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HISTOKICAL MANUSCKIPTS COMMISSION. 

MANUSCBIPTS 

OF THE 

EAEL OF EGMONT, 

DIARY 

OF 

THE FIRST EARL OF EGMONT 

(VISCOUNT PEECIVAL). 
Vol. III. 1739—1747: 

WITH 

APPENDICES AND INDEX. 

i!?!?» 

LONDON : 
PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE 

To be purchased through any Bookseller or directly from 
H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses : 

IMPERIAL HOUSE, KINOSWAY, LONDON, W.C.2, and 

28, ABINODON STREET, LONDON, S.W.I. ; 

YORK STBBET, MANCHESTER ; 

1, ST. ANDREW'S CRESCENT, CARDIFF; 

or 120, GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH. 

1923. 

Price 

<\< 

. Net. 

 \ 

. 3 

CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

INTRODUCTION 

DIABÏ 

APPENDIX I. DIABY FROM 1 JAN. TO 6 FEB. 1728-9 - 

APPENDIX II. LOOSE PAPEBS FOUND IN THE DIARY 

1 

- 321 

- 349 

APPENDIX III. JOURNAL OF SIR JOHN PERCIVAL 1685-1686 - 352 

INDEX - 

375 

(7813). Wt.3682. 61/446. 1,000,. 12/23. T.B.H.Ltd.K. 

 INTRODUCTION. 

\ 

This Volume has been edited and passed through the 
press, on behalf of the Historical Manuscripts Commissioners, 
by Mr. R. A. ROBERTS, one of their number. The Index has 
been compiled by Miss A. H. ROBERTS. 

THIS, the third volume of the Diary of Viscount Percival, later first 
Earl of Egmont, completes it in so far as it is contained in the twelve 
folio manuscript volumes now in the Egmont collection, referred to 
in the Appendix to the 7th Eeport of the Historical MSS. Com 
missioners. The first and second volumes extend over four and five 
years respectively : this extends over nine years : the previous volumes 
moreover, with these shorter periods, run to a much greater number 
of pages. It is obvious, therefore, that in these later years of his life 
Lord Egmont slackened in the assiduity and particularity with which 
he had formerly made his diurnal entries. Indeed, these last years, 
the last three especially, show a great falling off in this respect, due, 
no doubt, to increasing ill-health and age. However, the practice 
was not entirely dropped until eight months before his death. 

It was begun by him as a boy of fifteen at school, and of its con 
tinuance thereafter this volume contains further evidence in Appendix 
I., pp. 321—348 infra, where a short section now preserved among the 
additional MSS. in the British Museum, for five weeks of January and 
February, 1728/9, the year preceding that which is the first of the folio 
volumes, is like the other parts of the diary, given in full. 

Of the value of the whole as a contemporary and, of its kind, almost 
unique chronicle and mirror of the times there can be no doubt. 

The main theme of the present volume may be said to be the trans 
actions of the Trustees of the Georgia Colony in which Lord Egmont 
found an engrossing interest and took so prominent a part, and the 
vicissitudes, hopes and fears—chiefly in these last years fears— 
connected with the history of the province. As in the first volume 
of this report the proceedings of the House of Commons of which Lord 
Egmont was then a member, filled many pages of his diary of that 
period, so now his time and thought are given in generous measure 
to those of the Board of Trustees, at the meetings of which he was 
punctiliously present until 1742 when, much discouraged and in failing 
health, he resigned his position of Common Councilman, still retaining 
that of Trustee. For the history of the province during these years, 
this diary, therefore, affords very ample materials. There are many 
descriptions of conditions prevailing in the colony from time to time 
in letters from officials and residents and in conversations with a 
number and variety of persons returned from Georgia to England. 
In 1739, according to General Oglethorpe's own representation, the 

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VI. 

MARY OP THE 

colony seemed to be on the point of breaking up. There was even a 
danger, during the negotiations concerning the convention with Spain, 
that it might be surrendered to that country. Egmont and other trustees 
offered an immediate and stout resistance to this policy and were 
ultimately successful. It is an interesting fact that in the course of 
these negotiations, Sir Robert Walpole would have handed over to 
the trustees—passing by for this purpose officers of the Government— 
and indeed asked them to undertake, the task of making out the King's 
title to the province, a task which many of the Trustees thought " very 
hard," and for which, from the very nature of the materials at their 
command, they held themselves not to be properly qualified—" a 
matter of vast consequence, and the proper affair of the Board of Trade, 
of His Majesty's Advocate, a civilian of reputation, or of the Attorney- 
General, and, if we would go higher, of the Privy Council itself " : a duty 
not to be expected from " a set of private gentlemen who had not a 
paper in their office beyond the time of their Charter in 1732, except 
some copies which cannot be esteemed as authentic as the originals 
are in His Majesty's Offices " (p. 14). Here was a contemptuous 
view of the value of the province taken by the King's chief and 
all powerful minister, and here was levity indeed ! 

In these later years, there was defection and much slackness among 
the trustees themselves, and, outside their body, in parliament, such 
an opinion of them and their work as put them upon their defence and 
compelled those who were faithful to their trust to fight the matter 
on the floors of the House of Commons itself. 

" 'Tis plain," comments Lord Egmont in 1741 (p. 210), " there is 
no design to make an enquiry at all ... All this has been done 
to please Sir Robert Walpole, and the Trustees are left in the condition 
they were, liable to be attacked every session, and in the meantime, 
to be traduced by young Stephens or any that please, when they assert, 
as Lord Gage did to the House, that the Trustees have not so good 
information of the state of the colony from their Secretary as this 
pert fellow, his son, receives. 

" Already I have heard it said," he continues, " that the Trustees 
are very honest gentlemen, but have been guilty of some mistakes, 
which Sir Robert Walpole, who is their friend, desired might not be 
discovered, and, therefore, opposed an enquiry." 

Such was the reward in public opinion of disinterested, unpaid, 
and long continued effort for the good of one's country ! 

The " ptert fellow," young Stephens, played a somewhat surprising 
part with respect to the province in the years 1740 and 1741. As a 
boy he had accompanied his father, Col. Stephens, who went out in 
the year 1737 to be resident Secretary for the Trustees and who was 
ultimately one of the two présidents when the province was divided 
into Northern and Southern for the purposes of administration. In 
the autumn of 1739, this young man returned to England and was for 
the next two years an exceedingly troublesome, perverse critic of the 
trustees, and loud defamer by speech and printed libel of the conditions 
in the colony, in direct contradiction to the reports furnished by his 
own father on the spot, the young fellow acting through the agency of 
members of parliament willing to detract from the more favourable 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

VII. 

and hopeful view of its affairs. Lord Egmont is not slow to commit 
to his diary his opinion of this "rash, vindictive fool" who was 
" endeavouring to prejudice the world's good opinion of the colony 
merely in revenge to Mr. Oglethorp for the ill-usage he gave him when 
at Savannah and in revenge and hatred to Mr. Jones, lately made a 
magistrate." (p. 105). The wonder would seem to be that he received 
a hearing and support from influential people. Even Lord Egmont 
himself gave him more than one interview and faithfully records his 
statements with his own contradictions of them at great length in the 
diary. But after a time, in view of the young man's persistent efforts 
to blacken the colony, and after he had circulated a " libel " among 
members of parliament, Lord Egmont's patience failed and he refused 
to see him or have anything to do with him. There is an entertaining 
account of the spirited manner in which young Viscount Percival 
tackled Lord Gage, one of Stephens' supporters, in a coffee house on 
this subject. 

Still, if Stephens' representations exceeded the truth of the facts, 
there were depressing conditions sufficient to trouble the minds and 
to deepen the anxieties of such of the Trustees as, like Lord Egmont, 
had ardently hoped for the success of their philanthropic schemes and 
who had worked so hard, so continuously, and for so many years to 
attain it. 

II. 

IN connexion with the development of Georgia the present volume 
furnishes much information about the great evangelical figure, George 
Whitefield, as the second volume did for the brothers John and Charles 
Wesley. He appears on the very first page as going " Wednesday 
sennit to Oxford to be ordained priest." His plans and designs for 
building a Church at Ebenezer and an orphanage at Savannah are 
referred to on an immediately succeeding page. 

A couple of months later letters were arriving in England showing 
the effect of his stirring and disturbing operations in the province on 
his first visit, " complaining heavily of his enthusiasm " and of his 
unauthorised forms of public worship. In the following May, White- 
field was preparing for his return to Savannah, having collected 
considerable sums of money in England with which to carry on his 
enterprises independently of the Trustees, and having also succeeded 
in persuading them to grant most of his demands from them.. His 
unauthorised proceedings in the collection of money roused the Crown 
Solicitor to action, and the Trustees had to come to his defence and 
offer explanations of the objects which he had in view. Two interesting 
occasions of open-air preaching on Woolwich Common and Blackheath 
respectively, are referred to and described. On the second occasion, 
in June of 1739, by arrangement with Lady Egmont, the preacher's 
stage was erected so conveniently to their house at Charlton (p. 67) 
that we heard him with great ease out of our summer house window, 
where we invited our neighbours to partake of the curiosity." After 
wards, in the house, Whitefield discussed at length with Lord Egmont 
the subject of his sermon, the " new birth," and knocked the bottom 
out of some of the " odd stories " that were told about himself, 

 vui. 

ïtfARY OF THE 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

IX. 

including that of his tolerance of a woman preaching, founded upon 
the simple fact, so far as he knew, that a young woman in whose 
father's house he was to stay " did read a sermon and some discourse 
of Bishop Beveridge to the family." In the end, after this long and 
detailed conversation, Egmont recorded his own opinion that the 
preacher " had an enthusiastic notion of his being made capable of 
doing much good, and perhaps he thinks he is raised up for that 
purpose : for the rest, I believe him perfectly sincere and disinterested, 
and that he does indeed work a considerable reformation among the 
common people, and there is nothing in his doctrine that can be laid 
hold on to his hurt." 

He arrived at Savannah on his return to the colony in January of 
1739/40. He was soon stirring up the Trustees, " enraging " them 
(p. 127) with his threat of complaining to the public that a church had 
not been built. Lord Egmont was the only one to offer excuses for him, 
most of the other gentlemen being not to be persuaded " but that he 
is a hypocrite, or at least actuated by ambition and a love of power." 
On the other hand, he himself seems soon to have reached the view 
that he had no use for the Trustees. A year later, in March, 1740/41, 
he was back again in England, was making complaints to and demands 
from the Trustees, giving a melancholy account of " poor, deserted 
Georgia " (p. 205), and informing them that he had resigned the 
parsonage of Savannah. The enquiry, consequent upon an order of 
the House of Commons, that Mr. Whitefield should be examined at 
the bar, on the state of the colony, was by action of the Ministry, put 
off, and gave Lord Gage an opportunity of " running out " against 
the colony. Mr. Carteret, a landholder of Frederica, with whom the 
Trustees had a long interview, maintained that Mr. Whitefield had 
done much mischief. On the other hand, the Trustees received 
testimony from another of the colonists (p. 230) that he was " a great 
presser of men to labour truly in their callings." Mr. Whitefield's 
opinion of the Savannah people was freely expressed. He told them 
in his farewell sermon that " they were the scum of the earth, and 
God had only sent them to prepare the way for a better set of men." 

III. 

Although Lord Egmont was no longer in parliament, he had intimate 
acquaintance with leading politicians and ministers, some of whom 
entered into long and frank conversations with him ; and he also kept up 
his attendance at Court. There is not so much of Sir Eobert Walpole 
in this as there was in the two previous volumes, but there is some 
little. Lord Egmont notes the falling fortunes of the great and 
powerful, yet well-hated Minister, still strongly entrenched, however, 
in the favour of the King. He records his dismissal from office and 
the incidents of his first appearance in the House of Lords. He has 
something to say about his conduct and morals, his jaunty manner, the 
evidence of his physical virility even in advancing age, the kind of 
young men he encouraged to be about him. As regards other ministers 
and their entourage, there are, for exainpfe, intimate and confidential 
conversations with Lord Wilmington and Sir Joseph Shelley, the latter 

closely associated with the Duke of Newcastle. With respect to the 
former, there is a pen portrait of the man and an outline of his character. 

To matters connected with the Court, the King, the Prince and 
Princess of Wales, and other members of the Boyal family, there are 
many references. Lord Egmont tells of the affront to the Duke of 
Cumberland by Lord Clinton in connexion with Mrs. Wilson, the 
player, and reflects upon the prevailing code of honour among gentle 
men as differentially applied to a wife and a mistress. He relates 
the proceedings of the wedding of Princess Mary to the Prince of Hesse. 
He gives accounts of the relations and passages between the King and 
the Prince of Wales, and the pathetic incident of the Princess of Wales 
kissing the King's hand for the first time amid falling tears, a scene 
which also affected the ladies who were spectators of it in a similar 
manner. The opposition aroused by the King's journey to Hanover 
and his partiality for the Hanoverian officers and army are taken note 
of. The King's relations with Madame Walmoden, Countess of 
Yarmouth, and the extent of her influence over him are illustrated 
by certain stories about them, one of the most curious of which, 
possibly ill-founded, purports to disclose the facts of the elevation to 
the peerage of Mr. Fox and Mr. Bromley. And, finally, there are a 
good many references to the political changes after Lord Robert 
Wàlpole's fall, the parts taken in this connexion by the King, the 
Duke of Argyle, Lord Carteret, and others. 

IV. 

THE transactions and proceedings of Parliament from time to time 
during the first two or three years of the period of this volume are only 
recorded briefly, sometimes based upon reports brought to him by his 
son, Viscount Percival (who on the memorable quashing of the election 
of Lord Sundon and Sir Charles Wager became, with Mr. Charles 
Edwin, member for Westminster) or others ; sometimes after his own 
attendance as a spectator in the House of Commons or House of Lords. 
When the interests and value to the nation of the province of Georgia 
were under discussion in the House of Commons, Egmont took care 
to be present, and records the proceedings with some of the old 
particularity that distinguished him when he was himself a member. 
But otherwise the notices of parliamentary proceedings are short and 
summary. 

There is a vivid account of the incidents of the Westminster election 
of Lord Sundon and Sir Charles Wager in the porch of St. Paul's 
Church, Covent Garden, and of the riotous proceedings of the mob 
m connexion with it, the election that was afterwards declared void. 

V. 

THE diary naturally contains a great many particulars and incidents 
personal to Lord Egmont and his family. One event which appears 
to have come about unexpectedly,—requiring none of those repeated 
efforts which, in the case of his son Viscount Percival, miscarried one 
after another until a happy solution was found in the union with Lady 
tathenne Cecil,—was the offer of marriage made by Sir John Rawdon, 

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χ. DIARY OF THE 

afterwards first Earl of Moira, to Egmont's youngest daughter Helena, 
The wedding soon followed. The bridegroom was in every respect 
eligible in the eyes of the bride's father as regards character, position 
and means, and settlements were agreed upon and carried through 
with little delay. It would seem to have been a genuine love match 
brought about by the young people, who had discovered in themselves 
similar tastes, unaided by anyone else, " a happy settlement," Egmont 
thankfully sets down, " for a most deserving child." The actual 
marriage ceremony, in those days, even among people of position, was a 
comparatively simple affair, and there was no going away for the couple 
on honeymoon. They remained in the parents' house. The ceremony 
on this occasion took place in Lord Egmont's chapel at Charlton, his 
summer residence, on Tuesday, the 10th of November, 1741, the 
clergyman officiating being Dr. Barecroft, preacher at the Charterhouse 
and King's Chaplain, formerly young Viscount Percival's tutor, who, 
notes Lord Egmont, " gave me a certificate thereof signed on the back 
of the licence." The wedding dinner was not held until two days 
afterwards, on the Thursday. Helena's married life, so happily begun, 
was not a prolonged· one. She gave birth, successively, to tibree 
daughters, the last in October, 1745, but illness then soon supervened 
and in June of the next year, her father sadly records the death of 
" his dear daughter, Helena Rawdon, at the Hotwell, near Bristol, 
of the consumption." Running through her father's diary, there is, 
as it were, the life story of this clever, attractive girl, object of his 
tenderest affection. 

In these last years there are many allusions to the constant ill-health 
of Lady Egmont, who was, in her husband's eyes, a pattern wife, 
mother and mistress of servants, and to whom he was faithfully and 
sincerely attached. There is constant evidence that Lord and Lady 
Egmont were, throughout their married life, devoted the one to the 
other, affording in this respect an example of affectionate conjugal 
fidelity, to which, among people of their class and acquaintance, there 
were many notable exceptions. In connexion with the search for a 
cure of Lady Egmont's constant and distressing headaches, there are 
particulars of their journey to and from Buxton and of their stay there 
(pp. 296—299 infra) which are of great interest. In the event, it 
was Lady Egmont who outlived her husband. 

There is a record of a son born on March 10, 1741/2, to "my 
daughter," presumably young Lady Percival, of which no mention 
is made in the family history as set out in the peerages. 

In thé " distraction of public affairs " of February, 1743/4, when 
there was great alarm and fear of a French invasion, Lord Egmont 
makes a note (p. 289) of the private efforts of himself and his son-in- 
law, by arming their servants, to assist in the defence of London in 
case the French should land and approach it. This was considered to be 
quite a feasible operation on the part of the enemy, and the Ministry 
were " greatly alarmed though they do not show it publicly for fear 
of sinking the public credit." The fleet of Admiral Sir John Norris 
in the Channel, however, removed that fear ; and in the Mediterranean, 
before Toulon, Admiral Mathews successfully operated against the 
combined French and Spanish fleets, 

FIRST EAEL OF EGMONT. 

VI. 

XI. 

IT remains to call attention briefly to some of the miscellaneous matters 
referred to in this volume. There are the circumstances of "old 
Birde, the singing-man's" marriage; the explanation of the reason 
for the party at the Thatched House tavern in January of 1738/9, to 
which readers of Mrs. Delany's letters will remember, she says she 
was not invited though her brother was ; the proceedings of the 
"Whisk" Club at White's Chocolate House; Mr. Franldand's 
extraordinary refusal to live with his newly-married wife, Lord 
Scarbrough's sister, while making generous provision for her ; the 
suicide of Lord Scarbrough himself and the story of the suicide also 
of the famous Dr. Harvey ; anecdotes of the King of Prussia and his 
son, Frederick the Great ; the vogue of the Shropshire prophet Newings 
and conversations with him ; differences among the surgical staff of 
the Hyde Park, now St. George's Hospital, and the efforts made to 
bring them to a satisfactory conclusion, and in respect of the history 
of the medical profession, two instances in which personal servants of 
Lord Egmont left his service to adopt it ; the dictum of Admiral 
Vernon with regard to the mastery of the sea ; references to Joseph 
Addison—these are some of the matters of general interest which 
appear. 

VII. 

THE practice of diary-keeping, life-long in Lord Egmont's case, was 
perhaps a family habit 'and tradition, for in Appendix III. of this 
volume, (pp. 352—373 infra.) it has been possible, with the co-operation 
of Mr. Cecil H. Spencer-Perceval, of Long Witton Hall, Morpeth, to 
add to it "the " journal " for a period of about six months from 1st 
October, 1685 onwards, of Sir John Percival, Lord Egmont's father. 
Resident at Burton, in Co. Cork, his jouinal relates entirely to events 
in Ireland and to his proceedings as a county magistrate. The country 
was in a disturbed state ; the tories, who had already given a name 
to a political party across the water, were being hunted, or employed 
to "do service " by hunting their fellows, and, when caught, indicted 
and brought to trial at the assizes at Mallow. The fragment is an 
interesting picture of the incidents day by day in the life of a " fine old 
Irish gentleman," and of the conditions, chiefly in Co. Cork, prevailing 
during the period. 

Appendix II. consists of notes made on loose papers found in one 
of the manuscript volumes and a political song of the day. 

December, 1923. 

R. A. ROBERTS. 

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VOL. II. 

Page 23. 22nd line from bottom—for Lydall read Sydall. 

Page 207. Lord Cardross is described in the original manuscript, 
in error, as " eldest son of the Earl of Marchmont." 

Page 509. For Deomenes read Cleomenes. 

VOL. III. 

Page 90. Running date at top of page—for Feb. 8-13 read Feb. 7-13. 

Page 192. 
Page 194. 
Page 196. 
Page 198. 
Page 200. 
Page 202. 
Page 204, 205 

Page 206. 

for Feb. 12 read Feb. 12-16. 
for Feb. 14-22 read Feb. 16-26. 
„ for Feb. 23-Mar. 6 read Feb. 27-Mar. 9 
for Mar. 6-9 read Mar. 9-16. 
for Mar. 10-19 read Mar. 16-19. 
for Mar. 18-20 read Mar. 19-23. 

for Mar. 21-23, 1740-1 read 
Mar. 23-30, 1741. 

„ for Mar. 24-30 read Mar. 30-April 6. 

DIARY UF THE 

FIEST EARL OF EGMONT, 

FIEST VliSCUUNT PEKCIYAL, 

ETC. 

VOL. TIL 

1739. 

7 

1738-9, Mon., 1 January.—Visited Mr. Dickins the surgeon, Sir Will 
Heathcote, Mr. Southwell, Mr. Le Grand, and then went to Court to 
pay my compliments on the new year. 

Tuesday, 2.—Stayed at home all day. 

Wednesday, 3.—Visited the Bishop of Oxford who presented to 
me his charge in his primary visitation, which is much commended. 

Then went to the Georgia office where (the summons only being 
for a Trustee Board) there met only Mr. Vernon, myself, Mr. Tho. 
Archer, president, Mr. Henry Archer, Mr. Anderson, and Captain 
Coram. 

We read the draft of the application we are to make this year to 
Sir Eobert Walpole for obtaining 8,OOOU for the purposes of Georgia, 
and desired the two Messrs. Archers to go with it, and to take with 
them Mr. Tho. Towers. 

Afterwards we dined at the Cyder House with Mr. Whitfeild and 
Mr. Delamot. The former goes Wednesday sennit to Oxford to be 
ordained Priest by the Bishop of Gloucester (who will be there to 
supply the room of the Bishop of Oxford) having had the Bishop of 
London's leave and letter to the Bishop of Gloucester for that purpose. 

The latter was schoolmaster at Savannah for some time, and an 
implacable enemy to Mr. Causton our Magistrate, as much as he is a 
fast friend to all the malcontents in our Colony. 

Among other things they told us concerning the Colony, one was 
that Noble Jones the Surveyor had been irreparable loss to us by 
neglecting to set out people's lots, whereby they remained a charge 
on our store year after year having no land to cultivate ; that he was 
also so unskilful as to attribute one man's ground to another man's 
lot, which being claimed and recovered by the first after the other had 
improved thereon was ruinous to the latter and a discouragement to 
numbers who did not know but theirs might be the same fate, especially 
as they could not get out their titles to their lands, and so had nothing 
to show for them or to defend their rights -by. That this Jones was 

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2 DIAEY OF THE 

Jan. 4-10 

rather a servant of Causton's than a surveyor, and followed more the 
business of taking up runaway servants and offenders, than his proper 
employ. 

That Causton was passionate, and vindictive, and kept all in awe 
of him, and had 400 acres, all the best of the land, well stocked with 
cattle and well improved. 

That Mr. WMtfeild, when he opened school, was not suffered to 
instruct the children above 7 years old under pretext they were then 
to be employed in labour, which they were too young for, and would 
spoil their growth and health ; that Mr. Causton at first was sensible 
of it, but afterwards took such children away, by Mr. Oglethorp's 
orders, as he said. 

That they knew of no mulberry trees planted by the inhabitants. 

That if the Spaniards attacked us, all the people would fly away, 
for what forts we esteem to have built are nothing at all of defence. 

That the people at Darien are industrious, and the like at Frederica. 
The worst are at Savannah, and the servants in the adjacent villages 
mere heathens. 

Thursday, 4.— 

Friday, 5.—Visited Mr. Ellis. I went to the Hospital at Hide Park 
Corner. In the evening went to the Play. 

Saturday, 6.—Went nowhere but to the Coffee house. 

Sunday, 7.—Not well and stayed all day at home. 

Monday, 8.—Went only to consult with Mr. Verelts touching the 
letters he is to prepare for the next ship going to Georgia. Dr. Moor 
and his daughter, and Margaret Cecil and Mr. Cecyl dined with us. 

Tuesday, 9.—I visited.Mr. Hanmer, my brother Parker and cousin 
Will Southwell. 

In the evening Mr. Vereist came to tell me that this morning Mr. 
Thomas Archer, Mr. Henry Archer, and Mr. Hucks waited on Sir 
Eobert Walpole to put him in mind of his promise last year that we 
should have_ 8,000?. this. They showed him our memorial which he 
read, and said we should certainly have it, and he would take it upon 
him but it must be by way of petition. That the thing spoke itself ; 
that it is agreed between our Court and that of Spain to appoint 
Commissioners on each side to examine to which kingdom Georgia 
belongs, whether it be part of Carolina or of Florida ; and therefore 
not to support our settlement while that is in dispute would be to 
give up the point to Spain before examination, as on the other hand 
to put the 8,000/ in the estimate, and not petition for it, would 'be 
(if that could be done) to determine a disputed matter too soon in our 
own favour. But that in reality it could not be done, for there are 
but three services provided for by way of estimate, the Military, the 
Ordnance and the Navy ; but Georgia could be put under none of 
these heads. 

Wednesday, 10.—I obeyed a summons for the meeting of a Common 
Council Board this day, but We could only make a Trustee Board of 
which I was chairman : Egmont, President ; Vernon, Smith, Hen. 
Archer, Lapotre. 

We read the remainder of the letters received by the last packets 
from Georgia, and made some remarks, for heads of letters. 

We drew up our answer to Mr. Whitfeild's last letter to the Board, 
wherein he varies a little from his first proposal. His design of 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 3 

1738-9. 

preaching and procuring subscriptions for building a church at 
Ebenezer, and an Orphan house at Savannah, without putting the 
Trustees to any charge on that account is worthy of our pleasing him 
in all we can reasonably, but to put the entire direction and management 
of the Orphan house into his hands, without communicating to us 
his schemes and giving us an account how the money collected by 
him is laid out, is not in our power, we being the Trustees of Orphans 
ourselves, which cannot be given up by us to another, but this we 
agreed, that if he acquainted us with the sums collected by him, and 
made an account to us how he expended it, he should have our com-! 
mission as treasurer to the Orphan house, and be at liberty to disburse 
the money in the way he thought best for carrying on the design. 

As to his desire of another kind of form of deputation to make 
collections than our printed ones, we resolved not to give him it, but 
since he thought it too general a one for the particular purposes above 
mentioned, we would give an explanation thereof signed by our 
secretary that should make it conformable to his own desires. 

As to his desire that the servants appointed for cultivating lands 
for religious uses might be put entirely under his direction to be 
employed as he thought fit and as long as he thought fit ; we resolved 
that could not be allowed him in so general a manner. That they are 
designed to cultivate 300 acres for religious uses in general, of which 
the salary to him is but one part, but that it was the first thing we 
intended to provide for out of the profits of the land when cultivated, 
and till then the Trustees would pay him the 501. per annum out of 
their cash. But before this cultivation was begun the servants should 
be employed in cultivating the five acres he had desired to be 
appropriated to the Minister's use. 

One Cooksey lately come from Savannah appeared before us. He 
said he left the Colony for fear Mr. Causton should arrest him for 100Ü. 
he had lent him of the Trustees' money without our order, and which 
he is not able to pay, but hoped our indulgence therein ; that though 
he had been four years in the Colony he could never get his land run 
out, which prevented his cultivating, and was of vast loss to him ; 
that thereupon he had settled himself upon 180 acres of trust land 
near the river side, which he desired we would make him a grant of, 
and allow him to part with his late surveyed lot of 45 acres, and with 
the lot he was in possession of by marrying the widow of one Mathews. 
We bid him put his proposals in writing, and they should be 
considered. 

We put him several questions for information concerning the con 
dition of Georgia. His answers were, that about half of the land of 
the Province was good land, the other half pine barren, but that even 
the last bore three crops of corn, after which it would never bear more, 
but that it turned to pasture, and he had seen trefoil and cinqfoil 
grow thereon. 

That the black mulberry trees grow wild about the country, but in 
swampy ground or hickory, not on the pine barren, and that the silk 
people make no use of the leaf, being harsh to the worm. And the 
white mulberry does not thrive well by what he yet could see, though 
it would do well on the hickory ground. That the silk people brought 
their leaves from Carolina for feeding their worms. 

That he had not seen any grapes of De Lion the Jew's raising, but 

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4 BTARY OF THE 

Jan. 10-19 

was informed he had raised several vines that bore bunches of the 
Portugal grape weighing two pounds. That himself had made wine 
of the wild grape of the country brought him by the Indians, but it 
grew sour, and would not keep, though very pleasant to drink when 
new, and of a fine colour. 

After this Mr. Paris, our solicitor, came to acquaint us that he had 
seen a letter from New York advising, that on the 16th October last 
Mr. Oglethorp had summoned a general meeting of all the people at 
Savannah, and acquainted them that it cut him to the heart to be 
obliged to tell them, that he had the Trustees' order to shut up the 
stores, and call on all who were indebted thereto to give bond to the 
Trustees for repayment, after which they might retire where they 
pleased, their subsistence being at an end. And further, that he had 
order to seize on Mr. Causton and send him over prisoner to England 
•to answer for his misapplication of the stores, and disobeying their 
orders. But as it was necessary Mr. Causton should have time to 
make up his accounts, he would suspend the sending him till that 
was done. 

We could not but observe when Mr. Paris left us, that Mr. Ogle- 
thorp had not acted rightly in this affair, for though our first direction 
was that he should send Causton over, we afterwards altered that 
purpose, and were more indulgent to him, which second resolution 
we imparted to Mr. Oglethorp before he left England, but by imparting 
the harshest of his orders and concealing the milder, he recommended 
himself to the people's good opinion at our expense. 

We all dined together at the Cyder House, and in the evening I 
visited the Bishop of Litchfeild and cousin Will. Southwell. 

Thursday 11.—Went to the city to do business. In the evening 
visited Mr. Southwell. 

Friday 12.—Visited Mr. Vernon and Mr. Fra. Clerke. 

Saturday 13.—Went to St. George's Hospital at Hide Park Corner 
upon a committee to settle the annual accounts. 

Cousin Will. Southwell and his lady, young cousin Helena Le Grand, 
and cousin Ned Southwell's wife dined with me. 

This week the Lady Henrietta Powis, a young widow of 22 years 
old, married Birde the singing man. She is daughter to the Earl of 
Walgrave, now Ambassador in France, and her first husband was 
son to the Marquis of Powis. Her brother, an Ensign in the Guards, 
told her that her lover had the pox, and that she would be disappointed 
of the only thing she married him for, which was her lust ; for that he 
would continue to lie every night with the player that brought them 
together, and give her no solace. But there is no prudence below the 
girdle. ' Birde continues to sing upon the stage, This lady had 600Í. 
a year jointure, 2001. of which is encumbered by former debts, and 
200Z. she has lately sold to pay his debts. To-day it is said her goods 
have been sold. 

This week, Miss Williams, a player, was complimented in the green 
room by her fellow comedians for the honour done he:· by the Duke 
of Cumberland in taking her for a mistress ; but 'tis to be hoped this 
is scandal. 

Sunday 14.—Went to chapel forenoon and afternoon, and visited 
Mrs. Mary Dering. 

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FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 5 

1738-9. 

Monday 15.—Stayed at home all day except going to Court in the 
morning. 

Tuesday 16.—Returned the visits of Lord Wilmington, Lord 
Palmerston, Mr. Harrang, Mr. Hampden, Mr. Schutz, Col. Schutz, 
Sir Windham Knatchbull, Mr. Ned Southwell, and Dr. Moore. 

In the evening went to Hendle's new oratorio called Saul. 

Wednesday 17.—Went to the Georgia Board, where met Mr. La 
Röche in the Trustee chair ; Mr. Vernon, Lord Tirconnel, Lord Egmont, 
Mr. Smith, Mr. Tho. Archer, Mr. Lapotre, Common Councillors ; Aid. 
Heathcote, Lord Carpenter, Mr. Anderson, Sir Jacob Bouverie, 
Trustees. 

The chief business of our meeting was to settle the draft of our 
petition to Parliament for money. Which being done, we read a letter 
wrote by Mr. Hugh Andersen, the Inspector of our public garden 
and mulberry trees, to Mr. Adam Anderson, one of our Trustees, wherein 
he gives a bad account of the land in Georgia called pine barren, and 
affirms the best improvers there cannot subsist without some further 
support from the Trustees, but that there is no doubt the colony will 
prosper, and in time repay England the charges she has been at in 
establishing it. That in particular the silk manufacture will certainly 
succeed, though hitherto it has met with unavoidable obstructions, 
which he mentions. 

Mr. Alderman Heathcote though he quitted the Common Council, 
and since that hardly has attended, yet on this extraordinary occasion 
was with us and expressed as much zeal for the colony as ever I knew 
him to do. 

Before we broke up Mr. Whitfeild (who returned yesterday from 
Oxford, where the Bishop of Gloucester ordained him) came to us. 
He told us he had received good encouragement towards erecting an 
Orphan house at Savannah ; that he had collected above 331. at his 
sermon in the City preached before he went to Oxford ; that the Bishop 
of Gloucester had also given him 10Z., and another person sent him 3Î. 
That an experienced apothecary of good substance and a surgeon 
had resolved to go with him to Georgia to carry on the Orphan house. 

Mr. Vernon, Alderman Heathcote, Mr. Lapotre and I dined at the 
Cyder House, and Mr. Hen. Archer, who came there to us though he 
came not to the Board. 

After dinner I went to the Wednesday music club at the Crown 
Tavern. 

Thursday 18.—I went at night to a public meeting of the vocal 
music club at the Crown Tavern, where the famous oratorio of Hendel, 
called " The Feast of Alexander," was performed by the gentlemen 
of our club. 

This day the Parliament was prorogued for a fortnight, and this day 
my wife was told by Dr. Hollings, late Physician to the King, that 
since the arrival of the ratification of the peace with Spain, Sir Robert 
Walpole had assured a gentleman of his acquaintance (who told it 
to the doctor again) that the Parliament would give no money this 
year to the Trustees of Georgia. 

Friday 19.—I visited this day Lord Lovel, Mr. Hucks and Mr. 
Ayers. After dinner Mr. Verelts called on me to tell me he had spoken 

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6 DIARY OF THE 

Jan. 19-24 

to Mr. Whitfeild concerning his later proposal to go to Georgia ; and 
that he found him come nearer the Trustees' sentiments than before, 
and had taken his advice to him kindly. 

He said he had also been with Mr. T. Towers and Mr. Hucks (who 
were absent from our last meeting) and found them resolved to adhere 
with, the rest of the Trustees in strongly supporting the colony of 
Georgia ; but he did not like Mr. White's conversation on that 
occasion, who told him he would not be at the Board when that should 
again be proposed among us, though when the matter came into the 
House he would vote with the other Trustees. I told him what I had 
heard concerning Sir Eobert Walpole's telling a gentleman that we 
should have no money this session. He said Mr. Simond long ago told 
him the same, and he believed there would be a debate and division 
about it. I said the matter could not be at all entered upon till Sir 
Robert acquainted the House with his Majesty's consent, and when 
he had done so it would be odd if he should afterwards oppose what 
he himself had proposed to the King ; he answered Sir Robert might 
vote for us, but order his people to vote against us. 
""""He then told me that Sir Cha. Wager last Council day produced a 
letter he had just received from a captain of one of His Majesty's 
ships of war at Frederica, giving account that the soldiers (part of 
Colonel Oglethorp's Regiment) that went from Gibraltar to Frederica 
had mutinied in the following manner : The Colonel had seen them 
reviewed, and was just returned to his tent with Capt. Hugh Mackay, 
when one hundred of those Gibraltar soldiers, instead of going to their 
quarters, marched to the Colonel's tent and demanded to speak with 
him, thereupon he came out and asked what they wanted ; they 
replied, their usual allowance of subsistence. He replied, His Majesty 
had in his generosity given them six months' full allowance besides 
their pay, and though the six months are out, yet they had still half 
subsistence, and two pence additional pay, which they ought to be 
thankful for and contented with. But at all events they now applied 
to him in a very improper manner, and he commanded them to their 
quarters. He no sooner said this, but two of them levelled their pieces 
at him, and fired, the shot of one entirely missed him, but the other 
passed between Ms wig and cheek and providentially missed him. 
Captain Mackay being by, with great presence of mind at that instant 
drew his sword and killed one of them on the spot, and seized the 
other, whereupon the rest seeing their comrade fall went every one 
away. Colonel Oglethorp then caused these mutineers to be put on 
board the man-of-war for securing their persons till a court martial 
should sit upon them, and it is not doubted but some examples will be 
made of them. Their firing with ball and being in the front of the 
rest shows this was a premeditated design to murder him. 

Saturday 20.—This morning I visited Lord Wilmington who con 
firmed to me what Mr. Verelts told me yesterday concerning the 
mutiny in Georgia ; and added that he thought the matter was not 
yet entirely over, for that when the other soldiers who were in their 
quarters when the attack on Mr. Oglethorp was made heard what their 
comrades had done against him, they said they were in the right. 
He told me also that only six of the mutineers were confined on board 
the ship. 

Afterwards I went to the Hospital in Hide Park Corner, being on a 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 7 

1738-9. 

committee for bestowing gratuities on the servants. Dined and passed 

the evening at home. 

Sunday 21.—Went to Chapel and to Court. 

Monday 22.—Visited Geni. St. Hipolite, Mr. Fra. Clerke, Mr. Vernon, 
Lord Inchiqueen, Brother Parker, Mr. Temple, Lord Carpenter, Col. 
Schutz, and the Speaker. Spent the evening at home. 

Tuesday 23.—This evening Mr. Verelts brought a great packet of 
letters from the office which arrived yesterday. The accounts from 
Georgia were very bad, the colony being on the point of breaking up, 
through the evil management of Causton, who would have withdrawn 
but that he was obliged to remain and give security to answer for his 
management. These letters also confirm the mutiny of Col. Ogle- 
thorp's soldiers, and their design after seizing the Fort St. Andrew, 
and killing their officers, to fly to the Spaniards. Some papist Irish 
soldiers were at the bottom of this. Col. Oglethorp also wrote me in 
particular, as well as to the Trustees, that without an immediate supply 
the Colony must disperse, and that 20,OOOZ. is necessary to be had of 
the Parliament by the necessity of the Trustees disbursing many 
thousand pounds for the military service out of what was given them 
only for the civil concerns of the colony. 

Wednesday 24.—There was a great meeting of Common Council 
men to the number of thirteen, viz. :—Mr. Smith in the Trustee chair, 
Lord Egmont in the Common Council chair, Sir Will. Heathcote, Mr. 
Digby, Mr. Lapotre, Aid. Heathcote, Lord Tirconell, Lord Shaftsbury, 
Mr. Tracy, Mr. Hen. Archer, Mr. Tho. Towers, Mr. Chr. Towers, Mr. 
Vernon, Mr. Laroch. 

The business of the day and for which we were summoned, was to 
receive reports from the committees to whom special matters were 
referred, and from the committee of correspondence, and to consider 
of Mr. Cpokesay's and Mr. Burntside's petitions. 

But the packets which arrived from Georgia were so full of important 
matters that all business was postponed to the reading our letters. 

Therefore the Trustees being set, a letter from Col. Oglethorp to the 
Trustees, dated from Frederica, 7 October, 1738, was read, wherein he 
gave us the melancholy account that the stores were almost empty, 
and had been ill managed. The Spanish alarms had prevented the 
inhabitants from cultivating their lands. A great debt had been 
contracted on that side, over and above the drafts made on the Trustees 
by certified accounts, a large supply must be had from the public 
otherwise the people would be in the utmost misery. The Spaniards 
had reported Mr. Oglethorp was disgraced and would not return, 
which the Carolina traders confirmed, in order to divide the Creek 
Indians from us. His mutinous soldiers had plotted to seize an 
advanced post, kill their officers, and go off to a neighbouring province 
(which I suppose means the Spanish town of Augusta) ; that the free 
holders and others at Frederica by reason of the drought last year 
must have starved but for Mr. Horton's generous giving them his 
corn and cattle for food ; and that the charge of Fort St. Andrew 
establishment is 229Z. per annum. 

A second letter from him of the 19 October, dated from Savannah, 

acquainted us that he had taken possession of the stores, where he 

.round, small remains of the vast quantity had been laid in. A great 

part of the steers and hogs were run wild. Stores had been charged 

 8 D1AEY OF THE 

' Jan. 24 

by Causton as delivered for the use of the people at Frederica, which 
they disowned to have received; he had also sent damaged stores, 
and those overcharged. That this waste had been partly made by 
him by crediting the people with stores who had no right to demand it, 
while those who had a right were left to starve, and by taking out the 
debt due for those persons to the Trust for the stores advanced them 
in work of their servants, which work was frivolous and of no service 
to the public. That industrious people who had lodged their little 
savings in the public storehouse as a secure place where to find their 
effects, will (the stores not answering) lose all and starve, and the like 
misery will fall on the Trust servants and the orphans, sick, aged, etc. 
The debts contracted on that side not yet known, but one article 
alone, viz. :—the providing boats to carry the regiment from 
' Savannah to Frederica, and the building huts for the regiment was 
computed Ι,ΟΟΟΖ. 

That Causton's excuse for his bad management (to which all this is 
owing) was, that the multitude forced him to these expenses, one article 
of which was erecting a fort, against his will, and the charge of the 
Saltsburgers was not in our estimate. That the Spanish alarms 
obliged him to the supply of armed sloops, continuing the rangers, 
etc. That the said Causton would give security of all he had acquired 
or was worth in the world to answer any ill conduct he should be found 

culpable of. 

That he (Col. Oglethorp) could not proceed to build churches and 
cultivate lands for religious uses without further orders, nor would hr 
draw bills or contract any debt, but he would rather spend his own 
money, to the amount of a year's income of his estate and employment, 
and had already spent some. 

He proposed that if the Trustees cannot pay these debts and certified 
accounts, they should pay what remains in their hands at an average, 
and clear the remainder out of the next aids of Parliament. For the 
rest, the Italians like the place, that very fine silk has been made, as 
also china ware, and a prospect of wine, towards which he had paid 
the undertaker 100Í. in payment of the encouragement agreed to be 
given him ; that the people appeared more industrious since the idle 
people in Savannah division were run away, and that if the Parliament 
clear the Trust of their debts, 5000Í. per annum will sufficiently support 
the Province for the civil uses, as maintaining government, giving 
encouragements, etc., exclusive of the charges in England. 

Another letter from him of the same date to the Trustees (designed 
to be shown the Ministry and Parliament men in order to induce them 
to give a large supply this year) was read ; in which he gives the bad 
state of the colony, with his advice how to remedy it ; also reasons 
why it ought to be supported, as that Jekyl's harbour will hold 40 
gun ships at low water, and 60 gun ships at high water. That our 
advanced post is within 12 miles of the Spaniards' out guard to the 
South, and not much further to the West from the French. That we 
are now reaping the fruits of our labours to raise silk, vines, cotton, etc. 
That our credit and the Parliamentary faith stand engaged. That the 
Spanish alarms had taken the people from their cultivating, and a 
great drought had destroyed their crops, and this at a time when the 
people's maintenance was three times dearer through scarcity of corn 
in other Provinces than usual, or was estimated by the Trustees. That 

FIRST EAEL OF EGMONT. 9 

1738-9. 

the Parliament gave 20,000i. to the Trustees when the military and 
civil establishment lay upon them, but reduced their supply to 8,000i. 
when they were relieved of the military by the regiment sent by his 
Majesty ; but that contrary to the Trustees' expectation the charge 
of the military continued on the Trustees a year and a half, it being so 
long before the regiment by unavoidable accidents arrived, which 
occasioned an exceeding great debt, the same not being provided for 
by the Parliament, or put in the estimate made by the Trust when they 
asked for 8,000i. only. Wherefore he hoped the Parliament would give 
this year an ample supply to pay this debt, or the colony must fall, 
nor would there be occasion for a regiment to defend a colony 
abandoned and broke up. 

Then was read Col. Oglethorp's letter to Hen. Parker, second bailiff 
of Savannah, and Mr. Stevens our secretary, dated 16 October, relating 
to the storekeepers' extravagance, and their report the day following, 
to this effect : that the people who are indebted to the stores are not 
able to repay, that to sell the stores by auction in order to satisfy some 
of the Trustees' debts contracted would not answer, but that the best 
way would be to deliver the stores out to such as have demands on 
the stores'at the store prices. 

Then we read a petition from the freeholders of Frederica, expressing 
the necessity of our further supporting them by reason of the des 
truction of their crops by the drought, and the Spanish alarms. Their 
desire was to have a loan of bread and seed to sow which when able they 
would repay, and they further desired that no man in their island might 
have more than fifty acres, by reason they who had more refused .to 
do duty of watch and ward. 

Upon reading these letters, it was proposed to alter the form of our 
petition agreed upon at the former meeting, and to reinforce our 
arguments for a large supply. 

But Mr. Tho. Towers acquainted the Board that he had lately 
had discourse with Sir Robert Walpole concerning the Spanish claim 
to Georgia, who told him that by the convention, our Minister at 
Madrid is to settle with that Court the limits of Carolina and Florida. 
That they claimed Georgia to be part of Florida, and he was surprised 
that His Majesty's grant to us of Georgia should have passed the 
approbation of the Board of Trade and the Attorney General before 
they were satisfied that Georgia was no part of Florida. But the 
matter was to be determined in nine months. He (Mr. Towers) was 
therefore of opinion we should defer our petition as long as we could 
to see what would be done with us, and whether we should not ask for 
money to dislodge the colony and bring the people home, but he did 
not offer this as his proposal. Mr. Laroche agreed with him. But the 
other gentlemen present were surprised at this discourse. Alderman 
Heathcote made a long speech against it and said, whether Mr. Towers 
was in earnest or in jest he knew not, nor could he understand his 
meaning. For his part, the honour of the Trustees and of the Parlia 
ment and the interest of the nation and the safety of the colony and 
Col. Oglethorp's life was so much concerned, and depended so much 
on our vigorous appearance on this occasion, that he never would 
give up the colony, or endanger the want of an immediate support 
by delaying the petition, for the drawing up of which we had already 
sufficient grounds and lights. 

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10 DIARY OF THE 

Jan.24-28 

I was unwilling the thing should grow too serious, for I saw Mr. 
Towers colour, and therefore I turned it off by saying, nobody could 
be supposed to want zeal for supporting the colony, and what Mr. 
Towers said was only out of compassion to the poor people in case they 
were to be sacrificed. Mr. Towers said he meant so. 

Mr. Hen. Archer said he was sorry to find Sir Robert Walpole had 
put our dispute with Spain on the foot whether Georgia be part of 
Florida or not, for this was entirely changing the state of the kingdom's 
right to Georgia. That our right stood upon possession, but if that 
right be supposed no right in case it shall appear it formerly belonged 
to Florida, then it must be given up, for not only Georgia but Carolina 
itself was originally part of Florida. That by the Treaty of 1670, 
the uti possidetis was settled, and the only enquiry ought to be if 
Georgia being part of Carolina was in possession of the English 
when that Treaty was signed. 

Mr. Vernon said it did not become us to reason about the right of 
England to Georgia, His Majesty had given it to us by Charter and the 
Parliament had annually confirmed it, and our business was to labour 
the maintenance of it, and to suppose it belongs to England. 

In conclusion we agreed to alter the petition, and to get it presented 
as soon as we could, which yet we were sensible could not be till Sir 
Robert should have obtained His Majesty's consent, which we sus 
pected Sir Robert would not do so soon as we could wish. 

But first we read some other accounts received from Georgia, viz. :— 
A letter from Mr. Jones, the new storekeeper at Savannah, to Mr. 
Verelts, dated 19 October, relating the distresses the colony is in, the 
badness of the stores, the little quantity of them, and bad assortment. 
That Causton had sent damaged goods and things not wanted to the 
people at Frederica. That he had called on Causton to deliver him 
the stores, and when Mr. Oglethorp came up to Savannah from Frederica 
.the store books were delivered to him, but not before. That the 
principal clerk of the stores to whom Causton had trusted the full 
management of the stores was run away to Carolina, and Causton said 
he could give no account until he was returned. That Bradley, the 
overseer of the Trust servants, would, he feared, be found to have 
made great waste ; and that there was not quantity sufficient in the 
stores for clothing the Trust servants. 

A second letter from the same Jones to Mr. Verelts, dated 12 
November, acquainted him that the Trustees were indebted near 
Ι,ΟΟΟΪ. for hiring boats and building huts for Col. Oglethorp's regiment, 
to which purpose he enclosed a certificate from Lieut. Col. Cochrane 
and other officers of the regiment. That he had taken an inventory 
of the stores, which he enclosed, and two more of the clerks were fled 
to Carolina. That Col. Oglethorp had wrote to the Lieut. Govr. of 
South Carolina to have them taken up, and in the meantime, upon 
intimation that Causton intended also to withdraw himself, he had by 
warrant from Mr. Christie, the Recorder, caused him to be taken up 
and to give security for his forthcoming, wherein the bailiff Parker 
and Mr. Hugh Anderson were bound. 

After this followed an account of the mutiny of the soldiers, and 
the danger Col. Oglethorp was in by two shots made at him. 

Then I took the Common Council chair, and Mr. Cooksey's petition 
was read, praying a grant of 180 acres resigned to him by another 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 11 

1738-9. 

person on which he had built' a hut that cost him 121., and cultivated 
8 acres. He also desired his disbursement on a town lot might be made 
good to him, he having obtained it of a person who before had mort 
gaged it, and the mortgagee had entered and taken possession, so that 
his money was lost. He further desired that he might be suffered to 
repay the 100Z. lent him by Causton on account of the Trust, by gales 
.of 10?. per annum. 

The Board agreed that he should have the 180 acres, if what he 
alleged concerning the late owner's resignation appeared to be true, 
but as to the 50 acre town lot, we could not refund his loss incurred by 
his want of a good title ; neither could he have a grant of a town and 
country lot both, it being against our constitution, but he might hold 
one of them by lease. 

We also consented he should pay his debt by 10Z. yearly gales ; but 
directed he should be informed we could not support him and his 
family with provisions for a year (which he also desired) he not having 
gone over on the poor account, but on his own. 

Lord Tirconnel, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Hen. Archer, Mr. T. Towers, Mr. 
Chr. Towers, Sir Will. Heathcote, Mr. Smith and I dined at the Cyder 
House. I gave Mr. Hen. Archer my paper on the difficulties and 
discouragements on the settling the Province of Virginia. 

Thursday 25.—I stayed at home all day. Lord Carpenter, Mr. 
Vernon and Mr. Hucks came to see me, also my cousin Le Gendre. 
Mr. Wolley dined with me. 

I signed this day a letter of attorney to my brother Percival to 
receive certain monies on a mortgage in Ireland, and therein declared 
that all the concern I had in that affair was on his account and to his 
use and the money his, Geo. Lewis and Henekin, my servants, being 
witnesses thereto ; and I sent the same enclosed to my brother this 
night. See 27 June, 1738. 

Friday 26.—Visited Lord Tirconnel. 

Saturday 27.—Visited Mr. J. Temple, dined and spent the evening 
at home. 

It is in everybody's mouth that Georgia is to be given up to the 
Spaniards. 

Sunday 28.—I went to chapel in the morning ; then to Court ; 
after dinner I went again to chapel and then to St. James's Church, 
to hear the Bishop of Oxford explain the Catechism. My son and 
Mr. Cecil dined with me. My old friend Francis Clerke is now a 
baronet by the death of his cousin Sir William Clerke, of Oxfordshire. 

Monday 29.—Went to King Street Chapel to pass accounts, then 
visited Mr. Whitchet and afterwards went to the Georgia office, a 
large box of letters being arrived this day. I had not time to peruse 
the letters. Mr. Verelts informed me that Mr. Simon the merchant 
told him that though one article of the Convention is to settle the 
limits of Carolina, whereby is understood Georgia ; yet, by a secret 
article, the Commissioners are to have orders to deliver it up. Yet at 
the same time Sir Robert Walpole has desired Mr. Hen. Archer, one 
of our Trustees, to acquaint us that he should take it as a favour that 
we would make out His Majesty's right to Georgia. How inconsistent 
tms is ; as inconsistent as his promising us money this year, and 
assurmg Giraldini, the Spanish Minister, we shall have none. 

"on offered that if the Trustees should think it necessary 

Mr. 

 12 DIARY OF THE 

Jan. 28-31 

he would bring all the merchants of the city trading to the Plantations, 
to declare at the Bar of the House of Commons that the whole trade 
thither is unsafe if Georgia be given up, and that they in that case 
will trade no more there. 

I drew up my paper containing twelve reasons why Georgia should 

be supported. 

After dinner I went with my family to the Thatched House Tavern 
upon an appointment of a great number of our acquaintances to 
supper, play at cards, and have a ball there, for the benefit of Mrs. Davis 
who keeps the lavern. The whole number that met were fifty-eight, 
and of them about forty-seven relations of my wife or me, the rest 
acquaintances one of another. 

The ladies paid their five shillings each for their supper and tea, 
and the gentlemen half a guinea for supper, wine, music and wax 
candles. Everyone came away much pleased. When supper was done 
at one o'clock, and till supper came on, some played cards, others 
looked on, and about fifteen couples danced. 

Tuesday 30.—I visited Lady Roche, Mr. Southwell, Mrs. Betty 
Southwell, After dinner visited Mr. Vernon. 

I drew up heads for Alderman Heathcote to speak on in behalf of 
Georgia, with answers to objections if any should be made to the 
supplying the Trustees with money. 

I waited on Lord Carteret to know his sense of Georgia. He said 
if the Trustees would exert themselves against the giving it up the 
minority would support them, otherwise they would not give a shilling 

this year. 

Wednesday 31.—This day we had a large meeting of Trustees and 
Common Council to consider of the bad state of our affairs, and how 
to mend them, - The gentlemen that met were : Lord Shaftsbury in 
the Trustee chair, Lord Egmont in the Common Council chair ; Mr. 
Vernon, Mr. Digby, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Smith, Mr. Tracy, Aid. Heathcote, 
Mr. Tho. Towers, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Hen. Archer, Lord Carpenter, 
Mr. Tho. Archer, Sir Jacob Deboverie, Lord Tirconnel, Sir Roger 

Burgoyn. 

After reading the last minutes, we read divers letters lately received 

from Georgia, viz. :— 

1. One from Mr. Oglethorp, dated 19 September, 1738, 
expressing the great misery, and even ruin, the colony will fall 
into without further and large supplies from Parliament this 
session. 

That he found one great oppression at his arrival at Savannah, 
viz. :—That persons were imprisoned for debt, though they gave 
up all they had to pay. 

That the captain of the man-of-war, Burrish( (), had found the 
harbours in our southern division larger and safer than he at first 
imagined. 

That he wanted to know what establishment would be allowed 
by us. 

2. Another letter from Mr. Oglethorp of the same date, to Mr. 
Tho. Archer, was read, acquainting him that he had a fine passage, 
and lost not one person of 700 he carried with him. 

That notwithstanding the bad situation of our affairs at present, 
the colony if supported will be as nourishing as any. 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 13 

1738-9. 

That there are now 1,500 Spanish troops in Augustine. That 
if two men-of-war were stationed, one at Amelia, the other a1 
Jekyl Island, it would cover the whole country ; he therefore 
desired he would use his interest with the Admiralty to obtain 
this. 

3. Another letter of same date from Oglethorp to Sir Joseph 
Jekyl, deceased, was read, it being supposed to contain nothing 
but what related to the affairs of the colony ; but our secretary 
was desired to read it to himself first and then to tell us if it con 
tained any private matters ; he declaring it did not, it was publicly 
read. In it he acquaints Sir Joseph with the great courage of our 
planters to defend themselves in case of attack, though vastly 
surpassed in number by the Spaniards, and those old soldiers, 
whereas our planters are not so ; but this military duty so harassed 
the planters, and flung them so backward in their planting, that 
without further support they would be all undone, and would fly 
the colony. He adds that if the colony be supported, we shall 
certainly succeed in making silk and wine, 

4. A letter from Mr. Stephens, the secretary to the Trustees, 
dated 27 September, 1738, was read, acquainting us that the 
people are very uneasy with the tenure of their grants. 

That Bradley has done very little in cultivating the Trust lots, 
and was not able to give a good account of his management. That 
several, servants had left him to go to other masters. That he had 
been extravagant in making a new road to the Trust grounds, 
which was wholly unnecessary, there being already two roads to 
the same place. That the servants were in general very idle, that 
he had suffered extremely by his own. That he had set up notice 
on the store door, that the stores were to be shut up. 

That Gilbert, the tailor, the third bailiff (appointed by Mr. 
Oglethorp's recommendation), scrupled accepting that office, lest 
it should expose him, he not knowing how to read or write. 

That our final decision against the claim of Grand Juries to 
examine on oath, will put an end to the heats arose on that account. 

That Mr. Jones, the new storekeeper at Savannah, had entered 
on his office. That he had enclosed a list of useful people to the 
colony, though they had not cultivated their lands. Many other 
material passages there were which I can't recollect, but his letter 
will be in the appendix. 

5. Another letter from Mr. Stephens to the Trustees, dated 
21 November, was read, importing that the people there were 
very inquisitive into Causton's management, whom, though he 
cannot justify from extravagance, he yet cannot find he was 
dishonest. 

That Causton vindicates himself by saying he kept the stores 
full for fear of the people starving, when other opportunities did 
not offer to get provision in a proper time, and that he saved the 
-trustees by paying out the unnecessary provisions to others, in 
lieu of money. 

Mr. Stephens adds that Mr. Jones is very severe on Mr. Causton 
m examining into his accounts, wherein Causton meets a return 
oí that pride and passion which he exercised to others. 

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That the Palatin servants sent over with Captain Hewet from 
Holland are the most lazy of all ; but those which went with 
Captain Thompson are good ; and would have done well if im 
mediately on their arrival they had been made free, a little'land 
given them, and a tolerable support in the beginning. 

That a difference had arisen between Mr. Habersham, the 
schoolmaster, and our new minister, Mr. Norris, wherein Haber 
sham was to blame, he endeavouring to hurt Mr. Norris's character, 
in favour of Mr. Whitfeild, who is to return. 

Mr. Stephen's journal came at the same time, but with these letters 
and divers others not read, were referred to the Committee of Corres 
pondence. 

Then the draft of our petition to Parliament for a further support 
this Session was read, and being approved, engrossed fair ; and we 
desired Mr. Tracy, Thos. Towers, Thos. Archer, Hen. Arche!· and Lord 
Tirconnel to wait on Sir Robert with it, and ask his favour for granting 
us this year 20,OOOZ. instead of δ,ΟΟΟΪ. we asked of him a little while 
since, and a paper was drawn up showing the reasons why we varied 
from our first demand, which was made before we were apprized of the 
bad state of our affairs. 

After this, Mr. Henry Archer acquainted the Board that he had a 
message from Sir Robert Walpole to us, to desire we would make out 
His Majesty's title to Georgia, for doing which we should have all the 
assistance the public offices can give. 

Upon this the gentleman showed themselves of different opinions ; 
Alderman Heathcote, Mr. Vernon, Lord Shaftsbury, Mr. Lapotre, Sir 
Jacob Debovery and I were against our taking that load on ourselves, 
whose business it was not, neither had we the necessary means of 
doing it. That it was a matter of vast consequence, and the proper 
affair of the Board of Trade, of His Majesty's Advocate, a Civilian of 
reputation, or of the Attorney General, and if we would go higher, of 
the Privy Council itself ; but to expect that a set of private gentlemen 
who had not a paper in their office beyond the time of their charter 
in 1732, except some copies which cannot be esteemed as authentic 
as the originals are in His Majesty's offices, was very hard. That we 
had received a charter and ought to esteem it so good, and His Majesty's 
title to Georgia so strong, as not to admit of a doubt to the contrary. 

Lord Tirconnel, Mr. Henry Archer, and Mr. Thomas Towers were on 
the contrary for complying as far as we could with Sir,Robert's request. 
(N.B.—They had both been last night in conference with Sir Robert, 
Mr. Horace Walpole, and the Duke of Newcastle on this affair), and 
said they esteemed it a duty owing to their trust, to do their best to 
assist in defending the King's title, since it was (as is generally under 
stood) to be referred to commissaries whether His Majesty has a title 

thereto or no. 

We asked what service it was imagined we could do, since we could 
only search records, but this would be done by those who are immediately 
concerned to defend His Majesty's title. On the contrary, we might 
do ourselves much hurt and to the colony too, for if we undertook 
this affair, and should fail therein, or if after all our labour there should 
(as has been said) be a secret article enjoining our Commissaries to 
give up Georgia, the Ministry will say how could we keep it when the 
Trustees of that province who undertook to defend His Majesty's 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

15 

1738-9. 

title were not able to do it, though they had all the assistance the public 

offices could give them. 

To this they could give no satisfactory answer. 

Mr. Tracy then proposed that a verbal message should be returned 
to Sir Robert, as his had been verbal to'us, expressing our inability 
to be of any service in this affair, only that if anything that could give 
light in it should occur to us, we would acquaint him with it ; to this 
I was inclined, but Mr. Vernon and most of the gentlemen were against 
it, as not knowing how messages might be interpreted, but that if Sir 
Robert pleased to send us a message in writing, we should return him 
one of the same sort, but still excuse our meddling in the affair. 

Alderman Heathcote then proposed that we should desire Sir Robert 
to inform us what it was the Spaniards demanded, and what resolutions 
he had come to with respect to Georgia, and then we should know what 
we were about in taking upon us to assist in the defence of the King's 
title ; but this was not seconded, most of the gentlemen imagining 
that he did this only to raise heats in the House, he being a determined 
man to overturn Sir Robert's administration if in his power. 

At length it was agreed to make no return to Sir Robert's message, 
either in words or writing, other than we were unable to say anything 
in defence of His Majesty's title to Georgia, having never doubted 
but it was good, since His Majesty had made us a grant of it, and the 
same had been confirmed by Parliament. 

After this we went into a Common Council, and received the reports 
of several committees which were approved, and some orders made 
thereon, particular with respect to the clerks to the store, one Wagner 
and one Cooksey. Taking into consideration also the miserable state 
of our people since the stores are shut up, we resolved Mr. Oglethorp 
should employ the 500Ϊ. he carried over with him in subsisting the 
most necessitous and deserving persons ; and also that the money 
appropriated to the building churches and cultivating land for 
religious uses should be sent in order to subsist our Trust servants 
while employed in building the churches and cultivating the above- 
mentioned land. 

After this eleven of us dined at the Horn Tavern. There Mr. Henry 
Archer took me aside to tell me that Sir Robert Walpole had much 
pressed him to second the motion to be made to-morrow for thanks to 
His Majesty for. his speech, the Parliament being then to open, but 
that he had declined it under apprehension that it might in some sort 
tie up his mouth from supporting Georgia if it should be understood 
by the House that part of His Majesty's measures is to give it up to 
the Spaniards. Sir Robert replied he was amazed how it could be 
believed that Georgia was to be given up by this Treaty ; that there 
was no such design, but he found the gentlemen of Georgia were his 
enemies. Mr. Archer replied, so far from that, we looked upon him 
as our patron and support. He answered, he had been so and always 
wished him well. 

I told Mr. Archer that he had acted a wise part, that we· were in a 
aittLcult situation, the minority threatening to be against supporting 
us unless we joined with them tête baissé against the ministry, and 
inflamed the House, and on the other hand no money to be expected 

bv b fh° · * ^ere ^kttg^d ' fcut since we found ourselves courted 
y both sides, it would'become us to stand on our own legs^and make 

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16 DIARY OF THE 

Jan. 31-Feb. 2 

no strong professions to either. He said he thought so too, and added 
that he perceived Sir Robert was very serious and absolutely under 
a consternation what would be the issue. I told him he had some 
reason if my Lord Carteret's prophecy be true, who yesterday told me, 
this affair of the peace and of giving up Georgia will hang him. 

Thursday, 1 February.- This morning I carried my family to see 
the monkey which is shown for a sight, and called " Madame Cham- 
panzee." It differs from all other brutes or species in the world, 
inasmuch as it always walks on two legs, the kneebone being outward 
like that of man, whereas that of all beasts whatever is inward. It was 
brought from Africa and being young the dam had it on her shoulders 
when shot ; she is five feet high, and the child (if I may call her so) 
clung to the mother's back with her arms over the shoulders, just as 
the negroes carry their children. This creature is now 15 months old, 
and more intelligent than any human child of that age, and had it the 
use of any words, would appear a prodigy in knowing so much within 
so few months of her birth. But as it is, she draws her chair to the 
fire, warms her hands as we do, drinks her tea, not by lapping or 
putting her mouth into the cup, but by supping. Her master put a 
cap on her head and tied the strings with a double knot to keep it on, 
because she likes it not ; whereupon she walked to a corner of the room 
imagining he would not see her, and with great dexterity untied the 
knot and laid the cap aside. Her arm is fat and round like a woman's, 
and her hands are also very like, only the palms are longer, the feet 
are less like, and the toes so formed as to be of use to her in climbing. 
She is a good-natured creature, gives her hand of her own accord to 
those who visit her, and twice gave both to me to help her down from 
a table where she had been placed. In face she is very ugly, and 
makes a frightful wide mouth when she cries, as she will do when her 
master leaves the room. Her nose is flat, but her ears are like those of 
men, quite white and without hair, but too large and ugly. The hair 
of her head is coal black, as that on her body, but the skin under 
neath white, and this hair will grow in time to hang down her back. 
Sir Hans Sloan says she has all the parts of speech in her, which is as 
much as to say she is made to speak, which, whenever it happens, 
may, I suppose, be followed by school .instruction ; and who knows but 
she may become as famous a wit and writer as Madame Dacier. 

This day the Parliament met, and both Houses debated whether His 
Majesty should yet be thanked for his speech until it was known 
whether the Convention with Spain be good or ill for England. In 
the House of Commons 141 divided against the address of thanks, but 
it was carried by 230. Mr. Hanbury Williams moved for the address 
and Mr. Fane seconded it. Mr. William Pulteney said he would not 
oppose paying the King that usual compliment, but it should not tie 
him down from opposing the terms on which the peace is to be made 
which he feared will come out scandalous to the British nation. 

Sir William Windham, Sir John Barnard and Mr. Littleton spoke 
' also with great resentment, as I heard, for I was not present. 

The first said, 150,0002. to be repaid our merchants' losses was no 
compensation to the nation for the great expense we have been at to 
procure satisfaction, but it was astonishing to hear that part of that 
sum was to be paid them by ourselves in satisfaction of the ships 
taken by Sir George Byng twenty years ago in the Mediterranean Sea 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 17 

1738-9. 

from the Spaniards, a claim unjust in itself and long worn out, for 
they had been offered those ships upon a reconciliation, but they refused 
them as rotten and not worth the having, and one of them having been 
bought by private persons to be sold to other private subjects of Spain, 
the King of Spain seized it and the purchasers lost both ship and 
money; yet now it seems Great Britain must pay 60,0002. for this 
ship again, and for the rest which Spain at that time thought worth 
nothing. This, he said, was not only unjust, but a great dishonour on 
the nation, Sir George Byng who destroyed that fleet having been made 
a peer for that service. 

Sir John Barnard took notice of the words contained in the address 
proposed, viz. :—regulating our grievances ; he said this gives little 
reason for us to hope the treaty with Spain will be satisfactory, since 
it is not proposed to end our grievances but only to regulate them ; 
but the nation hoped they would be cut up by the roots, and 'tis 
amazing a minister should dare to deviate so far from the unanimous 
consent and opinion of Parliament last session. 

Mr. Littleton expressed his indignation that the reign of the weakest 
and most cowardly prince that ever sat upon a throne, King James I. 
should be compared with that of his present Majesty, whose courage 
and wisdom is confessed to exceed all his predecessors. This was 
said on occasion of some words that fell concerning the peaceful 
measures of King James I., from one of the Court party in the debate. 

In the House of Lords, the Duke of Arguyle, Earl of Scarborow, 
Lord Bathurst, Lord Gore, Earl of Chesterfeild and Lord Carteret 
expressed themselves strong against the Convention, and though they 
were for thanking the King for his speech as a thing of course, though 
established a custom but of late years, yet they desired it might not 
be understood that the House was bound thereby to approve any 
articles of the treaty until well examined into. It was unlucky that 
the Duke of Portland who moved the address of thanks slipped over 
two leaves of his speech, and that my Lord Hubbard, who seconded 
him, was at such a loss that he begged pardon of the House and sat 
down. 

Friday 2.—Mr. Verelts told me that Mr. Towers and Mr. Henry 
Archer had acquainted Sir Robert Walpole with the resolution of the 
Trustees of Georgia not to take upon them the support of His Majesty's 
title to his dominions disputed by Spain ; but that as private persons 
they two would undertake to show His Majesty's right, if the public 
offices were open to them, to search for treaties, etc. That previously 
to this they must insist to know the utmost strength of the Spaniards' 
claims. Sir Robert replied, he knew no more of their claim than Giral- 
dini's memorial. Then, said they, we will undertake to answer that. 

These two gentlemen have undertaken a bold thing, and are not 
warranted by the Trustees of Georgia. And it is very strange the 
Ministry should lay this upon them, and pass by the Board of Trade, 
the King's Advocate, the Attorney General, and those officers of the 
Crown whose immediate and known duty it is to defend His Majesty's 
rights. In reason he cannot think these two gentlemen equally 
qualified with those who have been mentioned. I can think of no 
better reason, than that Sir Robert has advanced too far in his sub 
jecting His Majesty's right to Georgia to be disputed, and suffering 
commissaries to treat thereon, and being sensible of it now, is willing 

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Feb. 3-7 

to get off by taking the sense of Parliament thereon, which would 
appear too gross and a false proceeding to Monsieur Giraldini, after 
the allowing this affair to be determined by commissaries, should he 
be known to employ the known officers to dispute the Spanish claim, 
and therefore he chooses that the gentlemen of Georgia should be 
believed the fountain from which the opposition to the Spanish claim 
flows. 

Mr. Morelle of Calais, and Dr. Couraye dined with me. I spent the 
evening at home. 

Saturday 3.—Went to a meeting of the Trustees' chapel,* and dis 
missed Mr. Cochran from being clerk and collecting clerk by reason 
he was in arrear to the Trustees and had misapplied their pew monies, 
but continued him writing master to the school. In the evening went 
to Hendel's Oratorio. 

Sunday 4.—Went to chapel morning and evening. My son and 
daughter Percival dined with me. 

I heard this day that Sir Kobert Walpole in consideration of the 
apparent discontentedness of people against the terms of the Con 
vention with Spain, had given out that the merchants' ships shall 
not at all be searched on the high seas, neither the Province of Georgia 
given up. 

Monday 5.—I visited the Bishop of Litchfeild, the Bishop of Gloster, 
the Bishop of Salisbury, Councillor Annesley, Sir Edward Bering, 
Mr. Evans and Mr. Temple. 

Mr. Evans told me of a great indignity we have suffered these four 
years past, in lowering the pennants of our ships of war in the Channel 
when French ships of war are passing by. That our captains have 
indeed no order for doing it, but that it is intimated to them by the 
Admiralty as a proper means to avoid contesting with other nations 
the flag. Thus have we basely given up the flag, a thing which King 
Charles the 2nd made war upon the Dutch for not complying with, 
and thereby in effect resigned the sovereignty of our seas. 

I heard this day that several Bishops will join the minority in 
opposing some articles of the Convention with Spain ; the Bishops of 
Oxford, Gloucester, and Salisbury are mentioned ; and that the King 
should say, if we will have a war we shall, but we should consider how 
to get out of it. 

Tuesday 6.—I heard this day that the Lord Monson, Sir Charles 
Wager, Col. Bladen and Mr. Hert of the House of Commons, merchant, 
will be appointed plenipotentiaries to adjust the peace with Spain, 
and that they are to meet in London. 

That the merchants in general of London trading to the West 
Indies, and particularly the South Sea Comparîy, are averse to the 
conditions thereof, and will petition the Parliament against it. 

And that the members of Parliament most attached to the ministry, 
express their dislike of it. 

And that the Duke of Arguile, being asked by his brother the Earl 
of Islay on occasion of his speech on Thursday last whether he was 
willing to undergo my Lord Cobham's fortune (who was turned out 
of the King's service for opposing the Court measures), to which the 
Duke replied, he was willing and should glory in it, if he suffered for 
supporting his country. .________ 

* King Street Chapel·.—Margin. 

FIRST EAKL OF EGMONT. 

19 

1738-9. 

•Wednesday 7.—I went this morning to the Georgia office, where 
met, Lord Tirconnel in the Trustee chair ; Mr. Thomas Towers in the 
Common Council chair ; Reverend Mr. Smith, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Tracy, 
Mr. Thomas Archer, Mr. Henry Archer, Egmont. 

As Trustees we put the seal to our petition to Parliament for money 
to support the colony this year. 

As Common Council we ordered 251. of stationery-ware for Mr. 
Whitfeild, our Minister at Savannah, who is speedily to go over. 

A letter was read dated 6 November last from the Eeverend Mr. 
Boltzius, one of the ministers of Ebenezar, desiring that we would 
pay the passage of two German families which went over by Captain 
•Thompson, making five heads (persons who went not over on our 
account) which servants Colonel Oglethorp allowed the Ebenezar 
people until the pleasure of the Trustees should be known. These 
families they found necessary to attend their cattle, and prevent their 
being lost in the woods ; Mr. Boltzius acquainted us that they would 
maintain them themselves. 

He further desired some encouragement towards erecting an Orphan 
house at Ebenezar, their children and sick and old persons being a 
heavy burden on them. 

A letter from the Rev. Mr. Gronau, the other minister at Ebenezar, 
was also read, dated the same day, expressing his thanks for the money 
we had ordered towards the building his house, which not being 
sufficient to complete it, by the sum of 30Z., he desired we would grant 
the same. 

These letters were referred to a committee of accounts, to state and 
report their opinion what is proper to be done therein. 

A letter dated 19/29 January, 1738-9, from Mr. ———— at 
Augsburg to Mr. Vernon was read, acquainting him that seven Salts- 
burghers were on their road to Rotterdam in order to embark for 
Georgia. 

We resolved that their charges should be defrayed, and that Mr. 
Trevor, His Majesty's minister at the Hague, be wrote to, to favour 
them at their arrival. 

A letter from Edward Bush at Savannah to his daughter in London, 
dated 27 August, was brought by her to show the Board, wherein he 
declares that unless the Trustees give him leave to settle this estate 
on his daughter, he will leave the colony, though he had built a good 
house and planted five acres of land. 

We returned her an answer in writing, that her father shall have 
power to leave it to which daughter he shall appoint in case he dies 
without issue male, she residing in the Province, and that we never 
had refused it to any. 

Our public business being over, we discoursed of the situation of 
our affairs, and agreed among ourselves that Mr. Tracy should see Sir 
Robert Walpole tomorrow, and desire him to appoint some time when 
he [and] the Trustees might wait on him. with a fresh application 
for his assistance in Parliament to obtain for them a greater sum for 
this year's support of the Colony of Georgia than we asked of him 
the last time they waited on him ; and that when Sir Robert had 
named the day, Mr. Tracy, the two Mr. Archers, Lord Tirconnel and 
Mr. Towers should go and expose our wants of 20,000?. on account 
that the military defence of the Colony has fallen unexpectedly on 

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20 DIARY OF THE 

Feb. 7-9 

the Trust, for which no provision was made by the Parliament last 
year, when they granted 8,0002. only for the civil affairs. That this 
necessity of defending the Colony, for want of the regiment now there, 
which arrived not by a year and .three months so soon as was expected, 
had run the Trust greatly in debt ; otherwise the Colony was in danger 
to be lost, and therefore it is absolutely necessary to the merchants 
who had credited us should be paid, and the Trust set clear, otherwise 
we shall not be able to proceed, and the colony must fall; all this 
being well set forth in Colonel Oglethorp's letter to the Trust, dated 
19 October. We desired they would give Sir Robert a copy of it. 

We also ordered copies of the same to be made out for every Trustee, 
that he might occasionally show it to the members of Parliament in 
order to induce them to concur in granting the sum.we intended to 
move for, when our petition should be considered by the House. 

We dined together at the Cyder House, Mr. Tracy, Lord Tirconnel, 
Mr. Vernon, Mr. Towers, Mr. Henry Archer and I, and spent some talk 
in considering who would be a proper person to present our petition 
to the House, and were at a loss about it, some mentioned Mr. Perry, 
the present Lord Mayor, and others Mr. John How, but he is not yet 
in town. Mr. Vernon mentioned Lord Sidney Beauclerc as a gentle 
man affectionate to our colony and desirous to be a Trustee. 

Observing to Mr. Martin the negligence of several gentlemen in 
attending the Board, particularly Mr. Laroche, he told me in confidence 
that they did not like Mr. Thomas Towers, suspecting him from his 
intimacy with Sir Robert Walpole, he was not so zealous and true to 
the Trust as he ought to be ; that this was the reason why Mr. Moor, 
Mr. Hucks, White, Alderman Heathcote and others resigned, who 
are united together and meet twice a week, and Mr. La Roch with 
them ; that they thought Mr. Towers would, to oblige Sir Robert, 
who never cared for our colony, hazard the colony itself, and acquaint 
him with all our proceedings in too open a manner, and saw him so 
constantly vote for the measures of the ministry, that it lost us the 
favour of that party which opposed the Court. - 

I answered, I knew him attached to Sir Robert, and it was necessary 
some of our Board should be so, because we could have no Parliamentary 
supplies to support the Colony without him. But yet he always 
appeared for the interest and gave us much of his company at the 
Board ; and as to those gentlemen who do not attend for the reason he 
had given, or any other whatever, I knew not how they could answer it to 
their conscience, being under an oath faithfully to discharge their trust. 

To say the truth, the intimacy Mr. Towers has with Sir Robert 
puts him under great difficulties at present; for the minority in the 
House being intent to disapprove the Convention with Spain, and it 
being suspected that Georgia is to be given up to the Spaniards, Sir 
Robert has refused to give the House satisfaction in· this point, and 
Mr. Towers has voted on his side in that point, whereby the jealousy 
of the other Trustees is confirmed that Sir Robert purposes to divide 
the members that are of the Trust, whose true interest is that they 
should stick close together. In this Sir Robert has succeeded, for 
since the winter began neither Mr. Sloper or Captain Eyles, and I can 
name some others, have ever attended, and more of the Trustees but 
seldom, and would very rarely dine with us, refusing, as it should 
seem, to keep up a free and easy intercourse with us. 

PIEST EARL OF EGMONT. 

21 

1738-9. 

Even among us who constantly attend, there are some who grow 
jealous that his complacency to Sir Robert goes too far, and will 
prevent his agreeing to such measures for obtaining our demand for 
money as we shall think the most effectual, if they are not approved 
by Sir Robert ; even this morning he told Mr. Vemon and me, before 
the rest of the Trustees met, that he thought it not fit [for] him to speak 
in the debate that will be about Georgia, which I wondered at, because 
it seems to me a duty the Trustees should show the advantages of that 
Province to Great Britain, and declare against the submitting it to 
commissaries to give up, if such should be the Ministry's design, and 
I know the House will expect it ; and if the Trustees appear indifferent 
to it, and sit silent, it is not reasonable that others should speak in 
its behalf. I told him, that as he, with Mr. Henry Archer, had taken 
upon them to show His Majesty's title to Georgia at Sir Robert's 
request, it was proper he should move for such papers and represen 
tations as related to that subject, but he declined it, as a thing more 
proper to be done by some person of the minority side. 

Thursday 8.—I went this day to the House of Lords, expecting some 
debate on the Convention papers, the same to be given to the two 
Houses this day. But there was not anything material said, only it 
was wished that all the papers necessary for giving true light to the 
House had been delivered. 

By the Convention and two separate articles, it does not appear 
that anything positively is agreed except that the King of Spain will 
in eight months pay our merchants 95,0002. for their losses. But as 
to the not visiting our ships on the high seas, or fixing the bounds of 
Carolina and Florida, these points are agreed to be left to plenipo 
tentiaries to settle, and the plenipotentiaries named are Mr. Keen 
and Mr. Stanian. 

Friday 9,·—Went to see my Lady Salisbury. · In the evening Mr. 
Verelts called on me to let me know that this morning Mr. Tracy, the 
two Mr. Archers, the two Mr. Towers and Lord Tirconnel waited on 
Sir Robert Walpole by appointment, and had an hour's conference 
with him upon the concerns of Georgia ; that they showed him Ogle- 
thorp's letter exposing the necessity of a very considerable sum to be 
granted the Trustees this year, and showed him also the paper of appli 
cation to him from the Trustees to that purpose. Sir Robert asked 
what was the sum they wanted ? They replied 20,0002. Was not this 
more than ever they had ? They said, no, they had once 26,0002. 
Then, replied he, you shall have it, but I see what you drive at ; you 
would have your petition come into the House before the grand debate 
on the Treaty ; that must be as you please, but if I were to advise, 
v it should not be delivered till that is over ; present it then immediately, 
and it will come in with more grace and success. Sir, said they, 
since you have promised the money, and have been pleased to advise 
the time and method we shall take, we hope you will give the House 
tne satisfaction they shall desire that Georgia is not to be delivered 
up, otherwise the minority will not consent to give us anything, for 
so they have declared. I tell you (said he) it is not intended to be 
given up, and though we call the commissaries plenipotentiaries, 
- y are to receive directions from hence for every thing they sign, 
and till then are only to send us an account of their conferences. 

 22 DIARY OF THE 

Feb. 9-19 

Upon this and other discourse that passed, the gentlemen came 
away well satisfied and contented to wait Sir Eobert's time for 
presenting the petition. 

Mr. Verelts further told me that he had some conversation with 
Mr. White, who said the sum we asked was too much, and that he did 
not like our manner of application to Sir Robert because it tied the 
Trustees to a subserviency to Sir Robert's measures, whereas he and 
others thought it would have been better to have kept a middle way, 
and not be bound to either party in the House. The persons he means 
were Mr. Laroche, Sir William Heathcote, Alderman Heathcote, Mr. 
Hucks, and others who have of late been faint in their attendance at 
the Board, though some of them have done better than others. They 
could have wished that all the Trustees had kept close, a body by 
themselves, and hoped by that to have made both parties court them, 
but our first care is to get our money, and that cannot be done but by 
the favour of Sir Robert. In the conversation with Sir Robert above- 
mentioned, he had the weakness to discover to them that the Spaniards' 
would give up everything, even the visiting our ships at all, to have 
Georgia surrendered to them, which gives me to think that it was in 
his first thoughts to part with it, especially as he added, that he did 
not know why some inconsiderable part of it might not have been 
conceded without injury to us. Mr. Tracy replied, the Spaniards 
in this gave the best reason that could be why we should not part with 
Georgia, but if they had any part, it would be the best of it, namely, 
our ports which lie next to them, and in that case the remainder would 
not be worth keeping. 

Mr. Verelts further told me that the merchants intend in their 
petition to Parliament to expose the necessity of our keeping Georgia, 
*but they failed therein. 

Saturday 10"—I went in the evening to the play called Œdipus. 

Sunday 11.—Prayers and sermon at home. Mr. Cecil, daughter 
Hanmer and son and daughter Hanmerf dined with me. In the 
evening went to chapel, and visited Lady Rook. 

Monday 12.—I went to a meeting of the Trustees of King Street 
Chapel, where we chose a new clerk, and ordered the bills for repairing 
the chapel should be paid. In the evening I visited Mr. John Temple. 

Tuesday 13.—My servant Henekin left me to study physic. 

I visited the Bishop of Gloster, Lord Wilmington, Lord Bathurst, 
Lord Limerick, and Mr. Clerk of Spring Garden. 

Wednesday 14.—At a meeting of the Trustees there were present, 
Mr. Vernon in the chair, Dr. Hales, Sir William Heathcote, Lord 
Shaftsbury, Mr. Christr. Towers, Mr. Digby, Mr. Thomas Towers, 
Egmont, Mr. Thomas Archer, Sir Henry Gough, Bart., Mr. Henry 
Archer, Alderman Heathcote, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Anderson, Lord 
Limerick, Mr. Smith. 

Mr. Vernon acquainted us that Sir Charles Wager had assured him 
that there would be two men-of-war stationed at Georgia, and that 
the new governor of South Carolina, Mr. Glen, is like to fail in his 
attempt to procure the commission of General of His Majesty's forces 
in that province, wherein if he succeeded, Mr. Oglethorp, who now 
bears that commission, would be superseded. It seems there is 1,000/. 

* These words are a later addition.—Ed. 
t Sic. Evidently a slip of the pen for Pcrcivul.—Ed. 

FISRT EARL OF EGMONT. 23 

1738-9 

per annum allowed by the Government to the person who bears that 
commission in South Carolina, which is the chief support of the governor, 
and Mr. Oglethorp is now in possession of that salary. But Mr. Glen 
represented to the Privy Council that as governor he ought to be also 
General and of course enjoy the salary ; but the Council referred the 
matter back to be reconsidered by the Attorney and Solicitor General, 
who had before given their opinions upon consultation in his favour. 
I wish this do not breed ill-blood between Mr. Oglethorp and him. 

Then the Trustees debated about the proper time for presenting 
our petition to the House for a further support. The opinions were 
various, but at length we postponed the consideration to Monday 

next. 

Mr. Thomas Towers, Mr. Christopher Towers, Mr. Vernon, Mr. 
Lapotre, Doctor Hales and I dined together at the Cyder House, and 
because Mr. Cooksay was to return to-morrow to Georgia, we were 
necessitated, through not a sufficient number to make a board of 
Common Council, to make agreement with him for a parcel of land 
he petitioned for ; which we must get confirmed at the next Board. 

This day. there was a debate in the House of Commons about con 
tinuing the same number of land forces this year as the former, which 
was carried by 238 against 153 ; difference 85. 

I hear it has been computed that the Convention will be carried to 
approve it by 54 in the House of Commons. 

This day my daughter Helena is 21 years old. 

Thursday 15.—I visited Sir George Savil, Sir Philip Parker, Mr. 
Duncomb, Sir Edward Dering, and Mr. Temple. In the evening I 
went to the new play called Mustapha, wrote by Mr. Mallet; the' 
language of it is lofty but not bombast, the sentiments fine and justly 
expressed, the characters kept up to, and the principles of honour 
and virtue inculcated ; in a word, to one of our best modern tragedies. 

Friday 16.—I went to the House of Commons expecting the papers 
which the Trustees of Georgia had made a list of, relating to their 
colony, would have been moved for, to be laid before the House ; but 
Sir Robert Walpole. took alarm at it, and would not suffer our gentle 
men to make the motion ; whereby the House will not be possessed of 
them and the lights they would give (by reason of the time to be 
employed in copying them from the several offices) until the debate 
about the Convention is over. 

Saturday 17. I stayed at home this and several following days by 
reason of a cold. 

Sunday 18.—Prayers and sermon at home. 

Monday 19.—My cold would not permit me to go to the Georgia 
office, where there was a large meeting of Trustees and Lord Shafts- 
bury iii the chair of Trustees. Earl of Shaftsbury, Thomas Towers, 
Lord Viscount Limerick, Christopher Towers, Lord Viscount Tirconnel, 
Mr. Vernon, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Lapotre, Captain Eyles, Mr. Laroche, 
Thomas Archer, Doctor Hales, Mr. Smith, Mr. Tracy, Sir William 
Heathcote, Alderman Heathcote, Henry Archer; Sir Henry Gough, 
Mr. Anderson. 

- The subject of their meeting was to consider whether our petition 
should be delivered before or after the grand debate on the Convention, 
which matter was referred, as the last day, to next Wednesday's 
meeting. 

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24 DIARY OP ΈΗΕ 

Feb. 19-21 

Mr. Vernon and Mr. Verelts dined with me. They told me there was 
likewise a debate when to move for certain papers and memorials 
relating to Georgia, whether to-morrow or some days after. It was 
generally thought proper for to-morrow, otherwise the transcripts 
from the several offices will not be made time enough for the House 
to be possessed of them, and so they will prove of no use in giving the 
House the necessary lights. The Board determined nothing thereon, 
but Alderman Heathcote and Lord Limerick seemed resolved to move 
for them. Mr. Thomas Towers was not for it, I suppose because Sir 
Robert Walpole is not. His behaviour on all this occasion has 
indeed been very odd, and brought a suspicion of our gentlemen 
upon him, as if less zealous for the colony's service than to please 
Sir Robert. 

Mr. Verelts told me that Mr. Towers and Mr. Henry Archer sitting 
by Sir Robert in the House last Friday, and discoursing about Georgia, 
Mr. Archer told him plainly the gentlemen of the Trust were unanimous 
to keep it out of the Spaniards' hands, and that if they have not 
satisfaction in that point, they would vote against the Convention, 
whereupon Sir Robert called up Colonel Bladen and asked him whether 
England has a right to Georgia, to which Bladen replied, " Yes." 
" Can you prove it," said'Sir Robert, "and will you undertake it ? " 
The Colonel answered he would. " Then," said Sir Robert, " By 
G——, the Spaniards shall not have it." 

Mr. Verelts likewise told me that petitions are coming up for securing 
the navigation to the West Indies without any search, from Liverpool 
• and Bristol ; and that not only the West India merchants will petition 
but likewise the City of London. 

Mr. Vernon gave me an account of the two plenipotentiaries appointed 
on our side : Mr. Keen is son to a broken Alderman of Lyn, who fell 
to such poverty that he was obliged to fling off his gown. 

And Mr. Castars, Consul at Alicant, is son to a French under cook 
in King William's kitchen. Failing of a writer's place at 50i. a year, 
Mr. Horace Walpole took hiña into his family, and afterwards got him 
made Consul at Alicant. 

'Tis matter of surprise that Sir Robert would employ such low 
fellows to transact the most important affairs of this kingdom at the 
proudest Court in Europe. 

This day a question was moved in the Lords' House whether the 
Directors of the South Sea Company should attend, in order to have 
some questions put to them, leading to give lights into the agreement 
made by the Ministry with Spain touching the Company. After a 
long debate it was carried only by 7 that the questions should not be 
asked. This without doubt amazed Sir Robert Walpole, considering 
the number of Lords who have places or pensions. 

The Bishops, of Oxford, Gloster, Litchfeild, and Lincoln, and the 
Duke of Arguile, Marquis of Lothian, Earls of Essex, Scarborow, and 
Lords Lovel, Lymington, Lord Lonsdale and Lord Peterburow (all 
Courtiers) voted with the minority. The division was 49 to 42. 

Sir Robert Walpole being without the Bar asked the Earl of Chester- 
feild what they wanted of the South Sea Company. The Earl replied, 
a paper of their demands on Spain. " Oh ! " said Sir Robert, " that 
account is the hardest thing in the world to settle." "Why then," 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. - 25 

1738-9. 

said the Earl, " did you call home your best accountant ?" " Best ! " 
replied Sir Robert, "I neither sent or recalled any, what do you 
mean?" "I mean," said t'other, "our fleet." 

Tuesday 20.—This morning Sir William Keith, Bart., who lately 
published the history of Virginia, and designs to continue that of all 
our Colonies, came to see me, and I gave him a copy of my reasons 
for preserving and supporting Georgia to print, if he on consideration 
should see proper, in "his weekly paper called The Citizen. 

Wednesday 21.—I went this morning to the Georgia meeting. The 
subject whereof, in the summons, was to consider of the proper time 
for presenting our petition to Parliament for money, but we employed 
the morning on two other important matters. It was a meeting of 
Trustees, and the gentlemen present were : Lord Tirconnel, in the 
chair, Lord Limerick, Egmont, president, Lapotre, Christopher Towers, 
Thomas Towers, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Sloper, Dr. Hales, Earl of Shaftsbury, 
Henry Archer, Thomas Archer, Sir· William Heathcote ; Mr. Burton, 
A.M., Sir Henry Gough. 

Mr. Laroche was in the House of Commons but industriously kept 
out of the way, and is manifestly cool to the Trust ; the reason I cannot 
yet well clear up. Mr. Hucks was also in town, but absented himself, 
as did others who were expected. 

I opened the debate by expressing my great concern and appre 
hension, that the Province of Georgia is in danger to be given up by 
this Convention, for which I could give many reasons, but that I 
supposed the gentlemen already acquainted with them, and of the same 
opinion ; but so much I would say, that time wears very fast, the 
Convention is speedily to be debated in both Houses, and many 
lights proper to give them with respect to the Spaniards' claim on 
Georgia, and our right thereto, have hitherto been kept back by the 
Ministry from their knowledge, as appeared by their refusal to permit 
us to call for papers we had made a list of, and shown them, to which 
their answers and the delays they used were most unsatisfactory. 
That the eyes of the world were upon us, and many had asked me, 
What are the Trustees doing ? Are you careless what becomes of the 
Province ? Are you asleep ? The City, the merchants, the trading 
towns, are petitioning against this Convention, and will you do nothing ? 
Can you expect anyone will support you if you will not support your 
selves ? These reproaches, I said, gave me great trouble, as they 
affected the honour of the Trustees, and the more as I thought them 
just, for though we had not been idle, but had applied to the Ministry, 
yet that was unknown to the public, and, we were sensible, unsuccessful. 
I would therefore take the liberty to make them a motion which I 
hoped would have the approbation of all present, and the rather, 
because it would answer the ends of some gentlemen among us, who 
possibly might approve some parts of the Convention, but I was sure 
(if anything therein should be prejudicial to Georgia) would in that 
part be against it, and therefore would be very glad that the con 
sidération of Georgia should stand single and unmixed with other 
matters, which if lumped with them would put these gentlemen under 
a great difficulty how to vote. That my oath as Common Councillor 

bound 

me in conscience to this proceeding, and to use all my skill and 

• 11· - — -·—--.ν*«_<ν v\r ujJ-xkJ j^j.Wy^CU.lJ.O.gj CUOXl IAÍ Hot dU 111V O*VH1 CU.O.U. 

Knowledge in serving the Province, and as I thought I could not serve 
it more m the doubtful state we are in, than by procuring from the 

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26 DIARY OF THE 

Feb. 21-24 

Ministry an explicit declaration in Parliament, whether Georgia shall 
be given up to the Spaniards or not, I humbly moved— 

That a petition be presented to the Parliament that they will be 
pleased to interpose that the Colony of Georgia may not be affected 
by the 2nd Article in the Convention, which refers the settling of the 
limits of Carolina and Florida to plenipotentiaries. 

After some pause, my Lord Limerick got up and seconded me with 
great strength of reason and variety of arguments, and showed that 
this motion regarded not the Convention in general, nor even the 
settling limits, provided Georgia be safe ; if the Parliament should 
think fit to render up'to the Spaniards parts of Carolina southward of 
Georgia, this motion contained nothing against that, for therein we 
confined ourselves to those lands only that were .granted to us, of which 
we were Trustees for the public, and which we would not part with, 
consistent with our honour and conscience, without using our utmost 
endeavours to preserve it. 

There was a seeming approbation of the motion, but no gentleman 
spoke his sense on the same side, nor did Mr. Towers, Mr. Henry 
Archer, Mr. Sloper and others of Sir Robert Walpole's friends, oppose _ 
it, only they said it was a matter of great consequence, and it would 
be fit to be considered at a future Board, which was agreed on Saturday 
next, at ten o'clock. 

We then debated about the time to call in the two Houses for the 
papers we desired should be given in, it being the general opinion that 
the delays given us therein by Sir Robert and Mr. Walpole were only 
shifts to postpone the thing till the debate, on the Convention was 
over. At length we agreed that the Earl of Shaftsbury should move 
for them to-morrow in the House of Lords. 

After this, Mr. Lapotre, Vernon, Lord Tirconnel, Burton, Dr. Hales, 
Sloper and I dined at the Cyder House. 

I found a necessity for making the above motion, for all the minority 
were set upon our petitioning the Parliament, and my Lord Limerick 
privately assured me that otherwise he would quit the Board. How 
Sir Robert Walpole will relish it I can well foresee, but I told several 
of his friends when the debate was over, that he had reason to thank 
me, for if he has imprudently made any indiscreet promise to the 
Court of Spain, or given her any encouragement to hope Georgia shall 
be given up to her, the interposition of Parliament will bring him on", 
as it did the late King in the case of Gibraltar. 

Thursday 22.—I visited Sir Charles Moore, Mr. Whitchet, Colonel 
Shutz, Mr. Cecil, Mr. Grimes, Earl of Shaftsbury, Lord Carpenter, 
Earl of Inchiqueen, Duke of Portland, Lord Nassau Pawlet, Cousin 
William Southwell, Cousin Legrand and Mr. John Temple. 

After dinner I went to the Royal Society, and then to the Crown and 
Anchor to the vocal music meeting. 

A great Court Lord told a friend of mine this day that they now 
believed Sir Robert Walpole's administration in danger. 

Friday 23.—I went this morning to the Georgia office alone to form 
a petition in behalf of Georgia to Parliament, and Mr. Thomas Towers 
who came also accidentally there, assisted in it, assisted me, which I 
was pleased to find, because I know at bottom he is not for petitioning, 
and I apprehended most opposition from him. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 27 

1738-9. - 

This day the West India merchants, the City of London, and the 
City of Bristol presented their petitions to the House of Commons 
in relation to the Convention, and a debate arose whether the West 
India merchants should be heard by counsel or themselves. The 
Ministers opposing their being heard by counsel carried the question 
so, by a majority of 240 against 207. The question whether the Bristol 
petition should be heard by counsel or by themselves was also carried 
for the latter by the Court by 237 against 208, difference only 29, 
which made the courtiers hang down their heads. 

Saturday 24, February.—This day the Trustees of Georgia met in 
greater numbers than usual. Sir William Heathcote in the Trustee 
chair ; Lord Limerick, Lord Egmont, Lord Shaftsbury, Mr. Sloper, 
Mr. Vernon, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Christopher Towers,. Mr. 
Henry Archer, Mr. Thomas Towers, Lord Tirconnel, Mr. Thomas 
Archer, Mr. Laroche, Mr. Smith (15) ; Sir Jacob Debouverie, Sir Henry 
Goff, Mr. Burton, Mr. Anderson, Alderman Heathcote (5). 

Our business, according to the summons, was to consider of the 
motion I made last meeting for petitioning the Parliament that Georgia 
may not be affected by the Convention. 

I renewed it, my Lord Limerick seconded it, and the whole Board, 
none dissenting, agreed to petition, Mr. Laroche excepted. He came 
in as soon as it passed, and declared he should have been against it 
had he been present. There were six who would have opposed it, 
but they knew they should be outnumbered, and these were, Sloper, 
the two Towers, the two Archers, and Sir Henry Gofí. Mr. Sloper 
indeed made some hesitation at the word affected as being of a large 
signification, but I desired the plan of a petition which I had prepared 
might be read, and then the Board would know in what sense the word 
was to be taken, wherein he acquiesced. 

The petition was read entire, and a second time paragraph by para 
graph, and with divers alterations finally agreed to nem. contradicente ; 
but this held us three hours and a half, by reason the gentlemen not 
well disposed to petition, talked long about trifling matters in order 
to waste time and prevent our coming this day to a conclusion, in which 
case, the Lords who are to debate the Convention on Tuesday next, 
would not be possessed of our petition, a thing Mr. Horace Walpole 
who was acquainted with our design much desired. 

But the rest of us aware of this pressed that all might be over and 
the seal put to it this day, and we succeeded therein. I then moved 
that as we had sealed a petition to the Lords, the same petition mutatis 
mutandis might be presented to the House of Commons, which was 
agreed to. 

Then we desired my Lord Shaftsbury to take that for the Lords, 
and put it into the hands of some Lord to deliver to that House, which 
he undertook. And my Lord Limerick took that for the House of 
Commons to put into my Lord Baltimore's hands. 

This was a great work over, and I was doubtful from the beginning 
of its success ; but the confining our petition singly to what relates 
to Georgia without meddling with the Convention further than it 
might affect our Province, and the modesty with which it is drawn up, 
brought all to consent to it, though I wonder the words implore tiie 
protection which are in it, escaped the animadversion of those whom we 
suspected, for to implore the protection of Parliament carries with it 

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28 DIARY OF THE 

Feb. 24-Mar. 1 

an interpretation that the Ministry had refused to protect us, or at 
least that we suspected so of them. 

It is whispered this day that the Duke of Eichmond, my Lord Pem 
broke, and Lord Wilmington will go over to the minority, and two 
bishops more, and everyone believes my Lord Scarborow will join 
the minority. 

Sunday 25, February.—I communicated at the King's Chapel, and 
afterwards went to Court. At the levée I saw the Duke of Arguile 
and the Duke of Dorset, who had been -with the King before.the 
crowd were admitted. The Court is the worst place to learn news in, 
but some privately told me they looked on Sir Robert Walpole to be 
lost. After dinner I went to St. James' prayers, and heard Bishop 
Seeker expound the Catechism, not to children, but to a very full 
audience of grown people. I learned that Dr. Herring, Bishop of 
Bangor is suspected of going over to the minority. 

Monday 26.- -I went to the Georgia office and saw the seal put to 
131 sola bills to be sent on Wednesday next by Captain Shoebrook 
to Georgia. . 

And this day my Lord Baltimore presented our petition to the House 
of Commons, which was referred to the Committee. 

My Lord Limerick made a motion for the papers we desired. 

When our petition was presented, Mr. White, Hucks and Wollaston, 
all Trustees, rose from their seats and left the House, which was very 
surprising to the rest of our body. 

And the Earl of Chesterfeild presented our petition to the House 
of Lords which was ordered to lie on their table to be perused by the 
members. 

This day there was a division in the House of Commons upon a 
petition presented in behalf of one Vaughan, captain of a merchant 
vessel taken by the Spaniards, wherein it was desired that the said 
Vaughan desired to be heard to his complaint by counsel, he not being 
in England to plead for himself. But Sir Robert Walpole opposed it 
as a matter that would only inflame the House, which was too much 
inflamed already, and Mr. Walpole said the Spanish Minister had wrote 
that Vaughan'was set at liberty; so the House resolved he should 
be heard himself, but not by counsel, which absurd as it was, the man 
being out of the kingdom, was carried by 175 against 162, the difference 
being but 13. Sir Robert was observed to have much concern on 
his face. 

Tuesday 27.—Doctor Donavan, of Cork, M.D., Sir William Keith, 
and Lieutenant Berry came to see me. 

Wednesday 28.—To-day the following Trustees met as a Board of 
Common Council to consider of a proper time to present our petition 
to Parliament for money, viz. :— 

Mr. Sloper in the Common Council chair, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Thomas 
Towers, Mr. Christopher Towers, Doctor Hales, Lord Limerick, Mr. 
Henry Archer, Lord Tirconnel, Egmont, 

Our resolution was to defer the resolution of this question to Friday 
next in hopes of a larger Board. In the debate it was urged that all 
petitions for money are already delivered in, that to-morrow is the 
last day for receiving private petitions ; that we should be inexcusable 
if we let slip our opportunity till the Committee for supplies is shut, 

FIRST EARL OF^ EGMONT. 29 

1738-9. 

and that the minority are now for us, but should we wait till the debate 
on the Convention is over, and the same carried by the Ministry to be 
approved of, the minority may be so out of humour as to turn against 
us, and- make it a pretence for denying us money that it would be 
throwing it away since Georgia was to be delivered up to the Spaniards. 

It was said on the other side, that 'tis very improper to present our 
petition now, we having hitherto taken Sir Robert Walpole's advice 
concerning the time, who had desired us to wait till the grand debate 
on the Convention is over ; that it was the more improper, because 
we had disobliged him and his party by presenting a petition to both 
Houses imploring their protection, which carried with it an implication 
that the Ministry intended to give us up to the Spaniards. That we 
had before determined in a very full Board unanimously to wait Sir 
Robert's time, and the minority were those who pressed it. That it 
would be wise to wait till Sir Robert's resentment against us is over, 
and we could not reasonably suppose he would go back from his word 
of supporting us ; that the supply cannot be speedily shut up, and we 
may watch it so as to be time enough with our petition, though we 
should now defer it. 

At length we agreed, as has been said, to defer the consideration of 
this affair to Friday, and we were generally of opinion that then we 
should desire some of our gentlemen to wait on Sir Robert Walpole 
to express our fears of lapsing our time for petitioning, and to procure 
from him a renewal of his promise to support us. 

A report from the Committee of Correspondence was made, whereby 
they gave it as their opinion that 701. should be ordered in Sola bills 
for the Saltsburghers, which report was allowed. 

Mr. Sloper, Thomas Towers, Vernon, Dr. Hales and I dined at the 
Cyder House, and drew up the form of two papers to be shown to our 
friends in the House of Commons particularizing the sums we want 
to put us out of debt, and for carrying on the civil affairs of the Colony 
from Lady-day 1739 to 1740. 

We also as a Committee of Correspondence drew up a letter to 
Mr. Oglethorp in answer to those lately received from him. 

There was this day a debate in the House of Commons on a motion to 
require of the South Sea Company an account of their demand on the 
° i, w n ' Sir Eobert Walpole was against it, but dared not 

, w , 
the House lest he should lose it, so the motion was yielded to. 
J;here were 46° members in the House, and had the minority got the 
Better on a division it might have proved fatal to him. 

Thursday, 1 March.— I visited Sir Thomas Hanmer and Sir Francis 
werke, tuen went to the House of Lords, it being the day for their 
considering the Convention. 

The Earl of Chumley opened the debate with a long and eloquent 
speecn m commendation of the Convention, and then concluded with 
L« i v addressing His Majesty to thank him for his care of his 
people shown by the terms agreed on with Spain. It was carried after 
ÏÏhiSÏÏ™ oí .by 95 against 74, majority 21, proxies on both sides 

Frid I l\FTS f0r the address' and !6 against it. 
thp P y> · iv£rcn-~l went this morning according to summons to 
f a e t0 C0nsider of the proper time for presenting our 
for a supply to Parliament. The Trustees who met were :- 

 30 DIARY OF THE 

Mar. 2-8 

Mr. Sloper in the Common Council chair ; Egmont, Tirconnel, 
Limerick, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Henry Archer, Sir William Heathcote, 
Mr. Thomas Towers, Mr. Christopher Towers, Mr. Tracy. 

Mr. Thomas Towers acquainted us that he and some other of the 
Trustees dined yesterday with Sir Robert Walpole, to whom they put 
the question when they should present their petition. That he replied, 
when the business of Tuesday next is over, Wednesday or Thursday, 
it was indifferent to him. That he said he had got the King's consent, 
and promised his assistance for granting us 20,OOOZ. for this year's 
service. That he added, it was not sufficient to grant us this sum for 
the present, but thought must be had for the future, and fortifying 
Georgia. From this Mr. Towers inferred that Sir Robert is sincere in 
this matter, and really does not intend that Georgia shall be given 
up to the Spaniards by the plenipotentiaries. I said all this looked 
well, and since Sir Robert had himself mentioned Wednesday, I 
should be for fixing on that day, because it was the supply day, and 
the gentlemen of the Trust who are of the House would not be obliged 
to show themselves (as many of them would) supporters of thr 
Ministry, to the distaste of those in the minority, until after the 
petition was delivered, for that Tuesday would be taken up in examining 
the merchants' petition, and perhaps Wednesday too, and consequently 
the grand debate concerning an address of approbation of the Con 
vention, would at soonest be on Thursday, before which time our 
petition would be presented. 

The other gentlemen were of the same opinion, and we agreed to 
desire Mr. Towers to mention to Sir Robert on Monday or Tuesday 
next our desire to petition next Wednesday, if he thought fit. 

Mr. Vernon came home with me to dinner, and in the evening Dean 
Madden and Mr. John Temple visited me. 

Mr. Glen, the new nominated Governor of South Carolina, told me 
he had lately received a letter from the Province, that the Chactaw 
nation had sent down three of their most powerful kings with three 
score attendants to Charlestown, and entered into alliance with that 
Province. That they had in consequence thereof expelled all the 
French out of their country, had made peace with the Chickesaws, 
their ancient enemies but our friends, and had likewise gained over 
the Blewmouths, a nation of Indians on the other side of the Messasippi 
river ; so that the French are quite prevented from pursuing their 
old scheme of opening a communication from Canada down to the 
Bay of Mexico, these nations possessing a considerable part of the 
Messasippi river. This is an unexpected providential occurrence that 
will effectually preserve the back of our settlements from French 
encroachments. 

Saturday, March 3.—I visited Mr. Trenchard, Dr. Moore, Cousin 
Ned Southwell, Mrs. Betty Southwell and Cousin Le Grand. 

Sunday 4,— 

Monday 5.—Visited the Bishop of Oxford, Mr. J. Temple, Sir 
Windham Knatchbull. 

Tuesday 6.—Visited my Cousin Scot and Sir Robert- Brown. The 
House of Commons sat this day till 9 at night hearing the merchants 
on their petitions. 

Wednesday 7.—This day Mr. Vernon, Mr. Anderson, and I, Associates 
of Dr. Bray, met in expectation of two more, which, number five, 

ÏTBST BAEL OP EGMONT. 31 

1738-9. 

would have been a quorum, to order the purchase of stock for the use 
of converting negroes, Mr. Anderson reporting that he had in his 
hands 80Z. Os. 9á. 

There met this day at the office : Mr. Vernon, Limerick, Thomas 
Towers, Mr. Smith, Mr. Lapotre, Thomas Archer, Henry Archer, 
Egmont, Christopher Towers ; Mr. Anderson. 

The design of our meeting was that if any difficulties arose con 
cerning the, presenting our petition, designed to be done this day, we 
might consult thereon ; but there was none. Lord Sidney Beauclerc 
presented it, and Lord Baltimore seconded it, and the House referred 
it to the Committee of Supply, to which there were but two noes, Sir 
William Clayton, a ministry man, and Mr. Fox, who married my Lord 
Bingley's daughter. 

Mr. Henry Archer expressed himself much pleased that he had 
prevailed on Sir Robert Walpole to add the word possessions to the 
word rights belonging to England in the West Indies ; the address of the 
Lords containing only the latter, .which is not so strong as possessions, 
it being possible that men may have rights though kept out of pos 
sessions, whereas in addressing His Majesty to preserve our possessions 
Georgia -is more explicitly and effectually insisted on to be preserved. 
He said, when he desired the word " possessions " might be added, Mr. 
Horatio Walpole was against it, and said it could not be done, but 
upon his replying that if it was not done, it would be moved for by 
the minority, upon this Mr. Walpole said he would advise with Sir 
Robert his brother, who called the Attorney and Solicitor General to 
advise on it. They gave their opinion that rights comprehended 
possession, but Mr. Archer showed them by the best authorities in 
the law it did not, and thereupon Sir Robert yielded to put the word 
in, to humour the Trustees, as he said. 

Before dinner Mr. Vernon, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Smith, Mr. Anderson, 
•and I went into committee of correspondence, and made some progress 
in perusing Mr. Stephens' last journal, out of which we took notes 
to make our report on, and for heads of letters. We had not time to 
go through. 

We all then went to dinner at the Cyder House, and Mr. Thomas 
Towers and Mr. Henry Archer came and dined with us. 

After dinner we framed a letter to Mr. Page, a Common Councillor 
who never qualified himself, to desire he would do it before our anni 
versary day to-morrow sennit, or else to send us his resignation, 
that we may choose a new one. 

We also agreed on the substance of a law in favour of female suc 
cessions to grants in Georgia, whereto I was very urgent because of 
the great clamour against us on account of the tenures in Georgia run 
all upon heirs male. At night I went to our weekly concert. 

Thursday 8.—This day being appointed for considering the King's 
speech and debate upon the Convention signed at the Pardo, 14 January 
last, the House of Commons was fuller than has been known for many 
years. Mr. Horace Walpole moved for an address of thanks to His 
majesty for his great care and prudence in his negotiations with Spain 
to preserve the trade and rights of his subjects, which was strongly 
opposed by the gentlemen in the minority. The debate began very 
early, at an hour after eleven, and lasted till 10 o'clock, when the Court 
Carrier! Λ« —-'· · - -..¡f . 00 

difference only 28. 

carrid the 

 I 

32 DIAEY OF THE 

Mar. 8-14 

The whole number of members is 558, of whom there were present, 
with the tellers and the Speaker, 497, so there were absent 61, of which 
the greater number must have kept away by design ; some as not willing 
to offend the Court by voting against it, while being conscious that the 
Convention is deserving of censure, they could not in honour vote to 
approve it, and those were such as on other occasions vote with the 
Ministry ; others as being prevailed on to absent themselves, being 
persons who on all occasions vote against the Court, but were now 
tempted to withdraw themselves by such arguments as ministries are 
known to employ in cases of important nature. Sir Robert Walpole 
was heard to say last week that he had gained over 20 Tories. Others 
again in so great a body must be supposed sick, and some few out of 
England. But take all together, there never were so few absent in 
my memory, nor so great a minority since the'Revolution. Sir Robert 
Walpole has no other reason to rejoice that he has carried this question 
than that he has put on the evil day to another session ; for it is 
universally believed he will not be able to stand his ground next year. 

Friday 9.—I visited Mr. Dawney and the Bishop of Litchfield. 
After dinner I went fqr a time to the House of Commons, where the 
address voted yesterday was on the report again debated and opposed, 
but about 9 at night on a division it past by a majority of 30, 244 
against 214. Mr. Pulteney, Sir William Windham, Mr. Sandys and 
Sir John Cotton insinuated that they would appear no more in Parlia 
ment, since the members could be prevailed on to approve this 
Convention. 

Saturday 10.—I learned this day that the minority are enraged 
against the' Trustees of Georgia for so many of them voting in favour 
of the Convention, wherein they are very unreasonable to expect 
that the-Trustees should be obliged to square their opinions to that 
of the minority, or that such a body of gentlemen should not vary in 
their sentiments from each other. They procured an alteration in 
the Commons Address from that of the Lords, by adding to the word 
rights the words and possessions, which last are a further security that 
Georgia will not be given up by the Treaty to the Spaniards, and is 
said by the majority to be a millstone about Sir Robert Walpole's 
neck, for if the plenipotentiaries are to insist upon not giving up any 
of His Majesty's possessions, then that part of South Carolina south 
ward of Georgia can no more be given up than Georgia can, and Sir 
Robert will not have a foot of land to resign to the Spaniards to facili 
tate a peace. This very thing is sufficient to occasion a war, which 
the minority desire, and yet they are angry because some of our 
Trustees voted for the Convention with this amendment. 

Sunday 11.—Went to the chapel morning and evening. Visited 
Mr. Vernon and Sir Francis Clerke. 

Monday 12.—Visited Mr. Laroche, Sir Edward Dering and Lord 
Orery. I find it much talked that the minority design to desert the 
Parliament, and many people apprehend some strange violences 
before next year ; to talk even of a rising and civil war, which God 
avert ! This abandoning the Parliament is very injudicious for that 
party, for if the leaders of the minority retire, those who remain, 
seeing they have no. heads to conduct them, will be inclined to go 
over to the Ministry, and so the majority will grow stronger ; whereas 
if the minority stuck close they would certainly be the majority next 

FIEST EARL OP EGMONT. 33 

1738-9. 

session. But if they design .to retire into their countries in order to 
foment discontent among the pe.ople, they will doubtless so far succeed, 
but they may chance to raise a spirit they cannot lay, and then all 
will fall into confusion. 

This morning my son's wife was taken ill of a sore throat, pain in 
the back, shivering and vomiting, nor was she better at night. Should 
it be the smallpox, she may miscarry, or it may go hard with her, 
being fat and full of blood. Pray God it may only prove a cold and 
that she may recover this ! 

Mr. Verelts acquainted me this evening that my Lord Lymerick 
had given him an act of resignation of his trust of Common Councilman, 
and told him for reason, that he hoped thereby the Trustees would 
be induced to alter their measures, by which he meant, go over to the 
minority side. Mr. Verelts would have dissuaded him from it, and 
urged it would appear ungrateful in him to turn his back to a set of 
gentlemen whose votes brought him into the House, and besides, it 
was not a fair usage of them nor reasonable to expect that a body of 
gentlemen could be constrained to vote contrary to their opinions, 
only to please him. That five of the Trust voted against the Con 
vention, and had all the rest done so the Ministry had still carried the 
question ; but when they saw that the Convention would pass, they 
obliged Sir Robert Walpole to put the word " possessions " into the 
address, which was of the greatest service for defeating the ensuing 
treaty with Spain, because thereby the Ministry were tied down from 
giving up an inch of ground to the Spaniards, which they have declared 
unless they are allowed to have restored to them, they will never make 
a treaty. So that we Georgians have actually overturned the Con 
vention. Mr. Verelts desired him also to reflect that at his desire the 
Trustees petitioned the Parliament. But all this signified nothing, 
for he not only resolved to quit, but said he would endeavour that 
Lord Shaftsbury and Sir William Heathcote should do so. 

Tuesday 13.—I heard this day that 160 members of the minority 
design to come no more (this session at least) to Parliament, and that 
in Cart's papers when seized were found some notices of arms disposed 
of in England. 

I visited Sir Wilh'am Heathcote to prevent his hearkening to Lord 
Lymerick's violent counsels, and hope I have prevented his flinging 
up his trust. 

Wednesday 14.—This day there met in Common Council: Mr. 
Christopher Towers in the chair of Common Council ; Mr. Lapotre, 
Mr. Laroche, Sir William Heathcote, Lord Tirconnel, Mr. Thomas 
lowers, Mr. Henry Archer, Mr. Robert Tracey, Mr. Vernon, Lord 
Egmont and Mr. Burton, Trustee. 

The resignations of the Earl of Shaftsbury and Lord Viscount 
Umerick were read, which raised great indignation in all the gentle 
men especially against my Lord Limerick, who was not contented with 
withdrawing himself, but laboured to seduce my Lord Shaftsbury 
away, wherein he succeeded. He also set Alderman Heathcote upon 
£ersuading bir William Heathcote to fling up, and I yesterday found 
«™i wa,veruf > »ut this day he came, as I desired he would, to the Board, 
and 1 hope he will continue. 

inis sudden quitting the Trust without warning, and the very day 
e We by barter are obliged to choose new Trustees and Common 

 Uni 

34 DIARY OF THE 

Mar. 14-15 

Councillors, was a very great hardship on us, by not giving us time to 
think of and apply to proper gentlemen to accept the Trust and supply 
their rooms. We therefore immediately enacted a bye-law, whereby 
no resignation shall be accepted that Is not made one month before 
the third Thursday in March, our anniversary day and day of 
election. 

This dereliction made us conclude to cause Mr. Verelts to write 
to Mr. Page (who at our desire had sent up a resignation out of the 
country) to desire he would not quit the Trust but continue a Common 
Councilman, the reason ceasing why we desired his resignation. He 
had been chose last year without his knowledge, and never attended 
to be sworn in ; but we knew he had a good affection for our Colony, 
and as his health is mending, and as he designs to be a member of the 
ensuing Parliament, we thought it would prove of service to the Trust 
if he were continued. 

After this Mr. Vernon, Mr. Burton, and I dined at the Cyder House, 
and went through the remainder of Mr. Stephenson's (sic. ) journal. We 
also perused some letters, and took notes thereout for heads of a report 
to the Common Council at a future meeting. ' 

Afterwards I visited the Bishops of Gloster and Oxford. 

What was the more ungenerous in my Lord Limerick was the im 
mediately printing in the newspaper of the day, his and Lord Shafts- 
bury's resignation of their Trust, thereby to animate the minority 
against us, and give an ill expression to the world. 

This day the Princess of Wales was brought to bed of a son, on which 
the King ordered the guns to be fired. 

Thursday 15.—This being the anniversary day of meeting of the 
Trustees of Dalone's legacy for converting negroes, and of the Trustees 
of Georgia, there met a considerable number of our gentlemen at St. 
Bride's Church vestry, namely : Mr. Robert Tracy, who was in the 
Common Council chair, Mr. Vemon, Sir William Heathcote, Mr. 
Thomas Towers, Egmont, Dr. Hales, Mr. Smith, Mr. Lapotre, Lord 
Tirconnel, Mr. Laroche, Mr. Thomas Archer, Mr. Henry Archer, .Mr. 
Sloper ; Sir Henry Gough, Lord Carpenter, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Burton, 
Trustees. 

Before the sermon we passed our account of receipts and dis 
bursements from 9 June last to the 14th inst. 

Then we confirmed the bye-law agreed to yesterday, that whatever 
Common Councillor resigned for the future, shall do it a month before 
the 3rd Thursday in March. We also agreed that a law should be 
made in favour of female successors in Georgia, and that Mr. Henry 
Archer, Mr. Thomas Towers, and Judge Holland, the three gentlemen 
of our Board of the profession of the law, should be desired to prepare it. 

Then we elected my Lord Carpenter into the Common Council, and 
also the Lord Sidney Beauclerc, having first chose him as a Trustee. 

My Lord Sidney Beauclerc came to us before dinner and gave us 
thanks, being very desirous to be a member of the Trust. But my 
Lord Carpenter was much disturbed that we chose him, alleging the 
.same reason subsisted for his declining it, as induced him before to 
fling it up. But we pacified him, and he acquiesced to stand a Common 
Councillor provided we did not require him to take the oath, and in 
consequence thereto to act, declaring it was on the condition of being 
excused therein that he did so acquiesce. This we all allowed him. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

35 

1738-9. 

These affairs being over we went to church, and Dr. Berriman, one 
of the most noted preachers in London, gave us an excellent sermon, 
suitable to the occasion of our meeting. 

After which we invited him and the Eeader, and Mr. Glen, the new 

Governor of Carolina, to dine with us so that we were in all, including 

our Secretary and Accountant, 21, Mr. Tracy alone leaving us after 

the sermon to attend the House of Commons, from whence he re- 

' turned not. 

But after dinner I received from him a letter which I imparted to 
the Trustees, being of a very satisfactory nature, relating to some 
conversation of Monsieur Giraldini about Georgia, to which letter I 
returned an answer. They may both be seen in the appendix to my 
narrative of the rise, progress and settlement of Georgia, and therefore 
I shall only here mention the substance of them. 

Mr. Tracy acquainted me that Mr. Henry Vane, a member of the 
House, having industriously reported that Giraldini should tell my Lord 
Lovel, his master would sooner part with Madrid than give up Georgia. 
General Wade went on purpose to Court this morning to enquire into 
it, this being the day of the Foreign Ministers. That as soon as the 
King's Levee was over, he took Giraldini aside, and told him what he 
was reported to have said. That Giraldini protested it was great 
injustice done him ; that all the foundation he presumed there was 
for it, was a conversation he had at Mr. Nugent's, where Lord Lovel 
was present ; that my Lord, Mr. Nugent, and some others talked a good 
deal upon several points in the Convention, and at last came to Georgia. 
That till then he (Giraldini) sat silent, but then was called upon to give 
his opinion, upon which he declared to Mr. Wade that he only said he 
apprehended his master had by the Treaties of '67 and '70 a right to a 
great part of Georgia, but that he (Giraldini) had said it in several 
pkces, and particularly to Sir Eobert Walpole, that if the English 
would not extend their new settlement beyond the river AUatahama, 
and keep to the northern side, the King of Spain would be contented 
that his dominion should extend no further than the southern side of 
that river. 

The answer I returned was to this effect : that his letter gave me 
and the Trustees great satisfaction ; that I was only afraid that if 
the lands bordering on the south side of the AUatahama be left in the 
power of the Spaniards to occupy, they, by building a fort on the 
banks, may command the entrance or navigation of that river ; there 
fore, it was my opinion the most that can be conceded to the Spaniards 
is that the lands to the southward should be left entirely desert and 
uninhabited by Spaniards or English. That I speak as a Georgian, 
but whether the Ministry will assert the right of His Majesty further 
southwards, or the Parliament acquiesce in yielding up any part of 
our possessions (though no part of Georgia), was what it is impossible 
tor me to know, and very unbecoming me to speak to. That in the 
meantime I could not help observing that our petition, and the honest 
resolute and faithful declaration of the Trustees to the Ministry on 
«us occasion, with the great minority, has produced this declaration 
îrorn Giraldini ; for I believed my Lord Bathurst and Mr. Blackwood 
told me true, that Giraldini did say to them, his master would sacrifice 
tue Indies before he would suffer us to keep Georgia. At the bottom 
oi my letter I told him I wrote this only to himself, my reason for which 

 36 ' DIAKY OP THE 

Mar. 15-17 

postscript was that I would not have him show my letter to the 
Ministry, who might think from thence that I spoke the sense of the 
Trustees, which I would not take upon me. 

After this, talking with Mr. Laroche about this letter and telling him 
we did wisely in adding the word possessions to the Commons' address, 
he told me it was his own thought, and that he with Mr. Henry Archer 
moved it to Sir Robert Walpole and insisted on it. I replied, Mr. 
Thomas Towers told me it was himself with Mr. Archer, which Mr. 
Laroche denied, and seemed uneasy that another took the merit of it. 

Alderman Heathcote, Mr. White, Mr. Moor and Mr. Hucks did not 
come near us, of whom we may say as St. John did of the apostate 
Christians in his time, they were with us but they were not of us. Their 
heart seemed alienated from us, and the latter told a friend of mine 
in confidence, that if we may have a peace with Spain by giving up 
Georgia, it were a good thing. Yet this gentleman told rne a month or 
two ago, that if there was a design to give up Georgia, he would divide 
the House against it, though there were but three men to join him ; 
so variable are men in their thoughts and purposes. 

Friday 16.—I remarked this day in the King's answer to the 
Commons' Address that he only promises to do his best to preserve 
our just rights, but does not add the word possessions thereto, which 
were in the Address. When I mentioned this to the gentlemen of 
Georgia, some of them said Sir Eobert had not acted fairly by us. 

I went to the House of Commons to hear the debate on the Wool 
Bill, and there apprized Mr. Tracy, the two Mr. Towers and the two 
Mr. Archers, that if the Government should think fit to give up to 
the Spaniards in the ensuing treaty, that part of South Carolina 
which lies southward of Georgia, that care should be taken that the 
Spaniards build no fort on the south side of the river Allatahama, 
and that Jekyl's Island remains to England, although it should be 
southward of Georgia, for otherwise we might possibly lose the harbour 
of Jekyl, which is of so great importance to us, it not being certain by 
our maps that Jekyl's Island and the harbour be within the bounds 
of Georgia, though undoubtedly within the bounds of Carolina. 

The House going into a grand committee to consider of a bill for 
relieving the woollen trade, Mr. Horace Walpole moved that the duty 
on Irish yarn might be taken off in order to induce the people of Ireland 
to bring it to England rather than run it to France. 

Mr. Vyner, Lord Baltimore, Lord Tirconnel, and Mr. Hungerford 
and Captain Eyles opposed it. But Mr. Bance, Gyles Earl, Mr. 
Drummond supported it. 

' Mr. Edward Thompson, Commissioner of the Land Eevenue in 
Ireland, moved to open the ports of Galway, Limerick and Ireland(s«'c). 
Sir Abraham Elton opposed it. 

Mr. Veré moved for an extension of the Registry Act of wool in 
England to some more miles distant from the coast, and that the same 
should also comprehend Ireland, which nobody opposed. 

He also moved that no wool manufactured into cloth, stuffs, etc., 
in Ireland, should be suffered to be exported out of that kingdom, 
under greater penalties than by the Acts in being ; which Sir John 
Barnard opposed, saying he was in his conscience persuaded that the 
prohibition of manufactured wool in Ireland from being exported was 
the root of all the evil and decay of the English woollen manufacture. 

FIRST EABL OÎ EGMONT. 

37 

1738-9. 

Mr. Walpole also moved that the admittance of Irish worsted and 
yarn should not take place till midsummer 1740, iu order that the 
Parliament of Ireland might on their part provide effectual means to 
«rêvent the running their wool and yarn to France, and their manu 
factured stuffs to Lisbon, which was agreed to. · 

Mr. Veré moved several other things, for parts of the bill, which 
were all agreed to. 

I observed Mr. Pelham and the Sussex gentlemen say nothing in 
the debate, who formerly were very warm against a bill of this nature, 
from whence I conclude they depend on the House of Lords to throw 
it out when it comes to them. 

I dined and passed the evening at home. 

Saturday 17.—This morning I perused the letters which arrived 
yesterday from Savannah, and are as follows :— 

1. Letter from Mr. William Noms, at' Savannah, dated 19 
October, 1738, giving account that he landed there the 15th of 
that month, but was shocked at the reception General Oglethorp 
gave him, who in the general distress the Colony _ was under, 
refused to give him any relief. 

2. Another letter dated 12 December, containing a list of 
children, baptized, and persons dead or married in Savannah, 
from 22 October to 8 December. The baptized were 8, the 
deceased were 7, and the married 1. 

In this letter he complains heavily of the enthusiasm of Mr. 
Whitfeild and Habersharn the schoolmaster. That in the common 
form of prayer, etc., appointed for the day, the exhortation, 
absolution, psalms and first lesson were totally omitted, and the 
collects and prayers for the Royal family, etc., abridged and 
contracted ; that few or no petitions were contained or offered 
up in them. That the hours of public worship were so unreason 
able and disagreeable to most constitutions as prevented the 
frequency of some, and drew many into a gradual neglect and 
indisposition, and at length to an utter dislike of them. That a 
separate nightly assembly was formed at the minister's house, 
which made up a communion of saints, and were distinguished 
by the name of the faithful, but were indeed such members as 
neither contributed to the credit of religion nor«society. These 
observed particular forms of worship and duties, such as public 
confession, penance, absolution, etc., and many believed that 
an avenue was herein opening to Popery. That the inhabitants 
of Highgate and Harnstead had been upwards of two years 
without receiving communion, being excluded by the late Mr. 
Wesley. He concluded with desiring some catechisms and 
religious books, and with a complaint that Habersharn employs 
all his authority and credit to prejudice his ministry and private 
character. 

3. A letter from Mr. Stephens, our Secretary, to Mr. Verelts, 
dated 2 January, 1738-9, containing matters of no great impor 
tance. 

4. Mr. Stephens' journal from 21 November to 2 January 
following, the remarkable of which are : 

That Mr. Jones, employed by Mr. Oglethorp to adjust the late 
bailiff Causton's accounts, is too hot and passionate. 

 38 DIAEY OF THE 

Mar. 17 

That Mr. Christie, the Kecorder, had made over the two ser 
vants the Trustees had allowed him, to Patrick Graham, a surgeon 
at Savannah and planter, for a sum of ready money, which was 
an artful contrivance of making a penny, as he had many others", 
but how well it would be approved of he doubted. 

That Mr. Bradley, overseer of the Trust servants, was returned 
from Carolina, where he had to his satisfaction obtained a family 
grant of lands, which, being numerous in children and servants, 
came at 50 acres per head to 1,300 acres, and that the same lay 
in the township of Purysburg. 

That Mr. Amory, of our Colony, had also obtained a grant of- 
500 acres in Carolina. 

That Bradley declared he was ready to make up accounts 
with Mr. Jones, but that Jones deferred it, which Jones declared 
was false. 

That his (Mr. Stephens') servants were four of them sick, and the 
rest incorrigibly idle. 

That Mr. Norris performed his duty of pastor excellently well. 

That it is difficult to recover our runa way'servants to Carolina, 
they meeting an asylum there. 

That a report obtained at Savannah that an universal defection 
had of a sudden appeared in the inhabitants of Darien, and they 
had sent a deputation to Mr. Oglethorp at St. Simon's and required 
a certain assurance that they should have immediate remedy 
for their complaints, or else they were determined to break up 
and go elsewhere. That the chief of their complaints was the 
tenure they held their land by, and the poverty of their land, 
the want of a store, having no markets to go to, nor credit to 
support themselves. That to prevent this evil they proposed a 
public store should be set up, to be supplied with what they 
wanted, for which they should be allowed to make payment in 
lumber sawn, or in shingles, pipe staves, and the like, which Mr. 
Stephens remarks, if allowed, would put an end to all planting 
at once. 

That the inhabitants of the northern district had likewise 
framed a representation signed by 110 hands, among whom was 
John Brow\ifeild, our Register, Dr. Tailfer and Robert Williams, 
which the latter designed to bring with him to England and lay 
before the Trustees, wherein they take upon them to demonstrate 
that no person can carry on any improvement of land on the foot 
they now are without certain loss, and that they must be allowed 
negroes. That at the same time the Carolinians give such en 
couragement to all who are uneasy in Georgia, that it is to be 
- feared that many who are uneasy will be tempted to settle there. 

That th'e French reported the neighbouring Indians intended to 
cut off all the white people who lived among them, which was in 
order to debar our Lidian traders from going among them, but 
that the Dog King, who is on their frontier, assured Mr. Willy 
who is stationed at a small fort in the Creek nation to observe the 
Indians, that they would never side with the French but die with 
the English. 

That several ships with provisions had come to Savannah, 
but finding no vent sailed away. 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 30 

1738-9. 

That John Brownfeild and Habershain the schoolmaster were 
grown very great with Mr. Causton since his disgrace, who were 
formerly his enemies. 

That at 14 December the stores were near exhausted by Mr. 
Oglethorp's order at his landing, that the creditors of the Trustees 
might have it in their option to take provision instead of money. 

That Captain Davis (of suspected character) was with his ship 
arrived from Augustine, where he went to reclaim 19 negroes who 
had run away from him and refuged themselves there, but that 
the Spaniards had declared them free and laughed at him ; and 
the Governor told him it was the King of Spain's orders. 

Mr. Stephens well remarks on this, that if the negroes can thus 
escape from Carolina and are made free, what could be expected 
but they would march off easily from Georgia if negroes were 
allowed there ? 

That a court-martial was to be held at Frederica to determine 
some differences arisen among the officers. 

That Mr. Jones declared Mr. Causton's accounts were so intricate 
that he believes he shall not be able to adjust them. 

That what with the disorder of the civil economy, and the 
disputes of the military, Mr. Oglethorp was much embarrassed. 

That Duché, the potter, boggled at making the chinaware I 
had wrote for, and given him (Stephens) a paper setting forth the 
things he wanted for such a work, and another advancement of 
money at the bottom of it. That he refused to send to the 
Trustees any of his clay, alleging it was a peculiar nostrum of his 
own, which he would rather hope for a patent to appropriate to 
himself than divulge. 

That Georgia was in contempt with her neighbours, and all 
correspondence very little regarded by too many of them. 

That a scandalous woman had spread a report that Mr. Norris 
had been familiar with a maid servant whom he had borrowed 
to clean his house, but upon plain conviction the magistrates 
had ordered her to be whipped, as she had often been before. 

5. A letter from Mr. Stephens to the Trust, dated 2 January, 
1738-9. In it he acquaints us that he has to lay before us a scene 
full of confusion and disorder for which he refers to his journal. 
That he hoped everybody would have patiently waited the produce 
of the next year's crop, but the fatal tidings of the bad state of 
affairs throughout by reason of such great debts incurred and the 
deficiency of funds to discharge them, the stopping of all credit, 
and the applying great part of what was in the stores to the 
payment of part of'some of the creditors had made a visible change 
in people's looks and temper, and very few had refrained from 
signing the memorial mentioned in his journal. That Captain 
Patrick Mackay, though he signed it not, was a principal incen 
diary, and Robert Williams, with his brother-in-law Patrick 
Tailfer, were the chief fabricators of it. That the model on which^ 
the Colony is founded, is treated with derision. That Tailfer had 
never yet cultivated land, but got more money than anyone by 
his practice and letting out the servants he brought with him to 
hire, but that Williams had cultivated more than anyone, and 
met with less return, which might chagrin him, but he had private 

 40 DIARY OF THE 

Mar. 17-20 

views in insisting on the use of negroes, and on a change of the 
tenure of his land, because if he could alienate it, he might borrow 
money on it to buy negroes. That there are also discontents 
in the south. That Mr. Causton's and Mr. Bradley's accounts 
are so obscure there is no coming to the bottom of them. That 
there is not more than 12 barrels of meat in the stores through 
the great drafts made to satisfy creditors. He concludes that he 
is far from despairing that by the prudence of the Trustees these 
clouds will be dispersed. 

6. A letter from Mr. Stephens, dated 3 January, to Mr. Verelts. 
In this he lays open his own distress, servants sick and others idle. 
The disappointment of his crop, three parts in four in the country 
having failed, though much care taken and his land good. 20/. due 
to physicians and no money to pay it. The estimate of expenses 
for the current year first abridged and afterwards not complied 
with by the Trustees for want of ability blasted all their hopes of 
subsisting. That he might as well hope to assuage the raging 
of the sea as the madness of the people. He hints at being slighted 
on that side, but depends on the Trustees for remedying his 
uneasinesses and wants. 

7. Andrew Duché's the potter's proposal, setting forth that 
he has found out the true manner of making porcelain or china 
ware, but needs money (over and above the encouragement already 
given him) to build conveniences and lay in a stock to enable him 
to make large quantities of it for exportation, which would greatly 
turn to the credit and advantage of the Colony and employ at 
least 100 poor people in the town, and many more, if we should 
procure him a patent for the sole making it in this Colony, and 
exclusive of all other in any part of His Majesty's dominions 
that are or may be annexed to the Crown of Great Britain for the 
space of 15 years, which he hopes will not be refused, as he is 
the first man in Europe, Africa or America that ever found the 
true matter and manner of making porcelain or china ware. He 
also desires two ingenious pot painters at certain reasonable 
wages, to be engaged for four years, and he would oblige himself 
to pay them their wages quarterly. But as to sending over any 
more clays to the Trustees he desires to be excused. He further 
desires that the Trustees would send him a ton weight of pig lead, 
and two hundred weight of blue smalt such as the potters use, 
with three hundred weight of block tin, and an iron mortar and 
pestle to weigh about two hundred pounds together. 

In answer to my commission to send me over the china cups 
I wrote for, he says they would have been ready to send by this 
opportunity if he had been able to build him a kiln for that 
purpose, but till then they cannot be made. And as to the garden 
pots, he chooses not to make them, if expected of the same matter 
with the cups. 

These accounts are very melancholy and discouraging, but if 
we obtain the money we ask for from Parliament, we shall restore 
all to a good condition. 

Sunday 18.—Prayers and sermon at home. Mr. Scots dined with 
me. Went in the evening to the Bishop of Oxford's catechising 
and then to the coffee house. 

PIEST EABL OP EGMONT. 41 

1738-9. 

Monday 19.—Nothing remarkable. 

Tuesday 20.—A cold kept me at home all day. Lord Bathurst 
came to see me, and told me that not twenty of the minority will stay 
in town to attend the Parliament. I replied that the resolution is 
ill-judged, that the ministry (though they carried the address) did it 
by so few, as shows if the minority stuck close they would be the 
majority next session, since it is impossible to conceive the Spaniards 
will conclude a treaty with us on the terms of the address, and there 
fore Sir Robert Walpole will be obliged to yield some things to them, 
contrary to the Parliament's expectation, which will be his ruin. 
That the minority do in this like a greyhound that has coursed a 
hare till he is ready to chop her up, stops short, and lets her go off. 

I heard this day that the call of the House which was ordered for 
yesterday was by Sir Robert's art put off without naming a day, by 
which it fell of course, and the minority were defeated in their scheme 
of bursting all together out of the House after the call was over. 

I heard also that the ship lately taken by the Spaniards in the 
Mediterranean because she had Turks on board, has been released, 
and the Turkish passengers likewise. 

This day came news of the death of Marmaduke Coghill, Esq., the 
worthiest, honestest, and wisest gentleman in public business in all 
Ireland. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer, judge of the Prero 
gative Court, and Privy Councillor. He was my friend and the only 
useful correspondent I had in Dublin. 

Wednesday 21.—This day I went to the Georgia Board, and the 
following Common Council appeared, though the summons was only 
for a Trustee Board : Mr. Henry Archer in the Trustee chair, 
Mr. Vernon, Sir William Heathcote, Mr. Laroche, Mr. Thomas Towers, 
Mr. Christopher Towers, Mr. Digby, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Tracy, · Lord 
Sidney Beauclerc, Egmont, Lord Tirconnel. 

Our principal business was to swear my Lord Sidney Beauclerc 
into the Common Council, after which the gentlemen repaired to the 
House of Commons to attend the Georgia petition in case the sum 
should be this day moved for, it being a supply day, but the supply 
was put off to Friday next, when Sir Robert promised Mr. Towers 
and others that our affair should come on at one o'clock and that he 
will then be down in the House to countenance it. 

Some letters lately come from Georgia by way of Ireland. They 
were referred to a committee of correspondence, and Mr. Vernon, 
Lapotre and I remained at the office till dinner time to read them ; 
but we could only consider a memorial from Mary Lacy setting forth 
her case and extenuating it. She was accused in July last of con 
federating with Hetherington and others of Thunderbolt, in killing 
hogs and cattle belonging to Parker the bailiff and the Trust, and 
ordering her servant to assist therein, and salting the hogs and putting 
them in her warehouse. The rest of the confederates were tried and 
brought in guilty, but she was bailed, and judgment was respited 
upon them until the pleasure of the Trustees should be known what 
sentence to pass, or how the magistrates should proceed. 

We resolved that a letter should be wrote to Mr. Stephens that if 
the offenders who were brought in guilty had not escaped, they should 
pay treble damages. We thought this better than that the magistrates 
.should proceed capitally against them, and we chose to write our 

 42 DIARY OF THE 

Mar. 21-24 

opinions in this manner to our Secretary rather than the magistrates, 
lest it might be thought we directed them in their judgment and 
sentence, which we would carefully avoid. 

We dined at the British Coffee House in great number, viz. : Mr. 
Vernon, Mr. Thomas Towers, Egmont, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Henry Archer, 
Mr. Thomas Archer, Mr. Tracy, Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Mr. Digby, 
Lord Tirconnel, and were joined by Mr. Sloper and Sir Henry Gough. 

I took that opportunity to propose that in consideration of the great 
necessity the people in Georgia are under for subsistence, forty 
barrels of household tíour should be sent by a ship that is to sail for 
South Carolina the end of this month, which forty barrels consisting 
of five bushels each made two hundred bushels, and would cost 
under GOL, and the freight thereof not more than twenty shillings per 
ton. The gentlemen agreed thereto unanimously. 

As I left the Coffee House I met Captain Dempsey, who was so 
useful in 1735 in making the treaty between Mr. Oglethorp and the 
Spanish Governor of Augustine. I told him Sir Eobert Walpole had 
lately said in the House of Commons that there had not been a shovel 
of earth raised towards building forts for the defence of Georgia. 
The Captain swore, G——damn him, what did he mean to say so? 
the fort Frederica on St. Simon's Island is so strong that it cannot be 
taken without cannon, having bastions, covert way, palisado, and 
ditch, and when he was there twenty cannon mounted. That he also 
assisted in building fort St. Andrews, a strong place, but left it before 
it was finished. 

Thursday 22.—I visited Lady Salisbury at Kensington, dined and 
spent the evening at home. 

Friday 23.—This .day Mr. Samuel Sandys' bill for enabling a parish 
in Woster City to raise money on themselves for defraying debts 
incurred by rebuilding their church, had a third reading, which 
occasioned the warmest and most surprising debate that I ever knew. 
It had passed all the forms of the House without the least opposition, 
when now Mr. Henry Fox rose up and declared he would have said 
nothing against the bill had not the minority, as it were in a body, 
withdrawn their attendance from the House, because they could 
not carry their point in opposing the address to His Majesty on occasion 
of the Convention, which was such a proceeding as destroyed all 
government, and a breach of their trust. That Mr. Sandys, having 
divided with the minority, he was for showing the City of Woster 
what sort of member they had elected, and that as he could scarce 
look on him as any longer their representative, the bill did not now 
lie before them, as not being conducted by a member of Parliament. 

He was seconded by Mr. Hanbury Williams. 

Mr. Sandys replied with great warmth that the members who had 
withdrawn themselves, did it because they found they could do no 
good, and were well able to justify themselves. That he despised 
what those gentlemen had spoken, if meant personally at himself, 
but he believed it was not. That this was a bill of a public nature, 
and if the City of Woster or any body of people were to suffer because 
men liked not the faces of persons who served them there was indeed 
an end to all government. That the gentleman had not spoke against 
the merits of the bill, and notwithstanding what they had said, he 
would try the fate of it, not doubting but the House would pass it. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 43 

1738-9. 

Mr. Joseph Danvers said he was for the bill, and this was not a proper 
way to express the just resentment the House ought to show against 
the minority absenting themselves. The true parliamentary way 
was to send for them up, and if they returned not, to expel them and 
issue new writs ; nay, that they might go further and vote they 
should never serve again in Parliament while they lived. He much 
commended Mr. Sands for his ability and constant -attendance for 
many years. Dr. George Lee said that if justice is to be denied the 
people on such pretences as these, by the majority, then indeed they 
would be properly a faction, and if a dislike to persons is a reason for 
not passing bills, the consequence will be only cutting of throats. 

Mr. Henry Pelham spoke very hot, and said he had no objection to 
the bill, for he knew not the contents, but he would oppose it because 
a person was concerned in it who had divided with the minority, 
and had encouraged the desertion of those members, although for a 
particular affair he was concerned in, he as yet attended the House. 
That in Mr. Sandys' private capacity he had a great respect for him, 
and acknowledged his merit, and while he continued to behave well, 
should esteem him, but when he did otherwise he would withdraw his 
esteem and even friendship from him and all others who should strike 
at the foundations of government and the legislature, and endeavour 
to throw the Kingdom into confusion, as the minority have done by 
their withdrawing. 

The Speaker interrupted another gentleman who was going to 
speak, and said very warmly that there never was such a behaviour 
as this of the minority's withdrawing since the Grand Eebellion ; 
that he wanted an opportunity to declare his sense and detestation 
of it. That the House had means to bring those gentlemen back to 
their duty, but this was not parliamentary to reject a public bill 
because of animosity against persons. That their ancestors would 
on such an occasion have acted in another kind of and more vigorous 
manner. That this secession destroyed the rule of Parliament on which 
all government depended, which is that the minority should yield to 
the majority. He hoped the House would not proceed in this manner, 
but calm themselves, Sir William Young spoke against the bill for 
the same reason as those who first opposed it, but Sir Jo. Barnard in 
a very moderate speech endeavoured to pacify gentlemen. He was 
for the bill, and for the House taking a more proper method, if they 
chose to do it, for bringing back the members. 

' Mr. Philip Gybbon spoke to the same effect. At length the Speaker 
put the question for passing the bill, and Mr. Fox divided the House, 
the ayes who went out were 88, and the noes who stayed in 77. 

This morning the House went into a committee of supply, aud the 
committee voted 20,OOOZ. for the defence and cultivation of the same. 
My Lord Sidney Beauclerc moved the sum, and nobody spoke for or 
against it, but there were half a dozen noes. [Georgia affairs—Margin.] 
Sir Charles Wager showed Mr. Thomas Archer a letter that Mr. 
Oglethorp had again been shot at, and was so odious to the soldiers 
that he was forced to confine himself within doors, but he said it came 
from a rascally deserter of the Colony. This is, I presume, another 
lie invented by our good friends of South Carolina·. 

Saturday 24.—Mr. Vernon, Mr. Lapotre, Lord Sidney Beauclerc, 
Egmont met as a committee of correspondents to prepare instructions 

 44 DIARY OF THE 

Mar. 24-27 

to be laid before the Common Council Board next Wednesday, but we 
had not time to go through all the letters and journal that came by 
the last ship. 

We read two letters dated in November last from Mr. Cross, Consul 
at Teneriffe, and ordered an answer that occasion does not serve us 
now to order any wines of Georgia. 

Also two letters from the Kev. Mr. Norris, dated 19 October and 12 
December, which we ordered Mr. Martin to acknowledge and to 
acquaint him with our approbation of his zeal, and his removal to 
Frederica. 

The proposal of Andrew Duchée, potter, now in Savannah, was 
referred to future consideration, until Captain Thompson's arrival, 
who will acquaint us with the state of his manufacture. 

We resolved that 80 barrels of flour should be bought as soon as 
possible to be sent to the stores now in Mr. Jones's keeping ; the same 
to be distributed by Mr. Stephens and the two first bailiffs to the 
necessitous, and their certificate to be a discharge to Jones. 

That after the Trust servants are supplied, the widows and orphans 
should be next taken care of, arid then if anything remained, it should 
go to feed the most necessitous. 

That Mr. Stephens and the two first magistrates in Savannah and in 
Frederica shall appoint a proper overseer of the Trust servants in 
each division of the province, the northern and southern. 

That these two overseers shall make up monthly accounts of the 
people's labour, and of their number, agreeable to the instructions 
already given of the works appointed to be carried on. 

That Mr. Stevens have 20Z. for to defray the charge of his son's and 
family's sickness, and 30Z. in consideration of his servants' failure of 
work, because of sickness, idleness, etc. 

That Mr. Morris's salary be paid him quarterly, and the former 
order relating to the building his -house, culture of his five acres, etc., 
be observed. And that a considerable number of Lewis's catechisms 
be sent him as he desired. That a letter be wrote to him to this effect. 

That a thousand weight of cheese be sent for the stores, and twenty 
hundred weight of beef, as soon as possible. 

That these provisions be none of them paid away in discharge of 
debts on the stores. 

Lastly, that Mr. Parker, head bailiff, Mr. Stephens and Mr. Jones 
take and state the public debts of the Colony. 

This was all we could do this day ; but on Monday next the com 
mittee will meet again. 

This week I accepted, with Mr. Verney, Master of the Rolls, to be 
Trustee to Dr. Courayer for 105L per annum annuity purchased of 
Ant. Duncorab, Esq., Member of Parliament, and secured on land. 
George Lewis and John Gilbert, my servants, were witnesses to the 
deed. 

Sunday, 25.—Went to chapel in the morning, and to the Bishop of 
Oxford's lecture in the afternoon. 

My Lord Gage told my son this day that talking with Giraldini 
concerning Georgia, and telling him that he was observed to talk 
differently of it, sometimes his master would have it, and other times 
that the English should keep it, Giraldini replied, the town did him 
wrong, but this was what he said and would still say, that Carolina 

1739. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

45 

shall remain to England, but Florida to his master. " What (replied 
Lord Gage) our settlements there ?" " Yes, your settlements there," 
said Giraldini, " and pray let all know it, if you please." 
Monday 26.—Committee : Egmont, Lapotre, Lord Sidney, Smith. 
I went this morning to the Georgia Board to a committee of corres 
pondence, and we made some observations on a letter of Mr. Oglethorp 
which we resolved to report to the Common Council. The letter was 
dated 7 October last from Frederica. With it came two petitions, 
one from the old freeholders of that town desiring further support of 
provision in bread kind, meat and seed, to be repaid by them. The 
other from five new settlers there, desiring support, to be repaid when 
they were able. 

We resolved to report that the old settlers might be allowed in their 
necessity two pounds of beef per week to each of them. They are in 
number 53, but how numerous their families are we know not. 

Mr. Oglethorp desired a speedy supply of fifty or sixty ton of strong 
beer, which he said was as good as to send over Sola bills. We 
resolved that Mr. Robert Hucks, brewer in Southwark, should be spoke 
to to send the same to him on his account, we believing this beer was 
for the regiment, with which we have nothing to do ; but if he will not, 
then that the Trustees might do it, and charge Mr. Oglethorp to account 
for the value to the Trustees. 

He added that it will be necessary to support the Colony, even the 
most industrious, for 8 months from October last till midsummer, 
1739 ; towards which he had only 500 Sola bills he carried over, not 
yet touched by him, and a very small remainder of stores after the 
creditors of the stores were paid their own out of them. 

In another letter, dated 19 October, from Savannah, he tells us that 
those we lent servants to cannot maintain them, but must depend on 
the stores. 

Then he had paid the scout-boats out of his own money. That the 
effects in the stores will not answer half the creditors' demands, nor 
support the people half the time till they hear what the Parliament 
will give. That the storekeepers know not what is due from the 
stores, or to creditors. That most of the people said to be debtors to 
the stores are creditors upon the stores. 

That there are great numbers of people to be assisted, orphans, 
widows, and sick. 

That as he will not incur any debts, he cannot begin to build 
churches till we send Sola bills. 

This day Mr. Laroche told me that he had it from Mr. Seddon, who 
does business for the German Minister, that Giraldini told him his 
master will bear a twenty years' war before he will suffer us to keep 
Georgia. Thus does this man talk backward and forward. 

This day the report of the Committee of Supply to give us 20,OOOZ. 
was agreed to. 

Tuesday 27.—This being the anniversary day of the Society for 
Promoting Christian Knowledge, I dined with them, as for many years 
I have done. We were about 22, and Mr. Vernon in the chair. We 
gathered among us 11Z. 12s. 3d., to relieve prisoners out of debt, 
which is threepence more than last year. The accounts from Madras, 
Tranquebar, etc., were very acceptable, and there is a new door opening 
to convert the Mahometans of Tartary. 

 46 DIARY OF THE 

Mar. 27-30 

I visited Sir Thomas Hanmer, Lord Grantham and Sir Charles 
Moore. Sir Charles has lately lost his mother, who was an Alcock, 
of the County of Tipperary in Ireland, and a considerable fortune. 

Mr. Hutehinson told me that he had lately talked with Monsieur 
Giraldini about the search of our ships in America, who said he did not 
know but his master would forgo the search on the high seas, but he 
never would give up the search of them within a certain distance 
from the coast. At night I went to the play called " The Country 
Lasses." 

Wednesday 28.—This day a committee of correspondence met to 
prepare a report upon the subject matter of letters received from 
Mr. Oglethorp dated 19 October and 22 November. 

Before we had finished our report a great many gentlemen came in so 
that we were as follows : Mr. Vernon, Lord Tirconnel, Lord Sidney 
Beauclerc, Mr. Sloper, Henry Archer, Dr. Hales, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. 
Smith, Egmont, Thomas Towers ; Mr. Anderson. 

Among other things we were of opinion that two scout boats men 
tioned by Mr. Oglethorp as necessary to be kept up ought not to be a 
charge upon the Trust, being, as we conceive, entertained for the 
military service alone. 

Seeing we were a Board of Common Council, Mr. Vernon took the 
chair, and it was resolved that 80 sacks of flour, 30 firkins of butter, 
and 2,000 weight of cheese, amounting in price to 250Z., freight and 
insurance included, should be immediately purchased, and sent by 
the ship that goes in a few days to Georgia, with orders to be dis 
tributed :— 

1. To the Trust servants. 

2. To the widows and orphans. 

3. To planters sick, or under unavoidable calamity. 

We accordingly signed a draft on the bank for this purpose. 

We also ordered 50l. as a consideration to Mr. Stephens, our 
secretary's loss by the sickness and idleness of his servants. 

We also ordered that Mr. Norris, the minister's salary should be paid 
him quarterly. 

Mr. Vernon then went to wait on the Archbishop of Canterbury 
to desire he would procure us from the Incorporate Society for Pro 
pagating the Christian Faith, 50Í. for Mr. Norris, our missioner at 
Frederica, and to let his Grace know that the Society should have 
accounts from the Trust of his behaviour and the success of his mission. 
He returned soon after and acquainted us that the Archbishop had in 
his conversation given him encouragement to hope for success,. 
though the Society were indebted to Col. Cotherington's legacy 600/. 
for carrying on their affairs. 

In his absence I took the chair, and a committee was appointed for 
to prepare directions to take account of the stores ; to appoint com 
missioners to state and examine on oath the debts upon the Trust ; 
to consider of the resumption of lands deserted by the owners, and 
forfeited by the tenure of their grants, and to prepare an estimate 
at the most frugal rate for the year's expenses from midsummer 1739 
to midsummer 1740. 

This committee agreed to meet after dinner, and accordingly Mr. 
Towers, Mr. Vernon, Dr. Hales, Mr. Sloper and I dined together, and 
finished the instructions relating to the debts and stores, as also relating 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 47 

1739. 

to the vacant Trust lots ; but we had not time to make an estimate 
of the year's expenses ending 1740. 

It was much concern to us to find in the gross by Mr. Oglethorp's 
letters, that the debts contracted in Georgia, together with the 
necessary expenses of the Colony to midsummer 1739, will amount 
to near 12.000Z. 

- Thursday 29.—I wrote Mr. Oglethorp how matters stand with the 
Trust on this side, which I communicated to Mr. Vernon, Sir William 
Heathcote, Mr. Thomas Towers, Mr. Sloper, and some others of the 
Board, who approved it. 

- Friday 30.—Mr. Verelts told me this day that Mr. Simonds, the 
merchant, told him as a thing most certain, that the French now 
interpose that Georgia continue not in the English hands. 

He told me further, that Mr. Stone, Secretary to the Duke of New 
castle, assured him that the river St. Juan is the same which formerly 
was granted by King Charles the Second by the name of St. Mathew ; 
which name it formerly had. This makes strong for the English right 
to Georgia, and the lands southward of it. 

I visited my cousin Thomas Whorwood, and Mr. Binden, and then 
went to the House of Commons, where there were a greater number of 
members than I expected to see, many of the minority returning to 
oppose a motion for repealing the Test Act. 

Mr. Thomas White made the motion for the repeal, and Sir Joseph 
Eyles of the City seconded him. He was supported by Walter Plum- 
mer, George Speke, Nathaniel Brassey the banker, Samuel Holden, 
citizen, a dissenter, John Bance, citizen and dissenter, William Sloper, 
Sir Thomas Aston, Philip Guibbon, and Sir George Caswell ; and 
William Corbet, Lord Cornbury, Henry Roll, Lord Tirconnel, Hon. 
Mr. Powlet, Sir John Barnard, Sir Robert Walpole, and Jos. Danvers 
opposed the motion, which was at length rejected by a majority of 
188 against 89. 

The arguments for the motion were that the Test Act was made 
when the nation had a suspected popish Prince, and a known popish 
brother and successor. That it prevented the best affected subjects 
from serving their King and country, that it is a brand on the dis 
senters, that they had a natural right to employments, that it is a 
persecution, that there are still as many Jacobites as ever, and all 
who -are well affected to the Government ought to be united, that 
the dissenters had always appeared on the side of liberty, and were 
highly instrumental in the Revolution, that it is a profanation of the 
Sacrament to make it a test for employments, etc. 

The arguments against it were that in all states there must be an 
established religion with preference to others, that the dissenters had 
rather the Church of England were predominant than any of their own 
particular sects, that they acknowledged it was not sinful to com 
municate with us, and none refused it when they might get an employ 
ment. That the choosing this opportunity to move a repeal, when so 
many members had on a late occasion (and whom they knew would 
oppose it) abandoned the House, looked like taking an advantage, 
and would be remembered to their disadvantage another time ; that 
in former time the old Presbyterians made it a conscience to com 
municate with the Church established, that to let them into employ 
ments was giving them an opportunity to destroy the Church, for they 

 48 DIARY OF THE 

Mar. 30-Apl. 14 

who care not to communicate with, her must endeavour if in power to 
destroy her. That there are false or ambitious men in all persuasions, 
and this motion has been set on by them to mislead the rest of the 
dissenters, who were quiet men and contented with the Toleration. 
That it was well known the wisest of them were against this attempt, 
and even some who this day spoke for it, who yet were obliged to act 
this part to keep well with their friends. That had the motion been 
for a comprehension, or only to repeal the Corporation Act, few would 
oppose it, but the great security of the Church established is the test 
which had stood inviolable for many years, and in all reigns since 
the Restoration, and even at the Revolution the dissenters desired 

not the repeal of it. 

Saturday 31.—Visited Sir William Heathcote, Lord Sidney Beau- 
clerc, and Doctor Moore ; nothing remarkable passed this day. 

April 1, Sunday.—Not well, and stayed the whole day at home. 

Mr. Bindon dined with me. 

Monday, 2 April.—I went to the Georgia Office, where were present : 
Mr. Vernon in the Trustee chair ; Egmont, Sir William Heathcote, 
Mr. Smith, Lord Sidney Beauclerc, and Mr. Tracy. 

Our business was to approve letters to be sent by Captain Shoobroke 
who sails to-morrow, to Mr. Stephens, Mr. Oglethorp, Mr. Cross, 
Consul at the Terceras, Mr. Boltzius, and Mr. Norris. And also to 
sign a commission to Mr. Stephens, the head bailiff of Savannah, and 
Mr. Jones to examine and state the demands on the stores, the certified 
accounts sent over to us by Causton, and general debts of the 

Colony. 

We also resolved that Mr. Stephens and the first and second bailiff 
of Savannah do find an overseer of the Trust servants at Savannah 
in room of Bradley discharged, and a like overseer of Trust servants 
to be found at Frederica, the same not to be landholders. The service 
of these two overseers to be considered them, until our estimate for 
this year commences to take place. 

Mr. Stephens was ordered to send us a list of the Trust servants, 
and his opinion what their living and clothing may stand them in, 
the Trust paying them weekly in money, soon as the stores are shut. 

We acquainted him with the bill concerning female inheritance in 
Georgia, which is now preparing, and with our giving him 50Ï. in 
consideration of the sickness and loss of his servants' labour, and that 
we would further consider him in the estimate we are making. 

This day my son set out for Ireland by the way of Bristol. 

Tuesday 3.—Visited br. Parker. .The Bishop of Oxford, Lord 
Sidney Beauclerc, Mr. Vernon and Sir William Heathcote dined 

with me. 

Last week Lord Cardigan and Sir William Windham, desiring to 
be admitted members of the Whisk Club held at White's chocolate house, 
which consists of above a hundred noblemen and gentlemen of the 
best figure, without distinction of parties, and elects new members 
by way of ballot, they both were excluded, the one having one 
black ball against him, and the other two. Whereupon it is said the 
club has separated, the Tories resolving not to meet more with the 
Whigs. The rule is that" if one black ball appears the candidate is 

excluded. 
Wednesday 4.—I went to a vestry at St. James's, where in one of 

FIRST BAEL OF EGMONT. 

49 

1739. 

the fullest meetings that I can remember, a vote passed that the old 
rule should be observed of giving pews to candidates for them according 
to priority of application, which highly disgusted Brotherton, the 
churchwarden, who applied for a pew as due to him of right. But the 
Board'was not satisfied that churchwardens have a right, and therefore 
^refused him. 

In the evening I went to Hendel's new Oratorio, " The Israelites' 
flight out of Egypt." 

Thursday 5.—A lameness in my foot kept me at home all day. 

Mr. Laroche, the two Mr. Archers, and Mr. Tracy dined with me. 

Friday 6, Saturday 7, Sunday 8. 

Monday 9, Tuesday 10.—Still confined to my chamber, and my 
lameness is pronounced the gout. 

The Bishop of Litchfield, Mr. Temple, Mr. Vernon and some 
relations came to see me. 

Wednesday 11.—Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Lord Tirconnel, Sir William 
Heathcote, Mr. Vernon, Mr. H. Archer, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. 
Sloper, Mr. Smith, and Dr. Hales were present at the Board, but I 
not being there they would do no business, but agreed to come to my 
house on Friday evening, 7 a clock, and make a Board there. The 
business for which they were summoned was to consider of an estimate 
of the expenses of Georgia for the year beginning Midsummer 1739, 
and I therefore sent them that I had made, with certain heads of 
moment to be debated, in hopes they would have considered them, 
but they put it off, desirous, I believe, of attending the Coal Bill in the 
House of Commons. 

Sir Robert Walpole being a widower has youth enough about him, 
notwithstanding the age of 64, to take a new mistress, the sister of 
Mr. Glenn, the new Governor of Carolina, which Mr. Glenn married a 
natural daughter of my Lord Wilmington. 

Thursday 12, Friday 13.—Still confined by the gout. This evening 
the following gentlemen met at my house to consider the estimate for 
the year's expenses of Georgia : Mr. Vernon, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Digby, 
Mr. Smith, Egmont, T. Towers, Hen. Archer, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Tracy. 

We spent near three hours thereon, and resolved to meet on Monday 
next at the office. 

Saturday 14.—Lord Tirconnel, Lord Shaftsbury, Mr. Dickins,Bishop 
Parker and Dr. Barecroft came to see me. 

This week a high affront was put on the Duke of Cumberland by my 
Lord Clinton. The Duke keeps Mrs. Wilson the player (formerly an 
orange wenchy and a very pretty woman she is. My Lord Clinton 
desirous of her for himself, dressed himself in disguise, and went to 
[her] lodging in Berry Street, where finding her at home he offered her 
600Ï. a year to resign herself to him, and added that such a proposal 
ought to be preferred to the 400Ï. allowance the Duke gave her, which 
she could not depend on to be constantly paid, he having no money 
.from the King, his father, and being forced to borrow. 

Mrs. Wilson replied, he was a stranger to her, and by his dress did 
not seem a man of such estate as to be able to make good so handsome 
an overture, but however, she would consider of it, and if he would 
come two days hence she would tell him her mind. 

When he came the second time the servant told him that the Duke 
was with her lady, and not stirring ; but if he pleased to walk into the 

 50 DIARY OP THE 

Apl. 14-16 

next room she would acquaint her as soon as she might that he was 
there ; accordingly he stayed, and when she came to him he renewed 
his proposals and pressed them with repetitions that the Duke was 
poor and unable to do anything for her. Then the Duke who had 
been told all by this whore, and heard all that passed, opened the door. 
On this Lord Clinton retired, but unfortunately for him the Duke, 
knew him in his disguise, which the whore did not, and as he was 
retreating down stairs said to him, My Lord, this is no place to resent 
this injury, but I will find a proper one to use you as you deserve. Among 
your men of honour to take a man's whore from him is a much greater 
injury than to take his wife, although the law helps in the latter case, 
and overlooks the former, and there being no judge to determine the 
injury, the party aggrieved is his own revenger. What revenge the 
Duke will take we know not yet, but I believe he will be advised to 
take no notice of it. Some do not believe the story true, and I have il 
not confirmed. 

Monday 16.—I went for the first time (but lame) to the Georgia 
office to consider further touching our estimate, wherein we made a 
small progress. There met only Mr. Vernon, Thomas Towers, Lord 
Sidney Beauclere, Henry Archer, Lapotre, Mr. Digby, Bgmont. 

Mr. Towers, Vernon, Lapotre, Digby and I dined at the Cyder House, 
and Mr. Sloper joined us. In the evening came a packet of letters 
from Mr. Stephens, with his journal from the 3rd January to the 6th 
February last, together with a list of freeholders of Savannah, of whose 
lots in the town there are still 109 inhabited and 120 vacant ; the 
owners of the latter being some dead, some minors in England, some 
married to wives or husbands who have lots in other parts of the town 
and have quitted their own for theirs, and many who have deserted 
the Colony and returned to England or settled in South Carolina. 
Many of these were idle fellows, and others went away through want 
of sustenance or want of employment. 

Mr. Stephens' account is very bad of the ill situation the Colony is 
in, there being nothing left in the stores, and Mr. Oglethorp seeming 
to have no concern for this northern division of the Province, being 
provoked by the obstinacy of the people to have negro slaves, and 
charge the constitution of their grants in favour of female issue. 

He further writes that Jones, the new storekeeper, assured him he 
should find out that Costón, late bailiff, has returned to us fraudulent 
certified accounts. 

Tuesday 17.—This morning Sir Robert Walpole was during his 
levée taken with a shivering, and was blooded. At night it appeared 
to be a fever, and he was blistered. 

Possibly he might be affected with the insolent memorial returned by 
the Court of Spain to that sent lately from hence, and with the dis 
covery he has made that France has not only entered into an offensive 
and defensive alliance with Spain, but engaged to assist her to recover 
Gibraltar. 

Wednesday 18, Thursday 19, Friday 20.—Went only to the Coffee 
house. 

Saturday 21.—Kept at home all day. Mr. Verelts called on me to 
tell me that Mr. Oglethorp had wrote him that he should receive a 
long letter from him by the way of Carolina, which Mr. Verelts supposes 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

51 

1739. 

will come by Captain Thompson, whom he expects within ten daysor 

a fortnight. 

' That he (Mr. Verelts) had waited on the Duke of Newcastle, being 
sent for by him, and was very civilly received by him ; that he told 
him he had read over his book of collections of proofs of His Majesty's 
just right to Georgia and the rest of what we claim to belong to Great 
Britain, as also the Appendix, and would acquaint Sir Robert Walpole 
that it was his labour. 

Mr. Verelts added that he had been with Mr. Stone, the Duke's 
secretary, who gave him a copy of the instructions that go to-morrow 
to Mr. Keen at Madrid, relating to these possessions, wherein he is 
ordered to insist that the river St. Juan be the boundary between the 
Spaniards and us, that all the land on the north side of that river to 
St. Simon's Island and fort, or the continent in the same latitude of 
30 degrees or thereabout, be left open unbuilt and uninhabited by 
Spaniards or English ; if the Spaniards have a look-out guard on 
the north of St. Jüans river it shall be withdrawn. 

Mr. Verelts told me likewise that Admiral Cavendish goes to the 
West Indies with a squadron; that he carried to him our map of 
the coast of the Province of Georgia by Captain Yoakly, that he (Mr. 
Verelts) told him if he wanted further information he might send to 
Captain Gascoign, who had been there and was now in London ; to 
which the Admiral replied, Captain Gascoign knew nothing ; he had 
indeed received 500/. to gratify a friend under pretence of surveying 
the coast, but had not gone lower than the Savannah river. He then 
asked what largeness ships of war might be of to enter Jekyl harbour. 
Mr. Verelts replied, 40 gun ships according to Captain Burrishes 
account ; the Admiral replied, he would not depend on him. Then 
Mr. Verelts said he expected Captain Thompson home in ten days 
who had often-been at Georgia, and he would be able to give him satis 
faction. The Admiral concluded, that since a ship of war was to 
station at Georgia, it ought to be a 40 and not a 20 gun ship, and 
things ought not to be done by halves. 

Then Mr. Verelts showed me a copy of a representation from Savan 
nah signed 9 December 1738, by 121 men, all settlers, freeholders 
and inhabitants of the northern part of our province, among whom 
are our magistrates, Recorder and other officers, Mr. Stephens, our 
secretary, excepted, wherein they reproach the Trustees that former 
representations have been slighted, and no answer returned to them. 

That they had gone over in pursuance of the description and 
representation given of the Colony by us in Great Britain, but find 
after several years' experience, that it is impossible the Colony can 
succeed under the measures and regulations by us laid down. 

That none though the most industrious have been able to raise 
subsistence, even of bread kind only, sufficient to maintain their families, 
that many therefore had given over planting, being involved in debt 
by pursuing their attempt that way and making improvements, and 
others who yet continue will leave off, there being no possibility to 
reimburse themselves according to the present constitution. 

That therefore the inhabitants must depend on trade, but the 
constitution prevents that. That timber being the only thing they 
have to export, they cannot manufacture it but at double expense of 

 52 DIARY OF THE 

Apl. 21-29 

other colonies, because they use negroes, which is the case but 20 
miles northward on the river May, where ships load at half the expense, 
the labour of negroes being cheap. · 

That they doubt not but in time silk and wine may be produced in 
the Colony, especially the former, but since the cultivation of land 
cannot raise provisions for their families with white servants only, 
therefore 'tis impossible to carry on those manufactures according to 
the present constitution. 

That Carolina can raise everything that Georgia can, and having 
labour cheaper, will always ruin the market, and as in both provinces 
the land is worn out in four or five years, and then fit for nothing but 
pasture, they must be always at a great expense in clearing new land 

for planting. 

That the importation of the necessaries of life come to them at the 
most extravagant rate, the merchants in general, and especially of 
England, not being willing to supply the settlers with goods upon 
commission, because no person can make them any security of their 
lands or improvements, as is very often practised in other places to 
promote trade, when some of the employers' money is laid out in 
necessary buildings and improvements fitting for the trade intended, 
without which it cannot be carried on. The benefit of importation is 
therefore all to transient persons, who lay no money out among 
them, but on the contrary carry every penny out of the place, and the 
chief reason for enhancing the price is because they cannot get any 
goods there, either on freight or purchase for another market. That 
if the advantages accruing from importation centred in the inhabitants, 
the profit thereof would naturally circulate among them and be laid 
out in improvements in the Colony. 

That numbers have left the Colony, not able to support themselves 
and families any longer, and those who remain have laid out most of 
their money in improvements, and lost their credit with their friends 
for doing it on such precarious titles, so that not above two or three 
persons (except people -brought on charity and servants) have come 
for the space of two years past either to settle land, or encourage trade, 
neither do they hear of any other that will come, until they are on 
better terms. 

That His Majesty has sent a regiment for their defence, but it 
contributes nothing to their support, for the pay they expend is laid 
out with transient people and Carolinians, who are capable to supply 
them with provisions at a moderate price, which the inhabitants are 
not capable to do, as has been before observed. 

That this being their present condition, the consequence is obvious, 
they out of a sincere regard to the Trustees and to themselves, lay before 
us for our immediate consideration the two following causes of their 
deplorable state, which if removed they are certain will be an infallible 

remedy. 

1. The want of a free title or fee simple to their lands, which 
if granted would both occasion great numbers of new settlers 
to come among them, and likewise encourage those who remain 
cheerfully to proceed in making further improvements to retrieve 
their sunk fortunes so as to make provision for their posterity. 

2. The want of the use of negroes with proper limitations, 
which if granted would both induce great numbers of white people 

1739. 

Ï1EST EABL OF EGMONT. 

Ï53 

to come, and render them capable to subsist themselves by 
raising provision on their lands, until they could make some 
produce fit for export, and in some measure balance their impor 
tation. That they are sensible of the mischiefs daily arising from 
an unlimited number of negroes, but these may be prevented by 
a due limitation, such as, so many to each white man, or so many 
to such a quantity of land, or any other manner the Trustees shall 
think proper. 

That by granting these two things, and such other privileges as His 
Majesty's subjects in America enjoy, the Trustees will not only pre 
vent their impendent ruin, but will soon make this the most nourishing 
colony in America ; but by denying them, they and their families are 
not only ruined, together with their posterity, but the Trustees will be 
always mentioned as the cause and author of all their misfortune and 
calamities. 

Sunday 22.—Easter day. Still confined by lameness. 
Monday 23.—Councillor Annesley and Mr. Binden came to see me. 
Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25. 

Thursday 26.—Visited Cousin Ned Southwell, Lady Eook and 
Lord Sidney Beauclerc. 

I heard this day that some time ago means was found to convey 
privately to the King a memorial, extremely well wrote but without 
name, exposing the bad state of the nation, and reflecting on Sir 
Robert Walpole's conduct. The King gave it immediately to Sir 
Robert, who made himself merry with it, and showed it to members 
of the House of Commons as a proof of the great favour he is in with 
His Majesty. 

Mr. Downey, Mr. Tracey, Lord Grantham, Lord Orery came to 
see me. 

Friday 27.—I visited Sir Fra. Clerke, Monsr. Hope, the Dutch 
Ambassador, and went to the Georgia office to see the letter writing 
to Mr. Oglethorp, and which goes tomorrow. 

Harding, the bookseller, told me Lady Salisbury had given four 
hundred religious books more to Georgia bound and boxed up. 
Saturday 28.—Visited Mr. Temple. 

Sunday 29.—This evening Lieut. Col. Cochrane arid Capt. Thompson 
just arrived from Georgia came to see me. The Col. is come to make 
complaints of Capt. Mackay, who, he says, has ruined Geni. Oglethorp's 
regiment, by his behaviour among the soldiers. That as to the Colony, 
it is at present in a distracted condition, the people having neglected 
cultivation which was to maintain them hereafter, and now having 
no means to subsist, the stores being shut. 

That there are many among them mutinous for negroes, and for 
leave to have their tenure changed into fee simple, that they may sell 
or manage them to procure negroes. 

That Robert Williams who indeed has been the best improver of 
land, has his own private advantage in procuring negroes to be suffered, 
because he traffics in them, but that as the Spaniards declare all negroes 
that run from the English free, and as Georgia is so near to Augustine, 
it would undo the Colony to suffer the people to have negroes, and 
enslave them to the merchants who should furnish them with negroes. 
That there are very few industrious men in Savannah district. 

 54 blAEY OF THÉ 

Api. 29 

That he believed Causton would be found not so bad as we think 
him, and Jones the present storekeeper is so very hot and rude to 
him that it prevents Causton's making up his accounts. 

That our first bailifí Henry Parker is a tolerable magistrate, but 
it was a surprise and a jest our making Gilbert the tailor a magistrate. 

That he had a complaint to make against Christie the Eecorder, 
for which he would deserve a reprimand, but not to be displaced. 

That there is not a man in the Colony fit to be made third bailifí. 

That Mr. Stephens is an incomparable wise and good man, and his 
son a sober, sensible young man. 

That it was a great misfortune we ever sent over those who call 
themselves gentlemen, and any who carried servants, for they were 
generally the idlest, and gave an ill example to others, spending their 
money in the ale houses, etc. 

That the first bailifí told him the Trustees have about 7 or 800 cattle, 
and though they are in the woods and swamps, they may easily be 
found and brought up. 

That the lighthouse is going to decay, and will fall if not covered 
this summer, and that it is of great use, no less than seven ships being 
saved from being cast away by knowing where they were from the 
light. This Captain Thompson confirmed. 

That the fort of Frederica is good enough against Indians, and Fort 
St. Andrew's a little better. 

That the people of Frederica seem to be at a stand in their improve 
ments. 

That the soldiers cultivate their five acre lots with application. 

That he is rejoiced to hear Mr. Whitfeild is returning to Georgia, 
and that Mr. Norris is likewise much esteemed. 

That the business of wine and silk will succeed, and Camuse very 
deserving. 

That Hugh Anderson does not take much care of the public garden, 
being mostly on his lot. 

That it is vain to expect corn to grow on the Islands, but cattle 
thrive there ; and corn must be sown on the main land. 

That ships of 40 or 50 guns will go at low water into Jekyl Sound, 
and at low water there is 15 feet. Captain Thompson said he found 
12 going over the bar, which Col. Cochrane said was by his not passing 
at the right part, to which the other consented that it might be so. 

That the charge of a hired white servant for a year would be 101 
currency per month, or II. 5s. Od. sterling, besides provisions, which 
might amount to 7 or 8 pound per annum, so that we may reckon 
the whole charge of a^hired servant at 22Z. per annum. 

That a pilot boat of three men and the pilot, for Frederica, and the 
like at Tybee, and a coasting boat between Savannah and Frederica 
is all that is necessary. And that 40?. sterling allowed to a pilot, 
together with his boat given him, would be all the expense necessary 
for one pilot boat, for out of the perquisites he would be able to hire 
three men and keep the boat always in repair, and he doubted not 
but the pilots w5uld agree to such a bargain. 

That Mr. Stephens thought it cheaper to keep a boat to pass between 
Savannah and Charlestown, than on occasion to hire one, but he thought 
it much the same, besides that there are frequent occasions of passing 
between those places by pettiaguas that come on private account. 

1739. 

FIBST EARL OF EGMONT. 

55 

That Mr. Oglethorp was at Charlestown settling the matter of the 
Indian trade, but that province is stark mad that he has the Ι,ΟΟΟί. 
per annum formerly paid to their Governors, and they declare the 
new intended Governor Glenn shall not have a farthing from them. 

That Mr. Oglethorp is infatuated in favour of Captain Mackay 
who will be the destruction of the Colony. 

That the soldier, who we were told shot at Mr. Oglethorp, declared 
as he was dying, that his intention was not to kill Mr. Oglethorp but 
Captain Mackay. 

That he hoped the Trustees intended to discharge all the debts 
and particularly above Ι,ΟΟΟΖ. incurred when he landed at Savannah, 
and afterwards when he fell down with that part of the regiment he 
conducted, being the expense of boats, provisions, boards for huts, 
etc., and of which he certified an account formerly sent us. 

That we were vastly in the right to have no public stores, and it 
was the opinion of Jones himself (now storekeeper) that all expenses 
should be paid in money, whereby we should not be cheated ; it would 
please the people, and when this is known there would be private 
stores enough to supply them. 

That, however, we could not keep Trust servants under eighteen 
pence per day, which I told him we could not give. 

That our allowance to Causton and to the magistrates of servants 
is not so useful to them as it would be to increase their salaries. 

Captain Thompson gave but an indifíererft account of the saw mill, 
which it was said would do, but they wanted hands to bring to it 
heavy timbers, etc., and that it would require at least six men for that 
purpose, if not eight, besides the worker. 

Mr. Verelts, who came with them gave me several letters to peruse, 
brought by Thompson 19th August, viz. :— 

1. An estimate of provisions and clothes, with the number of 
persons employed or to be employed there by the Trustees from 
November 1738 to November 1739. 

Mr. Oglethorp reckons therein— 
A surveyor at 81. currency per month 
A storekeeper at il. currency per month 
A coxswain at 12Z. currency per month 
10 servants 
20 servants 
Clothing 28 men 

Do. 3 women 

besides gratifications, tobacco, thread, sugar, needles, butter, 
rice, spice, ginger, etc. · 

2. A counter petition from the settlers at Darien (now called 
New Inverness) to that sent us from Savannah for having 
negroes, wherein these of Darien set forth the inconvenience of 
having negroes. Signed by 18. 

3. A letter from Mr. Oglethorp to the Trustees from the camp 
at St. Simon's, dated 16 January, against the admitting of negroes 
and change of tenures. 

4. A second letter from him, 17 January, concerning other 
afiairs of the Colony. 

 56 DÍABY OP THE 

Api. 29-May 2 

5. A copy of a letter from Mr. Thomas Jones at Savannah to 
Mr. Oglethorp, 24 January, giving account of his proceedings in 
settling Causton's account, which charges him with great frauds, 
and a design to go off. 

6. Captain Hugh Mackay's deposition, 19 January 1738-9, 
that white men can work in Georgia in the heat of summer without 
injury or complaint. 

7. Captain Demere's deposition to the same effect, 19 January 
1738-9. 

8. Lieut. George Dunbar's deposition to the same effect, 
20 January 1738-9 

9. Mr. Oglethorp's account of presents to the Indians in 
October, 1738, amounting in value to 931. Os. 6d. sterling. 

Mr. Verelts also showed me a letter from Mr. Whitfeild (now returned 
to London) dated 21 inst., wherein he acquaints him that he proposes 
to embark for Georgia by the first opportunity. That he had collected 
upwards of 500Z. for an orphan house, that he desired a grant of 500 
acres where he should choose, with a privilege of leaving it to whom 
he pleased for the use of the orphan house, for that as the orphan house 
was to carried on and built with the contributions he shall collect, it is 
but just he should have the management and disposal of it. That he 
desires no salary for himself or friends, wherefore if the Trustees do 
not think proper to grant these terms, he thinks it the best way to 
decline erecting the orphan house in Georgia. 

Monday 30.—This day news came from my son that he Landed at 
Waterford the 20th instant. 

Wednesday, May 2.—Met in Common Council, Dr. Hales in the 
Common Council chair ; Chr. Towers, Lapotre, Smith, Lord Tirconnel, 
Thos. Towers, Tracy, Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Sir Will. Heathcote, 
Lord Egrnont ; Captain Coram, Trustee. 

Mr. Parris the solicitor attended to acquaint us he had prepared 
the new intended act concerning tenure of lands in Georgia, and 
proposed some explanations concerning particular cases that may fall 
out· concerning succession, which were debated ; and some further 
instructions were given the committee appointed to overlook the draft 
of the act. 

Mr. Whitfeild's letter, desiring a grant of 500 acres, where he should 
[appoint,] that is not yet occupied, to be by him disposed to Trustees 
perpetually for the use of an orphan house in the Province, towards 
which he has collected 500L and upwards ; Ordered that he should 
have a grant of the same. 

He also wrote that he desired no salary as minister of Savannah, 
neither for any who go over with him. 

Some other affairs of less consequence passed ; some provisions 
were ordered for the relief of the people ; directions also about Sola 
bills, etc. 

Captain Coram, who was violent for female succession, was much 
pleased with the intended act above-mentioned. 

We discoursed concerning the late application for negroes from 
sundry persons in Georgia, and I found everyone present much against 
it. 

Mr. Tho. Towers, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Smith, Dr. Hales, Lord Sidney 
Beauclerc, and I dined at the Cyder house, and when dinner was done 

1739. 

FIEST EAKL OF ÉGMOÑT. 

f 

Col. Cochran, Lieut.-Col. of Col. Oglethorp's regiment, came to us. He 
had been this morning with Sir Robert Walpole and acquainted him 
that Jekyl Sound has at the lowest water 15|- feet of water and that 
it rises 8 feet, so that ships of 50 or 60 guns can go in, and that the 
harbour will hold a large fleet of ships. 

Sir Robert told him a complaint had come that the Spaniards seduce 
the negroes of our plantations away, by promising them freedom and 
protection, and he desired to know how long they had done so. 

The Colonel replied the King of Spain had given those orders to 
the Governor of Augustine three years ago, but that they had not been 
put in execution until lately, and that forty negroes had at different 
times refuged themselves thither. 

The Colonel being come over to complain against Captain Mackay 
of the same regiment, read to us the articles the said Captain had 
charged against him, which were referred to the civil magistrate of 
Frederica and another to take the depositions of, but the Captain could 
prove none of them. The Colonel is to be tried at a court-martial 
here, and Mackay is coming over to be also tried. 

The Colonel told us that it will be well for the Colony when the Scots 
and others who call themselves gentlemen shall leave the Colony, for 
carrying over servants, they would not work themselves or employ 
them on their lands, but let them out to others at 10Z. currency per 
head, which is II. 5s. Od. sterling, and lived idly in Savannah on the 
income, but now they are grown very poor, and will soon go away. 

He also told us that Mr. Stephens and our first bailiff Parker are 
the only two men of sense in Savannah, nor does he know where we 
could find another to make our third bailiff, unless we sent him from 
hence. 

That when he came away rice was sold for 8d. per bushel, shoes 
4s. 6d. a pair, etc. 

That we have resolved well to have no public stores but to pay all 
in money, which would put our expenses at a certainty ; and that 
there will be found private storekeepers enough. That there was 
to the value of 2,000i. in private stores at Frederica when he left it, 
and one Mrs. Bennet is a considerable dealer. 

That there are others at Darien, etc. 

That Causton will not be found so very bad as we think him, but he 
was partial, and gave to those he favoured more than enough, which 
afterwards they sold for half value to drink out in rum and other 
liquors. 

That had we not shut our stores we should have no complaints, 
the people having subsistence from thence either as due to them, or 
on credit, which occasioned some small circulation of money, which 
now is ceased, so that many are leaving the place, and he feared the 
Moravians, who are a very industrious people, and raised garden stuff 
to supply others, would also go away ; but he added, what money 
they did get was all sent out of the Colony to Pensilvanea to their 
countrymen there. 

I found he is not a cordial friend to Oglethorp, though the latter 
had been very kind to him in lending him 200Z. when he set out from 
England ; for he told me alone, that himself were but mere cyphers. 

From dinner I returned home. 

 BÔ DÏARY Οΐ THE 

May 3-lS 

Thursday 3.—Mr. Bo reman, my tenant and neighbour at Burton, 
dined with me, a well bred young gentleman and of good sense. 

Friday 4.—I returned the visits of the Earl of Grantham, Colonel 
Schutz, Mr. Grimes, Sir Fra. Clerke, Mr. Dawney, Sir Will. Heathcote, 
Mr. Laroche, Mr. Tracy, Bishop of Gloster, and Bishop of Oxford. 
Visited also my Aunt Whorwood, and Mr. Schutz. My Aunt Whor- 
wood, Mrs. Whorwood her daughter-in-law, and cousin Ccelia Scott 
dined with us. 

Spent the evening at home. 

Saturday 5.—Mr. Verelts and Captain Thompson dined with me, 
and we put him a great many questions concerning Georgia, from 
whence he arrived the end of last month, most of which he answered, 
and I have put a copy of them among my Georgia papers. 

Sunday 6.—Went to church morning and evening. 

Monday 7.—Visited the Earl of Shaftsbury. 

Tuesday 8.—Dined with Tho. Archer, Esq., and several other 
Trustees of Georgia at his house. 

Wednesday 9.—This day the gentlemen of Georgia (Hen. Archer, 
Egmont, Sir Will Heathcote, Hen. Lapotre, Laroch, Jr., Lord Sidney 
Beauclerc, Mr. Smith, chairman, Tho. Towers.—Margin.) met to 
consider of the year's estimate, but were obliged to defer it upon the 
Rev. Mr. Whitfeild's appearing, as also of a packet from Georgia 
brought over by Captain Hugh Mackay, and containing :— 

1. Mr. Stephens' journal from 7 February to 10 March. 
3. A letter from the same to the Trustees of 6 February. 

3. Another letter from the sámelo the Trustees of 12 March. 

4. Depositions of John Cuthbert in favour of white servants, 
14 February. 

5. A letter to me from Oglethorp of 20 March, 
fi. A letter from the Ebenezars desiring no negroes might be 
admitted. 

Mr. Whitfeild attending, we agreed to his desire that he should 
have 500 acres granted to him in. trust to be settled in perpetuity for 
the use of an orphan house for the province of Georgia, to be set out 
where he should appoint. He told us he had collected in England 
upwards of 700Z. for this purpose, besides annual subscriptions, so 
that he desired not the 50/. per annum salary that had formerly been 
allowed him, nor any subsistence for his friends that went over with 
him, as he had before stipulated with us. He also told us he would 
surrender the power we gave him to collect money for us, he having 
not been able to collect a farthing in virtue of it, but rather that it 
everywhere met with contempt. 

Mr. Oglethorp's letter to me was to exhort the Trust not to give 
way to negroes, or to a permission for the people to sell their land. 

The letter from the Saltsburgers at Ebenezar was full of praises to 
God for their happiness, and desiring more of their nation might be 
sent over. They also earnestly desired to have no negroes admitted, 
and gave their reasons. 

Mr. Stephens' journal acquainted us that a conspiracy had been 
discovered in South Carolina (where they were four to one of the white 
inhabitants) to cut their" masters' throats and escape to the Spaniards, 
and that a like discovery had been made at Purysburg. 

Mr. John Cuthbert's deposition set forth that in Georgia a white 

1739. 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 

servant may in six months, after the land is cleared, raise as much corn 
and peas, potatoes, pumpeons, etc., as will be more than sufficient for 
his provisions and clothing ; and in the other six he can earn at least 
two shillings sterling per diem in preparing lumber. Also that hogs, 
cattle and poultry, if taken care of, increase at a great rate and with 
little expense. 

Thursday 10.—This morning my servant brought word that Dr. 
Rollings, the Prince's physician, died last night of a violent fever. 
He was a good scholar, a fine gentleman, and good human man ; a 
perfect friend to our family, and a great loss to his own, being at the 
top of his profession, in which he got five or six thousand pounds a year 
by his practice, and one of the best husbands, fathers and masters. 
His eldest son is likewise physician to the Prince, and a very honest 
gentleman, but his father died too soon to protect him ; his second 
son married the daughter of the present Lord Chief Justice Wills, 
and his daughter married Mr. Chanipernoun, a gentleman of good 
estate in Devonshire. I am told that being called out of his bed to 
visit a patient, when in a sweat, he caught a flux which he endeavoured 
to stop, and that occasioned his death. 

Last night also died George Earl of Hallifax, a squanderer of his 
money, so that it is said his daughters will have very small fortunes, 
for his estate was not great, and some say his daughters will not have 
a 1,000/. fortune each, others, that say the most, that it will not be 
5,000/. He was a great improver of ground, a good companion, loved 
horse-racing, and kept a mistress. The chief of his revenue was his 
rich post of Auditor of the Exchequer, worth 5 or 6,000/. a year, but 
he sold the income of it during his life two years ago for 14,000/., so 
the purchaser had but a bad bargain of it. He was Knight of the Bath, 
Privy Councillor and Ranger of Bushy Park. He has left one son of 
the same name, who is said to be a pretty gentleman. 
Friday 11.—Visited Sir Jo. Evelyn and the Earl of Orery. 
• Saturday 12.—Stayed at home for lameness. 

Sunday 13.—Stayed at home on same account. Mr. Thomas 
Towers visited me. He told me that accounts were come that seven 
negroes in South Carolina had killed two white men, and made their 
escape ; and that the people of that province had entertained more 
favourable thoughts of Colonel Oglethorp since the discovery of the 
negroes' design to rise. That it was on that account Mr. Oglethorp 
went lately to Charlestown. Colonel Cochran also visited me, to make 
his complaints against Captain Mackay. His trial by a board of 
general officers against that Captain's complaints is speedily to come 
on, which he says cannot be made out, and that the Captain will be 
broke. 

He complained also that Mr. Oglethorp had not used him well, 
being besotted to Captain Mackay, but nevertheless he had obligations 
to him, and would say no more against him than was necessary for his 
own vindication, and so the Duke of Arguile had advised him. 

That Sir Robert Walpole had asked him several questions about 
Georgia, to which he answered cautiously, but assured him it was 
truth that the Colony will succeed, though there are a world of idle 
folks there. 

That the Duke of Arguile advised him not to be too free in talking 
of Georgia, for Sir Robert Walpole would employ a great many spies 

 60 υϊΑΕΥ OF THÉ 

May 13-16 

to fish things out of him, to which he answered he could only say that 
the report of the lands being bad is false, there being none better in 
America than about Savannah, though there is also some bad, called 
pine barren, on which nothing will grow. That the country is per 
fectly healthy, while at Charlestown there died twelve of a day. 

He told me it was an error to desire negroes, but that the tenure in 
tail male only discouraged the people from cultivating; if that be 
altered, he believes they will be industrious. 

He pressed much the Trustees paying the Ι,ΟΟΟΖ. he had spent in 
providing for the part of the regiment which he conducted from 
Gibraltar, being three of the six companies, adding that as it was not 
provided for by the Government, if we paid it not he should be undone, 
lie and Causton standing engaged for it. That it was absolutely 
necessary to have been laid out, otherwise that they must have all 
perished. That tents would rot in two months, wherefore he supplied 
himself with boards for huts, nails, etc., and with provisions and other 
requisites from our· stores, which with the hire of pettiaguas to transport 
the men from Savannah amounted to the sum of Ι,ΟΟΟΖ., as he had 
certified and had been sent us. 

I told him some of our gentlemen doubted whether the Trustees 
were at liberty to pay that account, being for the use of the regiment, 
since the military establishment of the province is taken of£ our hands. 

He replied that he understood from Sir· Charles Wills and other 
members Of Parliament that 20,000i. was granted us this session to 
defray all the debts of the Colony, of which this was properly one, 
the regiment not being entirely arrived when he came there ; and that 
if we paid it not he must apply to the King, which would perhaps not 
turn to the honour of the Trustee's, and set a body of people against 

us. 

I replied, I would fairly lay his pretensions before the Board. 

Monday 14.—Visited Lady Rook, Mr. Clerk of Spring Garden, 
Cousin Betty Southwell, Cousin Le Grand. 

Tuesday 15.—Visited Lady Salisbury. Dined with the Lord Sidney 
Beauclerc, where were invited and came Sir William Heathcote, Mr. 
Tracy, the two Archers, Mr. Thomas Towers, Mr. Laroche, and Lady 
Beauclerc. 

Wednesday 16.—I went to the Georgia Board, where met Mr. Lapotre 
in' the Trustee chair, Mr. Tracy, Dr. Hales, Mr. Laroche, Mr. Smith, 
Sir· William Heathcote, Egmont. 

Mr·. Whitfeild attending, we sealed to him his commission to the 
office of a minister after the rites of the Church of England in 
Savannah. 

Before the gentlemen came in I, who was the first there, met Captain 
Hugh Mackay, who on the 9th inst arrived in London from Frederica 
to make his ¿omplaint to His Majesty against Lieut. Col. Cochran, 
as Cochran was come over to complain against him. Next week they 
are both to be tried by a board of general officers, and till then are by 
His Majesty's command put both in arrest on parole of honour not to 
require a gentleman's satisfaction from each other. 

He told me the soldiers labour heartily, most of them, on the acre 
lots surveyed to them. 

That a scout-boat is a military service, but is absolutely necessary 
for a look-out against the Spaniards. 

1739. 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 

61 

That the climate of Frederica is wonderful healthy, and white men 
may work all summer notwithstanding the heat, but that the last 
alarm of the Spaniards had disordered the poor people from their 
work, and the last year's crop disappointed them from their crop, so 
that they still want help to subsist them. 

That all their grumbling at Frederica and the Darien was against 
our tenure whereby females may not inherit, but they were not for 
having negroes, -for assuredly if they had they should not be able to 
prevent their running to the Spaniards. 

That silk will positively succeed in Georgia, and some think wine 
also, though others doubt it. 

There came also the widow Jerman with her two children, one at 
the breast. She came over with Captain Thompson, hoping to receive 
a rich legacy from the late deceased Mr. Turner, but was much dis 
appointed, wherefore she resolved to go back if we would pay her 

She said the country was healthful, insomuch that she is the only 
widow in Frederica, of sixty families there are in the town. 

That she had a house and her small garden of the eighth part of an 
acre enclosed and cultivated, from which she sold to the value of forty 
shillings last year in greens. 

That the people had once been so reduced as to feed on alligators. 
Yet at other times she had known a fish called bass of 12 Ibs. weight 
sell for four pence, and eggs at four pence a dozen, a chicken at market 
for a shilling, etc. 

That the bread of the place was Indian wheat, but she did not like 
it so well as our own bread. 

That the tenure of their lands was a great discouragement to labour. 

That she had planted a mulberry in her little garden that shot 
wonderfully, but nobody yet followed that business. 

That cattle thrive there, and hogs ; but run wild in the woods, and 
are frequently lost ; for after penning up at night, when let out for food, 
" they run to woods and swamps at a great distance, which occasions 
much time and labour to find them again. 

That the people with a little assistance would be able to keep 
themselves. 

That a new storehouse was building in the town, and the Germans 
employed in it, the English not being allowed that favour. 

That it was a sad thing to be so long without a church or a preacher, 
except the regiment chaplain Mr. Dyson, who is a drunken man. 

That the timber felled by the inhabitants, or the grain raised, or 
other produce of their labour, was carried to the public store, and the 
people had credit thereon for the same, for otherwise, there is no 
shipping or trade comes to the town, and they should not know what 
to do with their goods. That the timber being thus felled and made 
into scantlings, planks, and clapboard was employed (that excepted 
used by themselves in building their huts and fencing) by Mr. 
Oglethorp's command in public works. 

N.B.—If the Trustees are to be debtors after this manner for the 
produce of the people's labour·, and keep them besides, and make no 
profit of the goods for which we make ourselves debtors, but employ 
it in public works, it is impossible for us to go on ; for at this rate there 
will be a constant annual expense for the future as great as has been 

 62 DIARY OF THE 

May 16-31 

from the first, whereas it was hoped that in the three or four years that 
Frederica has been settled, they would cease to be any further charge 

to the public. 

Mr. Tracy, Mr. Lapotre, Dr. Hales and I dined at the Cyder house 
and soon after Mr. Thomas Towers and Mr. Henry Archer came in, 
and assisted in settling our estimate, which we made some progress 
We sat till 8 a clock, and left much to be still done, as well as many 

- · . . ι Ι ι - -ι -n .__;„_;__ ·_L_„j:„j.„ „»,„w„„ 

1739. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

63 

in. 

111. »t G QGtu 1/Λ.ΪΪ \J «* v-i^^ii-, i*u«. *^~~ -.-„—— „ ._ _ ._ ___ _, - . _ , 

letters and journals to be read which will require immediate answer. 

Thursday 17.—I went to Charlton with my family for the summer, 
stayed there till Tuesday 22. 

Tuesday 22.—I came to town to dine by invitation with Mr. Tracy, 
where dined also Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Mr. Thomas Towers, Mr. 
Laroche, and the two Mr. Archers. 

Wednesday 23.—This morning I went to the Georgia Board, where 
met, Sir William Heathcote in the Trustee chair ; Mr. Henry Archer, 
Mr. Thomas Towers, Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Mr. Lapotre, Dr. Hales, 
Mr. Smith, Egmont. 

As we had no Common Council business most of the gentlemen soon 
left us to attend the House of Commons, and we who were left, pro 
ceeded, in forming our estimate for the year's service to begin at 
Michaelmas next, till when Mr. Oglethorp is to provide for the care 
and expenses of the Colony, and to draw on us for the money. 

We also (as a committee) read divers letters lately received from 
Georgia and took notes thereout for heads of letters to be sent by 
Captain Thompson who proposes to return the first week in June. 

Mr. George Whitfeild's commission to collect money was restored 
to us, he having certified at the foot of it that he had made no use 

of it. 

After this Mr. Lapotre, Dr. Hales, Mr. Henry Archer and I dined 
at the Cyder house, and there went through our estimate. 

Thursday 24.—Eeturned to Charlton. 

Saturday 26.—My son returned to Charlton unexpectedly from 
Burton in Ireland, which he left yesterday was sennit, a quick 
journey to come in so short a time by the way of Dublin. He has left 
the miner there, who has found coal, copper and lead, and my son has 
great hopes that the veins of them will come out large so as to turn 
to account. 

Wednesday 30.—I went this morning to the Georgia office, where 
met, Lord Sidney Beauclerc in the Trustee chair ; Lord Tirconnel in 
the Common Council chair ; Mr. Henry Archer, Mr. Thomas Towers, 
Mr. Smith, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Lapotre, Sir William Heathcote, Lord 
Egmont. 

Mr. Whitfeild attending, we gave him his commission to be our 
parish minister at Savannah, this as Trustees. 

As Common Council we agreed to the terms of a grant of 500 acres 
to be made him in perpetuity for the use of an orphan house in Georgia, 
50 of which are the lot of Hows, who is returned from Georgia, and is 
willing (as Mr. Whitfeild assured the Board) to resign up his lot for the 
use of an orphan house. 

We also ordered a license of alienation to the said Hughes [sic]. 
Mr. Whitfeild informed us that he goes on Monday on board, and 
sails first for Philadelphia, from whence he proposes to ride to Georgia, 
unless he should go for a week to Virginia, where he has some friends. 

That he has purchased ironwork and embarked it, and has wrote to 
Georgia for timber to be cut for his building. 

That he proposes not to return to England till long after the orphan 
house is erected, and when he does will take care his absence shall be 
- supplied to do the duty of his parish. That he has collected about 
nine hundred pounds for the orphan house, and about one hundred 
pounds for erecting a church among the Salburgers at Ebenezar. 
That he had been much wronged by reports that he discouraged labour, 
which he was so far from that he really deemed no man to be a 
Christian who did not labour. 

After this we dismissed him, and proceeded to other business. We 
received a report from the Committee appointed to prepare an estimate 
for the year's expenses and approved it in all its parts. The whole 
for one year commencing at Michaelmas next is (all charges in Georgia 
and England included) 5,000?. 

I then proposed that as Gilbert, our 2nd bailiff at Savannah, can 
neither write nor read, and there is a vacancy of a third bailiff, Mr. 
John Fallowfeild, now naval officer, might be appointed 3rd bailiff, 
Mr. Stephens having mentioned him in one of his journals to be an 
honest industrious man, and Captain Thompson given him the character 
of a sensible and resolute person. The gentlemen approved of him 
for a bailiff, but thought proper to put him in the place of Gilbert, who 
received that office very unwillingly as knowing his own insufficiency ; 
and as to constituting a third bailiff, they referred that to the next 
meeting. 

They also ordered a room to be built adjoining the church for the 
use of a vestry, and for jurymen to retire to when they considered 
their verdicts, restraining the expense to 10Z. 

They also ordered the minister's house at Savannah should be 
repaired, and gave 5Z. to Adderton our messenger to buy him clothes. 

Most of us after this went to dine with Sir Henry Goff, one of our 
Trustees, after which I returned to Pall Mall. 

Thursday 31.—I went to the Georgia office in hopes to meet a 
Common Council Board, to proceed in divers necessary affairs as 
agreed on yesterday, but was disappointed, there being only six 
present, viz. :—Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Thomas Towers, Mr. Henry Archer, 
Egmont, Judge Holland, lately returned from the country, and Mr. 
Tracy. 

Robert Hows, late parish clerk at Savannah, attended, and resigned 
his 50 acre lot. 

I strongly recommended to the gentlemen of the law present to 
despatch the bill intended for empowering our pilots in Georgia to 
demand pilot-money of ships, and to oblige them to pay a penny per 
ton to maintain the lighthouse. As also the other bill for altering 
the tenure of lands, that they may be ready to send by Captain 
Thompson, who proposes to sail to Georgia the week after Whitsun 
tide, and they said they would take care in it. 

I dined with my cousin Le Grand, where I learned that this morning 
Lord Bathurst moved the Lords to address the King to know if the 
King of Spain has paid the 95,OOOZ. towards reimbursing our merchants' 
losses by his guardacosts, and if not, to know why ; which motion was 
seconded by the Earl of Ailsford, but on a debate rejected by 14 
majority. 

 64 DIARY OP THE 

June 1-7 

Friday, 1 June.—Returned to Charlton to dinner. 
Saturday 2.—Holland, pr., Tirconnel, Lapotre, Smith. Received 
Mr. Burton's 6th annual payment of 10Z. to the Catechist. Received 400 
Church Catechisms ; explained the gift of Lady Salisbury. 

Sealed a grant of 500 acres in trust for the orphan house to Mr. 
Whitfeild. 
Sunday 3. 
Monday 4. 

Tuesday 5.—My brother Parker came and dined with me. 
This evening Mr. Whitfeild came, attended by Mr. Seward and one 
of the Wesleys, to Woolwich Common, where a crowd of people (as 
usual) expected him to preach. A table was prepared for him, on 
which he got and made a sermon, which with a psalm and a long prayer 
lasted two hours. My wife went in her coach to hear him, and brought 
me word that he preached with great earnestness, often spreading his 
hands, but there was nothing in his doctrine she had not heard before, 
only he said that the common clergy do not preach the true doctrine 
of Christ, and inveighed against the polite men of the age. That he 
was called a madman and enthusiast, and made others so, but God 
would judge his revilers at the last day for all their hard speeches of 
him. My wife gave them money for the orphan house, and Mr. Seward 
presented her a book of hymns, published by John and Charles Wesley, 
two Methodist divines, his companions. 

This Seward was a broker in Exchange Alley, by which business he 
got 8,OOOZ., three of which he carries with him to Georgia, where he 
goes to assist Mr. Whitfeild in erecting an orphan house. He told 
my wife that in a year and a half Mr. Whitfeild designs to return 'and 
go all over England preaching. 

Wednesday 6.—I went to the Georgia office, where met, Mr. Lapotre 
in the Common Council chair, Mr. Henry Archer, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Smith, 
Sir William Heathcote, Mr. Holland, Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Mr. 
Thomas Towers, Egmont ; Sir Henry Gough, Mr. Anderson. 

A letter was read from Mr. Whitfeild of the 14th inst, acquainting 
our accountant Mr. Verelts that he had collected for erecting an orphan 
house in Savannah, 996Z., for building a church for the Saltsburgers 
76Í., and for the poor in general 148Z. 

The occasion of this letter was a complaint made by Mr. Paxton, 
the Crown solicitor, that Mr. Whitfeild had gone about collecting 
money from the King's subjects without any authority he knew of, 
which therefore a stop must be put to and a ne exeat regno issued 
against Whitfeild unless he had satisfaction in that point, and par 
ticularly, if it was still uncertain for what and to whose use that money 
was collected, and the sum it amounted to. Mr. Verelts was therefore 
ordered by a committee consisting of Judge Holland, Lord Tirconnel, 
and Mr. Lapotre to tell Mr. Paxton that the money collected was for 
an orphan house in Georgia, and that covenants have passed between 
Mr. Whitfeild and the Trustees for that purpose, and a grant of land 
made to him for that use. But the committee advised that Mr. 
Whitfeild should inform the Trustees how much he had collected, 
and this occasioned his letter. 

Two letters from Mr. Oglethorp at Charlestown to Mr. Verelts, 
dated 7 April, 1739, were read, wherein he informs him that he had 
taken care of the province in all its branches of expense from his 

1739. 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 

65 

arrival there (in November last) to the date of these letters, and had 
disbursed about 3,000/. of which he will send over the particulars as 
soon as they can be drawn out, that what the Trustees shall allow 
thereof may be repaid him. He also mentioned a bill drawn by 
Bradley who lately had the care of the Trust servants (but is turned 
out for misbehaviour) amounting to 301., and which the Trustees 
refused to pay, that it is a just debt, being money employed by the 
said Bradley in the Trust service·; but Mr. Verelts informed us Mr. 
Oglethorp is mistaken, for Bradley drew for that sum on his private 
account expecting it would be repaid Mr. Verelts out of the money 
to be received by said Bradley for peat ashes, but Mr. Verelts never 
received any, therefore the bill was returned formerly, and the Trustees 
have no concern in it. 

The draft of a letter to Mr. Oglethorp from the Trustees was prepared 
by us to be sent away next Friday, thanking him for advancing his 
own money for the Colony's service, and running that risk before he 
could know the Parliament would give us money. We also acquainted 
him with our having prepared an estimate to take place for a year at 
Michaelmas next. 

Then we ordered leave to John West (formerly bailiff) to sell his lot 
to such person as Mr. Stephens should approve, he having desired it, 
that he may return to England for his health, and discharge his debts. 
It had been confirmed to us by Captain Thompson that he is in a 
consumption. 

We then appointed Thomas Christie, now Recorder at Savannah, 
to be third bailiff there, and in his place constituted William William- 
son, the bastard son of Mr. Taylor, of Bridewell. This young man 
was wild when in England, but is since married to Mr. Causton's 
niece, and it is hoped is reclaimed. And being bred an attorney, we 
for want of a better man, have conferred this office on him, which 
he much desired. Mr. Christie had more than once desired to be 
dismissed. 

We also appointed Mr. Thomas Jones, the present storekeeper at 
Savannah, to be overseer of the Trust servants, he being esteemed 
an honest man and rough enough to deal with such servants. He had 
30i. a year as storekeeper, which office expiring at Michaelmas next, 
we have given him this which is of like salary. 

After this, Mr. Towers, Archer, Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Sir Henry 
Gough, Mr. Tracy and I dined by invitation with Sir William Heathcote, 
and met Mr. Laroche there, and the Bishop of Oxford. 

Thursday 7.—Robert Hows, late clerk of Savannah church, came 
this morning to desire that as he goes with Mr. Whitfeild to Pensilvanea 
and Virginia, and from thence to Georgia (though not to stay there, 
having surrendered his lot), he might not be troubled at his arrival on 
the score of any debt he may be found to owe the Trustees' store, with 
which he cleared accounts a year ago ; that he knows of nothing he 
owes, but Mr. Causton kept those accounts so ill that possibly he may, 
but it cannot be much, and what may be found he thought might be 
forgiven him as he acted as clerk several years without pay, and had 
been often called from his own work to bury the dead, etc. I promised 
to mention it to the Trustees, and thought his request reasonable. 

I made him several enquiries, to which he answered as follows. 
That he had long refused to sign the representation for negroes, because 

 66 DIAKY OF THE 

June 7-8 

he feared they would take the work from white men's hands and 
impoverish them, as in the case of Charlestown, where the tradesmen 
are all beggars by that means, and besides, there would be danger 
from negroes rising and cutting their throats ; but the promoters of that 
application said the negroes should not be allowed to work at anything 
but producing rice (a labour too hard for white men), and in felling 
timber. That the promoters were the Scots gentry, and Mr. Williams 
who had a private interest of his own in it. That it was very unfor 
tunate for the town of Savannah that the Scots left their country lots 
to live in town, where they set an example of extravagance, and brought 
their servants to work, which lessened the employment of the natural 
townsmen. That they prevailed on others to sign on assuring them 
there should not be above two or three negroes to one white man. He 
granted, on my reasoning with him, that the proposal was indiscreet 
considering our nearness to the Spaniards to whom the negroes 

would fly. 

He said the Bum Act is not at all regarded, but if any man has but 
a shilling, he lays it out in that liquor without providing himself with 
shoes or clothes. That from high to low the magistrates drink it, 
and are unwilling to enquire what others do in it, but that it is this 
that makes so many idle people there, even the servants not caring to 
work above three hours, running to public houses, and spend the rest 
of the day there. 

That his father-in-law Gilbert would very gladly be discharged of 
office of bailiff, which he believed would kill him if continued in it. 
That he is an industrious tailor and has his share of business. 

That Mr. Christie the Recorder is an easy sort of man. 

That Fallowfeild (the new constituted bailiff in Gilbert's room) is a 
Quaker, but not rigid, and honest. 

That most people were very glad Causton was turned out, and Mr. 
Thomas Jones told him later Causton had made rasures in the store 
books. 

That the hottest day hi summer white men may work till 10 o'clock 
in the forenoon, and he himself did work hard for three years, and had 
not left the Colony but for an indiscretion in working one day in the 
heat of the day without any covering on his head, which struck him 
with a pain he never since could get clear of. That such indiscretions 
of these are common, and if avoided, there would be no reason to 
complain of the country's being too hot for labour. 

That the pine barren will not answer men's labour to keep them, and 
there is another soil, called the gray, on which nothing will ever grow ; 
nevertheless there is good land enough, if people would cultivate it, 
and a truly laborious man may subsist himself by his own cultivation. 

That they generally believe the silk and wine will come to perfection, 
and the silk folks are industrious, but complain they cannot find leaves 
enough for to subsist their worms, but are forced to send to Port 
Royal for leaves, which makes the article dear. Yet there is 
encouragement for the inhabitants to plant those trees, and Potter, 
one of them, told him he made 51 one year by those he planted, selling 
the leaves of one tree with another for three shillings to the public 
store. 

That the cotton-tree will thrive also, of which he planted some that 
though they grew slow, bore pods hi three or fours years' time. 

1739. 

FIRST EARL OF BGMONT. 

67 

That it is wise in the Trustees not to allow the people to sell their 
lands, for in that case most of them would do it, and one rich man 
would buy half the country ; for 500Z would buy the whole town. 

That it was a great mistake in the inhabitants when they went over, 
they did not immediately fall to cultivating, in which case the colony 
had now been hi a flourishing way, but instead of that they built 
large houses, and spent all their substance that way. 

That the Freemason Company having spent all their money is now 
broke up, but while it subsisted they met every Saturday at the 
Tavern, and revelled there till 2 o'clock on Sunday morning, when they 
would go reeling home. 

That shutting the stores fell hard on all the idle people, but he knew 
not of above seven or eight who have yet left the colony upon it. 

I returned to Charlton to dinner. 

Friday 8.—The Reverend Mr. Whitfeild, who has for some days 
been preaching hi this neighbourhood, sent my wife word that he 
would preach either on Woolwich Common, or on Blackheath, or on 
Charlton Green, which she pleased, but that he could not dine with 
us as he was desired. She sent back her compliments, and that she 
thought Blackheath the properest. However, about six, a stage being 
erected for him, he came to our house to return our civility to him, and 
soon after mounted the stage, which was placed so conveniently that 
we heard him with great ease out of our summer house window, where 
we invited our neighbours to partake of the curiosity. 

The multitude, about 200, being assembled, he began with the 
hundredth psalm, which numbers joined in. Then he made a long 
pathetic prayer, and lastly, began his sermon with a clear and audible 
voice. The subject of it was the necessity of the being born again, or 
the new birth, which he said our present divines neglect to teach, and 
even oppose from arguments of human reason, looking upon those 
who hold it, and on himself in particular, as a madman, an enthusiast 
and the like, whereas it is the doctrine of the Church of England 
expressed in her thirty-nine articles, prayers and collects, and literally 
asserted in the Holy Scriptures. He also said that we are saved by 
the free grace of God, without the assistance of good works which have 
no share in that matter, though it is impossible we can have this free 
grace applied to us without its being followed, by good works, which 
at the same time are the sure tokens of our being born again. That 
by the sin of Adam we were all under sin, and must have been damned 
but for the free and gracious sufferings of Jesus Christ ; but though 
this be our condition, yet everybody that pleases may obtain this 
free grace by praying for it. It is therefore by faith in Christ alone 
that we are saved, not by our works, for being dead hi sin we could 
do none ; but without good works we may assure ourselves we have 
not that faith, for they necessarily go together, He pressed the belief 
of the Holy Trinity, and hi the course of his sermon showed himself 
a firm Church of England man. He preached by heart with much 
earnestness, and spreading his arms wide, and was at no loss for 
matter or words, and the people were very attentive. 

When he had done I invited him and Mr. Seward, his friend, to 
refresh themselves at my house, and took that opportunity to make 
him explain himself on the point of the new birth. 

 68 DIAEY OF THE 

June 8-13 

I askea him whether he hela that men can sensibly experience when 
they have the new birth, ana how they feel it ? 

He answered, they do feel it sensibly when first it takes them, and 
feel it in their hearts ; that notorious sinners feel it more than others, 
ana in proportion to their sins, but persons piously educated from 
their youth might not be sensible of it, having it so early. That how 
they feel it must be left to every man to answer for himself, who only 
experiences it, and one may feel it differently from another. I said 
it might be possible for a man to have the new birth without remarking 
such feeling, as he had owned in the case of persons piously educated 
from their youth, but if he made it a fundamental to religion that men 
should sensibly feel it, it might throw many into despair ; whether 
therefore he thought it necessary for men to believe they felt it sensibly. 

He answered, that men can hardly have the new birth without being 
sensible of it, as easily as they are sensible of their sinful condition ; 
that there is no one who is not sensible when he is envious, malicious, 
angry, &c., and on the contrary, he is as sensible when he is com 
passionate and kind, charitable and concerned for the good of others, 
and these are sensible marks for the new birth. The misfortune, 
added he, is that when we speak of spiritual things, we have no words 
fitted for them, but must use such as are in use and convey grosser 
ideas, and thus we say, the new birth or regeneration must be sensibly 
felt in the heart. 

I then acquainted him with the many odd stories I had heard of 
him, as that he set up for working miracles ; that to mortify the flesh, 
he and his followers would set down hungry to meat, and then rise 
from table rejoicing that they had disappointed their carnal appetites ; 
that he allowed women to preach, discouraged labour, and taught 
that all things should be in common, had made many run mad, and 
had said in one of his sermons that if what he said was not the 
inspiration of the Holy Ghost, then Christ was not true. 

To all this he replied that nothing of this is true, only that at the 
first setting out some of them were too extravagant, having no guide 
to teach them, or regulate their notions, but being left entirely to 
their own undigested thoughts ; but they were gone ofi of them, and 
now eat and drink like others. That as to the rest, they pretended 
to no gifts of signs and wonders and miracles, on which occasion he, 
smiling, said, it was reported of him that when he arrived in harbour 
from Georgia he offered to walk on the water, as Jesus did, and that 
afterwards being at a tea table where order was given to fill up the 
kettle with fresh water he told them it was not necessary, for God 

would fill it. 

That the ridiculous manner of mortifying the flesh by starting from 

table is false. 

That he knew of no woman preaching, only a young woman in the 
neighbourhood at whose father's house he was that day to lie, did 
read a sermon and some discourse of Bishop Beveridge to the family. 

That he was so far from making men idle by discouraging labour, 
he on the contrary pressed it on every one to work in their callings, 
and did not believe them Christians who acted otherwise. 

That his making many run mad is as false, he knew of none ; but 
some had been brought to a sense of their sinful condition, and by a 
remarkable change of conduct had been esteemed mad by others 

1739. 

FIKST EARL OF EGMONT. 

69 

who were careless of their own salvation ; and such was the person 
mentioned in his journal, whom he got out of Bedlam and now goes 
with him to Georgia. A young man no more mad than any, but thought 
so by his mother because of his sudden change of life. 

Lastly, that as to inspiration, and his saying Christ was not true 
unless his own words were those of the Holy Ghost, the occasion of 
that report was only his repeating a text in Scripture and saying, if 
this be not true, namely, the words of our Saviour, then the Scriptures 
are not true. He added, these were all inventions of the devil to destroy 
the work of his ministry, and what every man must expect, who en 
deavours to destroy his kingdom, whether in their own hearts or 
others. 

I took notice to him of his preaching in the fields, and not only in 
churches ; he answered, he should choose to preach in churches, but 
that he was excluded, but was not sorry because it gave an opportunity 
to many to hear him who never came to church, and these are the 
more reprobate sort, who though they came out of curiosity, may 
possibly be touched by his discourses, and converted. Besides, 
Dissenters, who of course will not enter our churches, do willingly hear 
him in the field. That some clergymen call him a dissenter and 
schismatic, but what would they have him do ? they shut him out 
of their churches, and constrain him to take this method, for he is 
bound to preach the Gospel, being ordained to that purpose. 

I mentioned again his having the Holy Ghost; he replied, it was 
the doctrine of the Church of England that all persons ordained to 
serve at God's altar have, or should have it, and instanced the prayers 
in the Liturgy and form of ordination ; but this is not meant of the 
gifts of miracles, but of peace and love and joy, and power to preach 
effectually. 

I asked him when he set sail ; he answered he was to have done it 
immediately, but the press had, two days ago, taken away all the 
captain's men. 

I told him I understood he intended not to remain in Georgia, but 
return. He said it is true he should return in a year and a half or two 
years, to gather new collections for the orphan house, but should then 
go back, resolving to spend much of his life among a people he loved 
so dearly. 

I asked him if he left any fellow labourers behind him. 

He said John Wesley would succeed him in preaching, and Charles 
Wesley intended to enter on the same work, besides whom is one Mr. 
Rogers, formerly a curate, but being cast off for declaiming in a funeral 
sermon against 1¡he drunkenness of some clergymen present, was turned 
out, and is now obliged to preach in the fields. 

This is the main of my conversation with lim, by which I only find 
an enthusiastic notion of his being capable of doing much good, and 
perhaps he thinks he is raised up for that purpose ; for the rest, I 
believe him perfectly sincere and disinterested, and that he does indeed 
work a considerable reformation among the common people, and there 
is nothing in his doctrine that can be laid hold on to his hurt. 

Wednesday, June 13.—Went to town to the Georgia office, but 
were not a Board of Common Council. 

Mr. Smith in the Trustee chair ; Mr. Lapotre, Egmont, Sir William 
Heathcote, Mr. Anderson. 

 70 MARY OP THE 

June 13-20 

Mr. Verelts reported lie had paid 187Z. 4s. Id. into the bank. 

As a committee of correspondence we prepared letters to Mr. Hawkins, 
first bailiff of Frederica ; to Mr. Jones, and to Mr. Fallowfeild, newly 
appointed for second bailiff, and to Mr. Gilbert newly removed. 

Dined at home and so passed the evening. 

Thursday 14.—This day the King put an end to the Session. They 
who were there tell me the Speaker spoke strongly against the ill- 
usage the Spaniards have given us, and believe vigorous resolutions 
are designed to be taken by the Ministry, his speeches being understood 
to be the sense of the Ministry. 

But His Majesty said nothing of war, as was expected, but recom 
mended unanimity at home against the common enemy. 

Sir Philiph Parker and I promised to be bound in 280Z. which my 
cousin James Fortrey is to borrow of Dr. Courayer to save the for 
feiture of his fen-lands in Leicestershire, in case he did not discharge 
an arrear due thereon for repairing the banks. I returned to Charlton 
to dinner. 

Friday 15. 

Saturday 16. 

Sunday 17. 

Monday 18. 

Tuesday 19.—I went this Tuesday to town to see what could be 
done to rescue my cousin James Fortrey out of his difficulties, and 
my brother Parker and I gave our bond to Dr. Peter Fra. Courayer 
for 280Z. which we lent to him, taking his bond to us for counter 
security. He was also a third party with my brother and me in the 
bond to the Doctor. 

Wednesday 20.—I went this morning to the Georgia office, where 
met. Mr. Lapotre in the Trustee chair, Lord Sidney Beauclerc in the 
Common Council chair : Mr. Smith, Mr. Laroche, Mr. Vernon, Sir 
William Heathcote, Dr. Hales, Mr. Holland, Mr. Henry Archer, 

Egmont. 

As Trustees we put the seal to our petition for the 20,OOOZ. granted 
to us by the Parliament. 

Also passed a petition to the King and Council to grant leave to 
Captain Thompson to have his prest seamen restored to him, that he 
may sail forthwith to Georgia with Col. Oglethorp's regimentals. 

We also approved an answer to the application made to us for the 
use of negroes and change of tenure of lands, and ordered the seal to 
be put thereto. 

Then Lieiit.-Col. Cochran attending, to know our pleasure concerning 
allowing the disbursements he had made on the regiment's account 
when he landed, which he would have us defray, we showed him a 
state of that expense as sent us from Georgia consisting of a great 
number of articles, and promised him a copy of it, desiring him to 
make what remarks he thought fit on it in writing, which should be 
referred to a Committee of Accounts, and when they made their reporl 
the Board would send to him ; with which he seemed contented. 

After this, taking into consideration the misbehaviour of Henry 
Parker, first bailiff, in abetting the application for negroes, as also his 
character for drunkenness, and degrading his post, together with his 
being the leading man in courts of law, and therefore his power to save 
Caiiston, the late bailiff, if he should be brought to justice for his 

1739. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

71 

wronging the Trust, which it may be presumed he would endeavour 
to do being his bail, for these considerations the Board after some 
debate unanimously resolved to dismiss him, and place Thos. Christie 
the Recorder, in his room. 

We also confirmed the removal of Gilbert from the magistracy, and 
Fallowfeild to succeed him as second bailiff ; and in the vacant bailiff's 
post we agreed to put Thomas Jones, the present storekeeper, he being 
a man of resolution, and having manifested a hearty zeal for the Colony. 
But we resolved he should not be Overseer of the Trust servants, it 
being fit that a magistrate who sat in court to try freeholders should 
be himself a freeholder, which we do not think it convenient the over 
seer of Trust servants should be, after the experience of Bradley's 
employing the Trust servants on his own lot. 

The resolutions of this day fortnight past, that are contrary 
to this disposition of the Magistracy, were ordered to be repealed, and 
the best vacant lot in Savannah ordered to be granted to the said 
Jones, to qualify him for Magistrate. 

We confirmed the choice of Williams to be Recorder, and ordered 
these several commissions to have the seal put to them. 

Then a letter from Captain Hugh Mackay being read, showing 
evidently the importance to the colony's safety of maintaining a scout 
boat, and another boat of seven men and a coxswain to ply between 
the islands in the south division and the main land, the Board 
unanimously agreed to add the charges of these to the establishment 
for this year, which will increase it by about 250Z. There was some 
debate, however, about it, we looking on these boats as employed in 
the military defence of the colony, and therefore not properly to be 
defrayed by us ; but I represented the danger the colony must probably 
be in for want of intelligence in case the Spaniards should attempt to 
surprise us, and the blame that woiild lie on us if, knowing as we do 
that the Government has made no provision for such boats, a disaster 
should come, which consideration inclined even the most frugal gentle 
men at the Board to consent to this additional charge to our estimate. 

We then ordered payment of 200Z. to Colonel Oglethorp, Mr. Jennys 
of Charlestown having informed the Trustees by letter that Mr. 
Oglethorp had paid him that sum on the Trustees' account. 

The same Mr. Jennys sent us a state of his account with the Trustees, 
the balance of which he makes 633Z. in his own favour. This letter 
and the account were referred to a committee. 

Then Mr. Verelts reported the balance of the Trustees' money in 
the bank on 9th June 1739 to be 2,352Z. 5s. 9d., whereof is reserved 
to answer sola bills outstanding 1,534Z. Os. Od., and for particular uses 
of the colony 381Z. 11s. 5d. and for the colony 436Z. 14s. id. 

He also reported that two ton of halfpence amounting in value to 
422Z. exclusive of the charge of casks, &c., would soon be ready at the 
Tower. We therefore ordered an imprest on the bank to Alderman 
Heathcote of Ι,ΟΟΟΖ. to answer this and other charges. 

Mr. Hamerton having made application to the Board to advance 
him 200Z., for which he would give us an assignment on the King's 
quit-rents in South Carolina, we ordered he should be answered, that 
if he would first pay 200Z. in Georgia to Mr. Stevens, we would, on 
knowledge thereof, pay him 200Z. here, but it was not our method to 
advance money to persons in the manner desired by him. 

 72 DIARY OP THE 

June 20-27 

Then the Board made an order that————Davison, 2nd constable 
at Frederica, should be appointed overseer of the Trust servants in 
that southern division ; but we did not recollect that he has land of 
his own, which by our late rule incapacitates him from that office. 

All the Board, Sir William Heathcote and Mr. Laroche excepted, 
dined together at the Cyder house. 

I learned this day that Mr. Fred. Frankland, brother of Sir Thomas, 
who married my Lord Scarborow's sister not long since, went this 
week to that Earl and acquainted him he had taken such aversion to 
his wife that he resolved to leave her ; that he had nothing to say against 
her virtue, and would give her what separate maintenance his Lordship 
should ask, but it was impossible they should live under one roof. 

My Lord was much surprised, as may be imagined, and would press 
to know his reason, but he replied, he would give no reason but that 
she was his utter aversion ; however, his Lordship insisted positively 
that she should not be turned out of doors till his Lordship went into 
the country, and then he would take her with him. 

At night Mr. Frankland declared the same to his lady, who on her 
knees begged she might still have an apartment in his house though 
he never should speak to her ; otherwise, that such an open separation 
would give occasion to the world to suspect her virtue or make what 
ill stories it pleased of her. But he would not consent. He has since 
settled 600Z. per annum upon her, which was the jointure agreed upon 
when he married her, has returned her fortune which was ΙΟ,ΟΟΟΖ., 
has given her Ι,ΟΟΟΖ. to furnish a house, and all her jewels, together 
with his plate. 

This procedure is the more wondered at because they were play 
fellows and acquaintances from their youth, and it was a match of his 
own seeking, though she was then between forty and fifty years old, 
ugly, and as fat as most women. He also is much of the saine age, 
a widower, and made a remarkable good husband to his first wife. 

I heard this day that in order to put a slight on the Duke of Arguile, 
Sir William Young, Secretary of War, was directed to report to his 
Majesty the resolutions of the Board of General Officers on the trial 
of Colonel Cochran and Captain Mackay, a thing contrary to all rule, 
it being the duty of the President of Councils of War to do it. When, 
therefore, the Judge Advocate, whose business is to draw up the 
resolutions of such councils, waited on his Grace with the Board's 
opinion, he seeing his Grace put it into his pocket, desired it might be 
returned him to give it to Sir William according to the orders he had 
received ; but the Duke replied he should go to Kensington next day, 
and would himself present it to his Majesty, and so he did, but was 
made to stay till all other business was despatched ; then being called 
in, his Majesty received it, and only said, 'tis very well. The Duke 
then desired leave to go into the country, to which his Majesty replied, 
" you may go when you will " ; a short answer manifesting much in 
difference towards him. This occasioned a report that he had resigned 
his employments, but I am told his Grace will not do that, but wait 
to be turned out. 

This day we also learned that his Majesty had discharged Captain 
Mackay from his confinement, and at the same time restored him to 
his post, but Lieut.-Colonel Cochran is still suspended. 

1739. 

FIEST EARL OP EGMONT. 

73 

Thursday 21.—Returned to Charlton to dinner. Remained at 
Charlton till— 

Wednesday 27.—Went to the Georgia board : present, Egmont in 
the Trustee Chair and Common Council Chair : Lapotre, Holland, Hales, 
Smith, Laroche, Vernon, T. Towers : Mr. Anderson 

As Trustees, the seal was put to the last commissions to new made 
officers. 

As Common Council, we read Anne Emery's petition for fifty acres 
to be granted her husband, Peter Emery, late appointed pilot at 
Savannah, with licence to sell liquor, as also that her daughter may 
succeed to her son's lot in Savannah in case he should die without 
issue, which we granted, but we did not think fit to advance her 201. 
on her husband's pay as pilot, it being in his power to refuse allowing it. 

The petition of Mrs. Crowcher was rejected ; her desire was that 
we would advance her half a year's rent of her house in Savannah, let 
to Henry Parker, to be repaid the Trustees by him. We had advanced 
her before two years' rent, to be repaid in that manner, but Parker 
paid no rent as he ought to have done, and, therefore, it was high time 
to stop our hand. 

Isaac Young's petition was read, desiring a gift of money, and 
complaining he could obtain but fifty acres of land, though his grant 
when he went over in 1736 was for a hundred. 

We would not give him money as he desired, seeing no reason for it, 
but ordered a letter to be wrote Mr. Stephens to enquire whether the 
land he now is in possession of, and which is a forfeited lot, be such 
as he can have a good title to. 

André Duchée, the potter's, petition was read, for further encourage 
ment to carry on his trade ; he sets forth that he is the first who has 
compassed the making porcelain in America, and thinks the King 
might be induced to grant him an exclusive patent for making the 
same for fifteen years. He also desires two servants may be sent him 
to paint his ware, and adds a particular of materials wanted by him. 
We ordered 121. to be laid out in materials, but refused the rest of his 
requests, it not appearing to us that he has brought his pottery to 
the perfection he mentions, or how he can maintain the servants he 
desires ; besides, that a patent would cost too much money if it could 
be obtained, which is not likely, he having sent no samples over of his 
work for satisfaction of those who are on such occasions employed to 
make report to the Lord Chancellor. 

A letter from Samuel Holmes, bricklayer, at Savannah, dated 
22 August, 1738, desiring two servants to be allowed him. He had 
been above a year in Georgia. 

We ordered that if two Trust servants can be spared now on the 
spot he should have them. This we did because they are a great 
charge on the Trust, and if there are more than allowed of in our 
estimate, it will be a good riddance of them. 

Mr. Hamerton, collector of the King's Quit-rents in South Carolina, 
desiring to be advanced 200/. by the Trust, which he will repay to 
their use in Georgia, and Mr. Verelts acquainting us that Mr. Leheup 
of the Treasury convinced him it may safely be done, we gave direction 
to comply with his request. 

We then took into consideration that part of the estimate where 
the Overseers of the Trust servants are excluded from having land of 

 74 DIARY OF THE 

June 27-July 11 

their own, and repealed the qualification, finding it uncertain whether 
proper persons for that office can be met with, and ordered the com 
mission to Samuel Davison to be overseer of the Trust servants at 
Frederica shall stand, and that Thomas Jones, late appointed 3rd 
Bailiff at Savannah, shall be the other overseer in this last mentioned 

district. 

Robert Hows, late parish clerk at Savannah, having desired that 
cm his return to Georgia he may not be molested on account of any 
debts he may owe to the stores, but if any be found (which he believes 
will not) the same may be allowed him for his past services, we 
ordered a letter to be written to Mr. Stephens to inform us how his 
affairs stands with the store. 

We ordered two hundred copies of the Trust's reply to the late 
application from Savannah for the use of the negroes, to be printed, 
in order to disperse it in the province. 

A memorial from Mr. Simons, the merchant, was read, setting forth 
that the value of 1,667Z. 8s. 9d. had been furnished by him to the stores 
at Savannah, as is certified to be true from thence, and desiring 1,500Z. 
of it might be paid him here in part thereof, for which he promised to 
be accountable. The Trustees imagining he might have occasion for 
the money, ordered him 1,200/., and that five Common Council might 
have power to draw on the bank for the same. 

The memorial of Pytt and Tuckwell desiring to be advanced money 
on like account, 200Z. was ordered them. 

Then a letter from Kennedy Obrian, Esq., to Mr. Martin, our 
secretary, dated from Augusta, 1 April 1739, was read ; wherein he 
represents that he had been two years there and had laid out 300Z. ; 
but having no grant of the land he fixed on, he desired one might be 
made him for 500 acres which were surveyed to him the 8th of June 
1738. This letter was accompanied by another from Colonel Oglethorp 
recommending the affair, and informing the Trustees that he is a 
very industrious man and kept a storehouse to supply the Indian 
traders with goods. 

We ordered a grant according to his desire. 

Lastly, we took into consideration Captain Thompson's demand 
of above 8002. for servants he carried over the last year on his own 
risk, but which Colonel Oglethorp finding he was not able to dispose 
of, took the greatest part of (no less than one hundred and sixteen 
heads) on the Trust account, and referred him for payment to the 

Trustees. 

We as a committee of accounts (for now only Mr. Vernon, Mr. 
Holland, Mr. Towers, Dr. Hales and I remained) read the account to 
whom these servants were severally disposed, and allowed of the 
disposal of some, and refused it to others. 

Mr. Vernon, Mr. Towers, Dr. Hales and I dined at the Cyder house, 
and at 7 I returned home. 

Captain Mackay came after dinner and acquainted us that if Lieut.- 
Col. Cochran returns to his post in Georgia he will fling up his com 
mission, and serve as a volunteer under Colonel Oglethorp. 

I learned also this day that Licut.-Col. Cochran applied last Friday 
by petition to His Majesty to be freed from his suspension, but that 
His Majesty had scarce patience to see him, and had refused his 
request ; nevertheless, that when Sir Robert Walpole was put in mind 

1739. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

75 

f 

that Colonel Oglethorp has desired the Licut.-Col. might not be 
returned to the regiment, but changed into some other corps, he replied, 
he would do anything to serve Colonel Oglethorp, but he could not 
gratify him in this. 

Thursday 28.—Returned to Charlton to dinner. 
Monday 2 July.—My daughter Hanmer came down to me for the 
summer. 

Wednesday 4.—Went up to the Georgia Board but could not make 
a Common Council Board, which was much desired ; we were only Judge 
Holland in the Trustee chair ; Mr. Smith, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Vemoii, 
Dr. Hales, Egmont, Mr. Hen. Archer. 

The seal, pursuant to an order of the last Common Council, was put 
to a letter of attorney empowering Mr. Verelts, our accountant, to 
receive of the Treasury the 20,OOOZ. last voted by Parliament. 

Also to 1,200/. in sola bills to be sent forthwith by Captain Thompson, 
of the " Two Brothers," to Colonel Oglethorp, to be endorsed by him to 
Mr. Christie, Mr. Thomas Jones and Mr. Stephens, who are to issue 
them according to the new estimate. 

Also to the instructions for Mr. Thomas Jones and Samuel Davison 
appointed overseers of the Trust servants. 
Also to the appointments of these two to this service. 
Sealed also a grant of 500 acres to Kenedy Obryen, Esq., a supplier 
of the Indian traders, laid out at Augusta, one acre of which is No. 5. 

This being the monthly meeting of Dr. Bray's Associates, Judge 
Holland, Dr. Hales, Mr. Smith, Mr. Anderson and I agreed to the 
purchase of 5()Z. stock in old annuities, and to give a set of Dr. Bray's 
books, left for parochial libraries, to the Reverend Mr. Lynd at 
Colchester, and to give Mr. Verelts ten guineas for two years' services 
as clerk to the Associates. 

Thursday 5.—I went to Court this morning and was well received 
by the King, the Duke and the Princess ; after dinner I returned to 
Charlton. Remained at Charlton till — 

Wednesday 11.—Went to the Georgia office, where met, Dr. Hales in 
the Trustee chair ; Mr. Thomas Towers in the Common Council chair ; 
Mr. Smith, Mr. Holland, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Laroche, Mr. H. Archer, 
Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Mr. Vernon, Egmont ; Mr. Anderson. 

As Trustees, Mr. Verelts our accountant reported that he had 
received at the Treasury the 20,OOOZ. granted by Parliament and as 
usual had been exciised the fees ; and that he had lodged it in the bank. 
The form of a letter to Colonel Oglethorp was approved, and it is 
to be sent by Captain Thompson, of the '' Two Brothers," who falls down 
the river on Saturday next in order to sail to Georgia. With him 
there goes 1,200Z. sola bills to defray in part the charges of our estimate 
for the year beginning Michaelmas, 1739, together with divers goods 
for the use of the province. 

Then the Common Council received the report of the Committee 
of Accounts to whom Captain Thompson's memorial was referred the 
20th of last month. He had carried over last month 116 heads of 
servants at his own risk, hoping to have them taken off his hands by 
the inhabitants, but they not being able to pay for them, Colonel 
Oglethorp did it for them, and referred him to the Trustees for pay 
ment ; but the committee were of opinion that only forty-seven should 
be paid for, being employed on the Trust account or by former 

 ΓΓ 

76 TOÄEY OF THE 

July 11 

directions of theirs given to particular persons, and they disallowed 
of the remaining sixty-nine, referring the captain to get his money of 
the persons who took them, and accordingly reported that 431Z. 16s. 6d 
was all that should be paid by the Trustees to the captain. 

The Common Council approved the report, and ordered that sum 

to be paid. 

Another report from that committee was read relating to an account 
sent over by the executors of Paul Jenys, Esq., where there appearing 
some mistakes they reduced the balance due by the Trustees to 
491Z. 9s. i%d., which report being allowed by the Common Council, 
that sum was ordered to be paid. 

These two sums, together with several other charges of freight of 
goods, insurance, and 1,700L ordered before, obliged the Common 
Council to order a draft on the bank of 3,500Z. to Alderman Heathcote, 
and 1,061Z. 8s. Od. more was in like manner imprest to Mr. Verelts, to 
answer a bill of Major Cook's, endorsed by Colonel Oglethorp, upon 
Mr. Fury, agent of the regiment, but which Fury refused to pay for 
want of a letter of advice. This money is to be repaid when such 
letter of advice comes, and the Trustees were not willing Colonel 
Oglethorp's credit should suffer, he having disbursed in April last 
3,OOOZ. of his own money for the service of the colony. 

Then the Common Council took into consideration Mr. Macleod's 
letter to the Incorporated Society in Scotland for propagating 
Christianity, expressing his desire that three hundred acres of land 
might be granted to the Presbyterian Church at Darien, now called 
New Inverness, under the Trustees' seal, to be continued as long as 
that incorporated society shall provide a mission there ; and Mr. 
Anderson, a member of that society, one of our Trustees present, 
declaring the Society would on the condition desired by Mr. Macleod, 
provide a minister and pay him, the Board very readily gave their 
consent, and a grant of three hundred acres were ordered. 

Then the seal was put to an order for indemnifying Colonel 
Oglethorp in delivering into the hands of Mr. Stephens, Mr. Christie 
and Mr. Thomas Jones of the 1,200Z. sola bills lately mentioned, after 
he should endorse them. 

Then Mr. Henry Parker being removed from all public concerns of 
the colony, Mr. Thomas Christie was appointed a commissioner for 
stating Causton's and Bradley's accounts with the Trustees, and the 
seal put thereto. 

Lastly, the Board approved of a license to Mrs. Emery to set her 
widow's right in the lot of Germain, her son by a former husband, 
for seven years, and to keep a public house at Tybee where, a lot of 
fifty acres is granted Emery her husband the pilot. 

We this day received a letter from Mr. Stephens, dated 21 April last, 
wrote to Mr. Verelts, together with his journal from 11 March to 
12 April. In it he acquaints us that many have deserted the colony, 
some from necessity, some for being disappointed of their hopes of 
becoming suddenly rich, and some from idleness not caring to labour, 
but the few who remain are truly industrious, and he observes that 
the Church is as full as ever, so that religion has not suffered by those 
men's leaving the colony. 

That there are about one thousand head of cattle in the northern 
division belonging to the Trustees and private persons, which is more 

1739. 

FIKST EARL OP EGMONT. 

77 

than was expected till the great care lately taken to drive them up 
out of the woods ; that this care will be continued for the future by 
an allowance of six horses to the pindar of Savannah. N.B.—The 
charge of a pindar is not within the estimate. 

That Mr. Oglethorp had for the people's encouragement to labour 
and cultivate, promised a premium of two shillings on every bushel 
of corn they shall raise over and above what they can sell it for, and 
that the crane being decayed, Mr. Oglethorp had agreed with Duchée 
the potter to make a wharf at high water mark, and thereon to erect 
a storehouse, for 501, but it was believed it would not be done for 100Z. 

That Mr. Hugh Anderson and his family, not being able to support 
themselves longer in Georgia, were gone to Charlestown to seek for 
land, but with intention to return if the affairs of the colony mended. 

That Bradley made a demand on the Trustees of 1,200Z. for services, 
but Mr. Thomas Jones on the contrary charged him with 1,900Z. due 
to the Trust. That the said Bradley had quitted all care of the Trust 
servants and determined to set down on his own lot. 

That notwithstanding the bad face of affairs, several persons were 
setting up private stores and building houses and warehouses on 
vacant lots given them by Colonel Oglethorp, as Calwell, Montagut 
and Pury, &c., who were before only inmates and never had lots. 

Mr. Towers, Vernon, Smith and I dined at the Cyder house. 

Colonel Cochran's suspension still continues, nor is it likely he will 
be employed again in the service, at least in Colonel Oglethorp's 
regiment, though he is not yet discarded, and though Sir Robert 
Walpole is his friend. 

I learned this day that Captain Edward Vernon kissed hands 
yesterday for being appointed Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and has 
received orders to speed away as fast as he can to the West Indies 
with a squadron. 

He is a remarkable brave man, sober, well experienced, and zealous 
for the honour and interest of his country, as he showed both in war 
and in the House of Commons, where he sat when I was in Parliament, 
and for opposing the Ministry was put by his rank on the promotion 
of Admirals. But now, seeing some evidence of a war with Spain, 
he waited on the Admiralty to offer his service, provided he could do 
it with honour by being restored to his rank, which he had no right to, 
so that he returned to his estate in Suffolk, but a few days ago he 
was wrote to, to come up, and found the commission on Monday last 
signed at the Admiralty Office. The seamen and the city will be well 
pleased at his promotion. He is younger brother to Mr. Vernon of 
the Georgia Board, and was born in 1684. In 1705 he had the com 
mand of a man-of-war, and has been twice in the West Indies, where 
seeing a merchant ship make rejoicings on the 10 June, the 
Pretender's birthday, he put the captain in chains, and brought him 
to England, a zeal not warranted, and which cost him a thousand 
pounds, being prosecuted by the owners of that vessel for damages. 

On the 10th instant an Order of Council passed for granting general 
reprisals to His Majesty's fleet and ships, as also all other ships and 
vessels that shall be commissioned by letters of marque or general 
reprisals or otherwise, against the ships, goods and subjects of the 
King of Spain or his subjects. So that now there can be no doubt of 
war, unless that King lower his topsail, and confess himself to be in the 
wrong. 

 ;Π 

78 DIARY OF THE 

July 12-Aug. 8 

Thursday 12.—I returned to Charlton, and it being my birthday, 
my children and servants would keep it by a ball and comedy. I am 
this day 56 years old, and by God's goodness without complaint. 

Monday 16.—My wife and daughters Haumer and Helena went 
to Tunbridge for few days and returned on Saturday following. 
Stayed in the country till 

Tuesday 24.—Went to town hearing my son was not well, but I 
found him better than I expected. A slight fever only, and what did 
not confine him. 

Wednesday 25.—Went to the Georgia Office upon a summons of the 
Trustees, where met : Mr. Lapotre, president, Mr. Smith, Mr. Vernon, 
Mr. Henry Archer, Dr. Hales, Captain Coram, Egniont, Mr. Anderson. 
The law for pilotage and laying port duties in Georgia was read and 
with some amendments ordered to have the seal put to it. Mr. Henry 
Archer also brought the intended law for altering the tenure of lands 
in favour of females, but upon debate it was agreed that no law should 
pass for that purpose, but that the intended alterations should be made 
by our own authority, without applying to the King and Council for 
a law, our charter giving the Trustees power to that purpose. This 
was Mr. Archer's opinion, together with Mr. Vernon's and the other 
gentlemen's. I objected that we had given the inhabitants of Georgia 
expectation of a law to that purpose, and perhaps they would not be 
satisfied with less, they having declared that they were satisfied we 
should not deny them the favour intended when by them particularly 
desired, but that our successors might not be so indulgent unless 
obliged thereto by a law. But if a resolution of our own to the same 
effect, would satisfy them, I had no objection. They replied, our 
resolution should be printed and put into all their hands, and have 
the seal to it, which could not but satisfy them, and they did not 
know but it would be also binding on the successors. I desired, when 
sent over, that orders might be given to enter it on record, so I gave 
my consent thereto ; and did it the more readily, because Captain 
Coram was present and approved it, who had much prejudiced us in 
the town's opinion because we did it not before. One argument which 
weighed much with the gentlemen against making a law was that the 
Kong and Council would think it strange we should apply to them 
for a power which we had within ourselves. 

I learned that on Wednesday the 18th the Trustees sealed a memorial 
to the Incorporate Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts 
desiring an allowance of fifty pounds per annum in favour of Mr. 
Norris, appointed missionary at Frederica. 

Mr. Vernon, Smith, and I dined at the Horn Tavern, and in the 
evening I called on Mr. Annesley to peruse the new mortgage to be 
made to me by my cousin Fortrey for the money he owes me and 
my niece. 

Thursday 26.—Returned to dinner to Charlton. 
Wednesday, 1 August.—Went to town to the Georgia office where 
was expected a Common Council in order to settle the heads of the 
resolution the Trustees are framing for the change of tenure of lands 
in Georgia, so that females may inherit, &c. But we were only six of 
the Common Council and two Trustees, viz. :—Mr. Vernon, Dr. Hales, 
Mr. H. Archer, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Smith, Egmont; Mr. Anderson, 
Captain Coram. 

1739. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

79 

However, we drew up our thoughts thereon, and finished the sub 
stantial part in order to lay before the next Board of Common Council. 

After this, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Lapotre, Dr. Hales and Mr. Archer 
and I dined at the Horn Tavern, and in the evening I went by appoint 
ment with James Fortrey, Esq., to Councillor Annesley, before whom 
we signed a new mortgage of his estate in Norfolk to me for 620/., 
with a counterpart thereof, the former being delivered up as not 
sufficiently secure to me, and so ill drawn as to subject me to the 
payment of any arrears of rent that might be due to the Lord Berkley 
or his son at the .expiration of the lease of these lands to Mr. Fortrey. 
The counterpart of that former mortgage remains to be delivered 
me, the present one vacating it ; this is witnessed by Mr. Tho. Barsham, 
clerk to Mr. Annesley, and one Mr. Ei. Stephens. 

Saturday, 4 Aug.—I went to town to meet our other gentlemen 
at the Horn Tavern, in order to settle the draft of the Trustees, 
declaration of change of tenure of lands in Georgia, and we went 
through it ; it is to be reported next Wednesday. We dined there and 
in the evening I returned home. We expected several more than 
came, there being only Mr. Holland, Mr. Henry Archer and myself. 

Wednesday 8.—Went to town to the Georgia office, where met in 
Common Council : Judge Holland in the chair ; Mr. Smith, Mr. Vernon, 
Dr. Hales, Mr. Lapotre, Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Mr. Ayres, Egmont, 
Mr. Thomas Towers. 

Mr. Verelts reported that Mr. Oglethorp had drawn to the 1 July 
last for 2,175/. 2s. 8d. which had been paid, and also for 1,061/. 8s. Od. 
more by bill on his regiment, the agent of which refused to accept it 
for want of advice ; but as we knew it was for money expended for 
the service of the colony, he proposed that the Board should pay it, 
the same being to be accounted for in the charges of the colony when 
made up, and being for money advanced by Mr. Oglethorp to be 
repaid him. 

The Board voted it should be paid, and a bill was drawn on the bank 
for said 1,061/. 8s. Od. 

A petition was read from Simpson Levi, praying to be paid 600/. 
in part of a certified account the payment whereof is suspended by 
the Board until Causton's accounts are settled ; Mr. Verelts assured 
us that it is certain that at least 700/. of that certified account is due, 
and we might safely gratify him in that matter, he offering to give 
security to repay the same in case it should turn out that he had no 
lawful demand. The Board therefore ordered him the 600/. and drew 
on the bank for the same. 

A petition from Captain Dempsey was read, setting forth his 
ill-state of health, contracted in the service of the colony, and desiring 
some further reward than the 150/. formerly given him, to enable him 
to go to the Bath, or into the country for his recovery. The Board 
thereupon allowed him 25/. 

Then the Board took into consideration the resolution of the 
committee that met last Saturday to prepare the draft of change of 
tenure of lands in Georgia in favour of females, and with some amend 
ments approved it, and gave direction that when it should be written 
fair, a committee should compare the transcript with the original 
and put the seal to it. 

 80 DIARY OF THE 

Aug. 8-Sept. 5 

Mr. Ayres, Vernon, Lapotre, Dr. Hales and I dined at the Horn 
and then I returned home to Pall Mall. * 

1739. Wednesday, 22 Aug.—Went to town, to receive money in 
the city, dined with my son, and in the evening visited relations. 

Thursday 23.—Went to the Georgia office on summons of a Common 
Council to reconsider some part of the resolution the board had come 
to, on the subject of change of tenure of land in Georgia, it being 
thought unreasonable by Mr. Aires, that a man possessed of land, 
and leaving daughters marry'd before his death, should not have power 
to bequeath the same to any of them, but be obliged to give it to some 
more remote relation. This was not indulged the man before, because 
it was thought the marry'd daughters had sufficient provision made 
for them by giving them the house and half of the husband's lands 
for her life, and that by this further indulgence to the marry'd daughters 
an accumulation of lots might possibly follow ; for by the resolutions 
before agreed to, a daughter (if heir for want of brothers) becomes 
entitled to the whole lot of her father, during her life, to which the 
children she shall have on marriage succeed, and a widow left without 
children is to enjoy the whole estate for her life, so that here is an 
accumulation of lots, both to her and the children she shall have by 

second marriage. 

But Mr. Aires thought it contrary to justice and reason that a man 
should not have liberty to leave his estate to daughters—who are the 
dearest to him—because she happened to be marry'd, and with him 
the gentlemen agreed, who met this day, but could resolve nothing 
upon it, -being only seven, and of course a board of Trustees only, 
viz. :—Mr. Eyles, president ; Mr. Aires, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Vernon, 
Mr. Christopher Towers, Mr. Smith, Egmont. 

Mr. Vernon reported that the Society for Propagation of the Gospel 
in Foreign Parts had, with much opposition made thereto by the Bishop 
of London's creatures, at last consented to allowing 50L a year to Mr. 
Noris, our minister at Frederica, in the following resolution which 
was read at the Board : " Resolved, thit the Reverend Mr. William 
Noris be appointed missionary at Frederica with a salary of 50L a 
year, to commence from Michaelmas next, and to continue for 3 years, 
unless the Society shall be of opinion that the Trustees for establishing 
Georgia can sooner provide for him. 

17 August, 1739. Philip Bearcroft, Secretary." 
Before the other gentlemen came, Mr. Smith, Mr. Lapotre and I 
made a committee of correspondence to resolve on the particular 
quantities and kinds of presents for the Indians—for which service 
our estimate made a provision—amounting to 330L 4s. 4d. besides 
freight and insurance, which make the whole expense about 400Í. 
This we reported and was approved. 

Several letters immediately arrived from Georgia were read: one 
from Mr. Stephens to me dated 19 May, another from him to the 
Trustees, another from Gilbert the late bailiff, to be discharged from 
that office, and one from Mr. Oglethorp at Frederica,' dated 15 June, 
advertising that the Spaniards were bribing the Indians in Georgia 
to desert the English, the Creeks particularly ; that the nations had 
sent to him to meet them at Coweta town, 500 miles from Frederica, and 
* End of Vol. 10 of the Manuscript Diary. This volume is not ¡indexed though 
blank pages have been left for the purpose.—Ed. 

FIRST EARL OF BGMONT. 

81 

1739. 

that it was absolutely necessary he should go. That the Creeks have 
1,500 warriors, the Chickesaws 500 and the Chacktaws 5,000, and 
the leaders were to meet him with Tomochachi to consider of proper 
means to preserve their tribes in the interest of Great Britain. We 
ordered the same to be laid before the Duke of Newcastle, with a 
memorial of our inability to defray the charges of presents to the 
Indians. We appointed a meeting again on Tuesday next, where I 
promised to come, but soon after my return to Charlton was again 
attacked with the gout. 

Mr. Stephens' letter to the Trustees is full of Jones, the new bailiff's 
violent and rude behaviour. 

Thursday 30.—This day Mr. Verelts wrote me from the Georgia 
office, that the gentlemen met Tuesday last according to appointment 
and were a full board, so that the draft of the resolutions were approved, 
and that Mr. Henry Archer, Mr. Tracy and Sir William Heathcote 
returned their thoughts. 

The gentlemen were, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Smith, Mr. Christ. Towers, 
Mr. Digby, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Eyles, Lord Sidney, Mr. Aires. 

I had also a letter from my brother Percival that he landed at 
Chester on Sunday last, the 26th inst., and would be in London 
to-morrow night. 

Wednesday, 5 September.—I went to town to a committee of 
correspondence, where met, Mr. Smith, in the chair, Mr. Digby, Mr. 
Lapotre, Mr. Aires, Mr. Vernon, Egmont. 

The Trustees' resolution for change of tenure in Georgia, together 
with the deed poll for the inhabitants to show their titles to their 
lands and lay claim to the benefits of that change of tenure, were 
according to power given by the Common Council this day sealed, 
and an advertisement thereof ordered to be printed in the newspapers. 

A letter was prepared to be sent Mr. Oglethorp to acquaint him with 
this proceeding, as also with our informing the Secretary of State of 
the expense of presents to the Indians which Mr. Oglethorp had been 
at, and which the Trustees do not think they are entitled to defray, 
it being for the defence of the colony with which we have nothing to do. 

A letter drawn up for Mr. Verelts to send to Mr. Thomas Jones, 
advising him to behave courteously to his fellow magistrates, and 
particularly to Mr. Stephens, who is entrusted to give us minute 
accounts of the state of the colony, and is highly esteemed by us, 
and must be consulted with on all occasions. 

A letter was ordered to Mr. Stone, secretary to the Duke of Newcastle, 
containing remarks on the late manifesto of the King of Spain, and 
showing some falsities asserted therein with respect to Colonel 
Oglethorp's treaty in 1736 with the Governor of St. Augustine. 

Mr. Stephens' journal and letter lately arrived was read, by which 
we find he is ill pleased with Mr. Thomas Jones's behaviour, as being 
rough and assuming, indecent to the magistrates, and malicious to 
himself. He acquaints us with a lot of ground he designs to take 
up on Vernon's river. 

We afterwards dined all together at the Horn. 

I visited brother Percival, my sister, his wife and Mrs. Donellan, 
who arrived in London from Ireland the 31 of last month in order to 
go to the Bath for his health, and get a sound fit of the gout, which 
wanting, he often has of late been seized with short absences of 
memory and sense, so as to fall suddenly to the ground. 

 82 DIARY OF THE 

Sept. 12-26 

Wednesday 12.—I went to town to the Georgia office where a 
committee of correspondence met, viz. :—Egmont, Vernon, Smith, 
Lapotre, Aires and Mr. Anderson. 

Ά letter was read from Mr. Oglethorp to Mr. Verelts, dated 28 May 
last, which is of an older date than another we received some time 
ago. In it ne tells him he had got the rheumatism in the leg, occasioned 
by his lying in the air and fatigues. 

Finished letters to Oglethorp, Bailiff Jones, Bailiff Hawkins, Bailiff 
Christy, and Mr. Stephens. In our letter to Jones we directed him 
to moderate his hasty temper and consult with Mr. Stephens on all 
important occasions, he being employed by us to send over accounts 
of the minutest occurrency. In our letter to Stephens we ordered a 
general state of the colony, together with its condition of defence, to 
be sent us ; and to let us know who acts as secretary to the Indian 
trade since the death of Clarke, and how the licence money paid by the 
Indian traders has been accounted for. 

A letter from Hugh Anderson, late overseer of the public garden, to 
me, dated 13 June last, was read, the chief purpose whereof was to set 
forth the bad state of the colony, and to prepare us for his retiring 
to settle with his family in Carolina, as he did soon after. He said that 
without negroes and liberty to mortgage their lands for obtaining 
them the colony must sink ; that people had spent all their substance 
in improving and were beggared by the dearness of wages to white 
servants, and the small return of their labours. That he had spent 
1501. sterling in improving, and had but 6Z. return, &c. 

It appeared to us that it was only calculated to persuade us to agree 
to a change of tenure and admission of negroes. He spoke of the 
badness of the land, which Mr. Vernon took much notice of, and caused 
a small debate. Mr. Vernon was for letting everybody who had bad 
land, have other that was good allowed them, in a small proportion, 
and as should be contiguous to them. But I desired we might not 
be too hasty, for it was a very important point. Many had wrote the 
land was good, and industrious men might live well on it. That none 
who had country lots had reason to complain, for they had liberty 
to choose their land where they pleased, and all the complaint was 
of the town lots in Savannah, about Highgate, where among the great 
number I found there were but 12 lots reported to be swamped or 
overflowed, and they were mostly occupied by tradesmen who would 
not cultivate their lands were they ever so good. That as bad as the 
land at Highgate was represented, we were informed two persons there 
had raised a very great produce, being industrious. That the great 
excuse of the number of idle persons who have left the colony is that 
their land was bad, and such an alteration as proposed would justify 
their excuse and draw a blame on us that was not just. That to grant 
the best lands to those who have nothing to cultivate it with, would 
be of no use to them, and that the industrious have already meliorated 
their lands if bad, that there are few entire lots of bad land, but some 
parcels may be found good. That many of our Board now absent are 
totally against a change of the people's lands, and we are now but a 
committee of correspondence. That we expect Mr. Stephens' son soon 
after, who will give us a just account of the lands, but that we are not 
[to] depend on other accounts given by idle persons, runaways, and 
embarked in the negro scheme. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

83 

1739. 

Mr. Vernon replied he made no motion, but only prepared the 
gentlemen to think of the matter, but desired Mr. Stephens might be 
wrote to for an account of the land, which was consented to. I told 
the gentlemen that it must needs be an absolute discouragement to 
the people that when they have cut down their timber, they cannot 
sell it for want of the bounty, which is twenty shillings per ton on 
masts brought to England ; and therefore pressed that the com 
missioners of the Customs might be applied to again to settle the point 
of naval officer, for want of which the bounty is refused us because they 
will not allow of the certificate of our naval officer, they pretending 
to the nomination of him, and we insisting that by our charter we 
have the nomination. 

It had been proposed to the Commissioners that we should name, 
but they give him instructions, which Sir Jo. Evelyn and Mr. Chandler 
were contented with, but yet the matter proce'eded not. It was 
agreed to renew our application to them. 

Mr. Miller, our botanist, lately arrived from Jamaica, attended and 
gave us no satisfactory account of collections of plants, roots, &c., 
made for Georgia in his American expedition. But he told us we 
might produce indigo in Georgia, and he could put us in a way to get 
it and give instructions for planting it. He said cochineal might be 
produced in our colony, but it cost so much labour and was so subject 
to be destroyed by frost and rain, that it is not worth the while to 
attempt it. That there was no getting the Jesuits bark. That snake 
root will do well and he had brought some pots of it over, but being 
sick on board he had saved but one of them. 

We all dined at the Horn. 

In the evening I visited my brother Percival, but he was not at home. 

Saturday 22.—I went to town for the winter. News came that the 
Spaniards declared war against Great Britain on the 25th of last 
month, O.S. 

Sunday 23.—Went to St. James's Church. Daughter Percival dined 
with me ; went in the evening to St. James's Chapel, afterwards to my 
son whose fever is mending. 

Monday 24.—Went to the Georgia office where Mr. Verelts showed 
me a resignation of Sir William Heathcote from being of the Common 
Council Board. I was surprised and much displeased at it, the clan 
who have left us, I supposed, have prevailed on him as they have done 
on others. He professed in his letter much friendship and service to the 
colony, and excused his withdrawing on account of his private business 
not allowing him to attend the board, but I believe he will do like the 
rest who were of us, not come near us. 

I visited Lady Eook and cousin Le Grand who has the gout. 

Tuesday 25.—I went with my wife to the play entitled " Sir Walter 
Raleigh," revived by the comedians on occasion of the now differences 
with Spain. They choose one to represent Count Gundemar, who in 
all things is like Mr. Giraldini, the Spanish minister at our Court lately 
recalled, and whenever any severe things were said which bore a 
resemblance to our ministry's transactions, or our backwardness to 
resent the insults of Spain, the audience clapped all over the house, 
to show they took the hint, and their aversion to the measures taken. 

Wednesday 26.—Stayed at home. My son grows better. 

 ,111 

I' 

84 DIARY OF THE 

Oct. 5-13 

Friday, 5 October.—Mr. Verelts came to me, being returned from 
Portsmouth, where he went to ship the trustees' goods sent to 
Georgia. He brought several packets of letters from Georgia, among 
which were, one from Mr. Stephens to the Trust, with his journal 
from 22 June to 23 July 1739, one from the same to Mr. Verelts 
dated 26 July 1739, one from Mr. Jones to Mr. Verelts dated 3 
August, 1739, one from Mr. Christy to the Trust dated 3 August 
1739, one from the Rev. Mr. Boltius to Mr. Verelts dated 4 July 
1739, one from the Rev. Mr. Gronau to Mr. Verelts dated 11 July 
1739, and packets from them to Mr. Newman. He received all 
these this day, and he acquainted me, Mr. Stephens' son now 
arrived had been with him, and among other things told him 
there are 400 families still in Savannah town, and he believes 1,000 
souls in the colony, which is very good news, for we were-fearful that 
they were most of them run away, such being the idle reports of this 
city. 

Mr. Jones' letter was concerning general matters, with many glances 
against Mr. Stephens and his son. 

Mr. Stevens (sie) expresses the general content given by the com 
munication of the trustees' purpose to alter the tenure of the people's 
land, which had it been known some months sooner would have caused a 
hundred acres more to be cultivated than at present. However, that 
there is a prospect of a plentiful harvest, and few people now trouble 
themselves that they are not allowed to have negroes. He thanks the 
trustees for the 501. presented him to compensate his losses on servants, 
and will faithfully pursue the instructions and powers sent him. He 
also acquaints him with other lesser matters. 

Mr. Christy, the recorder, writes that they had hanged three persons, 
one Brixie and two of his seamen, for barbarously murdering Hugh 
Watson, formerly a servant to Thomas Basley on his ship board, of 
which there was full conviction. 

Mr. Oglethorp has also by these packets drawn 40Z. sterling on the 
Trust for paying the reward he promised to the discoverer of that 
murder, and Mr. Christy wrote that Mr. Oglethorp was going up into 
the country to give the Indians a meeting as formerly mentioned. 

Saturday 6.—I made up accounts with Mr. Aspinwall the banker, 
and we exchanged vouchers. 

- Monday 8.—Mr. Verelts called on me to sign a draft of 500Ï. to 
Alderman Heathcote to answer sola bills which with a former draft 
makes 800Z. 

Wednesday 10.—A board of Trustees met—Mr. Lapotre in the chair ; 
Mr. La Roch, Mr. Smith, Egmont, Mr. Anderson, Capt. Corana ; 

We put the seal to a grant of 300 acres to Mr. Macleod, minister at 
Inverness. 

We read the letters lately arrived from Georgia, and then examined 
Mr. Stephen, our secretary's son, lately arrived from Georgia, who gave 
us a tolerable account of the state of the province. 

Friday 12.—I went to Mr. Hoar the banker and made up accounts 
with him, and exchanged vouchers, and the balance due to me carried 
to next account is 398Í. 9s. lOd. 

Saturday 13.—Young Mr. Thomas Stevens came to see me and 
unfolded to me the true state of our colony, after a different manner 
than he acquainted the Trustees on Wednesday. 

MUST EARL OF EGMONT. 85 
1739. 

1. He said that the whole province were desirous of negroes, 
notwithstanding so many had petitioned against them, and that it 
was by artifice they were got to sign their petitions. I could perceive 
he meant Mr. Oglethorp, though he was cautious not to name him. 

2. That the three magistrates we have appointed hate one another, 
and are at great variance ; that Fallowfeild is an honest and sensible 
man, but Christie a weak man, and when in his cups will sign or certify 
anything for Thomas Jones. And that Jones is so utterly rash and 
cruel and passionate that it is to be feared he will drive the whole 
colony away before spring. That he says, he don't value the Trustees' 
orders, but will do what Colonel Oglethorp orders. 

3. That Christie kept the records when recorder in a slovenly 
careless manner, not entered in books, but loose papers. 

4. That Jo. Bromfeild, the register, had, as he understood, flung 
up his employment at Colonel Oglethorp's last arrival, or the Colonel 
had taken it from him. 

5. That persons are still daily leaving the colony, and when he 
came away seven or eight had just done it, and more were disposing 
themselves to follow them. 

6. That the paying hereafter in money and not keeping a public 
store is right and people will be kept cheaper so than by a store, but 
unless some encouragement be continued to the settlers they must all 
go away, their labour not being sufficient to maintain them. For 
supposing a single man who is very laborious cultivates two acres, 
which is all he can do in a year, a considerable part of it produces no 
corn, &c., because shaded by the trees ; possibly also the vermin get in 
and eat the corn up. But if it escapes, the most he can expect from 
the land is twenty bushels of corn—and in a bad season nothing; 
that the common and almost universal produce is but fifteen bushels 
of corn, one with another, and a few peas and potatoes. That if a man 
has a family he eats all up, but if single, has so little left at the end of 
the year that when sold it yields not enough to buy him necessaries, 
as bare tools and clothes. That hence it is found the most industrious 
man cannot maintain himself and therefore must unavoidably quit 
the colony, running every year behindhand, and it does not answer 
the charge of keeping servants. Hence the people are grown desperate, 
and have left planting, and the whole province must become a desert. 

7. That Mr. Oglethorp had indeed at his going over promised two 
shillings per bushel to all who should produce corn of their own growth, 
which was even too great encouragement, and might tempt Carolina 
or Pensilvanea to run in corn, what the planters would pretend to be 
their own and so demand fraudulently the bounty, but however, his 
thought was right and necessary, and if we would grant a shilling 
bounty after that manner and continue it till the silk manufacture or 
perhaps wine comes to perfection, which may be hoped in some years, 
and prove an exportable commodity, he believed the people would 
think they had encouragement to stay ; but this must be done, or some 
other way found out at the Trustees' expense to encourage them, who 
are now so desponding, that notwithstanding. Mr. Oglethorp's two 
shillings per bushel, he does not believe any will plant, and the rather, 
because when some industrious people offered their corn to Mr. Thomas 
Jones to be taken into the stores, he absolutely refused it. 

7. That whatever we had been told of the industry of those at 

 86 DIABY OF THE 

Oct. 13-Nov. 5 

Frederica above that of the Savannah people, he could assure us they 
were on a par, and when he was at Frederica he saw but four people 
that had cultivated anything. But that they and the Darien people 
also were now at a stand. 

8. That Mr. Oglethorp concerned himself now very little with the 
civil affairs of the colony. 

Sunday 14.—My son continues still ill and confined, and has a 
rheumatism that has taken away entirely for the present the use of 
his legs, with great pain when he stirs them. 

Monday 15.—Visited Mr. Dawney and Mr. Hampden. In the 
evening visited the wife of my cousin Percival, who came about five 
months since to England from Fort St. George with her two boys for 
her health. He remains at Fort St. George and designs not to come 
over till four years since (sic). 

Thursday 18.—I went in the evening to the Vocal Academy. 

Friday 19.—This morning my daughter Percival was taken in 
labour ot 4 o'clock, and at 9 was delivered by Dr. Sands of a boy. 

Saturday 20.—Mr. Henry Archer, Mr. Thomas Stephens and Mr. 
Verelts dined with me. 

Sunday 21.—My cold kept me at ñome. This day my niece Dering 
was fifteen years old. 

Tuesday 23.—This day war proclaimed against Spain at several 
places of the city. 

Saturday 27.—I went abroad for the first time, being confined by a 

cold. 

Sunday 28.—Went to St. James' Church in the morning where the 
Bishop of Bristol made an excellent sermon against Popery. 

In the evening went to chapel. 

Tuesday 30.—This being the King's birthday when he entered on 
his 57th year, I went to Court. 

Thursday 1.—This evening my grandson was christened by Dr. 
Bearcroft, by the name of Cecil Parker. My wife was godmother, and 
Mr. Cecil, brother to my daughter Percival, and Sir Phillip Parker Long 
whom I represented, were godfathers. Lady Salisbury and Lady 
Margaret Cecil, her daughter, were present. 

Friday 2.—Mr. Verelts brought me letters from Mr. Oglethorp to 
the Trustees, dated from Frederica 4 July and from Savannah 16 the 
same month. I also had a letter from Mr.Oglethorp dated from Frederica 
5 July. 

Mr. Verelts told me Mr. Ausperger speaks very advantageously of 
the colony, to which he intends to return after he has settled some 
affairs in Switzerland his native country. He said he eat some grapes 
at Savannah in July as fine as can be seen, which will make the best 
Vidonia wine. He brought over twelve pound of extraordinary good 
silk, and there had been more of it, but that a multitude of worms died 
by putting them into the place where our sick people were kept. 

Saturday 3.—To-day I visited the Bishops of Kochester and Litchfield, 
Lord Inchiqueen, Lord Carpenter, Mr. Schutz and Mr. Pordage. 

Sunday 4.—Went to St. James' Church, visited Lord Sidney 
Beauclerc. 

Monday 5.—Went to Court and was well received. 

Mr. Thomas Stephens came to me and expressed his concern at 
Mr. Thomas Jones being made a bailiff of Savannah and master of the 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 87 

1739. 

Trust servants. He is, I find, his bitter enemy. He said, lie apprehends 
that if Mr. Jones be continued the colony will break up, he being so 
feared and hated for his violence. I told him he was but just made 
bailiff, and we could not remove him till we found he deserved it. 
He asked me, what if he could prove him a bad man upon his own 
knowledge and oath ? I said, that would stagger me, but could not 
say what other gentlemen might think of it. 

He desired to know to whom the 2,500Z. we last sent is trusted ; I 
replied, to Mr. Stevens his father, Mr. Jones and Mr. Christie, or any 
two of them. He said, then if Mr. Christie and Jones should join 
together, they might issue them to contrary purposes than our estimate 
has assigned, and there was reason to fear it, for that Christie was a 
man who for half-a-crown would do anything, and Jones would gain 
him to do his pleasure. I said, Jones had given l,000i. security, his 
own money, to behave well. 

He then said, the colony was in a miserable condition and without 
help would be abandoned by all but the regiment and the Trust 
servants. I asked him what was the help he proposed ; he answered, 
the buying all the 5 acre lots in Savannah that had been cultivated, 
and resuming all that had not, they being forfeited by the proprietors 
for not cultivating as obliged by their grants. That when the Trustees 
were thus possessed of them, they might lay those 5 acre lots together 
properly and give them again to the people to cultivate in common ; 
whereas the people are now discouraged from doing anything by reason 
the trees on the uncultivated lots so shade the other lots begun to be 
cultivated, that a 5 acre lot does not produce grain on more than three, 
besides that the vermin destroy their plantations. 

I replied that this was only putting money into the people's pockets 
who would afterwards run away. He answered, they might be obliged 
to go and cultivate their 45 acre lots. I said, then they would not work 
in common on the 5 acre lots as he proposed. Besides, though the 
Trustees might lawfully resume the 5 acre lots that in all this time have 
not yet been cultivated, yet it was going to the utmost rigour, and 
summum jus is summa injuria, and therefore I was rather for mild 
ways of bringing the poor people to labour ; moreover, should the 
Trustees be so disposed, there would many difficulties arise : some 
who have not yet cultivated are later come than others, and so late 
as not yet to have forfeited ; others were minors ; others who are gone 
away have been invited by us to return ; some have cultivated their 
whole lots and may not be willing to sell ; others may not be disposed 
on any account to labour in common, and yet if they did not 
universally agree to do so, the scheme he mentioned could not take 
place. Again, if, as he affirmed, the most industrious improver lost 
by his labour, the land not paying above forty shillings a year 
towards the charge of a servant which costs 81., how could working 
in common be a means to support the province and to keep the 
people in it ? 

I added that I thought the great bounty Mr. Oglethorp had promised 
of two shillings premium per bushel would be enough to provoke the 
people to plant ; he answered, they had no confidence they could 
receive that premium, for at the very time the harvest comes in Mr. 
Oglethorp will be in the Indian nation 500 miles up in the country, 
and having left no commissioners to view the corn on the ground, it 

I 
',1,11 

 r 

, 

88 DIARY OF THE 

Oct. 5-24 

will be brought into the people's houses before his return, and then for 
want of a due certificate that their corn was actually their own growth, 
Mr. Jones the storekeeper, if yet he acts as such,will not give them the 
premium, nor any one else. 

We then talked of negroes, concerning whom he said that the people 
of Darien and Frederica, and of Ebenezar too, who had remonstrated 
against negroes, were all in their hearts for having them, but that they 
had been practiced upon to declare against them, and particularly, 
Mr. Cuthbert, who commands some rangers, had been threatened to be 
turned out if he did not certify against them ; and after he had done 
it, he wished his hand had been off before he signed. 

He said he had read the Trustees' answer to the memorial in favour 
of negroes, which others who had seen it said was not satisfactory, 
and that they disliked more the terms of alterations made in the 
people's tenures, for that they found no more in it than the Trustees 
had already granted to particular persons when desired, and still the 
owners were not allowed to part absolutely with their property when 
they thought fit, being tied down to give their land in tail male, at 
their death, though they might give it to whom they pleased having 
no issue or heirs of their own. 

I answered, it would never be suffered that the property of the people 
should become a bubble in Exchange alley, to the deceiving a purchaser, 
and wronging their children, which might be the case, if allowed to 
sell without any restraint. That we were Trustees for the people, and 
that his father wrote to us what we had done gave great satisfaction 
in the colony. That if we granted what he proposed, three parts in 
four of the people would go away, and the purchasers, living perhaps 
in England, would not go over or maintain servants there to cultivate. 
Mr. Verelts then coming in we talked no more of these matters. 
He told me Mr. Williams, the great projector of the remonstrance in 
favour of negroes, was come, and was to be with him this morning : and 
at the same time he gave me a packet sent by Mr. Oglethorp, containing 
an account of his disbursements for the colony from 22 September 
1738 to 23 June 1739, with remarks and explanations on every article, 
a petition of John Carwell, land surveyor at Frederica, for his son to 
be sent him from Cork, and Colonel Oglethorp's order and agreement 
with Henry Parker, late bailiff, and Jo. Lyndal, one of the pinders 
for driving up and securing the Trust cattle, which are between 1,000 
and 1,200. The disbursements of the nine months above mentioned 
amount to 2,2871. 2s. i^d., besides loans of 450Z. 17s. Od. But what I 
most dislike is the great number of boats he has entertained and which, 
he says, are necessary to the colony, which if acquiesced in will quite 
destroy our estimate ; and his account of Darien, that the people 
cannot subsist by their culture, and therefore have turned themselves 
to taking care of cattle, for which purpose he had sent them 200Z. of 
the Trust money. For from hence we may conclude that were it not 
for the regiment they would break up ; his words are these :—" It 
"' appearing to me that the people of Darien are not fit for any trade, 
' and that by mere cultivating their lands, though they were very 
' industrious, they would not be able to pay the debts already due to 
' the Trust and clothe themselves, but that they understand taking 
' care of cattle, which business they chiefly pursued in Scotland, and 
' that it would be very beneficial to this province to have cattle 

1739. 

FÎRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

89 

1 

Vr 

" slaughtered at Darien for furnishing the regiment and the men of 
" war with fresh meat, I therefore sent 200Z. sterling to the people 
" of Darien, and therewith paid for a herd of cattle which was delivered 
" to them, as you will find by the enclosed, and for which they have 
" given security, and already paid back some part." 

Tuesday 6.—Stayed at home. 

Wednesday 7.—Visited Lord Wilmington, Bishop of Bristol, Sir 
Windham Knatchbull, Dr. Moore and Lady Rook, Mr. Clerk of Spring 
Garden and cousin Legrand. 

Thursday 8.—Visited Lord Talbot and the Speaker. The latter 
assured me Sir Robert Walpole and the rest of the ministers are as 
vigorous for war as any of us, and hinted we should hear of some places 
of the Spaniards taken by Admiral Vernon. He further assured me 
the French will not go to war with us. 

November 10.—Georgia Committee—Lapotre, Laroche, Smith. 

Monday 12.—Visited Sir Jo. Bland and Lord Grantham. 

Tuesday 13.—· 

Wednesday 14.—This morning Mr. Régnier, my joiner, brought me 
the agreement signed by Mr. John Lewis, painter, whose rent for my 
house in Denmark Street is 281. for a year certain, and commences 
the 5th of this month. 

I went to the Georgia office, summoned to a Common Council, but 
we were not a sufficient number, being only Mr. Ayers in the chair of 
Trustees, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Smith, Mr. Lapotre, Dr. Hales, Egmont 
and Mr. Andersen, Trustee. 

Before the rest of the gentlemen came, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Smith and I 
were a committee to prepare the annual account of receipts and dis 
bursements ending 9th June 1739, which we finished, examining the 
vouchers. 

Mr. Vernon reported, that the Board of Trade had reported to the 
Lords of the Council their opinion upon our Pilot Act, to which they 
had no objection, but they knew not whether the other colonies 
might not, and thought it fitting our act should be temporary and not 
perpetual. To which the Lords agreed, unless our Board objected 
thereto. Mr. Vernon added that he being secretary in waiting and 
known to be a trustee, the Lords of the Council asked him his opinion, 
to which he replied he believed the Trustees would be satisfied it should 
be temporal. 

A letter from Mr. Carcasse, secretary to the Commissioners of the 
Customs, to Mr. Verelts, requiring the Trustees to name the persons 
they designed to be collector, comptroller, searcher and——of our 
province, and requiring 500Í. security from each except only 200Z. 
from the searcher, to be entered into by bond given to one of the Clerks 
of the Customs in England, we thought it more proper that the security 
should be given in America, and desired Mr. Verelts to discourse Mr. 
Carcasse thereon. 

Letters from Mr. Fallowfeild, naval officer at Savanna, and from 
Mr. Patrick Grant, collector and searcher at St. Simon's,were read, dated 
in July last, acquainting us that Spanish sugars were lately imported 
into Georgia which ought to pay duty to His Majesty, but they wanted 
direction and power how to proceed therein. As this matter related 
to the naming the officer above mentioned, we referred the consideration 
of their subject matter till the other was determined. 

 00 DÏAEY OP THE 

Nov. 14-16 

Two letters also from Colonel Oglethorp, dated 4 and 16 July, to 
the Trustees were read, but we had not time to do any thing thereon ; 
they accompanied his account of disbursements for six months which 
came to about 1,5602. 

Mr. Robert Williams lately arrived from Georgia attended for the 
resolution of our Board upon his application to be repaid a considerable 
sum of money due to him,as he alleged,for goods he supplied Mr.Causton 
with, and which the latter had sworn to have received, although he 
had orders before that not to receive any after that manner. 

We desired him to attend Friday next, we not being able to give him 
an answer now because not a board. 

After this we all (Dr. Hales excepted) dined together at the Horn 
Tavern, with Mr. Ausperger, late surveyor at Frederica, who is come 
over to settle some affairs in Beam in Switzerland, his native country, 
and then to return to Georgia. He presented us with a petition for 
a grant of 500 acres in an island east of Frederica where he intends 
to settle. We told him he would find no difficulty in having the grant, 
but as for being allowed to have negroes and liberty to sell, we could 
not gratify him ; but if ever negroes should be allowed, they should be 
allowed him one of the first. He seemed satisfied, but said that negroes 
would be an advantage to the colony and might be allowed cautiously, 
as no more than an equal number to the whites, and to no danger of 
their cutting the white men's throats. 

He said there are about forty families at the Darien, and about 
sixty at Frederica. That those at Darien seemed easy when he saw 
them last, but he heard afterwards at New York that an agent was 
gone thither, deputed by them to see if they could not have lands in 
that province. That there was an island in a swamp east of Darien 
to which they desired to remove, but Mr. Oglethorp would not allow it. 

That he knew but of four persons at Frederica who had quitted the 
colony upon shutting up the stores, and named seven there who have 
made very good improvements, though young Mr. Stevens told me he 
had been there, and that but two had cultivated. 

He said the people though industrious cannot buy clothes and other 
necessaries although they should raise more corn than they can eat, 
and therefore, that they must all have some encouragement from the 
Trustees. That they slacken in their industry because their labour 
does not maintain them, and have not planted mulberry trees, alleging 
they know nothing of that business. 

He said there are ten cannon at the Darien, fifteen at Frederica, 
and ten at Fort St. Andrew. 

That there is good water enough in the Island St. Simon's and 
Frederica, and wondered we should be otherwise informed. It was 
young Stephens so informed us. 

He said Calwell, our present surveyor at Frederica, who was his 
deputy, is diligent and sufficiently knowing in that business. 

He brought over a map to a large scale of Frederica and the Darien 
and the camp, which though but a rough draft gave us great light as 
to the situation of the country, and the rivers and swamps in it. 

He said Darien is situated on a pine barren bluff, at most 100 feet 
high, and that there is only at the end of their town lots about 24 feet, 
or double that number square, of good ground. 

FIRST EABL Of EGMONT. 

9] 

1739. 

I was informed to-day that Monsieur Giraldini, the late Spanish 
minister at Paris, is in disgrace at his court for engaging her into a war 
by giving false information from hence that England would continue 
to bear with her usage of us. That he desired leave to come and dwell 
in England as a private person but had been refused. 

Thursday, 15.—I visited Lord Tirconnel, Mr. William Southwell 
and Lady Kook. This day the King went to the House to open the 
session of Parliament. 

Friday, 16.—A Common Council meeting :—Laroche in the chair ; 
Digby, Tirconnel, Egmont, Lapotre, Hales, Vernon, Smith. 

Report was made from the committee of accounts that met 20 
October, upon the demand made by Mr. Robert Williams, merchant 
of Georgia lately arrived, viz. to be paid a bill certified by Mi·. Causton, 
when magistrate and storekeeper, for goods received by him of said 
Williams, amounting to 5872. 13s. Od., which being refused to be paid 
by Mr. Thomas Jones who succeeded storekeeper, Williams had 
protested for non-payment, and now delivered an account of charges 
for loss of interest and charges on said bill. In his account were 
likewise other articles foreign to the bill. We called him in, and told 
him his bill had been certified by Mr. Causton long after our orders 
to said Causton not to certify any more bills had reached his hands. 
That it had therefore been recommended to our commissioners of 
accounts in Georgia to enquire into and make their report. However, 
we would so far indulge him as to pay him the said 587Z. 13s. Od. upon 
his giving Mr. Papilion and Mr. Ball for security that if any part of 
that money should appear to be not due to him that it should be 
refunded to the Trustees. That as to the other sums he claimed as 
reward for overseeing the workmen for making a road from Savannah 
to Augusta, &c., it must be reported to be due from the other side the 
water, but as to his charges for protest, loss of interest, &c. on account 
of his bill, he had no pretence to it and we should not allow it. He 
went away seemingly half satisfied. 

Report was made from the committee of accounts that met 14th 
inst. of the yearly receipts and disbursements to 9 June 1738, and it 
appeared the balance of the Trustees' money remaining in the bank 
was 2352Z. 3s. 9d. 

The sum of 7101. sterling sola bills being sent back by Col. Oglethorp, 
he choosing to defray that sum out of his own money and to draw 
on the Trust for the same, we drew on the bank for 12972. 13s. Od. to 
pay the same together with Williams' money above mentioned. 

Order passed for referring the last account of General Oglethorp of 
expenses made by him in the colony, together with his letter accom 
panying them, to a committee of accounts and correspondence, and 
agreed that the committee meet on Monday next 6 a'clock. 

A memorial was read from Mr. Spangenberg the Moravian to the 
Trustees, desiring that his house in Savannah and town lot of 50 acres 
may be granted to Ant. Seiffart, his agent, for the use of the Moravians 
for ever. 

And that Johann Hagan, a Moravian going at his own expense, may 
have a certificate that he is going to Georgia. Both which requests 
were granted. 

Mr. Ausperger (late engineer and land surveyor at Frederica), his 
memorial read desiring a grant of 500 acres, with leave to sell, to 

 92 DIARY OF THE 

Nov. 16-30 

keep negroes, &c., was read. We readily granted him 500 acres, but 
refused him leave to sell, or to have negroes, and he was satisfied. 

The memorial of Mr. Thomas Stevens was read desiring consideration 
for his services under his father. 

We considered that he had been two years in Georgia, and served 
him as clerk, and ordered him 501. 

Jo. Calwell of Frederica's memorial desiring we would send over his 
son from Cork, the expense of which he would defray, the same was 
granted. 

Some other papers were referred to a committee of accounts and 
correspondence. 

Saturday 17.—My cousin Percival, of Wandsor, and her daughter- 
in-law Mrs. Percival, wife to Mr. William Percival at Fort St. George, 
dined with us. 

In the evening I had advice of my aunt Whorwood's death at 
Dentón in the 86 year of her age. She died of a fever and shortness 
of breath. Passed the day at home. 

Sunday 18.—Prayers and sermon at home in the morning, in the 
evening went to St. James' Chapel, and then home. 

Monday 19.—Went to St. James' vestry, visited Mr. Tracy. 

Dined with the Georgia gentlemen at the Horn Tavern, and then 
entered on business in a committee of correspondence. The gentlemen 
were, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Digby, Mr. Smith, Mr. La Eoch, Lord Tirconnel, 
and I. 

We read Mr. Oglethorp's letters to the Trustees of 6 and 16 July, 
and drew up heads of an answer. 

Mr. Vernon argued it long and obtained that good land should be 
new surveyed for the inhabitants who are now settled on pine barren 
land, and accordingly a memorandum for it was couched, and the.y 
were all but Mr. Smith and I for giving them land on the islands. 
I said it would be breaking up the town, and that those islands were 
reserved for the use of a governor and maintenance of magistracy, 
but they said the first care was that the people should be able to 
maintain themselves, and that of the magistracy and governor was 
a future consideration which the Crown must look to. 

Our accomptant Mr. Verelts told us that if Sir Robert Walpole 
could be prevailed on to allow 2000Z. of our expenses, including Col. 
Cochrane's demand for his building of a large house and the soldiers' 
barracks, to be put into the list of services incurred, then 2000?. 
demanded of the Parliament for the support of the colony would, 
with the money we have in hand, serve us to Lady Day 1740. 

Saturday 24.—A committee of Trustees met this day consisting of 
Mr. Henry Archer, president ; Mr. Vernon, Mr. Lapotre, Lord 
Tirconnel, Mr. Laroche, Lord Sidney Beauclerc. 

I could not be there being confined for some days by a flux. They 
prepared a letter for Mr. Oglethorp, and received the thoughts of Mr. 
Thomas Stephens concerning the colony, which he had not yet perfected. 
I think there are too many sharp things in a letter to Mr. Oglethorp 
and will endeavour to prevail that they may be softened. 

Sunday 25.—Still confined. Sir William Heathcote visited me. 
He excused his resigning the place of Common Councilman of Georgia 
on his not being able to attend, through multitude of business, the 

1739. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

93 

business of the Trust, and it was a rule with him not to engage in any 
duty which he could not execute in the manner he ought to do. 

Monday 26.—Mr. Lapotre and Mr. Smith came in the morning to 
examine the vouchers of Mr. Oglethorp's accounts lately sent, which 
we passed through and made our observations thereon which are to 
be reported next Wednesday to the Common Council. They after 
wards dined with me. 

Mr. Verelts told me the Corporation of Foundlings had appointed 
him secretary. 

Tuesday 27.—This day came out a proclamation for a solemn fast 
on occasion of the war with Spain to be kept the 8th of January, and 
directions to the bishops to compose a form of prayer on the occasion. 
Wednesday 28.—I went to the Georgia Board, where met, Dr. Hales 
in the C.C. chair, Egmont, Digby, La Eoch, Lapotre, Tracy, Smith, 
Lord Sidney Beauclerc. 

Keport from the Committee of Accounts on Eobert Williams' 
demands read and approved. 

Eeport on the committee appointed to examine Mr. Oglethorp's 
accounts read and agreed to, and the secretary ordered to write to him 
upon some heads thereof, which are to be enquired into. 

Eeport from the Committee of Correspondence of their answer 
prepared to Mr. Oglethorp's letter of the 4th July which was read 
and approved. 

Imprest to Mr. Heathcote of 1357Z. 5s. Od. to pay Eobert Williams 
671. 13s. Id. and to repay Mr. Oglethorp money expended on the 
Trustees' account, 1289Z. 11s. 5d. 

From this night I was confined by a return of the gout till— 
Friday 30.—The Trustees met, viz. :—Digby, La Eoch, Lord Sidney, 
Sloper, Tracey, Vernon, Sir William Heathcote as Trustee, having 
surrendered his place of Common Councilman for want of time to 
attend. 

The business was to consider in what manner to apply to Parliament 
for money, whether by motion or petition, and most were of opinion 
by motion. 

Mr. Verelts came to me at night to tell me what was done, and read 
to me a letter he received from Mr. Oglethorp, dated 15 September 
from Augusta, acquainting him that he was returned from meeting 
with the Indian nations and, he believed, fixed them in the interest of 
Great Britain from whence the French and Spaniards had been 
practicing to withdraw them. He also pacified them with respect to 
their resentment against Carolina traders. 

Mr. Verelts also read to me a letter from Mr. Stephens of 15 September 
and left with me his journal to peruse. He says they go on diligently 
in settling the account of the Trustees, debts and credits to and with 
particular persons, and that he and Mr. Jones are upon better terms 
than before since the absence of young Stephens. That the news of 
the change of tenure had good effect in promoting the people's industry 
to plant ; that there was a prospect of a good crop, if the great rains 
did not spoil the grain which is now in ears. But that the great floods 
occasioned by the rain had destroyed our saw mill at old Ebenezer. 
That upon occasion of hanging the murderers formerly mentioned 
70 freeholders appeared in Savannah in arms ; that fevers and agues 
were rife, but they had buried but one person for some months past. 

 94 DIAEY OF THE 

Dec. 2-14 

Sunday 2 December.—Dr. Couraye came to see me and said he was 
assured the Earl of Hereford and his lady were turned méthodiste ; 
that they prayed four times a day, and had one of the Methodist 
clergymen in their house. 

Monday 3.—Mr. Verelts came this evening to inform me that an 
account was come to Mr. Morley from Carolina, dated 16 October, 
that Mr. Oglethorp had drawn down 2000 Cherockee Indians, and 
wrote to Charlestown for all the assistance they could send him to 
join his regiment in order to attack Fort Augustine. 

He also told me that Mr. Minis had an account that Captain 
Thompson was arrived at Savannah the 10 October. 

Wednesday 5.—My gout still confining me I could not meet the 
gentlemen at the office. Mr. Verelts wrote me word that Mr. Digby, 
Henry Archer, Lapotre, Sloper and Vernon met, and Sloper, president. 

That they had ordered a copy of General Oglethorp's letter to Mr. 
Verelts to be laid before the Duke of Newcastle, with a letter from the 
Trust about the law for preserving peace with the Indians in both 
provinces, and to desire orders might be sent to the Deputy Governor 
of South Carolina to prepare some law foT settling the dispute between 
the two provinces. 

That they also had settled the letters that are to go this night to 
General Oglethorp and Mr. Stephens, by a man-of-war ordered away 
for South Carolina. 

Saturday 8.—Mr. Ayers, Mr. Digby, Egmont, Mr. Henry Archer, 
Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Laroch, Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Mr. Sloper, Lord 
Tirconnel in the chair, Mr. Vernon. 

All met at my house I having the gout. We ordered payment of 
3 certified accounts Mr. Stevens having examined them and wrote 
word that the commissioners for examining Mr. Causton's accounts, 
of whom he is one, found no objection to them. The accounts were :— 

To a demand on the Trust for goods delivered to Thomas Causton 
for the use of the public store by David Prévost 732Z. 15s. 9d. 

A like demand by the same David Prévost ... ... 345 19 3 

A like demand by Thomas Ware ... ... ... 221 8 0 

1300 3 0 

Imprest made on the bank of 1300Z. for payment of said 1300Z. 
Then the gentlemen took into consideration the relief of such 
persons in Savannah and Hampstead and Highgate as had barren 
land, whom they thought it proper to give other land to that should 
be good and fertile, and a minute was taken by the secretary to form 
a letter on, to be sent by way of queries to Mr. Stevens for the Trustees 
to be resolved in, after which they entered to send proper directions 
on that subject. 

Then a debate arose about the supply intended to be asked this 
year of the Parliament, and to my great surprise a,nd dissatisfaction 
they agreed not to ask any money this year, only to press Sir Eobert 
Walpole to repay the Trust 2000Z. advanced by them for the military 
service of the colony. Lord Sidney Beauclerc was the chief person 
who pressed this, and Lord Tirconnel, Mr. Vernon and Mr. Sloper came 
into it. Mr. Digby, Mr. La Koch and I were for asking money, it 
appearing that even when the 2000Z. is repaid us we shall have but 
5500Í. for the current year's service, and I told them it was impossible 

1739. 

FIBST EARL OF EGMONT. 

95 

to foresee what contingent expenses might arise within the year to 
require more. That our year's estimate stands at 5000Z. of the money, 
that we know not what the general debts of the colony may turn out, 
which if more than we yet know of—for the account is not yet sent— 
we should not be a,ble to keep our engagements to which we have 
subjected ourselves in our estimate. That I was in hopes the gentle 
men would have considered the necessity of raising useful produces 
in the colony to repay the great expenses the mother country has been 
at in settling it, and without which this kingdom will ne ver be satisfied, 
for it was a dead thing to continue the support of an indigent people 
merely for their sakes, and if nothing came further of it, the malicious 
reports of ill wishers to our colony would be confirmed, such as that 
it is a settlement of no use. That therefore for the raising useful 
produces for exportation, such as silk, wine, indigo, cochineal, &c., 
it was necessary that at least 1000Z. should be reserved to encourage 
those produces, but that 5000Z. was only sufficient to answer the 
charges of the civil government, so that unless they asked for more 
money this year, all encouragements of the nature I mentioned must 
drop. 

But the gentlemen above mentioned were obstinate on their parts 
and so the matter was carried their way ; only Mr. Sloper, who agreed 
that it was necessary to encourage useful produces, said that if the 
5000Ü. did not answer our purposes, he would himself move the House 
for more money. 

25Z. was ordered to Mr. Stephens over and above his lOOZ. for to 
keep a clerk. 

Reflecting on the wants of the colony, and the vast inconveniences 
that must attend the not asking this session for more money than 
the repayment of the 2000Z. advanced for the military service, I 
drew up a paper showing the prejudice that resolution was of, and 
at the same way my dissent thereto, which I gave to Mr. Verelts to 
enter into the books at the office. 

Wednesday 12.—Mr. Henry Archer, Dr. Hales, Mr. Lapotre, Lord 
Sidney Beauclerc, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Smith, Lord Tirconnel, and Mr. 
Vernon, Pr. Met in Common Council and perfected their letter to 
Mr. Stevens to go by the man-of-war. 

This day when the meeting was over Mr. Smith came to see me, and 
was convinced of the necessity we are under to apply this session for 
money. I told him Mr. Thomas Archer and Mr. Tracy had been with 
me and were alike convinced. He knew nothing of my paper of 
reasons and dissent, it not being read as I expected it would have been 
at the Board, by reason Mr. Henry Archer had it to peruse, and did 
not produce it. 

Friday 14.—Mr. Verelts came to acquaint me that Mr. Henry 
Archer said to him my reasons were very strong, and desired he would 
make out two copies, one for himself the other for Lord Sidney 
Beauclerc. He added that there was to be a grand meeting next 
Tuesday to consider of the affair where I was desired to be present 
if my gout would permit. 

He said that the Duke of Newcastle had wrote to President Bull of 
South Carolina to settle the Indian trade with Mr. Oglethorp and 
thereby put an end to the differences between both provinces. 

 96 DIARY OP THE 

Dec. 18-26 

Tuesday 18.—I went out this morning for the first time since my 
confinement by a return of the gout from 26th of last month, nor am 
I yet well, but my presence was, I thought, necessary at a meeting of 
Common Council and Trustees summoned this day to consider about 
applying for money this year to Parliament. There met only Egmont, 
Tirconnell, Lord Sidney Beauclerc, Lapotre, Sir Will. Heathcote and 

Sloper. 

My reasons for dissenting, formerly mentioned, together with my 
paper of the advantages Georgia has already been and may be here 
after, were read, and though we would determine nothing of an affair 
of so great importance being so few in number, yet we concluded that 
the best way of proceeding would be upon motion to know the sense 
of the House whether Georgia is of advantage to support or not, which 
would necessarily lead our Trustees who are of the House to speak 
thereto and inform the members of the state of the colony. They 
doubted not but the House, when thus informed, would vote the 
colony necessary to be supported, and then by setting forth our wants 
they would grant them. We thought this more eligible than to proceed 
as we have hitherto done, petitioning with fear of success, and making 
application to particular members to favour us, and crouching to 
Sir Robert Walpole's pleasure, who shows himself so indifferent to 

our colony. 

I returned home to dinner, and passed this and many days more 
at home by reason of my lameness. 

We agreed to debate this matter more fully the 10th January. 

Letter from Mr. Stephens to Mr. Verelts dated 25 September, arrived 
yesterday, was read, acquainting us that Mr. Oglethorp was arrived in 
good health from Fort Augusta 22nd of that month, and that the 
Duke of Newcastle's orders to him were sent by Col. Bull. That the 
Upper and Lower Creek Indians are our good friends, and the Cherikees 
made our friends so that we have nothing to fear from the French of 
Messasippi. That the Cherikees had like to have fallen upon the 
Carolinians on account of the great quantity of rum brought to them 
by the Carolina traders. 

Letter also from Capt. Dunbar sent to Charlestown by General 
Oglethorp, that there was a great mortality there. 

Wednesday 19. Thursday 20. 

Friday 21.—My gout kept me at home. Lord Tirconnel, Sir William 
Heathcote, Mr. Sloper, Mr. La Roch, Mr. Vernon and my son dined 
with me. I found they all admitted my reasons for asking money 
to be good, and all were for laying a fair state of our case before the 

Parliament. 

Mr. Vernon told me it was reported the Government had sent to 
recall Mr. Oglethorp and that the Bang had refused to make Major 
Cook Lieut.-Colonel, as was his turn on the removal of Cockran, 
which he deemed an intended slight put on Mr. Oglethorp. 

He also told me that the Duke of Newcastle resented our letter to 
him desiring he would send orders to President Bull, in the absence 
of the Governor of Carolina, to agree with Mr. Oglethorp concerning 
the differences relating to the Indian trade, because our corporation 
seal was not put to the letter. That his Grace had therefore flung it 
into the Council Board, which being irregular, they knew not what 
to do with it. 

FIBS Γ EARL OF EGMONT. 

97 

1739. · 

I told him I was against meddling in it at first, it being the business 
of the Carolinians to apply for such orders, and not ours who had been 
greatly injured by that province, and when they should hear the 
application was made by us it would make them more stiff. 

He said we would do no more in it, but if their agent would pursue 
it he might. 

Wednesday 26.—Mr. bereits called on me, to tell me he received 
a letter for the Trustees from Jo. Bromfeild, accepting with thanks 
our continuation of him as Register, and that he is making a copy of 
the register to send over ; that the reason why he neglected the duty 
of his office before was that he thought himself unworthy ; but at 
the bottom it was sullenness for being reprimanded for adhering to 
factious people, and I apprehend his acceptance and satisfaction now 
professed is owing to the salary annexed to his office in our estimate 
sent over. In that letter he mentions the arrival of "The Two 
Brothers ", Captain Thompson, the day before he wrote, which was the 
8th October from Savannah. 

He also showed me a letter to him from Mr. Thomas Jenys of 
Charlestown, dated 27th October, thanking the Trustees for ordering 
his accounts to be settled, and showing that the difference of them 
from Mr. Causton's arose from the latter charging him with a double 
charge of two bills, and with two certificates never sent him. He 
professes all services in his power to our colony, and informs him that 
Col. Oglethorp had sent offers of service to that government in any 
shape to the utmost latitude of his orders for annoying the Spaniards, 
and that it were to be wished he had more power than the Governor 
of Carolina thinks he has, and then they would have been ready to 
take Augustine, which the greatest annoyance their province has, by 
the freedom they give to run away negroes, which if continued will 
in a few years bring that province to a low ebb. 

 98 

DIARY OF THE 

1740. 

Jan. 9 

Wednesday, 9 January, 1739-40. — This day is the first that my gout 
has suffered me to stir out since 18th last month. 

Went to Georgia Board to consider on the sum to be asked of the 
Parliament this year, as also the manner of obtaining it. We expected 
a more numerous assembly than we found, being only Lord Tirconnel 
in the Trustee Chair, H. Archer, Egmont, Vernon, La Koch, Anderson, 
Lord Shaftesbury, Sir William Heathcote. 

We were only a Trustee Board, as our names show. We determined 
not which way to apply to Parliament, nor for what sum, being so 
few, but deferred it till next meeting, and in the meantime ordered Mr. 
Verelts to procure all the living witnesses he could in town to prove 
at the bar of the House of Commons, if there should be occasion, the 
usefulness of Georgia to England, it being our unanimous opinion to 
have the Parliament's sense thereon, being tired with petitioning every 
year, and with the clamours against us — chiefly by the ministerial 
people — who only speak as they hear, but know nothing of the colony. 
We are for having a motion made to the House to appoint a day to 
debate this affair. 

My lameness and tenderness by long confinement hindered me going 
to church this day, which was every where extremely crowded, being 
the fast day appointed on account of the war with Spain, notwith 
standing the severity of the frost, which has raised coals to two shillings 
per bushel, and occasioned the perishing of several poor in the streets 
through want of firing and work. 

Tuesday 15. — Visited several acquaintance. The severity of the 
cold confined me till this day. 

Wednesday 16. — A Trustee Board was summoned to meet at the 
committee room in the House of Commons, to consider of the proofs 
relating to the importance and advantage of Georgia and the evidence 
supporting the same. 

We thought it necessary to make ourselves masters of the state and 
condition of Georgia, and of the advantages it is and may be of to 
Great Britain, and to have living witnesses who should at the bar 
of the House of Commons declare their knowledge of the province in 
case a debate should arise upon our application for money this year, 
which many of our gentlemen were of opinion — and Ï among the rest — 
should be forced, in order to draw ourselves out of the Ministers' 
hands, and put ourselves into the Parliament's. For when upon debate 
the Parliament — as we could not doubt — would vote the province of 
advantage to Great Britain and ought to be supported, after a fair 
hearing of the evidence we could produce of the products and harbours 
of our colony, the idle clamours against us, which do us so much pre 
judice in the world's eyes, would cease, and future applications for 
further support would be made by us cheerfully and without trembling, 
whereas we now find it difficult to get any of our gentlemen who are 
of the House of Commons to give themselves the trouble of conducting 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 99 

1739-40. 

a petition, and many are careless of attending our Boards because we 
are obliged to petition. Another advantage of flinging ourselves on 
the Parliament would be the drawing ourselves out of the Ministry's 
hands, who never favoured us at heart, and for whose sake a great 
part of the House of Commons hate us, because most of the members 
of our Board vote as Sir Robert Walpole will have them. On this 
account divers of our members left the Trust, and we find ourselves 
distressed how to supply their room. Lastly, we were sensible that 
this is the only opportunity, while we are engaged in war with Spain, 
to obtain a vote in favour of the colony, and to secure it for the future 
from being given up by a treaty to the Spaniards. 

On all these accounts, Mr. Vernon, Lord Tirconnel, Mr. Digby, Mr. 
Lapotre and I, together with Lord Shaftsbury and Sir William 
Heathcote—both who had resigned being Common Councillors but 
were still well inclined to the colony—were for proceeding on the method 
above mentioned, and Mr. Sloper, though a ministry man, gave into 
it, but though he expressed himself satisfied that a debate should 
arise in the House upon the colony, yet he was not for forcing it, but 
rather for coming to decision one way or other in order to be eased 
of the trouble of being a trustee in case the Parliament should judge 
it unnecessary to support the colony, he not caring which way it 
went only if it was to be carried on he was for obtaining money knowing 
it to be necessary for that end. 

On the other hand, Mr. La Eoch, Mr. Thomas Towers, Mr. Thomas 
Archer, Mr. Henry Archer and Lord Sidney Beauclerc, who are dead 
voters with Sir Eobert Walpole, apprehending by the method we were 
taking Sir Eobert would lose the influence he has over our Board by 
our standing on a national bottom and not a ministerial one, were 
for going on in the usual manner, and continuing him the protector 
of our colony, though it was visible he never loved our design, and 
therefore allowed all his creatures in the House to rail against us. 
They raised doubts whether it was prudent to have our proceedings 
enquired into and said that it looked forward in us to desire an 
enquiry ; that our managers in Georgia had wronged us in squandering 
away our money, which yet would be imputed to us, and that if we 
dropped Sir Eobert, he would drop us, and might hinder further 
supplies, in which case it was allowed by us all that we must fling up 
our Trust. That when all came to all, we must petition, that being 
the parliamentary way of obtaining public money, and the advantage 
of the colony to Great Britain by raising useful produces, might not 
appear to the House of Commons upon the evidence we could procure. 
They were also apprehensive that by this enquiry Sir Eobert would be 
reproached with having said last session that he knew not a spade had 
been dug in raising forts, when our evidence could prove we have 
8 or 9 forts and some very strong. 

But we who had better attended the Board, and made ourselves 
masters of the knowledge of our affairs, knew otherwise, and that 
fortunately there now were in town evidences sufficient to prove every 
point we desired. We therefore obtained that several points should 
be noted down to examine them upon, after which we should make 
such use of their information as should be agreed on by our Board, 
which the other gentlemen could not refuse. Accordingly the 
evidences above mentioned attended a board of Trustees which met 

 100 

DIAEY OP THE 

Jan. 16-23 

this day, viz. :—Henry Archer, President ; Egmont, Lapotre, La 
Roch, Lord Sidney, Vemon, Sloper, Lord Tirconnel, Shaftsbury, 
Sir William Heathcote. 

But Lord Sidney and Mr. La Roch stayed so little time as showed 
they did not much regard the business we were upon, not .caring, I 
suppose, that our evidences should be examined at the Bar, and Mr. 
Thomas Archer who was in the House sent word he did not understand 
the matter and therefore did not come to us. Mr. Thomas Towers 
also refrained coming, which he has never done since this session of 
Parliament began. 

The evidences who attended us were Mr. Robert Millar, our botanist, 
Captain Diamond, Mr. Samuel Auspurger, Captain Thomas Shubruck, 
Captain Dempsy, Lieut. Delagal, Captain Money. 

All these had been in Georgia and gave very satisfactory evidence, 
some to one point, some to another. 

1. That exceeding good cotton grows in Georgia. 

2. That there is a great quantity of the prickly pear and cochineal 

fly· 

3. That there is great plenty of ship timber, masts, oaks and knee 
timber growing on the water side. 

4. That the coast of Georgia is bold, 16 foot entrance at low water 
at Jekyl Sound, and 15 at Tybee, and the side rises 7 feet, so that a 
40 gun ship may easily enter, and perhaps a 50 gun ship according to 
the building. And they heard there was a creek a little lower than 
Jekyl Sound where a Spanish ship of 60 guns had entered. That ships 
when entered are safe from all winds and that the wind blows seldom 
or never hard on the land. That at Amelia is a harbour that has 
24 foot at low water. 

5. That in the northern Province are the following settlements, 
viz. :—Savannah, Hampstead, Highgate, Thunderbolt, Abercorn, 
Old Ebenezar, New Ebenezar and about 20 houses round Savannah. 
And in the southern Province, Frederica, Fort St. Simon's, New 
Inverness or Darien, Cumberland, Amelia Island. 

6. That there are forts in the southern Province, Fort Frederica, 
Fort St. Simon's, Fort St. Andrew's on Cumberland, Fort at New 
Inverness, Fort by way of look out at Amelia. And in the northern 
division, Fort Augusta, Fort Arguile, and one that had been begun 
at Savannah. 

7. That our Province is a rampart to South Carolina, and prevents 
the negroes of South Carolina from flying to the Spaniards. 

8. That it is highly probable indigo will grow in Georgia because 
it does in the same latitude in other places, but this depending on the 
evidence of Mr. Millar, our botanist, who was not in Georgia though in 
Carolina where it grows though more northward, we struck that point 
out of our paper. 

9. That the climate is very healthy. 

10. That the soil is a great deal of it very good. 

11. That the silk will certainly do well, the white as well as the black 
mulberry growing spontaneously, that they saw Camuches family 
spinning and reeling it, and most of what Mr. Auspurger brought over 
was the growth of Georgia. - 

12. That vines do well, and they had tasted of the grape which was 
very large and juicy. 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 

ioi 

1739-40. 

After this enquiry was over, our gentlemen dispersed without coming 
to any resolution. But Mr. Vernon and I so pressed Mr. Henry Archer 
with the necessity of bringing our affairs before the House, that he 
promised to know of the Speaker to-morrow, with whom he was to 
dine, when we should apply to Parliament for that purpose, and the 
proper manner how. 

He has it in his hands to give what turn to our affair he pleases, 
but we cannot help it, none other but he and Lord Sidney Beauclerc 
interesting themselves at present for us, and they both very desirous 
that we should ask for no money this year, because they had very 
uncautiously boasted to Sir Robert Walpole and the Speaker that we 
had been so good managers of the last year's grant of money, as to 
have 4000Z. to return to the public ; whereas the truth is, we have 
4000Z. only to go in aid of the supply we expect and which is necessary 
to support the colony this year. 

Mr. Vernon, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Lapotre and I dined at the Horn 
Tavern. 

I was told to-day that Sir Robert Walpole desired a Scots 
gentleman to tell the Duke of Arguile, that he had gained eight points 
upon him, to which the Duke replied he had but one upon Sir Robert. 
The former meant the Duke's eight employments, the Duke meant 
Sir Robert's head. 

Thursday 17.—Visited Lord Grantham, Sir Francis Clerke, Col. 
Schutz, Lieut.-General St. Hipolite, Mr. Dawny, Sir Windham 
Knatchbull and Mr. Jo. Temple, and Mr. Stroud. Passed the evening 
at home. 

Friday 18.—Visited Sir Jo. Evelyn, Lord Tirconnel, Lord Shafts- 
bury, Lord Gore, Mr. August Schutz and Mr. Cecil. Passed the evening 
at home. 

Saturday 19.—Sir Thomas Webster, Bart, having purchased the 
late Mr. Minshull's estate, to which I was a Trustee in behalf of Mrs. 
Mary Minshull, whose fortune was secured thereon together with a 
bond debt of 1200Z., I signed the deeds, whereby my trust ceased, in 
the presence of old Mrs. Minshull, to whom her deceased daughter's 
effects were fallen, who gave her consent and also signed the deeds. 

Sunday 20.—Prayers and sermon at home. The severe frost 
continues. 

Monday 21.—Visited Mr. Hucks, Mr. Ayers, Lord Lovel, Mr. Lapotre, 
Lord Wilmington and Mr. Jo. Temple. 

Tuesday 22.—Visited Mr. Vernon. 

Wednesday 23.—Went to to the Georgia Office. Present : Mr. 
Digby, Egmont, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. La Roch, Mr. Sloper, Hen. Archer, 
Sir William Heathcote, Mr. Smith, Lord Tirconnel, Mr. Vernon. 
Mr. Lapotre in the chair ; Egmont, President. 

1. We drew up a memorial to the Treasury for 2000Í. advanced by 
us to the military service of Georgia, that it might be repaid us. 

2. We also agreed on a paper to be wrote fair and shown Sir Robert 
Walpole, concluding with the necessity of having this year 4000Í. 
from Parliament to carry on our affairs, otherwise that we must give 
up the colony. 

We desired Lord Tirconnel to accompany Mr. Hucks 
to Sir Robert Walpole, to tell him we had evidence 
the importance of Georgia to Great Britain, the 

 102 DIARY OP THE 

Jan. 23-28 

and the reasonable expectation we have of raising valuable produces 
harbours, if suitable encouragement be given. They are to attend 
Sir Robert to-morrow. 

3. We ordered the making out 200 sola bills of 51., and 1000Z. of 
twenty shillings each, towards the half year's estimate commencing 
at Lady Day next, to be sent by the first opportunity. 

4. We ordered Mr. Auspurger a gratification of twenty-five guineas 
for a very neat map of St. Simons Island with a scale of miles thereto. 

5. Mr. Verelts reported that Lord Sidney Beauclerc had seen Sir 
William Young, upon our demand of being repaid the 2000Z. above 
mentioned advanced by the Trust for the military service of Georgia, 
and Sir William said he had talked the matter with Sir Robert Walpole, 
who advised our drawing the memorial above mentioned, that the 
Treasury might have a foundation to lay the same before the House 
among the services of the year unprovided for. 

6. Mr. Henry Archer also reported that he had been with the Speaker 
to know the manner how we should apply for some money this year, 
and to tell him we were very desirous the Parliament would enquire 
into the disposal of the last money given by Parliament. That the 
Speaker highly approved Parliament being made acquainted therewith, 
as it would put a stop to the clamours of ignorant people against us, 
but that it would be proper and decent for the Trustees to acquaint 
Sir Robert Walpole therewith and take his advice. On this account 
we drew up the paper above mentioned for Lord Tirconnel and Mr. 
Hucks to show him when they wait on him to-morrow. 

Mr. Archer declined going, because he intends to vote for the Place 
Bill, and Sir Robert Walpole is so teasing with him to vote againsl 
it that he designs not to see him till that affair is over. 

Dined and passed the evening at home. 

. In the evening Mr. Verelts came to me to tell me Mr. Hucks refused 
to attend Sir Robert Walpole to-morrow because Lord Tirconnel was 
joined with him in it. He said he would go with any other but him, 
for he was only a puzzle cause. Whereupon Lord Tirconnel said he 
would be alone. 

Thursday 24.—This day Lord Tirconnel waited on Sir Robert 
Walpole with our designed petition to Parliament, and a short memorial 
of the money we shall have occasion to ask this session, viz., 4000Z. 
Sir Robert read both papers, and readily answered we should have 
the money, that he had already obtained the King's consent, and that 
we should deliver our petition on Monday, when he would be ready 
to declare the King's consent. 

The Bishop of Oxford, his lady, with Mrs. Talbot and her daughter 
dined with us. 

Friday 25.—A threatening of the gout kept me at home. 

Saturday 26.—Upon summons to have a report from Lord Tirconnel 
of Sir Robert Walpole's answer to our application for money to 
Parliament, there met—Mr. Digby, President ; Egmont, Mr. Holland, 
Mr. Henry Archer, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Smith, Lord Tirconnel, Mr. 
Vernon, Lord Shaftsbury. 

Lord Tirconnel reported that he had waited Thursday last on Sir 
Robert Walpole with a short paper explaining the reason why we 
were obliged to ask money this session from the Parliament, and also 
with a draft of our petition ; that Sir Robert read both, and then said 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 103 

1739-40. 

he had already obtained the King's consent, that we should have the 

4000Z. we desired, and that we should do well to present our petition 

next Monday, when he would be at the House to declare the King's 

consent. 

We thanked Lord Tirconnel for the service he did us, and desired 
he would himself present the petition, which he undertook, and at 
our desire Mr. Digby promised to second it. 

We then drew up our petition in form, and put the corporation seal 
to it, after adding thereto that we had now credible witnesses ready 
to make appear the goodness and capacity of our harbours, the fitness 
of the soil for producing silk and other valuable commodities, and 
the defence our Province is of to our other colonies, when the House 
shall be disposed to examine into it. 

By this means we hope to obtain a Parliamentary enquiry and an 
approbation of the colony's establishment, in order to silence the ill 
opinion conceived of us and our designs by ignorant or ill disposed 
persons. 

After this, Mr. Auspurger was called in, and we discoursed over the 
conditions of his grant which he desires in the Island of St. Simon's. 
He desired his ten servants whom he designs to bring from Swisserland 
may have fifty acres each at the expiration of their services ; that he 
may not be obliged to fell all his timber in sixteen years, nor be obliged 
to fence, his grant being an island to himself ; that he may not be 
obliged to be again in Georgia before two years expire, seeing he must 
go to Swisserland first, and that his quit-rent of 51. per annum may 
not commence till eleven years from the date of his grant. All this 
we consented to, though it must be confirmed by a Common Council, 
we being but seven, for Mr. Archer was not then come to us. 

He also desired that all the west land round the island, which he 
knew not the quantity of, but by his map appeared to be double the 
island at least, might be flung into his grant, being at spring tides 
overflowed by the sea, and very boggy so as to be of no use now, nor 
ever till reduced at his great expense. To this I answered, we could 
not grant him more than 500 acres, and the island alone was 450. 
But if he could find a brother or nephew or friend who would take each 
of them 500 acres of the swamp, we would grant the swamp desired 
by him to them, and they might by private agreement hold it for his 
life. He replied he could do that, but they would not be disposed to 
go over. I answered that would make no difficulty, for we would 
grant them a licence of absence. 

We desired Mr. Smith to find us a clergyman to preach our anni 
versary sermon, which he undertook. 

Sunday 27.—Prayers at home, being confined by lameness and the 
severe frost. 

Monday 28.—This morning my Lord Tirconnel delivered our 
petition to Parliament which Mr. Digby seconded. The conclusion 
of it, expressing our being prepared by credible witnesses to prove to 
the House the goodness of our harbours, the fitness of the soil to produce 
silk and other valuable produces, and the security Georgia is of to the 
other colonies when the House should be pleased to inform themselves 
thereof, occasioned, as we expected and designed, a debate. 

Lord Gage said he desired to know what Georgia was before he gave 
any money. 

 Ï04 DIARY OF THE 

Jan. 28-Feb. 1 

Alderman Heathcote expatiated on the esteem he had for Georgia 
although he was obliged to quit being a Common Councillor for want of 
health and by reason of living much in the country. He said it 
appeared by the conclusion of the petition, that the Trustees desired 
to have the House informed of the advantages Georgia is of ; that they 
were much to be commended for it, because many vile reports had 
been dispersed without doors as that the Trustees divided the money 
granted by Parliament and took each Ι,ΟΟΟΖ. to his share per annum. 
That he himself had been told it, and had with concern observed ill 
insinuations against them even in this House, as if the establishing 
the colony was a chimera. That this must necessarily render gentle 
men who had the conduct of it, and who gave so much of their time 
to it, uneasy, and it was but just to gratify them in their desire to have 
the importance of the colony laid before the House, that if the House 
should take it in that light they might proceed more cheerfully ; if 
otherwise, be discharged of future application by giving the matter up. 
He would not himself make a motion for a day to make this enquiry, 
but he wished some gentleman in the House would do it. 

Lord Baltimore then expressed his approbation of the colony, and 
made the motion, and Mr. Hooper seconded him, and named Thursday 
se'nnit. Whereupon the Speaker rose to put the question, when Mr. 
Digby rose again and expressed his apprehension that if so distant a 
day were pitched on some of our witnesses might be gone to sea, being 
masters of ships. 

Upon which the Speaker said, since it was so, the petition being 
referred to the Committee of Supplies, the witnesses might be ordered 
to attend the day the petition should be considered on, and if gentlemen 
were then disposed to ask any questions of them in proof of the 
allegations in the petition, they might be called in. 

The petition was accordingly referred to the Committee of Supply, 
after which Mr. Sloper told the House that we should not ask for much 
money. That we had saved as much out of the last year's grant as 
perhaps might answer the charge of the civil government of Georgia, 
but the thing wanted was money to render the inhabitants useful to 
Great Britain. 

I had prepared Alderman Heathcote and Lord Baltimore to speak 
in the manner they did before the business came on, and well it was 
they did in order to satisfy the minority who do not like us because 
the greater number of our members vote with the ministry, and I have 
endevoured to make them hope that by a fair enquiry into the advan 
tages of our colony to Great Britain, we throw ourselves upon the 
Parliament and shall be no longer under the influence of Sir Robert 
Walpole. This step, which is no less than a fair challenge to those 
who have spoken contemptibly of our colony, must stop the mouths 
of many such, and has a very honourable appearance to the world. 

I dined at home, and in the evening visited Mr. Temple. 

Tuesday 29.—I visited my Lord Shaftsbury, Sir Francis Clarke and 
Sir Thomas Webster. Dined and spent the evening at home in drawing 
up answers to any questions that may be asked or objections made to 
the colony of Georgia when the Committee of Supply takes it into 
consideration, and also such motions as I think proper to be made, 
which are as follows. 

1. Resolved that it appears to this committee that the Province of 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 105 

"1739-40. 

Georgia is of great importance to the defence and security of the 

British colonies in America, and of the trade of Great Britain. 

2. Resolved that it appears to this House, that the Province of 
Georgia is capable of raising valuable produces, to the increase of the 
trade and navigation of Great Britain. 

3. Resolved that the Province of Georgia deserves the support of 
the Legislature of Great Britain. 

This day the House sat upon the Place Bill and after a long debate 
from one a'clock till eleven at night rejected the motion for the bill 
by 16 majority, 222 against 206. 

This evening died Richard Lumley, Earl of Scarborow, of an 
apoplexy, and is succeeded by Sir Thomas Lumley Saunderson, his next 
brother. He was a good friend to his country and though personally 
attached to the King yet had little esteem for Sir Robert Walpole. It 
is whispered that he shot himself, for now it is said he was known at 
twice several times to be disturbed in his senses. Thus much is trae, 
my son's gunsmith told him the next day that he by order carried 
two pistols to Lord Scarborow, and that he saw him prime one of them 
and hang it at his bedside.* 

30 January, 1739-40.—This day a Board of Trustees was summoned 
to consider of the proper evidence necessary to be produced to show 
the importance and advantages of Georgia to Great Britain at the 
Committee of Supply, and there met, Mr. Digby, Egmont, Mr. Lapotre, 
Shaftsbury, Sloper, Vernon. 

We settled the order of our evidence, and to what points they 
should speak if called on, and agreed on proper motions to be made 
when the evidence had done, which were three. But we did not settle 
who should make the motions, or who should manage the evidence, 
nor the day when the petition shall be called for, but we hoped it 
might be Monday next, for which purpose Mr. Vernon undertook to 
speak to Mr. Vane, chairman of the committee. 

We were informed that Mr. Stephens, lately come over, had wrote 
. a libel on the Province and given it to Mr. Brampston, a member of the 
House, who had shown it to divers others ; we therefore sent for him 
to the office, where he owned that being desired to set down his know 
ledge and thoughts of the Province by Mr. Brampston, he did so and 
gave it to him. 

This rash vindictive fool thus endeavours to prejudice the world's 
good opinion of the colony, merely in revenge to Mr. Oglethorp for the 
ill usage he gave him when at Savannah, and in revenge and hatred 
to Mr. Jones lately made a magistrate. His whole discourse since he 
came over has been a flat contradiction to his father's letters to the 
Trustees which were written by this young man's hand. 

As soon as we broke up Mr. Vernoii went to Mr. Scroop, Secretary 
of the Treasury, where he knew he should find Mr. Vane, and soon 
perceived by him that the ministry were alarmed at our desiring the 
importance of Georgia might appear to the House. Mr. Vane asked 
him what was intended by it. Mr. Vernon replied, to see whether the 
Parliament would have as good an opinion of the colony as the 
Trustees have, and to show the reasons why we have that good opinion, 

'Originally the ontry ended, "But this ill-natured report is untrue," but this 
was subsequently erased.—Ed. 

 106 DÏARY OF THE 

Feb. 1-4 

in order to stop the clamour raised against us. Mr. Scroop said that 
was proper. 

31 Thursday.—Visited Mr. Southwell and Dr. Moore. Dined and 
passed the evening at home. 

Friday, 1 February.—Went to St. James' Vestry to assist the Trustees 
of the workhouse to regulate abuses there, they complaining of the 
nastiness wherein it is kept, and the inability of Mr. Tucker the 
governor. 

We recommended to them the appointing an assistant governor, 
who should be a more active man, and to take from Mr. Tucker as 
much of his salary as they should think proper, and make up 
the rest out of the parish money, and to employ persons to clean the 
house for some consideration, which expenses we should approve. 
The house holds but 360 and the severity of the weather has carried 
in 440. 

We also ordered Mr. Seddon, the vestry clerk, to take counsel's 
opinion on prosecution of the securities of our beadles, three of whom 
out of five have been in arrear to the parish for the moneys collected 
by them. 

Saturday 2.—This morning there met at the Georgia Office a Board 
of Trustees, viz. : Mr. Holland, President ; Mr. Thos. Archer, Mr. 
Hen. Archer, Egmont, Mr. Digby, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Vernon, Mr. 
Anderson, Lord Shaftsbury. 

We sealed sola bills to the value of 600Z., 100 bills of 51. each, and 
100 bills at twenty shillings each. 

Then Mr. Digby, Mr. Vernon and Mr. Henry Archer made report 
of their conference with the Speaker yesterday touching the hearing 
our evidence in behalf of Georgia, and the motions we proposed to 
make to the House for an instruction to the Committee of Supply to 
report their opinion to the House of the advantage Georgia is to Great 
Britain. 

They said the Speaker gave his judgment that no motion of that 
sort could be made, because Committees of Supply received no in 
structions to report an opinion. That it was enough if our evidence 
were heard, though he saw no occasion for even that. 

They replied, since no instruction might [be] given the Committee 
to report their opinion, they could say no more on that head, but they 
thought it of importance the evidence should be heard, that the 
Committee might know the importance of Georgia, and the world be 
satisfied the establishment of the colony is no chimera, and an end 
put to the reports made to its disadvantage. He said he had himself 
a good opinion of it, and believed most people thought the thing good 
enough. That our offering to produce evidence sufficiently cleared 
it to the world, whether the House heard them or not, and if we would 
have them heard we might, but as to a motion of instruction, or motions 
afterwards in favour of the colony, he should not advise it if it had 
been proper, for we should find those who would oppose it. 

The gentlemen then desired there might be added to the motion 
for granting us 4000Z. some words that might comply a good opinion 
of the colony though no judgment expressed. 

He at first seemed to give way to it, yet afterwards seemed to go 
off from it. 
Upon this I told them it was visible the Speaker had been discoursed 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 107 

1739-40. 

by Sir Eobert, who was uneasy the state of the colony should be known 
because the House would find he had misrepresented it formerly by 
saying he knew of no forts there, and some gentlemen would twit 
him with it. That since all we could do was to add some words 
favourable to the motion for money, I wished they might be as strong 
as possible. 

There was some debate even as to this, but at length we agreed that 
the words should run—That the Committee hearing the evidence 
showing the utility of Georgia to Great Britain, resolved that a sum 
of 4000Z. be granted for further settling and improving the colony. 

Then Mr. Digby was desired to speak to Lord Baltimore, and Lord 
Shaftsbury to speak to Mr. Hooper, to desire they \vould take briefs 
of the questions to be asked the evidence. 
Thus are we treated like children by Sir Eobert and the Speaker. 
I returned home to dinner and in the evening visited brother Parker. 
Sunday 3.—Prayers and sermon at home. 

I learned this day that now 'tis generally known the Earl of Scar- 
borow shot himself in at the mouth, and that the bullet lodged in his 
skull. He was found on the ground and it was some little time 
before they discerned the wound, and therefore thought he died 
of an apoplexy. He had ordered his chair to go to a rendezvous, 
where he was expected two hours, and then he was sent for, 
the Duchess of Manchester, to whom it was said he was to be 
speedily married, was of the company. It is believed he killed 
himself to avoid marrying her, as he had given his word whenever 
. her husband should die, having in vain tried to debauch her while he 
lived. This calls to mind his affair with the Duchess of Kingston 
whom he had debauched on promise of marriage, but afterwards 
refused, the shame and indignation of which killed her. He has left 
a will by which he bequeathed 500/. a year to each of his bastards 
begot on the last mentioned Duchess, 20,0002. in money to his next 
brother Sir Thomas Lumley Saunderson, and his land estate to his 
younger brother, about 6,000i. per annum. Sir Thomas, now Earl of 
Scarborow, is greatly disappointed that the estate was not left to him, 
and thinks it an ill return for the confidence he put in his brother, 
when being in the entail, so that without his consent the late Earl 
could not dispose of it, he generously consented the cutting it off. 

When once the Grace of God has left a man, for He will not always 
strive with man, the reason grows cloudy, and passion gets the better 
of it. Nothing expels the Holy Ghost more than lewdness, and 
nothing but a belief of Revelation and a resolute submission to God's 
will can secure a man from such crimes as self murder. No other 
anchor can prevent the ship from going afloat. 

Monday 4.—This day Lord Gage made a motion that all letters, 
representations and memorials sent to the Trustees of Georgia within 
these two years past, together with the Trustees' answers thereto, 
might be laid before the House. 

Possibly it might have gone, if he had not prefaced it by saying that 
his view therein was to know whether the charter had not granted 
more land to the Province of Georgia than belonged to Great Britain, 
and to know whether the Ministry were resolved to keep it or give it 
up on a treaty with Spain. But upon this Sir Robert Walpole and 
others near him cried out to adjourn. 

 108 

DIARY OF THE 

Feb. 4 

Lord Baltimore got up and said he thought the motion extraordinary 
to imagine his Majesty could give away to the Trustees what did not 
belong to Great Britain, and he thought it very hard to desire all letters 
should be laid before the House for maybe there might be some 
ladies in Georgia who had a correspondence with the Trustees, which 
raised a laugh against the motion. 

Then Sir Kobert cried out again " Adjourn," but Lord Gage rose up 
and said he would then drop that part of his motion concerning letters, 
and only insist on memorials and representations, and good reason (said 
he) I have for it, for it will be found upon enquiry, that the Trustees, 
though men of the strictest honour, had put the colony upon a bad 
foot and such as would ruin it. ' I have my pocket full of papers that 
show it cannot subsist in the manner it is, and that the people have 
almost deserted it, and added (pulling the representation out of 
his pocket made in December, 1738, to alter the tenure of lands and 
have the use of negroes) here is a representation from the whole colony 
signed by every man in it complaining they are undone. Then he read 
paragraphs out of it here and there, that bore hardest on the Trustees' 
management, as part of his speech. Still Sir Robert called for the 
question, but Mr. Laroch got up and desired he might be heard a few 
words. He said he observed the objection was that females might not 
inherit, and that the use of negroes were denied the people. To the 
first he had to say that as it was a new colony, and many difficulties 
to be struggled with, and a variety of people sent over, though few in 
number, and those poor, it was judged necessary by the Trustees not 
to give the inhabitants a liberty to alienate theirlands, by first running 
in debt and then mortgaging their lands whereby the property might 
come into one man's hand. That the grants made were of 50 acres 
and 500 acres, and every man knew when he went the conditions of 
his grant and was at liberty to refuse or not, but when they went 
they made no objections. That as for papers, memorials, &c., it would 
take time to transcribe them, and he knew not if copies or originals 
were intended. 

Sir Robert and his friends cried still " Adjourn " ; on which Sir John 
Cotton said he really thought it reasonable the House should know 
the condition of the colony before they voted money to the colony, 
otherwise it were to give it blindly. Sir Robert said "Adjourn " again. 

But Mr. Henry Archer rose and said the Trustees would be glad 
that the motion of Lord Gage should pass, and as to the complaint 
of females not inheriting, that tenure had been altered by the Trustees, 
and now they do inherit, and the proprietor may do every thing an 
Englishman can by law, except sell, but he may bequeath it to his 
relations or friends. 

Sir Robert again said " Adjourn " ; but Mr. Digby rose and told the 
House the Trustees were very willing the state of the colony should be 
known if the House were pleased to enquire. 

On which Sir John Barnard said that he was and had been a good 
friend to the colony, but indeed he had received letters, and he thought 
it fit a day should be appointed to consider the state of the colony, 
and if there were mistakes in the constitution of it to rectify them. 
That particularly the Trustees had forbid the use of negroes ; he wished 
none of the Plantations found it necessary to have any, but since 
Carolina (which can raise all the produces Georgia can) is its near 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 109 

1739-40. 

neighbour, and uses negroes, it is impossible Georgia can ever support 

itself because Carolina will undersell them. 

Sir Robert Walpole would not hearken thereto, but spurting up 
his party to cry "Adjourn," the Speaker put the question and it 
passed ; so Lord Gage's motion fell. 

Of the Trustees, I saw in the House only the two Mr. Archers, Mr. 
Digby, Lord Sidney Beauclerck, Mr. La Roch and Mr. White. Mr. 
Hucks went away before the motion came on, so little does he regard 
the colony. 

It was a gross misrepresentation of the state of the colony for Lord 
Gage to say, all the inhabitants that remained in the colony had signed 
the representation, and unfair to pick out those passages which made 
most against the Trustees' conduct, and to take no notice of the 
counter representation made by the other parts of the colony. But 
the Trustees were of a settled opinion that he was actuated by Mr. 
Stephens who alone could put the representation into his hands. 

Before this matter came on, Mr. Stephens came to see me, whom I 
gently upbraided with his extra work, as I called it, that is, his officious- 
ness (without communicating his design to the Trustees) to deliver a 
paper that reflected on their management to some members of Parlia 
ment. That I had not indeed seen it, but some members took it 
in that light, which could not but displease the Trustees as it came 
from the son of a gentleman his father who is in their service. He 
replied, what he did was for the colony's service, to put it on a 
good foot, being satisfied that as it is it must dwindle away to nothing, 
and he therefore wanted the state of the colony might fully appear 
to the House, that they might judge how to remedy the bad condition 
it is in. That being in company with Lord Gage and others, they had 
asked him about the colony and desired Ms thoughts, and thereupon 
he gave them an account in writing of the present bad state, and the 
remedies. I asked him what remedies he had proposed ; he replied, 
the allowance of a limited number of negroes, and a change of our 
officers. 

I said that as to negroes he would not find one Trustee for allowing 
them, that we wanted them not for the works, labours or produces 
we intend to carry on, and our nearness to the Spaniards would en 
danger their cutting the throats of the white men. Besides, his father 
on whose good sense and observation we greatly relied, had ever 
expressed his aversion to negroes, and certainly, if they had lately 
rose in Carolina and cut the throats of 34 white men, for which 50 
of them were put to death, as the last accounts inform us, how 
dangerous must it appear to suffer negroes in Georgia, where there are 
so [few] white men, and at a time when Spain makes all free that fly 
to Augustine. 

He replied, he knew that without negroes the colony must drop ; 
that let our produces be what they will, they cannot turn to account 
but with their help, and as to his father's opinion, he was afraid to 
write all the truth, being in fear of Mr. Oglethorpe, who is so ambitious, 
positive and vindictive that it was dangerous to thwart him in his 
views. That if an equal number of negroes were allowed in Georgia 
to that of white men there would be no danger. That laying it down 
as fact that the colony cannot subsist without them, all arguments 
of danger should give way thereto. 

 ΙΙΠ 

HO DIAEY OF THE 

Feb. 4-6 

I said, the people were not able to buy or borrow them if the colony 
be in truth in so bad a state as he would have me think, and that 
supposing a man had credit for one, he must be answerable to the 
merchant who should furnish him with one, in case the negro should 
die or run away, and so be utterly undone. 

He said, the chance was not so great, for in four years the work of a 
negro would pay the price of him, and then the negro would be his 
own ; but should the case happen that the negro ran away or died 
before, it was only the undoing of one man, while many others would 
thrive by theirs. 

I then said I could not understand the colony is in so bad a condition, 
for by his father's letters wrote since he came away, things had a fairer 
aspect, and particularly that there was a fine crop of corn expected, 
and the people appeared satisfied with the change of tail male which 
he had made. He answered, they might appear so, though they were 
not, and supposing the crop ever so good, it would not maintain the 

owners. 

I said, maybe not, but if they would be industrious and pursue the 
produces of silk and wine, those things would come in to aid. 

He replied, the silk might do in time, but required numbers of in 
habitants, and the man would have his corn to mind, and moreover, 
a white man's labour being eight pence a day, the prosecuting silk 
with such would not turn to account. 

I answered, the silk season, which is the gathering leaves, lasted but 
six weeks, and it was the business of women and children to wind it, 
whose labour costs nothing, but which must be very beneficial, inas 
much as a woman and two children can wind from the cocoons thirty 
or forty pound a year, which is so many twenty shillings, as appears 
by the silk lately sent us from Georgia, which is valued at so much 
by the most eminent dealer in raw silk in London. 

He said, we were much imposed in the silk, for of the whole quantity 
there was but five pounds of it made in Georgia ; the rest was raised 
and made in Carolina, as a very honest man in Georgia wrote him 

word. 

I said, we had no such information and he surprised me in this. 

He replied, if I knew Mr. Oglethorpe I should not be surprised, for 
it was one of his artifices to make it pass for such, that the colony 
might appear to advantage, and he was ashamed at the low means 
Mr. Oglethorpe used on these occasions, of which he would give me an 
instance of a woman in town lately come over, who had money given 
her to speak well of the colony. In a word, that while he remained 
in the colony all would go worse and worse, and though we might 
get over 4.000Z. this year, the next year will fall heavy on him and the 
Trust, all his artifices will come out and the Trustees be disgraced. 

I said, we had a different opinion of him, and esteemed him an 
honest, wise and human man, and surely he could not mean to destroy 
a colony of which he was in a manner the founder. 

He replied, that when men commit an error, they are fond of defend 
ing it at any cost ; that he wished the state of the colony were enquired 
into by the Parliament and the remedies they would bring would 
set all right, and then he would return to Georgia, otherwise he 
would not. That his father was by his misfortunes obliged to stay 
there, let things go how they would, but he was young and must 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. Ill 

1739-40. 

take care of himself, and what inducement could I think the salary 
of 251 a year to be his father's clerk there would be for his return, 
when the succeeding him in the post of secretary was so precarious ? 
I said, if he behaved well, it could not be precarious. He replied, he 
meant by precarious, the absolute certainty he was in that in a year 
more the colony will of itself break up if matters continue on the foot 
they are. 

I said that as to laying a state of the colony before the Parliament, 
the Trustees were not able to lay a true one because his father, to whom 
we wrote to make and send it us, had not yet done it, which I was sorry 
for, being very desirous the Parliament and all the world should know 
as much as I did myself ; that were the Parliament to take a state 
of it from what we knew at present of it, it would appear in a more 
favourable light to them than he represents it. But we had done all 
we were able to do by desiring to show what advantages the colony 
is capable of proving to Great Britain if proper encouragement be 
given, which we set forth in our petition to the Parliament. 

He replied, he had read it in the votes, and it pleased him, and yet 
there were facts entirely false in it. I desired him to say where, and 
pulling the vote out of his pocket, he pointed to the passages where it 
is said the people were taken off from their labour to prepare for their 
common safety, and deprived of their crops by the late general drought. 
He said, the people were not taken from their labour but disregarded 
the alarm given by the Spaniards, and that he knew of no drought 
had happened. 

I replied, this was very extraordinary, for it absolutely contradicted 
[not only] his father's accounts, but that of private persons to 
their friends, and as to alarms from the Spaniards, not only repeated 
accounts come to the Trustees, but to the Secretary of State and the 
Admiralty from his Majesty's men-of-war, and the last representation 
from Lieut.-Governor Bull of South Carolina to the Lords Com 
missioners of Trade not only wrote thereof, but that the French also 
had a design to invade the two Provinces. 

He then said, if the Spaniards had come they would have dislodged 
us, for the forts we brag of are pitiful things not worth the mentioning. 
That Frederica is only some boards set up, musket proof, and a ditch 
about it. And fort St. Andrew no better. 

I said, our accounts were otherwise from letters and persons now here, 
who built and garrisoned them. 

He replied, Mr. Auspurger who built them is an honest gentleman, 
and though an engineer knows nothing of his profession, and Lieut. 
Delagal who garrisoned one of the forts is an interested man, and both 
would speak as instructed. We then parted, I telling him he would 
be thought a very officious busy man, and the more so in applying 
himself to my Lord Gage, who I believed was no friend to the colony, 
but delighted to distinguish himself, in such sort of matters. He 
answered, it might be so, but what could he do when desired to 
represent the condition things were in and how they might be 
remedied, he must speak the truth. 

On the whole it was evident to me that he was determined at all 
hazards to wound Mr. Oglethorpe's character, to change the con 
stitution of the Province by obtaining a liberty to the inhabitants 
to sell their land or mortgage it to have negroes, and to procure the 

 112 DIAEY OF THE 

Feb. 6-7 

turning out our magistrates in order to place new ones of his own 
recommending, and get himself to be one of them ; and I make no 
doubt but his journey to England was purely on this business. 

Tuesday 5.— 

Wednesday 6.—This day being a Committee of Supply, Lord Gage 
took notice to the Committee that the Trustees of Georgia having 
desired that evidence might be heard as to the utility of Georgia to 
Great Britain, that he could say beforehand, the evidence would 
prove worth nothing, he being able to produce witnesses that should 
say the quite contrary of what they would say, and show that the 
colony is not worth continuing at so great an expense to the public 
of money as had annually been granted. That he had in his hand a 
letter from a man of honour and substance on the colony, which set 
forth the deplorable condition the colony was in, all that were left 
starving, not able to support themselves, and a great many run away. 
And that the gentlemen who wrote the letter had been 400Z. out of 

pocket. 

Mr. Horace Walpole got up and called Lord Gage to order, but it 
was only to tell the House that to reconcile the matter and shorten 
the work, he would have Lord Gage chosen a Trustee of Georgia, and 
then all would go well. Lord Gage then rose, and said if he had been 
out of order he left it to the judgment of the House, or if gentlemen 
had a mind to give away the nation's money blindfold, and without 
hearing whether reasonable or not, he would sit down, but he conceived 
they had good reason to enquire, and they would think so too, if they 
would hear the letter read which he intended as part of his speech. 

Upon this he was allowed to read it, but he neither named the 

person or date. 

After which Mr. Digby got up and said it was new to hear a gentle 
man say evidence were worth nothing and could be disproved before 
they were heard : that they were able to show the importance of the 
colony to Great Britain by valuable produces to be raised there, by 
the goodness of harbours, &c., and the Trustees had witnesses of un 
deniable credit to prove these things before the House should resolve 
to give money for the Province's support, and therefore moved they 
might be heard, and so called in the first place for Captain Diamond. 

Mr. Fane, who was chairman of the committee, was observed to be 
deaf on this occasion, and though Mr. Digby named him several times, 
would not order the calling Captain Diamond in, while Sir Robert 
Walpole's party were instructed to make so much noise that nobody 
could be heard. 

Lord Baltimore said something, but it was lost in the confusion, 
and Sir Abraham EIton then got up and read a letter from Mr. Williams 
of Bristol complaining of the bad state of the colony, wherein he had 
thrown away 2400Z. and was now returned to England, resolved not 

to return. 

Alderman Heathcote observing the unwillingness of the House to 
hear the evidence, and that the colony was not supported as expected 
by the minority, moved that the money might be granted and after 
wards the state of the colony might be enquired into, and the Lord 
Tirconnel, who though very zealous to the colony had not informed 
himself of our desire to have evidence heard, moved for 4,000i. 

Mr. Pulteney then got up, and said he observed the great ministry 

FIBST EARL OF EGMONT. 113 

1739-40. 

were averse to enquiries of any sort, but the little ministry of Georgia 
had desired an enquiry might be made into their conduct, which was 
very unusual, and showed they thought they could give a good account, · 
at least that they were honest, and they who know their character 
and worth could not think otherwise, therefore he could not but 
close with the motion for giving the money desired for this once. 

Then Captain Mordaunt, a constant enemy to the colony, said the 
two things proposed by the colony was to raise silk and wine ; that 
mulberry trees grow all over the country and in two years the in 
habitants might have produced silk if it would have done, whereas 
they had been settled seven years and none appeared ; he therefore 
believed they would not have silk enough to clothe themselves, and 
as to wine, he believed it would be well to give it to the inhabitants 
for their own drinking, and wished them good luck with it, for it would 
be all would ever be seen of their wine, and if the people of the place 
drank no other, they would be the soberest subjects in the world. 

That the colony had cost the nation a vast sum, and it was time to 
put an end to it, and this sum would probably be the last granted, 
for he could venture to foretell that if the Trustees came next year 
for more, there would not be a man for giving a farthing. 

Then the sum was voted, and the House rose, very impatient to 
be kept so long. 

Mr. Vernon, Mr. Lapotre and the two Mr. Archers and I dined at 
the Cyder House, and resolved to print a state of the colony for our 
justification. 

As to myself, I came away with a heavy heart to see .so great an 
affair as the settlement of our colony treated so ludicrously, and so 
little regarded by both the majority and minority. Besides, that the 
letters read by Lord Gage and Sir Abraham were allowed to be read 
(which must have made an ill impression on the House) and the 
Trustees' evidence, which would have disproved the assertions therein 
contained, not suffered to be heard. 

Had Sir J. Barnard or Mr. Sands, or other leading men, said any 
thing in our behalf, the matter had taken another turn, but they sat 
silent, so that it is visible the Trustees stand in no good light with 
either party, neither the majority or minority caring for the public, 
but aiming only to distress one another. 

At night I received a letter from Mr. Thomas Archer expressing his 
great uneasiness at the reflections cast upon the Trustees, and desiring 
the gentlemen might meet him at my house to-morrow to resolve on 
a motion he would have made for a day to be appointed to consider 
the state of the colony. 

Thursday 7.—In pursuance to his desire, I wrote to Mr. Sloper, Mr. 
Digby, Sir'William Heathcote, Mr. La Roch and Mr. Vernon to meet 
Mr. Archer at my house at twelve, and accordingly all but Sir William 
and Mr. Sloper came. With Mr. Archer came his brother Henry Archer 
and Mr. Thomas Towers ; and it was resolved among us that Mr. 
Henry Archer should as soon as the report was this day made for 
granting us 4,000i., get up and complain of the reflections cast on 
the Trustees yesterday, and express his wish that the House would 
yet hear the evidence we were ready to produce of the importance of 
Georgia to Great Britain, &c. 

H 

 I'll 

I| 

114 DIAEY OF THE 

Feb. 7-20 

Accordingly he got to the House just as the report was making, 
and made the following short speech. 

" Sir, The Trustees for Georgia are very uneasy at the treatment they 
received yesterday, as if the execution of the Trust was a chimerical 
project. They are still more uneasy, that when they had their 
evidence ready to produce to show the contrary, an opportunity was 
not given them. I won't trouble the House with any motion now, 
but only desire as one of that body, in the name of the whole, to have 
an opportunity, when the House shall please, to examine into the 
utility of the Province, and if the House should then differ with them 
in opinion, to have leave to surrender their charter." 

Mr. Digby had undertaken to speak and second him, but came too 
late into the House. 

Thus the Trustees have done the utmost in their power to acquit 
themselves in the eyes of the world, and to show that Georgia is very 
unjustly aspersed, which they were well able to do had their evidence 
been heard. And now it remains to husband our 4,000/. as well as we 
can, and to encourage as fast as we can the raising silk and wine for 
exportation, that the people may be. able to support themselves. 
And in order that we may be well armed against a future enquiry, 
we had desired Mr. Verelts to write to Mr. Oglethorp a full 
narrative of the debates on this matter that he may see on how 
bad a foot we stand, and how necessary it is we should have full 
information of the state of the colony, in order to be prepared against 
a future enquiry, if allowed us. I also advised that when any important 
notices on this head were sent us from Georgia, that affidavits might 
be made thereof. And we further directed that Mr. Verelts should 
procure from our evidence affidavits of what they can truly say 
concerning the colony, which being taken before a master in Chancery 
will have their weight, and shall be contained in a book we resolve 
to print and publish of the state of the colony, and a justification 
of our proceedings in the settling it. 

Friday and Saturday 8th & 9th. I stayed at home. 

Sunday 10.—Prayers and sermon at home, and did not stir out. 

Monday 11.—Went to St. James's vestry to order the beadles of 
our parish to clear the streets of the poor, pursuant to a letter from 
the Speaker of the House of Commons. Some of us merrily said this 
was an ordinance of the Commons House, neither the Speaker nor 
House having power to oblige the vestry to care in this matter. 

Dined and stayed the evening at home. 

Tuesday 12.—Visited Lord Palmerston, Sir William Heathcote, 
Lord Grantham and Sir Francis Clerke. 

Dined and passed the evening at home. 

Wednesday 13.—I went this morning to a Board of Trustees upon 
a summons to consider the best method of acquainting the public 
with the utility of Georgia and justifying the conduct of the Trustees. 
Present : Digby, Egmont, Holland (President), Lapotre, Vernon, 
Anderson, Shaftsbury. 

We put the seal to the contents of Mr. Auspurger's grant, who 
attended. He goes to-morrow for Germany to bring over servants, 
and this was necessary too for him to show in his country of Beam in 
Switzerland. The grant cannot be executed so soon, but will be ready 
for him at his return. The grant was ordered before by a common 

FIRST EARL OF BGMONT. 115 

1739-40. 

council. We also gave him 14/. for 28 days' attendance to give 
evidence at the bar of the House of Commons "if called on, which was 
a loss of time to him and expense. We could not regularly do it, but 
we thought it so reasonable that we doubted not the Common Council's 
consenting thereto. 

We also desired Mr. Vernon to remind Mr. Scroop of the Treasury 
of our memorial for repayment of the 2,000/ advanced by the Trustees 
for the military service of the colony, and to desire him to speak to 
Sir Eobert Walpole of it, and gave Mr. Vernon an instruction in writing 
for that purpose. 

The widow Cheesright presented a petition for some allowance from 
the Trustees. She had been for three years past in England, having left 
Georgia on her husband's death. She complained of great hardships 
from Mr. Causton, who took away from her a servant that cost six 
guineas, and never made her reparation. We told her we would write 
by the first opportunity to enquire into her house and lot, and to order 
the selling or setting it for her advantage, and that the money should 
be returned her. In the meantime, she being under great necessity, 
Mr. Vernon and I gave her a guinea each. (We did not then know 
that she was sentenced 60 lashes for cutting a child down the back 
barbarously with a knife, in December 1736, and afterwards ran away 
to England.—Margin.) 

We debated on the subject matter of our summons, and agreed to 
print an account of Georgia and our proceedings in settling it, but to 
suspend the publishing it till it should be thought advisable, and most 
were of opinion not to publish it till near the approach of next session 
of Parliament, lest, the present session, we should be thought to appeal 
to the people from the Parliament on account of their refusal to admit 
us to lay before them the utility of our colony. 

When we broke up, Joyce Germain, whose husband died in Frederica, 
applied to me for charity and I gave her half a guinea. She would have 
had some allowance from the Trust, and said a member of Parliament 
bid her apply, and tell him if the Trustees refused, in which case he 
would complain. I answered, the Trustees would not be justified to 
give her the public money, but if that member complained, he would 
find those would answer him. 

Lord Tirconnel, Mr. Vernon and I dined at the Horn Tavern, and 
I returned home. 

Thursday 14, Friday 15, Saturday 16.—Stayed at home. 

Sunday 17.—Prayers and sermon at home, did not stir out. 

Monday 18.—Visited cousin Le Grand and Mr. Southwell. 

Tuesday 19.—I went to St. James' Vestry, where we passed the year's 
account, and appointed Mr. Evans, a coffee man, and Mr. Williams, 
a seller of rum by wholesale, to be collectors of the poor tax, in room 
of our beadles who had wronged the parish, and whose securities 
we ordered should be prosecuted. These two have fair characters 
and are to find two securities each in 300/., their collections amount 
to about 500/. each, and they are weekly to pay what they collect 
into the hands of our vestry clerk Mr. Seddon. 

Wednesday 20.—A meeting of Trustees was summoned to take the 
examinations of Captain Diamond, Captain Shubruck and Captain 
Dempsy relating to Georgia, which being finished, they are to make 
affidavit thereto before a Master in Chancery. We were, Mr. Digby, 

 f 

"111 

116 DIARY OF THE 

Feb. 20-Mar. 1 

Egmont, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Sloper, Chr. Towers, Lord Tirconnel, Mr. 
Vernon, Mr. Smith, Lord Shaftsbury, Sir William Heathcote. 

Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Vernon, Lord Tirconnel and I dined together at 
the Horn Tavern, afterwards I visited my daughter Percival and went 
home. 

There was laid before the gentlemen a computation of the difference 
between a person employing ten white men and ten negroes, by which 
young Mr. Stephens who drew it up pretended in figures and by 
distinct articles to show that by the labour of ten white servants the 
owner must be a loser in four years time of 119Z, but he who employs 
negroes a gainer of 193/. But several of our gentlemen took notice 
that the estimate was partially made in favour of negroes, and Captain 
Dempsy, who was present and is well acquainted with Georgia, assured 
that white men if industrious could support themselves by their labours 
without negroes, and that if they were suffered, there would not be 
50 out of 500 who would be found remaining after two months, for 
they would fly to the Spaniards at Augustine, and that it will not be 
fit to allow of negroes till all Florida be in our hands, for then the negroes 
will have no place to retire to, the Havannah being so far distant. 
I observed it was not the inclination of any gentleman present to 
favour the admission of negroes. 

The proposal of a Jew was delivered to go over and make cochineal 
provided he had suitable encouragement. He had been bred to the 
business in Mexico, but his religion being discovered, he was obliged to 
fly. His proposal was reasonable till we came to the latter part, 
where he demanded a reward of 2,000/. upon showng a quantity made 
by him and his partner. We desired he might come to us next 
Wednesday. 

Thursday 21.—I visited Sir Thomas Hanmer and Lady Salisbury. 

This day was a call of the House, and Mr. Pulteney moved for an order 
to lay before the House all the papers, memorials, &c., relating to the 
late convention, which was strongly opposed, and Sir Kobert Walpole 
said it was singly levelled at him who had the conduct of affairs, but 
he had the satisfaction to know that he had done nothing which the 
Parliament had not approved. 

It was replied that it was no new thing to enquire for papers relating 
to Treaties though the Parliament had approved them, witness the 
Treaty of Utrecht which Sir Robert Walpole himself had moved for 
the papers of. 

But Mr. Henry Pelham said it was the transactions of a former 
Parliament, not then in being, that was enquired into, whereas the 
transactions now desired to be enquired into are such as the present 
subsisting Parliament had approved, and it would ill become them to 
censure measure themselves had approved. 

The motion was rejected by 247 against 196, the difference 51. 

The debate held till 9 at night. 

Friday 22.—I went to St. James's vestry to attend a summons of 
the Trustees to enquire into the state of King Street Chapel. We 
passed the accounts and signed them. Present : The Bishop of Oxford, 
Lord Palmerston, Mr. Mountague, Egmont, and the Churchwarden. 

We have 100/. or thereabout in bank, besides two South Sea bonds 
of 100Z. each, and had the satisfaction to find the money arising from 

FIRST EABL OF EGMONT. 117 

1739-40. 

the pews increase each quarter by the diligence of our clerk in 

collecting. 

I afterwards visited Mr. Tracey and Mr. Stroud. 

Passed the evening at home. 

This evening Mr. Verelts wrote me that by Mr. Scroop's and Sir 
Kobert Walpoíe's neglect we are likely to lose the 2,000/. advanced 
by the Trustees for the military service of Georgia and which is over 
due, it being otherwise. a misapplication of the public money which 
was given us by Parliament only for the civil uses of the colony. 

It seems Mr. Scroop pretended he had not received our memorial 
to the Treasury to be repaid that sum, though Mr. Verelts put it into 
his own hands, but I fear he willingly mislaid it. When afterwards 
we renewed our application it was produced and read last Tuesday 
at the Treasury, but Sir Robert Walpole who was present said nothing 
upon it, although it was by his direction we presented it, and he had 
promised thereupon Sir William Young should put it into the estimate 
of services incurred not provided for by Parliament. Now when 
Sir William Young was spoke to of it, he said he could take no notice 
of it, for his account was made up. This juggle between them is an 
insufferable usage of the Trustees. 

Lord Sidney promised to speak again upon it to Sir Robert. 

Saturday 23. -1 visited Mr. Thomas Archer, Mr. Henry Archer, 
and Mr. Thomas Towers. 

Sunday 24.—Prayers and sermon at home. Passed the day at 
home. 

Monday 25.—Went to the play. 

Tuesday 26 — 

Wednesday 27.—Went to the Georgia Office upon a summons of 
Trustees to receive proposals from a Jew for undertaking the prosecu 
tion of cochineal in Georgia, but he did not come. Present : Egmont, 
Henry Archer, Dr. Hales, Lapotre, Sloper, Smith, Thomas Towers, 
Vernon. 

Mr. Loyd and Mr. Booth attended, the former an eminent dealer 
in raw silk, the latter in weaving fine silks. They both told us the 
silk from Georgia is as good and as well worked as any in Piedmont, 
and the former promised to give us directions in writing how the 
inhabitants should pursue it. He said if they would send 500 pound 
of it such as we showed him, he would pay for it a guinea a pound. 
He said also that 25 pound of cocoons will make 2 pound of silk, and 
a woman may spin a pound of 12 ounces a day while the season of 
spinning lasted, which is about forty days in the year. 

They dined with us at the Horn Tavern, and when they were gone 
we agreed not to fill up the place of Common Councilman vacant 
by the withdrawing of Lord Carpenter, because of the difficulty of 
finding a proper person at this time that we lie under a general dis 
repute. This was Mr. Towers' and Mr. Archer's opinion and we 
acquiesced in it. 

Mr. Archer acquainted us that Mr. Scroop told him the 2,000/. we 
required to be repaid us could not be put into the estimate of services 
incurred not provided for, because we did not produce a certificate 
that the money was expended by us on the military service. Upon 
this we ordered a letter to Colonel Cochran, now in Scotland, to certify 
the account of that 2,000/. 

 118 DIARY OF THÉ 

Mar. 1-9 

Thursday 28.—Stayed at home all day. 

Friday 29.—Visited cousin Ned Southwell, Lord Shaftsbury, and 
Sir Jo. Bland. 

Passed the evening at home. 

Saturday 1.—Stayed at home all day. 

Sunday 2.—Went to St. James' Church. Spent the evening at 
home. 

Monday 3.—Went to the new play called " Elmeric," which is a 
good performance and attended with good moral. 

Tuesday 4.—Stayed at home. 

Wednesday 5.—The Trustees were summoned to consider of some 
proposal intended to be made us by a Jew for trying after cochineal 
in Georgia, but the Jew was sick and could not attend. Present : 
Digby, Egmont, Hales, Lapotre, Holland, Shaftsbury, Smith 
(president), Tho. Towers, Lord Tirconnel, Tracy, Vernon, Anderson. 

I delivered to the Board a memorial, or rather libel, given me by Mr. 
Thomas Stevens yesterday, setting forth the state of the colony, the 
reason why it is bad, and how to remedy it. The terms of it are harsh 
and reproachful on the Trustees, and it seems calculated to destroy 
both the colony and the Trustees in the minds of all who read it. He 
said he had showed it to Mr. Brampston, a member of Parliament, and 
designed it for the Trustees. 

This I acquainted the Trustees with, as also that I had exposed to 
him the improperness of his making these complaints of the Trustees' 
conduct and setting forth to strangers the bad condition he found the 
colony in, before he did it to the Trustees ; and that everything he 
said in that paper was contradicted by his father. When it was read 
all the gentlemen were in great indignation and resolved that a copy 
of it should be sent both to old Mr. Stephens and to Colonel 
Oglethorpe. 

Anthony Salice, a Grison servant to the Trust, whose service expired, 
attended the Board. He left Georgia about the end of November 
last to return to his own country, not being pleased with Mr. Thomas 
Jones, who, he said, wronged him in not paying him the subsistence 
and clothes promised him by covenant, nor paying his wife's labour. 
He was gardener to the public garden and said there were in it 
thousands of mulberry trees and that the ground of the garden was 
tolerable good with dunging. 

He inveighed against Mr. Jones, and said he would by his roughness 
drive many out of the colony, also that Mr. Stephens and he did not 
agree. 

We told him we could answer nothing to his complaints till our 
letters should come from Georgia, which we expected in a week, and 
then, as things appeared, no injustice should be done him. 

A letter from Francis Moore to Mr. Verelts, dated from Frederica 
2, December 1739, was read, acquainting him that that night Colonel 
Oglethorpe was gone with two hundred men to St. James' River to 
dislodge some Spaniards who had landed and killed two Scots servants 
belonging to the Darien settlers. 

I acquainted the Trustees that yesterday Mr. Stephens showed me 
a letter from his father, wrote 29 November, that Colonel Oglethorpe 
had given him possession of five hundred acres on Vernon's River, and 

ΪΊΚΒΤ EAKL ΟΪ EGMONT. 119 

1739-40. 

made him commander of the militia to train and march them when 

there should be occasion. 

Mr. Stephens told me that the land above mentioned on Vernon's 
River is about eight lumdred acres and a kind of peninsula, and good 
land, and that the remainder of the acres above the five hundred 
given his father, is given to Thomas Mercer. 

Mr. Digby, Dr. Hales, Mr. Lapotre, Mr. Smith, Mr. Tracey, Mr. 
Anderson, Mr. Vernon and I dined together at the Horn. 

Mr. Verelts told me that when he asked Mr. White to pay his share 
of the Trustees' picture, he replied, " Yes, if you will cut out my 
face." Thus may [be] seen the hatred he bears to us, that even to 
be seen in our company in a picture displeases him. 

Thursday 6.— 

Friday 7.—Visited Dr. Moore, Bishop of Rochester, cousin William 
Southwell, cousin Ned Southwell and cousin Betty Southwell. 

Went to the annual general court of the Chelsea waterworks where 
we empowered the directors to advance 600Í. for making new works, 
and to borrow the same on bond, or deduct it out of the dividends of 
the proprietors, as they should see fit. 

Saturday 8.—Went to the play. 

Sunday 9.—Went to chapel, afterwards carried the sword, and 
caught a severe cold. 

Letters came from Mr. Oglethorpe of the 19th and 20th October, 
the former to Mr. Verelts, the latter to the Trustees. In them he takes 
notice that our estimate of 5,000i. for the year's service of the colony 
from Michaelmas last will not suffice, especially since there is war 
with Spain. He also complains that we have provided for no military 
services, nor made annual allowances to the fishery men of Savannah 
nor of the out settlements. That we have made no provision at all 
for Augusta, nor Ebenezar. He says further that our servants in the 
south must be continued under the care of Mr. Moor Mackintosh at 
the Darien, and that Williamson, whom we lately appointed Recorder, 
is in Carolina and not likely to return, so that Mr. Christy must be 
continued Recorder, and not made bailiff, as we had appointed, but 
that Mr. Henry Parker be restored to that office, who has left drinking. 
He observes also that we have made no provision for young settlers 
or servants out of their time, and that 500Z. allowed for contingencies 
is too small. Then he tells us that above eight new persons had taken 
lots the week he wrote to us, that the colony is at peace, and in much 
better condition than when he last arrived. That this year Georgia 
has been very healthy, and he had not lost above five men out of the 
five companies of his regiment quartered in this Province. That the 
bounty he promised of two shillings per bushel on Indian com and 
pease and one shilling on potatoes had a good effect and the money 
would arise to above 161Z. That next year one shilling bounty would 
be sufficient. That we had not allowed sufficient encouragement in 
our estimate for raising silk, and had given none to wine. That he 
had promised four shillings per pound for raising cocoons for silk. 

Two days after the Trustees received a letter from Mr. Oglethorp 
dated the 16 November, acquainting us that the Spaniards had landed 
on Amelia and killed two unarmed sick men and cut off their heads 
and mangled them. That there was no man-of-war to protect the 
colony ; that five ten-oared boats and a troop of rangers are absolutely 

 Í20 DIARY OF THE 

Mar. 9-13 

[necessary] to defend the Province, otherwise the people cannot go 
out to plant. That the French have attacked the Carolina Indians. 
That he has no cannon from the King nor any other than some 
small iron guns bought by the Trustees. That he has very little 
powder, no horse for marching and very few boats, and no fund for 
paying the men but of one boat. That the Spaniards have a 
number of launches, also horse, a fine train of artillery well provided 
with all stores. That he thought the best way was to fall on their 
plantations and out settlements, and besiege Augustine if he can 
get artillery. That it is impossible to keep the Province or Carolina 
without destroying Augustine, or keeping horse rangers and scout 
boats. That we must insist for an establishment of four ten-oared 
boats to the south, and one at Savannah, a small train of artillery, 
some gunners, and at least four hundred barrels of cannon and one 
hundred of musket powder, with bullets proportionable. 

That he is fortifying Frederica and hoped to be repaid the expenses, 
but from whom he knew not. 

That Mr. Williamson, whom we appointed Recorder, was returned 
to Savannah on hearing of his appointment, but would not bring 
his family till actually sworn in, and insisted the magistrates' employ 
ments should be during good behaviour, and they not turned out at 
the Trustees' pleasure. That, therefore, his constitution was not 
delivered to him, and he, Mr. Oglethorpe, thought it better he should 
return. 

That all things are quiet with our new magistrates and would con 
tinue so if the court remains as it is, and that any alteration would 
do hurt, unless it were the changing Mr. Christie for Pye, a very 
industrious young man who writes an exceeding good hand, is a pretty 
good scholar, very honest and sober, and is no attorney. 

Monday 10.—My fever kept me at home. 

Tuesday 11.—My fever kept me at home. This day I was assured 
of the truth, that Admiral Vernon has taken Portobello, with the loss 
of five men-of-war only ; that the inhabitants offered him four millions 
of dollars (which is near a million sterling) to preserve the city and 
fortifications. 

My cousin Percival of Eltham, who came this evening to see me, 
told me his son, who is a lieutenant, was sent to 'Portobello by the 
Admiral with some prisoners of distinction he had taken on different 
occasions, and with a compliment that as he had acted so generously 
by the King of Spain's subjects as to give them their liberty, he hoped 
they would do the same by such Englishmen as should fall into their 
hands ; that this was only a blind that the Admiral might know the 
strength of the place, and upon Lieutenant Percival's good report of 
the place, the Admiral proceeded. He added that as he was walking 
on Tower Hill, a merchant of his acquaintance came to him, and read 
a letter of six lines he had received from the fleet, that Portobello was 
taken, with two men-of-war and about twelve merchant vessels in 
the harbour, with, the loss of but five men as above, and that the 
Spaniards had offered four millions of dollars to ransom the town 
and fortifications, and that afterwards the Admiral intended to take 
Cartagena. 

Dr. Couraye coming in at the same time said there were letters at 

FlbST EABL OF EGMONT. 121 

1739-40. 

the Post Office that the Admiral had got twelve millions of dollars at 

Portobello. 

At night Mr. Verelts came to acquaint me that he had received a 
letter from Mr. Francis Moore, dated 22 December, that Colonel 
Oglethorpe was returned to Frederica from his southern expedition 
to St. Juan's river, well and in good spirits. 

He also said the packets expected from Colonel Stephens with the 
commissioners' accounts are arrived in England on board Captain 
Cornish, but not yet come to the office. 

That he had acquainted Mr. Thomas Stephens that the Trustees, 
observing his conduct, had no more to say to him. 

Wednesday 12.—I could not attend the summons by reason of 
my fever, but there met Mr. Vernon, Lord Tirconnel, pr., Lord Shafts- 
bury, Mr. Tracy, and Mr. Lapotre. 

They read the letters lately received from Mr. Oglethorpe, and 
ordered extracts to be made relating to the military defence of the 
colony to be laid before the Duke of Newcastle. 

They also ordered another copy to be given Sir Robert Walpole, 
which Mr. Tracy undertook and accordingly delivered him the same 
day. 

They also dismissed Mr. Thomas Stephens from giving himself 
the trouble of attending them any more, having nothing to say to 
him ; upon which he said in a huff, he would justify himself to the 
public. So we expect he will appear in print against us. 

They also prepared a second memorial to the Treasury for the 2,000/. 
to be repaid them which they had advanced for the military service. 

Thursday 13.—Mr. Verelts brought me to peruse two letters from 
Mr. Oglethorpe, of the 5th and llth of October, together with a letter 
from Mr. Thomas Jones to him of the llth. The proceedings of the 
assembled Estates of all the lower Creek nation, held on Saturday 
the llth August 1739, wherein they confirmed to the Trustees the 
former grant of land made in 1733, and further declared that all 
the land from the river Savannah to the river St. John, and all the 
islands between the said rivers and from the river St. John to 
the Bay of Apalachee, within which is all the Apalachee old fields, 
and from the said Bay of Apalachee to the mountains, does by 
ancient right belong to the Creek nation, and that they have 
maintained possession of the said rent (sic. ) against all opposers. And 
they further declared that the Creek nation hath for ages had the pro 
tection of the Kings and Queens of England, and have gone to war by 
commission from the English governors, and that the Spaniards have 
no right to any part of the said land, and that they will suffer none but 
the Trustees of Georgia to settle on said lands ; they also acknowledged 
their grant to the Trustees to be all the lands on the Savannah river 
as far as the river Ogeechy ; and all the lands along the sea coast as 
far as the river St. John's and as high as the tide flows, and all the 
islands as far as the said river, particularly Frederica, Cumberland and 
Amelia. But they declared that they reserved to the Creek nation 
all the land from Pipe Maker Bluff to Savannah and the Islands of 
St. Catherine's, Ossabaw and Sapolo ; and further declared the said 
lands were held by them as tenants in common. To all which Mr. 
Oglethorp agreed and confirmed the same. 

 τ:, 

122 DÏARY Oi· THÉ 

Mar. IS-20 

There came with Mr. Oglethorpe's letters his account of the present 
state of the colony, which is very satisfactory. 

Mr. Jones in his letter accepted the dignity of a magistrate, but 
complains of Mr. Christie, and expressed his desire to be eased of the 
magistracy when we should find a more proper person to put in his 
place. He said also that the accounts were not yet finished, and 
concludes with a good character of bailiff Parker. 

With these letters came also one from Mr. Stephens to Mr. Verelts, 
dated 6 October, and his journal from 8 September to that day, wherein 
he acquaints us that Tomachachi died, and was buried in the middle of 
the great square of Savannah with great respect. 

Thursday 13 to Monday 17.—Still confined at home by my illness. 

Tuesday 18.—The Bishop of Oxford, Dr. Seeker, came to see me, and 
discoursing of the Pension Bill which lately passed the Commons 
House, and is to be debated to-morrow in the House of Lords, he said 
he was under great difficulties how to vote on that occasion ; for on 
one side to oppose the pensioning members of Parliament would have 
an ill appearance to the public, and on the other it was certain many 
members would perjure themselves, for by the bill they were to swear 
at the Speaker's table that they had or had not pensions, and it was 
too much to be feared that many would forswear themselves, which 
was a snare no conscientious man ought to lay in other men's way. 

I told him the nation's sense had been seen on a like occasion, when 
a bill passed for obliging the electors to swear they had no reward or 
promise for voting for members, but was sorry to find it had no other 
effect than to perjure great numbers ; but that, possibly, gentlemen of 
education, and who pretended to have regard to their honour, would 
not in the sight of the Speaker and Parliament swear a falsity, which 
would come soon to the knowledge of the world. 

He replied, it was a difficult thing for the public to come to that 
knowledge, and what, said he, would be the consequence ; suppose they 
should own to the House they had pensions, and confidently glory in 
it, would not that make pensions a fashionable thing and in time take 
away the shame of them ? 

I replied, there might this good consequence follow from their owning 
it. that in a new Parliament the people might not choose them again. 

He answered, that on the contrary they might be the sooner chosen, 
the electors hoping that men who had pensions, would have the better 
interest to procure them petty employments. 

I perceived his lordship was inclined to vote against the bill, and 
therefore said not much, only that it was a great misfortune that there 
was no way to prevent pensioning the members. 

He answered, it was so, for he saw evidently, as two and two make 
four, that our constitution is irrecoverably going. 

I added, it was no less a misfortune that the bishops' bench went 
everlastingly in a string together for the court measures, for it lost 
them all reverence, and the present immorality and irreligion of the 
age was as much owing to that as to any thing. He freely granted it. 

He concluded that he was not yet resolved what to do, but was 
willing to talk first with men of sense and conscience upon it. 

I said, those who knew his lordship so well as I did, would always 
believe he acted uprightly in this and everything else, but that the 

I 

I 

FIRST EARL OÏ1 EGtóOÑT. 123 

1739-40. 

multitude would not have the same favourable and just thoughts 
of him if he should vote against this bill, nor be satisfied with his 
reasons for doing so, for they would say, if men perjure themselves 
it is on their own heads, and if the fear of that should influence the 
legislature not to secure the nation by the imposition of oaths, there 
would be no security for the crown or the people. 

This day the Lords and Commons attended the King with a con 
gratulatory address on Admiral Vernon's taking Porto bello. 

Wednesday 19.—To-day the Lords flung out the Pension Bill by a 
majority of 12, viz. 52 against 40. The Bishops of Oxford, Gloucester 
and Lincoln voted for committing it. 

Mr. Verelts came to see me and tell me that he had delivered to Mr. 
Scroop our new memorial with the certificates, and that he had just 
received Colonel Cochran's certificate, so that we have not lost hopes 
of being repaid the money advanced by us to the military service of 
Georgia, Mr. Scroop receiving the memorial and saying, it was very 
well. 

Mr. Verelts said further, that it is usual for the Government to pay 
military services incurred, not provided for by Parliament, upon their 
being certified, and afterwards to have the same allowed by Parlia 
ment, because the nature of such services required it, and that it is 
proper to press this repayment to us as quick as possible because 
the 200,OOOZ. lately granted by Parliament for like purposes will else 
be all parcelled away to other heads of expenses. This information 
he had from Mr. Le Heup of the Treasury privately, who acted a 
kind part therein. 

He told me he has, since he saw me, received a further journal of Mr. 
Stephens to the 15th November, wherein he says that a great many 
volunteers join Colonel Oglethorpe, and that things go on quietly at 
Savannah, but that Mr. Christie gives offence, living in open adultery. 
That Henry Parker, Fallowfeild and Jones continue to act, by Mr. 
Oglethorpe's order till our further pleasure is known, as bailiffs, and 
that Mr. Norris is gone to Prederica with Mr. Oglethorpe to do 
ecclesiastical duty there, so that it seems he has quitted his purpose of 
leaving Georgia on Mr. Whitfeild's return to Savannah, who on the 
14th November was at New York, and had been there denied the use 
of the churches, wherefore he preached in a Presbyterian meeting 
house, and in the fields, He promised to return to them from Savannah 
in May next, which I am sorry to hear, for it shows him no settled 
person. 

I desired Mr. Verelts to excuse my not waiting on the gentlemen 
to-morrow at St. Bride's church or at dinner on account of my 
indisposition, my fever and ague ending in a very great rash, which 
the north east wind, if I stirred out of doors, might endanger the 
striking into my blood again. 

Thursday 20.— This being the Georgia anniversary day there met 
at St. Bride's vestry, Lord Tirconnel, Mr. Digby, Mr. Vernon, Mr. 
Ayers, Dr. Hales, Pr., Mr. Smith, Common Councillors, and Mr. 
Anderson, Capt. Coram, Dr. Burton, Trustees. 

I could not be there on account of my illness. 

After Mr. Verelts had presented the account of expenses and receipts 
to this day and the balance of cash in our hands, some papers from 
Georgia lately received were read, and then the Earl of Shaftsbury 

 124 blARY OÏ1 THE 

Mar. 20-April 1 

was elected into the Common Council in Sir William Heathcote's 
room. 
Then they went to church where Dr. Crow preached the sermon. 

Afterwards they dined at the Castle Tavern, where Mr. Tracey and 
Mr. Thomas Towers came to them. 

Mr. La Roch, Lord Shaftsbury and the two Mr. Archers promised 
to be there but did not come, nor did Mr. Sloper, Lord Carpenter, Mr. 
Lapotre or Lord Sidney Beauclerc. Most of these never used to fail. 

It is a melancholy thing to see how zeal for a good thing abates 
when the novelty is over, and when there is no pecuniary reward 
attending the service. Had the Government given us salaries but 
of 2001. a year, few of our members would have been absent. 

Lord Carpenter sent his resignation of Common Council, sealed in 
form, but being too late, according to a bye-law that no Common 
Councillor shall be admitted to resign under a month's notice before 
the anniversary day, it was not produced to the Board. 

Friday 21.—Went out for the first time, which was to see my brother 
Percival who came yesterday from Bath, not mended in his health. 

Saturday 22.—Went to a committee appointed to prepare letters 
in answer to divers letters received from Georgia, and which are to 
be approved next Tuesday and sent by a ship that goes that day. 
Ayers, Egmont, Lapotre, Tirconnel, Vernon. 

We prepared letters to Mr. Oglethorpe, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Henry 
Parker, Mr. Christie, Mr. Fallowfeild. 

We also imprest to Alderman Hankey 5001. to pay sola bills lately 
arrived for payment. Alderman Heathcote having quitted being 
treasurer or cashier to our Board, and paid his balance into Sir Joseph 
Hankey's hands, we from hence forth make Hankey our cashier. 

Mr. Vernon, Lapotre and I dined at the Horn Tavern and then I 
returned home. 

Sunday 23.—Stayed at home all day. 

Monday 24.—Visited Lord Shaftsbury, Lord Carpenter, Lord 
Grantham, Lord Wilmington, Lord Palmerston, Lord Tirconnel, 
Lord Bathurst, Bishop of Oxford, and Sir Francis Clerke. 

In the evening visited Lady Rook and Colonel Ned Southwell. 

Tuesday 25.—Visited Mr. Tracy and Mr. Wesley. 

Went to the Georgia Board where met Egmont, Ayers, Digby, 
Lapotre, Henry Archer, Smith, president, Shaftsbury, Christ. Towers, 
chairman, Tracy, Lord Tirconnel, Vernon. 

As a committee we examined the vouchers of the account of Mr. 
Oglethorpe's Indian journey, as also of Mr. Thomas Jones' account, 
and after allowing some articles and disallowing others, we drew on 
the bank for l,329i. 8s. 9d. to pay what we thought due from the 
Trustees. 

A memorial of Lieutenant Delagal was referred to a committee of 
accounts. 

The Earl of Shaftsbury sworn into the Common Council. 

A new commission sealed to Mr. Henry Parker to be first bailiff. 
Mr. Christie's commission to be first bailiff revoked, and he was 
suspended from his Recordership till he should make up his accounts 
with the Trust, as also because he gave a permit to a clerk of the stores 
to go from the colony, when the one magistrate (at that time Henry 

1740. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

125 

Parker) had refused the said clerk, having erased the books of the 
account of the stores. 

The commission of Williamson to be a Recorder revoked, and a new 
one sealed to Jo. Pye during the suspension of Mr. Christie. 

Mr. Henry Parker restored to be a Commissioner of Accounts in 
the room of Thomas Christie. 

An account of 681.13s. 8d. reported by the Commissioners of Accounts 
to be due to recompense Stanbury, ordered to be paid. 

Captain McPherson, formerly Ranger, having demanded the sum of 
490Z. 19s. l^d. for his services, and the Commissioners having allowed 
thereof but 189Z. 13s. l^d. so that the said Commissioners would not 
allow more than the last sum but left the rest to Trustees' pleasure, 
I acquainted the Board that in one of Mr. Stevens' journals he wrote 
us that Captain McPherson, taking advantage of the fears the people 
were in of the Spaniards, refused to serve with his company of Rangers 
without an advanced price. Thereupon the Board ordered payment 
only of the 189Z. 13s. l^d. and that the remaining sum of 240Z. 2s. 6d. 
should not be paid, being extortion. 

A letter from William Sterling and Andrew Grant, dated 6 March 
1738-9, accompanied with an account by way of debtor and creditor, 
complaining of their loss by using only white servants of nine hundred 
and odd pounds, and desiring compensation. 

Also a petition from Andrew Grant, Thomas Baily and David 
Douglass for leave to settle on Wilmington Island. This petition 
was made to Colonel Oglethorpe who at the foot of it wrote several 
reasons why it ought not to be allowed. 

We found his reasons good and ordered a letter to them that we 
could not allow their request. 

The letters settled in the Committee of correspondence, 22nd instant, 
were approved and ordered to be sent. 

Mr. Verelts acquainted us that our new memorial to the Treasury 
will be referred to Sir William Young. 

Wednesday 26.—Visited Mr. Tasborow, Mr. Dawney, Sir Windham 
Knatchbull, Bishop of Rochester and Bishop of Litchfield. 

Thursday 27.—Visited Sir Thomas Webster, the Bishop of Gloster, 
Sir Charles Moore, and Lord Sidney Beauclerc, and Mr. Annesley. 

Friday 28.—Visited brother Percival, Mr. Hambden, and Lord 
Bathurst. 

Then went to the annual meeting of the Chelsea Waterworks Com 
pany, and re-elected for the ensuing year the same Governor, Deputy 
Governor and directors. 

Saturday 29.—Visited Lord Inchequeen, Sir Jo. Bland, Mr. Schutz, 
Colonel Schutz, Mr. Grimes and Sir Thomas Hanmer. 

Sunday 30.—-Stayed at home all day for a cold. 

Monday 31.—Stayed at home all day. 

Tuesday, 1 April.—This day Mr. Viner moved for the repeal of the 
Bill passed last year for taking off the duties on Irish yarn imported to 
England, and opening the Irish ports for that purpose, which he said 
not having the effect expected, in that the Irish Parliament had not 
seconded their views for passing a bill to restrain their wool from 
going abroad, he thought the Act should be repealed. 

Sir Jo. Hind Cotton, Mr. Gary, the new member, Mr. Danvers and 
Lord Tirconnel seconded him ; but Sir Robert Walpole, Mr. Horace 

 126 DIAEY OF THE 

April 1-16 

Walpole, Sir William Windham, Alderman Heathcote, Sir Jo. Barnard, 
Colonel Bladen and Mr. Plumtree were for continuing the Act as still 
doing some benefit to England though not so much as if Ireland had 
also passed another, for it could not be supposed but that by taking 
off the duty on Irish yarn, a good quantity would come that otherwise 
would be carried to France. Some of them said it was unreasonable 
to expect that Ireland should cut their own throats by approving 
the scheme that was offered them of an inland excise and obliging 
the sheep men to take out permits, and Sir Jo. Barnard gave his opinion 
that it would be well to suffer Ireland to manufacture and export 
all their wool. 

On the division there were 120 for not repealing the Act, and about 
20 for it. 

Wednesday 2.—Georgia affairs. A committee of Common Council 
being summoned to make report on business referred to them, 
where met, Egmont, Lapotre, Shaftsbury, Lord Tirconnel. 

But the gentlemen so dropped in one after another, that we were 
not a board to do business. 

In the evening I went to the Wednesday Music Club. 

Thursday 3.—I went to St. James' Vestry to score for Churchwardens 
and their assistants. 

Friday 4.—Good Friday, stayed all day at home. 

Saturday 5.—Dared not stir out. 

Sunday 6.—Easter day. Dared not stir out. 

Monday 7, Tuesday 8.—Did not go out but to the coffee house. 

Wednesday 9.—Went to several places to get money due to me but 
failed. 

In the evening went to the coffee house. 

Thursday 10.—Visited Mr. Annesley, Mr. Le Grand, cousin Betty 
Southwell and cousin Ned Southwell. Went in the evening to the 
Vocal Club at the Crown Tavern. 

Friday 11.—Visited the Bishop of Eochester, Mr. Jo. Temple and 
Mr. Chetwood. 

Saturday 12.—Visited my brother Parker and the Speaker to whom 
I gave a copy of Colonel Oglethorpe's "State of Georgia." 

This day Lord Carpenter came to me and delivered his resignation 
of being a Common Councillor of Georgia. At the same time he told 
me by way of secret that the reason why he refused to come in again 
to the Common Council was because we elected Lord Sidney Beauclerc ; 
that he has a great affection to the colony, will attend when he can 
as Trustee, and perhaps may consent another year to be elected. 

Sunday 13.—Prayers and sermon at home. Did not stir out. 

Monday 14.—Visited Lord Wilmington, Lord Tirconnel and Bishop 
of Gloster. 

Eeceived a letter from Mr. Whitfield at Savannah, dated 28 January, 
complaining the Trustees' orders are not obeyed. That the jury 
room ordered to be added to the Town Court House was not built, 
that a room he ordered to be added to the parsonage house when 
before in Georgia was left half unfinished. That no church was yet 
begun, and if not speedily set about, he should be obliged to acquaint 
the world publicly of the neglect, that subscribers thereto might not 
be abused. That if we would trust him with that work he would see 
it done, that he had begun the orphan house and had near thirty men 

1740. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

127 

at work which was a means of keeping inhabitants in this declining 
Province, and that he had acquainted the people he would take off 
all the flax and hemp they should raise. 

The Trustees also received a letter from him of same date and to the 
same effect, adding that he had promised the inhabitants to take off 
all the cotton they should produce this year, and desiring that the 
present Trustees of the Orphans may be ordered to deliver their 
accounts to him. 

Tuesday 15.—I went to Mr. Jo. Williams in Cecil Street to receive 
the year's interest of 4,500Z. due to me from Lord Salisbury, of which 
Ι,ΟΟΟΖ. is my niece Dering's. I went also to the South Sea House to 
receive her dividends there on old annuities and South Sea stock. 
In my return I went to see the paintings of Mr. Highmore, Mr. Pond 
and Mr. Wills. 

Wednesday 16.—Georgia affairs. Upon summons to consider what 
answer to return to Mr. Whitfield's letter, there met, Mr. Digby, 
Egmont, Dr. Hales, Mr. Lapotre, Pr., Shaftsbury, Mr. Smith, Lord 
Tirconnel, Mr. Anderson, Dr. Burton. 

We imprest 500Z. to Alderman Hankey to pay sola bills. We 
debated upon Mr. Whitfield's letter, and I found every gentleman 
present enraged with him for his threatening the Trust to complain 
of them to the public because a church had not yet been built, neither 
would most of them be persuaded but that he is a hypocrite, or at 
least actuated by ambition and love of power. 

Dr. Burton said it appeared to him he resolved to be totally in 
dependent of everybody, that he refused a salary from the Trustees 
because he would not be obliged to attend the duty of a minister at 
Savannah longer than he cared for, and he never should think him 
honest since the time he accepted a commission to collect money 
for the religious uses of the colony, and after he had collected some, 
surrendered that commission on pretence it had been of no use 
to him, whereby he made himself not accountable to the Trustees 
for the money he did collect, and refused to put his collection into the 
Trustees' hands, that he might dispose of it as he pleased himself. 
That in taking on him the care of the orphans and discharging the 
Trustees of the expense of keeping them, he meant only to breed them 
Methodists, and that by desiring he might have the building a church, 
and the money designed for that end put into his hands, he meant 
to increase the number of Methodists by employing no persons therein 
but such as would become Methodists. That he had told the Bishop 
of Gloster he was not bound to do the duty of minister of Savannah 
longer than he cared for, though when he conferred priest's orders 
on him he was instituted to that cure. That he had lately wrote 
to his mother in England that he was coming over, and in the 
height of enthusiasm bid her prepare to bear to see him suffer per 
secution. 

Mr. Digby was also in full resentment against him for threatening 
to expose the character of the Trustees as wanting a sense of religion, 
and publishing to the world their not having built as yet a church 
when preparations had been made for that end, and no blame lay at 
their door on that head. 

I said I could not excuse him of want of respect to the Trustees, 
and must acknowledge him a great enthusiast, but enthusiasts were 

 128 DIARY OF THE 

April 16-24 

always sincere though mistaken, and did not consist with, hypo crisy ; 
therefore I was willing to think the best of him, and that he might be 
trusted with directing the building the church, though it would be 
proper not to put the money in his hands, but into Mr. Stephens', who 
might have order to pay the workmen's bills from time to time upon 
Mr. Whitfield's certificate of their work being done. Or he might 
be associated with him in the work. That it was high time a church 
should be built, and I could not but say that I was pleased that he had 
undertaken, it as I should have been if any other had done it, and unless 
we employed him therein, I knew not who would do it, for Colonel 
Oglethorpe is employed in the south in war against the Spaniards 
and had no time to think of the civil concerns of the colony, and the 
magistrates did not seem disposed to regard the building a church. 
That perhaps it would be proper to wait giving an answer to Mr. 
Whitfield till we have letters from Mr. Stephens who probably will 
give us some light into Mr. Whitfield's design, and clear up matters 
whereof we are in doubt. 

In the end we ordered a meeting next Wednesday to debate the 
matter further, and in the meantime Mr. Verelts was desired to prepare 
heads of a letter to Mr. Whitfield. 

In the evening I went to the play. 

Thursday 17.—Visited Sir Francis Clerke, Lord Grantham. Passed 
the evening at home. 

Friday 18.—Went to St. James' Vestry, and found irregularity in 
the management of the workhouse. 

Examined the transactions of the poor's rate for the year ending 
Lady Day 1738 and the account of the overseers stood thus :— 

Received 

of Pall Mall ward neat money ... 
of Church ward neat money 

of Malburow St. ward neat money 
of Golden Square ward neat money 

Neat. 

1640 12 10 

1348 11 9i 

717 7 8J 

734 5 1 

Arrear. 

305 10 10 

290 17 li 

167 7 5J 

265 9 3 

Total due. 

1920 3 8 

1645 8 11 

17 (i 

884 13 2 

999 14 4 

1035 4 8 
Received 

On account of bastard children ... 
King's Bounty 

Convictions on retailing spirituous liquors over 
and above 151., for which the offenders gave 
notes 
For mop yarn made in the workhouse 

4415 14 9 

139 O 9 

48 10 O 

90 O O 

126 12 O 

4819 18 3 

5450 O 1 

130 O 9 

48 10 O 

90 0 0 

120 12 0 

5854 3 5 

DISBURSED. 
Paid cash to the orphans ... ... ... ... ... ... 548 14 

to extraordinary poor ... ... ... ... ... 1158 ° 

for burying the poor 

for examining and passing poor 

to the keeper of Bridewell 

for binding out orphans 

to Mr. Seddon's fees, &c. ... 

for searching wills 

repairs of the house of correction 

to the apothecary 

to the undertakers for coffins 

to the minister attending the workhouse a 

year due Lady Day, 1739 
to the messenger ditto time 

143 

97 

2 7 

7 0 

18 15 

25 0 

22 14 

48 10 

11 14 

85 1 

24 13 

1 0 

27 17 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 
1740. 

Paid cash to the surgeon ... ... ... ... 32 10 0 

to the grave diggers ... ... ... 11 9 6 

to bearers of the poor to burial ... ... 4 16 0 

to the searchers ... ... ... ... 280 

to Vestry Clerks, their salaries ... ... 65 0 0 

to Mr. Loviboud, a year's rent for the 

Infirmary due Lady Day, 1739 ... 30 0 0 

129 

430 8 1 

Total ... ... ... 2359 5 Of 

After dinner only went to the coffee house. 

Saturday 19.—Mr. Glen, the appointed Governor of South Carolina, 
told me that the sum raised by that Province to assist Colonel Ogle 
thorpe in the taking of St. Augustine is 120,OOOZ. of their currency, in 
sterling Ιδ,ΟΟΟΖ., with which they were raising a regiment of horse and 
foot. 

Sunday 20.—Sir Charles Moore dined with me. In the evening 
I went to chapel. 

Monday 21.—Visited Sir William Heathcote. Went to St. James's 
Vestry where the whole morning was spent in examining abuses in 
the workhouse. Dined and passed the evening at home. 

Tuesday 22.—Visited Captain Whorwood and his lady. 

Dined with the gentlemen of the Christian Knowledge Society being 
their anniversary day. We were about 22, and the benefaction to 
the poor amounted to something above 81. Lord Colerain, Sir Thomas 
Lowther, Dr. Pellin, &c., were of the company. 

In the evening went to the play. 

Wednesday 23.—Georgia affairs. A Common Council met to 
consider of Mr. Whitfeild's letter to the Trustees. Henry Archer, 
Digby, Egmont, Ch. Hales, Lapotre, Shaftsbury, Pr., Smith, Thos. 
Towers, Vernon, Andersen, Burton. 

Mr. Whitfeild's letter to Mr. Verelts from Savannah, dated 
28 January last, was read. 

We directed Mr. Verelts to write him that he would lay it before 
the Common Council next Common Council, directed him also to write 
to Mr. Bolzius that Mr. Whitfeild had collected 761. for the Saltsburgers. 

A paper of Mr. Adam Andersen's was read relating to the grant made 
to Mr. Macleod of 300 acres for religious uses, to which the Incorporate 
Society for propagating Christianity among the Heathens, who pay 
him his salary, made some objections. 

We resolved that if Mr. Macleod will resign his grant, we will grant 
to the society a new one, upon certain conditions to be expressed in 
the grant, and which come very near to the points desired by the said 
corporation. 

Lieutenant Delagal presented us a copy of memorial he had given 
to Colonel Oglethorpe for a reward of services done as engineer at 
St. Simond's Fort, and for a consideration of losses. To this was 
annexed an account which contained a demand of 222Z. But he con 
cluded that 100Z. should satisfy him, and in money 851, he having 
received other ways to the value of 151. 

We resolved, that the affair should be remitted to Col. Oglethorpe 

Î The figures of this account, though the totals are, in some cases, incorrect 
and in the first two cases obviously transposed in error, so appear in the 
original.—Ed. 

 130 DIARY OF THE 

April 24-May 2 

and the commissioners of accounts to report on the same, and in 
timated to Mr. Verelts to advance him in the meantime 20Z. in con 
sideration of his great necessity, having a wife and eight children, but 
we could not order him the money, not being at this time a Common 
Council Board, for we were only Mr. Vernon, Dr. Hales, Mr. Smith, 
Mr. Lapotre, and myself. We doubted not but the Common Council 
would approve it. 

Several of us dined together at the Horn Tavern from whence I 
returned home. 

Thursday 24.—I went to Staples Inn to receive my annuity due 
from the York Building Company 

Friday 25.—Visited Lord Sidney Beauclerc. Dined with my 
brother Percival, and passed the evening with Mr. Vernon. 

Saturday 26.— 

Sunday 27.—Stayed all day at home. My cousin Whorwood, his 
wife and cousin Celia Scot dined with me. 

Monday 28.—Went to the Georgia office to read some papers arrived 
this day from Georgia, with a letter to the .Trustees from Mr. Stephens, 
dated 27 January and a continuation of his journal to that time. 

I had also a letter from Samuel Davidson, constable at Frederica, 
complaining of great hardships from Mr. Hawkins ; he also writ to 
Mr. Verelts and sent a petition. Mr. Christie also sent an abstract 
of the proceedings of the town court of Savannah from 22 November 
1738 to 29 November 1739. 

Tuesday 29.—Went only to the coffee house. 

By letters from South Carolina there came an account that General 
Oglethorpe had advanced towards St. Augustine but was obliged to 
repass the river St. John by a party of horse which came out of that 
city, he having no horse nor cannon with him, which was a rash action 
in him to expose himself. The Assembly of South Carolina had voted 
him 1,500 sterling towards the taking the town, but the money was 
not raised, and they were sitting on a vote to raise 120,000 pound of 
their currency, but it was not resolved when the ship that brought 
this news sailed. 

I had a message from Mr. Verelts that Captain Thompson is arrived 
from Georgia in the Downs. 

Wednesday 30.—Went to the Georgia Office on a summons for 
Trustees, to go into a committee of correspondence upon Mr. Causton's 
letter and petition to the Trustees, and Theophilus Hetherington's 
letter unanswered. But being a sufficient number of common 
councillors, we went into a Common Council. 

Thos. Archer, Digby in the chair, Egmont, Henry Archer, Lapotre, 
Smith, Tirconnel, Vernon. 

We read Samuel Davison's letter to Mr. Verelts, dated 6 January 
last. Also his letter to me of same date. Also his petition. 

Also his commission to be constable of Frederica, which was given 
him by Colonel Oglethorpe, 15 March 1735-6. 

Also his commission to be searcher to stave rum, given him 10 
April 1736. 

Eead also Mr. Stephens' letter to the Trustees, dated 28 January 
last, and Journal. 

Read also Mr. Thomas Christie's letter to the Trustees, without date, 
complaining that he was not sworn into his post of bailiff, at which 

1740. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

131 

he expresses himself very angry with Mr. Stephens and Mr. Jones. 

Eead also Mr. Causton's letter and petition to the Trustees, dated 
22 January 1739-40, and his account annexed. 
Read also Mr. Stephens' Journal to 27 January last. 
Some heads of answers to Mr. Causton were ordered. 
Read also a letter of Theophilus Hetherington, foreman of a grand 
jury at Savannah, dated 21 December, complaining that when seven 
of the said grand jury against six had carried it to enquire of Mr. 
Thomas Jones, storekeeper, to inform them concerning some nails 
embezzled from the stores and bought by one Pope, Mr. Jones refused 
to give them the required satisfaction. 

Mr. Henry Archer, a lawyer, as also the rest of the gentlemen were of 
opinion that Mr. Jones did right to refuse them, they not being alJ 
agreed in the point. 

The Board thought it proper to write to Hetherington thereon. 
They also ordered some heads of answer to be made to Mr. Causton 
who made heavy complaints against Mr. Jones, both in his letter and 
petition. 

All these letters, &c., with others arrived the 28th instant, together 
with the following, not read for want of time, viz. 
A letter of John Brownfeild to the Trustees dated 9 February last. 
A letter from Mr. Stevens to Mr. Verelts dated 28th January last. 
The journal of Mr. Stephens from 25 November last to 27 January 
following. 

And the protest and return of Mr. Hammerton's bill of exchange 
for 200Z. on Mr. George Saxby, his deputy receiver in South Carolina, 
which also came 28th instant. 

All these letters were referred to a committee of correspondence. 
After dinner the following gentlemen made a committee of corres 
pondence : Henry Archer, Egmont, Lapotre, Smith, Vernon. 
We read Mr. Stephens' journal, and then adjourned our committee. 
In the evening I visited Lady Rook, cousin Betty Southwell and 
cousin Le Grand. 

This day came a letter from Mr. Whitfeild to the Trustees, that he 
arrived the 11 January last at Savannah, that he desired his grant of 
500 acres for the orphan house might be made to him and his successors 
for ever, that he proposed to build the house ten miles from Savannah 
town, and intended to resign the church of Savannah and attend 
only the orphan house. 

Thursday, 1 May.—Went to court, where I learned that last night 
the Secretary of State (which of them I know not) were to wait on the 
Duke of Arguile to acquaint him that his Majesty had no further 
occasion for his service, and thought fit to deprive him of all his 
employments. 

Also that his Majesty (to every one's surprise) was determined very 
speedily to go to Hanover. Some say it is to concert treaties with 
foreign princes, others to marry there Madam Valmont (now Countess 
of Yarmouth) she being divorced in form from her husband at that 
court, and the bishops here declining to marry them. 

Friday 2.—-This day Captain Thompson of " the Two Brothers " 
arrived from the Downs, and delivered the following letters at the 
Georgia Board. 
1. Mr. Stephens' journal from 28 January to 14 March. 

 J 

. 

132 DIARY OF THE 

May 2-4 

2. Colonel Oglethorpe's letter dated from Frederica, l February, to 
Colonel Stephens, giving account of his success against the Spaniards, 
which may be seen in my book of letters from Georgia, as also an 
account of the strength of Augustine and the number of forces there. 

3. General Oglethorpe's letter to the Trustees dated from Frederica 
24 January 1739-40, acquainting us that he had sent Lieutenant 
Horton over to raise 30 recruits, and desiring us to send over 30 women 
for their or others' wives and to pay the passage of the women and 
allow them corn and meat for a year. 

Other letters of less importance came by him. He also brought a 
letter to me from Colonel Stephens dated 13 March, -acquainting me 
that by the Captain he had sent me 6 planks as I wrote for, also that 
Colonel Oglethorpe had granted Duché the potter another lot adjacent 
to his own, on which he had built two houses, with intention to make 
finer ware than before. 

The captain also brought over a letter to the Trustees from Mr. 
Hawkins, dated 20 February, thanking them for the allowance made 
him in our estimate. 

And a letter from Colonel Oglethorpe to the Trustees, dated 29 
December. 

And a letter from Colonel Stevens to the Trustees, dated 14 March. 

By another ship (I think Captain Wright) arrived a few days before 
came a letter to the Trustees from Colonel Oglethorpe, dated at 
Frederica 29 December 1739, concerning the Trustees' servants, how 
disposed in the southern district. 

A letter from William Sterling, Andrew Grant, David Douglass 
and Thomas Baily, dated 25 March, 1739-40, with a copy of their 
petition of 1 June 1739, desiring leave to settle on Wilmington Island, 
containing about 16 or 1700 acres. 

A letter of 17 March, 1739-40, from Mr. Jo. Fallowfield to Mr. Verelts, 
that he had obliged two ships to give bond for prohibited goods, and 
desiring full directions how he should proceed on like occasions, and 
desiring correspondence with him. 

A letter from Mr. Thomas Jones of 15 March, 1739-40, that great 
difficulties were found in examining Causton's accounts which were 
made up by said Causton wrong, as he showed in some instances, and 
in some confessed by Causton himself. 

A letter from Mr. Carteret (lately made aide-de-camp by Colonel 
Oglethorpe) to Mr. Verelts, advising him of his wife's being sailed to 
England on board Captain Thompson. 

The captain also brought a letter from Captain Hugh Mackay to 
Colonel Cecil, dated 24 January, giving him a brief account of what the 
Colonel had done against the Spaniards and that he missed taking St. 
Augustine by the delay of succours from Carolina, nevertheless he 
hoped to take it before May if he gets cannon. That he had taken two 
forts, one on each side the river, burnt one, and garrisoned the other, 
and destroyed the Spaniards' cattle. That by taking these two forts, 
a way is opened for the Indian allies of England to come down into 
Florida, which they could not otherwise do. That Colonel Oglethorpe 
was near being shot by a cannon bullet. Lieut. Horton came with 
him and brought me a letter from Oglethorpe, dated 8 December. 

Saturday 3.—Visited Mr. Jo. Temple. 

My wife all day ill of a fever, kept her bed and had two physicians. 

FIRST EAEL OF EGMONT. 

133 

1740. 

Yesterday a council was held on the King's purpose to go abroad, 
and they were to a man against it. It is reported Sir Robert Walpole 
was so urgent with him to change his purpose that he told him he 
might as well abdicate his kingdom, and that he had even prevailed 
on the Countess of Yarmouth to endeavour to persuade the King 
from it, but in vain, for he has fixed on Tuesday sennit for his 
departure. 

The City of London is in a great fluster at his Majesty's going, as 
also at the Duke of "Arguile's removal, and it must be owned all man 
kind wonders at both, and say that if the King can take his pleasure 
at Hanover, it is evident we are in no danger of an invasion, and 
consequently the number of troops now raised were not to defend 
us against a foreign enemy. 

They say also it is strange the most useful officer (the Duke of 
Arguile) should be turned out of his employments at a time when 
invasions are talked of, but this convinces them that an invasion is 
not apprehended. 

A shopkeeper told me that last night some soldiers standing before 
her door, one of them said there was no occasion to fight against 
Spain, but we should go to war with Hanover. 

Sunday 4.—This evening Captain Thompson and Mr. Verelts came 
to me, and also Mr. Vernon and Mr. Lapotre. 

The captain came to inform me concerning the state of Georgia, 
from whence he sailed and arrived here in five weeks or thirty-five days. 

1. He said there were few industrious planters in the colony, for 
notwithstanding the great reward given for silk balls or cocoons, he 
knew scarce any one had planted mulberry trees, or that had cultivated 
vines. 

2. That the crop last year of corn was good, and he believed the 
proportion of the reward promised by Colonel Oglethorpe for raising 
com amounted to Mr. Thomas Causton alone 50Z. or 601. 

3. That he could not find such numbers had abandoned the colony, 
as is reported, scarce a hundred, and those such as cultivated nothing, 
and would never come to good, so it was no loss. 

4. That had we permitted negroes both South Carolina and Georgia 
had been by this time undone. 

5. That the people of Savannah are quiet, and have entirely given 
over the thought of negroes. 

6. That there is not a drop of rum drunk at Frederica or the Darien. 

7. That he fears the war will take the people this year from their 
cultivation. 

8. That the Darien people have run into cattle, and send four oxen 
a week to supply the camp. 

9. That divers of the soldiers plant and have formed a village in 
St. Simon's Island, but few of the officers had cultivated their lots, 
being satisfied that they can live on their pay ; however, Captain 
Heron had made a pretty improvement. 

10. That all the inhabitants who had cattle and could keep them 
from running into the woods were able to live. 

11. That they were in general still dissatisfied with the penalties 
on the grants of their lands, obliging them to cultivate a certain 
parcel of acres within a limited time, or else the forfeiture of the lands 
would follow : for that not being able to perform those covenants, 

 134 toiARY OF THE 

May 4-7 

they have actually forfeited, and are liable to lose their property 
whenever the Trustees shall think fit. 

12. That if the penalties were remitted, and good ground given to 
those who have bad, he believed the people would be satisfied and 
cultivate, and Lieut. Horton was come to propose this to us. 

13. That Mr. Whitfeild goes fast on with the orphan house, had sent 
for the orphans in the south, but Colonel Oglethorpe would not let 
him have such as were grown to years of service. He believed he had 
near a hundred, and at the rate Mr. Whitfeild went on he must have 
a purse to spend on this design of near 2,OOOZ. a year. 

14. That there were a few at Savannah turned methodists by his 
means, and Mr. Brownfeild our Register, was one, but the greater 
number disliked him and say he is much altered from what he was the 
time before he was there. That he heard him preach, that no man 
could be saved who is not an enthusiast. 

15. That Mr. Jones, our magistrate, is looked on as one of his followers. 
That he keeps a store for his own use, and having the use of our store 
house without paying rent, prevents other people keeping private 
stores, and so engrosses all to himself, at which the people are displeased. 
That when he gives receipts for the payments made him for the goods 
he sells, he leaves a blank, that it may not be known of whom the goods 
were bought. That he told the captain he designed next year to 
return to England. 

16. That Mr. Causton complains he is not called to be present when 
the commissioners examine his accounts, but only sent for when 
they have anything against him, and then being surprised, he is under 
a difficulty to satisfy them on the queries they put him. That he 
has the finest settlement in the colony, and his garden far beyond 
the public garden, which is not in a very good condition, but there 
are some thousand of mulberry trees there, some as big as the calf 
of his leg, and he believes there will this year be leaves enough for the 
silk worms. 

17. That several Trust servants out of their time have taken up 
lots, adjacent to Savannah town, and plant tobacco for their own use. 

18. That the people at Darien multiply, but in other parts the 
children new born die very fast, which he imputes to the badness of 
the women and their drinking rum which spoils their milk. 

19. That Mr. Noms had been invited to a living in South Carolina 
of 1501!. a year, but was gone with Colonel Oglethorpe to Frederica, 
who besides the 501. allowed him by the Incorporate Society, paid him 
half a crown a week to do duty to the regiment, but that Mr. Norris 
also expected the Trustees would also pay him the 50i. they usually 
allow their ministers. 

20. That the lighthouse goes still more and more out of repair, 
and though we sent to repair it, it was not done, Mr. Oglethorpe 
directing all things, and giving his orders to Mr. Thomas Jones alone, 
so that Colonel Stephens had nothing to do but to sign and certify to 
expenses when made. 

20. That Mr. Thomas Jones declines directing the Trust servants 
on account of so much business, and Eouverie's farm was much 
neglected. 

21. That William Bradley is poor, despised, and, it was said, intended 
to leave the Province to go to South Carolina. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

135 

1740. 

22. That Mr. Thomas Christie had set the colony in discontent and 
was gone with his mistress the adulteress to South Carolina, but 
threatened he would embark for England to complain against Mr. 
Stephens for refusing to swear him into the magistry. 

23. That he had brought over several old and useless women from 
Georgia, and one freeholder named James Smith, with his wife and 
child, who have an estate fallen to them in Scotland. 

24. That the Saltsburgers were in so good a condition, they had more 
corn of their raising than they could eat, and talked of writing to their 
brethren in Germany to send them 500 persons. 

25. That all manner of garden stuff showed extremely well in the 
colony. 

26. That Colonel Oglethorp was gone to Charlestown to settle 
preparations to attack Augustine. 

27. That the Carolinians and Georgians traffic, without interrupting 
each other, with the Indians. 

My wife's fever abated this day. 

Monday 5.—Visited Sir George Savil, A. Parker, and Mr. Clerk of 
Cecil Street. 

Tuesday 6.—I only went to the coffee house. I had a message 
this day from the Lord Chamberlain to be on Thursday at Court at 
7 o'clock in the evening to be present at the signing the contract of 
Princess Mary's marriage with the Prince of Hesse. 

Wednesday 7.—Went to the Georgia Board, where met in Common 
Council Digby, Egmont, pr., Hales, Holland, Lapotre, Lord Sidney 
Beauclerc, Lord Shaftsbury, Smith, Tho. Towers, eh., Vernon, Sir 
William Heathcote. 

Our whole morning was employed in composing an answer to Mr. 
Whitfeild's three letters of the 16th and 26th January and 10th March, 
1739-40. And in directing a letter to be wrote by our accountant 
to Mr. Stone, secretary to the Duke of Newcastle, desiring him to 
acquaint his Grace with the condition Colonel Oglethorpe is in, who 
wrote to us the 29 December that in order to annoy the Spaniards, 
he had been obliged to raise a company of rangers, keep a scout boat, 
and bring down a body of Indians, which expense being military, the 
Trustees could not pay, the Parliament not having given them money 
for military purposes, wherefore we thought proper to lay these 
necessary expenses before his Grace. 

At dinner, Lieutenant Horton came to us. Colonel Oglethorpe 
had sent him over to enlist recruits, to lay the condition of Colonel 
Oglethorpe before the Government in hopes of further supplies, and 
to get an additional company of grenadiers for his regiment, so as 
it might be put on the same foot as the regiments in England. 

1. He told us that the Port Picola on the south side of the river 
St. Juan is within 7 or 8 leagues of St. Augustine, that after Colonel 
Oglethorpe had taken and burnt it, he advanced a little way to 
reconnoitre the country, and then returned to the north side, where 
he had before taken St. Francisco de Pupo, where he left a garrison of 
thirty men. 

2. That the river St. Juan between these two forts is about a mile 
broad. 

3. That he took with him forty-seven Indians, most of them of 
Yamacraw near Savannah, commanded by Sentiche who was over in 

 136 biARY or THE 

May 7-8 

England, arid who in the return was unhappily drowned by the boats 
oversetting. 

4. That a few Chickesaws were likewise with him. 

5. That Toonaway that was in England is a perfect sot, and despised 
by his countrymen since old ———— death. 

6. That the people of Darien are industrious cultivators of land, 
and have cattle, but they increase in number, and can furnish sixty 
fighting men. 

7. That Frederica can furnish one hundred, but they cultivate very 
little, being shopkeepers and tradesmen. 

8. That the regiment had lost about thirty persons, including the 
women, who were hard drinkera. 

9. That the women in the Province lost their children soon by the 
ill habit of body they contracted by drinking. 

10. That the forts on the south were of no great consideration. 

11. That there is no town at Augusta, as we imagined, and the fort 
there is only a block house. 

12. That Colonel Oglethorpe had been sent to by South Carolina 
to consult about taking St. Augustine. That the Assembly had voted 
120,OOOZ. of their money (15,000 sterling) for that purpose, and intended 
to hire soldiers from other provinces, not being able to spare any man 
out of their own province by reason of the fewness of the white 
inhabitants and great number of their negroes; besides, half the 
inhabitants were dead last year. That there was sufficient store of 
heavy cannon in Carolina with carriages, but it was difficult to carry 
them to Frederica, for want of pettiaguas, one pettiagua being able 
to take in only three cannon. 

13. That the English servants were good for nothing, but the German 
servants industrious, and some had bought the freedoms and had 
taken lots, but such would want a little assistance. 

14. That Colonel Oglethorpe had bought Mr. Upton's house, who 
was gone to settle at Savannah, and had entered into partnership 
with ———— Kellaway to sell goods, ajid thrived. That this house 
was for the minister Mr. Norris, to whom he gave half a crown a day 
to say prayers to the regiment, reserving the remaining four shillings 
and two pence for the relief of the old and infirm. 

15. That the people were pretty well satisfied with the alteration of 
their tenure ; but were not totally easy because they lay under 
the penalties of their grants of forfeiture for want of having cultivated 
within the time they covenanted, so that they all lay at the Trustees' 
mercy to continue or resume their land. That it was absolutely 
impossible they could cultivate as they had bound themselves to do. 
That if these penalties were remitted and abrogated, and good ground 
given to those who wanted it, he believed they would be perfectly 
satisfied, and many would proceed to cultivate. 

16. That the inhabitants of Darien and Frederica wanted no more 
relief from the Trustees, and though the last crop was not of the best, 
yet most who had planted, had raised sufficient corn for their subsistence. 

17. That he believed if we distributed among the people our super 
numerary Trust servants, they not paying for their passage, very many 
would be taken by the inhabitants. 

18. That the people were come into a more prudent conduct than 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 

137 

1740. 

at first, having laid aside their silk gowns and contented themselves 

with osnaburgs. 

19. That Captain Gascoigns' lot and house was rented by Captain 
Wood, but the officers who had lots had not taken them up. 

20. That about fifty soldiers had applied themselves to cultivate, 
and formed a village in Amelia. 

21. That the fish in the southward is very good, and several applied 
themselves to the trade. 

22. That the people are easy as to not having negroes, and those at 
Frederica would have petitioned against them, but that Colonel 
Oglethcrpe did not think it necessary. 

23. That Colonel Oglethorpe had given each officer five acres of 
land, and Lieutenant Colonel Cook had made a vineyard and planted 
it with the wild grape. 

James Cammel, Gaoler and Provost Marshal of Savannah (so 
appointed by Colonel Oglethorpe in July last), being come over on 
private business of his own, viz. to receive some money left him by a 
relation, and on his return back to Georgia, attended ; he said he had 
two Trust servants appointed him, but Mr. Jones had taken one away. 
Mr. Oglethorpe had allowed him 20Z. per annum, which was unknown 
to us, and is not in our estimate. 

Young Thomas, son to the engineer who died at Carolina, came and 
showed us a very neat map of his drawing of the Island of St. Simon, 
Jekyl, &c., with the forts and batteries built or intended to be built 
in St. Simon's. 

Several letters from Georgia lately received were referred to a 
committee. 

Thursday 8.—Mrs. Percival, of Wandsor, and her son-in-law Mr. 
Forester, parson of Wotton Basset in Wiltshire, dined with me. 

At 7 o'clock I went according to my summons to Court, and found 
the rooms already full of both sexes, the greater part uninvited, of 
whom many out of curiosity and some in duty of their place as servants 
of the Eoyal Family. The peers and peeresses and great officers 
summoned to be present, would have been a greater number, if, as on 
former occasions, all who were known to be in town had been sent to, 
but I learned that those who attend the Prince's Court were left out. 

About 8 o'clock the King passed from his own apartment to the 
inward room called the Council Chamber through a great crowd, and 
half an hour after came the Princess Mary, in her wedding garment 
led by the Duke and followed by other Princesses. Then the heralds 
called out for the baronesses, viscountesses, countesses and duchesses 
to walk in their respective ranks, who being passed to the chapel, 
followed by the Princesses, the heralds called on the Privy Councillors 
not peers, the Comptroller by his name, Sir Charles Darcy, the barons, 
viscounts, earls, and dukes to march in their ranks two by two, who 
accordingly marshalled themselves and proceeded to the chapel ; last 
of all followed the King. When all were there and the door shut, the 
Duke of Newcastle read aloud the marriage contract in Latin, and then 
put the marriage questions to the Princess in English, Wilt thou take 
William Prince of Hesse to [be] thy husband, wilt thou love, honour, 
&c. To all which she answered very distinctly aloud, yes, repeating 
after him also some form of words respecting the contract on her part 
which I could not distinctly hear. What other ceremonies passed I 

 138 DÏAftY OF THÉ 

May 8-9 

know not, being at so great a distance, but after she had signed the 
contract, the Archbishop of Canterbury read a paper in Latin, so low 
that I could not hear the contents, and then in English pronounced a 
prayer and blessing. Then an anthem was sung, during which time 
the peers present went up to a table placed beside the altar and 
signed their names to the contract, but without rank or order. As they 
went up, they made their bows to the King, Princesses and the Duke, 
who were seated, the King on the right hand, and the others before 
the altar, and the same at their return. 

And this concluding the ceremony, the heralds called on the un 
married ladies, baronesses, viscountesses, countesses and duchesses 
to march, and then on the privy councillors not peers, &c., to go, 
who accordingly left their places and returned back to the palace, 
but not in exact order by reason of the crowd, and negligence of the 
peers. Last of all, the King and Royal Family left the chapel, and 
being returned to the council chamber above mentioned received the 
compliments of those who could get near them. 

About half an hour after ten the Royal Family went to the great 
dancing room and sat down to supper, attended by such nobility as 
cared to go, and a great number of others who crowded to see that 
remainder of the ceremony of the day. 

The Duke of Cumberland gave his sister, and the Prince of Hesse's 
Procurator was present to see the contract passed. 

I was curious to know how the Irish peers were to be ranked and walk, 
being determined not to walk unless in the rank they claim a right to, 
but the Duke of Grafton seemed officiously to take pains to put us 
early out of doubt, by telling me that I must walk in my rank, and 
accordingly I walked as junior earl after the English viscounts, and 
behind me the Earls of Clanrickard and Tinley, as Lord Moncton 
walked the first of the barons. The Scots earls followed us, and then 
the English. So this day our claim of precedency received a 
confirmation. 

The Princess Caroline as she passed told me she was glad to see me 
there ; I answered that while I was able I should never be wanting to 
pay my duty, to which she replied, I was very obliging. 

I counted at the ceremony 12 dukes ; 1 marquis ; 18 earls ; 4 
viscounts ; 13 barons, and 11 bishops. 

I was told this day, that when the two Secretaries of State acquainted 
the Duke of Arguile that his Majesty had no further occasion for his 
service, they assured him they had no hand in his removal from his 
employments ; to which he replied, he very believed them, but it was 
all the doing of that scoundrel Sir Robert Walpole. That he desired 
them to present his duty to his Majesty and tell him, that as he was 
a soldier he humbly desired his Majesty would do by him as is done by 
all old soldiers who are dismissed from the service after long service, 
namely, give him a certificate that he had served soberly, bravely and 
faithfully, for it was possible his Majesty might soon have occasion to 
make an alliance with some Prince for his own defence, and by such 
a certificate he might, under that Prince, be able to do his Majesty 
service, though he was deprived of doing it immediately under himself. 

Friday 9.—Went again to court to wish the Princess Mary joy. 
Stayed the rest of the day at home. 

FIRST EARL OF EGtóOÑT. 139 

1749. 

My wife had some return of her fever. 

Lieut. Horton dined with me this day, to whom I read the state 
of Georgia which Mr. Thomas Stephens had wrote so disparagingly 
to the Trustees, at which he took great offence and said it was full of 
falsities and sknder. To what Mr. Horton told the Trustees the 7th 
instant (see p. 79*) he further acquainted me— 

1. That the inhabitants of the southern division can now subsist 
without any more expense to the Trustees. 

2. That the people of Frederica had prepared a petition against 
the introduction of negroes and delivered the same into his hands, but 
that he advised them to drop it as wholly unnecessary since there was 
a law against it which they might be sure would not be repealed by the 
Trustees. 

3. That there were a few Scots at Darien who wished for negroes, 
but it was only to satisfy their countrymen in the northern division, 
for they were such as, if they had negroes, never designed to cultivate. 

4. That the vines Lieutenant Colonel Cook cultivated, were not 
transplanted by him, but only pruned ; that he drank of the wine 
made thereof, which had a pleasant sweet taste and flavour, and he 
believed would keep near a year. 

5. That many people in the southern division were determined to 
push on the plantation of vines. 

6. That there was a great deal of crooked timber to the southward 
fit for building ships. 

7. That our Trust servants who could saw, were so expert as to 
saw 120 foot a day. That we had a vast quantity of sawed timber 
in our stores. 

8. That the chapel for divine service at Frederica is actually built, 
and of the timber sawed by our Trust servants. 

9. That Mr. Stephens, our secretary, had a great influence over the 
inhabitants of the northern division, but it was a pity the magistrates 
were of a rough and harsh temper. 

10. But Mr. Henry Parker was not so, and he was very glad to hear 
we had restored him to be first bailiff. 

11. That it is impossible Colonel Oglethorpe should be able to take 
Fort Augustine so soon as May, and he was sure himself would be 
returned to him before all things could be ready. 

12. That the southern division is supplied constantly with fresh 
beef by the inhabitants of Darien at two pence a pound. 

13. That there is great plenty of fish, as bass, mullets, prawns, &c. 
and there is also sturgeon, but the rivers are so deep, they cannot be 
taken. 

14. That there [are] sheep, which thrive well. 

15. That he believed no more inhabitants would leave the province. 

16. That he believed and was pretty sure the reward promised of 
four shillings per pound for silk balls or cocoons, was not a sufficient 
encouragement to the inhabitants to plant mulberry trees and go on 
the silk. 

17. That Captain Heron (since designed to succeed Lieut. Colonel 
Cook as Major) had built a pretty house on his five acre lot, and had 
corn and garden stuff sufficient for his use. 

* That is, of the MS. diary. See p. 135 supra. 

 140 DIARY OF THE 

May 9-18 

18. That soldiers of the regiment were in good obedience, and very 
contented. 

19. That negroes would absolutely be the destruction of the colony 
if introduced, and the people were now all sensible of it. 

20. That the Indians are good to fight against Indians, and to waste 
the Spaniards' plantations, but not fit for entering trenches or besieging 
a town regularly ; but upon a breach made, might possibly mount 
it after the English, but not before. 

21. That the duty of the officers of the regiment returns too often, 
there being so few of them, only a captain, lieutenant and ensign to 
100 private men ; and of them there are now 4 absent in England, 
besides the three belonging to the company in Carolina. Wherefore, 
if the commission he was come over to solicit were not complied with 
by his Majesty, namely, to have six more ensigns, and the six that 
now are made lieutenants en second, and a company of grenadiers 
added to his regiment, he would be much dissatisfied. 

22. That he this day presented the Duke of Newcastle a memorial 
to that purpose, but General Wade to Id· him it would signify nothing, 
unless his memorial were presented to the King himself, which if it 
were, he would undertake the things should be granted ; but the King 
going to Hanover next Tuesday he feared nothing would be done. 

Saturday 10.—A committee of accounts met by appointment to 
consider several accounts and letters lately arrived, at which were 
present, Lord Shaftsbury, Vernon, Egmont. 

We examined several accounts returned by our commissioners of 
accounts in Savannah, with the balances by them settled, and approved 
them, but could not finish the affairs. We also took into consideration 
the petition of Samuel Davison, Constable at Frederica, and agreed 
to allow him the balance of an account due from him to the Trust, in 
consideration of his services. The report will be seen at large. 

In the evening I visited Sir Francis Clerk and brother Percival. 

Sunday 11.—Went to St. James's Church. 

Monday 12.—Visited Lord Bathurst, Sir William Heathcote, 
Colonel Legrand, and Dr. Moore. 

Spent the evening at home. 

Tuesday 13.—This morning at 5 o'clock the King set out for 
Hanover. 

I learned this day that Sir Eobert Walpole is in a very bad state of 
health. That he pressed hard with the King that his brother Horace 
Walpole might go with him, as a person best acquainted with foreign 
affairs, but the King replied, He shall not go, and took with him Lord 
Harrington who is at no good understanding with Sir Robert. That 
in the distribution of the Duke of Arguile's employments, Sir Robert 
would have the Duke of Bolton to succeed to the post of Master to 
the Ordnance, but the Duke of Montague insisted to have it, and so 
obtained it. 

That Sir Robert was not for giving Lord Harvey the post of Lord 
Privy Seal, but nevertheless he obtained it, having much the King's 
ear and favour. That Sir Charles Wager desired the King to suffer 
Sir J. Norris to convey him across the sea as being his right, but the 
King said, No, you shall go. 

That the King would have gone last year to Hanover, but Sir Robert 
to keep him made him believe there was designed an invasion, and on 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

141 

1740. 

that persuasion the army has been so considerably augmented merely 

to prevent the King's going. 

That there are three parties in the Court—1. Lord Chancellor, joined 
by the Duke of Newcastle, Hen. Pelham and their followers. 2. Lord 
Wilmington, Duke of Dorset and their friends. 3. Sir Robert Walpole, 
Duke of Devonshire, Duke of Grafton and all Sir Robert's posse. 

That Lord Harrington is so indolent he joins himself to none. 

Wednesday 14.—Visited Mr. Stroud and Lady Anne Stroud, Col. 
Schutz, and Bishop of Gloster. 

Went in the evening to the coffee house. 

Thursday 15.—Went to the Georgia Board on summons of Common 
Council but were not a Board. 

Egmont, Hales, Holland, president, Lapotre, Ayers, Shaftsbury. 

As a committee of accounts we read Col. Oglethorpe's letter that 
enclosed an account of divers goods taken by him from on board Capt. 
Thompson's ship, amounting to above 600Z., and by him applied to 
divers uses which he hoped the Trust would allow and pay for, but we 
judged that not much above 200?. of it ought to be allowed, the rest 
being chargeable to the military account. 

Read a letter from Mr. Woodrose, at Frederica, making a demand 
for money due to him from the Trust, the greatest part of which we 
allowed upon comparing it with the account sent us by the 
commissioners at Savannah. 

Read Mr. Millar's, the botanist, memorial to be paid for services, 
which was referred to Mr. Holland, Mr. Ayers, Mr. H. Archer and Mr. 
Thomas Towers to consider of and to make a report, or to any two 
of them. 

As committee of correspondence we prepared instructions to the 
magistrates of Savannah and Frederica relating to the orphans taken 
by Mr. Whitfeild. 

We also took down heads for letters to Col. Oglethorpe, Mr. Hawkins, 
Samuel Davison, the magistrates of Georgia, Mr. Thomas Jones, &c. 

Most of us dined together, and I passed the evening at home. 

Friday 16.—Stayed at home all day. 

Saturday 17.—Only went to the coffee house. My brother and 
sister Percival and Mrs. Donellan dined with me. 

In the evening Mr. Verelts came with Capt. Thompson, the former 
told me that by the latest news from America, the late Spanish 
Governor of St. Augustine who made the treaty of neutrality with 
Col. Oglethorpe in ———— and was sent home in chains for making 
it by the succeeding governor, has been hanged in Spain, and that 
Capt. Dempsy's brother, who was an officer in the Spanish service, 
has been turned out, merely because the Captain had been assistant 
on our part in concluding that treaty. 

That the Assembly of Carolina had resolved on assisting Col. 
Oglethorpe with 500 land men and 200 negro pioneers. And that 
Col. Oglethorpe had wrote over to his agent Mr. Fury to desire he 
might have leave to return for England. 

Lord Chesterfeild said, upon the King's going abroad this year (a 
thing which his good subjects lament, there being no apparent reason 
for his going, and which bad subjects make a jest of, that, in a word, 
has exposed his Majesty to be the talks and censure of various kinds 

 142 DIARY OF THE 

May 18-21 

of people) that his Majesty kept his word, for he had often said, if 
there should be a war, he would go and expose himself. 

He said also of the Duke of Bolton, now made Captain of the Band 
of Pensioners, that it was very hard on the Band to put the last of the 
pensioners at their head. Playing on the word last which has divers 
significations, and may be understood of the last appointed of the 
band, or by way of contempt calling him scoundrel, as the French 
speaking of such men say such a one est le dernier des hommes. The 
saying he is the last of the pensioners has also a reproach with it, in 
as much as the nation have of late years been much animated against 
lords who have pensions. 

Sunday 18.—Prayers and sermon at home. In the evening went 
to St. James's chapel. 

Monday 19.—I spent most of the morning at the Georgia Office, 
and then visited Col. Cecil who is a relation of Col. Oglethorpe, and 
lives in his house. My visit was to endeavour to persuade him of the 
dis-service it would be to Col. Oglethorpe to have any application 
made in his behalf for obtaining a dormant warrant of leave to return 
home, which he had directed his agent Mr. Fury to obtain for him. 
I said the very mention of such a thing at a time when he has orders 
to attack the Spaniards, would be ill interpreted, and Sir Robert 
Walpole, who loves neither him or the colony, would certainly take 
the advantage of it against him ; besides, that if the colonel should 
come over to England in time of war, the inhabitants of the colony 
would fly to other parts as not believing they could be safe. 

Col. Cecil replied that Col. Oglethorpe's private affairs required his 
return, and there was no disgrace in desiring a dormant warrant to 
return when he should judge the service of his Majesty allowed of 
it, which is the style such warrants run in. That if he stay there he 
will ruin himself, embarking in great expenses for the colony's defence 
which the Trustees cannot pay, and which he is uncertain whether the 
Government will allow. That it seemed to him as if it was designed 
to sacrifice him, and the Colonel could not but apprehend it himself. 
When I found Col. Cecil so tenacious, I desired that at least this demand 
should not be made until Lieutenant Horton, whom he had sent to 
apply for a company of grenadiers to be added to his regiment, was 
upon his return to Georgia, for it was not likely Sir Robert would 
grant that request, when he saw the Colonel disposed to return. He 
replied, he was for the application being made out of hand, and while 
the King is yet detained on this side the water, for otherwise, if the 
thing be delayed till the King is at Hanover, much time will be lost 
and Lieut. Horton obliged to stay very probably till his Majesty's 
return. 

This day Mr. Verelts told me he could get no member of our Board 
to go with Lieut. Horton to Sir Robert Walpole, and countenance his 
application for the allowance of the things demanded by Col. 
Oglethorpe. That Mr. Henry Archer, who is the best of any of them 
with Sir Robert, and indeed much in his confidence, had been applied to 
by him to do Col. Oglethorpe this service, but he declined it. Upon 
which Mr. Verelts pressing him to give his reason for such backward 
ness, it being known to the Trustees how well he stood with Sir Robert, 
and he knowing himself how much the colony's welfare and security de 
pended on the supplies Col. Oglethorpe demanded, he answered thus :— 

1740. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

143 

I will tell you in the strictest confidence what I never yet told to 
any man except to Mr. Thomas Towers. The next day after my 
speech in the House last session that the Trustees might have leave to 
deliver up their charter in case the Parliament did not think the colony 
of any use, I by invitation dined with Sir Robert, when he asked me 
why I expressed so much concern for the colony when I saw how little 
the House thought of it, and must expect that at a peace it would be 
given up. That Mr. Winnington who was at table said thereupon, 
the Spaniards were much obliged to the Trustees for cultivating a 
province for them. But he (Mr. Archer) replied " Sir Robert, you will 
not find it too easy a matter to give up the colony in Parliament, for 
the Trustees will think it their duty to oppose it, and I for one." 

Now, said he, (Mr. Archer) how can I go with Lieut. Horton to ask 
Sir Robert for any thing that tends to support the colony, after he had 
owned to me his design to destroy it. 

I told Mr. Verelts that this was a plain confirmation that the evil' 
spirit raised against the colony both in Parliament and without doors 
was Sir Robert's doing, that when he should deliver it up to the 
Spaniards, he might have a general concurrence therein, as a matter 
not worthy to be contested, in case the Spaniards should insist on 
having it towards facilitating a peace, but that it was a thing a Minister 
ought to be impeached for. 

Tuesday 20.—Visited Mr. Hanmer, Lord Lovel, Mr. Lamb, Mr. Ayers, 
Mr. Hucks, the Speaker, Sir Philip Parker, Sir George Savile, Col. 
Schutz, and Mr. Wesley and the Speaker. 

In the evening went to see acted at Drury Lane " The Provoked 
Wife." 

My wife went for the first time to take air since her late illness. 

Wednesday 21.—Went to a summons of Common Council. 

Ayers, Archer, Henry, Egmont, Hales, Lapotre, president, 
Shaftsbury, Smith, Vernon, chairman. 

The Trustees made some addition to their letter for Mr. Whitfeild, 
which was to direct absolutely that no more than 300Z. be disbursed 
upon the church at Savannah. 

Mr. Vernon presented the Board with 20Z. for the use of the missioners 
in Georgia. 

Lord Shaftsbury presented 10Z. for the building churches. 

Several memorandums for heads of letters were minuted down. 

A letter from Mary Townsend of Savannah to the Trustees, dated 
15 March 1739-40 and received yesterday, was read, wherein she 
complained— 

1. That Mr. Jones keeps a store and supplies shops wholesale with 
goods whilst he undersells them by retail, and that he keeps a perriagua 
or large boat, and no other boat may expect employ whilst his boat 
wants employ. 

2. That she supposed her former letters like those of other persons 
have been sunk, and she heard of a whole packet of letters burnt at 
Frederica. She desired we therefore would not send letters to Frederica 
but to Savannah. 

3. That if the Trustees care there will should be known, Mr. Fallow- 
field is the properest man, being honest and too honourable to conceal 
what the Trust would have known. 

4. That Capt. Thompson will hardly care to tell too much truth of 

 144 DIARY OF THE 

May 21-28 

the colony, and that he brings whole cargoes and sells by wholesale 
and retail. 

5. That the people leave the colony, but with regret, being obliged 
to it. 

The Trustees thought the letter too insignificant to take notice of. 

The Common Council ordered payment to Salice, a Grison servant, 
who being out of his time, came to England in order to return to his 
own country, and demanded 21. 15s. OcL as due to him for clothes 
promised him by Col. Oglethorpe. The promise was 41., and he had 
received but 1Z. 5s. of the money. 

There appeared also Caspar Schumaker, another Trust servant, 
whom Mr. Causton had taken, and whose time being out, was likewise 
come over with his wife to return to his own country. 

Upon asking him the reason why he left the colony, and did not 
take up the land he was entitled to when out of his service and settle 
there ; he answered, it signified nothing to give him land without the 
means of subsisting till sufficient thereof was cultivated for his 
support. 

We then proposed to him to return, in which case we would give him 
a year's subsistence, and a cow, calf and hog. He replied, if he had 
known that he would not have left the colony, and he would consult 
his wife thereon. 

We made the same proposal to Salice, who said he would also con 
sider it, and we ordered them to attend next board day. 

On this occasion we were all of opinion that it would be necessary 
to write to Georgia and have it known there that servants out of their 
time should be maintained for a year, in case they would take up the 
land due to them and settle, and also give them a cow and hog, for 
that otherwise they would all leave the colony at the expiration of 
their indentures, which were great pity, those servants being the best 
acquainted with the country, inured to the climate, and most laborious. 

The report was made from the committee of accounts of 10 May and 
agreed to. 

Agreed also to the report from the committee of accounts of 15 
May. 

We imprest to Alderman Hankey by draft on the bank 1.800Z. to 
pay part of the colony's debts, certified by the commissioners of 
accounts in Georgia to be due. 

Ordered that δ,ΟΟΟΖ. in sola bills be made out. 

Several of us dined at the tavern together and Lieut. Horton coming 
to us, said he had been a second time with Sir Kobert Walpole, to 
whom he exposed the necessity Col. Oglethorpe was under of a supply, 
and presented to him a memorial of what was necessary, as rangers, 
more subaltern officers to his regiment, an additional company of 
grenadiers, and 600Z. for supernumeraries, scout boats, one thousand 
Indians to be regimented, &c. Sir Robert said he came too late, and 
that he should have come before the Parliament was up, and then these 
things might have been laid before it as services incurred. Mr. Horton 
replied, he could not come sooner, being detained by contrary winds 
six weeks at Carolina, and that without these demands were granted 
the inhabitants must abandon the colony. 

Sir Robert then bid him go to Sir William Young, Secretary-at-War 
and lay the papers before him. 

FIRST EARL OP EGMONT. 

145 

1740. 

From thence Mr." Horton went to the Duke of Newcastle, who told 
him Sir Robert Walpole had acquainted him with his business, and 
desired he would be with him to-morrow. 

Lieut. Horton added that he had been with the Speaker, who 
received him well, and desired a copy of his memorial ; he had also been 
with the Earl of Hay and others, and hoped his affair was in a 
good way. 

He acquainted us that Colonel Oglethorpe had wrote to Sir Robert 
to know if he thought his presence in England next session could be 
of service to him. And had offered if judged proper to send him five 
battalions to assist Admiral Vernon in taking the Havanah, wherein 
by his intelligence there are at this time but 1374 regular troops, 
which Sir Robert told Lieut. Horton is contrary to all the information 
given him by others. 

As to the civil concerns of the colony, Mr. Horton told us— 

1. That Mr. Thomas Jones keeps a store purely to prevent other 
private stores from selling goods too dear to the people. 

2. That it is absolutely necessary we should abolish the clauses of 
forfeiture on the peoples' grants, it being impossible they should be 
fulfilled, and all have forfeited if we should insist on those clauses, 
which has so discouraged the inhabitants that the best of them are 
determining to leave the colony, Houston for one, who is now killing 
off his cattle. 

3. That four shillings per pound on silk balls, will not encourage 
the people to follow that affair. 

4. That no more people will in his judgment abandon the colony. 

5. That he never found anything amiss in Fallowfeild. 

6. Neither in Mr. Thomas Jones, but that he is too passionate and 
foul mouthed. 

7. That Thomas Mercer is a man of good sense, and as fit as any 
one he knows to be made a magistrate. 

8. That Prévost has a good store house at Savannah. 

Then a letter from Capt. Mark Carr to General Jame« Campbell, 
dated 28 January last from his settlement called the Hermitage in 
the southern division of the Province, was read, commending the 
healthiness and fruitfulness of the colony, the industrious care of 
Col. Oglethorpe, and giving account of Col. Oglethorpe's expeditions 
into the Spanish Florida and taking the two forts, Picolata and St. 
Francesco de Pupa. He also gives a particular account of the strength 
of St. Augustine, and of the garrison, which made 1650 armed men 
besides a few mulattoes. 

At my return home, I was informed that Mr. Cecil, Lady Salisbury's 
second son, deceased at Montpellier. He went under a deep con 
sumption, but went too late. His fortune was 22,OOOZ. in money, all 
which he bequeathed to the Earl of Salisbury, except 100Z. to the 
physician who attended him abroad, and 10Z. per annum to his footman, 
passing by his sisters. 

Thursday 22.—Went nowhere in the morning, but in the evening 
went to the Vocal Club. 

Friday 23.—My son and daughter came to town in order to go down 
to Lady Salisbury to see her on the loss of Mr. Cecil. 

Saturday 24.—Made no visits, but to a French gentleman, a 
councillor of the Chatelet at Paris, lately arrived from that kingdom. 

 146 DIABY OF THE 

May 28-June 13 

Mr. Verelts told me, that Lieut. Horton's voyage and demands are 
in a fair way of succeeding, that the Duke of Newcastle sent again 
for him this day, and that Lord Hay says he will not let Sir Robert 
Walpole rest a day till he has granted the things desired. 

Sunday 25.—Whitsunday. A cold confined me at home all day, 
Dr. Couraye, Dr. Moore, Lady Kook and 

Monday 26.—Stirred not out for a cold. 

Tuesday 27.—Went to King's Street Chapel and passed the rest 
of the day at home. 

Wednesday 28.—Sat for my picture in crayons to Mr. Wills. 

Went in the evening to the play called " The Spanish Fryer." 

Thursday 29.—Sat again. Passed the evening at home. 

Friday 30.—Passed the day at home. 

Saturday 31.—Went to Clerkenwell to take the diversions of the 
place. 

Sunday, 1 June.—Went to church and in the evening to chapel. 

Monday 2.—Visited Mr. Leonor. Went to St. James's Vestry. In 
the evening I visited Lady Rook, cousin Betty Southwell and cousin 
Le Grand. 

At night Mr. Verelts brought a letter from Mr. Oglethorpe to the 
Trustees, dated 2nd April, containing observations on their grant to 
Mr. Whitfeild made of the orphans, the intention of which grant Mr. 
Whitfeild has mistaken, he demanding all the orphans of the Province 
to be delivered him, as well those who can labour and whose friends 
take care of them as the helpless, whereas the intention was to 
deliver to him only the helpless. In this General Oglethorpe agrees 
with us. 

Mr. Verelts also showed me a letter of attorney sent him by Gen. 
Oglethorpe to raise money on all his estate, real and personal, without 
limitation of the sum, as also to employ all his salary from the Govern 
ment for answering the bills he should draw on him for the service of 
the public. A real instance of zeal for his country ! It seems the 
Province of South Carolina, after they had passed the act for raising 
Ιδ,ΟΟΟΖ. sterling to pay troops, &c. for the taking of Augustine, passed 
a second act, allowing 8 per cent, interest for raising the money, being 
not able to raise it among themselves ; and out of hopes of procuring 
it in England, so low is their credit, General Oglethorpe undertook to 
find it on his own credit, by offering his whole estate, real and personal, 
for security to such English merchants as should advance the money, 
or to Sir Robert Walpole. 

Tuesday 3.—Went nowhere. 

Wednesday 4.—Went nowhere. 

Thursday 5.—Visited Mr. Bagnall and Mr. Lapotre. Went in the 
evening to the Royal Society and Vocal Club. 

Friday 6.—Went to the Georgia summons of a Common Council. 
Present : Ayers, Hen. Archer, Egmont, pr., Hales, eh., Lapotre, 
La Roch, Smith, Vernon. 

Dr. Burton sent in his seventh payment of 10Z. per annum for a 
catechist at Savannah. 

Lord Shaftsbury sent in his 10Í. towards building churches in Georgia. 

Seal ordered to be put to the instructions to the magistrates of 
Savannah, relating to the orphans in Georgia, whereby the Trustees' 
grant to Mr. Whitfeild for the care of the orphans is explained. 

FIRST EARL OF EGMONT. 

147 

1740. 

A letter from General Oglethorpe to the Trustees, dated 2 April, 
1740, relating to the orphans, with his sense of them to Mr. Thomas 
Jones, was read. 

Read a letter from Dr. .Waterland recommending one Mr. Medcalf, 
who is in priest's orders, to succeed Mr. Whitfeild in the church of 
Savannah, informing that he was a good preacher, read prayers well, 
and was desirous to go over on the salary of 50Z. a year. 

Ordered that Dr. Hales be desired to acquaint Dr. Waterland that 
the Trustees will accept of Mr. Medcalf for their minister, on producing 
a certificate of his good behaviour. 

Ordered that a memorial be prepared and presented to the 
Incorporate Society to acquaint them therewith, and to desire a salary 
for him. 

Then the Common Council Board ordered that 500Z. be imprest to 
Alderman Hankey to answer occasions. 

Ordered that 150Z. sola bills be signed and sealed, and~~sent to Col. 
Stephens to make up the 300Z. appointed for building the church at 
Savannah. Col. Oglethorpe had advanced to Mr. Whitfeild the other 
150Z. 

Lieut. Horton attending, acquainted us with a suspicion the free 
holders and landholders of Georgia are under, and which discourages 
them from planting, viz., that they think their property not secure, 
because of certain clauses in their grants obliging them on pain of 
forfeiture to cultivate and plant a certain number of acres and trees 
in a set time, which they are not able to do, and consequently advantage 
may be taken of their failure. 

Resolved that the letter of attorney passed by the Trustees on 28 
August, 1739, which empowered the magistrates of Georgia to re 
possess forfeited lands, be revoked ; and that the magistrates be directed 
to take no advantage of forfeitures on account of want of making their 
covenanted improvements, but that they call on the inhabitants to 
give their reasons why they have not improved, and return the same 
to the Board. 

Ordered that Mr. Dormer, of Georgia, be paid 30Z. 8s. 5d., being the 
balance of an account allowed by the commissioners there to be due 
to him. 

Ordered that Mrs. Woodrofe be paid a debt due to her husband for 
goods taken by Mr. Causton on the Trustees' account. 

She claimed interest and charges, &c., for being unpaid two years 
and half, and then obliged to protest a bill given by said Causton on 
Mr. Jenys in Carolina, but which Jenys refused to pay ; but we would 
not allow it, bidding her take her remedy on Causton who drew the 
bill. 

After this, Mr. Vernon, Lapotre, Archer, Hales, and I dined at the 
Horn Tavern, with Lieut. Horton. 

The same day Dr. Hales, Mr. Smith, Mr. Vernon and I, trustees for 
Mr. Dalone's legacy for conversion of negroes, ordered the purchasing 
100 books wrote by the Bishop of Man, for instruction of Indians and 
negroes. 

We also ordered payment of 30Z. being a bill drawn on us by Mr. 
Thomas Jones, for money by us allowed to Mr. Thomas Bona and 
another Moravian, catechists to the negroes at Purysburg. Bona 
only remains alive. 

 148 DIARY OF THE 

June 15-24 

Saturday 7.—Went with my wife to Charlton where we have not 
been since September last. 

Sunday 8.—Communicated at Charlton Church. 

Monday 9 to Thursday 12.—Stayed these days at Charlton. 

Friday 13.—Went to London to prosecute my purpose of passing 
my niece Bering's accounts with the Master in Chancery. 

Saturday 14.—My wife and I were sworn to our answer. 

Returned to Charlton to dinner. 

Sunday 15.—My wife and I returned to London, on account of her 
fever and cough. She continued many days extreme ill. 

Monday 16.—I went to the Georgia office alone, where Mr. Verelts 
informed me that General Oglethorpe's demands for reinforcement 
were referred to Lord Cathcart, General of the intended expédition, 
to be considered by him, and he is to report thereon, and that the 
expedition is against the Havana. 

Also, that Lient. Horton made some objections to the present 
constitution of the Province, with respect to the not allowing the 
union of grants, marriage or succession,' which the Charter does not 
forbid, although it prohibits the granting to one person more than 500 
acres. That he also would gladly know whether free negroes may not 
be admitted in Georgia though by the act slaves may not. 

Tuesday 17.—Visited cousin Le Grand and brother Percival. 

Friday 20.—My wife's fever abated so much that she began to take 
the bark, but she had much of the cholic. Her physician, Dr. Wilmot, 
in discoursing of many things, told me an anecdote of the famous Dr. 
Harvey the discoverer, of the circulation of the blood, namely, that he 
voluntarily killed himself with laudanum, being one of those whom, 
if he were now living, we should call a free thinker, and who believed 
it lawful to put an end to his life when tired of it. The first 
attempt he made to do it was unsuccessful, as Dr. Scarborow 
his intimate friend related it, who agreed in opinion with 
the other that suicide was lawful. One day, Harvey being in 
great pain (he was then about 72 years old) sent for Scarborow, and 
acquainting him with his intention to die by laudanum that night, 
desired he would come next morning to take care of his papers and 
affairs. Scarborow, who had long before promised him that friendly 
office when occasion called on him, did accordingly come next morning, 
but was surprised to find Harvey alive and well ; it seems the laudanum 
he had taken, instead of killing him, had brought away a considerable 
number of stones, which effect caused a suspension of his design to 
destroy himself for some years. But afterwards, being about 80 years 
old, he renewed his purpose with more effect ; he had for several years 
prepared a sufficient dose of laudanum and laid the vial in a particular 
corner of his room, with orders to his servant that whenever he heard 
him rattle in the throat, he should bring him