhad instructions to defend the province against the French and Spaniards, and for that purpose to form and cultivate the firmest friendship andalliance with the Indians; to promote fisheries and manufactures, whichwas certainly an absurd and ridiculous instruction; for while they had somuch land, agriculture was evidently more profitable and beneficial toboth the possessors and Proprietors of the province. He was required tooverlook the courts, and take special care that justice be equitablyadministered, and that no interruptions or delays attend the execution ofthe laws: he was ordered to employ eight men to sound Port-Royal riverfor the benefit of navigation, and to fix on the most convenient spot forbuilding a town, with a harbour nigh it; and to transmit all acts ofassembly made from time to time to England, for the Proprietorsapprobation or disapprobation; and such other public matters as appearedto him of general concern and utility, he was required carefully to studyand promote. [Sidenote] An Indian war in North Carolina. In the year 1712, after Governor Craven had assumed the management of thecolony, a dangerous conspiracy was formed by the Indians of NorthCarolina against the poor settlers in that quarter. The cause of thequarrel we have not been able clearly to find out; probably they wereoffended at the encroachments made on their hunting lands. The powerfultribes of Indians called Corees, Tuscororas, and several more, united, and determined to murder or expel the European invaders. As usual, theycarried on their bloody design with amazing cunning and profound secrecy. Their chief town they had in the first place surrounded with a woodenbreast-work, for the security of their own families. Here the differenttribes met together to the number of twelve hundred bowmen, and formedtheir horrid plot. From this place of rendezvous they sent out smallparties, who entered the settlements, under the mask of friendship, bydifferent roads. At the change of the full moon all of them had agreed tobegin their murderous operations, on the same night. When that nightcame, they entered the planters houses, demanded provisions, out ofpretence were displeased with them, and then murdered men, women, andchildren, without mercy or distinction. To prevent the alarm spreadingthrough the settlement, they ran like fierce and bloody tygers from houseto house, spreading slaughter among the scattered families wherever theywent. None of the colonists, during the fatal night, knew what hadbefallen their neighbours, until the barbarians had reached their owndoors. About Roanock one hundred and thirty-seven settlers fell asacrifice to their savage fury the first night; among whom were a Swissbaron, and almost all the poor Palatines who had lately come into thecountry. Some, however, who had hid themselves in the woods, havingescaped, next morning gave the alarm to their neighbours, and preventedthe total distruction of that colony. Every family had orders speedily toassemble at one place, and the militia, under arms, kept watch day andnight around them, until the news of the sad disaster reached theprovince of South Carolina. [Sidenote] The Tuscorora Indians conquered. Happy was it for the distressed North Carolineans Governor Craven lost notime in collecting and dispatching a force to their assistance andrelief. The assembly voted four thousand pounds for the service of thewar. A body of militia, consisting of six hundred men, under the commandof Colonel Barnwell, marched against the savages. Two hundred andeighteen Cherokees, under the command of Captains Hartford and Turstons;seventy-nine Creeks, under Captain Hastings; forty-one Catabaws, underCaptain Cantey, and twenty-eight Yamasses, under Captain Pierce, beingfurnished with arms, joined the Carolineans in this expedition. Hideousand dreadful, at this time, was that wilderness through which ColonelBarnwell had to march; and to get to North Carolina in time, for therelief of the people, the utmost expedition was requisite. In such a caseit was not possible for his men to carry a sufficient quantity ofprovisions, together with arms and ammunition, along with them, or tohave these things provided at different stages by the way. There was noroad through the woods upon which either horses or carriages couldconveniently pass; and his army had all manner of hardships and dangersfrom the climate, the wilderness, and the enemy, to encounter. In spiteof every difficulty, Barnwell advanced against them, employing his Indianallies to hunt for provisions to his men by the way. At length, havingcome up with the savages, he attacked them, and being much bettersupplied with arms and ammunition than his enemy, he did great executionamong them. In the first battle he killed three hundred Indians, and tookabout one hundred prisoners. After which the Tuscororas retreated totheir town, within a wooden breastwork; there Barnwell surrounded them, and having killed a considerable number, forced the remainder to sue forpeace: some of his men being wounded, and others having suffered much byconstant watching, and much hunger and fatigue, the savages more easilyobtained their request. In this expedition it was computed that Barnwellkilled, wounded, and captivated near a thousand Tuscororas. Theremainder, who escaped on the terms of peace, soon after this heavychastisement, abandoned their country, and joined a northern tribe ofIndians on the Ohio river. King Blunt, who afterwards came to SouthCarolina, confirmed the account of the number the enemy had lost. OfBarnwell's party five Carolineans were killed, and several wounded: ofhis Indians, thirty-six were killed, and between sixty and seventywounded. In justice to this officer it must be owned, never had anyexpedition against the savages in Carolina been attended with suchhazards and difficulties, nor had the conquest of any tribe of them everbeen more general and complete. [Sidenote] Bank bills established. Although the expedition to North Carolina was well conducted, and provedas successful as the most sanguine of the Carolineans could haveexpected, yet the expense the public had incurred by it fell heavy on theprovince, the revenues of which were inconsiderable, and not at alladapted for such important and extensive enterprizes. But as greatharmony at this time subsisted between the Governor and assembly, theywere well disposed for concurring with him in every measure for thepublic safety and relief. The stamping of bills of credit had been usedas the easiest method of defraying these expenses incurred for the publicdefence: however, at this time the legislature thought proper toestablish a public bank, and issued forty-eight thousand pounds in billsof credit, called Bank-bills, for answering the exigencies of government, and for the convenience of domestic commerce. This money was to be lentout at interest, on landed or personal security; and, according to thetenour of the act for issuing the same, it was to be sunk gradually, byfour thousand pounds a-year; which sum was ordered to be paid annually bythe borrowers, into the hands of commissioners appointed for thatpurpose. After the emission of these bank-bills, the rate of exchange andthe price of produce quickly arose, and in the first year advanced to onehundred and fifty, in the second to two hundred _per cent_. [Sidenote] Remarks on paper currency. With respect to the utility of this paper money, the planters andmerchants, according to their different views and interests, were dividedin opinion. The former, who, for the most part, stood indebted to thelatter, found that this provincial currency was not only necessary toanswer the exigencies of government, but also very useful and convenientin the payment of private debts. This money being local, in proportion asit increased in quantity, it raised the nominal price of provincialcommodities: and became of course prejudicial to creditors, in proportionas it was profitable to debtors; for though it depreciated fifty _percent_. In a year, during which time the planters stood indebted to themerchants, the next year such creditors were obliged to take it inpayment, or produce, which had advanced in price, according to thequantity of money in circulation. By the acts of assembly whichestablished these bills of credit, the currency was secured, and made atender in law in all payments; so that if the creditor refused this moneybefore witnesses offered to him, the debt was discharged from the minuteof his refusal. Besides, the planters knew, that in a trading countrygold and silver, by various channels, would make their way out of it whenthey answer the purposes of remittance better than produce, to theirgreat prejudice: paper-money served to remedy this inconvenience, and tokeep up the price of provincial commodities, as it could not leave thecolony, and answered the purpose for paying private debts as well, orrather better, than gold and silver. As the trade of the countryincreased, no doubt a certain quantity of money was necessary to carry iton with ease and freedom; but when paper bills are permitted to increasebeyond what are necessary for commercial ease and utility, they sink invalue; and in such a case creditors lose in proportion to theirdepreciation. In Carolina, as well as in the other British colonies in America, thegreatest part of gold and silver current was foreign coin, and thedifferent assemblies settled their value from time to time, by lawspeculiar to each province. To remedy the inconveniences arising from thedifferent rates at which the same species of foreign coin did pass in theseveral colonies and plantations, Queen Anne, in the sixth year of herreign, had thought fit, by her royal proclamation, to settle andascertain the current rate of foreign coin in all her colonies. Thestandard at which currency was fixed by this proclamation, was at anhundred and thirty-three pounds, six shillings and eight-pence _percent_. ; but this regulation, however convenient and advantageous totrade, was afterwards little regarded in these provinces, and theconfusion of current money continued and prevailed. After the emission of this great quantity of bank-bills in Carolina, andspeedy rise of the price of produce in consequence of it, the merchantsof London, to whom the colony stood indebted, judging it prejudicial totrade, complained of it to the Proprietors. They perceived that the tradeof the country, by this means, would be carried on entirely withoutsilver or gold; and although their factors in Carolina might raise theprice of British commodities and manufactures, equal to the advancedprice of the produce, yet it might be for their interest sometimes totake gold and silver rather than produce in return for their Britishgoods. They considered the issuing of such bank-notes as a violation ofthe laws of England, and prevailed on the Proprietors to write GovernorCraven a letter to the following effect: "We have heard complaints fromseveral hands of an act you have passed, called the Bank Act. We dorecommend to you to consider of some expedient for preventing themischievous consequences of that act, lest, upon further complaints, webe forced to repeal it. The act is exclaimed against by our Londonmerchants as injurious to trade, as an infringement and violation of thelaws of Great Britain, and made almost in opposition to the act of thesixth of Queen Anne. Therefore we expect, for preventing such complaintsfor the future, that you will endeavour, as much as in you lies, toreduce that paper credit, pretended to be established in your bank act, and that you will strictly put in execution the aforesaid act of QueenAnne. " [Sidenote] Trade infested by pirates. As the trade of the colony had of late years considerably increased, andwas almost entirely carried on in British ships, its protection was anobject which demanded the attention either of the Proprietors or theBritish administration. The war in Europe had engrossed the care of thelatter, and the former were either unable or unwilling to bear theexpence of its protection. They had leased their property in the Bahamaislands to a company of merchants, which turning out to little account;the Island of Providence became a receptacle for vagabonds and villainsof all nations. From this place of rendezvous a crew of desperate pirateshad been accustomed to push out to sea, and, in defiance of the laws ofnations, to obstruct navigation. The trade of Carolina and that of theWest Indies suffered greatly from their depredations. For five yearsafter this period those lawless robbers reigned as the masters of theGulph of Florida, plundering and taking ships of every nation. NorthCarolina, by the conquest of its maritime tribes of Indians, had alsobecome a refuge for those rogues, who carried their prizes into Cape Fearriver, or Providence, as best suited their convenience or interest. Theirsuccess induced bold and rapacious spirits to join them, and in time theybecame so formidable, that no inconsiderable force was requisite tosuppress them. [Sidenote] Several English statutes adopted. After a long and expensive war, a treaty of peace and commerce wasconcluded between Britain, France and Spain in Europe; and orders weresent to all the colonies to desist from acts of hostility. GovernorCraven, deeply interested in the prosperity of Carolina, now turned hisattention to improve the precious blessings of peace, and to diffuse aspirit of industry and agriculture throughout the settlement. The landsin Granville county were found upon trial rich and fertile, and theplanters were encouraged to improve them. Accordingly a number ofplantations were settled in the neighbourhood of Indian nations, withwhom the Governor studied to cultivate a friendly correspondence. For thepurposes of trade some men took up their residence in their towns, andfurnished them with clothes, arms, and ammunition, in exchange for theirfurs and deer-skins. An agent was appointed to superintend the affairs ofIndian tribes, and to conciliate by all possible means their friendshipand esteem. Several interior regulations, conducive to the peace andprosperity of the colony, were also established. The colonists, as aneminent writer observes, in general carry with them so much of theEnglish law as is applicable to their local circumstances and situation;such as, the general rules of inheritance, and of protection frompersonal injuries. What may be proper to be admitted, and what arenecessary to be rejected, is judged and determined, in the firstinstance, by the provincial judicature, then subject to the approbationor disapprobation of the Proprietors; and so far of the Britishparliament, that nothing may be attempted by them derogatory to thesovereignty and supreme jurisdiction of the mother country. At this timeGovernor Craven obtained the assent of the General Assembly, to makeseveral English statutes of the same force in Carolina as if they hadbeen enacted in it. The people regarded him as a wise and indulgentparent, and wished to copy the spirit of their laws from the Englishoriginal, although they received their obligation and authoritative forcefrom their being the laws of the colony. About this time Nicholas Trott, the Chief Justice of the colony, returnedfrom England, where he had been for some time engaged in the settlementof private affairs. During his stay in Britain he had engrossed thefavour of the Proprietors, who finding him to be a man of greatabilities, professed a high respect for him, and afterwards desired hisassistance and advice in every case respecting the future management oftheir colony. They advanced his salary to one hundred pounds a-year, andhe agreed to carry on a regular correspondence with their secretary, andto give them the best intelligence with respect to their provincialaffairs. Trott having thus secured the confidence of the Proprietors inEngland, soon after he came to Carolina, began to plume himself on hisadvantageous circumstances, and to treat his former friends in the colonywith that pride and insolence too common to most men in office and power. On the other hand, those men, offended at his arrogance, watched hisconduct with an envious and malignant eye, and seemed to desire nothingmore than to humble his pride and destroy his influence. To this fataldifference may be ascribed several future jealousies and disturbanceswith which the colonists were harassed, and which terminated in the totalsubversion of the proprietary government. CHAP. V. After the death of Queen Anne, George, Elector of Hanover, ascended theBritish throne, and was crowned on the 12th of October, 1714. This eventwas far from giving general satisfaction to the British nation. Aconsiderable party of the principal landholders favoured the pretensionsof the house of Stewart, but were so divided in their councils andschemes, that they lost all influence and weight. Having no head, theywere unable to turn the balance against the party in the other scale, who, by degrees, engrossed the royal favour, and all offices of power andtrust in the kingdom. By this difference, however, a spirit of civildiscord and sedition was excited in the nation, and the Chevalier, encouraged by it, and flattered with the hopes of assistance from France, formed a project of snatching the scepter by force of arms from thefamily of Hanover. For this purpose, a party in Scotland had recourse toarms, but meeting with little assistance from the pretended friends ofthe cause in England, the insurrection was soon quelled, and their rashdesign totally defeated. [Sidenote] A design formed for purchasing all charters and proprietary governments. During the former reign the Lord Commissioners of trade and plantations, from the contentions that prevailed in some of the colonies, had takenoccasion to look more narrowly than formerly they used to do, into thestate of proprietary governments in America, in order to form a plan forpurchasing and uniting them more closely to the crown. They easilyperceived the advantage of beginning this negotiation as soon aspossible, for the sooner the purchase was made, the earlier it would beobtained. Accordingly, they wrote to the Proprietors of each colony, acquainting them, it was her Majesty's pleasure and command, that allgovernors of her foreign plantations do transmit to them frequent andfull information of the state of their respective colonies, as well inrespect to the administration of government and justice, as to theirprogress in trade and improvements. The Queen, though no friend tonon-conformists, had also stretched out a hand of relief to thedistressed Dissenters of Carolina, and publicly disapproved of someoppressive acts to which they had been subjected. This served toencourage a spirit of murmur and discontent among the Carolineans at theproprietary government, and to give their eyes a direction to the crownat every future period, when they thought themselves aggrieved under it. [Sidenote] The Yamassees conspire the destruction of the colony. During the same year in which the attention of Britain was occupied by acivil broil, the colony of Carolina was visited with a terrible Indianwar, which threatened its total extirpation. The numerous and powerfultribe of Indians called Yamassees, probably at the instigation of theSpaniards at Augustine, were the most active in promoting this conspiracyagainst the settlement, though every tribe around was more or lessconcerned in it. The Yamassees possessed a large territory lyingbackwards from Port-royal Island, on the north-east side of Savannariver, which to this day is called Indian Land. By the Carolineans thistribe had long been esteemed as friends and allies, who had admitted anumber of traders into their towns, and several times assisted thesettlers in their war-like enterprizes. Of all other Indians they werebelieved to habour in their minds the most inveterate and irreconcilableenmity to Spaniards. For many years they had been accustomed to makeincursions into the Spanish territories, and to wage war with the Indianswithin their bounds. In their return from those southern expeditions, ithad been a common practice with them to lurk in the woods roundAugustine, until they surprized some Spaniard, and brought him prisonerhome to their towns. On the bodies of these unfortunate prisoners theywere accustomed to exercise the most wanton barbarities; sometimescutting them to pieces slowly, joint by joint, with knives and tomahawks;at other times burying them up to the neck under ground, then standing ata distance and marking at their heads with their pointed arrows; and, atother times, binding them to a tree, and piercing the tenderest parts oftheir naked bodies with sharp-pointed sticks of burning wood, which last, because the most painful and excruciating method of torture, was the mostcommon among them. To prevent such horrid cruelties from being committed on the bodies ofhuman creatures, the legislature of Carolina passed a law, offering areward of five pounds for every Spanish prisoner these Indians shouldbring alive to Charlestown; which law, though it evidently proceeded frommotives of humanity, yet, in the event, it proved very inconsistent withgood policy: for, in consequence of this act, the Yamassees broughtseveral Spaniards, at different times, to Charlestown, where they claimedthe reward for their prisoners, and delivered them up to the governor. Charles Craven, who was no less distinguished for humanity than valour, used to send back such prisoners to Augustine, charging the Spanishgovernment with the expences of their passage and the reward to theYamassees. But this humane practice, while it displayed English greatnessof mind, served also to begin an intercourse, which will exhibit to us asad specimen of Spanish honour and gratitude. For twelve months before the war broke out, the traders among theYamassees observed that their chief warriors went frequently toAugustine, and returned loaded with presents; but were not apprehensiveof any ill consequence from such generosity. John Fraser, an honestScotch Highlander, who lived among the Yamassees, and traded with them, had often heard these warriors tell with what kindness they had beentreated at Augustine. One had received a hat, another a jacket, and athird a coat, all trimmed with silver lace. Some got hatchets, othersgreat knives, and almost all of them guns and ammunition, to prepare themfor striking some great and important blow. These warriors told Mr. Fraser, that they had dined with the governor at Augustine, and washedhis face, (a ceremony used by Indians as a token of friendship), and thatnow the Spanish governor was their king, and not the Governor ofCarolina. Still, however, the Carolineans remained secure, and, havingsuch confidence in the Indians, dreaded no ill consequences from this newintercourse and uncommon kindness. They knew the Yamassees antipathy tothe Spaniards, their fondness for presents, but could suspect nomischievous plot meditated against the settlement by friends and allies. They were not ignorant that the subjects of both England and Spain alwaysendeavoured for the sake of peace, to court the friendship of Indiannations, who were such powerful and dangerous enemies. Each competitorknew their passion for war, and how heavy their vengeance, wherever itpointed, generally fell, and therefore good policy dictated the necessityof turning the edge of their fierce and bloody temper against theirneighbours, in order to save themselves. It was a common thing for the traders who resided among these savages tosingle out a particular warrior of influence and authority among them, and to court his favour with trifling presents and constant civility. Among the Yamassees one named Sanute was Fraser's friend, who, with hisfellow-warriors, had also been at Florida, and shared of the Spaniardsinsidious liberality. During his absence Mr. Fraser had married a finewoman; and Sanute, who had a great regard for him, after his return homecame to his house, and brought along with him some sweet herbs, to showthe lady a mark of respect, agreeable to customs of Indian nations. Sosoon as he entered the habitation of his friend, he called for a bason ofwater, in which he bruised the herbs, and first washed Mrs. Fraser's faceand hands, and then, clapping his own hands upon his breast, told her, that, for the future, he would communicate to her all he knew in hisheart. She, in return, thanked him, and made him some present. Accordingly, about nine days before hostilities commenced, Sanute came toMrs. Fraser's house, and told her, that the English were all wickedheretics, and would go to hell, and that the Yamassees would also followthem, if they suffered them to live in their country; that now thegovernor Augustine was their king; that there would be a terrible warwith the English, and they only waited for the bloody stick to bereturned from the Creeks before they began it. He told them, that theYamassees, the Creeks, the Cherokees, and many other nations, togetherwith the Spaniards, were all to engage in it; and advised them to fly toCharlestown with all they had in the greatest haste, and if their ownpettiauger was not large enough to carry them, he would lend them hiscanoe. Fraser, not a little astonished at the news, asked him, how theSpaniards could go to war with the Carolineans, while at peace with GreatBritain? To which Sanute replied, the Spanish governor told him thatthere would soon be a war again with the English, and that while theyattacked the Carolineans by land, he would send to Spain for a fleet ofships to block up the harbour, so that not a man or woman of them shouldescape. Fraser asked him, how long it might be since they had formed thishorrid design? Sanute answered, Do not you remember about twelve monthsago that Ishiagaska, one of our chief warriors, with four more Indians, went to the Creeks. Fraser said, he remembered it well. Then it was, saidSanute, he carried with him a Spanish talk for destroying all the Englishinhabitants of the province; and, laying his hand upon his heart, declared he had told them all he knew, and repeated his advice to them tofly with all expedition: but, if they were determined to stay and run allhazards, he concluded by assuring them, that, to prevent torture, hewould claim the privilege of performing the last friendly office to them, which was to kill them with his own hands. Fraser still entertained somedoubts, but his wife being terrified, he resolved at all events to getout of the way, and accordingly, without delay, put his wife, his child, and most valuable effects, into his boat, and made his escape toCharlestown. [Sidenote] The Yamassee war. As the time drew nigh in which this dark plot was to be put in execution, Captain Nairn, agent for Indian affairs, and many traders, resided atPocotaligo, the largest town belonging to the Yamassees. Mr. Fraser, probably either discrediting what he had heard, or from the hurry andconfusion which the alarm occasioned, unfortunately had not taken time tocommunicate the intelligence he had received to his friends, who remainedin a state of false security in the midst of their enemies. The case ofthe scattered settlers on the frontiers was equally lamentable, who wereliving under no suspicions of danger. However, on the day before theYamassees began their bloody operations, Captain Nairn and some of thetraders observing an uncommon gloom on their savage countenances, andapparently great agitations of spirit, which to them prognosticatedapproaching mischief, went to their chief men, begging to know the causeof their uneasiness, and promising, if any injury had been done them, togive them satisfaction. The chiefs replied, they had no complaints tomake against any one, but intended to go a-hunting early the nextmorning. Captain Nairn accordingly went to sleep, and the traders retiredto their huts, and passed the night in seeming friendship andtranquillity. But next morning, about the break of day, being the 15thday of April, 1715, all were alarmed with the cries of war. The leaderswere all out under arms, calling upon their followers, and proclaimingaloud designs of vengeance. The young men, burning with fury and passion, flew to their arms, and, in a few hours, massacred above ninety personsin Pocotaligo town and the neighbouring plantations; and many more musthave fallen a sacrifice on Port-royal Island, had they not providentiallybeen warned of their danger. Mr. Burrows, a captain of the militia, afterreceiving two wounds, by swimming one mile and running ten, escaped toPort-royal and alarmed the town. A vessel happening fortunately to be inthe harbour, the inhabitants in great hurry repaired on board, and sailedfor Charlestown; only a few families of planters on that island, nothaving timely notice, fell into their barbarous hands, some of whom theymurdered, and others they made prisoners of war. While the Yamassees, with whom the Creeks and Apallachians had joined, were advancing against the southern frontiers, and spreading desolationand slaughter through the province; the colonists on the northern bordersalso found the Indians down among the settlements in formidable parties. The Carolineans had foolishly entertained hopes of the friendship of theCongarees, the Catawbas and Cherokees; but they soon found that they hadalso joined in the conspiracy, and declared for war. It was computed thatthe southern division of the enemy consisted of above six thousandbowmen, and the northern of between six hundred and a thousand. Indeedevery Indian tribe, from Florida to Cape Fear river, had joined in thisconfederacy for the destruction of the settlement. The planters scatteredhere and there had no time to gather together in a body, sufficientlystrong to withstand such numbers; but each consulting his own safety, andthat of his helpless family, in great hurry and consternation fled to thecapital. Every one who came in brought the Governor different accounts ofthe number and strength of the savages, insomuch that even theinhabitants of Charlestown were doubtful of their safety and entertainedthe most discouraging apprehensions of their inability to repel a forceso great and formidable. In the muster-roll there were no more than onethousand two hundred men fit to bear arms, but as the town had severalforts into which the inhabitants might retreat, the Governor, with thissmall force, resolved to march into the woods against the enemy. Heproclaimed the martial law, and laid an embargo on all ships, to preventeither men or provisions from leaving the country. He obtained an act ofassembly, impowering him to impress men, and seize arms, ammunition, andstores, wherever they were to be found, to arm such trusty negroes asmight be serviceable at a juncture so critical, and to prosecute the warwith the utmost vigour. Agents were sent to Virginia and England, tosolicit assistance; bills were stamped for the payment of the army, andother necessary expences; Robert Daniel was appointed deputy-governor intown, and Charles Craven, at the head of the militia, marched to thecountry against the largest body of savages. In the mean time, the Indians on the northern quarter had made an inroadas far as a plantation belonging to John Hearne, about fifty miles fromtown, and entered his house in a seemingly peaceable and friendly manner;but afterwards pretending to be displeased with the provisions giventhem, murdered him and every person in it. Thomas Barker, a captain ofmilitia, having intelligence of the approach of these Indians, collecteda party, consisting of ninety horsemen, and advanced against them: but bythe treachery of an Indian, whom he unluckily trusted, he was led into adangerous ambuscade in a thicket, where a large party of Indians layconcealed on the ground. Barker having advanced into the middle of thembefore he was aware of his danger, the Indians sprung from theirconcealments, and fired upon his men on every side. The Captain andseveral more fell at the first onset, and the remainder in confusion wereobliged to retreat. After this advantage, a party of four hundred Indianscame down as far as Goose Creek. Every family there had fled to town, except in one place, where seventy white men and forty negroes hadsurrounded themselves with a breast-work, and resolved to remain anddefend themselves in the best manner they could. When the Indiansattacked them they were discouraged, and rashly agreed to terms of peace;and, having admitted the enemy within their works, this poor garrisonwere barbarously butchered: after which the Indians advanced still nigherto town; but at length meeting with Captain Chicken and the whole GooseCreek militia, they were repulsed, and obliged to retreat into thewilderness. By this time the Yamassees, with their confederates, had spreaddestruction though the parish of St. Bartholomew, and advancing downwardsas far as Stono, they burned the church at that place, together withevery house on the plantations by the way. John Cochran, his wife, andfour children; Mr. Bray, his wife, and two children; and six more men andwomen, having found some friends among them, were spared for some days;but while attempting to make their escape from them, they were retakenand put to death. Such as had no friends among them were tortured in themost shocking manner, the Indians seeming to neglect their progresstowards conquest on purpose to assist in tormenting their enemies. Weforbear to mention the various tortures inflicted on such as fell intotheir merciless fangs: none can be pleased with the relation of suchhorrid cruelties, but the man who, with a smile of satisfaction, can bethe spectator of a Spanish _auto de fe_, or such savage hearts as aresteeled against every emotion of humanity and compassion. [Sidenote] The Yamassees defeated and expelled. By this time Governor Craven, being no stranger to the ferocious tempersof his enemies, and their horrid cruelty to prisoners, was advancingagainst them by slow and cautious steps, always keeping the strictestguard round his army. He knew well under what advantages they soughtamong their native thickets, and the various wiles and stratagems theymade use of in conducting their wars; and therefore was watchful aboveall things against sudden surprises, which might throw his followers intodisorder, and defeat the end of his enterprize. The fate of the wholeprovince depended on the success of his arms, and his men had no otheralternative left but to conquer or die a painful death. As he advancedthe straggling parties fled before him, until he reached Saltcatchers, where they had pitched their great camp. Here a sharp and bloody battleensued from behind trees and bushes, the Indians hooping, hollowing andgiving way one while, and then again and again returning with double furyto the charge. But the Governor, notwithstanding their superior numberand all their terrible shrieks, kept the provincials close at theirheels, and drove them before him like a flock of ravenous wolves. Heexpelled them from their settlement at Indian land, pursued them overSavanna river, and rid the province entirely of this formidable tribe ofsavages. What number of his army he lost, or of the enemy he killed, wehave not been able particularly to learn; but in this Indian war nearfour hundred innocent inhabitants of Carolina were murdered by these wildbarbarians. [Sidenote] They take refuge in Florida. The Yamassees, after their defeat and expulsion, went directly to theSpanish territories in Florida, where they were received with bellsringing and guns firing, as if they had come victoriously from the field;from which circumstance, together with the encouragement afterwards giventhem to settle in Florida, there is too good reason to believe, that thishorrid conspiracy was contrived by Spaniards, and carried on by theirencouragement and assistance. Two prisoners, whom they had saved andcarried to Augustine along with them, Mrs. Sisson and Mrs. Macartey, afterwards reported to the Carolineans the news of this kind receptionthe Indians met with from the Spaniards. On the other hand, though theprovince of Carolina suffered much at this rime, yet the Governor had thegood fortune to prevent its total destruction. From the lowest state ofdespondency, Charlestown, on the Governor's return to it, was raised tothe highest pitch of joy. He entered it with some degree of triumph, receiving from all such applauses as his wise conduct and unexpectedsuccess justly merited. Indeed his prosperous expedition had not onlydisconcerted the most formidable conspiracy ever formed against thecolony, but also placed the inhabitants in general, however much exposedindividuals might be to small scalping parties, in a state of greatersecurity and tranquillity than they had hitherto enjoyed. [Sidenote] Retain a vindictive spirit against the Carolineans. However, from that period in which the Yamassee Indians were compelled totake up their residence in Florida, they harboured in their breasts themost inveterate ill-will and rancour to all Carolineans, and watchedevery opportunity of pouring their vengeance on them. Being furnishedwith arms and ammunition from the Spaniards, they often broke out onsmall scalping parties, and infested the frontiers of the Britishsettlement. One party of them catched William Hooper, and killed him bydegrees, by cutting off one joint of his body after another, until heexpired. Another parry surprised Henry Quinton, Thomas Simmons, andThomas Parmenter, and, to gratify their revenge, tortured them to death. Dr. Rose afterwards fell also into their hands, whom they cut across hisnose with their tomahawk, and having scalped him left him on the spot fordead; but he happily recovered of his wounds. In short, the emissaries ofSt. Augustine, disappointed in their sanguinary design of destroying rootand branch in Carolina, had now no other resource left but to employ thevindictive spirit of the Yamassees against the defenceless frontiers ofthe province. In these excursions, it must be confessed, they were toosuccessful, for many poor settlers at different times fell a sacrifice totheir insatiable revenge. [Sidenote] The colonists turn their eyes for protection to the crown. During the time of this hard struggle with Indians, the legislature ofCarolina had made application to the Proprietors, representing to themthe weak state of the province, the deplorable dangers which hung overit, and begging their paternal help and protection; but being doubtfulwhether the Proprietor would be inclined to involve their English estatesin debt for supporting their property in Carolina, in so precarious asituation, they instructed their agent, in case he failed of success fromthem, to apply to the king for relief. The merchants entered cordiallyinto the measure for making application to the crown, and considered itas the most effectual expedient for retrieving their credit in England, lost by the dangers which threatened the country, and the pirates thatinfested the coast. They perceived at once the many advantages whichwould accrue to them from being taken under the immediate care andprotection of the crown. Ships of war would soon clear the coast ofpestilent sea-robbers, and give free scope to trade and navigation. Forces by land world overawe the war-like Indians, prevent such dreadfulattempts for the future, and they would reap the happy fruits of publicpeace and security. The inhabitants in general were much dissatisfiedwith living under a government unable to protect them, and what renderedtheir case still more lamentable, prevented the interposition of thecrown for their defence, and therefore were very unanimous in theproposed application to the crown. About the middle of the year 1715 the agent for Carolina waited on theProprietors, with a representation of the heavy calamities under whichtheir colony laboured from the ravages of barbarous enemies, and thedepredations of lawless pirates. He acquainted them, that the Yamassees, by the influence of Spanish emissaries, had claimed the whole lands ofthe country as their ancient possessions, and conspired with many othertribes to assert their right by force of arms, and therefore urged thenecessity of sending immediate relief to the colony. But not beingsatisfied with the answer he received, he petitioned the House of Commonsin behalf of the distressed Carolineans. The Commons addressed the King, praying for his kind interposition and immediate assistance to thecolony. The King referred the matter to the Lords Commissioners of tradeand plantations. The Lords of trade made an objection, that the provinceof Carolina was one of the proprietary governments, and were of opinion, that, if the nation should be at the expence of its protection, thegovernment ought to be vested in the Crown. Upon which Lord Carteretwrote them a letter to the following effect: "We the Proprietors ofCarolina having met on this melancholy occasion, to our great grief find, that we are utterly unable of ourselves to afford our colony suitableassistance in this conjuncture, and unless his majesty will graciouslyplease to interpose, we can foresee nothing but the utter destruction ofhis majesty's faithful subjects in those parts. " The Lords of trade askedLord Carteret what sum might be necessary for that service, and whetherthe government of the colony should not devolve on the Crown, if GreatBritain should agree to bear the expence of its defence. To which LordCarteret replied, "The Proprietors humbly submitted to his majesty'sgreat wisdom, what sum of money he should be pleased to grant for theirassistance; and in case the money advanced for this purpose should not bein a reasonable time repaid, they humbly conceived that then his majestywould have an equitable right to take the government under his immediatecare and protection. " [Sidenote] The project revived for purchasing the proprietary colonies. The same year a bill was brought into the House of Commons in England forthe better regulation of the charter and proprietary governments inAmerica, and of his majesty's plantations there; the chief design ofwhich was, to reduce all charter and proprietary governments into regalones. Men conversant in the history of past ages, particularly in that ofthe rise and progress of different states, had long foreseen the rapidincrease of American colonies, and wisely judged, that it would be forthe interest of the kingdom to purchase them for the Crown as soon aspossible. At different times administration, in the reigns of KingWilliam and Queen Anne, held treaties with the Proprietors for thispurpose: but some obstacles always came in the way, or some accidentsoccurred, which prevented a final agreement. At this time while Penn wasabout selling the government of Pennsylvania, for twelve thousand pounds, to the Crown, he was seized with an apoplexy, and died before the deedswere executed. Lord Baltimore, the Duke of Beaufort, and Lord Craven, allminors, petitioned to be heard by counsel against passing the bill. Theprovince of Massachuset's Bay petitioned against it, alledging that thecharter they had received from King William placed them on the samefooting with the different corporations in England, and that it would beequally hard and unjust to deprive them of their charter privileges, asto disfranchise the English corporations. The colony of Connecticut, whose charter was intended to be taken away by this bill, in like mannerpetitioned to be excepted out of it. These petitions, together with thereasons assigned in support of them, the committee of the House foundsome difficulty in answering, and therefore, instead of proceedingfarther in an affair of such national concern, the design was entirelydropt. It is remarkable, that the Proprietors of Carolina, at the time theyobtained their charter, as is expressly mentioned in it were excited toform that settlement by their zeal for the propagation of the Christianfaith among the Indians of America: yet, to their shame it must beconfessed, that they have either never used any endeavours for thislaudable purpose, or they have been utterly fruitless and ineffectual. Atthis time, indeed, the society incorporated for propagating the Gospelmaintained several missionaries in Carolina, as well as in the northernprovinces. The parishes of St. Helen's, St. Paul's, Christ-Church, St. Andrew's, St. James's, and St. John's were all supplied with ministersfrom this charitable corporation, who were instructed to use their bestendeavours for spreading the Gospel among the heathens in theirneighbourhood and received an annual allowance from the society for thatpurpose; yet we have not been able to learn that these heathens everreaped the smallest advantage from them. The Spaniards, though they haveoften made use of the more severe and rough means of conversion, anderected the standard of the cross in a field of blood, yet they have alsobeen exceedingly diligent and assiduous in teaching heathens theprinciples of the Catholic religion. In point of policy, this zeal wasmore praise-worthy than English negligence: for such barbarians wouldcertainly have been much easier tamed and civilized by mild instructionthan by force of arms. The Tumican and Apalachian Indians, beforeGovernor Moore's inroads among them, had made some advances towardscivilization, and paid, by means of instruction from Roman Catholicmissionaries, strict obedience to the Spanish government at Augustine. Had the Proprietors of Carolina erected schools, for the instruction ofyoung Indians in the language, manners and religion of the Englishnation, such an institution might have been attended with the mostbeneficial effects. For while the children of such savages were livingamong the colonists, they would have been like so many hostages to securethe goodwill and peaceable behaviour of their parents, and when theyreturned to the nation to which they belonged, their knowledge of theEnglish language and customs would, for the future, have rendered allcommercial treaties and transactions between them easy and practicable. Besides, they would have all the prejudices of education in favour of theEnglish manners and government, which would have helped both to fortifythem against the fatal influence of Spanish rivals, and to render themmore firm and steady to the British interest. [Sidenote] Differences occasioned by the war. Although the Yamassee war had terminated much to the honour of theCarolinians, yet the fatal effects of it were long and heavily felt bythe colony. Many of the planters had no negroes to assist them in raisingprovisions for their families, and these persons who had negroes, couldnot be spared to overlook them, so that the plantations were leftuncultivated, and the produce of the year was trifling andinconsiderable. The men being more solicitous about the safety of theirfamilies than the increase of their fortunes, purchased bills of exchangeat any price, to send with them to the northern provinces, in order toprocure for them there the necessaries of life. The provincial merchantsbeing much indebted to those in London, the latter were alarmed at thedangers which hung over the colony, and pressed them much forremittances. The Indians, who stood indebted to the merchants of Carolinafor ten thousand pounds, instead of paying their debts, had cancelledthem, by murdering the traders, and abandoning the province. Noremittances could be made, but in such commodities as the countryproduced, and all hands being engaged in war, rendered them both veryscarce and extremely dear. To answer the public exigences of theprovince, large emissions of paper currency were also requisite. Hencethe rate of exchange arose to an extravagant height. The province wasindebted no less than eighty thousand pounds, and at the same timeobliged to maintain garrisons on the frontiers for the public defence, which served to increase the debt. While struggling amidst thosehardships, the merchants of London complained to the Proprietors of theincrease of paper money, as injurious to trade; in consequence of whichthey strictly ordered their Governor to reduce it. All those thingsserved to aggravate the distress of the poor colonists, and caused themto murmur against their landlords for want of compassion, and to turn nota little disaffected to their government. [Sidenote] Aggravated by the Proprietors. The next step taken by the legislature of Carolina, served to widen thedifference. The Yamassees being expelled from Indian land, the assemblypassed two acts to appropriate those lands gained by conquest for the useand encouragement of such of his majesty's subjects as should come overand settle upon them. Extracts of these acts being sent to England andIreland, and published among the people, five hundred men from Irelandtransported themselves to Carolina, to take the benefit of them; whichinflux was a great acquisition at this juncture, and served to strengthenthese frontiers against future incursions from barbarians. But thebeneficial consequences of these acts were all frustrated by theProprietors, who repealed them, claiming such lands as their property, and insisting on the right of disposing of them as they thought fit. Notlong afterwards, to the utter ruin of the Irish emigrants, and in breachof the provincial faith to them, the Proprietors ordered the Indian landsto be surveyed for their own use, and run out in large baronies; by whichharsh usage the old settlers, having lost the protection of the newcomers, deserted their plantations, and again left the frontiers open tothe enemy; as for the unfortunate Irish emigrants, having spent thelittle money they had, many of them, reduced to misery, perished, and theremainder moved to the northern colonies. [Sidenote] Robert Daniel is made deputy-governor. About this time Governor Craven, having received advice from England ofSir Antony Craven's death, intimated to the Proprietors, that the affairsof his family required his presence, and obtained their leave to returnto Britain. No Governor had ever gained more general love and deservedrespect from the Carolineans, nor had any man ever left the provincewhose departure was more universally regretted. Having appointed RobertDaniel deputy-governor, he embarked for England about the end of April, 1716. While the man of war rode at anchor near the bar, Mr. GideonJohnston, with about thirty more gentlemen, went into a sloop to takeleave of their beloved Governor, and sailed with him over the bar. Ontheir return a storm arose, the sloop was overset, and Mr. Johnston, being lame of the gout and in the hold, was drowned. The other gentlemen, who were upon deck, saved themselves by swimming to the land. Afterwardsthe sloop drove, and what has been thought somewhat remarkable, Mr. Johnston's body was taken out of it while beating against the same bankof land upon which he had almost perished at his first arrival inCarolina. [Sidenote] Lord Carteret Palatine Before Governor Craven arrived in England, John Lord Carteret, a noblemanno less distinguished by his illustrious descent than personal merit, hadsucceeded to the dignity of Palatine. Nicholas Trott, who wasChief-Justice of Carolina, received a warrant from this nobleman, impowering him to sit also as judge of the provincial court ofvice-admiralty. William Rhett, who was Trott's brother-in-law, andReceiver-general, was likewise made Comptroller of his majesty's customsin Carolina and Bahama Islands. The many offices of trust and emolumentwhich these two men held, together with their natural abilities, gavethem great weight and influence in the province, especially at theelection of members to serve in assembly. When the provincial assemblymet, a bill was brought into the house for the better regulation of theIndian trade, nominating commissioners, and impowering them to apply theprofits arising from it to the public benefit and defence, and passedwith little opposition. As the colonists had been accustomed to chuse alltheir members of assembly at Charlestown, at which election great riotsand tumults had often happened; to remedy this disorder, another bill wasbrought into assembly for regulating elections; in which, among otherthings, it was enacted, "That every parish should send a certain numberof representatives, in all not exceeding thirty-six; that they should beballotted for at the different parish churches, or some other convenientplace, on a day to be mentioned in the writs, which were to be directedto the church-wardens, who were required to make returns of the memberselected. " This was a popular act, as the inhabitants found it not onlyallowed them greater freedom, but was more conformable to the practice inEngland, and more convenient for the settlers than their former custom ofelecting all members in town. [Sidenote] The disaffection of the people increases. By this time the struggle between the Proprietors and possessors of thesoil, which had long subsisted, and in which the officers intrusted withsupporting their Lordships power and prerogative always found themselvesdeeply interested, was become more serious. Those popular acts, butparticularly the latter, gave great offence to some members of thecouncil, who plainly perceived its tendency to ruin their influence atelections, and of course the power of the Proprietors. Among others, Trott and Rhett strenuously opposed the bills. Though they were not ableto prevent their passing in Carolina, yet they took care to send toEngland such representations of them as could not fail to render them theobjects of the Proprietors disapprobation. Indeed the act respectingelections had broke in upon a former law, which had been ratified inEngland, and never repealed by the same authority. The consequence was, both those bills in a little time were sent back repealed, by aninstrument under the Proprietors hands and seals. The colonists, far frombeing pleased with the former conduct of their landlords, now becameoutrageous, and spoke boldly of their tyranny, bad policy, and want ofcompassion for distressed freemen. Being still exposed to incursions fromthe sanguinary and vindictive Yamassees, furnished with arms andammunition from the Spaniards, they were obliged to maintain a company ofrangers, to protect the frontiers against them. Three small forts wereerected at Congarees, Savanna, and Apalachicola, for the public defence, and money must be raised for the payment of garrisons. Presents ofconsiderable value were also necessary, to preserve the friendship ofother Indian tribes. These public expences eat up all the fruits of thepoor planter's industry. The law appropriating the profits of the Indiantrade for the public protection had been repealed; the public credit wasat so low an ebb, that no man would trust his money in the provincialtreasury. None would risk their lives in defence of the colony withoutpay, and the province, oppressed with a load of debt, was utterly unableto furnish the necessary supplies. The people complained of theinsufficiency of that government which could not protect them, and at thesame time prevented the interposition of the Crown for this purpose. Governor Daniel himself joined them in their complaints, and everyoneseemed ardently to wish for those advantages which other coloniesenjoyed, under the immediate care and protection of a powerful sovereign. [Sidenote] Robert Johnson appointed governor. In this discontented and unhappy state Robert Johnson found theCarolineans, when he arrived with a commission from Lord Carteret, bearing date April 30, 1717, investing him with the government of theprovince: to which office a salary of four hundred pounds sterling wasnow annexed. He was son to Sir Nathaniel Johnson, who formerly held thesame office, and had left him an estate in Carolina. This new governorwas a man of wisdom, integrity, and moderation; but came out with suchinstructions as were ill adapted to the circumstances and situation ofthe colony. Soon after his arrival he perceived the disaffection of thepeople to the proprietary government, and the many difficulties withwhich he would have to struggle in the faithful discharge of his duty. His council consisted of Thomas Broughton, Alexander Skene, NicholasTrott, Charles Hart, James Kinloch, Francis Yonge, _&c. _ some of whomwere highly dissatisfied with the harsh treatment of the Proprietors. After calling an assembly, the Governor, as usual, signified to them hisesteem for the people, his love to the province, and his resolutions ofpursuing such measures as might be judged most conducive to its peace andprosperity. The assembly, in answer, expressed great satisfaction withappointing a man of so good a character to that high office; but, at thesame time, were not insensible of the oppression of their landlords, norof the many hardships they had to expect under their weak andcontemptible government. [Sidenote] Of the depredations of pirates. About this time some merchants and masters of ships, trading to Americaand the West Indies, having suffered much from the barbarity anddepredations of pirates, complained to the King in council of the heavylosses the trade of the nation had sustained from those public robbers, who had grown so numerous and insolent, that unless a speedy check shouldbe given to them, the navigation in those seas would be totally ruined. In consequence of which the King issued a proclamation, promising apardon to all pirates who should surrender themselves in the space oftwelve months, and at the same time ordered to sea a force forsuppressing them. As they had made the island of Providence their commonplace of residence, Captain Woodes Rogers sailed against this island, with a few ships of war, and took possession of it for the Crown. Exceptone Vane, who with about ninety more made their escape in a sloop, allthe pirates took the benefit of the King's proclamation, and surrendered. Captain Rogers having made himself master of the island, formed a councilin it, and appointed officers civil and military for the bettergovernment of its inhabitants. He built some forts for its security anddefence, and so ordered matters, that, for the future, the trade of theWest Indies was well protected against this lawless crew. [Sidenote] And their utter extirpation. Though the pirates on the island of Providence were crushed, those ofNorth Carolina still remained, and were equally insolent and troublesome. Vane, who escaped from Captain Rogers, had taken two ships bound fromCharlestown to London. A pirate sloop of ten guns, commanded by SteedBonnet, and another commanded by Richard Worley, had taken possession ofthe mouth of Cape Fear river, which place was now the principal refugeleft for those rogues. Their station there was so convenient for blockingup the harbour of Charlestown, that the trade of the colony was greatlyobstructed by them. No sooner had one crew left the coast than anotherappeared, so that scarcely one ship coming in or going out escaped them. Governor Johnson, resolving to check their insolence, fitted out a shipof force, gave the command of it to William Rhett and sent him out to seafor the protection of trade. Rhett had scarcely got over the bar whenSteed Bonnet spied him, but finding he was more than match for him, madeall the sail he could for his refuge in Cape Fear river. Thither Rhettfollowed him, took the sloop, and brought the commander and about thirtymen with him to Charlestown. Soon after this Governor Johnson himselfembarked, and sailed in pursuit of the other sloop of six guns, commandedby Richard Worley, which, after a desperate engagement off the bar ofCharlestown, was also taken. The pirates fought like furies, until theywere all killed or wounded, excepting Worley and another man, who eventhen refused to surrender, until they were likewise dangerously wounded. These two men, together with their sloop, the Governor brought intoCharlestown, where they were instantly tried, condemned, and executed, toprevent their dying of their wounds. Steed Bonnet and his crew were alsotried, and all, except one man, hanged, and buried on White Point, belowhigh-water mark. Governor Johnson, formerly a popular man, was now become much more so, byhis courage in exposing his person, and the success attending hisexpedition against the pirates. The coast being happily cleared, and freescope given to trade, afterwards no pirates durst venture to sea in thatquarter. This check, together with that they received among the islands, served to extirpate these pestilent robbers, who had declared war againstall mankind; and, by reducing themselves to the savage state of nature, had led such lives as rendered them the common enemy of every civilisednation. But these two expeditions from Carolina, though crowned withsuccess, cost the poor province upwards of ten thousand pounds, anadditional burden which, at this juncture, it was ill qualified tosupport. [Sidenote] Troubles from paper currency. At the same time, Governor Johnson had instructions to reduce the papercurrency circulating in the Province, of which the mercantile interestloudly complained, as injurious to trade. He recommended to the assemblyto consider of ways and means for sinking it, and told them they werebound in honour and justice to make it good. The Indian war hadoccasioned a scarcity of provisions; by the large emissions of papermoney it sunk in value, and the price of produce arose to an exorbitantheight. As the value of every commodity is what it will bring at market, so the value of paper money is according to the quantity of commoditiesit will purchase. Even gold and silver, though the universal medium ofcommerce, grow less precious in proportion as their quantity is increasedin any country. Both rice and naval stores, however high, by doubling thequantity of paper money, though the commodities remain the same asformerly, become still much higher. The merchants and money-lenders werelosers by those large emissions; and the planters indebted to them, onthe other hand, were gainers by them. Hence great debates arose in theassembly about paper-money, between the planting and mercantileinterests. At this time the Governor, however, had so much influence asto prevail with the assembly to pass a law for sinking and paying offtheir paper credit in three years, by a tax on lands and negroes. Thisact, on its arrival in England, gave great satisfaction both to theProprietors and people concerned in trade, and the Governor receivedtheir thanks for his attention to the commercial interests of thecountry. [Sidenote] Several laws repealed. This compliance of the assembly with the Governor's instructions fromEngland, and the good humour in which they at present appeared to be withgovernment, gave him some faint hopes of reconciling them by degrees tothe supreme jurisdiction of the Proprietors. But their good temper was ofshort duration, and the next advices from England blasted all his hopesof future agreement. The planters finding that the tax-act fell heavy onthem, began to grumble and complain of its injustice, and to contriveways and means for eluding it, by stamping more bills of credit. TheProprietors having information of this, and also of a design formed bythe assembly to set a price on country commodities, and make them at sucha price a good tender in law for the payment of all debts, they strictlyenjoined their Governor not to give his assent to any bill framed by theassembly, nor to render it of any force in the colony, before a copy ofthe same should be laid before them. About the same time the King, by hisorder in council, signified to the Proprietors, that they should repealan act passed in Carolina, of pernicious consequence to the trade of themother country, by which a duty of ten _per cent_. Was laid on all goodsof British manufacture imported into that province. Accordingly this act, together with that for regulating elections, and another for declaringthe right of assembly for the time being to nominate a public receiver, were all repealed, and sent to Governor Johnson in a letter, whichenjoined him instantly to dissolve the present assembly and call another, to be chosen in Charlestown, according to the ancient usage and customsof the province. The Proprietors considered themselves as the head of thelegislative body, who had not only power to put a negative on all lawsmade in the colony of which they disapproved, but also to repeal such asthey deemed of pernicious consequence. [Sidenote] Which occasions great disaffection. Governor Johnson, sensible of the ill-humour which prevailed among thepeople at the proprietary government, and the ill consequences that wouldattend the immediate execution of his orders, summoned his counciltogether, to take their advice about what was most proper to be done. When he communicated his orders and instructions from England, themajority of the council were astonished at them. Trott, indeed, who wasone of them, probably knew from what spring they derived their origin, and to whose advice and influence the repeal of those laws ought to beascribed. But as the assembly were at that time deliberating about themeans of paying the provincial debt contracted by the expedition againstthe pirates, and other contingent charges of government, it was agreed topostpone the dissolution of the house until the business then before themshould be finished. However, the repeal of the duty-law being occasionedby an order from the King in council, they resolved to acquaint theassembly immediately with the royal displeasure at that clause of the lawlaying a duty on all goods manufactured in Great Britain, and recommendit to them to make a new act, leaving out that clause which had givenoffence. Mean while, though great pains were taken to conceal theGovernor's instructions from the people, yet by some means they weredivulged, and kindled violent flames among them. The assembly enteredinto a warm debate about the Proprietors right of repealing laws passedwith the assent of their deputies. Many alledged, that the deputationgiven to them was like a power of attorney sent to persons at a distance, authorizing them to act in their stead; and insisted, that, according tothe charter, they were bound by their assent to acts, as much as if theProprietors themselves had been present, and ratified and confirmed them. [Sidenote] Further troubles from Indians. While the colony was thus harassed with fears and troubles from rigorouslandlords, to enhance their misery, their savage neighbours were also nowand then making incursions into their settlements, and spreading havockamong the scattered families. At this time a scalping party penetrated asfar as the Euhah lands, where having surprised John Levit and two of hisneighbours, they knocked out their brains with their tomahawks. They thenseized Mrs. Borrows and one of her children, and carried them off withthem. The child by the way, finding himself in barbarous hands, began tocry, upon which they put him to death. The distressed mother, beingunable to refrain from tears while her child was murdered before hereyes, was given to understand, that she must not weep, if she desired notto share the same fate. Upon her arrival at Augustine she would have beenimmediately sent to prison, but one of the Yamassee kings declared heknew her from her infancy to be a good woman, interceded for her liberty, and begged she might be sent home to her husband. This favour, however, the Spanish governor refused to grant, and the garrison seemed to triumphwith the Indians in the number of their scalps. When Mr. Borrows went toAugustine to procure the release of his wife, he also was shut up inprison along with her, where he soon after died: but she survived all thehardships of hunger, sickness, and confinement, to give a relation of herbarbarous treatment. After her return to Carolina, she reported toGovernor Johnson, that the Huspah king, who had taken her prisoner andcarried her off, informed her, he had orders from the Spanish governor tospare no white man, but to bring every negroe alive to Augustine; andthat rewards were given to Indians for their prisoners, to encourage themto engage in such rapacious and murderous enterprizes. [Sidenote] Complaints against Chief Justice Trott. By this time Chief Justice Trott being suspected of holding a privatecorrespondence with the Proprietors, to the prejudice of the Carolineans, had incurred their hatred and resentment. Richard Allein, Whitaker, andother practitioners of the law, over whom he tyrannized, charged him withmany base and iniquitous practices. No less than thirty-one articles ofcomplaint against him were presented to the assembly, setting forth, among other things, "That he had been guilty of many partial judgments;that he had contrived many ways to multiply and increase his fees, to thegreat grievance of the subject, and contrary to acts of assembly; that hehad contrived a fee for continuing causes from one term to another, andput off the hearing of them for years; that he took upon him to giveadvice in causes depending in his courts, and did not only act ascounsellor in that particular, but also had drawn deeds between party andparty, some of which had been contested before him as Chief Justice, andin determining of which he had shewn great partialities; with many moreparticulars; and, lastly, complaining, that the whole judicial power ofthe province was lodged in his hands alone, of which it was evident he hadmade a very ill use, he being at the same time sole judge of the courtsof Common Pleas, King's Bench, and Vice-Admiralty; so that no prohibitioncould be lodged against the proceedings of the court, he being obliged, in such a case, to grant a prohibition against himself; he was also, atthe same time, a member of the council, and of consequence a judge of theCourt of Chancery. " Those articles of complaint, though they took their rise from the bar, and might have proceeded in some measure from envy, ill-will, orresentment, were nevertheless too well grounded, and the facts containedin the charge were supported by strong evidence before the assembly. Butas the Judge held his commission from the Proprietors, he denied that hewas accountable to the assembly for any part of his conduct in hisjudicial capacity; and declared that he would be answerable no where butin England. The assembly, however, sensible that he held his commissiononly during good behavior, sent a message to the Governor and Council, requesting they would join them in representing his partial and unjustconduct in his office to the Proprietors, praying them either to removehim from his seat in the courts of justice, or at the least to grant himonly one jurisdiction, and the people liberty of appeal from hisjudgements. The Governor and major part of the council, convinced of themale-administration of the Judge, agreed to join the Commons in theirrepresentation. But being sensible of the great interest the ChiefJustice had with their Lordships, they judged it most prudent to send oneof their counsellors to England with their memorial, that it might findgreater credit and weight, and the more certainly procure redress; andFrancis Yonge, a man of considerable abilities, who had been present atall their debates, was pitched upon as one well qualified for givingtheir Lordships a faithful account of the whole matter. AccordinglyYonge, being furnished with all the instructions, powers, andcredentials, necessary to a commissioner for the aggrieved party of thecolonists, set sail for England, and arrived in London early in the year1719. [Sidenote] Laid before the Proprietors. Soon after his arrival, he waited on Lord Carteret, the Palatine; but ashis Lordship was preparing to set out on an embassy to the court ofSweden, he referred him to the other Proprietors for an answer to hisrepresentation. When the Proprietors met, Yonge presented to them amemorial, setting forth, "That he had been appointed by the Governor andCouncil of South Carolina, to lay before them, not only several acts ofassembly passed there during their last sessions for their approbation, but also to inform them of the reasons that induced the Governor andCouncil to defer the dissolution of the assembly, in consequence of theirLordships commands; that he was instructed to shew their Lordships thearguments between the upper and lower houses of assembly, touching theirLordships right off repealing laws ratified and confirmed by theirdeputies; and presented to them a speech made by Chief Justice Trott at ageneral conference of both houses, together with the answer of thecommons to it, and the several messages that passed between them, whichhe hoped would shew their Lordships, that no arguments or endeavours werewanting on their part, to assert the right the Proprietors had ofrepealing laws not ratified by them. " "At the same time, he was desired to request their Lordships to augmenttheir Secretary's salary, to allow the members of the council so muchmoney for the time and expence of attending the council on their service;to establish custom-house officers at Beaufort; to grant six thousandacres of land to the three garrisons at Congarees, Savanna Town, andApalachicola; and liberty of appealing from erroneous judgements in law, which at that time the people had not, the whole judicial power in allthe provincial courts being lodged in the hands of one man. " Then hedelivered to them a letter from Governor Johnson, the articles ofcomplaint against Chief Justice Trott, and the joint address of theGovernor, Council, and Assembly, praying to have him removed entirelyfrom the bench, or confined to a single jurisdiction. [Sidenote] Their answer. This memorial, however, was far from satisfying the Proprietors, some ofwhom inferred from it, that the people seemed to be industrious insearching for causes of dissatisfaction, and grounds of quarrel withthem, with a view to shake off the proprietary authority, and renouncetheir allegiance. Their letters from Trott served to confirm the truth, which intimated that Yonge, though an officer of the Proprietors, by meansubtilty and chicane had assisted the people in forming plausiblepretences for that purpose. For three months Yonge attended thePalatine's court, to give the board all possible information about thestate of affairs in their colony, and to accomplish the ends of hisappointment. After all, he was given to understand, that the business onwhich he was sent was extremely disagreeable to them; that both thetrouble he had taken, and the office he had accepted as agent for thepeople, were inconsistent with his duty as one of their deputies, boundto act agreeable to their instructions. They declared their displeasurewith the members of the council who had joined the lower house in theircomplaints against Trott and removed them from the board, appointingothers in their place, and increasing the number of members; and toldYonge, that he also would have been deprived of his seat but for the highrespect they had for Lord Cartaret the absent Palatine, whose deputy hewas. With respect to Chief Justice Trott, they had too much confidence inhis fidelity and capacity to remove him from his office. On the contrary, they sent him a letter, thanking him for his excellent speech in defenceof their right of repealing all laws made in the colony; together with acopy of the articles of complaint brought against him, on purpose to givehim an opportunity of vindicating himself; at the same time acquaintinghim, that it was their opinion and order, that he withdraw from thecouncil-board whenever appeals from his judgments in the inferior courtsshall be brought before the Governor and council as a court of chancery. [Sidenote] And letter to the governor. How far Governor Johnson, in their opinion, had deviated from his duty, in joining the other branches of the legislature in their representation, may be learned from the Proprietors letter, brought over to him by Yonge, which runs in the following words: "Sir, we have received and perusedyour letters and all your papers, delivered us by your agent Mr. Yonge;and though we are favourably inclined in all our thoughts relating to ourGovernor, yet we must tell you, we think you have not obeyed the ordersand directions given you to dissolve that assembly and call anotherforthwith, according to the ancient usage and custom of the province, andto publish our repeals of the acts of assembly immediately upon thereceipt of our orders aforesaid; but we shall say no more on that subjectnow, not doubting but our Governor will pay more punctual obedience toour orders for the future. "The Lords Proprietors right of confirming and repealing laws was soparticular a privilege granted them by the charter, that we can neverrecede from it; and we do allure you, we are not a little surprised thatyou have suffered that prerogative of ours to be disputed. "We have sent you herewith an instruction under our hands and seals, nominating such persons as we think fit to be of the council with you, six of whom and yourself, and no less number, to be a quorum. Upon yourreceipt of this we hereby require you to summon the said council, thatthey may qualify themselves according to law, and immediately sit uponthe despatch of business. We also send you the repeal of the acts ofassembly, which we order you to publish immediately upon the receipt ofthis. We do assure Mr. Johnson, that we will stand by him in all thingsthat relate to the just execution of his office, and we are confidentthat he will perform his duty to us, and support our power andprerogatives to the best of his abilities. If the assembly chosenaccording to your pretended late act is not dissolved, as we formerlyordered, and a new assembly elected, pursuant to the act formerlyconfirmed by the Proprietors, you are forthwith commanded to dissolvethat assembly, and to call another, according to the above-mentioned act;and so we bid you heartily farewel. " [Sidenote] Who obeys their commands. Such was the result of Yonge's negociation in England. Governor Johnson, who was well acquainted with the prevailing temper and discontentedspirit of the people, plainly perceived, upon receiving these new ordersand instructions, what difficulties would attend the execution of them. The flame was already kindled, and nothing could be imagined more likelyto add fewel to it than such rigour and oppression. It is true, theGovernor had received authority, but he wanted power to act agreeable totheir instructions. Determined, however, to comply with their commands, he summoned his council of twelve men whom the Proprietors had nominated, who were, William Bull, Ralph Izard, Nicholas Trott, Charles Hart, SamuelWragg, Benjamin de la Consiliere, Peter St. Julien, William Gibbons, HughButler, Francis Yonge, Jacob Satur and Jonathan Skrine, some of whomrefused, and others qualified themselves, to serve. Alexander Skene, Thomas Broughton, and James Kinloch, members of the former council, beingnow left out of the new appointment, were disgusted, and joined thepeople. The present assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued forelecting another in Charlestown, according to the custom and usage of theprovince. The duty-act, from which the clergy were paid, the garrisonsmaintained, and the public debts in general were defrayed, was repealed;the law respecting the freedom of election was also repealed, by whichthe colonists were obliged to have recourse to the old, inconvenient andtumultuous manner of elections in Charlestown: the act declaring theright of the commons to nominate a public receiver was also annulled, anddeclared to be contrary to the usage and custom of Great Britain. Alllaws respecting the trade and shipping of Great Britain, which any futureassembly might pass, the Governor had instructions to refuse his assentto, till approved by the Proprietors. The provincial debts incurred bythe Indian war, and the expedition against pirates, not only remainedunpaid, but no more bills of credit were allowed to be stamped, foranswering those public demands. This council of twelve, instead of sevenmen, which was appointed, the colonists considered as an innovation inthe proprietary government exceeding the power granted their Lordships bytheir charter, and therefore subjecting them to a jurisdiction foreign tothe constitution of the province. The complaints of the whole legislatureagainst Chief Justice Trott were not only disregarded, but that man, whomthey considered as an enemy to the country, was privately caressed andpublicly applauded. All these things the colonists considered asaggravated grievances, and what rendered them the more intolerable wasthe circumstance of being deprived of all hopes of redress. It may be thought somewhat unaccountable and astonishing, that theProprietors should have persisted in measures so disagreeable andoppressive of themselves, and so manifestly subversive of their authorityand power. Many were the hardships from the climate, and the danger fromsavages, with which the poor colonists had to struggle; yet theirlandlords, instead of rendering their circumstances as easy andcomfortable as possible, seemed rather bent on crossing their humours anddoubling their distress. The people could now no longer regard them asindulgent fathers, concerned for the welfare of their colony, but astyrannical legislators, that imposed more on them than they were able tobear. Was it not the duty of the Proprietors to listen to their justcomplaints, and redress their heavy grievances? Was it not their interestto consult the internal security, and by every means promote the speedyimprovement and population of their colony? What could more effectuallyanswer these ends, than to cultivate the esteem and preserve theaffections of the people? Nothing else could render their governmentstable and respectable. But, after all, perhaps the troubles and miseriesthe colonists suffered ought to be ascribed to their Lordships shamefulinattention to provincial affairs, rather than to their tyrannicaldisposition. Lord Carteret, the Palatine, held high offices of trustunder the Crown, which occupied his chief study and attention. Some ofthe Proprietors were minors, others possessed estates in England, theimprovement of which engrossed their whole care and delight. Havingreaped little or nothing from their American possessions, and findingthem every year becoming more troublesome and expensive, it is probablethey trusted the affairs of their colony to a clerk, or secretary, whowas no ways interested in their prosperity and success. With thissecretary Chief Justice Trott had established a correspondence, of whosewisdom and abilities the Proprietors entertained the highest opinion, andin whose integrity and fidelity they placed unlimited confidence. He heldof them many offices of trust and emolument, which, together with hishaughty and overbearing conduct, rendered him the object of popular envyand clamour. The colonists needed indulgence from their circumstances andsituation; Trott, being made totally dependent on the Proprietors willfor the tenure of his office and the amount and payment of his salary, strongly supported their power and prerogative. Hence those variousstruggles between the Proprietors and people, which were daily growingmore serious and violent, and threatened totally to subvert theproprietary government. [Sidenote] An invasion threatened from Spain. About this time a rupture having taken place between the courts of GreatBritain and Spain, a project for attacking South Carolina and the islandof Providence was formed at the Havanna, and preparations were makingthere for the expedition. Governor Johnson, having received advice fromEngland of this design, resolved immediately to put the province in aposture of defence. For this purpose he summoned a meeting of council, and such members of assembly as were in town, to inform them of theintelligence he had received, and to desire their advice and assistancein case of any sudden emergency. He told them of the shattered conditionof the fortifications, and urged the necessity of speedy reparations; andfor this end proposed a voluntary subscription, beginning with a generousoffer himself, as an example to others. He declared that one day's delaymight prove fatal to the province, as they were uncertain how soon theenemy might be at their door; and recommended unanimity and despatch. Theassembly replied, that a subscription was needless, as the income of theduties would be sufficient to answer the purpose intended. The Governorobjected, that the duty-law had been repealed, and none other yet framedin its place. To which the assembly answered, they had resolved to pay noregard to those repeals, and that the public receiver had orders fromthem to sue every man that should refuse to pay as that law directed. Chief Justice Trott told them, if any action or suit should be broughtinto his courts on that law, he would give judgment for the defendant. Inshort, the contest between the two houses at this meeting became warm, insomuch that the conference broke up before any thing was concluded withregard to the public safety. The assembly were obstinate, and seemeddetermined to hazard the lots of the province to the Spaniards, ratherthan yield to the council, and acknowledge the Proprietors right ofrepealing their laws. [Sidenote] An association formed against the Proprietors. Governor Johnson, however, at such a juncture, judging it prudent to bealways in the best posture of defence; for uniting the strength of theprovince called a meeting of the field-officers of the militia, orderedthem to review their regiments, and fixed a place of general rendezvous. Indeed such was the uneasy and distracted state of the colony, that theSpaniards could scarcely have attacked it at a time more seasonable forobtaining an easy conquest. At this meeting the field-officers of themilitia received their orders with their usual submission, and calledtogether the different regiments, on pretence of training the men toexpert use of arms. But before this time the members chosen to serve inassembly, though they had not met in their usual and regular way atCharlestown, had nevertheless held several private meetings in thecountry, to concert measures for revolting from their allegiance. Theyhad drawn up a form of an association for uniting the whole province inopposition to the proprietary government, which was proposed to thepeople at this public meeting of the militia, as an opportunity the mostfavourable for procuring a general subscription. The people, oppressedand discontented, with eagerness embraced the proposal, and, almost to aman, subscribed the association, promising to stand by each other indefence of their rights and privileges, against the tyranny of theProprietors and their officers. This confederacy was formed with suchsecresy and dispatch, that, before it reached the Governor's ears, almostthe whole inhabitants were concerned in it. The assembly, after havingthus brought the people in general to back them, had then nothing to dobut to go on, in taking such bold and vigorous steps as seemed bestcalculated for accomplishing their end. CHAP. VI. The members of assembly, as I already observed, having formed theirresolution to revolt, and gone so far as to bring the people to stand byand support them, in spite of every obstacle determined to proceed, untilthey should bring themselves under the protection of the King. As theyhad the whole civil power to encounter, and many difficulties to surmountit may not be improper the more particularly to mark the various stepsthey took to accomplish this end. United in their view by the greatnessof the danger, we shall see they regularly made their attacks.. Theyformed their outworks first at a distance, and then brought themgradually nearer; and, in short, raised none but such as afterwardsserved to support others in the difficult progress of their futureoperations. [Sidenote] The people's encouragement to revolt. At the election of assembly in Charlestown, Trott and Rhett, who formerlyhad such influence and sway, were now become so obnoxious that they couldnot bring one man into the house. Alexander Skene, formerly excluded fromthe council, was elected a member of this new assembly, which was chosenon purpose to oppose the civil officers, considering themselves as illused by the Proprietors, turned a zealous and active person for pullingdown the tottering fabric of their government. This man, together withseveral other members of assembly, held frequent meetings, to consider ofall their grievances, and the encouragements they had received from timeto time from Britain, respecting the great end they now had in view. Theyrecalled to mind what had passed in the House of Peers during the reignof Queen Anne, how her majesty had then ordered her Attorney andSolicitor-general to consider of the most effectual methods of proceedingagainst the charter. They knew also, that a bill had been brought intothe House of Commons, for reducing all charter and proprietarygovernments into regal ones. They had been informed that Lord Carteret, conscious of the inability of the Proprietors to defend their province inthe Yamassee war, had publicly applied for assistance from the Britishgovernment, and that the Lords of trade were of opinion, that thegovernment of the province should belong to that power which bore theexpence of its protection. They had considered all these things, andflattered themselves with the hopes, that the King would take the colonyunder his care as soon as they renounced allegiance to the Proprietors. And as the time drew nigh in which they expected an attack from apowerful nation, they concluded that the province needed assistance ofthe Crown at the present, more than at any time past. They had convincedthe people of the manifold advantages of the British constitution, andthe great happiness of those colonies which were under the immediate careand protection of the Crown, insomuch that they now desired nothing moreupon earth, than to enjoy the same invaluable privileges. [Sidenote] Their letter to the Governor signifying their design. To these secret meetings and transactions Governor Johnson, who lived athis plantation several miles from Charlestown, was an entire stranger, until he received the following letter, bearing date November 28, 1719, and signed by Alexander Skene, George Logan, and William Blakeway. "Sir, we doubt not but you have heard of the whole province entering into anassociation to stand by their rights and privileges, and to get rid ofthe oppression and arbitrary dealings of the Lords Proprietors. As wealways bore you the greatest deference and respect imaginable, we takethis opportunity to let you know, that the committee of the people'srepresentatives were last night appointed to wait on you this morning, toacquaint you, that they have come to a resolution to have no regard tothe Proprietors officers, nor their administration: and withal to beg, that your honour will hold the reigns of government for the King, tillhis Majesty's pleasure be known. The great value the whole countryexpress for your honour's person, makes them desirous to have nobody butyourself to govern them; and as you must be convinced, that no person canbe more passionately fond of your government than ourselves, we hope youwill not take amiss any advice given by faithful and affectionatefriends; and therefore we take the liberty to tell you freely, we are ofopinion that your honour may take the government upon you, upon theoffice of the people, for the King, and represent to the Proprietors, that rather than the whole country should be in confusion, and want agoverning power, you held it for their Lordships, though you were obligedto comply with the colonists, who were unanimously of opinion they wouldhave no Proprietors government. We could wish for a longer and betteropportunity to explain this matter to you; but it is impossible, for thegentlemen will be with you in two hours at farthest. We heartily wishyour honour the utmost success, let it go which way it will; but begleave to observe, that your compliance will not only be the greatestsatisfaction to the province in general, but also to your humbleservants. " [Sidenote] Which the Governor endeavours to defeat. This letter, though fraught with the highest professions of respect tothe Governor, he nevertheless considered as an insult; but especially theadvice, which he deemed both highly derogatory to his integrity as a man, and his fidelity as a governor. The bait thrown out to appearance wasspecious and flattering, yet the Governor had too much penetration, notto see under its false colours the naked hook. The letter, however, served to give him notice of the association, and the resolution of thepeople, which it was his duty by all means possible to defeat. For thispurpose he hastened to town, and summoned his council, to take theiradvice in a case so unexpected and alarming. Meeting accidentally withAlexander Skene, he informed him that the committee who were appointed towait on him had changed their minds, and were gone to their respectiveplaces of abode. Governor Johnson, nevertheless, informed his council ofthe association, and required their advice and assistance about the mosteffectual methods of breaking it up, and supporting the proprietarygovernment. He perceived that, although he was called Governor, yet Trottruled the province, and therefore resolved to do nothing without hisadvice, that he might be equally responsible with the rest for the illconsequences which he was apprehensive would attend their futureproceedings. The council were not a little perplexed what step to take;but as the committee had altered their intention of waiting on theGovernor, they were of opinion that no notice should be taken of theirproceedings, until the assembly should meet in a legal manner, revive thematter, and bring it regularly before them; hoping that the people, uponmore cool reflection, might drop their dangerous resolution. [Sidenote] Proceedings of the convention. In the mean time the members of assembly were using their utmostdiligence among the people of the province to keep them firm to theirpurpose, having got almost every person, except the officers of theProprietors and a few of their friends, to sign the association. Allagreed to support whatever their representatives should do fordisengaging the colony from the yoke of the Proprietors, and putting itunder the government of the King. Having thus fortified themselves by theunion of the inhabitants, the assembly met on purpose to take bolder andmore decisive steps: and being apprehensive that the Governor woulddissolve them, so soon as their proceedings reached his ears, theyinstantly came to the following resolutions: "First, That the severallaws pretended to be repealed are still in force within the province, andcould nor be repealed and made void and null but by the General Assemblyof this province, and that all public officers and others do pay dueregard to the same accordingly. Secondly, That the writs, whereby therepresentatives here met were elected, are illegal, because they aresigned by such a council as we conceive the Proprietors have not a powerto appoint; for that this council does consist of a greater number ofmembers than that of the Proprietors themselves, which we believe iscontrary to the design and original intent of their charter, andapproaching too near the method taken by his majesty and his predecessorsin his plantations, whom they ought not to pretend to imitate or follow, his majesty not being confined to any number of counsellors, but as hethinks fit; but the Proprietors, as subjects, we believe, are bound bytheir charter. Thirdly, That we the representatives cannot act as anassembly, but as a convention delegated by the people, to prevent theutter ruin of this government, if not the loss of the province, till hismajesty's pleasure be known: and, lastly, That the Lords Proprietors haveby such proceedings unhinged the frame of their government, and forfeitedtheir right to the same; and that an address be prepared, to desire thehonourable Robert Johnson, our present Governor, to take the governmentupon him in the King's name, and to continue the administration thereofuntil his Majesty's pleasure be known. " Agreeable to the last resolution, an address was drawn up, signed byArthur Middleton as president and twenty-two members of the convention. The Governor having sent them a message, acquainting them that he wasready with his council to receive and order them to chuse a speaker; theycame to the upper house in a body, and Arthur Middleton addressed theGovernor in the following words: "I am ordered by the representatives ofthe people here present to tell you, that, according to your honour'sorder, we are come to wait on you: I am further ordered to acquaint you, that we own your honour as our Governor, you being approved by the King;and as there was once in this province a legal council, representing theProprietors as their deputies, which being now altered, we do not look onthe gentlemen present to be a legal council; so I am ordered to tell you, that the representatives of the people do disown them as such, and willnot act with them on any account. " [Sidenote] The perplexity of the Governor and council. The Governor and Council, struck with silence and astonishment at theaudacious spirit of the convention, and suspecting that they were backedand supported by the voice of the people, were greatly puzzled whatmeasures they should take to recal them to the obedience of legalauthority. Some were for opposing violence to violence, and thought thebest way of bringing them back to their allegiance would be to terrifythem with threats and confiscations. Others were of opinion, that thedefection was too general to admit of such a remedy, and that mildexpostulations were more proper both for softening their minds, andconvincing them of their error; and should such gentle means fail, theGovernor might then dissolve them, and for the present time put an end tothe dispute. But, on the other hand, dangers hung over the country, andthe only fund for repairing the fortifications being lost by the repealof the general duty-law, money must be provided for the publicprotection. If the Governor should dissolve the house, how could theprovince be put in a posture of defence against a Spanish invasion, withwhich it was threatened. If he should suffer them to sit while they hadresolved that the Proprietors had forfeited their right to thegovernment, and refused on any account to act with his council, he mightbe chargeable with a breach of his trust. The result of theirdeliberations was, a message from the Governor and council, desiring aconference with the house of assembly. To which they returned for answer, that they would not receive any message or paper from the Governor inconjunction with these gentlemen he was pleased to call his council. Finding them thus inflexible and resolute, the Governor was obliged togive way to the current, and therefore, in two days afterwards, sent forthem in his own name, and spoke to them to the following effect: [Sidenote] The Governor's speech for recalling the people. "When I sent for you the other day, I intended to have desired you tohave chosen your speaker, to be presented to me as usual, and then I didpropose to have spoke to you in the following manner: "Your being met together at a time when there was never more occasion fora ready dispatch of public business, and a good harmony betwixt the upperand lower house; I must recommend that to you; and nothing will bewanting on my part to promote a good understanding betwixt the LordsProprietors and the people, at present (to my great affliction) I feartoo much interrupted: I must, therefore, in the first place, recommend toyou, that you will without delay, or other matter intervening, fall uponproper methods for raising money for finishing the repairs of thefortifications, and providing stores of war, which are much wanted. Theintelligence which I have of the designs of our enemies, which makes thiswork so necessary, shall be laid before you. "I am sorry the Lords Proprietors have been induced (by a necessity, todefend and support their just prerogatives) at this juncture to disannulsome of your laws; if they had not thought the letting those acts subsistmight have rendered their right of repeal precarious, they would havesuffered them still to continue. I hope from you, therefore, arespectable behaviour towards them, that we may not feel any more theirdispleasure in so sensible a manner, as the loss (in this time of need)of our duty-law, and which has also occasioned an injunction to me andthe council, from acting with an assembly who shall dispute theirLordships undoubted right of repealing laws, and appointing officerscivil and military. "I find some are jealous and uneasy on account of rumours spread, thatyou design to alter the tax-act, for sinking your paper currency. Publiccredit ought to be sacred, and it is a standing maxim, That no state cansubsist longer than their credit is maintained: I hope therefore you haveno such intentions, which would put me under a necessity of doing what Ihave never yet done; I mean, disagreeing with you. I expect therefore youwill make good what the public is answerable for, and proceed to suchfarther methods for paying our debts, as shall be both honourable andproper, and best adapted to our circumstances. "The alarm from the southward, about five months since, obliged me to bein a posture of defence, and occasioned some charges, the accounts ofwhich shall be laid before you; and I desire you will provide for thedischarge of them: I think also the militia-acts want some amendments;and that you should contrive to keep a good watch in Charlestown. "This is what I intended to have recommended to you: but Mr. Middleton'stelling me, in the name of the rest, that you would not act _with_, andyour surprising message since, that you will not receive any thing _from_me, in conjunction with my council, has made it necessary for me to takethis occasion of talking with that plainness and freedom so extraordinarya proceeding of yours requires. And, first, I must take notice of yourmessage, wherein you say, you own me as Governor, because I am approvedof by the King; but that you disown the council to be a legal one, norwill act with them on any account whatsoever; and this is subscribed byall your members: but, upon examining, I find it to be pretty dark andevasive, and seems as if you would avoid expressing in plain terms, whatI have too much cause to fear is your design, I mean, to renounce allobedience to the Lords Proprietors: and this I cannot but think youpropose from all your words and actions. You say, you acknowledge me, because I am approved of by the King; but you take no notice of mycommission from the Proprietors, which is what makes me Governor. Theconfirmation of the King, only signifies his majesty's approbation of theperson the Lords Proprietors have constituted; but it is my commissionand instruction from them, that not only grants, but limits my power, andcontains the rules by which I must act, and are to warrant and vouch myactions; therefore, to avoid declaring in express terms your renouncingthe Lords power, and at the same time doing it in effect, is to createperpetual doubts and disputes, and is not acting with that sincerity andplainness which ought to be used in all public debates, and especially inmatters of so great concern as this is, and upon which so greatconsequences depend. "I do require and demand of you, therefore, and expect you will answer mein plain and positive terms, whether you own the authority of the LordsProprietors as Lords of this province, and having authority to administeror authorise others to administer the government thereof; saving theallegiance of them and the people to his most sacred majesty King George?Or, whether you absolutely renounce all obedience to them, and thosecommissioned and authorised by them? Or, whether you admit their generalpower, and only dispute that particular branch of their authority, inconstituting a council after the manner they have now done? If you denytheir general power and authority in this province, and say, that theirLordships have forfeited their charter, as Mr. Berrisford asserted, andyou all acquiesced in; then I demand of you, that you signify wherein theLords have forfeited their charter, and what particular branch thereofthey have broken: and I demand of you, that supposing (not granting) theyhave made a forfeiture of their charter, by what power do you presume torenounce their authority, and to model a government out of your ownheads, before such time as that, by a court having lawful jurisdiction ofthe same, it shall be adjudged that the Lords have made a forfeiture oftheir charter, and that the powers granted them are null and void? If theKing is of opinion, that any corporation or society have made aforfeiture of the rights and powers granted by their charter, althoughhis majesty may have the advice of his Attorney and Solicitor-general, and his Judges and Council learned in the law, that such a forfeiture hasbeen made, (and this he may more reasonably depend on than any advice orassurance you can have); yet, notwithstanding this, and his supremeauthority as King, he never dispossessed the persons of the powersgranted them, before a _quo warranto_ or some other process had beenbrought, and judgment obtained against the same. And if the King doth notassume such a power, by what authority do you assume it? "I desire you further to consider the consequence that attends thatassertion, Of the charter being forfeited, before judgment is given uponthe same. For if it be so, then the forfeiture must be from the time thatthe fact was committed that caused the forfeiture; and then you mustremember, that, by the charter, the Lords have granted to them, not onlythe power of ordering the government, but also the lands are granted tothem by the said charter; so that if there is a forfeiture of the rightsand prerogatives of the government, there is also a forfeiture of theirrights to the lands; and so all grants made by their authority of anylands, since the fact committed that caused the forfeiture, according toyour own doctrine and assertion, must be null and void; and therefore, how many persons titles to their lands will become void, I leave you toconsider. And though, it may be, you will assign some new late fact, thatyou say will cause such a forfeiture, by which you may think to avoid theill consequence that attends the titles to the lands; yet know, that thefacts that you assign may not be the only ones that may be thought tohave made the forfeiture of their charter. And if your present assertionis true, that they may be dispossessed before a judgment; it may be, other persons may assign other causes of the forfeiture, besides thosewhich you assign, which may have been committed many years ago: for youcannot but know there have been persons in the province, that, forseveral years past, have publicly asserted, that the Lords have donefacts, for which their charter was become forfeited. Which if so, I leaveyou to consider what a gate you will leave open to call in question, nay, utterly destroy, several hundreds of peoples titles to their lands. Andthough you have most unjustly and untruly suggested to the people, tocreate a prejudice in them to the Lords Proprietors, that their Lordshipsdesigned to dispute their titles to their lands; yet, by this assertionand practice, you are the persons that will not only call in question, but effectually destroy their titles. "And if you persist in disowning the council as now authorised, then Idesire you further to consider, in what capacity I can act with you, andto what purpose you pretend to sit and transact the public business ofthe province. You know very well I am not able to join with you inpassing any law without the consent of my council; and surely you cannotpretend to pass laws without me: and what an absolute occasion there isnow to pass some laws, that the province may be put in a posture ofdefence, and the contingent charges thereof defrayed, I leave youseriously to consider, and hope you will not lose the whole province tothe enemy, for your own humours. "But I am further to tell you, that, in case you continue to deny theauthority of the council, you cannot properly style yourselves therepresentatives of the people; for you know very well you were chosenmembers of assembly, pursuant to and by virtue of the writs signed bymyself and council; for it is not the peoples voting for you that makesyou become their representatives; the liege people of this, or any otherprovince, have no power to convene and chuse their representatives, without being authorised so to do by some writ or order coming fromauthority lawfully empowered. And if you pretend that the writs signed byme, as Governor, were sufficient: to that I answer, that I do not pretendto any such authority, but jointly, and with the consent of my council, it being the express words of my commission; nor did I sign the writs inany other capacity than in conjunction with my council, who also signedthe same. But if my signing the writs were sufficient authority for thepeople to chuse you, then you must allow, that as the power lies solelyin me to call you, it lies also solely in me to dissolve you; andtherefore, if by your actions you will force me to make use of thatpower, I do hereby publicly protest and declare, you only must beanswerable for the ill consequences that may attend such a dissolution, and for the loss of the lives and estates of the King's subjects in thisprovince, by any attack that may be made upon them by our public enemiesthe Spaniards, or from the Indians, by reason of the province's not beingput into such a posture of defence as it ought, and would, if youproceeded to transact the public business under a lawful authority; andthis I would have you seriously to consider of. "Notwithstanding stories that have been industriously spread toprepossess the people, that you are the only persons who stand up fortheir rights and privileges; by which, it may be, you have so far engagedthem in your favour, that you may have their assistance to enable you tocommit any act of force or violence upon the government, and theauthority of the Lords Proprietors; yet know, and be assured, that thematters in dispute are of that consequence, that they must and will bedecided by an authority in England, having lawful jurisdiction of thesame; and that there it must be law and right that must justify yourclaims, and not the consent and approbation of the people of Carolina, who will have no weight there, but the right and merit of the cause. "I must farther mention to you, that it is notoriously known, you havepromoted two forms of associations, and have persuaded the people to signthem. How far you can be justified at home, behoves you to consider: butas I am satisfied no matter of such public concern ought to be carried onwithout my knowledge, so I do hereby require and demand of you, anattested copy of both associations; and though it may not concern me tohave the names of every individual person that has signed them, yet I doinsist upon it that you do acquaint me which of your own members havesigned both, or either of them, as also the names of such persons whohave commissions, or hold any places civil or military under theirLordships, or of such persons who practise the law in their Lordshipscourts, and have signed them. "To what is here demanded of you I do require your plain and positiveanswer in express terms, and that you do in writing give me the same in abody, and under your hands. " [Sidenote] Their message in answer to it. This long and elaborate speech, which was also given them in writing, they were not long considering of, but soon returned with the followingmessage; and shewed him that they were neither to be shaken bypersuasion, nor intimidated by threats, from their firm purpose. "We havealready acquainted you, that we would not receive any message or paperfrom your honour, in conjunction with the gentlemen you are pleased tocall your council; therefore we must now again repeat the same, and begleave to tell you, that the paper your honour read and delivered to us, we take no notice of, nor shall we give any farther answer to it but inGreat Britain. " Immediately after this they came with the following address to theGovernor, publicly avowing their resolution to cast off all obedience tothe proprietary government, and urging and intreating him to comply withtheir desire, and take upon him the government of the province in thename of the King. "It is with no small concern that we find ourselvesobliged to address your honour, in a matter which nothing but theabsolute necessity of self-preservation could at this juncture haveprevailed on us to do. The reasons are already by us made known to yourhonour and the world, therefore we forbear to rehearse them; bur proceedto take leave to assure you, that it is the greatest satisfactionimaginable to us, to find throughout the whole country, that universalaffection, deference and respect the inhabitants bear to your honour'sperson, and with what passionate desire they wish for a continuance ofyour gentle and good administration; and since we, who are instructedwith, and are the assertors of their rights and liberties, areunanimously of opinion, that no person is fitter to govern so loyal andobedient a people to his sacred majesty King George, so we most earnestlydesire and intreat your honour, to take upon you the government of thisprovince, in his majesty's name, till his pleasure shall be known; bywhich means, we are convinced, that this (at present) unfortunate colonymay flourish, as well as those who feel the happy influence of hismajesty's immediate care. "As the well-being and preservation of this province depends greatly onyour honour's complying with our requests, so we flatter ourselves, thatyou, who have expressed so tender a regard for it on all occasions, andparticularly in hazarding your own person in an expedition against thepirates, for its defence, an example seldom found in governors; so wehope, Sir, that you will exert yourself at this juncture for its support;and we promise your honour, on our parts, the most faithful assistance ofpersons duly sensible of your honour's great goodness, and big with thehopes and expectation of his majesty's countenance and protection. And wefarther beg leave to assure your honour, that we will, in the mostdutiful manner, address his most sacred majesty King George, for thecontinuance of your government over us, under whom we doubt not to be ahappy people. " [Sidenote] The Governor's answer. To this flattering address the Governor returned the following answer;such as became his honour and trust. "I am obliged to you for your goodopinion of me; but I hold my commission from the _true and absolute Lordsand Proprietors of this province_[1], who recommended me to his majesty, and I have his approbation; it is by that commission and power I act, andI know of no power or authority can dispossess me of the same, but thoseonly who gave me those authorities. In subordination to them I shallalways act, and to my utmost maintain their Lordships just power andprerogatives, without encroaching on the people's rights and privileges. I do not expect or desire any favour from you, only that of seriouslytaking into your consideration the approaching danger of a foreign enemy, and the steps you are taking to involve yourselves and this province inanarchy and confusion. " [1] This is the term the charter gives them. [Sidenote] The assembly dissolved, and the proceedings of the people. The representatives having now fully declared their intentions, andfinding it impossible by all their art and address to win over theGovernor to a compliance with their measures, and to accept of thegovernment only from his having the King's approbation, began to treathim with indifference and neglect. He, on the other hand, perceiving thatneither harsh nor gentle means could recal them to their duty andallegiance, and that they became the more outrageous and ungovernable byhis endeavours to this purpose, issued a proclamation for dissolving thehouse, and retired to the country. The representatives ordered hisproclamation to be torn from the marshal's hands, and proceeded next toavowed usurpation. They met upon their own authority, and in directopposition to that of the Proprietors, and chose Colonel James Mooretheir Governor; who was a man of a bold and turbulent disposition, andexcellently qualified for being a popular leader in perilous adventures. To Governor Johnson he was no friend, having been by him removed from hiscommand of the militia, for warmly espousing the cause of the people: tothe Proprietors he was an inveterate enemy. In every new enterprize hehad been a volunteer, and in whatever he engaged he continued to hispurpose steady and inflexible. A day was fixed by the Convention forproclaiming him, in name of the King, Governor of the province, andorders were issued for directing all officers civil and military tocontinue in their different places and employments, till they shall hearfarther from them. Governor Johnson, some time before this, had appointed a day for ageneral review of the provincial militia; and the Convention, that theymight have the opportunity of the people being under arms, and ready toforward their scheme, fixed on the same day for publicly proclaimingMoore. The Governor, however, having intelligence of their design, sentorders to Colonel Parris, the commander of the militia, to postpone thereview to a future day. Parris, though a zealous friend to therevolution, in answer assured him his orders should be obeyed. Notwithstanding this assurance, on the day fixed, when Governor Johnsoncame to town, he found to his surprise the militia drawn up in the marketsquare, colours flying at the forts, and on board all the ships in theharbour, and great preparations making for the proclamation. Exasperatedat the insults offered to his person and authority, he could scarcelycommand his temper and restrain his resentment. Some he threatened tochastise for flying in the face of government, to which they had swornallegiance and fidelity. With others he coolly reasoned, and endeavouredto recal them by representing the fatal consequences that would certainlyattend such rash proceedings. But advancing to Parris, who had betrayedhim, he asked him, how he durst appear in arms contrary to his orders?and commanded him, in the King's name, instantly to disperse his men. Colonel Parris insolently replied, he was obeying the orders of theConvention. The Governor in great rage walked up towards him; upon whichParris immediately commanded his men to present, and bid him at the perilof life advance no nearer. The Governor expected, during this struggle, that some friends would have stood by him, especially such as heldoffices of profit and trust under the Proprietors, or that the militiawould have laid down their arms at his command: but he was disappointed;for all either stood silent, or kept firm to the standard of theConvention. However, to amuse him, and prevent his taking any rash stepin the heat of passion, John Lloyd, one of their party, was sent, out ofpretence of friendship, to walk and converse with the Governor. Vainindeed were the efforts of a single arm, in so general a defection. EvenTrott and Rhett, in this extremity, forsook him, and kept at a distance, the silent and inactive spectators of their masters ruined authority. [Sidenote] James Moore proclaimed Governor. [Sidenote] The declaration of the Convention. After this the members of Convention attended, and, escorted by themilitia, publicly marched to the fort, and there declared James Mooregovernor of the province in name of the King, which was followed by theloudest acclamations of the populace. Upon their return, they nextproceeded to the election of twelve counsellors, of whom Sir HovendenWalker was made president. In this, however, it is remarkable, that theyassumed a right and power to themselves which they had refused to theProprietors, and made one of the principal articles of complaint againstthem. So that the revolutioners had now their Governor, Council andConvention, and all of their own free election. In consequence of whichthe delegates met, and, in the first place, resolved to publish theirdeclaration, to the following effect: "Whereas the Proprietors of thisprovince have of late assumed to themselves an arbitrary and illegalpower, of repealing such laws as the General Assembly of this settlementhave thought fit to make for the preservation and defence thereof, andacted in many other things contrary to the laws of England, and thecharter to them and us, freemen, granted; whereby we are deprived ofthose measures we had taken for the defence of the settlement, being thesouth-west frontier of his majesty's territories in America, and therebyleft naked to the attacks of our inveterate enemies and next-doorneighbors the Spaniards, from whom, through the divine Providence, wehave had a miraculous deliverance, and daily expect to be invaded bythem, according to the repeated advices we have from time to timereceived from several places: And whereas, pursuant to the instructionsand authorities to us given, and trust in us reposed by the inhabitantsof this settlement, and in execution of the resolutions by us made, wedid in due form apply ourselves in a whole body, by an address, to thehonourable Robert Johnson, appointed governor of this province by theLords Proprietors, and desired him, in name of the inhabitants of thisprovince, to take upon him the government of the same, and in behalf ofhis majesty the King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, until hismajesty's pleasure had been known, which the said Governor refusing todo, exclusive of the pretended power of the Lords Proprietors over thesettlement, has put us under the necessity of applying to some otherperson, to take upon him, as Governor, the administration of all theaffairs civil and military within the settlement, in the name and for theservice of his most sacred majesty, as well as making treaties, alliancesand leagues with any nation of Indians, until his majesty's pleasureherein be further known: And whereas James Moore, a person well affectedto his present majesty, and also zealous for the interest of thesettlement, now in a sinking condition, has been prevailed with, pursuantto such our application, to take upon him, in the King's name, and forthe King's service and safety of the settlement, the above-mentionedcharge and trust: We therefore, whose names are hereunto published, therepresentatives and delegates of his majesty's liege people and free-bornsubjects of the said settlement, now met in convention at Charlestown, intheir names, and in behalf of his sacred Majesty George, by the grace ofGod King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, in consideration of hisformer and many great services, having great confidence in his firmloyalty to our most gracious King George, as well as in his conduct, courage, and other great abilities; do hereby declare the said JamesMoore his majesty's Governor of this settlement, invested with all thepowers and authorities belonging and appertaining to any of his majesty'sgovernors in America, till his majesty's pleasure herein shall be furtherknown. And we do hereby for ourselves, in the name and on the behalf ofthe inhabitants of the said settlement, as their representatives anddelegates, promise and oblige ourselves most solemnly to obey, maintain, assist and support the said James Moore, in the administration of allaffairs civil and military within this settlement, as well as in theexecution of all his functions aforesaid, as Governor for his sacredmajesty King George. And further, we do expect and command, that allofficers both civil and military within the settlement, do pay him allduty and obedience as his majesty's Governor, as they shall answer to thecontrary at their utmost peril. Given under our hand, at the Convention, this 21st day of December, 1719. " Governor Johnson, after this public and solemn declaration, perceivinghis power totally overthrown, and the current too violent and strong forhim to withstand, had little hopes of recalling them to the obedience ofproprietary authority. Still, however, he flattered himself, that suchmen as had usurped the government in opposition to lawful authority wouldnot long remain in a state of union, harmony and peace among themselves. The first unpopular step of their Governor might create disturbance anddisaffection; the first difference among the leading men might dividethem into parties: he determined to wait for such occurrences, and toimprove them towards recovering his power and command. In the mean timehe called together the civil officers of the Proprietors, and orderedthem to secure the public records, and shut up all offices against therevolutioners and their adherents. [Sidenote] The Governor transmits an account of the whole proceedings to the Proprietors. That the proprietors in England might have notice of what had happenedthough a proper channel, Governor Johnson drew up a slate of the wholeproceedings, and transmitted it them. He told them that the colonists hadlong laboured under difficulties and hardships, by debts contracted inthe Indian war, and in protecting their trade against pirates; that anunhappy difference had broke out between their Lordships and the people, about the privileges of their charter; that some of the richest of theinhabitants had persuaded the rest, that neither they themselves northeir posterity could ever be safe in their persons, or secure in theirproperties, without the protection of the crown: that they had thereforewith one accord disclaimed and renounced all obedience to theirLordships, and put themselves under the care and government of the King;that he, though earnestly solicited by them, had refused to govern themin any other way, than as commissioned and appointed by the Lordsproprietors; that the people for that reason had shaken off his authorityand chosen another Governor for themselves in name and behalf of theKind: In short, that the revolution was in no way occasioned by hisimprudence or mal-administration, and therefore he hoped, whatever mightbe the issue, that their Lordships would use their interest to continuehim in the government of the province. To the same purpose he wrote tothe Lords Commissioners of trade and plantations, who were no friends tothe proprietary governments in America, and waited for such a favourableseason as now offered in Carolina to purchase every one of them for thecrown. [Sidenote] The Revolutioners appoint new officers, and establish their authority. In the mean time the members of the popular legislature were going on, and with all their diligence and skill regulating public affairs. Therepresentatives of the people took a dislike to the name of a Convention, as different from that of the other regal governments in America, andtherefore voted themselves an Assembly, and assumed the power ofappointing all public officers. In place of Nicholas Trott, they madeRichard Allein Chief Justice. Another person was appointed ProvincialSecretary, in the room of Charles Hart. But William Rhett and FrancisYonge, by becoming obsequious to the humours of the revolutioners, secured to themselves the same offices they held from the Proprietors. Colonel Barnwell was chosen agent for the province, and embarked forEngland, with instructions and orders to apply only to the King, to lay aslate of their public proceedings before him, praying him to take theprovince under his immediate care and protection. A new duty-law andothers for raising money to defray the various expences of governmentwere passed. The fortifications at Charlestown they ordered to beimmediately repaired, and William Rhett, whom every one esteemed a friendto the revolution, was nominated Inspector-general of the Repairs. Totheir new Governor they voted two thousand five hundred pounds, and totheir Chief Justice eight hundred current money, as yearly salaries. Totheir agent in England one thousand pounds sterling was transmitted: andto defray those and the other expences of government, a law was passedfor laying a tax on lands and negroes, to raise thirty thousand poundsCarolina-money, for the service of the current year. In short, thispopular assembly imposed such burdens on their constituents, as under theproprietary government would have been deemed intolerable grievances. In consequence of the tax-act, when they began to levy those heavy tales, Governor Johnson and some of his party refused to pay, giving for reasonthat the act was not made by lawful authority. On account of hisparticular circumstances, Mr. Johnson was exempted; but they resolved tocompel every other person to submit to their jurisdiction, and yieldimplicit obedience to their laws. They forcibly seized the effects ornegroes of such as refused, sold them at public auction, and applyed themoney for the payment of their taxes. Thus, in spite of all opposition, they established themselves in the full possession of government, both intheir legislative and executive capacities. [Sidenote] In vain the Governor attempts to disconcert them. [Sidenote] Rhett refuses obedience to his orders. Governor Johnson, though obliged to stand at a distance, carefullyobserved their progress, and was not a little mortified by their greatsuccess. He however still persisted in throwing every obstacle possiblein their way: he wrote to William Rhett, who was not only the ProprietorsReceiver-general, but also Comptroller of the customs, a letter to thefollowing effect; informing him, That "as the people had found means tohinder all masters of ships from coming to him as the Governorclearances, and from clearing in the lawful secretary's offices, notwithstanding the laws of trade made such neglects the forfeiture ofship and cargo, and the naval officer, by his orders, did all he could toinduce them to act according to law: and as he was sensible that thedefection was so general, and his authority so depressed, that he had nopower left to punish them for disobedience; he therefore could think ofno other way to oblige them to their duty but by stopping their obtainingclearances from the custom-house officers, until they paid their duty tohim as the lawful governor of the province. He therefore desired Mr. Rhett would consult his powers and instructions as Surveyor andComptroller of the customs, and act in this affair as he should thinkagreeable to them, to the laws of trade, and to the service of hismajesty, and of the Lords Proprietors. " Indeed it must be acknowledged, had Rhett so far consulted the interest of the Proprietors, as to havecommanded the officers of the customs to do their duty, according to theGovernor's project, it would have given the revolutioners no smalltrouble. They would have had the mortification to see the masters ofships disowning their authority, and going only to that office where theycould obtain authentic and legal clearances. The fees due to the Governorand Secretary would also have gone in their usual channel, whichotherwise were transferred to such persons as had no just right, nor eventhe smallest pretensions to them. But Rhett's enmity to the Governor, andhis prospects of profit from the prevailing party, induced him to neglectthe duties of his station. He had already joined, or at least seemed tojoin, the revolutioners, being determined to retain at all events hisplaces of profit and emolument. The countenance and encouragement he hadgiven the people, they considered as a justification of their measures;and though they had passed a vote, that no person who held an officeunder the Proprietors should be permitted to continue in it, yet, as theyfound Rhett so obsequious to their views, they thought proper to dispensewith it for an acquisition of such importance. They not only allowed himto continue in his former offices, but also made him Lieutenant-Generalof the militia, and Overseer to the works in repairing thefortifications. So that, instead of giving assistance to Governor Johnsonfor supporting the interest and power of the proprietary government, heshamefully deserted him, betrayed his trust, and joined therevolutioners. [Sidenote] And preserves the confidence of the Proprietors. Rhett, nevertheless, to the astonishment of every one, still maintainedhis credit with the Proprietors, and had the art to persuade them he haddone done all out of zeal for the service of his majesty, and for thegood of the province. He wrote them two letters, giving them an accountof all that had happened, and assuring them he had accepted of acommission from Mr. Moore, in order the more effectually to promote theirinterest, by giving him an opportunity of conversing freely with thepeople, and persuading them to return to their duty and allegiance. Herepresented the inflexibility of Governor Johnson as one source of thediscontent and defection of the people, and utterly inconsistent withgood policy. He told them, that there are times when the minds of menwill not bend to authority, when the rigid exertion of power defeats itsend, and when lenity becomes a more efficacious remedy againstdisaffection to government than severity. The Proprietors believed him, and such was their confidence in his honour and fidelity, that they senthim a letter expressing their approbation of his conduct, in thefollowing words: "We have received your letters, wherein you give us amelancholy account of the present confused government of our province, and of the great consternation of the inhabitants, from the dreadfulapprehension they have of a foreign invasion. But since they have been sounfortunate as to bring themselves into so much confusion, we are not alittle pleased that your zeal for the service of his majesty, and thesafety of the province, has engaged you to take upon you the command ofthe forces; for as, by your command of the said forces, you formerlydefended and saved the country from the insults of an invading enemy, sowe doubt not but you will again use your utmost skill to free your samefellow-subjects from the imminent danger they at present labour under. And since you have taken upon you the same command, we earnestly intreatyou, that, with the greatest application, you will continue yourendeavours in that command for the safety and preservation of theprovince, until you shall hear farther from us: We wish you allimaginable success, and bid you heartily farewell. " [Sidenote] Further attempts of the Governor to recal the people. In the mean time Governor Johnson received certain advice, that theSpaniards had sailed from the Havanna with a fleet of fourteen ships, anda force consisting of twelve hundred men, against South Carolina andProvidence Island, and it was uncertain which of the two they would firstattack. At this time of imminent danger the Governor again attempted torecal the people to subjection and obedience, and sent the followingletter to the Convention. "I flatter myself that the invasion which atpresent threatens the province, has awakened a thought in you of thenecessity there is of the forces acting under lawful authority andcommission. The inconveniences and confusion of not admitting it are soobvious, I need not mention them. I have hitherto borne the indignitiesput upon me, and the loss I sustain by being out of my government, withas much temper as the nature of the thing will admit of, till such timeas his majesty's pleasure shall be known. But to have another man toassume my authority when danger threatens the province and action isexpected, and to be deprived of the opportunity of serving the public inmy station, as I am indispensibly bound to do upon such occasions, Ibeing answerable to the King for any neglect regarding the welfare of theprovince, is what I cannot patiently endure. I am willing with my councilto consult and advise with you for the good and safety of the country inthis time of imminent danger, as a Convention of the people, as you firstcalled yourselves; nor do I see, in this present juncture of affairs, anyoccasion for formality in our proceedings, or that I explain by whoseauthority I act in grants of commissions or other public orders. Mr. Moore's commission you have given him does not pretend to say that it isderived from the King. You have already confessed I am invested with someauthority of which you approve, and that is enough. What I insist uponis, to be allowed to act as Governor, because I have been approved of bythe King. I do not apprehend there is any necessity of doing any thing atpresent but what relates to military affairs; and I do believe peoplewill be better satisfied, more ready to advance necessaries, to trust thepublic, and obey my commands, by virtue of the King's authority which Ihave, if left to their liberty, than the orders of any other person inthe province; and in a short time we may expect his majesty's pleasurewill be known. If my reasons have not the weight with you I expect theyshould, you ought at least to put it to the vote, that, if a majorityshould be against it, I may have that to justify myself to the King andthe world, who ought to be satisfied that I have done all I can forserving the country, and discharging the duty of my station. " By this letter Governor Johnson thought to alarm and terrify the people, by representing the dangerous consequences of military operations underunlawful authority; but they remained firm to their purpose, and theConvention, without taking any notice of it, continued to do businesswith Mr. Moore as they had begun. Sir Hovenden Walker, the President oftheir Council, being disgusted at their proceedings, left them andretired to his plantation; but they chose Richard Allein in his stead, and proceeded to concert measures for the public defence. They pronouncedthe martial law, and ordered all the inhabitants of the province toCharlestown for its defence. All the officers of the militia acceptedtheir commissions from Mr. Moore, and engaged to stand by him against allforeign enemies. For two weeks the Provincial militia were kept underarms at Charlestown every day expecting the appearance of the Spanishfleet; which they were informed had sailed from the Havanna. Happily forthem, to acquire possession of both sides of the Gulf of Florida, andsecure the navigation through this stream, the Spaniards had resolvedfirst to attack Providence, and then to proceed against Carolina: but bythe conduct and courage of Captain Rogers, at that time Governor of theisland, they met with a sharp repulse at Providence, and soon after theylost the greatest part of their fleet in a storm. [Sidenote] The Governor's last attempt to recover his authority. The Spanish expedition having thus proved abortive, the Flamborough manof war, commanded by Captain Hildesley, returned to her station atCharlestown from Providence island. About the same time his Majesty'sship Phoenix, commanded by Captain Pierce, arrived from a cruize. Thecommanders of these two men of war were carressed by both parties, butthey publicly declared for Governor Johnson as the magistrate investedwith legal authority. Charles Hart, secretary of the province, by ordersfrom the Governor and Council, had secreted and secured the publicrecords, so that the revolutioners could not obtain possession of them. The clergy refused to marry without a licence from Governor Johnson, asthe only legal Ordinary of the province. These inconveniencies havingbegun to operate, rendered several of the people more cool in theiraffection for the popular government. At this juncture Governor Johnson, with the assistance of the captain and crews of the ships of war, madehis last and boldest effort for subjecting the colonists to hisauthority. He brought up the ships of war in front of Charlestown, andthreatened their capital with immediate destruction, if they any longerrefused obedience to legal authority. But the people having both arms intheir hands for defence, and forts in their possession to which theycould retreat, bid defiance to his power, and shewed him plainly thatthey were neither to be won by flattery, nor terrified by threats, tosubmit their necks any more to the proprietary yoke; and therefore forthe future Governor Johnson dropt all thoughts of making any moreattempts for that purpose. [Sidenote] Injurious suspicions with regard to the conduct of the Governor. Nicholas Trott now observing the frame of the proprietary governmenttotally unhinged, and a rival Judge planted in his room, resolved toreturn to England. But before he embarked he wrote to Governor Johnson, acquainting him with his resolution, and promising, if he wouldcontribute towards defraying his expences, he would give the Proprietorseach a favourable account of his conduct and services, as would ensure tohim the continuance of his office. But the Governor being no stranger tothe character of the Judge, and being convinced that both the revolt ofthe people, and subversion of government, were in a great measure to beascribed his pernicious policy and secret correspondence with his friendthe secretary to the Proprietors, disdainfully rejected his interest andfriendship. To which disrespect for the Judge, however, Mr. Johnsonattributed many of the injurious suspicions the Proprietors entertainedof his honour and fidelity, and that shameful neglect with which he wasafterwards treated by them. They had wrote him no answer to his lettersrespecting the violent steps the people had taken, or ever informed himwhether his conduct during those popular commotions had met with theirapprobation or disapprobation. Some of them even alledged that he wasprivy to the designs of the malecontents; and gave them too muchcountenance and indulgence. But every principle of honour, duty andinterest forbade such a connivance, and the upright and respectablecharacter he maintained, rendered such suspicions groundless andunmerited. That he should join with a disaffected multitude in schemes ofopposition, to divest himself of his government, was a thing scarcely tobe supposed. That he should first wink at the subversion of theproprietary government, and afterwards refuse to govern them for theKing, when solicited so to do by the representatives and whole body ofthe people, was a thing very improbable. When he arrived in the province, he found the inhabitants discontented and unhappy; but little suspectedthen they had any views of renouncing their allegiance to theProprietors; and the various arts the people used to conceal from himtheir designs, were proofs they had every thing to fear, and nothing tohope for from their Governor. The many attempts made to defeat theirmeasures were also evidences of his fidelity to their Lordships, andfirmness in support of their government. He indeed differed with Trottand Rhett, the two favourites of the Proprietors, and perhaps to this, among other causes, the neglect with which he was treated by theirLordships may be ascribed. For as they discovered on all occasions such apartial regard to these men, and placed such unlimited confidence inthem, the person who differed from them, however fair and unblemished hischaracter, however firmly attached to their interest, was not likely, insuch circumstances of trouble and difficulty, to escape all injurioussuspicions. We have blamed the Proprietors in many respects with regardto the management of their colony, and we cannot think them worthy ofpraise in withdrawing their countenance and friendship from a Governor, who manifested such zeal and resolution in support of their authority. Being equally subject to the laws of their country with the Carolineansover whom they ruled, their power was likely to be feeble, even whenexercised in the most prudent and gentle manner; but more especially whenexecuted with rigour. British subjects in general abhor oppression, evenfrom a supreme, and it could scarcely be expected they would tamelysubmit to it, from a subordinate jurisdiction. [Sidenote] Francis Nicolson appointed Governor by the regency. In the mean time the agent for Carolina had procured a hearing from theLords of the regency and council in England, the King being at that timein Hanover; who gave it as their opinion, that the Proprietors hadforfeited their charter, and ordered the Attorney-general to take out a_scire facias_ against it. In consequence of which, in September 1720, they appointed General Francis Nicolson provisional Governor of theprovince, with a commission from the King. Nicolson was a man possessedof all the honourable principles of a good soldier. He was generous, bold, and steady. He had been Governor of several different colonies, andit was thought his knowledge and experience in provincial affairs wouldrender him well qualified for the important trust. He knew his duty ascommander and chief, and was afraid of neither dangers nor difficultiesin the execution of it; a warm friend to the King, and deeply concernedfor the prosperity of his country: scarcely could they have pitched upona man more fit to govern the province in such a confused and miserablestate. [Sidenote] General reflections on the whole transactions. Upon a review of those past transactions, and the various causes whichconcurred for bringing about this event, which I have narrated the morefully and circumstantially on account of the interesting nature andimportant consequences of the change, we may observe, that although theconduct of the Carolineans during this violent struggle cannot, strictlyspeaking, be deemed legal, equitable and just, yet necessity, which hasno law, and self-preservation, the most powerful principle of action, both strongly plead in their vindication. When the Proprietors firstapplied to the King for a grant of this large territory, at that timeoccupied by heathens, it is said they were excited thereto by their zealfor the propagation of the Christian faith; yet it is now plain that theyhave either used no endeavours for that purpose, or they have beenutterly ineffectual. The Society for the propagation of the Gospel haveindeed employed and supported missionaries for the conversion of thoseheathens; yet it is a lamentable truth, that their best endeavours havebeen vastly inadequate to the extent of the work, and therefore theirsuccess has proved small and inconsiderable. The Proprietors by theircharter were empowered to build churches and chapels within the bounds oftheir province for divine worship; yet they have left the burden of thiswork entirely to the inhabitants, who have received no encouragement norassistance, except from the incorporated Society, towards itsaccomplishment. They were impowered by their charter to erect castles andforts for the protection and defence of the colony; but all those thepeople have also been obliged to raise at their own expence. By thecharter his Majesty saved to himself, his heirs and successors, thesovereign dominion of the province, and the faith and allegiance of hissubjects, the inhabitants of it, declaring them to be the liege people ofthe crown of England, yet the Proprietors have assumed to themselves adespotic authority in repealing and abrogating, by themselves alone, lawsmade by the Assembly, and ratified by their deputies in Carolina. Theynot only tyrannized over the poor colony, but also employed and protectedofficers ten times more tyrannical than themselves. When the wholelegislature complained of Chief Justice Trott, they paid no regard totheir complaints, and absolutely refused to circumscribe hisjurisdiction, or remove him from the bench. In times of imminent danger, when the colony applied to them for assistance, they were either unableor unwilling to bear the expence of its protection. When the Assemblyallotted the Indian lands obtained by conquest for the encouragement ofsettlers, to strengthen the Provincial frontiers, the Proprietors claimedthe sole right of disposing of those lands, and frustrated their plans ofpublic security. When the trade of the province was infested and ruinedby pirates, they could neither obtain a force sufficient to extirpatethem, nor a confirmation of their laws made for defraying the expense ofsuch expeditions as the colony fitted out against them. The current moneyof the province, stamped for answering its public exigences, was, at therequest of the merchants of London, cried down and cancelled. In shortthe people saw no end of troubles and dangers. Sad exigence dictated thenecessity of some remedy against their political evils. No remedy underheaven appeared to them so proper and effectual as that of throwingthemselves under the immediate care and protection of the crown of GreatBritain. For under the excellent constitution of England, where thesupreme power was both able and willing to protect them against everyenemy, they evidently perceived they could only live happy and secure;therefore, sick of the feeble proprietary government, the people, aftermany violent struggles and convulsions, by one bold and irregular effortentirely shook off the yoke, and a revolution, fruitful of happyconsequences, took place, to their great relief and unspeakablesatisfaction. The Proprietors, after long trial and frequent amendments, now findingthat fine-spun system, by which they flattered themselves with havingavoided the inconveniencies and supplied the defects of the English formof government, useless and impracticable, were at length convinced, thatit was a much easier thing to find fault with the constitution of OldEngland than to mend it. They now perceived that all forms of governmentmust be made for men as they really are, and not for them as they oughtto be, and that it was impossible for the wisest legislators upon earthto mould men into any form they pleased by laws and regulations. From thefirst settlement of this colony, one perpetual struggle has subsistedbetween the Proprietors and possessors of the province. A divisionsomewhat similar to that of the court and country parties in England, early sprung up in the settlement, and kept it in continual ferment andagitation. The exertions of proprietary power and prerogative, the peopleconsidered as inconsistent with their rights and privileges; hence theybecame turbulent and seditious, and were seldom satisfied with theirgovernors in their public capacity, however esteemed and beloved asprivate men. The hands of government were always weak, and theinstructions and regulations received from England were, for the mostpart, ill adapted to the local circumstances of the people, and the firststate of colonization. The palatines in England and Germany, whosejurisdiction and authority have been established by time, and whosegovernments have acquired firmness and stability, would probably havedeemed this usurpation illegal and rebellious, and punished the authorsand abettors of it. No doubt a firm yet moderate opposition to themeasures of government in defence of the rights and liberties of thepeople, differs as much from usurpation, as a wholesome remedy to adisordered constitution differs from deadly poison. But the greatdistance, dangerous circumstances, and complicated hardships of theCarolineans; the negligence, bad policy and tyranny of the Proprietors;all concurred to render their usurpation not only excuseable, butabsolutely necessary. The Revolution in England had exemplified andconfirmed the doctrine of resistance, when the executive magistratepresumes to violate the fundamental laws, and subvert the constitution ofthe nation. The Proprietors had done acts, which the Lords in regency haddeclared amounted to a forfeiture of their charter, and had ordered awrit of _scire facias_ to be taken out, for repealing their patent andrendering the grant void and null. By which means all politicalconnection between the Proprietors and people of Carolina was nowentirely dissolved, and a new relation formed, the King having taken theprovince under his immediate care and protection, and made it a part ofthe British empire. [Sidenote] Nicolson's arrival occasions uncommon joy. About the beginning of the year 1721, Francis Nicolson arrived inCarolina, and having the sanction of the British government for hisappointment, Mr. Johnson acquiesced in his authority, and made no moreefforts in behalf of the Lords Proprietors. The people in generalcongratulated one another on the happy change, and received GeneralNicolson with the most uncommon and extravagant demonstrations of joy. The voice of murmur and discontent, together with the fears of danger andoppression, were now banished from the province. Happy under the royalcare, they resolved to forget all former animosities and divisions, andbury all past offences in eternal oblivion. The only contention nowremaining was, who should be the most faithful subjects of his majesty, and the most zealous in promoting the union, peace and prosperity of thesettlement. From a confused and distracted state they now looked uponthemselves as happily delivered, and anticipated in imagination all theblessings of freedom and security, followed by industry and plenty, approaching, and as it were ready to diffuse their happy influence overthe country. [Sidenote] The people recognize King George as their lawful sovereign. Soon after his arrival, Governor Nicholson issued writs for the electionof a new assembly, who now entered with great temper and cheerfulness onthe regulation of provincial affairs. They chose James Moore, their latepopular governor, speaker of the house, of whom the Governor declared hisentire approbation. The first business they engaged in, was to make anact, declaring they recognized and acknowledged his sacred majesty KingGeorge to be the rightful Sovereign of Great Britain, France, andIreland, and of all the dominions and provinces belonging to the empire, and in particular his undoubted right to the province of Carolina. Allactions and suits at law commenced on account of the late administrationof James Moore by particular persons, creating misunderstandings andanimosities among the people, were declared void and null, till hismajesty's pleasure touching such administration shall be known; but alljudicial proceedings under the same administration were confirmed; whichacts were at this time judged proper and necessary for establishingharmony and tranquillity among the inhabitants. The two parties formerlysubsisting, the one composed of a few adherents to Governor Johnson, andthe other of the followers of James Moore, Nicolson had the good fortuneto unite, and, by the wisdom and equity of his administration, to renderboth equally happy and contented under the royal government andprotection. [Sidenote] The Governor regulates Indian affairs. Before Governor Nicolson left England, a suspension of arms between GreatBritain and Spain had been published, and by the treaty of peace whichafterwards took place, it was stipulated and agreed, that all subjectsand Indians living under their different jurisdictions should cease fromacts of hostility. Orders were sent out to Don Antonio Navidez, governorof Florida, to forbear molesting the Carolineans; and the Britishgovernor had also instructions to cultivate the friendship and good-willof the Spanish subjects and Indians of Florida. In consequence of which, Governor Nicolson, who was no stranger to the manners of savages, resolved to apply himself with great zeal and spirit to the regulation ofIndian affairs, and to enter into treaties of friendship and alliancewith the different tribes around the settlement. As most of theirtroubles from Indians had been occasioned by Europeans taking possessionof lands claimed by them, without their permission or consent; to preventquarrels and mischief, the first object that demanded his attention wasto fix the limits and extent of their territories, and then to forbidencroachments on their hunting grounds. With these views he sent amessage to the Cherokees, (a powerful nation, computed at this time toconsist of no less than six thousand bowmen), acquainting them, that hehad presents to make them, and would meet them at the borders of theirterritories, to hold a general congress with them, in order to treat ofmutual friendship and commerce. They rejoiced at a proposal which plainlyimplied they were a free and respectable people, and immediately thechiefs of thirty-seven different towns set out to meet him. At this congress the Governor having made them several presents, andsmoked the pipe of peace with them, marked the boundaries of the landsbetween them and the English settlers. He regulated all weights andmeasures, that justice might be done them in the way of traffic. Heappointed an agent to superintend their affairs, and, to unite them undera common head, proposed to nominate one warrior as commander and chief ofthe whole nation, before whom all complaints were to be laid, and who wasto acquaint the Governor with every injury done them. With the consent ofall present Wrosetasatow was declared chief warrior of the Cherokeenation, with full power to punish all guilty of depredations and murders, and to obtain satisfaction for every injury done to Indians from theBritish settlers. After which the Indians returned to their towns, highlypleased with their generous brother and new ally. The Governor thenproceeded to conclude another treaty of commerce and peace with theCreeks, who were also at that time a numerous and formidable nation. Helikewise appointed an agent to reside among them, whose business was toregulate Indian affairs in a friendly and equitable manner, and fixed onSavanna river as the boundary of their hunting lands, beyond which nosettlements were to extend. Such negotiations were in many respectsuseful and important; for when Europeans take possession of landscontrary to the inclination, and without the permission and consent ofthese free and independent nations who claimed them as their property, itwould puzzle a wise man to vindicate their tenure on any principles ofequity and justice. [Sidenote] And promotes religious institutions. Having now secured the province as well as possible against externalfoes, Governor Nicolson turned his attention next to internalregulations, particularly to such as respected the religious instructionof the people. For though he mas bred a soldier, and was profane, passionate and headstrong himself, yet he was not insensible of the greatadvantage of religion to society, and contributed not a little to itsinterest in Carolina, both by his public influence and privategenerosity. The number of inhabitants in each parish being considerablyincreased, it was found necessary to enlarge several churches for theiraccommodation. The inhabitants of Sr. Paul's parish, many of whom havinghad their houses burnt, and otherwise suffered heavy losses in theYamassee war, were obliged to apply to the public for assistance in thislaudable design. The parish of St. George was separated and taken out ofthat of St. Andrews by an act of assembly, and a new church was built ata small village called Dorchester, by public allowance and privatecontributions. The inhabitants in and about Georgetown, who had longlived without the benefit of public worship, insomuch that the appearanceof religion among them had almost entirely vanished, claimed particularattention. To erect a church in this quarter the Governor proposed aprivate subscription, and set the example by largely contributing towardsthe public institution. He made application to the Society in England forpropagating the Gospel, and they supplied the province with clergymen, giving each of them an yearly allowance over and above the provincialsalary. As no public schools had yet been instituted for the instructionof youth in the principles of virtue and religion, the Governor urgedalso the usefulness and necessity of such provincial establishments. Itwas alledged, that the want of early instruction was one of the chiefsources of impiety and immorality, and if they continued any longer toneglect the rising generation, piety and Christianity would insensiblydecay, and they would soon have a race of white people in the countryequally ignorant as the brown Indians. Animated by the example, andassisted by the generosity of their Governor, the colonials therefore ingood earnest engaged in providing seminaries for the religious educationof youth. Besides general contributions, several particular legacies werealso left for this purpose. Mr. Whitmarsh left five hundred pounds to St. Paul's parish, for founding a free school in it. Mr. Ludlam, theSociety's missionary at Goose-creek, bequeathed all his estate, which wascomputed to amount to two thousand pounds Carolina currency, for the samepurpose. Richard Beresfords, by his will, bequeathed the annual profitsof his estate to be paid to the vestry of St. Thomas parish in trust, until his son, then eight years of age, should arrive at the age oftwenty-one years; directing them to apply one third of the yearly profitsof this estate for the support of one or more schoolmasters, who shouldteach reading, accounts, mathematics, and other liberal learning; and theother two thirds for the support maintenance, and education of the poorof that parish. The vestry accordingly received from this estate sixthousand five hundred pounds Carolina money, for promoting those piousand charitable purposes. The Society in England sent out teachers, moneyand books, and assisted greatly, by their zeal and bounty, towards thereligious instruction of the people. So much must be said for the honourof Governor Nicolson, whose liberality was conspicuously displayed inbehalf of those religious institutions, and whose example excited thatspirit of emulation among the people for promoting them. In Charlestown, and in several other parishes in the country, public schools were builtand endowed during his government, and every friend to knowledge andvirtue, every well-wisher to posterity, seemed to promise themselves thegreatest advantages from such wise and public-spirited designs. Though religion, rightly understood and generally practiced, isproductive of the most salutary and beneficial consequences to society, yet nothing has a more pernicious influence than mistaken notions of it. Of all kinds of delusion, religious enthusiasm is the most deplorable, and has often been attended with the most melancholy and dismal effects. By abusing the best things, they may be made the innocent occasion of theworst. Many calamities have happened in the world, even on account ofreligion, yet the fatal consequences ought not to be charged to thatdivine institution which naturally breathes benevolence, gentleness andpeace, but to the ignorance and corruption of human nature, which pervertand abuse it. Enthusiasts generally agree in two articles: they disclaimthe power and authority of the civil magistrate, and mistake their ownwild fancies, the fruits of a distempered brain, for the impulses of theDivine Spirit, both of which are big with the most fatal consequences tosociety. The desperate fanatic Venner, in the reign of Charles thesecond, was not more transported with religious phrenzy and madness, thanan unfortunate family in Carolina at this time happened to be. For thecredit of the province, it were to be wished that such an incident layburied in eternal oblivion; but history claims the privilege ofexhibiting examples of different kinds for public instruction. If goodexamples serve as a spur to stimulate men to virtue and religion, badones, on the contrary, may also serve, like beacons upon a rock, to warnmen of danger and delusion. [Sidenote] The enthusiasm of the family of Dutartre. "The family of Dutartres consisting of four sons and four daughters, weredescendents of French refugees, who came into Carolina after therevocation of the edict of Nantz. They lived in Orange-quarter and thoughin low circumstances, always maintained an honest character, and wereesteemed by their neighbours persons of blameless and irreproachablelives. But at this time a strolling Moravian preacher happening to cometo that quarter where they lived, insinuated himself into their family, and partly by conversation, and partly by the writings of Jacob Behman, which he put into their hands, filled their heads with wild and fantasticideas. Unhappily for the poor family those strange notions gained groundon them, insomuch that in one year they began to withdraw themselves fromthe ordinances of public worship, and all conversation with the worldaround them, and strongly to imagine they were the only family upon earthwho had the knowledge of the true God, and whom he vouchsafed toinstruct, either by the immediate impulses of his Spirit, or by signs andtokens from heaven. At length it came to open visions and revelations. God raised up a prophet among them, like unto Moses, to whom he taughtthem to hearken. This prophet was Peter Rombert, who had married theeldest daughter of the family when a widow. To this man the Author andGovernor of the world deigned to reveal, in the plainest manner, that thewickedness of man was again so great in the world, that as in the days ofNoah he was determined to destroy all men from off the face of it, exceptone family whom he would save for raising up a godly seed upon earth. This revelation Peter Rombert was sure of, and felt it as plain as thewind blowing on his body, and the rest of the family, with equalconfidence and presumption, firmly believed it. "A few days after this, God was pleased to reveal himself a second timeto the prophet, saying, Put away the woman whom thou hast for thy wife, and when I have destroyed this wicked generation, I will raise up herfirst husband from the dead, and they shall be man and wife as before, and go thou and take to wife her youngest sister, who is a virgin, soshall the chosen family be restored entire, and the holy seed preservedpure and undefiled in it. At first the father, when he heard of thisrevelation, was staggered at so extraordinary a command from heaven; butthe prophet assured him that God would give him a sign, which accordinglyhappened; upon which the old man took his youngest daughter by the hand, and gave her to the wise prophet immediately for his wife, who withoutfurther ceremony took the damsel and deflowered her. Thus for some timethey continued in acts of incest and adultery, until that period whichmade the fatal discovery, and introduced the bloody scene of blindfanaticism and madness. "Those deluded wretches were so far possessed with the false conceit oftheir own righteousness and holiness, and of the horrid wickedness of allothers, that they refused obedience to the civil magistrate, and all lawsand ordinances of men. Upon pretence that God commanded them to bear noarms, they not only refused to comply with the militia law, but also thelaw for repairing the high-ways. After long forbearance, Mr. Simmons, aworthy magistrate, and the officer of the militia in that quarter, foundit necessary to issue his warrants for levying the penalty of the lawsupon them. But by this time Judith Dutartre, the wife the prophetobtained by revelation, proving with child, another warrant was issuedfor bringing her before the Justice to be examined, and bound over to thegeneral sessions, in consequence of a law of the province, framed forpreventing bastardy. The constable having received his warrants, andbeing jealous of meeting with no good usage in the execution of hisoffice, prevailed on two or three of his neighbours to go along with him. The family observing the constable coming, and being apprized of hiserrand, consulted their prophet, who soon told them that God commandedthem to arm and defend themselves against persecution, and theirsubstance against the robberies of ungodly men; assuring them at the sametime that no weapon formed against them should prosper. Accordingly theydid so, and laying hold of their arms, fired on the constable and hisfollowers, and drove them out of their plantation. Such behaviour was notto be tolerated, and therefore Captain Simmons gathered a party ofmilitia, and went to protect the constable in the execution of hisoffice. When the deluded family saw the Justice and his partyapproaching, they shut themselves up in their house, and firing from itlike furies, shot Captain Simmons dead on the spot, and wounded severalof his party. The militia returned the fire, killed one woman within thehouse, and afterwards forcibly entering it, took the rest prisoners, sixin number, and brought them to Charlestown. [Sidenote] Their trial and condemnation. "At the Court of general sessions, held in September 1724, three of themwere brought to trial, found guilty and condemned. Alas! miserablecreatures, what amazing infatuation possessed them! They pretended theyhad the Spirit of God leading them to all truth, they knew it and feltit: but this spirit, instead of influencing them to obedience, purity andpeace, commanded them to commit rebellion, incest, and murder. What isstill more astonishing, the principal persons among them, I mean theprophet, the father of the family, and Michel Boneau, never wereconvinced of their delusion, but persisted in it until their last breath. During their trial they appeared altogether unconcerned and secure, affirming that God was on their side, and therefore they feared not whatman could do unto them. They freely told the incestuous story in opencourt in all its circumstances and aggravations, with a good countenance, and very readily confessed the facts respecting their rebellion andmurder, with which they stood charged, but pled their authority from Godin vindication of themselves, and insisted they had done nothing ineither case but by his express command. "As it is commonly the duty of clergymen to visit persons under sentenceof death, both to convince them of their error and danger, and preparethem for death by bringing them to a penitent disposition; AlexanderGarden, the episcopal minister of Charlestown, to whom we are indebtedfor this account, attended those condemned persons with great diligenceand concern. What they had affirmed in the court of justice, theyrepeated and confessed to him in like manner in the prison. When he beganto reason with them and to explain the heinous nature of their crimes, they treated him with disdain. Their motto was, Answer him not a word;who is he that should presume to teach them, who had the Spirit of Godspeaking inwardly to their souls. In all they had done, they said theyhad obeyed the voice of God, and were now about to suffer martyrdom forhis religion. But God had assured them, that he would either work adeliverance for them, or raise them up from the dead on the third day. These things the three men continued confidently to believe, andnotwithstanding all the means used to convince them of their mistake, persisted in the same belief until the moment they expired. At theirexecution they told the spectators with seeming triumph, they should soonsee them again, for they were certain they should rise from the dead onthe third day. With respect to the other three, the daughter Judith beingwith child, was not tried, and the two sons, David and John Dutartre, about eighteen and twenty years of age, having been also tried andcondemned, continued sullen and reserved, in hopes of seeing those thatwere executed rise from the dead, but being disappointed, they became, orat least seemed to become, sensible of their error, and were bothpardoned. Yet not long afterwards one of them relapsed into the samesnare, and murdered an innocent person, without either provocation orprevious quarrel, and for no other reason, as he confessed, but that Godhad commanded him so to do. Being a second time brought to trial, he wasfound guilty of murder and condemned. Mr. Garden attended him again underthe second sentence, and acknowledged, with great appearance of success. No man could appear more deeply sensible of his error and delusion, orcould die a more sincere and hearty penitent on account of his horridcrimes. With great attention he listened to Mr. Garden, while heexplained to him the terms of pardon and salvation proposed in theGospel, and seemed to die in the humble hopes of mercy, through theall-sufficient merits of a Redeemer. " Thus ended that tragical scene of fanaticism, in which seven persons losttheir lives, one was killed, two were murdered, and four executed for themurders. A signal and melancholy instance of the weakness and frailty ofhuman nature, and to what giddy heights of extravagance and madness, aninflamed imagination will carry unfortunate mortals. It is hard for thewisdom of men to conceive a remedy for a distemper such as religiousinfatuation. Severity and persecution commonly add strength to thecontagion, and render it more furious. Indulgence and lenity mightperhaps prove more efficacious, as the swellings of phrenzy would in timesubside, in proportion as they exceed the bounds of nature. Had theygiven this unhappy family time for cool thought and reflection, it is notimprobable that those clouds of delusion which overspread their mindsmight have dispersed, and they might have returned to a sense of theirfrailty and error. But it belongs to the civil power to prohibit wildenthusiasts and mad visionaries from spreading doctrines among vulgarpeople, destructive of civil order and public peace. The majority ofmankind every where are ignorant and credulous, and therefore are objectsof compassion, and ought to be protected against the baleful influence ofsuch men as seduce them from their duty and subjection to legalauthority, by poisoning their minds with notions hurtful to themselvesand others. [Sidenote] Progress of the colony. About this time the number of white inhabitants, including men, women, and children, was computed to amount to fourteen thousand, an increase, in the space of fifty-four years after the arrival of first colony, verysmall and inconsiderable, and occasioned, no doubt, both by theunhealthiness of the climate and by the discouragements and troubleswhich prevailed during the proprietary government. The province nowfurnished the inhabitants with provisions in abundance, and exported whatit could spare to the West Indies. The white inhabitants lived frugally, as luxury had not yet crept in among them, and, except a little rum andsugar, tea and coffee, were contented with what their plantationsafforded. Maize and Indian pease seemed congenial with the soil andclimate: and as they had been cultivated by the savages for provision, they were found also to be excellent food for European labourers, andmore wholesome and nourishing than rice. Maize delights not to grow on awatry soil, but on dry and loose land, such as the higher spots on themaritime parts of the province. As the use of the plow could not beintroduced until the lands were cleared of the roots of trees, to preparea field for planting it great labour was requisite. They commonly maderidges with the hoe about five feet asunder, upon the top of which theyplanted the seed three inches deep. One gallon of maize will sow an acre, which, with skilful management on good lands, will yield in favourableseasons from thirty to fifty bushels. While it grows it requires to befrequently weeded, and the earth carefully thrown up about the root ofthe plant, to facilitate its progress. As it rises high, at the root ofit the Indian pease are usually planted, which climb up its stalk like avine, so that the lands yield a double crop. From the stem of maize largeblades spring, which the planters carefully gather, and which, whenproperly cured, the horses or cattle will prefer before the finest hay. These two articles, maize, Indian pease, together with the Spanishpotatoes, are the chief subsistence of their slaves, consisting chieflyof negroes and a few Indians, and who, at this time, men, women, andchildren, amounted to between sixteen and twenty thousand. In the year 1724, four hundred and thirty-nine slaves, as also Britishgoods and manufactures of different kinds, to the amount of between fiftyand sixty thousand pounds sterling, were imported into the province. Inexchange for these slaves and commodities, eighteen thousand barrels ofrice, and about fifty-two thousand barrels of pitch, tar and turpentine, together with deer-skins, furs, and raw silk, were exported to England. This trade was carried on almost entirely in British ships, and employeda number of hands. The Carolineans also traded to the West Indies, andseveral small ships and sloops were employed in carrying provisions, lumber, slaves and naval stores to these islands, which they bartered forsugar, rum, molasses, coffee, cotton, and Spanish gold and silver. To NewEngland, New York, and Pennsylvania, they sent some rice, hides, deer-skins, tar and pitch, which they exchanged for flour, salt fish, fruit, beer, and cyder. All gold and silver that came into the province from the West Indies theycommonly sent into Britain, to answer the demands against them; and billsof credit continued increasing and circulating, for the convenience ofdomestic commerce. Forty thousand pounds were issued during Nicolson'sgovernment, over and above former emissions, by which increase theexchange with Britain, and the price of produce arose in one year fromfive to six hundred _per cent_. This has never failed to be theconsequence of issuing large quantities of paper money in Carolina: forwhenever this currency was permitted to increase beyond what wasnecessary for the purposes of commerce, it sunk in value, andproportionably increased the nominal price of provisions and labour; andof course should it by any accident be diminished, the price would againfall. Besides this, when the imports happened to exceed the exports, thegreat demand for bills of exchange raised the price of them, and helpedto increase the depreciation of the current money of the province. [Sidenote] The adventure of Captain Beale. Among other traders, at this time Othneal Beale commanded a ship in theCarolina trade; and while sailing from Charlestown to London, not beingprovided with a Mediterranean pass, he was taken by an Algerine rover, who determined to carry him to Barbary, and for this purpose took theEnglish sailors on board, and manned Captain Beale's ship with Algerines, giving them orders to follow him to the Mediterranean sea. Soon after, astorm arising in the night separated the two ships, and Captain Bealebeing the only person on board that understood navigation, resolved toavail himself of the advantage, and accordingly, instead of sailing forAfrica, steered directly for England. Upon his arrival the Algerinesailors were surprized, but not at all displeased; they even confessed totheir ambassador the kind usage they had received; upon which CaptainBeale had all he lost returned by agreement, together with thanks for hishumanity. This bold adventure likewise procured the captain the honour ofan introduction to the King, who expressed a desire of seeing him, andordered Lord Carteret, then Secretary of state, to make him a handsomepresent on the occasion. This memorable anecdote being published, servedto mark him for a man of address and courage in Carolina, where heafterwards took up his residence, and in time arrived at the chiefcommand of the militia, was made a member of his majesty's council, anddied at the age of eighty-five, a rare instance of longevity in thatcountry. [Sidenote] Arthur Middleton president. In the year 1725, Governor Nicolson having obtained leave from hismajesty, returned to Great Britain, and the government devolved on ArthurMiddleton, president of the council. Mr. Middleton, though of a reservedand mercenary disposition, was a sensible man, and by no means illqualified for governing the province. But having succeeded a man wholiberally spent all his salary and perquisites of office in promoting thepublic good, he was neither so much distinguished nor respected among thecolonists. Being possessed of a moderate fortune, his chief study was toimprove it, and he seemed to aspire after the character of a rich man inprivate life, rather than that of a popular governor and generousbenefactor. As he had taken an active part against the proprietarygovernment, he was not insensible of the advantages now gained from thecountenance given them by the crown, and was equally careful to promoteloyalty to the King as the freedom and safety of his fellow-subjects. [Sidenote] A dispute about the boundaries between Carolina and Florida. At this time the boundaries between the provinces of Carolina and Floridawere neither clearly marked nor well understood, as they had never beensettled by any public agreement or treaty between England and Spain. Toprevent negroes escaping to the Spanish territories, and overawe theIndians under the Spanish juridiction, the Carolineans had built a forton the forks of the river Alatamaha, and supported a small garrison init. This gave umbrage to the governor of Augustine, who complained of itto the court of Madrid, representing it as an encroachment on thedominions of Spain, and intended to seduce the Indians from theirallegiance to his Catholic Majesty. The Spanish ambassador at Londonlodged the complaint before the court of Britain, and demanded thatorders be sent out to Carolina immediately to demolish the fort. Toprevent any interruption of the good correspondence then subsistingbetween the two courts, it was agreed to send orders to both governors inAmerica to meet in an amicable manner, and settle the respectiveboundaries between the British and Spanish dominions in that quarter. Accordingly soon after Don Francisco Menandez, and Don Joseph de Rabiero, came to Charlestown, to hold a conference with the president and councilof Carolina about this matter. At their meeting, Mr. Middleton shewedthose deputies, that this fort was built within the bounds of the chartergranted to the Proprietors, and that the pretensions of Spain to suchlands were vain and groundless. At the same time he told them, that thefort on the river Alatamaha was erected for defending themselves andtheir property against the depredations of Indians living under thejurisdiction of Spain. Then he begged to know from them their reasons forprotecting felons and debtors that fled from Carolina to them, and forencouraging negroes to leave their masters and take refuge at Augustine, while peace subsisted between the two crowns? The deputies replied, Thatthe governor of Florida would deliver up all felons and debtors; but hadexpress orders for twenty years past, to detain all slaves who should flyto Augustine for liberty and protection. Middleton declared he looked onsuch injurious orders as a breach of national honour and faith, especially as negroes were real property, such as houses and lands, inCarolina. The deputies answered, That the design of the King of Spain wasnot to injure private men, having ordered compensation to be made to themasters of such slaves in money; but that his humanity and religionenjoined him to issue such orders for the sake of converting slaves tothe Christian faith. In short, the conference ended to the satisfactionof neither party, and matters remained as they were; but soon after, theEnglish fort, built of wood, was burned to the ground, and the southernfrontiers of Carolina were again left naked and defenceless. [Sidenote] Colonel Palmer makes reprisals on the Spaniards. As no final agreement, with respect to the limits of the two provinceshad been concluded, the Indians in alliance with Spain continued toharass the British settlements: particularly the Yamassees, as usual, penetrating into Carolina in scalping parties, persisted in killing whitemen, and carrying off every negroe they could catch. Though the owners ofslaves had been allowed from the Spanish government a compensation inmoney for their losses, yet few of them ever received it. At lengthColonel Palmer resolved to make reprisals on those plunderers, since noadequate recompense could otherwise be obtained. For this purpose hegathered together a party of militia and friendly Indians, consisting inall of about three hundred men, and entered Florida, with a resolution ofspreading desolation throughout the province. He carried his arms as faras the gates of Augustine, and compelled the inhabitants to take refugein their castle. Scarce a house or hut in the colony escaped the flames. He destroyed their provisions in the fields, and drove off their cattle, hogs and horses. Some Indians he killed, and others he made prisoners. Inshort, he left the people of Florida little property, except what wasprotected by the guns of their fort, and by this expedition convinced theSpaniards of their weakness, and the bad policy of encouraging Indians tomolest the subjects of Britain. He shewed them that the Carolineans couldprevent the cultivation and settlement of their province whenever theypleased, and render the improvement of it impracticable, on any otherthan peaceable terms with their neighbours. [Sidenote] Encroachment of the French in Louisiana. But by this time the Spaniards were not the only neighbours that createdtrouble to the Carolineans. The French settled in Louisiana were alsoadvancing nearer them, and using all their art and address for gainingthe interest and affections of these savage nations. They erected astrong hold, called Fort Alabama, high up on Mobile river, which wasexcellently situated for opening and carrying on a correspondence withthe most powerful nations around the British settlement. The Carolineanshad good reason to be on their guard against the influence of theseintimating and enterprising neighbours. The tribes of Upper Creeks, whosehunting lands extended to their fort, were soon won over by promises andlargesses to an alliance with them. The Cherokees indeed lived at agreater distance from them, and yet by means of Creeks and otheremissaries, whom they sent among them, they endeavoured also to bringthan over to their interest. The river Mississippi being navigable agreat way from its mouth, opened a communication with the Choctaws, Chikesaws, and other nations residing near it. So that the French hadmany excellent opportunities of seducing Indians from their alliance withBritain. The president of Carolina employed Captain Tobias Fitch amongthe Creeks, and Colonel George Chicken among the Cherokees, to keep thesetribes steady and firm to the British interest. These agents, however, during the whole time Mr. Middleton presided over the colony, found nosmall difficulty in counteracting the influence of French policy, andpreventing their union and alliance with these enemies. From this periodthe British and French settlers in America became competitors for powerand influence over Indian nations, the one or the other of whom werealways exposed to danger and trouble from them, in proportion to thesuccess of their rivals. Now the Carolineans were farther from peace andsafety than ever. The French supplied these savages with tomahawks, muskets, and ammunition, by which means they laid aside the bow andarrow, and became more dangerous and formidable enemies than they hadbeen in any former period. [Sidenote] A terrible hurricane. During the summer of 1728, the weather in Carolina was observed to beuncommonly hot, by which the face of the earth was entirely parched, thepools of standing water dried up, and the beasts of the field werereduced to the greatest distress. After such a long and general droughtthe inhabitants having usually observed hurricanes and tornadoes tofollow in autumn, they began accordingly to look out with superstitiousdread for them, as that season of the year approached. Accordingly adreadful hurricane happened in the end of August, and occasioned aninundation, which overflowed the town and the low lands, and didincredible damage to the fortifications, houses, wharfs, shipping, andcornfields. The streets of Charlestown were covered with boats, boards, staves, and the inhabitants were obliged to take refuge in the higherstories of their dwelling-houses. Twenty-three ships were driven a-shore, most of which were either greatly damaged, or dashed to pieces. The Foxand Garland men of war, stationed there for the protection of trade, werethe only ships that rode out the storm. This hurricane, though itlevelled many thousand trees in the maritime parts, yet so thick was theforest, that it was scarcely perceived an hundred miles from the shore. But as such violent storms are probably occasioned by the rarefaction ofthe air, with excessive heat, they are seldom of long duration, forhaving restored the equipoise in the atmosphere, the wind commonlyshifts, and the tempest ceases. [Sidenote] And Yellow Fever. The same year an infectious and pestilential distemper, commonly calledthe Yellow Fever, broke out in town, and swept off multitudes of theinhabitants, both white and black. As the town depended entirely on thecountry for fresh provisions, the planters would suffer no person tocarry supplies to it, for fear of catching the infection, and bringing itto the country. The physicians knew not how to treat the uncommondisorder which was so suddenly caught, and proved so quickly fatal. Thecalamity was so general, that few could grant assistance to theirdistressed neighbours, however much needed and earnestly desired. So manyfunerals happening every day, while so many lay sick, white personssufficient for burying the dead were scarcely to be found; and thoughthey were often interred on the same day they died, so quick was theputrefaction, so offensive and infectious were the corpses, that even thenearest relations seemed averse from the necessary duty. [Sidenote] The Province purchased for the crown. After all, one memorable event distinguished this year, which wasattended with many beneficial consequences to the province. An act ofparliament passed in Britain for establishing an agreement with seven ofthe Proprietors for a surrender of their right and interest, not only inthe government, but also in the soil and lands of the province, to theKing. The purchase was made for seventeen thousand five hundred poundssterling, to be paid before the end of September 1729, free of alldeductions; after which payment, the province was to be vested in thecrown of Great Britain. At the same time seven-eight parts of the arrearsof quit-rents, due from the colonists to the Proprietors, amounting tosomewhat more than nine thousand pounds sterling, were also purchased forthe crown for five thousand; so that seven-eight parts of this vastterritory cost no more than twenty-two thousand five hundred pounds. But, in this act of parliament there is a clause, reserving to John LordCarteret the remaining eight share of the property and arrears ofquit-rents, which continues to this day legally vested in that family, only all his share in the government he surrendered to the crown. TheProprietors who sold their shares at this time, were Henry Duke ofBeaufort, William Lord Craven, James Bertie, Dodington Greville, HenryBertie, Mary Danson, Elisabeth More, Sir John Colleton, John Cotton, andJoseph Blake, who before the surrender were possessed, either in theirown right or in trust, of seven eight parts of the government andproperty of the province. This surrender was made to Edward Bertie, Samuel Horsey, Henry Smith, and Alexis Clayton, in trust for the crown. In consequence of the powers granted to his Majesty by this act ofparliament, he claims the prerogative of appointing Governors to bothSouth and North Carolina, and a council similar to the other regalgovernments in America. THE END OF VOLUME FIRST. The First SET Of The FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS Of SOUTH CAROLINA. As Compiled By Mr. JOHN LOCKE. Our Sovereign Lord The King having, out of his royal grace and bounty, granted unto us the province of CAROLINA, with all the royalties, properties, jurisdictions and privileges of a county palatine, as largeand ample as the county palatine of Durham, with other great privileges;for the better settlement of the government of the said place, andestablishing the interest of the Lords Proprietors with equality, andwithout confusion; and that the government of this province may be mademost agreeable to the monarchy under which we live, and of which thisprovince is a part; and that we may avoid erecting a numerous democracy:we the Lords and Proprietors of the province aforesaid, have agreed tothis following form of government to be perpetually established amongstus, unto which we do oblige ourselves, our heirs and successors, in themost binding ways that can be devised. I. The eldest of the Lords Proprietors shall be Palatine; and, upon thedecease of the Palatine, the eldest of the seven surviving proprietorsshall always succeed him. II. There shall be seven other chief offices erected, viz. The admirals, chamberlains, chancellors, constables, chief justices, high stewards, andtreasurers; which places shall be enjoyed by none but the LordsProprietors, to be assigned at first by lot; and upon the vacancy of anyone of the seven great offices by death, or otherwise, the eldestproprietor shall have his choice of the said place. III. The whole province shall be divided into counties; each county shallconsist of eight signiories, eight baronies, and four precincts; eachprecinct shall consist of six colonies. IV. Each signiory, barony, and colony, shall consist of twelve thousandacres; the eight signiories being the share of the eight proprietors, andthe eight baronies of the nobility; both which shares, being each of themone fifth part of the whole, are to be perpetually annexed, the one tothe proprietors, the other to the hereditary nobility, leaving thecolonies, being three fifths, amongst the people; that so in setting out, and planting the lands, the balance of the government may be preserved. V. At any time before the year one thousand seven hundred and one, any ofthe Lords Proprietors shall have power to relinquish, alienate, anddispose, to any other person, his proprietorship, and all the signiories, powers, and interest, thereunto belonging, wholly and entirely together, and not otherwise. But, after the year one thousand seven hundred, thosewho are then Lords Proprietors shall not have power to alienate or makeover their proprietorship, with the signiories and privileges thereuntobelonging, or any part thereof, to any person whatsoever otherwise thanas in Paragraph XVIII; but it shall all descend unto their heirs male, and, for want of heirs male, it shall all descend on that Landgrave orCassique of CAROLINA, who is descended of the next heirs female of theProprietor; and, for want of such heirs, it shall descend on the nextheir general; and, for want of such heirs, the remaining sevenproprietors shall, upon the vacancy, chuse a Landgrave to succeed thedeceased proprietor, who being chosen by the majority of the sevensurviving proprietors, he and his heirs successively shall beproprietors, as fully to all intents and purposes as any of the rest. VI. That the number of eight proprietors may be constantly kept; if, uponthe vacancy of any proprietorship, the seven surviving proprietors shallnot chuse a Landgrave to be a proprietor, before the second biennialparliament after the vacancy; then the next biennial parliament but oneafter such vacancy, shall have power to chuse any landgrave to be aproprietor. VII. Whosoever after the year one thousand seven hundred, either byinheritance or choice, shall succeed any proprietor in his proprietorship, and signiories thereunto belonging shall be obliged to take the name andarms of that proprietor whom he succeeds; which from thenceforth shall bethe name and arms of his family and their posterity. VIII. Whatsoever Landgrave or Cassique shall any way come to be aproprietor, shall take the signiories annexed to the said proprietorship;but his former dignity, with the baronies annexed, shall devolve into thehands of the Lords Proprietors. IX. There shall be just as many landgraves as there are counties, andtwice as many cassiques, and no more. These shall be the hereditarynobility of the province, and by right of their dignity be members ofparliament. Each landgrave shall have four baronies, and each cassiquetwo baronies, hereditarily and unalterably annexed to, and settled upon, the said dignity. X. The first landgraves and cassiques of the twelve first counties to beplanted, shall be nominated thus; that is to say, of the twelvelandgraves the Lords Proprietors shall each of them separately forhimself nominate and chuse one; and the remaining four landgraves of thefirst twelve, shall be nominated and chosen by the Palatine's court. Inlike manner of the twenty-four first cassiques, each proprietor forhimself shall nominate and chuse two, and the remaining eight shall benominated and chosen by the Palatine's court; and when the twelve firstcounties shall be planted, the Lords Proprietors shall again in the samemanner nominate and chuse twelve more landgraves, and twenty-fourcassiques, for the twelve next counties to be planted; that is to say, two thirds of each number by the single nomination of each proprietor forhimself, and the remaining one-third by the joint election of thePalatine's court, and so proceed in the same manner till the wholeprovince of CAROLINA be set out and planted, according to the proportionsin these FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS. XI. Any landgrave or cassique at any time before the year one thousandseven hundred and one shall have power to alienate, sell, or make over, to any other person, his dignity, with the baronies thereunto belonging, all entirely together. But, after the year one thousand seven hundred, nolandgrave or cassique shall have power to alienate, sell, make over, orlet, the hereditary baronies of his dignity, or any part thereof, therwise than as in Paragraph XVIII; but they shall all entirely, withthe dignity thereunto belonging, descend unto his heirs male; and, forwant of heirs male, all entirely and undivided, to the next heir general;and, for want of such heirs, shall devolve into the hands of the LordsProprietors. XII. That the due number of landgraves and cassiques may be always keptup; if, upon the devolution of any land graveship or cassiqueship, thePalatine's court shall not settle the devolved dignity, with the baroniesthereunto annexed, before the second biennial parliament after suchdevolution; the next biennial parliament but one after such devolutionshall have power to make any one landgrave or cassique in the room ofhim, who, dying without heirs, his dignity and baronies devolved. XIII. No one person shall have more than one dignity, with the signioriesor baronies thereunto belonging. But whensoever it shall happen that anyone, who is already proprietor, landgrave, of cassique, shall have any ofthese dignities descend to him by inheritance; it shall be at his choiceto keep which of the dignities, with the land annexed, he shall likebest; but shall leave the other, with the lands annexed, to be enjoyed byhim, who, not being his heir apparent and certain successor to hispresent dignity, is next of blood. XIV. Whosoever, by the right of inheritance, shall come to be landgraveor cassique, shall take the name and arms of his predecessor in thatdignity, to be from thenceforth the name and arms of his family and theirposterity. XV. Since the dignity of proprietor, landgrave, or cassique, cannot bedivided, and the signiories or baronies thereunto annexed must for everall entirely descend with, and accompany that dignity; whensoever, forwant of heirs male, it shall descend on the issue female, the eldestdaughter and her heirs shall be preferred, and in the inheritance ofthose dignities, and the signiories or baronies annexed, there shall beno co-heirs. XVI. In every signiory, barony and manor, the respective lord shall havepower, in his own name, to hold court-leet there, for trying of allcauses both civil and criminal; but where it shall concern any personbeing no inhabitant, vassal, or leet-man of the said signiory, barony, ormanor, he, upon paying down of forty shillings to the Lords Proprietor'suse, shall have an appeal from the signiory or barony-court to thecounty-court, and from the manor-court to the precinct-court. XVII. Every manor shall consist of not less than three thousand acres, and not above twelve thousand aces, in one entire piece and colony; butany three thousand acres or more in one piece, and the possession of oneman, shall not be a manor unless it be constituted a manor by the grantof the Palatine's court. XVIII. The lords of signiories and baronies shall have power only ofgranting estates not exceeding three lives, or thirty-one years, in twothirds of the said signiories or baronies, and the remaining third shallbe always demesne. XIX. Any lord of a manor may alienate, sell, or dispose, to any otherperson and his heirs for ever, his manor, all entirely together, with allthe privileges and leet-men thereunto belonging, so far forth as anycolony lands; but no grant of any part thereof, either in fee, or for anylonger term than three lives, or one and twenty years, shall be goodagainst the next heir. XX. No manor, for want of issue male, shall he divided amongst co-heirs;but the manor, if there be but one, shall all entirely descend to theeldest daughter and her heirs. If there be more manors than one, theeldest daughter first shall have her choice, the second next, and so on, beginning again at the eldest, till all the manors be taken up; that sothe privileges which belong to manors being indivisible, the lands of themanors, to which they are annexed, may be kept entire, and the manor notlose those privileges, which, upon parceling out to several owners, mustnecessarily cease. XXI. Every lord of a manor, within his manor, shall have all the powers, jurisdictions, and privileges, which a landgrave or cassique have in hisbaronies. XXII. In every signiory, barony, and manor, all the leet-men shall beunder the jurisdiction of the respective lords of the said signiory, barony, or manor without appeal from him. Nor shall any leet-man, orleet-woman, have liberty to go off from the land of their particularlord, and live any where else, without licence obtained from their saidlord, under hand and seal. XXIII. All the children of leet-men shall be leet-men, and so to allgenerations. XXIV. No man shall be capable of having a court-leet, or leet-men, but aproprietor, landgrave, cassique, or lord of a manor. XXV. Whoever shall voluntarily enter himself a leet-man, in the registryof the county-court, shall be a leet-man. XXVI. Whoever is lord of leet-men, shall, upon the marriage of a leet-manor leet-woman of his, give them ten acres of land for their lives; theypaying to him therefore not more than one eighth part of all the yearlyproduce and growth of the said ten acres. XXVII. No landgrave or cassique shall be tried for any criminal cause inany but the chief justice's court, and that by a jury of his peers. XXVIII. There shall be eight supreme courts. The first called thePalatine's court, consisting of the palatine and the other sevenproprietors. The other seven courts of the other seven great officers, shall consist each of them of a proprietor, and six counsellors added tohim. Under each of these latter seven courts, shall be a college oftwelve assistants. The twelve assistants of the several colleges shall bechosen, two out of the landgraves, cassiques, or eldest sons ofproprietors, by the Palatine's court; two out of the landgraves, by thelandgraves chamber; two out of the cassiques, by the cassique's chamber;four more of the twelve shall be chosen by the commons chamber, out ofsuch as have been, or are, members of parliament, sheriffs, or justicesof the county court, or the younger sons of proprietors, or eldest sonsof landgraves or cassiques; the two other shall be chosen by thepalatine's court, out of the same sort of persons, out of which thecommons chamber is to chuse. XXIX. Out of these colleges shall be chosen at first, by the Palatine'scourt, six counsellors, to be joined with each proprietor in his court;of which six, one shall be of those who were chosen in any of thecolleges by the Palatine's court, out of the landgraves, cassiques, oreldest sons of proprietors; one out of those who were chosen by thelandgraves chamber; and one out of those who were chosen by the cassiqueschamber; two out of those who were chosen by the commons chamber; and oneout of those who were chosen by the Palatine's court, out of theproprietors younger sons, or eldest sons of landgraves, cassiques, orcommons, qualified as aforesaid. XXX. When it shall happen that any counsellor dies, and thereby there isa vacancy, the grand council shall have power to remove any counsellorthat is willing to be removed out of any of the proprietors courts tofill up the vacancy; provided they take a man of the same degree andchoice the other was of, whose vacant place is to be filled up. But if nocounsellor consent to be removed, or upon such remove, the last remainingvacant place, in any of the proprietor's courts, shall be filled up bythe choice of the grand council, who shall have power to remove out ofany of the colleges, any assistant, who is of the same degree and choicethat counsellor was of, into whose vacant place he is to succeed. Thegrand council also shall have power to remove any assistant, that iswilling, out of one college into another, provided he be of the samedegree and choice. But the last remaining vacant place in any college, shall be filled up by the same choice, and out of the same degree ofpersons the assistant was of, who is dead or removed. No place shall bevacant in any proprietor's court above six months. No place shall bevacant in any college longer than the next session of parliament. XXXI. No man, being a member of the grand council, or of any of the sevencolleges, shall be turned out but for misdemeanour, of which the grandcouncil shall be judge; and the vacancy of the person so put out shall befilled, not by the election of the grand council, but by those who firstchose him, and out of the same degree he was of who is expelled. But itis not hereby to be understood, that the grand council hath any power toturn out any one of the Lords Proprietors or their deputies, the LordsProprietors having in themselves an inherent original right. XXXII. All elections in the parliament, in the several chambers of theparliament, and in the grand council, shall be passed by balloting. XXXIII. The Palatine's court shall consist of the Palatine and sevenproprietors, wherein nothing shall be acted without the presence andconsent of the Palatine or his deputy, and three others of theproprietors or their deputies. This court shall have power to callparliaments, to pardon all offences, to make elections of all officers inthe proprietor's dispose, and to nominate and appoint Port Towns; andalso shall have power by their order to the treasurer to dispose of allpublic treasure, excepting money granted by the parliament, and by themdirected to some particular public use; and also shall have a negativeupon all acts, orders, votes and judgments, of the grand council and theparliament, except only as in Paragraphs VI. And XII. ; and shall have allthe powers granted to the Lords Proprietors, by their patent from OURSOVEREIGN LORD THE KING, except in such things as are limited by theseFUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS. XXXIV. The Palatine himself, when he in person shall be either in thearmy or in any of the proprietors courts, shall then have the power ofgeneral, or of that proprietor, in whose court he is then present; andthe proprietor, in whose court the Palatine then presides, shall duringhis presence there be but as one of the council. XXXV. The chancellor's court, consisting of one of the proprietors, andhis six counsellors, who shall be called vice-chancellors, shall havethe custody of the seal of the palatine, under which all charters oflands, or otherwise, commissions and grants of the Palatine's court, shall pass. And it shall not be lawful to put the seal of the palatinateto any writing, which is not signed by the Palatine or his deputy, andthree other proprietors or their deputies. To this court also belong allstate matters, dispatches, and treaties with the neighbour Indians. Tothis court also belong all invasions of the law, of liberty ofconscience, and all disturbances of the public peace, upon pretence ofreligion, as also the licence of printing. The twelve assistantsbelonging to this court shall be called recorders. XXXVI. Whatever passes under the seal of the palatinate, shall beregistered in that proprietor's court, to which the matter thereincontained belongs. XXXVII. The chancellor or his deputy shall be always speaker inparliament, and president of the grand council, and, in his and hisdeputy's absence, one of his vice-chancellors. XXXVIII. The chief justice's court, consisting of one of the proprietorsand his six counsellors, who shall be called justices of the bench, shalljudge all appeals in cases both civil and criminal, except all such casesas shall be under the jurisdiction and cognizance of any other of theproprietor's courts, which shall be tried in those courts respectively. The government and regulation of the registries of writings andcontracts, shall belong to the jurisdiction of this court. The twelveassistants of this court shall be called masters. XXXIX. The constable's court, consisting of one of the proprietors andhis six counsellors, who shall be called marshals, shall order anddetermine of all military affairs by land, and all land-forces, arms, ammunition, artillery, garrisons, forts, &c. And whatever belongs untowar. His twelve assistants shall be called lieutenant-generals. XL. In time of actual war, the constable, while he is in the army, shallbe general of the army, and the six counsellors, or such of them as thePalatine's court shall for that time or service appoint, shall be theimmediate great officers under him, and the lieutenant-generals next tothem. XLI. The admiral's court, consisting of one of the proprietors, and hissix counsellors, called consuls, shall have the care and inspection overall ports, moles, and navigable rivers, so far as the tide flows, andalso all the public shipping of CAROLINA, and stores thereunto belonging, and all maritime affairs. This court also shall have the power of thecourt of admiralty; and shall have power to constitute judges inport-towns, to try cases belonging to law-merchant, as shall be mostconvenient for trade. The twelve assistants, belonging to this court, shall be called proconsuls. XLII. In time of actual war, the admiral, whilst he is at sea, shallcommand in chief, and his six counsellors, or such of them as thePalatine's court shall for that time and service appoint, shall be theimmediate great officers under him, and the proconsuls next to them. XLIII. The treasurer's court, consisting of a proprietor and his hiscounsellors, called under-treasurers, shall take care of all matters thatconcern the public revenue and treasury. The twelve assistants shall becalled auditors. XLIV. The high-steward's court, consisting of a proprietor and his sixcounsellors, called comptrollers, shall have the care of all foreign anddomestic trade, manufactures, public buildings, work-houses, high-ways, passages by water above the flood of the tide, drains, sewers, and banksagainst inundations, bridges, post, carriers, fairs, markets, corruptionor infection of the common air or water, and all things in order to thepublic commerce and health; also setting out and surveying of lands; andalso setting out and appointing places for towns to be built on in theprecincts, and the prescribing and determining the figure and bigness ofthe said towns, according to such models as the said court shall order;contrary or differing from which models it shall not be lawful for anyone to build in any town. This court shall have power also to make anypublic building, or any new highway, or enlarge any old high-way, uponany man's land whatsoever; as also to make cuts, channels, banks, locks, and bridges, for making rivers navigable, or for draining fens, or anyother public use. The damage the owner of such lands (on or through whichany such public things shall be made) shall receive thereby, shall bevalued, and satisfaction made by such ways as the grand council shallappoint. The twelve assistants, belonging to this court, shall be calledsurveyors. XLV. The chamberlain's court, consisting of a proprietor and his sixcounsellors, called vice-chamberlains, shall have the care of allceremonies, precedency, heraldry, reception of public messengers, pedigrees, the registry of all births, burials, and marriages, legitimation, and all cases concerning matrimony, or arising from it; andshall also have power to regulate all fashions, habits, badges, games andsports. To this court also it shall belong to convocate the grandcouncil. The twelve assistants, belonging to this court, shall be calledprovosts. XLVI. All causes belonging to, or under the jurisdiction of, any of theproprietors courts, shall in them respectively be tried, and ultimatelydetermined, without any farther appeal. XLVII. The proprietors courts shall have a power to mitigate all fines, and suspend all executions in criminal causes, either before or aftersentence, in any of the other inferior courts respectively. XLVIII. In all debates, hearings, or trials, in any of the proprietor'scourts, the twelve assistants belonging to the said courts respectively, shall have liberty to be present, but shall not interpose, unless theiropinions be required, nor have any vote at all; but their business shallbe, by the direction of the respective courts, to prepare such businessas shall be committed to them; as also to bear such offices, and dispatchsuch affairs, either where the court is kept or elsewhere as the courtshall think fit. XLIX. In all the proprietors courts, the proprietor, and any three of hiscounsellors, shall make a quorum; provided always, that, for the betterdispatch of business, it shall be in the power of the Palatine's court, to direct what sort of causes shall be heard and determined by a quorumof any three. L. The grand council shall consist of the Palatine and seven proprietors, and the forty-two counsellors of the several proprietors courts, whoshall have power to determine any controversies that may arise betweenany of the proprietors courts, about their respective jurisdictions, orbetween the members of the same court, about their manner and methods ofproceeding; to make peace and war, leagues, treaties, &c. With any of theneighbour Indians; to issue out their general orders to the constable'sand admiral's courts, for the raising, disposing, or disbanding theforces, by land or by sea. LI. The grand council shall prepare all matters to be proposed inparliament. Nor shall any matter whatsoever be proposed in parliament, but what hath first passed the grand council; which, after having beenread three several days in the parliament, shall by majority of votes bepassed or rejected. LII. The grand council shall always be judges of all causes and appealsthat concern the Palatine, or any of the Lords Proprietors, or anycounsellor of any proprietor's court, in any cause, which otherwiseshould have been tried in the court in which the said counsellor is judgehimself. LIII. The grand council, by their warrants to the treasurer's court, shall dispose of all the money given by the parliament and by themdirected to any particular public use. LIV. The quorum of the grand council shall be thirteen, whereof aproprietor or his deputy shall be always one. LV. The grand council shall meet the first Tuesday in every month, and asmuch oftener as either they shall think fit, or they shall be convocatedby the chamberlain's court. LVI. The Palatine, or any of the Lords Proprietors, shall have powerunder hand and seal, to be registered in the grand council, to make adeputy, who shall have the same power to all intents and purposes as hehimself who deputes him; except in confirming acts of parliament, as inParagraph LXXVI, and except also in nominating and chusing landgraves andcassiques, as in Paragraph X. All such deputations shall cease anddetermine at the end of four years, and at any time shall be revocable atthe pleasure of the deputator. LVII. No deputy of any proprietor shall have any power whilst thedeputator is in any part of CAROLINA, except the proprietor, whose deputyhe is, be a minor. LVIII. During the minority of any proprietor his guardian shall havepower to constitute and appoint his deputy. LIX. The eldest of the Lords Proprietors, who shall be personally inCAROLINA, shall of course be the Palatine's deputy, and if no proprietorbe in CAROLINA, he shall chuse his deputy out of the heirs apparent ofany of the proprietors, if any such be there; and if there be no heirapparent of any of the Lords Proprietors above one and twenty years oldin CAROLINA, then he shall chuse for deputy any one of the landgraves ofthe grand council; and till he have by deputation under hand and sealchosen any one of the forementioned heirs apparent or landgraves to behis deputy, the eldest man of the landgraves, and, for want of alandgrave, the eldest man of the cassiques, who shall be personally inCAROLINA, shall of course be his deputy. LX. Each proprietor's deputy shall be always one of his own sixcounsellors respectively; and in case any of the proprietors hath not, inhis absence out of CAROLINA, a deputy, commissioned under his hand andseal, the eldest nobleman of his court shall of course be his deputy. LXI. In every county there shall be a court, consisting of a sheriff, andfour justices of the county, for every precinct one. The sheriff shall bean inhabitant of the county, and have at least five hundred acres offreehold within the said county; and the justices shall be inhabitants, and have each of them five hundred acres a-piece freehold within theprecinct for which they serve respectively. These five shall be chosenand commissioned from time to time by the Palatine's court. LXII. For any personal causes exceeding the value of two hundred poundssterling, or in title of land, or in any criminal cause; either party, upon paying twenty pounds sterling to the Lords Proprietors use, shallhave liberty of appeal from the county-court unto the respectiveproprietor's court. LXIII. In every precinct there shall be a court consisting of a stewardand four justices of the precinct, being inhabitants, and having threehundred acres of freehold within the said precinct, who shall judge allcriminal causes; except for treason, murder, and any other offencespunishable with death, and except all criminal causes of the nobility;and shall judge also all civil causes whatsoever; and in all personalactions not exceeding fifty pounds sterling, without appeal; but wherethe cause shall exceed that value, or concern a title of land, and in allcriminal causes; there either party, upon paying five pounds sterling tothe Lords Proprietors use, shall have liberty of appeal to thecounty-court. LXIV. No cause shall be twice tried in any one court, upon any reason orpretence whatsoever. LXV. For treason, murder, and all other offences punishable with death, there shall be a commission, twice a year at least, granted onto one ormore members of the grand council or colleges, who shall come asitinerant judges to the several counties, and with the sheriff and fourjustices shall hold assizes to judge all such causes; but, upon paying offifty pounds sterling to the Lords Proprietors use, there shall beliberty of appeal to the respective proprietor's court. LXVI. The grand jury at the several assizes, shall, upon their oaths, andunder their hands and seals, deliver in to the itinerant judges apresentment of such grievances, misdemeanors, exigences, or defects, which they think necessary for the public good of the county; whichpresentments shall, by the itinerant judges, at the end of their circuit, be delivered in to the grand council at their next sitting. Andwhatsoever therein concerns the execution of laws already made; theseveral proprietors courts, in the matters belonging to each of themrespectively, shall take cognizance of it and give such order about it, as shall be effectual for the due execution of the laws. But whateverconcerns the making of any new law, shall be referred to the severalrespective courts to which that matter belongs, and be by them preparedand brought to the grand council. LXVII. For terms, there shall be quarterly such a certain number of days, not exceeding one and twenty at any one time, as the several respectivecourts shall appoint. The time for the beginning of the term, in theprecinct-court, shall be the first Monday in January, April, July, andOctober; in the county-court, the first Monday in February, May, August, and November, and in the proprietors courts, the first Monday in March, June, September, and December. LXVIII. In the precinct-court no man shall be a jury-man under fiftyacres of freehold. In the county-court, or at the assizes, no man shallbe a grand jury-man under three hundred acres of freehold; and no manshall be a petty jury-man under two hundred acres of freehold. In theproprietors courts no man shall be a jury-man under five hundred acres offreehold. LXIX. Every jury shall consist of twelve men; and it shall not benecessary they should all agree, but the verdict shall be according tothe consent of the majority. LXX. It shall be a base and vile thing to plead for money or reward; norshall any one (except he be a near kinsman, not farther off thancousin-german to the party concerned) be permitted to plead another man'scause, till, before the judge in open court, he hath taken an oath, thathe doth not plead for money or reward, nor hath nor will receive, nordirectly nor indirectly bargained with the party, whose cause he is goingto plead; for money or any other reward for pleading his cause. LXXI. There shall be a parliament, consisting of the proprietors or theirdeputies, the landgraves and cassiques, and one freeholder out of everyprecinct, to be chosen by the freeholders of the said precinctrespectively. They shall sit all together in one room, and have everymember one vote. LXXII. No man shall be chosen a member of parliament, who hath less thanfive hundred acres of freehold within the precinct for which he ischosen; nor shall any have a vote in chusing the said member that hathless than fifty acres of free-hold within the said precinct. LXXIII. A new parliament shall be assembled the first Monday of the monthof November every second year, and shall meet and sit in the town theylast sat in, without any summons, unless by the Palatine's court they besummoned to meet at any other place. And if there shall be any occasionof a parliament in these intervals, it shall be in the power of thePalatine's court to assemble them in forty days notice, and at such timeand place as the said court shall think fit; and the Palatine's courtshall have power to dissolve the said parliament when they shall thinkfit. LXXIV. At the opening of every parliament, the first thing that shall bedone, shall be the reading of these FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS, which thePalatine and proprietors, and the rest of the members then present shallsubscribe. Nor shall any person whatsoever sit or vote in the parliament, till he hath that session subscribed these FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS, ina book kept for that purpose by the clerk of the parliament. LXXV. In order to the due election of members for the biennialparliament, it shall be lawful for the freeholders of the respectiveprecincts to meet the first Tuesday in September every two years, in thesame town or place that they last met in, to chuse parliament-men; andthere chuse those members that are to sit the next November following, unless the steward of the precinct shall, by sufficient notice thirtydays before, appoint some other place for their meeting, in order to theelection. LXXVI. No act or order of parliament shall be of any force, unless it heratified in open parliament during the same session, by the Palatine orhis deputy, and three more of the Lords Proprietors or their deputies;and then not to continue longer in force but until the next biennialparliament, unless in the mean time it be ratified under the hands andseals of the Palatine himself, and three more of the Lords Proprietorsthemselves, and by their order published at the next biennial parliament. LXXVII. Any proprietor or his deputy may enter his protestation againstany act of the parliament, before the Palatine or his deputy's consent begiven as aforesaid; if he shall conceive the said act to be contrary tothis establishment, or any of these FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS of thegovernment. And in such case, after full and free debate, the severalestates shall retire into four several chambers; the Palatine andproprietors into one; the landgraves into another; the cassiques intoanother; and those chosen by the precincts into a fourth: and if themajor part of any of the four estates shall vote that the law is notagreeable to this establishment and these FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS ofthe government, then it shall pass no farther, but be as if it had neverbeen proposed. LXXVIII. The quorum of the parliament shall be one half of those who aremembers, and capable of fitting in the house that present session ofparliament. The quorum of each of the chambers of parliament shall be onehalf of the members of that chamber. LXXIX. To avoid multiplicity of laws, which by degrees always change theright foundations of the original government, all acts of parliamentwhatsoever, in whatsoever form passed or enacted, shall, at the end of anhundred years after their enacting, respectively cease and determine ofthemselves, and without any repeal become null and void, as if no suchacts of laws had ever been made. LXXX. Since multiplicity of comments, as well as of laws, have greatinconveniences, and serve only to obscure and perplex; all manner ofcomments and expositions on any part of these FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS, or any part of the common or statute law of CAROLINA, are absolutelyprohibited. LXXXI. There shall be a registry in every precinct, wherein shall beenrolled all deeds, leases, judgments, mortgages, and other conveyances, which may concern any of the land within the said precinct; and all suchconveyances not so entered or registered, shall not be of force againstany person nor party to the said contract or conveyance. LXXXII. No man shall be register of any precinct, who hath not at leastthree hundred acres of freehold within the said precinct. LXXXIII. The freeholders of every precinct shall nominate three men; outof which three, the chief justice's court shall chuse and commission oneto be register of the said precinct, whilst he shall well behave himself. LXXXIV. There shall be a registry in every signiory, barony, and colony, wherein shall be recorded all the births, marriages and deaths, thatshall happen within the respective signiories, baronies, and colonies. LXXXV. No man shall be register of a colony, that hath not above fiftyacres of freehold within the said colony. LXXXVI. The time of every one's age, that is born in CAROLINA, shall bereckoned from the day that his birth is entered in the registry, and notbefore. LXXXVII. No marriage shall be lawful, whatever contract and ceremony theyhave used, till both the parties mutually own it before the register ofthe place where they were married, and he register it, with the names ofthe father and mother of each party. LXXXVIII. No man shall administer to the goods, or have right to them, orenter upon the estate of any person deceased, till his death beregistered in the respective registry. LXXXIX. He that doth not enter in the respective registry the birth ordeath of any person that is born or dies in his house or ground, shallpay to the said register one shilling per week for each such neglect, reckoning from the time of each birth or death respectively, to the timeof registering it. XC. In like manner the births, marriages, and deaths of the LordsProprietors, Landgraves, and Cassiques, shall be registered in thechamberlain's court. XCI. There shall be in every colony one constable to be chosen annuallyby the freeholders of the colony; his estate shall be above a hundredacres of freehold within the said colony, and such subordinate officersappointed for his assistance as the county-court shall find requisite, and shall be established by the said county-court. The election of thesubordinate annual officers shall be also in the freeholders of thecolony. XCII. All towns incorporate shall be governed by a Mayor, twelveAldermen, and twenty-four of the common-council. The said common-councilshall be chosen by the present housholders of the said town; the aldermenshall be chosen out of the common-council; and the mayor out of thealdermen, by the Palatine's court. XCIII. It being of great consequence to the plantation, that Port-Townsshould be built and preserved; therefore, whosoever shall lade or unladeany commodity at any other place but a Port-Town, shall forfeit to theLord's Proprietors for each run so laden or unladen, the sum of tenpounds sterling; except only such goods as the Palatine's court shalllicense to be laden or unladen elsewhere. XCIV. The first port-town upon every river shall be in a colony, and be aport-town for ever. XCV. No man shall be permitted to be a freeman of CAROLINA, or to haveany estate or habitation within it, that doth not acknowledge a GOD; andthat God is publicly and solemnly to be worshipped. XCVI. [As the country comes to be sufficiently planted and distributedinto fit divisions, it shall belong to the parliament to take care forthe building of churches, and the public maintenance of divines, to beemployed in the exercise of religion, according to the church of England;which being the only true and orthodox, and the national religion of allthe king's dominions, is so also of CAROLINA; and therefore it aloneshall be allowed to receive public maintenance, by grant ofparliament]. [2] [2] This article was not drawn up by Mr. LOCKE; but inserted by some of the chief of the proprietors, against his judgment; as Mr. LOCKE himself informed one of his friends, to whom he presented a copy of these Constitutions. XCVII. But since the natives of that place, who will be concerned in ourplantation, are utterly strangers to Christianity, whose idolatry, ignorance, or mistake, gives us no right to expel, or use them ill; andthose who remove from other parts to plant there, will unavoidably be ofdifferent opinions concerning matters of religion, the liberty whereofthey will expect to have allowed them, and it will not be reasonable forus on this account to keep them out; that civil peace may be maintainedamidst the diversity of opinions, and our agreement and compact with allmen may be duly and faithfully observed; the violation whereof, upon whatpretence soever, cannot be without great offence to almighty God, andgreat scandal to the true religion, which we profess; and also that Jews, Heathens, and other dissenters from the purity of Christian religion, maynot be scared and kept at a distance from it, but, by having anopportunity of acquainting themselves with the truth and reasonablenessof its doctrines, and the peaceableness and inoffensiveness of itsprofessors, may by good usage and persuasion, and all those convincingmethods of gentleness and meekness suitable to the rules and design ofthe gospel, be won over to embrace and unfeignedly receive the truth;therefore any seven or more persons agreeing in any religion, shallconstitute a church or profession, to which they shall give some name, todistinguish it from others. XCVIII. The terms of admittance and communion with any church orprofession, shall be written in a book, and therein be subscribed by allthe members of the said church or profession; which book shall be kept bythe public register of the precinct where they reside. XCIX. The time of every one's subscription and admittance shall be datedin the said book of religious record. C. In the terms of communion of every church or profession, thesefollowing shall be three; without which no agreement or assembly of men, upon pretence of religion, shall be accounted a church or professionwithin these rules: 1. "That there is a GOD. 2. "That GOD is publicly to be worshipped. 3. "That it is lawful and the duty of every man, being thereunto calledby those that govern, to bear witness to truth; and that every church orprofession shall, in their terms of communion, set down the external waywhereby they witness a truth as in the presence of GOD, whether it be bylaying hands on, or kissing the Bible, as in the church of England, or byholding up the hand, or any other sensible way. " CI. No person above seventeen years of age shall have any benefit orprotection of the law, or be capable of any place of profit or honour, who is not a member of some church or profession, having his namerecorded in some one, and but one religious record at once. CII. No person of any other church or profession shall disturb or molestany religious assembly. CIII. No person whatsoever shall speak any thing in their religiousassembly irreverently or seditiously of the government, or governors, orstate matters. CIV. Any person subscribing the terms of communion in the record of thesaid church or profession, before the precinct register, and any fivemembers of the said church or profession, shall be thereby made a memberof the said church or profession. CV. Any person striking out his own name out of any religious record, orhis name being struck out by any officer thereunto authorised by eachchurch or profession respectively, shall cease to be a member of thatchurch or profession. CVI. No man shall use any reproachful, reviling, or abusive language, against the religion of any church or profession; that being the certainway of disturbing the peace, and of hindering the conversion of any tothe truth, by engaging them in quarrels and animosities, to the hatred ofthe professors and that profession, which otherwise they might be broughtto assent to. CVII. Since charity obliges us to wish well to the souls of all men, andreligion ought to alter nothing in any man's civil estate or right, itshall be lawful for slaves, as well as others, to enter themselves, andbe of what church or profession any of them shall think best, andtherefore be as fully members as any freeman. But yet no slave shallhereby be exempted from that civil dominion his master hath over him, butbe in all other things in the same state and condition he was in before. CVIII. Assemblies, upon what pretence soever of religion, not observingand performing the abovesaid rules, shall not be esteemed as churches, but unlawful meetings, and be punished as other riots. CIX. No person whatsoever shall disturb, molest, or persecute another forhis speculative opinions in religion, or his way of worship. CX. Every freeman of CAROLINA shall have absolute power and authorityover his negro slaves, of what opinion or religion soever. CXI. No cause, whether civil or criminal, of any freeman, shall be triedin any court of judicature, without a jury of his peers. CXII. No person whatsoever shall hold or claim any land in CAROLINA bypurchase or gift, or otherwise, from the natives, or any otherwhatsoever; but merely from and under the Lords Proprietors; upon pain offorfeiture of all his estate, moveable or immoveable, and perpetualbanishment. CXIII. Whosoever shall possess any freehold in CAROLINA, upon what titleor grant soever, shall, at the farthest, from and after the year onethousand six hundred and eighty-nine, pay yearly unto the LordsProprietors for each acre of land, English measure, as much fine silveras is at this present in one English penny, or the value thereof, to beas a chief rent and acknowledgment to the Lords Proprietors; their heirsand successors, for ever. And it shall be lawful for the Palatine'scourt, by their officers at any time, to take a new survey of any man'sland, not to out him of any part of his possession, but that by such asurvey the just number of acres he possesseth may be known, and the rentthereupon due may be paid by him. CXIV. All wrecks, mines, minerals, quarries of gems, and precious stones, with pearl-fishing, whale-fishing, and one half of all ambergrease, bywhomsoever found, shall wholly belong to the Lords Proprietors. CXV. All revenues and profits belonging to the Lords Proprietors incommon shall be divided into ten parts, whereof the Palatine shall havethree and each proprietor one; but if the Palatine shall govern by adeputy, his deputy shall have one of those three tenths, and the Palatinethe other two tenths. CXVI. All inhabitants and freemen of CAROLINA above seventeen years ofage, and under sixty, shall be bound to bear arms, and serve as soldierswhenever the grand council shall find it necessary. CXVII. A true copy of three FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS shall be kept in agreat book by the register of every precinct, to be subscribed before thesaid register. Nor shall any person, of what condition or degree soever, above seventeen years old, have any estate or possession in CAROLINA, orprotection or benefit of the law there, who hath not before a precinctregister subscribed three FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS in this form: "I A. B. Do promise to bear faith and true allegiance to our sovereign lord king CHARLES the Second, his heirs and successors; and will be true and faithful to the Palatine and Lords Proprietors of CAROLINA, their heirs and successors; and with my utmost power will defend them, and maintain the government according to this establishment in these FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS. " CXVIII. Whatsoever alien shall, in this form, before any precinctregister, subscribe these fundamental constitutions, shall be therebynaturalized. CXIX. In the same manner shall every person, at his admittance into anyoffice, subscribe these FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS. CXX. These FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS, in number a hundred and twenty, andevery part thereof, shall be and remain the sacred and unalterable formand rule of government of CAROLINA for ever. Witness our hands andseals, the first day of March, 1669. RULES of PRECEDENCY. I. The Lords Proprietors; the eldest in age first, and so in order. II. The eldest sons of the Lords Proprietors; the eldest in age first, and so in order. III. The landgraves of the grand council; he that hath been longest ofthe grand council first, and so in order. IV. The cassiques of the grand council; he that hath been longest of thegrand council first, and so in order. V. The seven commoners of the grand council that have been longest of thegrand council; he that hath been longest of the grand council first, andso in order. VI. The younger sons of proprietors; the eldest first, and so in order. VII. The landgraves; the eldest in age first, and so in order. VIII. The seven commoners, who, next to those before-mentioned, have beenlongest of the grand council; he that hath been longest of the grandcouncil first, and so in order. IX. The cassiques; the eldest in age first, and so in order. X. The seven remaining commoners of the grand council; he that hath beenlongest of the grand council first, and so in order. XI. The male line of the proprietors. The rest shall be determined by the chamberlain's court.