Sovm Cabouna : S lintns'-'WKIi Simms* History of South Carolina Revised by Mrs. Mary C. Simms Oliphant SOUTH CAROLINA EDITION 1917 CONTRACT RETAIL PRICE 65c Exchange Price for Books Used in South Carolina During the Five Years Prior to July 1, 1917 White's, The Making of South Carolina 45c White's Beginners Historv of U. States 40c 35c Exi Class Book. '5, 1918 ? CoEyiiglit]^?. iCf COPmiGHT DEPOSm THE HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA THE HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BY WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS REVISED BY MARY C SIMMS OLIPHANT (WITH SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTERS) MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ADAPTED FOR USE IN THE SCHOOLS £0^ COLUMBIA. S. C. THE STATE COMPANY. PRINTERS 1917 /?/7 COPYRIGHT. 1917 BY MARY C. SIMMS OLIPHANT / AUG 25 I9!7 J'' ICI.A473208 TO MY FATHER 1843-1912 ~> PREFACE William Gilmore Simms, the editor's grandfather, wrote in 1840 for his children and for use in the schools ''The History of South Carolina from Its First European Discov- ery to Its Erection into a Republic." In 1860 the third edition of the history was published in which Simms brought the narrative down to that date. The editor offers in the present volume a revised and enlarged edition of the third edition of the work, intended primarily for use as a text- book in the schools of South Carolina. Since William Gilmore Simms gave his history of the State to the public, the researches of historians have brought to light many new facts about South Carolina's stirring past. In consequence, the editor has been obliged to make numer- ous changes in many places in the original text to bring it into accord with views accepted comparatively recently but of unquestioned soundness. Other changes have seemed desirable and have been made in the interests of clarity of style and simplicity of diction. The editor trusts that these deviations from the text have not marred its graphic force nor sacrificed its virile interest. On the other hand, in this edition of Simms' ''History of South Carolina," the editor has tried to preserve faith- fully certain aims set forth by the author in his preface to his second edition. Chief among these the author said was to present such a history, "suited to the unprepared under- standing and the ardent temper of the young" . . . *'as will enable them to satisfy their own curiosity and the in- quiries of others." It is as lamentable now as when Simms observed it in 1860 "to perceive the degree of ignorance in which our people live with regard to those events which made their ancestors famous, and which have given them S ^ Preface. equal station and security." It is the editor's earnest hope that this book may in some degree remove this reproach by imparting a knowledge of South Carolina's History to the rising generation of her citizens. The narrative of the State's development has been divided into seven periods, the first six of which culminate in mo- mentous changes in South Carolina and the last of which gives important events in our own day. Chapters have been revised and written to cover specific events and stages in South Carolina's history without arbitrary effort to make them uniform in length. Therefore, the editor suggests that teachers who use this book will find that the numbering of the sections in the chapters will aid in assigning lessons equal in length to the pupils' ability. The editor has spared no pains to make the text accurate. In this connection, she acknowledges her debt to practi- cally all of the major historians who have written of South Carolina, as well as to a small host of pamphleteers and writers of historical articles. The editor lays no claim to settling in this little volume points in dispute about South Carolina's history. She has studied both sides of questions on which divisions of opinion exist and made the text con- form to the view best supported by the weight of evidence. In conclusion, the editor wishes to render her thanks gratefully to Mr. A. S. Salley, Jr., Secretary of the Historical Commission of South Carolina, for his invaluable aid in the preparation of the first three periods of this edition of Simms' "History of South Carolina," which he graciously read while they were yet in manuscript. Likewise, the editor's thanks are rendered to Professor A. G. Holmes, assistant professor of history at Clemson College; to Dr. Yates Snowden, pro- fessor of history at the University of South Carolina; to Mrs. Robert S. Bailey, teacher in the Barnwell Graded School; and to Mr. William Watts Ball of Columbia— each Preface. 9 of whom read parts of the book in manuscript. Their sug- gestions and criticisms were most valuable. The editor is also grateful to Mrs. Thomas J. Fickling of Columbia, formerly professor of history at the College for Women, for her aid and constructive criticism, and to Dr. D. D. Wallace, head of the department of history and economics at Wofford College, for advice about the format of the book. The editor owes to many other friends a debt of gratitude for their encouragement and assistance in the preparation of this modest volume. Columbia, S. C, May, 1917. M. C. S. O. CONTENTS I. SOUTH CAROLINA UNDER THE PROPRIETORS. Chapter Page I. Discovery and Settlement of Carolina 15 II. English Colony on the Ashley 24 III. Expansion of the Province 33 IV. Quarrels Between Proprietors and People 38 V. Wars in the Province 48 VI. Overthrow of the Proprietors 60 n. SOUTH CAROLINA UNDER THE ROYAL GOVERNMENT. VII. Expansion Under the Rule of the King 67 VIII. Slavery and Colonization 75 IX. The Cherokee War 85 X. Provincial Life 92 XI. Royal Restrictions of Provincial Trade 102 XII. Breach Widens Between King and Carolina 109 XIII. The Province Becomes a State 118 III. SOUTH CAROLINA DURING THE REVOLUTION- ARY WAR. XIV. Opening of Hostilities with England 129 ■ XV. The Fall of Charles Town 139 XVI. Rising of the Partisans 150 XVII. The Partisans Turn the Tide 166 XVIII. The Partisans Capture British Posts 175 XIX. The Partisans Drive British Coastward 185 XX. Victory for the Partisans 193 12 Contents. IV. SOUTH CAROLINA AS A STATE IN THE UNITED STATES. Chapter Page XXI. South Carolina Enters Union of States 203 XXII. Economic Development 212 XXIII. South Carolina in the War of 1812 220 XXIV. States' Rights Movement 229 XXV. The Palmetto Regiment in the Mexican War 243 XXVI. War Between the Sections Inevitable 252 V. SOUTH CAROLINA AS A STATE IN THE CONFEDERACY. XXVII. Outbreak of Hostilities 265 XXVIII. Progress of the War— 1862-63 275 XXIX. Progress of the War— 1863-64 286 XXX. Downfall of the Confederacy 298 VI. SOUTH CAROLINA DURING RECONSTRUCTION. XXXI . South Carolina Under Radical Government.. 309 XXXII. Overthrow of Radical Government 320 Vn. SOUTH CAROLINA IN RECENT YEARS. XXXIII. Retrenchment and Reform 335 XXXIV. Rebuilding the State 343 XXXV. Development: Political and Agricultural 347 XXXVI. Development: Social and Industrial 359 I. SOUTH CAROLINA UNDER THE PROPRIETORS CHAPTER I. DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT OF CAROLINA. 1. Carolina. The territory which came to be known as CaroHna stretched along the Atlantic coast of North America as far north as Virginia and as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. Westward the territory reached for hundreds of miles into the forested interior of the continent. 2. The Indians. The first European visitors to this section of the North American continent found it peopled by the Indians, a race of red men, 'Veil formed in limb; having great and black eyes, with a cheerful and steady look; not strong of body, yet sharp-witted; nimble, and exceeding great runners." The Indians lived in log houses, covered with matting so as to be proof against rain and cold. They had boats, some of which were twenty feet in length, hol- lowed by flint and fire from mighty trees. 3. European Claims to Carolina. Three great nations of Europe contended on grounds of nearly equal justice for the right to the possession of this section of North America. England laid claim, according to one group of writers, by virtue of a grant from the Pope. Another group of writers hold that her right to possess it was founded upon a supposed discovery of its shores in 1497-1498 by John Cabot and his son Sebastian — Italian sea captains, who were in the service of England. Spain claimed this territory on the ground that Juan Ponce de Leon, under its commission, discovered, in 1512, a neighboring territory to which he gave the name of Florida. This name was made to cover a region of measureless extent. De Leon was beaten by the Indians and driven from the country. In 1520, Vasquez de Ayllon made the shores of this territory at the mouth of a river to which he gave the 16 The History of South Carolina. name of the Jordan. Here he was received by the natives with a shy timidity at first, the natural result of their won- der at the strange ships and strangely clothed visitors. Their fear soon subsided, and kindliness took its place. They treated the strangers with good nature and hospitality. The country they called Chiquola. The Spaniards easily persuaded the Indians to visit the ships. Watching the moment when the decks were most crowded, the treacher- ous Spaniards suddenly sailed away, carrying nearly 200 of the red men to sell as slaves. The claim of France rested upon the discoveries of John Verazzano, who reached the coast of what is now North Carolina, in 1524. Here he found the country to his liking. The forests were noble. The yellow sands seemed to him to promise gold, which was the chief •thing he came to find. Verazzano describes the natives as ''gentle and courteous in their manners; of sweet and pleasant manners and comely to behold." They treated the European strangers with kindness. One of the crew of Verazzano, attempting to swim ashore, was so much injured in passing through the surf, that he lay senseless on the beach. The Indians ran to his relief, rescued him from the waves, rubbed his limbs, gave him food, and returned him in safety to the vessel. 4. The Influence of These Nations on Carolina. Thus it appears that England, France and Spain based their claims to this territory, later to be called Carolina, on the ground that certain of their subjects had visited its shores. In studying the early history of Carolina we must keep in mind the fact that to a great extent the history of these three European nations made Carolina's history. England, France, and Spain in time succeeded in estabhshing colonies in various parts of America, and whenever war occurred in Europe among these nations it was also fought in America by their colonies. The History of South Carolina. X7 The settlements in Carolina were made either by Euro- peans in search of adventure or money, or by persons who had been troubled in their native lands because of their religion. These settlers did not cut themselves off entirely from their mother countries. So naturally they felt every disturbance in their European homes. We will find Carolina often torn, too, by quarrels among her citizens, due to difference in their nationalities, as well as by disturbances in Europe. Thus, early Carolina history will in many phases be but a reflection, colored by its own local problems, of the. history of the nations across the Atlantic Ocean. 5. Jean Ribault's Expedition. In 1561, CoUgny, admiral of France, obtained from Charles IX, the French king, per- mission to plant a colony in Florida, one of the several names by which Carolina was then known. This was to be a place of refuge for the French Huguenots, or Protestants, who were being persecuted on account of their religion. The expedition was entrusted to Jean Ribault, an experienced sea captain, a brave soldier, and a good Protestant. With two ships Ribault set sail from France with a party of Hugue- nots, and one day in the spring of the year anchored in a magnificent bay. To this bay, ''because of the fairnesse and largenesse thereof, "Ribault gave the name of Port Royal. The dehghted Huguenots landed upon the northern shore of the entrance to Port Royal. The mighty oaks, and the ''infinite store of cedars" drew their eyes, and as they passed through the woods they saw "turkey cocks flying in the forests, partridges, gray and red, little different from our's but chiefly in bigness." Being delighted with the place, "they set themselves to fishing with nets, and caught such a number of fish that it was wonderful." 6. The Meeting with the Indians. Having refreshed them- selves with the fruits, the flesh, and the fish of Port Royal, The History of South Carolina. 19 the Huguenots went up the river about fifteen leagues, in their small boats, until they saw a group of red men, who, at their approach, ''fled into the woods, leaving behind them a young lucerne (wild-cat), which they were turning upon a spit; for which cause the place was called Cape Lucerne." Going farther, Ribault came to an arm of the river, which he entered. ''A little while after, they began to espy divers other Indians, both men and women, half hidden within the woods;" these ''were dismayed at first, but soon after emboldened, for the captain caused stores of merchandise to be showed them openly, whereby they knew that we meant nothing but well unto them, and then they made a sign that we should come on land, which we would not refuse." The savages saluted Ribault after their simple fashion, and brought skins, baskets made of palm leaves, and a few pearls, which they freely gave to the strangers. They even began to build shelter to protect their visitors from the sun; but the Huguenots would not stay. 7. Fort Charles. On an island, subsequently owned by Colonel Alexander Parris, and now known as Parris Island, and where there are still the remains of a fortress which corresponds, in form and size, with the structure raised by the French, Ribault built a fortress, "in length but a sixteen fathom, and thirteen in breadth, with flanks according to the proportion thereof," in which he placed provisions and powder, and to which he gave the name of Arx Carolina (Fort Charles), in honor of the reigning monarch of France. At the persuasion of Ribault, twenty-six of his men con- sented to garrison this fort, and when he had provided, as he supposed, sufficiently for their safety, he set sail for France, leaving Captain Albert in command of the post. 8. The Life at Fort Charles. The twenty-six Frenchmen left at Fort Charles were lazy and thriftless, and instead of 20 The History of South Carolina. planting enough grain to supply their needs, they depended on their Indian neighbors for food. Audusta, a powerful chief, was in particular their friend. He invited them to his country and furnished them with provisions, but before long his supply failed and he was able to help the Frenchmen no longer. Then they turned to King Couexis and his brother, Ovade, who generously gave them a supply of corn, meal, and beans. King Ovade received the French >f«M«^M?»«K.»iM. x.ji)M(^» - «.-- -*5,J«4e- Port Royal Harbor Into Which Ribault Sailed. ''in a house hanged about with tapestry feathers of divers colors." He commanded their boats to be filled with pro- visions, and presented them with six coverlets like the one which decorated his own couch. The French had scarcely returned from their visit to King Ovade when their barracks were destroyed by fire and all their provisions lost. The kindly Indians hurried to help them rebuild the fort and to supply them again with food. The History of South Carolina. 21 9. Troubles Among the French. The Indians, thriftless themselves, had planted barely enough corn to last the season. Their generosity to the white men had exhausted their stock and they were forced to live upon roots until harvest time. While the colonists were thus hard pressed for food, other troubles arose. These began about a common soldier, a drummer who was hung without trial, by the orders of Captain Albert. This commander seems to have been of a stern and overbearing temper. His treatment of his men was usually harsh and irritating. While they were yet angry at the hanging of the drummer. Captain Albert aroused them still further by his treatment of another soldier, a favorite of the men, named La Chere. This man he banished to an island about nine miles from the fort and left him there to starve. The result was mutiny. The colonists conspired together, rose suddenly and killed Captain Albert. This done, they brought the banished La Chere back from the island, where they found him almost famished. 10. Desertion of Fort Charles. By this time the French were in dire need of food. Hearing nothing from France, hope sickened within them, and they yearned to return to their homes. They resolved, finally, to leave the wilderness in which, however hospitable had been the natives, they had found little besides suffering and privation. Though without artisans of any kind, they commenced building a small boat. The boat rose rapidly under their hands. The great pines around them yielded resin and moss for calking. The Indians brought them cord for tackle; and their own shirts and bed linen furnished the sails. The little ship was soon ready for sea, and, a fair wind offering, the adventurers departed. 11. Sailing for France. For a time fortune smiled upon their voyage. They had sailed, without mishap, a full third 22 The History of South Carolina. of their way, when they were becalmed. For three weeks they made but twenty-five leagues; and, to add to their trials, their supplies failed them. Twelve grains of corn daily were made to answer the cravings of their hunger; and, even this amount lasted but a Uttle while. Their shoes and leather jackets became their only remaining food, and The Rough Boat Built by Kibault's Men for Their Homeward Voyage from Port Royal. — From a Descriptive Drawing. death appeared among them, relieving their misery by thinning their numbers. 12. The Sacrifice of La Chere. To add to their troubles, the boat began to leak. The men had to work day and night bailing the water out. During all this suffering the man named La Chere, who had been exiled by Captain Albert The History of South Carolina. 23 and rescued by the soldiers, encouraged them by saying that in three days they would make land. At the end of this time there was no sight of land, and there remained no food. They were in despair. Then La Chere proposed that one of their number should die to save the rest. The lot fell to himself; and without a struggle or show of reluctance, he bared his neck to the stroke. His starving comrades greedily drank of his blood and distributed his flesh among them. La Chere's sacrifice enabled them to live until they were picked up by an English vessel. 13. Fort Caroline. The little garrison which Ribault had left at Fort Charles had not been heard of in France, so three ships, under the command of Rene Laudonniere were dis- patched to its aid. Laudonniere reached America in 1564, and finding that Fort Charles had been abandoned, he proceeded to Florida, where he built a fort on what is now the St. John's River. This fort he called Fort Caroline, and the surrounding country was known as La Caroline. This colony met a disastrous end. Spaniards, under a fierce captain named Menendez, had made a settlement, which later they called St. Augustine. The Spaniards claimed this territory under the general name of Florida, and re- garded the French as trespassers. Menendez was a fanatical Roman Catholic, and as Fort Caroline was a Protestant settlement, he fell upon it and massacred its entire popula- tion. The story goes that beneath the trees on whose branches Menendez hung the French he placed an inscrip- tion, ''We do this not to Frenchmen, but to heretics." This massacre was avenged by the Chevalier de Gourges, who sailed from France with an expedition raised at his own expense for this purpose. He hung the Spaniards, to the same trees, and changed the inscription to read, "I do this not to Spaniards, nor Catholics; but to traitors, robbers and murderers." Thus ended the first attempts to plant a colony in Carolina. CHAPTER II. ENGLISH COLONY ON THE ASHLEY. 14. The English Lords Proprietors. With the disaster at Fort Carohne, the French gave up their claim to Carohna, and it was more than a hundred years after their abandon- ment before another settlement was made in this section. In the meantime, England had successfully planted colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts, and Dutch settlements had been made in New Amsterdam and elsewhere. Claiming that the explorations of Sebastian Cabot, in 1497-1498, gave Great Britain sway over that portion of America lying between the 31st and 36th degrees of north latitude, Charles I, on October 30, 1629, granted it to his attorney general, Sir Robert Heath, for the founding of a province to be known as Carolina. Sir Robert did nothing toward settling his province, and, on March 20, 1663, Charles II, by letters-patent, granted the territory between the same parallels of latitude, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to eight of his political supporters — the Earl of Clarendon; the Duke of Albemarle; WilHam, Earl of Craven; Anthony, Lord Ashley; John, Lord Berkeley; Sir George Carteret; Sir WiUiam Berkeley; and Sir John Colleton. These noblemen formed a company known as the Lords Proprietors. The setthng of Carolina was to be a simple business scheme with them, from which they hoped to make money. The grant which they obtained comprised a terri- tory out of which subsequently the several provinces (now States) of South CaroHna, North CaroHna, and Georgia were formed. Of this immense region King Charles made them absolute lords and proprietors, reserving to himself simply sovereignty of the country. 15. The Fundamental Constitutions. Before sending a The History of South Carolina. 25 colony out to settle in Carolina, the Lords Proprietors in London framed a system of laws for its government. John Locke, a great English philosopher, who was employed as secretary by Lord Ashley, prepared a code of laws called the Fundamental Constitutions, the most striking feature of which was the provision for the creation of a nobility in Carolina. Besides the proprietors, the nobihty was to con- sist of Landgraves and Cassiques, the title of Cassique being derived from that of the Indian chiefs. A stated amount of land was to go with each title. Each Landgrave was to have four baronies and each Cassique two baronies. A barony consisted of 12,000 acres. The titles were to be conferred upon such inhabitants of the province as the Proprietors saw fit. Among other things, the Constitutions provided for the establishment of eight Supreme Courts, and for the calling of a Parliament. No laws were to be passed without the consent of the colonists, and entire freedom of religion was to be allowed. 16. A Colony Sent Out by the Lords Proprietors. In 1665 an attempt was made by the Proprietors to plant a colony at Cape Fear, in what is now North Carolina. This colony was sent out from Barbadoes, with Sir John Yeamans as its governor, and proved wholly unsuccessful. In 1669, they made a second attempt. They fitted out a fleet of three ships for a settlement at Port Royal, and gave the command of it to Joseph West. He was directed to go first to Bar- badoes to Sir John Yeamans, and to take further orders from him. At Barbadoes Sir John joined the expedition, went with it as far as Bermuda, and there leaving it, appointed William Sayle as governor. Arriving at Port Royal, Sayle was met by an Indian Chief, the Cassique of Kiawah, who told him that Port Royal was harried by the fierce Westo Indians, whom he described as cannibals, and persuaded 26 The History of South Carolina. the expedition to go to his country to settle. The colony landed in April on the western bank of the Ktawah, which river we know as the Ashley, and called the place Charles Town in compHment to the King. 17. The Life of the Colonists. The colonists, with the aid of negro slaves which they brought with them, im- mediately began to erect fortifications, to lay out streets and town lots, and to build houses. The country proved good be- yond their expectations. Deer, turkeys, rabbits, turtles, and fish were abundant. However, new settlers in all coun- tries are subjected to terrible hardships. They had to cut down forests, build houses, and clear the ground for raising crops. In this low, flat country the sultry climate proved a great burden. The Europeans also suffered from the fatigue of unaccustomed labors under a hot sun. 18. Foes to the Colonists. The Kiawahs, whose chief had welcomed the English to the country, were always friendly to them, but they were not strong enough to protect them from other warUke tribes who were daily becoming more jealous of their white neighbors. CaroUna is said to have been occupied at this time by twenty-eight Indian tribes. United, they could bring 50,000 warriors into the field. To Charles II, the English King. Who Granted the Territory Named "Caro- lina" to Blgbt of His porters in 1663. Political Sup- The History of South Carolina. 27 the infant colony of Carolina, these savages suggested con- stant alarm and danger. The Westo and Stono tribes, as they were nearest, were the most troublesome. Their attacks were doubly dangerous and annoying, as it was found difficult to provide against them. The superiority of the musket over the bow and arrow, in a dense and primi- tive forest, was very small. Concealed in the thicket, the Indian launched his shaft before the European had dreamed of the presence of an enemy. Thus surrounded by these unfriendly Indian neighbors, the Carolinians were compelled to stand always ready to fight. While one party slept, an equal number watched. He who felled a tree in the forest, was protected by another, who stood ready with his musket in the shade; and so per- severing were the Indians, that the settler dared not lay aside his weapon, even while gathering oysters on the shores of the creeks. From the woods the settlers were almost wholly excluded by reason of the red skins who infested them; and, but for the fish from the rivers, the colonists would have perished of famine. Their scanty crops were raised, not only by the sweat of their brows, but at the peril of their lives; and, when raised, were exposed to the plundering of the Indians. A single night frequently lost to the farmer the dearly bought products of a year of toil. 19. The Temporary Laws. It was soon found that the Fundamental Constitutions were too elaborate in their pro- visions for so simple a colony as that which came to Carolina. For a settlement of not more than 200 inhabitants, the Constitutions had proposed to maintain a grand council, parliament, courts and many high offices. Realizing the impossibility of these requirements, the Lords Proprietors sent out a set of Temporary Laws to meet the demands of the colony. 28 The History of South Carolina. 20. The Death of the First Governor. Governor Sayle had shared in all the hardships of his fellow adventurers, and had encouraged them in every way in his power From hard work and exposure, his health failed and he died. His commission had given him the right to choose a successor, and he had appointed Joseph West governor of the colony until the Pro- prietors should send some one to succeed him. 21. The Kussoes. The chief trouble during Governor West's brief term arose with the tribe of Kussoe Indians who were influenced by the Spaniards against the English. It must be remembered that the Spaniards in Florida claimed all of Carohna under the name of Flori- da, and resenting the settlement of the Eng- hsh on the Ashley, were continually urging the Indians to fight them. The English colonists were in constant state of defense, and at last the Kussoes became so insolent and bold that Governor West declared war against them. Invading the Indian country, the colonists took many of them captive and subdued the tribe. 22. Removal to Oyster Point. The Proprietors had not commissioned Joseph West as governor, and in 1672 they sent out a commission to Sir John Yeamans who had re- Anthony, Lord Ashley, the Lord Pro- prietor for Whom the Indian River, Kiawah, Was Re-named. The History of South Carolina. 29 A cently come to Carolina from Barbadoes. The first act of his administration was to lay off, at the command of the Proprietors, a new town on the Ashley to which the seat of government was to be transferred. The site then occupied was too low and unhealthy, and could not be approached by large vessels at low tide. A neck of land called Oyster Point was chosen, at the confluence of two broad and deep rivers, the Kiawah and the Etiwan, which in compliment to Lord Ashley had been called after him, the Ashley and Cooper. The new site on Oyster Point they also named Charles Town. 23. Needs of the Colonists. The miserly Proprietors quar- reled with Governor Yeamans because of a debt of several thousand pounds which he incurred at the beginning of his ad- ministration. He placed the colony in a state of security against invasion, mounted cannon, armed the inhabitants, and enrolled six companies of soldiers. The Proprietors wished to be repaid for the money they had put into the set- tling of the colony. The needy colonists, who were strug- gling for a living, were asked to repay the Proprietors by sending them cargoes of timber. Unless the colonists did so, they threatened that they would send them no more am- munition and provisions. The colonists were largely depen- dent on England for provisions because of the difficulty of clearing enough land to plant, and often their little fields were robbed of their crops by the Indians. 24. The O'SuUivan Riot. Failing to receive suppKes from England, the colonists were in despair. When a people are discontented there will not long be wanting some unruly spirit to take advantage of their sufferings; and Florence O'Sullivan, to whom the island at the entrance of the harbor, which now bears his name, had then been entrusted for defense, deserted his post and joined the malcontents in Charles Town. A riot followed which threatened the ruin 30 The History of South Carolina. of the colony. The prudence and firmness of Governor Yeamans, however, prevented violence. O'Sullivan was arrested, the people quieted, and vessels were dispatched for supplies to Barbadoes and Virginia. A timely ship from England, bringing provisions and new settlers, revived the spirits of the people and cheered them to renewed efforts. 25. The Spaniards. While these events were in progress, a new enemy started up, to add to the many dangers and Movlag from Old Charles Town to Charles Town. annoyances of the Carolinians. The Spaniards, at St. Augustine, had long looked upon the settlement of the English at Ashley and Cooper rivers as an encroachment upon the dominions of their monarch. They had watched the colony of the English with a keen disquiet. Having obtained a knowledge of the miserable condition of the Carolinians, and the discontent among them, the Spaniards advanced with a well-armed party to destroy the settlement. They reached St. Helena, where they were The History of South Carolina. 31 joined by Brian Fitzpatrick, a worthless traitor, who had deserted the colony in the moment of its distress, and who now told the invaders of its weaknesses. The Spaniards continued to advance under his guidance; but, in the mean- time, the English vessel, bringing supplies of men and powder, fortunately arrived in Ashley River. This re-enforcement enabled Governor Yeamans to assume the offensive. He dispatched with his ship 50 volunteers, under Colonel John Godfrey, to meet the Spaniards; but they did not await his attack. Instead, they fled at his approach, deserting St. Helena Island, of which they had obtained full possession, and retreated, with all haste, to St. Augustine. This attempt of the Spaniards, though con- ducted with little spirit and marked by no battle, was the beginning of a long succession of conflicts between the two colonies. 26. Fundamental Constitutions Proclaimed. In 1674, under the administration of Sir John Yeamans, the Funda- mental Constitutions were formally proclaimed to the people. Hitherto, the colony had been living under a temporary government, but now the population having, it was thought, sufficiently increased and expanded, the more elaborate system was put in force. The people were assembled and the Constitutions declared to them. Under their authority the province was divided into four counties, called Berke- ley, Colleton, Craven and Carteret. 27. Retirement of Sir John. This duty done. Sir John abandoned the colony and went to Barbadoes, where he soon died. He was about to be removed by the Proprietors, although he was ignorant of this. Rumors were afloat that the scarcity of provisions had been due to his exporting of grain to Barbadoes while the colonists were in dire need. It seems, though, that there was no starvation in the colony. There was difficulty at first in finding the grains best suited S2 The History of South Carolina. to the soil, but there was abundance of fish oysters, and game, and the land produced Indian corn and peas so easily that the settlers were secured from any danger of starvation. The hardships lay rather with the thefts of the Indians, and more especially with the niggardliness of the Proprietors who would not provide the colonists with sufficient suppHes to tide them over the first few years of adjustment to the new conditions. CHAPTER III. EXPANSION OF THE PROVINCE. 28. A Wise Governor. Governor Yeamans was succeeded by Joseph West, whose previous term had been only under appointment by Governor Sayle. West was now regularly made governor by the Proprietors, and his administration, which lasted eight years, was marked by prudence and good government which went far towards putting the province on firm foundations. 29. Disturbing Elements. From the beginning there were disturbing elements in Carolina. In the first place, there was always trouble on account of the Fundamental Con- stitutions which the Proprietors regarded or disregarded at their pleasure In the province there were two parties — one headed by the governor and council, who were themselves sworn to obey the Lords Proprietors, and the other made up of people who, realizing the impractlcabiUty of the Con- stitutions, wished to follow them only in so far as they met their needs. These parties were continually in conflict with each other. Another disturbing element lay in the religious differences of the colonists. It might have been expected that colonies composed of men with common interests to promote and the same enemies to fear would have been particularly zealous to maintain harmony among themselves. Unhappily, such was not the case. Charles Town was established as a Church of England settlement, but there were numbers of dissenters from the Church of England among the colonists. The dissenters were a sober people, who frowned down amuse- ments. They denounced the cavaliers, who were of the Church of England, for their frivolities and freedom of deportment. The cavaliers in their turn ridiculed the dis- 34 The History of South Carolina. senters with reckless and unsparing wit and tried to expose them to public derision and contempt. The council was composed mainly of cavaliers, who were strict adherents to the Constitutions. The dissenters were continually pro- testing against its injustice and neglect of their interests. Briefly, all the struggles of the old world were renewed in Carolina. 30. Acquiring Land. For centuries the In- dians had lived in Caro- lina and looked upon the country as their own. The Proprietors regarded themselves, because of the grant from King Charles II, as sole owners of this territory, and for- bade the colonists to purchase land from the Indians, expecting them to take it and drive the Indians off, if neces- sary. Later, Lord Ash- ley, the Earl of Shafts- bury, who was the oldest Lord Proprietor, proposed to re- voke this order and to provide for the purchase of land from the Indians. This proposal was not a fair one because it was intended to give the Indians trinkets and ribbons — • things of no value — in return for their land. 31. Arrival of Immigrant Parties. Immigrants began to arrive in small parties from Barbadoes, other West Indian settlements, and England about this time. The Proprietors George Monck, Duke of Albemarle, One of the Lords Proprietors. The History of South Carolina. 35 encouraged immigration by offering various inducements, especially to colonists who would come in sufficient numbers to form a town. A number of French Protestants were granted tracts of land, the Proprietors expecting from them the introduction of the manufacture of silk, and the cul- ture of the oUve and the grape. 32. The Growth of Charles Town. At this time there were about a hundred houses in Charles Town and more were building. The land near the town was sold for some twenty shillings an acre. There were 16 vessels which came to trade with the people of the town who numbered between 1,000 and 1,200 souls. This population was being steadily increased by the arrival of new immigrants. The first church built in Charles Town was called the English Church. It stood on the present site of St. Michael's chtirch and was built about 1682. 33. Natural Advantages. The health of the colonists was good. The soil was fertile, producing with little cultivation rice, wheat, rye, oats and peas. Crops of Indian corn were harvested twice a year. From the corn the colonists made bread, beer, and strong brandy. There was a great increase in the number of cattle, hogs and sheep which had been brought to Carolina. Because of ils mildness, the climate suited the negroes, who were now quite numerous, as many settlers from the West Indies ever since the beginning had brought their slaves with them. The hunting was good, and all of the big planters employed Indian hunters to supply their tables with venison and game. It was easy to make a living in Carolina. 34. Trading with the Indians. The first fortunes in Caro- lina were made by trading with the Indians. From the beginning, the Proprietors tried to carry on this trade through private agents so that they, instead of the colonists, would profit. However, they were unable to prevent the people 36 The History of South Carolina. of Carolina from engaging in this profitable business. The colonists exported to England skins and furs for which they had given the Indians guns, trinkets and beads. In addi- tion, they sent pitch, resin, and food stuffs to Barbadoes and Jamaica, obtaining from these islands in return for their products sugar, rum, molasses and ginger. The Indian trade in these early days produced far more wealth than planting. 35. Indian and Negro Slaves. The Proprietors had given the colonists permission to sell cap- tive Indians into slavery. The settlers, finding this an easy and profitable way to rid themselves of their red-skin ene- mies, sent many of them to the West Indies. In return for the Indian slaves, they bought ne- gro slaves from the In- dies to work in Carolina. The colonists were un- troubled by any thought of wrongdoing in this matter as by the rules of war then in force captives were looked upon as the absolute property of the captors, to do with as they chose. 36. Parliament Meets — Governor West Removed. A Par- liament was held in Carolina at the close of 1682, when laws were enacted for the establishment of a militia system; for building roads through the forests; for repressing drunken- William, First Earl of Craven, One of the Lords Proprietors. The History of South Carolina. 37 ness and swearing; and for otherwise promoting morality among the people. Although the Lords Proprietors themselves had given the settlers permission to engage in the Indian slave trade, they used the existence of this practice as an excuse for removing Governor West, who had served the colonists well for eight years. Joseph Morton was appointed governor in place of West by the Proprietors. CHAPTER IV. QUARRELS BETWEEN PROPRIETORS AND PEOPLE. 37. Election Troubles. The Proprietors were continually sending out modifications and new sets of the Constitu- tions and requiring the Carolinians to subscribe to them, although the original Constitutions had expressly stated that no laws could be enacted without the consent of the people. The first act of Governor Morton's administration displeased the Proprietors. According to their orders the province had been divided into the three counties of Berke- ley, Craven and Colleton. Berkeley comprised the territory around Charles Town; Craven, lay to the north of it; and Colleton to the South, contained Port Royal, and the islands in its vicinity. Of the twenty members of whom the parliament was to be composed the Proprietors desired that ten should be elected by each of the counties of Berke- ley and Colleton. The population of Craven was still deemed too small to merit any representation. The election being held at Charles Town, the inhabitants of Berkeley excluded Colleton and returned the whole twenty members. This enraged the Proprietors, and they ordered the Parliament dissolved. 38. Acts of the Parliament. Several important acts had been passed before Governor Morton had been compelled by the Proprietors to dissolve the Parliament. Among these was one which suspended all prosecutions for foreign debts, this meaning that the people would not be held liable for debts which they had previously contracted in England. The Proprietors were more incensed by this than by the manner of electing the Parliament, declaring that the enactment obstructed the course of justice and was contrary to the King's honor. The History of South Carolina. 39 39. Coming of the Scots to Port Royal. Governor Morton's administration was marked by the coming of a colony of Scots under Lord Cardross, a Scotch nobleman who left his country because freedom in religion was denied him. The Scotch colony secured grants from the Proprietors for large tracts of land around Port Royal because they had heard glowing reports of ''the largenesse and fairnesse" of its harbor. Unhappily, in selecting Port Royal, they dis- regarded the fact that the Spaniards would be near and hostile neighbors, ready to pounce upon any new settlers of the Carolina territory. 40. Removal of Governor Morton. Governor Morton's ad- ministration became more and more difficult because the interests of the struggling colonists were in direct conflict with those of the Proprietors from whom he received his instructions. Then, too, in the province itself the two parties, one composed of adherents of the Proprietors, and the other, of defenders of the Uberties of the people, were continually at odds. Governor Morton was between two fires. After two years, the Proprietors, disappointed because he had not carried out their instructions to their liking, removed him from office. Sir Richard Kyrle of Ireland was appointed his successor. The Proprietors beHeved that Sir Richard, who had never been in the province and who had no interests there, would follow their instructions to the letter without being influenced by the demands of the people. 41. Kyrle's Death — Appointment of West. Sir Richard died soon after his arrival in the province and the Council elected Joseph West to succeed him, the choice being con- firmed by the Proprietors in March, 1685. West had held oflftce twice and had done more for the province by his faithfulness, prudence, and wisdom than any other of the Proprietary governors. Yet he had been set aside twice by the Proprietors for no reason but to make place for men of 40 The History of South Carolina. more prominence and wealth. He now entered upon his third administration as governor. This term lasted less than a year. The differences between the Proprietors and the people were rapidly becoming so great that it was hard for any governor to hold office long. From the beginning of his term West had trouble in attempting to adjust these differences. The Proprietors first demanded of him that he make the people pay to them rents in money and not in provisions. Money was very scarce in the province and the people protested against this demand. Along with this order for the payment of rents in money, the Proprietors sent out a new set of instructions which repealed all previous laws. Governor West, harrassed by the strife among the people, resigned his office and retired from the province in the summer of 1685. The Council chose Robert Quary to succeed him. 42. Pirates. When the English settled Carolina, Charles II encouraged piracy because the lawless men who followed this life could be of service to him in plundering the Spanish colony in Florida. They proved such useful aUies that King Charles regularly commissioned them as privateers and actually conferred Knighthood upon Henry Morgan, one of the band of pirates. The hostility of the Spaniards seemed to justify this course. With the King openly favoring the pirates the colonists frequently availed themselves of the assistance which these sea robbers could render them against their mortal foes, the Spaniards. 43. Governor Quary Removed from Office. The harboring of pirates by some of the colonists would probably have continued indefinitely had the buccaneers confined themselves to plundering Spanish vessels, but in their greed they at- tacked merchant ships of all nations, inflicting so much damage that the English board of trade protested to the Proprietors that the colonists were encouraging the pirates The History of South Carolina. 41 in their plundering. The Proprietors immediately turned upon Governor Quary, upbraiding him for harboring the pirates, and removed him from office after he had served but two or three months. 44. Troubles in Provincial Parliament. Charles II had died in the meantime and James I, his brother, succeeded to the throne of England. In Carolina, Joseph Morton, who had held the office of Governor once before, was appointed by the Proprietors to succeed Quary. A Parliament was called and the members requested to subscribe to the new set of instructions which the Proprietors had sent out. Almost two-thirds of the members refused. These were asked to resign and the session was continued by the mem- bers who complied with the requirements of the Proprietors. The discharged members went home in anger, their protests against the injustice of their treatment sowing seeds of discontent. 45. The King's Revenue Officer. King James sent out at this time George Muschamp as first Collector of the King's. Revenue. His instructions demanded the enforce- ment of laws prohibiting the importation and exportation of goods save in English ships or ships owned by English colonies, and manned largely by English sailors. These laws prohibited the selling of certain stated commodities, among which were cotton, indigo and sugar (later rice was added) to any but English ports or to the ports of English colonies. The Carolinians, however, paid no attention to the Collector and carried on their business as they had before his arrival. The Collector complained of this independent spirit of the Carolinians, prophesying that in time it would bring about rebellion. 46. The Spaniards Destroy the Scotch Colony. In 1686 the Spaniards from St. Augustine, descending suddenly upon Port Royal, massacred a great number of the Scotch colonists i^ar/fi/ia,jf^ 'r- Zt\aj/(o^^ K^wey arc Aucunti! Ja^cr/ii"^ <7^< . tar%^iif ^»(^/''"<^ a^nfMJfce /c oitr^U