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
In the mean time Landgrave Smith having resigned his charge, Daniel Blake
was chosen governor, until the pleasure of the Proprietors was known. So
great was the antipathy of the English settlers to the French refugees
now grown, that they insisted on their total exclusion from a voice in
the legislature. For this purpose an address was prepared and signed by a
great number of them, and presented to Governor Blake, praying, that the
refugees might not only be denied the privilege of sitting as members of
the legislative body, but also of a vote at their election, and that the
assembly might be composed only of English members, chosen by Englishmen.
Their request, however, being contrary to the instructions of the
Proprietors, Blake, it is probable, judged beyond his power to grant, and
therefore matters relating to them continued in the same unsettled state,
until the arrival of Governor Archdale, which happened about the middle
of the year 1695.
[Sidenote] Archdales's arrival, and new regulations.
The arrival of this pious man occasioned no small joy among all the
settlers, who crowded about him, each expecting some favour or
indulgence. Amidst the general joy, private animosities and civil discord
seemed for a while to be buried in oblivion. The governor soon found,
that three interesting matters demanded his particular attention. The
first was, to restore harmony and peace among the colonists themselves;
the second, to reconcile them to the jurisdiction and authority of the
Proprietors; and the third, to regulate their policy and traffic with the
Indian tribes. For these purposes he summoned his council for advice, and
the commissions to the different deputies were read. The members
appointed were Joseph Blake, Stephen Bull, James Moore, Paul Grimball,
Thomas Carey, John Beresford, and William Hawett. All former judges of
the courts, officers of the militia, and justices of the peace, were
continued in their respective offices. But such was the national
antipathy of the English settlers to the poor French refugees, that
Archdale found their total exclusion from all concern in legislature was
absolutely necessary to the peaceable convocation of the delegates, and
therefore issued writs directing them only to Berkley and Colleton
counties. Ten members for the one, and ten for the other, all Englishmen,
were accordingly chosen by the freemen of the same nation. At their
meeting the governor made a seasonable speech to both houses, acquainting
them with the design of his appointment, his regard for the colony, and
great desire of contributing towards its peace and prosperity. They, in
return, presented affectionate addresses to him, and entered on public
business with great temper and unanimity. Matters of general moment and
concern Governor Archdale, by his extensive powers and great discretion
settled to the satisfaction of all, excepting the French refugees. The
price of lands and the form of conveyances were fixed by law. Three years
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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