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"
1858, by W.J. Duffie, Newberry, S.C.
1959, by The Reprint Company, Spartanburg, S.C. 
Volume I, Chapter IV, pp. 53-54

»»»»»»»•«««««««

CIVIL HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
         CHAPTER IV.
Royal Government from 1720 to 1776.

   The form of government conferred on Carolina when it became a royal province,
was formed on the model of the British Constitution. It consisted of a Governor,
a Council and Assembly. To them the power of making laws was committed. The King
appointed the Governor, and delegated to him his constitutional powers. The
Council was appointed by the King to advise the Governor, and to assist in
legislation; and was intended to represent the House of Lords. The Assembly,
like the House of Commons in Great Britain, consisted of the representatives of
the people ; and was elected by them to be the guardians of their lives,
liberties, and property. The Governor convened, prorogued, and dissolved the
Assembly, and had a negative on the bills of both houses and the execution of
the laws. He also had powers of chancery, admiralty, of supreme ordinary, and of
appointing magistrates and militia officers. After bills received his assent
they were sent to Great Britain for royal approbation. But were obligatory as
laws in the meantime, unless they were passed with a saving clause. The Governor
received his instructions from England, and it was his duty to transmit
authentic accounts of the state of his province, that these instructions might
be founded in truth and utility. This is a general sketch of the royal
government given to the privince of Carolina, in lieu of the proprietary system.
The change soon appeared to be for the better.
   Early in 1721 General Francis Nicholson arrived in South Carolina, with a
royal commission to be Governor. He was generous, bold, and steady. Possessing
the firmness, integrity and honor of a soldier, he was well qualified for
discharging the duties of his exalted station. The people received him with
uncommon demonstrations of joy. The voice of murmur and discontent, together
with the fears of danger and oppression, were banished from the province. The
people resolved to forget former animosities, and to bury past offences in
eternal oblivion. The only contention was who should be the most zealous in
promoting the union, peace, and prosperity of the settlement. They looked upon
themselves as happily delivered from a confused and distracted state and
anticipated all the blessings of freedom and security.
   Soon after his arrival, Governor Nicholson issued writs for the election of a
new Assembly. The persons returned as members entered with great temper and
cheerfulness on the regulation of provincial affairs. They choose James Moore,
their late popular Governor, to be Speaker of the House; and their choice was
confirmed by the King's representative. The first business they engaged in was
to pass an act declaring, that they recognized and acknowledged his sacred
majesty, King George, to be the rightful sovereign of Great Britain, France, and
Ireland, and of all the dominions and provinces belonging to the empire ; and in
particular his undoubted right to the province of Carolina. All actions and
suits at law, commenced on account of the late administration of James Moore by
particular persons, were declared void; but all judicial proceedings under the
same administration, were confirmed. These acts were judged proper and necessary
for estabishing harmony among the inhabitants. Nicholson had the address to
unite all parties ; and by the wisdom and equity of his administration, to
render the whole community happy under their new government and highly pleased
with the change. Though he was bred a soldier, and was profane and passionate,
yet he was not insensible of the great advantage of religion to society and
contributed not a little to its interest in Carolina. On his application to the
Society in England for propagating the gospel in foreign parts, they sent out
teachers, money, and books, for the instruction of the inhabitants, and also
supplied the province with clergymen ; and gave each of them a yearly allowance,
over and above the provincial salary. He also, with great zeal, urged the
usefulness, and necessity, of provincial establishments for the promotion of
literature.

[To be continued....]

==== SCROOTS Mailing List ====