An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, vol 2 | Page 6

English constitution. An
agreement is made with them, in consequence of which the King could
not only give a just title to Indian lands; but, by Indians becoming his
voluntary subjects, the colonists obtained peaceable possession. The
Cherokees held abundance of territory from nature, and with little
injury to themselves could spare a share of it; but reason and justice
required that it be obtained by paction or agreement. By such treaties
mutual presents were made, mutual obligations were established, and,
for the performance of the conditions required, the honour and faith of
both parties were pledged. Even to men in a barbarous state such policy
was the most agreeable, as will afterwards clearly appear; for the
Cherokees, in consequence of this treaty, for many years, remained in a
state of perfect friendship and peace with the colonists, who followed
their various employments in the neighbourhood of those Indians,
without the least terror or molestation.
[Sidenote] Robert Johnson Governor.
About the beginning of the year 1731, Robert Johnson, who had been
Governor of Carolina while in the possession of the Lords Proprietors,
having received a commission from the King, investing him with the
same office and authority, arrived in the province. He brought back
these Indian chiefs, possessed with the highest ideas of the power and
greatness of the English nation, and not a little pleased with the kind
and generous treatment they had received. The Carolineans, who had
always entertained the highest esteem for this gentleman, even in the
time of their greatest confusion, having now obtained him in the
character of King's Governor, a thing they formerly had so earnestly
desired, received him with the greatest demonstrations of joy. Sensible
of his wisdom and virtue, and his strong attachment to the colony, they
promised themselves much prosperity and happiness under his gentle
administration.
This new Governor, from his knowledge of the province, and the
dispositions of the people, was not only well qualified for his high

office, but he had a council to assist him, composed of the most
respectable inhabitants. Thomas Broughton was appointed
Lieutenant-governor, and Robert Wright Chief Justice. The other
members of the council were, William Bull, James Kinloch, Alexander
Skene, John Fenwick, Arthur Middleton, Joseph Wragg, Francis Yonge,
John Hamerton, and Thomas Waring. At the first meeting of Assembly,
the Governor recommended to both houses, to embrace the earliest
opportunity of testifying their gratitude to his Majesty for purchasing
seven-eight parts of the province, and taking it under his particular care;
he enjoined them to put the laws in execution against impiety and
immorality, and as the most effectual means of discouraging vice, to
attend carefully to the education of youth. He acquainted them of the
treaty which had been concluded in England with the Cherokees, which
he hoped would be attended with beneficial and happy consequences;
he recommended the payment of public debts, the establishment of
public credit, and peace and unanimity among themselves as the chief
objects of their attention; for if they should prove faithful subjects to
his Majesty, and attend to the welfare and prosperity of their country,
he hoped soon to see it, now under the protection of a great and
powerful nation, in as flourishing and prosperous a situation as any of
the other settlements on the continent. They in return presented to him
the most loyal and affectionate addresses, and entered on their public
deliberations with uncommon harmony and great satisfaction.
[Sidenote] Several indulgences granted the people.
For the encouragement of the people, now connected with the mother
country both by mutual affection and the mutual benefits of commerce,
several favours and indulgences were granted them. The restraint upon
rice, an innumerated commodity, was partly taken off; and, that it
might arrive more seasonably and in better condition at the market, the
colonists were permitted to send it to any port southward of Cape
Finisterre. A discount upon hemp was also allowed by parliament. The
arrears of quit-rents bought from the Proprietors were remitted by a
bounty from the Crown. For the benefit and enlargement of trade their
bills of credit were continued, and seventy-seven thousand pounds were
stamped and issued by virtue of an act of the legislature, called the
Appropriation Law. Seventy pieces of cannon were sent out by the
King, and the Governor had instructions to build one fort at Port-Royal,

and another on the river Alatamaha. An independent company of foot
was allowed for their defence by land, and ships of war were stationed
there for the protection of trade. These and many more favours flowed
to the colony, now emerging from the depths of poverty and oppression,
and arising to a state of freedom, ease and affluence.
[Sidenote] Happy effects of peace and security.
As a natural consequence of its domestic security, the credit