Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-06-03

by the scouting threats OF even an Engllsn no.
bleman.
In 1887, another Parliament was chosen
but this proved even more unmanageable than
the former. All the plans of the Governor,
and consequently of the proprietors, were to-
tally defeated. In selecting the Parliament of
1857, individuals were chosen who would op.
pose all measures proposed by the Governor.
This they did with scrupulous care. Even a
military bill, which was proposed for the de-
fense of the colony, was bitterly opposed and
defeated. Exasperated by such refractory
conduct, the propretors, in 1889, ordered the
Parliament to be dissolved and no other to be
chosen until special orders we're given by
them.
When Governor Colleton left Barbados
and came to South Carolina, he brought his
family with him, and built a fine house in old
Charles Town. From this, it would seem that
he contemplated settling permanently in the
country. This fact would seem to indicate
that he would feel an interest in the prosperi-
ty of the colony, in common with the other
settlers. His interest, however, was a very
different interest from that of the people. He,
in common with the other proprietors and
landgraves, was intent upon establishing in
the wilds of America, government, similar,
in its main features, to that of England. The
people were determined to be free. Hence,
there was a conflict in interest.
This was not the only reason that Colleton' 9
administration was failure. He was in
structed by the proprietors "to punish the
former Governor and officers of the colony
for various offenses." This was a difficult
task. His presence in the colony was calcu-
lated to excite bitter feelings. He had de-
feated the expedition against St. Augustine.
This the people could neither forgive nor for.
get. The quitrents, for some time, had not
been collected. These, Governor Colleton was
required to collect. This exasperated the
people so that they became not only refracto,
ry, but defiant. The quitrents were onerous
not because of their exorbitancy, but from
the fact that quitrent Of penny was de.
manded for all the land, when only small
part of it was in cultivation. When Govern.
or Coleton saw all the means he had tried
fail to accomplish his purpose, he determined
to make desperate effort to establish his
government over the province.
Pretending that the colony was about to be
invaded by the Spanish and Indians, he called
out the militia. On the 18th of March, 1890,
by the consent and advice of the Grand
Council, the Governor appeared at the head
of the troops as they were drawn up, and
with all the Importance of dictator, declared
martial law. Never did sane man do a
more foolish act. The people we're the mill.
tia. The only army which he could muster
with which to keep the province in subjection,
was the people over whom he was vainly try
ing to rule. This act of usurpation on the
part of Governor Colleton, inAamed the peo-
pie more than ever. The parliament met and
passed an act disabling James Colleton from
holding any office Of honor or trust in the
colony.
Whilst things were in the height of their
confusion, notorious character by the name
of Seth Sothell appeared in the province, and
usurped authority over the people. The his
| tory of this most consummate villain may be
thus briefly related. After the difficulty
which took place with Culpepper, in the
northern part of Carolina, was settled, the
proprietors concluded to send Seth Sothell, as
Governor, to that colony, that he might bring
about better state of feeling between the
people and the proprietors He bought out a
part of Lord Clarendon's share of the coun.
try, as proprietor. Thus prepared to exer-
else with advantage, the Office of Governor,
he set out for his colony. On his way, he
was captured by pirates and kept in con6ne-
ment for a period of two years. In 1888
he succeeded in gaining his freedom and
reaching North Carolina. No sooner had he
assumed the duties of his Office, than he COM
menced plundering the colony with unscru-
pulous rapacity. It was evident to all that
his only object was to enrich himself. In
$685. the people of North Carolina took up
arms against him. He was deprived of his
office, and preparations were made to send
him to Eng land that he might be tried for
malfeasance in office. Unable to brook the
idea of being tried by an English court,
he begged that his case might be brought be-
fore the Colonial Assembly. A multitude of
counts we're made out against him, and the
Assembly found him guilty of all. The sem
tence pronounced upon him was that he leave
the country for one year, and never again be
permitted to hold any Office in the govern
ment. He was recalled by the proprietors,
but nothing is known concerning him until
the period of the disturbance at Charles Town
during the time of James Colleton. So soon
as he made his appearance at Charles Town,
he proclaimed himself the friend of the peo-
ple In the midst of so great confusion, he
found but little difficulty in getting full and
absolute control Of the government. He
called parliament and went to work in ear
nest, apparently to correct abuses and punish
transgressors. Colleton was tried for high
crimes and misdemeanors, and not only dis
qualified from holding any office in the govern
ment, but banished. Col. Bull, Major Cole
ton, and Paul Grimball, were also disqualified
from holding any office, civil or military, in
the government because they had concerted
with the Governor and Thomas Smith, be-
cause he had penned the petition for the estab-
lishment of martial law.
The animus Of these acts was in perfect
harmony with the feelings and wishes of the
majority of the people. Other individuals
who were suspected of having concerted with
Governor Colleton, but to more limited ex-
tcnt, were subjected, in some instances, to ban
shment in others, to fines. In this way,
Sothell ingratiated himself into the favor of
the people: but. like all usurpers he soon