life, the stiff and rigid morals of the Puritans, were made the objects
of ridicule by their neighbours, and all the powers of wit and humour
were employed in exposing them to public derision and contempt. Their
levelling spirit, republican principles, and contentious disposition,
they declared merited the hatred and abhorrence of every man of honour
and honesty, as they had served to produce in England that race of sly,
deceitful and hypocritical wretches, who had been the curse and scourge
of the nation. The Puritans, on the other hand, possessed of no small
share of rancour and malevolence, and exasperated by their licentious
manner and grievous abuse, violently opposed their influence among the
people. Hence arose a number of difficulties in framing laws, in
distributing justice, and in maintaining public order and tranquillity.
Governor West, observing those dissentions breaking out in the
settlement, was at no small pains to keep them within the bounds of
moderation, but having a council composed of ambitious cavaliers, was
unable entirely to check the disorder. In spite of his authority, the
Puritans were treated with insolence and neglect, and the colony,
distracted with domestic differences, were ill prepared for defence
against external enemies: not only so, but such divisions occasioned a
neglect of industry and application, which prevented the country from
making that progress in improvement which might have been expected from
its natural advantages.

[Sidenote] A trade in Indians encouraged.

At this unfavourable juncture the Indians, from Stono, came down in
straggling parties, and plundered the plantations of the scanty and
dearly earned fruits of labour and industry. Being accustomed to the
practice of killing whatever came in their way, they ranked the planter's
hogs, turkeys and geese among their game, and freely preyed upon them.