USA > South Carolina > The history of South Carolina, from its first European discovery to its erection into a republic: with a supplementary chronicle of events to the present time > Part 21
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 | Part 22 | Part 23
The history of that common bond of union, by which South Carolina became one of a community of states, must be looked for in another volume. To new-model the constitution of the state in conformity with that of the United States, a convention of her people was called in
317
THE HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
1790. The constitution then adopted recognized the following elements : That all power comes from the people, and is to be exercised for their benefit ; that they are bound by no laws but such as are sanctioned by their representatives ; that all are equally subject to the laws ; that no freeman can be taken, or imprisoned, or deprived of his property, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed or deprived of life, liberty, privilege or possessions, but by the judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land. It also guaranteed freedom of conscience in matters of faith and religion.
These principles of liberty and equality which pervade the constitution, are impressed upon the laws of the state, which were made in compliance with them. Under these laws the people have prospered, and have been blessed with great increase for the last fifty years. A mild and indulgent government, with small taxation ; a fruitful country, and the production of commodities which form the staples of consumption for millions, and the use of which is rapidly increasing ; encourage the citizen in his labor and reward him for it. But few interruptions have occurred in the progress of the state to prosperity. Religion and education have kept corresponding pace with the progress of agriculture among the people. Pub- lic works of great value and cost, in every section of the country, mark the watchful care of an intelligent legis- lature.
The numbers of the people of South Carolina, which, in 1765, were but one hundred and twenty-three thousand, of all descriptions, are now, in 1839, little less than six hundred thousand ; and this increase has been constant
318
THE HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
and progressive, though thousands of her sons have col- onized the rich fields of Alabama, Mississippi, and the fertile regions beyond. Nor is the prosperity of South Carolina marked only by affluence in wealth and increase of numbers at home. Her sons have always held a leading rank in the estimation of the Union. Their counsels have been no less acknowledged for than distinguished by wisdom. Their character has been unexceptionable and blameless. Spotless in integrity, they have not been wanting in that honorable ambition which seeks the high places of responsibility; and in stations of the highest trust they have shown themselves equally adequate to their tasks, and worthy of their honors. Her jewels, indeed, have been always as brilliant as they were numerous ; and though one of the smallest states, in a territorial point of view, in the Union, her moral weight has ever given her a distinguished attitude in the councils and performances of the whole country. Her chronicle of great names is unusually copious. Her Pinckneys, Rut- ledges and Gadsdens, as educated men, no less than statesmen and patriots, were always in the first rank ; and the long list which follows, and which should be fixed firmly in the memory of her sons, is of itself a column of glory to her name which shall forever preserve it, amidst all the vicissitudes of power, and in defiance of all the devastating effects of time. Moultrie and Ma- rion, Sumter, Laurens and Pickens, were all remarkable men ; and, more recently, the names of other renowned and mighty men furnish a record as glorious, which fully proves that the example of the past has not been chronicled in vain.
319
THE HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
One lesson, in chief, may be gleaned, among many others, from this imperfect story of the past. It is that which teaches the citizen to cling to the soil of his birth in the day of its difficulty, with the resolution of the son who stands above the grave of a mother and protects it from violation. This will be a safe rule for the citizen, what- ever may be the cause of war or the character of the invader. Opinion hourly fluctuates and changes ; public policy is, of allthings, the most uncertain and capricious ; and the pretexts of ambition suggest a thousand subtle combinations of thought and doctrine, upon which the human mind would depend with doubt and difficulty. But the resolves of a decided majority, in all questions of public expediency or policy, assumed as the voice of the soil, would be the course equally of patriotism and safety. This rule, preserved in memory and maintained as a principle, would unite a people and make them invincible. The thunders and the threatenings of the foe would die away, unharming, in the distance. Unanimity among our citizens will always give them unconquerable strength, and invasion will never again set hostile foot on the shores of our country.
APPENDIX,
COMPRISING A CHRONICLE OF THE LEADING EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, FROM THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO THE PRESENT YEAR. (1840.)
A D. 1782. John Rutledge governor. General Assembly con- vened at Jacksonboro in January. Christopher Gadsden is chosen governor; he declines office on the plea of age. John Matthews is chosen. Assembly proceeds to supply vacancies in the different de- partments of office, and to re-establish all the branches ofcivil govern- ment. The governor empowered, as in the case of his predecessor, to do " all matters and things which are judged expedient and necessary to secure the liberty, safety and happiness of the state." Laws passed for the confiscation of estates of tories, and banishing from the country such as are active and decided friends of the British ; also for amercing the estates of others, in lieu of their personal services, which had been withheld from the country. Two hundred and thirty-seven persons, or estates, included in the first, and forty- eight in the last of these clauses. These enactments afterwards modified or repealed (see preceding history to the close of the war) by the evacuation of Charlestown. Partial collision between the state authorities and the army under Greene. See Johnson's life of that general.
1783-5. Benjamin Guerard governor. Charlestown incorpora- ted and called Charleston. Statesburg founded by general Sumter. Cotton culture begun on a small scale.
1785-7. William Moultrie governor. The Methodists first make their appearance, as a religious fraternity, in Carolina. The town of Columbia ordered to be laid out and made the seat of govern- ment, March 2nd.
28
322
APPENDIX.
1787-9. Thomas Pinckney governor. Instalment law passed; the last attempt in South Carolina to interfere between creditor and debtor. Last instalment made payable March 25th, 1793. Cler- mont established.
1789-92. Charles Pinckney governor. State records removed to Columbia, December 1st, 1789. First legislature meet at Columbia, January, 1790. The present constitution of the state there ratified, June 3d of the same year, The United States census in 1790 makes the population of South Carolina consist of 140,178 whites ; 107,074 slaves, and 1,801 free blacks and colored. Total 249,073.
1792-4. Arnoldus Vanderhorst governor. Right of primogeniture abolished, and an equal distribution granted of intestates' estates. Roman Catholics organized into a church, Monday the 2nd of May, 1791. George Washington, president of the United States, arrives in Charleston, accompanied by his wife and suite. Is re- ceived with unmeasured enthusiasm; visits the public and military works. On the 9th of May leaves Charleston for Savannah ; es- corted on his way to Ashley ferry, by governor Vanderhorst, gen- erals Moultrie, Pinckney, and other distinguished citizens. 1792. The orphan house established in Charleston. Yellow fever pre- vails in Charleston with great fatality; one hundred and sixty-five persons fall victims in four months. Instalment law expires with the last payment, 25th of March, 1793. Santee canal begun in 1793.
1794-6. William Moultrie, second time governor. Orphan house goes into operation. Considerable increase in the cultivation of cotton.
1796-8. Charles' Pinckney governor. The French Protestant church a second time destroyed by fire in Charleston.
1798-1800. Edward Rutledge governor. The yellow fever prevails in Charleston in 1799, but with less fatality than in previous years ; ninety-six persons; mostly Europeans, fall its victims. The French Protestant church is rebuilt. The legislature establishes the office of comptroller general. The state is divided into twenty- four counties, districts and parishes, vix : Beaufort, Charleston, Georgetown, Orangeburg, Camden, Cheraw, Ninety-Six, Pinck-
323
APPENDIX.
ney and Washington districts. The parishes and counties are St. Helena, St. Luke, Prince William, St. Peter, St. Philip, St. Michael, St. Bartholomew, St. John, Colleton, St. Andrew, St. Paul's, All-Saints, Prince George, Frederick, Lewisburg or St. Mat- thews, Orange, Lexington, Winton, Clarendon, Clermont, Salem, Richland, Fairfield, Chesterfield, Darlington, York, Chester, Union, Spartanburg, Pendleton, Greenville, Abbeville, Edgefield, Newberry and Laurens. Three years after, another arrangement took place, by which the grand divisions of the state were made to embrace twenty-eight districts, which are as follows :- Lower Districts : Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Georgetown, Williams- burg, Marion and Horry. Middle Districts : Barnwell, Edgefield, Orangeburg, Newberry, Lexington, Richland, Fairfield, Sumter, Kershaw, Darlington, Chesterfield and Marlborough. Upper Dis- tricts : Abbeville, Laurens, Union, Chester, Lancaster, York, Spartanburg, Greenville and Pendleton. The last district has recently been divided into two separate judicial districts, one of which is called Pickens, and the other Anderson.
1800-2. John Drayton governor. County courts abolished, and district courts substituted in every district. Santee canal finished and goes into operation in 1801. South Carolina college estab- lished by the legislature in December, 1801. United States census makes the population of South Carolina to consist of 196,255 whites; 146,151 slaves, and 3,185 free blacks and colored. Total 345,591.
1802-4. James B. Richardson governor. Vaccination first in- troduced, by Dr. Ramsay, into South Carolina.
1804-6. Paul Hamilton governor. Charleston is visited, Sep- tember 8th, 1804, by a dreadful hurricane, which destroys a large amount of property. Debts due the state amount to $734,755.
1806-8. Charles Pinckney governor. Right of suffrage made free to all white citizens, without requiring a property qualification. 1808-10. John Drayton governor.
1810-12. Population of South Carolina, by the United States census of 1810, consists of 214,196 whites, 196,365 slaves ; and 4,554 free blacks and colored, making a total of 413,515. General free school system for poor children established in 1811.
324
APPENDIX.
1812-14. Joseph Allston governor. The bank of the state e. tablished. Commissioners on the part of South and North Carolin. determine and designate the boundary line between the respectiv states. The geographical designation of South Carolina is as foi- lows: South Carolina is situated between 32º 4' 30' and 35° 12. North latitude, and 1º 30' and 6° 54' West longitude, from the cap- ital at Washington, or 78° 25' and 83º 49' West longitude front Greenwich. From the closest computation which has been made. South Carolina contains 30,213 square miles, or 19,435,680 acres; and averages in length 189, and in breadth 160 miles. Her present limits are included within the following lines :-
" Beginning ata cedar stake, marked with nine notches, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean (Goat Island, ) about one mile and a quarter east of the mouth of Little river, and running thence north 47º 30' west, 91 miles 17 chains, (along the line run in 1764,) to a light wood post; (the northeast corner of the state; ) from thence south 89º 5' west, 65 miles 40 chains, to the end of the line run in 1764; thence north 2º 15' east, 7 miles 59 chains, to a marked sweet-gum, desig- nating the southeast corner of the Catawba Indian boundary line, (being the intersection of the five mile creek. ) Thence north 41º west, 13 miles 8 chains, to a marked hickory, about one third of a mile beyond Thomas P. Smith's house ; thence south 52º west, 7 miles to the Catawba river, (near the mouth of White's branch;) thence north 3º west, up the Catawba river, about 7 miles, to where it intersects the line run in 1772, (which commences at the mouth of the Little Catawba river,) thence along the said line, due west 64 miles 40 chains, to a stone near the Tryon mountain, marked S. C. which designates the termination of the line run in 1772. Here the commissioners appointed by the legislatures of North and South Carolina, to establish the north boundary line between the two states, set up a stone in 1813, marked N. C. and S. C, September 15th, 1813; and thence continued the line due west 4 miles 22} chains, to a rock marked S. C. and N. C .; thence south 25° west, 29} chains, to a chesnut on the top of the ridge, dividing the waters of the north fork of Pacolet river, from the waters of the north fork of Saluda river; thence along the said ridge, (keeping on the summit of the same all the way,) until it intersects the Cherokee Indian
325
APPENDIX.
boundary line, (in a straight line near 30 miles, and following the -Bridge 50 miles, ) where a stone is set up and marked S. C. and N. 6ºC. 1813; thence south 68º 15' west, 18 miles 30 chains, to the inter- "Vection of the 35º North latitude, which is marked on a rock in the Feast branch of Chatooga river, with latitude 35° A. D. 1813, (all "which aforesaid lines divide this state from North Carolina, ) thence -down the Chatooga river to its junction with the Tugaloo, where it "'is called the Toruro river, (general course southwest 29º, distance « in a straight line 25 miles, ) thence down the Tugaloo and Savannah rivers, to the intersection of the same with the Atlantic Ocean; (general course southeast 40°, distance in a straight line 226 miles, ) all which divide this state from Georgia; thence along the sea- coast, including all the islands adjacent, to the place of beginning, (general course northeast 54° 30', 187 miles in a straight line. )
18th of June, 1812, the congress of the United states declare war against Great Britain. The war was of brief duration, lasting about two years. In this time, apart from the usual unfavorable effects of war upon commerce, South Carolina suffered little from its influence. Occasional descents were made upon her coasts by the British cruisers, and the entrances to the several ports of Charleston, Beaufort and Georgetown, were sometimes obstructed by their frigates. In South Carolina a becoming spirit was manifested to meet the enemy in the event of invasion, which was anticipated from the same force which penetrated to Washington. Fortifica- tions were raised in and around Charleston ; and such places along the coast as were more accessible for the landing of an enemy, were put in a condition for defence and manned with troops. In Charles- ton the spirit ofindividual enterprise and valor kept equal pace with that of the public authorities. A number of private armed vessels were sent forth, which did immense injury to the commerce of Great Britain and sent in numerous prizes. One or two events occurring in shore, along the Carolina coast, were particularly brilliant, and surpassed by no exploits during the war. Among these was the defence of the schooner Alligator in January, 1814.
This vessel was commanded by sailing master Bassett, and lay abreast of Cole's Island. Observing an enemy's frigate and brig just without the breakers, and suspecting that an attack would be
28*
326
APPENDIX.
made upon him during the night, Mr. Bassett made his preparations to receive the enemy accordingly. Six boats were discovered pulling up with muffled oars, and under cover of the marsh, at about 8 o'clock in the evening. They were hailed and fired upon. A general discharge of grape and musketry from both sides followed, and was continued for half an hour. The assailants were beaten and driven off with considerable loss. The Alligator had two men killed and two wounded. Her force was but forty men, while that of the British was near one hundred and forty, A large cutter of the enemy was shortly after picked up on North Edisto, supposed to have been one of the boats used on the occasion by the enemy. The bodies of an officer and a common seaman were found near it; the former, besides other wounds, having lost an arm. The Alligator was after- wards sunk in a squall while lying in Port Royal sound, off the island of St. Simons. Seventeen of her crew and two officers perished.
August, 1813. The Decatur, a private armed vessel of Charles- ton, mounting seven guns and commanded by captain Diron, being on a cruise, discovered a ship and schooner and stood towards them. She was soon abreast of the latter, which hoisted English colors and fired a shot, but without effect. After much maneuvering, and the ineffectual exchange of several shot, together with a broadside, the two vessels came into close action, and a severe fire of musketry ensued. Captain Diron prepared to board, and succeeded in doing so. The resistance of the British was desperate. Fire arms became useless and the fight was carried on with the cutlass. The captain and chief officers of the enemy were killed, her decks covered with dead and wounded, and her colors were finally torn down by the Americans. The prize proved to be the Dominica of fifteen guns, with a crew of eighty men. She suffered a loss of thirteen killed and forty-seven wounded ; among the former was her commander. The Decatur had but four killed and sixteen wounded. The king's packet, Princess Charlotte, which had sailed under convoy of the Dominica from St. Thomas, remained an inactive spectator of the bloody contest, which lasted an hour. At its close she made sail to the southward. The Decatur had suffered too greatly in rigging to pursue. The" Decatur, shortly after, captures and brings into
327
APPENDIX.
Charleston the British ship, London Trader, mounting several guns, and having a valuable cargo of sugar, coffee, cotton, rum and molasses.
Same month, (August 18th,) the British make a descent upon Dewees' Island, burn some small craft, and ravage several planta- tions. From Capers' Island they carry off supplies of live stock, &c.
August 22nd. The British land at Hilton Head. 27th-28th. Dreadful gale on the coast, in which Charleston and Sullivan's Island, Beaufort, Georgetown, Edisto and Goose Creek suffer great loss in life and property. The British sloop of war Moselle wrecked and goes to pieces in Broad river. October 27th. The British blockade Charleston and make several prizes.
1814-16. David R. Williams governor. In January, 1815, while captain Dent, who commanded at Charleston, was at the North Edisto, he obtained information that a party of the enemy be- longing to the British ship Hebrus, was watering on a neighboring island. He directed Mr. Laurence Kearney to proceed outside with three barges, to cut off their retreat, while a detachment of militia advanced upon them by land. The frigate was at anchor out of gun-shot. Seeing the design of the Americans, she fired guns and made other signs of recall, when two of the boats pulled towards her, and a tender that contained a strong party attempted to run out also. The wind shifted at this time, bringing the Hebrus to wind- ward of the American barges, but the tender to leeward of them. Kearney, regardless of the frigate and of the two boats, directed his aim at the tender. The Hebrus made the greatest exertions to save her. Shot were fired at her own cutters to drive them back to the assistance of the tender, and a third boat was also dispatched to her succor. The fire of the frigate was also opened upon the American barges, and with such effect, that a shot took off the head of a man at Mr. Kearney's side. But the gallantry of this officer effected his object. He laid the tender aboard and captured her directly under the guns of the frigate. The launch of the Hebrus was also taken. The tender, besides other arms, had a carronade and six brass swiv- els in her. Forty prisoners were made on this occasion and brought into South Edisto. A few days later, the same gentleman, in the
328
APPENDIX.
launch of the Hebrus, with a crew of twenty-five men, went out and captured a tender belonging to the Severn, in which were forty men. The coast of Carolina was distinguished by several other events marked by like gallantry and success.
December 24th, 1814. Treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain signed at Ghent.
1816-18. Andrew Pickens governor. St Paul's church in Charleston consecrated. Moultrieville, on Sullivan's island, incor- porated. The legislature seriously begins to address itself to the business of internal improvement, and commences with liberal appropriations of money. The summer of 1817, in Charleston, dis- tinguished by the fatal prevalence of yellow fever.
1818-20. John Geddes governor. Cheraw becomes a commer- cial town of some consequence.
1820-22. Thomas Bennett governor. The year 1822 was dis- tinguished in Charleston, by a bold but unsuccessful attempt at insurrection, by a small portion of the slave population. The conspiracy was planned by one Denmark Vesey, a mulatto from Saint Domingo, who had been a spectator of the insurrection in that island, and brought with him a taste for its horrors to Carolina. His plans were marked by considerable intelligence and judg- ment. By the fidelity of native slaves, the plot was discovered and the design defeated. Vesey, the ring-leader, with thirty-four of the more prominent conspirators, was hung; a like number were transported from the state, and about twice the number, who had been arrested, were acquitted. The whole number arrested was one hundred and thirty-one. Four white men, foreigners, were in- dicted as privy to, and participants in, the conspiracy. They were indicted for misdemeanor in inciting slaves to insurrection, found guilty, and sentenced to fine and imprisonment.
1822-4. John L. Wilson governor. The low country visited by a destructive hurricane. Many lives and much property de- stroyed. St. Stephen's chapel established as a free church in Charleston. 1823. Medical College of South Carolina incorpo- rated.
1824-6. Richard I. Manning governor. The courts of law new modeled in 1824. General LaFayette revisits South Carolina after
239
APPENDIX.
an absence of forty-seven years. His arrival hailed with great en- thusiasm and many honors. Has a private interview with colonel Huger, who distinguished himself, while yet a youth, in an effort to set LaFayette free from the dungeons of Olmutz. General C. C. Pinckney dies August 16th, 1825.
1826-8. John Taylor governor. Legislature passes resolutions December 12, 1827, against the tariff laws of the United States. The commissioners of free schools report the establishment of eight hundred and ninety-two schools within the state, in which eight thousand eight hundred and thirty-four scholars are taught, at an annual cost of $36,580.
1828-30. Stephen D. Miller governor. The free school report for 1828 lessens the number of schools to eight hundred and forty, but increases the number of pupils to nine thousand and thirty-six ; the cost for which is also increased to $39,716. South Carolina legislature passes resolutions against the United States tariff, De- cember 15th, 1828, and enters protest December 19th, 1828.
1830-2. James Hamilton Jr. governor., 1832. Medical College of the state of South Carolina incorporated. Goes into successful operation in 1833. Great debate in congress between Hayne of South Carolina and Webster of Massachusetts, on the subject of State rights and federal relations, January 21, 1830. South Carolina makes a declaration of state rights and enacts an ordinance to nullify the operation of the act of congress imposing duties, &c. December, 17th, 1830.
1833-4. Robert Y. Hayne governor. Andrew Jackson, presi- dent of the United States, issues a proclamation denunciatory of the nullification proceedings of South Carolina. Is answered by the governor's proclamation asserting the sovereignty of the state, &c.
1834-6. George McDuffie governor. The annual report of the commissioners of free schools for 1835 makes the number of schools seven hundred and nine, in which eight thousand four hundred and seventy-five scholars are taught, at a cost of $33,631.
1836-8. Pierce M. Butler governor. Report of free school commissioners makes the number of schools six hundred and ninety-
330
APPENDIX.
five ; of scholars six thousand seven hundred and eighteen, and cost $33,634. Great Western rail-road chartered.
1838-40. Patrick Noble governor. , Legislative committee reports at the session of 1839, a statement of the condition of the Banks of South Carolina as follows :-
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.