What was the government of Colonial South Carolina like in 1719?

Answer 1

In 1719, the government of Colonial South Carolina was characterized by a proprietary system with a proprietor appointed by the King of England. The proprietor, in this case, was Lord Charles Montagu, later known as the Earl of Bath. However, it's important to note that Montagu didn't actively participate in governing the colony and assigned deputies to carry out his duties.

The government was divided into two main bodies: the colonial legislature and the governor's council. The legislature was referred to as the Commons House of Assembly and was comprised of elected officials known as representatives. The governor's council, on the other hand, consisted of appointed officials selected by the proprietor and acted as an advisory council to the governor.

The proprietor held substantial power, including the ability to veto legislation passed by the Assembly. However, the Assembly had some degrees of autonomy and control over local affairs, including the ability to raise taxes and allocate funds. Overall, the government of Colonial South Carolina in 1719 was a combination of elected representatives and appointed officials, with the proprietor having significant influence.