Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-23

The territory was only settled In what Is
now called North and South Carolina.
But there was a disposition to extend
the settlement westward; and, In
spite of mismanagement, the colony
at Charles Town was growing. No
doubt the King of England saw this,
and grieved that so rich treasure had
been permitted to pass, so easily, par
TALLY out Of the hands Of the royal
family. The proprietors saw the pros
poets of the colony Frightening, and
were anxious to retain the possession
Of 1t as the king was to add 1t to the
acquisitions Of the British crown. The
proprietors yielded to both the people
of the province Of Carolina and to the
King Of England. At the instance OF
the crown, the proprietors were in
duced to appoint Nicholas Trott, at
torney general Of the province. One Of
the principal duties Of Trott, in virtue
of his office, was to examine all the
laws Of the colony, to ascertain II they
were consistent with the laws Of Eng
land. This may be regarded as an act
done by the proprietors to secure the
perpetuation Of the government Of the
colony in their hands.
Character of the People az Indicated
by Laws.
During the administration Of Joseph
Blake many legislative acts were
made. From these we are enabled to
form a tolerably correct idea Of the
real condition of the colony. The
laws of the people may be regarded
as fair index of their social and NOR
al character. Laws designed to punish
crime show that there are lawless per-
sons in the community; but they also
show that there Is a determination on
the part Of the rulers to cut the law
less, protect the weak and encourage
justice and equity. Judging from the
character of the laws enacted and re-
enacted during the administration OF
Blake, we may safely conclude that
the colony Of South Carolina was at
that time in a healthy moral condition
at least as much so as could be ex-
pected, when all the surrounding cir
cumstances are taken into considera-
ton.
Among the first enactments made,
was one relative to false or defective
measures or weights. This shows that
the colonists were commencing to
trade in earnest, and to merchandise
lin an upright-way. David Maybank
was appointed by the assembly, on the
5th day Of December, 1896, surveyor of
all weights and measures used in the
colony. All persons engaged In buying
and selling in the colony, were re-
quired within two months to bring
their weights and measures to the Of
flee of David Maybank, that they
might be tested by the English stand
ards. Those found correct were to be
marked thus . . (four stars), and
those incorrect were to be Immediately
burned, broken or destroyed. The law
forbid with heavy penalties annexed,
any persons using two sets Of meas
ures or weights-one set to be used
when any commodity was bought, and
a other set to be used when a sale was
effected.
At the same time a law was enacted
designed to increase the number Of in
habitants and favor those coming into
the colony to settle. In this enact
ment OF the assembly, 1t was provided
that no persons coming into the colony
could be sued or imprisoned for debt
during the period Of two years after
their arrival. No doubt the assembly
meant well: but such a law is and al
ways must be. unrighteous No court
or legislative body has any right to
interfere between creditor and debtor
II any compromises are to be made or
favors shown. the persons themselves
and no one else. have the inalienable
right to make the negotiations. This
act for the relief Of debtors was re-
pealed by the King Of England.
To prevent vessels coming into
Charles Town from being injured from
want Of knowledge Of the harbor by
the officers. pilots were appointed by
the assembly to take charge Of all ves-
sells. and conduct them into the harbor
safely. From this law we may learn
that only very small vessels could en-
ter. The pilots were not required to
take charge Of any vessels that drew
more than nine feet Of water. UP to
this time the greater number Of vessels
entered the harbor through what they
called the North Channel" but meas
ures were taken to learn the capacity
Of the South Channel" and to encour-
age shipmasters to enter through 1t.
These together with many other laws,
show that the settlers were beginning
to see what was for their advantage.
Religious Persecution.
The most important enactment Of
this period was IAN act for the making
aliens free in this part Of this prov
i'ce, and for granting liberty Of con-
science to all Protestants." The pre-
amble to the act is worthy Of note. In
the colony, at this period, there were
persons from many nations Of Europe.
The preamble to this act referred to,
gives us a brief history of the causes
which had brought these men, who
could not speak the English Ian
guage." to the colony, and also Of the
manner in which they had conducted
themselves, Whereas, persecution for
religion has forced some aliens to
this colony" This was one reason
why some were in the colony. Perse-
cution on account of religion, brought
to the colony the main body Of the first
settlers on the Saritee, on Goose creek.
on the eastern branch Of Cooper riv-
er, on Sewee river, and on Sewee bay.
| There was another cause why so
many aliens had come into the prov
ince. This is thus stated in the pre-
amble: 1.-The trade and fertility Of this
colony has encouraged others to resort
to this colony" The fame Of South
Carolina had spread all over the world.
It was regarded as the garden spot Of
the New World. The preamble also
Aa ho ofa ~ tho