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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 Reprint Company, Spartanburg, S.C.   
Volume I, CHAPTER III, pp 39-46

CIVIL HISTORY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.  CHAPTER III. 
The Revolution in 1719, from Proprietary to Royal Government. 
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About this time, a rupture having taken place between the courts of Great
Britain and Spain, a project for attacking South Carolina and the Island of
Providence was formed at the Havanna. Governor Johnson having received advice
From England of this design, resolved to put the Province in a posture of
defence. For this purpose he summoned a meeting of Council, and of such
members of Assembly as were in town, to inform them of the intelligence he had
received and to desire their advice and assistance in case of any sudden
emergency. He told them of the shattered condition of the fortifications, and
urged the necessity of speedy reparations. To meet the expense he proposed a
voluntary subscription, and headed it with his own signature to a large amount
as an example to others. The members of Assembly replied, "that a subscription
was needless, as the income of the duties would be sufficient to answer the
purpose intended." The Governor objected, "that the duty law had been
repealed, and no other yet framed in its place." To which the members of
Assembly answered, "they had resolved to pay no regard to these repeals, and
that the public receiver had orders from them to sue every man that should
refuse to pay as that law directed." Chief Justice Trott told them, "if any
action or suit should be brought into his courts on that law, he would give
judgment for the defendant." The contest between the parties became warm, and
the conference broke up before anything was determined upon for the public
safety. The members of Assembly resolved to hazard the loss of the Province to
the Spaniards, rather than yield to the Council and acknowledge the right of
the proprietors to repeal laws which had been regularly passed. 

Governor Johnson judging it prudent to be always in the best posture of
defence, called a meeting of the field officers of the militia, ordered them
to review their regiments, and fixed a place of general rendezvous. At this
meeting they received their orders with their usual submission, and called
together the different regiments on pretence of training the men. But before
this time the members chosen to serve in Assembly, though they had not met in
their usual and regular way at Charlestown, had nevertheless held several
private meetings in the country to concert measures for revolting from their
allegiance. They had drawn up an association for uniting the whole Province in
opposition to the proprietary government. This was proposed to the people at
the public meeting of the militia, as an opportunity the most favorable for
procuring a general subscription. The people oppressed and discontented,
eagerly embraced the proposal; and almost to a man subscribed this bond of
union, in which they promised to stand by each other in defence of their
rights, against the tyranny of the proprietors and their officers. The
confederacy was formed with such secrecy, that before it reached the
Governor's ears nearly all the inhabitants had concurred in it. The members of
Assembly, having formed their resolution to revolt, and gone so far as to
induce the people to support them, determined to proceed until they should
bring themselves under the protection of the King. 

At the election in Charlestown, Trott and Rhett, who formerly had extensive
influence, were so unpopular that they could not bring one man into the house.
Alexander Skene, lately excluded from the Council, was elected a member of
this new Assembly, which was chosen on purpose to oppose the civil officers.
Considering himself as ill used by the proprietors, he became zealous and
active in pulling down the tottering fabric of their government. He and
several other members of Assembly held frequent meetings to consider of their
grievances, and the encouragement they had received from Britain respecting
the great end they had in view. They recalled to mind what had passed in the
House of Peers during the reign of Queen Anne - how her Majesty had then
ordered her Attorney and Solicitor General, to consider of the most effectual
methods of proceeding against the charter. They knew also that a bill had been
brought into the House of Commons, for reducing all charter and proprietary
governments into regal ones. They had been informed that Lord Carteret,
conscious of the inability of the proprietors to defend their Province in the
Yamassee war, had publicly applied for assistance from the British Government;
and that the Lords of Trade were of opinion, that the government of the
Province should belong to that power which bore the expense of its protection.
They had considered all these things, and flattered themselves with hopes that
the King would take the colony under his care as soon as they renounced
allegiance to the proprietors. They had so thoroughly convinced the people of
the great happiness of the colonies which were under the immediate care and
protection of the crown, that they desired nothing more than to enjoy the same
privileges. 

To these secret meetings, and transactions, Governor Johnson was an entire
stranger until he received a letter bearing date November 28th, 1719, and
signed by Alexander Skene, George Logan, and William Blakeway; in which they
informed him of the general association to throw off the proprietary
government, and of the determination of the people to request his acceptance
of the government from them in behalf of the King. They also gave it as their
opinion that he might with honor accept the government thus offered, and
advised him to do so. The Governor considered this letter, though fraught with
the highest professions of personal respect, as an insult; but especially the
advice contained therein, which he deemed derogatory both to his integrity and
fidelity. The letter, however, served to give him notice of the association
and the resolution of the people which it was his duty to defeat. For this
purpose he hastened to town, summoned his Council - informed them of the
association, and required their advice and assistance about the most effectual
methods of breaking it up and supporting the proprietary government. The
Council, unable to determine what was best to be done, advised the Governor to
take no present notice of the proceedings, but to wait events. 

In the meantime, the members of Assembly were using their utmost diligence
among the people to keep them firm to their purpose, having got almost every
person, except the officers and particular friends of the proprietors, to sign
the association. All agreed to support whatever their representatives should
do for disengaging the colony from the yoke of the proprietors, and putting it
under the government of the King. Having thus fortified themselves by the
union of the inhabitants, the Assembly met to take bolder and more decisive
steps. Being apprehensive that the Governor would immediately dissolve them,
they instantly came to the following resolutions. "Firstly: that the several
laws* pretended to be repealed are still in force, and could not be repealed
but by the General Assembly of the province: and that all public officers and
others do pay due regard to the same accordingly. Secondly: that the writs
whereby the present representatives were elected, are illegal, because they
are signed by such a Council as the proprietors have not a power to appoint;
for this Council consists of a greater number of members than that of the
proprietors, which is contrary to the design and original intent of their
charter. Thirdly: that the representatives cannot act as an Assembly, but as a
convention delegated by the people to prevent the utter ruin of the province
till His Majesty's pleasure be known." And lastly: "that the lords proprietors
have by such proceedings unhinged the frame of their government and forfeited
their rights to the same - and that an address be prepared to desire Governor
Johnson to take the government upon him in the King's name - and to continue
the administration thereof until his majesty's pleasure be known." 

Agreeably to the last resolution, an address was drawn up and signed by Arthur
Middleton, as President, and twenty-two members of the convention, to be
presented to Johnson. In the meantime, the Governor sent a message to the
house, acquainting them that he was ready, with his council, to receive and
order them to choose a speaker. They came to the upper house in a body, and
Arthur Middleton addressed him in the following words: "I am ordered by the
representatives of the people, here present, to tell you that according to
your honor's order, we are come to wait on you. I am further ordered to
acquaint you that we own your honor as our Governor, you being approved by the
King; and as there was once in this province a legal council representing the
proprietors as their deputies, which constitution, being now altered, we do
not look on the gentlemen present to be a legal Council; so I am ordered to
tell you that the representatives of the people disown them as such, and will
not act with them on any account." 

The Governor and council, struck with astonishment at the spirit of the
convention, and suspecting that they were supported by the people, were
greatly puzzled while deliberating on the measures they should take to recall
them to the obedience of legal authority. Some were for opposing violence to
violence; and thought the best way of bringing them back to their allegiance,
would be to terrify them with threats and confiscations. Others were of
opinion that the defection was too general to admit of such a remedy, and that
mild expostulations were more proper; and if such gentle means failed, the
Governor might then dissolve them and put an end to the dispute. But on the
other hand, dangers hung over the country; and the only fund for repairing the
fortifications being lost by the repeal of the general act duty, it was
necessary that money should be provided by some new law for public purposes.
If the Governor dissolved the house, how could the province be put in a
posture of defence against a Spanish invasion, with which it was threatened?
If he should suffer them to sit while they had resolved that the proprietors
had fortified their right to the government, and refused on any account to act
with his council, he might be chargeable with a breach of his trust. The
result of their deliberations was a message from the Governor and Council,
desiring a conference with the House of Assembly. To which they returned for
answer, that "they would not receive any message or paper from the Governor,
in conjunction with the gentlemen he was pleased to call his Council." Finding
them inflexible, and resolute, the Governor was obliged to give way to the
current; and therefore, in two days afterwards, sent for them in his own name,
and delivered to them a long and elaborate speech, and furnished them with a
written copy of it. In this he soothed the popular leaders - expostulated and
reasoned with them - remonstrated against their measures - and attempted to
alarm them and their followers with the conseqences of their conduct; but all
in vain. The Assembly was neither to be shaken by persuation, nor intimidated
by threats. After a short pause, they returned with the following answer: "We
have already acquainted you that we would not receive any message or paper
From your honor, in conjunction with the gentlemen you are pleased to call
your Council, therefore, we must now repeat the same; and beg leave to tell
you, that the paper you read and delivered to us we take no notice of, nor
shall we give any further answer to it but in Great Britain." 

Immediately after, they came with all address to the Governor, avowing their
resolution to cast off all obedience to the proprietary government; declaring
him to be the most fit person to govern them - and entreating him to take upon
him the government in the name of the King. This flattering address concluded
in the following manner: "As the well-being and preservation of this province,
depends greatly on your complying with our requests; so we flatter ourselves
that you, who have expressed so tender regard for it on all occasions, and
particularly in hazarding your person in an expedition against the pirates for
its defence, we hope sir, that you will exert yourself at this time for its
support; and we promise your honor on our parts, the most faithful assistance
of persons duly sensible of your great goodness, and big with the hopes and
expectation of his majesty's countenance and protection. And we further beg
leave to assure your honor, that we will in the most dutiful manner address
his sacred majesty, King George, for the continuance of your government over
us; under whom we doubt not to be a happy people." 

To this address the Governor replied: "I am obliged to you for your good
opinion of me; but I hold my commission from the true and absolute lords and
proprietors of this province, who recommended me to his majesty, and I have
his approbation : it is by that commission and power I act, and I know of no
authority which can dispossess me of the same but that of those who invested
me with it. In subordination to them I shall always act, and, to my utmost,
maintain their lordship's just power and prerogatives without encroaching on
the people's rights. I do not expect or desire any favor from you, only that
of seriously taking into consideration the approaching danger of a foreign
enemy and the steps you are taking to involve yourselves, and this province,
in anarchy and confusion." 

The representatives having now fully declared their intentions, and finding it
impossible to win over the Governor to a compliance with their measures, began
to treat him with indifference and neglect. He, on the other hand, perceiving
that neither harsh nor gentle means could recall them to their allegiance,
issued a proclamation for dissolving the House. The representatives ordered
his proclamation to be torn from the marshal's hands. They met upon their own
authority, and choose Colonel James Moore their Governor, who was a man
excellently qualified for being a popular leader in perilous adventures. To
Governor Johnson he was no friend; having been by him removed from his command
of the militia, for warmly espousing the cause of the people. In every new
enterprise he had been a volunteer; and in all his undertakings was resolute,
steady, and inflexible. A day was fixed for proclaiming him, in the name of
the King, Governor of the province; and orders were issued for directing all
officers, civil and military, to continue in their different places and
employments till they should hear further from the convention. 

Johnson some time before had appointed a day for a general review of the
provincial militia, and the Convention fixed on the same day for publicly
proclaiming Moore. The Governor having intelligence of their design, sent
orders to Col. Parris the commander of the militia to postpone the review to a
future day. Parris, though a zealous friend to the revolution, assured him his
orders should be obeyed. Notwithstanding this assurance, on the day fixed when
Governor Johnson came to town, he found, to his surprise, the militia drawn up
in the market-square, now the site of the National Bank, colors flying at the
forts and on board all the ships in the harbor; and great preparations making
for the proclamation. Exasperated at the insults offered to his person and
authority, he could not command his temper. Some he threatened to chastise for
flying in the face of government, to which they had sworn fidelity; with
others he coolly reasoned, and endeavored to recall them by representing the
fatal consequence that would attend such rash proceedings. But advancing to
Parris, he asked him "how he durst appear in arms contrary to his orders?" and
commanded him in the King's name, instantly to disperse his men. Colonel
Parris replied "he was obeying the orders of the Convention." The Governor in
great rage walked up towards him, upon which Parris immediately commanded his
militia to present their muskets at him, and ordered him "to stand off at his
peril." The Governor expected during this struggle that some friends,
especially such as held offices of profit and trust under the proprietors,
would have supported him, or that the militia would have laid down their arms
at his command; but he was disappointed; for all either stood silent, or kept
firm to the standard of the convention. Vain were the efforts of his single
arm in opposition to so general a defection. Even Trott and Rhett in this
extremity forsook him and kept at a distance, the silent and inactive
spectators of their master's ruined authority. 
After this the members of Convention, attended and escorted by the militia,
publicly marched to the fort; and there proclaimed James Moore governor of the
province in the name of the King, which was followed by the loudest
acclamations of the populace. Upon their return they proceeded to the election
of twelve counsellors, after the manner of the royal provinces. Of these Sir
Hovenden Walker was made President. The revolutioners had now their Governor,
Council and Convention, and all of their own free election. In consequence of
which, the delegates published a declaration in which they justified the
measures they had adopted; and pledged themselves to support the new Governor,
and commanded all officers, civil and military, to pay him all duty and
obedience. 

After this declaration was solemnly published, Johnson retained but small hope
of recalling the people to obey the proprietary authorities. Still, however,
he flattered himself that the men who had usurped the government would not
long remain, in a state of union and peace. In this expectation he called
together the civil officers of the proprietors, and ordered them to secure the
public records, and shut up all offices against the revolutioners and their
adherents. 

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* The titles of the laws repealed by the proprietors, and adhered to by the
Carolinians as unrepealed, were- 

1st. An act for declaring the rights of the House of Commons, for the time
being, to nominate a public receiver. 

2d. An act entitled an act for laying an impost on negroes, liquors, and other
goods and merchandize, &c. 

3d. An act entitled an act to ascertain the form of electing members to
represent the inhabitants in general assembly. 

[To be continued....]

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