How long the Spaniards remained here is now uncertain, but they long claimed all this coast as far north as Cape Fear.  The French planted a colony in South Carolina, and gave the name Port Royal to the harbor and what is now called Broad River; but they were driven off by the Spaniards, and history is silent as to any incidents of their rule for a century.  In 1670 a few emigrants arrived in a ship commanded by Capt.  Hilton, and landed at what is now known as ‘Hilton’s Head,’ the south-western point of Port Royal harbor, which still perpetuates his name.  The colony was under the management of Col.  Sayle; but the Spaniards at St. Augustine still claimed the domains, and the settlers, fearing an attack, soon removed to the site of Old Charleston, on Ashley River.  In 1682, Lord Cardoss led a small band from Scotland hither, which settled on Port Royal Island, near the present site of Beaufort.  He claimed co-ordinate authority with the governor and council at Charleston.  During the discussion of this point the Spaniards sent an armed force and dislodged the English, most of whom returned to their native country.  A permanent settlement was finally made on Port Royal Island in 1700.  The town of Beaufort was laid out in 1717, and an Episcopal church erected in 1720.  The name was given from a town in Anjou, France, the birthplace of several of the Huguenot settlers.

For many years the Spaniards threatened the coast as far north as Charleston, but the settlement increased, and extended over St. Helena and other islands.  Slavery was here coeval with settlement, and the peculiar institution was so earnestly fostered, that in 1724 it was estimated that South Carolina contained 18,000 slaves to only 14,000 whites.  The slaves were mostly natives of Africa of recent importation, and were poorly adapted to clear up the forests and prepare the way for extensive plantations, but their cost was small, and every year they improved in capacity and value.  In the succeeding half century were laid the fortunes of the prominent families who have controlled the district, and often greater interests, to our day.  Grants of land could be had almost for the asking, especially by men of influence; and fertile islands were given, containing hundreds and sometimes thousands of acres, to a single family, who have here been monarchs of all they survey, including hundreds of slaves, till the Hegira or flight A.D. 1861.

When we take into account the salubrity of the climate and the fertility of the soil, we must allow that this district has many natural advantages which can not be excelled by any section of the same extent in this country.  A considerable part of the district is composed of islands, which are supposed to be of a comparatively recent formation, many of them beautiful to the eye, and rich in agricultural facilities; they are in number upwards of fifty, not less than thirty of them being of large size.  Upon the sea-coast