Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-11-04
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Written for the Yorkvlle Enquirer.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
EarIy Settlement of South Carolina.
CONTINUED FROM NO. A.
BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.

CONTINUED FROM NO. A.
The summer of 1928 was, in South Carroll
ma, excessively hot and dry. The crops were
cut off, and so great was the evaporation, that
many of the small streams and ponds Of water
were dried up. Wild animals were reduced
to the greatest straits, and many of them per-
ished for want of water. This drought was
followed, in August, by terrific storm. The
Streets of Charles Town were covered with
water, driven in from the river. Houses and
trees were blown down. Twenty-three ships,
lying in the harbor, were dashed, with vio-
lence on shore, and totally destroyed. Only
two large vessels-the Fox and the Garland
out4rode the storm. These were war ships
stationed at the entrance of the harbor, for
the protection of the town. For security
from the food, the inhabitants Of the town
were forced to take refugein the upper stories
of their houses. 1t may not he undressing
to remark that this was the third hurricane
that had visited the country since its SETTLE
ment by the English. The first was in 1900 !;
the second in 1713. These, as we will see,
were followed by others, at irregular periods.
The storm of 1928 was followed by the yel-
low fever. This was the third time that this
dreadful disease made its appearance. So
fatal was it at this time, that it was often diff
6cult for friends to obtain assistance in bury
ing their dead. The people in the country
became alarmed, and no person from the plan
tations was permitted to visit the town, lest
the disease might be contracted and carried
into the country. The town was dependent
upon the plantations in its vicinity for sup
plies. None being brought in, the town was
threatened with famine.
In the year 1928, the proprietors, with the
exception of Lord Carteret, sold their interest
in the soil of Carolina to the king of Great
Britain. The purchase of the seven.eights of
this extensive territory was made for the in
significant sum of eighty-seven thousand five
hundred dollars. The payment was to be
made in 1929. In 1719, the government of
the State was surrendered to the King Of
England Now the soil was bought, and the
province became directly under the control of
the crown of England. All things consider
ed, this was good thing. Under the proprie-
tary government, it is very probable that the
colony would have struggled for a few years
and then died. By the act of the British par
lament, power was granted the King of Eng
land to appoint Governor for each Of the
Carolinas. In 1929, the province was divided
into North and South Carolina, but the d.
vision was not effected until 1882. The line
was not run until 1886, and then with no de-
gree of accuracy.
So soon as the province was placed wholly
in the hands of the King, everything began
to assume new and favorable aspect. A
mong the first undertakings Of the royal gov
ernrhent, was an attempt to conciliate the In
dian tribes and form, with them, alliances OF
friendship. To effect this object, Alexander
Cumming was sent out with full power to
treat with the various tribes living in the re-
gions now occupied by the north western
counties of the State. In 1880, Cumming pen.
etrated the forests as far as Keowee town.
three hundred miles from Charles Town
Here, in April, the chiefs met, and in friend
ly manner entered into negotiations for the
general welfare of themselves, their people
and the English settlers.
Six of the chiefs accompanied Cumming to
Charles Town, where they were Joined by
another, and all seven set sail for England
and in the month of June arrived safely in
England. They landed at Dover; thence
they went to London and were ushered into
the presence of the King of England. Speech.
es were made by the Indians and by King
George, and finally treaty was drawn up
and signed by Alured Popple, secretary OF
the lords commission of trade and planta.
tions for and in behalf of the English crown
and by the marks Of the six chiefs for and in
behalf of the Cherokees. These six chiefs
had gone to England as deputies of Moytoy
the chief warrior of the Cherokees and. OF
course, their action was regarded as binding
In 1871 these Indian deputies returned to
America. They accompanied Robert John
son, who had been appointed by the King,
governor of South Carolina.
This was the same Robert johnson who was
Governor of South Carolina when the propri.
etary government in 1719, was superseded by
the royal. The appointing of johnson, Gov
ernor, showed that he had not, in the least. for
feited the confidence of either people or king.
He had struggled hard to retain the proprie'
tary form of government, but he failed. He
did his duty. He was faithful to his employ
ers, the proprietors of the province, and now,
in 1871, he is again honored with the office OF
Governor. The choice was certainly wise
one. Robert johnson was thoroughly &C.
quainted with everything connected with the
colony. He knew the men.
Thomas Broughton was appointed Lieuten'
ant Governor, and Robert Wright, Chief JUS
tice. William Bull, James Kinloch, Alexan.
der Skene, John Fenwick, Arthur Middleton
Joseph Wragg, Francis Yonge, John Hamer'
ton and Thomas Waring, were the remaining
members of the Council. From the COM
mencement of his administration, johnson
manifested great interest in the Royal govern
ment, and also in the people of the colony
He recommended the Assembly to pass vote
of thanks to his majesty, the King of Eng.
land, for his great kindness manifested toward
the colony, in purchasing seven'eights of the
soil of the province. He urged that the laws
for the suppression of vice be enforced, and
that the children and youth of the settlement
be carefully educated, as the best possible
means for the promotion of virtue. Toward
the settlers, who were at this time poor, and
many of them sad from the sore bereavements
which they had suffered, the English govern
ment was kind, gentle and encouraging. The
quit-rents, which were bought at the time the
soil was purchased, were, by an act of royal
bounty, remitted. The king sent seventy
pieces of cannon to the colony, and instructed
Governor johnson to build fort at Port
ROYAL and another at Altamaha. A compa-
ny of foot soldiers was granted the colony for
its protection by land, and ships Of war were
stationed in the harbors and along the coast,
for the protection of the commerce of the
colony These and similar acts Of kindness
and generosity, stimulated the people to strug-
gle against the difficulties of the wilderness,
NTH onorou and hone