Since The First Planters,
Abundance Of French And Others Have Gone Over, And Rais'd Themselves
To Considerable Fortunes.
They are very neat and exact
in Packing and Shipping of their Commodities; which Method has got them
so great a Character Abroad, that they generally come to a good Market
with their Commodities; when oftentimes the Product of other Plantations,
are forc'd to be sold at lower Prizes.
They have a considerable Trade
both to Europe, and the West Indies, whereby they become rich,
and are supply'd with all Things necessary for Trade, and genteel Living,
which several other Places fall short of. Their co-habiting in a Town,
has drawn to them ingenious People of most Sciences, whereby they have
Tutors amongst them that educate their Youth a-la-mode.
Their Roads, with great Industry, are made very good and pleasant.
Near the Town is built a fair Parsonage-house, with necessary Offices,
and the Minister has a very considerable Allowance from his Parish.
There is likewise a French Church in Town, of the Reform'd Religion,
and several Meeting-houses for dissenting Congregations, who all enjoy
at this Day an entire Liberty of their Worship; the Constitution
of this Government, allowing all Parties of well-meaning Christians
to enjoy a free Toleration, and possess the same Priviledges,
so long as they appear to behave themselves peaceably and well:
It being the Lords Proprietors Intent, that the Inhabitants of Carolina
should be as free from Oppression, as any in the Universe;
which doubtless they will, if their own Differences amongst themselves
do not occasion the contrary.
They have a well-disciplin'd Militia; their Horse are most Gentlemen,
and well mounted, and the best in America, and may equalize
any in other Parts: Their Officers, both Infantry and Cavalry,
generally appear in scarlet Mountings, and as rich as in most Regiments
belonging to the Crown, which shews the Richness and Grandeur of this Colony.
They are a Fronteer, and prove such troublesome Neighbours to the Spaniards,
that they have once laid their Town of St. Augustine in Ashes,
and drove away their Cattle; besides many Encounters and Engagements,
in which they have defeated them, too tedious to relate here.
What the French got by their Attempt against South Carolina,
will hardly ever be rank'd amongst their Victories; their Admiral Mouville
being glad to leave the Enterprize, and run away, after he had suffer'd
all the Loss and Disgrace he was capable of receiving. They are
absolute Masters over the Indians, and carry so strict a Hand
over such as are within the Circle of their Trade, that none does
the least Injury to any of the English, but he is presently sent for,
and punish'd with Death, or otherwise, according to the Nature of the Fault.
They have an entire Friendship with the neighbouring Indians
of several Nations, which are a very warlike People, ever faithful
to the English, and have prov'd themselves brave and true
on all Occasions; and are a great Help and Strength to this Colony.
The Chief of the savage Nations have heretofore groan'd
under the Spanish Yoke, and having experienc'd their Cruelty,
are become such mortal Enemies to that People, that they never give
a Spaniard Quarter; but generally, when they take any Prisoners,
(if the English be not near to prevent it) sculp them, that is,
to take their Hair and Skin of their Heads, which they often flea away,
whilst the Wretch is alive.
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