Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-02

same spirit The proprietors were
not always consistent. They granted
privileges and then threatened to
punish those who had the courage
to enjoy them. They made laws
which they said were "unalterable, .
and then in order to meet some new
case which might spring upon them
they changed these laws. They
granted permission TO sell Indians al
one time: and at another, they de-
posed West because he sold them
The proprietors were often tickle
and the people unyielding. The pro-
prietors aimed at accomplishing one
object, and the people another.
To meet the critical condition OF
things, the proprietors determined to
appoint a man who was not in the
colony, to the high office Of governor
Accordingly, in April, 1888, Richard
Kyrle of Ireland, was appointed to
succeed Joseph Morton. Kyrle was
man Of some fame and Of consider
able energy. 1t was thought that he
would, by his energy and skill, place
the colony in a more favorable con-
dition toward the proprietors. In
this expectation they were disap-
pointed; for death terminated his life
some time during the first summer
after his arrival in the colony.
AS an evidence of the eminent fit
ness of Joseph West for the office OF
governor, and of his great popular
ity in the colony, he was again for
the third time. chosen to that high
and responsible office. He was not
in the colony at that time, but In
October, 1884, he was In due form
chosen by the Grand Council, who
Immediately wrote to the propriet
tors informing them Of their action.
The proprietors although they had
only a short time before dismissed
West, were gratified and sent him a
commission.
During the absence of West, which
continued for few months only, Col
Robert Quarry acted as deputy
Quarry, although sometimes men,
toned as one Of the governors Of the
colony, in fact, was only a deputy
He never was chosen by the Grand
Council or commissioned by the pro-
prietors. At one time he was secre-
tary of the province, and in virtue
Of this position he was honored with
the office Of temporary governor.
At this time the sea was infested
with band Of pirates, partially al
least, under the protection Of the Eng
lish government. These pirates often
came to Charles Town and received
various favors from the people, fol
which they received ample compen'
sation. These pirates kept the Span
iards at ST. Augustine in check. The
proprietors, however, did not favor
this friendly intercourse between the
colony and the pirates. At least
they pretended not to favor 1t; but
in this, as in many other things they
were not wholly consistent. The
English government favored to some
extent the pirates. To say the least
of it, they winked at their raids In
many instances.
The proprietors were Thoroughly
English in all of their sentiments
Col. Robert Quarry was bold and
imprudent in showing favors to these
robbers on the seas. So impruden'
was his conduct that he was de-
prived Of the office Of secretary.
In September, 1884, Joseph Wes'
returned and assumed the duties OF
his office. A great change had taker
place in the colony since he was sue
ceeded by Morton in 1882. The pro-
| prietors had so changed the laws thai
It was almost impossible for the peo'
pie to pay the quit rent" whicf
was about two cents per acre. A
first the land holders had been al
lowed the privilege Of paying this
uuit-rent either in money or In pro
duce. Now the money was demand
ed and a failure to pay the money
subjected them to a forfeiture oi
their lands. 1t Is easy to see tha'
this new law placed the poor colo
| nists in a very critical condition
Many of them saw that in the midst
of a boundless forest, where lanc
was In great abundance and settlers
few, they were, for the want OF
few pence, about to be turn
ed out Of house and home. Il
was vain to entreat for mercy. The
| proprietors were irritable and de-
clared that they had a right to DC
with their land as they pleased
They claimed the right to sell theil
land for whatever they saw fit. Thi:
right they insisted upon.
The parliamentary difficulty wa!
still unsettled. Maurice Matthews
Arthur Middleton and James Moore
then perhaps the most infuentia
members from Berkley county, hat
been expelled from the parliament
because they had engaged in sending
Indian slaves from the colony. lr
the meantime the proprietors SEN
instructions to West in which all the
former laws and regulations of the
colony were abrogated. The propri'
etors evidently determined to make
a complete transformation of the
colony. West saw that the condition
of things was hopeless. No room
was left for him to exercise his owr
Judgment in the government Of the
colony. He gave up the task a:
hopeless and retired.
Here the history of Joseph Wes
ends. Whether he quilted the col
ony entirely, or went as some think
to his planta ton on the Ashley river
Is not certainly known. 1t is more
than probable that he left the colo
ny entirely, from the fact that nj!
name never again appears In any
of the records of the colony. 1t Il
barely possible that man Of West
wisdom, influence and popularity
could have lived in the colony II
perfect obscurity. His own public
spirit would not have permitted this
and his fellow citizens would no
have. suffered it.