An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, vol 2 | Page 3

of
supreme ordinary: all these powers, as they exist in the crown, are
known by the laws of the realm; as they are entrusted to Governors,
they are declared and defined by their commissions patent. The council,
though differing in many respects from the house of peers, are intended
to represent that house, and are appointed by the King during pleasure,
for supporting the prerogatives of the crown in the province. The
Assembly consists of the representatives of the people, and are elected
by them as the House of Commons in Great Britain, to be the guardians
of their lives, liberties, and properties. Here also the constitution
confides in the good behaviour of the representatives; for should they
presume in any respect to betray their trust, it gives the people more
frequent opportunities than even in Britain, of chusing others in their
stead. The Governor convenes, prorogues, and dissolves these
Assemblies, and has a negative on the bills of both houses. After bills

have received his assent, they are sent to Great Britain for the royal
approbation, in consequence of which they have the force of laws in the
province. This is a general sketch of the royal governments, which are
intended to resemble the constitution of Great Britain, as nearly as the
local circumstances of the provinces will admit, and which,
notwithstanding its imperfections, is certainly the best form of
government upon earth. By the instructions which the Governor
receives from time to time from England, his power no doubt is greatly
circumscribed; but it is his duty to transmit authentic accounts of the
state of his province, in order that the instructions given him may be
proper, and calculated for promoting not only the good of the province,
but also that of the British empire.
[Sidenote] Sir Alexander Cumming sent out to treat of peace with the
Indians.
After the purchase of the province, the first object of the royal concern
was, to establish the peace of the colony on the most firm and
permanent foundation; and for this purpose treaties of union and
alliance with Indian nations were judged to be essentially necessary.
Domestic security being first established, the colonists might then
apply themselves to industry with vigour and success, and while they
enriched themselves, they would at the same time enlarge the
commerce and trade of the mother-country. For this purpose Sir
Alexander Cumming was appointed, and sent out to conclude a treaty
of alliance with the Cherokees, at this time a warlike and formidable
nation of savages. These Indians occupied the lands about the head of
Savanna river, and backwards among the Apalachian mountains. The
country they claimed as their hunting grounds was of immense extent;
and its boundaries had never been clearly ascertained. The inhabitants
of their different towns were computed to amount to more than twenty
thousand, six thousand of whom were warriors, fit on any emergency to
take the field. An alliance with such a nation was an object of the
highest consequence to Carolina, and likewise to the mother-country,
now engaged for its defence and protection.
[Sidenote] Brings with him to England seven Cherokees.
About the beginning of the year 1730, Sir Alexander arrived in
Carolina, and made preparations for his journey to the distant hills. For
his guides he procured some Indian traders, well acquainted with the

woods, and an interpreter who understood the Cherokee language, to
assist him in his negociations. When he reached Keowee, abort three
hundred miles from Charlestown, the chiefs of the lower towns there
met him, and received him with marks of great friendship and esteem.
He immediately dispatched messengers to the middle, the valley, and
over-hill settlements, and summoned a general meeting of all their
chiefs, to hold a congress with him at Nequassee. Accordingly in the
month of April the chief warriors of all the Cherokee towns assembled
at the place appointed. After the various Indian ceremonies were over,
Sir Alexander made a speech to them, acquainting them by whose
authority he was sent, and representing the great power and goodness
of his sovereign King George; how he, and all his other subjects, paid a
cheerful obedience to his laws, and of course were protected by him
from all harm: That he had come a great way to demand of Moytoy,
and all the chieftains of the nation, to acknowledge themselves the
subjects of his King, and to promise obedience to his authority: and as
he loved them, and was answerable to his Sovereign for their good and
peaceable behaviour, he hoped they would agree to what he should now
require of them. Upon which the chiefs, falling on their knees,
solemnly promised fidelity and obedience, calling upon all that was
terrible to fall upon them if they violated their promise. Sir Alexander
then, by