Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-08-12
Mistury uf $. Garnlina.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
EarIy Settlement of South Carolina.
BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
The administrations of Moore and his sue
cessor mark an important epoch in the history
of South Carolina. The Importance consists
not in what was done, but in the direction in
which the current of public sentiment began
to flow. At this time political party was
formed, which ultimated, in 17l9, in the trans
fer of the province from the proprietors to the
Crown of England.
Nathaniel johnson was man in many
respects admirably adapted for the high posi-
ton to which he was appointed; but, unfor.
tunately, he was banded together with Moore,
Trott, Howe and others high in Office. These
formed kind of nucleus around which gath.
cred multitude of creatures who had neither
the spirit to resist insult nor to maintain their
rights. In every country there is class of
men who are easily bought. In the colony,
at the time of which we are speaking, such a
class of persons existed. These-Moore, Trott
and Johnson-bought up and kept under their
control, to the great detriment Of the peace
and tranquility Of the colony. Their votes
were bought with rum, and with the same
price they were, both hired and infamed to
make attacks upon peaceful citizens.
One would be led to conclude that under
such government the colony would have
ceased to flourish. Such, however, was not
the case. Charles Town was put in proper
state to be defended against the invasions of
the Spanish, both from Havana and St. Au.
gustine. The liability to be attacked at any
moment never permitted them to lose sight of
the necessity of being we'll fortified. The AS
sembly we're ever careful to inquire into the
military condition of the province, and gen.
erous in making appropriations for the de-
fense. For the time, strong Notifications had
been erected on Cooper river. Magazines
had been built, and ammunition Of various
kinds stored away in them. When Governor
johnson assumed the duties of his Office there
were about one hundred cannon, planted in
different localities, for the defense of the city.
Some of these were small but when we re-.
member the youthfulness of the colony, we
are ready to conclude that the people display
ed much energy in ,fortifying themselves.
During the administration of johnson, Fort
johnson was commenced and completed,
which was, at that time, regarded as sufficient
to command the harbor.
Among the first acts ratified whilst Nathan
iel johnson was Governor, was one which
was designed to deprive the Dissenters of all
power in the administration of the govern
ment of the colony, aad place all power and
all the Offices of honor and trust in the hands
of Episcopalians. 1t is entitled can act for
the establishment of religious worship in this
Province, according to the Church Of Eng
land" The first section required that all the
forms and ceremonies of the Church of Eng
land be strictly observed by all ministers in
the province. This seems strange, when we
remember that far the greater number of in
habitants were Dissenters of various persua-
sions. 1t must not be forgotten that it was
the purpose of the original proprietors of the
province to establish in it the form of religious
worship held and practiced by the Church of
England; but through the influence, no doubt,
of John Locke, the section was introduced
which granted religious liberty to Dissenters.
Honesty demands US to say that we do not
think strange of the original proprietors
cherishing such an intention. They had been
educated in the Church of England, and if
not consistent members of it, at least all their
prejudices were in its favor. 1t does not ap-
pear that the original proprietors were men
of more than ordinary piety; but they were
strongly inclined to favor the Church of Eng
land, whilst they acted leniently toward Dis
senters.
Up to the time of johnson, no effort was
made to disturb the inhabitants of the colony
in their religious belief. In6dels and papists
were excluded but Christians of all persua-
sions were permitted to worship God accord.
ing to the dictates of their own conscience.
1t is true that in 1898, during the time of
Governor Blake, an act was passed settling a
maintenance npon minister in the Church
of England in Charles Town but this was
not designed, as we understand it, to establish
a particular form of the Christian religion in
the province. The act of 1898 provided that
seven hundred and fifty dollars, (415O sterl-
ing,) be settled upon Samuel Marshall and
his successors forever. Samuel Marshall was
pious minister of the gospel, and at that
time was pastor of the Episcopal Church at
Charles Town. Blake, who was either q
Presbyterian or Baptist proposed the law,
and it was through his influence and the in
Auence of other Dissenters that it was passed
by the Assembly. 1t is evident, from this
fact alone, that it WAS not designed by the
Assembly to establish the Church Of England
in the colony. The fact is, the Episcopalians
were greatly in the minority, and, as said be-
fore, no question was made in the colony re-
specting religious creeds or professions. Great
harmony existed amongst all sects. 1trather
seems that the act of 1893 had its origin in a
generous and noble Christian spirit. The
strong assisted the weak ; the many stretched
out helping hand to the few. Samuel Mar.
shall was very pious man, and greatly be-
loved by all parties The character and in
struction of this good man, no doubt had