157. The Tyranny of King George Third (1776)
BY CHIEF JUSTICE WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON
Drayton was one of the most ardent patriots, and, as in this instance, often made his charges to the grand jury statements of the American grievances. His arraignment of the king marks a change from the first theory, that "wicked ministers" alone were responsible for bad measures. — Bibliography : Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VI, 119; Tyler, Literary History of the Revolution I, 491493.
South-Carolina
AT an adjournment of the court of general sessions of the peace, oyer and terminer, assize and general goal delivery, held at Charlestown, for the district of Charlestown, on Tuesday the 23d day of April, 1776. before the Hon. William Henry Drayton, Esq ; Chief Justice, and his associates justices of the colony of South Carolina. . . .
With joyful acclamations, our ancestors by act of assembly passed on the 18th day of August 1721, recognized the British monarch : the virtues of the second George are still revered among us — he, was the father of his people : and it was with extacy we saw his grandson George the Third mount the throne possessed of the hearts of his subjects.
But alas ! Almost with the commencement of his reign, his subjects felt causes to complain of government. The reign advanced the grievances became more numerous and intolerable — the complaints more general and loud — the whole empire resounded with the cries of injured subjects ! At length, grievances being unredressed and ever increasing ; all patience being borne down ; all hope destroyed ; all confidence in royal government blasted ! — Behold ! the empire is rent from pole to pole ! perhaps to continue asunder for ever !
The catalogue of our oppressions, continental and local, is enormous. Of such oppressions, I will mention only some of the most weighty.
Under colour of law, the [king] and parliament of Great Britain have made the most arbitrary attempts to enslave America.
By claiming a right to bind the colonies, in all cases whatsoever.
By laying duties at their mere will and pleasure, upon all the colonies.
By suspending the legislature of New-York.
By rendering the American charters of no validity, having annulled the most material parts of the charter of the Massachusetts Bay.
By divesting multitudes of the colonists of their property, without legal accusation or trial.
