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their rigorous fate with that resignation and cheerfulness which is
characteristic of their nation。 Many must have been the hardships
endured by them in settling upon a soil covered with woods； abounding in
serpents and beasts of prey； naturally sterile； and infested by a climate the
most insalubrious。 For a picture of their sufferings read the language of
one of them； Judith Manigault； bred a lady in ease and affluence： 〃Since
leaving France we have experienced every kind of affliction； disease；
pestilence； famine； poverty； hard labour； I have been for six months
together without tasting bread； working the ground like a slave。〃 They
cultivated the barren high lands； and at first naturally attempted to raise
wheat； barley and other European grains upon them； until better taught by
the Indians。 Tradition informs us； that men and their wives worked
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Life of Marion。
together in felling trees； building houses； making fences； and grubbing up
their grounds； until their settlements were formed； and afterwards
continued their labours at the whip…saw；* and in burning tar for market。
Such was their industry； that in fourteen years after their first settlement；
and according to the first certain account of them； they were in prosperous
circumstances。 In the year 1701； John Lawson； then Surveyor General of
the province； visited these enterprising people； and as there are but two
copies of his 〃Journal of a thousand miles travelled through several
nations of Indians〃； known at present to be in existence； no apology
appears to be necessary for presenting extracts of the most interesting
parts of it to the reader：
* Gen。 Horry states； that his grandfather and grandmother
commenced the handsome fortune they left； by working together at the
whip…saw。
〃On December 28th； 1700； I began my voyage for North Carolina；
from Charleston； in a large canoe。 At four in the afternoon； at half flood；
we passed over the breach through the marsh； leaving Sullivan's Island on
our starboard； the first place we designed for was Santee river； on which
there is a colony of French protestants； allowed and encouraged by the
lords proprietors。〃 After passing through Sewee bay and up Santee； the
mouth of which was fresh； he visited the Sewees； 〃formerly；〃 he says； 〃a
large nation； though now very much decreased； since the English have
seated their lands； and all other nations of Indians are observed to partake
of the same fate。 With hard rowing we got that night （11th January； 1701；）
to Mons。 Eugee's*1* house； which stands about fifteen miles up the river；
being the first christian dwelling we met withal in that settlement； and
were very courteously received by him and his wife。 Many of the French
follow a trade with the Indians； living very conveniently for that interest。
Here are 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 effects； yet by their endeavours and mutual assistance among
themselves （which is highly commendable） have outstript our English；
who brought with them larger fortunes。 We lay all that night at Mons。
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Eugee's；*1* and the next morning set out further to go the remainder of
our voyage by land。 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。 Towards the
afternoon we came to Mons。 L'Jandro's；*2* where we got our dinner。 We
got that night to Mons。 Galliar's；*3* who lives in a very curious contrived
house； built of brick and stone； which is gotten near that place。 Near here；
comes in the road from Charleston and the rest of the English settlement； it
being a very good way by land and not above thirty…six miles。〃*4* After
this； our author gives a long description of his difficulty and danger in
crossing the Santee in a small canoe； in time of a freshet。 He then goes on
as follows： 〃We intended for Mons。 Galliar's jun。 but were lost
*************。 When we got to the house we found several of the
French inhabitants； who treated us very courteously； wondering about our
undertaking such a voyage through a country inhabited by none but
savages； and them of so different nations and tongues。 After we had
refreshed ourselves； we parted from a very kind； loving； affable people；
who wished us a safe and prosperous voyage。〃 Our traveller had now
arrived at the extreme boundary of the white population of South Carolina；
and consequently of the United States； and this was but forty miles from
Charleston。 In the course of one hundred and twenty years what a change；
and what a subject for reflection！ But； to return to the French refugees。
The same persevering industry and courteous manners which
distinguished the ancestors； were handed down to their children； and are
still conspicuous among their descendants of the third and fourth
generations。 Most of them may be classed among our useful and
honourable citizens； and many have highly distinguished themselves in the
state； both in civil and military affairs： but in the latter character； the
subject of these memoirs； General FRANCIS MARION； stands forth the
most prominent and illustrious example。*5*
*1* Huger； who lived in the fork between South Santee and
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Life of Marion。
Wambaw Creek。