An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, Volume 1Hewatt, Alexander
History
An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, Volume 1
Hewatt, Alexander
Georgia -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775; South Carolina -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
"The Lords Proprietors right of confirming and repealing laws was so
particular a privilege granted them by the charter, that we can never
recede from it; and we do allure you, we are not a little surprised that
you have suffered that prerogative of ours to be disputed.
"We have sent you herewith an instruction under our hands and seals,
nominating such persons as we think fit to be of the council with you,
six of whom and yourself, and no less number, to be a quorum. Upon your
receipt of this we hereby require you to summon the said council, that
they may qualify themselves according to law, and immediately sit upon
the despatch of business. We also send you the repeal of the acts of
assembly, which we order you to publish immediately upon the receipt of
this. We do assure Mr. Johnson, that we will stand by him in all things
that relate to the just execution of his office, and we are confident
that he will perform his duty to us, and support our power and
prerogatives to the best of his abilities. If the assembly chosen
according to your pretended late act is not dissolved, as we formerly
ordered, and a new assembly elected, pursuant to the act formerly
confirmed by the Proprietors, you are forthwith commanded to dissolve
that assembly, and to call another, according to the above-mentioned act;
and so we bid you heartily farewel."
[Sidenote] Who obeys their commands.
Such was the result of Yonge's negociation in England. Governor Johnson,
who was well acquainted with the prevailing temper and discontented
spirit of the people, plainly perceived, upon receiving these new orders
and instructions, what difficulties would attend the execution of them.
The flame was already kindled, and nothing could be imagined more likely
to add fewel to it than such rigour and oppression. It is true, the
Governor had received authority, but he wanted power to act agreeable to
their instructions. Determined, however, to comply with their commands,
he summoned his council of twelve men whom the Proprietors had nominated,
who were, William Bull, Ralph Izard, Nicholas Trott, Charles Hart, Samuel
Wragg, Benjamin de la Consiliere, Peter St. Julien, William Gibbons, Hugh
Butler, Francis Yonge, Jacob Satur and Jonathan Skrine, some of whom
refused, and others qualified themselves, to serve. Alexander Skene,
Thomas Broughton, and James Kinloch, members of the former council, being
now left out of the new appointment, were disgusted, and joined the
people. The present assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued for
electing another in Charlestown, according to the custom and usage of the
province. The duty-act, from which the clergy were paid, the garrisons
maintained, and the public debts in general were defrayed, was repealed;
the law respecting the freedom of election was also repealed, by which
the colonists were obliged to have recourse to the old, inconvenient and
tumultuous manner of elections in Charlestown: the act declaring the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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