Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-10

rashness ended In bitter humiliation
TO its deviser. To add fuel to the pop
ular excitement, 1t was now learned
that the proprietorg contemplated SELL
ing or had actually sold their charter
to a company Of Quakers. This pro-
duced bitter opposition to the proprie-
tors. Since the proprietors had COM
menced to barter their charter. no one
could tell where the thing would end.
The colony was in very disturbed
condition. The majority of the people
were In favor of the revolutionary
movement: but Governor Johnson had
his friends. With the aid OF these he
continued to throw every obstacle he
could in the way Of the new govern
ment In accordance with the instruc-
tions of Governor Johnson and his
council Charles Hart, the secretary OF
the colony, secreted the public records;
and the clergy who seem to- have IA
vored the governor, refusd to marry
those who desired to enter into matri-
monial relations without license pro-
cured from Governor Johnson. Cap
tains Hildesley and Pierce still contin-
ued to encourage Governor John3on to
make an effort to regain his former
position. Some time in the early part
of 1921 he called together few men,
and from the rear OF the town made an
advance upon the fort with the inten-
ton Of surprising. Unfortunately for
Johnson, his movement was discovered
by Governor Moore. Two guns from
the fort were fired over the heads of
Johnson and his men. This frightened
them and brought them to their
senses. They saw now that they were
wholly at the mercy Of the revolution
ary party. After promising not to dis
turb the peace of the community again,
Johnson and his party were permitted
to enter the town. Here ended the ca
reer of Governor Johnson. For some
reason or other the proprietors paid
no attention to his letter, and by all
parties he was suffered to sink into OBJ
scurity. 1t is just to say that Robert
Johnson did not merit the treatment
he received at the hands Of the proprie-
tors. His ruin may be traced to Rhett
and Trott.
When Col. Barnwell arrived in Eng
land for the purpose Of making ar
rangements for the transfer Of the
government of the colony Of South
Carolina from the proprietors to the
English crown, King George was In
Hanover his native land. The matter,
however, was taker into consideration
by the lords of the regency, and after
due deliberation 1t was declared that
the proprietors had forfeited their
charter and the attorney general OF
the kingdom was ordered to make the
fact known In a legal way. In Sep
tember, 1920. Francis Nicholson was
commissioned provisional governor of
South Carolina. With the appointment
Of General Francis Nicholson as gov
'ernor commenced the royal govern
ment in South Carolina. 1t must be
remembered. however, that at the time
the proprietors only surrendered the
government. They still remained pos
sessed of the soil. This, as we will see,
was in 1929, sold to the king. At least
seven-eighths of the whole state was
sold for only little more than one
hundred thousand collars.
Seventeen hundred and nineteen
marks an important epoch in the his
tory OF South Carolina. 1t was the
first revolution In the state, followed
by another in 1775, very similar In
many of its important features From
the settlement Of the state to the first
revolution was a little less than fifty
years: from the first revolution to the
second. was a little more than fifty
years.
TO BE CONTINUED.