Books: An Historical Account Of The Rise And Progress Of The Colonies Of South Carolina And Georgia, Volume 1

A >> Alexander Hewatt >> An Historical Account Of The Rise And Progress Of The Colonies Of South Carolina And Georgia, Volume 1

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[Sidenote] A.D. 1500. The discovery of Cabral.

Not long after this, Don Pedro Alvarez Cabral, admiral of the Portuguese
fleet, bound for the East Indies, was driven by a storm on the coast of
that country now called Brazil. There he found fine land, inhabited by
savages, of which he took possession in name of his king. This discovery
he deemed of great consequence, and therefore having put a native or two
of the new-found land on board, he sent Gasper Lamidas back to Portugal
with the news. He reported, at the same time, the gentle treatment he
received from the natives of the country, the excellent soil and
beautiful prospects it exhibited; and, upon his report, a settlement was
soon after made, which advanced by rapid degrees in riches and
population, and soon became the most valuable of the Portuguese
possessions.

[Sidenote] America inhabited.

This vast territory of America being now discovered by different nations,
in every place they found it inhabited by human creatures; but from what
country they derived their origin, or by what means they were conveyed to
this distant region, has been the subject of much speculation and
inquiry, not only in that, but also in every future period. History
claims not the province of peremptorily determining inquires, which can
have no better foundation than the probable opinions and uncertain
conjectures of ingenious men, and therefore must leave every man to adopt
such accounts as appear to him least absurd or liable to exception. Yet,
as the subject is curious, it may be amusing to some readers to present
them with the different conjectures respecting it, especially such as are
supported by late observations and discoveries.

[Sidenote] Various conjectures about the first population of America.

One person fancies that this country was peopled from Britain, and has
recourse to a romantic story of a Welsh historian in support of his wild
conjecture. This author gives an account of a discovery made in the year
1170, by Maddock, a younger son of Owen Guineth, prince of Wales. That
prince, observing his brethren engaged in civil war about the succession
to his father's throne, formed a resolution to abandon his country.
Having procured a ship, with plenty of necessaries for a long voyage, he
embarked, and sailed far to the westward of Ireland, where he discovered
a rich and fertile country, in which he resolved to establish a
settlement. With this view he returned to Wales, prepared ten sail of
ships, and transported a number of both sexes to this western territory.
Some men, who have been rather too zealous for proofs in confirmation of
this conjecture, have industriously traced, and flattered themselves with
having found a striking resemblance between several words in the native
language of some Indian nations and the old Welsh tongue.

Other authors are of opinion, that the American tribes are the
descendants of the ancient Phenicians and Carthaginians, who early formed
settlements on the coast of Barbary and the Canary islands. The Tyrians
and Carthaginians, beyond doubt, were a commercial people, and the first
who distinguished themselves by their knowledge in navigation. They built
ships which carried vast numbers of people. To plant a colony on the west
of Africa, Hanno, a Carthaginian captain, embarked in a fleet of sixty
ships, containing no fewer than thirty thousand persons, with implements
necessary for building and cultivation. While he sailed along the stormy
coast of Africa, it is not improbable that some of his ships might be
driven out of sight of the land. In this case, the mariners finding the
trade winds blowing constantly against them, might necessarily be obliged
to bear away before them, and so be wafted over to America. The
complexion of the inhabitants of the African islands resembled those
Columbus found in the West Indies: The bows, arrows, spears, and lances
of both were also nearly similar, only those of the latter were pointed
with flints and the bones of fishes: There were also some resemblance in
their religious rites and superstitions to those of the ancient
Carthaginians, which afford some presumptive evidences that they might
have derived their origin from nations where such arms were used, and
such superstition prevailed. That America might receive some of its first
inhabitants from the best and boldest navigators of the east, is a thing
neither impossible nor incredible; and, if this be acknowledged, they had
many hundred years to multiply and increase, before the period in which
Columbus visited them.

Other authors of considerable merit and ingenuity have contended, that
America was first peopled by Norwegians, and the northern countries of
Europe, formerly so populous and enterprising. They considered the route
by Iceland and Greenland, where the sea is covered with ice and snow, as
the most easy and practicable. They affirm, that colonies were planted in
Greenland, by adventurers from the north of Europe; that the north-west
coast of Greenland is removed at no great distance from America, and that
it is not improbable these two territories may, in places yet
undiscovered, be contiguous. In support of which conjecture, an affinity
between the language of the Esquimaux Indians and that of the
Greenlanders has been discovered by modern Danish travellers. It is
asserted, that they understand each other in their commercial
intercourses. Besides, so great is their likeness in features and
manners, in their boats and darts, that late geographers have not
scrupled to believe that the lands are united, as the inhabitants of both
sides so manifestly appear to be descended from the same nation.

Other writers, with greater probability and reason, suppose, that the
western continent must have received its first inhabitants from the
north-east parts of Asia and Europe. Some ancient Greek historians say,
that the Scythians, from whom the Tartars derived their origin, were all
painted from their infancy, and that they flayed the heads of their
enemies, and wore their scalps, by way of triumph, at the bridles of
their horses. Sophocles speaks of having the head shorn, and of wearing a
skull-cap, like the Scythians. These indeed bear a faint resemblance to
some customs of the Indian tribes in America; but late discoveries
furnish us with the best proofs in favour of this conjecture. Some
Russian adventurers, on the sea of Kamschatka, have discovered the coast
of America, and reported, that the distance between the two continents is
so small and inconsiderable, that a passage between them, at certain
seasons, is easy and practicable, and that, though it be yet uncertain,
it is by no means improbable that these two great territories are united.
It is remarkable, that the aspect, language, and manners of the people,
on each side of the narrow channel, are nearly similar; that the arms
they use for procuring subsistence are the same; that their boats and
method of fishing are exactly alike; that both make use of a wooden
instrument for procuring fire by friction; that neither attack their
enemies in the open field, but take all advantages of ensnaring them by
wiles and stratagem; and that the vanquished, when taken prisoners, are
tortured without mercy. These observations indicate a striking
resemblance between the Tartars and the savages of America. One thing is
certain, that emigrations to the western world by this narrow channel are
easier accounted for than by any other route, and it is to be hoped a few
years more will remove every difficulty attending this curious and
important inquiry.

Notwithstanding all these conjectures, various may have been the ways and
means of peopling this large continent. It is not improbable that several
nations may have contributed towards supplying it at different times with
inhabitants. The Scripture affirms, that all mankind originally sprung
from the same root, however now diversified in characters and
complexions. In the early ages of the world, as mankind multiplied they
dispersed, and occupied a greater extent of country. When thus divided,
for the sake of self-preservation and mutual defence, they would
naturally unite and form separate states. The eager desire of power and
dominion would prove the occasion of differences and quarrels, and the
weaker party or state would always be obliged to flee before the
stronger. Such differences would necessarily promote distant settlements,
and when navigation was introduced and improved, unforeseen accidents,
sea-storms, and unfortunate shipwrecks, would contribute to the general
dispersion. These, we may naturally suppose, would be the effects of
division and war in the earlier ages. Nor would time and higher degrees
of civilization prevent such consequences, or prove a sufficient remedy
against domestic discord and trouble. Ambition, tyranny, factions and
commotions of various kinds, in larger societies, would occasion
emigrations, and all the arts of navigation would be employed for the
relief and assistance of the distressed. So that if America was found
peopled in some measure nigh 5,500 years after the creation, it cannot be
deemed a thing more wonderful and unaccountable, than the population of
many eastern islands, especially those lying at a considerable distance
from the continents. The great Author of nature, who first framed the
world, still superintends and governs it; and as all things visible and
invisible are instruments in his hand, he can make them all conspire
towards promoting the designs of his providence, and has innumerable
methods, incomprehensible by us, of diffusing the knowledge of his name,
and the glory of his kingdom, throughout the spacious universe.

[Sidenote] The natural proprietors of the country.

Those scattered tribes of savages dispersed by Providence through the
American continent, occupied its extensive forests; and it must be
confessed, that no inhabitants of Europe, Africa or Asia could produce a
better title to their possessions. Their right was founded in nature and
Providence: it was the free and liberal gift of heaven to them, which no
foreigner could claim any pretension to invade. Their lands they held by
the first of all tenures, that of defending them with their lives.
However, charters were granted to European intruders, from kings who
claimed them on the foot of prior discovery; but neither the sovereigns
who granted away those lands, nor the patentees who accepted their
grants, and by fraud or force acquired possession, could plead any title
to them founded on natural right. Prior discovery might give foreigners a
kind of right to lands unoccupied, or possessions relinquished, but
neither of these was the case of the American territories. Nations who
lived by hunting like the savages in America, required a large extent of
territory; and though some had more, others less extensive districts to
which they laid claim, yet each tribe knew its particular division, and
the whole coast was occupied by them. Indeed, in a general view, the
whole earth may be called an inheritance common to mankind; but,
according to the laws and customs of particular nations, strangers who
encroach on their neighbours property, or attempt to take forcible
possession, have no reason to wonder if they obtain such property at the
risque of life. In justice and equity, Indian titles were the best ones;
and such European emigrants as obtained lands by the permission and
consent of the natives, or by fair and honourable purchase, could only be
said to have a just right to them.

In the centre of the continent the people, comparatively speaking, were
numerous and civilized; the tribes farther removed from it on each side
lived more dispersed, and consequently were more rude. Some historians
have represented them as naturally ferocious, cruel, treacherous and
revengeful; but no man ought to draw conclusions, with respect to their
original characters, from their conduct in later times, especially after
they have been hostilely invaded, injuriously driven from their natural
possessions, cruelly treated, and barbarously butchered by European
aggressors, who had no other method of colouring and vindicating their
own conduct, but that of blackening the characters of those poor natives.
To friends they are benevolent, peaceable, generous and hospitable: to
enemies they are the reverse. But we forbear entering minutely into this
subject at present, as we shall have occasion afterwards to make several
remarks on the character, manners and customs of these tribes. Just views
of them may indeed excite compassion; yet, for our instruction, they will
exhibit to us a genuine picture of human nature in its rudest and most
uncultivated state.

[Sidenote] Religious divisions the primary cause of emigrations to
the west.

With the revival of learning in Europe, towards the close of the
fifteenth century, a more free and liberal way of thinking, with respect
to religion, was introduced and encouraged, than had taken place during
many preceding ages. At this period several men of genius and courage
appeared, who discovered to the world the gross absurdity of many of the
tenets and practices of the Romish church; but were unwilling totally to
overturn her established jurisdiction and authority. At length Luther
boldly exposed her errors to public view, and the spirit of the age,
groaning under the papal yoke, applauded the undertaking. Multitudes, who
had long been oppressed, were ripe for a change, and well disposed for
favouring the progress of that reformation which he attempted and
introduced. By this means great commotions were excited throughout
Christendom, and thousands united and entered warmly into designs of
asserting their religious liberty. Hence a spirit of emigration arose and
men seemed bent on visiting the remotest regions of the earth, rather
than submit to spiritual oppression at home.

Instead of improving the discoveries made in America during the reign of
his father, Henry the eighth was busily engaged in gratifying the
cravings of licentious appetites, or in opposing by writings the progress
of the reformation. In his reign Sebastian Cabot, that eminent mariner,
finding himself shamefully neglected by the capricious and voluptuous
monarch, went over to Spain. There he got employment for several years,
and made some new and useful discoveries in America for the Spanish
nation. After the young Prince Edward ascended the English throne, the
enterprising merchants of Bristol invited Cabot to return to Britain; and
he, having a natural fondness for that city in which he was born, the
more readily accepted their invitation. King Edward, having heard of the
fame of this bold navigator, expressed a desire of seeing him; and
accordingly Cabot was sent for and introduced to the king by the Duke of
Somerset, at that time Lord protector of England. The king being highly
pleased with his conversation, kept him about court, and from him
received much instruction, both with respect to foreign parts, and the
ports and havens within his own dominions. In all affairs relating to
trade and navigation Cabot was consulted, and his judgment and skill
procured him general respect. A trade with Russia was projected, and a
company of merchants being incorporated for carrying it on, Sebastian
Cabot was made the first governor of the company. In 1549, being advanced
in years, the king, as a reward for his services, made him Grand Pilot of
England, to which office he annexed a pension of _L_. 166: 13: 4 _per
annum_, which Cabot held during his life, together with the favour of his
prince, and the friendship of the trading part of the nation.

When Mary, that cruel and inflexible bigot, succeeded to the throne,
domestic troubles and ecclesiastical persecution were so prevalent in
England, that commerce sunk into decay, and navigation was despised and
neglected. The spirit of murmur and discontent pervaded the country, and
multitudes wished for some foreign settlement, as an asylum against
domestic trouble and persecution; and, had they been sufficiently
acquainted with the western territories, would certainly have emigrated
to that quarter. After Elizabeth ascended the throne, the bloody scene of
violence closed, and national affairs took a more successful turn. During
her reign the reformation advanced to a peaceable establishment in
England, and commerce was encouraged and protected.

[Sidenote] Coligni's settlement in Florida.

In France the reformation met with greater obstacles, and was productive
of more serious and fatal consequences. It occasioned a civil war between
the Protestant and Catholic parties of that kingdom, which raged for
several years with great violence. During these domestic troubles, Jasper
de Coligni, one of the chief leaders of the Protestant army, formed a
project for carrying a colony to America. Forseeing the dangers to which
he and his followers would be exposed, should the cause in which they
were engaged prove unsuccessful, it is probable he intended this foreign
settlement as a retreat. Accordingly, having fitted out two ships, he
gave the command of them to Jean Ribaud, and sent him with a colony of
Protestants to America. Ribaud landed at the mouth of the river now
called Albemarle, which was then considered as part of Florida, where he
built a fort, for the security of himself and followers, and called the
country Carolina. By this time the Spaniards had incurred the
irreconcilable hatred and resentment of the Indian nations by their
cruelty and treachery in the heart of the continent. Ribaud found means
of acquainting the Indians that he was an enemy to the Spaniards, and of
consequence he was the more kindly received by them. He had the address
to engage their affections, insomuch that in a little time they became
fond of his alliance. But while the flames of war continued in France,
Coligni could find no leisure to send supplies to his infant colony, and
Ribaud was obliged to abandon the settlement. Great were the extremities
to which he was reduced in returning to Europe: one of his crew was
killed for subsistence to the rest, who had scarcely done eating him,
when an English vessel providentially appeared, took the emaciated crew
on board, and carried them to England.

[Sidenote] Extirpated by Spaniard.

Mean while, a peace being patched up between the Papists and Protestants
in France, Admiral Coligni, who was seemingly received into favour by
that political court, fitted out three ships, loaded them with provisions
and arms, and sent them to Carolina. Rene Laudoner to whom he had given
the command, embarked with a number of adventurers. On his arrival he
found the spot Ribaud had relinquished; but despaired of being able to
keep possession of it without regular supplies. When he found his
provisions beginning to fail, he had formed resolutions of returning to
Europe. While he was making preparations to embark, Ribaud fortunately
arrived with seven ships, a large supply of necessaries, and a
considerable body of settlers. This animated them to enter with greater
vigour on clearing and cultivating lands, and making provision for their
future subsistence. The Indians rejoiced at Ribaud's return, and waited
on him with their assurances of friendship. But while this French colony
were beginning to flatter themselves with some faint hopes of success,
Peter Melandez, who pretended a right to the whole territory, came
against them with an armed force, killed Ribaud and seven hundred of his
men, and compelled the remainder to return to France. M. de Gorgues, a
Gascoon, afterwards, to avenge the disaster of his countrymen, dislodged
Melandez, but made no attempt toward planting a colony in that quarter.
This extensive country remained a wilderness until the reign of Charles
the second of England. To keep possession, the Spaniards supported a
small garrison at Augustine, on the most barren spot of the whole
territory, upon which, together with the discovery of Ponce de Leon, they
ever after founded their claim to all the southern parts of North
America.

[Sidenote] A traffic in negroes.

About the same time a traffic in the human species, called Negroes, was
introduced into England; which is one of the most odious and unnatural
branches of trade the sordid and avaricious mind of mortals ever
invented. It had indeed been carried on before this period by Genoese
traders, who bought a patent from Charles the fifth, containing an
exclusive right of carrying Negroes from the Portuguese settlements in
Africa, to America and the West Indies; but the English nation had not
yet engaged in the iniquitous traffic. As it has since been deeply
concerned in it, and as the province, the transactions of which I
narrate, owes its improvements almost entirely to this hardy race of
labourers, it may not be improper here to give some account of the origin
and first inventor of this trade.

William Hawkins, an expert English seaman, having made several voyages to
the coast of Guinea, and from thence to Brazil and the West Indies, had
acquired considerable knowledge of the countries. At his death he left
his journals with his son John Hawkins, in which he described the lands
of America and the West Indies to be exceedingly rich and fertile, but
utterly neglected for want of hands to improve them. He represented the
natives of Europe as unequal to the task in such a scorching climate; but
those of Africa as well adapted to undergo the labours requisite. Upon
which John Hawkins immediately formed a design of transporting Africans
into the western world; and having drawn a plan for the execution of it,
he laid it before some of his opulent neighbours for encouragement and
approbation. To them it appeared promising and advantageous. A
subscription was opened, and speedily filled up, by Sir Lionel Ducket,
Sir Thomas Lodge, Sir William Winter and others, who plainly perceived
the vast profits that would result from such a trade. Accordingly three
ships were fitted out, and manned by an hundred select sailors, whom
Hawkins encouraged to go with him by promises of good treatment and great
pay. In the year 1562 he set sail for Africa, and in a few weeks arrived
at the country now called Sierra Leona, where be began his commerce with
the negroes. While he trafficked with them, he found some means of giving
them a charming description of the country to which he was bound; the
unsuspicious Africans listened to him with apparent joy and satisfaction,
and seemed remarkably fond of his European trinkets, food and clothes. He
pointed out to them the barrenness of the country, and their naked and
wretched condition, and promised, if any of them were weary of their
miserable circumstances, and would go along with him, he would carry them
to a plentiful land, where they should live happy, and receive an
abundant recompense for their labours. He told them, that the country was
inhabited by such men as himself and his jovial companions, and assured
them of kind usage and great friendship. In short, the negroes were
overcome by his flattering promises, and three hundred stout fellows
accepted his offer, and consented to embark along with him. Every thing
being settled on the most amicable terms between them, Hawkins made
preparations for his voyage. But in the night before his departure, his
negroes were attacked by a large body from a different quarter; Hawkins,
being alarmed with the shrieks and cries of dying persons, ordered his
men to the assistance of his slaves, and having surrounded the
assailants, carried a number of them on board as prisoners of war. The
next day he set sail for Hispaniola with his cargo of human creatures;
but, during the passage, treated the prisoners of war in a different
manner from his volunteers. Upon his arrival he disposed of his cargo to
great advantage; and endeavoured to inculcate on the Spaniards who bought
the negroes the same distinction he observed: but they, having purchased
all at the same rate, considered them as slaves of the same condition,
and consequently treated all alike.

When Hawkins returned to England with pearls, hides, sugar and ginger,
which he had received in exchange for his slaves, multitudes flocked
after him, to inquire into the nature, and learn the success of the new
and extraordinary branch of trade. At first the nation was shocked at the
unnatural trade of dealing in human flesh, and bartering the commodities
and trinkets of Europe for the rational race of Africa. The queen, though
a patroness of commerce, was doubtful of the justice and humanity of this
new branch, it appearing to her equally barbarous as uncommon, and
therefore sent for Hawkins to inquire into his method of conducting it.
Hawkins told her, that he considered it as an act of humanity to carry
men from a worse condition to a better, from a state of wild barbarism to
another where they might share the blessings of civil society and
Christianity; from poverty, nakedness and want to plenty and felicity. He
assured her, that in no expedition where he had the command should any
Africans be carried away without their own free will and consent except
such captives as were taken in war and doomed to death; that he had no
scruple about the justice of bringing human creatures from that barren
wilderness, to a condition where they might be both happy themselves and
beneficial to the world. Indeed it would appear that Hawkins had no idea
of perpetual slavery, but expected they would be treated as free
servants, after they had by their labours brought their masters an
equivalent for the expence of their purchase. Queen Elizabeth seemed
satisfied with his account, and dismissed him, by declaring, that while
he and his owners acted with humanity and justice, they should have her
countenance and protection.

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