After the death of Queen Anne, George, Elector of Hanover, ascended the
British throne, and was crowned on the 12th of October, 1714. This event
was far from giving general satisfaction to the British nation. A
considerable party of the principal landholders favoured the pretensions
of the house of Stewart, but were so divided in their councils and
schemes, that they lost all influence and weight. Having no head, they
were unable to turn the balance against the party in the other scale,
who, by degrees, engrossed the royal favour, and all offices of power and
trust in the kingdom. By this difference, however, a spirit of civil
discord 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 the
family of Hanover. For this purpose, a party in Scotland had recourse to
arms, but meeting with little assistance from the pretended friends of
the cause in England, the insurrection was soon quelled, and their rash
design 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 taken
occasion to look more narrowly than formerly they used to do, into the
state of proprietary governments in America, in order to form a plan for
purchasing and uniting them more closely to the crown. They easily
perceived the advantage of beginning this negotiation as soon as
possible, for the sooner the purchase was made, the earlier it would be
obtained. Accordingly, they wrote to the Proprietors of each colony,
acquainting them, it was her Majesty's pleasure and command, that all
governors of her foreign plantations do transmit to them frequent and
full information of the state of their respective colonies, as well in
respect to the administration of government and justice, as to their
progress in trade and improvements. The Queen, though no friend to
non-conformists, had also stretched out a hand of relief to the
distressed Dissenters of Carolina, and publicly disapproved of some
oppressive acts to which they had been subjected. This served to
encourage a spirit of murmur and discontent among the Carolineans at the
proprietary government, and to give their eyes a direction to the crown
at 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 a
civil broil, the colony of Carolina was visited with a terrible Indian
war, which threatened its total extirpation. The numerous and powerful
tribe of Indians called Yamassees, probably at the instigation of the
Spaniards at Augustine, were the most active in promoting this conspiracy
against the settlement, though every tribe around was more or less
concerned in it. The Yamassees possessed a large territory lying
backwards from Port-royal Island, on the north-east side of Savanna
river, which to this day is called Indian Land. By the Carolineans this
tribe had long been esteemed as friends and allies, who had admitted a
number of traders into their towns, and several times assisted the
settlers in their war-like enterprizes. Of all other Indians they were
believed to habour in their minds the most inveterate and irreconcilable
enmity to Spaniards. For many years they had been accustomed to make
incursions into the Spanish territories, and to wage war with the Indians
within their bounds. In their return from those southern expeditions, it
had been a common practice with them to lurk in the woods round
Augustine, until they surprized some Spaniard, and brought him prisoner
home to their towns. On the bodies of these unfortunate prisoners they
were accustomed to exercise the most wanton barbarities; sometimes
cutting them to pieces slowly, joint by joint, with knives and tomahawks;
at other times burying them up to the neck under ground, then standing at
a distance and marking at their heads with their pointed arrows; and, at
other times, binding them to a tree, and piercing the tenderest parts of
their naked bodies with sharp-pointed sticks of burning wood, which last,
because the most painful and excruciating method of torture, was the most
common among them.
To prevent such horrid cruelties from being committed on the bodies of
human creatures, the legislature of Carolina passed a law, offering a
reward of five pounds for every Spanish prisoner these Indians should
bring alive to Charlestown; which law, though it evidently proceeded from
motives of humanity, yet, in the event, it proved very inconsistent with
good policy: for, in consequence of this act, the Yamassees brought
several Spaniards, at different times, to Charlestown, where they claimed
the 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 Spanish
government with the expences of their passage and the reward to the
Yamassees. But this humane practice, while it displayed English greatness
of mind, served also to begin an intercourse, which will exhibit to us a
sad specimen of Spanish honour and gratitude.
For twelve months before the war broke out, the traders among the
Yamassees observed that their chief warriors went frequently to
Augustine, and returned loaded with presents; but were not apprehensive
of any ill consequence from such generosity. John Fraser, an honest
Scotch Highlander, who lived among the Yamassees, and traded with them,
had often heard these warriors tell with what kindness they had been
treated at Augustine. One had received a hat, another a jacket, and a
third a coat, all trimmed with silver lace. Some got hatchets, others
great knives, and almost all of them guns and ammunition, to prepare them
for striking some great and important blow. These warriors told Mr.
Fraser, that they had dined with the governor at Augustine, and washed
his face, (a ceremony used by Indians as a token of friendship), and that
now the Spanish governor was their king, and not the Governor of
Carolina. Still, however, the Carolineans remained secure, and, having
such confidence in the Indians, dreaded no ill consequences from this new
intercourse and uncommon kindness. They knew the Yamassees antipathy to
the Spaniards, their fondness for presents, but could suspect no
mischievous plot meditated against the settlement by friends and allies.
They were not ignorant that the subjects of both England and Spain always
endeavoured for the sake of peace, to court the friendship of Indian
nations, who were such powerful and dangerous enemies. Each competitor
knew their passion for war, and how heavy their vengeance, wherever it
pointed, generally fell, and therefore good policy dictated the necessity
of turning the edge of their fierce and bloody temper against their
neighbours, in order to save themselves.
It was a common thing for the traders who resided among these savages to
single 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 his
fellow-warriors, had also been at Florida, and shared of the Spaniards
insidious liberality. During his absence Mr. Fraser had married a fine
woman; and Sanute, who had a great regard for him, after his return home
came to his house, and brought along with him some sweet herbs, to show
the lady a mark of respect, agreeable to customs of Indian nations. So
soon as he entered the habitation of his friend, he called for a bason of
water, in which he bruised the herbs, and first washed Mrs. Fraser's face
and 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 his
heart. She, in return, thanked him, and made him some present.
Accordingly, about nine days before hostilities commenced, Sanute came to
Mrs. Fraser's house, and told her, that the English were all wicked
heretics, and would go to hell, and that the Yamassees would also follow
them, if they suffered them to live in their country; that now the
governor Augustine was their king; that there would be a terrible war
with the English, and they only waited for the bloody stick to be
returned from the Creeks before they began it. He told them, that the
Yamassees, the Creeks, the Cherokees, and many other nations, together
with the Spaniards, were all to engage in it; and advised them to fly to
Charlestown with all they had in the greatest haste, and if their own
pettiauger was not large enough to carry them, he would lend them his
canoe. Fraser, not a little astonished at the news, asked him, how the
Spaniards could go to war with the Carolineans, while at peace with Great
Britain? To which Sanute replied, the Spanish governor told him that
there would soon be a war again with the English, and that while they
attacked the Carolineans by land, he would send to Spain for a fleet of
ships to block up the harbour, so that not a man or woman of them should
escape. Fraser asked him, how long it might be since they had formed this
horrid design? Sanute answered, Do not you remember about twelve months
ago that Ishiagaska, one of our chief warriors, with four more Indians,
went to the Creeks. Fraser said, he remembered it well. Then it was, said
Sanute, he carried with him a Spanish talk for destroying all the English
inhabitants of the province; and, laying his hand upon his heart,
declared he had told them all he knew, and repeated his advice to them to
fly with all expedition: but, if they were determined to stay and run all
hazards, he concluded by assuring them, that, to prevent torture, he
would claim the privilege of performing the last friendly office to them,
which was to kill them with his own hands. Fraser still entertained some
doubts, but his wife being terrified, he resolved at all events to get
out of the way, and accordingly, without delay, put his wife, his child,
and most valuable effects, into his boat, and made his escape to
Charlestown.
[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 at
Pocotaligo, the largest town belonging to the Yamassees. Mr. Fraser,
probably either discrediting what he had heard, or from the hurry and
confusion which the alarm occasioned, unfortunately had not taken time to
communicate the intelligence he had received to his friends, who remained
in a state of false security in the midst of their enemies. The case of
the scattered settlers on the frontiers was equally lamentable, who were
living under no suspicions of danger. However, on the day before the
Yamassees began their bloody operations, Captain Nairn and some of the
traders observing an uncommon gloom on their savage countenances, and
apparently great agitations of spirit, which to them prognosticated
approaching mischief, went to their chief men, begging to know the cause
of their uneasiness, and promising, if any injury had been done them, to
give them satisfaction. The chiefs replied, they had no complaints to
make against any one, but intended to go a-hunting early the next
morning. Captain Nairn accordingly went to sleep, and the traders retired
to their huts, and passed the night in seeming friendship and
tranquillity. But next morning, about the break of day, being the 15th
day of April, 1715, all were alarmed with the cries of war. The leaders
were all out under arms, calling upon their followers, and proclaiming
aloud designs of vengeance. The young men, burning with fury and passion,
flew to their arms, and, in a few hours, massacred above ninety persons
in Pocotaligo town and the neighbouring plantations; and many more must
have fallen a sacrifice on Port-royal Island, had they not providentially
been warned of their danger. Mr. Burrows, a captain of the militia, after
receiving two wounds, by swimming one mile and running ten, escaped to
Port-royal and alarmed the town. A vessel happening fortunately to be in
the harbour, the inhabitants in great hurry repaired on board, and sailed
for Charlestown; only a few families of planters on that island, not
having timely notice, fell into their barbarous hands, some of whom they
murdered, 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 desolation
and slaughter through the province; the colonists on the northern borders
also found the Indians down among the settlements in formidable parties.
The Carolineans had foolishly entertained hopes of the friendship of the
Congarees, the Catawbas and Cherokees; but they soon found that they had
also joined in the conspiracy, and declared for war. It was computed that
the southern division of the enemy consisted of above six thousand
bowmen, and the northern of between six hundred and a thousand. Indeed
every Indian tribe, from Florida to Cape Fear river, had joined in this
confederacy for the destruction of the settlement. The planters scattered
here and there had no time to gather together in a body, sufficiently
strong to withstand such numbers; but each consulting his own safety, and
that of his helpless family, in great hurry and consternation fled to the
capital. Every one who came in brought the Governor different accounts of
the number and strength of the savages, insomuch that even the
inhabitants of Charlestown were doubtful of their safety and entertained
the most discouraging apprehensions of their inability to repel a force
so great and formidable. In the muster-roll there were no more than one
thousand two hundred men fit to bear arms, but as the town had several
forts into which the inhabitants might retreat, the Governor, with this
small force, resolved to march into the woods against the enemy. He
proclaimed the martial law, and laid an embargo on all ships, to prevent
either men or provisions from leaving the country. He obtained an act of
assembly, impowering him to impress men, and seize arms, ammunition, and
stores, wherever they were to be found, to arm such trusty negroes as
might be serviceable at a juncture so critical, and to prosecute the war
with the utmost vigour. Agents were sent to Virginia and England, to
solicit assistance; bills were stamped for the payment of the army, and
other necessary expences; Robert Daniel was appointed deputy-governor in
town, and Charles Craven, at the head of the militia, marched to the
country against the largest body of savages.
In the mean time, the Indians on the northern quarter had made an inroad
as far as a plantation belonging to John Hearne, about fifty miles from
town, and entered his house in a seemingly peaceable and friendly manner;
but afterwards pretending to be displeased with the provisions given
them, murdered him and every person in it. Thomas Barker, a captain of
militia, having intelligence of the approach of these Indians, collected
a party, consisting of ninety horsemen, and advanced against them: but by
the treachery of an Indian, whom he unluckily trusted, he was led into a
dangerous ambuscade in a thicket, where a large party of Indians lay
concealed on the ground. Barker having advanced into the middle of them
before he was aware of his danger, the Indians sprung from their
concealments, and fired upon his men on every side. The Captain and
several more fell at the first onset, and the remainder in confusion were
obliged to retreat. After this advantage, a party of four hundred Indians
came down as far as Goose Creek. Every family there had fled to town,
except in one place, where seventy white men and forty negroes had
surrounded themselves with a breast-work, and resolved to remain and
defend themselves in the best manner they could. When the Indians
attacked them they were discouraged, and rashly agreed to terms of peace;
and, having admitted the enemy within their works, this poor garrison
were barbarously butchered: after which the Indians advanced still nigher
to town; but at length meeting with Captain Chicken and the whole Goose
Creek militia, they were repulsed, and obliged to retreat into the
wilderness.
By this time the Yamassees, with their confederates, had spread
destruction though the parish of St. Bartholomew, and advancing downwards
as far as Stono, they burned the church at that place, together with
every house on the plantations by the way. John Cochran, his wife, and
four children; Mr. Bray, his wife, and two children; and six more men and
women, having found some friends among them, were spared for some days;
but while attempting to make their escape from them, they were retaken
and put to death. Such as had no friends among them were tortured in the
most shocking manner, the Indians seeming to neglect their progress
towards conquest on purpose to assist in tormenting their enemies. We
forbear to mention the various tortures inflicted on such as fell into
their merciless fangs: none can be pleased with the relation of such
horrid cruelties, but the man who, with a smile of satisfaction, can be
the spectator of a Spanish _auto de fe_, or such savage hearts as are
steeled against every emotion of humanity and compassion.
[Sidenote] The Yamassees defeated and expelled.
By this time Governor Craven, being no stranger to the ferocious tempers
of his enemies, and their horrid cruelty to prisoners, was advancing
against them by slow and cautious steps, always keeping the strictest
guard round his army. He knew well under what advantages they sought
among their native thickets, and the various wiles and stratagems they
made use of in conducting their wars; and therefore was watchful above
all things against sudden surprises, which might throw his followers into
disorder, and defeat the end of his enterprize. The fate of the whole
province depended on the success of his arms, and his men had no other
alternative left but to conquer or die a painful death. As he advanced
the straggling parties fled before him, until he reached Saltcatchers,
where they had pitched their great camp. Here a sharp and bloody battle
ensued from behind trees and bushes, the Indians hooping, hollowing and
giving way one while, and then again and again returning with double fury
to the charge. But the Governor, notwithstanding their superior number
and all their terrible shrieks, kept the provincials close at their
heels, and drove them before him like a flock of ravenous wolves. He
expelled them from their settlement at Indian land, pursued them over
Savanna river, and rid the province entirely of this formidable tribe of
savages. What number of his army he lost, or of the enemy he killed, we
have not been able particularly to learn; but in this Indian war near
four hundred innocent inhabitants of Carolina were murdered by these wild
barbarians.
[Sidenote] They take refuge in Florida.
The Yamassees, after their defeat and expulsion, went directly to the
Spanish territories in Florida, where they were received with bells
ringing and guns firing, as if they had come victoriously from the field;
from which circumstance, together with the encouragement afterwards given
them to settle in Florida, there is too good reason to believe, that this
horrid conspiracy was contrived by Spaniards, and carried on by their
encouragement and assistance. Two prisoners, whom they had saved and
carried to Augustine along with them, Mrs. Sisson and Mrs. Macartey,
afterwards reported to the Carolineans the news of this kind reception
the Indians met with from the Spaniards. On the other hand, though the
province of Carolina suffered much at this rime, yet the Governor had the
good fortune to prevent its total destruction. From the lowest state of
despondency, Charlestown, on the Governor's return to it, was raised to
the highest pitch of joy. He entered it with some degree of triumph,
receiving from all such applauses as his wise conduct and unexpected
success justly merited. Indeed his prosperous expedition had not only
disconcerted the most formidable conspiracy ever formed against the
colony, but also placed the inhabitants in general, however much exposed
individuals might be to small scalping parties, in a state of greater
security 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 to
take up their residence in Florida, they harboured in their breasts the
most inveterate ill-will and rancour to all Carolineans, and watched
every opportunity of pouring their vengeance on them. Being furnished
with arms and ammunition from the Spaniards, they often broke out on
small scalping parties, and infested the frontiers of the British
settlement. One party of them catched William Hooper, and killed him by
degrees, by cutting off one joint of his body after another, until he
expired. Another parry surprised Henry Quinton, Thomas Simmons, and
Thomas Parmenter, and, to gratify their revenge, tortured them to death.
Dr. Rose afterwards fell also into their hands, whom they cut across his
nose with their tomahawk, and having scalped him left him on the spot for
dead; but he happily recovered of his wounds. In short, the emissaries of
St. Augustine, disappointed in their sanguinary design of destroying root
and branch in Carolina, had now no other resource left but to employ the
vindictive spirit of the Yamassees against the defenceless frontiers of
the province. In these excursions, it must be confessed, they were too
successful, for many poor settlers at different times fell a sacrifice to
their insatiable revenge.
[Sidenote] The colonists turn their eyes for protection to the crown.
During the time of this hard struggle with Indians, the legislature of
Carolina had made application to the Proprietors, representing to them
the weak state of the province, the deplorable dangers which hung over
it, and begging their paternal help and protection; but being doubtful
whether the Proprietor would be inclined to involve their English estates
in debt for supporting their property in Carolina, in so precarious a
situation, they instructed their agent, in case he failed of success from
them, to apply to the king for relief. The merchants entered cordially
into the measure for making application to the crown, and considered it
as the most effectual expedient for retrieving their credit in England,
lost by the dangers which threatened the country, and the pirates that
infested the coast. They perceived at once the many advantages which
would accrue to them from being taken under the immediate care and
protection of the crown. Ships of war would soon clear the coast of
pestilent sea-robbers, and give free scope to trade and navigation.
Forces by land world overawe the war-like Indians, prevent such dreadful
attempts for the future, and they would reap the happy fruits of public
peace and security. The inhabitants in general were much dissatisfied
with living under a government unable to protect them, and what rendered
their case still more lamentable, prevented the interposition of the
crown for their defence, and therefore were very unanimous in the
proposed application to the crown.
About the middle of the year 1715 the agent for Carolina waited on the
Proprietors, with a representation of the heavy calamities under which
their colony laboured from the ravages of barbarous enemies, and the
depredations of lawless pirates. He acquainted them, that the Yamassees,
by the influence of Spanish emissaries, had claimed the whole lands of
the country as their ancient possessions, and conspired with many other
tribes to assert their right by force of arms, and therefore urged the
necessity of sending immediate relief to the colony. But not being
satisfied with the answer he received, he petitioned the House of Commons
in behalf of the distressed Carolineans. The Commons addressed the King,
praying for his kind interposition and immediate assistance to the
colony. The King referred the matter to the Lords Commissioners of trade
and plantations. The Lords of trade made an objection, that the province
of Carolina was one of the proprietary governments, and were of opinion,
that, if the nation should be at the expence of its protection, the
government ought to be vested in the Crown. Upon which Lord Carteret
wrote them a letter to the following effect: "We the Proprietors of
Carolina having met on this melancholy occasion, to our great grief find,
that we are utterly unable of ourselves to afford our colony suitable
assistance in this conjuncture, and unless his majesty will graciously
please to interpose, we can foresee nothing but the utter destruction of
his majesty's faithful subjects in those parts." The Lords of trade asked
Lord Carteret what sum might be necessary for that service, and whether
the government of the colony should not devolve on the Crown, if Great
Britain should agree to bear the expence of its defence. To which Lord
Carteret replied, "The Proprietors humbly submitted to his majesty's
great wisdom, what sum of money he should be pleased to grant for their
assistance; and in case the money advanced for this purpose should not be
in a reasonable time repaid, they humbly conceived that then his majesty
would have an equitable right to take the government under his immediate
care 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 for
the better regulation of the charter and proprietary governments in
America, and of his majesty's plantations there; the chief design of
which was, to reduce all charter and proprietary governments into regal
ones. Men conversant in the history of past ages, particularly in that of
the rise and progress of different states, had long foreseen the rapid
increase of American colonies, and wisely judged, that it would be for
the interest of the kingdom to purchase them for the Crown as soon as
possible. At different times administration, in the reigns of King
William and Queen Anne, held treaties with the Proprietors for this
purpose: but some obstacles always came in the way, or some accidents
occurred, which prevented a final agreement. At this time while Penn was
about selling the government of Pennsylvania, for twelve thousand pounds,
to the Crown, he was seized with an apoplexy, and died before the deeds
were executed. Lord Baltimore, the Duke of Beaufort, and Lord Craven, all
minors, petitioned to be heard by counsel against passing the bill. The
province of Massachuset's Bay petitioned against it, alledging that the
charter they had received from King William placed them on the same
footing with the different corporations in England, and that it would be
equally hard and unjust to deprive them of their charter privileges, as
to disfranchise the English corporations. The colony of Connecticut,
whose charter was intended to be taken away by this bill, in like manner
petitioned to be excepted out of it. These petitions, together with the
reasons assigned in support of them, the committee of the House found
some difficulty in answering, and therefore, instead of proceeding
farther in an affair of such national concern, the design was entirely
dropt.
It is remarkable, that the Proprietors of Carolina, at the time they
obtained their charter, as is expressly mentioned in it were excited to
form that settlement by their zeal for the propagation of the Christian
faith among the Indians of America: yet, to their shame it must be
confessed, that they have either never used any endeavours for this
laudable purpose, or they have been utterly fruitless and ineffectual. At
this time, indeed, the society incorporated for propagating the Gospel
maintained several missionaries in Carolina, as well as in the northern
provinces. 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 ministers
from this charitable corporation, who were instructed to use their best
endeavours for spreading the Gospel among the heathens in their
neighbourhood and received an annual allowance from the society for that
purpose; yet we have not been able to learn that these heathens ever
reaped the smallest advantage from them. The Spaniards, though they have
often made use of the more severe and rough means of conversion, and
erected the standard of the cross in a field of blood, yet they have also
been exceedingly diligent and assiduous in teaching heathens the
principles of the Catholic religion. In point of policy, this zeal was
more praise-worthy than English negligence: for such barbarians would
certainly have been much easier tamed and civilized by mild instruction
than by force of arms. The Tumican and Apalachian Indians, before
Governor Moore's inroads among them, had made some advances towards
civilization, and paid, by means of instruction from Roman Catholic
missionaries, strict obedience to the Spanish government at Augustine.
Had the Proprietors of Carolina erected schools, for the instruction of
young Indians in the language, manners and religion of the English
nation, such an institution might have been attended with the most
beneficial effects. For while the children of such savages were living
among the colonists, they would have been like so many hostages to secure
the goodwill and peaceable behaviour of their parents, and when they
returned to the nation to which they belonged, their knowledge of the
English language and customs would, for the future, have rendered all
commercial treaties and transactions between them easy and practicable.
Besides, they would have all the prejudices of education in favour of the
English manners and government, which would have helped both to fortify
them against the fatal influence of Spanish rivals, and to render them
more firm and steady to the British interest.
[Sidenote] Differences occasioned by the war.
Although the Yamassee war had terminated much to the honour of the
Carolinians, yet the fatal effects of it were long and heavily felt by
the colony. Many of the planters had no negroes to assist them in raising
provisions for their families, and these persons who had negroes, could
not be spared to overlook them, so that the plantations were left
uncultivated, and the produce of the year was trifling and
inconsiderable. The men being more solicitous about the safety of their
families than the increase of their fortunes, purchased bills of exchange
at any price, to send with them to the northern provinces, in order to
procure for them there the necessaries of life. The provincial merchants
being much indebted to those in London, the latter were alarmed at the
dangers which hung over the colony, and pressed them much for
remittances. The Indians, who stood indebted to the merchants of Carolina
for ten thousand pounds, instead of paying their debts, had cancelled
them, by murdering the traders, and abandoning the province. No
remittances could be made, but in such commodities as the country
produced, and all hands being engaged in war, rendered them both very
scarce and extremely dear. To answer the public exigences of the
province, large emissions of paper currency were also requisite. Hence
the rate of exchange arose to an extravagant height. The province was
indebted no less than eighty thousand pounds, and at the same time
obliged to maintain garrisons on the frontiers for the public defence,
which served to increase the debt. While struggling amidst those
hardships, the merchants of London complained to the Proprietors of the
increase of paper money, as injurious to trade; in consequence of which
they strictly ordered their Governor to reduce it. All those things
served to aggravate the distress of the poor colonists, and caused them
to murmur against their landlords for want of compassion, and to turn not
a little disaffected to their government.
[Sidenote] Aggravated by the Proprietors.
The next step taken by the legislature of Carolina, served to widen the
difference. The Yamassees being expelled from Indian land, the assembly
passed two acts to appropriate those lands gained by conquest for the use
and encouragement of such of his majesty's subjects as should come over
and settle upon them. Extracts of these acts being sent to England and
Ireland, and published among the people, five hundred men from Ireland
transported themselves to Carolina, to take the benefit of them; which
influx was a great acquisition at this juncture, and served to strengthen
these frontiers against future incursions from barbarians. But the
beneficial consequences of these acts were all frustrated by the
Proprietors, who repealed them, claiming such lands as their property,
and insisting on the right of disposing of them as they thought fit. Not
long afterwards, to the utter ruin of the Irish emigrants, and in breach
of the provincial faith to them, the Proprietors ordered the Indian lands
to be surveyed for their own use, and run out in large baronies; by which
harsh usage the old settlers, having lost the protection of the new
comers, deserted their plantations, and again left the frontiers open to
the enemy; as for the unfortunate Irish emigrants, having spent the
little money they had, many of them, reduced to misery, perished, and the
remainder moved to the northern colonies.
[Sidenote] Robert Daniel is made deputy-governor.
About this time Governor Craven, having received advice from England of
Sir Antony Craven's death, intimated to the Proprietors, that the affairs
of his family required his presence, and obtained their leave to return
to Britain. No Governor had ever gained more general love and deserved
respect from the Carolineans, nor had any man ever left the province
whose departure was more universally regretted. Having appointed Robert
Daniel deputy-governor, he embarked for England about the end of April,
1716. While the man of war rode at anchor near the bar, Mr. Gideon
Johnston, with about thirty more gentlemen, went into a sloop to take
leave of their beloved Governor, and sailed with him over the bar. On
their 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. Afterwards
the sloop drove, and what has been thought somewhat remarkable, Mr.
Johnston's body was taken out of it while beating against the same bank
of land upon which he had almost perished at his first arrival in
Carolina.
[Sidenote] Lord Carteret Palatine
Before Governor Craven arrived in England, John Lord Carteret, a nobleman
no less distinguished by his illustrious descent than personal merit, had
succeeded to the dignity of Palatine. Nicholas Trott, who was
Chief-Justice of Carolina, received a warrant from this nobleman,
impowering him to sit also as judge of the provincial court of
vice-admiralty. William Rhett, who was Trott's brother-in-law, and
Receiver-general, was likewise made Comptroller of his majesty's customs
in Carolina and Bahama Islands. The many offices of trust and emolument
which these two men held, together with their natural abilities, gave
them great weight and influence in the province, especially at the
election of members to serve in assembly. When the provincial assembly
met, a bill was brought into the house for the better regulation of the
Indian trade, nominating commissioners, and impowering them to apply the
profits arising from it to the public benefit and defence, and passed
with little opposition. As the colonists had been accustomed to chuse all
their members of assembly at Charlestown, at which election great riots
and tumults had often happened; to remedy this disorder, another bill was
brought into assembly for regulating elections; in which, among other
things, it was enacted, "That every parish should send a certain number
of representatives, in all not exceeding thirty-six; that they should be
ballotted for at the different parish churches, or some other convenient
place, on a day to be mentioned in the writs, which were to be directed
to the church-wardens, who were required to make returns of the members
elected." This was a popular act, as the inhabitants found it not only
allowed them greater freedom, but was more conformable to the practice in
England, and more convenient for the settlers than their former custom of
electing all members in town.
[Sidenote] The disaffection of the people increases.
By this time the struggle between the Proprietors and possessors of the
soil, which had long subsisted, and in which the officers intrusted with
supporting their Lordships power and prerogative always found themselves
deeply interested, was become more serious. Those popular acts, but
particularly the latter, gave great offence to some members of the
council, who plainly perceived its tendency to ruin their influence at
elections, and of course the power of the Proprietors. Among others,
Trott and Rhett strenuously opposed the bills. Though they were not able
to prevent their passing in Carolina, yet they took care to send to
England such representations of them as could not fail to render them the
objects of the Proprietors disapprobation. Indeed the act respecting
elections had broke in upon a former law, which had been ratified in
England, and never repealed by the same authority. The consequence was,
both those bills in a little time were sent back repealed, by an
instrument under the Proprietors hands and seals. The colonists, far from
being pleased with the former conduct of their landlords, now became
outrageous, and spoke boldly of their tyranny, bad policy, and want of
compassion for distressed freemen. Being still exposed to incursions from
the sanguinary and vindictive Yamassees, furnished with arms and
ammunition from the Spaniards, they were obliged to maintain a company of
rangers, to protect the frontiers against them. Three small forts were
erected at Congarees, Savanna, and Apalachicola, for the public defence,
and money must be raised for the payment of garrisons. Presents of
considerable value were also necessary, to preserve the friendship of
other Indian tribes. These public expences eat up all the fruits of the
poor planter's industry. The law appropriating the profits of the Indian
trade for the public protection had been repealed; the public credit was
at so low an ebb, that no man would trust his money in the provincial
treasury. None would risk their lives in defence of the colony without
pay, and the province, oppressed with a load of debt, was utterly unable
to furnish the necessary supplies. The people complained of the
insufficiency of that government which could not protect them, and at the
same time prevented the interposition of the Crown for this purpose.
Governor Daniel himself joined them in their complaints, and everyone
seemed ardently to wish for those advantages which other colonies
enjoyed, under the immediate care and protection of a powerful sovereign.
[Sidenote] Robert Johnson appointed governor.
In this discontented and unhappy state Robert Johnson found the
Carolineans, when he arrived with a commission from Lord Carteret,
bearing date April 30, 1717, investing him with the government of the
province: to which office a salary of four hundred pounds sterling was
now annexed. He was son to Sir Nathaniel Johnson, who formerly held the
same office, and had left him an estate in Carolina. This new governor
was a man of wisdom, integrity, and moderation; but came out with such
instructions as were ill adapted to the circumstances and situation of
the colony. Soon after his arrival he perceived the disaffection of the
people to the proprietary government, and the many difficulties with
which he would have to struggle in the faithful discharge of his duty.
His council consisted of Thomas Broughton, Alexander Skene, Nicholas
Trott, Charles Hart, James Kinloch, Francis Yonge, _&c._ some of whom
were highly dissatisfied with the harsh treatment of the Proprietors.
After calling an assembly, the Governor, as usual, signified to them his
esteem for the people, his love to the province, and his resolutions of
pursuing such measures as might be judged most conducive to its peace and
prosperity. The assembly, in answer, expressed great satisfaction with
appointing a man of so good a character to that high office; but, at the
same time, were not insensible of the oppression of their landlords, nor
of the many hardships they had to expect under their weak and
contemptible government.
[Sidenote] Of the depredations of pirates.
About this time some merchants and masters of ships, trading to America
and the West Indies, having suffered much from the barbarity and
depredations of pirates, complained to the King in council of the heavy
losses the trade of the nation had sustained from those public robbers,
who had grown so numerous and insolent, that unless a speedy check should
be given to them, the navigation in those seas would be totally ruined.
In consequence of which the King issued a proclamation, promising a
pardon to all pirates who should surrender themselves in the space of
twelve months, and at the same time ordered to sea a force for
suppressing them. As they had made the island of Providence their common
place of residence, Captain Woodes Rogers sailed against this island,
with a few ships of war, and took possession of it for the Crown. Except
one Vane, who with about ninety more made their escape in a sloop, all
the pirates took the benefit of the King's proclamation, and surrendered.
Captain Rogers having made himself master of the island, formed a council
in it, and appointed officers civil and military for the better
government of its inhabitants. He built some forts for its security and
defence, and so ordered matters, that, for the future, the trade of the
West Indies was well protected against this lawless crew.
[Sidenote] And their utter extirpation.
Though the pirates on the island of Providence were crushed, those of
North Carolina still remained, and were equally insolent and troublesome.
Vane, who escaped from Captain Rogers, had taken two ships bound from
Charlestown to London. A pirate sloop of ten guns, commanded by Steed
Bonnet, and another commanded by Richard Worley, had taken possession of
the mouth of Cape Fear river, which place was now the principal refuge
left for those rogues. Their station there was so convenient for blocking
up the harbour of Charlestown, that the trade of the colony was greatly
obstructed by them. No sooner had one crew left the coast than another
appeared, so that scarcely one ship coming in or going out escaped them.
Governor Johnson, resolving to check their insolence, fitted out a ship
of force, gave the command of it to William Rhett and sent him out to sea
for the protection of trade. Rhett had scarcely got over the bar when
Steed Bonnet spied him, but finding he was more than match for him, made
all the sail he could for his refuge in Cape Fear river. Thither Rhett
followed him, took the sloop, and brought the commander and about thirty
men with him to Charlestown. Soon after this Governor Johnson himself
embarked, and sailed in pursuit of the other sloop of six guns, commanded
by Richard Worley, which, after a desperate engagement off the bar of
Charlestown, was also taken. The pirates fought like furies, until they
were all killed or wounded, excepting Worley and another man, who even
then refused to surrender, until they were likewise dangerously wounded.
These two men, together with their sloop, the Governor brought into
Charlestown, where they were instantly tried, condemned, and executed, to
prevent their dying of their wounds. Steed Bonnet and his crew were also
tried, and all, except one man, hanged, and buried on White Point, below
high-water mark.
Governor Johnson, formerly a popular man, was now become much more so, by
his courage in exposing his person, and the success attending his
expedition against the pirates. The coast being happily cleared, and free
scope given to trade, afterwards no pirates durst venture to sea in that
quarter. This check, together with that they received among the islands,
served to extirpate these pestilent robbers, who had declared war against
all mankind; and, by reducing themselves to the savage state of nature,
had led such lives as rendered them the common enemy of every civilised
nation. But these two expeditions from Carolina, though crowned with
success, cost the poor province upwards of ten thousand pounds, an
additional burden which, at this juncture, it was ill qualified to
support.
[Sidenote] Troubles from paper currency.
At the same time, Governor Johnson had instructions to reduce the paper
currency circulating in the Province, of which the mercantile interest
loudly complained, as injurious to trade. He recommended to the assembly
to consider of ways and means for sinking it, and told them they were
bound in honour and justice to make it good. The Indian war had
occasioned a scarcity of provisions; by the large emissions of paper
money it sunk in value, and the price of produce arose to an exorbitant
height. 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 commodities
it will purchase. Even gold and silver, though the universal medium of
commerce, grow less precious in proportion as their quantity is increased
in any country. Both rice and naval stores, however high, by doubling the
quantity of paper money, though the commodities remain the same as
formerly, become still much higher. The merchants and money-lenders were
losers by those large emissions; and the planters indebted to them, on
the other hand, were gainers by them. Hence great debates arose in the
assembly about paper-money, between the planting and mercantile
interests. At this time the Governor, however, had so much influence as
to prevail with the assembly to pass a law for sinking and paying off
their paper credit in three years, by a tax on lands and negroes. This
act, on its arrival in England, gave great satisfaction both to the
Proprietors and people concerned in trade, and the Governor received
their thanks for his attention to the commercial interests of the
country.
[Sidenote] Several laws repealed.
This compliance of the assembly with the Governor's instructions from
England, and the good humour in which they at present appeared to be with
government, gave him some faint hopes of reconciling them by degrees to
the supreme jurisdiction of the Proprietors. But their good temper was of
short duration, and the next advices from England blasted all his hopes
of future agreement. The planters finding that the tax-act fell heavy on
them, began to grumble and complain of its injustice, and to contrive
ways and means for eluding it, by stamping more bills of credit. The
Proprietors having information of this, and also of a design formed by
the assembly to set a price on country commodities, and make them at such
a price a good tender in law for the payment of all debts, they strictly
enjoined their Governor not to give his assent to any bill framed by the
assembly, nor to render it of any force in the colony, before a copy of
the same should be laid before them. About the same time the King, by his
order in council, signified to the Proprietors, that they should repeal
an act passed in Carolina, of pernicious consequence to the trade of the
mother country, by which a duty of ten _per cent_. was laid on all goods
of British manufacture imported into that province. Accordingly this act,
together with that for regulating elections, and another for declaring
the right of assembly for the time being to nominate a public receiver,
were all repealed, and sent to Governor Johnson in a letter, which
enjoined him instantly to dissolve the present assembly and call another,
to be chosen in Charlestown, according to the ancient usage and customs
of the province. The Proprietors considered themselves as the head of the
legislative body, who had not only power to put a negative on all laws
made in the colony of which they disapproved, but also to repeal such as
they deemed of pernicious consequence.
[Sidenote] Which occasions great disaffection.
Governor Johnson, sensible of the ill-humour which prevailed among the
people at the proprietary government, and the ill consequences that would
attend the immediate execution of his orders, summoned his council
together, to take their advice about what was most proper to be done.
When he communicated his orders and instructions from England, the
majority of the council were astonished at them. Trott, indeed, who was
one of them, probably knew from what spring they derived their origin,
and to whose advice and influence the repeal of those laws ought to be
ascribed. But as the assembly were at that time deliberating about the
means of paying the provincial debt contracted by the expedition against
the pirates, and other contingent charges of government, it was agreed to
postpone the dissolution of the house until the business then before them
should be finished. However, the repeal of the duty-law being occasioned
by an order from the King in council, they resolved to acquaint the
assembly immediately with the royal displeasure at that clause of the law
laying a duty on all goods manufactured in Great Britain, and recommend
it to them to make a new act, leaving out that clause which had given
offence. Mean while, though great pains were taken to conceal the
Governor's instructions from the people, yet by some means they were
divulged, and kindled violent flames among them. The assembly entered
into a warm debate about the Proprietors right of repealing laws passed
with the assent of their deputies. Many alledged, that the deputation
given 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 to
the charter, they were bound by their assent to acts, as much as if the
Proprietors 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 rigorous
landlords, to enhance their misery, their savage neighbours were also now
and then making incursions into their settlements, and spreading havock
among the scattered families. At this time a scalping party penetrated as
far as the Euhah lands, where having surprised John Levit and two of his
neighbours, they knocked out their brains with their tomahawks. They then
seized Mrs. Borrows and one of her children, and carried them off with
them. The child by the way, finding himself in barbarous hands, began to
cry, upon which they put him to death. The distressed mother, being
unable to refrain from tears while her child was murdered before her
eyes, was given to understand, that she must not weep, if she desired not
to share the same fate. Upon her arrival at Augustine she would have been
immediately sent to prison, but one of the Yamassee kings declared he
knew 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 triumph
with the Indians in the number of their scalps. When Mr. Borrows went to
Augustine to procure the release of his wife, he also was shut up in
prison along with her, where he soon after died: but she survived all the
hardships of hunger, sickness, and confinement, to give a relation of her
barbarous treatment. After her return to Carolina, she reported to
Governor Johnson, that the Huspah king, who had taken her prisoner and
carried her off, informed her, he had orders from the Spanish governor to
spare no white man, but to bring every negroe alive to Augustine; and
that rewards were given to Indians for their prisoners, to encourage them
to engage in such rapacious and murderous enterprizes.
[Sidenote] Complaints against Chief Justice Trott.
By this time Chief Justice Trott being suspected of holding a private
correspondence with the Proprietors, to the prejudice of the Carolineans,
had incurred their hatred and resentment. Richard Allein, Whitaker, and
other practitioners of the law, over whom he tyrannized, charged him with
many base and iniquitous practices. No less than thirty-one articles of
complaint 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 the
great grievance of the subject, and contrary to acts of assembly; that he
had contrived a fee for continuing causes from one term to another, and
put off the hearing of them for years; that he took upon him to give
advice in causes depending in his courts, and did not only act as
counsellor in that particular, but also had drawn deeds between party and
party, some of which had been contested before him as Chief Justice, and
in determining of which he had shewn great partialities; with many more
particulars; and, lastly, complaining, that the whole judicial power of
the province was lodged in his hands alone, of which it was evident he had
made a very ill use, he being at the same time sole judge of the courts
of Common Pleas, King's Bench, and Vice-Admiralty; so that no prohibition
could be lodged against the proceedings of the court, he being obliged,
in such a case, to grant a prohibition against himself; he was also, at
the same time, a member of the council, and of consequence a judge of the
Court 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, or
resentment, were nevertheless too well grounded, and the facts contained
in the charge were supported by strong evidence before the assembly. But
as the Judge held his commission from the Proprietors, he denied that he
was accountable to the assembly for any part of his conduct in his
judicial capacity; and declared that he would be answerable no where but
in England. The assembly, however, sensible that he held his commission
only during good behavior, sent a message to the Governor and Council,
requesting they would join them in representing his partial and unjust
conduct in his office to the Proprietors, praying them either to remove
him from his seat in the courts of justice, or at the least to grant him
only one jurisdiction, and the people liberty of appeal from his
judgements. The Governor and major part of the council, convinced of the
male-administration of the Judge, agreed to join the Commons in their
representation. But being sensible of the great interest the Chief
Justice had with their Lordships, they judged it most prudent to send one
of their counsellors to England with their memorial, that it might find
greater credit and weight, and the more certainly procure redress; and
Francis Yonge, a man of considerable abilities, who had been present at
all their debates, was pitched upon as one well qualified for giving
their Lordships a faithful account of the whole matter. Accordingly
Yonge, being furnished with all the instructions, powers, and
credentials, necessary to a commissioner for the aggrieved party of the
colonists, set sail for England, and arrived in London early in the year
1719.
[Sidenote] Laid before the Proprietors.
Soon after his arrival, he waited on Lord Carteret, the Palatine; but as
his Lordship was preparing to set out on an embassy to the court of
Sweden, he referred him to the other Proprietors for an answer to his
representation. When the Proprietors met, Yonge presented to them a
memorial, setting forth, "That he had been appointed by the Governor and
Council of South Carolina, to lay before them, not only several acts of
assembly passed there during their last sessions for their approbation,
but also to inform them of the reasons that induced the Governor and
Council to defer the dissolution of the assembly, in consequence of their
Lordships commands; that he was instructed to shew their Lordships the
arguments between the upper and lower houses of assembly, touching their
Lordships right off repealing laws ratified and confirmed by their
deputies; and presented to them a speech made by Chief Justice Trott at a
general conference of both houses, together with the answer of the
commons to it, and the several messages that passed between them, which
he hoped would shew their Lordships, that no arguments or endeavours were
wanting on their part, to assert the right the Proprietors had of
repealing laws not ratified by them."
"At the same time, he was desired to request their Lordships to augment
their Secretary's salary, to allow the members of the council so much
money for the time and expence of attending the council on their service;
to establish custom-house officers at Beaufort; to grant six thousand
acres of land to the three garrisons at Congarees, Savanna Town, and
Apalachicola; and liberty of appealing from erroneous judgements in law,
which at that time the people had not, the whole judicial power in all
the provincial courts being lodged in the hands of one man." Then he
delivered to them a letter from Governor Johnson, the articles of
complaint against Chief Justice Trott, and the joint address of the
Governor, Council, and Assembly, praying to have him removed entirely
from the bench, or confined to a single jurisdiction.
[Sidenote] Their answer.
This memorial, however, was far from satisfying the Proprietors, some of
whom inferred from it, that the people seemed to be industrious in
searching for causes of dissatisfaction, and grounds of quarrel with
them, with a view to shake off the proprietary authority, and renounce
their allegiance. Their letters from Trott served to confirm the truth,
which intimated that Yonge, though an officer of the Proprietors, by mean
subtilty and chicane had assisted the people in forming plausible
pretences for that purpose. For three months Yonge attended the
Palatine's court, to give the board all possible information about the
state of affairs in their colony, and to accomplish the ends of his
appointment. After all, he was given to understand, that the business on
which he was sent was extremely disagreeable to them; that both the
trouble he had taken, and the office he had accepted as agent for the
people, were inconsistent with his duty as one of their deputies, bound
to act agreeable to their instructions. They declared their displeasure
with the members of the council who had joined the lower house in their
complaints against Trott and removed them from the board, appointing
others in their place, and increasing the number of members; and told
Yonge, that he also would have been deprived of his seat but for the high
respect they had for Lord Cartaret the absent Palatine, whose deputy he
was. With respect to Chief Justice Trott, they had too much confidence in
his fidelity and capacity to remove him from his office. On the contrary,
they sent him a letter, thanking him for his excellent speech in defence
of their right of repealing all laws made in the colony; together with a
copy of the articles of complaint brought against him, on purpose to give
him an opportunity of vindicating himself; at the same time acquainting
him, that it was their opinion and order, that he withdraw from the
council-board whenever appeals from his judgments in the inferior courts
shall 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 perused
your letters and all your papers, delivered us by your agent Mr. Yonge;
and though we are favourably inclined in all our thoughts relating to our
Governor, yet we must tell you, we think you have not obeyed the orders
and directions given you to dissolve that assembly and call another
forthwith, according to the ancient usage and custom of the province, and
to publish our repeals of the acts of assembly immediately upon the
receipt of our orders aforesaid; but we shall say no more on that subject
now, not doubting but our Governor will pay more punctual obedience to
our orders for the future.
"The Lords Proprietors right of confirming and repealing laws was so
particular a privilege granted them by the charter, that we can never
recede from it; and we do allure you, we are not a little surprised that
you 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 your
receipt of this we hereby require you to summon the said council, that
they may qualify themselves according to law, and immediately sit upon
the despatch of business. We also send you the repeal of the acts of
assembly, which we order you to publish immediately upon the receipt of
this. We do assure Mr. Johnson, that we will stand by him in all things
that relate to the just execution of his office, and we are confident
that he will perform his duty to us, and support our power and
prerogatives to the best of his abilities. If the assembly chosen
according to your pretended late act is not dissolved, as we formerly
ordered, and a new assembly elected, pursuant to the act formerly
confirmed by the Proprietors, you are forthwith commanded to dissolve
that 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 discontented
spirit of the people, plainly perceived, upon receiving these new orders
and instructions, what difficulties would attend the execution of them.
The flame was already kindled, and nothing could be imagined more likely
to add fewel to it than such rigour and oppression. It is true, the
Governor had received authority, but he wanted power to act agreeable to
their 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, Samuel
Wragg, Benjamin de la Consiliere, Peter St. Julien, William Gibbons, Hugh
Butler, Francis Yonge, Jacob Satur and Jonathan Skrine, some of whom
refused, and others qualified themselves, to serve. Alexander Skene,
Thomas Broughton, and James Kinloch, members of the former council, being
now left out of the new appointment, were disgusted, and joined the
people. The present assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued for
electing another in Charlestown, according to the custom and usage of the
province. The duty-act, from which the clergy were paid, the garrisons
maintained, and the public debts in general were defrayed, was repealed;
the law respecting the freedom of election was also repealed, by which
the colonists were obliged to have recourse to the old, inconvenient and
tumultuous manner of elections in Charlestown: the act declaring the
right of the commons to nominate a public receiver was also annulled, and
declared to be contrary to the usage and custom of Great Britain. All
laws respecting the trade and shipping of Great Britain, which any future
assembly might pass, the Governor had instructions to refuse his assent
to, till approved by the Proprietors. The provincial debts incurred by
the Indian war, and the expedition against pirates, not only remained
unpaid, but no more bills of credit were allowed to be stamped, for
answering those public demands. This council of twelve, instead of seven
men, which was appointed, the colonists considered as an innovation in
the proprietary government exceeding the power granted their Lordships by
their charter, and therefore subjecting them to a jurisdiction foreign to
the constitution of the province. The complaints of the whole legislature
against Chief Justice Trott were not only disregarded, but that man, whom
they considered as an enemy to the country, was privately caressed and
publicly applauded. All these things the colonists considered as
aggravated grievances, and what rendered them the more intolerable was
the circumstance of being deprived of all hopes of redress.
It may be thought somewhat unaccountable and astonishing, that the
Proprietors should have persisted in measures so disagreeable and
oppressive of themselves, and so manifestly subversive of their authority
and power. Many were the hardships from the climate, and the danger from
savages, with which the poor colonists had to struggle; yet their
landlords, instead of rendering their circumstances as easy and
comfortable as possible, seemed rather bent on crossing their humours and
doubling their distress. The people could now no longer regard them as
indulgent fathers, concerned for the welfare of their colony, but as
tyrannical legislators, that imposed more on them than they were able to
bear. Was it not the duty of the Proprietors to listen to their just
complaints, and redress their heavy grievances? Was it not their interest
to consult the internal security, and by every means promote the speedy
improvement and population of their colony? What could more effectually
answer these ends, than to cultivate the esteem and preserve the
affections of the people? Nothing else could render their government
stable and respectable. But, after all, perhaps the troubles and miseries
the colonists suffered ought to be ascribed to their Lordships shameful
inattention to provincial affairs, rather than to their tyrannical
disposition. Lord Carteret, the Palatine, held high offices of trust
under the Crown, which occupied his chief study and attention. Some of
the Proprietors were minors, others possessed estates in England, the
improvement of which engrossed their whole care and delight. Having
reaped little or nothing from their American possessions, and finding
them every year becoming more troublesome and expensive, it is probable
they trusted the affairs of their colony to a clerk, or secretary, who
was no ways interested in their prosperity and success. With this
secretary Chief Justice Trott had established a correspondence, of whose
wisdom and abilities the Proprietors entertained the highest opinion, and
in whose integrity and fidelity they placed unlimited confidence. He held
of them many offices of trust and emolument, which, together with his
haughty and overbearing conduct, rendered him the object of popular envy
and clamour. The colonists needed indulgence from their circumstances and
situation; Trott, being made totally dependent on the Proprietors will
for the tenure of his office and the amount and payment of his salary,
strongly supported their power and prerogative. Hence those various
struggles between the Proprietors and people, which were daily growing
more serious and violent, and threatened totally to subvert the
proprietary government.
[Sidenote] An invasion threatened from Spain.
About this time a rupture having taken place between the courts of Great
Britain and Spain, a project for attacking South Carolina and the island
of Providence was formed at the Havanna, and preparations were making
there for the expedition. Governor Johnson, having received advice from
England of this design, resolved immediately to put the province in a
posture of defence. For this purpose he summoned a meeting of council,
and such members of assembly as were in town, to inform them of the
intelligence he had received, and to desire their advice and assistance
in case of any sudden emergency. He told them of the shattered condition
of the fortifications, and urged the necessity of speedy reparations; and
for this end proposed a voluntary subscription, beginning with a generous
offer himself, as an example to others. He declared that one day's delay
might prove fatal to the province, as they were uncertain how soon the
enemy might be at their door; and recommended unanimity and despatch. The
assembly replied, that a subscription was needless, as the income of the
duties would be sufficient to answer the purpose intended. The Governor
objected, that the duty-law had been repealed, and none other yet framed
in its place. To which the assembly answered, they had resolved to pay no
regard to those repeals, and that the public receiver had orders from
them 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 brought
into his courts on that law, he would give judgment for the defendant. In
short, the contest between the two houses at this meeting became warm,
insomuch that the conference broke up before any thing was concluded with
regard to the public safety. The assembly were obstinate, and seemed
determined to hazard the lots of the province to the Spaniards, rather
than yield to the council, and acknowledge the Proprietors right of
repealing their laws.
[Sidenote] An association formed against the Proprietors.
Governor Johnson, however, at such a juncture, judging it prudent to be
always in the best posture of defence; for uniting the strength of the
province called a meeting of the field-officers of the militia, ordered
them to review their regiments, and fixed a place of general rendezvous.
Indeed such was the uneasy and distracted state of the colony, that the
Spaniards could scarcely have attacked it at a time more seasonable for
obtaining an easy conquest. At this meeting the field-officers of the
militia received their orders with their usual submission, and called
together the different regiments, on pretence of training the men to
expert use of arms. But before this time the members chosen to serve in
assembly, though they had not met in their usual and regular way at
Charlestown, had nevertheless held several private meetings in the
country, to concert measures for revolting from their allegiance. They
had drawn up a form of an association for uniting the whole province in
opposition to the proprietary government, which was proposed to the
people at this public meeting of the militia, as an opportunity the most
favourable for procuring a general subscription. The people, oppressed
and discontented, with eagerness embraced the proposal, and, almost to a
man, subscribed the association, promising to stand by each other in
defence of their rights and privileges, against the tyranny of the
Proprietors and their officers. This confederacy was formed with such
secresy and dispatch, that, before it reached the Governor's ears, almost
the whole inhabitants were concerned in it. The assembly, after having
thus brought the people in general to back them, had then nothing to do
but to go on, in taking such bold and vigorous steps as seemed best
calculated for accomplishing their end.