Books: An Historical Account Of The Rise And Progress Of The Colonies Of South Carolina And Georgia, Volume 1
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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] Of its snakes and vipers.
While ranging over the natural field, there is no reptile merits more
particular notice than the rattle-snake, which is one of the most
formidable living creatures in the whole universe. Providence hath kindly
furnished him with a tail which makes a rattling noise, and no doubt was
intended to warn every other creature of the danger of approaching nigh
him. He indeed possesses that noble fortitude, which is harmless unless
when provoked and molested. He is never the aggressor, and seems averse
from making use of his weapons of destruction. He flies from man; but
when pursued, and he finds he cannot escape, he instantly gathers himself
into a coil, and prepares for self-defence. He has a sharp and sparkling
eye, and quickly spies any person approaching towards him, and winds his
course out of the way into some thicket or concealed place. The greatest
danger is, when we inadvertently trample upon him as he lies coiled among
the long grass or thick bushes. On each side of his upper jaw he has two
long fangs, which are hollow, and through which he injects the poison
into the wound they make. When he penetrates a vein or nerve sudden death
ensues, unless some effectual remedy be instantly applied. The usual
symptoms of being bit by him are, acute pains from the wound,
inflammatory swellings round it, sickness at the stomach, and convulsive
vomitings. In all countries, however, where venomous creatures exist, the
hand of nature hath kindly planted some antidote against their poison,
which it is the business of rational creatures to investigate and apply.
Even the rude and ignorant Indians were not strangers to the method of
curing the wounds of this dreadful reptile; as quickly as possible, after
being bit, they swallowed a strong doze of the decoction of snake-root,
which they found every where growing in the woods, which caused them to
vomit plentifully; at the same time, having sucked the poison out of the
wound, they chewed a little snake-root, and applied it externally to it.
This remedy, when timely applied, sometimes proved efficacious, which
induced the early settlers of Carolina to follow their example. Besides
the rattle-snake, the black and brown vipers have fangs, and are also
venomous. The horn-snake is also found here, which takes his name from a
horn in his tail, with which he defends himself, and strikes it with
great force into every aggressor. This reptile is also deemed very
venomous, and the Indians, when wounded by him, usually cut out the part
wounded as quickly as possible, to prevent the infection spreading
through the body. There are, besides these, a variety of other snakes
found here, such as the green, the chicken, the copperbelly, the wampum,
the coach-whip and corn snakes; all of which are esteemed harmless
creatures.
[Sidenote] Of its insects.
Innumerable are the insects in Carolina, as might naturally be expected
from the heat of the climate. The bees are found in several places, and
they chuse the hollow trees for their habitation, but whether imported or
not is uncertain. The fire-fly, so called from its emitting sparks of
fire in the night, resembling flashes from the strokes of steel upon
flint, is a curious creature. About the beginning of summer, when these
insects are very numerous, they illuminate the woods, and strike a
stranger with astonishment. Millions of pestiferous gnats, called
Musketoes, are hatched during the summer, and swarm over the country in
such numbers, that, during the day, it requires no small trouble for the
inhabitants to defend themselves in every quarter against them; and,
during the night, gause pavilions are necessarily used, to exclude them
from their beds, without which it is impossible to enjoy undisturbed
repose. The sand-flies are also vexatious insects, and so minute, that
one would imagine it needless to provide any defence against them; yet,
wherever they bite, their poison occasions itching and painful
inflammations. Besides these, there are ticks, flies, wasps, and many
more insects which are very troublesome. To these plagues, with which
this country is cursed, we may also add the water wood-worms, which
infest the rivers as far as the salt-water flows, eat the bottoms of
vessels into the form of honey-combs, and prove extremely destructive to
shipping.
[Sidenote] A.D. 1682. Joseph Morton made governor.
About the year 1682, Governor West having incurred the displeasure of the
proprietors, Joseph Morton, who had lately been created a landgrave,
received a commission from Lord Craven, investing him with the government
of the colony. About the same time, Joseph Blake sold his estate in
England, and with his family and several substantial followers retired to
Carolina. Lord Cardross also, a nobleman of Scotland, having formed a
project for carrying over some of his countrymen to Carolina, embarked
with a few families, and made an attempt to establish a colony on
Port-Royal Island: but observing the government in a confused and
fluctuating state, he soon after returned to Britain. The island on which
he left his few followers having excellent conveniencies for navigation,
was a place of all others in the country the most advantageous for a
settlement; but, to effect it, a greater number of emigrants was
absolutely requisite. The Spaniards sent an armed force, and dislodged
the Scotch settlers, after which no attempts were made for many years
towards establishing a colony in that quarter.
[Sidenote] Pennsylvania settled.
About the same time, William Penn, an eminent quaker, obtained a grant
from the king of a large territory in the middle of North America, which
he called Pennsylvania, and which he resolved to settle on the enlarged
bottom of universal benevolence, friendship and humanity. Not satisfied
with the title he held from the crown to this extensive territory, he
thought himself bound in conscience to purchase one also from its natural
possessors, and therefore gave the Indians some consideration for their
property; by which means he obtained not only an equitable right, but
peaceable possession. At first, it is probable, he intended his province
as an asylum for the hamlets and peaceable people of his own persuasion,
who were oppressed in Britain, and persecuted in a degree equal to the
Spanish inquisition in New England; yet, so liberal were his principles,
that he opened a door to mankind in general who were unhappy in their
external circumstances, and persecuted for their conscientious opinions.
His plan of settlement was so large, and the regulations he established
for preventing idleness, luxury and vice, were so wise and judicious, as
soon to attract the eyes and admiration of vast numbers of men in the
different quarters of Europe. Multitudes flocked to Pennsylvania, and sat
down happy under Penn's gentle laws and government. His own example of
benevolence, frugality and temperance, endeared him to every inhabitant;
and a general simplicity of manners for several years prevailed in the
settlement. It remained for the future ages of pride, luxury and
ambition, to defeat the wise maxims of this legislator. A plan of a city
was framed, which, for order, beauty and magnificence, was excelled by
none upon earth. Indeed, every thing relating to the first settlement of
that province was conducted with such wisdom and equity, that it could
not fail of speedy population and improvement. The industrious planters
and merchants of Pennsylvania, soon advanced to an easy and independent
state; an advantage far from being common to the other British
settlements in America, and therefore to be ascribed chiefly to their
general harmony, temperance and application.
The colony of Carolina, though planted at an earlier period, from various
causes and impediments, advanced by slower steps in population and
improvement. Pennsylvania, being farther removed from the equator, was
considered as a better climate. The lands were found better adapted to
British grain, and more favourably situated for cultivation. Like a
younger beauty, she attracted the eyes of many admirers, and promised to
be a powerful rival to Carolina. She flattered her labourers with the
prospects of longer life, and with the hopes of greater increase in those
kinds of grain they had been accustomed to cultivate in Europe. Her
institutions, with respect to government, were more applicable and
prudent; her planters, blessed with health and good-humour, laboured with
greater pleasure and success: the tribes of savages around her, being
more gently used, were more peaceable. Hence it happened, that the
Pennsylvanians, having fewer obstacles to surmount than their southern
neighbours, prospered in a more rapid manner.
[Sidenote] The proprietors forbid the trade in Indians.
The proprietors of Carolina had indeed instructed Governor Morton to take
all Indians within four hundred miles of Charlestown under his
protection, and to treat them with humanity and tenderness; but such
instructions were very disagreeable to many of the people, especially to
those members of the council who were concerned in the Indian trade, and
therefore great opposition was raised to the execution of them. Maurice
Mathews, James Moore, and Arthur Middleton, members of the council,
warmly opposed the governor, while he proposed regulations for the
peaceable management of Indians, and considered the proprietors as
strangers to the interest of their colony by such impolitic restrictions.
The people, who had lost some friends and relations by the savages were
also greatly irritated against them, and breathed nothing but vengeance
and implacable resentment. These members of the council were removed from
it for their disobedience; nevertheless they had such influence among the
people, as to occasion great trouble to the governor, and totally to
subvert his authority; in consequence of which, Joseph West appeared
again at the head of the colony, and gave his assent to several laws made
in it. During which time the people followed their former practice, of
inveigling and kidnapping Indians where-ever they found them, and shipped
them off to the West Indies, without any restraint from government.
[Sidenote] The toleration of pirates in Carolina.
Soon after Governor West was superseded by Sir Richard Kirle, an Irish
gentleman, who died six months after his arrival in the country. After
his decease, Colonel Robert Quarry was chosen his successor. During the
time of his government, a number of pirates put into Charlestown, and
purchased provisions with their Spanish gold and silver. Those public
robbers, instead of being taken and tried by the laws of England, were
treated with great civility and friendship, in violation of the laws of
nations. Whether the governor was ignorant of the treaty made with Spain,
by which England had withdrawn her former toleration from these
plunderers of the Spanish dominions; or whether he was afraid to bring
them to trial from the notorious courage of their companions in the West
Indies, we have not sufficient authority to affirm; but one thing is
certain, that King Charles II. for several years after the restoration,
winked at their depredations, and many or them performed such valiant
actions as, in a good cause, had justly merited honours and rewards. Even
as the case was, Charles, out of mere whim, knighted Henry Morgan, a
Welshman, who had plundered Porto Bello and Panama, and carried off large
treasures from them. For several years so formidable was this body of
plunderers in the West Indies, that they struck a terror into every
quarter of the Spanish dominions. Their gold and silver, which they
lavishly spent in the colony, ensured to them a kind reception among the
Carolineans, who opened their ports to them freely, and furnished them
with necessaries. They could purchase the favour of the governor, and the
friendship of the people, for what they deemed a trifling consideration.
Leaving their gold and silver behind them, for clothes, arms, ammunition
and provisions, they embarked in quest of more. However, the proprietors,
having intelligence of the encouragement given to pirates by Governor
Quarry, dismissed him from the office he held; and, in 1685, Landgrave
Joseph Morton was reinstated in the government of the colony.
[Sidenote] Cause of migration from England.
During the reign of King James II. the hardships under which the people
of Britain laboured, and the troubles they apprehended, brought much
strength to the colonies. The unsuccessful or unfortunate part of mankind
are easily induced to emigrate; but the oppressed and persecuted are
driven from their country, however closely their affections may cleave to
it. Such imprudent attempts were made by this prince against what the
nation highly revered, that many Protestants deserted it, preferring the
hardships of the first state of colonization abroad, to oppression at
home. So far was he from concealing his attachment to the Popish
religion, that he gloried in the open profession of it, and took every
opportunity of transferring both the legal authority and military command
into the hands of such men as were best affected to that religion, and
would most readily contribute their assistance towards the accomplishment
of his favourite design. The Protestants in general were alarmed, and
filled with the most gloomy apprehensions from the bloody and persecuting
spirit of the Popish faction. They foresaw the subversion of their
religion and liberties, and fled over the Atlantic from the approaching
rigours of persecution, being determined to submit to any hardships
abroad, rather than to the establishment of Popery in England.
[Sidenote] Cause of migration from France.
The next acquisition America gained, was from the revocation of the edict
of Nantz; in consequence of which the flames of persecution broke out in
France, and drove many of its best subjects out of that kingdom. These
Protestant refugees were beneficial in many respects to England and
Holland, and served greatly to promote the trade and manufactures of
these nations. Among the other colonies in America which reaped advantage
from this impolitic measure of France, Carolina had a large share. Many
of the Protestant refugees, having purchased lands from the proprietors,
embarked with their families for that colony, and proved some of its best
and most industrious inhabitants.
[Sidenote] The European animals increase.
Small was the progress in cultivation which the colonists of Carolina had
yet made, and fatal had the heat of the climate and the labours of the
field proved to many of them. Yet their cattle increased in an amazing
manner, and thrived exceedingly well in their forest. Having little
winter, the woods furnished them with both shelter and provisions all the
year; neither houses nor attendants were provided for them, but each
planter's cattle, distinguished only by his mark, every where grazed with
freedom. Hogs still fared better, and increased faster. The woods
abounded with acorns, and roots of different kinds, on which they fed and
fattened, and were reckoned most excellent food. Stocks of cattle, at
this period, were a great object with the planters, for several reasons.
Little labour was requisite to raise and render them profitable. The
planters were at no trouble in building houses for them, nor at any
expence in feeding them. If either cattle or hogs were fed, it must only
have been intended to accustom them to keep nigh their owner's abode, or
to return under his eye every evening. Besides, a planter fond of hunting
might supply his family with game through the year, with which the woods
abounded, and save his stock. Horses were also bred in the same manner,
and though they degenerated greatly, they multiplied fast. No part of the
world could prove more favourable to poultry of all kinds. By the trade
of the colony to the West Indies, they had rum and sugar in return for
their lumber and provisions; and England supplied them with clothes,
arms, ammunition, and utensils for building and cultivation, in exchange
for their deer-skins, furs, and naval stores.
[Sidenote] The manner of obtaining turpentine in Carolina.
Turpentine is the gum in a liquid state of that species of the pine tree
called Pitch-pine, extracted by incision and the heat of the sun, while
the tree is growing. The common manner of obtaining it is as follows:
about the first of January the persons employed in making turpentine
begin to cut boxes in the trees, a little above the ground, and make them
large or small in proportion to the size of the tree; the box of a large
tree will hold two English quarts, of a middling tree one, and of a small
one a pint. About the middle of March, when the weather becomes warm,
they begin to bleed, which is done by cutting about an inch into the sap
of the tree with a joiner's hatchet; these channels made in the green
standing tree, are framed so as to meet in a point where the boxes are
made to receive the gum; then the bark is peeled off that side of the
tree which is exposed to the sun, that the heat may extract the
turpentine. After bleeding, if rain should happen to fall, it not only
condenses the sap, but also contracts the orifices of the vessels that
discharge the gum, and therefore the trees must be bled afresh. About
fourteen days after bleeding the boxes will be full of turpentine, and
must be emptied into a barrel. When the boxes are full, an able hand will
fill two barrels in a day. A thousand trees will yield at every gathering
about two barrels and a half of turpentine, and it may be gathered once
every fourteen days, till the frost comes, which chills the sap, and
obliges the labourer to apply to some other employment, until the next
season for boxing shall approach. The oil of turpentine is obtained by
distillation; and rosin is the remainder of the turpentine, after the oil
is distilled from it.
[Sidenote] And of making tar and pitch.
From the same pine trees tar and pitch are also made, but by a different
mode of operation. "For extracting tar they prepare a circular floor of
clay, declining a little towards the centre, from which there is laid a
pipe of wood, extending almost horizontally two feet without the
circumference, and so let into the ground, that its upper side may be
level with the floor: at the outer end of this pipe they dig a hole large
enough to hold the barrels of tar, which, when forced out of the wood,
naturally runs to the centre of the floor as the lowest part, and from
thence along the pipe into the barrels. Matters being thus prepared, they
raise upon the clay floor a large pile of dry pine-wood split in pieces,
and inclose the whole pile with a wall of earth, leaving only a little
hole in the top, where the fire is to be kindled; when that is done, and
the inclosed wood begins to burn, the whole is stopped up with earth,
that there may be no flame, but only heat sufficient to force the tar out
of the wood, and make it run down to the floor. They temper the heat as
they think proper, by thrusting a stick through the wall of earth, and
letting the air in at as many places as they judge necessary. As to
Pitch, it is nothing more than the solid part of the tar separated from
the liquid by boiling."
As Carolina abounds with this kind of pine trees, vast quantities of
pitch, tar, and turpentine might have been made in it. At this early
period the settlers, having little strength to fell the thick forest and
clear the lands for cultivating grain, naturally applied themselves to
such articles as were in demand in England, and for procuring which
moderate labour was requisite. Lumber was a bulky article, and required a
number of ships to export it. Naval stores were more valuable and less
bulky, at the same time that the labour necessary to obtain them was
easier, and more adapted to European constitutions. The province as yet
could supply Britain with a very inconsiderable quantity of naval stores;
but by encouraging the planters in preparing them, the expence of its
vast importations from the Baltic might have been in some measure saved
to the nation.
[Sidenote] A difference with the civil officers.
Though Governor Morton was possessed of a considerable share of wisdom,
and was connected with several respectable families in the colony, yet so
inconsistent were his instructions from England, with the prevailing
views and interests of the people, that he was unable, without great
trouble, to execute the duties of his trust. He was a man of a sober and
religious temper of mind, and had married Mr. Blake's sister, lately
arrived from England, by which alliance it was hoped the hands of
government would be strengthened, and a check given to the more
licentious and irregular party of the people. His council was composed of
John Boone, Maurice Mathews, John Godfrey, Andrew Percival, Arthur
Middleton, and James Moore, _&c._; some of whom differed widely from him
in opinion with respect to public measures, and claimed greater
indulgences for the people than he had authority to grant. Hence two
parties arose in the colony: one in support of the prerogative and
authority of the proprietors, the other in defence of the liberties of
the people. The former contended, that the laws and regulations received
from England respecting government ought to be strictly and implicitly
observed: the latter kept in view their local circumstances, and
maintained, that the freemen of the colony were under obligations to
observe them only so far as they were consistent with the interest of
individuals and the prosperity of the settlement. In this situation of
affairs, no governor could long support his power among a number of bold
adventurers, who improved every hour for advancing their interest, and
could bear no restraints which had the least tendency to defeat their
favourite views and designs: for whenever he attempted to interpose his
feeble authority, they insulted his person and complained of his
administration, till he was removed from his office.
[Sidenote] James Colleton made governor.
The proprietors also finding it prudent to change their governor so soon
as he became obnoxious to the people, James Colleton at this time was
appointed to supersede Joseph Morton. He was a brother to Sir Peter
Colleton, one of the proprietors, but was possessed neither of his
address nor abilities for the management of public affairs. He left
Barbadoes and retired to Carolina, where he built an excellent house on
Cooper River, in hopes of settling in that country, and long enjoying, by
the influence of his brother, the emoluments of his office in
tranquillity and happiness. To give him the greater weight, he was
created a landgrave of the colony, to which dignity forty-eight thousand
acres of land were unalienably annexed: but to his mortification he soon
found, that the proprietary government had acquired but little firmness
and stability, and, by his imprudence and rigour, fell into still greater
disrespect and contempt.
[Sidenote] A.D. 1687.
About the year 1687, having called an assembly of the representatives, he
proposed to make some new regulations respecting the government of the
colony. Having examined the fundamental constitutions, and finding the
people disposed to make many objections to them, he thought proper to
nominate a committee, to consider wherein they were improper or
defective, and to make such alterations and amendments in them as they
judged might be conducive to the welfare of the country. This committee
consisted of the Governor, Paul Grimball, the secretary, William Dunlop,
Bernard Schinking, Thomas Smith, John Far, and Joseph Blake. Accordingly,
by these men a new code of laws was framed, consisting of many articles
different from the former, which they called _Standing Laws_, and
transmitted to England for the approbation of the proprietors. These
standing laws, however, the proprietors rejected, and insisted on the
observance of the fundamental constitutions; and all the while the people
treated both with equal indifference and neglect.
[Sidenote] His difference with the house of assembly.
At this early period a dissatisfaction with the proprietary government
appeared, and began to gain ground among the people. A dispute having
arisen between the governor and the house of assembly about the tenures
of lands and the payment of quitrents, Landgrave Colleton determined to
exert his authority, in compelling the people to pay up their arrears of
quitrents, which, though very trifling and inconsiderable, were
burdensome, as not one acre out of a thousand of these lands for which
quitrents were demanded yielded them any profit. For this purpose, he
wrote to the proprietors, requesting them to appoint such deputies as he
knew to be most favourably disposed towards their government, and would
most readily assist him in the execution of his office. Hence the
interest of the proprietors and that of the people were placed in
opposite scales, and the more rigorously the governor exerted his
authority, the more turbulent and seditious the people became. At last
they proceeded to avowed usurpation: they issued writs in their own name,
and held assemblies in opposition to the governor and the authority of
the proprietors. Letters from England, containing deputations to persons
obnoxious to the people, they seized and suppressed, and appointed other
men better affected to the popular cause. Paul Grimball, the secretary of
the province, they imprisoned, and forcibly took possession of the public
records. The militia act they refused to settle, because recommended by
the governor, even though their own security depended on it. In short,
the little community was turned into a scene of confusion, and every man
acted as he thought proper, without any regard to legal authority, and in
contempt of the governor and other officers of the proprietors.
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