At the date of this charter, (1663,) Sir William Berkeley, Governor of Virginia, visited the infant settlement on the Chowan, and being pleased with its evident signs of prosperity, and increasing importance, appointed William Drummond the first Governor of the Colony of Carolina.  Drummond was a Scotch Presbyterian, and, inheriting the national characteristics of that people, was prudent, cautious, and deeply impressed with the love of liberty.  Such were the pioneer settlements, and such was the first Governor of North Carolina.  The beautiful lake in the centre of the Dismal Swamp, noted for its healthy water, and abundantly laid in by sea-going vessels, perpetuates his name.

In 1665, it being discovered that the “County of Albemarle,” as the settlement on the Chowan was called, was not in the limits of the Carolina charter, but in Virginia, King Charles, on petition, granted an enlargement of that instrument so as to make it extend from twenty-nine degrees to thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes, north latitude.  These charters were liberal in the concession of civil rights, and the proprietors were permitted to exercise toleration towards non-conformists, if it should be deemed expedient.  Great encouragement was held forth to immigrants from abroad, and settlements steadily increased.  They were allowed to form a representative government, with certain limitations; and thus a degree of popular freedom was conceded, which it seems, was not intended to be permanent, but it could never be recalled; and had an important influence in producing the results which we now enjoy.  As the people were chiefly refugees from religious oppression, they had no claims on government, nor did they wish to draw its attention.  They regarded the Indians as the true lords of the soil; treated with them in that capacity; purchased their lands, and obtained their grants.  At the death of Governor Drummond in 1667, the colony of Carolina contained about four thousand inhabitants.

The first assembly that made laws for Carolina convened in the Fall of 1669.  “Here,” says Bancroft, “was a colony of men scattered among forests, hermits with wives and children resting on the bosom of nature, in perfect harmony with the wilderness of their gentle clime.  The planters of Albemarle were men led to the choice of their residence from a hatred of restraint.  Are there any who doubt man’s capacity for self-government?  Let them study the history of North Carolina.  Its inhabitants were restless and turbulent in their imperfect submission to a government imposed from abroad; the administration of the colony was firm, humane, and tranquil when they were left to take care of themselves.  Any government but one of their own institution was oppressive.  North Carolina was settled by the freest of the free.  The settlers were gentle in their tempers, of serene minds, enemies to violence and bloodshed.  Not all the successive revolutions had kindled vindictive passions; freedom, entire freedom