They owed allegiance to England, and a small quit-rent went to the King.

They were supposed to govern, in the main, by English law and to uphold the religion of England.

They were to make laws at their discretion, with "the advice, assent, and approbation of the freemen, or of their deputies, who were to be assembled from time to time as seemed best." John Locke, who wrote the "Essay Concerning Human Understanding", wrote also, with Ashley at his side, "The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina, in number a Hundred and Twenty, agreed upon by the Palatine and Lords Proprietors, to remain the sacred and unalterable form and Rule of government of Carolina forever." "Forever" is a long word with ofttimes a short history.

The Lords Proprietors have left their names upon the maps of North and South Carolina.

There are Albemarle Sound and the Ashley and Cooper rivers, Clarendon, Hyde, Carteret, Craven, and Colleton Counties.