Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-04-15
Aisturv uf s. Garplina.
Written for the Yorkvillc Enquirer
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
Early Settlement of South Carolina.
BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
Under normal circumstances, the laws of a
nation reflect the character of the people.
AS we are enabled, by the advertisements con-
tanned in village newspaper, to judge of the
character and occupation of the inhabitants
so we can form an approximately correct idea
of the morality, civilization and social condi-
ton of people, by studying the laws by
which they are governed.
The "letters patent" granted by Charles
the Second, were English in all their peculiar
sentiments. The object, evidently, was to
make the Carolina colony part of the Brit
ish empire. 1t was liberal charter, when we
consider the time at which it was granted and
the source from which it emanated. The eight
proprietors were made, created and constltu-
ted the true and absolute lords and proprie'
tors of all the territory and Of all the premi-
ses. They were granted the power to have
and to hold the same Gin free common socage
and not in copite or by knights service. The
Crown of England reserved to itself the faith
and allegiance which was due to it. Among
other reservations made by the King, was
that which required the proprietors to give
to Charles the Second, his heirs and success
sors, one.fourth of all the gold and silver ore
found within the territory granted; and the
proprietors were further required to pay an
annual rent of twenty marks. 1t was further
granted, in the "letters patent" that the pro-
prietors could confer titles, and in one word,
act, through the palatine, as King. In the
Fundamental Constitutions" which we're
drawn up by John Locke and signed by the
proprietors, March 1st, 1869, English senti-
ments, English customs and English notions,
generally, are manifest. 1t is not, however,
English sentiments, as they prevailed at the
time Of Charles the Second; but rather, as
they existed in the time of Alfred. Both the
"letters patent" and the Fundamental Con-
sttutions," were degree above the aristocrat,
ic notions which existed during the time OF
Alfred, and a degree below the prevailing no.
tions of the times. We may say that while
the government of the proprietors was kngly
in all its leading features, still it had ten
dency toward democratic government. Pro
visions were made for Parliament, for a
grand council, for palatines, landgraves,
cacques and all the long list of titles and
dignities which obtained in England, only the
names being different The territory was di
vided into counties. Each county contained
eight seniorities, eight baronies and four pre-
cincts The seniorites belonged to the pro-
Prietors, the baronies to the nobility of the
province, and the precincts to the people In
each precinct there were six colonies. 1t was
provided that in each county there should be
landgrave and two caciques. A county
contained 750 square miles, or 100000 acres
Of this the proprietors and provincial nobili
ty received two-ffths, and the remaining three
fifths fell to the share of the people. The
parliament consisted of the proprietors OF
their deputies, the landgraves and caciques
and one free holder chosen from each precinct
The proprietors and hereditary nobility would
since each member was entitled to vote
have the majority until more than eight coun
ties were organized. Although there were
two elements in the parliament-the arlstoc
racy and the democracy were required tc
meet in the same room.
The grand council consisted of the Cover
nor and five deputies appointed by the pro-
prietors, and five other individuals chosen
by the people. The powers Of this council
we're very great. They coul try almost any
and every kind of case, and mulct in heavy
| fines, and inhict severe punishment.