Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/152

128 only indication of a loose code of morality among the settlers. They persisted in carrying on a border warfare with the Indians, and selling the captives in the West Indies, in spite of the remonstrances of the proprietaries, who found the breach between themselves and the colonists becoming every year wider.

The proprietaries of Carolina were naturally anxious to conciliate James II. in regard to their charter; but inasmuch as the colonists manifested quite as little willingness as the New Englanders to submit to the collection of revenue and the enforcing the acts of trade, the king ordered a Quo Warranto to issue against the proprietaries.

Amid the contending parties, the one in favor of the absolute control of the proprietaries, the other contending for a local and independent legislation, Governor Morton, unable to satisfy either, was shortly superseded by Colleton, under whose administration the dispute broke out into an open quarrel. In vain did he produce a copy of the "grand model," with its numerous titles and elaborate provisions, for the acceptance of the Assembly; they insisted that they had only accepted that modification of it originally proposed to them, and drew up another body of laws in substitution. In vain did he attempt to enforce the payment of the quit-rents due to the proprietaries, and issue, as a last expedient, a proclamation of martial law. In the midst of these disturbances, the noted Sothel, lately banished from Albemarle, appeared on the field. He put himself at the head of the opposition; a new Assembly was called; Colleton was deposed and banished; and Sothel was installed in his place. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the progress of the Carolinas was steady and effective, and both the Northern and Southern settlements were securely planted, with the reasonable prospect of a prosperous future.

