The Remainder Are Better Satisfy'd
With Their Imbecilities In Such An Undertaking, Nothing Affronting Them More,
Than To Rehearse Their Voyage To England.
There being a strong Current in Santee-River, caus'd us to make
small Way with our Oars.
With hard Rowing, we got that Night
to Mons. Eugee's House, which stands about fifteen Miles up the River,
being the first Christian dwelling we met withal in that Settlement,
and were very courteously receiv'd by him and his Wife.
Many of the French follow a Trade with the Indians,
living very conveniently for that Interest. There is about seventy Families
seated on this River, who live as decently and happily, as any Planters
in these Southward Parts of America. The French being
a temperate industrious People, some of them bringing very little of Effects,
yet by their Endeavours and mutual Assistance amongst themselves,
(which is highly to be commended) have out-stript our English,
who brought with 'em larger Fortunes, though (as it seems) less endeavour
to manage their Talent to the best Advantage. 'Tis admirable to see
what Time and Industry will (with God's Blessing) effect.
Carolina affording many strange Revolutions in the Age of a Man,
daily Instances presenting themselves to our View, of so many,
from despicable Beginnings, which in a short Time arrive
to very splended Conditions. Here Propriety hath a large Scope,
there being no strict Laws to bind our Privileges. A Quest after Game,
being as freely and peremptorily enjoy'd by the meanest Planter,
as he that is the highest in Dignity, or wealthiest in the Province.
Deer, and other Game that are naturally wild, being not immur'd,
or preserv'd within Boundaries, to satisfy the Appetite of the Rich alone.
A poor Labourer, that is Master of his Gun, &c. hath as good a Claim
to have continu'd Coarses of Delicacies crouded upon his Table,
as he that is Master of a greater Purse.
We lay all that Night at Mons. Eugee's, and the next Morning
set out farther, to go the Remainder of our Voyage by Land:
At ten a Clock we pass'd over a narrow, deep Swamp, having left
the three Indian Men and one Woman, that had pilotted the Canoe
from Ashly-River, having hir'd a Sewee-Indian, a tall, lusty Fellow,
who carry'd a Pack of our Cloaths, of great Weight;
notwithstanding his Burden, we had much a-do to keep pace with him.
At Noon we came up with several French Plantations, meeting with
several Creeks by the Way, the French were very officious
in assisting with their small Dories to pass over these Waters,
(whom we met coming from their Church) being all of them
very clean and decent in their Apparel; their Houses and Plantations
suitable in Neatness and Contrivance. They are all of the same Opinion
with the Church of Geneva, there being no Difference amongst them
concerning the Punctilio's of their Christian Faith; which Union
hath propagated a happy and delightful Concord in all other Matters
throughout the whole Neighbourhood; living amongst themselves as one Trible,
or Kindred, every one making it his Business to be assistant
to the Wants of his Country-man, preserving his Estate and Reputation
with the same Exactness and Concern as he does his own; all seeming
to share in the Misfortunes, and rejoyce at the Advance, and Rise,
of their Brethren.
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