USA > South Carolina > School history of South Carolina > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
23
FRIENDSHIP OF THE INDIANS.
12. Early in 1721 the first royal governor, after James Moore, arrived in the colony and assumed the management of affairs. This was Francis W. Nicholson. a wise and brave man, and he soon bad matters in good working order. He made a treaty of peace with the Cherokee Indians: encouraged education and the propagation of the gospel by all lawful means, as far as lay in his power.
13. The good effects of the treaty of friendship and com- mercial union, which he formed with the Cherokees, were long felt, by both the white people and the Indians. The frontier was free from violence, and the trade in skins and furs was greatly increased. It was during this period that the deer skins shipped from Charlestown amounted, sometimes, to as many as 250.000 a year. The whites and Indians lived as neighbors in peace and cultivated their fields sometimes in sight of each other without any thought of danger.
14. But this peaceful state was too happy to continue. In less than ten years it began to be perceived that the French. (who had established themselves in Louisiana, and from Canada all the way down the Mississippi to the town of New Orleans,) were exerting themselves to fill the minds of the Cherokees, and of all other tribes. with feelings of enmity towards the Eng- lish. To counteract this influence. Arthur Middleton, who was then governor of Carolina. sent Colonel George Chicken to the Cherokee towns. He was able during Middleton's admin- istration to keep the Indians friendly to English interest.
15. About this time the British government thought some more decisive steps should be taken to secure the friendship of the Indians than the formation of a more treaty of com- merce with them. They thought that, perhaps, the Cherokees could be converted into subjects of the British crown. Sir Alexander Cumming was sent as the agent of the government to bring this about. In April, 1730, he met the Cherokees at Noquasse, a town on the Hiwassee, where he went through
26
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
the form of adopting them as subjects of the king of England.
16. Sis or soven years of comparative tranquility followel. which seemed to promise well for the future. But not one advantage was obtained by this form of aloption that had not already been secured by the negotiations of Governor Nicholson. French Pressaries were at work to counteract the influence of the English, and they succeeded too well.
QUESTIONS - Was the proprietary government satisfactory ? Why not ?
2. What was the cause . f the revolution of 1719 ? To whom dil the assembly appeal for help?
3. Why were the merchants willing to go to the king for aid? Who was sent to the pa prieurs ? When did he now petition ?
4. What it the king dos What objection was urged to aiding the colony? What did For ! Caltaret write concerning this matter ?
5. What dul the Lords of Trale ask Cartaret ? His reply ?
6. Why dolat the colomets get help ? What act dal the proprietors repeal? What was the effort?
7. What took place during Governor Johnson's administration ? What had the assembly and pague done before the outbreak ?
8. How Alt Johnson receive their offer? Why did he not accept ? Who was next chown Governor ?
9. What did Johnson do ?
Io. What answer is the meutiale was given the agent in Englan ?? By whom was it given: How was the matter fully settle !? in what year was the province di abil into North and South Carolina ?
It. Give the form of's vraiment in South Carolina after the revolution: of 1719? How did it work ?
12. Who was the fire pay By Garner after Moore ? What did he do to improve the colony ?
13. Give an ace-net of the relation between the whites and Indians at this time? What is sahl oftrade>
If. What putea en ; to the peaceful state of affairs? What did Gov. ernor MAI Neton de to counteract this French influence?
1. What did the British governan at do ? Who was sent to do this work ? When was it dunk .
16. Vah hytta, E conducted le thes sagt: Why not?
27
-
CHRISTIAN PRIBER AND THE CHEROKEES.
CHAPTER VI.
THE JESUIT, CHRISTIAN PRIBER. DECAY OF THE CHEROKEES.
1. One of the most remarkable meh that figured in America in those carly days was a French emissary, who had his talents and abilities bien directed to a better purpose, might have been one of the world's roblest heroes. The name of this man was Christian Priber. a German Josuit. "a gentleman of curious ant speculative tomper." Having been sort by the French as a special agent, he came to this country in 1736: and though a man of fine education, a good Greek, Litis, and H brew scholar. yet h> pasily adopted himself to the life and habits of a savage.
2. He muriel a beautiful Indian womto, printed himself and dressed as dil the Indians. M. disguise became so com- plote, that. in a short time, his most intimate friends would scarcely have known him. He . bay became a perfect waster of the Cherokee togene and set himself to work to inspire the savages with hatred towards the English: representing them is greaty, rapacious, and false. He also sought to fill them with exalted ilves of their own greatness and importance. In both these efforts be succeedal cul; too well
"). Priber was now prepared to put into operation to grand schem, which seems to have Lived his own ide and to have buon inspired by his position as & Jesuit swissary of the freueb. It was truly a great ilex and could it have been carried out successfully. it would have checked for many years. if it had not campitely stoppol. the spread of the English colonies here.
1. This scheme was nothing less than the uniting of all the rutigmon- friles ist one, and formas, out of that tion. a vast native empire, He told the chief of the Cherokees king, and crowned him as the Best sovereign of the new em-
25
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
pire. His pirpos. as he afterwards avowed. was to educate. and teach them the useful arts of life; and, finally. with their united powers, to crush every colony of whites in the southern part of North America. He chose a site for the capital of his new empire in upper Georgia, which, in imitation of the founder of Rome. he intended to make a c'ty of refuge for the outlaws and outcasts of the colonies-and runaway slaves. both African and white, from Carolina and Georgia. It was truly a grand scheme. .
5. South Carolina having got wind of his operations, Colonel Fox was sent over the hills with full power to arrest him and put a stop to his proceedings. Fox found him in front of their State House and immediately took him into custody. But before taking him away he thought best to make a speech to the Indians giving them the reason for his actions. He bad not concluded his speech when a warrior ordered him to shut up and told him that Pribor was one of their own people. and a good man, and was much beloved by them. Colonel Fox then saw that it would not do for him to carry off Priber. He therefore desisted from his purpose, and was rather glad to be permitted to leave peaceably. The Indians. however. let him go without trouble: and Priber with many assurances of high regard, grauted huo a body of warnors to escort Lim in safety to the border.
6. Priber had been amongst the Cherokees about five years when business called him to Mobile. While he was on the way the English traders in the Creek towns, through which he had to pass. heard of him, followed and took him into custody. They carried him to Frederica, where he was lodged itt jail. He had been confined but a short time when he took sick and died. While in prison General Oglethorpe had an interview with him and found him to be a man of great learning and crudition.
7. He was truly a great man and of unbounded ambition.
29
DECAY OF THE CHEROKEES.
His ambition was not so much for himself. as for his society. (the Jesuit.) in which he believed as he dil in God, and of which he was a faithful and devoted member.
S. It is probable that Priber's arrest and death saved Carolina and Georgia from destruction. He lived long enough to inflict upon Carolina very great injuries. From the time of his advent amongst the Cherokees and his infusing into them so much hatrel for the English, there was no more real peace on the border until after the great wars of 1760 and 1777, when the Indians were driven beyond the mountains.
0. In the beginning of the year 1749 the Cherokee nation alone had five thousand warriors, (the number had been greater) enough. under skillful manaremost, to have carried destruction and desolation all over Carolina. But Priber died and his great scheme died with him. Other causes also. besides war, had been in operation, and were then at work. to destroy the Cherokees and to save the whites The use of ram was rapidly consuming the manhood of the nation. and the smallpox in 1740 carried off one thousand warriors. They were wasted on the south by bloody and disastrous wars with the Creeks.
10. The Listorian of upper Carolina say -: "It would appear that Providence interposel in various ways to destroy the Indian race and save the struggling colony, that a stronger and nobler race might gain possession of the continent and develop a great civilization."
QUESTIONS .- 1. Of whom do you have an account in this chapter ? Why did he come to this country? What is said of his learning ?
2 Whom did he marry ? What was his manner of life among the Indians ? With what ideas did he fill the Indians?
3. What was he now prepared to do ?
1. What was his great scheme? His purpose? Where was his capital ? What did he mean to make it ?
5. Whom did South Carolina send to arrest hun? Give an account of his arrest and release ?
30
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
6. How long di I Priber live with the Indians ? How was he captured : What became cfhim : Who visited bia in prison?
7. What was the secret of his ambition ?
8. What effect Mit Priber's doings hive on the colony ?.
9. How many warriors had the Cherokee nation in Itto ? What de: creased the number ?
to. What has been said concerning the decline of the Indians?
CHAPTER VIL
COLONIZING GEORGIA. OTHER SETTLEMENTS.
1. For the better security of Carolina against women euendes the carablishment of a colony between the Akomahab and the Savannah was projected in England about the year 1782. This large territory then had no civilized inho: itants. And the Indian tribes that vonpial it was put strong. Some wright the protection of General Oglethorpe soon after & begin the settlement of Savannah. This new colony Was named Georgia in honor of the king who favored the under- taking
2. Nor were increasing the population and the intorcai improvement of Carolina at all neglected, but by every means encourscol. John Peter Pary, of Neufchatel in Switzerland. came over and visited Carolina, and was so well pleased with the appearsure of the country, and the richness and fertility of the roll on the Savannah river, that, on his return home. he wrote and published an account so favorable as to induce several hundred Swiss to leave their native land and sock new homes in America.
B. They were pleasel, too. with the thought of owning the land the calibrated, which few of them were able to do is their own country. But the difficulties to be evercould well
31
COLONIZATION.
greater than they had anticipated. Some sickoued and died. Others became discouraged aud blamed Pury for deceiving thom, (of which he was entirely innocent) and oven regretted having left Switzerland.
4. About this time. 1732-34. a plan was adopted by the government of Endand of laying off a portion of the country into townships. Ten were marked off: tro on the Altamahab, two on the Savannah. two on the Santee, one on the Peder. ora on the Warconnex, one on the Water, and one on the Black river. The townships consisted of twenty thousand acres, and fifty deres were to be laid off to each man, woman. and child actually settling in the townships.
2. The land was free of charge to settlers for the Erst ton yours; after that time each settler was to pay an annual rent of four shillings for euch hundred acres. As soon as a varial hol in it a hundred families it could send two members of its own choosing to the assembly, and had all the rights and privileges of the parties previously existing.
6. About the year 1784, the township of Williams' arg was sotthal by the Irish under grant from the crown. For several years they underwent considerable hardships: but they received supplies from Ireland and. notwithstanding their hardships and some losses by detch. they continued to increase in number. They also obtained credit with the merchants for Negro Steve and in this way were allowed from the hardest part of the labor. By the slaves additional lands wore cleared of their heavy timber and fields were cultivated, which yielded an abundance of provisions and were soon valuable estates.
7. The Negroes are now free. They rever left their native wilds, and never came to this country of their own will. They Were brought here by force. And whether it was fate or Providence, or werde the averies of man that brought them inga, got, it was with truth Is said that they have played no unsignificant part in the history of the country and in develop-
32
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
ing its resources. Through their help South Carolina and the whole South have been made to flourish.
5. In 1740. when William Bull was governor, the Negroes made an effort to recover their freedom and rose in insurrec- tion in the low country near Charlestown. Much mischief was done by them, but the insurrection was very badly con- lucted and was easily and speedily suppressed. Some of the leaders were put to death: the others pardoned. Since that time they have given the country no trouble.
9. From 1740 until the revolution of 1776, the colony prospered and increased in number of inhabitants and in wealth continually. The troubles with the Cherokees aial the war of 1700, though involving less. were not sufficient to give any decided check to the prosperity of the people.
10. When the revolution began the inhabitants of South Carolina were drawn into it rather be force of the current of events than by any positive wish of their own. The great tass of the people were satisfied with the royal government and were loyal to the king. "Few countries have, at any time, exhibited so striking an instance of public and private prosperity. as appeared in South Carolina between the year; 1725 and 1775. The inhabitants of the province were in that half century increased seven fold. None were indigent but the idle and unfortunate. They were also contented with their colonial state and wished not for the smallest change in their political condition." Under these circum-tances it is not wonderful that there were so many rovalists in the State when the war began. The wonder rather is that they were not mueb more numerous.
QUESTIONS. - What was done for the better security of South Carolina 11732? What is said of the Indians occupying this territory? What name was given to this settlement and why?
2. Who visited this country from Switzerland ? What did he do? What was the effect?
33
WARS WITH THE SPANIARDS.
3. What especially pleased these settlers? Give some account of this kettlemient?
1. When was a portion of the land laid off into townships? How many were laid off? Where? Area of township? How many acres were laid oif for each person ?
5. On what condition did they get the land? When might a parish dect a member of the Assembly ?
& When was the township of Williamsburg settled? By whom? Its progress ? How were its settlers relieved from the hardest part of the work ?
" Why are the Negroes in this country? What part have they played in its history :
8. What did the Negroes de in 1749? Give the result?
9. What was the condition of the colony from 1740 to 1776.
to. Why did South Carolina take part in the revolution of 1776? Why were there so many royalist in South Carolina ?
CHAPTER VIII.
WARS WITH THE SPANIARDS.
1. The English claimed the territory of Carolina under grant from their king: the Spanish claimed it as part of Florida: and thus from the very beginning of the settlements there were occasional condicts and war, even when England and Spain were at peace in Europe. .
2. About three years after the first settlement of the prov- ince of South Carolina, the Spaniards sont an armed forces from St. Augustine, in Florida, to dislodge the English from St. Helena. But they retreated and evacuated the Island and returned to Florida on the approach of Colonel Godfrey with about fifty brave and well armed mon.
3. In the year 16th, or about that time. Lord Cardros- thisted a small scotch colony on Port Royal island, and in 8868 the Spaniards sent an armed force and dislodged them
3
34
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
from that place and broke up their settlement, when the most of them returned to their native country.
4. These Spaniards did other mischief while .on the same war path. They landed at Edisto and broke open and plou- dered the houses of Governor Morton and Mr. Grimbol. d. Secretary, who were in Charlestown at the time, and carried off plate, ac. to the value of three thousand pounds. and thirteen slaves of the governor. besides doing other mischint. murder included. All this was done while there was peme between the two countries of England atl Spain.
". This invasion of the Spaniards roused the colonists to retaliate and Governor Morton summoned the assembly t. meet in October 1856, and , en Act was passed for an immo- diate invasion of Florida and money was ajy reprinted for that purpose Two vessels were fitted out and four hundred well armed men were ready to sail to make an attack on St. Angustine. But a stop was put to the expedition by the arrival from Barbadoss of James Colleten, who had just been appointed governor.
6. Colleton threatened to bang the colonists if they por- Listed in their purpose, and they were very indignant at the course pursued by the governor. But the proprietors approved. bis conduct and wrote to him that they were very glad he had stopped the expedition. The colonists this became cut vinced that. under the chanter in case of invasion, they were restricted entirely to self defence. notwithstanding the extent of their frontier and its exposed condition.
7. But in 1702. as war had again broken out between Great Britain and Spain. the Carclinians determined to attack st Augustine An army was raised: vessels were equipped to make an attack by sea, as well as by land. $2,000 were voted to pay expenses. Moore, who was then governor, took chief comment of the forces of the expedition. which consisted of 100 Carolinians and 500 Yamassee Itbons. Colonel Daniel
1692076
WARS WITH THE SPANIARDS. 35
was sent to make an attack by land. while Governor Moors. with 400 mon. sailed from Port Royal to St. Augustine. " It was intended that the expedition should be kept vatirely steret, but this provel to be impossible, and before the attack was made on St. Augustine the inhabitants of that city bal already went to Havannab for help. They retreated to their restle with their most valuable effects and provisions for four months, and abandoned the town to the invaders.
2. In the meantime. . you before the war broke out between Spain and Great Britian. the Spaniards of Florida had col- lected a bay of 000 Appalades Valla's and bal ver off with thym hoping to surprise the Cartmans. But in this they sailed, as the English traders andmust the Crocks rossel firem to war, and with five hundred men out do inveders on Flint river, where they combed. At early down. or before lawn, the Creaks stirred their camp dres and a ided freeh fuel so as to make them burn brightly, arranged their blanket- to give them the appearance as though the wearing word still sleeping in thewy by their fires and they stole quietly away and hil themselves in the forest near by.
10. The Appalachians, unaware of the proceedings of the Creeks, scon movel quietly upon the desert & camps and when noar. rushed with a yell npeu. as they thought. their sleeping food. They found the camp desired, but all at once the Creeks rose around them on every side with a force war. whose and many of the Appalachians were shin in a short time. So this expelition of the Spaniards failed.
11. Moore's expedition against St. Augustine also collap sed. The town was taken. plundered, and Furt. Covemor Muere. Rohing that he had no cannen to batter the walls of the westin, sent Colonel Daniel to Jamais to bring szue, hat in fort his return two Spanish wells, Josvily stul, wade their apperance, and Governor More dunking discretion the better part of valor. handone wverything and retreated by land towards Charlestown.
30
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
12. Colonel Daniel. on his return to St. Augustine, found the seige raised. the Carolinians gone, and he was barely able to Ffect his escape.
13. Ramsay, in bis history of South Carolina, says that the ships, provisions, and ammunition belonging to the Carolinians, all fell into the hands of the Spaniards. Which statement shows a very precipitate retreat. But Rivers says that Moore. after three months of inglorious delay. burned the town and all his vesests and bastened back by land with his forces. Whatever the facts may be. whether the ships, provisions, &c .. warp abandonel to the enemy, or whether they were burned and went up in smoke and ashes. they were last to the Caro. linians and the expedition terminated most ingloriously and left a debt over the colony of about four thousand pounds sterling.
14. The failure of this expedition rendered Governor Moore very unpopular, while Colonel Daniel received great praise for his share in the enterprise. Moore's loss in mon was only two. but his loss in reputation was very great.
QUESTIONS .- 1. What two nations claimed the territory of Carolina ? Why? What was the result?
2. Give an account of the Spanish invasion.
3. Tell of the attempt to plant a Scotch colony on Port Royal Island.
4. What did the Spaniards do at Edisto ?
5. What did Governor Morton do in 1686? What town was to be attacked ? Who stopped the expedition ?
6. What threat did Cokreton make ? What did the proprietors think of his course ?
7. Tell of the preparations for an expedition against St. Augustine in 1702.
8. What dil the inhabitants of St. Augustine do when they heard of the expedition against them ?
9. Tell about the attempt of the Spaniards to surprise the Carolinians with Appslachee Indians.
Io. What was the result of the attack ?
37
WARS WITH THE SPANIARDS.
11. What did Governor Moore do at St. Augustine ? What did Colonel Daniel find ou his return ?
12. What does Ramsay say of this expedition ? What does Rivers say ?
13. What effect did this expedition have upon the popularity of Moore and Daniel ?
CHAPTER IX.
WARS WITH THE SPANIARDS CONTINUED.
1. About four years after Moore's failure to take St. Augus. tine, the Spaniards and French, then at war with Great Britain, undertook an expedition against Charlestown, with the hope of recovering the territory of Carolina, which the Span- iards claimed as part of Florida.'
2. In this enterprise they failed as completely as Moore had against St. Augustine. Sir Nathaniel Johnson, who was then Governor, was a military man not to be taken by surprise; and was well qualified for the position he held. He fortified all the approaches to the city. such as James Island. White Point. and sullivan's Island, thus making ready at all points to receive the enemy. The guard on Sullivan's Island had orders to kindle a number of fires opposite Charlestown equal to the number of vessels of the enemy they might see ap- proaching.
3. It must be remembered that at this time Carolina was the most southern part of the British Empire in North America. and most exposed to the attacks of her enemies. And as England was at war with both France and Spain. these two powers thought the opportunity a good one to make an attack upon the exposed region. So a plan of attack was concocted abd Monsieur Le Feboure, with a French frigate and a few armed shops, was sent out. Encouraged and supported by the Governor General of Cuba De smiled for Charlestown.
1. He was directed to touch at St. Augustine for sah reen-
38
HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
forcements as he might think necessary to insure the success of the interprise. While of St. Augustine he heard that a dreadful epidemic was raging at Charlestown and had carried off by death a great many of the inhabitants. This encour- aged him to proceed. for he felt sure that the people of Charlestown would be disheartened by sickness and trouble. and that the town and province would fall an easy prey. H. erred in his calculations, as the result proved.
... The watch on Sullivan's Island, seeing the approach of the vessels. kindied their fires as jastracted. one for each vessel, to give the people of the town warning. Sie Nathaniel Jelussu. the governor, was a few miles away on his plantation. but Colourl Wm. Rhett, commanding the militia. immediately called theur out and put everybody under and that was able to do duty as a soldier, and also sent messengers post huste with letters to the governor. The captains of militie in the neighborhool were os lere It> a- ouible with their companies armed. a- speedily as possible.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.