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RAMSAY'S HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
From ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT IN 1670 TO THE YEAR 1808.
by David Ramsay, M.D. 
Preface dated "Charleston, December 31st, 1808"
Published in 1858, by W.J. Duffie, Newberry, S.C.  
Reprinted in 1959, by the The Reprint Company, Spartanburg, S.C.   

Volume I, CHAPTER I, pp 5-8
CIVIL HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA. CHAPTER I.
Population.
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In the year 1696, Carolina received a small accession of inhabitants, by the
arrival of a congregational church from Dorchester in Massachusetts, who, with
their minister, the Rev. Joseph Lord, settled in a body near the head of
Ashley river, about twenty-two miles from Charlestown.

In the year 1712 the Assembly passed a law directing the public receiver to
pay out of the treasury, fourteen pounds current money to the owners or
importers of each healthy male British servant, not a criminal, betwixt the
age of twelve and thirty years.

No considerable groups of settlers are known to have emigrated to South
Carolina, between 1696 and 1730, but the province continued to advance in
population from the arrival of many individuals. It in particular received a
considerable accession of inhabitants from Georgia, at the first settlement of
that Colony. The Colonists there were, prohibited the use of spirituous
liquors, and were not suffered to own slaves. Several of them soon found that
Carolina would suit them better. In a few years after the royal purchase of
the province in 1729, vigorous measures, which shall be hereafter related,
were adopted by government for filling the country with inhabitants. Contracts
were in made - bounties offered - free lands assigned - and other inducements
held out to allure settlers. The door was thrown open to protestants of all
nations. Besides the distressed subjects of the British dominions, multitudes
of the poor and unfortunate closed with these offers; and emigrated from
Switzerland, Holland and Germany. Between the years 1730 and 1750, a great
addition was made to the strength of the province from these sources;
Orangeburg, Congaree, and Wateree, received a large proportion of the German
emigrants. Numbers of palatines arrived every year. The vessels which brought
them over usually returned with a load of rice, and made profitable voyages.
After some time the King of Prussia suddenly put a stop to this intercourse,
by refusing to the emigrating palatines a passage through his dominions.
Williamsburg township was the rendezvous of the Irish. The Swiss took their
stand on the northeast banks of the river Savannah. Soon after the suppression
of the rebellions of 1715 and 1745, in Scotland, many of the vanquished
Highlanders were transported to, or voluntarily sought an asylum in South
Carolina.

In the course of eighty-years, or about the middle of the 18th century, the
most valuable lands in the low country were taken up; and settlements were
gradually progressing Westwardly on favorite spots in the middle and upper
country. The extinction of Indian claims by a cession of territory to the
King, was necessary to the safety of the advancing settlers. This was obtained
in 1755. In that year Governor Glen met the Cherokee warriors in their own
country, and held a treaty with them. After the usual ceremonies were ended,
the Governor made a speech to the assembled warriors in the name of his King;
representing his great power, wealth, and goodness, and his particular regard
for his children the Cherokees. He reminded them of the happiness they had
long enjoyed by living under his protection; and added, that he had many
presents to make them, and expected they would surrender a share of their
territories in return. He informed them of the wicked designs of the French,
and hoped they would permit none of them to enter their towns. He demanded
lands to build two forts in their country, to protect them against their
enemies, and to be a retreat to their friends and allies, who furnished them
with arms, ammunition, hatchets, clothes, and everything that they wanted.

When the Governor had finished his speech, Chulochcullak arose, and in answer
spoke to the following effect: "What I now speak, our father the great King
should hear. We are brothers to the people of Carolina; one house covers us
all." Then taking a boy by the hand, he presented him to the Governor saying,
"We, our wives, and our children, are all children of the great King George; I
have brought this child, that when he grows up he may remember our agreement
on this day, and tell it to the next generation, that it may be known
forever." Then opening his bag of earth, and laying the same at the Governor's
feet, he said: "We freely surrender a part of our lands to the great King. The
French want our possessions, but we will defend them while one of our nation
shall remain alive." Then delivering the Governor a string of wampum, in
confirmation of what he said, he added; "My speech is at an end - it is the
voice of the Cherokee nation. I hope the Governor will send it to the King,
that it may be kept for ever."

At this congress, a prodigious extent of territory was ceded to the King of
England. Deeds of conveyance were drawn up, and formally executed, by the head
men of the Cherokees in the name of the whole nation. It contained not only
much rich land, but an air and climate more healthy than in the maritime
parts. It exhibited many pleasant and romantic scenes, formed by an
intermixture of beautiful hills - fruitful valleys - rugged rocks - clear
streams, and pleasant waterfalls. The acquisition, at that time, was of
importance to Carolina; for it removed the savages at a greater distance from
the settlements, and allowed the inhabitants liberty to extend backwards in
proportion as their numbers increased.

After the cession of these lands, governor Glen built a fort about three
hundred miles from Charlestown. This was afterwards called fort Prince George,
and was situated on the banks of the river Savannah, and within gun shot of an
Indian town called Keowee. About an hundred and seventy miles farther down, a
second stronghold, called fort Moore, was constructed in a beautiful
commanding situation, on the banks of the same river. In the year following a
third fort was erected, called fort Loudon, among the upper Cherokees,
situated on Tennessee river, upwards of five hundred miles from Charlestown.

At the time Governor Glen was procuring additional territory for South
Carolina, the events of war were furnishing inhabitants for its cultivation.
The province of Nova Scotia was originally settled by the French, under the
name of Acadiè. When the province was surrendered to the English, by the
treaty of Utrecht, it was stipulated for the inhabitants that they should be
permitted to hold their lands on condition of taking the oath of allegiance to
their new sovereign. With this condition they refused to comply, without
annexing to it as a qualification that they should not be called upon to bear
arms in defence of the province.

Though this qualification to their oaths of allegiance, which was acceded to
by the commanding officer of the British forces, was afterwards disallowed by
the crown, yet the French inhabitants of Nova Scotia continued to consider
themselves as neutrals. Their love of France, however, would not permit them
to conform their conduct to the character they had assumed. In all the
contests between the two nations, respecting the possession of their country,
or the boundaries of Nova Scotia, their conduct was influenced rather by their
wishes than their duty, and about three hundred of them were captured in the
year 1755, with the French garrison of Bean Sejour, fighting against the
English.

In the obstinate conflict which was then commencing between France and England
for American territory, the continuance of these acadian neutrals in Nova
Scotia was thought dangerous. To expel them from the country, leaving them at
liberty to choose their place of residence, would be to reinforce the French
in Canada. A council was held for the purpose of deciding on the destinies of
these unfortunate people; and the severe policy was adopted of removing them
From their homes, and dispersing them among the other British colonies. This
harsh measure was immediately put into execution. About 1500 of them were sent
to Charlestown. Some of these exiles have risen to wealth and distinction in
Carolina, though it was not originally their country either by birth or
choice; but most of them in a short time after peace, left the country. They
were, in general, a hard working people. Among them were several industrious
fishermen, who plentifully supplied the market with fish.

[To be continued....]

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