Unit Title:
Constitution of 1776
Accumulation:
1776
Created:
1776
Creator:
Provincial Congress
Physical Description:
Language:
English
Biography or History:
In 1719, a revolt by colonists in South Carolina resulted in the transfer of colonial ownership from the Lords Proprietors to the Crown. As the decades progressed, the Commons House of Assembly increasingly took actions in contradiction to both royal governors and the Fundamental Constitutions. By 1776, with rebellion against British control imminent, the Commons House of Assembly was reorganized as the Provincial Congress. On March 26, 1776, South Carolina declared its independence and adopted a new constitution.
Custodial History:
unspecified
Acquisition Information:
Provincal Congress
Scope and Content:
The 1776 constitution brought many reforms to the structure of state government. The Provincial Congress was separated into a lower house elected by popular vote, and these members elected from among themselves a group of thirteen to act as an upper house. The new constitution also created positions for a president, vice-president, and chief justice. The president could veto legislation passed by the Provincial Congress, but could only serve one term. It also attempted to address the growing disproportionate representation between the upstate and the low country, but this problem persisted. This constitution was succeeded by a new one in 1778. This series includes the original engrossed manuscript, a photostat of that manuscript, and a photocopy of a contemporary printed copy in the South Caroliniana Library at the University of South Carolina.
Appraisal Information:
unspecified
Accruals:
no
Arrangement:
Unspecified
Conditions Governing Access:
none
Conditions Governing Use:
none
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements:
none
Other Finding Aid:
none
Location of Originals:
SCDAH
Alternative Form Available:
Also available as J. H. Easterby, editor, Basic Documents of South Carolina History: The Constitution of 1776, published by the Historical Commission of South Carolina in 1949.
Related Material:
A draft of this constitution is included in the John Rutledge Papers at the South Caroliniana Library at the University of South Carolina.
Bibliography:
none
Other Descriptive Data:
Processing Information:
None
