An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, vol 2 | Page 7

of the
province in England increased. The merchants of London, Bristol, and
Liverpool turned their eyes to Carolina, as a new and promising
channel of trade, and established houses in Charlestown for conducting
their business with the greater ease and success. They poured in slaves
from Africa for cultivating their lands, and manufactures of Britain for
supplying the plantations; by which means the planters obtained great
credit, and goods at a much cheaper rate than they could be obtained
from any other nation. In consequence of which the planters having
greater strength, turned their whole attention to cultivation, and cleared
the lands with greater facility and success. The lands arose in value,
and men of foresight and judgment began to look out and secure the
richest spots for themselves, with that ardour and keenness which the
prospects of riches naturally inspire. The produce of the province in a
few years was doubled. During this year above thirty-nine thousand
barrels of rice were exported, besides deer-skins, furs, naval stores, and
provisions; and above one thousand five hundred negroes were
imported into it. From this period its exports kept pace with its imports,
and secured its credit in England. The rate of exchange had now arisen
to seven hundred _per cent. i. e._ seven hundred Carolina money was
given for a bill of an hundred pounds sterling on England; at which rate
it afterwards continued, with little variation, for upwards of forty years.
Hitherto small and inconsiderable was the progress in cultivation
Carolina had made, and the face of the country appeared like a desert,
with little spots here and there cleared, scarcely discernible amidst the
immense forest. The colonists were slovenly farmers, owing to the vast
quantities of lands, and the easy and cheap terms of obtaining them; for
a good crop they were more indebted to the great power of vegetation
and natural richness of the soil, than to their own good culture and
judicious management. They had abundance of the necessaries, and
several of the conveniencies of life. But their habitations were clumsy

and miserable huts, and having no chaises, all travellers were exposed
in open boats or on horseback to the violent heat of the climate. Their
houses were constructed of wood, by erecting first a wooden frame, and
then covering it with clap-boards without, and plastering it with lime
within, of which they had plenty made from oyster-shells. Charlestown,
at this time, consisted of between five and six hundred houses, mostly
built of timber, and neither well constructed nor comfortable, plain
indications of the wretchedness and poverty of the people. However,
from this period the province improved in building as well as in many
other respects; many ingenious artificers and tradesmen of different
kinds found encouragement in it, and introduced a taste for brick
buildings, and more neat and pleasant habitations. In process of time, as
the colony increased in numbers, the face of the country changed, and
exhibited an appearance of industry and plenty. The planters made a
rapid progress towards wealth and independence, and the trade being
well protected, yearly increased and flourished.
[Sidenote] A project formed for planting a new colony
At the same time, for the relief of poor and indigent people of Great
Britain and Ireland, and for the farther security of Carolina, the
settlement of a new colony between the rivers Alatamaha and Savanna
was projected in England. This large territory, situated on the
south-west of Carolina, yet lay waste, without an inhabitant except its
original savages. Private compassion and public spirit conspired
towards promoting the excellent design. Several persons of humanity
and opulence having observed many families and valuable subjects
oppressed with the miseries of poverty at home, united, and formed a
plan for raising money and transporting them to this part of America.
For this purpose they applied to the King, obtained from him
letters-patent, bearing date June 9th, 1732, for legally carrying into
execution what they had generously projected. They called the new
province Georgia, in honour of the King, who likewise greatly
encouraged the undertaking. A Corporation consisting of twenty-one
persons was constituted, by the name of Trustees, for settling and
establishing the Colony of Georgia; which was separated from Carolina
by the river Savanna. The Trustees having first set an example
themselves, by largely contributing towards the scheme, undertook also
to solicit benefactions from others, and to apply the money towards

clothing, arming, purchasing utensils for cultivation, and transporting
such poor people as should consent to go over and begin a settlement.
They however confined not their views to the subjects of Britain alone,
but wisely opened a door also for oppressed and indigent Protestants
from other nations. To prevent any misapplication or abuse of
charitable donations, they agreed to deposit the money in the bank of
England,