Chapter 1

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AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE COLONIES OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA.

In Two Volumes.

VOL. I.

By ALEXANDER HEWATT

PREFACE.

The author of the following performance presents it to the public, not from any great value he puts upon it, but from an anxious desire of contributing towards a more complete and general acquaintance with the real state of our colonies in America. Provincial affairs have only of late years been made the objects of public notice and attention. There are yet many, both in Great Britain and America, who are unacquainted with the state of some of these settlements, and with their usefulness and importance to a commercial nation. The southern provinces in particular have been hitherto neglected, insomuch that no writer has savoured the world with any tolerable account of them. Therefore it is hoped, that a performance which brings those important, though obscure, colonies into public view, and tends to throw some light upon their situation, will meet with a favourable reception.

As many of the inhabitants of the eastern world will find themselves little interested in the trifling transactions and events here related, such readers will easily discover in what latitude the author wrote, and for whose use his work was principally intended. They will also soon perceive, that this history, like that of Dr. DOUGLAS respecting a northern settlement in America, is only a rough draught, and far from being a finished piece; and the author will frankly and candidly acknowledge it. The case with respect to him is this, to which he must beg the reader's attention. Having been several years a resident at Charlestown in South Carolina, he was at some pains to pick up such original papers and detached manuscripts as he could find, containing accounts of the past transactions of that colony. This he did at first for the sake of private amusement; but after having collected a considerable number of those papers, he resolved to devote such hours as could be spared from more serious and important business, to arrange them, and form a kind of historical account of the rise and progress of that settlement. For the illustration of particular periods, he confesses that he was sometimes obliged to have recourse to very confused materials, and to make use of such glimmering lights as occurred; indeed his means of information, in the peculiar circumstances in which he stood, were often not so good as he could have desired, and even from these he was excluded before he had finished the collection necessary to complete his plan. Besides, while he was employed in arranging these materials, being in a town agitated with popular tumults, military parade, and frequent alarms, his situation was very unfavourable for calm study and recollection.

While the reader attends to these things, and at the same time considers that the author has entered on a new field, where, like the wilderness he describes, there were few beaten tracks, and no certain guides, he will form several excuses for the errors and imperfections of this history. Many long speeches, petitions, addresses, _&c._ he might no doubt have abridged; but as there were his principal vouchers, for his own sake, he chose to give them entire. Being obliged to travel over the same ground, in order to mark its progress in improvement at different periods, it was no easy matter to avoid repetitions. With respect to language, style and manner of arrangement, the author not being accustomed to write or correct for the press, must crave the indulgence of critics for the many imperfections of this kind which may have escaped his notice. Having endeavoured to render his performance as complete as his circumstances would admit, he hopes the public will treat him with lenity, although it may be far from answering their expectations. In short, if this part of the work shall be deemed useful, and meet with any share of public approbation, the author will be satisfied; and may be induced afterwards to review it, and take some pains to render it not only more accurate and correct, but also more complete, by adding some late events more interesting and important than any here related: but if it shall turn out otherwise, all must acknowledge that he has already bestowed sufficient pains upon a production deemed useless and unprofitable. Sensible therefore of its imperfections, and trusting to the public favour and indulgence, he sends it into the world with that modesty and diffidence becoming 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 are few more interesting and important than the discovery of the western world. By it a large field for adventures, and a new source of power, opulence and grandeur, opened to European nations. To obtain a share of the vast territories in the west became an object of ambition to many of them; but for this purpose, the maritime and commercial states possessed the greatest advantages. Having first discovered the country, with facility they transported people to it, settled colonies there, and in process 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 and ingenious minds, in what quarter of the globe soever they live; but to the posterity of the first adventurers they must be peculiarly acceptable. In the lives of our ancestors we become parties concerned; and when we behold them braving the horrors of the desert, and surmounting every difficulty from a burning climate, a thick forest, and savage neighbours, we admire their courage, and are astonished at their perseverance. We are pleased with every danger they escaped, and wish to see even the most minute events, relating to the rise and progress of their little communities, placed before us in the most full and conspicuous light. The world has not yet been favoured with a particular history of all these colonies: many events respecting some of them lie buried in darkness and oblivion. As we have had an opportunity of acquiring some knowledge of one of the most valuable and flourishing of the British settlements in that quarter, we propose to present the world with a particular, but imperfect, detail of its most memorable and important 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 improper to cast our eyes backward on the earliest ages of European discoveries, and take a slight view of the first and most distinguished adventurers to the western world. This will serve to introduce future occurrences, and contribute towards the easier illustration of them. Beyond doubt, a notion was early entertained of territories lying to the westward of Europe and Africa. Some of the Greek historians make mention of an Atlantic island, large in extent, fertile in its soil, and full of rivers. These historians assert, that the Tyrians and Carthaginians discovered it, and sent a colony thither, but afterwards, from maxims of policy, compelled their people to abandon the settlement. Whether this was the largest of the Canary islands, as we may probably suppose, or not, is a matter of little importance with respect to our present purpose: it is enough that such a notion prevailed, and gained so much credit 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 in the service of Solomon had made what was then esteemed long voyages, and a famous Carthaginian captain had sailed round Africa: the Portuguese also were great adventurers by sea, and their discoveries in Africa served to animate men of courage and enterprise to bolder undertakings: but the invention of the compass proved the mariner's best guide, and facilitated the improvements in navigation. Furnished with this new and excellent instructor, the seaman forsook the dangerous shore and launched out into the immense ocean in search of new regions, which, without it, must long have remained unknown. Even such expeditions as proved abortive, furnished observations and journals to succeeding navigators, and every discovery made, gave life and encouragement to brave adventurers.

[Sidenote] A project of Columbus for attempting a discovery.

About this period Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, appeared, who was a man of great ingenuity, courage, and abilities, and had acquired better notions of the globe, and greater skill in navigation, than any of his cotemporaries. Imagining there might be territories in the west to balance those in the east he directed all his views to that quarter, and was eagerly bent on a voyage of discovery. He drew a plan for the execution of his project, which, together with a map of the world, he laid before his countrymen, shewing them what grandeur and advantage would accrue to their state, should he prove successful. But the leading men of the republic considered his project as wild and chimerical, and shamefully treated him with neglect. Though mortified at this ill usage, he nevertheless remained inflexible as to his purpose, and therefore determined to visit the different courts of Europe, and offer his service to that sovereign who should give him the greatest encouragement and assistance.

While he resolved to go in person to France, Spain and Portugal, he sent his brother Bartholomew to England; which nation had now seen an end of her bloody civil wars, and begun to encourage trade and navigation. But Bartholomew, in his passage, was unfortunately taken by pirates, and robbed of all he had; and, to augment his distress, was seized with a fever after his arrival, and reduced to great hardships. After his recovery, he spent some time in drawing charts and maps, and selling them, before he was in a condition to appear at court. At length, being introduced to the king, he laid before him his brother's proposals for sailing to the west on a voyage of discovery. King Henry, who was rather a prudent manager of the public treasure, than an encourager of great undertakings, as some historians say, rejected his proposals: but others of equal credit affirm, that the king entered into an agreement with Bartholomew, and sent him to invite his brother to England; and that the nation in general were fond of the project, either from motives of mere curiosity or prospects of commercial advantage.

[Sidenote] A. D. 1492. [Sidenote] The discovery of Columbus.

In the mean time Columbus, after surmounting several discouragements and difficulties, found employment in the service of Spain. Queen Isabella agreed with him on his own terms, and went so far as to sell her jewels in order to furnish him with every thing requisite for his intended expedition. Accordingly he embarked in August 1492, and sailed from Palos on one of the greatest enterprises ever undertaken by man. Steering towards the west, through what was then deemed a boundless ocean, he found abundance of scope for all the arts of navigation of which he was possessed; and, after surmounting numberless difficulties, from a mutinous crew and the length of the voyage, he discovered one of the Bahama islands. Here he landed, and, after falling on his knees and thanking God for his success, he erected the royal standard of Spain in the 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 the success of his voyage, quickly spread through Europe, and excited general inquiry and admiration. John Cabot, a native of Venice, (at that time one of the most flourishing commercial states of the world), resided at Bristol 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 a voyage of discovery. Directing his course more to the northward, he was equally successful, and, in the year 1494, discovered the island of Newfoundland. He went ashore on another island, which he called St. John's, because discovered on the festival of St. John the Baptist. Here he found inhabitants clothed with skins, who made use of darts, bows and arrows, and had the address to persuade some of them to sail with him to England. On his return to Bristol he was knighted by the king, and reported that the land appeared rocky and barren, but that the sea abounded 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 enter his service, for the purpose of attempting further discoveries. Cabot declared, he doubted not to make discoveries for him equally honourable and advantageous as those Columbus had made for Ferdinand and Isabella. Accordingly, terms were proposed and agreed on between them. "Henry, in the eleventh year of his reign, gave a commission to John Cabot and his three sons, Sebastian, Lewis, and Sancius, and their heirs, allowing them full power to sail to all countries and seas of the east, west, and north, under English colours, with five ships of such burden and force as they should think proper, and with as many mariners as they should chuse to take on their own cost and charges, to seek out and discover all the isles, countries, regions and provinces of heathens and infidels they could find, which to all Christians before that time had remained unknown." In these letters-patent though it appears that Henry granted them a right to occupy and possess such lands and countries as they should find and conquer, yet he laid them under an obligation to erect the English standard in every place, and reserved to himself and his heirs the dominion, title and jurisdiction of all the towns, castles, isles and lands they should discover; so that whatever acquisitions they should make, they would only occupy them as vassals of the crown of England. And lest they should be inclined to go to some foreign port, he expressly bound them to return to Bristol, and to pay him and his heirs one fifth part of all the capital gains, after the expences of the voyage were deducted: and, for their encouragement, he invested them with full powers 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.