The present state of Carolina with advice to the setlers by R.F.

Advice to Carolina.

Gentlemen;

THE fundamental Being, and Well-being of all good and wholsom Government, depends meerly upon the Providence of God; to which when subjoyned the Piety of the Magistrate, it admits of a double Duty; to God first, then to the Magistrate, under whose Government we pro∣pound, and expect peaceably to live, and enjoy the Bles∣sing of Liberty; which Liberty consists in the propriety of what God in his Wisdom intails upon Posterity, and intitles the inherent Birthright of every man born into the World; which hereafter I shall endeavour to explain, and the ra∣ther because none amongst you shall pretend to that impli∣cit Plea of Ignorance.

Give me leave therefore to advice you to consider the Footsteps of Age, that invades our prestine flourishing Youth, whereby we cannot with vigour (and agillity of Body) perform that in act, and power; which in Youth we accom∣plish't almost as soon as projected. But those Defects are supplied by sober, and moderate advice of Councel; and

the Scriptures tell us, that in the multitude of Counsel there is safety; yet not that I think my self worthy to advice you, though peradventure the Characters of Age have superscribed a le∣gible date; and time if I mistake not has superanuated this mortal Fabrick, whereby what I intended to have told you by word of Mouth, constrains me now to commit that to paper; lest retention of the one part, deprive you the op∣portunity of the other.

Inasmuch therefore as every single Subject is, or ought to be a Ruler, or Governour over his own Domesticks; more properly such is he that stands in a publick Capacity; and such is the Majestrate, who by the Law of Religion, and Justice is bound in principles of Honour, and Conscience to sacrifice his Estate, and if need require his Life too, for the good of his Country: for that end, we ought to con∣sider those proper and adequate mediums that intitle us to these supereminent Privilidges, which as English men we claim: and then to ruminate and contemplate such pious Means, and Endeavours by the Law of Vertue, and Chri∣stianity, as are most requisit, whereby to accomplish them. On the other hand, omitting to challenge them, they by little and little will dwindle away, so in process of time seem less; and at last become totally obliterated, that the future Generations will not know them to be.

No man therefore in my Opinion is born only to gratifie himself, but is made in one capacity or other instrumental to serve the Country wherein he inhabits. The Piety whereof if seriously to consider, as a gnomen directs the Pa∣tient to its proper Agent. And since Ends, and Beginnings have a like fate, and period. The appropriated ends there∣fore

and the beginings of our Blessings spring properly and spontaneously from pious indications; which assigns it a Duty to our divine Creator. Then to express our Loy∣alty without Hypocrisie to our Soveraign Lord the KING, as also our Fidelity to the Lords Proprietors; when because to in∣tail upon us (and Posterity) the flourishing Fruits of an Inhe∣ritance in Carolina; which we may as naturally and proper∣ly expect, as the ends of the Creation predestinates Life the glorious Prospect, and surveigh of the Creature.

And Gentlemen, since so great and sacred are the Ends of Government, & the Priviledges of Parliaments as sacred, where∣in every Member, and Delegate thereof is permitted to speak, and freely to speak without hesitancy what he in himself shall hononrably think in reference to the good, and well fare of his Country whereof he himself is a Member. I exhort you therefore as English men to challenge to your selves this Native Privilidge, and the rather because when to consi∣der your loyal Qualifications to such inherent Rites, which all English men in Carolina naturally have, and are freely born there to; or if otherwise, they arive from foreign Ports, and not those of Great Brittain, yet they equally stand in the pro∣spect of this Blessing, though modestly to think themselves in the remotest capacity.

And this royal Privilidge naturally springs from a Prero∣gative Grant of our gracious Prince, as in the Patent; and not only to the English-born in England, but such others also as fall in with the Concessions of Carolina. For you are to con∣sider that in his Majesty's Charter or Royal Grant to the Lords Proprietors, the King there makes no distinction betwixt those his native Subjects born in England; and those others implanted and born in America. And as there can be no inter

Regnum in Kingship, so the Lords Proprietors have provided in the Fundamentals, and upon serious consideration the Coun∣cil and Parliament have resolved, That no man be disinherited his Birthright, except his Offence exceed the limit of a Pardon. And because this Privilidge shines from the Prince himself, the more it confirms and ••••rengthens the Obligation; except to disloyal, and superlative ingrates and others, whose perfidy detects their fidelity, and would nourish themselves with In∣famy; were not such deprived the natural encouridgment of the Country.

Now peradventure some such Antichristian Runagado's of Religion and Loyalty, tacitly recide conceal'd amongst you; meaning Pretenders to Sanctity who shelter, and hide themselves under the Government, till opportunity presents to display their more infamous Lives. Such Loyalty hangs meerly on the Slit of a Pen, and the best of their Religion stands on the Tip of their Tongues. These men therefore when discovered, its not amiss I think that all such Hereticks of the Weal Publick be expun∣ged all vertuous Society. So that if when discountenanced by the Majestrate, and the well-meaning Planter; their Hy∣pocrisie will make but a slender progress, and get as small growth in the Colonys of Carolina, as the boasting Roman thought to gain Honour from the Senators of Rome, when to magnifie his own illustrous Extraction; and decry Cicero's, because to spring from the shrubs of a Cottage. Now its true, every thing must have a begining; and Carolina though but now in the blossom, yet she may live to bring forth more Cicero's, than boasting Thraso's; and in time grow up to such compleat maturity, that her Prosperity will be emulated by those on the Continent.

Where note Gentlemen, you are to consider, that as the King's Royal Grant gave Birth to Carolina; so it gives Power to the Lords Proprietors to make what sutable provision they themselves think fit whereby to conduct, & improve the Pro∣vince. Which rightly to interpret; the Lords Proprietors have already given demonstration of the•••• good endeavours in setling the Colonys there; which appropriates a double obli∣gation, if the people wise enough to improve it; and I hope they will, otherwise they forfeit their Gratitude to their Prince; and their Reputation if any to the generous intenti∣on of the Lords Proprietors.

And Gentlemen, as the Lords Proprietors have unanimously corresponded to settle this Province of Carolina; so by the Constitutions they do promise the Planters to establish such good, and wholsom Laws amongst them; whereby the Go∣vernment, as the People, may be blest. Which if answered by the Careful Industry of the Planter; the issue may alike prove profitable: and the rather if they propose to proceed upon Wines, Oyles, Smyrna Cotten, Rice, and Indego; as al∣ready begun upon. And as Silk, Almonds, Dates, Currans, Ra∣sins, Sena, Jessemy, and Rubarb are intended. But the Pro∣vince naturally produces the China Root, Sassafras, Sassape∣rilla, Snakeweed, and that famous Vegetable called Calubria (in whose seedy Pod the Coochenial Fly germinates) is already transported, and thrives beyond Report. Besides which, there are many and various other profitable Plants, Druggs, and Roots designed the ensuing progress of some of the principal Projectors; which in due time may fall in with the reason of the people in general, to make them more Rich, and Happy; than otherwise their present Prospect directs

to: which to inspect, its necessary they consult the natural propensity of the Soil, whereby to enable the Planter, if solicitous after the Profits.

But Gentlemen, whereas one material circumstance was omitted in the Present State of Carolina; I thought requisit and necessary to insert it in the Advice; and that is, whereas the pre∣sent Lords Proprietors of Corolina out of a singular tenderness to en∣courage the people coming on, as also the Planter already setled there, have ratified, and confirmed fifty Acres of Land to be estated for ever upon every individual Setler, or Setlers; he or they paying only one penny an Acre as a Quit Rent to the Lords Proprietors after two years time, So out of a serious and judicial consideration, and respect to the Setler, and others intending to settle there; the said Lords Proprietors have agreed among themselves, that whosoever sets dowm as a setler in Carolina may contract with them here to become purchasers, at the rate of five Pounds Sterling for one hundred Acres; and so to take up as much as they please, and stand acquitted forever of any Quit Rent, by the bare acknowledgment only of a Pepper Corn (or one Grane of Indian Corn) once a year, if when thereto required.

So that Gentlemen, if you stand obleiged in more than a single capacity, in a double acknowledgement you ought to answer it; and the Expedient will hardly prove grevious; for if when to consider that the Lords Proprietors acquire on∣ly the reading the Fundamental Constitutions at the general Cession, or opening of every Parliament; the reason you are to consi∣der is, That the Laws being read, and made publick; the Interpre∣tation thereof will appear the more easie. And often to imprint them in the minds of the people, their frequent and constant use will insinuate into the Ignorant. Otherwise, how can he be said to sin, that never transgrest: nor can that People

be manifest Transgressors, where there's no known Law to offend.

The Fundamental Constitutions therefore being to be read at the opening of every Parliament, its my Advice Gentlemen that you observe this Decorum, That his Majesty's Royal Grant be also praecedently read before the Constitutions; and the rather, be∣cause to furnish every Majestrate, and other inferiour Officer with Arguments to enervate the Prejudicate (if any) and such Emulators of Ve••oue as study to arrest, and would if possible subvert the Fundamentals themselves. Moreover, it will strengthen the Nerve of Unity, and Friendship of such as labour to promote the Prosperity of Carolina; and sup∣press the Endeavours of malicious Agents, that would stifle if possible the Welfair of the Settlement. So that as the te∣nour of this Formality nothing in it self degenerates from Loyalty; the Clemency, and Benignity of your Prince were a Sin to suspect: consequently an Evil unpardonable to dought the Honourable Intention of the Lords Proprietors.

The residue Gentlemen are only some indigested Particulars that point to the Growth, Conveniency, and Manufacture of the Country; the Regularity of Living, and Reforma∣tion of Life: the Medium for Manners, and the good and happy issues of Prosperity to the Settlement, and its long Duration. The Incorporating of Towns, and enabling them with such soveraign and whosome Laws, and Privi∣lidges as may neither hurt the Planter, nor terrifie the Coun∣try man; nor raise ambitious hopes in Artizan or Cirizen to swell Corporations with unbounded Charters, that may bring an inconeniency upon the bordering Colonies.

The introducing of Studds (from a good strain of Horses)

are of absolute Necessity; where note, every man of Abi∣bility ought to endeavour it. And such also as cultivate, and labour the Ground for encrease of English Grain, deserve a signal Encouragment. The building of Ships, and other Vessels for Transportation: and erecting Bridges for Horses, Carts, and Carridges; are also worthy your serious consi∣deration. So to lay out large, and regular High Wayes, and to raise formidable, and durable Fortifications; with many other requisit Circumstances, and Conveniences me∣rit a respect. But these will fall in course; and are more properly transmitted to the mature Gravity, and deliberate Consideration both of Council, and Parliament; so draw on to a Conclusion.

But I hope Gentlemen, you'l excuse my Brevity (and my Errors too, when you meet them) its true, I present you but with a short prospect of so glorious a Country, that beyond dispute is inferiour to none on the Continent. And truly such were my Cautions, as cautiously kept me close to the truth of discovery; which has been handed to me by several good, and worthy Gentlemen; but principally from a Person of Honour, and Quality (a Setler amongst them) whose generous nature, and freedom to discourse the Coun∣try (and furnish me with all or most of his Discoveries) de∣serves a Recompence beyond my Acknowledgements: which with Gratitude I would readily publish to the World, but his Commands obleidge me tacitly to conceal him.

Now Gentlemen, I shall leave you but one Caution more, (the rest I'le huddle in silence) and that is, to be cautious of your selves, whereby to think no dishonourable Thought; for I reckon it a Maxim in Philosophy, and I'me sure its

within the Rules of Christianity: That every man study the Prin∣ciples of Honesty. For to be dishonest within our selves, is to doubt the Faith of others; so at last our Scruples redounding too oft upon us, honesty it self will be brought into suspicion; and the Prudence and Justice of men in Government, but Toys, and Trifles of the times to play with. This contagi∣on let every man labour to suppress, because its a Child of Ingratitude; and Ingratitude's a Sin of that nature, that Heaven can hardly pardon. Wherefore Carolina beware of Ingratitude, and think no thought dishonourable; nor doubt the Faith of those that streneously labour to do you good. Reverence your Creator with a holy Fear; and with a na∣tural Love be charitable to your Country: with an awful respect give your Services to the Proprietors; and with a Loyal Duty your Obedience to your Soveraign, whom 〈…〉〈…〉 preserve to enlarge his Empire, and strengthen the hands of the present Undertakers.

FINIS.