AN ACCOUNT OF THE Province OF CAROLINA IN AMERICA. TOGETHER WITH An Abstract of the PATENT, and several other Necessary and Useful Particulars, to such as have thoughts of Transporting themselves thither. Published for their Information.
LONDON: Printed by G. Larkin for Francis Smith, at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhil. 1682.
To the Right Honourable William Earl of Craven Pallatine, and the rest of the true and absolute Lords and Proprieters of the Province of CAROLINA.
FInding by my Conversation with People who have an Inclination to try their Fortunes in America, that your Province of Carolina had not its due valuation for want of being made known to the World, and not hearing of any that had undertaken it, I looked upon it as a Duty incumbent upon me, who have had the Honour to be your Secretary in your Carolina-Affairs now four years, to Publish the ensuing Treatise; whereby is made known the Greatness of your Soveraigns Gift to your Selves, and to the World the Greatness of your Trust and Favour with Him; and to those that have a desire of settling there, to what kind of Countrey and Climate they Transport Themselves: Wherein I have most strictly kept to the Rules of Truth, there not being any thing that I have written in Commendation of your Province, which I cannot prove by Letters from thence now in my possession, and by Living Witnesses now in England.
I should not have been thus presumptuous to adventure upon this Work, and to have crav'd for it your Lordships Patronage, had not the Employment I have under you (which hath given me frequent Opportunities of discovering the Humanity and Softness with which you Treat all Those who apply to you, your constant Endeavours for the Good of all those who come under your Government in Carolina, and the great care you have taken by your admirable Constitution of Government. which you have there settled, for the lasting security, peace and well being of all the Inhabitants of your Province) induc'd me to beleive that the same goodness with which you treat others, will be extended to me, and that you will pardon my present presumption, and all the other Imperfections of,
AN ACCOUNT OF THE Province OF CAROLINA IN AMERICA.
CAROLINA, is that part of Florida, which lies between twenty nine and thirty six Degrees, and thirty Minutes of Northern Latitude: On the East it is washed with the Atlantick Ocean, and is bounded on the West by Mare Pacificum (or the South Sea) and within these bounds is contained the most healthy Fertile and pleasant part of Florida, which is so much commended by the Spanish Authors.
This Province of Carolina, was in the Year 1663. Granted by Letters Pattents in Propriety of his most Gracious Majesty, unto the Right Honourable Edward [Page 6]Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albemarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkely, Anthony Lord Ashly, now Earl of Shaftsbury, Sir George Carteret, and Sir John Colleton, Knights and Barronets, Sir William Berkeley Knight, by which Letters Pattents the Laws of England are to be of force in Carolina: but the Lords Proprietors have power with the consent of the Inhabitants to make By-Laws for the better Government of the said Province: So that no Money can be raised or Law made, without the consent of the Inhabitants or their Representatives. They have also power to appoint and impower Governours, and other Magistrates to Grant Liberty of Conscience, make Constitutions, &c. With many other great Priviledges, as by the said Letters Pattents will more largely appear. And the said Lords Proprietors have there setled a Constitution of Government, whereby is granted Liberty of Conscience, and wherein all possible care is taken for the equal Administration of Justice, and for the lasting Security of the Inhabitants both in their Persons and Estates.
By the care and endeavours of the said Lords Proprietors, and at their very great charge, two Colonys have been setled in this Province, the one at Albemarle in the most Northerly part, the other at Ashly River, which is in the Latitude of thirty two Degrees odd Minutes.
Albemarle bordering upon Virginia, and only exceeding it in Health, Fertility, and Mildness of the Winter, is in the Growths, Productions, and other things much of the same nature with it: Wherefore I shall not trouble the Reader with a perticular Description of that part; but apply my self principally [Page 7]to discourse of the Collony at Ashly-River, which being many Degrees more Southward than Virginia, differs much from it in the Nature of its Clymate and Productions.
Ashly-River was first setled in April 1670, the Lords Proprietors having at their sole charge, set out three Vessels, with a considerable number of able Men; eighteen Moneths Victuals, with Cloths, Tools, Ammunition, and what else was thought necessary for a new Settlement, and continued at this charge to supply the Collony for divers years after, until the Inhabitants were able by their own Industry to live of themselves; in which condition they have been for divers years past, and are arrived to a very great Degree of Plenty of all sorts of Provisions. Insomuch, that most sorts are already cheaper there, than in any other of the English Collonys, and they are plentifully enough supplied with all things from England or other Parts.
Ashly-River, about seven Miles in from the Sea, divides it self into two Branches; the Southermost retaining the name of Ashly-River, the North Branch is called Cooper-River. In May, 1680. the Lords Proprietors sent their Orders to the Government there, appointing the Port-Town for these two Rivers to be Built on the Poynt of Land that divides them, and to be called Charles Town, since which time about an hundred Houses are there Built, and more are Building daily by the Persons of all sorts that come there to Inhabit, from the more Northern English Collonys, and the Sugar Islands, England and Ireland; and many Persons who went to Carolina Servants, being Industrious since they came out of their times with their Masters, at whose charge they were [Page 8]Transported, have gotten good Stocks of Cattle, and Servants of their own; have here also Built Houses, and exercise their Trades: And many that went thither in that condition, are now worth several Hundreds of Pounds, and live in a very plentiful condition, and their Estates still encreasing. And Land is become of that value near the Town, that it is sold for twenty Shillings per Acre, though pillaged of all its valuable Timber, and not cleared of the rest, and Land that is clear'd and fitted for Planting, and Fenced, is let for ten Shillings per annum the Acre, though twenty miles distant from the Town, and six men will in six weeks time, Fall, Clear, Fence in, and fit for Planting, six Acres of Land.
At this Town, in November, 1680. There Rode at one time sixteen Sail of Vessels (some of which were upwards of 200 Tuns) that came from divers parts of the Kings Dominions to trade there, which great concourse of shipping, will undoubtebly in a short time make it a considerable Town.
The Eastern Shore of America, whether it be by reason of its having the great Body of the Continent to the Westward of it, and by consequence the Northwest-Wind (which Flows contrary to the Sun) the Freezing-Wind, as the North-East is in Europe, or that the Frozen Lakes which Lye-in, beyond Canada, and lye North and West from the Shore, Impregnate the Freezing Wind with more chill and congealing qnalities, or that the uncultivated Earth, covered for the most part with large shading Trees, breathes forth more nitrous Vapours, than that which is cultivated; or all these Reasons together, it is certainly much more cold than any part of Europe, in the same Degree of Latitude of thirty nine and forty, [Page 9]and more North, though above six hundred Miles nearer the Sun than England; is notwithstanding, many Degrees colder in the Winter.
The Author having been informed by those that say they have seen it, that in those Parts it Freezeth above six Inches thick in a Night, and great Navigable Rivers are Frozen over in the same space of time; and the Country about Ashly-River, though within nine Degrees of the Tropick, hath seldom any Winter that doth not produce some Ice, though I cannot yet learn that any hath been seen on Rivers or Ponds, above a quarter of an Inch thick, which vanisheth as soon as the Sun is an hour or two high, and when the Wind is not at North-west, the weather is very mild. So that the December and January of Ashly-River, I suppose to be of the same Temperature with the latter end of March, and beginning of April in England, this small Winter causeth a fall of the Leaf, and adapts the Country to the production of all the Grains and Fruits of England, as well as those that require more Sun; insomuch, that at Ashly-River, the Apple, the Pear, the Plum, the Quince, Apricock, Peach, Medlar, Walnut, Mulberry, and Chesnut, thrive very well in the same Garden, together with the Orange, the Lemon, the Olive, the Pomgranate, the Fig and Almond; nor is the Winter here Cloudy, Overcast, or Foggy, but it hath been observed that from the twentieth of August to the tenth of March, including all the Winter Months, there have been but eight overcast days, and though Rains fall pretty often in the Winter, it is most commonly in quick Showers, which when past, the Sun shines out clear again.
The Summer is not near so hot as in Virginia, or the other Northern American English Collonys, which may hardly gain belief with those that have not considered the reason; which is its neerness to the Tropicks, which makes it in a greater measure than those parts more Northward partake of those Breezes, which almost constantly rise about eight or nine of the Clock, within the Tropicks, and blow fresh from the East till about four in the Afternoon; and a little after the Sea-breeze dys away, there rifes a North-wind, which blowing all night, keeps it fresh and cool. In short, I take Carolina to be much of the same nature with those delicious Countries about Aleppo, Antioch, and Smyrna: but hath the advantage of being under an equal English Government.
Such, who in this Country have seated themselves near great Marshes, are subject to Agues, as those are who are so seated in England: but such who are planted more remote from Marshes or standing Waters, are exceeding healthy; insomuch, that out of a Family consisting of never less than twelve Perons, not one hath died since their first Arrival there, which is nine years: but what is more, not one hath been sick in all that time; nor is there one of the Masters of Families that went over in the first Vessels, dead of sickness in Carolina, except one, who was seventy and five years of Age before he came there; though the number of those Masters of Families be pretty considerable: divers persons that went out of England Ptisical, and Consumptive, have recover'd, and others subject in England to frequent fits of the Stone, have been absolutely freed from them after they have been there a short time; nor is [Page 10]the Gout there yet known. The Ayr gives a strony Appetite and quick Digestion, nor is it witetlh suitable effects, men finding themselves apparntly more lightsome, more prone, and more able to al Youthful Exercises, than in England, the Women are very Fruitful, and the Children have fresh Sanguine Complexions.
The Soyle is generally very fertile, but hath some sandy tracts so as to make an agreable variety, but even this Land produceth good Corne and is excellent pasture; Wheat, Rye, Barly, Oates, and Peas, thrive exceedingly, and the ground yeilds in greater abundance than in England, Turnips, Parsnips, Carrots, Potatoes, and Edoes, a substantial wholesome nourishing Root growes well, and all excellent in their kindes they have near twenty sorts of Pulse that we have not in England, all of them very good food, insomuch that the English Garden Bean is not regarded.
Near the Sea the Trees are not very large, they grow pritty neare together; farther up they are larger, and grow farther asunder, and are in most parts free from Underwood, so that you may see near half a mile amongst the bodyes of large tall timber trees, whose tops meeting make a very pleasing shade, yet hinders not grass, myrtle and other sweet scenting shrubs here and there from growing under them: Amongst these Groves of Timber Trees are here and there Savana's, (or grassy plains) of severall magnitudes clear of Trees, which hath occasion'd some that have seene them to compare Carolina to those pleasant Parks in England, that have abundance of tall Timber Trees unlop'd, here you may hunt the Hare, Fox, and Deere all day long in the shade, and freely [Page 12]spur your horse through the Woods to follow the chase.
This Country hath the Oak, Ash, Elm, Poplar, Beech, and all the other sorts of usefull Timber that England hath, and divers sorts of lasting Timber that England hath not, as Cedar white and red, Cypress, Locust, Bay and Laurell Trees, equal to the biggest Oaks, large Mirtles, Hickery, black Wallnut, and Pynes big enough to Mast the greatest Ships, and divers other sorts, which I cannot enumerate.
The woods abound with Hares, Squirrels, Ratoons Possums, Conyes and Deere, which last are so plenty that an Indian hunter hath kill'd nine fatt Deere in a day all shott by himself, and all the considerable Planters have an Indian hunter which they hire for jess than twenty shillings a year, and one hunter will very well find a Family of thirty people with as much Venison and Foul, as they can well eat. Here are also in the woods great plenty of wilde Turkeys, Partridges, something smaller than those of England, but more deicate, Turtle Doves, Paraquetos, and Pidgeons: On the grassy plaines the whistling Plover and Cranes and divers sorts of Birds unknowne in England.
Carolina doth so abound in Rivers, that within fifty miles of the Sea you can hardly place your self seven miles from a Navigable River, and divers are navigable for good big Vessels above three hundred miles: The Rivers abound with variety of excellent Fish, and near the Sea with very good Oysters, in many of which are Pearl: the Author having seen Pearl that have been taken out of some of them bigger than Rouncival Pease, and perfectly round. On the Rivers and brooks are all the winter moneths vast quantitys of Swan, wild Geese, Duck, Widgeon, Teale, Curlew, Snype, Shell Drake, and a certaine sort of black [Page 13]Duck that is excellent meat, and stayes there all the year.
Neat Cattle thrive and increase here exceedingly, there being perticular Planters that have already seven or eight hundred head, and will in a few years in all probability, have as many thousands, unless they sell some part; the Cattle are not subject to any Disease as yet perceiv'd, and are fat all the Year long without any Fother, the little Winter they have, not pinching them so as to be perceiv'd, which is a great advantage the Planters here have of the more Northern Plantations who are all forc'd to give their Cattle Fother, and must spend a great part of their Summers Labour in providing three or four Months Fother for their Cattle in the Winter, or else would have few of them alive in the Spring, which will keep them from ever having very great Heards, or be able to do much in Planting any Comodity for Forreign Markets; the providing Winter Food for their Cattle, taking up so much of their Summers Labour; So that many Judicious Persons think that Carolina will be able by Sea, to supply those Northern Collonys, with salted Beef for their Shipping, cheaper than they themselves with what is bred amongst them; for, considering that all the Woods in Carolina afford good Pasturage, and the small Rent that is paid to the Lords Proprietors for Land, an Ox is raised at almost as little expence in Carolina, as a Hen is in England. And it hath by experience been found that Beef will take salt at Ashly-River any Month in the Year, and save very well.
Ewes have most commonly two or three Lambs at a time; their Wool is a good Staple, and they thrive [Page 13]very well, but require a Shepherd to drive them to Feed, and to bring them home at night to preserve them from the Wolves.
Hogs increase in Carolina abundantly, and in a manner without any charge or trouble to the Planter, only to make them Sheds, wherein they may be protected from the Sun and Rain, and Morning and Evening to give them a little Indian Corn, or the pickings and parings of Potatoes, Turnips, or other Roots, and at the same time blowing a Horn, or making any other constant noyse, to which being us'd, they will afterwards upon hearing it, repair home, the rest of their Food they get in the Woods, of Masts, and Nuts of several sorts; and when those fail, they have Grass and Roots enough, the ground being never frozen so hard as to keep them from Rooting, these conveniencies breeds them large, and in the Mast time they are very fat, all which makes the rearing them so easy, that there are many Planters that are single and have never a Servant, that have two or three hundred Hogs, of which they make great profit; Barbados, Jamaica, and New-England, affording a constant good price for their Pork; by which means they get wherewithal to build them more convenient Houses, and to purchase Servants, and Negro-slaves.
There have been imported into Carolina, about an hundred and fifty Mares, and some Horses from New-York, and Road-Island, which breeds well, and the Coalts they have are finer Lim'd and Headed than their Dams or Sires, which gives great hopes of an excellent breed of Horses, as soon as they have gotten good Stalions amongst them.
Negros, By reason of the mildness of the Winter thrive and stand much better, than in any of the more Northern Collonys, & require less clothes, which is a great charge sav'd.
With the Indians the English have a perfect freindship, they being both usefull to one another. And care is taken by the Lords Proprietors, that no Injustice shall be done them; In order to which they have established a particular Court of Judicature, (compos'd of the soberest and most disinteressed Inhabitants) to determine all differnces that shall happen between the English and any of the Indians, this they do upon a Christian and Moral Consideration, and not out of any apprehension of danger from them, for the Indians have been always so ingaged in Wars one Town or Village against another (their Government being usually of no greater extent) that they have not suffered any increase of People, there having been several Nations in a manner quite extirpated by Wars amongst themselves since the English setled at Ashly River: This keeps them so thin of people, and so divided, that the English have not the least apprehensions of danger from them; the English being already too strong for all the Indians within five hundred Miles of them, if they were united, and this the Indians as well know, that they will never dare to break with the English, or do an Injury to any particular person, for fear of having it reveng'd upon their whole Nation.
The Lords Proprietors do at present grant to all persons that come there to Inhabit as follows, viz. To each Master or Mistriss of a Family fifty acres, and for every able son or man servant they shall carry or cause to be transported into Carolina fifty acres more, and the like for each Daughter or woman servant that [Page 16]is marrigeable, and for each child, man or woman servant under sixteen years of age, forty acres, and fifty acres of Land to each servant when out of their time, this Land to be injoy'd by them and their Heirs for ever, they paying a Penny an Acre Quit-rent to the Lords Proprietors, the Rent to commence in two years after their taking up their Land. But forasmuch as divers persons who are already Inhabitants of Carolina, and others that have Intentions to transport themselves into that Province, desire not to be cumber'd with paying of a Rent, and also to secure to themselves good large convenient tracts of Land, without being forc'd to bring thither a great number of servants at one time; The Lords Proprietors have been Prevail'd upon, and have agreed to sell to those who have a mind to buy Land, after the rate of fifty pound for a Thousand Acres, reserving a Pepper-Corn per annum Rent when demanded.
The way of any ones taking up his Land, due to him either by carrying himself or servants into the Country, or by purchasing it of the Lords Proprietors, is after this manner: He first seeks out a place to his mind that is not already possessed by any other, then applyes himself to the Governour and Proprietors Deputys, and shew what rights he hath to Land, either by Purchase or otherwise; who thereupon issue out their Warrant to the Surveyor-General to measure him out a Plantation containing the number of acres due to him; who making Certificate that he hath measur'd out so much Land and the Bounds, a Deed is prepar'd of course, which is signed by the Governour and the Lords Proprietors Deputys, and the Proprietors Seal affixed to it and Register'd, which is is a good Conveyance in Law of the Land therein mention'd to the party and his Heirs for ever.
I have here, as I take it, described a pleasant & fertile Country, abounding in health and pleasure, and with all things necessary for the sustenance of mankind, and wherein I think I have written nothing but truth, sure I am I have inserted no wilful falshood: I have also told you how men are to have Land that go there to Inhabit. But a rational man will certainly inquire, When I have Land, what shall I doe with it? what Comoditys shall I be able to produce that will yeild me mony in other Countrys, that I may be inabled to buy Negro slaves (without which a Planter can never do any great matter) and purchase other things for my pleasure and convenience, that Carolina doth not produce? To this I answer, That besides the great profit that will be made by the vast heards of Cattle and Swine, the Country appears to be proper for the Commoditys following. viz.
Wine. There are growing naturally in the Country five sorts of Grapes, three of which the French Vignaroons who are there, judge will make very good Wine, and some of the Lords Proprietors have taken care to send plants of the Rhenish, Canary, Clarret, Muscatt, Madera, and Spanish Grapes, of all which divers Vinyards are planted; some wine was made this year that proved very good both in colour and taste, and an indifferent good quantity may be expected the next year: The Country hath gentle rising hills of fertile sand proper for Vines, and farther from the Sea, rock and gravel, on which very good grapes grow naturally, ripen well, and together, and very lushious in taste, insomuch as the French Protestants who are there, and skill'd in wine, do no way doubt of producing great quantitys and very good.
Oyl. There are severall Olive trees growing, which were carryed thither, some from Portugal, and some from Bermeudas [Page 18]and flourish excedingly, and the Inhabitants take great care to propagate more, so that in all probability it will be an excellent Oyl-Country.
Silk. There is in Carolina great plenty of Mulberry Trees, such as are by experience found to feed the Silkworm very well, yea as well as the white Mulberry, but there is of that sort also, which are propagated with a great deal of ease, a stick new cut and thrust into the ground, seldom failing to grow, and so likewise if the Seed if them be sown.
Tobacco. Tobacco doth here grow very well, and is nearer to the nature of the Spanish Tobacco than that of Virginia.
Indigo. Indigo thrives well here, and very good hath been made.
Cotton. Cotton of the Cyprus and Smyrna sort will grow well, and good plenty of the Seed is sent thither.
Flax & Hemp Thrives exceedingly.
Good plenty of Pitch and Tar is there made, there being particular persons that have made above a thousand barrels.
Here is great plenty of Oake for Pipe staves, which are a good Commodity in the Maderas, Canaryes, Barbados, & the Leeward Islands.
Sumack. Sumack growes in great abundance naturally, so undoubtedly would Woad, Madder & Sa-Flower, if planted.
Drugs. Jallop, Sassaparilla, Turmerick, Sassafras, Snake-root, & divers others.
In short. This Country being of the same Clymate and Temperature of Aleppo, Smyrna, Antioch, Judea, and the Province of Nanking, the richest in China, will (I conceive) produce any thing which those Countrys do, were the Seeds brought into it.
The Tools that men who goe thither ought to take with them are these, viz. An Ax, a Bill, and a broad Hoe, & grabbing Hoe, for every man, and a cross cut Saw to every four men, a Whip-saw, a set of Wedges and Fraus and Betle-Rings to every family, and some Reaping Hooks and Sythes, as likewise Nails of all sorts, Hooks, Hinges, Bolts & Locks for their Houses.
The Merchandizes which sell best in Carolina, are Linnen and Woollen, and all other Stufs to make clothes of, with Thread Sowing Silk, Buttons, Ribbons, Hats, Stockings, Shoes, &c. which they sell at very good rates, and for these goods any man may purchase the Provision he hath need of.
The Passage of a man or woman to Carolina is five Pound, Ships are going thither all times of the year. Some of the Lords Proprietors, or my self, will be every Tuesday at 11 of the clock at the Carolina-Coffee-house in Burching-Lane near the Royal Exchange, to inform all people what Ships are going, or any other thing whatsoever.
An Abstract of the Pattent granted by the King, the 30th of June, in the 17th Year of his Reign, under the Broad Seal of England, unto Edward Earl of Clarendon, George Duke of Albermarle, William Earl of Craven, John Lord Berkley, Anthony Lord Ashly, Sir George Carteret, and Sir John Colleton, Knights and Barronets, and Sir William Berkeley Knight, their Heirs and Assigns.
Impri. AS a mark of our particular Favour, we do give and Grant all that Province, Territory, or Tract of Land, lying within our Dominions of America; extending North, and Eastward as far as the North-end of Caraliuck-River, or inlet upon a streight Westerly Line to Wyanoake-Creek, which lies within or about the Degrees of 36 and 30 Minutes Nothern Latitude, and so West in a direct line as far as the South-Seas, and South and Westward as far as the Degrees of 29 inclusive, Nothern Latitude: And so West in a direct line as far as the South-Seas.
2. Also all Ports, Harbours, Bays, Rivers, and Inlets belonging to the Province and Territory aforesaid.
3. All the Soyl, Land, Feild, Woods, Mountains, Ferns, Lakes, Rivers, Bays, and Inlets, within the limits before mentioned: with the Fishing of all sorts of Fish, together with the Royalty of the Sea upon that Coast: And all Veins, Mines, and Quarries of Gold, Silver, Gems, and Precious Stones, or any other thing whatsoever.
4. The Patronage and Advowsons of all Churches and Chappels, with License to build and found Churches, to exercise and enjoy as ample priviledges, &c. as any Bishop of Durham, in our Kingdom of England.
5. We do by these presents constitute the aforenamed Persons, their Heirs and Assigns, the true and absolute Lords and Proprietors of the said Province, to be holden of Vs, our Heirs and Successours, as of our Mannor of East-Greewich, in our County of Kent, in free and common Soccage, and not in capite, nor by Knights service, paying yearly for the same the fourth part of all Gold and Silver-Oar which shall from time to time be found, besides the yearly Rent of twenty Mark.
6. We do grant full power to the aforesaid Proprietors, to make several Counties, Baronies, and Collonies, within the said Province, with several and distinct Liberties, Priviledges, &c.
7. Also to make, ordain, and exect, and under their Seals to publish any Laws and Constitutions; by and with the advice, assent, and approbation of the Freemen of the said Province, or [Page 23]of the Freemen of the County, Barony, or Collony, for which such Law or Constitution shall be made, or of the greater part of them, or their Deligates: And likewise to erect any Courts of Iudicature, and establish any Iudges, Iustices, Magistrates, or Officers, as well within the said Province, as at Sea. Also to pardon, whether before Iudgment or after, all Crimes and Offences against the said Laws, and to do all and every other thing which to the compleat establishment of Iustice unto Courts, Sessions, and Forms of Iudicature, and manners of proceeding therein do belong, and we do enjoyn it shall be absolute firm and avayleable in Law, and all the Leige People of Vs, our Heirs and Successors, within the said Province, do observe and keep the same. Provided the said Laws be consonant to Reason, and as near as may be conveniently agreeable to the Laws and Customs of this our Kingdom of England.
8. And because such Assemblies of Freeholders cannot be so suddainly called as occasion may require, we do grant to the Proprietors, their Heirs and Assigns, by themselves or their Magistrates, full power to ordain wholsome Orders and Ordinances, within the Territory aforesaid; so as they be reasonable and not repugnant or contrary, but as near as may be agreeable to the Laws of England.
9. And to the end the said Province may be the more happily encreased by the multitude of people resorting thither; We for Vs, our Heirs and Successors, do give and grant License to all the Leige people of Vs, our Heirs and Successors (excepting those who shall be specially forbidden) to [Page 24]Transport themselves and Families into the said Province, and there to settle themselves and Inhabit.
10. That the Subjects and Leige people of Vs, our Heirs and Successors, Transported, or to be Transported into the said Province, or such as shall descend from them, be Denizens and Leiges of Vs, &c.
11. Full liberty and license to lade and fraight in any Ports whatsoever, of Vs, &c and Goods not prohibited by the Laws of our Kingdoms: saving to Vs, &c. the Customs and other Duties due for the said Goods.
12. Full liberty and license at any time from the Feast of Saint Michael the Arch-Angel, Anno. 1667. As well to import into any of our Dominions from the said Province of Carolina, these several Comodities, viz. Silk, Wines, Currants, Raysins. Capers, Wax, Almonds, Oyl and Olives, without paying any Custom, or other Duty for the same; and this to continue during the space of seven Years, to comence from and after the first Importation of four Tuns of any the said Goods, in any one Bottom or Vessel. As also to export and carry out of our Dominions into the said Province Custom-free, all sorts of Tools which shall be useful and necessary for the Planters there in the Improvements of the Premises.
13. Full Power to Exect and Constitute Sea Ports, &c. for Lading and Vnlading of Goods, and likewise the Proprietors to have and enjoy the Customs and Subsidies in the Ports, &c. aforesaid for Goods, &c. there Laded or Vnladed: The said Customs to be reasonably assessed by themselves, with the Consent of the Free People there, or the greatest part of them.
14. Full and absolute License, Power; and Authority, from time to time, for ever, to Assign Alien, Grant, Demise, or Enfeoff, the Premises or any part thereof, to be held by the said Person or Persons, their Heirs, &c. In Fee-simple, or Fee-tayl, or for term of Life, or Lives, or Years of the said Proprietors, by such Bents, Services, and Customs, as shall seem fit unto them.
15. Full Power and Authority to confer Honours, so as they be not such as are conferred upon any of the Subjects of England.
16. Further, we do give and grant full Power to erect as many Forts, Fortresses, Castles, Cities, Borroughs, Towns, Villages, &c. and furnish with Ordinance and all other Weapons, Ammunition, &c. as shall be thought fit, with all th Liberty, &c. within any Corporations in England. Also to erect as many Markets and Fairs, as shall be thought necessary. And likewise to erect so many Mannors with such Seigniories as to them shall seem meet. And in each Mannor to hold a Court-Baron with all things whatsoever thereunto belonging. And [Page 25]to hold views of Frankpledge and Court-Leets, to be holden by Stewards deputed by the Proprietors, or by the Lords of other Mannors and Leetes.
17. To Levy, Muster, and Train, all sorts of Men. To pursue an Enemy as well by Sea as Land, even without the limits of the said Province, and them to put to death by the Law of War, and to do all other things which to the Captain General of an Army belongs.
18. We do grant unto the Proprietors and Inhabitants of the said Province, that the said Province and Inhabitants thereof shall not be held or reputed any part of any Collony in America, or elsewhere, nor be depending on their Government: but that they be subject immediatly to our Crown of England. And that the Inhabitants of the said Province shall not be any ways lyable to appear or answer to any matter whatsoever out of the Province aforesaid, except in our Realm of England, &c.
19. Our will and pleasure is, and we do give and grant unto the Proprietors, free License, Liberty, and Authority, to give and grant to such Persons as cannot in their private Opinions conform to the publick exercise of Religion, such Indulgences or Dispensations as they shall think fit.
20. And if it shall happen that any doubts or questions shall arise concerning the true sense and understanding of any Word, Clause, or Sentence, contained in this our present Charter. We will, ordain and command, that at all [Page 26]times, and in all things such Interpretation be made thereof, and allowed in all and every of our Courts whatsoever, as Lawfully may be adjudged most advantagious and favourable to the aforesaid Proprietors, their Heirs and Assigns.
In Witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Pattents,
Witness our Self at Westminster, the thirtieth day of June, In the seventeenth Year of our Reign.