An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, vol 1 | Page 4

progress of
their little communities, placed before us in the most full and
conspicuous light. The world has not yet been favoured with a
particular history of all these colonies: many events respecting some of
them lie buried in darkness and oblivion. As we have had an
opportunity of acquiring some knowledge of one of the most valuable
and flourishing of the British settlements in that quarter, we propose to
present the world with a particular, but imperfect, detail of its most
memorable and important transactions.

[Sidenote] A notion early entertained of territories in the west.
To pave the way for the execution of this design, it may not be
improper to cast our eyes backward on the earliest ages of European
discoveries, and take a slight view of the first and most distinguished
adventurers to the western world. This will serve to introduce future
occurrences, and contribute towards the easier illustration of them.
Beyond doubt, a notion was early entertained of territories lying to the
westward of Europe and Africa. Some of the Greek historians make
mention of an Atlantic island, large in extent, fertile in its soil, and full
of rivers. These historians assert, that the Tyrians and Carthaginians
discovered it, and sent a colony thither, but afterwards, from maxims of
policy, compelled their people to abandon the settlement. Whether this
was the largest of the Canary islands, as we may probably suppose, or
not, is a matter of little importance with respect to our present purpose:
it is enough that such a notion prevailed, and gained so much credit as
to be made the grounds of future inquiry and adventure.
With the use of the compass, about the close of the fifteenth century,
the great era of naval adventures commenced. Indeed the Tyrian fleet in
the service of Solomon had made what was then esteemed long
voyages, and a famous Carthaginian captain had sailed round Africa:
the Portuguese also were great adventurers by sea, and their discoveries
in Africa served to animate men of courage and enterprise to bolder
undertakings: but the invention of the compass proved the mariner's
best guide, and facilitated the improvements in navigation. Furnished
with this new and excellent instructor, the seaman forsook the
dangerous shore and launched out into the immense ocean in search of
new regions, which, without it, must long have remained unknown.
Even such expeditions as proved abortive, furnished observations and
journals to succeeding navigators, and every discovery made, gave life
and encouragement to brave adventurers.
[Sidenote] A project of Columbus for attempting a discovery.
About this period Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, appeared,
who was a man of great ingenuity, courage, and abilities, and had
acquired better notions of the globe, and greater skill in navigation,
than any of his cotemporaries. Imagining there might be territories in
the west to balance those in the east he directed all his views to that
quarter, and was eagerly bent on a voyage of discovery. He drew a plan

for the execution of his project, which, together with a map of the
world, he laid before his countrymen, shewing them what grandeur and
advantage would accrue to their state, should he prove successful. But
the leading men of the republic considered his project as wild and
chimerical, and shamefully treated him with neglect. Though mortified
at this ill usage, he nevertheless remained inflexible as to his purpose,
and therefore determined to visit the different courts of Europe, and
offer his service to that sovereign who should give him the greatest
encouragement and assistance.
While he resolved to go in person to France, Spain and Portugal, he
sent his brother Bartholomew to England; which nation had now seen
an end of her bloody civil wars, and begun to encourage trade and
navigation. But Bartholomew, in his passage, was unfortunately taken
by pirates, and robbed of all he had; and, to augment his distress, was
seized with a fever after his arrival, and reduced to great hardships.
After his recovery, he spent some time in drawing charts and maps, and
selling them, before he was in a condition to appear at court. At length,
being introduced to the king, he laid before him his brother's proposals
for sailing to the west on a voyage of discovery. King Henry, who was
rather a prudent manager of the public treasure, than an encourager of
great undertakings, as some historians say, rejected his proposals: but
others of equal credit affirm, that the king entered into an agreement
with Bartholomew, and sent him to invite his brother to England; and
that the nation in general were fond of the project, either from motives
of mere curiosity or prospects of commercial advantage.
[Sidenote] A. D. 1492. [Sidenote] The discovery of Columbus.
In the mean time Columbus, after surmounting several