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diff --git a/10677-0.txt b/10677-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..24960bf --- /dev/null +++ b/10677-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10670 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10677 *** + +BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORIALS OF JAMES OGLETHORPE, + +FOUNDER OF THE COLONY OF GEORGIA, IN NORTH AMERICA. + +by THADDEUS MASON HARRIS, D.D. + +MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES; OF THE +ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY AT ATHENS, GREECE; OF THE MASSACHUSETTS +HISTORICAL SOCIETY; THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY; THE AMERICAN +ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY; AND CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE GEORGIA +HISTORICAL SOCIETY. + +MDCCCXLI. + + + + + + +TO THE PRESIDENT, THE VICE PRESIDENTS, THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS + +OF THE + +GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, + +THIS WORK IS + +RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. + + + + + +TO I.K. TEFFT, ESQ., WILLIAM B. STEVENS, M.D., AND A.A. SMETS, ESQ., +_OF SAVANNAH_; + +WITH A LIVELY SENSE OF THE INTEREST WHICH THEY HAVE TAKEN IN THE +PUBLICATION OF THIS WORK, THIS PAGE IS INSCRIBED BY THEIR OBLIGED AND +GRATEFUL FRIEND, + +THADDEUS MASON HARRIS. + + + + + + + "Thy great example will in glory shine, + A favorite theme with Poet and Divine; + Posterity thy merits shall proclaim, + And add new honor to thy deathless fame." + +_On his return from Georgia_, 1735. + + +[Illustration: GEN. JAMES OGLETHORPE. _This sketch was taken in +February preceding his decease when he was reading without spectacles +at the sale of the library of Dr. S. Johnson. + + + + + +PREFACE + + +Having visited the South for the benefit of my health, I arrived at +Savannah, in Georgia, on the 10th of February, 1834; and, indulging +the common inquisitiveness of a stranger about the place, was informed +that just one hundred and one years had elapsed since the first +settlers were landed there, and the city laid out. Replies to other +inquiries, and especially a perusal of McCall's History of the State, +excited a lively interest in the character of General OGLETHORPE, who +was the founder of the Colony, and in the measures which he pursued +for its advancement, defence, and prosperity. I was, however, +surprised to learn that no biography had been published of the man who +projected an undertaking of such magnitude and importance; engaged in +it on principles the most benevolent and disinterested; persevered +till its accomplishment, under circumstances exceedingly arduous, and +often discouraging; and lived to see "a few become a thousand," and a +weak one "the flourishing part of a strong nation." + +So extraordinary did Dr. Johnson consider the adventures, enterprise, +and exploits of this remarkable man, that "he urged him to give the +world his life." He said, "I know of no man whose life would be more +interesting. If I were furnished with materials, I would be very glad +to write it." This was a flattering offer. The very suggestion implied +that the great and worthy deeds, which Oglethorpe had performed, ought +to be recorded for the instruction, the grateful acknowledgment, and +just commendation of contemporaries; and their memorial transmitted +with honor to posterity. "The General seemed unwilling to enter upon +it then;" but, upon a subsequent occasion, communicated to Boswell +a number of particulars, which were committed to writing; but that +gentleman "not having been sufficiently diligent in obtaining more +from him," death closed the opportunity of procuring all the requisite +information. + +There was a memoir drawn up soon after his decease, which has been +attributed to Capel Lofft, Esq., and published in the European +Magazine. This was afterwards adopted by Major McCall; and, in an +abridged form, appended to the first volume of his History of Georgia. +It is preserved, also, as a note, in the second volume of Nichols's +Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century, with some references and +additional information. But it is too brief and meagre to do justice +to the memory of one of whom it has been said, "His life was full of +variety, adventure, and achievement. His ruling passions were, the +love of glory, of his country, and of mankind; and these were so +blended together in his mind that they formed but one principle of +action. He was a hero, a statesman, an orator; the patron of letters, +the chosen friend of men of genius, and the theme of praise for great +poets."[1] The writer of this elegant encomium, adds this remark: "AN +AUTHENTIC AND TOLERABLY MINUTE LIFE OF OGLETHORPE IS A DESIDERATUM." +Such a desideratum I have endeavored to supply. This, however, has +been a very difficult undertaking; the materials for composing it, +excepting what relates to the settlement of Georgia, were to be sought +after in the periodicals of the day, or discovered by references to +him in the writings or memoirs of his contemporaries. I have searched +all the sources of information to which I could have access, with the +aim to collect what had been scattered; to point out what had been +overlooked; and, from the oblivion into which they had fallen, to +rescue the notices of some striking incidents and occurrences in the +life of Oglethorpe, in order to give consistency and completeness to +a narrative of the little that had been preserved and was generally +known. + +[Footnote 1: Gulian Veerplanck, Esq. _Anniversary Discourse before the +New York Historical Society_, December 7, 1818, page 33.] + +To use the words of one who had experience in a similar undertaking: +"The biographer of our day is too often perplexed in the toil of his +researches after adequate information for composing the history of men +who were an honor to their age, and of whom posterity is anxious to +know whatever may be added to increase the need of that veneration, +which, from deficient knowledge, they can but imperfectly bestow." + +My collected notices I have arranged so as to form a continuous +narrative, though with some wide interruptions. The statements of the +most important transactions have generally been made in the terms of +original documents, or the publications of the day; as I deemed it +more just and proper so to do, than to give them my own coloring. +And I must apprize the reader, that instead of aiming to express +the recital in the fluency of rhetorical diction, or of aspiring to +decorate my style of composition with studied embellishments, MY +PURPOSE HAS SIMPLY AND UNIFORMLY BEEN TO RELATE FACTS IN THE MOST +PLAIN AND ARTLESS MANNER; and I trust that my description of _scenes_ +and _occurrences_ will be admitted to be natural and free from +affectation; and my inferences, to be pertinent, impartial, and +illustrative. I hope, too, that it will not be thought that the detail +of _circumstances_ is needlessly particular, and the relation of +_incidents_ too minute. For, these, though seemingly inconsiderable, +are not unimportant; and, though among the minor operations of active +life, serve to indicate the state of existing opinions and prevailing +motives, and to exhibit the real aspect of the times. They also have, +more or less, relation to forth-coming events. They are foot-prints in +the onward march to "enterprises of great pith and moment;" and hence +should be carefully traced and inspected. Though my authorities are +duly noted, I have not been so particular as to distinguish every +passage which I had transcribed by marks of quotation; and, therefore, +being willing that this work should be considered as mainly a +compilation, with unassuming pretensions, entitle it BIOGRAPHICAL +MEMORIALS. + +After the lapse of more than a century since Oglethorpe entered on the +stage of action, it cannot be expected that the varied incidents of so +busy, eventful, and long protracted a life as was his, can be brought +out and fully described; or that the prominent personal qualities of +so singular a character can be delineated, for the first time, with +vivid exactness and just expression. Not having presumed to do this, I +have attempted nothing more than a general outline or profile. + +Such as I have been able to make the work, I present it to the public. +Whatever may be the reception which it may meet, I shall never think +the moments misspent, which were devoted to the purpose of reviving +the memory of Oglethorpe, and of perpetuating his fame by a more full +recital of his deeds than had been heretofore made. + +BOSTON, _July 7th_, 1838. + + * * * * * + +Since the preceding preface was written, the Reverend Charles Wallace +Howard, who had been commissioned by the Legislature of Georgia to +procure from the public offices in London, a copy of the records of +the Trustees for the settlement of the Province, and of other colonial +documents, has returned, having successfully accomplished the object +of his mission. It may be thought that these are of such importance +that all which I have done must be defective indeed, unless I avail +myself of them; and so, perhaps, it may prove. But my advanced old +age, my feeble state of health, and other circumstances, prevent my +doing so. I console myself, however, with the consideration that as +they consist of particulars relative to the settlement and early +support of Georgia, to which Oglethorpe devoted not quite eleven years +of a life extended to nearly a hundred, they would only contribute +to render more distinct the bright and glorious meridian of his +protracted day,--while I aimed to exhibit its morning promise and its +evening lustre;--endeavoring to give some account of what he was and +did forty-four years before he commenced "the great emprise," +and where he was and how occupied forty-two years after its +accomplishment. + +Moreover, the official records contain, principally, a detail of the +plans and measures which were adopted and pursued by the Trustees +in London, or comprise the statement of public grants of money, and +military stores and forces;--and these belong to History, and not to +Biography. + +The Letters of Oglethorpe, besure, would be exceedingly interesting; +but I presume that much of what they refer to may be collected from +pamphlets and periodicals of the day, where he is spoken of as +he would not feel free to speak of himself. As from these I have +collected the most material particulars, I cannot think that my actual +deficiencies in the history of that eventful period can be very +considerable or important. + +From a correspondence with I.K. TEFFT, Esq. and WILLIAM B. STEVENS, +M.D., of Savannah, I have obtained the clearer statement of some +important facts and occurrences, which is respectfully noticed where +introduced, and for which I render my grateful acknowledgments. The +latter gentleman has also obligingly favored me with an article on the +culture of silk in Georgia, which graces my appendix. + + I have done the best I could with scanty store; + Let abler man, with ample means, do more; + Yet not deficiencies of mine decry, + Nor make my gatherings his own lack supply. + +May _1st_, 1841. + +The date, at the close of the first preface, indicates that the +publication of this work had been suspended.--A subsequent epistolary +correspondence, in reference to it, with friends at Savannah, excited +promptings, which were succeeded by a list of nearly two hundred +subscribers for the volume in print;--a list that included the names +of the most respectable gentlemen of the city, among whom were those +that held distinguished stations and filled important offices in +public life. + +For this flattering encouragement and honorary patronage, the most +grateful acknowledgments are rendered. + + * * * * * + +The name of the capital of South Carolina was originally written +Charles-Town and Charles' Town. At the time of the early settlement of +Georgia it had become blended in the compound word Charlestown, which, +being found in the documents referred to or quoted in this work, is +retained here, though of later years it is spelt Charleston. + +In the following pages variations occur in the names of persons and +places, principally in the extracts from German publications. This +lack of uniformity in some instances, as also a few verbal errors in +others, was not detected till the sheets had passed the press. + + "Acres circumfert centum licet Argus ocellos, + Non tamen errantes cernat ubique typos." + + + + +CONTENTS + + +The chapters, into which this work is divided, are with reference to +somewhat distinct portions of the history; and may be likened to a +suit of apartments in a capacious house; some large and some small, +variously furnished, and with different prospects abroad; but yet +adjoining each other, and, if but fitly framed together, adapted to a +duly constructed edifice. + + +CHAPTER I. + +Parentage of Oglethorpe--Birth--Christian Name--Education--Military +Profession and Promotion--In the Suite of the Earl of +Peterborough--Service under Prince Eugene of Savoy--Elected Member +of Parliament--Visits a Gentleman in Prison--Moves in the House of +Commons for a redress of the rigors of Prison Discipline--Appointed on +the Committee--Extracts from his Speeches in Parliament, + + +CHAPTER II. + +Oglethorpe appointed first a Director, and then Deputy Governor of the +Royal African Company--Takes a compassionate interest in the situation +of an African kidnapped, sold as a slave, and carried to Annapolis, +in Maryland, a Province in North America, who proves to have been an +Iman, or assistant Priest, of Futa, and was named Job Solomon--Causes +him to be redeemed, and sent to England, where he becomes serviceable +to Sir Hans Sloane for his knowledge of Arabic; attracts also the +notice of persons of rank and distinction, and is sent back to Africa, + + +CHAPTER III. + +Project for settling the south-eastern frontier of Carolina--A Charter +granted for it, by the name of Georgia--Trustees appointed, who +arrange a plan of Settlement--They receive a grant of Money from +Parliament, and from Subscriptions and Contributions--Oglethorpe takes +a lively interest in it--States the Object, and suggests Motives for +Emigration--A Vessel hired to convey the Emigrants--Oglethorpe offers +to accompany the intended Colonists--His disinterested devotedness to +the benevolent and patriotic Enterprise, + + +CHAPTER IV. + +The emigrants embark--Arrive at Charlestown, South +Carolina--Oglethorpe visits Governor Johnson--Proceeds up the +Savannah river--Place of settlement fixed upon--Town laid out--Labors +superintended, and assisted by Colonel Bull--Treaty with Tomo +Chichi--Progress of settlement--Oglethorpe makes a visit to Governor +Johnson, presents himself before the House of Assembly, and makes an +Address of grateful acknowledgment of favors received--Returns to +Savannah--Holds a treaty with the Lower Creeks--Goes to horse-quarter +on the Ogechee--Fort Argyle built--Savannah laid out in wards, and +Court of Records instituted, + + +CHAPTER V. + +Oglethorpe intended to visited Boston, in New England--Governor +Belcher's Letter to him--Provincial Assembly appoint a Committee to +receive him--Sets out on an exploratory Excursion--Names an Island, +Jekyl--Visits Fort Argyle--Returns to Savannah--Saltzburgh emigrants, +conducted by Baron Von Reck, come to settle in Georgia--Oglethorpe +assists them in selecting a place--They call it Ebenezer--He then goes +up the river to Palachicolas--Returns--Goes to Charlestown, with Torno +Chichi and other Indians, in order to take passage to England, + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Oglethorpe arrives in England with his Indian Escort--Is welcomed +by the Trustees--Apartments are provided for the Indians--They are +introduced to the King and Royal Family--One of their number dies +of the small pox--Visit the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Eton +College--Shown the public buildings and institutions in London--Embark +for Georgia--Their arrival, + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Oglethorpe remains in England--Trustees make Regulations--Oglethorpe, +desirous of providing for the conversion of the Indians, applies +to Bishop Wilson to prepare a Book of Religious Instruction for +them--Trustees seek for Missionaries--Engage John and Charles Wesley, + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Trustees make a new selection of Settlers--Their Proposals successful +in Scotland--Embarkation of Highlanders for Georgia--Indian +hieroglyphic letter sent to the Trustees--Further emigration of +Saltzburgers--Great embarkation of Colonists, attended by Oglethorpe +and the Missionaries--Employment and religious exercises on board +during the voyage--Arrival--Beacon on the Island of Tybee--The people +go on shore at Peeper's Island--Oglethorpe goes to Savannah with +the Missionaries--Sends provisions and refreshments to the +Emigrants--Moore's account of the Public Garden--Tomo Chichi welcomes +his friend--Saltzburgers make application for a removal from +Ebenezer--Oglethorpe sends pioneers to lay out a road to Darien, + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Special destination of the last Emigrants--Oglethorpe makes +arrangements for their transportation to the Island of St. +Simons--Follows with Charles Wesley--Arrives and lays out a Town to +be called Frederica--Visits the Highlanders at Darien--Returns and +superintends the building of a Fort--All the people arrive--Barracks +for the Soldiers put up, and a Battery erected--Visited by Tomo +Chichi, and Indians, who make a cession of the Islands--Reconnoitres +the Islands and gives names to them--Commissioners from St. +Augustine--Apparently amicable overtures--Oglethorpe goes to Savannah +to hold a conference with a Committee from South Carolina respecting +trade with the Indians--Insolent demand of the Spaniards--Oglethorpe +embarks for England, + + +CHAPTER X. + +Delegation of the Missionaries--JOHN WESLEY stationed at Savannah--Has +a conference with Tomo Chichi--His Preaching deemed personal in its +applications--He becomes unpopular--Meets with persecution--Leaves the +Province and returns to England--CHARLES WESLEY attends Oglethorpe +to Frederica--Finds himself unpleasantly situated--Furnished with +despatches for the Trustees, he sets out for Charlestown, and thence +takes passage for England--By stress of weather the Vessel driven off +its course--Puts in at Boston, New England--His reception there--Sails +thence for England--After a perilous voyage, arrives--BENJAMIN INGHAM +also at Frederica--Goes to Savannah to apprize John Wesley of the +sickness of his brother--Resides among the Creeks in order to +learn their language--Returns to England--CHARLES DELAMOTTE at +Savannah--Keeps a School--Is much respected--GEORGE WHITEFIELD +comes to Savannah--His reception--Visits Tomo Chichi, who was +sick--Ministerial labors--Visits the Saltzburgers--Pleased with their +provision for Orphan Children--Visits Frederica and the adjacent +Settlements--Returns to England--Makes a second voyage to Georgia, and +takes efficient measures for the erection of an Orphan House, + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Oglethorpe arrives in England--Trustees petition the King for military +aid to the new Colony--A regiment granted--Oglethorpe appointed +Commander in Chief of South Carolina and Georgia--Part of the regiment +sent out--Oglethorpe embarks for Georgia the third time--Remainder of +the regiment arrive--And two companies from Gibraltar--Prospect of war +with Spain--Military preparations at St. Augustine--Oglethorpe makes +arrangements for defence--Treason in the Camp--Mutiny, and personal +assault on the General, + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Oglethorpe visits Savannah--Troubles there--Causton, the store-keeper, +displaced--Oglethorpe holds a conference with a deputation +of Indians--Town-meeting called, and endeavors used to quiet +discontents--Goes back to Frederica, but obliged to renew his visit to +Savannah, + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Oglethorpe goes to Charlestown, South Carolina, to open his +Commission--Comes back to Savannah--Gives encouragement to the +Planters--Returns to Frederica--Excursion to Coweta--Forms a Treaty +with the Upper Creeks--Receives at Augusta a delegation of the +Chickasaws and Cherokees, who complain of having been poisoned by the +Traders--On his return to Savannah is informed of Spanish aggressions, +and is authorized to make reprisals, + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Oglethorpe addresses a letter to Lieutenant-Governor Bull, suggesting +an expedition against St. Augustine--Follows this, by application +in person--Promised assistance, and cooperation--Returns to +Frederica--Collects his forces--Passes over to Florida--Takes several +Spanish forts--Is joined by the Carolinian troops--The enemy receive +supplies--Oglethorpe changes the siege into a blockade--Takes +possession of Anastasia Island--Colonel Palmer and his men surprised +and cut to pieces--Spanish cruelties--English fleet quit the +station--Siege raised, and Oglethorpe returns to Frederica, + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Oglethorpe pays particular attention to internal Improvements--Meets +with many annoyances--The Creeks, under Toonahowi, make an incursion +into Florida--The Spanish form a design upon Georgia--Some of their +fleet appear on the coast--Oglethorpe prepares for defence--Applies +to South Carolina for assistance--Spaniards attack Fort +William--Dangerous situation of Oglethorpe--Spanish fleet enter the +harbor and land on St. Simons--In three successive engagements they +are defeated--A successful stratagem--Enemy defeated at Bloody +Marsh--Retire and attack Fort William, which is bravely defended +by Ensign Stewart--Spanish forces, repulsed in all their assaults, +abandon the invasion in dismay, and return to St. Augustine and to +Cuba, + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Oglethorpe, informed that the Spaniards were making preparations for +a renewal of hostilities, takes measures to repel them--Meets with an +alarming accident--Lands on the Florida side of St. John's--Proceeds +towards St. Augustine--The Spanish do not venture out to attack +him--Returns to the Islands--sees that the Forts are repaired--Takes +passage to England to attend a Court Martial on an insidious charge +against him by Lieutenant Cook--Is honorably acquitted, and Cook is +dismissed from the service, + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +Oglethorpe's residence in England--Marriage--Military appointments--A +Major General under the Duke of Cumberland for the suppression of +the rebellion in 1745--Arraigned at a Court Martial and +acquitted--Domestic and social life, and character--Death, + +Obituary notice of Mrs. ELIZABETH OGLETHORPE, with extracts from her +Will, + +Account of Carolina and Georgia by OGLETHORPE, + + +APPENDIX. + + I. Family of Oglethorpe, + + II. Discussion respecting the birth-day of the subject of these + memorials, + + III. Notices of the Earl of Peterborough, and of Dean Berkeley, + + IV. Reference to the debates in Parliament in which Oglethorpe took a + part, + + V. Prison-visiting Committee, + + VI. Release of insolvent debtors, + + VII. Sir Thomas Lombe's mill for winding silk, + + VIII. Case of Captain Porteous, + + IX. Trustees for settling Georgia, + + X. Oglethorpe's disinterestedness in the undertaking, + + XI. Advertisement of Governor Johnson of South Carolina, and letter of + the Governor and Council to Oglethorpe, + + XII. Account of the Creeks, + + XIII. Account of the Indians in Georgia by Oglethorpe, + + XIV. Memoir of the Duke of Argyle, + + XV. Saltzburgers, + + XVI. Arrival of these persecuted German Protestants in Georgia, + + XVII. Settlement of Moravians, + + XVIII. Scout-boat and Channels, + + XIX. Uchee Indians, + + XX. A mutiny in the Camp, and attempt at assassination, + + XXI. Memoir of Tomo-Chichi, + + XXII. General Oglethorpe's manifesto, + + XXIII. Fate of Colonel Palmer, + + XXIV. Account of the siege of St. Augustine, + + XXV. Spanish invasion, + + XXVI. Order for a Thanksgiving, + + XXVII. List of Spanish forces employed in the invasion of Georgia, and + of Oglethorpe's to resist them, + +XXVIII. History of the silk culture in Georgia, written by W.B. + Stevens, M.D., of Savannah, + + +INDEX, + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +Parentage of Oglethorpe--Birth--Education--Christian +Name--Education--Military Profession and Promotion--In the Suite +of the Earl of Peterborough--Service under Prince Eugene of +Savoy--Elected Member of Parliament--Visits a Gentleman in +Prison--Moves in the House of Commons for a redress of the rigors +of Prison Discipline--Appointed on the Committee--Extracts from his +Speeches in Parliament. + + +James Oglethorpe, founder of the Colony of Georgia in North +America,--a distinguished philanthropist, general, and statesman,--was +the son of Sir Theophilus Oglethorpe, of Godalming, in the County of +Surrey, Great Britain, by Eleanor, his wife, daughter of Richard +Wall, Esq. of Rogane, in Ireland.[1] There has been, hitherto, great +uncertainty with respect to the year, the month, and the day of his +nativity; I have, however, what I deem good authority for deciding +it to have been the twenty-first day of December, one thousand six +hundred and eighty-eight.[2] + +[Footnote 1: For some account of the Family, see Appendix I.] + +[Footnote 2: Appendix II.] + +It is asserted in Thoresby's History of Leeds, page 255, that "he had +two Christian names, James-Edward, supposed to have been bestowed +upon him in compliment to the Pretender;" and he is so named on +his sepulchral monument. But, as he always used but one; as he was +enregistered on entering College at Oxford, simply James; and, as the +double name is not inserted in any public act, commission, document, +printed history, or mention of him in his life time, that I have ever +met with, I have not thought proper to adopt it. + +When sixteen years of age, on the 9th of July, 1704, he was admitted a +member of Corpus Christi College, Oxford,[1] where his brother Lewis +received his education. It seems, however, that, after the example of +that brother, as also of his brother Theophilus, he early relinquished +a literary, for a military profession; and aspired to make his way in +the world, "tam Marte quam Minerva." + +[Footnote 1: The record of his _admittatur_, in the University +Register, is,--"1704, Jul. 9, term. S. Trin. Jacobus Oglethorpe, e +C.C.C. 16. Theoph. f. Sti. Jacobi, Lond. Equ. Aur. filius natu minor." +That is, "_In Trinity Term, July 9, 1704_, James Oglethorpe, _aged_ +16, _youngest son of_ Theophilus Oglethorpe, _of St. James's, London, +was admitted into Corpus Christi College_."] + +His first commission was that of Ensign; and it is dated in 1710; and +he bore that rank in the army when peace was proclaimed in 1713[1]. +In the same year he is known to have been in the suite of the Earl of +Peterborough[2], ambassador from the Court of Great Britain to the +King of Sicily and to the other Italian States; whither he was +fellow traveller with the Rev. Dr. George Berkeley, his Lordship's +Chaplain[3]. Highly honorable was such a mark of favor from his +Lordship; and peculiarly pleasant and instructive, also, must have +been such companionship with the amiable and excellent clergyman; +and it afforded opportunity of concerting plans of usefulness, of +beneficence, and of philanthropy, the object and tendency of which +were apparent in the after life of each[4]. + +[Footnote 1: Biographical Memoir in the European Magazine, Vol. VIII. +p. 13.] + +[Footnote 2: NICHOLS, in the _Literary Anecdotes of the XVIIIth +Century_, Vol. II. p. 19, says, "he was aid-de-camp;" but as that +was the title of a _military_ rank, rather than of an attendant on +a _diplomatic_ ambassador, I have substituted another term, which +however may embrace it, if it be really proper.] + +[Footnote 3: Dr. Berkeley, in a letter to Thomas Prior, Esq., dated +Turin, January 6, 1714, n.s. says that he travelled from Lyons "in +company with Col. Du Hamel and Mr. Oglethorpe, Adjutant General of the +Queen's forces; who were sent with a letter from my Lord to the King's +mother, at Turin." _Works of GEORGE BERKELEY, D.D., with an Account of +his Life_. Dublin. 1704. 2 vols. 4to. Vol. I--p. xxx] + +[Footnote 4: Appendix III.] + +In 1714 he was Captain Lieutenant in the first troop of the Queen's +guards. By his fine figure, his soldierly deportment and personal +bravery, he attracted the notice of the Duke of Marlborough; whose +confidence and patronage he seems long to have enjoyed, and by whom, +and through the influence of the Duke of Argyle, he was so recommended +to Prince Eugene, that he received him into his service, first as his +secretary, and afterwards aid-de-camp. Thus near the person of this +celebrated general, full of ardor, and animated with heroic courage, +an opportunity was offered him in the warlike expedition against the +Turks in which the Prince was engaged, to gather those laurels in what +the world calls "the field of glory," to which he aspired; and, +in several successive campaigns, he exhibited applauded proofs of +chivalric gallantry and personal bravery. By his attentive observation +of the discipline, manner of battle array, onset of the forces, and +the instruction given him in military tactics, he acquired that +knowledge of the art of war, for which he afterwards became so +distinguished. + +At the battle of Peterwaradin, one of the strongest frontier places +that Austria had against the Turks, Oglethorpe, though present, was +not perhaps actively engaged. It was fought on the 5th of August, +1716. The army of the Turks consisted of 150,000 men, of which 40,000 +were Janisaries, and 30,000 Saphis, or troopers, the rest were +Tartars, Walachians, and the troops of Asia and Egypt. The army of the +Imperialists, under his Serene Highness, Prince Eugene, consisted of +but little more than half that number. The onset began at seven in the +morning, and by twelve Eugene was writing to the Emperor an account of +the victory in the tent of the Grand Vizier[1]. + +[Footnote 1: _Military History of Prince Eugene, of Savoy_, (a superb +work in two folio volumes, with elegant plates; compiled by CAMPBELL.) +Lond. 1737. Vol. II. p. 215. From this, and from "_The Life and +Military Actions of Eugene_," Lond. 1737, 12mo, the account of the +battles is taken.] + +After a sharp contest of about four hours, the Grand Vizier Hali, +seeing the battle go against him, put himself at the head of his guard +of horse, pushed through a defile, and made a very brisk charge; but +his men could not sustain the contest; and he, having received two +wounds, was carried off the field to Carlowitz, where he died the next +day. The Aga of the Janisaries and Mahomet Bassa were also slain. The +whole loss of the Turks in this action amounted to about 22,000; and +of the Imperialists, 3,695 common soldiers, and 469 officers. There +was found in the camp 164 pieces of cannon, and a prodigious quantity +of powder, bullets, bombs, grenades, and various military equipments +and stores; and the booty in other articles was great and rich beyond +computation. + +The Imperial army passed the Danube on the 6th of August, "in order to +avoid the infection of the dead bodies." The same day a council of war +was held, in which the siege of Temeswaer was proposed and resolved +on. This is a town of Hungary, upon the river Temes, whence it has +its name. It lies five miles from Lippa, towards the borders of +Transylvania, and about ten from Belgrade. The Turks took it from the +Transylvanians in 1552, and fortified it to a degree that they deemed +it impregnable. After several severe conflicts, and a most desperate +resistance, it capitulated on the 14th of October, 1716, and the Turks +entirely evacuated the place on the 17th. Thus the capital of a region +of the same name, was restored to its lawful prince after having been +in the hands of the Turks 164 years. "The success of this victorious +campaign filled not only Germany, but all Europe with joy." On this +occasion, Oglethorpe acted as aid-de-camp; and his active service in +attendance upon Prince Eugene; his prompt attention to the orders +dictated to him, or transmitted by him; his alertness and fidelity in +communicating them; and his fearless exposure to imminent peril +in passing from one division of the army to another, gained him +commendatory acknowledgments and the increased favor of his Serene +Highness. + +Notwithstanding these signal victories gained over them, the Turks +were determined to continue the contest; and the next year the Grand +Signior held a great Divan at Constantinople to take measures for its +most vigorous prosecution. These purposes being put in train, Prince +Eugene undertook the siege of Belgrade, their chief strong hold. "The +Turks advanced to its relief, and besieged him in his camp. His danger +was imminent; but military skill and disciplined valor triumphed over +numbers and savage ferocity. He sallied out of his intrenchments, and, +falling suddenly upon the enemy, routed them with great slaughter, and +took their cannon, baggage, and everything belonging to their camp. +Belgrade surrendered immediately after."[1] On the 16th of August, +(1717) the capitulation was signed; and immediately afterwards the +Imperialists took possession of a gate, and the out-works; on the 19th +Te Deum was solemnly performed in the tent of the Grand Vizier, which +had become occupied by Eugene, and on the 22d the place was evacuated. +The Imperialists found prodigious riches in the camp of which they had +become possessed; "for the Sultan had emptied his coffers to supply +this army, which was by far the most numerous of any set on foot since +the famous siege of Vienna."[2] + +[Footnote 1: Russell's _Modern Europe_, Vol. V. p. 3.] + +[Footnote 2: CAMPBELL'S _Military History of Eugene_, Vol. II. p. +233.] + +"Such was the conclusion of the siege of Belgrade; a place of the last +importance to the Imperialists and to the Turks; the bridle of all the +adjoining country; the glorious trophy of the valor and conduct of his +Serene Highness, Prince Eugene; and the bulwark, not of Germany only, +but of all Christendom on this side." + +"Oglethorpe was in active command at the siege and battle of Belgrade, +on the south shore of the Danube, in 1717; where he acquired a high +and deserved reputation."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1785, p. 573.] + +In the postscript of a letter from Alexander Pope, dated September +8th, 1717, to Edward Blount, Esq., is this remark: "I hope you will +take part in the rejoicing for the victory of Prince Eugene over the +Turks, &c." to which Dr. Warton subjoins this note; "at which General +Oglethorpe was present, and of which I have heard him give a lively +description." + +The peace which took place in the following year between the Emperor +and the Sultan, left Oglethorpe without any active employment; and +he quitted, doubtless with reluctance, the staff of his friend and +patron, prince Eugene, with whom he had so honorably served; and +returned to England. + +He was offered preferment in the German service; but it was, probably, +a sufficient reason with him for declining the proffer, that "the +profession of a soldier in time of peace affords but few opportunities +of promotion, and none of distinction." + +In the year 1722, succeeding his brother Lewis in the inheritance of +the estate at Godalming, his weight of character and family influence +secured to him a seat in Parliament, as Burgess, for Haslemere; and +he continued to represent that borough, by successive elections, and +through various changes of administration, for thirty-two years; and, +"during this long period, he distinguished himself by several able +speeches; and, in the laws for the benefit of trade, &c. many +regulations were proposed and promoted by him." + +In this august assembly, he was neither a dumb show, nor an automaton; +nor the tool of party; but independent, intelligent, and energetic, +delivered his opinions freely, spoke often, and always to the +purpose.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See Appendix IV.] + + +His first recorded speech was on the 6th of April, 1723, against the +banishment of Dr. Francis Atterbury, the Bishop of Rochester, which he +deemed injudicious and needlessly rigorous.[1] + +[Footnote 1: History and Proceedings of the House of Commons, Lond. +1742, Vol. VI. p. 308.] + +A few years after, his feelings of humanity were powerfully touched on +finding a gentleman, whom he went to visit in the Fleet prison, loaded +with irons, and otherwise cruelly used.[1] Shocked by the scenes he +witnessed, he determined to expose such injustice; and, if possible, +to prevent such abuse of power. With this view, he brought forward a +motion in the House of Commons, "_that an inquiry should be instituted +into the state of the gaols in the metropolis_." This met with such +attention, that in February, 1728, the House of Commons assigned +the subject to a Committee, of which he was chosen Chairman.[2] The +investigation led to the discovery of many corrupt practices, and +much oppressive treatment of the prisoners; and was followed by +the enactment of measures for the correction of such shameful +mismanagement and inhuman neglect in some cases, and for the +prevention of severity of infliction in others.[3] + +[Footnote 1: Sir William Rich, Baronet.] + +[Footnote 2: Appendix IV.] + +[Footnote 3: Appendix V.] + +A writer, whose opinion was founded on the best means of knowledge, +has declared that "the effects of this interposition have been felt +ever since by the unhappy prisoners."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Gentleman's Magazine for 1785, page 572.] + +Oglethorpe thus became the precursor of HOWARD, the philanthropist, +in the cause of humanity, as it regards the amelioration of prison +discipline in general, especially the rigors of close confinement +for debt or petty offences, and that among felons and convicts. The +impression then made on his mind and heart, led him, afterwards, to +other and more extensive and efficacious measures for the relief of +poor debtors from the extortions and oppressions to which they were +subjected by gaolers, and from the humiliation and distress in which +they were often involved without any fault of their own, or by some +conduct which deserved pity rather than punishment. + +At the opening of the session of Parliament on the 12th of January, +1731, the King's speech was the subject of debate in the House of +Commons. A motion was made for an address of thanks, in which they +should declare their entire approbation of his Majesty's conduct, +express their confidence in the wisdom of his counsels, and announce +their readiness to grant the necessary supplies. There were some who +opposed the motion. They did not argue against a general vote of +thanks, but intimated the impropriety, and, indeed, ill tendency of +expressions which implied an unquestioning approbation of the +measures of the ministry. In referring to this, Smollet[1] says, "Mr. +Oglethorpe, a gentleman of unblemished character, brave, generous, and +humane, affirmed that many other things related more immediately to +the honor and interest of the nation, than did the guarantee of the +Pragmatic sanction. He said that he wished to have heard that the +new works at Dunkirk had been entirely razed and destroyed; that the +nation had received full and complete satisfaction for the depradation +committed by the natives of Spain; that more care was taken in the +disciplining of the militia, on whose valor the nation must chiefly +depend in case of an invasion; and that some regard had been shown to +the oppressed Protestants in Germany. He expressed his satisfaction, +however, to find that the English were not so closely united to France +as formerly, for he had generally observed that when two dogs were in +a leash together, the stronger generally ran away with the weaker; and +this, he feared, had been the case between France and Great Britain." + +[Footnote 1: History of England, Book II. chap. iv. Section xxx.] + +The motion, however, was carried, and the address presented. + +Possessing a vein of wit, Oglethorpe was apt to introduce piquant +illustrations and comparisons into his narratives, and sometimes with +the view of their giving force to his statements; but, though they +might serve to enliven conversation, they were not dignified enough +for a speech in so august an assembly as that he was now addressing. +They are, however, atoned for, on this occasion, by the grave tenor +of his preceding remarks, which were the dictates of good sense, the +suggestions of sound policy, and, especially, by the reference to the +distressed situation of the persecuted German Protestants which was +evincive of a compassionate consideration, truly honorable to him as a +man and a Christian. And we shall find, that, in behalf of these, he +afterwards exerted a personal and availing influence. + +In 1732 he made a spirited and patriotic effort in Parliament to +restore a constitutional militia; and to abolish arbitrary impressment +for the sea-service; and, on this subject, he published a pamphlet +entitled "The Sailor's Advocate," for which Mr. Sharpe obliged him +with a sarcastic preface. + +In the debate on the bill for encouraging the trade of the British +sugar colonies, Oglethorpe took an active part, and manifested +those liberal and patriotic views, and that regard for the colonial +settlements in North America, which, afterwards, became with him a +decided principle. + +"In all cases," said he, "that come before this House, where there +seems a clashing of interests, we ought to have no exclusive regard to +the particular interest of any one country or set of people, but to +the good of the whole. Our colonies are a part of our dominions. The +people in them are our own people; and we ought to show an equal +respect to all. If it should appear that our Plantations upon the +continent of America are against that which is desired by the sugar +colonies, we are to presume that the granting thereof will be a +prejudice to the trade or particular interests of our continental +settlements. And, surely, the danger of hurting so considerable a part +of our dominions,--a part which reaches from the 34th to the 46th +degree of north latitude,--will, at least, incline us to be extremely +cautious in what we are going about. If, therefore, it shall appear +that the relieving our sugar colonies will do more harm to the _other_ +parts of our dominions, than it can do good to _them_, we must refuse +it, and think of some other method of putting them upon an equal +footing with their rivals in any part of trade. + +"Our sugar colonies are of great consequence to us; but our other +colonies in that part of the world ought also to be considered. From +them we have, likewise, yearly, large quantities of goods. We ought +not to raise one colony upon the destruction of another. Much less +ought we to grant a favor to any particular set of people which may +prove to be against the public good of the nation in general." + +To these, and other matters of general moment, Oglethorpe devoted his +time, his talents, and his influence while in Parliament. He earnestly +supported the cause of silk manufacture, which had then begun to +spread in England by means of the improvement introduced by Sir Thomas +Lombe, in the invention of his large engines, which are described as +being of "a most curious and intricate structure,"[1] but which in +our own day, when mechanical ingenuity has reached a high degree +of excellence, and machinery seems itself almost an intelligent +principle, would, probably, be regarded as merely "curious and +intricate," without possessing any practical value.[2] + +[Footnote 1: The 6th of the excellent _Essays_ by the Rev. Jared +Eliot, _on Field Husbandry, &_ c., 1761, is devoted principally to +recommendations of the culture of mulberry trees for the raising of +silk-worms. In page 161, is a reference to Sir Thomas Lombe, "that +eminent throwster, who erected the great engine in Derbyshire; a +wonderful structure, consisting of twenty-nine thousand five hundred +and eighty-six wheels, all set a going and continued in motion by one +single water-wheel, for working silk with expedition and success." See +also Appendix VII.] + +[Footnote 2: Manuscript lecture of J. Willard, Esq.] + +A Corporation was formed in London, in 1707, with the professed +intention of lending money to the poor on small pledges, and to +persons of better rank, upon an answerable security, for setting them +up, or assisting them in business. Its capital was then limited to +£30,000, but in 1730 increased to £600,000, and a charter granted to +the Corporation, by act of Parliament. But in October 1731, two of the +chief officers, George Robinson, Esq., member for Marlow, the Cashier, +and John Thompson, the Warehouse keeper, disappeared on the same day. +This gave the Proprietors great alarm; and an inspection of affairs +led to the discovery that for a capital of about £500,000, no +equivalent was found to the value of £30,000; the remainder having +been disposed of by ways and means of which no one could give an +account. In consequence of this defalcation, a petition of the +Proprietors was presented to the Parliament alleging that some who had +been guilty of these frauds had transported themselves to parts beyond +the seas, and carried with them some of the books and effects of the +Corporation; and that there was great reason to believe that such +an immense sum of money could not have been embezzled without the +connivance and participation of others who remained in the kingdom; +but that the petitioners were unable to come at the knowledge of their +combinations or to bring them to justice, unless aided by the power +and authority of that House; and therefore prayed that it might be +afforded. + +On the reading of the petition, Mr. Oglethorpe rose and spoke as +follows: + +"Sir, I am persuaded that this petition will be received in a manner +befitting the unhappy case of the sufferers and the justice of this +House. I can hardly suspect that any gentleman that has the honor of +being a member of this House will hesitate in giving all the relief +which we can to the number of unfortunate persons, who have been so +much injured. Yet, because I have heard it whispered out of doors, +that we ought not to receive this petition upon account, as is +pretended, that the common seal is not affixed to it, I deem it +necessary to take some notice of that objection, in case it should be +started here. Sir, I must say that if there be any irregularity as to +the affixing the seal of the Company to this petition, it is, in my +opinion, so far from being an objection to our receiving the petition, +that it is a very strong reason for it. If there be any fault in form, +it is the fault of those who had the keeping of the common seal; and, +as they may, perhaps, be of those against whom the complaints are +made, and who may, upon inquiry, be found more or less amenable for +the wrong, we are, therefore, to suspect that the withholding the seal +may be with a view of preventing the truth's being brought to light; +at any rate, we ought to discountenance and defeat such indirect +practices with regard to the use of a common seal. + +"For my own part, sir, I have been always for encouraging the design +upon which this corporation was at first established; and looked upon +it as a provident act of charity to let necessitous persons have the +opportunity of borrowing money upon easier terms than they could have +it elsewhere. Money, like other things, is but a commodity, and in the +way of dealing, the use of it is looked upon to be worth as much as +people can get for it. If this corporation let persons in limited +circumstances have the use of money at a cheaper rate than +individuals, brokers, or money lenders, would be willing to do, it +was certainly a beneficent act. If they had demanded more than was +elsewhere given, they would not have had applicants, and the design +would not have proved good and useful; but the utility of it was +most evident; and the better the design, and the more excellent the +benefit, the more those persons deserve to be punished, who by their +frauds have curtailed, if not now wholly cut off, these sources +of furnishing assistance to the industrious and enterprising, and +disappointed the public of reaping the benefit which might +have accrued by an honest and faithful execution of so good an +undertaking."[1] + +[Footnote 1: History and Proceedings of the House of Commons, Vol. +VII. p. 154.] + +Another subject in the parliamentary discussions of Oglethorpe which I +shall mention, is his defence of the magistracy and town-guard of the +city of Edinburgh against an arraignment in the House of Lords, for +what was deemed the neglect of prompt and energetic measures for +suppressing the riotous seizure and murder of Captain Porteous by an +exasperated mob. The circumstances were these. + +After the execution in the Grass-market, on the 14th of April, 1736, +of one Andrew Wilson, a robber, the town-guard, which had been ordered +out on the occasion, was insulted by rude and threatening speeches, +and pelted with stones, by the mob. John Porteous, the captain, so +resented the annoyance, that he commanded his men to fire over their +heads, to intimidate them; and then, as their opposition became +violent, he directed the guard to fire among them; whereby six persons +were killed, and eleven severely wounded. For this he was prosecuted +at the expense of the city, and condemned to die. But, a short +reprieve having been obtained, the mob, determined to defeat it, +assembled in the night preceding the seventh day of September, whereon +he was to have been executed pursuant to the sentence, and, in a very +riotous manner, seized and disarmed the city-guard, and possessed +themselves of the town-gates, to prevent the admission of troops +quartered in the suburbs. They then rushed to the Tolbooth prison; +the doors of which not yielding to the force of their hammers, they +consumed by fire, and then brought forth Porteous by violence, and +hung him on a dyer's post, or frame, in the Grass-market, nigh the +spot where the unfortunate people were killed. + +The magistrates, attended with several of the burgesses, attempted to +quell the riot and disperse the mob, but were pelted with stones, and +threatened to be fired upon if they did not retire. + +This insult of the sovereign authority was too flagrant to be +overlooked. Proclamations, with rewards of two hundred pounds +sterling, were issued for apprehending the rioters, and, when the +Parliament met, vigorous measures were taken in the affair. The Lord +Provost was ordered up to London in custody; the magistrates summoned +to answer the indictment, and a bill was introduced into the House of +Commons "to disable Alexander Wilson, Esq., the principal magistrate +during the riots, from ever after holding any office of magistracy in +Edinburgh or Great Britain; to subject him to imprisonment for a year; +to abolish the town guard, and to take away the gates of the nether +Bowport of the city." Oglethorpe objected to the first reading of the +bill, and it encountered his vigorous opposition. He engaged in a warm +defence of the magistrates, and of the guard, declaring that there +was no dereliction of duty on the part of the magistrates and of the +guard, but they were overpowered by numbers, and thrown into actual +jeopardy by the desperation of the mob. Hence the penalties of the +bill would be the punishment of misfortune, not of crime. + +In consequence of the stand which he thus took, and the interest made +by others in the House of Commons, the bill was altered in its most +essential circumstances, and, instead of the rigorous inflictions, +"mercy rejoiced against judgment," and the city was fined the sum of +two thousand pounds, to be applied to the relief and support of the +widow of Porteous.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See Appendix VIII.] + +A petition was made to Parliament "to extend the benefit of a late +_act for naturalizing foreigners in North America_, to the Moravian +Brethren and other foreign Protestants who made a scruple of taking +an oath, or performing military service." General Oglethorpe, in the +spring of 1737, presented the petition to the House of Commons, with +an ample speech, and was supported by many members. The opinion of +the Board of Trade was required on this head. The Proprietor of +Pennsylvania promoted the affair among the members of Parliament, and +especially with the Secretary of State, the Duke of Newcastle, by his +good testimonies of the brethren in Pennsylvania. The matter of the +bill was properly discussed, formed into an act, and, having passed, +with the greatest satisfaction, through both houses, received in June, +1747, the Royal assent.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Cranz's History of the United Brethren, translated by La +Trobe, Lond. 1780, p. 331.] + +On the 20th of February, 1749, another petition in behalf of the +Moravians was presented to the House of Commons; and was supported +by a long and highly impressive speech by Oglethorpe concerning the +origin of their church, their constitution, their pious and benevolent +labors, and particularly, what he was most apprized of, their +peaceable and useful settlements in America. On the 18th of April, +the engrossed bill was read the third time in the House, was passed, +_nemine contradicente_, and ordered to be carried to the House of +Lords. On the 21st of April, the bill was carried by sixteen members +of the House of Commons to the House of Lords; and, after a short +address by Oglethorpe, their leader, to Lord Chancellor Hardwicke, +was accepted with great solemnity, and laid on the table. After due +consideration, the act was passed, and on the 6th of June the Royal +assent was given to it. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Oglethorpe appointed first a Director, and then Deputy Governor of the +Royal African Company--Takes a compassionate interest in the situation +of an African kidnapped, sold as a slave, and carried to Annapolis, +in Maryland, a Province in North America--But proves to have been an +Iman, or assistant Priest, of Futa, and was named Job Solomon--Causes +him to be redeemed, and sent to England, where he becomes serviceable +to Sir Hans Sloane for his knowledge of Arabic; attracts also the +notice of persons of rank and distinction, and is sent back to Africa. + + +In January, 1731, Oglethorpe was chosen a Director of the Royal +African Company, and the next year Deputy Governor. This situation +brought to his knowledge the circumstances of an African slave, whose +story is so interesting, that a few pages may be allowed for its +recital. + +A negro, called JOB, was purchased on the coast of Africa by Captain +Pyke, commander of a vessel belonging to Mr. Hunt, a rich merchant of +Liverpool, and carried to Annapolis, Maryland, where, with others, he +was delivered to Michael Denton, the factor of Hunt, who sold him to +Mr. Tolsey. He was at first employed in the cultivation of tobacco; +but his humane master perceiving that he could not bear the fatigue, +rendered his situation more tolerable by charging him with the care +of his cattle. While in this employment, he used to retire, at stated +times, to the recesses of a wood, to pray. He was seen there by a +white boy, who amused himself with interrupting him, and often with +wantonly insulting him by throwing dust in his eyes. This greatly +added to Job's melancholy, which was increased by his having no means +of making known the annoyance and abuse to which he was subjected, so +that he grew desperate, and made his escape. He travelled through +the woods till he came to the county of Kent, on Delaware bay, in +Maryland, where, having no pass, and not being able to give any +account of himself, he was taken up as a fugitive slave, and put into +prison. While there, his behavior attracted more than common notice. +Besides a stateliness of bearing, and an air of self-importance, which +shew that he could be no ordinary person, he was observed to use +prostrations at regular periods of the day, and to repeat sentences +with great solemnity and earnestness. Curiosity attracted to the +prison certain English merchants, among whom Mr. Thomas Bluet was the +most inquisitive. He was able, from an old negro, who was a Foulah,[1] +and understood the language of Job, to obtain some information +respecting his former condition and character. These particulars +were communicated to his master Tolsey, who had been apprized of his +capture, and come to reclaim him. In consideration, therefore, of what +he had been, he not only forebore inflicting punishment on him for +desertion, but treated him with great indulgence. Having ascertained +that Job had in his possession certain slips of a kind of paper, on +which he wrote strange characters, he furnished him with some sheets +of paper, and signified a wish that he should use it. Job profited of +his kindness, to write a letter to his father. This was committed to +Denton, to entrust to his captain on the first voyage which he should +make to Africa; but he having sailed for England, it was sent enclosed +to Mr. Hunt, at London. When it arrived there, Captain Pyke was on his +voyage to Africa. Here, however, it was shewn to the Governor of the +Royal African Company, and thus it "fell into the hands," says +my author, "of the celebrated Oglethorpe,[2] who sent it to the +University of Oxford to be translated, as it was discovered to be +written in Arabic." The information which it imparted of the disastrous +fate of the writer, so awakened his compassion, that he engaged Mr. +Hunt, by an obligation to refund all expenses, to have Job redeemed, +and brought to England. This was immediately attended to, and he was +sent in the William, commanded by captain Wright, and in the same +vessel was Mr. Bluet, who became so attached to him, that, on their +landing, he went with him to London, where they arrived in April, +1733. As he did not find Oglethorpe, who had gone to Georgia, Bluet +took him to his own house at Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire. There Job +recommended himself by his manly and courteous behavior; and applied +himself so diligently to learn the English language, that he was soon +able to speak, and even write it with correctness. + +[Footnote 1: In the relation which I follow this appellation is +written _Pholey_.] + +[Footnote 2: BLUET.] + +In the mean time a letter was sent in his behalf by Oglethorpe to the +African Company, requesting them to take up his obligation to Mr. +Hunt, and to pay the expenses of his voyage and accommodation after +his arrival; and to answer the bills of Mr. Bluet for his keeping and +instruction, till he himself should return. This was readily done, and +his emancipation effected for forty pounds; and twenty pounds, bond +and charges, were raised by subscription. + +Job's knowledge of Arabic rendered him serviceable to Sir Hans +Sloane, who often employed him in translating Arabic manuscripts, and +inscriptions upon medals. To bring him into due notice, Sir Hans had +him dressed in the costume of his country, and presented to the king +and royal family; by whom he was graciously received; and her majesty +gave him a beautiful gold watch. The same day he dined with the Duke +of Montague; who afterwards took him to his country seat, where he was +shewn, and taught the use of, the tools employed in agriculture and +gardening. The same nobleman procured for him a great number of these +implements, which were put into cases, and carried aboard the vessel +in which he was to return to his native country. He received various +other presents from many persons; some of these, according to Mr. +Moore, were their Royal Highnesses, the Earl of Pembroke, several +ladies of distinction, Mr. Holden, and members of the Royal African +Company. + +In the reference to him in NICHOLS'S _Literary Anecdotes_, vi. p. 91, +it is said "he returned home loaded with presents to the amount of +five hundred pounds." After having passed fourteen months in England, +he embarked, in the month of July, 1734, on board a vessel belonging +to the Royal African Company, which was bound for the river Gambia, +and carried out Thomas Moore to accomplish some business at a Factory +of the Company's at Joar, to whose particular care Job was committed. + +While in England, his friend Bluet, collected from Job the history of +his life, which he published,[1] and from which some of the preceding, +and several of the following particulars are extracted. + +[Footnote 1: _Memoirs of the Life of Job, the son of Solomon, the High +Priest of Bimda, in Africa_. By Thomas Bluet. London, 1734; 8vo., +dedicated to the Duke of Montague.] + +The name of this extraordinary man was Ayoub Ibn Soliman Ibrahim, that +is, Job the son of Solomon the son of Abraham. His nation was that of +the Jalofs; his tribe, or cast, the Pholey, or Foulah; and his native +place Bunda, a city of Galumbo, in the kingdom of Futa, in Central +Africa, opposite Tombuto.[1] + +[Footnote 1: The affix to his name is sometimes spelt JALLA, JALOF, +and DGIALLA. These indicate the name of the tribe, or nation, to which +he belonged; which was that of the JALOFS, on the river Sanaga, and +along the Gambia.] + +Ibrahim, the grandfather of Job, was the founder of the city of Bunda, +during the reign of Abubeker, then king of Futa; who gave him the +proprietorship and government of it, with the title of Alfa or High +Priest. After his death, the dignity, which was hereditary in the +family, passed to the father of Job. On the decease of Abubeker, his +brother, the Prince of Jelazi, succeeded to the royalty; he, being +already the father of a son, entrusted him to the care of Soliman, +the father of Job, to have him taught the Arabic language, and the +Alcoran. Job became, in this way, the fellow student and companion of +this young prince. Jelazi lived but a short time, and was succeeded by +his son. + +When Job had attained the age of fifteen, he assisted his father in +the capacity of Iman, or inferior priest, and soon after married the +daughter of the Alfa of Tombuto: By her he had three sons, Abdallah, +Ibrahim, and Sambo. Two years before his captivity he took a second +wife, the daughter of the Alfa of Tomga; by whom he had a daughter +named Fatima. His two wives and his four children were alive when he +left Bunda. + +In the month of February, 1730, the father of Job, having learnt that +an English vessel had arrived in the Gambia, sent his son thither, +attended by two domestics, to procure some European commodities; but +charged him not to cross the river, because the inhabitants of the +opposite bank were Mandingoes, enemies of the kingdom of Futa. + +Job, coming to no agreement with Captain Pyke, the commander of the +English vessel, sent back his two domestics to Bunda, to render an +account of his affairs to his father, and to inform him that his +curiosity induced him to travel further. With this view he made a +contract with a negro merchant, named Loumein-Yoa, who understood the +language of the Mandingoes, to serve him as an interpreter and guide +on a pacific expedition and overture. Having passed the river Gambia, +when the heat compelled him to avail himself of the cooling shade of +the forest, he suspended his arms upon a tree, to rest himself. They +consisted of a sabre, with a handle of gold; a dagger in a sheath, +with a hilt of the same metal, and a rich quiver filled with arrows, +of which king Sambo, the son of Jelazi, had made him a present. "His +evil destiny willed"[1] that a troop of Mandingoes, accustomed to +pillage, should pass that way, who, discovering him unarmed, seized +him, shaved his head and chin; and, on the 27th of February, sold him, +with his interpreter, to Captain Pyke; and, on the first of March, +they were put on board the vessel. Pyke, however, learning from Job +that he was the same person who had attempted to trade with him some +days before, and that he was a slave only by having been kidnapped, +gave him leave to ransom himself and his companion. Accordingly, Job +immediately sent to a friend of his father, who dwelt at Joar, where +the vessel then lay, to beseech him to send news of his captivity. But +the distance being fifteen days journey, the Captain, after waiting +some time, found it necessary to set sail, and the unfortunate Job was +carried off, and sold, as has been already mentioned. + +[Footnote 1: This is the explanation of Job, who being a Mahometan, +was a fatalist in his belief.] + +He is described as being a fine figure, five feet ten inches in +height; of a pleasing but grave countenance, and having strait black +hair.[1] His natural qualities were excellent. He was possessed of a +solid judgment, a ready and wonderfully retentive memory, an ardent +love for truth, and a sweet disposition, mild, affectionate, and +grateful. His religion was Mahometanism; but he rejected the idea of a +sensual paradise, and several other traditions that are held among the +Turks. The foundation of his principles was the unity of God; whose +name he never pronounced without some particular indication of +respect. "The ideas which he held of the Supreme Being and of a future +state, appeared very reasonable to the English; but he was so firm in +the persuasion of the divine unity, that it was impossible to get him +to reason calmly upon the doctrine of the Trinity. A New Testament +in Arabic had been given him. He read it; and, giving his ideas, +respectfully, concerning it, began by declaring that having examined +it carefully, he could not find a word from which he could conclude +that there were three Gods."[2] + +[Footnote 1: There is a scarce octavo portrait of him, head and +shoulders only, etched by the celebrated painter, Mr. Hoare, of Bath, +in 1734, as appears by a manuscript note on the impression of it in +Mr. Bindley's possession. Under the print is engraved, "_JOB, son +of Solliman Dgialla, high priest of Bonda, in the country of Foota, +Africa_."] + +[Footnote 2: "Il etoit si ferme dans la persuasion de l'unité divine, +qu'il fut impossible de le faire raisouner paisiblement sur la +Trinité. On lui avoit donué un Nouveau Testament daus sa langue, il +le lut, et s'expliquant, avec respect, sur ce livre, il commence par +déclarer que l'ayant examiné fort soigneusement, il n'y avoit pas +trouvé un mot d'ou l'on fuit conclure qu'il y eut trois dieux." +_Histoire générale des Voyages, par l'Abbé_ A.F. Prévost. 4to. Paris. +1747. Tom. III. p. 116.] + +Job landed at Fort English on the 8th of August, 1734. He was +recommended particularly by the Directors of the Royal African Company +to the Governor and Factors. They treated him with much respect and +civility. The hope of finding one of his countrymen at Joar, induced +him to set out on the 23d in the shallop with Mr. Moore, who was going +to take the direction of the factory there. On the 26th at evening +they arrived at the creek of Damasensa. Whilst Job was seated under +a tree with the English, he saw seven or eight negroes pass of the +nation that had made him a slave, thirty miles from that place. Though +he was of a mild disposition, he could hardly refrain from attacking +them with his sabre and pistols; but Moore made him give up all +thought of this, by representing to him the imprudence and danger of +such a measure. They called the negroes to them, to ask them various +questions, and to inquire particularly what had become of the king, +their master. They answered that he had lost his life by the discharge +of a pistol, which he ordinarily carried suspended to his neck, and +which, going off by accident, had killed him on the spot. As this +pistol was supposed to have been one of the articles which he had +received of Captain Pyke as the price of Job, the now redeemed +captive, deeply affected by the circumstance, turning to his +conductors, said, "You see that Heaven has made the very arms for +which I was sold, serve as the punishment of the inexorable wretch who +made my freedom their procurement! And yet I ought to be thankful +for the lot into which I was cast, because if I had not been made a +captive, I should not have seen such a country as England; nor known +the language; nor have the many useful and precious things that I +possess; nor become acquainted with men so generous as I have met +with, not only to redeem me from bondage, but to shew me great +kindness, and send me back so much more capable of being useful." +Indeed, he did not cease to praise highly the English in conversing +with the Africans, and endeavored to reclaim those poor creatures from +the prejudice they had that the slaves were eaten, or killed for some +other purpose, because no one was known to have returned. + +Having met with a Foulah, with whom he had been formerly acquainted, +he engaged him to notify his family of his return; but four months +elapsed before he received any intelligence from Bunda. On the 14th of +January, 1735, the messenger came back, bearing the sad tidings that +his father had died; with the consolation, however, of learning, just +before his death, of the ransom of his son, and of the favor which he +had received in England. One of the wives of Job had married again in +his absence; and the second husband had fled on being informed of the +arrival of the first. During the last three years, the war had made +such ravages in the country of Bunda, that no cattle remained there. + +Job was deeply affected with the death of his father, the misfortunes +of his country, and the situation of his family. He protested, +however, that he pardoned his wife, and the man who had espoused her. +"They had reason," he said, "to suppose me lost to them forever, +because I had gone to a country from which no Foulah had ever +returned." + +When Moore, from whose narrative these particulars are extracted, left +Africa, he was charged with letters from Job, who remained at Joar, to +Oglethorpe, Bluet, the Duke of Montague, his principal benefactors, +and to the Royal African Company.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Travels into the inland parts of Africa; containing a +description of several nations for the space of 600 miles upon the +river Gambia; with a particular account of_ JOB BEN SOLOMON, _a +Pholey, who was in England in 1733, and known by the name of "the +African Prince." By_ FRANCIS MOORE. London, 1738.] + +"On Thursday, November 4th, 1737, Sir Hans Sloane communicated to the +Royal Society a letter which a gentleman had received from Job, the +African, _whom_ MR. OGLETHORPE _released from slavery_, and the +African Company sent home to his own country, in one of their +ships, about twelve months ago. In this letter he very gratefully +acknowledges the favor he received in England; and, in answer to some +things desired of him when here, says that he has been in the country +where the tree producing the _gum-Arabic_ grows, and can assist the +English in that trade. He further says, that he has been up in the +country, as far as the mountains from whence the _gold-dust_ is wafted +down; and that if the English would build flat-bottomed boats to go up +the river, and send persons well skilled in separating the gold from +the ore, they might gain vastly more than at present they do by the +dust trade; and that he should be always ready and willing to use the +utmost of his power, (which is very considerable in that country,) to +encourage and support them therein."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Political State of Great Britain_, Vol. LIII. p. 18.] + +Mr. Nichols, who has inserted his name among the members of _the +Gentleman's Society at Spalding_, adds, "died 1773."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Literary Anecdotes_, Vol. VI. p. 90.] + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +Project for settling the south-western frontier of Carolina--A Charter +granted for it, by the name of Georgia--Trustees appointed, who +arrange a plan of Settlement--They receive a grant of Money from +Parliament, and from Subscriptions and Contributions--Oglethorpe takes +a lively interest in it--States the Object, and suggests Motives for +Emigration--A Vessel hired to convey the Emigrants--Oglethorpe offers +to accompany the intended Colonists--His disinterested devotedness to +the benevolent and patriotic Enterprise. + + +The project, which had been for some time in contemplation, of +settling the south-eastern frontier of Carolina, between the rivers +Savannah and Alatamaha,[1] suggested to Oglethorpe that it could be +effected by procuring the liberation of insolvent debtors, and uniting +with them such other persons in reduced circumstances as might be +collected elsewhere, and inducing them to emigrate thither and form a +settlement. + +[Footnote 1: See _A Discourse concerning the designed establishment +of a new Colony to the south of Carolina, by Sir_ ROBERT MONTGOMERY, +_Baronet. London_, 1717.] + +As such a project and design required for its furtherance more means +than an individual could furnish, and more managing and directing +power than, unaided, he himself could exert, Oglethorpe sought the +coöperation of wealthy and influential persons in the beneficent +enterprise. Concurring with his views, twenty-one associates +petitioned the throne for an act of incorporation, and obtained +letters-patent, bearing date the 9th of June, 1732; the preamble of +which recited, among other things, that "many of his Majesty's poor +subjects were, through misfortunes and want of employment, reduced +to great necessities, and would be glad to be settled in any of his +provinces of America, where, by cultivating the waste and desolate +lands, they might not only gain a comfortable subsistence, but also +strengthen the colonies, and increase the trade, navigation, and +wealth of his Majesty's realms." And then added, that, for the +considerations aforesaid, the King did constitute and appoint +certain persons, whose names are given, "trustees for settling and +establishing the colony of Georgia in America," the intended new +province being so called in honor of the King, who encouraged readily +the benevolent project, and contributed largely to its furtherance. + +At the desire of these gentlemen, there were inserted clauses in the +charter, restraining them and their successors from receiving any +salary, fee, perquisite, or profit, whatsoever, by or from this +undertaking; and also from receiving any grant of lands within the +said district to themselves, or in trust for them.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Appendix, No. IX.] + +"No colony," says Southey, "was ever established upon principles more +honorable to its projectors. The conduct of the trustees did not +discredit their profession. They looked for no emolument to themselves +or their representatives after them."[1] + +[Footnote 1: SOUTHEY'S Life of Wesley, Vol. I. p. 179.] + +In pursuance of the requisitions of the charter, the trustees held +a meeting in London, about the middle of July, for the choice of +officers, and the drawing up of rules for the transaction of business. +They adopted a seal for the authentication of such official papers as +they should issue. It was formed with two faces; one for legislative +acts, deeds, and commissions, and the other, "the common seal," as it +was called, to be affixed to grants, orders, certificates, &c. The +device on the one was two figures resting upon urns, representing the +rivers Savannah and Alatamaha, the north-eastern and south-western +boundaries of the province, between which the genius of the colony was +seated, with a cap of liberty on her head, a spear in one hand, and a +cornucopia in the other, with the inscription COLONIA GEORGIA AUG: On +the other face was a representation of silk-worms; some beginning, and +others completing their labors, which were characterized by the +motto, NON SIBI SED ALIIS. This inscription announced the beneficent +disposition and disinterested motives of the trustees; while the +device was an allusion to a special object which they had in +view,--the production of silk. + +They had learned that the climate of the region was particularly +favorable to the breeding of the worms, and that the mulberry-tree was +indigenous there. They conceived that the attention requisite, during +the few weeks of the feeding of the worms, might be paid by the women +and children, the old and infirm, without taking off the active men +from their employment, or calling in the laborers from their work. For +encouragement and assistance in the undertaking, they were willing to +engage persons from Italy, acquainted with the method of feeding the +worms and winding the thread from the cocoons, to go over with the +settlers, and instruct them in the whole process. And they intended to +recommend it strongly to the emigrants to use their utmost skill and +diligence in the culture of mulberry trees, and the prompt attention +to the purpose to which their leaves were to be applied; so that, in +due time the nation might receive such remittances of raw silk as +would evince that their liberality towards effecting the settlement +was well applied, and available in produce of an article of +importation of so valuable a nature, and in great demand. + +The trustees were excited to this project by Oglethorpe, who had been +deeply engaged in ascertaining the value of wrought silk as an article +of commerce, and also of the raw silk for domestic manufacture, at the +time when Mr. John Lombe's invention for winding and reeling had been +brought before Parliament. And now he considered that it would be +an exceedingly desirable project to introduce the raising of the +commodity in the projected new settlement, and thus diminish to the +nation the large sums annually expended in the importation. + +This is one of those prospective measures for the advancement of the +colony, which were nearly a century before the age.[1] Others will +hereafter be mentioned alike entitled to wonder and admiration. + +[Footnote 1: See in the Appendix to this volume, a brief history of +the culture of silk in Georgia.] + +In order to fulfil the intent and promote the purposes of their +incorporation, the trustees gave public notice that they were ready to +receive applications from such as were disposed to emigrate. They +also appointed a committee to visit the prisons, and make a list of +insolvent debtors for whom a discharge from the demands of their +creditors could be obtained, and to ascertain what compromise might +be effected for their release;[1] as also to inquire into the +circumstances and character of applicants. To render these more +willing to emigrate, it became necessary to hold out encouragement +and to offer outfits. To defray these and meet subsequent expenses in +carrying the enterprize into effect, they first set the example of +contribution themselves, and then undertook to solicit benefactions +from others. Several individuals subscribed liberally; collections +were made throughout the kingdom; the directors of the Bank of England +volunteered a handsome contribution; and the Parliament gave ten +thousand pounds. + +[Footnote 1: "That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth! to them +that are in darkness, Show yourselves! They shall feed in the ways. +They shall no longer hunger or thirst; FOR HE THAT HATH MERCY ON THEM +SHALL LEAD THEM, even by the springs of water shall he guide them, +with those that come from far."--Isaiah xlix. 9,11.] + +Having thus acquired a fund to be laid out in clothing, arming, +sending over, and supporting the emigrants, and for supplying them +with necessary implements to commence and carry on the settlement, the +following statement was published: "There are many poor, unfortunate +persons in this country, who would willingly labor for their bread, if +they could find employment and get bread for laboring. Such persons +may be provided for by being sent to a country where there are vast +tracts of fertile land lying uninhabited and uncultivated. They will +be taken care of on their passage; they will get lands on which to +employ their industry; they will be furnished with sufficient tools +for setting their industry to work; and they will be provided with +a certain support, till the fruits of their industry can come in to +supply their wants; and all this without subjecting themselves to any +master, or submitting to any slavery. The fruits of every man's own +industry are to be his own. Every man who transports himself thither +is to enjoy all the privileges of a free-born subject."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Political state of Great Britain, for August_, 1732, +Vol. XLIV. p. 150.] + +Oglethorpe himself stated the object, the motive, and the inducements +of such an emigration in the following terms. "They who can make life +tolerable here, are willing to stay at home, as it is indeed best for +the kingdom that they should. But they who are oppressed with poverty +and misfortunes, are unable to be at the charges of removing from +their miseries, and these are the persons intended to be relieved. And +let us cast our eyes on the multitude of unfortunate individuals in +the kingdom, of reputable families, and of liberal, or at least +easy education, some undone by guardians, some by lawsuits, some +by accidents in commerce, some by stocks and bubbles, and some by +suretyship; but all agree in this one circumstance, that they must +either be burdensome to their relations, or betake themselves to +little shifts for sustenance, which, it is ten to one do not answer +their purposes, and to which a well-educated person descends with the +utmost constraint. What various misfortunes may reduce the rich, +the industrious, to danger of a prison,--to a moral certainty of +starving!--These are the persons that may relieve themselves, and +strengthen Georgia by resorting thither, and Great Britain by their +departure. + +"With a view to the relief of people in the condition I have +described, his Majesty has, this present year, incorporated a +considerable number of persons of quality and distinction, and +invested a large tract of South Carolina in them, by the name of +Georgia, in trust, to be distributed among the necessitous. Those +Trustees not only give land to the unhappy, who go thither, but are +also empowered to receive the voluntary contributions of charitable +persons to enable them to furnish the poor adventurers with all +necessaries for the expense of the voyage, occupying the land, and +supporting them, until they find themselves settled. So that now the +unfortunate will not be obliged to bind themselves to a long service +to pay for their passage, for they may be carried _gratis_ into a land +of liberty and plenty, where they will immediately find themselves in +possession of a competent estate, in a happier climate than they knew +before,--and they are unfortunate indeed if they cannot forget their +sorrows."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _New and Accurate Account of the Provinces of South +Carolina and Georgia_. London. 1733. p. 30--33.] + +When the Trustees had got a list of a sufficient number of persons +disposed to emigrate, they resolved to send them over. + +A vessel was hired to convey the emigrants, fitted up for their +accommodation, and supplied with stores, not only for the voyage, but +for their support after their arrival. The Trustees also furnished +tools for building, implements for husbandry, domestic utensils, +and various other articles; and JAMES OGLETHORPE, Esq., one of the +Trustees, and the most zealous and active promoter of the enterprise, +having signified his readiness to go with the emigrants, and in the +same ship, in order to see that they were well treated, and to take +care of them after their landing, was clothed with power to exercise +the functions of Governor of the Colony.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Account, shewing the progress of the Colony of Georgia +from its first settlement; published by order of the Honorable +Trustees, by Benjamin Martin, Secretary_. London. 1741.] + +He was prompted to engage in this undertaking by the spirit of +enterprise and an enlarged philanthropy and patriotism. While the +benevolent purpose called into exercise his noblest feelings, he +considered that the settlement of a new colony, in a pleasant region, +would not only raise the character and highly improve the condition of +those by whom it was constituted, but contribute to the interests of +the British empire. + +In all this he was actuated by motives wholly disinterested; for he +freely devoted his time, his exertions, and his influence to the +enterprise; and not only bore his own expenses, but contributed +largely to the means and assistance of others.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See Appendix, No. X.] + +The Abbe Raynal, in his _Philosophical and Political History of +the British Settlements in America_,[1] states as the _cause_ of +Oglethorpe's undertaking, what, when rightly understood, was but a +_consequence_ of it. He says, "A rich and humane citizen, at his +death, left the whole of his estate to set at liberty such insolvent +debtors as were detained in prison by their creditors. Prudential +reasons of policy concurred in the performance of this Will, dictated +by humanity; and the Government gave orders that such unhappy +prisoners as were released should be transported into Georgia. The +Parliament added nine thousand eight hundred and forty-three pounds +fifteen shillings, to the estate left by the Will of the citizen. A +voluntary subscription produced a much more considerable sum. General +Oglethorpe, a man who had distinguished himself by his taste for great +designs, by his zeal for his country, and his passion for glory, +was fixed upon to direct these public finances, and to carry into +execution so excellent a project." + +[Footnote 1: Book II. Chap. IV. See also his _History of the +Settlements and Trade of the East and West Indies, by Europeans_, Book +XVIII. Vol. VII. page 359, of the English translation. Lond. 1787.] + +Mr. Warden, adopted this account, but varied a little from it; for he +says, "It happened that Oglethorpe was named executor for the disposal +of a legacy left by a wealthy Englishman for the deliverance of +insolvent debtors, detained in prison; and this donation, with others, +procured from generous individuals, and ten thousand pounds sterling +advanced by the government, was employed for the establishment of a +colony, where this unfortunate class of men might find an asylum."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Statistical, Political, and Historical Account of the +United States of America_. Vol. II. p. 471.] + +Mr. Graham has also followed this statement, and given the testator +the credit of projecting the release of prisoners for debt; a project +which originated solely with Oglethorpe.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _History of America_. Vol. III p. 180.] + +I have sought in vain for early vouchers of this statement, and feel +assured that the project did not grow out of a bequest either of a +"whole estate," or a "legacy" of any amount, left by "a rich citizen," +or "a wealthy subject" of Great Britain. The story, like most others, +becoming amplified by repetition, arose from the fact that Edward +Adderly, Esq. had given, in his Will, the sum of one hundred pounds in +aid of the settlement of Georgia; but that was _two years after the +settlement had commenced_; and it was not to Oglethorpe individually +to manage, but to the Trustees to appropriate. + +Among my authorities are the publications of the day, when facts and +circumstances are mentioned as taking place, and may, therefore, be +relied on. I dwell on them more particularly, and lay on them greater +stress, because all the early narratives speak of Oglethorpe as the +projector of the undertaking, the leader of the emigrants, the founder +of the colony. The publisher of "An account of the first planting of +the colony of Georgia,"[1] speaking of his engagedness in this noble +cause, says, "This was an instance of generosity and public spirit, +and an enterprise of fatigue as Well as of danger, which few ages or +nations can boast." + +[Footnote 1: _Account of the first planting of the colony of Georgia; +published from the records of the Trustees; by_ BENJAMIN MARTIN, +_their Secretary_. Lond. 1741, p. 11.] + +Ambition and enterprise were strong traits in his character; and what +he devised, his firmness of constitution, vigor of health, force of +principle, and untiring perseverance, enabled him to pursue to its +accomplishment. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +The emigrants embark--Arrive at Charlestown, South +Carolina--Oglethorpe visits Governor Johnson--Proceeds up the +Savannah river--Place of settlement fixed upon--Town laid out--Labors +superintended, and assisted by Colonel Bull--Treaty with Tomo +Chichi--Progress of settlement--Oglethorpe makes a visit to Governor +Johnson, and presents himself before the House of Assembly, and makes +an Address of grateful acknowledgment of favors received--Returns to +Savannah--Holds a treaty with the Lower Creeks--Goes to head-quarters +on the Ogechee--Fort Argyle built--Savannah laid out in wards, and +Court of Records instituted. + + +On the 16th of November, 1732, the intended emigrants embarked, +accompanied by the Reverend Henry Herbert, D.D., a clergyman of the +Church of England, as Chaplain, and Mr. Amatis, from Piedmont, who was +engaged to instruct them in raising silk-worms, and the art of winding +silk. The, following "account of their setting forth," is taken from a +contemporary publication. + +"The Ann galley, of about two hundred tons, is on the point of +sailing from Depford, for the new Colony of Georgia, with thirty-five +families, consisting of carpenters, brick-layers, farmers, &c., who +take all proper instruments for their employment on their arrival. The +men are learning military discipline of the guards; and are furnished +with muskets, bayonets, and swords, to defend the colony in case of an +attack from the Indians. The vessel has on board ten tons of Alderman +Parsons's best beer, and will take in at Madeira five tons of wine for +the service of the colony. Many of the Trustees were on board for the +purpose of ascertaining whether they were suitably accommodated and +provided for; and to take leave of the worthy gentleman of their own +body, who goes with them to take care of them, and to direct in laying +out their lands, and forming a town."[1] + +[Footnote 1: GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE for 1732, p. 1029.] + +In pursuance of the benevolent design of the Trustees, Oglethorpe +engaged in this expedition entirely at his own expense; furnished his +own cabin-fare, on board; and was constantly attentive, during the +whole voyage, to the situation and comfort of the passengers. + +On the 13th of January, 1733, the ship dropt anchor outside of the +bar, at the port of Charlestown, South Carolina. Excepting that two +infirm children died on the passage, all that went on board had been +well, and arrived in good health.[1] + +[Footnote 1: The following details are taken from what appears to be +information sent to the Trustees in London, and by them published +in that popular Journal entitled "_The Political State of Great +Britain_," Vol. XLVI. page 234, collated with _The History of the +Rise, Progress, and Present State of the Colony of Georgia_, in +HARRIS'S Collection of Voyages, II. 327.] + +Oglethorpe, with his suite, went on shore to wait on the Governor of +the Province, his Excellency Robert Johnson. He was received in the +kindest manner, and treated by him and the Council with every mark of +civility and respect. Sensible of the great advantage that must accrue +to Carolina from this new colony, the Governor afforded all the +assistance in his power to forward the settlement; and immediately +sent an order to Mr. Middleton, the king's pilot, to conduct the ship +into Port Royal, and to furnish small craft to convey the colonists +thence to the river Savannah. + +In about ten hours they proceeded with this naval escort. On the 18th +Mr. Oglethorpe went ashore on Tench's Island, where he left eight men, +with directions to prepare huts for the people who would disembark, +and tarry there till he could make farther arrangements. He proceeded +thence to Beaufort, a frontier town of South Carolina, situated on +Port Royal Island, at the mouth of the Coosawatchie river, having an +excellent harbor. + +Early the next morning he went ashore, and was saluted by a discharge +of the artillery. The Colonists, arriving on the 20th, were cheerfully +received and assisted by Lieutenant Watts, Ensign Farrington, and +other officers of the King's Independent Company on that station; and +were waited upon and welcomed by Mr. Delabarr and gentlemen of the +neighborhood.[1] + +[Footnote 1: "_Brief Account of the Progress of the First Colony sent +to Georgia_,"--inserted in the 46th volume, p. 234, of the "_Political +State of Great Britain_;" and it makes the second Tract in FORCE'S +Collection.] + +While the sea-worn emigrants rested and refreshed themselves, the +indefatigable Oglethorpe, accompanied by Colonel William Bull, a man +of knowledge and experience, went up the river to explore the country. +Having found a pleasant spot of ground near to Yamacraw, they fixed +upon the place as the most convenient and healthy situation for the +settlers, and there marked out a town, which, from the Indian name of +the river that ran past it, they called Savannah. + +On the 24th he returned, and with the emigrants celebrated the +following Sunday as a day of Thanksgiving for their safe arrival. +A sermon was preached by the Reverend Mr. Jones,[1] by exchange of +services with Doctor Herbert, who officiated at Beaufort. There was a +great resort of gentlemen and their families, from the neighborhood, +to welcome the new-comers, and unite with them in the gladness of the +occasion. + +[Footnote 1: REV LEWIS JONES. See some account of him in DALCHO'S +_History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in South Carolina_, p. +378.] + +On the 31st they arrived at the place selected for their settlement, +the description of which by Oglethorpe himself, in a letter to the +Trustees, dated the 10th of February, 1733, cannot fail to give both +interesting information and much pleasure to the reader. + +After referring to a former letter, and giving a brief notice of their +arrival at Beaufort, and his selection of a site, a few miles higher +up the river, for laying out a town, he adds, "The river here forms a +half-moon, along side of which the banks are about forty feet high, +and on the top is a flat, which they call 'a bluff.' The plain high +ground extends into the country about five or six miles; and, along +the river side, about a mile. Ships that draw twelve feet of water can +ride within ten yards of the bank. Upon the river side, in the centre +of this plain, I have laid out the town, opposite to which is an +island of very rich pasturage, which I think should be kept for the +cattle of the Trustees. The river is pretty wide, the water fresh, and +from the key of the town you see its whole course to the sea, with the +island of Tybee, which is at its mouth. For about six miles up into +the country, the landscape is very agreeable, the stream being wide, +and bordered with high woods on both sides. + +"The whole people arrived here on the first of February. At night +their tents were got up. Until the tenth they were taken up with +unloading and making a crane, which I then could not finish, and so +took off the hands, and set some to the fortification, and began to +fell the woods. + +"I have marked out the town and common; half of the former is already +cleared; and the first house was begun yesterday in the afternoon. + +"I have taken ten of the Independent Company to work for us, for which +I make them an allowance. + +"I send you a copy of the resolution of the Assembly of Carolina, and +the Governor and Council's letter to me.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Appendix, No. X.] + +"Mr. Whitaker has given us one hundred head of cattle. Colonel Bull, +Mr. Barlow, Mr. St. Julian, and Mr. Woodward are come up to assist us, +with some of their servants. + +"I am so taken up in looking after a hundred necessary things, that +I write now short, but shall give you a more particular account +hereafter. + +"A little Indian nation, the only one within fifty miles, is not only +in amity, but desirous to be subjects to his Majesty King George, to +have lands given them among us. Their chief, and his beloved man, who +is the second in the nation, desire to be instructed in the Christian +religion."[1] + +[Footnote 1: "The _beloved man_ is a person of much consequence. He +maintains and exercises great influence in the state, particularly +in military affairs, their Senate, or Council, never determining an +expedition or treaty without his consent and assistance." BOUDINOT, +_Star in the East_, p. 202.] + +Realizing how important it was to obtain the consent of the natural +proprietors of the region, to the settlement of his colony here, and +how desirable to be on good terms with those in the vicinity, he +sought for an interview with Tomo Chichi, the Mico, or chief of a +small tribe who resided at a place called Yamacraw, three miles up the +river. Most fortunately and opportunely, he met with an Indian woman +who had married a Carolinian trader by the name of Musgrove; and +who understood and could speak the English language; and he availed +himself of her assistance as an interpreter.[1] The conference ended +in a compact and treaty, favorable to the new comers. From this +venerable chieftain he afterwards learned, that, besides that +immediate district, the territory was claimed and partly occupied by +the tribes of the upper and lower Creeks, whose formidable power, no +less than their distinct pretensions, rendered it important that their +consent should also be obtained. Accordingly, to gain their favor and +sanction, he engaged Tomo Chichi to despatch an invitation to their +chiefs, to hold a conference with him at Savannah. + +[Footnote 1: Oglethorpe afterwards allowed her an annual stipend +for her services, finding that she had great influence with the +Indians.--Some years afterwards she married the Reverend Mr. +Bosomworth; and then she put on airs, and united with him in a +vexatious claim for a large tract of land. _See_ McCALL, Vol. I. p. +213. Bosomworth had been a Chaplain in the Regiment of the General; +had received many favors from him personally; and a salary from the +_Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign parts_.] + +A letter from Oglethorpe, dated Savannah March 12th, 1732-3, gives the +following additional information. + +"This Province is much larger than we thought, being one hundred and +twenty miles from this river to the Alatamaha. This river has a very +long course, and a great trade is carried on by it to the Indians, +there having above twelve trading boats passed since I have been here. + +"There are in Georgia, on this side the mountains, three considerable +nations of Indians; one called the _Lower Creeks_, consisting of nine +towns, or rather cantons, making about one thousand men able to +bear arms. One of these is within a short distance from us, and has +concluded a peace with us, giving up their right to all this part of +the country; and I have marked out the lands which they have reserved +to themselves. The King comes constantly to church, and is desirous to +be instructed in the Christian religion; and has given me his nephew, +a boy, who is his next heir, to educate. + +"The two other nations are the Uchees and the _Upper Creeks_; the first +consisting of two hundred, the latter of eleven hundred men. We agree +so well with the Indians, that the Creeks and Uchees have referred to +me a difference to determine, which otherwise would have occasioned a +war. + +"Our people still lie in tents, there being only two clapboard houses +built, and three sawed houses framed. Our crane, our battery of +cannon, and magazine are finished. This is all that we have been able +to do, by reason of the smallness of our number, of which many have +been sick, and others unused to labor; though, I thank God, they are +now pretty well, and we have not lost one since our arrival here."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Political Taste of Great Britain_, Vol. XLV. p. 445.] + +The following extract from a letter dated Charlestown, 22d March, +1732-3, and printed in the South Carolina Gazette, describes, in +honorable terms, the attention which the leader of this enterprise +devoted to its furtherance.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See also "_Account showing the progress of the Colony of +Georgia from its first Establishment_." Lond. 1741. The _Appendix_, +No. 2 contains the Letter, with this notice--"Written by a Gentleman +of Charlestown, who, with some others, went thither, [i.e. to +Savannah] out of curiosity."] + +"Mr. Oglethorpe is indefatigable, and takes a great deal of pains. +His fare is but indifferent, having little else at present but salt +provisions. He is extremely well beloved by all the people. The +general title they give him is _Father_. If any of them are sick, he +immediately visits them, and takes a great deal of care of them. If +any difference arises, he is the person that decides it. Two happened +while I was there, and in my presence; and all the parties went away, +to outward appearance, satisfied and contented with his determination. +He keeps a strict discipline. I never saw one of his people drunk, nor +heard one of them swear, all the time I was there. He does not allow +them rum; but in lieu gives them English beer. It is surprizing to see +how cheerful the men go to work, considering they have not been bred +to it. There are no idlers there. Even the boys and girls do their +part. There are four houses already up, but none finished; and he +hopes, when he has got more sawyers, which I suppose he will have in a +short time, to finish two houses a week. He has ploughed up some land; +part of which he has sowed with wheat, which has come up, and looks +promising. He has two or three gardens, which he has sowed with divers +sorts of seed, and planted thyme, sage, pot-herbs, leeks, skellions, +celery, liquorice, &c., and several trees. He was palisading the town +and inclosing some part of the common; which I suppose may be finished +in about a fortnight's time. In short, he has done a vast deal of +work for the time; and I think his name justly deserves to be +immortalized." + +"Colonel Bull, who had been sent by Governor Johnson to assist in +laying out the town, and to describe to the people the manner of +felling the trees, and of clearing, breaking up, and cultivating the +ground, was a very efficient helper. He brought with him four of his +negroes, who were sawyers, to help the workmen; and also provisions +for them; being resolved not to put the Trustees to any expense; but +to bestow his aid in the most free and useful manner. Others from +Carolina, also, sent laborers, who, being accustomed to preparing +a plantation for settlement, were very expert, and of essential +service." + +Thus generously assisted, the new settlers were enabled to cut down a +great number of trees[1]; to clear the land, to construct comfortable +houses[2], to make enclosures of yards and gardens, to build +a guard-house and fortification, and to effect other means of +accommodation and defence. + +[Footnote 1: Four beautiful pine-trees were left upon the plain, under +which General Oglethorpe encamped.] + +[Footnote 2: These were all of the same size; 22 by 16 feet. The +town-lots consisted of one quarter of an acre; but they had other +lots, at a small distance out of town, consisting of five acres, +designed for plantations.] + +A public garden was laid out, which was designed as a nursery, in +order to supply the people with white mulberry trees, vines, oranges, +olives, and various necessary plants, for their several plantations; +and a gardener was appointed for the care of it, to be paid by the +Trustees. + +Things being put in a good train, and the proper station and +employment of every man assigned him, Oglethorpe went to Charlestown +on a visit to Governor Johnson and the Council. His object was to make +a more intimate acquaintance with them, gratefully to acknowledge the +succors for the new comers which had been so generously bestowed; and +to consult measures for their mutual intercourse. + +On Saturday, June 9th, presenting himself before the Governor and +House of Assembly, he thus addressed them. + +"I should think myself very much wanting in justice and gratitude, +if I should neglect thanking your Excellency, you gentlemen of the +Council, and you gentlemen of the Assembly, for the assistance which +you have given to the Colony of Georgia. I have long wished for an +opportunity of expressing my sense of the universal zeal which the +inhabitants of this province have shewn for assisting that colony; and +could not think of any better opportunity than now, when the whole +province is virtually present in its General Assembly. I am, +therefore, gentlemen, to thank you for the handsome assistance given +by private persons, as well as by the public. I am to thank you, +not only in the name of the Trustees, and the little colony now in +Georgia, but in behalf of all the distressed people of Britain and +persecuted Protestants of Europe, to whom a place of refuge will be +secured by this first attempt. + +"Your charitable and generous proceeding, besides the +self-satisfaction which always attends such actions, will be of the +greatest advantage to this province. You, gentlemen, are the best +judges of this; since most of you have been personal witnesses of the +dangerous blows which this country has escaped from French, Spanish, +and Indian arms. Many of you know this by experience, having +signalized yourselves personally, either when this province by its +own strength, and unassisted by any thing but the courage of its +inhabitants and the providence of God, repulsed the formidable +invasions of the French; or when it defeated the whole body of the +southern Indians, who were armed against it, and was invaded by the +Spaniards, who assisted them. You, gentlemen, know that there was a +time when every day brought fresh advices of murders, ravages, and +burnings; when no profession or calling was exempted from arms; when +every inhabitant of the province was obliged to leave wife, family, +and useful occupations, and undergo the fatigues of war, for the +necessary defence of the country; and all their endeavors scarcely +sufficient to guard the western and southern frontiers against the +Indians. + +"It would be needless for me to tell you, who are much better judges, +how the increasing settlement of a new colony upon the southern +frontiers, will prevent the like danger for the future. Nor need I +tell you how every plantation will increase in value, by the safety of +the Province being increased; since the lands to the southward already +sell for above double what they did before the new Colony arrived. +Nor need I mention the great lessening of the burden of the people by +increasing the income of the tax from the many thousand acres of land +either taken or taking up on the prospect of future security. + +"The assistance which the Assembly have given, though not quite +equal to the occasion, is very large with respect to the present +circumstances of the Province; and, as such, shows you to be kind +benefactors to your new-come countrymen, whose settlements you +support; and dutiful subjects to his Majesty, whose revenues and +dominions you by this means increase and strengthen. + +"As I shall soon return to Europe, I must recommend the infant Colony +to your further protection; being assured, both from your generosity +and wisdom, that you will, in case of any danger or necessity, give it +the utmost support and assistance." + +To the insertion of this speech in the _Political State of Great +Britain_, October, 1733, page 361, it is added, "On the Sunday evening +following he set out again for Georgia; so that we may perceive +that there is no endeavor wanting in him to establish and make that +settlement a flourishing colony; but his conduct in this whole affair +is by much the more extraordinary, and the more to be applauded, +because, by the nature of the settlement, he cannot so much as expect +any private or particular benefit; he cannot possibly have any other +reward but that which is the certain, the eternal reward of good +actions, a consciousness of having done a service to his country, and +to mankind." + +Favored by their industry, and the smiles of a propitious providence +in that delightful region, "the wilderness and the solitary place was +glad for them; and the desert rejoiced and blossomed as a rose."[1] +"They planted vineyards, and made themselves gardens, and set out in +them trees of all kinds of fruits."[2] + +[Footnote 1: Isaiah, xxxv. 1.] + +[Footnote 2: Ecclesiastes, ii. 3.] + +In aid and encouragement of the settlement, the Trustees received +a letter from THOMAS PENN, Proprietor of Pennsylvania, dated +Philadelphia, March 6th, 1732-3, approving very highly of the +undertaking, promising to contribute all the assistance in his power, +and acquainting them that he had for himself subscribed one hundred +pounds sterling, and that he was collecting what sums of money he +could get from others, to be sent them, in order to be employed for +the purposes of their charter[1]. + +[Footnote 1: _Political State of Great Britain_, for June, 1733, Vol. +XLV. p. 543.] + +It has been already observed that "Oglethorpe endeavored very early to +secure the favor of the Indians, who, by ranging through the woods, +would be capable of giving constant intelligence to prevent any +surprise upon the people, and would be a good out-guard for the inland +parts of the Colony; as also to obtain of them grants of territory, +and privilege of undisturbed occupancy and improvement[1]." He was +pleased, therefore, on his return from Charlestown, to find the chiefs +of the Lower Creeks in waiting; the purpose of whose visit, as +made known by Mr. Wiggan[2] and Mr. John Musgrove, who acted as +interpreters, was to treat on an alliance with the Colony. + +[Footnote 1: _Account, showing the Progress of the Colony of Georgia, +from its first Establishment_. Lond. 1741, p. 13.] + +[Footnote 2: William Wiggan, who accompanied Sir Alexander Cuming in +the beginning of the year 1731, on his journey to the Cherokees, +is, in the narrative of that expedition, called not merely "the +interpreter," but "the complete linguist."] + +These Creeks consisted of eight tribes, united in a kind of political +confederacy; all speaking the same language, but being under separate +jurisdictions. Their deputation was composed of their micoes, or +chiefs, and leading warriors, about fifty in number.[1] + +[Footnote 1: "Besides a king, every Indian town has a head warrior, who +is in great esteem among them, and whose authority seems to be greater +than their kings; because the king is looked upon as little else than +a civil magistrate, except it so happens that he is at the same time +a head warrior." _Narrative of a Journey among the Indians in the +Northwest parts of South Carolina_, 1731, by Sir ALEXANDER CUMING. +See, also, Appendix, No. XII.] + +The General received them with courtesy, and then invited them to "a +talk," in one of the new houses. He informed them that the English, by +coming to settle there, did not pretend to dispossess, nor think to +annoy the natives; but above all things desired to live on good terms +with them, and hoped, through their representatives, now present, to +obtain from them a cession of that part of the region on which he had +entered, and to form and confirm a treaty of friendship and trade. + +When he had explained his views with respect to the settlers, and +their designs in making the location, Ouechachumpa, a very tall old +man, in the name of the rest, informed the British adventurers what +was the extent of the country claimed by their tribes. He acknowledged +the superiority of the white men to the red; and said that he was +persuaded that the Great Spirit who dwelt above and all around, (whose +immensity he endeavored to express by throwing abroad his hands, +and prolonging his articulations as he spoke,) had sent the English +thither for the good of the natives; and, therefore, they were welcome +to all the land which the Creeks did not use themselves. He confirmed +his speech by laying before Oglethorpe eight buckskins, one for each +of the Creeks; the best things, he said, that they had to bestow. He +thanked them for their kindness to Tomo Chichi, who, it seems, had +been banished with some of his adherents, from his own nation; but +for his valor and wisdom had been chosen mico by the Yamacraws, an +emigrating branch of the same stock. + +The declarations of the speaker were confirmed by short speeches of +the others; when Tomo Chichi, attended by some of his friends, came +in, and, making a low obeisance, said, "When these white men came, +I feared that they would drive us away, for we were weak; but they +promised not to molest us. We wanted corn and other things, and they +have given us supplies; and now, of our small means, we make them +presents in return. Here is a buffalo skin, adorned with the head +and feathers of an eagle. The eagle signifies speed, and the buffalo +strength. The English are swift as the eagle, and strong as the +buffalo. Like the eagle they flew hither over great waters; and like +the buffalo nothing can withstand them. But the feathers of the +eagle are soft, and signify kindness; and the skin of the buffalo is +covering, and signifies protection. Let these, then, remind them to be +kind, and protect us." + +The alliance was soon made. The treaty contained stipulations on the +part of the English, concerning trade; reparation of injuries, should +any be committed; and punishment for impositions, should any be +practised upon them; and, on the part of the Indians, a free and +formal cession of that part of the region which was not used by the +Yamacraws, nor wanted by the Creeks. By this cession they made a grant +to the Trustees of the lands upon Savannah river as far as the river +Ogechee, and all the lands along the sea-coast between Savannah and +Alatamaha rivers, extending west as high as the tide flows, and +including all the islands; the Indians reserving to themselves the +islands of Ossabaw, Sapeloe, and St. Catherines, for the purposes of +hunting, bathing and fishing; as also the tract of land lying between +Pipe-maker's bluff and Pallachucola creek, above Yamacraw bluff, which +they retained as an encampment when they should come to visit their +beloved friends in that vicinity. This special reservation of some +islands had been made by them in their treaty with Governor Nicholson, +in 1722. + +Oglethorpe then presented to each of the eight chiefs a laced coat +and hat, and a shirt; to each of the eight war-captains, a gun, with +powder, flint, bullets and shot; to the beloved men a duffle mantle +of coarse cloth;--and distributed some smaller presents among their +attendants. Upon this they took their leave of him, highly satisfied +with the treatment which they had met.[1] + +[Footnote 1: This Treaty was sent to England, and was confirmed by the +Trustees on the 18th of October, 1733. For a copy of it, see McCALL, +_History of Georgia_, Appendix to Vol. I. p. 357. + +The _History of Georgia_, by Major McCALL has great merit. It was +written by the worthy author under circumstances of bodily suffering, +submitted to, indeed with meekness, borne with heroic fortitude, and +endured with unfailing patience. It is wonderful that he succeeded +so well in the accomplishment of his work, considering the scanty +materials which he could procure; for he says, that, "without map or +compass, he entered an unexplored forest, destitute of any other +guide than a few ragged pamphlets, defaced newspapers, and scraps of +manuscripts."] + +Having taken much pains to become acquainted with the character of the +natives, he furnished a very intelligent traveller, by whom he was +visited, with an interesting account of their manners and customs; who +annexed it to the published volume of his travels.[1] + +[Footnote 1: As this is an extremely rare book, I give the title from +a copy in the library of Harvard College. "_A new voyage to Georgia, +by a young gentleman: giving an account of his travels in South +Carolina, and part of North Carolina. To which is added a curious +account of the Indians by an Honorable Person; and a Poem to James +Oglethorpe, Esq., on his arrival from Georgia_." London, 1735. 12mo. + +The author of the "_History of Georgia_," contained in the 40th volume +of the "_Universal History_," page 456, quotes passages from this +"Account of the Indians," and ascribes it to Oglethorpe.--Mr. SALMON +in the 3d vol. of his _Modern History_, p. 602, giving an account of +_the present state of Georgia_, introduces a quotation from what he +calls "Mr. OGLETHORPE'S account of the religion and government of the +Creeks," in the following words: "Mr. OGLETHORPE, speaking of the +religion and government of the Creek nation, in 'a letter from Georgia +to a person of honor in London,' says 'There seems to be a way opened +to our Colony towards the conversion of the Indians,' &c. This is +decisive in fixing the author; for Mr. SALMON knew the General +personally; and, on publishing another edition of his elaborate work, +obtained from him, a very interesting '_Continuation of the present +state of Georgia_.'" The Letter is copied into the _Gentleman's +Magazine_, Vol. III. p. 108 and 483. See also Appendix, No. XIII.] + +On the 18th of June he went to the Horse-quarter, which lies six miles +up the river Ogechee, and there took with him Captain McPherson, with +a detachment of his rangers, on an excursion into the interior. After +a march of forty miles westward, he chose a post, commanding the +passages by which the Indians used to invade Carolina in the late +wars. Here, upon an eminence which commands all the country round, +he directed that a fortification should be built, to be called "Fort +Argyle," in memory of his honored patron John Duke of Argyle.[1] It is +on the west bank of the Ogechee river. Its design was to protect the +settlers from invasions by the Spaniards. Captain McPherson and his +troop were to be quartered there, and ten families from Savannah to be +removed, as cultivators, to its immediate vicinity. + +[Footnote 1: See Appendix, No. XIV.] + +On the 7th of July, at day break, the inhabitants of Savannah were +assembled on the strand for the purpose of designating the wards of +the town, and assigning the lots. In a devotional service, they +united in thanksgiving to God, that the lines had fallen to them in a +pleasant place, and that they were about to have a goodly heritage. +The wards and tithings were then named; each ward consisting of four +tithings, and each tithing of ten houses; and a house lot was given +to each freeholder. There being in Derby ward but twenty one houses +built; and the other nineteen having no house erected on them, Mr. +Milledge and Mr. Goddard, the two chief carpenters, offered, in the +name of themselves and seventeen of their helpers, to take the unbuilt +on lots, and give the built ones to those who were less able to help +themselves. + +The people then partook of a plentiful dinner, which their generous +Governor had provided.[1] + +[Footnote 1: An account of this transaction in the _South Carolina +Gazette_, under the date of August 8th, closes with this remark; "Some +of the people having privately drunk too freely of rum, are dead; and +that liquor, which was always discountenanced there, is now absolutely +prohibited."] + +In the afternoon the grant of a Court of Record was read, and the +officers were appointed. The session of the magistrates was then held, +a jury impanneled, and a case tried. + +These were necessary regulations for establishing a due regard to +order, discipline, and government. And yet, with all the influence +which their honored leader could give to sanction the measures and +support the authority, there was much to be done to render the +administration effective. The settlers had no common bond of +attachment or accordance; of course, it was very difficult to dispose +them to the reciprocal offices of a social state, much more so to the +still higher obligations of a civil compact. Together with these aims +of those who were put into places of authority, they were obliged +daily to use their endeavors to bring the restive and quarrelsome +into proper subordination; to keep the sluggish and lazy diligently +employed, and to teach the thriftless to be economical and prudent. + +"Tantae molis erat disjunctis condere Gentem!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +Oglethorpe intended to visit Boston, in New England--Governor +Belcher's Letter to him--Provincial Assembly appoint a Committee to +receive him--Sets out on an exploratory Excursion--Names an Island, +Jekyl--Visits Fort Argyle--Returns to Savannah--Saltzburgh emigrants, +conducted by Baron Von Reck, come to settle in Georgia--Oglethorpe +assists them in selecting a place--They call it Ebenezer--He then goes +up the river to Palacholas--Returns--Goes to Charlestown, with Tomo +Chichi and other Indians, in order to take passage to England. + + +Oglethorpe intended to have made the tour of the Colonies; +particularly to have visited Boston, in Massachusetts. Apprized of +this intention, Governor Belcher addressed to him the following +letter[1]. + +[Footnote 1: Copied from the letter-book of Governor Belcher, in the +cabinet of the Massachusetts Historical Society.] + + + Boston, New England, May 3d, 1733. HONORED SIR, + + It is with great pleasure that I congratulate you on your safe + arrival in America; and I have a still greater in the advantages + which these parts of his Majesty's dominions will reap from your + noble and generous pursuits of good to mankind in the settlement + of Georgia. May God Almighty attend you with his blessing, and + crown your toils with success. Several of my friends, sir, from + London, acquaint me with your intentions to pass by land from + South Carolina, through the king's territories as far as this + place; where I shall be very proud of shewing you the just esteem + which I have for you; and shall depend that you will please to + accept such quarters as my habitation affords during your stay in + this government. When you get to Philadelphia or New York, I shall + be glad of the favor of a line from you, to know how and when you + make your route hither. + + I am, with great respect, sir, + + Your most obedient, and most humble servant, + + JONATHAN BELCHER. + +At the next Assembly of the Province, the Governor, in a special +message, apprized them of the expectation which he had of a visit from +the General; and in the House of Representatives "it was ordered that +a committee should be raised to prepare for the reception of James +Oglethorpe, Esq., who may be expected in Boston this summer; that so +the government may express their grateful sense of his good services +to the public interest of the Province." + +June 21st, 1733, the following motion was agreed on:-- + +"Whereas James Oglethorpe, Esq., a member of Parliament, and now at +Georgia, near South Carolina, hath at several times appeared in favor +of New England; and, in a particular manner done many good offices +for this Province, of which this Court hath been advised by Mr. Agent +Wilkes, and that he intends, in a short time, to return to Great +Britain, by the way of Boston:-- + +"_Voted_, That Mr. Speaker, Mr. Cooke, Major Brattle, Mr. Thacher, +Mr. Welles, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Hall, Mr. Webb, and Major Bowles, be a +Committee, from this House, to congratulate that honorable gentleman +upon his arrival at Boston; and, in their name and behalf, acquaint +him that the Assembly are well knowing of the many good offices he +hath done this Province, in that, when the interest, trade, and +business thereof have been under the consideration of the British +Parliament, he hath, in a distinguishing manner, consulted measures to +perpetuate the peace and lasting happiness of this government. And, +as his worthy and generous actions justly deserve a most grateful and +public acknowledgment, to assure him that this country will retain a +lasting remembrance of his great benefactions; and that a recognition +of the favors which they have so frequently received from him, is +the least that the House can offer; while they earnestly desire the +continuance of his good will towards this Province." + +His Excellency then made the following speech: + +"Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives, + +"I am glad to see the respect which you have expressed in your vote to +the Honorable Mr. Oglethorpe, a member of that wise and august body, +the Parliament of Great Britain; but, as there is no money in the +treasury to defray the charge of the reception and entertainment of +that honorable gentleman, I have taken early care to invite him to my +house, when he may come into this Province, and I shall endeavor to +entertain him in such a manner as may express the great esteem which I +have of his attachment to his Majesty and to his Royal House, and of +his regard to this Province, as well as of his great merit. And this I +will do at my own charge, till the treasury may be supplied. And for +these reasons I have not made your vote an order of this Court." + +The Editor of the publication, entitled "_The Political State of +Great Britain_," makes the following remarks upon these doings of the +Legislature of Massachusetts:[1] + +[Footnote 1: Vol. XLVIII. p. 173.] + +"This expression of gratitude towards Mr. Oglethorpe shows that the +gentlemen who are members of the House of Representatives in that +Colony, are men of good sense as well as lovers of their country; +and there is certainly no greater incitement to generous and public +spirited actions than that of public acknowledgment and praise." + +Circumstances, however, prevented his making a visit, so earnestly +expected, and which would have been so mutually gratifying. + +On Wednesday, January 23, 1734, Oglethorpe set out on an exploratory +excursion, to view the southern frontiers, in a row-boat commanded by +Captain Ferguson, attended by fourteen companions and two Indians; +followed by a yawl loaded with ammunition and provisions. They took +"the inland passages." Thus are named the passes between the belt of +"sea-islands" and the main land. For the distance of seven miles from +the ocean along the whole coast, there is a margin of islands and +marshes, intersected by rivers, creeks, and inlets, communicating with +each other, and forming a complete inland navigation for vessels of +one hundred tons. + +Having reached the north-west coast of the islands of Ossabaw, St. +Catherine, and Sapelo, they passed the entrances of Vernon river, of +the Ogechee, and of the northern branches of the Alatamaha; and, on +the 26th landed on the first Albany bluff of St. Simons, where they +lay dry under the shelter of a large live oak tree, though it rained +hard. The next day they proceeded to the sea point of St. Simons, +in order to take an observation of the latitude. They afterwards +discovered an island, of which the general asked the name, and, +finding that it had none, he called it JEKYL, in honor of Sir Joseph +Jekyl, his respected and particular friend[1]. They reconnoitred +various other places, and the mouths of rivers; and, on their return +went up the Ogechee to Fort Argyle, where they lay in a house and upon +beds, "for the first time since they left Thunderbolt[2]." + +[Footnote 1: This eminent man, who was the son of a clergyman in +Northamptonshire, Great Britain, became known as an able lawyer, and +an eloquent statesman. As the friend of the Whigs, he was one of the +managers of Sacheverell's trial; and, after maintaining his principles +and popularity undiminished, he was made, in the reign of George I., +Master of the Rolls and Privy Counsellor, and was also knighted. He +died in 1738, aged 75.] + +[Footnote 2: This startling appellation was early given to a little +settlement in the neighborhood of Savannah, in reference to an awful +explosion there, the effects of which were said to be perceivable +in the sulphuric smell and taste of a spring of water. "Adhuc tenet +nomen, indelibile!"] + + +The fortifications there, by the unwearied diligence of Captain +McPherson, were finished, and very defensible; being well flanked, and +having several pieces of cannon.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Letter from a Gentleman of Savannah to his friend at +Charlestown, S.C._, inserted in _The New England Weekly Journal_, May +13, 1734.] + +By this excursion he ascertained how expedient it was to have an +outpost, with a well-manned fort on the island of St. Simons; and how +desirable to form a settlement and military station near the mouth of +the Alatamaha, for the protection and defence of the colony.[1] + +[Footnote 1: "At the west side of the island is a high bluff, compared +with the marshes in its front; and here Frederica was afterwards +built. The shore is washed by a fine river, which communicates with +the Alatamaha, and enters the ocean through Jekyl sound, at the south +end of the island. It forms a bay which is navigable for vessels of +large burden." McCALL, I. 170.] + +A strong sense of indignation had been expressed in England at the +persecution of the Protestants at Saltzburg, in Bavaria, who had been +banished by an Episcopal edict from their homes on account of their +religion, and, in the midst of winter, driven from the region to seek +a place of refuge[1]. Oglethorpe had shared largely in the general +sympathy; and, in a speech in the House of Commons, had declared his +regret that no provision had been made for their relief in the late +treaty. He proposed to the Trustees for settling the colony of +Georgia, that an asylum should be there opened for these exiles. The +proposition met with ready concurrence. A letter was addressed to +their Elder, the venerable Samuel Urlsperger, to inquire whether a +body of them would be disposed to join the new settlers, if measures +were taken for their transportation. A favorable answer was received. +An English vessel was sent to convey them from Rotterdam to Dover; and +thence they embarked on the 8th of January, 1734, on board the ship +Purrysburgh, Captain Frey, under the more immediate care and conduct +of the Baron Philip George Frederick Von Reck, together with their +Reverend Pastors, John Martin Bolzius and Israel Christian Gronau. +After many difficulties and dangers, they arrived at Charlestown, +South Carolina, on the 7th of March[2]. Oglethorpe, who happened to +be there, as they piously considered, "providentially," bid them a +cheering welcome. He had their ship supplied with provisions; and sent +the sea-sick pilgrims, what is so grateful and refreshing after a +voyage, many baskets of cabbages, turnips, radishes, lettuce, and +other vegetables, "of which the gardens were full." He introduced the +Baron and the ministers to the Governor, who received them with much +civility, and with whom they dined. + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1732, p. 866, and Appendix, No. +XV.] + +[Footnote 2: See Appendix, No. XVI.] + + +The General sent one of his men to their ship, as a pilot, as also to +announce their arrival, and bespeak the attention of the magistrates +at Savannah; and, on the 9th they set sail for the desired region +of peace. They entered the river on the 10th, which was +_reminiscere-Sunday_; and "they called to remembrance the former days, +in which, after they were illuminated," (and because they were so,) +"they endured a great fight of afflictions, partly while they were +made a gazing-stock in their dispersions, and partly while they became +companions of them that were so. But they took unresistingly the +spoiling of their goods, trusting to those who had compassion on their +sufferings."[1] "And they remembered the kindnesses of Oglethorpe." + +[Footnote 1: Hebrews, x. 32-34.] + + +In the journal of their pastor,[1] it is stated, "While we lay off the +banks of our dear Georgia, in a very lovely calm, and heard the birds +singing sweetly, all was cheerful on board. It was really edifying to +us that we came to the borders of 'the promised land,' _this_ day, +when, as we are taught in its lesson from the Gospel, that Jesus came +to the borders by the sea-coast, after he had endured persecution and +rejection by his countrymen." + +[Footnote 1: URLSPURGER, I. p. 80.] + +On the 11th the ship got upon the sand; but was floated off by the +tide on the 12th, and as they passed up the river, they were delighted +with the pleasant prospect on both sides. The balmy odors of the pine +trees, wafted by the land-breeze, seemed like incense mingling with +their orisons, and the carols of the birds were in accordance with +their matin-hymn of praise. This second reference to the minstrelsy +of the grove, will not be wondered at by those who have visited that +region in the spring of the year. The various notes of the feathered +choristers are enchanting, even now, when the din of population has +frightened them into coverts. But then, free and fearless, the strains +were lively and joyful, and the chorus full. + +As the vessel was moored near the landing-place, the inhabitants +flocked down to the bank, and raised a cheering shout, which was +responded with much gladness by the passengers on deck. Some of them +were soon taken off in a boat, and led round to the town, part through +the wood, and part through the newly laid out garden of the Trustees. +Meanwhile "a right good feast" was prepared for them, and they were +regaled with "very fine wholesome English beer." And, as otherwise +much love and friendliness were shewn them by the inhabitants, and as +the beautiful situation round about pleased them, they were in fine +spirits, and their joy was consecrated by praise to God. + +The pastors Gronau and Bolzius, with the commissary Von Reck, and Dr. +Zweitzer were lodged in the house of the Reverend Mr. Quincy[1], whom +they had met at Charlestown, on his return from a visit which he +had been paying to his parents in Boston, Massachusetts, when he +obligingly offered them the accommodation. For the emigrants +barracks and tents were provided till the return of the General from +Charlestown, whither he had gone to take passage for England, "but out +of good will to the Saltzburgers, he put off his voyage for some +days, and was resolved to see them settled before he went[2]." He had +promised them that they should have liberty to choose such part of the +country as they thought most convenient, fertile and pleasant; and +that he would go out with some of their elders, and select a place to +their liking. They desired one at a distance from the sea, on gently +rising ground, with intervening vales, near springs of water, and on +the border of a small river, or clear brook; such being the nature +of the region where they were born. To fulfil this engagement, +immediately after his return, attended with Paul Jenys, Esq., Speaker +of the House of Assembly of South Carolina, and some other gentlemen, +he set out on the 15th of March, with Baron Von Reck, the commissary, +Mr. Gronau, one of the ministers, Mr. Zweitzer their Doctor, and one +of the elders, taking some Indians as guides, to explore the part of +the country which answered to the description of the Saltzburgers. +They went up the river in boats as far as Mr. Musgrove's cow-pens, +where horses were got ready; and, after a ride of about fifteen miles, +westward, through the woods, they arrived at the banks of a river, +eighty feet wide, and twelve deep, with high banks. The adjacent +country was hilly, with valleys of cane-land, intersected with little +brooks, and bordered with springs of water. The Saltzburgers were +extremely pleased with the place, and adopted it They then kneeled +down by the river side, and devoutly thanked God for bringing them out +of their persecutions, safe through so many dangers, into a land of +rest; in memorial of which, they desired that the place might be +called EBENEZER--"Hitherto the Lord hath helped us!" With the Bible +in their hands, they then marched up to a site which was judged most +proper to build upon; sung an hymn, and the pastor pronounced a +benediction. + +[Footnote 1: The Rev. Samuel Quincy, a native of Boston, +Massachusetts, having been educated in England, and received priest's +orders on the 28th of October, 1730, by Dr. Waugh, Bishop of Carlisle, +was, in 1734 sent, by _the Society for Propagating the Gospel in +Foreign Parts_, as a missionary to Georgia.] + +[Footnote 2: Extract from a manuscript of Von Reck's Journal, +furnished me by J.K. Tefft, Esq. of Savannah.] + +Having thus assigned to the exiles, "a local habitation and a name," +they all went to Abercorn, a village lately built, about the distance +of six miles. Thence the commissary and his companions returned to +Savannah, and Oglethorpe, with the speaker, went to Purrysburgh on the +18th in order to row up the river to the Palachocolas Indians, but the +floods from the Cherokee mountains had so swelled the freshes, as to +make that passage too tedious. They, therefore, went back to Abercorn, +and thence to the designed settlement of the Saltzburgers, where +Oglethorpe, parting with his honorable friend, crossed the river with +the Indians, and renewed his excursion to Palachocolas. There he found +a fort erected at the lowest passage of the river, and forty-five +miles from Savannah. Returning from this visit, as he entered Ebenezer +he found eight of the most able-bodied men at work, with their +minister Gronau, in constructing booths and tents against the arrival +of the families. In furtherance of their labors, he laid out the town, +and directed the carpenters, who had arrived also in obedience to his +orders, to assist in building six houses. + +These attentions to the accommodation of the poor Protestants were +gratefully acknowledged, and are recorded in the journal of the +Reverend Mr. Bolzius, with a respectful tribute to the religious +character of Oglethorpe, of which the following is a translation;[1] +"So far as we can conclude from a short acquaintance with him, he is +a man who has a great reverence for God, and his holy word and +ordinances; a cordial love for the servants and children of God; and +who wishes to see the name of Christ glorified in all places. So blest +have been his undertakings and his presence in this land, that more +has been accomplished by him in one year than others would have +effected in many. And since the people here have had such good cause +to appreciate his right fatherly disposition, his indefatigable toil +for their welfare, and his illustrious qualities, they feel that his +departure would be a real loss to them. For us he hath cared with a +most provident solicitude. We unite in prayers for him, that God would +guide him to his home, make his voyage safe and prosperous, and enrich +him with many blessings!" + +[Footnote 1: URLSPURGER, I. p. 91.] + +[Illustration] + +In journeys often and labors more abundant, he returned to Savannah; +and set out from thence on the 23d of March, with the Speaker, to +Charlestown, where he arrived on the 27th with a retinue of Indian +chiefs, whom he had persuaded to accompany him to England. He had +rightly judged that it would be an advantage to the colony to let some +of the natives have a sight of England, as it would give them a high +idea of that kingdom. He had gained the consent of Tomo Chichi and +Scenawki his wife and Toonahowi his nephew; of Hillispilli, the war +chief; Apakowtski, Stimalchi, Sintouchi, and Hinguithi, five chiefs +of the Creek nation; and of Umphichi, a chief from Palachocolas; with +their interpreter. + +They embarked in the Aldborough man of war on Tuesday, the 7th of May, +1734. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Oglethorpe arrives in England with his Indian Escort--Is welcomed +by the Trustees--Apartments are provided for the Indians--They are +introduced to the King and Royal Family--One of their number dies +of the small pox--Visit the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Eton +College--Shown the public buildings and institutions in London--Embark +for Georgia--Their arrival. + + +The Aldborough arrived at St. Helen's, in the Isle of Wight, on the +16th of June, 1734, bringing the founder of the new Colony, with the +most gratifying accounts of his labors and success. He had "laid the +foundation of many generations." He had made "the desolate wilderness +a pleasant portion;" and, for its wildlings, had substituted offsets +which should become "plants of renown." And he had brought with him +some chiefs of the Indian tribes, to testify their accordance with +the new settlement, and to repeat the expression of their desire to +receive instruction in the language and religion of the settlers. + +When a Roman General returned a conqueror, he entered the Imperial +City with a triumphal procession, in martial pomp and pageantry, +dragging at his car the kings and captains he had vanquished. But here +was a return from a successful campaign, not bringing captives taken +in battle, but an escort of unconquered chieftains, themselves sharers +in the ovation of benevolence and the triumph of philanthropy. + +Oglethorpe immediately addressed a letter to Sir John Phillips, +Baronet, notifying him of his return, and giving him the pleasing +intelligence of the safe arrival of the Baron Von Reck, and the +Saltzburgers, whom he called "a very sensible, active, laborious, +and pious people." He mentioned their location as selected to their +liking; and said that he left them busily employed in completing its +settlement. He added, "An Indian chief, named Tomo Chichi, the Mico, +or king of Yamacraw, a man of an excellent understanding, is so +desirous of having the young people taught the English language and +religion, that, notwithstanding his advanced age, he has come over +hither with me to obtain means, and assistant teachers. He has brought +with him a young man whom he calls his nephew and next heir; and +who has already learned the Lord's prayer in the English and Indian +language." + +"I shall leave the Indians at my estate, till I go to the city, where +I shall have the happiness to wait upon you, and to relate all things +to you more fully; over which you will rejoice and wonder[1]." + +[Footnote 1: Not having met with an English copy of the letter, I have +given a version from the German in "_Ausfürliche Nachrichten von der +Salzburgischen en America, von_ SAMUEL URLSPURGHER". Halle, 1745. 4to.] + +Having repaired to his house in old Palace-Yard, Westminster, +he notified the Trustees of his arrival. Some of the gentlemen +immediately called on him, and escorted him to the Georgia office, +where he received their congratulations, with "expressions of their +great satisfaction in the eminent services which he had performed in +behalf of their new settlement."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, June, 1734, p. 327.] + +On the evening of the 21st they gave a grand entertainment in honor of +so distinguished an associate; and heard from him, with admiration, +the narrative of his achievements.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _London Magazine_, June, 1734.] + +On a special meeting they "voted their unanimous thanks to him for the +ability, zeal, activity, and perseverance with which he had conducted +the affairs of the settlement, and assured him that they should ever +hold his services in grateful remembrance." + +A publication of the day thus announces his arrival;[1] "On the 16th +of last month, James Oglethorpe, Esq., member of Parliament for +Haslemere, in Surrey, and of the Trustees for establishing the Colony +of Georgia, arrived in the Aldborough man of war, at St. Helen's, on +his return from that colony; he having had so much generosity and +public spirit as to go along with the first number of persons that +were sent out for its establishment, where he has been ever since; +being resolved to be a sharer with them in all the fatigues and +dangers that might happen, either from the inclemency of a new +climate, or from any of the accidents that usually attend the +settlement of a new colony; and not to leave them till he saw them in +a condition, not only to provide their own subsistence, but to defend +themselves against any enemy that might probably attack them; all +which fatigues and dangers he exposed himself to, and has undergone at +his own charge, and without the least view of any private advantage or +satisfaction, but that which every good man must feel in contributing +to the relief of the distressed, and the public good of his country. +This is such an action as the Roman historians, in the times of their +greatest virtue, would have been proud of recording; and such an one +as ought not to escape the notice of any man who pretends to give an +account of the transactions of this kingdom." + +[Footnote 1: Political State of Great Britain, Vol. XVIII. p. 19.] + +His return was congratulated in some very complimentary verses; as was +also the arrival of Tomo Chichi[1]; and the head of Oglethorpe was +proposed by Mr. Urban for a prize medal[2], to commemorate his +benevolence and patriotism. + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, Vol. IV. p. 505.] + +[Footnote 2: _Gentleman's Magazine_, Vol. V. 178. "The die was broken +after a few were struck off." See Editorial note in _Gentleman's +Magazine_ for July, 1785, p. 517. I have procured an engraving, of the +size of the original.] + +Comfortable apartments were provided for the Indians in the Georgia +office; and, when they were suitably dressed, and had curiously +painted their faces, according to their custom, Sir Clement Cotterell +was sent, on the 1st of August, to the Georgia office, whence he took +them all, except one who was sick with the small pox, and had them +conveyed, in three of the King's coaches, drawn by six horses, to +the palace at Kensington. They were received at the door by the body +guards, and then, by the Duke of Grafton, Lord Chamberlain, presented +to his Majesty, whom Tomo Chichi addressed in the following +characteristic terms. + +"Great king; this day I see the majesty of your person, the greatness +of your house, and the number of your people. I am come in my old +days; so I cannot expect to obtain any advantage to myself; but I +come for the good of the Creeks, that they may be informed about the +English, and be instructed in your language and religion. I present to +you, in their name, the feathers of an eagle, which is the swiftest of +birds, and flieth around our nations. These feathers are emblems of +peace in our land, and have been carried from town to town, to witness +it. We have brought them to you, to be a token and pledge of peace, on +our part, to be kept on yours. + +"O great king! whatsoever you shall say to me, I will faithfully tell +to all the chiefs of the Creek nation." + +To this the king replied,--"I am glad of this opportunity of assuring +you of my regard for the people from whom you came; and I am extremely +well pleased with the assurance which you have brought me from them. I +accept, very gratefully, this present, as an indication of their good +dispositions towards me and my people; and shall always be ready to +show them marks of favor, and purposes to promote their welfare." + +They were then introduced to her Majesty, who was seated on a throne +in the great gallery, attended by ladies of the court and nobility. +The aged Mico thus addressed her: "I am glad to see you this day, and +to have the opportunity of beholding the mother of this great nation. +As our people are now joined with yours, we hope that you will be a +common mother, and a protectress of us and our children." To this her +Majesty returned a courteous answer. + +After this they were introduced to his Royal Highness the Prince of +Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, the Princess of Orange, the Princesses +Amelia, Caroline, Mary, and Louisa; and then were conducted back to +their lodgings. + +On the 3d of August they were greatly afflicted by the decease of one +of their companions by the small pox, notwithstanding the best medical +attendance; but it occasioned no bad consequences, as his associates +were with him, and saw that much better care was taken of him than +could have been at home. He was interred, after the manner of their +country, in St. John's burial ground, Westminster. The corpse, sewed +up in two blankets, with a deal-board under and another over, and +tied down with a cord, was carried to the grave on a bier. There +were present only Tomo Chichi, three of the chiefs, the upper +church-warden, and the grave-digger. When the body was laid in the +earth, the clothes of the deceased were thrown in; after this, a +quantity of glass beads and some pieces of silver; the custom of these +Indians being to bury such effects of the deceased with him. + +As all methods made to console them were disregarded, Oglethorpe took +them out to his estate, that in the country retirement they might have +a better opportunity to bewail the dead according to their custom, and +that the change of the place might serve to abate their sorrow. + +On the 17th of August, the aged and venerable Archbishop of +Canterbury[1] had them taken in his boat to Putney, where they were +received and entertained in a very agreeable manner. On taking leave, +Tomo Chichi intimated his inability, from want of a knowledge of the +English language, to express suitably the acknowledgments of himself +and his companions of the kind notice taken of them. + +[Footnote 1: Rev. William Wake, D.D.] + +The following day they visited his Grace at Lambeth, and endeavored to +make known to him how deeply affected they were with the ignorance in +religion in which they and their people were involved; and how much +they not only needed, but desired instruction. In their conference +with Dr. Lynch, the son-in-law of the Archbishop, the Mico was more +explicit, and requested that some person might be sent to teach them; +more particularly their youth. + +On the next day they went to Eton College, and were received by the +Rev. Dr. George, Dr. Berriman, and the rest of the Fellows present. On +closing their visit to the school-room, Tomo Chichi begged that the +lads might have a holiday when the Doctor thought proper; which caused +a general huzza. They were then shewn the several apartments of the +college, and took a respectful leave. Afterwards they went to Windsor, +where they were graciously received; and thence to St. George's +Chapel, where the prebends present named Dr. Maynard to compliment the +Mico from the Dean and Chapter. The following day they went to Hampton +Court; saw the royal apartments; and walked in the gardens, where a +great concourse of people had assembled to see them. After these more +distinguishing attentions, they were shewn the Tower, the public +buildings, Greenwich Hospital, and all the great and interesting +spectacles in London; and nothing was neglected that might serve to +awaken and gratify their curiosity, and to impress them with the +grandeur and power of the British nation. + +After having staid four months, they were taken to Gravesend in one +of his Majesty's carriages, whence they embarked aboard the transport +ship, the Prince of Wales, George Dunbar, Captain, on the return +voyage to Savannah, where they arrived on the 27th of December, 1734. + +Captain Dunbar, in a letter to the Trustees, announcing his remarkably +quick and prosperous passage across the Atlantic, wrote thus: "We +arrived here all cheerful and in good health. The Indians behaved with +their accustomed modesty; as did also, the Saltzburgers, who are a +sober and pious people, and gave much less trouble than I expected; +nor do I think any of them were dissatisfied while on board." In +conclusion, he added, "Tomo Chichi, Toonahowi, Hillispilli, and +Umpichi were so kind as to come on board on the morning of our +intended departure to see me. They have a very grateful remembrance of +the many civilities which they received in England, and desire me to +inform your honors that Santechi has gone to the Upper and Middle +Creeks, who are at present extremely well disposed to the British +interest, and their deputies are expected down in two months."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _London Magazine_ for March, 1735, p. 162. See also the +whole letter, in the _Political State of Great Britain_, April, 1735, +p. 374.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Oglethorpe remains in England--Trustees make Regulations--Oglethorpe, +desirous of providing for the conversion of the Indians, applies +to Bishop Wilson to prepare a Book of Religious Instruction for +them--Trustees seek for Missionaries--Engage John and Charles Wesley. + + +Oglethorpe remained in England to attend to his duties as a member +of Parliament, and to suggest to the Trustees measures for the +furtherance of the settlement of Georgia. + +In consequence of the information which he could give from his +personal observation, and that which he had received from others, +respecting the state of the colony, and what would be expedient for +its advancement in good order and prosperity, the Trustees prepared +a regulation, which was enacted by the government into a law, "for +maintaining peace with the Indians." This included the provisions and +immunities of the act of the General Assembly of South Carolina in +1731; and, of course, was accordant with the relations and mutual +interests of both Provinces. There was, also, passed a law for a like +salutary purpose for preventing trouble with the Indians, as well as +preserving the health and morals of the people already settled or that +might be settled in their new colony, from the pernicious effects of +spirituous liquors, entitled "An act to prevent the importation and +use of rum and brandies into the Province of Georgia, or any kind of +ardent spirits or strong waters whatsoever." A writer of the day makes +this remark, "At the same time the Trustees endeavored to supply the +stores with strong beer from England, molasses for brewing beer, and +with Madeira wines; which the people might purchase at reasonable +rates, which would be _more refreshing and wholesome for them_."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Account, showing the Progress of the Colony of Georgia +in America, from its first establishment: published by Order of the +Trustees_. Lond. 1741; page 16, under the year 1734.] + +An unchecked indulgence in ardent spirits has ever been followed by +lamentable effects. It demoralizes the conduct, destroys health, +prevents usefulness, and ruins reputation. It breaks up domestic +peace, wastes property, leads to impoverished circumstances, and +entails wretchedness upon the members of the family of which the head +was the victim. The prohibition, therefore, if it led to the disuse +of the dangerous potation, would have been the present removal, and +prevented the subsequent extension, of one of the greatest evils which +has corrupted the social condition. + +To these prudent and salutary regulations followed a statute entitled +"An act for rendering the Province of Georgia more defencible, by +prohibiting the importation of black slaves, or negroes, into the +same." For this enactment, besides the consideration stated in the +title, the following reasons are assigned: 1. On account of the cost +of purchase, which, the settlers themselves being too poor to defray, +must be met by the Trustees; on whom it would be a tax greater than +they had funds to pay, or believed that they could obtain. 2. Because +of the additional expense of their after maintenance, which must be +provided, in addition to that already incurred for the support of +those by whom they were to be employed. And 3. because the Trustees +were desirous that the settlers should acquire the habits of labor and +industry, of economy and thrift, by personal application.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See their reasons at large in the publication entitled +_Impartial Inquiry into the State and Utility of the Province of +Georgia_, Lond. 1741; or in _Collections of the Georgia Historical +Society_, Vol. I. pages 166-173, and McCALL'S _History_, Vol. I. p. +25, &c.] + +It is remarked by Mr. Burke, that "These regulations, though well +intended, and indeed meant to bring about very excellent purposes, +yet might at first, as it did afterwards, appear, that they were made +without sufficiently consulting the nature of the country, or the +disposition of the people which they regarded."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _European Settlements in America_, Vol. II. p. 266.] + +Governor Belcher, of Massachusetts, in a letter to Lord Egmont, +observes, "I have read Mr. Oglethorpe's state of the new colony +of Georgia once and again; and by its harbors, rivers, soil and +productions, do not doubt that it must in time make a fine addition +to the British Empire in America; and I still insist upon it that the +prohibitory regulations of the Trustees are essential to its healthy +and prosperous condition; and the alteration of the Constitution +to the advantage of females must give great encouragement to first +undertakers or settlers, as your Lordship observes."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Letter Book, in the archives of the Massachusetts +Historical Society, Vol. V. p. 254.] + +The visit of the Indians was made subservient to the favorite purpose +of Oglethorpe, by rousing attention to the improvement of the race in +knowledge and religion. At their earliest interviews with him, they +had expressed a wish that their children might be taught to speak +and read the English language, and they themselves instructed in +the principles of Christianity. From their intercourse with the +Carolinians for many years, they had been made sensible of the +superiority which such attainments conferred, even where that +intercourse had been, as it mostly was, with the traders; but +no missionary had been sent, as in our times, to form them to +civilization, and "teach them which be the first principles of the +oracles of God." Oglethorpe felt extremely desirous of obtaining for +them these advantages; and expressed to the trustees his belief that +they would readily avail themselves of an opportunity for their +attainment. In furtherance of this most important object, he applied +to the Reverend Dr. Wilson, Bishop of Sodor and Man, to prepare a +manual of instruction for them. The good Bishop complied with his +request with great readiness; and the work was printed at the expense +of "the Society for propagating the Gospel in foreign Parts." The +volume was dedicated to the Trustees; and, in the preface, the +author states that it "was undertaken in consequence of a short but +entertaining conversation, which he, and some others, had with the +honorable and worthy General Oglethorpe, concerning the condition, +temper, and genius of the Indians in the neighborhood of Georgia, and +those parts of America; who, as he assured us, are a tractable people, +and more capable of being civilized and of receiving the truths of +religion than we are generally made to believe, if some hindrances +were removed, and proper measures taken to awaken in them a sense +of their true interest, and of their unhappy condition, while they +continue in their present state." + +"And, indeed, that most worthy gentleman's great and generous concern +for both the present and future interest of these nations, and his +earnest desire and endeavors, so well known, to civilize them first, +and make them more capable of instruction in the ways of religion and +civil government, and his hearty wishes that something might be done +to forward such good purposes, prevailed with the author, however +indifferently qualified for such a work, to set about the following +essay for propagating the Gospel amongst the Indians and negroes."[1] + +[Footnote 1: The title of the book is, "_The Knowledge and Practice of +Christianity made easy to the meanest capacity; or, an Essay towards +an Instruction for the Indians_." London, 1740. 12mo. A tenth edition +was printed in 1764; and a translation in French, at Geneva, in 1744.] + +On receiving a copy of this work, when it was printed, five years +afterwards, from the Reverend Dr. Thomas Wilson, son of the Bishop, +Oglethorpe addressed to him the following letter:[1] + +[Footnote 1: Not finding an English copy I have translated this from +the French version.] + +Frederica, in Georgia, April 24, 1741. + +SIR, + +I have received, with not less pleasure than profit, the book sent to +me by you, which was composed by your father. This work breathes so +strongly the spirit of primitive piety; its style is so clear and +simple; its plan is so easy for minds even the most limited, and +at the same time so well adapted to make them understand the most +profound mysteries, that it is a true representation of the religion +in which it instructs its reader. Had our Methodists, instead of their +lofty imaginations, been taught enough of the language of the Indians +to be able to translate this book; or had _they_ been sufficiently +instructed to permit them to read it with advantage, I doubt not that +we should immediately see surprising results from it; but God will +accomplish his good work by the means which he will judge proper to +employ. I have written to Mr. Varelst to buy, to the amount of five +pounds sterling, copies of your father's work, and to send them to me. + +"Have the kindness to commend me to the prayers of a Divine so worthy +and pious; and be assured that I am, + +"Your affectionate friend, and very humble and obedient servant, + +"JAMES OGLETHORPE." + +The Trustees were now desirous of obtaining proper persons to go +to Georgia to teach, and endeavor to convert, the Indians; and to +officiate as chaplains to the colonists at Savannah, and at the new +town about to be built on the island of St. Simons. They fixed their +eyes upon Mr. John Wesley and some of his associates, as very proper +for such a mission. The amiable and excellent Dr. John Burton,[1] one +of the Board, who was well acquainted with Wesley, having learned that +he was in London, went thither himself, in order to accompany him to +Oglethorpe, with whom, indeed, he was already acquainted by family +attentions as well as public fame. The matter was proposed to Wesley, +and strongly urged by such arguments as they thought most likely +to dispose his mind to accept the proposal.[2] Several influential +friends concurred in advising him to go; and, as even his mother +encouraged it, he yielded his compliance. His brother Charles +agreed to accompany him, as did Benjamin Ingham, a member of their +association at Oxford, and Charles Delamotte, son of a merchant in +London. + +[Footnote 1: When the settling of Georgia was in agitation, in +1732, Dr. Burton was solicited by the excellent Dr. Bray, and other +Episcopal Clergymen,[A] to give his assistance in promoting that +undertaking. Accordingly he preached a Sermon in its recommendation +before the Society for conducting it; and his Discourse was afterwards +published, with an Appendix concerning the State of the Colony. +BENTHAM, _de vita et moribus Johannis Burtoni_. 8vo. London, 1771, +page 12.] + +[Footnote A: Rev. Dr. HALES, Dr. BERRIMAN, and others.] + +[Footnote 2: _Life of the Rev_. JOHN WESLEY _and of the Rev_. CHARLES +WESLEY, his brother, by the Rev. HENRY MOORE. 8vo. Lond. 1824. 2 vol. +Vol. I. p. 334. This interview was on the 28th of April, 1735.] + +In consequence of this engagement of the Wesleys, the General deemed +it highly proper to visit their venerable and excellent parents at +Epworth, not only to confirm their consent, but to communicate to them +such information as should interest them strongly in every measure +which aimed at the instruction, civilization, and christianizing of +the natives of Georgia, from whom he and the new settlers had met so +kind a reception. A reference to this, gives me the opportunity of +introducing a letter from that aged minister, the Reverend Samuel +Wesley, written rather more than a year before, in which he mentions +the progress which he had made in a work that he was about to publish, +and acknowledges the obligations which he was under to the General for +kindnesses shown to himself and sons.[1] + +[Footnote 1: This letter is not in the "_Memoirs of the Wesley +Family_," published by Dr. Adam Clarke in 1822; having been recently +discovered.] + +Epworth, July 6, 1734. + +Honored sir, + +May I be admitted, while such crowds of our nobility and gentry are +pouring in their congratulations, to press with my poor mite of thanks +into the presence of one who so well deserves the title of UNIVERSAL +BENEFACTOR OF MANKIND. It is not only your valuable favors on many +accounts to my son, late of Westminster, and myself, when I was not a +little pressed in the world, nor your more extensive charity to the +poor prisoners; it is not these only that so much demand my warmest +acknowledgments, as your disinterested and immovable attachment to +your country, and your raising a new Colony, or rather a little world +of your own in the midst of wild woods and uncultivated deserts, where +men may live free and happy, if they are not hindered by their own +stupidity and folly, in spite of the unkindness of their brother +mortals. + +I owe you, sir, besides this, some account of my little affairs since +the beginning of your expedition. Notwithstanding my own and my son's +violent illness, which held me half a year, and him above twelve +months, I have made a shift to get more than three parts in four of my +_Dissertations on Job_ printed off, and both the paper, printing, and +maps, hitherto, paid for. My son John at Oxford, now that his elder +brother has gone to Tiverton, takes care of the remainder of the +impression at London, and I have an ingenious artist here with me in +my house at Epworth who is graving and working off the remaining maps +and figures for me; so that I hope, if the printer does not hinder me, +I shall have the whole ready by next spring, and, by God's leave, I +shall be in London myself to deliver the books perfect. I print five +hundred copies, as in my proposals; whereof I have about three hundred +already subscribed for; and, among my subscribers, fifteen or sixteen +English Bishops, with some of Ireland. + +"If you will please herewith to accept the tender of my most sincere +respect and gratitude, you will thereby confer one further obligation, +honored sir, on + +"Your most obedient and humble servant, + +"SAMUEL WESLEY." + +"To James Oglethorpe, Esq." + +It appears, from a list of subscriptions annexed to Mr. Wesley's +_Dissertations on the Book of Job_, that General Oglethorpe took +_seven_ copies of the work on large paper, which would amount to at +least twenty pounds. + +The elder son of the Rector, also, paid a tribute of respect to +the General; and this in harmonious and polished verses; in which, +however, he indulged, too freely, the poetic license in highly wrought +description of the settlement of Georgia, and of the climate and +productions of the region.[1] + +[Footnote 1: GEORGIA, _a Poem_; TOMO CHICHI, _an Ode; and a copy of +Verses on_ Mr. Oglethorpe's _Second Voyage to Georgia_. These were +beautifully printed, in a large type, on nineteen folio pages. They +were ascribed to SAMUEL WESLEY, as their author, in the tract entitled +"_True and Historical Narrative of the Colony of Georgia," by P. +Telfair and others_. Charlestown, S.C. 1741, page xi. of the Preface.] + +As our narrative is brought near to the period when the General is +about to return thither, it may be pertinent to introduce a short +extract, in which the poet addresses the new settlers, eagerly +expecting his arrival. + + "See once again, see on your shores descend + Your generous leader, your unwearied friend! + No storm or chance his vessel thither drives, + No! to secure and bless you, he arrives. + To Heaven the praise,--and thanks to him repay, + And let remotest times respect the day. + He comes, whose life, while absent from your view, + Was one continued ministry for you; + For you he laid out all his pains and art, + Won every will, and softened every heart. + With what paternal joy shall he relate + How views the mother Isle your little State; + How aids the Senate, how the nation loves, + How GEORGE protects, and CAROLINE approves!-- + A thousand pleasures crowd into his breast, + But one, one mighty thought absorbs the rest, + 'And give me, Heaven, to see, (the Patriot cries), + Another Britain in the desert rise!'" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Trustees make a new selection of Settlers--Their Proposals successful +in Scotland--Embarkation of Highlanders for Georgia--Indian +hieroglyphic letter sent to the Trustees--Further emigration of +Saltzburgers--Great embarkation of Colonists, attended by Oglethorpe +and the Missionaries--Employment and religious exercises on board +during the voyage--Arrival--Beacon on the Island of Tybee--The people +go on shore at Peeper's Island--Oglethorpe goes to Savannah with +the Missionaries--Sends provisions and refreshments to the +Emigrants--Moore's account of the Public Garden--Tomo Chichi welcomes +his friend--Saltzburgers make application for a removal from +Ebenezer--Oglethorpe sends pioneers to lay out a road to Darien. + + +"Some of the first settlers had proved as idle and useless members of +society in America, as they had been in Great Britain;" and, as their +external wants had been supplied from the common store, they felt no +stimulus to industry or frugality. + +The Trustees, finding that the conduct of these drones and loungers +tended rather to impede than promote their benevolent intentions, +began to look round for a better stock of settlers; a hardy race, +with good habits; such as were accustomed to laborious occupation and +agricultural pursuits. + +That all persons who should be disposed to go to Georgia, might be +fully apprized of the several conditions which they were to perform, +and of what was expected, and, indeed, would be required of them, in +return for the assistance and support that would be afforded them, a +statement was made, and rules and regulations were drawn up, printed +and circulated; in which the Trustees indicated the qualifications of +such as offered themselves, with the expectation of being engaged.[1] +They examined, at their office, such persons as applied for the +benefit of the charity; and, out of these selected those who had the +best characters, and were the truest and most deserving objects +of compassion.[2] They very explicitly and frankly acquainted the +applicants with the inconveniences to which they would be subjected, +and the hardships which they must expect to endure. They told them +that on their arrival they would be under the necessity of living in +slight hovels, till they could form materials for the construction +of houses; that they must use great provident foresight to acquire +comfortable subsistence, for their wants were to be supplied only till +their industry brought in returns. They remarked to them that they, +indeed, gave them lands, and furnished them rations for a year, but +these lands were to be cleared up and tilled, in order to yield crops; +that they must eat salt meat, and drink only beer or water. They +reminded them, with solemn caution, that the sicknesses, to which a +change of climate would expose them, were most dangerous to those who +drank distilled liquors; so that temperance, which was every where +commendable and salutary, would be absolutely necessary to preserve +health. Finally, they were plainly told that if they were distrustful, +or reluctant at putting forth their strenuous exertions, they must not +engage in the undertaking. + +[Footnote 1: _Account, shewing the Progress of the Colony of Georgia_. +Lond. 1741. Appendix to the Volume, No. 3 and 4.] + +[Footnote 2: MOORE'S _Voyage_, page 10.] + +Several were disheartened; but their place was soon filled up by +others, who thought these difficulties not very great; and that, +whatever they might be, they could encounter them; and that they +could submit to temporary inconveniences, and persevere in efforts, +stimulated by the proffered encouragement and aid. + +In Scotland the proposals of the Trustees met with such success that, +at Inverness and its vicinity, one hundred and thirty Highlanders were +enrolled for emigration. These, with fifty women and children, were +transported to Georgia, where they arrived in the month of January, +1735; and with them came several private grantees, with their +servants. The Scots were destined to settle on the frontiers, for the +protection and defence of the province. After tarrying a few days at +Savannah, they conveyed themselves in periaguas, to the southward; +and, ascending the Alatamaha river about sixteen miles from St. +Simons, pitched upon a place for a residence, where they soon raised a +little fort, in which they mounted four pieces of cannon. They, also, +built a guard-house, a store, and a chapel, for they brought a pastor +with them; and soon put up several huts for temporary accommodation, +till they could prepare and erect commodious dwellings. The location, +at their desire, was called "Darien;" which name the District still +bears, and the town they called "New Inverness," a name no longer +retained.[1] + +[Footnote 1: In the early publications this is written with the +article--"the Darien."] + +While Oglethorpe was in England, what was intended for a letter +was sent over to the Trustees. It was composed by a chief of the +Cherokees, drawn and curiously marked in red and black figures on the +skin of a young buffalo, neatly dressed. A translation into English +had been made from the Indian interpretation, when first delivered, +in the presence of above fifty of their chiefs, and of the principal +inhabitants of Savannah. It contained the grateful acknowledgment of +the Indians of the honors and civilities shown to Tomo Chichi and his +companions; their admiration of the grandeur of the British Court and +kingdom; and declared their strong attachment to General Oglethorpe. + +This hieroglyphic painting was set in a frame, and hung up in the +Georgia office in Westminster.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _American Gazetteer_. Lond. 1762. 12mo. Vol. II., article +"Georgia."] + +To provide for the raising of silk-worms and winding the thread +from the cocoons, was an early purpose of the Trustees. Liberal +encouragement was given by the Government and the Board of Trade to +the importation of all that could be produced. Samples had been sent +to England which gave promise of success. In the beginning of May, +this year, the Trustees and Sir Thomas Lombe, waited on the Queen with +a specimen, who was highly gratified with learning that a British +Colony had produced such silk, and desired that the fabric into which +it should be wrought might be shewn her. Accordingly, on the 21st of +October, these gentlemen, with Mr. Booth, the weaver, again waited on +her Majesty with a piece of the manufactured silk; and she expressed +great admiration of the beauty and fineness of the silk, and +the richness of the pattern; and, as a further testimony of her +satisfaction both with the produce and the manufacture, she ordered a +suit to be made up immediately for her own wear, in which she appeared +on her birth-day.[1] To this, a poet of the time, in a description of +the products of Georgia, thus alludes-- + +[Footnote 1: _Political State of Europe_, Vol. L. p. 242, and 469.] + + "The merchant hence the unwrought silk imports, + To which we owe the attire of Queens and Courts."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _New Voyage to Georgia_, p. 61.] + +A large number of intended emigrants having been enrolled, Oglethorpe +had been most busily engaged for several months in making preparations +for their embarkation. Various tools were to be collected, suits and +changes of raiment prepared, articles of maintenance selected and +packed for the public store at Savannah, and accommodations and +provisions got ready for the voyage. The indefatigable leader of the +expedition gave his personal attendance and directions, and saw that +every thing was in the train of accomplishment, aided by the services +and supervision of Mr. Francis Moore, whom the Trustees had appointed +keeper of the stores. Oglethorpe had become acquainted with this +gentleman as Factor to the Royal African Society, and as having had +the charge of Job Jalla ben Solomon, the African Prince, whom the +Company sent back to Africa. + +There were two ships freighted, the Symond, of two hundred and twenty +tons, Captain Joseph Cornish, master; and the London Merchant, of +about the same burden, Captain John Thomas, master; and one of his +Majesty's sloops, under the command of Captain James Gascoigne, was +ordered to assist the Colony, and carry over the General, who intended +to inspect the settlement; but he chose to go in one of the ships, +though crowded with the emigrants, "that he might be able to take care +of the people on the passage." + +"The whole embarkation amounted to two hundred and twenty people on +the Trust's account, besides Mr. Oglethorpe and the gentlemen with +him, and his servants, whose passage he himself paid."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Voyage to Georgia, begun in the year 1735_; by FRANCIS +MOORE, 8vo. London, 1744, page 11. The author accompanied General +Oglethorpe on what is called "the great embarkation," as _keeper of +the stores_. The first date in the book is "15th of October, 1735," +and the last, "22d of June, 1736." He resided at St. Simons, and was +"Recorder at Frederica." By an advertisement, at the end of this +volume, we learn that he made another voyage to Georgia in 1738, +where he continued till 1743, when he returned to England. During his +residence, he kept a Journal, "in which is _an account of the siege +of St. Augustine, in 1740, and of the Spanish invasion, in_ 1742." He +adds, "I think myself obliged to acquaint the public that if I find +the foregoing well received, I shall, without delay, publish my other +Journal, as, also, a continuance of this, containing the treaty with +the Governor of Augustine; and the regulation of several matters, +relating to the Indian nations." That the Journal was not published is +greatly to be regretted.] + +Among the adventurers in this embarkation, lured by the accounts which +had been published in England, of the delightful region of Georgia, +were Sir Francis Bathurst, his son, three daughters, and servants; as +also several relatives of the planters already settled there.[1] + +[Footnote 1: SALMON'S _Modern History_, Vol. III. p. 602.] + +I copy from _Boyer's Political State of Great Britain_,[1] the +following particulars. "On the 13th of October, 1735, embarked on +board the London Merchant, Captain Thomas, commander, fifty-six +men, women, and children, Saltzburgers, and some other persecuted +protestants from Germany, with Mr. Von Reck, who conducted from the +same parts a former transport in 1733, and Captain Hermsdorf, going +to settle with their countrymen in Georgia. The charge of their +subsistence in their long journey from Ratisbon and Augsburg to +Rotterdam, and from thence to London, and their expense at London till +they went on board, was defrayed by _the Society for the propagation +of the Gospel in foreign Parts_, out of the collections committed to +them for that purpose." Of this Society Oglethorpe was a member. The +charge of their voyage to Georgia, with their maintenance there for +one year, and for the arms, utensils, and other necessary articles and +provisions which they took from hence with them, was defrayed by the +honorable Trustees for establishing the colony. + +[Footnote 1: Vol. L. page 468.] + +"The next day James Oglethorpe, Esq., set out by land for Gravesend, +and the Reverend Mr. John Wesley, Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, +and the Reverend Mr. Charles Wesley, Student of Christ's Church +College, and the Reverend Mr. Ingham, of Queen's, went thither by +water, in order to embark on board the Symond, Captain Cornish, +Commander; on board of which ship went likewise a great number of +poor English families, at the expense of the trustees; and soon after +these, two ships sailed together in company for Georgia. One of the +above named clergymen is to settle at the new town of Savannah, in +that colony; and the other two intend, (after some stay at Savannah, +to learn the Indian language,) to devote themselves to preaching the +Gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ to the Indian nations bordering +upon that colony; which might certainly be done with great effect, if +men would but content themselves with inculcating and enforcing +the rational and plain doctrines taught by Christ himself, without +pretending to explain what have since been called _the mysteries_ of +the Christian religion, which serve only to divide Christians among +themselves, and have very much prevented the conversion of heathens in +all countries, and in all ages." + +As the periodical publication, from which this paragraph is extracted, +was the channel through which official information respecting the +settlement and affairs of Georgia was communicated, the suggestion +with which it is closed is to be understood as the opinion of the +Trustees. And when we recollect the character of those who composed +the Board, it may be considered as the dictate of sound judgment, and +worthy of heedful observance. + +The attention of Oglethorpe to the persons and condition of the +emigrants, was assiduous, considerate, and kind. "He had laid in a +large quantity of live stock and various refreshments, though he +himself seldom eat any but ship's provisions. Not only the gentlemen, +his friends, sat at his table, but he invited, through the whole +of the passage, the missionaries and the captain of the ship, who, +together made twelve in number."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Moore's _Voyage_, p. II.] + +They had prayers twice a day. The missionaries expounded the +scriptures, catechized the children, and administered the sacrament on +Sundays; but, though the crew consisted of Episcopalians, Methodists, +German Lutherans, and Moravians, "Oglethorpe showed no discountenance +to any for being of different persuasions of religion." + +"When occasion offered, he called together those who designed to be +freeholders, and instructed them in what manner to behave themselves, +and acquainted them with the nature of the country, and how to settle +it advantageously. He constantly visited the sick, and let them have +fowls for broth, and any refreshments of his own; and administered +medicine, personally, where it was proper. Whenever the weather was +calm enough to permit it, he went on board the London Merchant, with +which company was kept all the way, to see that the like care was +taken of the people there."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Moore, p. 12.] + +The Journal of Wesley gives many details of the voyage; but, as they +relate principally to the manner in which he and his brother and two +friends spent their time, I pass them over, but quote the following +anecdote from one of his biographers.[1] "Mr. Wesley hearing an +unusual noise in the cabin of General Oglethorpe, stepped in to +inquire the cause of it. On which the General thus addressed him: 'Mr. +Wesley you must excuse me. I have met with a provocation too much for +a man to bear. You know that the only wine I drink is Cyprus wine, as +it agrees with me the best of any. I therefore provided myself with +several dozens of it, and this villain Grimaldi' (his foreign servant, +who stood trembling with fear,) 'has drunk up the whole of it. But I +will be revenged on him. I have ordered him to be tied hand and foot, +and carried to the man of war that sails with us. The rascal should +have taken care not to have served me so, for I never forgive.'--'Then +I hope, sir,' (said Wesley, looking calmly at him) 'you never sin.' +The General was confounded at the reproof; and, putting his hand into +his pocket, took out a bunch of keys, which he threw at Grimaldi, +saying, 'There, take my keys, and behave better for the future!'" + +[Footnote 1: Rev. HENRY MOORE, Vol. II. p. 258.] + +While this was a happy verification of the remark of the wise man, +that "a soft answer turneth away wrath," it is a pleasing indication +of the yielding placability of him to whom it was addressed.--"The +discretion of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his glory to pass +over a transgression." + +The ships, which bore this large accession to the Colony, passed the +bar of the Tybee on the afternoon of Thursday, February 5th, 1736, and +came to anchor. This island is at the mouth of the Savannah river; is +five miles long, and three broad; and is the most easterly land in the +State. Oglethorpe went immediately on shore, to see what had been done +towards raising the beacon on the island, for the construction of +which he had given orders. "It was to be an octagon building of +squared timber; its dimensions twenty-five feet wide at the bottom, +and ten at the top; and its height ninety feet, with a flag-staff on +the top thirty feet high. When completed, it would be of great service +to all shipping, not only the vessels bound to this port, but also to +Carolina; for the land of the coast, for some hundred miles, is so +alike, being low and woody, that a distinguishing mark is of great +consequence."[1] + +[Footnote 1: MOORE's _Voyage_, p. 18.] + +They had experienced a tempestuous voyage, and had a very rough +passage; but now the weather was fine; the land breezes refreshed them +as the ships lay quietly moored; and they hailed with delight the land +of promise, the borders of which stretched before them; where, says +Wesley, "the groves of pines along the shores made an agreeable +prospect, showing, as it were, the verdure and bloom of spring in the +depth of winter." A night of peaceful slumber passed; and, about eight +o'clock on Friday morning, they went ashore on a small uninhabited +island,[1] where Oglethorpe led them to a rising ground, and they all +knelt and returned thanks to God for their safe arrival. Leaving the +people, as there was a fine spring, and a pond of pure water, to wash +their clothes, and refresh themselves, he went himself, attended by +his suite, in a boat to Savannah, where he was received, under the +discharge of all their cannon, by the freeholders in arms, with the +constables and tithing men at their head. He introduced to them the +clergymen and gentlemen by whom he was accompanied; and congratulated +the colonists on the religious advantages which they were about to +derive from these pious missionaries: and here they passed the Sunday. +Just three years had elapsed since the settlement commenced, and the +celebration of the anniversary on the opening week was rendered more +observable and gladdening by the return of the founder to share and +grace the festivities of the occasion. But, amidst all the greetings +and inquiries of the throng around him, he was not unmindful of the +new comers. He made it his earliest care, as soon as the articles +could be got ready, to send a boat with provisions and refreshments +for the people on board the ships and at the island; and soon after +made them a visit himself, and carried with him a still further supply +of beef, pork, venison and wild turkeys, together with soft bread, +beer, turnips, and garden greens. This was not only peculiarly +relishing, after the salted sea-fare rations, but gratifying and +encouraging, from the evidence it gave that a settlement, begun only +three years ago, by a people in circumstances like theirs, could +produce such plenty. And, while these attentions evinced the +thoughtful regard of their conductor to their comfort and welfare, +they increased their sense of obligation, awakened their gratitude, +and strengthened their reliance. + +[Footnote 1: Peeper Island.] + +As Oglethorpe went round and visited the families in their dwellings, +he was gratified with perceiving what improvements had been made in +the town, and its vicinity; that about two hundred houses had been +built, trees set out on the sides of the streets and public squares; +and a large garden laid out, and now under cultivation. This had +engaged his early attention, and was a favorite project, as of general +interest and utility. It was situated at the east of the town, on the +sloping bank, and included the alluvial champaign below. It was laid +out with regularity and taste; and intended, primarily, to supply the +settlers with legumes, culinary roots, radishes and salads, till they +could prepare homestead-plats for raising them. The principal purpose, +however, was for a nursery of white mulberry trees for the raising of +silk worms; and from which the people could be supplied with young +trees, that all the families might be more or less engaged in this +reference to the filature. There was, also, a nursery coming on, +of apple, pear, peach, and plum trees, for transplantation. On the +borders of the walks were orange, olive, and fig-trees, pomegranates, +and vines. In the more sunny part there was a collection of tropical +plants, by way of experiment, such as coffee, cacoa, cotton, &c. +together with some medicinal plants, procured by Dr. William Houston +in the West Indies, whither he had been sent by Sir Hans Sloane to +collect them for Georgia. The expenses of this mission had been +provided by a subscription headed by Sir Hans, to which his Grace +the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Derby, the Lord Peters, and the +Apothecaries Company, liberally contributed. The Doctor having died +at Jamaica, the celebrated botanist, Philip Miller was now his +successor.[1] + +[Footnote 1: "Sir HANS SLOANE," says Dr. Pulteny, "was zealous in +promoting the Colony of Georgia." _Historical and Biographical +Sketch of the Progress of Botany in England_, Vol. II. p. 85. See a +particular description of the garden, in MOORE's _Voyage to Georgia_, +p. 30.] + +All hands were now set to work, some to preparing houses, barracks, +and lodgments for the new comers; some to unlade the vessels and store +the cargo, and some to extend the wharf. The General, also, made a +contract with persons for laying out and clearing the roads, and for +making fortifications at the south. + +By none, perhaps, was his return more cordially welcomed than by Tomo +Chichi and Toonahowi. They brought with them two Indian runners, who +had waited two months to give notice to the lower and upper Creeks, of +his arrival. + +He received, also, the visit of a deputation from Purrysburgh, +consisting of the Honorable Hector Berenger de Beaufain and M. Tisley +Dechillon, a patrician of Berne, with several other Swiss gentlemen, +to congratulate his return, and acquaint him with the condition of +their settlement. + +The United Brethren, or Moravians, as they were more usually called, +who attended the other exiled Protestants, began immediately their +settlement near to Savannah. As soon as their personal accommodation +could be effected, they sought the acquaintance of Tomo Chichi, and +his little tribe; ingratiated themselves with these their neighbors, +and, "with money advanced by General Oglethorpe,"[1] built a +school-house for the children. "This school was called Irene, and lay +not far from the Indian village."[2] + +[Footnote 1: CARPZOVIUS, _Examination of the Religion of the United +Brethren_, p. 417. See Appendix, No. XVII.] + +[Footnote 2: CRANZ'S _History of the United Brethren_, p. 226. It was +opened on the 15th of September.] + +The Baron Von Reck, who had been to Ebenezer, returned on the 8th of +February, accompanied with the Pastors Bolzius and Gronau, with the +petition of the people for liberty to remove, from the fords where +they were, to a place ten miles to the east of their settlement, +called "Red-bluff," at the mouth of the river, where it enters the +Savannah; and that those of their community who had just arrived, +instead of being destined to the southward, might be united with them +and enjoy the benefit of their religious instructers and guides. +Before giving a decisive answer, Oglethorpe deemed it proper to +examine their situation, and confer with the residents; and, not +to keep them in suspense, especially as it was necessary to take +immediate measures for the accommodation of the new comers, agreed +to accompany the applicants on their return. Accordingly, he set out +early on the appointed day, in the scout-boat, to the residence of Sir +Francis Bathurst, six miles above Savannah; and thence took horse, and +passed by the saw-mill set up by Mr. Walter Augustine, and, continuing +his ride through the woods, arrived that night at Ebenezer. On +reconnoitring the place the next day, he found that the Saltzburgers +had constructed a bridge over the river, ten feet wide and eighty feet +long; that four good framed houses had been erected at the charge of +the Trustees, one for each minister, one for a schoolmaster, and one +for a public store; and that a chapel, a guard-house, and a number of +split-board houses had been built by the people. All these, however, +they were resolved to forsake, and form a new settlement on the +borders of the Savannah river. Their chief objection to remaining was, +that the land was not good, and that the corn-harvest had failed; yet +they acknowledged that they had a fine crop of peas, and many garden +vegetables; that their cattle thrived exceedingly, that they had +plenty of milk, and fine poultry and eggs. He endeavored to dissuade +them from moving; but, finding their dissatisfaction with their +present situation to be so decided, he yielded to their importunity; +ordered a town to be laid out; and gave his unhesitating consent that +the new comers should be incorporated with them. He then set out for +the Swiss settlement, where he arrived in the evening. He was received +with the greatest demonstrations of joy, and took lodgings at the +house of Colonel Purry,[1] who had provided a handsome entertainment +for him. + +[Footnote 1: John Peter Purry, formerly of Neufchatel.] + +The chief purpose of his visit to this place was to engage a +conveyance for the Honorable Charles Dempsey to St. Augustine. +This gentleman had come over with him in the Symond, having been +commissioned by the Spanish Minister in London to confer with the +Governor of Florida on the subject of the boundary between that +country and Georgia, and to effect some provisional treaty with +General Oglethorpe.[1] A contract was made with Major Richard to +conduct this gentleman in a six-oared boat, being the best to be +obtained, to his destination; and to be the bearer of a letter from +the General, expressing his wish to remove all misunderstanding and +jealousy. + +[Footnote 1: In the _Impartial Inquiry_, &c. p.84, is a deposition +which thus begins--"CHARLES DEMPSEY, of the Parish of St. Paul, Covent +Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Esquire, aged fifty-four years +and upwards, maketh that in the year one thousand seven hundred and +thirty-five, this deponent went with the Honorable James Oglethorpe, +Esq. to Georgia, in America, and was sent from thence by the said +Oglethorpe to St. Augustine with letters to the Governor there; that +this deponent continued going to and from thence until November, one +thousand seven hundred and thirty-six," &c.] + +On his return to Savannah he sent forward Captain Hugh Mackay, Jr. +with a company of rangers, to travel by land to Darien, in order to +make observations on the intervening country, to compute the distance, +and to judge of the practicability of a passable road; and Tomo Chichi +furnished them with Indian guides. + +The next day he attended a military review; after which, he +addressed the assembled people in an animated speech, in which his +congratulations, counsels, and good wishes were most affectionately +expressed. And he reminded them that, though it was yet "a day of +small things," experience must have strengthened the inducements +to industry and economy, by shewing them that, where they had been +regarded, the result had been not only competence, but thrift. + +He then took leave of them, and went down to the ships at Tybee. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Special destination of the last Emigrants--Oglethorpe makes +arrangements for their transportation to the Island of St. +Simons--Follows with Charles Wesley--Arrives and lays out a Town to +be called Frederica--Visits the Highlanders at Darien--Returns and +superintends the building of a Fort--All the people arrive--Barracks +for the Soldiers put up, and a Battery erected--Visited by Tomo +Chichi, and Indians, who make a cession of the Islands--Reconnoitres +the Islands and gives names to them--Commissioners from St. +Augustine--Apparently amicable overtures--Oglethorpe goes to Savannah +to hold a conference with a Committee from South Carolina respecting +trade with the Indians--Insolent demand of the Spaniards--Oglethorpe +embarks for England. + + +As the destination of the large number of intended settlers, which had +now arrived was "for the purpose of laying out a county and building a +new town near the southern frontier of Georgia," and the people were +waiting to be conducted by the General to "the place of habitation," +he was very active in making arrangements for their transportation, +and, on the evening of the 16th of February, 1739, set out in the +scout-boat,[1] through the inward channels, to meet, at Jekyl sound, a +sloop that he had chartered to take on some of the more efficient men +as pioneers, and to make some preparation for the reception of the +emigrants.[2] He took with him Charles Wesley, who was to be his +Secretary as well as Chaplain; Mr. Ingham having gone by a previous +opportunity; and left John Wesley and Delamotte at Savannah.[3] + +[Footnote 1: Appendix, No. XVIII.] + +[Footnote 2: "The Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia +in America, ordered a new town to be built in that Colony, and an +embarkation to be made for that purpose."] + +[Footnote 3: Many of the particulars in this chapter are taken +from the Journal of THOMAS MOORE, who was present. As that work is +extremely rare, I adopted its information more verbally than I should +have done had I anticipated that it was so soon to be republished in +the _Collections of the Georgia Historical Society_.] + +As Oglethorpe was in haste, the men rowed night and day, and had no +other rest than what they got when the wind favored their course; and +"they vied with each other who should be forwardest to please the +General, who, indeed, lightened their sense of fatigue by giving +them refreshments, which he rather spared from himself than let them +want."[1] + +[Footnote 1: MOORE, p. 42.] + +On the morning of the 18th they arrived at St. Simons, an island near +the north mouth of the Alatamaha river, fifteen miles in length, and +from two to four in breadth. Here the working men and carpenters who +came in the sloop and long boats, disembarked, and were immediately +set to work. + +Oglethorpe not only directed and superintended, but actually assisted +in the labors. They soon got up a house and thatched it with palmetto +leaves; dug a cellar, and throwing up the earth on each side, by way +of bank, raised over it a store house; and then marked out a fort. +They next constructed several booths, each of which was between +twenty and forty feet long, and twenty feet wide. These were for the +reception and temporary shelter of the Colonists. + +After this, the General paid a visit to the Highlanders, at their +settlement called "the Darien," a distance of sixteen miles on the +northern branch of the Alatamaha. He found them under arms, in their +uniform of plaid, equipped with broad swords, targets, and muskets; in +which they made a fine appearance. In compliment to them, he was that +morning, and all the time that he was with them, dressed in their +costume. They had provided him a fine soft bed, with Holland sheets, +and plaid curtains; but he chose to lie upon the ground, and in +the open air, wrapt in his cloak, as did two other gentlemen; and +afterwards his example was followed by the rest of his attendants. +This condescending and accommodating disposition not only conciliated +the regards of the settlers, but encouraged them both by example and +aid in going through their arduous labors, and in submitting to the +exigences of their situation. Happily his constitution was framed to +a singular temperament, which enabled him to require but very little +sleep; and he was capable of enduring long and frequent fasting, +when imposed upon him either by necessity or business, without any +observable prejudice to his health, or any other inconvenience. A +gentleman, who was one of the party, in a letter, dated 24th of +February, 1736, declares, "What surprizes me, beyond expression, +is his abstemiousness and hard living. Though even dainties are +plentiful, he makes the least use of them; and such is his hardiness, +that he goes through the woods wet or dry, as well as any Indian. +Moreover, his humanity so gains upon all here, that I have not words +to express their regard and esteem for him." He further adds, "They +have a Minister here, Mr. McLeod, a very good man, who is very useful +in instructing the people in religious matters, and will intermeddle +with no other affairs."[1] How commendably prudent, as well as +altogether proper, was this avoidance of secular topics and party +discussions in preaching; and how conducive to social accordance and +peace, as well as spiritual edification, was soon apparent in the +lamentable effects of a different use of the ministerial function in +the other settlements. + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1736, p. 229.] + +Having remained a few days with his favorite Highland corps, he +returned to St. Simons, where he found Tomo Chichi, Toonahowi, and a +party of Indians consisting of about forty men, "all chosen warriors +and good hunters;" who had come down to show him what Islands they +claimed as having belonged to their nation, but which had been ceded +to him by treaty, and to which they would now give him the formal +possession. To accomplish this, the General fitted out an expedition, +to take them with him in the two ten-oared boats, with Major Horton, +Mr. Tanner, and some other gentlemen as his escort; and a sufficient +number of able hands both as boat-men and soldiers, and to man the +periagua,[1] with Highlanders under the command of Captain Hugh +Mackay. He the more readily engaged in this excursion from an +impatient desire to gain intelligence of Major Richard, and the +deputation to St. Augustine. + +[Footnote 1: The Periagua is a long flat-bottomed boat, carrying from +twenty to thirty-five tons. It is constructed with a forecastle and a +cabin; but the rest is open, and there is no deck. It has two masts, +which the sailors can strike, and sails like those of schooners. It is +rowed, generally, with two oars only.] + +They set out on the 18th of March. On the first day they visited an +island in the mouth of the Alatamaha, sixteen miles long, and from one +to five broad; opposite the entrance of the great Latilla river. By +the Indians it was called WISSOE, _Sassafras_; but the Spaniards had +named it _San Pedro_. Toonahowi, pulling out a watch that had been +given him by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, desired that +it should bear his name; saying, "He gave me this watch, that we might +know how time went; and we will remember _him_ while time goes; and +this place must have his name, that others may be reminded of him." +The General left Captain Mackay and the Highlanders here, with +directions to build a fort on the high ground, commanding the passes +of the river; which, at their desire, should be called St. Andrews. On +the south-east part of this island another strong fort was afterwards +built, called Fort William, which commanded Amelia Sound, and the +inland passage from St. Augustine. + +On their excursion, the next day, they passed the Clogothea, an arm of +the Alatamaha, and went ashore on a delightful island, about thirteen +miles long, and two broad, with orange trees, myrtles and vines +growing on it. The wild-grape vines here, as on the borders of the +Savannah, grow to the very top of the trees, and hang from limb to +limb in festoons, as if trimmed and twined by art.[1] The name of this +island, _Santa Maria_, they changed to AMELIA, in honor of her Royal +Highness. + +[Footnote 1: Journal of the Rev. Mr. Bolzius, who, it seems, was one +of the party. See URLSPURGER, I. 845.] + +On the third day they came to an island which had borne the name of +_San Juan_; but claiming it as belonging to his Majesty, and the +southernmost part of his Provinces on the sea-coast of North America, +they named it GEORGE's. + +As they approached the Spanish _look-out, [Haser centinela]_ which is +posted on the Florida side of the St. John's river, the Indians shewed +their desire of making an assault upon it, as "some of them were +related to those that had been killed, the winter before, by a +detachment from St. Augustine; and one of them, Poyeechy by name, +had been wounded by the Spaniards." The General, though with much +difficulty, persuaded them to forbear; and prevailed upon them to +return to what is called "the Palmetto ground," near to Amelia Island, +in one of the scout-boats, under the care of Major Horton. When they +had got entirely out of sight, he purposed to cross over and inquire +of the Spanish guard what had become of his boat and the commissioner +to the Governor of Florida.[1] + +[Footnote 1: The district, as far as St. John's, was taken from the +Spaniards in Queen Anne's time; and at the time of the Peace of +Utrecht it was in the possession of the English allied Indians. Now, +since by this treaty all lands in America were declared to belong to +their then present owners, and the said Indians still occupy it, and +having acknowledged themselves subjects to the King of Great Britain, +by cession, the territory became his.] + +On going ashore they found no men at the look-out, and therefore went +down to the lower one, which was also deserted. They then set out on +their return, and passing between the St. George and Talbot Island +came to the rendezvous at the Palmetto ground. There they met Mr. +Horton in the scout-boat, and some boats of Indians; but Tomo Chichi, +with two boats, was gone. + +Here Mr. Moore, whom I follow, narrates a serio-comic adventure, +which, though it may be, to some of my readers, a twice-told tale, +will bear repeating. + +"About four hours in the night, their sentry challenged a boat, and +Umpichi, one of those that had been in England, answered, and at the +same time leaped on shore with four others, and ran up to the fires +where Mr. Oglethorpe then was. They seemed in such a rage as is hardly +to be described. Their eyes glowed, as it were with fire. Some of +them foamed at the mouth, and moved with such bounds that they seemed +rather possessed. + +"Mr. Oglethorpe asked Umpichi what the matter was. He said 'Tomo +Chichi has seen enemies, and has sent us to tell it, and to help you.' +Being asked why the Mico did not come back himself, he said, 'He is an +old warrior, and will not come away from his enemies, who hunt upon +our lands, till he has seen them so near as to count them. He saw +their fire, and therefore sent to take care of you, who are his +friends. He will make a warrior of Toonahowi, and, before daylight, +will be revenged for his men whom they killed whilst he was gone to +England. But _we_ shall have no honor, for we shall not be there.' +The rest of the Indians seemed to catch the raging fits, at not being +present. Mr. Oglethorpe asked if he thought there were many. He said +'Yes! he thought the enemies were a great many, for they had a great +fire upon a high ground, and the Indians never make large fires, but +when they are so strong as to despise all resistance.' + +"Mr. Oglethorpe immediately ordered all his people on board, and they +rowed very briskly to where Tomo Chichi was; being about four miles +distant. + +"They found him, with his Indians, with hardly any fire, only a few +sparks behind a bush, to prevent discovery; who told them that they +had been to see the fire, and had discovered seven or eight white men, +but the Indians, they believed, had encamped further in the woods, for +they had not seen them; but Tomo Chichi was going out again to look +for the Indians, whom, as soon as he discovered, he intended to give +the signal to attack both the parties at once; one half creeping near, +and taking each their aim at those whom they saw most awake; and, as +soon as they had fired, to run in with their hatchets, and at the same +time those who had not fired to run in with their loaded arms; that if +they knew once where the Indians were, they would be sure of killing +all the white men, since they, being round the fire, were easily seen, +and the same fire hindered them from seeing others. + +"Mr. Oglethorpe tried to dissuade them from that attempt, but with +great difficulty could obtain of them to delay a little time; they +thinking it argued cowardice. At last they got up and resolved to go +in spite of all his endeavors; on which he told them, 'You certainly +go to kill them in the night, because you are afraid of seeing them by +day. Now, I do not fear them. Stay till day, and I will go with you, +and see who they are.' + +"Tomo Chichi sighed, and sat down, and said, 'We do not fear them +by day; but if we do not kill them by night, they will kill you +to-morrow.' So they stayed. + +"By daybreak Mr. Oglethorpe and the Mico went down with their men, and +came to the fire, which they thought had been made by enemies, which +was less than a mile from where the Mico had passed the night. They +saw a boat there, with a white flag flying, and the men proved to be +Major Richard, and his attendants, returned from Augustine. + +"The Indians then seemed ashamed of their rage, which inspired them to +kill men before they knew who they were." + +The meeting, under these circumstances, was doubly joyous. After +mutual congratulations, he was informed by Major Richard that "he +was cast away before he could get to St. Augustine; that part of the +baggage was lost; but the boat and men saved. That, having scrambled +through the breakers, and walked some leagues through the sands, they +were met by Don Pedro Lamberto, a Captain of the horse, and by him +conducted to the Governor, who received them with great civility; and +that the reason of his long stay was to get the boat repaired." He +brought letters from Don Francisco del Morale Sanchez, Captain General +of Florida, and Governor of St. Augustine. These commenced with +compliments, thanking him for the letters brought by Charles Dempsey, +Esq. and Major Richard; which, however, were followed by complaints +that the Creek Indians had assaulted and driven away the Spanish +settlers on the borders of the St. Mattheo,[1] and intimations of +displeasure at the threatening appearance of the forts which he was +erecting, and forces which manned them. Major Richard said that the +Governor expected an answer in three weeks, and desired him to bring +it. He added, that despatches had been sent to the Havana to apprize +the Government of the arrival of the new settlers, and of the position +which they had taken. + +[Footnote 1: The St. John's.] + +"The same day they returned toward St. Andrew's; but not having depth +of water enough through the narrows of Amelia, the scout-boats were +obliged to halt there; but the Indians advanced to the south end of +Cumberland, where they hunted, and carried venison to St. Andrews." + +By the directions and encouragements of the General, the works at St. +Simons were carried on with such expedition, that, by the middle of +April, the fort, which was a regular work of tabby, a composition of +oyster shells and lime, was finished; and thirty-seven palmetto houses +were put up, in which all the people might be sheltered till they +could build better. + +About the centre of the west end of the island, a town was laid out, +which he called FREDERICA, with wide streets, crossing each other at +right angles. These were afterwards skirted with rows of orange trees. + +The ground being properly divided, "the people, who had now all +arrived, having been brought in a little fleet of periaguas, were put +in possession of their respective lots, on the 19th of April, in order +that each man might begin to build and improve for himself. But the +houses that had been built, and the fields that had been tilled and +sown, were, as yet, to be in common for the public benefit." + +At the south end of the island he caused to be erected a strong +battery, called Fort St. Simons, commanding the entrance to Jekyl +sound; and a camp of barracks and some huts. + +[Illustration: Map of the Coast, Sea-Islands and early settlements of +Georgia.] + +In point of situation, a better place for a town, a fortress, and a +harbor, could hardly be wished in that part of the country; lying, as +it does, at the mouth of a very fine river. The surface of the island +was covered with oak and hickory trees, intermixed with meadows and +old Indian fields; the soil was rich and fertile, and in all places, +where they tried, they found fresh water within nine feet of the +surface.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See "_History of the Rise, Progress, and Present State +of the Colony of Georgia_," in Harris's _Collection of Voyages and +Travels_, Vol. II. p. 330, 2d ed. Lond. 1764. The best history, up to +the date of publication, extant.] + +On the 25th, Oglethorpe and his men, and Major Richard and his +attendants, got back to Frederica. On the next day the Indians +arrived, the purpose of whose intended visit had been announced +by Tomo Chichi. Having encamped by themselves near the town, they +prepared for a dance; to which Oglethorpe went with all his people. + +"They made a ring, in the middle of which four sat down, having little +drums, made of kettles, covered with deer skins, upon which they beat, +and sung. Round these the others danced, being naked to their waists, +and having round their middle many trinkets tied with skins; and some +had the tails of beasts hanging down behind them. They had painted +their faces and bodies; and their hair was stuck with feathers. In one +hand they had a rattle, in the other the feathers of an eagle made up +like the caduceus of Mercury; they shook there plumes and the rattle, +and danced round the ring with high bounds and antic postures, looking +much like the figures of the Satyrs. + +"They showed great activity, and kept just time in their motions; and +at certain times answered, by way of chorus, to those that sat in the +middle of the ring. They stopt; and then one of the chief warriors +stood out, who sang what wars he had been in, and described by motions +as well as by words, which way he had vanquished the enemies of his +country. When he had done, all the rest gave a shout of approbation, +as knowing what he said to be true."[1] + +[Footnote 1: MOORE.] + +The Indian Mico then explained the object of their embassy in a long +speech. After this, an alliance was concluded, and presents exchanged; +which consisted, on the part of the Indians, of dressed skins; and, +on that of Oglethorpe, of guns, red and blue cloth, powder, bullets, +knives, and small whetstones; and, among the women he distributed +linen and woolen garments, ear-rings, chains, beads, &c. + +This business being despatched, the General called the freemen +together, and communicated to them the contents of the letters which +he had received from the Governor of St. Augustine; and this he did +to prevent the ill impression that vague conjecture and idle reports +might occasion, and then, in compliance with the requisition of the +Governor of St. Augustine that hostile intrusion on the Spanish +settlements might be prevented, he immediately fitted out a periagua +and the marine boat, with men and provisions for three months; +together with arms, ammunition, and tools, to sail to the southward, +and cruise along the English side of the St. John's, in order to +detect and prevent any lawless persons from sheltering themselves +there, and thence molesting his Catholic Majesty's subjects, and to +restrain the Indians. + +This expedition was conducted by Captain Hermsdorff, who was to leave +Major Richard and Mr. Horton his attendant, at some place on the +Florida shore, whence they could proceed to St. Augustine to wait on +the Governor with the despatches. The purport of these was to acquaint +him, that, "being greatly desirous to remove all occasions of +uneasiness upon the frequent complaints by his Excellency of hostile +incursions upon the Spanish dominions, armed boats had been sent to +patrol the opposite borders of the river, and prevent all passing over +by Indians or marauders. The gentlemen were also directed to render +him the thanks of General Oglethorpe for his civilities, and to +express his inclination for maintaining a good harmony between the +subjects of both crowns."[1] + +[Footnote 1: MOORE'S _Voyage_, p. 79.] + +On the 22d of May, 1736, a respectable deputation of the Uchee +Indians, from the neighborhood of Ebenezer, waited upon the General at +St. Simons. They had painted themselves with various colors, and were +dressed in their richest costume. Being introduced to him in the large +apartment of the magazine store, the Indian King made a long speech; +after which an alliance was entered into, and pledge presents +interchanged.[1] This treaty was a very important one, because the +Uchees claimed the country above Augusta to the border of the Creeks, +and a portion below adjoining the Yamacraws; because they were an +independent tribe, having no alliance with the others; and because +they had been a little dissatisfied with the Saltzburgers at Ebenezer. + +[Footnote 1: URLSPURGER, I. 844, and Appendix No. XIX.] + +On the first of June intelligence was received that Major Richard and +Mr. Horton, instead of being received as commissioned delegates, had +been arrested and made prisoners at St. Augustine. Not explaining to +the satisfaction of the Governor and his Council the situation of the +forts and the design of the military force that was stationed in them, +they were detained in custody, till Don Ignatio Rosso, Lieutenant +Colonel of the garrison, with a detachment of men had made personal +investigations; who, after an absence of five days, returned and +reported that the islands were all fortified, and appeared to be +filled with men; and that the shores were protected by armed boats. A +council of war was then held, and it was resolved to send back Major +Richard and Mr. Horton, and their suit, and with them an embassy, +consisting of Charles Dempsey, Esq., Don Pedro Lamberto, Captain of +the Horse, and Don Manuel D'Arcy, Adjutant of the garrison, with +intimations that this formidable array was unnecessary. By +private information, however, Oglethorpe was led to infer that, +notwithstanding the fair professions that had been made by the +Spaniards, there were evidently measures concerted to increase their +forces, to procure guns and ammunition, and to arm the Florida +Indians.[1] + +[Footnote 1: MOORE'S _Voyage_, p. 79.] + +In consequence of these and other indications that the Spaniards were +commencing preparations for dislodging the English settlers, the +General took all possible precautionary measures for repelling them. +The fort and works on St. Simons were completed in the best manner, +and a battery was erected on the east point of the island, which +projects into the ocean. This commanded the entrance of Jekyl sound in +such manner that all ships that come in at this north entry must pass +within shot of the point, the channel lying directly under it. + +St. Andrew's fort, on Cumberland Island, with its munition of ordnance +and garrison of well-disciplined soldiers, was much relied upon as a +mean of defence; and even the outpost at St. George's, on the north +side and near the mouth of St. John's river, was deemed of no +inconsiderable importance as a check, at least, upon any attempted +invasion by the Spaniards, and as serving to prevent their going +through the inner passages. + +In the month of July the General visited Savannah, to attend to +affairs there, and to hold a conference with a Committee of the +General Assembly of South Carolina respecting the Indian trade, which +they charged him with aiming to monopolize, to the disallowance of +their traders. + +It may be necessary here to state, that, as the boundaries of Georgia +separated the Indians on the west side of the Savannah river from the +confines of South Carolina, they must be admitted as in affinity with +the new Colony. At any rate, Oglethorpe deemed it so expedient to +obtain their consent to the settlement of his people, and their good +will was so essential to a secure and peaceful residence, that his +earliest care had been to make treaties of alliance with them. That +these treaties should include agreements for mutual intercourse and +trade, seemed to be, not only a prudential, but an indispensable +provision; particularly as Tomo Chichi and the Micos of the Creeks, +who went with him to England, had requested that some stipulations +might be made relative to the quantity, quality, and prices of goods, +and to the accuracy of weights and measures, in what was offered for +the purchase of their buffalo hides, and deer-skins and peltry.[1] +Whereupon the Trustees proposed certain regulations of trade, +designed to prevent in future those impositions of which the Indians +complained. To carry these into effect, it was thought right that +none should be permitted to trade with the Indians but such as had +a license, and would agree to conduct the traffic upon fair and +equitable principles. The Carolina traders, not being disposed to +apply for a permit, nor to subject themselves to such stipulations and +restrictions, were disallowed by the Georgia Commissary, who held a +trading house among the Creeks.[2] This was resented by them, and +their complaints to the Provincial Assembly led to the appointment of +the Committee just referred to, and whose conference with Oglethorpe +was held at Savannah on the 2d of August, 1736.[3] In their printed +report they lay down these fundamental principles. "The Cherokee, +Creek, Chickasaw, and Catawba Indians, at the time of the discovery of +this part of America, were the inhabitants of the lands which they now +possess, and have ever since been deemed and esteemed the friends +and allies of his Majesty's English subjects in this part of the +Continent. They have been treated with as allies, but not as subjects +of the crown of Great Britain; they have maintained their own +possessions, and preserved their independency; nor does it appear that +they have by conquest lost, nor by cession, compact, or otherwise, +yielded up or parted with, those rights to which, by the laws of +nature and nations, they were and are entitled." + +[Footnote 1: McCALL, Vol. I. p. 46.] + +[Footnote 2: Capt. FREDERICK McKAY, in a letter to THOMAS BROUGHTON, +Esq., Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, dated July 12,1735, +written to justify his conduct as Indian Commissary, in turning out +four traders who would not conform to the rules stipulated in the +licenses, has the following remarks on the difficulties which he had +to encounter: "It was impracticable to get the traders to observe +their instructions, while some did undersell the others; some used +light, others heavy weights; some bribed the Indians to lay out their +skins with them, others told the Indians that their neighboring +traders had heavy weights, and stole their skins from them, but that +they themselves had light weights, and that their goods were better."] + +[Footnote 3: "_Report of the Committee appointed to examine into the +proceedings of the people of Georgia, with respect to the Province of +South Carolina, and the disputes subsisting between the two Colonies_." +4to. Charlestown, 1736, p. 121. + +This tract was printed by Lewis Timothy. There was no printer in +Carolina before 1730, and this appears to have been one of the +earliest productions of the Charlestown press, in the form of a book. +RICH's _Bibliotheca Americana Nova_, p. 53.] + +"The Committee cannot conceive that a charter from the crown of Great +Britain can give the grantees a right or power over a people, who, to +our knowledge, have never owned any allegiance, or acknowledged the +sovereignty of the crown of Great Britain, or any Prince in Europe; +but have indiscriminately visited and traded with the French, +Spaniards, and English, as they judged it most for their advantage; +and it is as difficult to understand how the laws of Great Britain, or +of any Colony in America, can take place, or be put in execution in +a country where the people never accepted of, nor submitted to, such +laws; but have always maintained their freedom, and have adhered to +their own customs and manners without variation or change." + +Hence the Committee inferred that the Regulations which were passed +by the Trustees, could not be binding upon the Indians, nor serve to +effect any exclusive trade with them. Oglethorpe acknowledged this +independency of the Indians; and asserted that, in perfect consistency +with it, they had entered into a treaty of alliance with the Colony of +Georgia; and, having themselves indicated certain terms and principles +of traffic, these were adopted and enjoined by the Trustees; and this +was done, not to claim authority over the Indians, nor to control +their conduct, but to indicate what was required of those who should +go among them as traders. + +In answer to the allegations that the Carolina traders had been +excluded, he declared that, in granting licenses to trade with the +Indians, he refused none of the Carolina traders who conformed to the +Act, and gave them the same instructions as had been given by the +Province of Carolina.[1] He also declared that he had given, and +should always continue to give, such instructions to the Georgia +traders, as had formerly been given by the Province of South Carolina +to theirs; and in case any new instructions given by the Province of +South Carolina to their traders shall be imparted, and appear to +him for the benefit of the two Provinces, he would add them to the +instructions of the Georgia traders; and, finally, that, pursuant +to the desire of the Committee, he would give directions to all his +officers and traders among the Indians, in their talk and discourses +to make no distinction between the two Provinces, but to speak in the +name and behalf of his Majesty's subjects[2]. + +[Footnote 1: "To protect the natives against insults, and establish a +fair trade and friendly intercourse with them, were regulations which +humanity required, and sound policy dictated. But the rapacious spirit +of individuals could be curbed by no authority. Many advantages were +taken of the ignorance of Indians in the way of traffic." RAMSAY's +_History of South Carolina_, Vol. I. p. 48. For other particulars +stated by him, respecting the trade with the Indians, see p. 89,104.] + +[Footnote 2: _Report of the Committee_, &c., p. 106, 107.] + +It seems, however, that the Committee were not satisfied; primarily +because licenses were required, and especially that they must come +through the hands of the Governor of Georgia. + +In a few days after this conference Oglethorpe returned to Frederica. +On the latter part of September he renewed the commission of the +Honorable Charles Dempsey, impowering him to state to the Governor +of St. Augustine terms for a conventional adjustment of the +misunderstanding between the two Provinces. This he eventually +effected, and a treaty was concluded on the 27th of October following, +much more conciliatory, on the part of the Spaniards, than he had +expected. This, however, proved ineffectual, and the pleasing +anticipations of restored harmony which it seemed to authorize, were +shortly frustrated by a message from the Governor of St. Augustine to +acquaint him that a Spanish Minister had arrived from Cuba, charged +with a communication which he desired an opportunity of delivering in +person. At a conference which ensued, the Commissioner peremptorily +required that Oglethorpe and his people should immediately evacuate +all the territory to the southward of St. Helena's Sound, as that +belonged to the King of Spain, who was determined to vindicate his +right to it. He refused to listen to any argument in support of the +English claim, or to admit the validity of the treaty which had lately +been signed, declaring that it had erred in the concessions which had +been made. He then unceremoniously departed, with a repetition of his +demand, accompanied with menaces. + +Perceiving that the most vigorous measures, and a stronger defensive +force than the Province could supply, would be necessary to overawe +the hostile purposes displayed by Spain, or repel them if put in +execution, Oglethorpe resolved to represent the state of affairs +to the British Ministers, and straightway embarking, set sail for +England.[1] He arrived at the close of the year; and, presenting +himself before the Board of Trustees, "received an unanimous vote of +thanks, as he had made this second, as well as his first expedition to +Georgia, entirely at his own expense."[2] + +[Footnote 1: HEWATT, II. 47, and GRAHAM, III. 200, _totidem verbis_.] + +[Footnote 2: _London Magazine_, October, 1757, p. 545.] + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +Delegation of the Missionaries--JOHN WESLEY stationed at Savannah--Has +a conference with Tomo Chichi--His Preaching deemed personal in its +applications--He becomes unpopular--Meets with persecution--Leaves the +Province and returns to England--CHARLES WESLEY attends Oglethorpe +to Frederica--Finds himself unpleasantly situated--Furnished with +despatches for the Trustees, he sets out for Charlestown, and thence +takes passage for England--By stress of weather the Vessel driven off +its course--Puts in at Boston, New England--His reception there--Sails +thence for England--After a perilous voyage arrives--BENJAMIN INGHAM +also at Frederica--Goes to Savannah to apprize John Wesley of the +sickness of his brother--Resides among the Creeks in order to +learn their language--Returns to England--CHARLES DELAMOTTE at +Savannah--Keeps a School--Is much respected--GEORGE WHITEFIELD +comes to Savannah--His reception--Visits Tomo Chichi, who was +sick--Ministerial labors--Visits the Saltzburgers--Pleased with their +provision for Orphan Children--Visits Frederica and the adjacent +Settlements--Returns to England--Makes a second voyage to Georgia, and +takes efficient measures for the erection of an Orphan House. + + +In order to show circumstantially the progress of colonization, by +following Oglethorpe with his new and large accession of emigrants and +military forces to their destined places of settlement on the borders +of the Alatamaha and the southern islands, all mention of the +reception and treatment of the Wesleys, whom he had brought over as +religious missionaries, has been deferred. The relation is introduced +now, as a kind of episode. + +The delegation of these pious evangelists was encouraged by flattering +suggestions, and acceded to with the most raised expectations; and +its objects were pursued by them with untiring zeal and unsparing +self-devotedness, through continual hindrances. The opposition which +they met was encountered with "all long-suffering and patience;" but +their best efforts were unavailing; "and their mission closed, too +speedily, in saddened disappointment." + +I. JOHN WESLEY, though stationed at Savannah, did not consider himself +so much a Minister to the inhabitants as a missionary to the Indians. +Whenever he mentioned his uneasiness at being obstructed in his +main design, he was answered "You cannot leave Savannah without a +Minister." To this he rejoined, "My plain answer is, I know not that +I am under any obligations to the contrary. I never promised to stay +here one month. I openly declared, both before, and ever since my +coming hither, that I neither would nor could take charge of the +English any longer than till I could go among the Indians." It was +rejoined, "But did not the Trustees of Georgia appoint you to be +Minister at Savannah?" He replied, "They did; but it was done without +either my desire or knowledge. Therefore I cannot conceive that that +appointment could lay me under any obligation of continuing here +longer than till a door is opened to the Heathen; and this I expressly +declared at the time I consented to accept that appointment[1]." + +[Footnote 1: _Life of Rev_. JOHN WESLEY, A.M., _in which is included +the Life of his Brother_ CHARLES WESLEY, A.M. _By Rev_. HENRY MOORE. +_Lond_. 1824, 2 vols. 8vo. Vol. I. p. 310.] + +Oglethorpe had been so impressed with what he had seen of the natives, +that he had written home that "a door seemed opened for the conversion +of the Indians." These favorable expectations were greatly increased +by the visit to England of Tomo Chichi and his train. They seemed to +be fully authorized by the declarations which were made by them to the +Archbishop of Canterbury, and other clergy; and they appeared to +be put in a train of accomplishment by the interest taken for +facilitating that purpose by the manual of instruction for the Indians +which was preparing by Bishop Wilson. But when Tomo Chichi came +to welcome the Governor on his arrival, and was introduced to the +intended teacher, it appeared that unforeseen obstacles had arisen. +"I am glad you are come," said the Mico, addressing him through the +female interpreter. "When I was in England I desired that some would +speak the great word to me; and our people then desired to hear it; +but now we are all in confusion. The French on one side, and the +Spanish on the other, and the Traders in the midst, have caused us +much perplexity; and made our people unwilling. Their ears are shut. +Their tongues are divided, and some say one thing, and some another. +But I will call together our chiefs, and speak to the wise men of +our nation, and I hope they will hear. But we would not be, made +Christians as the Spaniards make Christians. We would be taught; and +then, when we understand all clearly, be baptized."[1] There was good +sense in this remark. They would be informed of the evidences of the +truth of Christianity, and have its principles and doctrines explained +to them, and its precepts, tendency, and design illustrated; and hence +be enabled to adopt it from conviction. This they would do, when they +were made to understand how it was a divine revelation, and saw its +effects in the life of its professors. But the reply of Wesley was not +simple enough to be comprehended by him. It was this; "There is but +one,--He that sitteth in the heaven,--who is able to teach man wisdom. +Though we are come so far, we know not whether He will please to teach +you by us, or no. If He teaches you, you will learn wisdom; but we can +do nothing." All the inference which the poor Indian could draw from +this was, that he who had come as a religious teacher disclaimed his +own abilities, and referred to a divine Instructer, of whom the Mico +could know nothing as yet, by whom alone the converting knowledge was +to be communicated. + +[Footnote 1: Account of the Settlement of the Saltzburg Emigrants at +Ebenezer, in Georgia. By Philip George Frederic von Reck. Hamburgh, +1777. 12mo, p. 7.] + +Moreover, he had been an observer of the disposition and conduct of +those who called themselves Christians; and, at another interview with +Wesley, when urged to listen to the doctrines of Christianity, and +become a convert, he keenly replied, "Why these are Christians at +Savannah! Those are Christians at Frederica!" Nor was it without good +reason that he exclaimed, "Christians drunk! Christians beat men! +Christians tell lies! Me no Christian." + +Scenawki, however, had more courtesy. She presented the Missionaries +with two large jars of honey, and one of milk; and invited them +to come up to Yamacraw, and teach the children, saying, the honey +represented the inclination of the people there, and the milk the +need of their children. What a beautiful illustration of the mode of +teaching practised by the Apostle! "I have fed you with milk, and not +with meat;" adapting the instruction to the capacity of those to whom +it was imparted, and "as they were able to receive it," could properly +digest it, "and be nourished thereby." + +Other conferences effected little; and as Mrs. Musgrove did not reside +at Yamacraw, and could not often assist him as an interpreter; and, +perhaps, could not readily make perspicuous in the Indian dialect +what was somewhat more mystical than even his English hearers could +comprehend, his cherished purposes for the conversion of the Indians +seemed to be thwarted. Besides, the condition of the people at +Savannah was such as to require clerical services, and he gave himself +wholly to them. + +For some time his labors as a preacher promised to be successful; "and +all would have been well," says Southey, "could he but have remembered +the advice of Dr. Burton." This was contained in a letter addressed to +him a few days before embarking for Georgia. Among other things, this +excellent friend suggested to him that, under the influence of Mr. +Oglethorpe, giving weight to his endeavors, much may be effected in +the present undertaking; and goes on to remark; "With regard to your +behavior and manner of address, these must be determined according to +the different circumstances of persons, &c.; but you will always, +in the use of means, consider the great end; and, therefore, your +applications will of course vary. You will keep in view the pattern of +the Gospel preacher, St. Paul, who 'became all things to all men, +that he might save some.' Here is a nice trial of christian prudence. +Accordingly, in every case you will distinguish between what is +indispensable, and what is variable; between what is divine, and what +is of human authority. I mention this, because men are apt to deceive +themselves in such cases; and we see the traditions and ordinances of +men frequently insisted on with more rigor than the commandments of +God, to which they are subordinate. Singularities of less importance, +are often espoused with more zeal than the weighty matters of God's +law. As in all points we love ourselves, so, especially, in our +hypotheses. Where a man has, as it were, a property in a notion, he is +most industrious to improve it, and that in proportion to the labor +of thought he has bestowed upon it; and, as its value rises in +imagination, he is, in proportion, unwilling to give it up, and dwells +upon it more pertinaciously than upon considerations of general +necessity and use. This is a flattering mistake, against which we +should guard ourselves." + +Unmindful of such counsel, the eagerness of Wesley to effect +reformation was pressed too precipitately and carried too far. His +sermons had such direct reference, not only to the state of affairs, +but the conduct of individuals, that they were shrunk from as personal +allusions. His zeal was excessive, and his practice exclusive.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Mr. SOUTHEY has this remark--"He was accused of making +his sermons so many satires upon particular persons; and for this +cause his auditors fell off; for though one might have been very well +pleased to hear others preached at, no person liked the chance of +being made the mark himself."--Moreover, "following the rubric, in +opposition to the practice of the English church, he insisted upon +baptizing children by immersion, and refused to baptize them if the +parents did not consent to this rude and perilous method. Some persons +he would not receive as sponsors, because they were not communicants; +and when one of the most pious men in the Colony earnestly desired to +be admitted to the communion, he refused to admit him because he was +a Dissenter, unless he would be rebaptized. And he would not read the +burial service over another for the same reason, or one founded on +the same principle." _Life of_ WESLEY, _by_ ROBERT SOUTHEY, _New York +edition_, 1820. Vol. I. p. 108.--Instances of personal reference +in preaching, and of its alienating effects, are mentioned by Mr. +Stevens, in his Journal, Vol. I. pp. 15, 19, and elsewhere.] + +For these and other reasons, and in some respects most unreasonably, +the people at Savannah became prejudiced against him, and so +disaffected that "he perceived that his preaching was not likely to be +attended with beneficial influence. Hence, having in vain sought an +accommodation with his opponents, without in the least relaxing from +the enforcement of his principles, and disappointed in the prime +object of his mission, that of preaching to the Indians, he resolved +to quit the Colony, and return to his native land[1]." + +[Footnote 1: _Memoir of the Rev_. John Wesley, prefixed to a volume of +his Sermons, by Samuel Drew, page xvi.] + +Another circumstance brought the whole scene of his trials to a +catastrophe. Sophia Hopkins, the niece of Mrs. Causton, wife of Thomas +Causton, Esq., chief magistrate of the place, had been a pupil to him +to learn French, was a professed convert to his ministry, and become a +member of the Church. Her beauty, accomplishments, and manners, were +fascinating; and she appears, by some coquettish advances, to have +won his affections. Delamotte, however, doubting the sincerity of her +pretensions to piety, cautioned his friend Wesley against cherishing a +fond attachment. The Moravian Elders, also, advised him not to think +of a matrimonial connection. In consequence of this, his conduct +towards her became reserved and distant; very naturally, to her +mortification; though her own affections had been preëngaged, for she +soon after married a Mr. Williamson. But a hostile feeling had been +excited against him by her friends, for the manifestation of which an +opportunity was afforded about five months after her marriage. Wesley +having discovered in her conduct several things which he thought +blameworthy, with his wonted ingenuousness, frankly mentioned them +to her; intimating that they were not becoming a participant of the +Lord's Supper. She, in return, became angry. For reasons, therefore, +which he stated to her in a letter, he cautioned her not to come to +the ordinance till she could do it in a reconciled temper. + +The storm now broke forth upon him. A complaint was entered to the +magistrates; an indictment filed, and a warrant issued, by which +he was brought before the Recorder, on the charges of Mr. +Williamson,--1st, That he had defamed his wife; and, 2dly, That he had +causelessly repelled her from the Holy Communion. Wesley denied the +first charge; and the second, being wholly ecclesiastical, he would +not acknowledge the authority of the magistrate to decide upon it. He +was, however, told that he must appear before the next court, to be +holden at Savannah, August term, 1737. In the mean time pains were +taken by Mr. Causton to pack and influence the jury. There were +debates and rude management in the court. No pleas of defence were +admitted. The evidence was discordant. Twelve of the grand jurors drew +up a protest against the proceedings. The magistrates, themselves, +after repeated adjournments, could come to no decision; and justice +was not likely to be awarded. Wearied with this litigious prosecution, +Wesley applied to his own case the direction given by our Lord to his +Apostles, "If they persecute thee in one place, flee unto another;" +and, shaking off the dust of his feet as a witness against them, he +fled to Charlestown, South Carolina; whence, on Thursday, the 22d of +December, 1737, he embarked for England. After a pleasant passage, he +landed at Deal, February, 1738, as he remarks, "on the anniversary +festival in Georgia, for Mr. Oglethorpe's landing there." As he +entered the channel, on his return, Mr. Whitefield sailed through it, +on a mission; not to be his coadjutor, as he expected, but, as it +proved, his successor. + +II. The situation of CHARLES WESLEY was annoyed by like discomfitures, +and followed by still greater disappointment. He had received the most +flattering accounts of Georgia from the conversation of Oglethorpe, +with whom he had been for some time acquainted; and from the little +book which this gentleman had published. Implicitly confiding in the +high wrought descriptions which had been given him, and indulging +anticipations of a colonization of more than Utopian excellence, he +attended his brother to Georgia, and attached himself to Oglethorpe, +whose warm professions had won him to his service both as Secretary +and Chaplain. + +His destination was to the new settlement at Frederica; and there he +arrived, with his patron, on the 9th of March, 1736. The first person +who saluted him, as he stept on shore, was Ingham, his intimate, +confidential, and highly valued friend; who had preceded him thither. +The meeting was truly pleasant; but what he learned from him of the +state of affairs there, and of "the treatment which he had met +for vindicating the sanctity of the Lord's day," was a saddening +indication of the reverse which his cherished anticipations were soon +to meet. He was apprised by it, however, of the necessity of taking +measures for procuring a more sober observance of the Sabbath in +future. Accordingly, as he had been announced to the settlers as their +religious instructer and guide, he spent the remainder of the week in +visits to their families, and in seeking that personal acquaintance +with them, without which, he well knew that general instruction would +be of little use; but, he observes, "with what trembling should I call +this flock mine!" In the evening he read prayers, in the open air; +at which Oglethorpe was present. He observed that the lesson seemed +remarkably adapted to his situation, and that he felt the power of it; +particularly of the passage, "continue instant in prayer, and watch in +the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would +open a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, that I may +make it manifest as I ought to speak."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Colossians, IV. 3] + +In the public discharge of his duties as a clergyman, he was solemn +and fervent; and his preaching evinced "how forcible are right words." +But in his daily intercourse with this heterogeneous population, he +was not always aware that clerical intimacy should never descend to +familiarity. He overheard rude speeches and gossipping tattle; and was +made acquainted with some domestic bickerings and feuds; and kindly, +though not always discretely, endeavored to check them; but his +mediation was repelled as uncalled-for interference.[1] To use the +words of his biographer, "he attempted the doubly difficult task of +reforming the gross improprieties, and reconciling some of the petty +jealousies and quarrels with each other; in which he effected little +else than making them unite in opposing him, and caballing to get rid +of him in any way."[2] Hence complaints were made to Oglethorpe, who, +instead of discountenancing them decidedly, and vindicating, or at +least upholding him whom he had brought over, and placed in an office +where he ought to have demanded for him a treatment of deference and +respect, himself listened too readily to complaints and invectives, +and suffered them to prejudice him against the truly amiable, +ingenuous, and kind-hearted minister. Instead of putting candid +constructions on well-meant purposes, of cautioning his inexperience, +or giving friendly advice, he treated him with coldness and +neglect.[3] The only apology for this is that suggested by Southey.[4] +"The Governor, who had causes enough to disquiet him, arising from +the precarious state of the Colony, was teased and soured by the +complaints which were perpetually brought against the two brothers, +and soon began to wish that he had brought with him men of more +practicable tempers." In some hours of calmer reflection, however, he +felt the compunctious visitings of conscience, and convinced of the +injustice which he had done to Mr. Wesley, "in the most solemn manner +he professed to him his regret for his unkind usage; and, to express +his sincerity, embraced and kissed him with the most cordial +affection." Realizing, however, that the situation of this aggrieved +and disheartened man was such that his usefulness here was at an +end, and finding it necessary to make a special communication to +the Trustees, relative to the internal distractions among the first +settlers; to the Board of Trade on the subject of exports and +commercial relations; and to the Government, respecting the exposed +situation of the Colony, he commissioned him to carry the despatches. + +[Footnote 1: "He that passeth by and meddleth with strife belonging +not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." _Proverbs_, +XXVI. 17. He who inconsiderately engages in other men's quarrels, +whom he lights upon by chance, and in which he is not concerned, will +assuredly suffer by his interference.] + +[Footnote 2: SOUTHEY's _Life of the Wesleys_, Vol. I. p. 107.] + +[Footnote 3: In the life of Wesley by MOORE, is an affecting detail +of particulars, taken from the unpublished Journal of Charles Wesley, +Vol. I. p. 265-285.] + +[Footnote 4: _Life of Wesley_, Vol. I. p. 107.] + +On the 26th of July, 1736, he set out for Charlestown, to take passage +to England; and, on the 16th of August, went on board the London +Galley. But the passengers and sailors soon found that the Captain, +while on shore, had neglected every thing to which he ought to have +attended. The vessel was too leaky to bear the voyage; and the Captain +drinking nothing scarcely but gin, had never troubled his head about +taking in water; so that they were soon reduced to short allowance, +which, in that sultry clime and season of the year, was a distressing +predicament. Meeting, too, with violent squalls of wind, they were +driven off their course. The leak became alarming, and their troubles +increased so fast upon them, that they were obliged to steer for +Boston in New England; where they arrived, with much difficulty and +danger, on the 2d of September. + +Wesley was soon known at Boston; and met a hospitable reception among +the Ministers, both of the town and neighborhood. In a letter to his +brother, he thus describes the attentions that were paid to him. "I +am wearied with this hospitable people; they so teaze me with their +civilities. They do not suffer me to be alone. The clergy, who come +from the country on a visit, drag me with them when they return[1]. I +am constrained to take a view of this New England, more pleasant even +than the Old. And, compared with the region in which I last resided, I +cannot help exclaiming, O happy country that breeds neither flies, nor +crocodiles, nor prevaricators!"[2] + +[Footnote 1: Referring to the weekly assembling of the Clergy from the +neighboring towns to attend the Thursday Lecture.] + +[Footnote 2: Having found that letters to his brother were intercepted +and read, before they were delivered, he wrote sometimes in Latin, and +even passages in Greek. This, dated Boston, October 5th, 1736, was +in Latin, and I give the extract here, of which the text is a +translation. "Tsedet me populi hujuser, ita me urbanitate sua divexant +et persequuntur. Non patientur me esse solum. E rure veninnt Clerici; +me revertentes in rare trahant. Cogor henc Anglicum contemplari, etiam +antiquâ amoeniorem; et nequeo non exclamare, O fortinata regio, nec +muscas aleus, nec crocodilos, nec delatores!" [When Mr. C. Wesley +was at Frederica, the _sand-flies_ were one night so exceedingly +troublesome, that he was obliged to rise at one o'clock, and smoke +them out of his hut. He tells us that the whole town was employed in +the same way. By _crocodile_ he means the species called _alligator_. +When at Savannah, he and Mr. Delamotte used to bathe in the river +between four and five o'clock in the morning, before the alligators +were stirring, but they heard them snoring all round them. One morning +Mr. Delamotte was in great danger; an alligator rose just behind him, +and pursued him to the land, whither he escaped with difficulty.]] + +The repairs of the vessel detained him here till the 15th of October, +when they sailed. They had a most perilous passage, and encountered +violent storms; but on the third of December arrived opposite Deal; +and the passengers went safe on shore. + +III. INGHAM had his station assigned him at Frederica; and there his +prudence preserved him from the vexations with which his cherished +companion was annoyed. In behalf of that persecuted and dispirited +friend, he went to Savannah, to inform John Wesley of the opposition +of the people to his brother. He tarried there to supply John's place +during his absence on the visit of sympathy and counsel, of mediation +or rescue. Returning to Frederica, he remained there till the 13th +of May, when he accompanied Charles to Savannah, whither he went to +receive the Indian traders on their coming down to take out their +licenses. He accompanied them to the upper Creeks; among whom he +resided several months, and employed himself in making a vocabulary of +their language, and composing a grammar.[1] + +[Footnote 1: SOUTHEY, I. 122, note; mention is also made of him in +CRANZ'S _History of the United Brethren_, p. 228.] + +On the 24th of February, 1737, it was agreed that he should go to +England, and "endeavor to bring over, if it should please God, some of +their friends to strengthen their hands in his work."[1] By him John +Wesley wrote to Oglethorpe, who had sailed for England, and to Dr. +Brady's associates, who had sent a library to Savannah. + +[Footnote 1: MOORE'S _Lives of the Wesleys_, I. 315.] + +Ingham is mentioned by Whitefield, in terms of high regard, as +fellow-laborer with the Wesleys, and "an Israelite indeed." + +IV. DELAMOTTE remained, from the first, with John Wesley at Savannah. +He kept a school, in which he taught between thirty and forty children +to read, write, and cast accounts. "Before public worship on the +afternoon of the Lord's day, he catechized the lower class, and +endeavored to fix some things of what was said by the Minister in +their understandings as well as their memories. In the morning he +instructed the larger children."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Here is a prototype of the modern Sunday-schools.] + +He returned to England in the Whitaker, Captain Whiting; the ship that +brought out Mr. Whitefield, June 2d, 1738. "The good people lamented +the loss of him, and great reason had they to do so; and went to the +waterside to take a last farewell." + +V. GEORGE WHITEFIELD was the intimate friend of the Wesleys and of +Ingham; and he states, in his Journal, that when they were in Georgia +he received letters from them; and that their description of the moral +condition of the Colony affected his heart powerfully, and excited a +strong desire to join them, to assist them in the work in which they +were occupied, and become "a partaker with them in the afflictions +of the gospel." Such an undertaking was suited to his energetic and +enterprizing character; and therefore engaged much of his attention. +On the return of Charles Wesley to England, he learned more of the +situation of the Colonists, and of their great need of religious +instruction; and when Ingham came with special reference to procuring +assistance, he expressed his readiness to go on the mission. In the +letter which he received by him from John Wesley was this direct +reference, "Only Delamotte is with me, till God shall stir up the +heart of some of his servants, who, putting their lives in his hands, +shall come over and help us, where the harvest is so great and the +laborers are so few. What if thou art the man, Mr. Whitefield? Do you +ask me what you shall have? Food to eat and raiment to put on; a house +to lay your head in, such as your Lord had not; and a crown of glory +that fadeth not away!" This, and another letter, strengthened the +desire, which soon ripened into a purpose, for which all circumstances +seemed favorable. Charles, too, became more explicit, and rather urged +his going[1]. + +[Footnote 1: He addressed a poem to him in which are these verses: + + "Servant of God! the summons hear. + Thy Master calls! arise! obey! + The tokens of his will appear, + His providence points out the way. + + "Champion of God! thy Lord proclaim, + Jesus alone resolve to know. + Tread down thy foes in Jesus' name, + And conquering and to conquer go!"] + +He accordingly went up to London to tender his services to Oglethorpe +and the Trustees; by whom he was accepted; and he left London on the +latter part of December, 1737, in the 23d year of his age, to take +passage in the Whitaker, Captain Whiting, master, on a voyage to +Georgia. It was, however, the end of January before the vessel was +fairly on its way, in consequence of contrary winds. They sailed from +the Downs a few hours only before the vessel, which brought Wesley +back, cast anchor there. He was attended on his passage by the +Honorable James Habersham and his brother. They landed, after rather a +circuitous and long passage, on the 7th of May, 1738. Delamotte, +whom Wesley had left schoolmaster at Savannah, received him at the +Parsonage house, which he found much better than he expected. Having +met with some of his predecessor's converts there, he read prayers +on the morrow, and expounded, in the Court-house, and waited on the +magistrates; but, being taken ill of a fever and ague, he was confined +to the house for a week. + +Being informed that Tomo Chichi was sick, nigh unto death, as soon +as he could venture abroad he made him a visit. The Mico lay on a +blanket, thin and meagre. Scenawki, his wife, sat by, fanning him +with feathers. There was none who could speak English, so that Mr. +Whitefield could only shake hands with him and leave him. A few days +after he went again, and finding Toonahowi there, who could speak +English, "I desired him," says Whitefield, "to ask his uncle whether +he thought he should die;" who answered, "I cannot tell." I then +asked, where he thought he should go, after death? He replied "To +heaven." But alas! a further questioning led the solemn visiter to an +unfavorable opinion of his preparedness for such a state of purity. + +When Whitefield had recovered so as to commence his labors, he +remarked that every part bore the aspect of an infant colony; that, +besides preaching twice a day, and four times on the Lord's day, he +visited from house to house, and was in general cordially received, +and always respectfully; "but from time to time found that _caelum non +animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt_. 'Those who cross the seas, +change their climate, but not their disposition.'" Though lowered +in their circumstances, a sense of what they formerly were in their +native country remained. It was plainly to be seen that coming over +was not so much a matter of choice as of restraint; choosing rather +to be poor in an unknown country abroad, than to live among those who +knew them in more affluent circumstances at home.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Gillies' _Memoirs of Whitefield_, p. 27.] + +The state of the children affected him deeply. The idea of an +Orphan-House in Georgia had been suggested to him by Charles Wesley, +before he himself had any thought of going abroad; and now that he saw +the condition of the Colonists, he said, "nothing but an orphan-house +can effect the education of the children." From this moment he set +his heart upon founding one, as soon as he could raise funds. In the +meantime, he did what he could. He opened a school at Highgate +and Hampstead, and one for girls at Savannah. He then visited the +Saltzburgers' orphan-house at Ebenezer; and, if any thing was wanting +to perfect his own design, or to inflame his zeal, he found it there. +The Saltzburgers themselves were exiles for conscience' sake, and +eminent for piety and industry. Their ministers, Gronau and Bolzius, +were truly evangelical. Their asylum, which they had been enabled to +found by English benevolence for widows and orphans, was flourishing. +Whitefield was so delighted with the order and harmony of Ebenezer +that he gave a share of his own "Poor's store" to Bolzius for his +orphans. Then came the scene which completed his purpose. Bolzius +called all the children before him, and catechized them, and exhorted +them to give God thanks for his good providence towards them. Then +prayed with them, and made them pray after him. Then sung a psalm. +Afterwards, says Whitefield "the little lambs came and shook me by the +hand, one by one, and so we parted." From this moment Whitefield made +his purpose his fate.[1] + +[Footnote 1: PHILLIPS' _Life and Times of Whitefield_, p. 73.] + +As opportunity offered he visited Frederica, and the adjacent +settlements; and says that he often admired that, considering the +circumstances and disposition of the first settlers, so much was +really done. He remarks that "the first settlers were chiefly broken +and decayed tradesmen from London and other parts of England; and +several Scotch adventurers, (Highlanders) who had a worthy minister +named Macleod; a few Moravians, and the Saltzburgers, who were by +far the most industrious of the whole;" and he adds, that he would +cheerfully have remained with them, had he not felt obliged to return +to England to receive priest's orders, and make a beginning towards +laying a foundation of the orphan-house, which he saw was much wanted. + +In August he settled a schoolmaster, leaving Mr. Habersham at +Savannah; and, parting affectionately with his flock, he went to +Charlestown, South Carolina, and, on the 9th of September, went aboard +the Mary, Captain Coe, for England, where he arrived in the latter +part of November, 1738. + +The Trustees for the Colony received him cordially; were pleased to +express their satisfaction at the accounts which had been sent them +of his conduct and services during his stay in the Colony; and having +been requested by letters sent, unknown to him, from the magistrates +and inhabitants, they most willingly presented to him the living of +Savannah, (though he insisted upon having no salary), and as +readily granted him five hundred acres of land, whereon to erect an +Orphan-House, and make a garden and plantations; to collect money for +which, together with taking priest's orders, were the chief motives of +his returning to England so soon[1]. + +[Footnote 1: GILLIES, p. 32.] + +Without extending the account of this zealous, eloquent, and popular +preacher any further, suffice it to say that he was greatly successful +in the object of his visit, and his appeals to public charity in +behalf of the Orphan-House; that he returned to Georgia, and on March +11th, 1742, laid the foundation of that edifice; and, both in America +and in England, continued his measures for its establishment, till he +saw it completed. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +Oglethorpe arrives in England--Trustees petition the King for military +aid to the new Colony--A regiment granted--Oglethorpe appointed +Commander in Chief of South Carolina and Georgia--Part of the regiment +sent out--Oglethorpe embarks for Georgia the third time--Remainder of +the regiment arrive--And two companies from Gibraltar--Prospect of war +with Spain--Military preparations at St. Augustine--Oglethorpe makes +arrangements for defence--Treason in the Camp--Mutiny, and personal +assault on the General. + + +"At a meeting of the Trustees of Georgia, Wednesday, January 19th, +1737, Mr. Oglethorpe, newly returned hither, had the unanimous thanks +of the board. He informed them that Savannah had greatly increased in +building, and that three other towns had been founded within a year; +namely, Augusta, Darien, and Frederica; that a new town, called +Ebenezer, had been laid out for the Saltzburgers; and that there were +several villages settled by gentlemen at their own expense. He +gave them the pleasing intelligence that the remoter Creek nation +acknowledged his Majesty's authority, and traded with the new +settlers; and that the Spanish Governor-General and Council of War of +Florida had signed a treaty with the Colony."[1] He added, however, +that notwithstanding these seeming auspicious circumstances, the +people on the frontiers were in constant apprehensions of an invasion, +and that he had strong suspicions that the treaty would not be +regarded; that the Spanish government at Cuba was wholly opposed to +it; and that the indignant demand of the commissioner from Havana, and +the threat which followed, implied an infraction, and would lead to +consequences against which it was necessary to provide. + +[Footnote 1: Extract from the Record of the Trustees, published in the +_Gentleman's Magazine_, for 1737, Vol. XII. p. 59.] + +Upon this communication some able remarks were made in the London +Post. They were introduced by a statement of the benefits likely to +accrue to the English nation from settling the colony of Georgia; and +go on to mention that the colony was in the most thriving condition in +consequence of royal patronage and parliamentary aid, seconded by the +generosity of contributors, "whose laudable zeal will eternize their +names in the British annals; and, carried into effect under the +conduct of a gentleman, whose judgment, courage, and indefatigable +diligence in the service of his country, have shewn him every way +equal to so great and valuable a design. In the furtherance of this +noble enterprise, that public spirited and magnanimous man has acted +like a vigilant and faithful guardian, at the expense of his repose, +and to the utmost hazard of his life. And now, the jealousy of the +Spanish is excited, and we are told that that court has the modesty to +demand from England that he shall not he any longer employed. If this +be the fact, as there is no doubt it is, we have a most undeniable +proof that the Spaniards dread the abilities of Mr. Oglethorpe. It is, +of course, a glorious testimony to his merit, and a certificate of his +patriotism, that ought to endear him to every honest Briton."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, Vol. VII. p. 500. See, also, +_History of the British Provinces_, 4to. p. 158.] + +Reference is here made to the memorial of Don Thomas Geraldino, +the Spanish ambassador at the British Court, in which, among other +demands, he insisted that no troops should be sent over to Georgia, +and particularly remonstrated against the return of Oglethorpe. + +About the same time intelligence reached England that the Spaniards at +St. Augustine had ordered the English merchants to depart, and were +setting up barracks for troops that were daily expected; that an +embarkation was preparing at Havana, in which two thousand five +hundred soldiers were to be shipped in three large men-of-war, and +eight transports; and that great quantities of provisions had been +laid in for them. Upon this, and other hostile indications, of which +the Trustees were apprised, they petitioned his Majesty that a +regiment might be raised for the defence and protection of the +Colony. This was granted. Oglethorpe was appointed General and +Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's forces in Carolina and Georgia; +and commissioned to raise a regiment for the service and defence of +those two Colonies, to consist of six companies of one hundred men +each, exclusive of non-commissioned officers and drums; to which a +company of grenadiers was afterwards added. "This regiment he raised +in a very short time, as he disdained to make a market of the service +of his country, by selling commissions, but got such officers +appointed as were gentlemen of family and character in their +respective counties; and, as he was sensible what an advantage it was +to the troops of any nation to have in every company a certain number +of such soldiers as had been bred up in the character of gentlemen, he +engaged about twenty young gentlemen of no fortune, to serve as cadets +in his regiment, all of whom he afterwards advanced by degrees to be +officers, as vacancies happened; and was so far from taking any money +for the favor, that to some of them, he gave, upon their advancement, +what was necessary to pay the fees of their commissions, and to +provide themselves for appearing as officers."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _London Magazine_, for 1757, p. 546.] + +"He carried with him, also," says a writer of that day, "forty +supernumeraries, at his own expense; a circumstance very extraordinary +in our armies, especially in our plantations." + +With a view to create in the troops a personal interest in the Colony +which they had enlisted to defend, and to induce them eventually to +become actual settlers, every man was allowed to take with him a +wife; for the support of whom some additional pay and rations, were +offered.[1] In reference to this, Governor Belcher, of Massachusetts, +in writing to Lord Egmont, respecting the settlement of Georgia, has +these remarks; "Plantations labor with great difficulties; and must +expect to creep before they can go. I see great numbers of people who +would be welcome in that settlement; and have, therefore, the honor to +think, with Mr. Oglethorpe, that the soldiers sent thither should all +be married men[2]." + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, Vol. VIII. p. 164.] + +[Footnote 2: Manuscript Letter Book of Governor Belcher, in the +archives of the Massachusetts Historical Society.] + +Early in the spring of 1738, some part of the regiment, under the +command of Lieutenant Colonel Cochran, embarked for Georgia, and +arrived at Charlestown, South Carolina, on the 3d of May. They +immediately proceeded to their destined rendezvous by land; as the +General had taken care, on his former expedition, to have the rout +surveyed, and a road laid out and made passable from Port Royal to +Darien, or rather Frederica itself; and there were a sufficient number +of boats provided for passing the rivers. + +As soon as Oglethorpe obtained the proper stores of arms, ammunition, +military equipments, and provisions, he embarked for Georgia, the +third time, with six hundred men, women, and children, including the +complement of the new raised regiment, on the 5th of July, in the +Hector and Blandford, men-of-war; accompanied by five transports. They +arrived at St. Simons on the 9th of September, where their landing at +the soldier's fort, was announced by a discharge of artillery, and +cheered by the garrison. The General encamped near the fort, and staid +till the 21st, to forward the disembarkation, and give out necessary +orders.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Letter from Frederica, in Georgia_, dated October 8th, +1738, in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, for January, 1739, p. 22.] + +He then went to Frederica, and was saluted by fifteen pieces of cannon +at the fort. The magistrates and townsmen waited on him in a body, to +congratulate him on his return. + +On the 25th the inhabitants of the town went out with the General, and +cut a road through the woods down to the soldiers-fort, in a strait +line; so that there is an open communication between them. This work +was performed in three days, though it is a distance of three miles. + +Several Indians came to greet the General. They hunted in the +vicinity, and brought venison every day to the camp. They reported +that the chiefs from every town of the Upper and Lower Creek nation +would set out to visit him as soon as they received notice of his +return. + +The arrival of the regiment, so complete and in so good order, was +a great relief to the people of Frederica, as they had been often, +during the summer, apprehensive of an attack by the Spaniards, who +had sent large reinforcements of troops to St. Augustine, and were +understood to be providing a formidable embarkation at the Havana, +notwithstanding the treaty which had been so lately concluded with +Oglethorpe. Nay, the Floridians had actually attacked one of the Creek +towns that was next to them; but, though the assault was made by +surprise, they were repulsed with loss; and then they pretended that +it was done by their Indians, without their orders. + +Under circumstances of so much jeopardy, the people were so often +diverted from their daily labor, that their culture and husbandry +had been greatly neglected; and there was the appearance of such a +scarcity, that many would be reduced to actual want before the next +crop could be got in. But, in consequence of the measures now taking +for their security, and of some supplies which were brought, in +addition to the military stores, and of more that would be sent for, +the anxiety was removed, and they resumed their labors. + +"The utmost care was taken by the General, that in all the frontier +places the fortifications should be put in the best state of defence; +and he distributed the forces in the properest manner for the +protection and defence of the Colony; assigning different corps for +different services; some stationary at their respective forts; some +on the alert, for ranging the woods; others, light-armed, for sudden +expeditions. He likewise provided vessels, and boats for scouring the +sea-coast, and for giving intelligence of the approach of any armed +vessels. He went from one military station to another, superintending +and actually assisting every operation; and endured hardness as a good +soldier, by lying in tents, though all the officers and soldiers had +houses and huts where they could have fires when they desired; and +indeed they often had need, for the weather was severe. In all which +services, it was declared that he gave at the same time his orders and +his example; there being nothing which he did not, that he directed +others to do; so that, if he was the first man in the Colony, his +preeminence was founded upon old Homer's maxims, 'He was the most +fatigued, the first in danger, distinguished by his cares and his +labors, and not by any exterior marks of grandeur, more easily +dispensed with, since they were certainly useless.'"[1] + +[Footnote 1: HARRIS'S _Voyages_, II. p. 332.] + +But there was treachery lurking in the camp, which, though for some +time suspected, had been so vigilantly watched and guarded against, +that the conspirators found no opportunity for carrying into effect +their insidious purpose. + +It seems that among the troops lately sent over, there was one soldier +who had been in the Spanish service, and two others who were Roman +Catholics and disclaimed allegiance to the British Government, who had +enlisted as spies, and been bribed to excite a mutiny in the corps, +or persuade those among whom they were stationed to desert the +service.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, Vol. IX. 739, p. 22.] + +Their attempts, however, to gain over accomplices, were unavailing; +for those with whom they tampered had the fealty to reject their +overtures, and the honesty to make a discovery of their insidious +machinations. Upon this the traitors were seized, convicted, and, on +the beginning of October, 1738, sentenced to be whipt and drummed out +of the regiment.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Appendix, No. XX.] + +Hardly had this secret plot been defeated, when an affray took place +at Fort St. Andrews, in which an attempt was made to assassinate the +General, who was there on a visit. + +Some of the soldiers who came from Gibraltar had been granted six +months provisions from the King's stores, in addition to their pay. +When these rations were expended, about the middle of November, one +of the murmurers had the presumption to go up to the General, who +was standing at the door with Captain Mackay, and demanded of him a +continuance of the supply. To this unceremonious and disrespectful +requisition the General replied, that the terms of their enlistment +had been complied with; that their pay was going on; that they had no +special favor to expect, and certainly were not in the way to obtain +any by such a rude manner of application. As the fellow became +outrageously insolent, the Captain drew his sword, which the desperado +snatched out of his hand, broke in two pieces, threw the hilt at him, +and made off for the barrack, where, taking his gun, which was loaded, +and crying out "One and all!" five others, with their guns, rushed +out, and, at the distance of about ten yards, the ringleader shot at +the General. The ball whizzed above his shoulder, and the powder burnt +his face and scorched his clothes. Another flashed his piece twice, +but the gun did not go off. The General and Captain were immediately +surrounded by protectors; and the culprits were apprehended, tried at +a Court-Martial, and, on the first week in October, received sentence +of death. The letter which gives a circumstantial account of this +affair, written from Frederica, and dated December 26th, adds, "Some +of the officers are not very easy, and perhaps will not be till the +mutineers are punished, _in terrorem_; which has been delayed by the +General's forbearance[1]." I quote, with pleasure, this testimony +to his lenity, given by one who must have intimately known all the +aggravating circumstances, because some accounts state that he took +summary vengeance. + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, Vol. IX. p. 215.] + +By the defeat of insidious plottings to induce the desertion of the +frontier garrison, and the suppression of the insurgent mutiny, the +spirit of insubordination was entirely quelled; and the people of the +Colony were relieved from their apprehensions of an attack from the +Spaniards, "as they had Oglethorpe among them, in whom they and the +Indians had great confidence." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Oglethorpe visits Savannah--Troubles there--Causton, the store-keeper, +displaced--Oglethorpe holds a conference with a deputation +of Indians--Town-meeting called, and endeavors used to quiet +discontents--Goes back to Frederica, but obliged to renew his visit to +Savannah. + + +On the 8th of October, 1738, Oglethorpe set out from Frederica in an +open boat, with two others attending it; and, after rowing two +days and two nights, arrived at Savannah. "He was received, at the +water-side, by the magistrates, and saluted by the cannon from the +fort, and by the militia under arms; and the people spent the night in +rejoicing, making bonfires,"[1] &c. But, notwithstanding this show of +public joy, he had soon to learn particulars of the situation of the +inhabitants, that rendered his visit unpleasant to himself, and not +very welcome to some of those to whom it was made. Those who were +duly sensible of his disinterested devotedness to the advancement +and welfare of the settlement, were actuated, on this occasion, by a +principle of real regard and gratitude; those who were apprehensive +that their conduct in his absence might be investigated and +disapproved, joined in the acclaim, that they might conciliate his +favor; and those who had been discontented grumblers, did not care +openly to exhibit indications of dissatisfaction. + +[Footnote 1: Letter, dated Savannah, in Georgia, October 22,1738; +published in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, for January, 1739, p. 22.] + +On the day after his arrival he received information that the grand +jury of Savannah had prepared a representation, "stating their +grievances, hardships, and necessities," and complaining of the +conduct of Mr. Thomas Causton, the first magistrate of the town, and +keeper of the public store[1]. They alleged that he had expended much +larger sums than the Trustees authorized, and thus brought the Colony +in debt; that he had assumed powers not delegated to him, and had been +partial and arbitrary in many of the measures which he had pursued[2]. + +[Footnote 1: This is inserted in the _Narrative of the Colony of +Georgia_, by P. Tailfer, M.D., Hugh Williamson, M.A., and D. Douglas. +Charlestown, S.C. 1741. It was signed September 12th, 1737.] + +[Footnote 2: Letter last quoted, and Stephens's Journal, Vol. I. p. +305.] + +Upon an investigation of these allegations, Oglethorpe, as +Governor-General of the Colony, deemed it expedient to displace him; +to issue an order that the books, papers, and accounts, belonging to +the stores, should be delivered to Thomas Jones, Esq., who had come +over with the transports with the appointment of Advocate of the +Regiment; and that security should be given by Causton, to answer the +charges against him, by an assignment of his estate at Oakstead, +and his improvements elsewhere. The office thus rendered vacant was +supplied by the appointment of Colonel William Stephens, who had been +sent over with the commission of Secretary for the affairs of the +Trustees in the Province.[1] + +[Footnote 1: This worthy gentleman wrote a Journal, which commences on +his arrival at Charlestown, in the Mary-Ann, Captain Shubrick, October +20, 1737, and comes down to October 28,1741. It gives a minute account +of every thing which occurred; and bears throughout the marks of +correctness, of ingenuousness, and frankness in the narrative of +transactions and events; and of integrity, strict justice, and +unflinching fidelity in the discharge of his very responsible office. +As exhibiting "the form and pressure of the times," it is of essential +importance to the Historian of Georgia; and, happily, it was printed, +making three octavo volumes. But the work is exceedingly rare, +especially the third volume. A complete set is among the EBELING books +in Harvard College Library. + +He had been at Savannah before, for in p. 46, is this remark; "All +which was evident to myself, as well from what I observed, _when here +formerly_, as more especially now, since my arrival." And again, p. +54, mentioning Mr. Fallowfield, "a constable, whose temper I was +better acquainted with, _having lodged at his house during my former +abode here_." + +After the departure of General Oglethorpe, he was President of the +Council, and acting Governor from July 11, 1743, to April 8, 1757, +when he was succeeded by Henry Parker, Esq.] + +The great mismanagement of the trust-funds which had been sent for +the support of the Colony, rendered it also necessary to retrench +the ordinary issues, "that something might remain for the necessary +support of life among the industrious part of the community, who were +not to be blamed." + +On the 11th, Tomo Chichi came to wait upon the General. He had been +very ill; but the good old man was so rejoiced at the return of his +respected friend, that he said it made him moult like the eagle.[1] He +informed him that several Indian chiefs were at Yamacraw to pay their +respects to him, and to assure him of their fidelity. + +[Footnote 1: Appendix, No. XXI.] + +This embassy consisted of the Micos or chiefs of the Ocmulgees, the +Chehaws, the Ouchasees, and the Parachacholas, with thirty of their +warriors, and fifty-two attendants. As they walked up the hill, +they were saluted by a battery of cannon, and then conducted to the +town-hall by a corps of militia, where the General received them. They +told him that the Spaniards had decoyed them to St. Augustine, on +pretence that he was there; but they found that they were imposed +upon, and therefore turned back with displeasure, though they were +offered great presents to induce them to fall out with the English. +These single-hearted foresters had now come to remove from the mind +of their pledged friend all apprehension of their alienation, and to +assure him that their warriors shall attend his call. They closed +their conference with a pressing invitation to him to come up to their +towns in the course of the summer; and, with his promise to do so, +they took a respectful leave. + +On the 17th the General called the inhabitants to assemble at the +town-hall, and "there made a pathetic speech to them;"[1] which he +began by thanking them for the measures which they had pursued for +mutual help and the common good. He apprized them of the great +exertions made by the Trustees to support, protect, and defend the +Colony; but that their being obliged to maintain the garrisons, and +lay in various stores till the arrival of the troops, and the dear +price of provisions the last year, occasioned such an increased demand +upon them, that they would not be able to continue further allowance, +nor assume further responsibilities, unless a supply should be granted +by parliament. This state of embarrassment he greatly regretted, +inasmuch as those whom he addressed were suffering by the failure of +their crops. He told them that, with surprise and great grief, he +found that there was more due from the public store than there were +goods and articles in it to pay; but that he had given orders that all +persons should be paid as far as these effects would go. He said that +he was fully aware of the privations already felt, and of the greater +to which they were exposed; and, therefore, informed those who, on +this account, or for any reason, supposed that they could better their +condition by going out of the Province, that they had his full consent +to do so. At the same time he requested such to come to his quarters, +and acquaint him with their grievances, their wishes, and their +purposes, and he would give them his best advice, and all the aid +in his power. How many, or how far any, availed themselves of this +overture, is not known; but the writer who has given an account of +this address, adds, "It is remarkable that not one man chose to leave +the Province, though they very well knew that they must endure great +hardships before the next crop should come in, for there was very +little money stirring, and very few had provisions sufficient to keep +them till next year. However, they all seemed resolved rather to stay, +than to leave the country now in its distress[2]." + +[Footnote 1: STEPHENS'S _Journal_, I. p. 305.] + +[Footnote 2: Letter from Savannah, October 22, 1738.] + +To lessen the demands upon the Trustees, Oglethorpe made retrenchments +in the public expenditures. He disbanded the troop of Rangers, who +guarded the country on the land side, though they offered to serve +without pay; but he deemed it improper that they should be on service +without remuneration. The garrisons were relieved by the regiments; so +that that expense ceased. He aimed to reconcile the disaffected, by +his good offices; and to gain their affections by unexpected and +unmerited liberalities. With very timely largesses he assisted the +orphans, the widows, and the sick; and contributed towards the relief +of the most destitute; but, adds the writer of the letter above +quoted, "we are apprehensive such contributions cannot last long, +unless assisted from England, for the expenses are too great for any +single man to bear." + +The General pursued, with anxious scrutiny, his investigation into the +management of business, and found the charges and accounts to be very +perplexed, and the result evincing mismanagement and unfaithfulness. +"He settled the officers, civil and military, among whom changes had +taken place; filled vacancies; and took the most judicious measures +that the whole municipal establishment should be properly organized. +Then, calling them all to his lodgings, he gave it in charge that they +should do their duties with care and vigilance. He exhorted them to +use their best endeavors to preserve peace; especially at this time, +when ill-disposed persons, taking advantage of people's uneasiness +at those inevitable pressures under which they labored, and must +necessarily for some time be subjected to, might craftily incite them +to insurrection. Withal, he recommended earnestly to them to preserve +unanimity among themselves, which would strengthen and support a due +authority, and restrain the licentious into due obedience."[1] + +[Footnote 1: STEPHENS'S _Journal_, I. 309.] + +On Wednesday morning, October 25th, Oglethorpe set out for the south, +leaving, as Col. Stephens remarks, "a gloomy prospect of what might +ensue; and many sorrowful countenances were visible under the +apprehensions of future want; which deplorable state the Colony has +fallen into, through such means as few or none of the settlers had any +imagination of, till the Trustees, in their late letters, awakened +them out of their dream; and the General, when he came, laid the whole +open, and apprized them that they were but little removed from a +downright bankruptcy. Now was a time when it would be fully apparent, +who were the most valuable among them, by showing a hearty endeavor to +contribute, what in them lay, to appease the rising discontents, and +wait with patience to see better things, which were not yet to be +despaired of."[1] + +[Footnote 1: STEPHENS'S _Journal_, I. 312.] + +It appears that Mr. Causton discovered not only reluctance and +perversity in explaining and authenticating his accounts; but, by +disingenuous insinuations reflected on the conduct of Oglethorpe, "as +if he very well knew that extraordinary occasions had created these +great exceedings, which the Trustees approving of, he [Causton] was +given up to be driven to utter ruin."[1] Mr. Jones deemed it necessary +to write to the General to inform him of the reflections which had +thus been cast upon his honor, and of the impediments which he himself +met in the business assigned to him. Upon the receipt of this letter, +Oglethorpe set out on a return to Savannah, where he arrived early in +the morning of Saturday, November 11th, and, as the bell was ringing +for attendance on prayers, he went and joined the orisons of the +congregation. This was more grateful to his feelings than the military +salute and parade of the preceding visit; and the devotional exercises +in which he engaged soothed his vexed spirit, and the petition for +pardon of offences against God produced a livelier disposition in his +heart of lenity and forgiveness towards those who had offended against +him. In the course of the day, he looked again into the concerns of +the store, and despatched some other affairs of consequence. In the +evening he sent for Mr. Causton, when, "in a very mild manner, and +gentler terms than could be expected, upon such a provocation, he +reprehended him for the freedom he had taken with his name, and +advised him to use no delays or shifts in making up his accounts." + +[Footnote 1: Ibid. p. 325.] + +On Sunday he attended public worship; and after that took boat, and +went back to the south. + +In both these visits to Savannah, Oglethorpe discovered among the +inhabitants indications of the prevalence of not only a dissatisfied, +but of a factious spirit; more to be lamented than a failing harvest, +or a stinted market. + +It was extremely mortifying to him to perceive that his greatest +exertions and most assiduous services were underrated; his devotedness +to their welfare unacknowledged; and his sacrifices and exposures +that he might establish them in security and peace, were not merely +depreciated, but miscalled and dishonored. While he was zealously +engaged in strengthening the Colony, by locating large accessions of +brave and industrious settlers on the frontiers, and erecting forts, +and supplying them with troops and ammunition, the people who were +"sitting under their own vines and fig-trees, with none to molest or +make them afraid," and who had been best and longest provided for, +were insensible to the hardships and dangers to which others were +exposed; and, cavilling at the circumstances in which they were +placed, complained as if he must be personally accountable for certain +restrictions in the plan of settlement, and subsequent financial and +commercial affairs, to which the Trustees had deemed it proper to +subject them; restrictions which might have been submitted to by them +with as good a grace as they were by the Saltzburgers at Ebenezer and +the Scots at Darien, "who murmured not, neither were unthankful." In +fact, it was very apparent, that by their indolence and improvidence +these dissatisfied ones had brought upon themselves the chief of +the evils which they suffered. Their allegations, therefore, were +unreasonable, and the disposition which dictated them criminally +ungrateful. But Oglethorpe, instead of reproaching the discontented +for their ingratitude, and the murmurers for their unkind imputations, +stifled his own justifiable feelings of displeasure, in the hope that +such forbearance would refute the injustice of theirs. Well might the +poet exclaim: + + "What magnanimity!--May ne'er again + Unkind returns thy generous ardor chill, + Nor causeless censure give thy bosom pain, + Nor thankless hearts reward thy good with ill! + + "But honoring gratitude its column raise, + To bear inscriptions of deserved praise; + And when through age the record is obscure, + A nobler let posterity procure." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Oglethorpe goes to Charlestown, South Carolina, to open his +Commission--Comes back to Savannah--Gives encouragement to the +Planters--Returns to Frederica--Excursion to Coweta--Forms a Treaty +with the Upper Creeks--Receives at Augusta a delegation of the +Chickasaws and Cherokees, who complain of having been poisoned by the +Traders--On his return to Savannah is informed of Spanish aggressions, +and is authorized to make reprisals. + + +As Oglethorpe was appointed General and Commander in Chief of the +military forces in South Carolina, as well as Georgia, he deemed it +proper to pay a visit to Charlestown, in order to have this assigned +rank duly notified to the Governor and people of the Province. He, +therefore, set out for that metropolis on the 10th of March, 1739; +arrived on the 15th, and, on the 3d of April, had his commission +opened and read in the Assembly. In reference to the exercise of +the authority which it conferred, some regulations in the military +establishment were adopted. On the 11th he returned to Savannah. To +encourage the industry of the planters, he proposed to those who would +persevere in doing what they could in the culture of their lands, +"a bounty of two shillings per bushel for all Indian corn, and one +shilling per bushel for all potatoes, which they should raise over and +above what the produce could be sold for after the next harvest[1]." + +[Footnote 1: STEPHENS, I. 460.] + +On the 18th he went to Frederica; but was obliged, in the summer, to +renew his visit to Savannah; and, on the evening of the 10th of July, +was received, under a discharge of cannon, by about forty of the +freeholders under arms, which, he was pleased to say, was more than he +expected. "His stay, being very likely to be short, many successively +sought audience of him, whose affairs he despatched with his usual +promptness." + +"On the 17th he set off on his Indian expedition to Coweta: he +proceeded up the river, in his cutter, with Lieutenant Dunbar, Ensign +Leman, and Mr. Eyre, a cadet, besides attendants and servants. At +the Uchee town, twenty-five miles above Ebenezer, he quitted +water-conveyance, having appointed several of the Indian traders to +wait his coming there, with a number of horses, as well for sumpter as +riding, and also some rangers to assist." + +On this journey, computed to be over three hundred miles, both he and +his attendants met with many and great hardships and fatigue. They +were obliged to traverse a continuous wilderness, where there was no +road, and seldom any visible track; and their Indian guides led them +often, unavoidably, through tangled thickets, and deep and broken +ravines, and across swamps, or bogs, where the horses mired and +plunged to the great danger of the riders. They had to pass large +rivers on rafts, and cause the horses to wade and swim; and to ford +others. During most of the way their resolute leader was under the +necessity of sleeping in the open air, wrapped in his cloak or +a blanket, and with his portmanteau for a pillow; or, if the +night-weather was uncomfortable, or rainy, a covert was constructed of +cypress boughs, spread over poles. For two hundred miles there was not +a hut to be met with; nor a human face to be seen, unless by accident +that of some Indian hunter traversing the woods. At length they +arrived at Coweta, one of the principal towns of the Muscoghe, or +Creek Indians, where the Chiefs of all the tribes were assembled, +on the 11th of August. "Thus did this worthy man, to protect the +settlement, which with so much pecuniary expense and devotedness of +time, he had planted, now expose himself to the hazards and toils of a +comfortless expedition, that would have proved unsurmountable to one +of a less enterprising spirit and steady resolutions." Oglethorpe, +and his suite, were received with great cordiality; and, after the +necessary introduction to individuals, and a little refreshment and +rest, a grand convention was formed. The assembly was arranged in due +order, with the solemn introductory ceremonies prescribed for such +occasions. A libation of the _foskey_,[1] or black-drink, followed; of +which Oglethorpe was invited to partake with "the beloved men," and of +which the chiefs and warriors quaffed more copious draughts. Speeches +and discussions followed; terms of intercourse and stipulations of +trade were agreed upon; and, after smoking the calumet, they unitedly +declared that they remained firm in their pledged fealty to the King +of Great Britain, and would adhere to all the engagements of amity and +commerce heretofore entered into with Oglethorpe as the representative +of the Trustees. They then renewed the former grants, in terms +more explicit and full, confirming the session of territory on the +sea-coast, with the islands, and now extending the southern boundary +to the river Matteo, or St. John's. And Oglethorpe, on his part, +covenanted that the English should not encroach upon, nor take up, +other lands, nor intrude upon any reserved privileges of the Creeks; +but would cause their rights to be respected, and the trade with them +to be conducted upon fair and honorable principles. This important +treaty was concluded on the 21st of August, 1739. + +[Footnote 1: This is a decoction of the leaves of the YAUPON, _prinus +glaber_, and is of an exciting, and if taken freely, an intoxicating +effect. It is prepared with much formality, and is considered as +a sacred beverage, used only by the Chiefs, the War Captains, and +Priests ("beloved men") on special occasions, particularly on going to +war and making treaties. For an account of its preparation and use, +see LAWSON'S _Carolina_, p. 90; BERNARD ROMAN'S _Natural History of +Florida_, p. 94; ADAIR'S _History of the American Indians_, p. +108; CATESBY'S _Natural History of Carolina_, II. 57; and BARTON'S +_Elements of Botany_, part II. p. 16.] + +Oglethorpe ingratiated himself highly with the Creeks on this +occasion, by his having undertaken so long and difficult a journey to +become acquainted with them, and secure their favor; trusting himself +with so few attendants in a fearless reliance on their good faith; +by the readiness with which he accommodated himself to their mode of +living; and the magnanimity of his deportment while among them. + +The chief business being finished to mutual satisfaction, the General, +with his attendants, set out on their return; and, after enduring +the like hardships, exposures, and fatigue, arrived, on the 5th of +September, at Fort Augusta, an outpost on the Savannah, where he had +placed a garrison on his first expedition to Georgia; and under the +protection of which, a little settlement was now formed, inhabited +mostly by Indian traders. There he was waited on by the chiefs of the +Chickasaws, and the chiefs of the Cherokees;[1] the last of whom came +with a heavy complaint that his people had been poisoned by the rum +which had been brought to them by the traders. At this they expressed +high resentment, and even threatened revenge. As this was an affair of +quite an alarming nature, the General made strict inquiry into it; and +ascertained that some unlicensed traders had, the preceding summer, +carried up the small pox, which is fatal to the Indians; and that +several of their warriors, as well as others, had fallen victims to +the distemper. It was with some difficulty that he convinced the +Indians that this was the real cause of the calamity. At the same time +he assured them that such were the precautions and strict examination +used, before any applicant for leave to trade could obtain it, that +they need not apprehend any danger from such as came to them with a +license. With this explanation and assurance they went away satisfied. + +[Footnote 1: By some early writers of Carolina these chiefs are called +"Caciques." Whether this be the same as Mico, I know not; but the +title, though often used so, does not seem to be appropriate. +Where justly applied, it is the title of the legislative chief, in +distinction from the war chief.] + +On the 13th of September, while yet at this place, an express arrived +from Savannah to acquaint him that a sloop from Rhode Island had +brought the intelligence, that the Governor of that Colony had, +by orders from Great Britain, issued commissions for fitting out +privateers against the Spaniards. This was not a little surprising to +him. He could not conceive how a distant Colony should have any such +orders, before they were sent to him who was most in danger of being +attacked, in case of any rupture with Spain. However, he deemed +it expedient to hasten his return, in order to obtain more direct +information. On the 22d he reached Savannah, where he received and +published his Majesty's orders for reprisals. In consequence of these, +a stout privateer of fourteen guns, was immediately fitted out by +Captain Davies, who had suffered by having had a ship and cargo, +to the value of forty thousand pieces of eight, captured and most +unjustly condemned by the Spaniards; and, therefore, felt that he had +a right to avail himself of the present opportunity for obtaining +redress.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _London Magazine, for_ 1757, page 592.] + +For several years, the British trade to America, particularly that to +the West Indies, had suffered great interruption and annoyance from +the Spanish _guarda-costas_, which, under various pretences, seized +the merchant ships, and carried them into their ports, where they were +confiscated. This piratical practice had increased to such a degree +that scarcely any vessels were safe in those seas; for the Spaniards +pretended that wherever they found logwood, cocoa, or pieces of +eight on board, the capture was legal. Now, the first two of those +commodities were the growth and produce of the English islands, and +the last was the current specie of all that part of the world; so that +there was hardly a ship homeward bound but had one or other of these +on hoard. + +These depredations were also aggravated by circumstances of great +inhumanity and cruelty; the sailors being confined in loathsome +prisons, at the Havana, and at Cadiz; or forced to work with irons on +their legs; with no sustenance but salt fish, almost putrid, and beds +full of vermin, so that many died of their hard captivity[1]. + +[Footnote 1: _History of the Colonies planted by the English on the +Continent of North America_, by JOHN MARSHALL. 8vo. Philadelphia, +1824. Chap. X.] + +The increasing complaints of the merchants, and the loud clamors of +the nation, at length forced the British minister to abandon his +pacific system; and war was declared against Spain on the 23d of +October, 1739. A squadron, commanded by Admiral Vernon was detached +for the West Indies, with instructions to act upon the defensive; and +General Oglethorpe was ordered to annoy the settlements in Florida.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Historical Review of the Transactions of Europe, from +the commencement of the War with Spain, in_ 1739, _to the Insurrection +in Scotland, in_ 1745, by SAMUEL BOYSE. 8vo.. Dublin, 1748. Vol. I. p. +27.] + +It now became necessary for Oglethorpe to take the most prompt and +effective measures for the protection of the Colony; and, as his +settlement had, from the beginning, been opposed by the Spaniards +at St. Augustine, and would now have to encounter their resentful +assaults, he must put into requisition all his military force, and see +to their adequate equipment. He immediately took measures for raising +a troop of thirty rangers, to prevent the Spanish horse and Indians at +St. Augustine from making incursions into the Province; and likewise +to intercept the runaway negroes of Carolina, on their way through +the country to join the Spaniards. At the same time he summoned four +hundred Creeks, and six hundred Cherokee Indians to march down to the +southern borders. He then viewed the arms of the militia, to ascertain +that they were all in good order, and gave directions that powder, +balls, and flints, should be issued out of the magazine, for supplying +each member with a proper quantity. But aware that all this would be +too inconsiderable for effectual resistance, he perceived it to be +expedient to seek the protection of the West India fleet, and to apply +to the Assembly of South Carolina for coöperation in a cause, in +the event of which their own safety was involved. Accordingly he +immediately sent up to Charlestown to desire assistance, and to +consult measures with the commanders of the men of war then on the +station, in order immediately to block up St. Augustine before the +Spaniards could receive supplies and reinforcements from Cuba; which, +if properly executed, the place would, in all probability, be soon +reduced.[1] This application was laid before the General Assembly, +and, on the 8th of November, a Committee was appointed to take the +same into consideration. Their Report was discussed in both Houses of +Assembly; but no decision was obtained. + +[Footnote 1: See his letter in the _History of the Rise and Progress +of Georgia_, HARRIS'S _Voyages_, II. p. 338, dated 21st of September, +1739.] + +Having taken these preparatory measures, he returned to Frederica to +make all the arrangements which the exigences of the case required, +in the equipment of his own forces, and by calling upon his Indian +allies; waiting, with impatience, however, the result of his +application to the sister Colony. + +Towards the middle of November a party of Spaniards landed in the +night time upon Amelia island, and skulked in the thicket till +morning, when two Highlanders, unarmed, went into the woods for fuel; +upon whom the Spaniards fired, first five and then ten shot; which was +heard by Francis Brooks, who commanded the scout-boat upon the coast. +He immediately made a signal to the Fort, which was then garrisoned +by a detachment of General Oglethorpe's regiment. Upon this a party +instantly went out, but they arrived too late, for they found their +comrades dead, and that the assassins had taken to their boat, and put +out to sea. The bodies of the soldiers were not only rent with shot, +but most barbarously mangled and hacked. The periodical publication +from which this account is taken, has the following remarks:[1] +"Whence it was apparent that the Spaniards had first, out of +cowardice, shot them, and then, out of cruelty, cut and slashed them +with their swords. If they had not been most scandalous poltroons, +they would have taken the two unarmed men prisoners, without making +any noise; and then they might have lurked in the wood till they had +found an opportunity of getting a better booty, or at least of making +more prisoners. And, if they had not been most barbarously cruel, they +would have been satisfied with simply killing these unresisting men, +(which might have been without such a volley of shot,) and not have +so mangled their bodies after they were slain. From such cowardly and +cruel foes no mercy can be expected; and every one sent against them +must despair if he finds himself in danger of being overpowered, and +wrought up to desperation and revenge when he finds himself any thing +near upon an equal footing." + +[Footnote 1: _Annals of Europe_, for 1739, p. 410.] + +Upon being informed of this outrage, Oglethorpe fitted out and manned +a gun boat, and pursued them by water and land, above a hundred miles; +but they escaped. By way of reprisal, however, he passed the St. +John's into Florida; drove in the guards of Spanish horse that were +posted on that river; and advanced as far as a place called the +Canallas; at the same time sending Captain Dunbar with a party to find +out the situation and force of the fort at Picolata, near the river, +upon what were then called "the lakes of Florida," eighty miles from +the mouth of the river. They attacked the garrison, but were repulsed, +having no artillery. They accomplished, however, the intentions of +Oglethorpe, as they reconnoitred both that place and another fort +called St. Francis. + +In January he returned to Frederica, where he met with Captain +Warren,[1] who had lately arrived with the Squirrel man of war. When +their consultation was concluded, Captain Warren went and cruised +off the Bay of St. Augustine, while Oglethorpe, with a detachment of +troops on board of the boats, and some artillery, went up the Lakes of +Florida, rowing by day, and sailing by night, so that he attacked the +two forts Picolata and St. Francis, took both the same day, and made +the soldiers in the garrisons prisoners of war. + +[Footnote 1: Afterwards Sir PETER WARREN, an excellent naval officer.] + +Captain Hugh Mackay, in a letter to Colonel Cecil, dated Frederica, +24th of January, 1740, says, "The General escaped very narrowly being +killed by a cannon ball at Fort St. Francis, or, as the Spaniards +called it, 'San Francisco de Papa.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Oglethorpe addresses a letter to Lieutenant-Governor Bull, suggesting +an expedition against St. Angustine--Follows this, by application +in person--Promised assistance, and coöperation--Returns to +Frederica--Collects his forces--Passes over to Florida--Takes several +Spanish forts--Is joined by the Carolinean troops--The enemy receive +supplies--Oglethorpe changes the siege into a blockade--Takes +possession of Anastasia Island--Colonel Palmer and his men surprised +and cut to pieces--Spanish cruelties--English fleet quit the +station--Siege raised, and Oglethorpe returns to Frederica. + + +By the information which Oglethorpe was able to obtain from the +prisoners, which confirmed the accounts received from other sources, +he learned that the garrison at St. Augustine was in want of +provisions; and that, the half-galleys having been sent to the Havana +for troops and supplies, the river and sea-board were destitute of +defence. Such being the case, he conceived that a fitting opportunity +now offered for the reduction of the place, taking the enemy by +surprise, before the reinforcements arrived; and thereby dispossessing +the Spaniards of Florida. He, therefore, sent an express to +Lieutenant-Governor Bull, urging an immediate compliance with his +application for assistance. The consideration was accordingly renewed +in the Assembly on the 4th of February. At length Oglethorpe, +impatient of delays occasioned by their continued demurring about the +feasibility of the project, presented himself before them, that they +might be made acquainted more fully with his intentions, and with +every thing relative to their being carried into execution. After +many conferences, a scheme of action was agreed upon, and an Act of +Assembly passed, April 5th, 1740, for the raising of a regiment of +four hundred men, to be commanded by Colonel Vanderdussen; a troop of +rangers;[1] presents for the Indians; and supply of provisions for +three months.[2] They also furnished a large schooner, with ten +carriage and sixteen swivel guns, in which they put fifty men under +the command of Captain Tyrrell. + +[Footnote 1: As the Rangers could not be procured, the Assembly +afterwards voted an addition of two hundred men.] + +[Footnote 2: The term of service, and, of course, the amount of +supply, were afterwards extended to four months.] + +With this encouragement, and the promise of coöperation by Commodore +Vincent Price, who commanded the small fleet on that station, the +place of rendezvous was appointed at the mouth of St. John's river. +The General then published his manifesto,[1] and immediately hastened +back to Georgia to prepare his forces for the Expedition. + +[Footnote 1: Appendix, No. XXII.] + +On the beginning of April he went to the Uchee town to engage runners +to his Indian allies to inform them of his intended assault of St. +Augustine; to bespeak their assistance, and request their chiefs and +warriors to join his forces at Frederica, whither he immediately +repaired. There he completed the equipment of his forces; selected the +field-pieces and their carriages, balls and powder; and attended to +the military accoutrements, stores and provisions. + +On the 9th of May he passed over to Florida with four hundred selected +men of his regiment, and a considerable party of Indians, headed by +Molochi, son of Prim the late chief of the Creeks; Raven, war-chief of +the Cherokees; and Toonahowi, nephew of Tomo Chichi. On the evening of +the 10th, part of the Carolina forces arrived. + +[Illustration] + +As the first thing to be done was to take the forts that kept open +the communication of the Spaniards with the country, and thus cut off +their supplies, the General, impatient of losing time, invested the +small fort called Francis de Pupa, seventeen miles north of St. +Augustine, commanded by a sergeant and twelve men, who surrendered +without a contest. Thence he proceeded to Fort Diego, situated on the +plains, twenty-five miles from St. Augustine, defended by eleven guns, +and fifty regulars, besides Indians and negroes. In his sortie upon +this, he made use of a little stratagem, as well as force; which +was by appointing three or four drums to beat, at the same time, in +different places in the woods, and a few men now and then to appear +suddenly, and withdraw out of sight again. At this, the enemy in +the fort were so confounded, with the apprehension that they were +surrounded by a great number of troops, that they made only a feint of +opposition; and, being summoned to surrender, did so, on condition +of being treated as prisoners of war, and, (what they principally +insisted on) not to be delivered into the hands of the Indians, from +whom they were conscious that they had incurred the most condign +reprisals for former aggressions.[1] The other articles were that they +should deliver up the guns and stores, which consisted of nine swivel +and two carriage guns, with the powder and shot, &c.; that they should +have liberty to keep their baggage; that Seignior Diego Spinosa, to +whom the fort belonged, it having been built at his expense, and +on his land, should hold his plantation and slaves, and such other +effects as were not already plundered in the field; and, finally, that +no deserters or runaways from Charlestown should have the benefit of +this capitulation. Here he left a garrison of sixty men, under the +command of Lieutenant Dunbar, to secure the retreat of the army, in +case of accidents, and to preserve a safe communication with the +settlements in Georgia. He then returned to the place of rendezvous, +where he was joined on the 19th of May by Captain M'Intosh, with a +company of Highlanders, and Colonel Vanderdussen, with the rest of the +Carolina troops, but without any horse, pioneers, or negroes. + +[Footnote 1: Stephens, II. 389.] + +By this time six Spanish half-galleys, with a number of long brass +nine pounders, manned with two hundred regulars, and attended by two +sloops loaded with ammunition and provisions, had entered the harbor +of St. Augustine, so that the forces in the town and castle were very +nearly equal in numbers to the land forces brought against them, and +their artillery much superior. + +Notwithstanding all the reinforcement which Oglethorpe had received, +it was judged impracticable to take the place by assault from the land +side, unless an attack could be made at the same time by the boats of +the men of war, and other small craft, on the sea side, on which the +town had no intrenchments; and to begin a regular siege on the land +side was impossible, as he had neither force enough for investing the +place, nor any pioneers for breaking the ground, and carrying on the +approaches. For this reason it was concerted between him and the sea +commanders, that as soon as they arrived off the bar of the north +channel, he should march up with his whole force, consisting of about +two thousand men, to St. Augustine, and give notice by a signal agreed +on, that he was ready to begin the attack by land; which should be +answered by a counter signal from the fleet of their readiness to +attack it by sea. Accordingly the General marched, and arrived near +the intrenchments of St. Augustine, June 4th, at night, having in his +way taken Fort Moosa, about three miles from St. Augustine, which the +garrison had abandoned upon his approach. He ordered the gates of the +fort to be burnt, and three breaches to be made in the walls. + +As soon as it was proper to begin the attack, he made the signal +agreed on, but had no countersign from the men of war. This was to his +utter surprise and disappointment. The reason which was afterwards +assigned, was, that the fleet had ascertained that their promised +cooperation had been rendered impracticable; as the galleys had been +drawn up abreast in the channel between the castle and the island, so +that any boats which they should send in must have been exposed to the +cannon and musketry of the galleys, as well as the batteries of the +castle; and, as no ships of force could get in to protect them, they +must have been defeated, if not wholly destroyed; and that it was +impossible to make an attack by sea, while the galleys were in that +position. It being presumptuous to make an attack without the aid of +the fleet, the General was under the necessity of marching back to +Fort Diego, where he had left all his provisions, camp furniture, and +tools; because he had neither horses nor carriages for taking them +along with him by land, nor had then any place for landing them near +St. Augustine, had he sent them by water.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _London Magazine_, Vol. XXVII. p. 22.] + +Disappointed in the project of taking the place by storm, he changed +his plan of operations, and resolved, with the assistance of the ships +of war, which were lying at anchor off the bar, to turn the siege into +a blockade, and to shut up every channel by which provisions could +be conveyed to the garrison. For this purpose, he stationed Colonel +Palmer, with his company, at Fort Moosa, to scour the woods, and +intercept all supplies from the country, and "enjoined it upon him, +for greater safety, to encamp every night in a different place, and, +by all means to avoid coming into action." He also charged him, if he +should perceive any superior party sallying forth from St. Augustine, +to make a quick retreat towards Fort Diego, where it was certain the +enemy would not follow him, for fear of having their retreat cut off +by a detachment from the army. He sent Colonel Vanderdussen, with his +regiment, to take possession of Point Quartell, at a creek which makes +the mouth of the harbor opposite Anastasia; and this he did "because +they would be safe there, being divided from St. Augustine, and +covered from any sally that would be made by the garrison."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _History of the British Settlements in North America_. +Lond. 1773, 4to, page 163.] + +As there was a battery on Anastasia, which defended the entry to St. +Augustine, the Commodore suggested that, if a body of troops should +be sent to land upon that island, under favor of the men of war, and +dispossess it, he would then send the small vessels into the harbor, +which was too shallow to admit the ships. Upon this, the General +marched to the coast, and embarked in the boats of the men of war, +with a party of two hundred men, and most of the Indians. Captain +Warren, with two hundred seamen, attached themselves to this +expedition. + +Perceiving that the Spaniards were advantageously posted behind the +sand-hills, covered by the battery upon the island, and the fire from +the half-galleys which lay in shoal water where the men of war could +not come, he ordered the heavy boats to remain and seem as though they +intended to land near them, while he, with Captain Warren and the +pinnaces, rowed, with all the speed they could, to the southward about +two miles. The Spaniards behind the sand-hills strove to prevent their +landing, but before they could come up in any order, the boats had got +so near to the shore that the General and Captain Warren, with the +seamen and Indians, leaped into the water breast high, landed, and +took possession of the sand-hills. The Spaniards retreated in the +utmost confusion to the battery; but were pursued so vigorously, +that they were driven into the water, and took shelter in the +half-galleys.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _London Magazine_, Vol. XXVII. p. 22.] + +All hands were now set to work to erect the batteries, whence a +cannonade was made upon the town. This, however, was to little effect; +partly from the distance, and partly from the condition of some of the +field pieces which were employed. The enemy returned a brisk fire +from the castle and from the half-galleys in the harbor. The latter, +chiefly annoying the camp, it was agreed to attack them; but though +Commodore Price had proposed that measure to Colonel Vanderdussen +first, he altered his opinion and would not consent to it. + +"Thirty-six pieces of cannon, together with planks for batteries, and +all other necessaries, with four hundred pioneers were to have come +from Carolina; but only twelve pieces of cannon arrived. Of course, +for want of planks for batteries, they were obliged to fire upon the +ground, the consequence of which was, that their carriages were soon +broken, and could not be repaired."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _History of British Settlements in North America_, p. +165.] + +The Spaniards, on the other hand, had surprised and cut to pieces +the detachment under Colonel Palmer. Of this disastrous event, the +particulars are given by one who could say,--"Quos ego miserrimus +vidi, et quorum pars magna fui." [Which I had the misfortune to see, +and greatly to share.] I refer to a letter from Ensign Hugh Mackay +to his brother in Scotland, dated at Fort St. Andrews, on Cumberland +Island, August 10th, 1740. + +After some introductory remarks, he gives the following account of the +action: + +"On the 9th of June the General sent out a flying party of militia, +Indians, and thirteen soldiers, in all making one hundred and +thirty-seven men, under the command of Colonel Palmer, a Carolina +gentleman, an old Indian warrior, of great personal resolution, but +little conduct. Under him I commanded the party, and had orders to +march from St. Diego, the head-quarters, to Moosa, three miles from +St. Augustine, a small fort which the Spaniards had held, but +was demolished a few days before; there to show ourselves to the +Spaniards, and thereafter to keep moving from one place to another +to divert their attention, while the General took another route, and +intended to come to Moosa in five days. The orders were just, and +might with safety be executed, had a regular officer commanded; but +poor Colonel Palmer, whose misfortune it was to have a very mean +opinion of his enemies, would by no means be prevailed upon to leave +the old fort, but staid there, thinking the Spaniards durst not attack +him. He was mistaken, as will appear presently. + +"Upon the 15th day of June, about four in the morning, we were +attacked by a detachment of five hundred, from the garrison of St. +Augustine, composed of Spaniards, negroes, and Indians, besides a +party of horse to line the paths, that none of us might escape. +Apprehending that this would happen, I obtained leave of Colonel +Palmer, and therefore ordered our drum to beat to arms at three +o'clock every morning, and to have our men in readiness till it was +clear day. Thus it was upon the fatal 15th of June, as I have said, +when the Spaniards attacked us with a very smart fire from their small +arms; in which Colonel Palmer fell the first. We returned the fire +with the greatest briskness that can be imagined; and so the firing +continued for some time; but, unluckily, we were penned up in a +demolished fort; there was no room to extend. The Spaniards endeavored +to get in at the ruinous gate; and our party defended the same with +the utmost bravery. Here was a terrible slaughter on both sides; but +the Spaniards, who were five times our number, got at last, by dint +of strength, the better; which, when I saw, that some prisoners were +made, I ordered as many of my party then as were alive to draw off. We +had great difficulty to get clear, for the Spaniards surrounded the +fort on all sides. However, by the assistance of God, we got our way +made good; drew up in sight of the enemy, and retired, without being +pursued, till we were in safety. I had no more than twenty-five men, +and some of them very ill wounded, of which number I was, for I +received three wounds at the fort gate, but they were slight ones. +Several of the poor Highlanders, who were in the engagement, and +fought like lions, lost their lives,--some of them your acquaintance. + +"I commanded, next Colonel Palmer, as captain of the horse, on the +militia establishment. My lieutenant was killed. My cornet and +quartermaster were made prisoners of war, with four more of the +Highlanders. Charles Mackay, nephew to Captain Hugh Mackay, who was +ensign of militia, received five wounds in the action, and lost one of +his fingers; and, thereafter, rather than fall into the hands of the +Spaniards, ventured to swim an inlet of the sea, about a mile broad, +and had the good fortune to get to the side he intended, and so to the +General's camp. + +"As the Indians fled several different ways, no more account is yet +heard of them, only that some of them were killed in the action, and +others wounded and taken prisoners. I believe there were sixty killed, +and twenty taken prisoners of our whole party. To some of our Creek +Indians who were taken by the enemy, leave was given (to curry favor +with their nation) to return home. They told me that we killed a great +number of the Spaniards at Moosa, and that they were dying by fives +and sixes a day after getting into the town; so miserably were they +cut by our broad swords; yet by their great numbers they got the day; +but were sadly mauled, otherwise they would have pursued me." + +The fate of Colonel Palmer was the more affecting, from the +consideration that he had raised one hundred and fifty good men, who +had come with him as volunteers; that he was in a fort in which a +breach had been made, and of course was no adequate protection; and +that he was beyond the reach of any assistance. It has, indeed, been +said that he was not enough mindful of the directions that had been +given him, and presumptuously exposed himself to danger.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Appendix, No. XXIII.] + +Mr. Stephens remarks that "the most bloody part of all fell to the +unhappy share of our good people of Darien, who, almost to a man +engaged, under the command of their leader, John Moore McIntosh; a +worthy man, careful director among his people at home, and who now +showed himself as valiant in the field of battle; where, calling on +his countrymen and soldiers to follow his example, they made such +havoc with their broadswords, as the Spaniards cannot easily +forget."[1] This brave champion was taken prisoner, and suffered +severe and cruel treatment.[2] + +[Footnote 1: _Journal_, II. 436.] + +[Footnote 2: He was sent to Old Spain, where he remained a prisoner, +at Madrid, for several months; and was finally exchanged, and returned +home to Darien.] + +The principal commander of the Spaniards fell at the first onset. + +The Spanish took several prisoners; basely insulted the bodies of the +dead; and would have inflicted vengeful cruelties on their captives, +one of whom was an Indian named Nicholausa, whom they delivered over +to the Yamasees to burn, but General Oglethorpe sent a drum with +a message to the Governor from the Indian chief of the Cherokees, +acquainting him that if he permitted Nicholausa to be burnt, a Spanish +horseman who had been taken prisoner should suffer the same fate. He +also mentioned that, as the Governor was a gentleman and a man of +honor, he was persuaded that he would put an end to the barbarous +usage of that country; and expected from the humanity of a Spanish +cavalier that he would prohibit insults to the bodies of the dead, and +indignities to the prisoners; and he rather wished it, as he should be +forced, against his inclination, to resort to retaliation, which +his Excellency must know that he was very able to make, since his +prisoners greatly exceeded those made by the Spaniards. Upon this the +Governor submitted to the rescue of Nicholausa from the fate to which +he had been destined. It was, also, agreed that the Indians, on both +sides, should be treated as prisoners of war; so that an end was put +to their barbarous custom of burning the unhappy wretches who fell +into their hands. + +Oglethorpe continued bombarding the castle and town until the regular +troops came over from the land side, and the Carolina militia were +removed from Point Quartel to Anastasia. He then summoned the Governor +to surrender, but received an indignant refusal. + +Soon after some sloops, with a reinforcement of men, and a further +supply of military stores and provisions from Havana, found means to +enter the harbor through the narrow channel of the Matanzas. + +Upon this, all prospect of starving the enemy Was lost; and there +remained only the chance of a forcible assault and battery. + +As the dernier resort, it was agreed, on the 23d of June, that Captain +Warren, with the boats from the men of war, the two sloops hired by +General Oglethorpe, and the Carolina vessels, with their militia, +should attack the half-galleys; and, at a given signal, the General +should attack the trenches. + +This was a desperate measure; for the whole of the troops belonging to +the besiegers, including even the seamen, were much inferior in number +to the garrison. The town was also covered on one side by a castle, +with four bastions, and fifty pieces of cannon; from whence was run an +intrenchment, flanked with several salient angles to Fort Coovo, on +the river Sebastian. This intrenchment consisted of the neck of land +from the river Anastasia to that of St. Sebastian, and entirely +covered the town from the island. + +Upon this the General drew in all the strength that he possibly could, +and sent for the garrison that he had left at Diego. Being joined by +them and by the Creek Indians, and having made a sufficient number +of fascines and short ladders, provided all other necessaries for +attacking the intrenchments, and brought up thirty-six cohorns, he +received notice that the Commodore had resolved to forego the attack; +declaring, that, as the season of hurricanes was approaching, he +judged it imprudent to hazard his Majesty's ships any longer on the +coast.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Appendix, No. XXIV.] + +On the departure of the fleet, the place was no longer blockaded on +the sea side; of course the army began to despair of forcing the place +to surrender. The provincials, under Colonel Vanderdussen, enfeebled +by the heat of the climate, dispirited by fruitless efforts, and +visited by sickness, marched away in large bodies.[1] The General +himself, laboring under a fever, and finding his men as well +as himself worn out by fatigue, and rendered unfit for action, +reluctantly abandoned the enterprise. On the fourth of July everything +which he had on the island was reëmbarked, the troops transported to +the continent, and the whole army began their march for Georgia; the +Carolina regiment first, and the General with his troops in the +rear. On this occasion a very notable answer of the Indian Chief is +reported; for, being asked by some of the garrison to march off with +them, "No!" said he, "I will not stir a foot till I see every man +belonging to me marched off before me; for I have always been the +first in advancing towards an enemy, and the last in retreating."[2] + +[Footnote 1: Dr. RAMSAY, the historian of South Carolina, with his +usual frankness and impartiality, closes his narrative of this siege +with the following remark. "On the 13th of August the Carolina +regiment had reached Charlestown. Though not one of them had been +killed by the enemy, their number was reduced, fourteen, by disease +and accidents."] + +[Footnote 2: _London Magazine_, Vol. XXVII. p. 23.] + +"Thus ended the expedition against St. Augustine, to the great +disappointment of both Georgia and Carolina. Many reflections were +afterwards thrown out against General Oglethorpe for his conduct +during the whole enterprise. He, on the other hand, declared that he +had no confidence in the Provincials, for that they refused to obey +his orders, and abandoned the camp, and returned home in large +numbers, and that the assistance from the fleet failed him in the +utmost emergency. To which we may add, the place was so strongly +fortified both by nature and art, that probably the attempt must +have failed though it had been conducted by the ablest officer, and +executed by the best disciplined troops."[1] + +[Footnote 1: HARRIS's Voyage, II. 340.] + +The difficulties which opposed his success, showed the courage that +could meet, and the zeal that strove to surmount them; and, while +we lament the failure, we perceive that it was owing to untoward +circumstances which he could not have foreseen; and disappointments +from a quarter whence he most confidently expected and depended upon +continued cooperation and ultimate accomplishment. Referring to this, +in a speech in the British house of Peers, the Duke of Argyle made +these remarks: "One man there is, my Lords, whose natural generosity, +contempt of danger, and regard for the public, prompted him to +obviate the designs of the Spaniards, and to attack them in their own +territories; a man, whom by long acquaintance I can confidently affirm +to have been equal to his undertaking, and to have learned the art of +war by a regular education, who yet miscarried in the design only for +want of supplies necessary to a possibility of success."[1] + +[Footnote 1: "Laudari viris laudatis"--to be praised by men themselves +renowned, is certainly the most valuable species of commendation.] + +A writer, who had good authority for his opinion, declares, that," +though this expedition was not attended with the success some +expected from it, the taking the fortress of St. Augustine, it was, +nevertheless, of no little consequence, inasmuch as it kept the +Spaniards for a long time on the defensive, and the war at a distance; +so that the inhabitants of Carolina felt none of its effects as a +Colony, excepting the loss suffered by their privateers, till the +Spaniards executed their long projected invasion in 1742, in which +they employed their whole strength, and from which they expected to +have changed the whole face of the Continent of North America; and, +even then, the people of Carolina suffered only by their fears."[1] + +[Footnote 1: HARRIS's Voyages, Vol. II. page 340.] + +In a letter to Lord Egmont, by Governor Belcher, dated Boston, May +24th, 1741, is this remark; "I was heartily sorry for the miscarriage +of General Oglethorpe's attempt on Augustine, in which I could not +learn where the mistake was, or to what it was owing, unless to a +wrong judgment of the strength of the place, to which the force that +attacked it, they say, was by no means equal. I wish that a part of +Admiral Vernon's fleet and General Wentworth's forces may give it a +visit, before the Spaniards sue for peace. It seems to me absolutely +necessary for the quieting of the English possessions of Carolina +and Georgia, that we should reduce Augustine to the obedience of the +British crown, and keep it, as Gibraltar and Mahon."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Letter-book of his Excellency JONATHAN BELCHER, in the +archives of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Vol. V. p. 254.] + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Oglethorpe pays particular attention to internal Improvements--Meets +with many annoyances--The Creeks, under Toonahowi, make an incursion +into Florida--The Spanish form a design upon Georgia--Some of their +fleet appear on the coast--Oglethorpe prepares for defence--Applies +to South Carolina for assistance--Spaniards attack Fort +William--Dangerous situation of Oglethorpe--Spanish fleet enter the +harbor and land on St. Simons--In three successive engagements they +are defeated--A successful stratagem--Enemy defeated at Bloody Marsh-- +Retire and attack Fort William, which is bravely defended by Ensign +Stewart--Spanish forces, repulsed in all their assaults, abandon the +invasion in dismay, and return to St. Augustine and to Cuba. + + +Of the year 1741 but few memorials are to be found. Oglethorpe resided +principally at Frederica; but occasionally visited Savannah; and, +every where, and at all times, actively exerted his powers of +persuasion, his personal influence, or his delegated authority to +reconcile the jarring contests and restore the social accordance +and peace of the community, while with vigilance and precaution +he concerted measures to guard the Colony against the threatening +purposes of the Spaniards. In reference to his peculiar trials and +vexatious annoyances, are the following remarks, copied from a letter +of a gentleman at Savannah, deeply read in the early history of the +Colony.[1] + +[Footnote 1: WILLIAM B. STEVENS, M.D., _letter, October_ 19,1840.] + +"The difficulties with which General Oglethorpe had to contend, +were peculiarly onerous and perplexing, not only with the +Spanish foes,--with the restless Indians,--with the clamorous +settlement,--with discontented troops,--with meagre supplies,--with +the defection of Carolina,--with the protest of his bills, and with +the refusal of a just naval protection;--but the officers of his +regiment were at enmity with him and with each other, and crimination +and recrimination followed, disturbing the peace, and weakening the +efficiency of the military corps. At a Court Martial, held in the +early part of January, 1739, composed of thirteen officers, they, in +their letter, dated 12th of January, to the General speak thus--'2d. +That we have observed a great spirit of mutiny among the soldiers, +particularly those of Lieutenant Colonel Cochran's company,' and '3d. +That by evidence given in Court, it appears to us that Lieutenant +Colonel James Cochran was in the knowledge of, and concealed a +mutiny.' The wonder is, that, with such opposing influences, and such +discordant materials, he effected _any thing_. That he achieved _so +much_, under such adverse circumstances, proves him to have been a +firm, bold, intrepid, and sagacious man; to have possessed the most +eminent military qualifications, and those sterling virtues which mock +at the petty malice of the envious, and triumph over the machinations +of malignity." + +He was, also, fully aware that, as the Spanish of Florida and Cuba +entertained no good will towards him, they would seek an opportunity +to retaliate his "assault and battery," which, though it had proved +on his part a failure, had been to them a grievous annoyance. He, +therefore, kept scout-boats continually on the look out, to give +notice of the approach to the coast of any armed vessel. On the 16th +of August advice was conveyed to him that a large ship had come to +anchor off the bar. He immediately sent out the boat to ascertain +what it was; and it was perceived to be manned with Spaniards, with +evidently hostile purpose. Whereupon he went on board the guard sloop +to go in search of her; took, also, the sloop Falcon, which was in +the service of the Province; and hired the schooner Norfolk, Captain +Davis, to join the expedition. These vessels were manned by a +detachment of his regiment under the following officers: viz.: Major +Alexander Heron, Captain Desbrisay, Lieutenant Mackay, Lieutenant +Tamser, Ensign Hogan, Ensign Sterling, and Ensigns Wemyss and Howarth, +and Adjutant Maxwell; Thomas Eyre, Surgeon and Mate; six sergeants, +six corporals, five drummers, and one hundred and twenty-five +privates. Before they could get down to the bar, a sudden squall of +wind and storm of thunder and rain came on; and when it cleared up the +vessel was out of sight. + +Unwilling, however, to lose the object of this equipment, on the next +day he sailed directly towards St. Augustine in pursuit of the ship. +On the 19th the Falcon sloop, being disabled, was sent back, with +seventeen men of the regiment; and the General proceeded with the +guard sloop and schooner. On the 21st, by day-break, they discovered a +ship and a sloop at anchor, about four or five leagues distant; and, +it being a dead calm, they rowed, till they came up to them, about +noon, when they found one to be the black Spanish privateer sloop, +commanded by a French officer, Captain Destrade, who had made several +prizes to the northward; and the other to be a three-mast ship; both +lying at anchor outside of the bar of St. Augustine. The General +issued orders to board them, when the wind freshing up, and the +English bearing down upon them, they began firing with great and small +arms, and the English returning the fire, they immediately left their +anchors, and run over the bar. The sloop and schooner pursuing them; +and, though they engaged them for an hour and a quarter, they could +not get on board. The Spanish vessels then run up towards the town; +and as they were hulled, and seemed disabled, six half-galleys came +down, and kept firing nine-pounders, but, by reason of the distance, +the shot did not reach the sloop or schooner. That night the General +came to anchor within sight of the castle of St. Augustine, and the +next day sailed for the Matanzas; but, finding no vessel there, +cruised off the bar of St. Augustine, and nothing coming out, the +whole coast being thus alarmed, he returned to Frederica. + +There were three ships, and one two-mast vessel lying within the +harbor at the time that the English engaged the sloop and ship.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Annals of Europe_, page 404.] + +This summer one of the Georgia boats off Tybee saved a three-mast +vessel which the Spaniards had abandoned, leaving eighteen Englishmen +on board, after having barbarously scuttled her, and choked the pumps, +that the men might sink with the ship; but the boat's men, getting on +board in good time, saved the men and the ship. + +It seems that the Creeks, in retaliation of some predatory and +murderous outrages of the Florida outposts, made a descent upon them +in return. This is referred to in the following extract from a letter +of General Oglethorpe to the Duke of Newcastle, dated + +Frederica, 12th of December, 1741. + +My Lord, + +"Toonahowi, the Indian who had the honor of your Grace's protection in +England, with a party of Creek Indians, returned hither from making +an incursion up to the walls of Augustine; near which they took Don +Romualdo Ruiz del Moral, Lieutenant of Spanish horse, and nephew to +the late Governor, and delivered him to me. + +"The Governor of Augustine has sent the enclosed letter to me by some +English prisoners; and, the prisoners there, the enclosed petition. On +which I fitted out the vessels, and am going myself, with a detachment +of the regiment, off the bar of Augustine, to demand the prisoners, +and restrain the privateers." + +In the early part of the year 1742, the Spaniards formed a design upon +Georgia, on which, from the time of its settlement, they had looked +with a jealous eye.[1] For this end, in May, they fitted out an +armament at Havanna, consisting of fifty-six sail, and seven or eight +thousand men; but the fleet, being dispersed by a storm, did not all +arrive at St. Augustine, the place of their destination. Don Manuel +de Monteano, Governor of that fortress, and of the town and region it +protected, had the command of the expedition. + +[Footnote 1: Appendix, No. XXV.] + +About the end of May, or beginning of June, the schooner, which had +been sent out on a cruise by General Oglethorpe, returned with the +information that there were two Spanish men of war, with twenty guns +each, besides two very large privateers, and a great number of +small vessels, full of troops, lying at anchor off the bar of St. +Augustine. This intelligence was soon after confirmed by Captain +Haymer, of the Flamborough man of war, who had fallen in with part of +the Spanish fleet on the coast of Florida, and drove some vessels on +shore. + +Having been apprized of this, the General, apprehending that the +Spaniards had in view some formidable expedition against Georgia or +Carolina, or perhaps both, wrote to the Commander of his Majesty's +ships, in the harbor of Charlestown, urging him to come to his +assistance. Lieutenant Maxwell, the bearer, arrived and delivered the +letter on the 12th of June. Directly afterwards he sent Lieutenant +Mackay to Governor Glenn, of South Carolina, requesting his military +aid with all expedition; and this despatch reached him on the 20th. +He then laid an embargo upon all the shipping in Georgia; and sent +messages to his faithful Indian allies, who gathered to his assistance +with all readiness. + +And now the design of the Spaniards was manifest. On the 21st of June +the fleet appeared on the coast; and nine sail of vessels made an +attempt on Amelia Island, but were so warmly received by the cannon +from Fort William, and the guard-schooner of fourteen guns and ninety +men, commanded by Captain Dunbar, that they sheered off. When the +General was informed of this attack, he resolved to support the +fortifications on Cumberland Island; and set out with a detachment of +the regiment in three boats; but was obliged to make his way through +fourteen sail of vessels. This was very venturesome, and, indeed, was +considered as presumptuously hazardous. For, had a shot from one of +the galleys struck the boat in which he was, so as to disable or +sink it, or had he been overtaken by a gun-boat from the enemy, the +colonial forces would have become the weakly resisting victims of +Spanish exasperated revenge. But by keeping to the leeward, and thus +taking advantage of the smoke, he escaped the firing and arrived in +safety. + +After having withdrawn the command from St. Andrews, and removed the +stores and artillery that were there, and reinforced Fort William,[1] +where he left one of the boats, he returned to St. Simons. + +[Footnote 1: These two Forts were on Cumberland Island.] + +He now sent another express to the Governor of South Carolina, by Mr. +Malryne, informing him of his situation, and urging the necessity of +a reinforcement. This application was not promptly complied with, in +consequence of an unfortunate prejudice arising from the failure +of his attempt upon St. Augustine. But as Georgia had been a great +barrier against the Spaniards, whose conquest of it would be hazardous +to the peace and prosperity of South Carolina, "it was thought +expedient to fit out some vessels to cruise down the coast, and see +what could be done for its relief."[1] + +[Footnote 1: WILLIAMS's _History of Florida_, p. 185.] + +In the perilous emergency to which he was reduced, Oglethorpe took, +for the King's service, the merchant ship of twenty guns, called the +_Success_,--a name of auspicious omen,--commanded by Captain Thompson, +and manned it from the small vessels which were of no force. He also +called in the Highland company from Darien, commanded by Captain +McIntosh; the company of rangers; and Captain Carr's company of +marines. + +On the 28th of June the Spanish fleet appeared off the bar below +St. Simons; but from their precaution for taking the soundings and +ascertaining the channel, was delayed coming in, or landing any of the +troops, for several days; in which time "the General raised another +troop of rangers; and, by rewarding those who did extraordinary duty, +and offering advancement to such as should signalize themselves on +this occasion, he kept up the spirits of the people, and increased the +number of enlistments."[1] He was placed, indeed, in a most critical +situation; but he bore himself with great presence of mind, and +summoned to the emergency a resolution which difficulties could not +shake, and brought into exercise energies which gathered vigor from +hindrance, and rendered him insensible to fatigue, and unappalled by +danger. This self-collected and firm state of mind, made apparent in +his deportment and measures, produced a corresponding intrepidity in +all around him; inspired them with confidence in their leader; and +roused the determined purpose with united efforts to repel their +invaders. + +[Footnote 1: The passages distinguished by inverted commas, without +direct marginal reference, are from the official account.] + +At this critical juncture, his own services were multiplied and +arduous; for Lieutenant Colonel Cook, who was Engineer, having gone +to Charlestown, on his way to London,[1] the General was obliged to +execute that office himself, sometimes on ship-board, and sometimes +at the batteries. He therefore found himself under the necessity of +assigning the command to some one on station, during his occasional +absences; and accordingly appointed Major Alexander Heron; raising him +to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. + +[Footnote 1: We shall see, in the sequel, that the absence of this +officer, whatever its pretence, was with treacherous purpose, as may +be surmised by the following extract from a letter to the Duke of +Newcastle, dated 30th of July, 1741; where, mentioning the despatches +sent to Governor Glen, earnestly requesting some military aid, the +General informs his Grace that "Lieutenant Colonel Cook, who was +engineer, and was then at Charlestown, hastened away to England; and +his son-in-law, Ensign Erye, sub-engineer, was also in Charlestown, +and did not arrive here till the action was over; so, for want of +help, I was obliged to do the duty of an engineer."] + +On Monday, the 5th of July, with a leading gale and the flood of tide, +a Spanish fleet of thirty-six sail, consisting of three ships of +twenty guns, two large snows, three schooners, four sloops, and the +rest half-galleys, with landsmen on board, entered the harbor; and, +after exchanging a brisk fire with the fort, for four hours, passed +all the batteries and shipping, proceeded up the river. The same +evening the forces were landed upon the island, a little below +Gascoigne's plantation. A red flag was hoisted on the mizzen-top of +the Admiral's ship, and a battery was erected on the shore, in which +were planted twenty eighteen-pounders. On this, the General, having +done all he could to annoy the enemy, and prevent their landing, and +finding that the Fort at St. Simons had become indefensible, held a +council of war at the head of his regiment; and it was the opinion of +the whole that the fort should be dismantled, the guns spiked up, the +cohorns burst, and that the troops there stationed should immediately +repair to Frederica, for its defence. He accordingly gave orders for +them to march, and sent for all the troops that were on board the +vessels to come on shore. + +As his only measures must be on the defensive, "he sent scouting +parties in every direction to watch the motions of the enemy; while +the main body were employed in working at the fortifications, making +them as strong as circumstances would admit."[1] + +[Footnote 1: McCALL, I. 179.] + +The Creek Indians brought in five Spanish prisoners, from whom was +obtained information that Don Manuel de Monteano, the Governor of +St. Augustine, commanded in chief; that Adjutant General Antonio de +Rodondo, chief engineer, and two brigades, came with the forces from +Cuba; and that their whole number amounted to about five thousand men. + +Detachments of the Spaniards made several attempts to pierce through +the woods, with a view to attack the fort; but were repulsed by +lurking Indians. The only access to the town was what had been cut +through a dense oak wood, and then led on the skirt of the forest +along the border of the eastern marsh that bounded the island +eastward. This was a defile so narrow, that the enemy could take no +cannon with them, nor baggage, and could only proceed two abreast. +Moreover, the Spanish battalions met with such obstruction from the +deep morasses on one side, and the dark and tangled thickets on the +other, and such opposition from the Indians and ambushed Highlanders, +that every effort failed, with considerable loss. + +On the morning of the 7th of July, Captain Noble Jones, with a small +detachment of regulars and Indians, being on a scouting party, fell +in with a number of Spaniards, who had been sent to reconnoitre the +route, and see if the way was clear, surprised and made prisoners of +them. From these, information was received that the main army was +on the march. This intelligence was immediately communicated, by an +Indian runner, to the General, who detached Captain Dunbar with a +company of grenadiers, to join the regulars; with orders to harass the +enemy on their way. Perceiving that the most vigorous resistance was +called for, with his usual promptitude he took with him the Highland +company, then under arms, and the Indians, and ordered four platoons +of the regiment to follow. They came up with the vanguard of the enemy +about two miles from the town, as they entered the savannah, and +attacked them so briskly that they were soon defeated, and most of +their party, which consisted of one hundred and twenty of their best +woodsmen and forty Florida Indians were killed or taken prisoners. The +General took two prisoners with his own hands; and Lieutenant Scroggs, +of the rangers, took Captain Sebastian Sachio, who commanded the +party. During the action Toonahowi, the nephew of Tomo Chichi, who +had command of one hundred Indians, was shot through the right arm by +Captain Mageleto, which, so far from dismaying the young warrior, only +fired his revenge. He ran up to the Captain, drew his pistol with his +left hand, shot him through the head, and, leaving him dead on the +spot, returned to his company.[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, XII. 497.] + +The General pursued the fugitives more than a mile, and then halted on +an advantageous piece of ground, for the rest of the troops to come +up, when he posted them, with the Highlanders, in a wood fronting the +road through the plain by which the main body of the Spaniards, who +were advancing, must necessarily pass. After which he returned, with +all speed, to Frederica, and ordered the rangers and boat-men to make +ready, and all to use their utmost endeavors to resist the invaders. + +During his temporary absence on this pressing emergency, Captain +Antonio Barba, and two other Captains with one hundred grenadiers, +and two hundred foot, besides Indians and negroes, advanced from the +Spanish camp into the savannah with drums and huzzas, and halted +within an hundred paces of the position where the troops left by +Oglethorpe lay in ambuscade. They immediately stacked their arms, made +fires, and were preparing their kettles for cooking, when a horse +observed some of the concealed party, and, frightened at the uniform +of the regulars, began to snort. This gave the alarm. The Spaniards +ran to their arms, but were shot down in great numbers by their +invisible assailants; and, after repeated attempts to form, in which +some of their principal officers fell, they decamped with the utmost +precipitation, leaving the camp equipage on the field. So complete was +the surprise, that many fled without their arms; others, in a rapid +retreat, discharged their muskets over their shoulders at their +pursuers; and many were killed by the loaded muskets that had been +left on the ground. Generally the Spaniards fired so much at random, +that the trees were pruned by the balls from their muskets.[1] + +[Footnote 1: McCALL's _History_, I. 185.] + +The General, returning with all expedition, heard the report of the +musketry, and rode towards it; and, near two miles from the place of +action, met some platoons, who, in the heat of the fight, the air +being so darkened by the smoke that they could not see where to +direct their fire, and a heavy shower of rain falling, had retired in +disorder. He ordered them to rally and follow him, apprehending that +immediate relief might be wanting. He arrived just as the battle +ceased; and found that Lieutenant Sutherland, with his platoon, and +Lieutenant Charles Mackay, had entirely defeated the enemy. + +In this action Don Antonio de Barba, their leader, was made a +prisoner, but mortally wounded. "In both actions, the Spaniards lost +four captains, one Lieutenant, two sergeants, two drummers, and more +than an hundred and fifty privates. One captain, one corporal, and +twenty men were taken prisoners. The rest fled to the woods, where +many of them were killed by the Indians, who brought in their +scalps."[1] + +[Footnote 1: From the great slaughter, the scene of this action has +ever since been called "the bloody marsh."] + +Captain Demerey and ensign Gibbon being arrived, with the men they had +rallied, Lieutenant Cadogan with the advanced party of the regiment, +and soon after the whole regiment, Indians and rangers, the General +marched down to a causeway over a marsh, very near the Spanish camp, +over which all were obliged now to pass; and thereby stopped those +who had been dispersed in the fight, from getting back to the Spanish +camp. Having passed the night there, the Indian scouts in the morning +got so near the Spanish place of encampment, as to ascertain that +they had all retired into the ruins of the fort, and were making +intrenchments under shelter of the cannon of the ships. Not deeming +it prudent to attack them while thus defended, he marched back to +Frederica, to refresh the soldiers; and sent out parties of Indians +and rangers to harass the enemy. He now, at a general staff, appointed +Lieutenant Hugh Mackay and Lieutenant Maxwell, Aids de camp, and +Lieutenant Sutherland, Brigade Major. + +While signal instances of heroism were thus honored, he warned the +troops of the necessity of union and vigilance, of prompt attention to +orders, and of maintaining an unflinching firmness in every emergency; +for in these, under God, depended their safety. + +Although he thus encouraged others, he was himself filled with +perplexity. He began to despair of any help from Carolina. His +provisions were bad and scarce, and, while the enemy commanded the +river and the harbor, no supplies could be expected. Of all this, +however, he gave no intimation, but, firm and self-possessed, +submitted to the same fare with the meanest soldier, exposed himself +to as great fatigue, and often underwent greater privations. At the +same time his fixed resolution and irrepressible zeal in the defence +and protection of his people, nerved him to further and even greater +exertions. + +On the 11th the great galley and two small ones, approached within +gun-shot of the town; but they were repulsed by guns and bombs from +the fort, and the General followed them in his cutter, with attendant +boats, well manned, till he got under the cannon of their ships, which +lay in the sound. + +This naval approach, as appeared afterwards, was in consequence of a +concerted plot. It seems that, at the commencement of the siege of +St. Augustine, a Spanish officer quitted one of the outer forts and +surrendered himself to Oglethorpe, who detained him prisoner of war. +He was readily communicative, and gave what was supposed important +information. After the close of the war, he might have been exchanged; +but he chose to remain, pretending that the Spaniards looked upon him +as a traitor. He, at length, so artfully insinuated himself into +favor with the magnanimous Oglethorpe, that he was treated with great +courtesy. On this invasion he begged permission to retire into the +northern colonies of the English, saying that he apprehended that +if he should fall into the hands of the Spaniards, they would deal +rigorously with him. The General, not being aware of any treacherous +design, gave him a canoe to go up the river till he was out of danger; +whence he might proceed by land to some back settlement. Some days +past and he came back to Frederica, pretending that he could not +make his way through, nor by, the fleet without being discovered and +captured. Most fortunately, some days after his return, an English +prisoner, who had escaped from one of the ships of war, acquainted the +General with the treachery of this officer, assuring him that he had +been aboard at such a time, and talked over his insidious project +of setting fire to the arsenal which contained all the powder and +military stores, and that its explosion should be the signal to the +Spanish galleys to approach, and, in the confusion of the occasion, +make an assault upon the fort. This disclosure confirmed suspicions +which had been excited by some of his management since his return; +and he was put under guard. In consequence of this precaution, the +concerted signal could not be given; and the ruinous project was most +happily defeated.[1] + +[Footnote 1: URLSPURGER, IV. p. 1260.] + +July 12th, two English prisoners who had effected an escape, one +from the fleet, and one from the camp, informed the General that the +Spaniards, not having anticipated such vigorous resistance, had become +restless and dispirited, especially since they had ascertained by +their roll how great was their loss of men; and that the state of the +wounded was distressing. They added that these discomfitures were +increased by the want of water on board the ships, which was so great +that the troops were put upon half allowance, which, in this hot +weather was a grievous deprivation, and that several, from the effect +of the climate, were sick and unfit for service. They apprized him, +also, that they had holden a council of war, in which there were great +divisions, insomuch that the troops of Cuba separated from those of +Augustine, and encamped at a distance near the woods. + +This latter circumstance suggested the idea of attacking them while +divided; and his perfect knowledge of the woods favored the project of +surprising one of their encampments. In furtherance of this design, +he drew out three hundred regular troops, the Highland company, the +rangers, and Indians, and marched in the night, unobserved within a +mile and a half of the Spanish camp. There his troops halted, and he +advanced at the head of a select corps to reconnoitre the enemy. +While he was using the utmost circumspection to obtain the necessary +information without being discovered, an occurrence of the most +villanous nature, disconcerted the project. As the particulars of this +have been variously narrated, I am happy in being enabled to give the +General's own account of the affair.[1] In his official despatch to +the Duke of Newcastle, dated at Frederica, in Georgia, 30th of July, +1742, he says,--"A Frenchman who, without my knowledge was come down +among the volunteers, fired his gun, and deserted. Our Indians in vain +pursued, but could not take him. Upon this, concluding that we should +be discovered, I divided the drums into different parts, and they beat +the Grenadier's march for about half an hour; then ceased, and we +marched back in silence. The next day I prevailed with a prisoner, and +gave him a sum of money to carry a letter privately, and deliver it to +that Frenchman who had deserted. This letter was written in French, as +if from a friend of his, telling him he had received the money; that +he should try to make the Spaniards believe the English were weak; +that he should undertake to pilot up their boats and galleys, and then +bring them under the woods, where he knew the hidden batteries were; +that if he could bring that about he should have double the reward he +had already received; and that the French deserters should have all +that had been promised to them. The Spanish prisoner got into their +camp, and was immediately carried before the General, Don Manuel de +Monteano. He was asked how he escaped, and whether he had any letters; +but denying he had any, was strictly searched, and the letter found, +and he, upon being pardoned, confessed that he had received money to +deliver it to the Frenchman, (for the letter was not directed.) The +Frenchman denied his knowing any thing of the contents of the +letter, or having received any money, or correspondence with me. +Notwithstanding which, a council of war was held, and they decreed the +Frenchman to be a double spy; but General Monteano would not suffer +him to be executed, having been employed by him. However they embarked +all their troops with such precipitation that they left behind their +cannon, &c., and those dead of their wounds, unburied." + +[Footnote 1: Transcribed from the Georgia Historical documents, by my +excellent friend T.K. TEFFT, Esq., of Savannah. The particulars of +this singularly interesting _ruse de guerre_ are detailed in all the +accounts of the Spanish invasion; and in each with some variation, and +in all rather more circumstantially than the above. See _Gentleman's +Magazine_ for 1742, p. 695; _London Magazine_ for 1758, p. 80; +HEWATT'S _History of South Carolina_, Vol. II. p. 117; McCALL'S +_History of Georgia_, I. p. 184; RAMSAY'S _History of the United +States_, I. 167, and MARSHALL'S _History of the Colonies_, p. 289.] + +The Spanish General now deemed it expedient to relinquish a plan +of conquest attended with so many difficulties, and the further +prosecution of which would put to hazard the loss of both army and +fleet, and perhaps of the whole Province of Florida. + +"On the 14th of July the Spaniards burned all the works and houses on +the south end of St. Simons and Jekyl islands. + +"On the 15th the large vessels, with the Cuba forces on board, stood +out to sea; and the Governor and troops from St. Augustine embarked +in the galleys and small vessels, and took the inland passage, and +encamped on the north end of Cumberland island, at Fort St. Andrews. + +"The next day the General pursued the enemy, and, landing where +they had encamped, sent an express in the night to Ensign Alexander +Stewart, who commanded at Fort William, directing him, in case of an +attack, to defend the place to the last extremity; and that he would +reinforce him early the next day. At day-light twenty-eight sail of +the Spanish line appeared off Fort William, fourteen of which came +into the harbor, and demanded a surrender of the garrison. Stewart +replied that it should not be surrendered, and could not be taken. +They attacked the works from their galleys and other vessels, and +attempted to land; but were repulsed by a party of rangers, who had +arrived by a forced march down the island. Stewart, with only sixty +men, defended the fort with such bravery, that, after an assault of +three hours, the enemy discovering the approach of Oglethorpe, put to +sea, with considerable loss. Two galleys were disabled and abandoned; +and the Governor of St. Augustine proceeded with his troops by the +inward passage. Ensign Stewart was rewarded, by promotion, for the +bravery of his defence."[1] + +[Footnote 1: McCall, Vol. I. p.188.] + +"On the 20th, General Oglethorpe sent his boats and rangers as far as +the river St. John. They returned the next day with the information +that the enemy were quite gone." + +A few days after, the armed ships from South Carolina came to St. +Simons; but the need of them was then over; and even of the British +men of war upon the American station, though they had a month's +notice, none appeared upon the coast of Georgia until after the +Spanish troops were all embarked, and their fleet was upon its return +to Havana and to St. Augustine. + +In the account of the Spanish invasion, by the Saltzburg preachers +at Ebenezer, are these very just reflections: "Cheering was the +intelligence that the Spaniards, with all their ships of war and +numerous military force, had raised the siege in shame and disgrace, +and retired to Augustine! Doubtless they feared lest English ships of +war should approach and draw them into a naval combat, for which they +could have no desire. Nay, they feared, no doubt, that their own +Augustine would suffer from it." + +Devoutly acknowledging the protecting and favoring providence of God +in this wonderful deliverance from a most formidable invading foe, +General Oglethorpe appointed a day of Thanksgiving to be observed by +the inhabitants of the Colony.[1] + +[Footnote 1: Appendix, No. XXVI.] + +Thus was the Province of Georgia delivered, when brought to the very +brink of destruction by a formidable enemy. Don Manuel de Monteano had +been fifteen days on the small island of St. Simons, without gaining +the least advantage over a handful of men; and, in the several +skirmishes, had lost a considerable number of his best troops, while +Oglethorpe's loss was very inconsiderable.[1] + +[Footnote 1: McCALL, I. 188.] + +The writer of a letter from Charlestown, South Carolina, has this +remark; "that nearly five thousand men, under the command of so good +an officer as the Governor of St. Augustine, should fly before six +or seven hundred men, and about one hundred Indians, is matter of +astonishment to all."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Gentleman's Magazine for 1742, p. 895. See also Appendix, +No. XXVII. for an account of the forces.] + +The Rev. Mr. Whitefield, in a letter to a noble Lord, says, "The +deliverance of Georgia from the Spaniards, one of my friends writes +me, is such as cannot be paralleled but by some instances out of the +Old Testament. I find that the Spaniards had cast lots, and determined +to give no quarter. They intended to have attacked Carolina, but, +wanting water, they put into Georgia, and so would take that Colony +on their way. But the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the +strong. Providence ruleth all things. They were wonderfully repelled +and sent away before our ships were seen."[1] "A little band chased a +thousand; and a small one overcome a large people." + +[Footnote 1: _Letters_, V.I. let. CCCCLXXXIX. p. 467.] + +The writer of the _History of the rise, progress, and settlement of +the Colony of Georgia_, so often quoted in this chapter, closes his +account of this invasion with the following remark: "Instead of +raising and heightening their success, to do honor to the General's +character; we ought rather to lessen or diminish some of the +circumstances, to render it, in such an age as this, more credible. +But we have taken no liberties at all. The facts are represented, +step by step, as they happened; and the reader left to make his own +inferences, estimate, and opinion."[1] + +[Footnote 1: HARRIS's _Voyages_, II. 345.] + +The Governors of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, +Virginia and North Carolina, addressed letters to Oglethorpe, +"congratulating him upon the important services rendered to the +Colonies; and assuring him of the interest which they felt in the +honor he had acquired by his indefatigable exertions, constant +exposure, extraordinary courage, and unequalled military conduct; and +offering their humble thanks to the Supreme Governor of nations for +placing the fate of the Southern Colonies under the direction of a +General so well qualified for the important trust."[1] + +[Footnote 1: For some of the letters see the work last quoted.] + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Oglethorpe, informed that the Spaniards were making preparations for +a renewal of hostilities, takes measures to repel them--Meets with an +alarming accident--Lands on the Florida side of St. John's--Proceeds +towards St. Augustine--The Spanish do not venture out to attack +him--Returns to the Islands--Sees that the Forts are repaired--Takes +passage to England to attend a Court Martial on an insidious charge +against him by Lieutenant Cook--Is honorably acquitted, and Cook is +dismissed from the service. + + +In the beginning of the year 1743, General Oglethorpe, having +had information that the Spaniards of St. Augustine were making +preparations for another invasion of Georgia,[1] took measures to +repel it; and set out, at the head of a force consisting of a company +of grenadiers, a detachment of his own regiment, the Highlanders, and +the Georgia rangers, and a numerous collection of Indians. + +[Footnote 1: "They were so apprehensive of this at South Carolina, +that the fortifications of Charlestown were repaired and augmented." +BOYSE's _Historical Review_, Vol. I. p. 381.] + +He came very near being killed in his shallop, while sailing to +reconnoitre St. Augustine; but Providence averted the fatality of the +blow which he received. One of his cannon burst, and a piece of a +sail-yard struck the head of the General, and so wounded him that the +blood gushed from his ears and nose. The injury, happily, was not so +great but that he soon collected himself, and cheered up his alarmed +attendants.[1] + +[Footnote 1: URLSPURGER, IV. 2073.] + +On the 6th of March he landed on the Florida side of St. John's river, +and attacked a much more numerous party of the Spanish troops than +that under his command, quartered at Fort Diego, forty of whom were +killed in the engagement and pursuit, and the rest made their escape +into the castle. + +After this he proceeded to the neighborhood of St. Augustine; and, +having placed the greatest part of his troops in ambuscade, marched +with the rest almost to the walls of the fortress, in hopes that the +Spaniards, upon seeing so small a party, would have sallied out +to have engaged it, in which case he was resolved to have made a +retreating fight, in order to draw the enemy into the ambush which he +had prepared for them. But, it seems, that by accident they discovered +the concealment of the troops, and deemed it prudent to remain in +their stronghold. This stratagem having been frustrated, Oglethorpe, +perceiving that an assault would be unavailing, marched back to the +river, where he continued for some time, expecting that the enemy +would come out, and endeavor to drive him from their territory, but, +as they made not the attempt, and as the affairs of the Colony as well +as his own, required his presence in England, he returned, to make +arrangements for going thither. + +Having seen that the fortifications on St. Simons and the other +islands were repaired and greatly improved, Oglethorpe took passage +on the 23d of July, 1743, in the guard-ship commanded by Captain +Thompson, having with him Colonel Heron, Mr. Eyre, sub-engineer, and +several others belonging to the regiment, and arrived in London on the +25th of September, where his personal presence was required to meet +and answer an impeachment lodged against him in the War-office by +Lieutenant Colonel William Cook. As soon as Oglethorpe arrived, he +insisted that the allegations should be examined by a board of General +Officers; but, as Cook gave in a list of several persons in Georgia +and some in South Carolina, who, he said, were material witnesses, no +investigation could be had till they should be heard. In consequence +of this, and other delays, the Court Martial was not opened till the +4th of June, 1744. It continued two days in session; when, after a +strict scrutiny into the complaint, article by article of the nineteen +specific charges, the board were of opinion that "the whole and +every article thereof was groundless, false, and malicious." On the +presentation of the Report to his Majesty he was pleased to order that +the said Lieutenant Colonel Cook should be dismissed the service. + +This indictment by one who had been treated with great kindness, and +who owed his preferment to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to the +particular favor of the General, was not only ungrateful, but +insidious and base. + +The faithful Annalist of America, the Reverend Doctor Holmes, closes +his reference to this transaction with this just and honorable +reflection: "By the decision of this board, the character of this able +General now appeared in resplendent light; and his contemporaries +acknowledged, what impartial history must record, that to him Carolina +was indebted for her safety and repose, as well as Georgia for +existence and protection."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _American Annals_, II. 19.] + +And here closes the history of the settlement of Georgia; in a great +degree the project and the furtherance of one man, who must be allowed +to possess the foremost rank among those, who, by well-concerted +plans, and judicious and persevering measures for their +accomplishment, have high claims on public gratitude, as warm and +devoted patriots, and enlightened philanthropists. Embracing in one +comprehensive view the effectual relief of the reduced or neglected, +the planting of a Colony, and the promotion of its progressive +improvement and welfare, it is the appropriate praise of the founder +of Georgia, that, with a sagacity and foresight which are never +sufficiently to be admired, a zeal and fortitude never exceeded, and +a devotedness to the object which never relaxed, he commenced and +carried on the arduous enterprise. + +In "An account, showing the progress of the Colony of Georgia in +America from its first establishment; published by order of the +Honorable, the Trustees," London, 1741, is the following eulogy of +Oglethorpe, made by those who best knew how truly it was deserved. + +"A Gentleman who may be justly termed the Romulus, father and founder +of Georgia; a gentleman who, without any view but that of enlarging +his Majesty's dominions, propagating the Protestant religion, +promoting the trade of his country, and providing for the wants and +necessities of indigent christians, has voluntarily banished himself +from the pleasures of a Court, and exposed himself repeatedly to the +dangers of the vast Atlantic ocean in several perilous and tedious +voyages; instead of allowing himself the satisfaction which a +plentiful fortune, powerful friends, and great merit entitle him to +in England, has inured himself to the greatest hardships that any the +meanest inhabitant of this new Colony could be exposed to; his diet +has been mouldy bread, or boiled rice instead of bread, salt beef, +pork, &c., his drink has been water; and his bed the damp earth, +without any other covering than the canopy of heaven to shelter him: +and all this to set an example to this new Colony how they might bear +with such hardships in their new settlement." + +A recent publication bestows also a tribute of commendation, in the +following terms: "As governor of the new Colony, he was exposed to +numberless difficulties and vexations; but persevered with great ardor +in the scheme, and expended large sums out of his private fortune with +a view to ensure its success."[1] + +[Footnote 1: GEORGIAN AERA; or _Memoirs of the most eminent persons +who have flourished in Great Britain from the accession of George I. +to the death of George IV_. Lond. 1834. 4 vol. Vol. II. p. 43.] + +I give, also, an extract from "lines to General Oglethorpe, on the +settlement of Georgia," published in the _South Carolina Gazette, +June_, 1733. + + "The fame of Tyrants should, if justice swayed, + Be bowled through deserts their ambition made; + But OGLETHORPE has gained a well-earned praise, + Who made the heirs of want, the lords of ease: + The gloomy wood to plenteous harvests changed, + And founded cities where the wild beasts ranged. + Then may the great reward assigned by fate + Crown his own wish to see the work complete!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +Oglethorpe's residence in England--Marriage--Military appointments--A +Major General under the Duke of Cumberland for the suppression of +the rebellion in 1745--Arraigned at a Court Martial and +acquitted--Domestic and social life, and character--Death. + + +Having accomplished the great design of settling the Colony of +Georgia, watched over its nascent feebleness, cherished its growth, +defended it from invasion, vindicated its rights, and advanced its +interests and welfare, Oglethorpe resigned the superintendence and +government into other hands, and retired to his country seat at +Godalming, "to rest under the shade of his own laurels." + +In March, 1744, he was appointed one of the officers under Field +Marshal, the Earl of Stair, to oppose the expected invasion from +France. + +Having been so happy as to form a tender attachment to an amiable +lady, which was reciprocated, he married, on the 15th of September, +1744, Elizabeth, the only daughter of Sir Nathan Wright, Baronet, of +Cranham Hall, Essex.[1] + +[Footnote 1: On this occasion some congratulatory verses were written +by the Rev. MOSES BROWN, and printed in the Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. +XIV. p. 558.] + +His chief residence was at his country seat; but he spent his winters +in the venerable family mansion in St. James, Westminster, London, to +attend his duties as member of Parliament and enjoy the society of men +of the first respectability for rank, talents, and literature. + +On the 25th of March, 1745, he was promoted to the rank of Major +General; and the Rebellion breaking out in that year, he was placed at +the head of four companies of cavalry, one of which bore the title +of "Georgia Rangers."[1] They had been raised at the expense of some +loyal individuals, to act against the insurgents; "and," (says an +Historian who had the best authority for the declaration,)[2] "they +did very signal service to their country." Their uniform was blue, +faced with red; and they wore green cockades. They did not encamp with +the foot, but were quartered in the towns. + +[Footnote 1: Marshal Wade, the Commander in Chief, had under him +the following officers, viz.: Lieutenant Generals Lord Tyrawly, and +Wentworth; the Major Generals Howard, Huske, and Oglethorpe; and the +Brigadier Generals Mordaunt and Chemondelly.] + +[Footnote 2: See _Impartial History of the Rebellion in 1745, from +authentic memoirs, particularly the Journal of a General Officer; and +other original papers; with the characters of the persons principally +concerned_. By SAMUEL BOYSE. 8vo. Dublin. 1748. p. 80.] + +As this expedition was commenced late in the fall, the King's troops +were retarded in their operations by the rigor of the season, their +late forced marches, and a most uncomfortable diarrhoea, which +prevailed among the soldiers; but good quarters, proper refreshments, +and the extraordinary care of their officers, relieved these +difficulties, and put the army into so good a condition as enabled +them to go through the campaign with fewer inconveniences and much +less loss than could reasonably be expected, considering the great +hardships and excessive fatigues to which they were exposed. + +As soon as Marshal Wade had intelligence at Newcastle of the route +which the rebels had taken, he resolved, notwithstanding the severity +of the season, to march thence to the relief of Carlisle. Accordingly, +on the 16th of November, the army began to move for that purpose. His +Excellency intended to have begun his march as soon as it was light; +but, moving from the left, the troops which had the van, delayed their +motions several hours, to the great prejudice of the expedition; for +the weather being extremely cold, and the travelling impeded by a deep +snow, or made rough by frozen ground, the troops suffered very +much. The Major Generals Howard and Oglethorpe, and the Brigadiers, +Cholmondley and Mordaunt, marched on foot at the head of the infantry +to encourage the soldiers. It was eight at night and very dark before +the front line got into the camp at Ovington; and though the soldiers +resolutely pressed forward, yet, the roads being terribly broken and +full of ice, it was foreseen that many of the last column might drop, +through excessive fatigue; and therefore the Major Generals Huske and +Oglethorpe sent out countrymen with lights and carts to assist the +rear guard, and bring up the tired men. In this service they were +employed till near nine the next morning. + +On the 17th the Marshal continued his march to Hexham, where he +arrived, with the first line, about four in the afternoon, but the +rear of the army did not come up till near midnight. Having received +intelligence that Carlisle had surrendered, he resolved to march back +to Newcastle; but, the weather continuing bad, and the roads become in +a manner impassable, he did not arrive there with his army till the +16th; and, even then, the forces under his command were so exhausted +by fatigue, and lamed by travelling, that, if it had not been for the +great care taken of them by the people of Newcastle, they must have +been, not only disheartened, but disqualified for service. + +In the meantime the Duke of Cumberland's army was forming in +Staffordshire; for, upon the approach of the Rebels, it was resolved +that his Royal Highness should be sent down to command the forces in +that part of the kingdom; and he arrived at Litchfield on the 28th of +November. + +Towards the latter end of the month, the army, under the command of +Marshal Wade, began to move; the cavalry having reached Darlington +and Richmond by the 25th. On the 29th the infantry was at Persbridge, +whence he proposed to march to Wetherby, and there canton the +whole army in the adjacent villages; looking upon this as the most +convenient station either for distressing the enemy, should they +attempt to retire, or for cooperating with the forces of his Royal +Highness, as occasion should render necessary. + +On the 8th of December the Marshal held a council of war, at +Ferry-bridge, to consider of the most effectual means for cutting off +the Highlanders on their retreat; and, in this council it was resolved +to march directly to Wakefield and Halifax into Lancashire, as +the most likely way of intercepting the rebels. Having arrived at +Wakefield on the 10th, and having advice that the main body of the +rebels was at Manchester, and their van-guard moving from thence +towards Preston, and finding that it was now impossible to come up +with them, he judged it unnecessary to fatigue the forces by hard +marches, and, therefore, detaching Major General Oglethorpe, on the +11th, with the cavalry under his command, he began the march, with the +rest of the forces to Newcastle. On the 13th a great body of the horse +and dragoons under Oglethorpe arrived at Preston, having marched a +hundred miles in three days over roads naturally bad, and at that time +almost impassable with snow and ice; "which," says the Historian, "was +a noble testimony of zeal and spirit, especially in the new raised +forces." + +His Royal Highness immediately gave his orders for continuing the +pursuit of the rebels, with the utmost diligence. Accordingly +Oglethorpe advanced towards Lancaster; which place the Duke reached +on the 16th. Oglethorpe, continuing his pursuit at the heels of the +rebels, arrived on the 17th in front of a village called Shap, where +their rear was supposed to be, just before night-fall, in very bad +weather. Here he held a consultation with his officers, in which it +was decided that the lateness of the hour, and the exhaustion of the +troops, rendered it inexpedient to make the attack that night. He, +therefore, entered the neighboring village to obtain forage, and to +refresh. Meanwhile the Duke pressed on; and, next morning, when he +came to Shap, found that it had been abandoned by the rebels; but was +surprised at seeing on his right, towards the rear, an unexpected body +of troops. It turned out to be Oglethorpe's corps, which, from being +the van-guard of the army, had thus unaccountably become the rear. +Vexed at the disappointing occurrence, he caused Oglethorpe to be +arraigned before a Court Martial, for having "lingered on the road." +His trial came on at the Horse-guards on the 29th of September, and +ended the 7th of October, 1746; when "he was honorably acquitted, and +his Majesty was graciously pleased to confirm the sentence."[1] + +[Footnote 1: See _London Gazette_ for October 20th, 1746; and the +_Memoir_ in _European Magazine_ for 1785. + +CROKER, in a note to his edition of BOSWELL's _Life of Johnson_, Vol. +I. page 97, says that "though acquitted, he was never again employed. +It is by no means surprising that this neglect should have mortified +a man of Oglethorpe's sensibility; and it is to be inferred, from Mr. +Boswell's expressions, that, late in life, he had in vain solicited +for 'some mark of distinction, 'to heal his wounded feelings." The +last intimations are confuted by the advancements in military rank +stated in the following pages of these memorials. The "mark of +distinction," deserved, perhaps expected, but certainly not +"solicited," might be that of _Knight_, a title worn by his father, as +also by the father of his wife.] + +As a still higher proof that he stood high in public estimation, on +the 13th of September, 1747, he was made Brigadier General in the +British army. + +On the establishment of the British Herring Fishery, in 1750, he took +a very considerable part, and became one of the Council; in which +situation, on the 25th of October he delivered to the Prince of Wales +the Charter of incorporation in a speech which was printed in the +public journals. + +In 1754 he was candidate for the borough of Haslemere, which he had +represented in former Parliaments; but on the close of the poll, the +numbers were found to be for J. Moore Molyneaux, 75; Philip Carteret +Webb, 76; Peter Burrel, 46; and Oglethorpe only 45. + +On February 22d, 1765, he was raised to the rank of General of all his +Majesty's forces; and for many years before his death was the oldest +general officer on the staff.[1] + +[Footnote 1: In the _Army list, issued from the War Office_, 20th +July, 1781, and in STOCKDALE's _Calendar for the year_ 1785, (the year +of Oglethorpe's death,) both of which are now before me, his name is +_first on the list_.] + +Here, perhaps, is the proper place to introduce an anecdote given +by Major McCall, in his _History of Georgia_, Vol. I. p. 325, +too striking to be omitted. "At the commencement of the American +Revolution, being the senior officer of Sir William Howe, he had the +prior offer of the command of the forces appointed to subdue the +Rebels. He professed his readiness to accept the appointment, 'if +the Ministry would authorize him to assure the Colonies that justice +should be done them.' His proposal appeared to be the result of +humanity and equity. He declared that 'he knew the Americans well; +that they never would be subdued by arms; but that obedience would be +secured by doing them justice.' A man with these views was not a fit +instrument for the British Government, and therefore, agreeably to his +own request, he was permitted to remain at home." + +McCALL refers to "the Annual Register," for his authority; but, after +careful searching, I do not find the statement. The intermediate +comments, and the last sentence, are undoubtedly the Major's. The +anecdote is also related in RAMSAY's _History of the United States_, +Vol. III. p. 166. + +I much doubt, however, that an official offer was made to him, as he +was too old to engage in such a service; and deem the statement not +sufficiently authenticated to be relied on. + +He continued to reside, principally, at Cranham Hall, in Essex, a fine +country seat of which he became possessed by his marriage with the +heiress of Sir Nathan Wright. In this beautiful retreat, favored with +the enjoyment of uninterrupted health, the possession of worldly +competence, and the heart-cheering comforts of connubial life, he +looked back upon the chequered scene of his former services with +lively gratitude that he had escaped so many dangers, and been an +honored instrument of effecting so much good; and the present happy +condition of his lot was heightened by its contrast with past +hardships, fatigues, and perils. + +He passed his winters in London, where he enjoyed the acquaintance +and even intimacy of some of the most honorable and distinguished +characters of the day. "A gentleman and a soldier, he united the +virtue of chivalrous honor and magnanimity with the acquirements of +learning and that love of polite literature which associated him with +the first scholars of the age." One who knew him intimately has said, +"This extraordinary person was as remarkable for his learning and +taste, as for his other eminent qualities; and no man was more prompt, +active, and generous in encouraging merit."[1] + +[Footnote 1: BOSWELL, in the _of Johnson_, Vol. I. p. 97, of CROKER'S +edition.] + +To the celebrated Dr. Johnson he was respectfully attached; and +was fond of having him often as a guest. Boswell has detailed some +pleasing particulars of these interviews; and, after relating one, +adds in a note the following remarks: "Let me here pay a tribute of +gratitude to the memory of that excellent person, my intimacy with +whom was the more valuable to me, because my first acquaintance with +him was unexpected and unsolicited. Soon after the publication of +my 'Account of Corsica,' he did me the honor to call on me, and +approaching me with a frank, courteous air, said, 'Sir, my name is +Oglethorpe, and I wish to become acquainted with you.' I was not a +little flattered to be thus addressed by an eminent man, of whom I had +read in Pope from my early years, + + "Or, driven by strong benevolence of soul, + Will fly like Oglethorpe from pole to pole." + +"I was fortunate enough to be found worthy of his good opinion, +insomuch that I was not only invited to make one of the many +respectable companies whom he entertained at his table, but had +a cover at his hospitable board every day when I happened to be +disengaged; and in his society I never failed to enjoy learned and +animated conversation, seasoned with genuine sentiments of virtue and +religion."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Vol. III. p. 225.] + +Dr. Warton, referring to Oglethorpe, says, "I had the pleasure of +knowing him well;" and, in a note upon the couplet quoted from Pope, +says, "Here are lines that will justly confer immortality on a man who +well deserved so magnificent an eulogium. He was, at once, a great +hero, and a great legislator. The vigor of his mind and body have +seldom been equalled. The vivacity of his genius continued to great +old age. The variety of his adventures, and the very different scenes +in which he had been engaged, made me regret that his life has never +been written. Dr. Johnson once offered to do it, if the General would +furnish him the materials. Johnson had a great regard for him, for he +was one of the first persons that highly, in all companies, praised +his 'London.' His first campaign was made under Prince Eugene against +the Turks, and that great General always spoke of Oglethorpe in the +highest terms. But his settlement of the Colony of Georgia gave a +greater lustre to his character than even his military exploits." + +With Goldsmith, too, he was intimate. In the lately published +biography of this poet by Prior,[1] referring to the occasional relief +contributed to him in his exigences, it is added, "Goldsmith was +content, likewise, to be made the channel of conveyance for the +bounty of others, as we find by a letter of General Oglethorpe, +a distinguished and amiable man, at whose table he met with good +society, and spent many agreeable hours, and who now, at an advanced +period of life, displayed the same love for the good of mankind, in a +private way, that he had exerted on a more extended scale." With the +letter he sent five pounds, to be distributed in aid of a charitable +institution, in whose behalf Goldsmith seems to have taken an active +interest; and the letter concluded with this kindly expressed +invitation; "If a farm, and a mere country scene will be a little +refreshment from the smoke of London, we shall be glad of the +happiness of seeing you at Cranham Hall." + +[Footnote 1: Vol. II. p. 457.] + +It is asserted that "his private benevolence was great. The families +of his tenants and dependants were sure of his assistance whilst they +deserved it; and he has frequently supported a tenant, whose situation +was doubtful, not merely forbearing to ask for rent, but lending him +money to go on with his farm."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_ for July, 1785, p. 518.] + +Of his public liberality, repeated mention has been made in the course +of this work, more particularly in the settlement of Georgia; in the +furtherance of which he not only bore his own expenses, but procured +various outfits. He also contributed pecuniary assistance and +conferred favors to encourage exertion, or reward well doing. No +one excelled him in those smaller attentions to the interests and +gratification of his friends and acquaintance; which, though they do +not of themselves constitute a great character, are, certainly, very +pleasing recommendations of it. + +It is not denied that he had his imperfections and errors; and some, +for which the plea of human frailty alone may not be a sufficient +excuse. He was rather passionate in his temper, impatient of +contradiction, and quick in his resentments; but, upon any ingenuous +concession, was placable and ready to admit an apology. To the humble +offender he was reconcilable, and to the submissive, magnanimous. In +the heyday of life, a soldierly pride, or military point of honor, +sometimes betrayed him into indiscretions or involved him in +rencounters, to which, as he became more mature in age and in +judgment, a dignified sense of true greatness rendered him superior. +Some instances of rashness have been noted by Walpole with unsparing +vituperation;[1] and some self-complacent or boasting sallies, have +been pointed at by Croker with a sarcastic sneer. But, admitting +that these were far from being venial faults, yet it would be very +uncharitable now to recall them from the forgetfulness and forgiveness +in which they have long been passed over; especially as they were +fully redeemed by noble qualities and beneficent deeds. Surely, he +who was celebrated by Pope and Thompson, honored by the Reverend Dr. +Burton, vindicated and praised in Parliament by the excellent Duke +of Argyle, and favored by the regards of Dr. Johnson, "the English +moralist,"[2] must have had a large prevalence of what, in the opinion +of the best judges, is estimable in disposition and conduct, and +irreproachable in character! + +[Footnote 1: "All the stories of Horace Walpole are to be received +with great caution; but his Reminiscences, above all, written in +his dotage, teem with the grossest inaccuracies and incredible +assertions." LORD MAHON'S _History of England_. Lond. 1837. Vol. II. +p. 174, _note_.] + +[Footnote 2: This honored friend he outlived; and, while attending +the sale of his library, February 18th, 1785, the fine characteristic +portrait of him was taken by S. Ireland, an engraving of which makes +the frontispiece of this volume.] + +He had a pleasing talent at narrative, and when animated by the +cheering attention of his friends, he would give full scope to it. +Anecdotes of times past, incidents and scenes of his eventful life, +and occurrences which had passed under his observation, when detailed +by him at length, and set off with his amusing episodical remarks and +illustrations, made him a most entertaining chronicler. These were +sometimes enlivened with a sportive humor that gave a charm to the +social hour, and contributed to the amusement of his guests and +friends. If in his extreme old age he indulged in egotisms or +loquacity, still his observations were those of one who had seen and +read much, and was willing to communicate his acquired knowledge and +the results of his observation and experience; and few who attended to +him, did so without receiving information and entertainment. Even his +old stories of his own acting, served to confirm what he said, and he +made them better in the telling; so that he was rarely troublesome +with the same tale told again, for he gave it an air of freshness. + +Polite in his address and graceful in his manners, the gallant veteran +was a favorite visiter in the parties of accomplished ladies that +occasionally met at the house of Mrs. Montague, Mrs. Garrick, Mrs. +Boscawen, and Mrs. Carter.--Hannah More, in a letter to her sister, +in 1784, says, "I have got a new admirer; it is the famous General +Oglethorpe, perhaps the most remarkable man of his time. He was +foster-brother to the Pretender; and is much above ninety years old; +the finest figure you ever saw. He perfectly realizes all my ideas of +Nestor. His literature is great; his knowledge of the world extensive; +and his faculties as bright as ever. He is one of the three persons +still living who were mentioned by Pope; Lord Mansfield and Lord +Marchmont are the other two. He was the intimate friend of Southern, +the tragic poet, and all the wits of that time. He is, perhaps, the +oldest man of a _Gentleman_ living. I went to see him the other day, +and he would have entertained me by repeating passages from Sir +Eldred. He is quite a preux chevalier, heroic, romantic, and full +of the old gallantry."[1] In another letter, she mentions being in +company with the General at Mrs. Vesey's, where the Dutchess of +Portland and Mrs. Delany were present, and where "Mr. Burke talked +a great deal of politics with General Oglethorpe. He told him, with +great truth, that he looked upon him as a more extraordinary person +than any he had ever read of, for he had founded the province of +Georgia; had absolutely called it into existence, and had lived to see +it severed from the Empire which created it, and become an independent +State."[2] + +[Footnote 1: _Life and Letters_, Vol. I. p. 181.] + +[Footnote 2: Ibid. 204.] + +The late President, John Adams, saw Oglethorpe in 1785, a short time +before his decease. Within a day or two after his arrival in London, +as Ambassador from the United States, had been announced in the +public prints, the General called upon him; as was very polite and +complimentary. "He had come to pay his respects to the first American +Ambassador and his Family, whom he was glad to see in England; +expressed a great esteem and regard for America; much regret at the +misunderstanding between the two countries; and felt very happy to +have lived to see the termination of it."[1] There was something +peculiarly interesting in this interview. He who had planted Georgia, +and provided for it during the earliest stages of its _dependent +condition as a Colony_, held converse with him who had come to a Royal +Court, the Representative of its NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE! + +[Footnote 1: See a letter from President Adams to Dr. Holmes. +_Annals_, Vol. II. p. 530.] + +A writer in the year 1732, and within the month on which the charter +for Georgia was issued, made the following remarks: "If the Trustees +give liberty of Religion, establish the people free, fix an agrarian +law, and go upon the glorious maxims of liberty and virtue, their +Province, _in the age of a man_, by being the asylum of the +unfortunate, will become more and more advantageous to Britain than +the conquest of a kingdom."[1] The suggestion here made was seasonable +and judicious; and the prospective intimation was a prophecy, +accomplished in a sense not imagined, and surely not anticipated +by the writer. The Province did become, whilst its founder was yet +living, and therefore "in the age of a man," a highly advantageous +acquisition to Great Britain in a commercial relation; and, though +dismembered from the Empire, an important independent State. + +[Footnote 1: _London Magazine_ for 1732, p. 198.] + +This remarkable man, abstemious in his mode of living, regular in his +habits, and using much exercise, enjoyed good health to extreme old +age; and such was his activity, that he could outwalk persons more +than half a century younger. At that period of advanced life, when +the weight of years usually bears down the elasticity of the mind, +he retained all that spring of intellect which had characterized the +promptitude of earlier days; his bodily senses seemed but little +impaired; and his eye-sight served him to the last. + +He died at his seat at Cranham, of a violent fever, 30th of June, +1785. + + "And dropt like Autumn fruit, which, ripening long, + Was wondered at because it fell no sooner."[1] + +[Footnote 1: The library of General Oglethorpe was sold by Calderwood +in 1788. It comprised standard works of Ancient and Modern History, of +the Drama, Poetry, and Polite Literature.] + + + + +CONCLUDING REMARKS. + + +The preceding pages have given details of some principal actions +and exploits of a very remarkable man; whose projects, dictated by +benevolence and inspired by philanthropy, were all prospective. Their +first, and, apparently, principal object, was to provide relief for +the indigent, and an asylum for the oppressed. Their second, to unite +the pensioners on the liberally contributed bounty, in a social +compact for mutual assistance, and a ready cooperation for the general +good. But even this, beneficent as it was, fell short of his aim. He +considered himself to be engaged in forming a Colony, destined to +extend and flourish under the salutary principles of order and +justice, and the sustaining sanctions of civil law, and a form of +government, which his breast swelled with the patriotic hope, would be +well constituted and wisely administered. + +This very statement of the origin of these political institutions, +bears on it the indications of their perpetuity, especially as the +_freedom_ obtained for the first emigrants from rigorous exaction in +their native country, was remembered and cherished in that which they +settled, till it formed the constituents of civil liberty, which +at length "threw off every yoke," for the attainment of NATIONAL +INDEPENDENCE. + +Hence, his agency, services and expenditures in settling the Province +of Georgia, his disinterested devotedness to its establishment and +progressive welfare, and his bravery and personal exposure in its +defence, enrolled among the important achievements of his long and +eventful life, constitute the most splendid trophy to his fame, and +will ensure to his name a memory as lasting as that of America itself. + +On a mural tablet of white marble, in the chancel of Cranham Church, +is the following inscription, drawn up by CAPEL LOFFT, Esq. + + Near this place lie the remains of + JAMES EDWARD OGLETHORPE, Esq. + who served under Prince Eugene, + and in 1714 was Captain Lieutenant in the + first troop of the Queen's Guards. + In 1740 he was appointed Colonel of a Regiment + to be raised for Georgia. + In 1745 he was appointed Major General; + in 1747 Lieutenant General; and + in 1760, General of his Majesty's forces. + In his civil station, + he was very early conspicuous. + He was chosen Member of Parliament + for Haslemere in Surry in 1722, + and continued to represent it till 1754. + In the Committee of Parliament, + for inquiring into the state of the gaols, + formed 25th of February, 1728, + and of which he was Chairman, + the active and persevering zeal of his benevolence + found a truly suitable employment, + by visiting, with his colleagues of that generous body, + the dark and pestilential dungeons of the Prisons + which at that time dishonored the metropolis; + detecting the most enormous oppressions; + obtaining exemplary punishment on those who had been + guilty of such outrage against humanity and justice; + and redressing multitudes from extreme misery + to light and freedom. + +Of these, about seven hundred, rendered, by long confinement for debt, +strangers and helpless in the country of their birth, and desirous +of seeking an asylum in the wilds of America, were by him conducted +thither in 1732. + + He willingly encountered in their behalf + a variety of fatigue and danger, + and thus became the founder of + the Colony of Georgia; + a Colony which afterwards set the noble example + of prohibiting the importation of slaves + This new establishment + he strenuously and successfully defended + against a powerful attack of the Spaniards. + In the year in which he quitted England + to found this settlement, + he nobly strove to secure + our true national defence by sea and land, + --a free navy-- + without impressing a constitutional militia. + But his social affections were more enlarged + than even the term Patriotism can express; + he was the friend of the oppressed negro,-- + no part of the globe was too remote,-- + no interest too unconnected,-- + or too much opposed to his own, + to prevent the immediate succor of suffering humanity. + For such qualities he received, + from the ever memorable John, Duke of Argyle, + a full testimony, in the British Senate, + to his military character, + his natural generosity, + his contempt of danger, + and regard for the Public. + A similar encomium is perpetuated in a foreign language;[1] + and, by one of our most celebrated Poets, + his remembrance is transmitted to posterity + in lines justly expressive of + the purity, the ardor, and the extent of his benevolence. + He lived till the 1st of July, 1785; + a venerable instance to what a duration + a life of temperance and virtuous labor + is capable of being protracted. + His widow, Elizabeth, + daughter of Sir Nathan Wright of Cranham hall, Bart. + and only sister and heiress of Sir Samuel Wright, Bart. + of the same place, + surviving, with regret, + but with due submission to Divine Providence, + an affectionate husband, + after an union of more than forty years, + hath inscribed to his memory + these faint traces of his excellent character. + + "Religion watches o'er his urn, + And all the virtues bending mourn; + Humanity, with languid eye, + Melting for others' misery; + Prudence, whose hands a measure hold, + And Temperance, with a chain of gold; + Fidelity's triumphant vest, + And Fortitude in armor drest; + Wisdom's grey locks, and Freedom, join + The moral train to bless his shrine, + And pensive all, around his ashes holy, + Their last sad honors pay in order melancholy."[2] + +[Footnote 1: Referring to the encomium of the Abbe Raynal, in his +_Histoire Philosophique et Politique_.] + +[Footnote 2: These last verses were added by the old friend of the +General, the Rev. Moses Browne.] + + + + +OBITUARY NOTICE + +OF + +MRS. ELIZABETH OGLETHORPE, + +WITH EXTRACTS FROM HER WILL. + + +OBITUARY NOTICE + +COPIED FROM THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE FOR 1787, PAGE 1025 + +October 26th, 1787, died, at her seat, Cranham Hall, Co. Essex,[1] +aged 79, Mrs. Elizabeth Oglethorpe, widow of the late General +Oglethorpe. She was daughter of Sir Nathan Wright, Bart., (nephew +to the Lord Keeper,) by Abigail, his fourth wife, who survived and +married Mr. Tryst. Sir Nathan, by his first wife, (Anne Meyrick) +had two sons; Nathan, who succeeded him in title, and who married a +daughter of Sir Francis Lawley, and died in April, 1737; and John, who +died without issue. By his second wife, (Elizabeth Brage) he had a +son, Benjamin, who died before him. By his third wife, (Elizabeth +Bowater) he had no issue. By the fourth he had a son, Samuel, and Mrs. +Oglethorpe. Sir Nathan, the son, had one son and two daughters; and +the son dying without issue, his half-brother, Samuel, succeeded to +the title and part of the estate. He dying a bachelor, Mrs. Oglethorpe +became his heir, and has died without leaving any child. September +15, 1744, she married the late General Oglethorpe, who died July +1,1785;[2] and to her magnanimity and prudence, on an occasion of much +difficulty, it was owing that the evening of their lives was tranquil +and pleasant, after a stormy noon. Very many and continual were her +acts of benevolence and charity; but, as she would herself have been +hurt by any display of them in her lifetime, we will say no more. Not +to have mentioned them at all would have been unjust to her memory, +and not less so to the world, in which such an example may operate as +an incitement to others to go and do likewise. + +[Footnote 1: This old mansion, situated on a pleasant rising ground, +was built about the end of the reign of James I. In the hall is a +very fine whole-length picture of Mr. _Nathan Wright_, a considerable +Spanish merchant in the beginning of Charles the First's time, who +resided long in that country, by Antonio Arias, an eminent painter of +Madrid; and the more curious, as perhaps there is not another picture +of that able master in England. _Gentleman's Magazine_, LV. 518.] + +[Footnote 2: The date for the time of the death of General Oglethorpe, +which is given on the 296th page of this volume, was taken from the +public Gazettes. As it took place late in the night, it might be +rather uncertain as to its being the close of one day or the beginning +of another. But the above, corroborated by the testimony of the +monumental inscription, must be correct. I regret, however, that I did +not perceive it sooner. T.M.H.] + +By her will, which is very long, and dated May 30, 1786, and has four +codicils, the last dated September 11, 1787, she leaves her estate at +Westbrook, in Godalming, Co. Surrey, bequeathed to her by the General, +to his great nephew, Eugene, Marquis of Bellegarde, in France, then in +the Dutch service, but born in England, and his heirs, with all her +plate, jewels, &c.; to her nephews, John and Charles Apreece, and +their sister Dorothy, wife of ---- Cole, an annuity of £100 amongst +them, and the survivor for life; and if either John or Charles succeed +to the Baronet's title, the annuity to go over to the other; but if +their sister survive, she to have only £200 per annum; also four +annuities, of £50 each, to four of her female friends or neighbors. +All these annuities are charged on the Cranham estate, which she +gives in trust to Sir George Allanson Wynne, Bart., and Mr. Granville +Sharpe, for the use of her nephew, Sir Thomas Apreece, of Washingley, +Co. Huntingdon, for life, remainder in tail to his issue male or +female, remainder to his brothers John and Charles, and sister +Dorothy, successively, remainder to her own right heirs. The manor of +Canewdon Hall, Essex, to be sold to pay legacies, viz.: £100 to Sir +G.A. Wynne; £1000 to the Princess of Rohan, related to her late +husband; £500 to the Princess de Ligne, her late husband's niece; +£1000 to Samuel Crawley, Esq., of Theobalds, Co. Herts; £500 among the +Miss Dawes's, of Coventry; £500 to James Fitter, Esq., of Westminster; +£500 to the Marquis of Bellegarde. The manor of Fairstead Hall, Co. +Essex, to Granville Sharpe, for life, paying £50 per annum to his +friend Mr. Marriott, relict of General Marriott, of Godalming, and +to settle the said estate to charitable uses after his death, at his +discretion. To Edward Lloyd and Sarah his wife, her servants, +£500; and £10 each, to other servants. By a codicil: to Maria Anne +Stephenson £1000 stock out of any of her property in the funds; to +Miss Lewis, who lives with Mrs. Fowle, in Red-lion square, and to +Miss Billinghurst, of Godalming, £50 each; to the poor of Cranham, +Fairstead, Canewdon, and Godalming, £20 each; her turn of patronage +to the united livings of St. Mary Somerset and St. Mary Mounthaw, +in London, to the Rev. Mr. Herringham, of South Weald. By another +codicil, £1000 more to the Marquis of Bellegarde; £1000 to Count +Bethisy; £200 to Granville Sharpe. By another, revokes the legacies +to the Princess de Ligne and Count Bethisy, and gives them to the two +younger daughters of the Marquis of Bellegarde, at the age of 21, or +marriage. As the Marquis resides in France, and it may be inconvenient +to him to keep the estate, she gives the manors of Westbrook and +Brimscombe, and Westbrook-place in Godalming, in trust to G. Sharpe, +and William Gill, Esqrs., and their heirs, to be sold, and the money +paid to the Marquis. Her executors are Mr. Granville Sharpe, and Mrs. +Sarah Dickinson, of Tottenham; the latter residuary legatee. + +At the foot of the monument erected to the memory of General +Oglethorpe, was added the following inscription: + + "His disconsolate Widow died October 26,1787, + in her 79th year, + and is buried with him, + in the vault in the centre of this Chancel. + Her fortitude of mind and extensive charity + deserve to be remembered, + though her own modesty would desire them to + be forgotten." + + + + +OGLETHORPE'S + +ACCOUNT OF + +CAROLINA AND GEORGIA. + +This article is extracted from SALMON'S _Modern History_, Vol. III. +page 770, 4th edition; where it is introduced in these words: "The +following pages are an answer from General OGLETHORPE to some +inquiries made by the author, concerning the State of Carolina and +Georgia." + + +ACCOUNT OF CAROLINA AND GEORGIA. + + +Carolina is part of that territory which was originally discovered by +Sir Sebastian Cabot. The English now possess the sea-coast from the +river St. John's, in 30 degrees, 21 minutes north latitude. Westward +the King's charter declares it to be bounded by the Pacific ocean. + +Carolina is divided into North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia; +the latter is a province which his Majesty has taken out of Carolina, +and is the southern and western frontier of that province, lying +between it and the French, Spaniards, and Indians. + +The part of Carolina that is settled, is for the most part a flat +country. All, near the sea, is a range of islands, which breaks +the fury of the ocean. Within is generally low land for twenty +or twenty-five miles, where the country begins to rise in gentle +swellings. At seventy or eighty miles from the sea, the hills grow +higher, till they terminate in mountains. + +The coast of Georgia is also defended from the rage of the sea by a +range of islands. Those islands are divided from the main by canals +of salt water, navigable for the largest boats, and even for small +sloops. The lofty woods growing on each side of the canals, make very +pleasant landscapes. The land, at about seven or eight miles from the +sea, is tolerably high; and the further you go westward, the more it +rises, till at about one hundred and fifty miles distance from the +sea, to the west, the Cherokee or Appallachean mountains begin, which +are so high that the snow lies upon them all the year. + +This ridge of mountains runs in a line from north to south, on the +back of the English colonies of Carolina and Virginia; beginning +at the great lakes of Canada, and extending south, it ends in the +province of Georgia at about two hundred miles from the bay of +Appallachee, which is part of the Gulf of Mexico. There is a plain +country from the foot of these mountains to that sea. + +The face of the country is mostly covered with woods. The banks of the +rivers are in some places low, and form a kind of natural meadows, +where the floods prevent trees from growing. In other places, in the +hollows, between the hillocks, the brooks and streams, being stopt by +falls of trees, or other obstructions, the water is penned back. These +places are often covered with canes and thickets and are called, in +the corrupted American dialect, swamps. The sides of the hills are +generally covered with oaks and hickory, or wild walnuts, cedar, +sassafras, and the famous laurel tulip, which is esteemed one of the +most beautiful trees in the world. The flat tops of the hillocks are +all covered with groves of pine trees, with plenty of grass growing +under them, and so free from underwood that you may gallop a horse for +forty or fifty miles an end. In the low grounds and islands in the +river there are cypress, bay-trees, poplar, plane, frankincense or +gum-trees, and aquatic shrubs. All part of the province are well +watered; and, in digging a moderate depth, you never miss of a fine +spring. + +What we call the Atlantic ocean, washes the east and southeast coast +of these provinces. The gulf stream of Florida sets in with a tide in +the ocean to the east of the province; and it is very remarkable that +the banks and soundings of the coast extend twenty or twenty-five +miles to the east of the coast. + +The tides upon this coast flow generally seven feet. The soundings are +sand or ooze, and some oyster banks, but no rocks. The coast appears +low from the sea, and covered with woods. + +Cape Fear is a point which runs with dreadful shoals far into the sea, +from the mouth of Clarendon river in North Carolina. Sullivan's Island +and the Coffin land are the marks of the entry into Charlestown +harbor. Hilton head, upon French's island, shows the entry into Port +Royal; and the point of Tybee island makes the entry of the Savannah +river. Upon that point the Trustees for Georgia have erected a noble +signal or light-house, ninety feet high, and twenty-five feet wide. +It is an octagon, and upon the top there is a flag-staff thirty feet +high. + +The Province of Georgia is watered by three great rivers, which +rise in the mountains, namely, the Alatamaha, the Ogechee, and the +Savannah; the last of which is navigable six hundred miles for canoes, +and three hundred miles for boats. + +The British dominions are divided from the Spanish Florida by a noble +river called St. John's. + +These rivers fall into the Atlantic ocean; but there are, besides +these, the Flint and the Cahooche, which pass through part of Carolina +or Georgia, and fall into the gulf of Appellachee or Mexico. + +All Carolina is divided into three parts: 1. North Carolina, which is +divided from South Carolina by Clarendon river, and of late by a line +marked out by order of the Council: 2. South Carolina, which, on the +south is divided from 3. Georgia by the river Savannah. Carolina is +divided into several counties; but in Georgia there is but one yet +erected, namely, the county of Savannah. It is bounded, on the one +side, by the river Savannah, on the other by the sea, on the third by +the river Ogechee, on the fourth by the river Ebenezer, and a line +drawn from the river Ebenezer to the Ogechee. In this county are the +rivers Vernon, Little Ogechee, and Westbrook. There is the town of +Savannah, where there is a seat of judicature, consisting of three +bailiffs and a recorder. It is situated upon the banks of the river of +the same name. It consists of about two hundred houses, and lies upon +a plain of about a mile wide; the bank steep to the river forty-five +feet perpendicularly high. The streets are laid out regular. There +are near Savannah, in the same county, the villages of Hampstead, +Highgate, Skidoway, and Thunderbolt; the latter of which is a +translation of a name; their fables say that a thunderbolt fell, and a +spring thereupon arose in that place, which still smells of the bolt. +This spring is impregnated with a mixture of sulphur and iron, and +from the smell, probably, the story arose. In the same county is +Joseph's town and the town Ebenezer; both upon the river Savannah; and +the villages of Abercorn and Westbrook. There are saw mills erecting +on the river Ebenezer; and the fort Argyle, lies upon the pass of this +county over the Ogechee. In the southern divisions of the province +lies the town of Frederica, with its district, where there is a +court with three bailiffs and a recorder. It lies on one side of the +branches of the Alatamaha. There is, also, the town of Darien, upon +the same river, and several forts upon the proper passes, some of four +bastions, some are only redoubts. Besides which there are villages in +different parts of Georgia. At Savannah there is a public store house, +built of large square timbers. There is also a handsome court house, +guard house, and work house. The church is not yet begun; but +materials are collecting, and it is designed to be a handsome edifice. +The private houses are generally sawed timber, framed, and covered +with shingles. Many of them are painted, and most have chimneys of +brick. At Frederica some of the houses are built of brick; the others +in the Province are mostly wood. They are not got into luxury yet in +their furniture; having only what is plain and needful. The winter +being mild, there are yet but few houses with glass windows. + +The Indians are a manly, well-shaped race. The men tall, the women +little. They, as the ancient Grecians did, anoint with oil, and expose +themselves to the sun, which occasions their skins to be brown of +color. The men paint themselves of various colors, red, blue, yellow, +and black. The men wear generally a girdle, with a piece of cloth +drawn through their legs and turned over the girdle both before and +behind, so as to hide their nakedness. The women wear a kind of +petticoat to the knees. Both men and women in the winter wear mantles, +something less than two yards square, which they wrap round their +bodies, as the Romans did their toga, generally keeping their arms +bare; they are sometimes of woolen, bought of the English; sometimes +of furs, which they dress themselves. They wear a kind of pumps, which +they call moccasons, made of deer-skin, which they dress for that +purpose. They are a generous, good-natured people; very humane to +strangers; patient of want and pain; slow to anger, and not easily +provoked, but, when they are thoroughly incensed, they are implacable; +very quick of apprehension and gay of temper. Their public conferences +show them to be men of genius, and they have a natural eloquence, they +never having had the use of letters. They love eating, and the English +have taught many of them to drink strong liquors, which, when they do, +they are miserable sights. They have no manufactures but what each +family makes for its own use; they seem to despise working for hire, +and spend their time chiefly in hunting and war; but plant corn enough +for the support of their families and the strangers that come to visit +them. Their food, instead of bread, is flour of Indian corn boiled, +and seasoned like hasty-pudding, and this called hommony. They also +boil venison, and make broth; they also roast, or rather broil their +meat. The flesh they feed on is buffalo, deer, wild turkeys and other +game; so that hunting is necessary to provide flesh; and planting for +corn. The land[1] belongs to the women, and the corn that grows upon +it; but meat must be got by the men, because it is they only that +hunt: this makes marriage necessary, that the women may furnish corn, +and the men meat. They have also fruit-trees in their gardens, namely, +peaches, nectarines, and locust, melons, and water-melons, potatoes, +pumpkins, onions, &c. in plenty; and many kinds of wild fruits, and +nuts, as persimons, grapes, chinquepins, and hickory nuts, of which +they make oil. The bees make their combs in the hollow trees, and the +Indians find plenty of honey there, which they use instead of sugar. +They make, what supplies the place of salt, of wood ashes; use for +seasoning, long-pepper, which grows in their gardens; and bay-leaves +supply their want of spice. Their exercises are a kind of +ball-playing, hunting, and running; and they are very fond of dancing. +Their music is a kind of drum, as also hollow cocoa-nut shells. They +have a square in the middle of their towns, in which the warriors sit, +converse, and smoke together; but in rainy weather they meet in the +King's house. They are a very healthy people, and have hardly any +diseases, except those occasioned by the drinking of rum, and the +small pox. Those who do not drink rum are exceedingly long-lived. Old +BRIM emperor of the Creeks, who died but a few years ago, lived to one +hundred and thirty years; and he was neither blind nor bed-rid, till +some months before his death. They have sometimes pleurisies and +fevers, but no chronical distempers. They know of several herbs that +have great virtues in physic, particularly for the cure of venomous +bites and wounds. + +[Footnote 1: That is _the homestead_.] + +The native animals are, first the urus or zoras described by Caesar, +which the English very ignorantly and erroneously call the buffalo. +They have deer, of several kinds, and plenty of roe-bucks and rabbits. +There are bears and wolves, which are small and timorous; and a brown +wild-cat, without spots, which is very improperly called a tiger; +otter, beavers, foxes, and a species of badger which is called +raccoon. There is great abundance of wild fowls, namely, wild-turkey, +partridges, doves of various kinds, wild-geese, ducks, teals, cranes, +herons of many kinds not known in Europe. There are great varieties of +eagles and hawks, and great numbers of small birds, particularly the +rice-bird, which is very like the ortolan. There are rattlesnakes, +but not near so frequent as is generally reported. There are several +species of snakes, some of which are not venomous. There are +crocodiles, porpoises, sturgeon, mullet, cat-fish, bass, drum, +devil-fish; and many species of fresh-water fish that we have not in +Europe; and oysters upon the sea-islands in great abundance. + +What is most troublesome, there, are flies and gnats, which are +very numerous near the rivers; but, as the country is cleared, they +disperse and go away. + +The vegetables are innumerable; for all that grow in Europe, grow +there; and many that cannot stand in our winters thrive there. + + + + +APPENDIX. This portion of the work contains additional notes, original +documents, and notices of some of the distinguished friends of +Oglethorpe. + + + + +APPENDIX + + +No. I + +FAMILY OF OGLETHORPE. + +The following genealogical memoranda are taken principally, from a +note in Nichols's _Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century_, Vol. +II. p. 17, on his having given the title of a book ascribed to the +subject of the foregoing memoir + +"This truly respectable gentleman was the descendant of a family very +anciently situated at Oglethorpe, in the parish of Bramham, in the +West Riding of the County of York; one of whom was actually Reeve +of the County (an office nearly the same with that of the present +high-sheriff) at the time of the Norman Conquest. The ancient seat of +Oglethorpe continued in the family till the Civil Wars, when it was +lost for their loyalty; and several of the same name died at once in +the bed of honor in the defence of monarchy, in a battle near Oxford. + +"William Oglethorpe, (son of William) was born in 1588. He married +Susanna, daughter of Sir William Sutton, Knight and sister to Lord +Lexington. He died in November, 1634 leaving two children, Sulton, +born 1612, and Dorothy (who afterwards married the Marquis of Byron, a +French nobleman,) born 1620. + +"Sutton Oglethorpe, being fined £20,000 by the Parliament, his estates +at Oglethorpe, and elsewhere, were sequestered, and afterwards given +to General Fairfax, who sold them to Robert Benson of Bramham, father +of Lord Bingley of that name. Sutton Oglethorpe had two sons, Sutton, +and Sir Theophilus. Sutton was Stud-master to King Charles II.; and +had three sons, namely, Sutton, Page to King Charles II.; John, Cornet +of the Guards; and Joseph, who died in India. + +"Sir Theophilus was born in 1652; and was bred to arms. He fought, +under the Duke of Monmouth, in the affair at Bothwell bridge, where a +tumultary insurrection of the Scots was suppressed, June 22, 1679. +He commanded a party of horse at Sedgmoor fight, where the Duke was +defeated, July 6, 1685; and was Lieutenant Colonel to the Duke of +York's troop of his Majesty's horse-guards, and Commissioner for +executing the office of Master of the Horse to King Charles II. +He was afterwards first Equerry and Major General of the army of +King James II.; and suffered banishment with his Royal Master." After +his return to his native country he purchased a seat in the County +of Surrey, called "the Westbrook place," near adjoining the town of +Godalming; a beautiful situation, in a fine country. It stands on the +slope of a hill, at the foot of which are meadows watered by the river +Wey. It commands the view of several hills, running in different +directions; their sides laid out in corn fields, interspersed with +hanging woods. Behind it is a small park, well wooded; and one side is +a capacious garden fronting the south-east. + +Sir Theophilus was for several years a member of Parliament for +Haslemere, a small borough in the south-west angle of the county of +Surrey. This place was, afterwards, in the reigns of Anne, George I., +and George II., successively represented by his three sons, Lewis, +Theophilus, and James. He died April 10,1702, as appears by a pedigree +in the collection of the late J.C. Brooke, Esq., though the following +inscription in the parish church of St. James, Westminster, where he +was buried, has a year earlier.--"Hie jacet THEOPHILUS OGLETHORPE, +Eques auratus, ab atavo Vice-comite Eborum, Normanno victore, ducens +originem. Cujus armis ad pontem Bothwelliensem, succubuit Scotus: +necnon Sedgmoriensi palude fusi Rebellos. Qui, per varies casus et +rerum discrimina, magnanimum erga Principem et Patriam fidem, sed non +temerè, sustinuit. Obiit Londini anno 1701, aetat. 50." + +Sir Theophilus married Eleanora Wall, of a respectable family in +Ireland, by whom he had four sons and five daughters; namely, Lewis, +Theophilus, Sutton, and James; Eleanora, Henrietta, Mary, and +Frances-Charlotte. + +I. LEWIS, born February, 1680-1; admitted into Corpus Christi College, +in the University of Oxford, March 16,1698-9. He was Equerry to Queen +Anne, and afterwards Aid-de-camp to the Duke of Marlborough; and, in +1702, member of Parliament for Haslemere. Having been mortally wounded +in the battle of Schellenburgh, on the 24th October, 1704, he died on +the 30th. + +The following inscription to his memory is placed below that of Sir +Theophilus. + +"Hujus claudit latus LUDOVICUS OGLETHORPE, tam paternae virtutis, +quam fortunae, haeres; qui, proelio Schellenbergensi victoria +Hockstatensis preludio tempestivum suis inclinantibus ferens +auxilium vulnere honestissima accepit, et praeclarae spe Indolis +frustrata.--Ob. XXII aetatis, Anno Dom. 1704. + +"Charissimo utriusque marmor hoc, amantissima conjux et mater possuit, +Domina Eleonora Oglethorpe." + +II. THEOPHILUS, born 1682. He was Aid-de-camp to the Duke of Ormond; +and member of Parliament for Haslemere in 1708 and 1710. The time of +his death is not recorded. He must have died young. + +III. ELEONORA, born 1684; married the Marquis de Mezieres on the 5th +of March, 1707-8, and deceased June 28, 1775, aged 91. The son of this +lady was heir to the estate of General Oglethorpe. He is mentioned, in +the correspondence of Mr. Jefferson, as highly meritorious and popular +in France, (1785.) + +IV. ANN [mentioned in Shaftoe's narrative.] + +V. SUTTON, born 1686; and died in November, 1693. + +VI. HENRIETTA, [of whom we have no account.] + +VII. JAMES, [see the next article.] + +VIII. FRANCES-CHARLOTTE ... Married the Marquis de Bellegarde, a +Savoyard.[1] To a son of this union is a letter of General Washington, +dated January 15, 1790, in the 9th volume of Sparks's _Writings of +Washington_, p. 70. + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, Vol. LVII. p. 1123.] + +IX. MARY, who died single. + +The ARMS of the family are thus described: "Argent, a chevron, between +three boar's heads, erased, sable armed, or, lingued proper." + +CREST. "A boar's head, as before, holding an oaken branch, vert, +fructed or." + + +II + +DISCUSSION RESPECTING THE BIRTH-DAY OF OGLETHORPE. + +There are great difficulties in ascertaining the age of Oglethorpe. +The newspapers, soon after his decease, in 1785. and the _Gentleman's_ +and _London Magazine_, contain several articles about it. + +While these inquiries, investigations, and statements were going the +round of all the periodicals of the day, it is unaccountably strange +that the family did not produce the desired rectification, and yet +more surprising that in the inscription on the monument erected to his +memory by his widow, and which was drawn up by her request, she should +not have furnished the writer with the date of his birth, and the +years of age to which he had arrived. + +The _London Gazette_, first announcing his death, stated it _one +hundred and four years_. The _Westminster Magazine_ for July 1785, +(a periodical published in the very neighborhood of the old family +mansion,) in the monthly notice of deaths, has "June 30th, General +Oglethorpe, aged 102. He was the oldest general in England." And I +have a fine engraved portrait of him taken in February preceding his +decease, or which is inscribed "he died 30th of June, 1785, aged 102." +A writer in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for September, 1785 p. 701, +who was one of the first emigrants to Georgia, and personally and +intimately acquainted with the General, declares that "he lived to be +_near a hundred years old_, but was not _one hundred and two_, as has +been asserted." + +In the Biographical Memoir of him in the 8th volume of the _European +Magazine_; in NICHOLS's _Anecdotes of Literature_ and in McCALL's +_History of Georgia_, his birth is said to have been in 1698; and yet +it is asserted by the best authorities, that he bore the military rank +of Ensign in 1710, when, according to their date of his nativity, +he could have been but _twelve years of age_; and this before his +entering College at Oxford. + +Again, some make him Captain Lieutenant in the first troop of the +Queen's Guards in 1714; the same year that others put him to College. +According to such statements, he must on both these military +advancements, have been of an age quite too juvenile for military +service, and more so for military rank. And yet, to account for his +obtaining such early, and, indeed, immature promotion, the writers +suggest that "he withdrew precipitately from the sphere of his +education." But I see no reason for supposing that he left the +University before he had completed the usual term of residence for +obtaining a degree; though he did not obtain that of _Master of Arts_ +till the 31st of July, 1731.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See _Catalogue of Oxford Graduates_.] + +PRIOR, in _The Life of Goldsmith_, page 457, expressly says that +Oglethorpe, "_after being educated at Oxford_, served under Prince +Eugene against the Turks."[1] + +[Footnote 1: About this time he presented a manuscript French +paraphrase of the Bible, in two folio volumes, finely illuminated, to +the library of Corpus Christi College in Oxford. "The gift of James +Oglethorpe, Esq., Member of Parliament." GUTCH's _Appendix to Wood's +History and Antiquities of the Colleges and Halls in the University of +Oxford_.] + +Again, CROKER has a long note upon a passage in Boswell's _Life +of Johnson_, II. p. 173, to invalidate a narative of Oglethorpe's +respecting a writing of Colonel Sir Thomas Prendergast, who was killed +at the battle of Malplaquet, on the 31st of August, 1709, which thus +concludes: "At the battle of Malplaquet, Oglethorpe was _only eleven +years old_. Is it likely that Oglethorpe, at the age of _eleven +years_, was present at Pope's interview with Colonel Cecil? And, even +if he were, what credit is to be given to the recollections, after the +lapse of sixty-three years, of what a boy of _eleven_ heard?"[1] + +[Footnote 1: CROKER means that the time when Oglethorpe told the story +to Dr. Johnson was _sixty-three_ years after the battle of Malplaquet, +when the event referred to took place.] + +In reply to this, I would observe, that it is not even probable, as +this statement would imply, that the interview of Pope with Colonel +Cecil was directly after the battle. There might have been intervening +years. Moreover, Croker goes upon the presumption that the birth of +Oglethorpe was in 1698. Now, to assign his birth to that year would +make him only _eighty-seven years_ old when he died; but Dr. Lettsom, +in "a letter on prisons," in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, Vol. LXXI. p. +21, has this remark: "I spent an evening, which agreeably continued +till two o'clock in the morning, with the late General Oglethorpe, +when this veteran was in the _ninety-sixth_ year of his age; who told +me, that he planted Georgia chiefly from prisons." And Hannah More +writes of being in company with him when he was _much above ninety +years_ of age. He was, therefore, born before 1698. And, finally, +the record of his admission into Corpus Christi College, at Oxford, +decides the matter beyond all controversy; and, by certifying his +age to be _sixteen_, proves that he was born in _sixteen hundred and +eighty-eight_. For the _month_ and _day_, I receive the testimony of +William Stephens, Esq., Secretary for the affairs of the Trustees in +Georgia, in the first volume of his Journal. On Thursday, December, +21st, [1738,] he makes this record. + +"Another heavy rain of all last night, and this whole day's +continuance; which, whatever impediments it might occasion to our +other affairs, was no hindrance to our celebration of _the General's +birth-day_, as had been always the custom hitherto; and in the very +same manner as we did last year, under the discharge of cannon, &c." +And McCall, who has named _December_ 21st, says, "I am indebted to the +Encyclopedia Perthensis, and to the Journal of a private gentleman in +Georgia, where his birth-day was celebrated, for the date which I have +inserted."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _History of Georgia_, Vol. I. p. 321.] + +This assignment will tally with the other dates and their attendant +circumstances; allow time, with becoming propriety, for finishing his +education at the University; and show that he was not so precocious a +soldier as has been represented, but that, instead of the _juvenile_ +age of _eleven_, he entered the army at the _manly_ age of +_twenty-one_. + +_Memorandum_. This attempt to ascertain the exact age of Oglethorpe, +was written in 1837. I have, since then, received the following +letter, dated London, October 2d, 1840. + + My Dear Sir. + In compliance with your request, I. have been, this morning, + to the vestry of St. James, Westminster, where I examined + the record of Oglethorpe's baptism, of which the following is + an exact copy in substance and form. + + Bapt. | June 1689 + 2. | James Oglethorpe of Sir Theophilus and + | his lady Elinor, b. 1. + + I certify that the above is a true extract from the Register + Book of Baptisms belonging to the Parish of St. James, + Westminster. + J.G. GIFFORD, _Preacher and Assistant_. + + Hence it appears that Oglethorpe was born on _the first_ of + June, 1669, and baptized on the _second_. I was assured by + Mr. Gifford that this is the true meaning of the record; and + I observed in the Register Book that other names were recorded + in like manner. There were several other baptisms the + same day, with different days of birth. + Most truly your friend and obedient servant, + JARED SPARKS. + +This will be deemed decisive; though to me not entirely satisfactory. +I think I see cause for questioning the "b.1." not their _import_, but +their _correctness_: occasioned either for family reasons, or that +the date given at the font either was not distinctly heard by the +officiating clergyman, or misremembered at the time when the entry +was made in the Book. Besides, there would seem no occasion for the +presentation so immediately after the birth; for, according to custom, +it is very unusual before _the eighth day_. On the other hand, from +the statement of Nichols, Vol. II. p. 19, that of the children of Sir +Theophilus, "the five eldest were born at St. James London," we may +infer that JAMES, who was the _sixth_ in the order of births in the +family, was born at Godalming. This is proved, also, by Shaftoe's +narrative, which mentions the going down of the mother to London, in +consequence of the sickness and death of one of the nurslings. Now, +though the main statement of that document may not be true, such an +incidental circumstance as this, which has no direct bearing on "the +vexed question," may be admitted. If, therefore, born at Godalming, +he could not be taken to London, for baptism, _on the day after his +birth_. And, admitting that his nativity was on the 21st of December, +the season of the year alone would be sufficient reason for deferring +the public ceremony till after the inclement weather, and the +opportunity favored for having it in the Parish Church, where all the +other children had been baptized. + +After all, the fact that on the _ninth_ of July, _seventeen hundred +and four_, he was _sixteen years_ old, as is testified on the Record +of his admission into College, is incompatible with the date of June +1st, 1689, for the day of his birth, but consistent with that of +December 21st, 1688. + +To adjust all these discrepancies respecting the time of his birth, +and others of the time of his death, one needs the ingenuity of the +Benedictins of St. Maur, who published a 4to volume with this title: +"_L'art de verifier les dates des faits historiques_." + + +III. + + +CHARLES MORDAUNT, _Earl of Peterborough_. This great man died on his +passage to Lisbon, 25th of October, 1735, aged 77. To bravery and +heroism, he added a penetrating genius and a mind highly polished and +well instructed in ancient and modern literature, as his _Familiar +Epistles_, preserved among those of his friend Pope, fully evince. + +Of REV. GEORGE BERKELEY, D.D., the celebrated Dean of Derry, and +afterwards Bishop of Cloyne, I give the following particulars. + +His learning and virtues, his lively and agreeable conversation, +introduced him to the acquaintance, and procured him the esteem and +friendship of many great and learned men, and among others the Earl of +Peterborough, who made him his Chaplain, and took him as a companion +on a tour of Europe in 1714-15. Soon after his return, the Dean +published a proposal for the better supplying of the churches in +the American Plantations with Clergymen, and for instructing and +converting the savages to Christianity, by erecting a College in +Bermuda. The first branch of this design appeared to him in the light +of importance; but his principal view was to train up a competent +number of young Indians, in succession, to be employed as missionaries +among the various tribes of Indians. It appeared to be a matter of +very material consequence, that persons should be employed in this +service who were acquainted with the language necessary to be used; +and he had also a strong persuasion that such missionaries as he +proposed would be much better received by the savages than those of +European extraction. These Indian lads were to be obtained from the +different tribes in the fairest manner, and to be fed, clothed and +instructed at the expense of the Institution. + +The scheme, for some time, met with all the encouragement that was +due to so benevolent a proposal. The King granted a charter; and the +Parliament voted a very considerable sum to be obtained from the +sale of lands in St. Christophers. Such a prospect of success in +the favorite object of his heart, drew from Berkeley some beautiful +verses, "in which," a writer of the day remarks, "another age, +perhaps, will acknowledge the old conjunction of the _prophetic_ +character with that of the _poetic_, to have again taken place." + +In consequence of this encouragement, he resigned his rich Deanry; +and in execution of his noble design, embarked in the latter part of +Autumn, 1728; his lady and her sister accompanying him; and arrived +at Newport, in Rhode Island, in February following. This situation +he pitched upon with a view of settling a correspondence there for +supplying his College. He purchased a country-seat and farm in the +neighborhood, where he resided about two years and a half. His +residence in this country had some influence on the progress of +literature, particularly in Rhode Island and Connecticut. The presence +and conversation of a man so illustrious for talents, learning, +virtue, and social attractions, could not fail of giving a spring +to the literary diligence and ambition of many who enjoyed his +acquaintance. + +Finding, at length, that the promised aid of the ministry towards his +College would fail him, he embarked at Boston in September 1731, on +his return to England. At his departure he distributed the books which +he had brought with him, among the Clergy of Rhode Island. He sent, +as a gift to Yale College, a deed of his farm; and afterwards made a +present to its Library of about a thousand volumes. + +Immediately after his arrival in London, he returned all the +private subscriptions that had been advanced for the support of his +undertaking. + +The fund, which had been calculated upon for his College, had been +chiefly appropriated as a marriage portion of the Princess Ann, on her +nuptials with the Prince of Orange. There remained, however, £10,000, +which General Oglethorpe had interest enough in Parliament to obtain +for the purpose of carrying over and settling foreign and other +Protestants in his new Colony of Georgia in America;[1] "having +first paid Dean Berkeley the compliment of asking his consent to the +application for the money, before he moved for it in Parliament." + +[Footnote 1: See _Journal of the House of Commons_, May 10, 1733.] + +He passed the latter part of his life at Oxford; and deceased January +14th, 1753, aged 74. + +The character of this worthy prelate was expressed in few words by +Bishop Atterbury, who, having heard much of him, wished to see him. +Accordingly, he was one day introduced to him by the Earl of Berkeley. +After some time, Mr. Berkeley quitted the room; on which the Earl said +to the Bishop, "Does my cousin answer your Lordship's expectations?" +The Bishop, lifting up his hands in astonishment, replied, "So +much understanding, so much knowledge, so much innocence, and such +humility, I did not think had been the portion of any but angels, till +I saw this gentleman." + +Mr. Pope sums up Bishop Berkeley's character in one line. After +mentioning some particular virtues that distinguished other Prelates, +he ascribes + + "To Berkeley every virtue under heaven." + +I close these memoirs of the early companion, and congenial and +lasting friend of Oglethorpe, with the verses referred to, written by +him. + +"ON THE PROSPECT OF ARTS AND SCIENCES IN AMERICA." + + The muse, disgusted at an age and time, + Barren of every glorious theme, + In distant lands now waits a better clime, + Producing subjects worthy fame. + + In happy climes, where from the genial sun + And virgin earth such scenes ensue, + The force of art by nature seems outdone, + And fancied beauties by the true: + + In happy climes, the seat of innocence, + Where nature guides and virtue rules; + Where men shall not impose, for truth and sense, + The pedantry of courts and schools: + + There shall be seen another golden age, + The rise of empire and of arts; + The good and great inspiring epic page, + The wisest heads and noblest hearts. + + Not such as Europe breeds in her decay, + Such as she bred when fresh and young, + When heavenly flame did animate her clay, + By future ages shall be sung. + + Westward the course of empire takes its way,-- + The four first acts already past, + A fifth shall close the drama with the day,-- + Time's noblest offspring is the last. + + +IV. + + +REFERENCE TO DEBATES IN THE BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS IN WHICH +OGLETHORPE TOOK A PART. + +[_See History and Proceedings of the House of Commons_.] + +Against the banishment of Francis Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester. +April 6, 1723. + +On ecclesiastical benefices. + +On the preference of a militia to a standing army. Plea in behalf of +the persecuted Protestants in Germany January, 1731-2. + +On the bill for the better securing and encouraging the trade of the +sugar Colonies. January 28, 1732. + +On the petition of Sir Thomas Lombe relating to his silk winding +machine. + +On the petition from the proprietors of the Charitable Corporation, +complaining of the mismanagement of their directors &c. February, +1732. + +On a second reading of the sugar colony bill. + +On the motion for an address of thanks in answer to the King's speech. +January 27, 1734. [His speech fills more than three pages.] + +On the motion in the grand committee on the supply for granting thirty +thousand men for the sea service for the year 1735. February 7th, +1734-5. [This speech fills six pages and a half.] + +Against committing the bill for limiting the number of officers in the +House of Commons. + +On Sir J. Barnard's motion for taking off such taxes as are burdensome +to the poor and the manufacturers. + +Against the act for disabling Alexander Wilson, Esq., from the holding +office, &c. + +On the petition, in 1747, of the United Brethren to have the _Act for +naturalizing foreigners in North America_, extended to them and other +settlers who made a scruple of performing military service. + +On another petition of the United Brethren presented 20th of February, +1749. + +[All the speeches in both Houses of Parliament on each of these +petitions, were printed in the _Universal Magazine_ for the months of +April and May, 1749.] + +He spoke on other occasions, to have indicated which would have +required more research than I could spare. + + +V. + + +PRISON-VISITING COMMITTEE. + +This committee consisted of the following gentlemen: + + James Oglethorpe, Esquire, Chairman, + The Right Honorable the Lord Finch, + The Right Honorable Lord Percival, + Sir Robert Sutton, Knight of the Bath, + Sir Robert Clifton, Knight of the Bath, + Sir Abraham Elton, Baronet, + Sir Gregory Page, Baronet, + Sir Edmund Knatchbull, Baronet, + Vultus Cornwall, Esquire, + General Wade, + Humphry Parsons, Esquire, + Captain Vernon, + Robert Byng, Esquire, + Judge Advocate Hughes. + +On Thursday, the 27th of February, they went to the Fleet prison to +examine into the state of that gaol, in order for the relief of the +insolvent debtors, &c., when the irons were ordered to be taken off +Sir William Rich, Baronet. The next day, the same committee went a +second time to the Fleet prison, where, upon complaint made to them +that Sir William Rich was again put in irons, they made report thereof +to the House of Commons, who thereupon ordered Mr. Bambridge, the +warden of the Fleet, to be taken into the custody of their sergeant at +arms. + +REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE + +"On Thursday, the 20th of March, Mr. Oglethorpe from the committee +appointed to inquire into the state of the gaols of this kingdom, made +a REPORT of some progress they had made, with the RESOLUTIONS of +the committee thereupon, and he read the Report in his place, and +afterwards delivered the same (with two appendixes) in at the table, +where the Report was read, and the resolutions of the committee +being severally read a second time, were agreed to by the House, in +substance as follows, viz.: + +"Resolved, _nemine contradicente_, that Thomas Bambridge, the acting +Warden of the prison at the Fleet, hath wilfully permitted several +debtors to the crown in great sums of money, as well as debtors to +divers of his Majesty's subjects to escape; hath been guilty of the +most notorious breaches of his trust; great extortions, and the +highest crimes and misdemeanors in the execution of his said office; +and hath arbitrarily and unlawfully loaded with irons, put into +dungeons, and destroyed prisoners for debt under his charge, treating +them in the most barbarous and cruel manner, in high violation and +contempt of the laws of this kingdom: + +"Resolved, _nemine contradicente_, that John Higgins, Esq., late +warden of the prison of the Fleet, did during the time of his +wardenship, wilfully permit many in his custody to escape, and was +notoriously guilty of great breaches of his trust, extortions, +cruelties, and many other high crimes and misdemeanors, &c., &c. + +"And that James Barnes, William Pindar, John Everett, and Thomas King +were agents of, and accomplices with the said Thomas Bambridge in the +commission of his said crimes. + +"At the same time, upon a motion made by Mr. Oglethorpe, by direction +of the committee, it was unanimously resolved to address his Majesty +that he would be graciously pleased to direct his Attorney General +forthwith to prosecute, in the most effectual manner, the said Thomas +Bambridge, John Higgins, James Barnes, William Pindar, John Everett, +and Thomas King for their said crimes. + +"It was also ordered that the said Bambridge, Higgins, Barnes, Pindar, +Everett, and King be committed close prisoners in His Majesty's gaol +of Newgate. + +"Then, upon Mr. Oglethorpe's motions, two bills were ordered to be +brought in, one to disable Thomas Bambridge from holding or executing +the office of Warden of the Prison of the Fleet, or to have or +exercise any authority relating therein. The other, for better +regulating the prison of the Fleet, and for more effectually +preventing and punishing arbitrary and illegal practices of the Warden +of the said prison. + +"In the last place the Commons ordered the Report from the Committee +relating to the Fleet prison to be printed." [N.B. The substance of +this report is given in BOYER's _Political State of Europe_, Vol. +XXXVII. p. 359-377.] + +The labors of Oglethorpe and his associates to correct prison abuses, +were warmly acknowledged by their country, and were the grateful theme +of the poet. They were alluded to by THOMSON in the following strain: + + "And here can I forget the generous hand + Who, touched with human woe, redressive searched + Into the horrors of the gloomy jail? + Where misery moans unpitied and unheard, + Where sickness pines, where thirst and hunger burn, + And poor misfortune feels the lash of vice? + + * * * * * + + "Ye sons of mercy! yet resume the search, + Drag forth the legal monsters into light; + Wrench from their hands oppression's iron rod + And bid the cruel feel the pains they give!" + + [_Winter_, l. 359-388.] + +"The wretched condition of confined debtors, and the extortions and +oppressions to which they were subjected by gaolers, thus came to be +known to persons in high stations, and this excited the compassion of +several gentlemen to think of some method of relieving the poor from +that distress in which they were often involved without any fault +of their own, but by some conduct which deserved pity rather than +punishment." + + +VI. + + +RELEASE TO INSOLVENT DEBTORS, FROM PRISON. + +In a very excellent publication entitled "_Reasons for establishing +the Colony of_ GEORGIA, _with regard to the trade of Great Britain, +the increase of our people, and the employment and support it +will afford to great numbers of our own poor, as well as foreign +Protestants_," by BENJAMIN MARTIN, Esq. _Lond_. 1733; are some remarks +in reference to the release of insolvent debtors from gaol, which I +deem it proper to extract and annex here; and the rather, because the +work is exceedingly rare. + +After describing the deplorable condition of those who are in reduced +circumstances, and need assistance and would be glad of employment, +the writer refers to the situation of those who are thrown into +prison for debt, and judges that the number may be estimated at _four +thousand every year_; and that above one third part of the debts is +never recovered hereby; and then adds, "If half of these, or only +five hundred of them, were to be sent to Georgia every year to be +incorporated with those foreign Protestants who are expelled their own +country for religion, what great improvements might not be expected in +our trade, when those, as well as the foreigners, would be so many new +subjects gained by England? For, while they are in prison, they are +absolutely lost,--the public loses their labor, and their knowledge. +If they take the benefit of the Act of Parliament that allows them +liberty on the delivery of their all to their creditors, they come +destitute into the world again. As they have no money and little +credit, they find it almost impossible to, get into business, +especially when our trades are overstocked. They, therefore, by +contracting new debts, must return again into prison, or, how honest +soever their dispositions may be, by idleness and necessity will be +forced into bad courses, such as begging, cheating, or robbing. These, +then, likewise, are useless to the state; not only so, but dangerous. +But these (it will be said) may be serviceable by their labor in +the country. To force them to it, I am afraid, is impracticable; to +suppose they will voluntarily do it, I am sure is unlikely. The Colony +of Georgia will be a proper asylum for these. This will make the act +of parliament of more effect. Here they will have the best motive for +industry; a possession of their own, and no possibility of subsisting +without it. + +"I have heard it said that our prisons are the properest places for +those that are thrown into them, by keeping them from being hurtful to +others. Surely this way of thinking is something too severe. Are these +people, with their liberty to lose our compassion? Are they to be shut +up from our eyes, and excluded also from our hearts? Many of very +honest dispositions fall into decay, nay, perhaps, because they are +so, because they cannot allow themselves that latitude which others +take to be successful. The ways that lead to a man's ruin are various. +Some are undone by overtrading, others by want of trade; many by being +responsible for others. Do all these deserve such hardship? If a man +sees a friend, a brother, a father going to a prison, where felons are +to be his society, want and sickness his sure attendants, and death, +in all likelihood his only, but _quick_ relief; if he stretches out +his hand to save him from immediate slavery and ruin, he runs the risk +of his own liberty, and at last loses it; is there any one who will +say, this man is not an object of compassion? Not so, but of esteem, +and worth preserving for his virtue. But supposing that idleness +and intemperance are the usual cause of his ruin. Are these crimes +adequate to such a punishment as confinement for life? But even yet +granting that these unhappy people deserve no indulgence, it is +certainly imprudent in any state to lose the benefit of the labor of +so many thousands. + +"But the public loss, by throwing men into prison, is not confined to +them only. They have many of them wives and children. These are, +also, involved in their ruin. Being destitute of a support, they must +perish, or else become a burden on their parishes by an inability +to work, or a nuisance by their thefts. These, too, are useless to +society. + +"In short, all those who can work yet are supported in idleness by any +mistaken charity, or are subsisted by their parishes, which are at +this time, through all England overburdened by indolent and lazy poor, +who claim and are designed only for impotent poor;--all those who +add nothing by their labor to the welfare of the state, are useless, +burdensome, or dangerous to it. What is to be done with these +necessitous? Nobody, I suppose, thinks that they should continue +useless. It will be then an act of charity to these, and of merit to +the public, for any one to propose, forward, and perfect a better +expedient for making them useful. If he cannot, it is surely just to +acquiesce, till a better be found, in the present design of settling +them in Georgia." p. 16-21. + + +VII. + + +SIR THOMAS LOMBE'S MILL FOR WINDING SILK + +"In 1719, a silk-throwing mill was erected at Derby, and from that +time to the beginning of the present century, various improvements +were introduced. + +"The following account of the first silk mill erected in England will +be interesting. At the commencement of the last century, a person of +the name of Crochet erected a small mill near the present works, with +the intention of introducing the Italian method of spinning into this +country. About 1715, a similar plan was in the contemplation of a +mechanic and draughtsman named John Lombe, who travelled into Italy +to procure drawings and models of the machines necessary for the +undertaking. After remaining some time in that country, and gaining as +much information as the jealousy and precautions of the merchants of +Italy would allow, he returned with two natives, accustomed to the +manufacture, into this country, and fixed upon Derby as a proper place +to establish his works. He agreed with the corporation for an island, +or rather swamp, in the river, 500 feet long and 52 feet wide, at the +rent of about £8 yearly. Here he established his silk mills, and +in 1718 procured a patent to enable him to secure the profits for +fourteen years. But Lombe did not live much longer; for the Italians, +exasperated at the injury done to their trade by its introduction into +England, sent an artful woman over, who associated with the parties in +the character of a friend, and, having gained over one of the natives +who had originally accompanied Mr. Lombe, administered a poison to +him, of which, it is said, he ultimately died. His death, however, did +not prove fatal to his scheme; for his brother, and afterwards his +cousin, carried on the business with energy, and employed more than +three hundred persons. A little before the expiration of the Patent, +Sir Thomas Lombe petitioned for a renewal of it; but this was refused, +and instead of it, £14,000 was granted him, on condition that he +should allow a complete model of the works to be taken; this was +accordingly done, and afterwards deposited in the town for public +inspection. + +"This extensive mill stands upon a huge pile of oak, double planked +and covered with stone-work, on which are turned thirteen stone +arches, which sustain the walls. + +"The spinning mills are eight in number, and give motion to upwards +of 25,000 reel bobbins, and nearly 3000 star wheels belonging to the +reels. Each of the four twist mills contains four rounds of spindles, +about 389 of which are connected with each mill, as well as the +numerous reels, bobbins, star wheels, &c. The whole of this elaborate +machine, though distributed through so many apartments, is put in +motion by a single water-wheel twenty-three feet in diameter, situated +on the west side of the building." + +[_Treatise on the Manufactures and Machinery of Great Britain_, by P. +BARLOW, Esq., F.R.S., &c., in the _Encyclopedia Metropol_. Part VI. +"Mixed Sciences."] + +"Sir Thomas Lombe, Alderman of Bassishaw Ward, died, at his house in +Old Jury, London, on the third of January 1739, aged 81. A gentleman +of great integrity and honor. He was the senior Alderman, next the +chair. Worth £120,000 sterling." + + +VIII. + + +CASE OF CAPTAIN PORTEOUS. + +There is an account of the riot, and of all the particulars attending +the murder of Captain Porteous, at the close of the 9th volume of the +_History of the Proceedings of the House of Commons_, from page 506 +to 545; and a concise narrative in the _History of England_, by Lord +MAHON, Vol. II. p. 285-298. He introduces it by the following remarks: +"Some years back, the real events might have excited interest; but the +wand of an enchanter is now waved over us. We feel the spell of the +greatest writer that the world has seen in one department, or Scotland +produced in any. How dull and lifeless will not the true facts appear +when no longer embellished by the touching sorrows of Effie, or the +heroic virtue of Jeanie Deans!" He refers, in a note, to chapter +VI. of _The Heart of Mid Lothian_, by Sir WALTER SCOTT, and to "his +excellent narrative" in the 2d series of the _Tales of a Grandfather_, +from p. 231 to 242, the end of the volume. See also the able speech of +Mr. LINDSAY, in the _Parliamentary History_, p. 254. + +It is worthy of remark that the Bill was carried in Committee by the +least possible majority. One hundred and thirty-one members voted for +reporting the Bill as amended; the same number voted against it. And, +though it is customary for the Chairman to give his vote on the side +of mercy, he voted in favor of the Bill. It is further remarkable, +that two Scots members, the Solicitor General, and Mr. Erskine of +Grange, were then attending an appeal in the House of Lords, and were +refused leave of absence in order to be at this discussion, otherwise +the Bill would have been entirely lost. + + +IX. + + +About the end of the month of August, 1732, Sir Gilbert Heathcote +acquainted the court of directors of the Bank of England, that his +Majesty had granted a charter for establishing a regular colony in +Georgia; that the fund was to arise from charitable contributions +which he recommended to them, shewing the great charity of +the undertaking and the future benefit arising to England, by +strengthening all the American Colonies, by increasing the trade and +navigation of the kingdom, and by raising of raw silk, for which +upwards of £500,000 a year was paid to Piedmont, and thereby giving +employment to thousands of tradesmen and working people. Then Sir +Gilbert gave a handsome benefaction to the design, and his example +was followed by the directors then present, and a great many others +belonging to that opulent society; and James Vernon, Robert Hucks, and +George Heathcote, Esquires, paid into the Bank (the treasury for this +use) £200 each for the charity, which was conducted by the following +gentlemen as trustees: + + Anthony Earl of Shaftesbury, Francis Eyles, Esq. + John Lord Viscount Purceval, John Laroche, Esq. + John Lord Viscount Tyrconnel, James Vernon, Esq. + James Lord Viscount Limerick, Stephen Hales, A.M. + George Lord Carpenter, Richard Chandler, Esq. + Edward Digby, Esq. Thomas Frederick, Esq. + James Oglethorpe, Esq. Henry L'Apostre, Esq. + George Heathcote, Esq. William Heathcote, Esq. + Thomas Towers, Esq. John White, Esq. + Robert Moore, Esq. Robert Kendal, Esq. + Robert Hucks, Esq. Richard Bundy, D.D. + William Sloper, Esq. + +Collections were made all over England, and large sums raised, and the +Parliament gave £10,000, which enabled the trustees to entertain +many poor people that offered, and to make provision for their +transportation and maintenance till they could provide for themselves. + +[OLDMIXON, I. p.526. + + "Those who direct this charity have, by their own choice, + in the most open and disinterested manner, made it impossible + for any one among them to receive any advantage from + it, besides the consciousness of making others happy. Voluntary + and unpaid directors carry on their designs with honor + and success. Such an association of men of leisure and fortune + to do good, is the glory and praise of our country."] + +[_Sermon before the trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia_, +by THOMAS RUNDLE, D.D., _Bishop of Londonderry, Ireland_. Lond. 1734, +page 16.] + + +X. + + +OGLETHORPE'S DISINTERESTEDNESS IN THE UNDERTAKING. + +As Oglethorpe's going along with this new Colony proceeded merely +from his public spirit, and from a disinterested and generous view of +contributing all that was in his power, towards the benefit of his +country, and the relief of his distressed countrymen, it met with just +and deserved applause. In one of the public prints of the day the +following encomium was inserted. + +"Whether it is owing to an affectation of being thought conversant +with the ancients, or the narrowness of our minds, I know not, but we +often pass over those actions in our contemporaries which would strike +us with admiration in a Greek or a Roman. Their histories perhaps +cannot produce a greater instance of public spirit than what appeared +in an evening paper of Saturday, the 18th instant, that 'James +Oglethorpe, Esq., one of the Trustees for establishing the Colony of +Georgia, is gone over with the first embarkation at his own expense.' +To see a gentleman of his rank and fortune visiting a distant and +uncultivated land, with no other society but the miserable whom he +goes to assist; exposing himself freely to the same hardships to which +they are subjected, in the prime of life, instead of pursuing his +pleasures or ambition; on an improved and well concerted plan, from +which his country must reap the profits; at his own expense, and +without a view, or even a possibility of receiving any private +advantage from it; this too, after having done and expended for it +what many generous men would think sufficient to have done;--to see +this, I say, must give every one who has approved and contributed to +the undertaking, the highest satisfaction; must convince the world of +the disinterested zeal with which the settlement is to be made, and +entitle him to the truest honor he can gain, the perpetual love and +applause of mankind. + +"With how just an esteem do we look back on Sir Walter Raleigh for the +expeditions which he made so beneficial to his country! And shall we +refuse the same justice to the living which we pay to the dead, when +by it we can raise a proper emulation in men of capacity, and divert +them from those idle or selfish pursuits in which they are too +generally engaged? How amiable is humanity when accompanied with so +much industry! What an honor is such a man! How happy must he be! The +benevolent man, says Epicurus, is like a river, which, if it had a +rational soul, must have the highest delight to see so many corn +fields and pastures flourish and smile, as it were, with plenty and +verdure, and all by the overflowing of its bounty and diffusion of its +streams upon them. + +"I should not have written so much of this Gentleman, had he been +present to read it. I hope to see every man as warm in praising him +as I am, and as hearty to encourage the design he is promoting as I +really think it deserves; a design that sets charity on a right foot, +by relieving the indigent and unfortunate, and making them useful at +the same time."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Transcribed into the _Political State of Great Britain_, +for February, 1733, Vol. XLV. p.181.] + + +XI. + + +On the 13th of January, 1732-3, the Governor of South Carolina +published in their Gazette the following advertisement. + +Whereas I have lately received a power from the Trustees for +establishing a Colony in that part of Carolina between the rivers +Alatamaha and Savannah, now granted by his Majesty's Charter to the +said Trustees, by the name of the Province of Georgia, authorizing me +to take and receive all such voluntary contributions as any of his +Majesty's good subjects of this Province shall voluntarily contribute +towards so good and charitable a work, as the relieving poor and +insolvent debtors, and settling, establishing, and assisting any poor +Protestants of what nation soever, as shall be willing to settle in +the said Colony; and whereas the said intended settlement will, in +all human appearance, be a great strengthening and security to this +Province, as well as a charitable and pious work, and worthy to be +encouraged and promoted by all pious and good Christians; I have, +therefore, thought fit to publish and make known to all such pious and +well disposed persons as are willing to promote so good a work, that +I have ordered and directed Mr. Jesse Badenhop to receive all such +subscriptions or sums of money as shall be by them subscribed or paid +in for the uses and purposes aforesaid; which sums of money (be they +great or small,) I promise them shall be faithfully remitted to the +Trustees by the aforesaid charter appointed, together with the names +of the subscribers, which will by them be published every year; or, +(if they desire their names to be kept secret) the names of the +persons by whom they make the said subscriptions. + +The piety and charity of so good an undertaking, I hope will be a +sufficient inducement to every person to contribute something to +a work so acceptable to God, as well as so advantageous to this +Province. + +R. JOHNSON. + + +_A Copy of the Letter of the Governor and Council of South Carolina, +to Mr. Oglethorpe_. + +Sir--We cannot omit the first opportunity of congratulating you on +your safe arrival in this province, wishing you all imaginable success +in your charitable and generous undertaking; in which we beg leave to +assure you that any assistance we can give shall not be wanting in the +promotion of the same. + +The General Assembly having come to the Resolutions inclosed, we hope +you will accept it as an instance of our sincere intentions to forward +so good a work; and of our attachment to a person who has at all times +so generously used his endeavors to relieve the poor, and deliver them +out of their distress; in which you have hitherto been so successful, +that we are persuaded this undertaking cannot fail under your prudent +conduct, which we most heartily wish for. + +The rangers and scout-boats are ordered to attend you as soon as +possible. + +Colonel Bull, a gentleman of this Board, and who we esteem most +capable to assist you in the settling of your new Colony, is desired +to deliver you this, and to accompany you, and render you the best +services he is capable of; and is one whose integrity you may very +much depend on. + +We are, with the greatest respect and esteem, Sir, your most obedient +humble servants. + + ROBERT JOHNSON, + THOMAS BROUGHTON, + AL. MIDDLETON, + A. SKEENE, + FRA. YOUNGE, + JAMES KINLOCK, + JOHN FENWICKE, + THOMAS WARING, + J. HAMMERTON. + +_Council Chamber_, 26 January, 1733. + + +_Copy of the Assembly's Resolutions_. + +The Committee of his Majesty's Honorable Council appointed to confer +with a Committee of the lower House on his Excellency's message +relating to the arrival of the Honorable James Oglethorpe, Esq., +report-- + +That agreeable to his Majesty's instructions to his Excellency, sent +down together with the said message, we are unanimously of opinion +that all due countenance and encouragement ought to be given to the +settling of the Colony of Georgia. + +And for that end your Committee apprehend it necessary that his +Excellency be desired to give orders and directions that Captain +McPherson, together with fifteen of the rangers, do forthwith repair +to the new settlement of Georgia, to cover and protect Mr. Oglethorpe, +and those under his care, from any insult that may be offered them +by the Indians, and that they continue and abide there till the new +settlers have enforted themselves, and for such further time as his +Excellency may think necessary. + +That the Lieutenant and four men of the Apalachicola Garrison be +ordered to march to the fort on Cambahee, to join those of the rangers +that remain; and that the Commissary be ordered to find them with +provision as usual. + +That his Excellency will please to give directions that the scout-boat +at Port Royal do attend the new settlers as often as his Excellency +shall see occasion. + +That a present be given Mr. Oglethorpe for the new settlers of Georgia +forthwith, of an hundred head of breeding cattle and five bulls, as +also twenty breeding sows and four boars, with twenty barrels of good +and merchantable rice; the whole to be delivered at the charge of the +public, at such place in Georgia as Mr. Oglethorpe shall appoint. + +That periauguas be provided at the charge of the public to attend Mr. +Oglethorpe at Port Royal, in order to carry the new settlers, arrived +in the ship Anne, to Georgia, with their effects, and the artillery +and ammunition now on board. + +That Colonel Bull be desired to go to Georgia with the Honorable James +Oglethorpe, Esq., to aid him with his best advice and assistance in +settling the place. + + +_Extract of a Letter from His Excellency Robert Johnson, Esq., +Governor of South Carolina, to Benjamin Martyn, Esq., Secretary to the +Trustees, &c_. + +CHARLESTOWN, Feb. 12, 1733. + +Sir--I have received the favor of yours, dated the 20th of October, +and the duplicate of the 24th. I beg you will assure the Honorable +Trustees of my humble respects, and that I will attach myself to +render them and their laudable undertaking all the service in my +power. + +Mr. Oglethorpe arrived here with his people in good health the 13th of +January. I ordered him a pilot, and in ten hours he proceeded to Port +Royal, where he arrived safe the 19th, and I understand from thence, +that, after refreshing his people a little in our barracks, he, with +all expedition, proceeded to Yamacraw, upon Savannah River, about +twelve miles from the sea, where he designs to fix those he has +brought with him. + +I do assure you, that upon the first news I had of this embarkation, +I was not wanting in giving the necessary orders for their reception; +and, being assisted at Port Royal, (although they were here almost as +soon as we heard of their design of coming,) not knowing whether Mr. +Oglethorpe designed directly there, or would touch here. + +I am informed he is mighty well satisfied with his reception there, +and likes the country; and that he says things succeed beyond his +expectation; but I have not yet received a letter from him since his +being at Port Royal. + +Our General Assembly meeting three days after his departure, I moved +to them their assisting this generous undertaking. Both Houses +immediately came to the following resolution; that Mr. Oglethorpe +should be furnished at the public expense, with one hundred and four +breeding cattle, twenty-five hogs, and twenty barrels of good rice; +that boats should also be provided at the public charge to transport +the people, provisions and goods, from Port Royal to the place where +he designed to settle; that the scout-boats, and fifteen of our +rangers, (who are horsemen, and always kept in pay to discover the +motions of the Indians,) should attend to Mr. Oglethorpe, and obey his +commands, in order to protect the new settlers from any insults, which +I think there is no danger of; and I have given the necessary advice +and instructions to our out garrisons, and the Indians in friendship +with us, that they may befriend and assist them. + +I have likewise prevailed on Colonel Bull, a member of the Council, +and a gentleman of great probity and experience in the affairs of this +Province, the nature of land, and the method of settling, and who +is well acquainted with the manner of the Indians, to attend Mr. +Oglethorpe to Georgia with our compliments, and to offer him advice +and assistance; and, had not our Assembly been sitting, I would have +gone myself. + +I received the Trustees commission; for the honor of which I beg you +will thank them. I heartily wish all imaginable success to this good +work; and am, Sir, + +Your most humble Servant, + +ROBERT JOHNSON. + +P.S. Since writing the above, I have had the pleasure of hearing from +Mr. Oglethorpe, who gives me an account that his undertaking goes on +very successfully. + + +XII. + + +Creeks, so called by the English, because their country lies chiefly +among rivers, which the American English call "creeks;" but the real +name is Musogees. Their language is the softest and most copious of +all the Indians, and is looked upon to be the radical language; for +they can make themselves understood by almost all the other Indians on +the Continent. They are divided into three people, Upper, Lower, and +Middle Creeks. The two former governed by their respective chiefs, +whom they honor with a royal denomination; yet they are, in the most +material part of their government, subordinate to the Chief of the +latter, who bears an imperial title. Their country lies between +Spanish Florida and the Cherokee mountains, and from the Atlantic +Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. They are a tall, well-limbed people, very +brave in war, and as much respected in the South, as the Iroquois are +in the North part of America. + +[_History of the British Settlements in North America_, Lond. 1773, +4to, p. 156. ADAIR, 257. BARTON's Views, &c., Introduction XLIV. and +Appendix 9.] + + +XIII. + + +ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS IN GEORGIA, BEING PART OF A LETTER FROM +OGLETHORPE, DATED 9TH JUNE, 1733. + +There seems to be a door opened to our Colony towards the conversion +of the Indians. I have had many conversations with their chief men, +the whole tenor of which shews that there is nothing wanting to their +conversion but one who understands their language well, to explain +to them the _mysteries_ of religion; for, as to the _moral_ part of +Christianity, they understand it, and do assent to it. They abhor +_adultery_, and do not approve of _a plurality of wives_. _Theft_ is +a thing not known among the Creek Indians; though frequent, and even +honorable among the Uchees. _Murder_ they look on as a most abominable +crime: but do not esteem the killing of an _enemy_, or one that has +injured them, murder. The passion of _revenge_, which they call +_honor_, and _drunkenness_, which they learn from our traders, seem to +be the two greatest obstacles to their being truly Christians: but, +upon both these points they hear reason; and with respect to drinking +_rum_, I have weaned those near me a good deal from it. As for +_revenge_, they say, as they have no executive power of justice +amongst them, they are forced to kill the man who has injured them, +in order to prevent others doing the like; but they do not think any +injury, except _adultery_, or _murder_, deserves revenge. They hold +that if a man commits adultery, the injured husband is obliged to have +revenge, by cutting off the ears of the adulterer, which, if he is too +strong or sturdy to submit to, then the injured husband kills him the +first opportunity he has to do it with safety. In cases of murder, the +next in blood is obliged to kill the murderer, or else he is looked +on as infamous in the nation where he lives; and the weakness of the +executive power is such, that there is no other way of punishment but +by the revenger of blood, as the Scripture calls it; for there is no +coercive power in any of their nations; their kings can do no more +than to persuade. All the power they have is no more than to call +their old men and captains together, and to propound to them the +measures they think proper; and, after they have done speaking, all +the others have liberty to give their opinions also; and they reason +together with great temper and modesty, till they have brought each +other into some unanimous resolution. Then they call in the young men, +and recommend to them the putting in execution the resolution, with +their strongest and most lively eloquence. And, indeed, they seem to +me, both in action and expression, to be thorough masters of true +eloquence. In speaking to their young men, they generally address the +passions. In speaking to the old men, they apply to reason only. [He +then states the interview with the Creeks, and gives the first set +speech of Tomo Chichi, which has been quoted.] One of the Indians of +the Cherokee nation, being come down, the Governor told him that "he +need fear nothing, but might speak freely," answered smartly, "I +always speak freely, what should I fear? I am now among friends, and I +never feared even among my enemies." Another instance of their short +manner of speaking was when I ordered one of the Carolina boatmen, who +was drunk and had beaten an Indian, to be tied to a gun till he was +sober, in order to be whipped. Tomo Chichi came to me to beg me to +pardon him, which I refused to do unless the Indian who had been +beaten should also desire the pardon for him. Tomo Chichi desired him +to do so, but he insisted upon satisfaction. Tomo Chichi said, "O +Fonseka," (for that was his name,) "this Englishman, being drunk, has +beat you; if he is whipped for so doing, the Englishmen will expect +that, if an Indian should insult them when drunk, the Indian should be +whipped for it. When you are drunk, you are quarrelsome, and you know +you love to be drunk, but you don't love to be whipped." Fonseka +was convinced, and begged me to pardon the man; which, as soon as I +granted, Tomo Chichi and Fonseka ran and untied him, which I perceived +was done to show that he owed his safety to their intercession. + + +XIV. + + +DUKE OF ARGYLE A PATRON OF OGLETHORPE. + +"From his boyhood Oglethorpe uniformly enjoyed the friendship and +confidence of his gallant and eloquent countryman, John Duke of +Argyle; who, in an animated speech in Parliament, bore splendid +testimony to his military talents, his natural generosity, his +contempt of danger, and his devotion to the public weal."[1] + +[Footnote 1: VERPLANK's _Discourse before the New York Historical +Society_, p. 33.] + +This favorable opinion, acquired in military campaigns, where his +soldierly accomplishments and personal bravery had attracted the +notice and won the admiration of the commanding officers, was +preserved in after scenes, and confirmed by the principles which they +both maintained, and the measures they alike pursued in Parliament. + +The Duke also early devoted himself to a military life, and served +under the great Marlborough. He distinguished himself at the battles +of Ramilies, of Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, and assisted at the siege +of Lisle and of Ghent. Such services were honorably rewarded by the +King, who made him Knight of the Garter in 1710, and the following +year sent him ambassador to Charles III. of Spain, with the command +of the English forces in that kingdom. His support of the union with +Scotland, rendered him for awhile unpopular with his countrymen, +but his merits were acknowledged by all parties. George I. on his +accession, restored him to the command of Scotland, of which he had +before been capriciously deprived; and, in 1715, he bravely attacked +Lord Mar's army at Dumblane, and obliged the Pretender to retire from +the kingdom. In 1718 he was made Duke of Greenwich. He died in 1743, +and was buried in Westminster Abbey, where a handsome monument records +his virtues. + +The following couplet by pope immortalizes his fame. + + "Argyle, the state's whole thunder born to wield, + And shake alike the senate and the field." + +He had the honor, also, to be celebrated in very high terms by +THOMSON; + + --"full on thee, ARGYLE, + Her hope, her stay, her darling and her boast, + From her first patriots and her heroes sprung, + Thy fond imploring country turns her eye; + In thee, with all a mother's triumph, sees + Her every virtue, every grace, combined, + Her genius, wisdom, her engaging turn, + Her pride of honor, and her courage tried, + Calm and intrepid, in the very throat + Of sulphurous war, on Tenier's dreadful field. + Nor less the palm of peace inwreathes thy brow; + For, powerful as thy sword, from thy rich tongue + Persuasion flows, and wins the high debate; + While, mix'd in thee, combine the charm of youth, + The force of manhood, and the depth of age." + + [_Autumn_, 1. 926-941.] + + +XV. + + +HISTORICAL REFERENCES TO THE SETTLEMENT OF THE SALTZBURGERS IN +GEORGIA. + +_Nachricht von dem establishment derer Salzburgischen emigranten zu +Ebenezer, en der Provinz Georgien in Nord-America_, &c. Von P.G.F. +VON RECK. Halle 1774. From this, and a subsequent Journal of the same +author, was published a very interesting little work, by the direction +of _the Society for promoting Christian knowledge_, entitled "_An +extract of the Journals of Mr. Commissary_ VON RECK, _who conducted +the first transport of Saltzburgers to Georgia; and of the Reverend +Mr_. BOLZIUS, _one of their Ministers_." London, 1734. 12mo. + +A circumstantial account of the settlement and of the affairs of these +emigrants is given in a work which bears this title, "_Ausfürliche +Nacrichten von den Salzburgischen Emigranten, die sich in America +niedergelassen haben, worinnen die Riesediaria des konige. +Grossbritannischen Commissarii und der beyden Salzburgischen Prediger, +wie auch eine Beschreibung von Georgien enthalten. Heraus gegeben von_ +SAMUEL URLSPERGER." _Halle_, 1735-52. This journal of the proceedings +of the Saltzburg emigrants, who formed the settlement of Ebenezer +in Georgia, was continued from year to year, from 1734 to 1760; in +several parts, which, bound up, make five thick quarto volumes. In +Professor Ebeling's copy, now in the library of Harvard College, is +the continuation, in _manuscript_, [perhaps the original,] and which +was never printed, by JOHN MARTIN BOLZIUS, dated January, 1765. There +is, also, a separate work, entitled _Americanisches Ackerwerck Gottes, +von_ SAMUEL URLSPERGER. Augs. 1745-1760. 4to. 4 vol. + +A most interesting account of the persecution is to be found in +two thin quarto volumes by J.M. TEUBENER, entitled _Historie derer +Emigranten oder Vertriebenen Lutheraner aus dem Ertz-Bissthum +Saltzburg_. 2 vols. 4to. _Leipz_. 1732. + +"About twenty-five thousand persons, a tenth part of the population, +migrated on this occasion. Their property was sold for them, under the +King of Prussia's protection; some injustice, and considerable loss +must needs have been suffered by such a sale, and the chancellor, by +whom this strong measure was carried into effect, is accused of +having enriched himself by the transaction. Seventeen thousand of the +emigrants settled in the Prussian states. Their march will long be +remembered in Germany. The Catholic magistrates at Augsburgh shut the +gates against them, but the Protestants in the city prevailed, and +lodged them in their houses. The Count of Stolberg Warnegerode gave a +dinner to about nine hundred in his palace; they were also liberally +entertained and relieved by the Duke of Brunswick. At Leipsic the +clergy met them at the gates, and entered with them in procession, +singing one of Luther's hymns; the magistrates quartered them upon the +inhabitants, and a collection was made for them in the church, several +merchants subscribing liberally. The university of Wittenberg went out +to meet them, with the Rector at their head, and collections were +made from house to house. 'We thought it an honor,' says one of the +Professors, 'to receive our poor guests in that city where Luther +first preached the doctrines for which they were obliged to abandon +their native homes.' These demonstrations of the popular feeling +render it more than probable that if a religious war had then been +allowed to begin in Saltzburg, it would have spread throughout all +Germany. + +"Thirty-three thousand pounds were raised in London for the relief of +the Saltzburgers. Many of them settled in Georgia,--colonists of the +best description. They called their settlement Ebenezer. Whitfield, in +1738, was wonderfully pleased with their order and industry. 'Their +lands,' he says, 'are improved surprisingly for the time they have +been there, and I believe they have far the best crop of any in the +colony. They are blest with two such pious ministers as I have +not often seen. They have no courts of judicature, but all little +differences are immediately and implicitly decided by their ministers, +whom they look upon and love as their fathers. They have likewise an +orphan house, in which are seventeen children and one widow, and I +was much delighted to see the regularity wherewith it is managed.'" + +SOUTHEY'S _Life of Wesley_, Vol. I. p. 98, note. + + +XVI. + + +With reference to these persecuted exiles, are the following lines of +Thomson. + + "Lo! swarming southward on rejoicing suns + New colonies extend'. the calm retreat + Of undeserved distress, the better home + Of those whom bigots chase from foreign lands; + Such as of late an Oglethorpe has formed, + And crowding round, the pleased Savannah sees." + [Liberty, _Part V_.] + +I give, also, an extract from the _London Journal_ of the day. + +"As the Trustees for settling Georgia are giving all proper +encouragement for the Saltzburg emigrants to go over and settle there, +some of the managers for those poor people have sent over to the +Trustees from Holland, a curious medal or device, enchased on silver, +representing the emigration of the poor Saltzburgers from their native +country, which opens like a box, and in the inside contains a map of +their country, divided into seventeen districts, with seventeen little +pieces of historical painting, representing the seventeen persecutions +of the primitive Christians; the whole being folded up in a very small +compass, and is a most ingenious piece of workmanship." + + +XVII. + + +SETTLEMENT OF THE MORAVIANS IN GEORGIA. + +"In consequence of the oppression which they suffered in Bohemia, the +United Brethren, or, as they are more commonly called, the Moravians, +resolved to emigrate to the new Colony of Georgia in America, whither +the Saltzburgers had recently gone. With this purpose they applied +to Count Zinzendorf, their spiritual guide, for his concurrence and +assistance. Accordingly, he made interest with the Trustees on their +behalf, which, being favorably received, and a free passage offered, a +small company of them set out from Herrnfurt in November, 1734. They +proceeded to London, where they found Mr. Spangenberg, who had +nearly concluded every thing relative to their embarkation, with the +Trustees, and to their accommodation and settlement, with General +Oglethorpe. A number of Saltzburgers were also about to emigrate; and +three zealous ministers of the Church of England, Mr. John Wesley, +together with his brother Charles, and Mr. Benjamin Ingham, went with +them in the same ship. + +"They arrived at Savannah in the spring of 1735; and, in the following +summer received a considerable increase of brethren, conducted by +David Nitchmann, senior. + +"The Saltzburgers went further up the river, and selected a place +of settlement, which they called Ebenezer, but the Brethren began +immediately their settlement near to Savannah; and God so blessed +their industry, that they were not only soon in a capacity of +maintaining themselves, but, also, of being serviceable to their +neighbors. Having had assistance in the erection of a school-house for +the children of the Indians, Tomo Tschatschi, their King, came to see +it, and was glad that they might have a place where, as he expressed +it, _they could hear the good word_. Consequently the Colony of +the Brethren presented a fair prospect, both with respect to the +settlement itself, and the instruction and conversion of the Heathen. +But, being among the rest summoned to take up arms in defence of the +country, and to march against the Spaniards, they refused it, as being +no freeholders, and, of consequence, not obliged to it according to +the laws of the Colony; nay, before coming over, they had expressly +stated that they were not willing to perform any military service. +Count Zinzendorf, on his visit to London, in January, 1737, took +occasion to become acquainted with General Oglethorpe and the Trustees +of Georgia, with whom he entered into a conference relative to the +situation of the Moravian Brethren there. He remonstrated against +their being called on to enlist as soldiers; and the Trustees readily +exempted them from such a liability. But as this exemption embittered +the minds of the people against them, some of the Brethren in 1738 +left all their flourishing plantations, having repaid all the money +which had been advanced towards their passage and settlement, and went +to Pennsylvania. The rest were left undisturbed for awhile; but in +1739, when the troubles of war broke out afresh, being again molested +on account of military service, they followed their brethren in the +spring of 1740, and afterwards began the colonies of Bethlehem and +Nazareth." CRANZ'S _History of the United Brethren_, p. 193, 213 and +229. + + +XVIII. + + +SCOUT-BOAT. + +1. This was a strong built ten-oared boat, bearing three swivel guns, +kept for exploring the river passages, visiting the islands, and for +preventing the incursions of enemies, and repelling the predatory +attempts of runaway slaves who sometimes lurked round and infested the +coast. The crew was composed of bold and hardy South Carolinians, who +lie out in the woods or in the open boat, for months together. Most of +them are good hunters and fishers; and by killing deer and other game, +subsist themselves, when the packed stores fail. + +2. "_Channels_," as they are called, are water courses between the +main-land and the islands; in some places above a mile wide, in +others, not above two hundred yards. These sometimes open into what +are called "_sounds_," which are gulfs of the sea, that extend into +the land and entrances of rivers. + + +XIX. + + +The Uchee Indians had a village not far from Ebenezer, at the time of +the settlement of Georgia; but their principal town was at _Chota_, on +the western branch of the _Chattahoochee_, or, as it was more properly +spelt, _Chota-Uchee_ river. How long they had resided there we do not +know. As their language is a dialect of the Shawanees, it has been +supposed that they were descendants from that tribe. A jealousy +existed between them and the Muscogees; but they were in amity with +the Creeks, though they would not mix with them. How numerous they +were at the time of their treaty with Oglethorpe, cannot now be +ascertained. + +In 1773 they lived on a beautiful plain of great extent, in a compact +village. They had houses made of timbers framed together, lathed and +plastered over with a kind of red clay, which gave them the appearance +of having been built of brick. At that time they numbered 1500, of +whom 300 were warriors. For many years they have not joined the Creeks +in any of their games or dances; and have only been kept from open +hostility with other tribes, by the influence of the white people. + +[For this note I am indebted to my friend SAMUEL G. DRAKE; whose +_Biography and History of the Indians of North America_ comprises much +that can be known of the aborigines.] + + +XX. + + +OF THE MUTINY IN THE CAMP, AND ATTEMPT AT ASSASSINATION. + +From the journal of William Stephens, Esq. (Vol. II. pp. 76, 90, 473, +480, 499, and 505; and Vol. III. 4, 5, 27, and 32,) I collect the +following particulars. One of the persons implicated in the insidious +plot, was William Shannon, a Roman Catholic. "He was one of the new +listed men in England, which the General brought over with him. By his +seditious behavior he merited to be shot or hanged at Spithead before +they left it, and afterwards, for the like practices at St. Simons. +Upon searching him there, he was found to have belonged to Berwick's +regiment, and had a furlough from it in his pocket." Instead of +suffering death for his treasonable conduct, in the last instance, +he was whipped and drummed out of the regiment. "Hence he rambled up +among the Indian nations, with an intent to make his way to some of +the French settlements; but being discovered by the General when he +made his progress to those parts, in the year 1739, and it being +ascertained that he had been endeavoring to persuade the Indians into +the interest of the French, he fled, but was afterwards taken and +sent down to Savannah, and committed to prison there as a dangerous +fellow." On the 14th of August, 1740, he and a Spaniard, named Joseph +Anthony Mazzique, who professed to be a travelling doctor, but had +been imprisoned upon strong presumption of being a spy, broke out of +prison and fled. On the 18th of September, they murdered two persons +at Fort Argyle, and rifled the fort. They were taken on the beginning +of October at the Uchee town, and brought back to Savannah, tried and +found guilty, condemned and executed on the 11th of November, having +previously confessed their crime. + +Since my account of _the traitorous plot_ was written, as also of the +_attempt at assassination_, I have received from my friend Dr. W.B. +STEVENS, of Savannah, the following extracts from letters of +General Oglethorpe. As they state some particulars explanatory and +supplementary of the narrative which I had given, I place them here. +And this I do the rather because DR. HEWATT, (Vol. II. p. 70,) as also +Major McCALL, (Vol. I. p. 124,) in the same words, and some others, +incorporate the _treachery_ at St. Simons, and the _assault_ at St. +Andrews into a connected narrative, as one occurrence; whereas it +is very evident that the circumstances detailed were distinct; one +originating among the troops which sailed in the Hector and Blandford, +in July 1738, from England, and the other in the two companies drawn +from the garrison at Gibraltar, which came in the Whittaker in the +preceding month of May. + +In reference to the first, General Oglethorpe thus wrote in a letter +to the trustees, dated, "on board the Blandford at Plymouth, July 3d, +1738." + +"We have discovered that one of our soldiers has been in the Spanish +service, and that he hath stroved to seduce several men to desert with +him to them, on their arrival in Georgia. He designed also to murder +the officers, or such persons as could have money, and carry off the +plunder. Two of the gang have confessed, and accused him; but we +cannot discover the rest. The fellow has plenty of money, and he said +he was to have sixty or a hundred crowns, according to the number of +men he carried. He is yet very obstinate, refusing to give any account +of his correspondents. We shall not try him till we come to Georgia, +because we hope we shall make more discoveries." + +"They left Plymouth on the 5th of July, and arrived about the 16th of +September, at Frederica." + +On the 8th of October, 1738, occurs the following passage in a letter +from Frederica, to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle. + +"We have discovered some men who listed themselves as spies. We took +upon one of them his furlough from Berwick's regiment in the Irish +troops. They strove to persuade some of our men to betray a post to +the Spaniards; who, instead of complying, discovered their intentions. +I have ordered a general Court Martial, for the trying of them, who +have not yet made their report. One of them owns himself a Roman +Catholic, and denies the King having any authority over him." + +"I conceive," says Dr. Stevens, "that these two letters refer to one +and the same thing, viz.: that there were _spies_, which came over +with the troops who arrived in September; that they designed to betray +the English posts; that they were to murder the officers; and defeat +the object for which the regiment was sent to Georgia. But this plot +was crushed by the fact of its being discovered, the ring-leaders +seized, and a Court Martial ordered." + +Writing again to the Duke of Newcastle from Frederica, November 20, +1738, Oglethorpe says,--"Those soldiers who came from Gibraltar, have +mutinied. The King gave them provisions and pay at Gibraltar. He gave +them but six months provision here; after which they were to live upon +their pay. On the expiration of their provisions, they demanded a +continuance of them, and not being able to comply with their demands, +they took to arms. One of them fired upon me. After a short skirmish +we got the better of them. One of the officers was slightly, and one +of the mutineers dangerously wounded, and five are secured prisoners, +to be tried by a Court Martial. We have strong reason to suspect +that our neighbors have tampered with these men. Many of them speak +Spanish, and some of their boats,[1] under various pretences, came up +hither before my arrival." + +[Footnote 1: He refers here to boats from St. Augustine.] + +Upon this Dr. Stevens remarks--"In this case the cause of mutiny had +no reference to the Spaniards. While in Gibraltar the troops had +received provisions in addition to their pay. These were continued six +months after their arrival in America; but when these were withdrawn, +and nothing but their bare pay left, they became dissatisfied; +demanded additional supplies; and, on refusal by General Oglethorpe, +took to their arms. Here was a simple cause _originating among +themselves_; in the other affair, the soldiers who created the +difficulty were acting as _agents of a foreign power_; the bribed and +acknowledged traitors to their own country. In the one case it was the +sudden outbreaking of discontent, owing to the retrenchment of their +wages; in the other, it was a premeditated and well-concerted plan, +framed by Spanish emissaries on the other side of the water, to be +executed on this." + +Referring to the remark of General Oglethorpe at the close of the last +letter, as also to some suggestions in the letter of mine, to which +the foregoing was the reply, Dr. Stevens adds--"That the Spaniards +tampered with the English, and endeavored to seduce them from their +allegiance, is not to be doubted; because it was of the utmost +importance to them to create divisions in the regiment; but the one to +whom Hewatt refers, as having been 'in the Spanish service, and had so +much of a Roman Catholic spirit,' is doubtless the same spoken of by +Oglethorpe in July, upon whom a Court Martial sat in September; and +who could not, therefore, have been connected with the mutiny at Fort +St. Andrews, in November." + + +XXI. + + +FURTHER PARTICULARS OF TOMO CHICHI. + +In the preceding pages are several references to Tomo Chichi, which +show how strongly he became attached to Oglethorpe; how liberal he was +in the grant of territory; how considerate in furnishing to the new +settlers venison, wild turkeys, and other articles, as opportunity +offered, and the occasion made particularly acceptable; how +serviceable he was in procuring such interviews with the Chiefs of the +Upper and Lower Creeks as led to amicable treaties; and how ready to +assist, not only with his own little tribe, but by his influence with +others, in the contests with the Spaniards. Some other notices of him, +which bring out his excellent character more prominently, but could +not be inserted in the body of this work, I have deemed to be +sufficiently interesting to be inserted here. + +"There were no Indians near the Georgians, before the arrival of +Oglethorpe, except Tomo Chichi, and a small tribe of about thirty or +forty men who accompanied him. They were partly Lower Creeks, and +partly Yamasees, who had disobliged their countrymen, and, for fear of +falling sacrifices to their resentment, had wandered in the woods +till about the year 1731, when they begged leave of the Government +of Carolina to sit down at Yamacraw, on the south side of Savannah +river."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Report of the Committee of the South Carolina Assembly, +on the Indian trade, 4to, 1736, p. 11.] + +"Tomo Chichi had in his youth been a great warrior. He had an +excellent judgment, and a very ready wit, which showed itself in his +answers upon all occasions. He was very generous in giving away all +the rich presents he received, remaining himself in a willing poverty, +being more pleased in giving to others, than possessing himself; and +he was very mild and good natured."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1740, Vol. X. p. 129.] + +"While Oglethorpe was at Charlestown, in June 1733, an Indian shot +himself in the vicinity. His uncle, (who was a war-king,) and his +friends, finding him dead, and fancying that he had been murdered +by the English, declared that they would be revenged on them. Tomo +Chichi, being informed of the uproar, came to the place and strove to +quiet the Indians, saying that he was persuaded it could not be the +English who had killed him; and therefore desired that they would +inquire better into the matter. But the uncle, continuing in a great +rage, Tomo Chichi bared his breast and said to him, 'If you will kill +any body, kill me; for I am an Englishman.' So he pacified them; and, +upon the thorough examination of the matter, it was found that for +some days he had been in despair, and desired several different +Indians to shoot him; and an Indian boy saw him kill himself in the +following manner; he put the muzzle of his gun under his chin, and +with his great toe pushed the trigger."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _New England Weekly Journal for August_ 23, 1733.] + +The visit of Tomo Chichi to England was greeted in some beautiful +poetry, of which the following stanza is an extract: + + "What stranger this? and from what region far? + This wonderous form, majestic to behold? + Unclothed, yet armed offensive for the war, + In hoary age, and wise experience old? + His limbs inured to hardiness and toil, + His strong large limbs, what mighty sinews brace! + Whilst truth sincere and artless virtue smile + In the expressive features of his face. + His bold, free aspect speaks the inward mind, + Awed by no slavish fear, by no vile passion blind." + +Major McCALL, after giving an account of the visit of the Indians to +England, makes this declaration: "Tomo Chichi acknowledged that the +Governor of the world, or _Great Spirit_, had given the English great +wisdom, power, and riches, so that they wanted nothing. He had given +the Indians great extent of territories, yet they wanted every thing. +Therefore he exerted his influence in prevailing on the Creeks to +resign such lands to the English as were of no use to themselves, and +to allow them to settle amongst them; that they might be supplied with +useful articles for cultivation, and necessaries of life. He told them +that the English were a generous nation, and would trade with them on +the most honorable and advantageous terms; that they were brethren and +friends, and would protect them against danger, and go with them to +war against their enemies." Vol. I. p. 46. + +Mr. WESLEY, in his Journal, writes July 1st, 1736: "The Indians had an +audience, and another on Saturday, when Chicali, their head man, dined +with Mr. Oglethorpe. After dinner I asked the grey-headed old man, +'What he thought he was made for?' He said, 'He that is above knows +what he made us for. We know nothing. We are in the dark. But white +men know much. And yet white men build great houses, as if they were +to live forever. In a little time white men will be dust as well as +I.' I told him, 'if red men will learn the good book, they may know as +much as white men. But neither we nor you can know that book, unless +we are taught by Him that is above; and he will not teach you unless +you avoid what you already know is not good.' He answered, 'I believe +that; He will not teach us while our hearts are not white [pure]; and +our men do what they know is not good. Therefore he that is above does +not send us the good book.'" + +About TOMO CHICHI, the following is given in SPENCE'S _Anecdotes_, p. +318. (Ed. Lond. 1820.) + +"When General Oglethorpe was conversing with a sensible old native of +Georgia about prayer, the latter said that 'they never prayed to God, +but left it to him to do what he thought to be best for them; that the +asking for any particular blessing, looked to him like directing God; +and if so, must be a very wicked thing. That, for his part, he thought +every thing that happened in the world was as it should be; that God, +of himself, would do for every one what was consistent with the good +of the whole; and that our duty to him was to be content with whatever +happened in general, and thankful for all the good that happened to us +in particular.'" + +The speech of Tomo Chichi, on presenting _the feather of an Eagle_ to +Oglethorpe, is very expressive in his own laconic explication. By a +little paraphrase it may be understood to import: "The Eagle has a +sharp beak for his enemies, but down on his breast for his friend. He +has strong wings, for he is aspiring; but they give shelter to feeble +ones, for he is naturally propitious." + +"TOMO CHICHI died on the 5th of October, 1739, at his own town, four +miles from Savannah, of a lingering illness, being aged about 97. He +was sensible to the last minutes; and when he was persuaded his death +was near, he showed the greatest magnanimity and sedateness, and +exhorted his people never to forget the favors he had received from +the King when in England, but to persevere in their friendship +with the English. He expressed the greatest tenderness for General +Oglethorpe, and seemed to have no concern at dying, but its being at a +time when his life might be useful against the Spaniards. He desired +that his body might be buried among the English, in the town of +Savannah, since it was he that had prevailed with the Creek Indians +to give the land, and had assisted in the founding of the town. +The corpse was brought down by water. The General, attended by the +Magistrates and people of the town, met it upon the water's edge. The +corpse was carried into the Percival square. The pall was supported by +the General, Colonel Stephens, Colonel Montaigute, Mr. Carteret, +Mr. Lemon, and Mr. Maxwell. It was followed by the Indians, and +Magistrates, and people of the town. There was the respect paid of +firing minute guns from the battery all the time of the procession; +and funeral firing by the militia, who were under arms. The General +has ordered a pyramid of stone which is dug in this neighborhood, to +be erected over the grave, which being in the centre of the town, will +be a great ornament to it, as well as testimony of gratitude."[1] + +[Footnote 1: _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1740, Vol. X. p. 129, and _London +Magazine_, 1758, Vol. LVII. p. 24. The account of the death and +funeral of Tomo Chichi, much like the above, is given in the Journal +of W. STEPHENS, who was present. Vol. II. p. 153.] + +As a frontispiece to one of the volumes of URLSPERGER'S _Journal +of the Saltzburg Emigrants_, is an engraving of _Tomo Chichi and +Toonahowi_, which bears the inscription, "TOMO CHICHI, _Mico_, and +TOONAHOWI, the son of his brother, the Mice, or king of Etichitas; +engraved in Augsburg after the London original, by John Jacob +Kleinshmidt." + +In 1738, a dramatic entertainment in three acts, entitled Timbo +Chiqui, was published by John Cleland. [NICHOLS'S _Literary +Anecdotes_, Vol. II. p. 459.] + +TOONAHOWI was killed, valiantly fighting for the English against the +Yamasee Indians, at Lake di Pupa, in 1743. + + +XXII. + + +MANIFESTO BY GENERAL OGLETHORPE. + +_Charlestown, April_ 1, 1740. + +Whereas upon mature deliberation it is resolved to defend these +Provinces by invading the Province of Florida, and attacking St. +Augustine, in order to remove the enemy that from thence may molest +his Majesty's subjects in America, which enemy both have and do +continue to foment and countenance the slaves to rebellion, burning +houses, murders, and other cruelties, of which the circumstances of +the late massacre in this Province is too sad a proof; and whereas the +General Assembly of this Province hath ordered forces to be raised, so +that an army composed of various troops and Indians are to assist in +invading the Spanish dominions of Florida; I, therefore, to prevent +any disorders that may arise in the said army by virtue of powers +received from his Majesty authorizing and empowering me, (for the +better government of the forces during their continuance under my +command,) to prepare and publish such rules and ordinances as are fit +to be observed by all officers and soldiers: in regard, therefore, to +the regiment of foot raised in South Carolina, I do constitute and +appoint that Alexander Vanderdussen, Esq., Colonel of the said +regiment, paid by the government of South Carolina, shall hold +regimental courts martial for the trials of such offences as shall be +committed by the officers and soldiers of that regiment; and that the +said court martial shall consist of the officers of that regiment +only; and that the Colonel of the said regiment shall sit as President +of the said regimental courts martial, and make a report to me, and +that according to the judgment of the said Courts I shall cause +sentence to be pronounced, in case I approve of the same, or otherwise +suspend the same as I shall see cause. And I do further declare that +this authority shall continue for the space of four months from the +commencement of the said expedition, and no longer; and that after the +expiration of the said four months, or other sooner determination of +the said expedition, every officer and soldier, whether volunteers +from, or in the pay of the government of Carolina, shall have free +liberty to depart and return to their habitations, and that a free +pass (if by them required,) shall be respectively granted unto them, +against being impressed, impeded, enlisted, or detained, by any +authority, civil or military, whatsoever, that may be exercised by or +derived from me. + +And I do further declare that if the officers of his Majesty's ships +of war shall land men to assist the land forces, one full moiety of +all the plunder that shall be taken in such service, shall go to the +officers and men in his Majesty's said sea-service, whose ships are +assisting in the said expedition; and that all plunder taken and +accruing to the officers and men in the land service shall be divided +among the officers and men of the land service, in the same manner and +proportion as prizes are distributed among the officers and men in +his Majesty's sea-service, according to the laws and rules of his +Majesty's navy. + +And I do further declare that whatever share of plunder shall come to +me as General and commander of the said forces, I will apply the same +totally towards the relief of such men as may happen to be maimed or +wounded in the said expedition, and towards assisting the widows and +children of any of the said forces that may happen to be killed in +the said service; and for the rewarding of such as shall perform any +distinguished brave action. + +No Indian enemy is to be taken as a slave, for all Spanish and +Indian prisoners do belong to his Majesty, and are to be treated as +prisoners, and not as slaves. + +JAMES OGLETHORPE. + + +XXIII. + + +COLONEL PALMER. + +"As no final agreement with respect to the limits of the two provinces +had been concluded, the Indians in alliance with Spain continued to +harass the British settlements. Scalping parties of the Yamasees +frequently penetrated into Carolina; killed white men, and carried +off every negro they could find. Though the owners of slaves had been +allowed from the Spanish government a compensation in money for their +losses, yet few of them ever received it. At length Colonel Palmer +resolved to make reprisals upon the plunderers. For this purpose he +gathered together a party of militia and friendly Indians, consisting +of about three hundred men, and entered Florida with a resolution of +spreading desolation throughout the province. He carried his arms as +far as the gates of St. Augustine, and compelled the inhabitants to +take refuge in their castle. Scarce a house or hut in the Colony +escaped the flames. He destroyed their provisions in the fields; drove +off their hogs, cattle, and horses; and left the Floridians little +property, except what was protected by the guns of their fort. By this +expedition he demonstrated to the Spaniards their weakness; and that +the Carolinians, whenever they pleased, could prevent the cultivation +and settlement of their Province so as to render the improvement of +it impracticable on any other than peaceable terms with their +neighbors."[1] + +[Footnote 1: HEWATT'S _History of South Carolina_, Vol. I. p. 314, and +Dr. RAMSAY'S _History of South Carolina_, Vol. I. p. 137; where it is +quoted, word for word, without acknowledgment.] + + +XXIV. + + +AN ACCOUNT OF THE SIEGE OF ST. AUGUSTINE, IN A LETTER FROM ON BOARD +THE HECTOR. + +"May 30th, [1740] we arrived near St. Augustine. June 1st we were +joined by the Flamborough, Captain Pearse; the Phoenix, Captain +Fanshaw; the Tartar, Captain Townshend; and the Squirrel, Capt. +Warren, of twenty guns each; besides the Spence Sloop, Captain Laws, +and the Wolf, Captain Dandridge. On the 2d Colonel Vanderdussen, with +three hundred Carolina soldiers, appeared to the north of the town. On +the 9th General Oglethorpe came by sea with three hundred soldiers and +three hundred Indians from Georgia: on the which they were carried on +shore in the men-of-war's boats, under the cover of the small ships' +guns. They landed on the Island Eustatia, without opposition, and took +the look-out. The 13th Captain Warren, in a schooner and other armed +sloops and pettiauguas anchored in their harbor, just out of cannon +shot, until the 26th, when the sailors were employed in landing +ordnance and other stores, within reach of the enemy's cannon. On +which occasion they discovered a surprising spirit and intrepidity. +The same night two batteries were raised; but too far off. The 27th +the General summoned the Governor to surrender; who sent word he +should be glad to shake hands with him in his castle. This haughty +answer was occasioned by a dear-bought victory which five hundred +Spaniards had obtained over eighty Highlanders, fifty of whom were +slain; but died like heroes, killing thrice their number. The 29th, +bad weather, obliged the men-of-war to put to sea, out of which but +one man had been killed. Hereupon the siege was raised." + + +_Letter from General Oglethorpe to Rev. J.M. Bolzius_. + +REVEREND SIR, + +Though God has not been pleased to prosper us with the success of +taking St. Augustine, yet we are to thank him for the safe return of +the greatest part of our men, and that the pride of our enemy has been +curbed. + +Those men who came from Ebenezer, and that were in the Carolina +regiment, I have ordered to be sent up to you again. + +I recommend myself to your prayers, + +and am, Reverend Sir, + +Your most obedient humble servant, + +JAMES OGLETHORPE. + +_Frederica_, 5 _August_, 1740. + + +_From the Gentleman's Magazine, for November_, 1740. + +A letter in the Daily Post of the 26th, dated from Charlestown, South +Carolina, having laid the ill success at Fort St. Augustine on the ill +conduct of ----, some particulars of which are: 1st, that the cattle +taken at a cow-pen of one Diego, twenty-five miles from the town, May +12, were not distributed to the soldiery; 2d, that the people might +have entered the town without opposition, but were not suffered; 3d, +that the men were needlessly harassed; 4th, that Colonel Palmer, who +was sent to Negro Fort, two miles from the town, with one hundred and +thirty-three men to alarm the Spaniards was not supported by ----, who +staid six or seven miles off; 5th, that Colonel Palmer being attacked +by five hundred Spaniards, shot three of them after they had entered +the fort; 6th, that Captain Warren was the life and spirit of the +cause; 7th, that the Volunteers, seeing no prospect of succeeding +under such mad conduct, as they called it, daily went off,--the +following answer was published. + +"Upon seeing a letter misrepresenting, in the most false and malicious +manner, the late expedition against St. Augustine; aiming thereby to +defame the character of a gentleman, whose unwearied endeavors for the +public service, have greatly impaired his health; and as I, who am a +Captain in General Oglethorpe's regiment, was present, and acted +upon that occasion as Brigadier Major, and must know the whole +transactions, I think it my duty to take notice of it. + +"As to the cow-pen it speaks of, it is a square Fort, with four +carriage guns and four swivel guns, and had a garrison in it of +forty-seven soldiers of the regular troops, and seven negroes, who +were all made prisoners of war. The cattle found there, and in parts +adjacent, were distributed to the King's troops and the Carolina +regiment. + +"In respect to the Carolina people being ready to enter the town of +Augustine without opposition; it is entirely false, and without the +least foundation. + +"In regard to Colonel Palmer's misfortune, who was killed in the first +fire from the Spaniards; he brought it upon himself by disobeying +the orders he received, which positively enjoined his keeping in the +woods, and avoiding action, and by acting contrary to the advice of +the officers under his command, some of whom were present when he +received his orders, and lodging himself in the Negro Fort Moosa, +where they were surrounded and defeated; the gates of which fort, and +the house within it, the General had before burnt. + +"With respect to the Carolina Volunteers; that they did go away is +certain, without leave given, or asked, and their Captain with them. A +Captain of the Carolina regiment also left his command in the guard of +the trenches, without being relieved, or asking any leave, and went +with them. After such behavior, what credit can be given to such men, +though termed persons of note? + +"As to Captain Warren, whose name is mentioned to endeavor to throw an +odium elsewhere; I am convinced by the personal acquaintance I have +with him, that he will upon all occasions, do his duty in the service +of his King and country; as also Captain Law and Captain Townshend, +that were ashore with him. + +"The morning after we landed upon the Island of Anastatia, I stood by +while Captain Warren read to General Oglethorpe a letter to Captain +Pearse, then Commodore, acquainting him of our landing without any +loss, and the Spaniards withdrawing from that Island, on which Captain +Warren said, all that was now necessary to secure the reduction of the +place, was the taking of the Spanish galleys, which undertaking he +would himself head with the King's boats under the cannon of the fort, +if he would give him leave. Several councils of war were held on +board his Majesty's ships by the sea captains, but Captain Warren's +proposition was not undertaken. + +"Lest malicious people should suggest that I might be sent to England +by General Oglethorpe on this occasion, I solemnly declare, that I +came at my own desire by his leave, and had no instructions from him, +directly or indirectly, concerning this affair; but my regard to +truth, and abhorrence of all false and malicious reports whatsoever, +have induced me to publish this, to which I set my name. HUGH +MACKLEY." + +_Johnson's Court, Charing Cross, Nov_. 29, 1740. + + +XXV. + +SPANISH INVASION. + + +For details of the Spanish invasion in 1742, I refer to the +_Gentleman's Magazine_, Vol. XII. pages 494, 496, 550, and 661; and +would here remark that Patrick Sutherland, Lieutenant of General +Oglethorpe's regiment, was sent express to England to give an +account of the war, and was furnished with a minute Journal of the +occurrences; but, being taken by a Spanish privateer, he threw his +papers into the sea. A circumstantial relation, however, having been +sent by another conveyance to the Trustees, was attested and confirmed +by Lieutenant Sutherland on his arrival in London; and was published +in the _London Gazette_ of December 25th, and thence transferred into +the _Gentleman's Magazine_, for 1742, p. 693, and was afterwards +repeated in the _London Magazine_ for 1758, p. 79. There is also +in HARRIS'S _Collection of Voyages_, Vol. II. p. 324-347, a very +particular account of the Spanish invasion, which is introduced by +the following remarks: "As to the manner in which they executed it at +last; and the amazing disappointment they met with, notwithstanding +the vast force they employed, and the smallness of that by which they +were assisted, we had so full, so clear, and so authentic an account +published by authority, that I know of no method more fit to convey an +idea of it, or less liable to any exceptions than transcribing it." Of +this I have freely availed myself, and have distinguished the direct +quotations by inverted commas, but without repeating the references in +marginal notes. + +This account is concluded with the following remarks: "I must observe, +before I conclude this chapter, that if there be any thing in it which +ought in a particular manner to claim the attention of the public, it +is, in a great measure, due to the lights afforded by the Honorable +James Oglethorpe, from whom, if the author has caught any part of that +generous spirit which inclines a man to bend all his thoughts and turn +all his labors to the service of his country, it is but just that he +should acknowledge it; and this he is the more ready to do, because, +if there be any merit in his performance, capable of making it known +to and esteemed by posterity, he would willingly consecrate it as a +mark of his esteem and gratitude for the many informations he has +received, and the right turn that has been given to his inquiries, by +that knowing and worthy person, who is equally happy in rendering the +greatest personal services himself to the community, and in infusing +the like disposition in others, both by his example and conversation." + +Some extracts are also inserted in my narrative from _an account of +the Invasion of Georgia, taken from the Diary of the Preachers at +Ebenezer_. [URLSPERGER, Vol. IV. p. 1252.] This is principally derived +from intelligence by despatches to Savannah, and contains three +letters from Oglethorpe. Just as my manuscript was going to the press, +I was favored by my obliging friend, Dr. Stevens, of Savannah, with +a copy of General Oglethorpe's despatch to the Duke of Newcastle; in +season, however, to profit by it. + + +XXVI. + + +COPY OF AN ORDER FOR A THANKSGIVING TO BE HELD TO THE PRAISE OF GOD, +THAT HE HAS PUT AN END TO THE SPANISH INVASION.[1] + +[Footnote 1: From the German translation of the Reverend Mr. Bolzius.] + +Almighty god has at all times displayed his power and mercy in the +wonderful and gracious delivery of his Church; and in the protection +of pious and godly rulers and people, who have acknowledged and served +him, against the ungodly conspiracies and violent practices of all +their enemies. He has by the interposition of his Providence rescued +us from the assaults of the Spaniards. They came out against us with +fourteen sail of light galleys, into Cumberland sound, but fear came +upon them, and they fled at his rebuke. Again they came with a mighty +fleet of thirty-six ships and vessels, into Jekyl sound, and after +a sharp contest became masters of the fort, since we had but four +vessels to oppose their whole force; but He was there the shield of +our people; for, in the unequal conflict in which we held out bravely +for four hours, not one of our men was killed, although many of theirs +were, and five by a single shot. They landed with four thousand +five hundred men upon this island, according to the account of the +prisoners we took, yea even of the Englishmen who escaped from +them. The first party marched through the woods towards this town, +(Frederica) when, before a small number of our people, they were +dispersed, and fled. Another party which supported that, fought also, +but was discomfited. We may say surely the hand of God was raised for +our defence, for in the two skirmishes more than five hundred fled +before fifty; though the enemy fought vigorously a long time, and, +especially, fired their grenades with great spirit; but their shooting +did little hurt, so that not one of us was killed; but they were +thrown into great confusion, and pursued with so great loss, that +according to the account of the Spaniards since made prisoners, more +than two hundred returned not to their camp again. They advanced with +their galleys against our fortress, but were disappointed and withdrew +without discharging a shot. After this, fear came upon them, and they +fled, leaving behind them some cannon, and many other things which +they had taken on shore. Next, with twenty-eight sail they attacked +Fort William, in which there were only fifty men, and after a contest +of three hours, they desisted, and left the Province. + +And so wonderfully were we protected and preserved, that in this great +and formidable conflict but few of our men were taken, and but three +killed. Truly the Lord hath done great things for us, by rescuing us +from the power of a numerous foe, who boasted that they would conquer +and dispossess us. Not our strength or might hath saved us; our +salvation is of the Lord. Therefore it is highly becoming us to render +thanks to God our deliverer. For this purpose, and in regard to these +considerations, I hereby appoint that the twenty-fifth day of this +month should be held as a day of public THANKSGIVING to Almighty God +for his great deliverance, and the end that is put to this Spanish +invasion. And I enjoin that every one observe this festival in a +christian and godly manner; abstaining from intemperance and excess, +and from all extravagant signs of rejoicing. + +Given under my own hand and seal this twenty-first day of July, at +Frederica in Georgia, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven +hundred and forty-two. + +JAMES OGLETHORPE. + +[Under the date of September, the Rev. Mr. Bolzius makes this entry in +his diary--"Mr. Jones told me lately, that the people and soldiers at +Frederica, on the day when the Thanksgiving was held, observed such a +stillness and good order as he had never seen there. There was also a +very pertinent and devout ascription of praise read, which he (and +Mr. Jones is a good judge of edifying things,) pronounce to be very +excellent; and, moreover, he maintained that it must have been +prepared and composed by General Oglethorpe himself, for there was +neither preacher nor school-master at Frederica at that time."[1]] + +[Footnote 1: URLSPERGER, IV. p. 1261.] + + +XXVII. + + +A LIST OF THE SPANISH FORCES EMPLOYED IN THE INVASION OF GEORGIA, +UNDER THE COMMAND OF DON MANUEL DE MONTEANO. + + One Regiment of dismounted Dragoons, 400 + Havana Regiment, 500 + Havana Militia, 1000 + Regiment of Artillery, 400 + Florida Militia, 400 + Batalion of Mulattoes, 300 + Black Regiment, 400 + Indians, 90 + Marines, 600 + Seamen, 1000 + ---- + Total 5090 + +General Oglethorpe's command consisted of, + + His Regiment, 472 + Company of Rangers, 30 + Highlanders, 50 + Armed Militia, 40 + Indians, 60 + ---- + Total 652 + +Ensign Stewart's command at Fort William, on the south end of +Cumberland Island, consisted of sixty men. Fort William was about +fifty miles south-west from Frederica. + + +XXVIII. + + +A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SILK CULTURE IN GEORGIA, + +BY WILLIAM B. STEVENS, M.D. + +One of the principal designs which influenced the settlement of +Georgia, was the hope of thereby creating a silk-growing province, +where that material for which England had so long been indebted +to France, Italy and China, could be produced in this colonial +dependency. + +As early as 1609, the subject engaged the attention of the adventurers +to Virginia, and in a pamphlet, called "Nova Brittannia offering most +excellent fruites by planting in Virginia," published that year, the +writer says "there are silkeworms, and plenty of mulberie-trees, +whereby ladies, gentlewomen and little children (being set in the way +to do it) may bee all imploied with pleasure, making silke comparable +to that of Persia, Turkey, or any other." In 1650, Mr. Samuel Hartlib +published a work entitled "Virginia Discovery of Silk Wormes, with +their Benefits," in which he endeavored to show that the raising of +silk was a thing very practicable in Virginia, and even asserted that +as a staple, it might be made superior to tobacco, in which opinion he +was confirmed by the judgment of several others. That they made some +advances in this culture, is evident from the fact that the Coronation +robe of Charles II., in 1660, was made of silk reeled in that colony, +and even so late as 1730, three hundred pounds of the raw material +were exported from Virginia. Tobacco, however, soon assumed and +maintained the ascendancy, to the exclusion of this more useful and +beautiful produce. + +In 1703, Sir Nathaniel Johnson introduced the silk culture into South +Carolina, but the astonishing success which rewarded the casual +introduction of rice into the plantation about eight years before, +precluded a just interest in the undertaking, and as a public and +recognized commodity it soon came to naught, though several persons, +more for amusement than profit, still gave their attention to it; and +as late as 1755, Mrs. Pinckney, the same lady to whom the province was +indebted for the first cultivation of indigo ten years before, reeled +sufficient silk in the vicinity of Charleston to make three dresses, +one of which was presented to the Princess Dowager of Wales, another +to Lord Chesterfield, and the third, says Ramsay, who narrates the +circumstance, "is now (1809) in Charleston in the possession of her +daughter, Mrs. Horrey, and is remarkable for its beauty, firmness and +strength." + +But notwithstanding these failures and the known difficulty of +introducing a new branch of agriculture into a country, as was +evidenced by the compulsion which was necessary by Henry IV. +to introduce it into France, against the united voices of the +merchants-traders, and even in opposition to the Duke of Sully, and +also the indifference manifested in England, notwithstanding the able +proclamation of King James on the subject, commanding its cultivation; +the Trustees for the settlement of Georgia determined to make one more +effort, which, if successful, would enrich both the province and the +mother country. The views which they entertained, however, of making +Georgia supplant every silk-growing country, were extravagant and +erroneous; they expected, in fact, to supply all Europe, and to +produce an article of equal strength, beauty and value, with any made +on the Continent. The Piedmontese, thought they, who pay half of their +silk for the rent of the mulberry trees and the eggs of the worm, or +the peasants of France, burdened with political difficulty and stinted +for conveniences, could not cope with the settlers of Georgia, where +the mulberry (morus alba) trees would grow in the greatest luxuriance, +where timber for their fabrics was no expense, where room was abundant +and the reward sure. By this transfer, in addition to a direct saving +to England of over 500,000_l_. which she paid for this article to +foreign countries, twenty thousand people were to find employment in +rearing it in Georgia, and as many more at home in preparing it for +market. + +Among the first emigrants who sailed with Oglethorpe from England in +November 1732, was Mr. Amatis, from Piedmont, who was engaged by the +Trustees to introduce the art of silk-winding into the colony, and who +for that purpose brought with him several Italians and some adequate +machinery. White mulberry trees were planted in a portion of land on +the eastern border of the city, called the Trustees' garden; eggs were +hatched, and silk spun "as fine as any from France or Italy." They +soon, however, came to a mutual rupture, and the whole process was for +a time suspended by the treachery of those employed, who broke the +machinery, spoiled the seed, destroyed the trees, and then escaped to +Carolina. Sufficient, however, had been wrought to test its value, +and they were not discouraged by this inauspicious commencement. The +Trustees still adhered to their design, and the more effectually to +advance it, required of every settler that there should be on his +grant, ten mulberry trees to each acre. + +Mr. Camuse and his wife, both Italians, were now entrusted with this +business, in which they were continued six years; the two first at a +salary of 60_l_. per annum, and the four last at 100_l_. besides the +rent of a dwelling house and garden. + +In June 1734, General Oglethorpe carried eight pounds of raw silk, the +first produced in Georgia, to England, which was followed by a small +trunk full of the same article, on the 2d of April, 1735, and after +being made into orgazine, by the engine of Sir Thomas Lombe, at Derby, +who said that it "proved exceedingly good through all the operations," +was sent up to London on the 13th of August, 1735, when the Trustees, +together with Sir Thomas Lombe, waited on her majesty Queen Caroline +and exhibited to her the elegant specimen of Georgia silk. The queen +selected a portion of this parcel to be wove into a pattern, and being +again waited on by these gentlemen and Mr. Booth, the silk weaver, on +the 21st of September, she expressed "a great satisfaction for the +beauty and fineness of the silk, the richness of the pattern, and +at seeing so early a product from that colony;" and to express her +pleasure at such a favorable result, a complete court-dress was made +from it, and on His Majesty's next birth-day, she appeared at the +levee in a full robe of Georgia silk. + +On the return of Oglethorpe, in 1735, he renewed his endeavors to +bring it into active operation. For the purpose of obtaining a +sufficient quantity of seed, he allowed no silk to be reeled that +year, but let the worms deposit their eggs. He required, also, that +the Italian women should teach a number of the colonists, and thus +render general the knowledge they could impart. The Saltzburgers at +Ebenezer were the most forward to adopt his views, and in March 28, +1736, Rev. Mr. Bolzius gave one tree to each inhabitant as a present +from Oglethorpe, and two of his congregation were instructed in the +art of reeling, by Mrs. Camuse. But though Oglethorpe gave Mr. Bolzius +trees, silk worms, and a book of instructions, yet he confesses that +he felt no interest in the business, nor inclination to pursue it. + +In July, 1739, Mr. Samuel Augspourger carried over a parcel of raw +silk which he received from Mr. Jones, the Trustees' store-keeper in +Savannah, and which was declared by eminent judges to be "equal to any +Italian silk, and worth full twenty shillings per pound." + +On May 11, 1741, Mr. Bolzius in his journal states that twenty girls, +during the last two months, succeeded in making seventeen pounds of +cocoons which were sold on Friday last at Savannah for 3_l_. 8_s_. +During this year, General Oglethorpe advanced to Bolzius 5_l_. for +procuring trees, for which sum he obtained twelve hundred, and +distributed twenty-two to each family in his parish. + +On May 1, 1742, fourteen pounds and fourteen ounces were sold, which +brought 2_l_. 19_s_. 6_d_. Nearly half of the silkworms died at +Savannah, owing, as was then supposed, either to poisoned dew or warm +weather. + +December 4, 1742, General Oglethorpe sent five hundred trees to +Ebenezer, with the promise of more if required. The indifference of +the good Mr. Bolzius had by this time passed away, and he was now a +zealous advocate for its extension. A machine was erected near his +house, and two women succeeded very well, by which the people +were stimulated to renewed exertions, and a public Filature was +contemplated. The enterprise of these Germans, seemed to excite the +envious disposition of Mrs. Camuse, with whom had been placed two +women from Ebenezer; but the conduct of Mrs. C. in withholding +information, rendered their acquirement inadequate, and Mr. Bolzius +withdrew them from her charge. The first parcel of silk made, was sent +to the Trustees, who expressed themselves pleased with its quality. In +1745, the weight of cocoons was two hundred and fifty-three pounds, +and of spun silk sixteen and three-quarters. In 1746, the weight of +cocoons was three hundred and forty-four pounds, and of spun silk +eighteen pounds. Early in this year a machine for winding, and coppers +for baking, together with appropriate treatises on the art, were sent +over by the Trustees, but the people were indifferent and apathetic. + +The Germans, however, were as active as formerly, and Mr. Bolzius, in +a letter to Von Munch, dated May 6, 1747, says, that "the people last +winter planted more mulberry trees than for thirteen years before," +for which he promised them a bounty of one shilling for every tree +which yielded one hundred pounds of leaves. The silk balls raised at +this place this year, were over four hundred pounds, three hundred and +sixty-six pounds of which sold for 36_l_. 12_s_. 10-1/2_d_. The amount +raised in the whole colony, was eight hundred and forty-seven +pounds of cocoons, and sixty-two pounds of spun silk. In 1748, the +Saltzburgers reared four hundred and sixty-four pounds, but their +small trees were destroyed, and some of the larger ones injured, +by the late frost. They this year succeeded admirably in spinning +twenty-four pounds of raw silk, the want of a chimney and proper +basins, which had impeded them before, in their rude building, having +been remedied. The President, writing to Secretary Martyn, December +11, 1746, says, "The fundamental cause of its stagnation, is the +unaccountable backwardness of some of our dames and damsels to employ +themselves in attending to the worms during the time of feeding, which +I have frequently taken notice of, and it cannot be imputed to the +want of leaves." + +During the same period only thirty-four pounds of spun silk were +raised by the Trustees' agent in Savannah. Mr. Bolzius, under date +of February 15th, 1749, thus writes: "the weather being now warm and +pleasant, the mulberry trees have put forth their young leaves, and +our people are now turning their minds towards making of silk," and +then, after expressing his surprise, that so few were disposed to this +culture, adds, "one reason for this reluctance, is ascribed to the +circumstance that, by ordinary labor, about two shillings might be +obtained per day, whereas scarcely a shilling could be earned in the +same time, by the silk concern." Seven hundred and sixty-two pounds of +cocoons were raised, and fifty pounds thirteen ounces spun silk, and +there were two machines erected in Mr. Bolzius's yard which drew off +twenty-four ounces per day. On the 29th September, 1749, the Trustees +promised 2_l_. to every woman, who shall make herself mistress of +the art of winding, in one year. And they also gave Rev. Mr. Bolzius +permission to erect ten sheds, with clay furnaces, at an expense of +not more than 2_l_. each, and ten machines for reeling, at thirty +shillings each, which he says could be made better than those at +Savannah for 3_l_.; they also sent them ten basins, and the good +Germans felt the impulse of this substantial encouragement. In 1750, +though the people in other parts of the colony mostly relinquished +the silk culture, the inhabitants of Ebenezer continued vigorously +employed and interested in it. On the 2d of June they received ten +kettles from the Trustees, one of which, and a reeling machine, were +given to each mistress in the art of spinning, and two of the best +artisans received 5_l_. for giving instruction to fourteen young +women, to each of whom was bestowed 1_l_. for attention and industry. + +Over a thousand pounds of cocoons were raised at Ebenezer, and +seventy-four pounds two ounces raw silk made, producing (the price +being then thirty shillings) over 110_l_. sterling. As illustrative of +the luxuriant growth of the mulberry, it may be interesting to state, +that two trees in front of the Parsonage, ten years old, measured +three feet eight inches in circumference. In December of this year, +eight more copper basins were received, and public confidence in the +success of the undertaking seemed revived, notwithstanding Mr. Camuse +and family had left the Province, and settled at Purysburgh, in South +Carolina. + +On the 25th December, 1750, Mr. Pickering Robinson, who, together +with Mr. James Habersham, had been appointed the preceding August a +commissioner to promote more effectually the culture of silk, arrived +in Savannah. + +Mr. Robinson had been sent to France, at the expense of the Trustees, +to study the management of filatures and the necessary processes for +preparing the article for market, and thus, though no operative, +was qualified to take the directorship of so important a branch of +industry. His salary was 100_l_. per annum; 25_l_. for a clerk, and a +tract of land was also granted him, which, in 1763, sold for 1300_l_. + +Mr. Robinson brought with him a large quantity of silkworm seed, but +all failed, save about half an ounce; the commissioners determined at +once to erect a filature, which should be a normal school to the whole +province, and it was their opinion that it would be "a sufficient +nursery to supply, in three or four years, as many reelers as will be +wanted, when we make no doubt of many private filatures being erected, +which can only make their culture a general staple." The dimensions +were thirty-six feet by twenty, rough boarded, with a loft or upper +story, for the spreading out of the green cocoons. It was commenced on +the 4th of March, 1751. On the 1st of April, the basins were put up, +and on the 8th of May the reeling began. To encourage the colonists, +the Trustees proposed to purchase all the balls, and wind them at +their own expense, and paid from 1_s_. 6_d_. to 2_s_. 4_d_. per pound +for green cocoons. The Commissioners separated the cocoons into three +sorts: 1st, perfect cones; 2d, the spongy and fuzzy; and 3d, the +spotted, stained, and dupions. This arrangement, however, gave great +offence to some of the residents in Savannah and Purysburgh, and +Messrs. Robinson and Habersham requested the Vice President and +assistants to determine the respective prices and publicly announce +the same, which they did on the 26th April, by a proclamation, wherein +by way of bounty, they promised to pay for cocoons delivered at their +store in Savannah, the following sums, namely, for cocoons made by +one worm, hard, weighty and good substance, 2_s_. per pound; for the +weaker quality, pointed, spotted, or bruised, 1_s_. 3_d_.; for dupions +(those made by two worms), 6_d_.; for raw silk, from 1st quality +cocoons 14_s_. per pound; for that made from 2d quality, 12_s_.; the +product of the double cones, 6_s_. per pound; and they also offered, +if delivered at the filature, for best cocoons, 3_s_. 6_d_.; for +middling 1_s_. 8_d_.; and for inferior 1_s_. 1_d_., a series of prices +truly astonishing, when we reflect that the real merchantable worth of +a pound of cocoons is scarcely ever 6_d_. + +Experiments were made at the filature to ascertain the relative +quantity of each of these qualities, in a given weight of cocoons, and +the results were, that in fifty pounds of green cocoons, there were +twenty-seven pounds of the first sort, ten pounds four ounces of the +second, and twelve pounds twelve ounces of the third. After curing or +baking, these fifty pounds weighed only forty-six pounds five ounces, +showing a loss in ponderosity of nearly eight per cent. Beside the +arrangement above specified, the cocoons were still further divided +for the purpose of reeling into white and yellow, and these again, +subdivided into five each, namely, 1st, hard and weighty; 2d, little +woolly and weaker; 3d, very woolly and soft; 4th, spotted and much +bruised; 5th, double worms. + +Mr. Camuse, son, and daughter, who, it appears, gave the commissioners +no little trouble by their perverse conduct, returned to Savannah and +were engaged to labor at the filature, at three shillings per day, +at which Mr. Habersham exclaims, "monstrous wages!" The reelers now +advanced with much proficiency, and five of them, on the 10th of May, +wound off eleven pounds of cocoons each. The proportion of raw silk to +the cocoons, appeared, on a variety of trials, to be nearly in this +ratio:-- + + oz. + 10th May, 1751, 55 lbs. cocoons, 1st quality, produced 117-7/8. + 11th " " 8 " " " " 6-9 per thread 18-1/2. + 13th " " 11 " " " " produced 21-1/2. + 15th " " 55 " " 2d " " 109. + 18th " " 20 " " " " " 24. + 22d " " 15 " " 1st " " 20-3/4. + " " " 10 " " 2d " " 13-1/2. + +The whole amount of cocoons raised in the province, was six thousand +three hundred and one pounds, of which two thousand pounds came +from Ebenezer, and four thousand pounds were made at Whitefield's +Orphan-house. Two hundred and sixty-nine pounds and one ounce of raw +silk, and one hundred and sixty-one pounds of filogee, were prepared, +notwithstanding over three hundred and eighty pounds were lost by +vermin, fire and mould. The expense of the culture was large this +year, owing to the erection of the filature, &c., which swelled the +sum to 609_l_. 9_s_. 8-1/2_d_. sterling. The private journals of that +day kept at Savannah and Ebenezer, acquaint us, in some measure, with +the arduous nature of the commissioners' labors, and the difficulties +they encountered from the want of funds, the intractableness of +laborers, the novelty of the attempt, the imperfections of machinery, +and the bitter opposition of those who should have sustained and +encouraged them. The public duties of Mr. Habersham prevented his +constant attention to this business; but the whole time of Mr. +Robinson was devoted to the filature, directing the sorters, aiding +the novices, advising the reelers, and in every way exerting himself +to obtain success. His engagement with the Trustees expired on +the 30th of August, 1751, but finding that his intended departure +depressed the friends of the culture, he was solicited by the local +government to remain another year, and, generously sacrificing private +to public interests, he complied with their request. Mr. Habersham +thus speaks of Mr. Robinson. "I think him the most prudent as well as +the most capable person I ever knew, to undertake such a work, and if +he could be continued here, I doubt not but that he would turn out +a number of well instructed reelers, who would be able to conduct +filatures at Ebenezer, Augusta, and other parts of the province." So +great was the confidence which the Trustees had in him, that he was +appointed an assistant in the government at Savannah; an honor which +he declined, and in the same letter stated, "If due encouragement +be not given to the culture of raw silk, for the term of at least +fourteen years, I positively cannot think of settling in America." +These gentlemen recommended the building of a house, sixty feet by +twenty-six, as a cocoonry, great loss having been experienced for the +want of such a structure. + +In 1752, Mr. Robinson returned to England, and his place was partially +supplied by Joseph Ottolenghe, a native of Piedmont, and a proficient +in his art, who came to Georgia on the 18th of July, 1751, and took +charge of the filature in April, 1753. In a letter to Lee Martyn, +dated September 11, 1753, Mr. Ottolenghe says, that "there were fewer +cocoons raised this year, as the worms mostly hatched before the trees +leaved," and that "the people were willing to continue the business." +One hundred and ninety-seven pounds of raw silk were made this year, +and three hundred and seventy-six pounds in 1754, besides twenty-four +pounds of filosele. The people of Augusta became interested in +this manufacture, and entered with considerable spirit into the +undertaking, promising to send hands to Savannah, yearly, to learn the +art of reeling: their enthusiasm, however, soon evaporated. + +On the 29th of March, 1755, a certificate, signed by thirty-nine +eminent silk-throwsters and weavers, was given to the "Commissioners +for Trade and Plantations," stating that after examining three hundred +pounds of raw silk, imported from Georgia, "we do sincerely declare +that the nature and texture is truly good, the color beautiful, the +thread as even and as clear as the best Piedmont (called wire silk) of +the size, and much clearer and even than the usual Italian silks;" and +furthermore, "it could be worked with less waste than China silk, and +has all the properties of good silk well adapted to the weaver's art +in most branches." + +In 1755, five thousand four hundred and eighty-eight pounds of cocoons +were raised, and four hundred and thirty-eight pounds of raw silk +spun. The good effects of the filature were now happily evident in the +increased interest of the planters in the subject, who sent both their +daughters and young negroes to acquire the art of reeling. In 1756, +three thousand seven hundred and eighty-three pounds and one ounce of +cocoons were received at the filature, and two hundred and sixty-eight +pounds of raw silk reeled. + +The liberal policy of the commissioners, who had no private ends to +answer, caused them to recommend the establishment of additional +filatures, and in their letter to the Trustees, June 12th, 1751, they +advise the erection of one at Ebenezer, and another contiguous to +Savannah, but Mr. Ottolenghe opposed this course and arrogated to the +one in Savannah the entire monopoly of the culture. Jealousy appears +to have been very conspicuous in Mr. Ottolenghe's character, and his +opposition to the Saltzburgers and depreciation of their efforts, +arose from this suspicious trait. He aimed to render himself solely +necessary, and aspersed everything which seemed to militate with his +fancied superiority. This appears not only from letters of Governors +Reynold and Ellis, but from his own correspondence, where this caution +and fear of rivalry is plainly discernible. His course gave offence +to the Ebenezer people, who had already erected a filature in their +village; who had been at great sacrifice to send their wives and +daughters to learn the art of reeling in Savannah, and who had hoped +to carry on the manufacture under their own supervision and for their +own benefit. Mr. Ottolenghe, however, overruled their views and +required all cocoons to be delivered at Savannah and to be reeled +there. Each basin at the filature had two apprentices, besides +others who were employed in sorting the balls, &c., and the various +operations connected with the trade, employed nearly forty persons. + +In 1757, over five thousand pounds of cocoons were received at +Savannah, and three hundred and sixty pounds of raw silk spun, which, +says Governor Ellis, would have been more, if the eggs had not failed; +and in a letter, dated 11th of March, 1757, he says "the raising of +silk seems to be no longer a matter of curiosity, it employs many poor +people, and is approaching towards a staple." + +Seven thousand and forty pounds of cocoons were deposited in the +filature in 1758, but while the friends of this business were +rejoicing in the assured success of their experiment they were +saddened by the destruction of the filature, which took fire on the +4th of July, and was totally consumed. The wound silk, which had not +yet been shipped, amounting to three hundred and fifty pounds, was +saved, but several thousand weight of silk balls, together with much +of the reeling apparatus, were destroyed. Another and more capacious +building was immediately erected and was ready for use the ensuing +season. + +In 1759, ten thousand one hundred and thirty-six pounds of cocoons +were raised in Georgia, four thousand pounds of which were from +Ebenezer, and the proceeds of their culture alone, for the season, +reached 700_l_. sterling. The opinion of those engaged in the culture, +as expressed to Dr. Jared Elliot, was, "that it was more profitable +than any other ordinary business." + +The cocoons delivered at the filature in 1760, weighed seven thousand +nine hundred and eighty-three pounds, and there were spun eight +hundred and thirty-nine pounds. Mr. Ottolenghe was now honored with +the full appointment of "superintendant of the silk culture in +Georgia," with a salary appropriate to his station. + +Five thousand three hundred and seven pounds of cocoons, and three +hundred and thirty-two pounds of raw silk were produced in 1761. +Governor Wright, under date 13th of July, says, "The greatest +appearance that ever they had here was destroyed in two nights' time, +by excessive hard and unseasonable frosts, and there is likewise a +degeneracy in the seed, as Mr. Ottolenghe tells me." These frosts +occurred on the 5th and 6th of April. Parliament, this year, made +a grant of 1000_l_. towards defraying the expenditure for the silk +culture, and it was annually renewed until about 1766. By means of +this gratuity, Mr. Ottolenghe was enabled to give a high price to the +rearers of cocoons, and thus sustain the encouragement so judiciously +commenced. + +In 1762, fifteen thousand one hundred and one pounds of cocoons were +delivered at the filature, and one thousand and forty-eight pounds of +raw silk reeled, which Mr. O. declared to be the finest and best silk +ever produced in Georgia. + +The year 1763 showed an increase of cocoons but a decrease of silk, +there being fifteen thousand four hundred and eighty-six pounds of the +former, and only nine hundred and fifty-three pounds of the latter. +The occasion of this disparity was a season of cold, rainy weather, +towards the close of April, by which the later cocoons were injured +and rendered almost useless. + +There were delivered at the filature, in 1764, fifteen thousand two +hundred and twelve pounds of cocoons, notwithstanding the season was +so unfavorable, that Governor Wright mentions the case of one man who +expected to make from five to seven hundred pounds, who only succeeded +in raising one hundred pounds of cocoons. Eight thousand six hundred +and ninety-five pounds were sent by the Saltzburgers, and the whole +amount yielded eight hundred and ninety-eight pounds of raw silk. + +In addition to the grant of Parliament, a Society, instituted in +London, for the encouragement of arts, manufactures and commerce, +offered certain premiums for the advantage of the British American +dominions, among which were: + +"For every pound of cocoons produced in the province of Georgia +and South Carolina, in the year 1764, of a hardy, weighty and good +substance, wherein only one worm has spun, 3_d_.; for every pound of +cocoons produced in the same year, of a weaker, lighter, spotted or +bruised quality, 2_d_.; for dupions, 1_d_." These premiums were to be +paid under the direction of Mr. O., with proper vouchers that the same +were raised in either of the provinces specified. + +It was agitated in 1765, to reduce the price of cocoons from 3_s_. to +1_s_. 6_d_. per pound, a measure which produced much dissatisfaction +and as a consequence there was a considerable falling off in the +amount of balls and silk, only twelve thousand five hundred and +fourteen pounds of the former, and seven hundred and twelve pounds of +the latter, together with seven hundred and twenty pounds of filosele +being produced. To prevent the depression consequent on this +reduction, Governor Wright suggested, that instead of so much per +pound, as formerly, that the ten largest quantities should receive the +highest, 50_l_., the next greatest parcel 45_l_., and so on, gradually +decreasing with the decrease in weight, until you reached the lowest +quantity, to which 10_l_. would be awarded; thus, while the expense +would be greatly lessened to the Trustees, the stimulus of reward +would be sufficiently sustained. This advice was not adopted, though +owing to the urgent remonstrances of those best acquainted with the +business, the reduction in the bounty was only 9_d_. instead of 1_s_. +6_d_. On the 25th April, 1765, the following order was published in +the "Georgia Gazette:" + +"Notice is hereby given to all whom it may concern, that, by +direction of the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of Trade and +Plantations, the price usually paid for cocoons is now reduced, and +that no more than 2_s_. 3_d_. per pound will be paid for cocoons +raised in this province, and delivered at the public filature this +season. + +"By order of His Excellency the Governor. + +"GEO. BAILLIE, _Commissary_" + +This bounty was still further reduced in 1766, when by order of the +Board of Trade, only 1_s_. 1_d_. was paid per pound. The dependence of +this culture on the weather, was signally instanced this year, from +the fact that though many who had hitherto raised cocoons, abandoned +it at the reduction of the bounty, yet such a large crop had never +been produced before; over twenty thousand three hundred and eighty +pounds of cocoons being delivered at the filature, which, however, +only produced one thousand eighty-nine pounds of raw silk, and eight +hundred and fifty pounds of filosele. This amount of reeled silk was +not at all proportionate to the weight of the cones, resulting, as Mr. +Ottolenghe said in a letter to Governor Wright, October 2, 1766, "to +the badness of the seed, and consequent inferiority of the worms." +In 1760, the cocoons weighed only seven thousand nine hundred and +eighty-three pounds, and yet eight hundred and thirty-nine pounds of +raw silk were spun; at which rate, the product this year should have +been about two thousand pounds. + +On the 26th of June, Henry Kennan made proposals to the Board of +Trade, for carrying on the filature; but they were of a nature not at +all advantageous to the culture, and Governor Wright, in his reply, on +the 21st of October, disapproved of the plan, and exposed the fallacy +of his scheme, which was in consequence abandoned. + +In 1767, ten thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight pounds of balls +were raised, and six hundred and seventy-one pounds nine ounces of raw +silk spun; the decrease of cocoons being caused, first, by withdrawing +of the Purysburgh cocoons, which last year amounted to five thousand +five hundred and fifty-one pounds; and second, by the reduction of +bounty, so that while last year the cocoons were delivered in by two +hundred and sixty-four different persons, only one hundred and sixty +individuals were this year devoted to the culture. The silk, however, +was of a better quality, and sustained its high reputation in the +London market. + +In 1768, another plan was proposed, by Mr. Delamar, "in order the +more effectually to establish the growth of raw silk in America." His +proposal was, to pay a bounty of 20_s_. per pound on every pound of +good, clear raw silk imported from any of his Majesty's dominions in +America, to be paid on the price such silk might sell for at public +sale in London; at the expiration of ten years, ten per cent. bounty +was to be allowed; the ensuing five years at five per cent., after +which time the bounty was to cease. This was the general feature of +his plan; it was not, however, adopted, though in many respects its +provisions were highly judicious and appropriate. + +But this branch of industry and commerce was fast waning before the +increasing culture of more sure and lucrative products, and only one +hundred and thirty-seven different persons brought cocoons to the +filature this year. Governor Wright, in his official letter to the +Earl of Hillsborough, July 1, 1768, says, "I am persuaded that few, or +none but the very poorer sort of people, will continue to go upon +that article. Several substantial persons, who did mean to make it +an object when the price was higher, have, to my knowledge, given +it over. The reason, my Lord, is evident; for people who have their +fortune to raise or make, will always turn themselves in such a way, +and to the raising and making of such commodities, as they think will +answer best; and it is very clear to me, that those who have negroes, +may employ themselves and negroes to better advantage, &c., than by +raising cocoons at 1_s_. 6_d_. per pound, although that is, as I have +said, 7, 8, or 9_d_. more than they are intrinsically worth." + +Cluny, in his "American Traveller," printed in London, 1769, says, +"The climate of Georgia has been found to agree in every respect with +the silk worm." Experience, however, proved that the climate was +not sufficiently equable to secure permanent and continued success. +Governor Wright, in the letter quoted above, says, "the variable and +uncertain weather in spring, makes it precarious," and facts amply +confirm this statement. Only five hundred and forty-one pounds of raw +silk were made this year, a smaller amount, with one exception, than +had been produced for ten years. In 1769, the quantity was still more +decreased, both from the reluctance of the people to raise worms, and +the unfavorable weather in spring. Governor Wright, on the 20th of +June, 1769, says, "We had a most extraordinary prospect, till the +middle of April, when I thought every thing safe, yet we had very cold +rains on the 17th and 18th, which were succeeded by hard black frost +on the 19th and 20th, and destroyed a great part of the worms, and +will reduce the silk very much." + +The silk business was now on the irretrievable decline, though it +still maintained a nominal existence, and received the encouragement +of Parliament. The special bounty which had hitherto been paid on +cocoons, over and above their merchantable value, was suspended, and +by a statute of 9 Geo. III., c. 38, a premium of twenty-five per cent. +from the 1st of January, 1770, to the 1st of January, 1777,--of twenty +per cent, from the 1st of January, 1777, to the 1st of January, +1784,--and of fifteen per cent. from the 1st of January, 1784, to the +1st of January 1791, on the ad valorem value of all silk produced in +America and imported into Great Britain in vessels regularly navigated +by law, was substituted in its place. + +The inhabitants of Ebenezer resumed the culture, which with them had +long been dormant, and its revival at that time was principally owing +to the influence of a very worthy man and magistrate, Mr. Wertsch, +who, sanguine himself of ultimate success, had imparted to the Germans +a portion of his own enthusiasm. + +In 1770, they shipped two hundred and ninety-one pounds of raw silk, +the result of their own industry, and as the filature at Savannah +was discontinued in 1771, the Earl of Hillsborough, ever anxious to +advance the produce, warmly commended the zeal of the Saltzburgers, +and directed President Habersham to distribute "the basins and reels +that were left in the public filature, to such persons as Mr. Wertsch +shall recommend to be proper objects of that bounty;" and in the same +letter he promised that he would endeavor to procure for them, this +year, "a small sum from Parliament, to be laid out in purchase of +utensils for the assistance of the poor sort of people in your +province." This promise he redeemed. + +So popular had the silk business become at Ebenezer, that Mr. +Habersham, in a letter dated the 30th of March, 1772, says, "some +persons in almost every family there, understand its process from the +beginning to the end." In 1771, the Germans sent four hundred and +thirty-eight pounds of raw silk to England, and in 1772, four hundred +and eighty-five pounds, all of their own raising. They made their own +reels, which were so much esteemed that one was sent to England as a +model, and another taken to the East Indies by Pickering Robinson. +The operations at Savannah were now totally discontinued, though Mr. +Ottolenghe still styled himself "Superintendent of the Silk Culture +in Georgia," and in consideration of his long and faithful service in +that office, received an annuity of 100_l_. + +In a message of Sir James Wright, to the Commons House of Assembly, +19th of January, 1774, he says, "The filature buildings seem to be +going to decay and ruin; may it not, therefore, be expedient to +consider what other service or use they may be put to?" and the +Assembly answered, "We shall not fail to consider how it may be +expedient to apply the filature to some public use;" and henceforth +it was used as an assembly or ball-room, a place where societies held +their meetings, and where divine service was occasionally conducted: +more recently, it was converted into a dwelling-house, and was thus +appropriated at the time of its destruction by fire, on the afternoon +of March 25, 1839. + +Thus ended the grand project for raising silk in the Province of +Georgia; for though some few individuals, together with the people of +Ebenezer, continued to raise small quantities, yet, as a branch of +general culture, it has never been resuscitated. The last parcel +brought to Savannah was in 1790, when over two hundred pounds were +purchased for exportation, at from 8_s_. to 26_s_. per pound. + +On reviewing the causes which led to the suspension of this business, +after so many exertions and such vast expense, which, it must be +remembered, the profits of the culture never reimbursed, we find, +first, the unfriendliness of the climate, which, notwithstanding its +boasted excellence, interfered materially with its success. Governor +Wright, frequently speaks of its deleterious influence, and the +fluctuations in the various seasons, evidenced, to demonstration, +that the interior was better adapted to the agricultural part of the +business, than the exposed and variable sea-board. Mr. Habersham, in +a letter to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated "Savannah, 24th of April, +1772," thus expresses himself on this point. "Upwards of twenty years +ago, if my memory does not fail me, Samuel Lloyd, Esq., of London, who +was one of the late trustees for establishing this colony, and was +fourteen years in Italy, and very largely concerned in the silk +business, wrote to me, that the best silk was produced at a distance +from the sea-coast, owing, I suppose, to the richness of the soil, +which made the mulberry leaf more glutinous, nutritive and healthy to +the silk-worm; also, to their not being obnoxious to musquetoes and +sand-flies, and probably, likewise, to the weather being more equal +and less liable to sudden transition from heat to cold: and on a +conversation this day with Mr. Barnard, of Augusta, he assures me, +that from two years experience in raising cocoons there, he lost none +from sickness, which frequently destroys two-thirds of the worms +here;" and he further says, that Mr. Ottolenghe told him that the silk +reeled from the Augusta cocoons "made the strongest and most wiry +thread of any raised in these parts." + +Second, the expensiveness of living, and the dearness of labor, which +was as high as 1_s_. 8_d_. to 2_s_. per day, whereas 2_d_. or 3_d_. +was the usual price paid the peasant in silk-growing countries. +Governor Wright, in a letter to the Earl of Hillsborough, frankly +told him that, "till these provinces become more populous, and labor +cheaper, I apprehend, silk will not be a commodity, or an article, of +any considerable amount." + +Third, the great reduction of the bounty, which, being the stimulus to +exertion, ceased to operate as an incentive, when from 3_s_. 3_d_. +it fell to 1_s_. 3_d_., and finally to a mere premium on the general +quantity imported. The poor could not subsist on these prices, and +the rich could employ their lands to much better advantage than in +cultivating an article which would not repay the expenses of labor: +and lastly, the increasing attention, bestowed on rice and cotton, +sealed the fate of the silk culture, and the planters soon learned to +consider the latter of no importance in comparison, with the large +and lucrative crops yielded by these more staple commodities. Other +reasons might be mentioned, but these sufficiently account for its +decline there, and its total neglect even to the present day. During +the morus multicaulis epidemic, which spread over our country in 1838, +Savannah, it is true, did not escape, and for a time the fever raged, +with much violence, but the febrile action soon subsided, leaving +no permanent benefit and only a few fields of waving foliage, as a +deciduous memento of this frenzied excitement. + +That silk can be produced in Georgia equal to any in the world, does +not admit of a doubt, but whether it will ever be resumed, and when, +is among the unknown events of the future. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10677 *** |