several distinct provinces, but made no settlement on it. Excepting a
small garison the Spaniards supported at Augustine, this country remained
a rude wilderness, the habitation of savages and wild beasts, till the
restoration. Soon after that important event several leading men of the
nation, actuated by a pious and laudable zeal for the propagation of the
Gospel, associated, and formed a design of settling it at their own
expence. To give an account of the rise and progress of this settlement,
especially of that division now called SOUTH CAROLINA, shall be our
business in the following pages of this history.




CHAP. II.


During the period of the usurpation in England, popular anarchy
prevailed, and levelled all ranks and distinctions throughout the nation.
The lineal heir of the crown being expelled, Oliver Cromwell, that
ambitious and crafty leader of the people, seized the reins of
government, and ruled England with a rod of iron for several years. The
nobles bowed to a fanatic, and the republican part of the constitution
preponderated to such a degree, that the other two became as nothing in
the balance.

When the restoration took place, to the great joy and happiness of the
nation, the nobles and royalists again stood forth, and assumed their
former dignity and weight in the government of their country. Domestic
peace being re-established on the solid foundation of regal and
constitutional authority, England, amidst other national objects, turned