The South Carolina Constitutional Convention of 1776, renounces its royal charter, by promulgating its first constitution; the Preamble and Article I of which states,

       Whereas the British Parliament, claiming of late years a right to bind the North American colonies by law in all cases whatsoever … And … not being represented in Parliament … the said colonies … remonstrated against the passing, and petitioned for the repeal, of those acts … have been since enacted by which the powers of admiralty courts in the colonies are extended beyond their ancient limits, and jurisdiction is given to such courts in cases similar to those which in Great Britain are triable by jury; persons are liable to be sent to and tried in Great Britain for an offence created and made capital by one of those statutes, though committed in the colonies. … And whereas, instead of obtaining that justice, to which the colonists were and are of right entitled, the governors … violated every obligation of honor, Justice, and humanity, have caused the persons of divers good people to be seized and imprisoned, and their properties to be forcibly taken and detained’ or destroyed, without any crime or forfeiture. … The congress being vested with powers competent for the purpose, and having fully deliberated touching the premises, do therefore resolve:

       That this congress being a full and free representation of the people of this colony, shall henceforth be deemed and called the general assembly of South Carolina, and as such shall continue until the twenty-first day of October next, and no longer.

       [restored 11/9/2024]