272 lawson's history 



all, it is tlie mildest and best established govern- 

 ment in the world, and the place where any man 

 may peaceably enjoy his own without being 

 invaded by another ; rank and superiority ever 

 giving place to justice and equity, which is the 

 golden rule that every government ought to be 

 built upon, and regulated by. 



Besides it is worthy our notice, that this pro- 

 vince has been settled, and continued the most 

 free from tlie insujts and barbarities of the Indians 

 of any colony that was ever jot seated in America, 

 wliich must be esteemed as a particular providence 

 of God, handed down from heaven to these people, 

 especially when we consider how irregularly they 

 settled ITorth Carolina, and yet how undisturbed 

 they have ever remained, free from any foreign 

 danger or loss, even to this ^-ery day. And wliat 

 may well be looked upon for as great a miracle, 

 this is,. a place where no malefactors are found 

 dc:orving death, or even a prison for debtors, 

 t'l L'j being no more than two persons, as far as I 

 liave. been able to learn, ever suffered as criminals, 

 ti'though it has been a settlement near sixty years; 

 one of whom was a Turk that committed murder, 

 i'i0otheFa.n old woman, for witchcraft. These, 

 lis true, were on the stage and acted many years 

 "i)elbre I knev/ the place, but as for the last, I wish 

 it had been, undone to this day, although they give 

 a great many arguments to justify the deed wliich 

 I had rather they should ha\-e liad a liand in than 

 myself; seeing I could never approve of taking 



