Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-05-01


ways be a moral people. During the
administration of Governor Broughton,
the Carolinians and Georgians became
very near being involved in a serious
difficulty. After Oglethorpe had put the
Georgia colony in a state Of defense,
he returned to England in order to ad-
just a difficulty with the Spanish gov
ernment in Florida. During his alb
sence, the Carolina traders, discovered
that Augusta, on account of its forti-
flcations, was favorable trading post.
In order to reach this point with a
supply of goods suitable for Indian
traffic, 1t was determined to boat the
goods up the Savannah river. 1t was
one Of the fixed regulations Of the
Georgia settlement that rum should be
excluded from the colony. The re-
striction was made, not so much, 1t
would seem, on modern temperance
principles, as from the fact that rum
was thought to be deleterious to the
health. The settlers were not forbidden
the use Of wine. In fact they were re-
quired to make wine. One Of the
principal articles which the traders
sold to the Indians, or rather bartered
with them, was rum. A company Of
traders got their cargo Of rum and 9TH
er commodities ready and commenced
to make their way up the river. When
opposite Savannah the officers of the
town ordered the boat to be stopped.
The goods were all opened and the bar
rels Of rum knocked to pieces. This
incensed not only the traders but the
people Of the province generally. The
result was that deputatlon consisting
of two individauls-one from each
house Of the legislature-was sent to
inquire into the matter. The Georgia
authorities were not slow to discover
that they had acted rashly, and
promptly restored the articles Of traf-
fic, set the traders whom they had i'm
apology. 1t was then agreed between
the two colonies that the Savannah riv-
er should be used in common by the
two colonies, and that South Carolina
traders were at liberty to trade where
they saw fit. The Carolinians agreed
on their part not to engage In the sale
of rum or any strong liquors to the
white settlers Of Georgia.
It now became evident that the
Georgia colony must prove failure If
the plan Of government adopted by the
trustees continued in force. The loca-
ton was unhealthy, especially to Euro
peans. So many restrictions were
made by the laws that the people be-
came discouraged, and many Of them
crossed over the Savannah river and
settled in South Carolina. BY law, the
Georgians were forbidden to own slaves.
The South Carolinians were not. A
petition was addressed to the trustees
praying that this provision might be
abrogated, and the citizens be allowed
to purchase slaves. The Scotch High
landers who had settled at New Inver-
ness protested against the introduction
Of slavery into the colony. Their pro-
test was founded upon conscientious
scruples mainly; but they regarded
the introduction of slavery as danger
Gus to their settlement, since 1t would
expose them to constant attacks Of the
Spaniards.
The relations existing between the
courts of Europe to the time OF the
Revolution of 1776 materially affected
the American colonies. On the 18th of
Oct, 1889, war was proclaimed by the
British parliament against Spain. Pre-
vious to this, however, the two nations
had been at variance, and more than
once been on the verge Of open hostil-
tiles. It was the practice Of the Euro
pean nations that had planted colonies
In America to make these colonies
kind Of battle-ground. Whenever any
difficulty occurred between the courts
Of Europe, each at once set about TO
destroy the others colonies. Not only
so, but France, England and Spain
each claiming the sole right to all OF
North America, made 1t point to do
all it could to get full possession OF the
country, and to prevent either of the
other two from establishing colonies in
the country. The contest in the north
was between England and the French;
In the south 1t was mainly between
England and Spain. Previous to the
declarations Of war, Spain had been
making preparations for 1t by sending
lreinforcements to st. Augustine.
Treaty after treaty had been made res
pecting the possessions Of the two ma
tions in America, and boundary lines
had been pointed out; but neither res
pected the treaties or feared to cross
the boundary line. English vessels
claimed the right to cut log wood on
some Of the West Indies Isles and to
navigate the Gulf of Mexico. The right
was practically admitted by Spain for
some time; but about the time OF
which we are speaking, every vessel
that was found in these waters was
captured. The merchants began to
complain and the matter was referred
to Sir Robert Walpole the English
minister. Walpole was beguiled with
fair promises but the practice contin-
ued.
In 1887, Thomas Broughton was
succeeded by William Bull Samuel
Horsley had been appointed as a sue
cessor to Broughton, but he died before
he left England. So soon as Bull as
sumed the duties of his office, he i'm >
mediately Informed the British govern
ment of the true state OF things. Since
from circumstances and situation, the
same fate awaited both South Carroll
ma and Georgia, he also opened a cor
respondence with the trustees Of Geor-
gia The trustees at once made appli
cation to the king for assistance, in
lView of the threatened invasion Of
their colony. A regiment of six hun
dred men was raised, and James Ogle-
thorpe made military governor of the
two colonies of South Carolina and
Georgia with the rank of major gen.
eral. Two ships-the Hector and
Blandford-were ordered to convoy the