Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-10-07
Misturp ut 3. Garulina.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
Early Settlement of South Carolina.
BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

BY REV ROBERT LATHAM. g..
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
So soon as Governor was proclaimed, the
Convention at once changed it's name and
called itself by the original name, Assembly.
With zeal characteristic of the men, they
went to work. Hovendine Walker was
chosen president of the Assembly, and in
conformity with the mode practiced in the
other colonies Of the King, twelve individuals
we're chosen as Council. They we're now in
perfect working order, and they went to work.
Laws were enacted, new officers were ap-
pointed and old ones thrust out Chief JUS
tice Trott was deposed and Richard Allen
appointed in his stead. All the old officers
of the colony, with the exception of Francis
Yonge, the Surveyor General, and William
Rhett, the Receiver of the Province, were
turned out. There was no inconsistency in
retaining Yonge, for he was thoroughly in
favor of the popular party but the retention
of Rhett was an act of policy of very doubt
full propriety, as we will see in the sequel.
The people of the colony had, by their
acts, placed themselves in somewhat pecu-
liar condition. Many of them had come to
America, that in its wilds they might be
free. This was the case with by far the
greater number of the settlers. That they
had received many favors from the propre-
tors, no one dare deny. Had it not been for
the liberalty Of the original proprietors, the
colony never could have had an existence
For period Of nearly fifty years, at various
times, they had been the reel pients of favors
But during this same period, great changes
had taken place, both in the character of the
people and the proprietors. A new king,
who knew not Locke, nor Clarendon, nor
Monk, was seated on the throne Of England.
BY number of SUGGESTIONS new class of
proprietors had become possessors of Carroll
ma, who knew not Sayle or West The colo
nists themselves had commenced, notwith-
standing all the disadvantages under which
they labored, to increase in wealth and to
advance in the arts Of civilization. No Ion
ger could they be treated as mere serfs of the
soil They determined to rebel. Before the
world they stand as rebels against the unjust
usurpations of lazy and avoracious compa'
ny Of men styling themselves lords proprie.
tors of South Carolina. 1t was the deter
mination of the people that this first revolu-
ton in South Carolina should be in conform
ity to law and justice That this might ap-
pear to the world, they published the follow
ing Declaration
"Whereas, the proprietors of this province
have, of late, assumed to themselves an arbi-
trary and illegal power, of repeating such
laws as the General Assembly of this settle.
ment have thought fit to make for the preser-
vation and defence thereof, and acting in
many other things contrary to the laws of
England, and the charter to them as free
men granted; whereby we are deprived Of
those measures we had taken for the defence
of the settlement, being the south west front.
ier of his majesty's territories in America,
and thereby left naked to the attacks of our
nveterate enemies and next door neighbors,
the Spaniards, from whom, throug the divine
providence, we have had miraculous deliv-
erance, and daily expect to be invaded by
them according to the repeated advices we
have from time to time received from several
places and whereas, pursuant to the instruc-
ton and authorities to us given, and trust in
US reposed by the inhabitants of this settle
ment, and in execution of the resolutions by
us made, we did, in due form, apply our
selves in whole body, by an address to the
Honorable Robert johnson, appointed Gov,
ernor of this Province by the lords proprie-
tors, and desired him, in the name of the in
habitants of this province, to take upon him
the government Of the same, and in behalf
of his majesty, the King of Great Britain,
France and Ireland, until his majesty's
pleasures had been known, which the said
Governor refusing to do, exclusive Of the pre-
tended power of the lords proprietors over
the settlement, has put US under the necessity
of applying to some other person to take
upon him as Governor, the administration of
all the affairs, civil and military, within the
settlement, in the name and for the service of
his most sacred majesty, as we'll as making
treaties, alliances and any leagues with any
nation of Indians, until his majesty's pleas
ure herein be further known and, whereas,
James Moore, a person we'll affected to his
present majesty, and also Jealous for the in
terest of the settlement, now in sinking
condition, has been prevailed with, pursuant
to such an application to take upon him, in
the Kings name and for the Kings service
and safety of the settlement, the above men,
toned charge and trust: We, therefore,
whose names are hereunto subscribed, the
representatives and delegates of his majesty 8
liege people and free born subjects of the
said settlement, now met in Convention at
Charles Town, in their names, and in behalf
of his sacred majesty George, by the grace of
God, King of Great Britain, France and Ire
land, in consideration of his former and many
great services having great confidence in his
firm loyalty to our most gracious King
George, as we'll as in his conduct, courage,
and other great abilities, do hereby declare
the said James Moore his majesty's Cover
nor of this settlement, invested in all the
powers and authorities belonging and apper-
tanning to any of his ajesty's Governors in
America, till his majesty's pleasure herein
shall be further known. And we do hereby,
for ourselves, in the name and on the behalf
of the inhabitants of the said settlement, as
their representatives and delegates, promise
and oblige ourselves most solemnly to obey,
and maintain, assist and support the said
James Moore in the administration of all af.
fairs, civil and military, within this settle
ment, as we'll as in the execution of all his
functions aforesaid, as Governor for his sa-
cred majesty, King George: And further, we
do expect and command that all officers,
both civil and military, within the settlement,
do pay him all duty, and obedience, as his
maesty's Governor, as they shall answer to
the contrary at their utmost peril. Given un'
der our hands, at the Convention, this 2lst
day of December, 1719."
Governor johnson now saw thst his power
over the people was gone. The people were
determined. Nothing but an express order
from King George, could reduce them