Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-03
From the Yorkvllle Enquirer OF 1875
INSTALLMENT XXVII.
Period of Distress.

Period OF Distress.
The various calamitous events
which had, during the first fifteen
years of the eighteenth century,
transpired in the South Carolina COL
ony, reduced the settlers to great
straits. The most distant settlers
from Charles Town had been by the
attacks of the Yemassees, almost ex-
terminated. Vast numbers of people
had been driven from their homes,
and their property totally destroyed.
Gloom settled upon the countenances
of all. The Yemassees had been con-
quered, and the capability of the few
settlers to contend, successfully, with
the combined tribes Of the savages
fairly demonstrated; but this victory
had cost the province an enormous
sum of money and near one fourth
of the population. Many children
had been made orphans by the scalp
ing knife of the savages.
In the midst of the gloomy circum-
stances, it became evident to all that
the proprietors, or some one else must
render the colonists aid or the colony
must prove a failure. The debt of
the province had been increasing for
a number Of years, until 1t amounted,
at the close of the Yemassee war, to
not much less than half a million
dollars. At various times the assem-
bly, had issued bills Of credit. These
at first were taken at par; but soon
they began to depreciate in value.
To increase the exigencies Of the col
onists, they and the proprietors were
not on good terms. After the Yemas-
Of nearly four hundred thousand dol
lars had been put In circulation by
the assembly. These bills were made
receivable dollar for dollar, for all
debts. Circumstances combined to
cause these bills to .depreciate in value.
so that they were not worth more
than one-eighth Of their face value.
This loss fell upon the London mer-
chants and moneyed men of Charles
Town. The merchants Of England
became alarmed, less they would lose
all that was due them.
Such was the financial condition of
the colony. There were other diff
culties. When in 1913, Anthony Cra-
ven, the palatine, and brother of
Charles Craven, the governor, died,
permission was granted Charles Cra-
ven to leave the colony and return to
England. At the same time they Sig
nified their desire that Robert john
son, the son of the former governor,
be his successor. The colony being
involved in difficulties with the In
dians, Charles Craven, like a true
hearted patriot would not quit the
province until these difficulties were
adjusted.
On the 25th of April, 1716, the
Yemassees being subdued, he left
Robert Daniel, deputy governor.
During the administration of Daniel,
the law respecting the mode Of con-
Quoting the elections was very ma
terially changed. Previous to this
time. the members of the lower house
were all chosen at Charles Town.
This was attended by many dis
advantages, and was source OF
annoyance to the people. AS we have
seen the elections were fraudulently
conducted. Chief Justice Trott and
Collector Rhett were ever ready to
resort to unfair measures in order to
secure the election Of a party man.
The law was at this time so changed
that the thirty-six members Of the
lower house should be elected in the
different parishes at the parish
churches. This change gave general