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MEMORIALS OF OGLETHORPE. 


" Thy great example will in glory shine, 
A favorite theme with Poet and Divine ; 
Posterity thy merits shall proclaim, 
And add new honor to thy deathless fame." 

On his return from Georgia, 1735. 


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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORIALS 


JAMES OGLETHORPE, 


FOUNDER OF THE COLONY OF GEORGIA, 


NORTH AMERICA. 


BY THADDEÜS MASON HARRIS, D. D. 

MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES J OF THE 
ARCH.ŒOLOGICAL SOCIETY AT ATHENS, GKEECE ', OF THE MASSACHU 
SETTS HISTORICAL· SOCIETY ; THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCI 
ETY ; THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY; AND CORRES 
PONDING MEMBER OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 


BOSTON: 

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 


MPCCCXLI. 


 i 


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1841, by THAD'DEÜS MASOB 
HARRIS, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 


PRESIDENT, THE VICE PRESIDENTS, THE OFFICERS 

AND MEMBERS 

OP THE 

GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 

THIS WOKK IS 

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 


BO STOW : 
PRINTED BY FREEMAN AND BOLLES, 

WASHINGTON STREET. 


 TO 


I. K. TEFFT, ESQ., WILLIAM B. STEVENS, M. D., 


A. A. SMETS, ESQ., 

Of SAVANNAH; 

WITH A LIVELY SENSE 
OF THE INTEREST WHICH THEY HAVE TAKEN 

IN 

THE PUBLICATION OF THIS WORK, 
THIS PAGE IS INSCRIBED 

BY 
THEIK OBLIGED AND GRATEFUL FRIEND, 

THADDEUS MASON HARRIS. 


PREFACE. 


"¿V· 


HAVING visited the South for the benefit of my health, 
I arrived at Savannah, in Georgia, on the 10th of Feb 
ruary, 1834 ; and, indulging the common inquisitiveness 
of a stranger about the place, was informed that just 
one hundred and one years had elapsed since the first 
settlers were landed there, and the city laid out. Re 
plies to other inquiries, and especially a perusal of 
McCall's History of the State, excited a lively interest 
in the character of General OGLETHOKPE, who was the 
founder of the Colouy, and in the measures which he 
pursued for its advancement, defence, and prosperity. 
I was, however, surprised to learn that no biography 
had been published of the man who projected an under 
taking of such magnitude and importance ; engaged in 
it on principles the most benevolent and disinterested ; 
persevered till its accomplishment, under circumstances 
exceedingly arduous, and often discouraging ; and lived 
to see "a few become a thousand," and a weak one 
" the flourishing part of a strong nation." 


 VIH 


PREFACE. 


So extraordinary did Dr. Johnson consider the adven 
tures, enterprise, and exploits of this remarkable man, 
that " he urged him to give the world his life." He 
said, " I know of no man whose life would be more 
interesting. If I were furnished with materials, I would 
be very glad to write it." This was a flattering offer. 
The very suggestion implied that the great and worthy 
deeds, which Oglethorpe had performed, ought to be 
recorded for the instruction, the grateful acknowledg 
ment, and just commendation of contemporaries ; and 
their memorial transmitted with honor to posterity. 
" The General seemed unwilling to enter upon it then ; " 
but, upon a subsequent occasion, communicated to Bos- 
well a number of particulars, which were committed to 
writing ; but that gentleman " not having been suffi 
ciently diligent in obtaining more from him," death 
closed the opportunity of procuring all the requisite in 
formation. 

There was a memoir drawn up soon after his decease, 
which has been attributed to Capel Loíft, Esq., and 
published in the European Magazine. This was after 
wards adopted by Major McCall ; and, in an abridged 
form, appended to the first volume of his History of 
Georgia. It is preserved, also, as a note, in the second 
volume of Nichols's Literary Anecdotes of the Eigh 
teenth Century, with some references and additional in 
formation. But it is too brief and meagre to do justice to 
the memory of one of whom it has been said, " His life 
was full of variety, adventure, and achievement. His 
ruling passions were, the love of glory, of his country, 


PREFACE. ÍX 

and of mankind ; and these were so blended together 
in his mind that they formed but one principle of action. 
He was a hero, a statesman, an orator ; the patron of 
letters, the chosen friend of men of genius, and the 
theme of praise for great poets." ' The writer of this 
elegant encomium, adds this'remark: "AN AUTHENTIC 

AND TOLERABLY MINUTE LIFE OF OGLETHORPE IS A DESIDERA 
TUM." Such a desideratum I have endeavored to sup 
ply. This, however, has been a very difficult under 
taking; the materials for composing it. excepting what 
relates to the settlement of Georgia, were to be sought 
after in the periodicals of the day, or discovered by 
references to him in the writings or memoirs of his con 
temporaries. I have searched all the sources of infor 
mation to which I could have access, with the aim to 
collect what had been scattered ; to point out what had 
been overlooked ; and, from the oblivion into which 
they had fallen, to rescue the notices of some striking 
incidents and occurrences in the life of Oglethorpe, in 
order to give consistency and completeness to a narra 
tive of the little that had been preserved and was gener 
ally known. 

To use the words of one who had experience in a 
similar undertaking : " The biographer of our day is too 
often perplexed in the toil of his researches after ade 
quate information for composing the history of men 
who were an honor to their age, and of whom posterity 

1 GUI.IAN VERPLANCK, Esq. Anniversary Discourse before the New 
York Historical Society, December 7, 1818, page 33. 


 "·ν·" rf 

b 

I 


χ PREFACE. 

is anxious to know whatever may be added to increase 
the meed of that veneration, which, from deficient 
knowledge, they can but imperfectly bestow." 

My collected notices I have arranged so as to form a 
continuous narrative, though with some wide interrup 
tions. The statements of the most important transac 
tions have generally been made in the terms of original 
documents, or the publications of the day ; as I deemed 
it more just and proper so to do, than to give them my 
own coloring. And I must apprize the reader, that in 
stead of aiming to express the recital in the fluency of 
rhetorical diction, or of aspiring to decorate my style of 
composition with studied embellishments, MY PURPOSE 

HAS SIMPLY AND UNIFORMLY BEEN TO RELATE FACTS IN THE 

MOST PLAIN AND ARTLESS MANNER ; and I trust that my 
description of scenes and occurrences will be admitted 
to be natural and free from affectation ; and my infer 
ences, to be pertinent, impartial, and illustrative. I 
hope, too, that it will not be thought that the detail of 
circumstances is needlessly particular, and the relation 
of incidents too minute. For, these, though seemingly 
inconsiderable, are not unimportant ; and, though among 
the minor operations of active life, serve to indicate the 
state of existing opinions and prevailing motives, and 
to exhibit the real aspect of the times. They also have, 
more or less, relation to forth-coming events. They are 
foot-prints in the onward march to " enterprises of great 
pith and moment ; " and hence should be carefully traced 
and inspected. Though my authorities are duly noted, 
I have not been so particular as to distinguish every 


PREFACE. 


XI 


passage which I had transcribed by marks of quotation ; 
and, therefore, being willing that this work should be 
considered as mainly a compilation, with unassuming 
pretensions, entitle it BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORIALS. 

After the lapse of more than a century since Ogle- 
thorpe entered on the stage of action, it cannot be ex 
pected that the varied incidents of so busy, eventful, 
and long protracted a life as was his, can be brought 
out and fully described ,· or that the prominent personal 
qualities of so singular a character can be delineated, 
for the first time, with vivid exactness and just expres 
sion. Not having presumed to do this, I have attempted 
nothing more than a general outline or profile. 

Such as I have been able to make the work, I present 
it to the public. Whatever may be the reception which 
• it may meet, I shall never think the moments misspent, 
which were devoted to the purpose of reviving the 
memory of Oglethorpe, and of perpetuating his fame 
by a more full recital of his deeds than had been here 
tofore made. 
BOSTON, July 1th, 1838. 

Since the preceding preface was written, the Reverend 
Charles Wallace Howard, who had been commissioned 
by the Legislature of Georgia to procure from the public 
offices in London, a copy of the records of the Trustees 
for the settlement of the Province, and of other colonial 
documents, has returned, having successfully accom 
plished the object of his mission. It may be thought 
that these are of such importance that all which I have 


 Xll 


PREFACEr 


done must be defective indeed, unless I avail myself of 
them ; and so, perhaps, it may prove. But my advanced 
old age, my feeble state of health, and other circum 
stances, prevent my doing so. I console myself, how 
ever, with the consideration that as they consist of par 
ticulars relative to the settlement and early support of 
Georgia, to which Oglethorpe devoted not quite eleven 
years of a life extended to nearly a hundred, they would 
only contribute to render more distinct the bright and 
glorious meridian of his protracted day, — while I aimed 
to exhibit its morning promise and its evening lustre; — 
endeavoring to give some account of what he was and 
did forty-four years before he commenced "the great 
emprise," and where he was and how occupied forty- 
two years after its accomplishment. 

Moreover, the official records contain, principally, a 
detail of the plans and measures which were adopted 
and pursued by the Trustees in London, or comprise 
the statement of public grants of money, and military 
stores and forces ; — and these belong to History, and 
not to Biography. 

The Letters of Oglethorpe, besure, would be exceed 
ingly interesting ; but I presume that much of what 
they refer to may be collected from pamphlets and peri 
odicals of the day, where he is spoken of as he would 
not feel free to speak of himself. As from these I have 
collected the most material particulars, I cannot think 
that my actual deficiencies in the history of that event 
ful period can be very considerable or important. 

From a correspondence with I. K. TEFFT, Esq. and 


PREFACE. 


xiii 


WILLIAM B. STEVENS, M. D., of Savannah, I have ob 
tained the clearer statement of some important facts and 
occurrences, which is respectfully noticed where intro 
duced·, and for which I render my grateful acknowledg 
ments. The latter gentleman has also obligingly favored 
me with an article on the culture of silk in Georgia, 
which graces my appendix. 

I have done the best I could with scanty store; 
Let abler man, with ample means, do more; 
Yet not deficiencies of mine decry, 
Nor make my gatherings his own lack supply. 

MAT Isi, 1841. 


 .. Φ. 


«· „AVW , 


The date, at the close of the first preface, indicates that the pub 
lication of this work had been suspended.—A subsequent epistolary 
correspondence, iu refereuce to it, with friends at Savauuah, excited 
promptings, which were succeeded by a list of uearly two huudred 
subscribers for the volnme in priut ; — a list that included the names 
of the most respectable gentlemen of the city, amoug whom were 
those that held distinguished stations and filled importaut offices in 
public life. 

For this flattering eucouragemeut and honorary patronage, the 
most grateful acknowledgments are rendered. 


CONTENTS. 


The uame of the capital of South Caroliua was originally written, 
Charles-Town and Charles' Town. At the time of the early settle 
ment of Georgia it had become blended in the compound word 
Charlestown, which, being fouud in the documents referred to or 
quoted in this work, is retained here, though of later years it is 
spelt Charleston. 

In the following pages variations occur in the names of persons 
and places, principally in the extracts from German publications. 
This lack of uniformity in some instauces, as also a few verbal 
errors in others, was not detected till the sheets had passed the 
press. 

" Acres circumfert centum licet Argus ocellos, 
Non tarnen errantes cernât ubique typos." 


The chapters, into which this work is divided, are with reference 
to somewhat distinct portions of the history ; and may be likened 
to a suit of apartments in a capacious house; some large and some 
small, variously furnished, and with different prospects abroad ; but 
yet adjoining each other, and, if but fitly framed together, adapted 
to a duly constructed edifice. 


CHAPTER I. 

Parentage of Oglethorpe — Birth — Christian Name—Educa 
tion— Military Profession and Promotion—In the Suite of 
the Earl of Peterborough — Service under Prince Eugene of 
Savoy—Elected Member of Parliament — Visits a Gentle 
man in Prison—Moves in the House of Commons for a 
redress of the rigors of Prison Discipline — Appointed on 
the Committee—Extracts from his Speeches in Parlia 
ment, . . . \—24 

CHAPTER II. 

Oglethorpe appointed first a Director, and then Deputy Governor 
of the Royal African Company—Takes a compassionate in 
terest in the situation of an African kidnapped, sold as a slave, 
and carried to Annapolis, in Maryland, a Province in North 


 XVI 


CONTENTS. 


America, who proves to have been an Imán, or assistant 
Priest, of Futa, and was named Job Solomon — Causes him 
to be redeemed, and sent to England, where he becomes ser 
viceable to Sir Hans Sloane for his knowledge of Arabic ; 
attracts also the notice of persons of rank and distinction, 
and is sent back to Africa, . 24 — 38 

CHAPTER III. 

Project for settling the south-eastern frontier of Carolina—A 
Charter granted for it, by the name of Georgia — Trustees 
appointed, who arrange a plan of Settlement — They receive 
a grant of Money from Parliament, and from Subscriptions 
and Contributions— Ogletborpe takes a lively interest in it— 
States the Object, and suggests Motives for Emigration — A 
Vessel hired to convey the Emigrants — Ogletborpe offers to 
accompany the intended Colonists — His disinterested de- 
votedness to the benevolent and patriotic Enterprise, 38 — 51 

CHAPTER IV. 

The emigrants embark — Arrive at Cbarlestown, South Caro 
lina — Oglethorpe visits Governor Johnson — Proceeds up the 
Savannah river — Place of settlement fixed upon — Town 
laid out—Labors superintended, and assisted by Colonel 
Bull — Treaty with Tomo Chichi — Progress of settlement 
— Oglethorpe makes a visit to Governor Johnson, presents 
himself before the House of Assembly, and makes an Address 
of grateful acknowledgment of favors received—Returns to 
Savannah — Holds a treaty with the Lower Creeks — Goes 
to horse-quarter on the Ogechee — Fort Argyle built — 
Savannah laid out in wards, and Court of Records insti 
tuted, . . -51 — 75 

CHAPTER V. 

Oglethorpe intended to visited Boston, in New England — Go 
vernor Belcher's Letter to him—Provincial Assembly appoint 


CONTENTS. 


XV11 


a Committee to receive him — Sets out on an exploratory 
Excursion—Names an Island, Jekyl—Visits Fort Argyle 

— Returns to Savannah — Saltzburgh emigrants, conducted 
by Baron Von Reck, come to settle in Georgia — Oglethorpe 
assists them in selecting a place — They call it Ebenezer — 
He then goes up tbe river to Palachicolas — Returns — Goes 
to Charlestown, with Tomo Chichi and other Indians, in 
order to take passage to England, . 75—90' 

CHAPTER VI. 

Oglethorpe arrives in England with his Indian Escort — Is wel 
comed by the Trustees—Apartments are provided for the 
Indians — They are introduced to the King and Royal Family 

— One of their number dies of the small pox—Visit the 
Archbishop of Canterbury, and Etou College — Shown the 
public buildings and institutions in London — Embark for 
Georgia—Their arrival, . . 90 —100 

CHAPTER VII. 

Oglethorpe remains in England—Trustees make Regulations 

— Ogletborpe, desirous of providing for the conversion of the 
Indians, applies to Bishop Wilson to prepare a Book of Re 
ligious Instruction for them — Trustees seek for Missionaries 

—Engage John and Charles Wesjey, . . 100 — 113 

CHAPTER νΠΙ. 

Trustees make a new selection of Settlers — Their Proposals 
successful in Scotland — Embarkation of Highlanders for 
Georgia — Indian hieroglyphic letter sent to the Trustees — 
Further emigration of Saltzburgers — Great embarkation of 
Colonists, attended by Oglethorpe and the Missionaries — 
Employment and religious exercises on board during the 
voyage—Arrival — Beacon on the Island of Tybee — The 
people go on shore at Peeper's Island — Oglethorpe goes to 


 XVlll 


CONTENTS. 


Savannah with the Missionaries — Sends provisions and 
refreshments to the Emigrants — Moore's account of the 
Public Garden — Tomo Chichi welcomes his friend — Saltz- 
burgers make application for a removal from Ebenezer — 
Oglethorpe sends pioneers to lay out a road to Darien, 113—134 

CHAPTER IX. 

Special destination of the last Emigrants — Oglethorpe makes 
arrangements for their transportation to the Island of St. 
Simons — Follows with Charles Wesley — Arrives aud lays 
out a Town to be called Frederica — Visits the Highlanders 
at Darien — Returns and superintends the building of a Fort 
— All the people arrive— Barracks for the Soldiers put up, 
and a Battery erected — Visited by Tomo Chichi, and Indians, 
who make a cession of the Islands — Reconnoitres the Islands 
and gives names to them — Commissioners from St. Augus 
tine— Apparently amicable overtures — Oglethorpe goes to 
Savannah to hold a conference with a Committee from South 
Carolina respecting trade with the Indians — Insolent de 
mand of the Spaniards — Oglethorpe embarks for Eng 
land, ... . . 134—]60 

CHAPTER X. 

Delegation of the Missionaries — JOHN WESLET stationed at 
Savannah — Has a conference with Tomo Chichi — His 
Preaching deemed personal in its applications — He becomes 
unpopular—Meets with persecution— Leaves the Province 
and returns to England—CHARLES WESLEY attends Ogle 
thorpe to Frederica — Finds himself unpleasantly situated — 
Furnished with despatches for the Trustees, he sets out for 
Charlestown, and thence takes passage for England — By 
stress of weather the Vessel driven off its course — Puts in 
at Boston, New England—His reception there — Sails thence 
for England — After a perilous voyage, arrives—BENJAMIN 


CONTENTS. 


XIX 


INGHAM also at Frederica — Goes to Savannah to apprize 
John Wesley of the sickness of his brother—Resides among 
the Creeks in order to learn their language — Returns to 
England — CHARLES DELAMOTTE at Savannah—Keeps a 
School—Is much respected — GEORGE WHITEFIELD comes 
to Savannah — His reception — Visits Tomo Chichi, who 
was sick—Ministerial labors—Visits the Saltzburgers — 
Pleased with their provision for Orphan Children — Visits 
Frederica and the adjacent Settlements — Returns to Eng 
land — Makes a second voyage to Georgia, and takes efficient 
measures for the erection of an Orphan House, . 160 —185 

CHAPTER XI. 

Oglethorpe arrives in England — Trustees petition the King for 
military aid to the new Colony — A regiment granted — 
Oglethorpe appointed Commander in Chief of South Carolina 
and Georgia — Part of the regiment sent out—Oglethorpe 
embarks for Georgia the third time — Remainder of the regi 
ment arrive—And two companies from Gibraltar — Pros 
pect of war with Spain — Military preparations at St. 
Augustine—Oglethorpe makes arrangements for defence — 
Treason in the Camp — Mutiny, and personal assault on the 
General, . . 185—197 

CHAPTER ΧΠ. 

Oglethorpe visits Savannah—Troubles there—Causton, the 
store-keeper, displaced—Oglethorpe holds a conference with 
a deputation of Indians—Town-meeting called, and endeav 
ors used to quiet discontents—Goes hack to Frederica, but 
obliged to renew his visit to Savannah, . . .197—209 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Oglethorpe goes to Charlestown, South Carolina, to open his 
Commission — Comes back to Savannah—Gives encourage- 


 L 


xx 


CONTENTS. 


ment to the Planters—Returns to Frederica — Excursion to 
Coweta—Forms a Treaty with the Upper Creeks — Receives 
at Augusta a delegation of the Chickasaws and Cherokees, 
who complain of having been poisoned by the Traders — On 
his return to Savannah is informed of Spanish aggressions, 
and is authorized to make reprisals, . 209—222 

CHAPTER xiv. 

Oglethorpe addresses a letter to Lieutenant-Governor Bull, sug 
gesting an expedition against St. Augustine — Follows this, 
by application in person — Promised assistance, and cooper 
ation — Returns to Frederica — Collects his forces — Passes 
over to Florida—Takes several Spanish forts—Is joined by 
the Carolinian troops—The enemy receive supplies — Ogle 
thorpe changes the siege into a blockade — Takes possession 
of Anastasia Island — Colonel Palmer and his men surprised 
and cut to pieces—Spanish cruelties — English fleet quit 
the station — Siege raised, and Oglethorpe returns to Fred- 
erica, - . . .222 — 243 

CHAPTER XV. 

Oglethorpe pays particular attention to internal Improvements 
— Meets with many annoyances — The Creeks, under Too- 
nahowi, make an incursion into Florida — The Spanish form 
a design upon Georgia — Some of their fleet appear on the 
coast—Oglethorpe prepares for defence — Applies to South 
Carolina for assistance — Spaniards attack Fort William — 
Dangerous situation of Oglethorpe — Spanish fleet enter the 
harbor and landen St. Simons — In three successive engage 
ments they are defeated — A successful stratagem — Enemy 
defeated at Bloody Marsh—Retire and attack Fort William, 
which is bravely defended by Ensign Stewart—Spanish 
forces, repulsed in all their assaults, abandon the invasion in 
dismay, and return to St. Augustine and to Cuba, . 243—271 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER XVI. 


xxi 


Oglethorpe, informed that the Spaniards were making prepara 
tions for a renewal of hostilities, takes measures to repel 
them — Meets with an alarming accident—Lands on the 
Florida side of St. John's—Proceeds towards St. Augustine 
— The Spanish do not venture out to attack him — Returns 
to the Islands — sees that the Forts are repaired — Takes 
passage to England to attend a Court Martial on an insidious 
charge against him by Lieutenant Cook—Is honorably 
acquitted, and Cook is dismissed from the service, . 271 — 278 

CHAPTER XVn. 

Oglethorpe's residence in England — Marriage — Military 
appointments — A Major General under the Duke of Cum 
berland for the suppression of the rebellion in 1745 — Ar 
raigned at a Court Martial and acquitted — Domestic and 
social life, and character—Death, . . 278 — 303 

Obituary notice of Mrs. ELIZABETH OGÏ.ETHOKFE, with extracts 
from her Will, . . . . . . .303 — 311 

Account of Carolina and Georgia by OGLETHOKFE, . 313—323 


APPENDIX. 

I. Family of Oglethorpe, . . . . . .325 — 329 

Π. Discussion respecting the birth-day of the subject of these 
memorials, ........ 329 — 334 

ΠΙ. Notices of the Earl of Peterborough, and of Dean Berke 
ley, ......... 334—338 

rV. Reference to the debates in Parliament in which Oglethorpe 
took a part, ... . .338 — 340 

V. Prison-visiting Committee, . 340—343 

VI. Release of insolvent debtors, ..... 343—346 

VII. Sir Thomas Lombe's mill for winding silk, . 346—348 


 XXII 


CONTENTS. 


VIII. Case of Captain Porteous, . 348—349 

IX. Trustees for settling Georgia, .... 349 — 350 

X. Oglethorpe's disinterestedness in the undertaking, 350 — 352 
XL Advertisement of Governor Johnson of South Carolina, 
and letter of the Governor and Council to Oglethorpe, 352—358 

XII. Account of the Creeks, ..... 358 

XIII. Account of the Indians in Georgia by Oglethorpe, 358—361 

XIV. Memoir of the Duke of Argyle, . . 361 — 362 

XV. Saltzhurgers, . . . . . . .362 — 365 

XVI. Arrival of these persecuted German Protestants in 
Georgia, ... . 365 — 366 

XVII. Settlement of Moravians, . 366 — 367 

XVIII. Scout-boat and Channels, . . 367—368 

XIX. Uchee Indians, . . . . .368 — 369 

XX. A mntiny in the Camp, and attempt at assassina 
tion, ...... . 369 — 373 

XXI. Memoir of Tomo-Chichi, . 373—378 

XXII. General Oglethorpe's manifesto, . . 378 — 380 
ΧΧΙΠ. Fate of Colonel Palmer, .... 380—381 

XXIV. Account of the siege of St. Augustine, . 381 — 385 

XXV. Spanish invasion, ... . 385 — 387 

XXVI. Order for a Thanksgiving, .... 387—390 

XXVII. List of Spanish forces employed in the invasion of 
Georgia, and of Oglethorpe's to resist them, . . 390—391 

XXVIII. History of the silk culture in Georgia, written by 
W. B. Stevens, M. D., of Savannah, . . 391 — 415 


INDEX, 


4J5 


MEMORIALS OF OGLETHORPE. 


CHAPTER I. 

Parentage of Oglethorpe — Birth—Education—Christian Name — 
Education — Military Profession and Promotion — In the Suite 
of the Earl of Peterborough — Service under Prince Eugene of 
-Savoy—Elected Member of Parliament—Visits a Gentleman 
in Prison—Moves in the House of Commons for a redress of 
the rigors of Prison Discipline — Appointed on the Committee — 
Extracts from his Speeches in Parliament. 

JAMES OGLETHORPE, founder of the Colony of 
Georgia in North America, — a distinguished phi 
lanthropist, general, and statesman, — was the son 
of Sir Theophilus Oglethorpe, of Godalming, in 
the County of Surrey, Great Britain, by Eleanor, 
his wife, daughter of Richard Wall, Esq. of Ro- 
gane, in Ireland.1 There has been, hitherto, great 

1 For some account of the Family, see Appendix I. 
1 


 2 


EARLY LIFE. 


uncertainty with respect to the year, the month, 
and the day of his nativity ; I have, however, what 
I deem good authority for deciding it to have been 
the twenty-first day of December, one thousand 
six hundred and eighty-eight.1 

It is asserted in Thoresby's History of Leeds, 
page 255, that "he had two Christian names, 
JAMES-EDWARD, supposed to have been bestowed 
upon him in compliment to the Pretender ; " and 
he is so named on his sepulchral monument. But, 
as he always used but one ; as he was enregistered 
on entering College at Oxford, simply JAMES ; and, 
as the double name is not inserted in any public 
act, commission, document, printed history, or men 
tion of him in his life time, that I have ever met 
with, I have not thought proper to adopt it. 

When sixteen years of age, on the 9th of July, 
1704, he was admitted a member of Corpus Christi 
College, Oxford,2 where his brother Lewis received 
his education. It seems, however, that, after the 
example of that brother, as also of his brother 

1 Appendix II. 

1 The record of his admittatur, in the University Register, is, — 
" 1704, Jul. 9, term. S. Trin. Jacobus Oglethorpe, e C. C. C. 16. 
Theoph. f. Sti. Jacobi, Lond. Equ. Aur. filius natu minor." That 
is, " In Trinity Term, July 9, 1704, JAMES OGLETHORFE, aged 16, 
youngest son of SIR THEOPHILUS OGLETHOHPE, of St. James's, Lon 
don, mas admitted into Corpus Christi College. 


MILITARY ADVANCEMENTS. 3 

Theophilus, he early relinquished a literary, for a 
military profession ; and aspired to make his way 
in the world, " tarn Marte quam Minerva." 

His first commission was that of Ensign ; and it 
is dated in 1710 ; and he bore that rank in the 
army when peace was proclaimed in 1713. ' In 
the same year he is known to have been in the 
suite of the Earl of Peterborough,2 ambassador 
from the Court of Great Britain to the King of 
Sicily and to the other Italian States ; whither he 
was fellow traveller with the Rev. Dr. George 
Berkeley, his Lordship's Chaplain.3 Highly hon 
orable was such a mark of favor from his Lordship; 
and peculiarly pleasant and instructive, also, must 
have been such companionship with the amiable 

> Biographical Memoir in the European Magazine, Vol. VIII. 
p. 13. 

1 NICHOLS, in the Literary Anecdotes of the XVIIIth Century, 
Vol. II. p. 19, says, " he was aid-de-camp ; " but as that was the 
title of a military rank, rather than of an attendant on a diplomatic 
ambassador, I have substituted another term, which however may 
embrace it, if it be really proper. 

1 Dr. Berkeley, in a letter to Thomas Prior, Esq., dated Turin, 
January 6,1714, n. s. says that he travelled from Lyons " in com 
pany with Col. Du Hamel and Mr. Oglethorpe, Adjutant General of 
the Queen's forces ; who were sent with a letter from my Lord to 
the King's mother, at Turin." Works of GEORGE BERKELEY, D.D., 
with an Account of his Life. Dublin. 1704. 2 vols. 4to. Vol.1, 
p. xxx. 


 l 

. "M 


4 


WITH PRINCE EUGENE. 


and excellent clergyman ; and it afforded opportu 
nity of concerting plans of usefulness, of benefi 
cence, and of philanthropy, the object and tendency 
of which were apparent in the after life of each.1 

In 1714 he was Captain Lieutenant in the first 
troop of the Queen's guards. By his fine figure, 
his soldierly deportment and personal bravery, he 
attracted the notice of the Duke of Marlborough ; 
whose confidence and patronage he seems long to 
have enjoyed, and by whom, and through the influ 
ence of the Duke of Argyle, he was so recom 
mended to Prince Eugene, that he received him 
into his service, first as his secretary, and after 
wards aid-de-camp. Thus near the person of this 
celebrated general, full of ardor, and animated with 
heroic courage, an opportunity was offered him in 
the warlike expedition against the Turks in which 
the Prince was engaged, to gather those laurels in 
what the world calls " the field of glory," to which 
he aspired ; and, in several successive campaigns, 
he exhibited applauded proofs of chivalric gallantry 
and personal bravery. By his attentive observa 
tion of the discipline, manner of battle array, 
onset of the forces, and the instruction given him 
in military tactics, he acquired that knowledge of 

1 Appeudix III. 


BATTLE OF PETERWARADIN. 5 

the art of war, for which he afterwards became so 
distinguished. 

At the battle of Peterwaradin, one of the strong 
est frontier places that Austria had against the 
Turks, Oglethorpe, though present, was not per 
haps actively engaged. It was fought on the 5th 
of August, 1716. The army of the Turks con 
sisted of 150,000 men, of which 40,000 were Jan- 
isaries, and 30,000 Saphis, or troopers, the rest 
were Tartars, Walachians, and the troops of Asia 
and Egypt. The army of the Imperialists, under 
his Serene Highness, Prince Eugene, consisted of 
but little more than half that number. The onset 
began at seven in the morning, and by twelve 
Eugene was writing to the Emperor an account of 
the victory in the tent of the Grand Vizier.1 

After a sharp contest of about four hours, the 
Grand Vizier Hali, seeing the battle go against 
him, put himself at the head of his guard of horse, 
pushed through a defile, and made a very brisk 
charge ; but his men could not sustain the contest ; 
and he, having received two wounds, was carried 

1 Military History of Prince Eugene, of Savoy, (a superb work in 
two folio volumes, with elegant plates ; compiled by CAMPBELL.) 
Lend. 1737. Vol. II. p. 215. From this, and from " The Life 
and Military Actions of Eugene," Lonä. 1737, 12mo, the accouut 
of the battles is taken. 


 β TEMESWAER. 

off the field to Carlowitz, where he died the next 
day. The Aga of the Janisaries and Mahomet 
Bassa were also slain. The whole loss of the 
Turks in this action amounted to about 22,000 ; 
and of the Imperialists, 3,695 common soldiers, 
and 469 officers. There was found in the camp 
164 pieces of cannon, and a prodigious quantity of 
powder, bullets, bombs, grenades, and various mil 
itary equipments and stores ; and the booty in other 
articles was great and rich beyond computation. 

The Imperial army passed the Danube on the 
6th of August, " in order to avoid the infection of 
the dead bodies." The same day a council of war 
was held, in which the siege of Temeswaer was 
proposed and resolved on. This is a town of Hun 
gary, upon the river Temes, whence it has its name. 
It lies five miles from Lippa, towards the borders 
of Transylvania, and about ten from Belgrade. 
The Turks took it from the Transylvanians in 
1552, and fortified it to a degree that they deemed 
it impregnable. After several severe conflicts, and 
a most desperate resistance, it capitulated on the 
14th of October, 1716, and the Turks entirely- 
evacuated the place on the 17th. Thus the capital 
of a region of the same name, was restored to its 
lawful prince after having been in the hands of the 
Turks 164 years. " The success of this victorious 


BATTLE OF BELGRADE. ^ 

campaign filled not only Germany, but all Europe 
with joy." On this occasion, Oglethorpe acted as 
aid-de-camp ; and his active service in attendance 
upon Prince Eugene ; his prompt attention to the 
orders dictated to him, or transmitted by him ; his 
alertness and fidelity in communicating them ; and 
his fearless exposure to imminent peril in passing 
from one division of the army to another, gained 
him commendatory acknowledgments and the in 
creased favor of his Serene Highness. 

Notwithstanding these signal victories gained over 
them, the Turks were determined to continue the 
contest ; and the next year the Grand Signier held 
a great Divan at Constantinople to take measures 
for its most vigorous prosecution. These purposes 
being put in train, Prince Eugene undertook the 
siege of Belgrade, their chief strong hold. " The 
Turks advanced to its relief, and besieged him in 
his camp. His danger was imminent ; but military 
skill and disciplined valor triumphed over numbers 
and savage ferocity. He sallied out of his intrench- 
ments, and, falling suddenly upon the enemy, routed 
them with great slaughter, and took their cannon, 
baggage, and everything belonging to their camp. 
Belgrade surrendered immediately after."1 On 

1 RUSSELL'S Modern Europe, Vol. V. p. 3. 


 8 


CAPITULATION. 


the 16th of August, (1717) the capitulation was 
signed ; and immediately afterwards the Imperial 
ists took possession of a gate, and the out-works ; 
on the 19th Te Deum was solemnly performed in 
the tent of the Grand Vizier, which had become 
occupied by Eugene, and on the 22d the place 
was evacuated. The Imperialists found prodigious 
riches in the camp of which they had become pos 
sessed ; for the Sultan had emptied his coffers to 
supply this army, which was by far the most nu 
merous of any set on foot since the famous siege of 
Vienna." * 

" Such was the conclusion of the siege of Bel 
grade ; a place of the last importance to the Impe 
rialists and to the Turks ; the bridle of all the 
adjoining country ; the glorious trophy of the valor 
and conduct of his Serene Highness, Prince Eugene; 
and the bulwark, not of Germany only, but of all 
Christendom on this side." 

" Oglethorpe was in active command at the siege 
and battle of Belgrade, on the south shore of the 
Danube, in 1717 ; where he acquired a high and 
deserved reputation." 2 

In the postscript of a letter from Alexander Pope, 


1 CAMPBBLL'S Military History of Eugene, Vol; IL p. 233. 
* Gentleman's Magazine for 1785, p. 573. 


ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT. 


9 


dated September 8th, 1717, to Edward Blount, 
Esq., is this remark: " I hope you will take part 
in the rejoicing for the victory of Prince Eugene 
over the Turks, &c." to which Dr. Warton subjoins 
this note ; " at which General Oglethorpe was 
present, and of which I have heard him give a 
lively description." 

The peace which took place in the following 
year between the Emperor and the Sultan, left 
Oglethorpe without any active .employment; and 
he quitted, doubtless with reluctance, the staff of 
his friend and patron, prince Eugene, with whom 
he had so honorably served ; and returned to Eng 
land. 

He was offered preferment in the German ser 
vice ; but it was, probably, a sufficient reason with 
him for declining the proffer, that " the profession 
of a soldier in time of peace affords but few oppor 
tunities of promotion, and none of distinction." 

In the year 1722, succeeding his brother Lewis 
in the inheritance of the estate at Godalming, his 
weight of character and family influence secured 
to him a seat in Parliament, as Burgess, for Hasle- 
mere ; and he continued to represent that bo 
rough, by successive elections, and through various 
changes of administration, for thirty-two years ; 
and, "during this long period, he distinguished 


 t 


io 


PARLIAMENT. 


COMMITTEE ON PRISONS. 


11 


himself by several able speeches ; and, in the laws 
for the benefit of trade, &c. many regulations were 
proposed and promoted by him." 

In this august assembly, her was neither a dumb 
show, nor an automaton ; nor the tool of party ; but 
independent, intelligent, and energetic, delivered 
his opinions freely, spoke often, and always to the 
purpose.1 

His first recorded speech was on the 6th of April, 
1723, against the banishment of Dr. Francis Atter- 
bury, the Bishop of Rochester, which he deemed 
injudicious and needlessly rigorous.3 

A few years after, his feelings of humanity were 
powerfully touched on finding a gentleman, whom 
he went to visit in the Fleet prison, loaded with 
irons, and otherwise cruelly used.3 Shocked by 
the scenes he witnessed, he determined to expose 
such injustice ; and, if possible, to prevent such 
abuse of power. With this view, he brought for 
ward a motion in the House of Commons, " that 
an inquiry sfiould be instituted into the state of the 
gaols in the metropolis." This met with such at 
tention, that in February, 1728, the House of Com- 

1 See Appendix IV. 

* History and Proceedings of the House of Commons, Lond. 
1742, Vol. VI. p. 308. 
3 Sir WILLIAM RICH, Baronet. 


mons assigned the subject to a Committee, of which 
he was chosen Chairman.1 The investigation led 
to the discovery of many corrupt practices, and 
much oppressive treatment of the prisoners ; and 
was followed by the enactment of measures for the 
correction of such shameful mismanagement and 
inhuman neglect in some cases, and for the preven 
tion of severity of infliction in others.3 

A writer, whose opinion was founded on the best 
means of knowledge, has declared that " the effects 
of this interposition have been felt ever since by 
the unhappy prisoners."3 

Oglethorpe thus became the precursor of HOWARD, 
the philanthropist, in the cause of humanity, as it 
regards the amelioration of prison discipline in 
general, especially the rigors of close confinement 
for debt or petty offences, and that among felons 
and convicts. The impression then made on his 
mind and heart, led him, afterwards, to other and 
more extensive and efficacious measures for the 
relief of poor debtors from the extortions and op 
pressions to which they were subjected by gaolers, 
and from the humiliation and distress in which they 
were often involved without any fault of their own, 

1 Appendix IV. * Appendix V. 
' Gentleman's Magazine for 1785, page 572. 


 ) ι 

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lili 
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12 


KING'S SPEECH. 


or by some conduct which deserved pity rather 
than punishment. 

At the opening of the session of Parliament on 
the 12th of January, 1731, the King's speech was 
the subject of debate in the House of Commons. 
A motion was made for an address of thanks, in 
which they should declare their entire approbation 
of his Majesty's conduct, express their confidence 
in the wisdom of his counsels, and announce their 
readiness to grant the necessary supplies. There 
were some who opposed the motion. They did 
not argue against a general vote of thanks, but inti 
mated the impropriety, and, indeed, ill tendency of 
expressions which implied an unquestioning appro 
bation of the measures of the ministry. In refer 
ring to this, Smollet * says, " Mr. Oglethorpe, a 
gentleman of unblemished character, brave, gener 
ous, and humane, affirmed that many other things 
related more immediately to the honor and interest 
of the nation, than did the guarantee of the Prag 
matic sanction. He said that he wished to have 
heard that the new works at Dunkirk had been 
entirely razed and destroyed ; that the nation had 
received full and complete satisfaction for the depra- 
datiöns committed by the natives of Spain ; that 

1 History of England, Book II. chap. iv. § xxx. 


GERMAN PROTESTANTS. 


13 


more care was taken in the disciplining of the 
militia, on whose valor the nation must chiefly 
depend in case of an invasion ; and that some 
regard had been shown to the oppressed Protestants 
in Germany. He expressed his satisfaction, how 
ever, to find that the English were not so closely 
united to France as formerly, for he had generally 
observed that when two dogs were in a leash to 
gether, the stronger generally ran away with the 
weaker ; and this, he feared, had been the case 
between France and Great Britain." 

The motion, however, was carried, and the ad 
dress presented. 

Possessing a vein of wit, Oglethorpe was apt to 
introduce piquant illustrations and comparisons into 
his narratives, and sometimes with the view of their 
giving force to his statements ; but, though they 
might serve to enliven conversation, they were not 
dignified enough for a speech in so august an assem 
bly as that he was now addressing. They are, how 
ever, atoned for, on this occasion, by the grave tenor 
of his preceding remarks, which were the dictates 
of good sense, the suggestions of sound policy, and, 
especially, by the reference to the distressed situa 
tion of the persecuted German Protestants which 
was evincive of a compassionate consideration, truly 
honorable to him as a man and a Christian. And 


 «-... .^ι Jill I 


14 


CONSTITUTIONAL MILITIA. 


II 


-5 .. 

6'¿ 


•3 

b 


-*A 


we shall find, that, in behalf of these, he afterwards 
exerted a personal and availing influence. 

In 1732 he made a spirited and patriotic effort 
in Parliament to restore a constitutional militia ; 
and to abolish arbitrary impressment for the sea- 
service ; and, on this subject, he published a 
pamphlet entitled " The Sailor's Advocate," for 
which Mr. Sharpe obliged him with a sarcastic 
preface. 

In the debate on the bill for encouraging the 
trade of the British sugar colonies, Oglethorpe took 
an active part, and manifested those liberal and 
patriotic views, and that regard for the colonial 
settlements in North America, which, afterwards, 
became with him a decided principle. 

" In all cases," said he, " that come before this 
House, where there seems a clashing of interests, 
we ought to have no exclusive regard to the particu 
lar interest of any one country or set of people, but 
to the good of the whole. Our colonies are a part 
of our dominions. The people in them are our own 
people ; and we ought to show an equal respect to 
all. If it should appear that our Plantations upon 
the continent of America are against that which is 
desired by the sugar colonies, we are to presume 
that the granting thereof will be a prejudice to the 
trade or particular interests of our continental settle- 


ON THE SUGAR COLONIES. 15 

ments. And, surely, the danger of hurting so con 
siderable a part of our dominions, — a part which 
reaches from the 34th to the 46th degree of north 
latitude, — will, at least, incline us to be extremely 
cautious in what we are going about. If, therefore, 
it shall appear that the relieving our sugar colonies 
will do more harm to the other parts of our domin 
ions, than it can do good to them, we must refuse 
it, and think of some other method of putting them 
upon an equal footing with their rivals in any part 
of trade. 

" Our sugar colonies are of great consequence 
to us ; but our other colonies in that part of the 
world ought also to be considered. From them we 
have, likewise, yearly, large quantities of goods. 
We ought not to raise one colony upon the de 
struction of another. Much less ought we to grant 
a favor to any particular set of people which may 
prove to be against the public good of the nation 
in general." 

To these, and other matters of general moment, 
Oglethorpe devoted his time, his talents, and his 
influence while in Parliament. He earnestly sup 
ported the cause of silk manufacture, which had 
then begun to spread in England by means of the 
improvement introduced by Sir Thomas Lombe, in 
the invention of his large engines, which are de- 


'<% 


 16 


CORPORATION FOR LENDING MONEY. 


scribed as being of " a most curious and intricate 
structure," ' but which in our own day, when me 
chanical ingenuity has reached a high degree of 
excellence, and machinery seems itself almost an 
intelligent principle, would, probably, be regarded 
as merely " curious and intricate," without possess 
ing any practical value.3 

A Corporation was formed in London, in 1707, 
with the professed intention of lending money to 
the poor on small pledges, and to persons of better 
rank, upon an answerable security, for setting them 
up, or assisting them in business. Its capital was 
then limited to £30,000, but in 1730 increased to 
£600,000, and a charter granted to the Corporation, 
by act of Parliament. But in October 1731, two 
of the chief officers, George Robinson, Esq., mem 
ber for Marlow, the Cashier, and John Thompson, 
the Warehouse keeper, disappeared on the same 


1 The 6th of the excellent Essays by the Rev. JAEED ELIOT, 
on Field Husbandry, &c., 1761, is devoted principally to recommenda 
tions of the culture of mulberry trees for the raising of silk-worms. 
In page 161, is a reference to Sir THOMAS LOMEE, " that eminent 
throwster, who erected the great eogine in Derbyshire ; a wonderful 
structure, consisting of twenty-nine thousand five hundred and 
eighty-six wheels, all set a going and continued in motion by one 
single water-wheel, for working silk with expedition and success." 
See also Appendix VII. 

* Manuscript lecture of J. WILLARD, Esq. 


OGLETHORPE'S SPEECH. 


17 


day. This gave the Proprietors great alarm ; and 
an inspection of affairs led to the discovery that for 
a capital of about £500,000, no equivalent was 
found to the value of £30,000 ; the remainder hav 
ing been disposed of by ways and means of which 
no one could give an account. In consequence of 
this defalcation, a petition of the Proprietors was 
presented to the Parliament alleging that some 
who had been guilty of these frauds had transported 
themselves to parts beyond the seas, and carried 
with them some of the books and effects of the 
• Corporation ; and that there was great reason to 
believe that such an immense sum of money could 
not have been embezzled without the connivance 
and participation of others who remained in the 
kingdom ; but that the petitioners were unable to 
come at the knowledge of their combinations or to 
bring them to justice, unless aided by the power 
and authority of that House ; and therefore prayed 
that it might be afforded. 

On the reading of the petition, Mr. Oglethorpe 
rose and spoke as follows : 

" Sir, I am persuaded that this petition will be 
received in a manner befitting the unhappy case of 
the sufferers and the justice of this House. I can 
hardly suspect that any gentleman that has the 
honor of being a member of this House will hesi- 

3 


 18 


SPEECH CONTINUED. 


PORTEOUS CASE. 


19 


v 

i 


t 


-< 


täte in giving all the relief which we can to the 
number of unfortunate persons, who have been so 
much injured. Yet, because I have heard it whis 
pered out of doors, that we ought not to receive 
this petition upon account, as is pretended, that the 
common seal is riot affixed to it, I deem it necessary 
to take some notice of that objection, in case it 
should be started here. Sir, I must say that if 
there be any irregularity as to the affixing the seal 
of the Company to this petition, it is, in my opin 
ion, so far from being an objection to our receiving 
the petition, that it is a very strong reason for it. 
If there be any fault in form, it is the fault of those 
who hadibe keeping of the common seal ; arid, as 
they may, perhaps, be of those against whom the 
complaints are made, and who may, upon inquiry, 
be found more or less amenable for the wrong, we 
are, therefore,' to suspect that the withholding the 
seal may be with a view of preventing the truth's 
being brought to light ; at any rate, we ought 
to discountenance and defeat such indirect prac 
tices with regard to the use of a common seal. 

" For my own part, sir, I have been always for 
encouraging the design upon which this corporation 
was at first established ; and looked upon it as a 
provident act of charity to let necessitous persons 
have the opportunity of borrowing money upon 


easier terms than they could have it elsewhere. 
Money, like other things, is but a commodity, and 
in the way of dealing, the use of it is looked upon 
to be worth as much as people cari get for it. If 
this corporation let persons -in limited circumstances 
have the use of money at a cheaper rate than indi 
viduals, brokers, or money lenders, would be willing 
to do, it was certainly a beneficent act. If they 
had demanded more than was elsewhere given, they 
would riot have had applicants, arid the design 
would riot have proved good and useful ; but the 
utility of it was most evident ; arid the better the 
design, arid the more excellent the benefit, the 
more those persons deserve to be punished, who by 
their frauds have curtailed, if riot now wholly cut 
off, these sources of furnishing assistance to the in 
dustrious and enterprising, arid disappointed the 
public of reaping the benefit which might have 
accrued by an honest arid faithful execution of so 
good an undertaking."1 

Another subject in the parliamentary discus 
sions of Oglethorpe which I shall mention, is his 
defence of the magistracy arid town-guard of the 
city of Edinburgh against an arraignment in the 
House of Lords, for what was deemed the rieg- 

1 History and Proceedings of the House of Commons, Vol. VII. 
p. 154. 


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III 

III 

1 


20 


PORTEOUS CASE. 


lect of prompt and energetic measures for suppres 
sing the riotous seizure and murder of Captain 
Porteous by an exasperated mob. The circum 
stances were these. 

After the execution in the Grass-market, on the 
14th of April, 1736, of one Andrew Wilson, a 
robber, the town-guard, which had been ordered 
out on the occasion, was insulted by rude and 
threatening speeches, and pelted with stones, by 
the mob. John Porteous, the captain, so resented 
the annoyance, that he commanded his men to 
fire over their heads, to intimidate them ; and then, 
as their opposition became violent, he directed the 
guard to fire among them ; whereby six persons 
were killed, and eleven severely wounded. For 
this he was prosecuted at the expense of the city, 
and condemned to die. But, a short reprieve hav 
ing been obtained, the mob, determined to defeat 
it, assembled in the night preceding the seventh 
day of September, whereon he was to have been 
executed pursuant to the sentence, and, in a very 
riotous manner, seized and disarmed the city-guard, 
and possessed themselves of the town-gates, to 
prevent the admission of troops quartered in the 
suburbs. They then rushed to the Tolbooth prison ; 
the doors of which not yielding to the force of their 
hammers, they consumed by fire, and then brought 


PORTEOUS CASE. 21 

forth Porteous by violence, and hung him on a· 
dyer's post, or frame, in the Grass-market, nigh the 
spot where the unfortunate people were killed. 

The magistrates, attended with several of the 
burgesses, attempted to quell the riot and disperse 
the mob, but were pelted with stones, and threat 
ened to be fired upon if they did not retire. 

This insult of the sovereign authority was too 
flagrant to be overlooked. Proclamations, with 
rewards of two hundred pounds sterling, were is 
sued for apprehending the rioters, and, when the 
Parliament met, vigorous measures were taken in 
the affair. The Lord Provost was ordered up to 
London in custody ; the magistrates summoned to 
answer the indictment, and a bill was introduced 
into the House of Commons " to disable Alexander 
Wilson, Esq., the principal magistrate during the 
riots, from ever after holding any office of magis 
tracy in Edinburgh or Great Britain ; to subject him 
to imprisonment for a year ; to abolish the town 
guard, and to take away the gates of the nether 
Bowport of the city." Oglethorpe objected to the 
first reading of the bill, and it encountered his 
vigorous opposition. He engaged in a warm de 
fence of the magistrates, and of the guard, declar 
ing that there was no dereliction of duty on the 
part of the magistrates and of the guard, but they 


 ς».. 


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G 

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-'•ί/ 


22 MORAVIANS' PETITION. 

•were overpowered by numbers, and thrown into 
actual jeopardy by the desperation of the mob. 
Hence the penalties of the bill would be the punish 
ment of misfortune, not of crime. 

In consequence of the stand which he thus took, 
and the interest made by others in the House of 
Commons, the bill was altered in its most essential 
circumstances, and, instead of the rigorous inflic 
tions, " mercy rejoiced against judgment," and the 
city was fined the sum of two thousand pounds, to 
be applied to the relief and support of the widow 
of Porteous.1 

A petition was made to Parliament " to extend 
the benefit of a late act for naturalizing foreigners 
in North America, to the Moravian Brethren and 
other foreign Protestants who made a scruple of 
taking an oath, or performing military service." 
General Oglethorpe, in the spring of 1737, pre 
sented the petition to the House of Commons, with 
an ample speech, and was supported by many mem 
bers. The opinion of the Board of Trade was 
required on this head. The Proprietor of Penn 
sylvania promoted the affair among the members 
of Parliament, and especially with the Secretary of 
State, the Duke of Newcastle, by his good testi- 

1 See Appendix VIII. 


PLEA FOE MORAVIANS. 


23 


monies of the brethren in Pennsylvania. The 
matter of the bill was properly discussed, formed 
into an act, and, having passed, with the greatest 
satisfaction, through both houses, received in June, 
1747, the Royal assent.1 

On the 20th of February, 1749, another petition 
in behalf of the Moravians was presented to the 
House of Commons ; and was supported by a long 
and highly impressive speech by Oglethorpe con 
cerning the origin of their church, their constitution, 
their pious and benevolent labors, and particularly, 
what he was most apprized of, their peaceable and 
useful settlements in America. On the 18th of 
April, the engrossed bill was read the third time in 
the House, was passed, nemine contmdicente, and 
ordered to be carried to the House of Lords. On 
the 21st of April, the bill was carried by sixteen 
members of the House of Commons to the House 
of Lords ; and, after a short address by Oglethorpe, 
the' leader, to Lord Chancellor Hardwicke, was 
accepted with great solemnity, and laid on the 
table. After due consideration, the act was passed, 
and on the 6th of June the Royal assent was given 
to it." 

1 CBANZ'S History of the United Brethren, translated by La Trobe, 
Loud. 1780, p. 331. 


II, 


 niiiilllllll 


CHAPTER II. 

Oglethorpe appointed first a Director, and then Deputy Governor of 
the Royal African Company — Takes a compassionate interest in 
the situation of an African kidnapped, sold as a slave, and car 
ried to Annapolis, in Maryland, a Province in North America — 
But proves to have been an Imán, or assistant Priest, of Futa, 
and was named Job Solomon — Causes him to be redeemed, and 
sent to England, where he becomes serviceable to Sir Hans Sloane 
for his knowledge of Arabic; attracts also the notice of persons 
of rank and distinction, and is sent back to Africa. 

IN January, 1731, Oglethorpe was chosen a Director 
of the Royal African Company, and the next year 
Deputy Governor. This situation brought to his 
knowledge the circumstances of an African slave, 
whose story is so interesting, that a few pages may 
be allowed for its recital. 

A negro, called JOB, was purchased on the coast 
of Africa by Captain Pyke, commander of a vessel 
belonging to Mr. Hunt, a rich merchant of Liver 
pool, and carried to Annapolis, Maryland, where, 
with others, he was delivered to Michael Dentón, 
the factor of Hunt, who sold him to Mr. Tolsey. 


JOB SOLOMON. 


25 


He was at first employed in the cultivation of to 
bacco ; but his humane master perceiving that he 
could not bear the fatigue, rendered his situation 
more tolerable by charging him with the care of 
his cattle. While in this employment, he used to 
retire, at stated times, to the recesses of a wood, to 
pray. He was seen there by a white boy, who 
amused himself with interrupting him, and often 
with wantonly insulting him by throwing dust in 
his eyes. This greatly added to Job's melancholy, 
which was increased by his having no means of 
making known the annoyance and abuse to which he 
was subjected, so that he grew desperate, and made 
his escape. He travelled through the woods till 
he came to the county of Kent, on Delaware bay, 
in Maryland, where, having no pass, and not being 
able to give any account of himself, he was taken 
up as a fugitive slave, and put into prison. While 
there, his behavior attracted more than common 
notice. Besides a stateliness of bearing, and an 
air of self-importance, which shew that he could 
be no ordinary person, he was observed to use 
prostrations at regular periods of the day, and to 
repeat sentences with great solemnity and earnest 
ness. Curiosity attracted to the prison certain 
English merchants, among whom Mr.Thomas Bluet 
was the most inquisitive. He was able, from an 


 Ίϋ1"" 


-°4 


26 


JOB SOLOMON. 


JOB SOLOMON. 


27 


old negro, who was a Foulah,1 and understood the 
language of Job, to obtain some information re 
specting his former condition-and character. These 
particulars were communicated to his master Tol- 
sey, who had been apprized of his capture, and 
come to reclaim him. In consideration, therefore, 
of what he had been, he not only forebore inflicting 
punishment on him for desertion, but treated him 
with great indulgence. Having ascertained that 
Job had in his possession certain slips of a kind of 
paper, on which he wrote strange characters, he 
furnished him with some sheets of paper, and signi 
fied a wish that he should use it. Job profited of 
his kindness, to write a letter to his father. This 
was committed to Dentón, to entrust to his captain 
on the first voyage which he should make to Africa ; 
but he having sailed for England, it was sent en 
closed to Mr. Hunt, at London. When it arrived 
there, Captain Pyke was on his voyage to Africa. 
Here, however, it was shewn to the Governor of 
the Royal African Company, and thus it " fell into 
the bauds," says my author, " of the celebrated 
Oglethorpe,9 who sent it to the University of Ox 
ford to be translated, as it was discovered to be 

1 In the relation which I follow this appellation is written 
Pholey. 
* BLUET. 


written in Arabic. The information which it im 
parted of the disastrous fate of the writer, so. 
awakened his compassion, that he engaged Mr. 
Hunt, by an obligation to refund all expenses, to 
have Job redeemed, and brought to England. This 
was immediately attended to, and he was sent in 
the William, commanded by captain Wright, and 
in the same vessel was Mr. Bluet, who became so 
attached to him, that, on their landing, he went 
with him to London, where they arrived in April, 
1733. As he did not find Oglethorpe, who had 
gone to Georgia, Bluet took him to his own house 
at Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire. There Job recom 
mended himself by his manly and courteous be 
havior ; and applied himself so diligently to learn 
the English language, that he was soon able to 
speak, and even write it with correctness. 

In the mean time a letter was sent in his behalf 
by Oglethorpe to the African Company, requesting 
them to take up his obligation to Mr. Hunt, and to 
pay the expenses of his voyage and accommodation 
after his arrival ; and to answer the bills of Mr. 
Bluet for his keeping and instruction, till he him 
self »hould return. This was readily done, and his 
emancipation effected for forty pounds ; and twenty 
pounds, bond and charges, were raised by subscrip 
tion. 


 $ «. «AVM h "III 

, Í· 


28 


JOB SOLOMON. 


JOB SOLOMON. 


29 


Job's knowledge of Arabic rendered him ser 
viceable to Sir Hans Sloane, who often employed 
him in translating Arabic manuscripts, and inscrip 
tions upon medals. To bring him into due notice, 
Sir Hans had him dressed in the costume of his 
country, and presented to the king and royal family; 
by whom he was graciously received ; and her 
majesty gave him a beautiful gold watch. The 
same day he dined with the Duke of Montague ; 
who afterwards took him to his country seat, where 
he was shewn, and taught the use of, the tools em 
ployed in agriculture and gardening. The same 
nobleman procured for him a great number of these 
implements, which were put into cases, and carried 
aboard the vessel in which he was to return to his 
native country. He received various other presents 
from many persons ; some of these, according to 
Mr. Moore, were their Royal Highnesses, the Earl 
of Pembroke, several ladies of distinction, Mr. 
Holden, and members of the Royal African Com 
pany. 

In the reference to him in NICHOLS'S Literary 
Anecdotes, vi. p. 91, it is said " he returned home 
loaded with presents to the amount of five hundred 
pounds/' After having passed fourteen months in 
England, he embarked, in the month of July, 1734, 
on board a vessel belonging to the Royal African 


Company, which was bound for the river Gambia, 
and carried out Thomas Moore to accomplish some 
business at a Factory of the Company's at Joar, 
to whose particular care Job was committed. 

While in England, his friend Bluet, collected 
from Job the history of his life, which he published,1 
and from which some of the preceding, and several 
of the following particulars are extracted. 

The name of this extraordinary man was AYOUB 
IBN SOLIMAN IBRAHIM, that is, JOB THE SON OF 
SOLOMON THE SON OF ABRAHAM. His nation was 
that of the Jalofs ; his tribe, or cast, the Pholey, 
or Foulah ; and his native place Bunda, a city of 
Galumbo, in the kingdom of Futa, in Central Africa, 
opposite Tombuto.8 

Ibrahim, the grandfather of Job, was the founder 
of the city of Bunda, during the reign of Abubeker, 
then king of Futa ; who gave him the proprietor 
ship and government of it, with the title of Alfa or 
High Priest. After his death, the dignity, which 
was hereditary in the family, passed to the father 

1 Memoirs of the Life o/JoB, the son of SOLOMON, the High Priest 
of Bunda, in Africa. By THOMAS BLUET. London, 1734 ; 8vo., 
dedicated to the Duke of Montague. 

1 The affix to his name is sometimes spelt JALLA, JALOF, and 
DGIALLX. These indicate the name of the tribe, or nation, to 
which he belonged ; which was that of the JALOFS, on the river 
Sanaga, and along the Gambia. 


 - Λ 


.*4 

-i χ 

+'ί 


30 


JOB SOLOMON. 


of Job. On the decease of Abubeker, his brother, 
the Prince of Jelazi, succeeded to the royalty ; he, 
being already the father of a son, entrusted him to 
the care of Soliman, the father of Job, to have him 
taught the Arabic language, and the Alcoran. Job 
became, in this way, the fellow student and com 
panion of this young prince. Jelazi lived but a 
short time, and was succeeded by his son. 

When Job had attained the age of fifteen, he as 
sisted his father in the capacity of Imán, or inferior 
priest, and soon after married the daughter of the 
Alfa of Tombutoi By her he had three sons, 
Abdallah, Ibrahim, and Sambo. Two years before 
his captivity he took a second wife, the daughter 
of the Alfa of Tomga ; by whom he had a daughter 
named Fatima. His two wives and his four child 
ren were alive when he left Bunda. 

In the month of February, 1730, the father of 
Job, having learnt that an English vessel had ar 
rived in the Gambia, sent his son thither, attended 
by two domestics, to procure some European com 
modities ; but charged him not to cross the river, 
because the inhabitants of the opposite bank were 
Mandingoes, enemies of the kingdom of Futa. 

Job, coming to no agreement with Captain Pyke, 
the commander of the English vessel, sent back 
his two domestics to Bunda, ίο render an account 


JOB SOLOMON. 


31 


of his affairs to his father, and to inform him that 
his curiosity induced him to travel further. With 
this view he made a contract with a negro mer 
chant, named Loumein-Yoa, who understood the 
language of the Mandingoes, to serve him as an 
interpreter and guide on a pacific expedition and 
overture. Having passed the river Gambia, when 
the heat compelled him to avail himself of the cool 
ing shade of the forest, he suspended his arms upon 
a tree, to rest himself. They consisted of a sabre, 
with a handle of gold ; a dagger in a sheath, with 
a hilt of the same metal ; and a rich quiver filled 
with arrows, of which king Sambo, the son of 
Jelezi, had made him a present. " His evil des- 
ti y willed " ' that a troop of Mandingoes, accus 
tomed to pillage, should pass that way, who, dis 
covering him unarmed, seized him, shaved his head 
aed chin ; and, on the 27th of February, sold him, 
with his interpreter, to Captain Pyke ; and, on the 
first of March, they were put on board the vessel. 
Pyke, however, learning from Job that he was the 
same person who had attempted to trade with him 
some days before, and that he was a slave only by 
having been kidnapped, gave him leave to ransom 

1 This is the explanation of Job, who being a Mahometan, was a 
fatalist in his belief. 


 lllllilh 


t ' 


32 JOB SOLOMON. 

himself and his companion. Accordingly, Job im 
mediately sent to a friend of his father, who dwelt 
at Joar, where the vessel then lay, to beseech him 
to send news of his captivity. But the distance 
being fifteen days journey, the Captain, after wait 
ing some time, found it necessary to set sail, and 
the unfortunate Job was carried off, and sold, as has 
been already mentioned. 

He is described as being a fine figure, five feet 
ten inches in height ; of a pleasing but grave coun 
tenance, and having strait black hair.1 His natural 
qualities were excellent. He was possessed of a 
solid judgment, a ready and wonderfully retentive 
memory, an ardent love for truth, and a sweet dis 
position, mild, affectionate, and grateful. His reli 
gion was Mahometanism ; but he rejected the idea 
of a sensual paradise, and several other traditions 
that are held among the Turks. The foundation 
of his principles was the unity of God ; whose name 
he never pronounced without some particular indi 
cation of respect. " The ideas which he held of 


1 There is a scarce octavo portrait of him, head and shoulders 
only, etched by the celebrated paiuter, Mr. Hoare, of Bath, in 1734, 
as appears by a manuscript note on the impression of it in Mr. 
Bindley's possession. Under the print is engraved, " JOB, son of 
Solliman Dgialla, Ingh priest of Banda, in the country of Foota, 
Africa." 


JOB SOLOMON. 


33 


the Supreme Being and of a future state, appeared 
very reasonable to the English ; but he was so firm 
in the persuasion of the divine unity, that it was 
impossible to get him to reason calmly upon the 
doctrine of the Trinity. A New Testament in 
Arabic had been given him. He read it ; and, giv 
ing his ideas, respectfully, concerning it, began by 
declaring that having examined it carefully, he 
could not find a word from which he could conclude 
that there were three Gods." * 

Job landed at Fort English on the 8th of August, 
1734. He was recommended particularly by the 
Directors of the Royal African Company to the 
Governor and Factors. They treated him with 
much respect and civility. The hope of finding 
one of his countrymen at Joar, induced him to set 
out on the 23d in the shallop with Mr. Moore, who 
was going to take the direction of the factory there. 
On the 26th at evening they arrived at the creek 
of Damasensa. Whilst Job was seated under a 

1 "II etoit si ferme dans la persuasion de l'uuité divine, qu'il fut 
impossible de le faire raisonner paisiblement sur la Triuité. On 
lui avoit donné un Nouveau Testament dans sa langue, il le lut, et 
s'expliquant, avec respect, sur ce livre, il commença par déclarer que 
l'ayant examiné fort soigneusement, il n'y avoit pas trouvé un mot 
d'où l'on fuit conclure qu'il y eut trois dieux." Histoire générale 
du Voyaga, par FAW A. F. PBÍVOST. 4to. Paris. 1747. Tom. 
HL p. 116. 


ι l 


 o. 


34 


JOB SOLOMON. 


JOB SOLOMON. 


35 


tree with the English, he saw seven or eight ne 
groes pass of the nation that had made him a slave, 
thirty miles from that place. Though he was of a 
mild disposition, he could hardly refrain from at 
tacking them with his sabre and pistols ; but Moore 
made him give up all thought of this, by represent 
ing to him the imprudence and danger of such a 
measure. They called the negroes to them, to ask 
them various questions, and to inquire particularly 
what had become of the king, their master. They 
answered that he had lost his life by the discharge 
of a pistol, which he ordinarily carried suspended 
to his neck, and which, going off by accident, had 
killed him on the spot. As this pistol was supposed 
to have been one of the articles which he had re 
ceived of Captain Pyke as the price of Job, the now 
redeemed captive, deeply affected by the circum 
stance, turning to his conductors, said, " You see 
that Heaven has made the very arms for which I 
was sold, serve as the punishment of the inexorable 
wretch who made my freedom their procurement ! 
And yet I ought to be thankful for the lot into 
which I was cast, because if I had not been made 
a captive, I should not have seen such a country 
as England ; nor known the language ; nor have1 
the many useful and precious things that I possess ; 
nor become acquainted with men so generous as 1 


have met with, not only to redeem me from bond 
age, but to shew met great kindness,* and send 
me back so much more -capable of being useful." 
Indeed, he did not cease to praise highly the Eng 
lish in conversing with the Africans, and endeavored 
to reclaim those poor creatures from the prejudice 
they had that the slaves were eaten, or killed for 
some other purpose, because no one was known 
to have returned. 

Having met with a Foulah, with whom he had 
been formerly acquainted, he engaged him to notify 
his family of his return ; but four months elapsed 
before he received any intelligence from Bunda. 
On the 14th of January, 1735, the messenger came 
back, bearing the sad tidings that his father had 
died ; with the consolation, however, of learning, 
just before his death, of the ransom of his son, and 
of the favor which he had received in England. 
One of the wives of Job had married again, in his 
absence ; and the second husband had fled on being 
ieformed of the arrival of the first. During the 
fast three years, the war had made such ravages in 
the country of Bunda, that no cattle remained there. 

Job was deeply affected with the death of his 
father, the misfortunes of his country, and the situ 
ation of his family. He protested, however, that 
he pardoned his wife, and the man who had es- 


 l 


gg JOB SOLOMON. 

poused her. " They had reason," he said, " to 
suppose me lost to them forever, because I had 
gone to a country from which no Foulah had ever 
returned." 

When Moore, from whose narrative these partic 
ulars are extracted, left Africa, he was charged with 
letters from Job, who remained at Joar, to Ogle- 
thorpe, Bluet, the Duke of Montague, his principal 
benefactors, and to the Royal African Company.1 

" On Thursday, November 4th, 1737, Sir Hans 
Sloane communicated to the Royal Society a letter 
which a gentleman had received from Job, the 
African, whom MR. OGLETHORPE released from 
slavery, and the African Company sent home to his 
own country, in one of their ships, about twelve 
months ago. In this letter he very gratefully ac 
knowledges the favor he received in England ; and, 
in answer to some things desired of him when here, 
says that he has been in the country where the tree 
producing the gum-Arabic grows, and can assist the 
English in that trade. He furthur says, that he has 
been up in the country, as far as the mountains 


JOB SOLOMON. 


37 


from whence the gold-dust is wafted down ; and 
that if the English would build flat-bottomed boats 
to go up the river, and send persons well skilled in 
separating the gold from the ore, they might gain 
vastly more than at present they do by the dust 
trade; and that he should be always ready and 
willing to use the utmost of his power, (which is 
very considerable in that country,) to encourage 
and support them therein."1 

Mr. Nichols, who has inserted his name among 
the members of the Gentleman's Society at Spalding, 
adds, "died 1773."3 

1 Political State of Great Britain, Vol. LUI. p. 18. 
» Literary Anecdotes, Vol. VI. p. 90. 


1 Travels into the inland parts of Africa; containing a description 
of several nations for tJie space of 600 miles upon the river Gambia ; 
with a particular account of JOB BEN SOLOMON, a Pholey, who was in 
England in 1733, and known by the name of " the African Prince." 
By FRANCIS MOOKE. London, 1738. 


 -·',' 

·» 


1 


CHAPTER III. 

Project for settling the south-western frontier of Carolina—A Charter 
grauted for it, by the name of Georgia — Trustees appointed, who 
arrange a plan of Settlement— They receive a grant of Money 
from Parliament, and from Subscriptions and Contributions — 
Oglethorpe takes a lively interest in it—States the Object, and 
suggests Motives for Emigration—A Vessel hired to convey the 
Emigrants—Oglethorpe oners to accompany the intended Colo 
nists—His disinterested devotedness to the benevolent and 
patriotic Enterprise. 

THE project, which had been for some time in con 
templation, of settling the south-eastern frontier of 
Carolina, between the rivers Savannah and Ala- 
tamaha,1 suggested to Oglethorpe that it could be 
effected by procuring the liberation of insolvent 
debtors, and uniting with them such other persons 
in reduced circumstances as might be collected else 
where, and inducing them to emigrate thither and 
form a settlement. 

1 See A Discourse concerning the designed establishment of a new 
Colony to the south of Carolina, by Sir ROBEET MONTGOMEET, Baro 
net. London, 1717. 


ACT FOE SETTLING GEOEGIA. 39 

As such a project and design required for its 
furtherance more means than an individual could 
furnish, and more managing and directing power 
than, unaided, he himself could exert, Oglethorpe 
sought the coopération of wealthy and influential 
persons in the beneficent enterprise. Concurring 
with his views, twenty-one associates petitioned 
the throne for an act of incorporation, and obtained 
letters-patent, bearing date the 9th of June, 
1732 ; the preamble of which recited, among other 
things, that " many of his Majesty's poor subjects 
were, through misfortunes and want of employ 
ment, reduced to great necessities, and would be 
glad to be settled in any of his provinces of Amer 
ica, w re, by cultivating the waste and desolate 
lands, they might not only gain a comfortable sub 
sistence, but also strengthen the colonies, and 
increase the trade, navigation, and wealth of his 
Majesty's realms." And then added, that, for the 
considerations aforesaid, the King did constitute 
and appoint certain persons, whose names are given,. 
" trustees for settling and establishing the colony of 
Georgia in America," the intended new province 
being so called in honor of the King, who encour 
aged readily the benevolent project, and contributed 
largely to its furtherance. 

At the desire of these gentlemen, there were 


 .·„„ · -ΊΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙ» 


40 


TERMS OF THE CHARTER. 


SEAL OF TRUSTEES. 


41 


ex. 

e 


inserted clauses in the charter, restraining them 
and their successors from receiving any salary, fee, 
perquisite, or profit, whatsoever, by or from this 
undertaking ; and also from receiving any grant of 
lands within the said district to themselves, or in 
trust for them.1 

" No colony," says Southey, " was ever estab 
lished upon principles more honorable to its pro 
jectors. The conduct of the trustees did not 
discredit their profession. They looked for no 
emolument to themselves or their representatives 
after them."2 

In pursuance of the requisitions of the charter, 
the trustees held a meeting in London, about the 
middle of July, for the choice of officers, and the 
drawing up of rules for the transaction of business. 
They adopted a seal for the authentication of such 
official papers as they should issue. It was formed 
with two faces ; one for legislative acts, deeds, and 
commissions, and the other, "the common seal," 
as it was called, to be affixed to grants, orders, 
certificates, &c. The device on the one was two 
figures resting upon urns, representing the rivers 
Savannah and Alatamaha, the north-eastern and 


1 Appendix, No. IX. 

* SOTJTHEY'S Life of Wesley, Vol. I. p. 179. 


south-western boundaries of the province, between 
which the genius of the colony was seated, with a 
cap of liberty on her head, a spear in one hand, 
and a cornucopia in the other, with the inscription 
COLONIA GEORGIA AUG : On the other face was a 
representation of silk-worms ; some beginning, and 
others completing their labors, which were charac 
terized by the motto, NON SIBI SED ALUS. This 
inscription announced the beneficent disposition 
and disinterested motives of the trustees ; while the 
device was an allusion to a special object which 
they had in view, —τ- the production of silk. 

They had learned that the climate of the region 
was particularly favorable to the breeding of the 
worms, and that the mulberry-tree was indigenous 
there. They conceived that the attention requisite, 
during the few weeks of the feeding of the worms, 
might be paid by the women and children, the old 
and infirm, without taking off the active men from 
their employment, or calling in the laborers from 
their work. For encouragement and assistance in 
the undertaking, they were willing to engage per 
sons from Italy, acquainted with the method of 
feeding the worms and winding the thread from the 
cocoons, to go over with the settlers, and instruct 
them in the whole process. And they intended to 
recommend it strongly to the emigrants to use their 


 42 


CULTURE OF SILK. 


utmost skill and diligence in the culture of mul 
berry trees, and the prompt attention to the purpose 
to which their leaves were to be applied ; so that, 
in due time the nation might receive such remit 
tances of raw silk as would evince that their liber 
ality towards effecting the settlement was well 
applied, and available in produce of an article of 
importation of so valuable a nature, and in great 
demand. 

The trustees were excited to this project by 
Oglethorpe, who had been deeply engaged in ascer 
taining the value of wrought silk as an article of 
commerce, and also of the raw silk for domestic 
manufacture, at the time when Mr. John Lombe's 
invention for winding and reeling had been brought 
before Parliament. And now he considered that it 
would be an exceedingly desirable project to intro 
duce the raising of the commodity in the projected 
new settlement, and thus diminish to the nation 
the large sums annually expended in the import 
ation. 

This is one of those prospective measures for the 
advancement of the colony, which were nearly a 
century before the age.1 Others will hereafter be 
mentioned alike entitled to wonder and admiration. 

1 See in the Appendix to this volume, a brief history of the cul 
ture of silk in Georgia. 


CONTRIBUTIONS OBTAINED. 


43 


In order to fulfil the intent and promote the pur 
poses of their incorporation, the trustees gave public 
notice that they were ready to receive applications 
f ι such as were disposed to emigrate. They also 
appointed a committee to visit the prisons, and 
e a list of insolvent debtors for whom a dis 
charge from the demands of their creditors could 
be obtained, and to ascertain what compromise 
might be effected for their release ;1 as also to in 
quire into the circumstances and character of appli 
cants. To render these more willing to emigrate, 
it became necessary to hold out encouragement and 
to offer outfits. To defray these and meet subse 
quent expenses in carrying the enterprize into 
e ect, they first set the example of contribution 
themselves, and then undertook to solicit benefac 
tions from others. Several individuals subscribed 
liberally; collections were made throughout the 
kingdom ; the directors of the Bank of England 
volunteered a handsome contribution ; and the Par 
liament gave ten thousand pounds. 

Having thus acquired a fund to be laid out in 

1 "That thon mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth ! to them that 
are in darkneis, Shew yourselves ! They shall feed in the ways. 
They shall DO longer hunger or thirst; FOR HE THAT HATH MEKCY 
OK THEM SH»LL LEAD THEM, even by the springs of water shall he 
guide them, with those that come from far." »ISAIAH xlix. 9,11. 


 44 


PROPOSALS TO EMIGRANTS. 


clothing, arming, sending over, and supporting the 
emigrants, and for supplying them with necessary 
implements to commence and carry on the settle 
ment, the following statement was published : 
" There are many poor, unfortunate persons in this 
country, who would willingly labor for their bread, 
if they could find employment and get bread for 
laboring. Such persons may be provided for by 
being sent to a country where there are vast tracts 
of fertile land lying uninhabited and uncultivated. 
They will be taken care of on their passage ; they 
will get lands on which to employ their industry ; 
they will be furnished with sufficient tools for setting 
their industry to work ; and they will be provided 
with a certain support, till the fruits of their industry 
can come in to supply their wants ; and all this with 
out subjecting themselves to any master, or sub 
mitting to any slavery. The fruits of every man's 
own industry are to be his own. Every man who 
transports himself thither is to enjoy all the privi 
leges of a free-born subject."l 

Oglethorpe himself stated the object, the motive, 
and the inducements of such an emigration in the 
following terms. " They who can make life toler 
able here, are willing to stay at home, as it is indeed 

1 Political state of Great Britain, for August, 1732, Vol. XLIV. 
p. 150. 


OGLETHORPE'S STATEMENT. 


45 


best for the kingdom that they should. But they 
who are oppressed with poverty and misfortunes, 
are unable to be at the charges of removing from 
their miseries, and these are the persons intended 
to be relieved. And let us cast our eyes on the 
multitude of unfortunate individuals in the kingdom, 
of reputable families, and of liberal, or at least easy 
education, some undone by guardians, some by law 
suits, some by accidents in commerce, some by 
stocks and bubbles, and some by suretyship ; but 
all agree in this one circumstance, that they must 
ither be burdensome to their relations, or betake 
themselves to little shifts for sustenance, which, it 
is ten to one do not answer their purposes, and to 
which a well-educated person descends with the 
utmost constraint. What various misfortunes may 
reduce the rich, the industrious, to danger of a 
prison, — to a moral certainty of starving ! — These 
are the persons that may relieve themselves, and 
strengthen Georgia by resorting thither, and Great 
Bri in by their departure. 

" With a view to the relief of people in the con 
dition I have described, his Majesty has, this pre 
sent year, incorporated a considerable number of 
persons of quality and distinction, and invested a 
large tract of South Carolina in them, by the name 
of Georgia, in trust, to be distributed among the 


 46 


VESSEL PROVIDED FOE EMIGRANTS. 


necessitous. Those Trustees not only give land to 
the unhappy, who go thither, but are also empow 
ered to receive the voluntary contributions of chari 
table persons to enable them to furnish the poor 
adventurers with all necessaries for the expense of 
the voyage, occupying the land, and supporting 
them, until they find themselves settled. So that 
now the unfortunate will not be obliged to bind 
themselves to a long service to pay for their pas 
sage, for they may be carried gratis into a land of 
liberty and plenty, where they will immediately find 
themselves in possession of a competent estate, in 
a happier climate than they knew before, — and 
they are unfortunate indeed if they cannot forget 
their sorrows." * 

When the Trustees had got a list of a sufficient 
number of persons disposed to emigrate, they re 
solved to send them over. 

A vessel was hired to convey the emigrants, 
fitted up for their accommodation, and supplied 
with stores, not only for the voyage, but for their 
support after their arrival. The Trustees also fur 
nished tools for building, implements for husbandry, 
domestic utensils, and various other articles ; and 


1 New and Accurate Account of the Provinces of South Carolina and 
Georgia, London. 1733. p. 30 — 33. 


OGLETHORPE GOES WITH SETTLERS. 47 

JAMES OGLETHORPE, Esq., one of the Trustees, 
and the most zealous and active promoter of the 
e tarprise, having signified his readiness to go with 
the emigrants, a d in the same ship, in order to see 
that th j wer· well treated, and to take care of 
ι after their landing, was clothed with power 
to exercise the functions of Governor of the 
Colony."1 

He was prompted to engage in this undertaking 
by the spirit of enterprise and an enlarged philan 
thropy aad patriotism. While the benevolent pur 
pose called into exercise his noblest feelings, he 
considered that the settlement of a new colony, in 
a pleasant region, would not only raise the charac 
ter and highly improve the condition of those by 
whom it was constituted, but contribute to the 
iaterests of the British empire. 

In all this he was actuated by motives wholly 
disinterested ; for he freely devoted his time, his 
exertions, and his influence to the enterprise ; and 
not only bore his own expenses, but contributed 
largely to the means and assistance of others.3 

The Abbe Raynal, in his Philosophical and Po- 

1 Account, shewing the progress of the Colony of Georgia from its 
firtt ttttlemtnti published by order of the Honorable Trustees, by 
BIIUDON MaETiN, Secretary. Lpndon. 1741. 

1 See Appendix, No. X. 


 48 


ABBE RAYNAL'S STATEMENT. 


litical History of the British Settlements in America,1 
states as the cause of Oglethorpe's undertaking, 
what, when rightly understood, was but a conse 
quence of it. He says, " A rich and humane citi 
zen, at his death, left the whole of his estate to set 
at liberty such insolvent debtors as were detained 
in prison by their creditors. Prudential reasons of 
policy concurred in the performance of this Will, 
dictated by humanity ; and the Government gave 
orders that such unhappy prisoners as were released 
should be transported into Georgia. The Parlia 
ment added nine thousand eight hundred and forty- 
three pounds fifteen shillings, to the estate left by 
the Will of the citizen. A voluntary subscription 
produced a much more considerable .sum. General 
Oglethorpe, a man who had distinguished himself 
by his taste for great designs, by his zeal for his 
country, and his passion for glory, was fixed upon 
to direct these public finances, and to carry into 
execution so excellent a project." 

Mr. Warden, adopted this account, but varied a 
little from it ; for he says, " It happened that Ogle 
thorpe was named executor for the disposal of a 
legacy left by a wealthy Englishman for the deliv- 

1 Book II. Chap. IV. See also his History of the Settlements and 
Trade of the East and West Indies, by Europeans, Book XVIII. 
Vol. VII. page 359, of the English translation. Lend. 1787. 


GRAHAM'S STATEMENT. 


49 


erance of insolvent debtors, detained in prison ; and 
this donation, with others, procured from generous 
individuals, and ten thousand pounds sterling ad 
vanced by the government, was employed for the 
establishment of a colony, where this unfortunate 
•1 — of men might find an asylum."1 

Mr. Graham has also followed this statement, 
and given the testator the credit of projecting the 
release of prisoners for debt ; a project which origi 
nated solely with Oglethorpe.a 

I have sought in vain for early vouchers of this 
statement, and feel assured that the project did not 
grow out of a bequest either of a " whole estate," 
or a " legacy " of any amount, left by " a rich cit 
izen," or « a wealthy subject " of Great Britain. 
The story, like most others, becoming amplified by 
repetition, arose from the fact that Edward Adderly, 
Esq. had given, in his Will, the sum of one hundred 
pounds in aid of the settlement of Georgia ; but 
that was two years afler the settlement had com 
menced ; and it was not to Oglethorpe individually 
to manage, but to the Trustees to appropriate. 

Among my authorities are the publications of the 
day, when facts and circumstances are mentioned 

1 StatMcai, Political, and Historical Account of the United States 
of América. Vol. II. p. 471. 
* History of America. Vol. III. p. 180. 

7 


 -uiiiiili! 


50 OGLETHORPE THE PROJECTOR OF GEORGIA. 

as taking place, and may, therefore, be relied on. 
I dwell on them more particularly, and lay on them 
greater stress, because all the early narratives speak 
of Oglethorpe as the projector of the undertaking, 
the leader of the emigrants, the founder of the col 
ony. The publisher of " An account of the first 
planting of the colony of Georgia," 1 speaking of 
his engagedness in this noble cause, says, " This 
was an instance of generosity and public spirit, and 
an enterprise of fatigue as well as of danger, which 
few ages or nations can boast." 

Ambition and enterprise were strong traits in 
his character ; and what he devised, his firmness of 
eonstitution, vigor of health, force of principle, and 
untiring perseverance, enabled him to pursue to its 
accomplishment. 

11 Account of the first planting of the colony of Georgia; published 
from the records of the Trustees; by BENJAMIN MARTIN,, their Seere^ 
tary. Lond. 1741, p. 11. 


CHAPTER IV. 

The emigrants embark—Arrive at Charlestown, South Carolina — 
Oglethorpe visits Governor Johnson — Proceeds up the Savannah 
river—Place of settlement fixed upon — Town laid out — La 
bors superintended, and assisted by Colonel Bull—Treaty with 
Tomo Chichi—Progress of settlement—Oglethorpe makes [a 
visit to Governor Johnson, and presents himself before the House 

•of Assembly, and'makes an Address of grateful acknowledgment 

•of favors received—Returns to Savannah—Holds a treaty with 
the Lower Creeks—Goes to head-quarters on the Ogechee— 
Fort Argyle built—Savannah laid out in wards, and Court of 
Records instituted. 

ON the 16th of November, 1732, the intended 
emigrants embarked, accompanied by the Reverend 
Henry Herjbert, D. D., a clergyman of the Church 
of England, as Chaplain, and Mr. Amatis, from 
Piedmont, who was engaged to instruct them in 
raising silk-worms, and the art of winding silk. 
The following « account of their setting forth," is 
taken from a contemporary publication. 

" The Ann galley, of about two hundred tons, is 
on the point of sailing from Depford, for the new 


 52 EMIGRANTS EMBARK. 

Colony of Georgia, with thirty-five families, con 
sisting of carpenters, brick-layers, farmers, &c., 
who take all proper instruments for their employ 
ment on their arrival. The men are learning mili 
tary discipline of the guards ; and are furnished 
with muskets, bayonets, and swords, to defend the 
colony in case of an attack from the Indians. The 
vessel has on board ten tons of Alderman Parsons's 
best beer, and will take in at Madeira five tons of 
wine for the service of the colony. Many of the 
Trustees were on board for the purpose of ascer 
taining whether they were suitably accommodated 
and provided for ; and to take leave of the worthy 
gentleman of their own body, who goes with them 
to take care of them, and to direct in laying out 
their lands, and forming a town."l 

In pursuance of the benevolent design of the 
Trustees, Oglethorpe engaged in this expedition 
entirely at his own expense ; furnished his own 
cabin-fare, on board ; and was constantly attentive, 
during the whole voyage, to the situation and com 
fort of the passengers. 

On the 13th of January, 1733, the ship dropt 
anchor outside of the bar, at the port of Charlestown, 
South Carolina. Excepting that two infirm child- 

1 GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE for 1732, p. 1029. 


ARRIVAL AT CHARLESTOWN. 


53 


ren died on the passage, all that went on board 
had been well, and arrived in good health.1 

Oglethorpe, with his suite, went on shore to wait 
on the Governor of the Province, his Excellency 
Robert Johnson. He was received in the kindest 
manner, and treated by him and the Council with 
every mark of civility and respect. Sensible of the 
great advantage that must accrue to Carolina from 
this new colony, the Governor afforded all the 
assistance in his power to forward the settlement ; 
and immediately sent an order to Mr. Middleton, 
the king's pilot, to conduct the ship into Port 
Royal, and to furnish small craft to convey the 
colonists thence to the river Savannah. 

In about ten hours they proceeded with this 
naval escort. On the 18th Mr. Oglethorpe went 
ashore on Tench's Island, where he left eight men, 
with directions to prepare huts for the people who 
would disembark, and tarry there till he could 
make farther arrangements. He proceeded thence 
to Beaufort, a frontier town of South Carolina, 

1 The following details are taken from what appears to be infor 
mation sent to the Trustees in London, and by them published in 
that popular Journal entitled "The Political State of Great Britain," 
Vol. XLVI. page 234, collated with The History of the Rise, 
Progress, and Present State of the Colony of Georgia, in HARRIS'S 
Collection of Voyages, II. 327. 


 Ή" 


54 EMIGRANTS GO ON SHORE. 

situated on Port Royal Island, at the mouth of the 
Coosawatchie river, having an excellent harbor. 

Early the next morning he went ashore, and 
was saluted by a discharge of the artillery. The 
Colonists, arriving on the 20th, were cheerfully re 
ceived and assisted by Lieutenant Watts, Ensign 
Farrington, and other officers of the King's Inde 
pendent Company on that station ; and were wait 
ed upon and welcomed by Mr. Delabarr and gen 
tlemen of the neighborhood.1 

While the sea-worn emigrants rested and re 
freshed themselves, the indefatigable Oglethorpe, 
accompanied by Colonel William Bull, a man of 
knowledge and experience, went up the river to 
explore the country. Having found a pleasant 
spot of ground near to Yamacraw, they fixed upon 
the place as the most convenient and healthy situa 
tion for the settlers, and there marked out a town, 
which, from the Indian name of the river that ran 
past it, they called Savannah. 

On the 24th he returned, and with the emi 
grants celebrated the following Sunday as a day 
of Thanksgiving for their safe arrival. A sermon 

1 " Brief Account of the Progress of the First Colony sent to Gear' 
gia," — inserted in the 46th volume, p. 234, of the "Political 
State of Great Britain ;" and it makes the second Tract in FORCE'S 
Collection. 


PLACE OF SETTLEMENT. 


55 


was preached by the Reverend Mr. Jones,1 by ex 
change of services with Doctor Herbert, who offi 
ciated at Beaufort. There was a great resort of 
gentlemen and their families, from the neighbor 
hood, to welcome the new-comers, and unite with 
them in the gladness of the occasion. 

On the 31st they arrived at the place selected 
for their settlement, the description of which by 
Oglethorpe himself, in a letter to the Trustees, 
dated the 10th of February, 1733, cannot fail to 
give both interesting information and much plea 
sure to the reader. 

After referring to a former letter, and giving a 
brief notice of their arrival at Beaufort, and his 
selection of a site, a few miles higher up the river, 
for laying out a town, he adds, " The river here 
forms a half-moon, along side of which the banks 
are about forty feet high, and on the top is a flat, 
which they call * a bluff.' The plain high ground 
extends into the country about five or six miles ; 
and, along the river side, about a mile. Ships that 
draw twelve feet of water can ride within ten 
yards of the bank. Upon the river side, in the 
centre of this plain, I have laid out the town, oppo- 

1 Rev. LEWIS JONES. See some account of him in DALCHO'S 
History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in South Carolina, p. 
378. 


 56 


OGLETHORPE'S LETTER. 


site to which is an Island of very rich pasturage, 
which I think should be kept for the cattle of the 
Trustees. The river is pretty wide, the water 
fresh, and from the key of the town you see its 
whole course to the sea, with the island of Tybee, 
which is at its mouth. For about six miles up into 
the country, the landscape is very agreeable, the 
stream being wide, and bordered with high woods 
on both sides. 

" The whole people arrived here on the first of 
February. At night their tents were got up. Until 
the tenth they were taken up with unloading and 
making a crane, which 1 then could not finish, and 
so took off the hands, and set some to the fortifica 
tion, and began to fell the woods. 

• " I have marked out the town and common ; half 
of the former is already cleared ; and the first house 
was begun yesterday in the afternoon. 

" I have taken ten of the Independent Company 
to work for us, for which I make them an allowance. 

" I send you a copy of the resolution of the 
Assembly of Carolina, and the Governor and Coun 
cil's letter to me.1 

" Mr. Whitaker has given us one hundred head 
of cattle. Colonel Bull, Mr. Barlow, Mr. St. Julian, 

1 Appendix, No. X. 


TOMO CHICHI* 


57 


and Mr. Woodward are come up to assist us, with 
some of their servants. 

" I am so taken up in looking after a hundred 
necessary things, that I write now short, but shall 
give you a more particular account hereafter. 

" A little Indian nation, the only one within fifty 
miles, is not only in amity, but desirous to be sub 
jects to his Majesty King George, to have lands 
given them among us. Their chief, and his beloved 
man, who is the second in the nation, desire to be 
instructed in the Christian religion." ' 

Realizing how important it was to obtain the 
consent of the natural proprietors of the region, to 
the settlement of his colony here, and how desirable 
to be on good terms with those in the vicinity, he 
sought for an interview with Tomo Chichi, the 
Mico, or chief of a small tribe who resided at a 
place called Yamacraw, three miles up the river. 
Most fortunately and opportunely, he met with an 
Indian woman who had married a Carolinian trader 
by the name of Musgrove ; and who understood 
and could speak the English language ; and he 

" The beloved man is a person of much consequence. He main 
tains and exercises great influence in the state, particularly in mili 
tary affairs, their Senate, or Council, never determining an expe 
dition or treaty without his consent and assistance." BOUDINOT, 
¿Star in the East, p. 202. 
θ 


 58 


LETTER FROM OGLETHORPE. 


OGLETHORPE'S LETTER. 


59 


availed himself of her assistance as an interpreter.1 
The conference ended in a compact and treaty, 
favorable to the new comers. From this venerable 
chieftain he afterwards learned, that, besides that 
immediate district, the territory was claimed and 
partly occupied by the tribes of the upper and lower 
Creeks, whose formidable power, no less than their 
distinct pretensions, rendered it important that their 
consent should also be obtained. Accordingly, to 
gain their favor and sanction, he engaged Tomo 
Chichi to despatch an invitation to their chiefs, to 
hold a conference with him at Savannah. 

A letter from Oglethorpe, dated Savannah March 
12th, 1732-3, gives the following additional infor 
mation. 

" This Province is much larger than we thought, 
being one hundred and twenty miles from this river 
to the Alatamaha. This river has a very long 
course, and a great trade is carried on by it to the 

1 Oglethorpe afterwards allowed her an annual stipend for her 
services, finding that she had great influence with the Indians.— 
Some years afterwards she married the Reverend Mr. Bosomworth ; 
and then she put on airs, and united with him in a vexatious claim 
for a large tract of land. See McCALL, Vol. I. p. 213. Bosomworth 
had been a Chaplain in the Regiment of the General ; had re 
ceived many favors from him personally ; and a salary from the 
Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign parts. 


Indians, there having above twelve trading boats 
passed since I have been here. 

There are in Georgia, on this side the mountains, 
three considerable nations of Indians ; one called 
the Lower Creeks, consisting of nine towns, or 
rather cantons, making about one thousand men 
able to bear arms. One of these is within a short 
distance from us, and has concluded a peace with 
us, giving up their right to all this part of the coun 
try ; and I have marked out the lands which they 
have reserved to themselves. The King comes con 
stantly to church, and is desirous to be instructed 
in the Christian religion ; and has given me his 
nephew, a boy, who is his next heir, to educate. 

The two other nations are the Uchees and the 
Upper Creeks ; the first consisting of two hundred, 
the latter of eleven hundred men. We agree so 
well with the Indians, that the Creeks and Uchees 
have referred to me a difference to determine, which 
otherwise would have occasioned a war. 

Our people still lie in tents, there being only 
two clapboard houses built, and three sawed houses 
framed. Our crane, our battery of cannon, and 
magazine are finished. This is all that we have 
been able to do, by reason of the smallness of our 
number, of which many have been sick, and others 
unused to labor ; though, I thank God, they are 


 11 


60 EXTRACT FROM S. CAROLINA GAZETTE. 

now pretty well, and we have not lost one since 
our arrival here." * 

The following extract from a letter dated Charles- 
town, 22d March, 1732-3, and printed in the South 
Carolina Gazette, describes, in honorable terms, the 
attention which the leader of this enterprise devoted 
to its furtherance.2 

" Mr. Oglethorpe is indefatigable, and takes a 
great deal of pains. His fare is but indifferent, 
having little else at present but salt provisions. He 
is extremely well beloved by all the people. The 
general title they give him is Father. If any of 
them are sick, he immediately visits them, and takes 
a great deal of care of them. If any difference 
arises, he is the person that decides it. Two hap 
pened while I was there, and in my presence ; and 
all the parties went away, to outward appearance, 
satisfied and contented with his determination. He 
keeps a strict discipline. I never saw one of his 
people drunk, nor heard one of them swear, all the 
time 1 was there. He does not allow them rum ; 


1 Political Taste of Great Britain, Vol. XLV. p. 445. 

* See also " Account showing the progress of the Colony of Georgia 
from its first Establishment.'" Lond. 1741. The Appendix, No. 2 
contains the Letter, with this notice — " Written by a Gentleman 
of Charlestown, who, with some others, went thither, [i. e. to 
Savannah] out of curiosity." 


COL. BULL ASSISTS. 


61 


but in lieu gives them English beer. It is sur 
prizing to see how cheerful the men go to work, 
considering they have not been bred to it. There 
are no idlers there. Even the boys and girls do 
their part. There are four houses already up, but 
none finished ; and he hopes, when he has got more 
sawyers, which I suppose he will have in a short 
time, to finish two houses a week. He has 
ploughed up some land ; part of which he has 
sowed with wheat, which has come up, and looks 
promising. He has two or three gardens, which 
he has sowed with divers sorts of seed, and planted 
thyme, sage, pot-herbs, leeks, skellions, celery, 
liquorice, &c., and several trees. He was pali 
sading the town and inclosing some part of the 
common ; which I suppose may be finished in about 
a fortnight's time. In short, he has done a vast 
deal of work for the time ; and I think his name 
justly deserves to be immortalized." 

" Colonel Bull, who had been sent by Governor 
Johnson to assist in laying out the town, and to 
describe to the people the manner of felling the 
trees, and of clearing, breaking up, and cultivating 
the ground, was a very efficient helper. He brought 
with him four of his negroes, who were sawyers, to 
help the workmen ; and also provisions for them ; 
being resolved not to put the Trustees to any ex- 


 •Il 


62 


GARDEN LAID OUT. 


OGLETHORPE'S ADDRESS. 


63 


pense ; but to bestow his aid in the most free and 
useful manner. Others from Carolina, also, sent 
laborers, who, being accustomed to preparing a 
plantation for settlement, were very expert, and of 
essential service." 

Thus generously assisted, the new settlers were 
enabled to cut down a great number of trees ;1 to 
clear the land, to construct comfortable houses,3 to 
make enclosures of yards and gardens, to build a 
guard-house and fortification, and to effect other 
means of accommodation and defence. 

A public garden was laid out, which was designed 
as a nursery, in order to supply the people with 
white mulberry trees, vines, oranges, olives, and 
various necessary plants, for their several planta 
tions ; and a gardener was appointed for the care 
of it, to be paid by the Trustees. 

Things being put in a good train, and the proper 
station and employment of every man assigned him, 
Oglethorpe went to Charlestown on a visit to Go 
vernor Johnson and the Council. His object was 


1 Four beautiful pine-trees were left upon the plain, under which 
General Oglethorpe encamped. 

2 These were all of the same size ; 22 by 16 feet* The town-lots 
consisted of one quarter of an acre ; but they had other lots, at a 
small distance out of town, consisting of five acres, designed for 
plantations. 


to make a more intimate acquaintance with them, 
gratefully to acknowledge the succors for the new 
comers which had been so generously bestowed ; 
and to consult measures for their mutual inter 
course. 

On Saturday, June 9th, presenting himself before 
the Governor and House of Assembly, he thus ad 
dressed them. 

" I should think myself very much wanting in 
justice and gratitude, if I should neglect thanking 
your Excellency, you gentlemen of the Council, 
and you gentlemen of the Assembly, for the assist 
ance which you have given to the Colony of Geor 
gia. I have long wished for an opportunity of 
expressing my sense of the universal zeal which 
the inhabitants of this province have shewn for 
assisting that colony ; and could not think of any 
better opportunity than now, when the whole pro 
vince is virtually present in its General Assembly. 
I am, therefore, gentlemen, to thank you for the 
handsome assistance given by private persons, as 
well as by the public. I am to thank you, not only 
in the name of the Trustees, and the little colony 
now in Georgia, but in behalf of all the distressed 
people of Britain and persecuted Protestants of 
Europe, to whom a place of refuge will be secured 
by this first attempt. 


 1! 


64 


OGLETHORPE'S ADDRESS. 


OGLETHORPE'S SPEECH. 


65 


" Your charitable and generous proceeding, be 
sides the self-satisfaction which always attends such 
actions, will be of the greatest advantage to this pro 
vince. You, gentlemen, are the best judges of this ; 
since most of you have been personal witnesses of the 
dangerous blows which this country has escaped 
from French, Spanish, and Indian arms. Many of 
you know this by experience, having signalized your 
selves personally, either when this province by its 
own strength, and unassisted by any thing but the 
courage of its inhabitants and the providence of 
God, repulsed the formidable invasions of the 
French ; or when it defeated the whole body of the 
southern Indians, who were armed against it, and 
was invaded by the Spaniards, who assisted them. 
You, gentlemen, know that there was a time when 
every day brought fresh advices of murders, rava 
ges, and burnings ; when no profession or calling 
was exempted from arms ; when every inhabitant 
of the province was obliged to leave wife, family, 
and useful occupations, and undergo the fatigues of 
war, for the necessary defence of the country ; and 
all their endeavors scarcely sufficient to guard the 
western and southern frontiers against the Indians. 

" It would be needless for me to tell you, who 
are much better judges, how the increasing settle 
ment of a new colony upon the southern frontiers, 


will prevent the like danger for the future. Nor 
need I tell you how every plantation will increase 
in value, by the safety of the Province being in 
creased ; since the lands to the southward already 
sell for above double what they did before the new 
Colony arrived. Nor need I mention the great les 
sening of the burden of the people by increasing 
the income of the tax from the many thousand 
acres of land either taken or taking up on the pros 
pect of future security. 

" The assistance which the Assembly have given, 
though not quite equal to the occasion, is very large 
with respect to the present circumstances of the 
Province ; and, as such, shows you to be kind 
benefactors to your new-come countrymen, whose 
settlements you support ; and dutiful subjects to 
his Majesty, whose revenues and dominions you by 
this means increase and strengthen. 

" As I shall soon return to Europe, I must recom-. 
mend the infant Colony to your further protection ; 
being assured, both from your generosity and wis 
dom, that you will, in case of any danger or neces 
sity, give it the utmost support and assistance." 

To the insertion of this speech in the Political 
State of Great Britain, October, 1733, page 361, it 
is added, " On the Sunday evening following he 
set out again for Georgia ; so that we may perceive 


 Il 


66 


GOVERNOR PENN'S BENEFACTION. 


DEPUTATION OF CREEKS. 


67 


>V 

«sis 


Illl 

ΊΙ 

III 


that there is no endeavor wanting in him to estab 
lish and make that settlement a flourishing colony ; 
but his conduct in this whole affair is by much the 
more extraordinary, and the more to be applauded, 
because, by the nature of the settlement, he cannot 
so much as expect any private or particular benefit ; 
he cannot possibly have any other reward but that 
which is the certain, the eternal reward of good 
actions, a consciousness of having done a service 
to his country, and to mankind." 

Favored by their industry, and the smiles of a 
propitious providence in that delightful region, " the 
wilderness and the solitary place was glad for 
them ; and the desert rejoiced and blossomed as 
a rose."J " They planted vineyards, and made 
themselves gardens, and set out in them trees of all 
kinds of fruits." s 

In aid and encouragement of the settlement, the 
Trustees received a letter from THOMAS PENN, 
Proprietor of Pennsylvania, dated Philadelphia, 
March 6th, 1732-3, approving very highly of the 
undertaking, promising to contribute all the assist 
ance in his power, and acquainting them that he 
had for himself subscribed one hundred pounds ster 
ling, and that he was collecting what sums of 
money he could get from others, to be sent them, 


1 Isaiah, xxxv. 1. 


* Ecclesiastes, ii. 3. 


in order to be employed for the purposes of their 
charter.1 

It has been already observed that " Oglethorpe 
endeavored very early to secure the favor of the 
Indians, who, by ranging through the woods, would 
be capable of giving constant intelligence to pre 
vent any surprise upon the people, and would be a 
good out-guard for the inland parts of the Colony ; 
as also to obtain of them grants of territory, and 
privilege of undisturbed occupancy and improve 
ment."2 He was pleased, therefore, on his return 
from Charlestown, to find the chiefs of the Lower 
Creeks in waiting ; the purpose of whose visit, as 
made known by Mr. Wiggan3 and Mr. John Mus- 
grove, who acted as interpreters, was to treat on an 
alliance with the Colony. 

These Creeks consisted of eight tribes, united in 
a kind of political confederacy ; all speaking the 
same language, but being under separate jurisdic 
tions. Their deputation was composed of their 

1 Political State of Great Britain, for June, 1733, Vol. XLV. p. 
•543. 

' Account, showing the Progress of the Colony of Georgia, from 
its first Establishment. Lond. 1741, p. 13. 

* William Wiggan, who accompanied Sir Alexander Cuming 
n the beginning of the year 1731, on his journey to the Cherokees, 
.s, in the narrative of that expedition, called not merely " the inter 
preter," but "the complete linguist." 


1 


 -IIP 


68 


RECEPTION OF THE CREEKS. 


SPEECH OF OUECHACHUMPA. 


69 


Ί 


micoes, or chiefs, and leading warriors, about fifty 
in number.1 

The General received them with courtesy, and 
then invited them to " a talk," in one of the new 
houses. He informed them that the English, by 
coming to settle there, did not pretend to dispos 
sess, nor think to annoy the natives ; but above all 
things desired to live on good terms with them, 
and hoped, through their representatives, now pre 
sent, to obtain from them a cession of that part of 
the region on which he had entered, and to form 
and confirm a treaty of friendship and trade. 

When he had explained his views with respect 
to the settlers, and their designs in making the 
location, Ouechachumpa, a very tall old man, in 
the name of the rest, informed the British adven 
turers what was the extent of the country claimed 
by their tribes. He acknowledged the superiority 
of the white men to the red ; and said that he was 
persuaded that the Great Spirit who dwelt above 
and all around, (whose immensity he endeavored 

1 Besides a king, every Indian town has a head warrior, who is 
in great esteem among them, and whose authority seems to be 
greater than their kings ; because the king is looked upon as little 
else than a civil magistrate, except it so happens that he is at the 
same time a head warrior." Narrative of a Journey among the 
Indians in the Northwest parts of South Carolina, 1731, by Sir ALEX 
ANDER CUMING. See, also, Appendix, No. XII. 


to express by throwing abroad his hands, and pro 
longing his articulations as he spoke,) had sent the 
English thither for the good of the natives ; and, 
therefore, they were welcome to all the land which 
the Creeks did not use themselves. . He confirmed 
his speech by laying before Oglethorpe eight buck 
skins, one for each of the Creeks ; the best things, 
he said, that they had to bestow. He thanked 
them for their kindness to Tomo Chichi, who, it 
seems, had been banished with some of his adher 
ents, from his own nation ; but for his valor and 
wisdom had been chosen mico by the Yamacraws, 
an emigrating branch of the same stock. 

The declarations of the speaker were confirmed 
by short speeches of the others ; whenTomo Chichi, 
attended by some of his friends, came in, and, 
making a low obeisance, said, " When these white 
men came, I feared that they would drive us away, 
for we were weak ; but they promised not to mo 
lest us. We wanted corn and other things, and 
they have given us supplies; and now, of our 
small means, we make them presents in return. 
Here is a buffalo skin, adorned with the head and 
feathers of an eagle. The eagle signifies speed, 
and the buflalo strength. The English are swift 
as the eagle, and strong as the buffalo. Like the 
eagle they flew hither over great waters ; and like 


 70 


ALLIANCE MADE. 


the buffalo nothing can withstand them. But the 
feathers of the eagle are soft, and signify kindness ; 
and the skin of the buffalo is covering, and signifies 
protection. Let these, then, remind them to be 
kind, and protect us." 

The alliance was soon made. The treaty con 
tained stipulations on the part of the English, con 
cerning trade ; reparation of injuries, should any 
be committed ; and punishment for impositions, 
should any be practised upon them ; and, on the 
part of the Indians, a free and formal cession of 
that part of the region which was not used by the 
Yamacraws, nor wanted by the Creeks. By this 
cession they made a grant to the Trustees of the 
lands upon Savannah river as far as the river Oge- 
chee, and all the lands along the sea-coast be 
tween Savannah and Alatamaha rivers, extending 
west as high as the tide flows, and including all the 
islands; the Indians reserving to themselves the 
islands of Ossabaw, Sapeloe, and St. Catherines, 
for the purposes of hunting, bathing and fishing ; 
as also the tract of land lying between Pipe-maker's 
bluff and Pallachucola creek, above Yamacraw bluff, 
which they retained as an encampment when they 
should come to visit their beloved friends in that 
vicinity. This special reservation of some islands 
had been made by them in their treaty with 
Governor Nicholson, in 1722. 


OGLETHORPE'S PRESENTS. 


71 


Oglethorpe then presented to each of the eight 
chiefs a laced coat and hat, and a shirt ; to each of 
the eight war-captains, a gun, with powder, flint, 
bullets and shot ; to the beloved men a duffle mantle 
of coarse cloth ; — and distributed some smaller 
presents among their attendants. Upon this they 
took their leave of him, highly satisfied with the 
treatment which they had met.1 

Having taken much pains to become acquainted 
with the character of the natives, he furnished a 
very intelligent traveller, by whom he was visited, 
with an interesting account of their manners and 
customs ; who annexed it to the published volume 
of his travels.8 


1 This Treaty was sent to England, and was confirmed by the 
Trustees on the 18th of October, 1733. For a copy of it, see 
McCALL, History of Georgia, Appendix to Vol. I. p. 357. 

The History of Georgia, by Major McCALL has great merit. It 
was written by the worthy author under circumstances of bodily 
suffering, submitted to, indeed with meekness, borne with heroic 
fortitude, and endured with unfailing patience. It is wonderful 
that he succeeded so well in the accomplishment of his work, con 
sidering the scanty materials which he could procure ; for he says, 
that, " without map or compass, he entered an unexplored forest, 
destitute of any other guide than a few ragged pamphlets, defaced 
newspapers, and scraps of manuscripts." 

As this is an extremely rare book, I give the title from a copy 
in the library of Harvard College. " A new voyage to Georgia, by a 
young gentleman : giving an account of his travels in South Carolina, 


 72 


FORT AKGYLE. 


On the 18th of June he went to the Horse- 
quarter, which lies six miles up the river Ogechee, 
and there took with him Captain McPherson, with 
a detachment of his rangers, on an excursion into 
the interior. After a march of forty miles west 
ward, he chose a post, commanding the passages 
by which the Indians used to invade Carolina in 
the late wars. Here, upon an eminence which 
commands all the country round, he directed that 
a fortification should be built, to be called " Fort 
Argyle," in memory of his honored patron John 


and part of North Carolina. To which is added a curious account of 
the Indians by an Honorable Person ; and a Poem to James Ogle- 
thorpe, Esq., on his arrival from Georgia." London, 1735. 12mo. 
The author of the " History of Georgia," contained in the 40th 
volume of the " Universal History," page 456, quotes passages from 
this " Account of the Indians," and ascribes it to Oglethorpe. — 
Mr. SALMON in the 3d vol. of his Modern History, p. 602, giving 
an account of the present state of Georgia, introduces a quotation 
from what he calls " Mr. OGLETHOEFE'S acconnt of the religion and 
government of the Creeks," in the following words : " Mr. OGLE- 
THOEFE, speaking of the religion and government of the Creek na 
tion, in ' a letter from Georgia to a person of honor in London,' 
says ' There seems to be a way opened to our Colony towards the 
conversion of the Indians,' &c. This is decisive in fixing the 
author ; for Mr. SALMON knew the General personally; and, on pub 
lishing another edition of his elaborate work, obtained from him, a 
very interesting " Continuation of the present state of Georgia." 
The Letter is copied into the Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. III. p. 108 
and 483. See also Appendix, No. XIII. 


SAVANNAH LAID OUT. 


73 


Duke of Argyle.1 It is on the west bank of the 
Ogechee river. Its design was to protect the 
settlers from invasions by the Spaniards. Captain 
McPherson and his troop were to be quartered 
there, and ten families from Savannah to be re 
moved, as cultivators, to its immediate vicinity. 

On the 7th of July, at day break, the inhabitants 
of Savannah were assembled on the strand for the 
purpose of designating the wards of the town, and 
assigning the lots. In a devotional service, they 
united in thanksgiving to God, that the lines had 
fallen to them in a pleasant place, and that they 
were about to have a goodly heritage. The wards 
and tithings were then named ; each ward consist 
ing of four tithings, and each tithing of ten houses ; 
and a house lot was given to each freeholder. 
There being in Derby ward but twenty one houses 
built ; and the other nineteen having no house erect 
ed on them, Mr. Milledge and Mr. Goddard, the 
two chief carpenters, offered, in the name of them 
selves and seventeen of their helpers, to take the 
unbuilt on lots, and give the built ones to those 
who were less able to help themselves. 

The people then partook of a plentiful dinner, 
which their generous Governor had provided.8 

1 See Appendix, No. XIV. 

1 An account of this transaction in the South Carolina Gazette, 
10 


 74 


COURT ESTABLISHED. 


In the afternoon the grant of a Court of Record 
was read, and the officers were appointed. The 
session of the magistrates was then held, a jury 
impanneled, and a case tried. 

These were necessary regulations for establish 
ing a due regard to order, discipline, and govern 
ment. And yet, with all the influence which their 
honored leader could give to sanction the measures 
and support the authority, there was much to be 
done to render the administration effective. The 
settlers had no common bond of attachment or ac 
cordance ; of course, it was very difficult to dispose 
them to the reciprocal offices of a social state, much 
more so to the still higher obligations of a civil 
compact. Together with these aims of those who 
were put into places of authority, they were obliged 
daily to use their endeavors to bring the restive and 
quarrelsome into proper subordination ; to keep the 
sluggish and lazy diligently employed, and to teach 
the thriftless to be economical and prudent. 

" Tantse molis erat disjunctis condere Gentem ! " 

under the date of August 8th, closes with this remark ; " Some of 
the people having privately drunk too freely of rum, are dead ; and 
that liquor, which was always discountenanced there, is now abso 
lutely prohibited." 


CHAPTER V. 

Oglethorpe intended to visit Boston, in New England — Governor 
Belcher's Letter to him — Provincial Assembly appoint a Com 
mittee to receive him — Sets out on an exploratory Excursion — 
Names an Island, Jekyl—Visits Fort Argyle — Returns to Sa 
vannah — Saltzburgh emigrants, conducted by Baron Von Reck, 
come to settle in Georgia — Oglethorpe assists them in selecting 
•a place—They call it Ebenezer—He then goes up the river to 
Falacholas — Returns — Goes to Charlestown, with Tomo Chichi 
and other Indians, in order to take passage to England. 

OGLETHORPE intended to have made the tour of 
the Colonies ; particularly to have visited Boston, 
in Massachusetts. Apprized of this intention, 
Governor Belcher addressed to him the following 
letter.1 

Boston, New England, May 3d, 1733. 
HONORED SIR, 

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate you 
on jour safe arrival in America ; and I have a still 
greater in the advantages which these parts of his 

1 Copied ftom the letter-book of Governor Belcher, in the cabinet 
of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 


 76 


LETTER FROM GOVERNOR BELCHER. 


COMMITTEE APPOINTED. 


77 


•-^- 

'A 


Majesty's dominions will reap from your noble and 
generous pursuits of good to mankind in the settle 
ment of Georgia. May God Almighty attend you 
with his blessing, and crown your toils with suc 
cess. 

Several of my friends, sir, from London, ac 
quaint me with your intentions to pass by land 
from South Carolina, through the king's territories 
as far as this place ; where I shall be very proud of 
shewing you the just esteem which I have for you ; 
and shall depend that you will please to accept 
such quarters as my habitation affords during your 
stay in this government. 

When you get to Philadelphia or New York, I 
shall be glad of the favor of a line from you, to 
know how and when you make your route hither. 
I am, with great respect, sir, 

Your most obedient, and most humble servant, 

JONATHAN BELCHER. 

At the next Assembly of the Province, the Gover 
nor, in a special message, apprized them of the ex 
pectation which he had of a visit from the General ; 
and in the House of Representatives " it was or 
dered that a committee should be raised to prepare 
for the reception of James Oglethorpe, Esq., who 
may be expected in Boston this summer ; that so 


the government may express their grateful sense 
of his good services to the public interest of the 
Province." 

June 21st, 1733, the following motion was 
agreed on : — 

" Whereas James · Oglethorpe, Esq., a member 
of Parliament, and now at Georgia, near South 
Carolina, hath at several times appeared in favor 
of New England ; and, in a particular manner 
done many good offices for this Province, of which 
this Court hath been advised by Mr. Agent Wilkes, 
and that he intends, in a short time, to return to 
Great Britain, by the way of Boston : — 

" Voted, That Mr. Speaker, Mr. Cooke, Major 
Brattle, Mr. Thacher, Mr. Welles, Mr. Cushing, 
Mr. Hall, Mr. Webb, and Major Bowles, be a 
Committee, from this House, to congratulate that 
honorable gentleman upon his arrival at Boston ; 
and, in their name and behajf, acquaint him that 
the Assembly are well knowing of the many good 
offices he hath done this Province, in that, when 
the interest, trade, and business thereof have been 
under the consideration of the British Parliament, 
he hath, in a distinguishing manner, consulted 
measures to perpetuate the peace and lasting hap 
piness of this government. And, as his worthy 
and generous actions justly deserve a most grateful 


 •III 


78 


GOVERNOR BELCHER'S SPEECH. 


VISIT TO BOSTON PREVENTED. 


79 


and public acknowledgment, to assure him that 
this country will retain a lasting remembrance of 
his great benefactions ; and that a recognition of 
the favors which they have so frequently received 
from him, is the least that the House can offer; 
while they earnestly desire the continuance of his 
good will towards this Province." 

His Excellency then made the following speech : 

" Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives, 

" I am glad to see the respect which you have 
expressed in your vote to the Honorable Mr. Ogle- 
thorpe, a member of that wise and august body, 
the Parliament of Great Britain ; but, as there is 
no money in the treasury to defray the charge of 
the reception and entertainment of that honorable 
gentleman, I have taken early care to invite him to 
my house, when he may come into this Province, 
and I shall endeavor to entertain him in such a 
manner as may express the great esteem which I 
have of his attachment to his Majesty and to his 
Royal House, and of his regard to this Province, as 
well as of his great merit. And this I will do at 
my own charge, till the treasury may be supplied. 
And for these reasons I have not made your vote 
an order of this Court." 

The Editor of the publication, entitled " The