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
them, nor a confirmation of their laws made for defraying the expense of
such expeditions as the colony fitted out against them. The current money
of the province, stamped for answering its public exigences, was, at the
request of the merchants of London, cried down and cancelled. In short
the people saw no end of troubles and dangers. Sad exigence dictated the
necessity of some remedy against their political evils. No remedy under
heaven appeared to them so proper and effectual as that of throwing
themselves under the immediate care and protection of the crown of Great
Britain. For under the excellent constitution of England, where the
supreme power was both able and willing to protect them against every
enemy, they evidently perceived they could only live happy and secure;
therefore, sick of the feeble proprietary government, the people, after
many violent struggles and convulsions, by one bold and irregular effort
entirely shook off the yoke, and a revolution, fruitful of happy
consequences, took place, to their great relief and unspeakable
satisfaction.
The Proprietors, after long trial and frequent amendments, now finding
that fine-spun system, by which they flattered themselves with having
avoided the inconveniencies and supplied the defects of the English form
of government, useless and impracticable, were at length convinced, that
it was a much easier thing to find fault with the constitution of Old
England than to mend it. They now perceived that all forms of government
must be made for men as they really are, and not for them as they ought
to be, and that it was impossible for the wisest legislators upon earth
to mould men into any form they pleased by laws and regulations. From the
first settlement of this colony, one perpetual struggle has subsisted
between the Proprietors and possessors of the province. A division
somewhat similar to that of the court and country parties in England,
early sprung up in the settlement, and kept it in continual ferment and
agitation. The exertions of proprietary power and prerogative, the people
considered as inconsistent with their rights and privileges; hence they
became turbulent and seditious, and were seldom satisfied with their
governors in their public capacity, however esteemed and beloved as
private men. The hands of government were always weak, and the
instructions and regulations received from England were, for the most
part, ill adapted to the local circumstances of the people, and the first
state of colonization. The palatines in England and Germany, whose
jurisdiction and authority have been established by time, and whose
governments have acquired firmness and stability, would probably have
deemed this usurpation illegal and rebellious, and punished the authors
and abettors of it. No doubt a firm yet moderate opposition to the
measures of government in defence of the rights and liberties of the
people, differs as much from usurpation, as a wholesome remedy to a
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