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
right of the commons to nominate a public receiver was also annulled, and
declared to be contrary to the usage and custom of Great Britain. All
laws respecting the trade and shipping of Great Britain, which any future
assembly might pass, the Governor had instructions to refuse his assent
to, till approved by the Proprietors. The provincial debts incurred by
the Indian war, and the expedition against pirates, not only remained
unpaid, but no more bills of credit were allowed to be stamped, for
answering those public demands. This council of twelve, instead of seven
men, which was appointed, the colonists considered as an innovation in
the proprietary government exceeding the power granted their Lordships by
their charter, and therefore subjecting them to a jurisdiction foreign to
the constitution of the province. The complaints of the whole legislature
against Chief Justice Trott were not only disregarded, but that man, whom
they considered as an enemy to the country, was privately caressed and
publicly applauded. All these things the colonists considered as
aggravated grievances, and what rendered them the more intolerable was
the circumstance of being deprived of all hopes of redress.
It may be thought somewhat unaccountable and astonishing, that the
Proprietors should have persisted in measures so disagreeable and
oppressive of themselves, and so manifestly subversive of their authority
and power. Many were the hardships from the climate, and the danger from
savages, with which the poor colonists had to struggle; yet their
landlords, instead of rendering their circumstances as easy and
comfortable as possible, seemed rather bent on crossing their humours and
doubling their distress. The people could now no longer regard them as
indulgent fathers, concerned for the welfare of their colony, but as
tyrannical legislators, that imposed more on them than they were able to
bear. Was it not the duty of the Proprietors to listen to their just
complaints, and redress their heavy grievances? Was it not their interest
to consult the internal security, and by every means promote the speedy
improvement and population of their colony? What could more effectually
answer these ends, than to cultivate the esteem and preserve the
affections of the people? Nothing else could render their government
stable and respectable. But, after all, perhaps the troubles and miseries
the colonists suffered ought to be ascribed to their Lordships shameful
inattention to provincial affairs, rather than to their tyrannical
disposition. Lord Carteret, the Palatine, held high offices of trust
under the Crown, which occupied his chief study and attention. Some of
the Proprietors were minors, others possessed estates in England, the
improvement of which engrossed their whole care and delight. Having
reaped little or nothing from their American possessions, and finding
them every year becoming more troublesome and expensive, it is probable
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account