VII.

CHAP. ed to pay no attention to the instructions of the pro

prietors; but at all hazards, to execute their own 1719.

laws and defend the rights of the province. The as. sembly absolutely refused to transact any business with the proprietary governour and his council

. The governour, at this time, was Robert Johnson, son of Nathaniel Johnson, who formerly held the same office, and left him a good estate in the colony. He was a man of address and high in the affections and esteem of the people; but, with all his address and influence, he could not persuade the assembly to depart from their resolution. No regard for personal characters could make them forget the weakness, injustice, and contemptibleness of the proprietary government. They preferred the public good, their own liberty and safety to every personal consideration. They had impeached Trott, before the assembly, in more than thirty articles of maleconduct; and the articles of charge were supported with strong evidence. It was alleged, that he had been guilty of many partial judgments: that he had contrived ways of multiplying and increasing his fees : that he had contrived a fee for continuing suits from one term to another; and had put off the hearing of them for years: that he had given advice in cases depending in his own court, with many other matters of like nature. Governour Johnson, with a majority of his council, as governour Daniel had done before, joined the assembly in the charges against him. To give further weight to them, before the proprietors, Francis Yonge, one of the council, was appointed agent, fully to represent the whole matter to their lordships; but Trott was still continued to oppress the people.

War was this year proclaimed between England and Spain, and the colony was threatened with an immediate invasion from the Spaniards. The militia, just before the meeting of the new assembly, had been called to a general review at Charleston. 'The officers and soldiers took this, opportunity, to

VII.

1719.

subscribe a general association and firm agreement, CHAP. to stand by each other, in the defence of their common rights, against the oppression and tyranny of the proprietors. A determination having been formed to revolt, and put themselves under the crown, the affair was conducted with uncommon address and resolution. The assembly while they utterly refused to transact any thing with the governour, un. der the proprietors, expressed the highest esteem for his person, and in an obliging and genteel manner, made him repeated offers of the government, intreating him to hold the reins of it for the king, till his pleasure should be known.

The governour absolutely refused, and issued his proclamation dissolving the house. The representatives ordered it to be torn from the hands of the marshal, met under the name of a convention of the people, and proceed- . ed to do their own business. Colonel James Moore was elected governour. He was a bold man, excellently qualified for a popular leader in perilous adventures. The governour had suspended him from his office in the militia, for espousing the cause of the people. To him therefore he was no friend, to the proprietors he was an inveterate enemy, and in whatever enterprise he engaged, he was firm and inflexible. On the 21st of December, 1719, the con- Revoluvention and militia marched to the fort in Charleston, tion inCar.

olina, Dec. and proclaimed him governour, in his majesty's name, 21st: and till his pleasure should be known. With this popular assembly, or convention, he assumed the powers

of government, and put the colony in a state of defence against the invasion which was every day expected. It was the design of the Spaniards to possess themselves of both sides of the gulf of Florida, and to command the navigation through the stream. The capture of Providence island, as well as the reduction of Carolina was an object of their expedition. They sailed from the Havannah, with fourteen ships, and twelve hundred men. They commenced their operations against Providence.

.

1719.

comes re

CHAP. Captain Rogers, who commanded the island, receiv.

ing them with great spirit and conduct, gave them a severe repulse. Soon after they were overtaken by a storm, in which most of the fleet were lost. In this singular manner, did the Great Disposer of events interpose, and give safety to his people.*

The Carolinians having assumed the government in behalf of his majesty, referred their complaints to the royal ear. On a full hearing of the ill govern. ment and oppression of the lords proprietors, and of the proceedings of the people, before his majesty, it

was judged, that the proprietary charter had been 1721. forfeited, and the colony was taken under the royal

protection. Govern- From this period the government became regal, ment be- and continued under that form till the late revolution. gal. The governour was appointed by the crown, and vest

ed with its constitutional powers civil and military. He had a negative on all bills passed by the assemblies, with the power of convoking, proroguing, and dissolving them. He was vested with powers of chancery, admiralty, supreme ordinary, and of appointing all officers civil and military. To him was also entrusted the execution of the laws.

A council was appointed him, by the crown, to advise and assist him in legislation. The assembly consisted of representatives chosen by the free suffrages of the people. The government was formed, as nearly as circumstances would admit, on the plan of the British constitution.

Francis Nicholson was appointed the first kingly governour. In the beginning of 1721, he arrived in Carolina and took on him the administration of

government.

He found the colony in a low and pitiable condition. The proprietors, during the half century of their government, had built no churches, erected no schools, done nothing for the civilization or chris

Hist. S. Carolina, vol. i. p. 287–290.

VII.

1721.

causes.

a

tianizing of the heathen, nor even for the support of CHAP, that mode of worship, which in such an undue and oppressive manner they had established in the colony. The people in general grew up in great ignorance, and some were almost entirely strangers to public worship.

At the term of fifty four years from the arrival of 1724, the first planters, the number of white inhabitants in the colony amounted only to fourteen thousand. This low degree of population was owing to various

The principal ones were the unhealthiness of the country, the massacres and depredations committed by the Indians, and the weak, impolitic, and oppressive government of the proprietors.

Nicholson was a popular governour; and, under his administration, the affairs of the colony took a new and happy turn. Though he was naturaily passionate and headstrong, and, having been bred a soldier, was profane; yet so strong was his conviction of the importance of religion, to the happiness of civil society, that he made liberal provision, for the encouragement of public worship, for the erecting and support of schools; and in these respects, by his inAuence and example, did great good to the colony.

In 1728, the crown made a purchase of seven 1728. eighth parts of Carolina, both of lands and quitrents, of Caroli for a little more than twenty two thousand and five na by the hundred pounds sterling. Lord Carteret retained his crown. right in the property and quitrents, but resigned his right of jurisdiction. The next year the proprietors Surren. made a formal surrender of the country to his majes

der, Sept. ty.* From this period the government of the Carolinas became regal. Four years after, the patent of

, Georgia passed the royal seals, and a plan was adopt. ed for its speedy settlement.

At the time of settlement, and for half a century from that period, few colonies endured greater hardships and dangers than South Carolina ; but after it

1729.

VII.

CHAP. became a royal government, it, in general, enjoyed

great prosperity. On the north it was secured from 1721.

the ravages of the Indians, by its sister colonies, and on the south Georgia, soon after, became an important barrier against the southern tribes. The inhabitants enjoyed peace, and were safe in their persons and property. The fertility of the soil generously repaid the labours of the husbandman, made the poor to sing, and industry every where to smile. The inhabitants were entirely satisfied with the government and protection of Great Britain, gloried in her as their mother country; and through a thousand channels wealth poured in upon them.

.

CHAPTER VIII.

Settlement of North Carolina. First voyages made to that country.

Interview with the Natives. Their kindness. Settlement of Al. bemarle and Cape Fear. Revolt in Albemarle. Deed from the proprietors. Constitution of the colony. Palatines plant themselves on the Roanoke. The colony is purchased by the crown, and the government becomes regal. The plan and patent for the settlement of Georgia. Settlements made. Regulations of the trustees. Expedition against St. Augustine. Spaniards invade Georgia and are defeated. The corporation surrender their charter and the govern. ment becomes regal. General observations relative to Georgia and

the southern colonies. THE first voyages to any part of the territories of the United States, were made to North Carolina. Here the French and Spaniards attempted to make settlements, and alternately destroyed each other. To this part of the continent Amidas and Barlow made their voyage in fifteen hundred eighty four. They first landed at Wococon, and afterwards visited Roanoke. On the north end of the latter were

nine houses, built of cedar and fortified with sharpIndian

ened trees. The Indian name of the country was name of Wingandacoa, the king of it was Wingina. His the country in 1584.

chief town was six days journey from Wococon. His brother, Ganganameo resided at the village on