English colonial governor; born in
Buckinghamshire of
Quaker parents.
He had taken great interest in colonial schemes, and was one of the
Carolina proprietors.
In their scheme he had been a great helper.
His eldest sister, Mary, had married
Ferdinando Gorges, grandson of Sir Ferdinando, who was governor of
Maine, and in 1659 published
America painted from life.
Archdale had been in
Maine as
Gorges's agent in 1664, was in
North Carolina in 1686, and was commissioner for
Gorges in
Maine in 1687-88.
On his arrival in
South Carolina as governor, in 1694,
Archdale formed a commission of sensible and moderate men, to whom he said, at their first meeting, “I believe I may appeal to your serious and rational observations whether I have not already so allayed your heats as that the distinguishing titles thereof are so much withered away; and I hope this meeting with you will wholly extinguish them, so that a solid settlement of this hopeful colony may ensue; and by so doing, your posterity will bless God for so happy a conjunction.”
He told them why he had been sent, and said, “And now you have heard of the proprietors' intentions of sending me hither, I doubt not but the proprietors' intentions of choosing you were much of the same nature: I advise you, therefore, to proceed soberly and mildly in this weighty concern.
and I question not but we shall answer you in all things that are reasonable and honorable for us to do. And now, friends.
I have given you the reasons of my calling you so soon, which was the consideration of my own mortality [he was then nearly seventy years of age], and that such a considerable trust might not expire useless to you; and I hope the God of peace will prosper your counsels herein.”
Archdale was one of the proprietors of
North Carolina, and, arriving there in the summer of 1695, had a very successful though brief administration.
Elected to Parliament in 1698, he would only
affirm, instead of taking the required oath, and was not allowed to take his seat in consequence.
