CHAPTER II

THE ENGLISH AS COLONIZERS

Coming of the English.-One of the most momentous things in history is the coming of the English to settle America. The time at which this settlement took place adds very materially to its interest, and in the settlement of South Carolina the most striking features connected with the great event are brought most vividly to light. The settlements at Jamestown and at Plymouth have their own characteristics, and these have been considered from every viewpoint of interest and instruction throughout the civilized world; but the settlement of Carolina has not received near so much attention.

The Lords Proprietors.-We have seen how the French made the first serious attempt to find permanent homes for Europeans at Port Royal, in this State, and, this having failed, that after the lapse of one hundred years the English came to make their attempt near the same spot, the seventh in the order of time, in settlement of the territory of the United States. It was to eight Lords Proprietors that Charles II granted all the territory between Virginia and Florida as a possession and an inheritance. How this came about is a matter of very great interest to the student of history. Because of the tyranny of Charles I, he had, after a long struggle with his people, been brought to the block and beheaded. In

order to prevent any other Stuarts from reaching the throne of England, the effort was made to find and bring to a similar end the sons of Charles I, Charles and James; but certain eminent Englishmen took care of them and gave them a secure asylum until the fall of the Protectorate. When, because of the inefficiency of Richard Cromwell (popularly known as "Tumbledown Dick"), Charles II was called from his place of refuge to accept the crown, he bestowed on them this magnificent portion of American territory. In recognition of his munificence, the Lords Proprietors gave his name to the country he had granted them, and hence the name Carolina is borne by two States today.* The French had already, as we have seen, named the same region Carolina in honor of their King, Charles IX.

It is always a matter for congratulation when a worthy and inspiring name is borne by a place or a person. It is to be regretted, therefore, that the people of Carolina can find nothing inspiring in the name of their State; for of all the sovereigns of England, Charles II is pronounced the most reprobate, devoted wholly to his own pleasure, indifferent alike to the prosperity and honor of his country. He brought England into the contempt of all foreign nations and to shame in the eyes of his own people. But when we consider the period and the people in England's history, there is nothing more inspiring than Carolina's settlement in connection with that history. The court was shamelessly

*As to the effort to show that the States are named for Charles I, see note in Rivers's Sketches.

idle and corrupt; but learning and science advanced rapidly at this time, and had in their service some of the most illustrious names in the history of philosophy, science, and literature. It was in the year 1642, on Christmas day, that the man was born whom Hume eulogizes as the greatest of the human species, Sir Isaac Newton, and to whom with justice Pope's couplet was applied:

"Nature and nature's laws lay hid in night;

God said, 'Let Newton be!' and all was light."

The Spirit of the Age.-And it was in 1687 that the Principia revealed to the world the laws of gravitation. In this period, too, appeared Milton, of whom his great contemporary, Dryden, wrote, and time has confirmed the justice of the comparison :

"Three poets in three distant ages born,

Greece, Italy, and England did adorn."

Thus classing the English poet with Homer and Vergil. About these two preeminent English names clustered those of many scientists and poets of fine and rare talents and splendid achievements. Even the frivolous, pleasure-hunting King and courtiers were affected by the spirit of scientific inquiry, which found permanent shape in the organization of the English Royal Society, one of the greatest events in the record of human progThese fortunate circumstances have contributed to the character of American life in all departments of thought and action, and place Americans today in the

ress.

first rank of the nations of the world in the application of scientific theories to practical affairs. So if there be no honor in the personal character and in the career of Charles II, the highest degree of inspiration may be drawn from the enterprising and enlightened spirit of the period. The formation of the Royal Society, the publication of Newton's Principia Mathematica and Milton's Paradise Lost, are enough to place the period identified with their appearance in eternal light and honor.

The Eight Proprietors.-It was to Edward, Earl of Clarendon; George, Duke of Albemarle; William, Lord Craven; Sir William Berkeley; John, Lord Berkeley; Anthony, Lord Ashley; Sir George Carteret, and Sir John Colleton, that the grant of Carolina was made by the King in 1663. Of these the great trio is Clarendon, the father of English History, Shaftesbury, the accomplished parliamentarian and skilful politician, and Monck, the courageous and successful commander of the army. It was under this charter that the first settlement was made by the English in South Carolina, in March, 1670, at Port Royal. The Fundamental Constitutions devised for the government of Carolina were prepared by the most celebrated metaphysical and political philosopher of his age, John Locke, at the suggestion of Lord Shaftesbury, one of the Proprietors. It was aristocratic in a high degree, yet it guarded securely the welfare of the settlers. Under that commission and charter, William Sayle, an octogenarian, became the first Governor of South Carolina.