The Response of English Colonists in South Carolina
The establishment of Fort Mose shocked colonists in South Carolina and worsened the already strained relations among Florida and South Carolina. They knew that they would lose slaves, and it infuriated them.
Responses
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The Royal ProclamationIn 1693, King Charles II of Spain issued his royal proclamation. As a result of their fury, South Carolina Governor, James Moore, orchestrated attacks on St. Augustine in 1702 and 1704, which destroyed St. Augustine and Spanish missions.
The Royal Edict of 1733"In 1733, Spanish king Philip V issued two new edicts. According to the first of these edicts, there would be no future reimbursement made to the English for the loss of their slaves. It also restated the offer of freedom. The second edict commended Menendez's men for their bravery, but it indicated that they would be required to complete four years of royal service before they would be freed" (Turner, 17). Immediately, slaveholders opposed the policy. "Carolina planters complained that the 1733 edict had been proclaimed publicly (as, in fact, it was) (Landers, 33), 'by Beat of Drum round the Town of St. Augustine (where many Negroes belonging to English vessels that carried thither Supplies of provisions had the Opportunity of hearing it)'" (Easterby). They took extra precautions to ensure that their slaves couldn't escape, although some did. Planters also referred to peculiar visits by the Spanish to communicate the edict to slaves.
The Stono RebellionAfter the Stono Rebellion, slaveholders created laws prohibiting slaves from cultivating food for themselves, assembling, receiving wages, and becoming literate. In addition, slaveholders couldn't manumit.
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Letters and Reports
_Letter from Englishman William Dunlop to the Governor of Florida, 1688…
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_Those people who
came from this province [St. Augustine] and hostilly invaded the
province of Carolina In the months of Agust and December In An: 1686 did
kill and destroy two men; and did cary away prisoners 5 more persons of
his Majesty’s Subjects: 11 Negroe slaves: burn and destroy th. Town of
Stuartstown in Port Royall; Kill the cattell and Hogs of his Majesty’s
subjects there: cary away and destroy their gold plate and other goods
to the value of sixteen thousand peeces of Eight beside the damage done
others of his Majesty’s Subjects by being alarmed and disturbed to a far
greater Value.
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_South Carolina Report of the Committee of Conference on the Case of the Negroes’ Desertion to St. Augustine, April 2, 1739…
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_That an
Encouragement be given to white Men and free Indian for taking up and
bringing in all Negro Slaves that are already deserted or shall
hereafter desert from this province according to the rates and
proportions, following, to wit,
For Negro men taken up beyond the Savannah River and brought home alive the sum of 40 Lb a piece, For women taken and brought as above 25 Lb each, For children under the ages of 12 years 10 Lb each, which sums shall be paid by their respective owners And that an encouragement be given for bringing in the scalps of such men and women Negro slaves that are already deserted or shall hereafter desert who shall be found beyond the Savannah River and cannot be taken and brought home alive, to wit, for each scalp with the tow ears 20 Lb, to be paid out of the Publick Treasury. Such Negroes as shall be executed for the desertion of their owners shall be reimbursed by the Publick. |
South Carolina House of Assembly Records, July 23, 1740…
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_It is with great
Reason, we apprehend, that that Part of our Calamities, proceeding from
the frequent Attempts of our Slaves, arises from the Designs and
Intrigues of our Enemies the Spaniards in St. Augustine and Florida, who
have had the Ruin and Destruction of these your Majesty’s Colonies of
South Carolina and Georgia long in View. Witness… a Proclamation
published at St. Augustine, in his Catholic Majesty’s Name, promising
Freedom and other Encouragement to all slaves that should desert from
your Majesty’s Subjects of this Province and join them. In Consequence
of which Proclamation, many have already deserted, and others encouraged
daily to do the same; and even those who have committed the most
inhuman Murders, are there harboured, entertained and caressed.
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