Some merchants of Barbados, in 1663, sent William Hilton and other
commissioners to Florida, then including Port Royal, to explore the
country with reference to an emigration thither. Hilton's Narration,
published in London the year after, mentions St. Ellens as one of the
points visited, meaning St. Helena, but probably including the Sea
Islands under that name. The natives were found to speak many Spanish
words, and to be familiar enough with the report of guns not to be
alarmed by it. The commissioners, whose explorations were evidently
prompted by motives of gain, close a somewhat glowing description of the
country by saying, "And we could wish that all they that want a happy
settlement of our English nation were well transported thither."
Hitherto England had borne no part in exploring this region. But,
relieved of her civil wars by the Restoration, she began to seek
colonial empire on the southern coast of North America. In 1663, Charles
II. granted a charter to Clarendon, Monk, Shaftsbury,--each famous in
the conflicts of those times,--and to their associates, as proprietors
of Carolina.
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