In 1719, the Carolinians undertook a Revolution at Charleston against the
Proprietary Government.  The Carolinians determined that the government of the
Proprietors had been oppressive, corrupt, and had acted contrary to their
Proprietary Charter and the good of the Province.  A Convention of Carolinians
met at Charleston and resolved that the Proprietary government and acts of the
Proprietors were to be ignored and of no effect.  

The militia, to the surprise of Proprietary Governor Johnson and against his
direct orders, drew to Charleston in support of the Convention with colors
flying at the market square, at the forts, and on board all ships in the harbor.
Governor Johnson was exasperated and angered at this insult. He confronted
Colonel Parris and demanded of him how he dared to appear in arms contrary to
orders and commanded him to disperse his men.  Colonel Parris insolently replied
that he was obeying the orders of the Convention. In rage, Governor Johnson
walked towards him at which Colonel Parris immediately commanded his men to
present, and bid him at the peril of life advance no nearer.  None stood with
the Governor.

After this the members of the Convention, escorted by the militia, publicly
marched to the fort, and there declared James Moore to be Governor of the
Province in the name of the King.  They next elected twelve consellors with Sir
Hovenden Walker made President.  With this new government in place, they
proceeded to regulate the public affairs.  The Convention became the new
Assembly and appointed public officials.

Subsequent to the Revolution of 1719, the Lords of the regency and council in
England reached the opinion that the Proprietors had forfeited their charter,
and they ordered the Attorney-general to take out a scire facias against it.  In
consequence, in September 1720, they appointed General Francis Nicolson
provisional Governor of the Province with a commission from the King.  

In 1729, Parliament passed an act establishing an agreement with the Proprietors
for a surrender of seven of their eight shares of their rights and interests in
the Province of Carolina to the King.  This purchase was made for 17,500 pounds
payable by the end of September 1729.  Of the remaining eighth share, John Lord
Carteret retained the property and arrears of quit-rents, but he surrendered all
his share in government to the crown.  In consequence of this act, the King
claimed the prerogative of appointing Governors to both South Carolina and North
Carolina.

Reference:
An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina
and Georgia. By Alexander Hewatt. Printed 1779, London.


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