Charleston sc history Letter to Lord Ashley 1671

It was during Sir John's term of office that the question
of removing the first town was mooted, and Mr. Dalton,
secretary to the " Grand Council," wrote the following
letter to Lord Ashley, who had proposed a new " Towne
of Trade" in January, 1671.
" We cannot reasonably believe that the world is now
asleep, or that the Spaniard has forgot his sullenness,
therefore as it has been the practice of the most skilful
settlers, soe it will become us, to erect townes of safety as
well as of Trade, to which purpose there is a place —
between Ashley and Wando rivers, about six hundred
acres left vacant for a towne and Fort, by the direction of
the old Governor Coll. Sayle, for that it commands both
the Rivers. It is not a mile over between River and
river, with a bold landing free from any marsh, soe as
many shipps as can may ride before the Towne at once,
and as many shipps as can come into the River under the
protection of the fort, if one should be there.
" It is as it were a Key to open and shut this settlement
into safety or danger ; Charles Towne [their first town]
indeed can very well defend itself, and that's all ; but
that like an iron gate shutts up all the Townes that are or
may be in these rivers ; besides it has a full view of the
sea, being but a league or a few miles from the mouth of
the river and noe shipp can come upon the Coast but
may be seen from thence and may receive the benefit of a
Pilott from that Towne."
" The settlements being thick about it, it cannot be
surprised [he probably means by Indians] it is likewise
the most convenient for building and launching of shipps
as large as can come into this harbour. It must of necessity
be very healthy, being free from any noxious vapors,
and all the summer long being refreshed with continual
cool breathings from the sea, which up in the country men
are not soe fully sensible of."
No better description of the site of Charleston and of
its harbour could be written to-day. Its inhabitants are
still "all the summer long refreshed with cool breathings
from the sea" ; and for its strength, the fleets of France
and Spain, of England, and of the United States, have all
tried to force the iron gate, —and failed.