Page:Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States (1st ed, 1833, vol I).djvu/157

 CH. XIV.]

§ 128. next come to the consideration of the history of the political organization of the Carolinas. That level region, which stretches from the 36th degree of north latitude to Cape Florida, afforded an ample theatre for the early struggles of the three great European powers, Spain, France, and England, to maintain or acquire an exclusive sovereignty. Various settlements were made under the auspices of each of the rival powers, and a common fate seemed for a while to attend them all. In March, 1662 [April, 1663,] Charles the Second made a grant to Lord Clarendon and others of the territory lying on the Atlantic ocean, and extending from the north end of the island, called Hope island, in the South Virginian seas, and within 36 degrees of north latitude; and to the west as far as the South seas; and so respectively as far as the river Mathias upon the coast of Florida, and within 31 degrees of north latitude; and so west in a direct line to the South seas; and erected it into a province, by the name of Carolina, to be holden as of the manor of East-Greenwich in Kent, in free and common soccage, and not in capite, or by knight service, subject immediately to the crown, as a dependency, for ever.

§ 129. The grantees were created absolute Lords Proprietaries, saving the faith, allegiance, and supreme