The Collection made for the City Windsheim the 7th instant did amount to about 600 Guilders, which Sum the Magistracy hath supplyed out of the Common Cash etc.

The adjoyned piece marked G.

His Imperial Majesty’s Principal Commissaries had with advice of other Imperial Ministers that are here well considered of the Memorial of those of the Augsburg Confession And tho’ they well remembered what in the Year 1689 and 1702 in the same Terms as the present Request on Side of those of the Augsburg Confession had been given Notice of and at last by a General Consent of the Assembly of the Empire agreed, And that they did not doubt but His Majesty the Emperor, whom they immediately would most Humbly acquaint with it, will affirm it and all Roman Catholick Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire would never go absolutely from Things which once was agreed to, to which End their Graces the Principal Commissaries intended to recommend the Affair.

But whereas such Declarations and Insertion, which the Empire assents to Super Declaratione Belli, on the Side of those of the Augsburg Confession had never been nor never could be desired of the Roman Catholick Party any other Way but when first on the Side of those of the Augsburg Confession it hath been agreed to that the War against France should be begun with the utmost Forces and prosecuted to an happy End, so it was hoped that those of the Augsburg Confession would not withdraw in the present violent Invasion and insulting of the Empire with their General Consent had been done; then they might be assured that the Roman Catholick party or the most part thereof, by all means would be willing to insert the repeated assurance, in the assent of the Empire made for that purpose, that in those Countries by God’s assistance recovered and what on occasion of the Wars with France, in ecclesiastical and Political Affairs hath been altered shall be restored most faithfully ad Normam pacis Westphaliae, and other fundamental Laws.

The adjoyned Piece marked. H.

Acted in the Conference of the Evangelick Body, Sunday the 13 February 1734.

The Saxon Minister proposed the Principal Commissaries Resolution upon the Memorial of the Evangelick Body, concerning Clausulum Art: IV. Pacis Ryswicensis.¹⁸³ This being not sufficient, the Question was whether they should not insist upon, that a more plain Explanation might be given, it was agreed that by another Memorial, it should be desired that by inserting an Article in the assent of the Empire which was to be drawn up, the Evangelick Body might be made secure after which the Draught of a Memorial was read and adjusted and the delivering thereof was left to the Envoys of the Elector of Saxony and of Saxon Weimar.

2. The Resolved Conclusion, in November last Year, concerning the Divine Service of the Calvinists, in Degenfeld House at Frankfort was read and agreed upon.

3. Whereas the Honourable Magistracy of the City of Frankfort had sent an Information hither that 270 heads of Saltzburg Emigrants that were returned thither from Holland, were there a Burden to the Publick, it was agreed that they should be told that they might resolve to go to Georgia and when they should resolve to go thither, a List should be sent hither to the End that in Respect to Provision and other Necessaries measures might be taken.

4. It was notifyed that from the Countries of Hessen Castle [Cassel] 400 Rixdollars Collection for the Germersheimer Cash had been delivered here.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg 18 February 1734 N.S.   No. 12555.   Read 26 February 1733/34.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured & Dear Sir: This moment I received the foregoing Pieces from Ratisbone, It being so late that there was no time to translate them this Post. In the meantime the Paragraphs underlined are of such great moment that I thought it necessary to communicate the same to the Society and the Trustees for Georgia and that to the End that the Society or the Trustees may be pleased immediately to write to Mr. Gulman the British Resident at Frankfort and to recommend that affair to him. I write this Evening to the said Mr. Gulman and to Messrs. Von Münch at Frankfort concerning the Resolution of the Evangelical Body together with the necessary observations thereupon[.] on monday next will be printed, a peice with the following Title. [omission] and as soon as printed I shall Send copies thereof to Franckfort and Ratisbonne. I wrote last monday to Franckfort; to let the Tirnbergers know that I have already with me an Experienced and Humane Commissary [Vat] upon whose fidelity they may depend. This is in great hast[.] I cannot have at present the Title from the printing House by reason of the Post going off, etc. I remain with all my heart

Your very humble Servant   Saml. Urlsperger

Extract of a Letter of Messrs. The Burgomaster and Council of Franckfort Dated the 30 January 1734 to the Protestant Body at Ratisbonne.

We cannot conceal that there are Still here about Two Hundred Three Score and Ten Heads of such Saltzburg Emigrants as returned from Holland who are maintained by Charitable Collections made at Two different Times; But as they are hardly Sufficient and as the People would be in Length of Time too burthensome to this Town should they wholly bear the Charges thereof, which is not to be presumed to be done by them We have been under the Necessity to apply to some Neighbouring States, for taking Care of some of them, at least till such Time as the Protestant Body at Ratisbone shall have taken a Resolution of Providing for them next Spring, in some other part of the Country; Upon which his Highness the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt sent one of his Officers to enquire into the nature of their Circumstances and put them in hopes of being partly admitted into the District of Dornberg. But as since nothing hath been done thereupon, excepting that he would privately propose such an overture, not only to the College of the Protestant Body, but also to the other Protestant Envoys and use his Endeavours for these poor but worthy Confessors of the Gospel, That at the ensuing mild weather they might be transferred and in a Solid manner Settled somewhere, and that this Town might be relieved of bearing wholly the Charges of their Maintenance etc.

Copy of a Letter of B. V. R. [Baron J. von Reck] Dated at Ratisbonne 18 February 1734.   To S. U. [Samuel Urlsperger]

Inclosed is a Copy of an Extract out of a Letter of the Imperial City of Franckfort concerning the Remigrants out of Cassant [Cadzand] remaining still there, sent hither, and their Request. As the Protestant Body here have desired me to make an Overture to You Reverend Sir and to endeavour, if it is not already done, that these People might be persuaded to go to Georgia; I have accordingly given You Notice thereof, and committed it to your Care, in order if possible to bring it into that Channel. I always remain Etc.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg 22 February 1734 N. S.   No. 12556.   Read 26 February 1733/34.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured and Dear Sir: My last was of the 18 Instant, and having since received the Extract of the Letter of the Magistracy of Franckfort and a Letter from B. [J.] V. Reck of which above is a Copy, I am Writing this post to the Magistrates of Franckfort, to acquaint them with the Powers I formerly received of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge & of the Trustees for Georgia, for Sending Three hundred Emigrant Saltzburgers to England and thence to Georgia and also of the Resolution of the Protestant States at Ratisbonne, and Copies of the Conditions, upon which the first Transport went lately from hence through this Town, in their Way to Holland and Georgia desiring them to propose to the Tirnbergers the List of their Conditions in Case they should be willing to Accept of them, and if they are Inclinable thereto, to let me have a list of their Age and Professions in order to Transmit it to both Societies [Trustee & S.P.C.K.] for their further Resolutions and Instructions, thereupon I remain

Honoured & Dear Sir   Your humble Servant   S. Urlsperger

Copy of a Letter from Baron [J.] Von Reck at Ratisbone dated 1 March N.S. 1734   No. 12568.   Read 12 March 1733/34. [Omitted]

Copy of the Translation of a Letter of the Magistrates of Franckfort.

Reverend Sir: What You sent us, concerning the Saltzburg Emigrants, to the Number of 270 Heads, lately come back from Zeeland, and still remaining here; together with your Letter of the 22nd February last, came in due time to our Hands and we have not been wanting to [have not failed to] communicate to them the Contents of the Inclosed printed proposals and Papers. But as the said people have no Inclination to go to Georgia, but rather have humbly excused themselves by alleging that they could not bear the Air of the Sea, which was the main Cause of their Sickly State of health, as to the greatest part of them, and moreover for that Reason, durst not venture to undertake such a Voyage because there were few men among them yet many Widows and Children, Which Excuses we have admitted to be wellgrounded; And we have thereof acquainted, last past, our Deputy at Ratisbone, Mr. Joh[ann] Ulrick Bössner, and have desired him to communicate every Thing fully to the Evangelical College and to pray their Compassion for those Fellow Christians who are worthy of Commisseration and to take particular Care for their being at last well Settled, for the burthen of their further Subsisting here falls too heavy upon this Town should it be left wholly upon them; And yet it would be to the reproach of the whole Protestant Interest, as it is a Religious concern, should these poor people, who for the greatest part of them are not able to get a Livelihood; be left to go about begging or sent away one after another. Now as your praiseworthy concern hitherto for the poor Emigrant Saltzburgers is sufficiently known to us We thought it fit to acquaint you therewith in Answer to your kind Letter and to request you to intercede where it may be proper that they may be once firmly provided for. We recommend you to the Divine providence and in Expectation of having Opportunities of shewing our Readiness to serve you, We remain. Given March the 13, 1734.

Burgermeister and Council of the Town of Franckfort.

To the Reverend and very Learned Mr. Samuel Urlsperger, Senior of the Evangelical Ministry and pastor of St. Ann, our particularly beloved Sir, and Friend at Augsburg.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg 18 March, 1734.   No. 12586.   Read 26 March, 1734.   To Mr. Newman:

Honoured and Dear Sir: I received this Day, the favour of your Letter of the 22nd February last, and on Tuesday last a Letter of the Magistrates from Frankfort, of which the Translation is annexed hereto shewing that the Tirnbergers there have no Inclination for Georgia. As alledging first, that the Sea Air of Zealand, being the chief occasion of their Sicknesses among most of them, they cannot venture themselves to the Seas; And that there are few men, yet many widows & Children among them. As I apprehend these poor people have not a right notion of the Climate of Georgia, which is quite different from that of Cassant [Cadzand] and that their children would be very proper for Georgia, which Air would inure them accordingly. I wrote Yesterday to Baron [J.] Von Reck at Ratisbone That I was inclinable to send hence to Frankfort, an ingenious Saltzburger [Mayer] who gets his Livelihood in this Town, and who was very instrumental in persuading those that went with the first Transport under Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck, in order to talk familiarly to those Tirnbergers and to see whether the most healthy of them could not be prevailed upon to undertake joyfully the Voyage to Georgia? such as are infirm or old might be otherwise provided for in Europe. Upon which I expect his Answer. Should there be a reasonable number of them inclined to undertake the Voyage, Mr. Vat might go hence with such, as are here, tho’ few in number, to Franckfort and conduct them to Holland. I remain

Honoured and Dear Sir.   Your most Obedient and most humble
Servant   Samuel Urlsperger

P.S. I communicated the Extract of Mr. Robinson’s Letter, to the Evangelical Secret [Privy] Council here, of which they have as yet not heard one Syllable. They are in hopes of being soon acquainted with the good Success thereof.

Extract of a Letter dated at Franckfort the 18 March 1734 from the Reverend Mr. Munden¹⁸⁴ to the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg.

Yours of the 22nd February I received the 24 and being in a bad State of health, I was obliged to defer the Answer till now. However I have in the mean time endeavoured to Second your praiseworthy, and Godly intention and have obtained from our Magistrates, that the poor and miserable Saltzburgher Remigrants from Holland, have got a Student to Instruct them daily some Hours in the Catechism, reading and praying. This Student, who was born in the Dutchy of Weymar [Weimar] and was obliged to leave his Country because of the Levies of Troops hath a great mind to go to Georgia, and therefore hath read the printed Accounts to the Saltzburgers several times, in order to persuade them, to trust to the Protection Love and Care of the English Nation that would not do as the Hollanders, yet the People would not resolve but Excused themselves on the Account of Sickness, Fear of the Sea and their Sorrowfull Experience (as they say) how they have been misled and the like Excuses more. The same Answer they gave to the Recorder when he asked them in the Name of the Magistrate.

Our Magistrate and Citizens have during the Winter shewed great Love to these Saltzburgers, and a double Collection hath been made for their Maintenance, besides what hath been given out of the Treasury. Several of them are dead [have died] some are Sick still, Those that are in health Separate themselves; some of them are employed to Labour and journywork; 17 of them are going to return to Nurenburgh and Ratisbonne, who were with me this Morning and took their Leave of me with many Thanksgivings. To these the Magistrate hath given every man I Dollar and every Woman 1 Guilder. I have also given them something out of my little Proselyte Cash which I have made by the help of our Convent and other good Friends. The rest will perhaps follow these in Time. It is the same with those that are maintained in a neighbouring Village whom the Minister there takes great pains to instruct. Concerning the Estate of their Souls, I must confess that much Weed is among them. Wherefore I went to them with the Minister who with the Consent of the Ministry hath taken the Care of their Souls upon him, and instructed them with due Zeal in what was necessary, which also hath had a good Effect. One of them confest freely that some among them for their Faults ought to be rebuked, but at the same time desired us not to be weary of doing good to those that feared GOD with all their heart. I give you many Thanks for the confident Communication of the remarkable Circumstances of the English Society and their praiseworthy Intention, which private Accounts I shall keep Secret etc.

Translation of a Letter from Mr. Gulman His Britannick Majesty’s Resident at Frankfort to Mr. [Gulman, his brother] at Augsburg.

As to the Emigrants come from Holland, They are not to be persuaded to go to Georgia by reason of their bad ailing Stomacks, and for other Ailments for which they are not in a Condition to proceed further by Water without endangering of their Lives, and no Body would be well provided with such sickly persons who are of a very indifferent Aspect, and not in the least disposed in their Body. I have made an Enquiry at the Burgomasters [Schweitzer’s] concerning them, who upon Examination, hath found them all in such Disposition and the Magistrates will endeavour to dispose of them in some of the other parts of Germany. Among those that came last to this Town there were near Forty small Children, whose Parents and Relations are Dead. And about Twenty of the People died here soon after their Arrival, For their misery is very great. They dread the Water as much as they would the Hangman, so that partly upon Account of Sickness and partly in their Nauseous Apprehensions, they are not to be prevailed upon thereto. The Magistrates here are now about sending off by Degrees such as are in Health, and about Twenty Four of them are actually [presently] going towards Nuremberg. Which You’ll be pleased to Communicate to the Reverend Mr. Senior Urlsperger.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg 22nd March 1734.   No. 12605.   Read 2 April 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured & Dear Sir: You will see by the Letter of Mr. Gulman, the Resident at Franckfort, to his Brother here and by that of Mr. Munden Dr. & Senior of the said Town, to myself, that nothing is to be done with the Tirnbergers concerning Georgia, And therefore I think no more on sending Mayer the Saltzburger to them. Some Days ago Mr. John Sartorius, born in Hungary, came to me from Jena, with Letters of Recommendation from some Eminent and worthy Divines who are well known to me having likewise publick Testimonals, of his Designs desiring me to recommend his intention and his other private Concerns to the Secret Evangelical Council¹⁸⁵ here to the Protestant Body at Regensperg [Regensburg, Ratisbon], & to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, of London. This hath been already done here, where he hath received a handsome Gratuity for himself and his Design.¹⁸⁶ I have likewise given him Letters of Recommendation to Ratisbonne whither he went some Days ago. And by these I submit it to the Consideration of the Society whether they shall think it fit to give him some Assistance? His Memorial given here is hereto annexed, together with a publick Recommendation of the former Swedish Chaplain at Vienna, now Superintendant in my Neighbourhood, likewise one Letter on Mr. Sartorius’s by another living in Hungary.¹⁸⁷ Now since the Books by him printed are deposited in Jena, I desire the Reverend Dr. and Professor J. Walsh there, who hath likewise wrote to me, that he would be pleased to take the Inspection upon this work For which End I shall Send to him the moneys of this Town & of Ratisbone for greater Security. Upon your Letter of the 1st March, received this Day, I answer that I had not [would not have] taken any other Proselytes from Popery among the Saltzburgers[,] were the following words not inserted in powers of the Trustees for Georgia; Viz. Ult exules quoscumque sive Emigrantes è patria sua Professionis Evangelicæ Causae, qui se se Coloniæ Supradictæ aggregare voluerint, et in Americam proficisci, tanquam colonos admittat.¹⁸⁸ That the former Transport for Georgia hath been of Greater Expence than was thought at first, arises from this That the Colonists staid there several Weeks, both Societies desired that they should not be wanting any Thing that the undertaking might not Suffer by Evil reports; Mr. Von Reck hath likewise wrote to me that another Time now that he had paid his Prentice money He would come off with less Expences, which as I observe in his Accounts might be Saved in several Articles in Holland.

I am Dear Sir   Your most obedient humble Servant
S. Urlsperger

Quos expediueras libros sacros, mira Dei providentia ad nos rite pervenerunt; In uno fasce 200 in altero 150 exemplaria fuere. Distribuimus inter pauperiores quemadmodum voluisti acceperunt verbum Die sitientes cum magna aviditate non solum; sed etiam privatas reque ac publicas pro Tua incolumitate Deo nuncupant preces, id quod tibi loco Solatii perscriptum volo Esto bono animo, Deus Jacob et Eliæ pro Sua gloria nunquam Te deseret. Quantum ad nos attinet indies omnia sunt arctiora. Ducenta, fere trecenta templa in Spatio duorum annorum nostra in patria per Jesuitas nostratibus erepta sunt, et hodienum adhuc furit derus Romanus, nec facile acquiescere vult, donec omniae nobis adimat, quæ Supersunt. Neque tibi pepercit Tyrannis ipsorum; post quam enim libros distributos Tuos vertisset apud quosdam ex proviso domum affinis Tui duo Jesuitæ quoque ingressi sunt atque in absentia sororis ac affinis sui riscum et cistam et regerunt, tandemque duo exemplariæ ex tuis libellis integra invenerunt, quæ non modo perfide cum magna indignatione fecunt [secum?] acceperunt, sed etiam altero die Hospitem domus citarunt ad curiam, verbis indigne, tractarunt, custodiæ tradiderunt publicæ, et post sex septimanas 100[?] thaloris multarunt, et quidem ea lege, ne Tibi amplius vel Scribat, vel minimum auxilii adhibeat. Tandem ulterius progressi Tuam domum, agros prata, vineam et omnia utensilia publico fisco adjudicarunt. Nostrum nemo his resistere potuit, omnia tamen hæc privata propriaque fecerunt auctoritate. Modo spes nobis affulget melior quam olim, nam etiam nuper mandatum Cæsareum accepimus Clementissimum ut omnia in statu quo permaneant: Quod super est, valetudinem Tuam, et qui Supersunt edendi libri sacri, cura diligenter; mandatoque Cæsareo instructus Tua præsentia, quam multis vobis [votis?] expetimus nos exhilara. S. Ex Hungaria. de 24 X br.   1733.

Magno gentium doctori hoc contigit olim ut quidam Macedonis speciem referens, seipsi conspiciendum daret, qui ut adcives suos descenderet, eisque suo adesset auxilio, impense rogabat. Unde divinitus se excitatum sentiens apostolus, res suas mox ita composuit, ut devastatæ inter Macedones ecclesiæ pro ex quæ ipsi concessa erat, gratia, Succurreret, Act XVI, 9 Sq. Si hac nostra tempestate in ullis Christianonem [Christianorum] partibus, in Hungaria certe imprimis, ejusmodi pia suppetiarum Spiritualium desideria ad exteros mitti audires, Benevole Lector, si, quod mihi per aliquos annos datum fuit, quædam Tibi cum afflictis illis intercederet conversatio. Ipse regionis situs ostendit, ecclesiam, quæ ibdiem [ibidem] per Evangelium Christo colligitur, ab arctiore cum reliquis fidei sociis seclusam esse commercis, et contra à diris Evangelicæ veritatis hostibus obsessam. Hi dum unice id agunt, ut omnem, si fieri posset Christi memoriam ex animis hominum deleant, eo nunc licentiæ, Deo ita permittente, progressi sunt, ut observaverunt Scholas et templa quam plurima, expulerint etiam et exavitoraverint [exauctoraverunt?] doctores publicos, Sublatis simul et interceptis Sacrorum Bibliorum aliorumque librorum salutarium exemplaribus. Ut igitur miseri isti fervida ad Deum iactant suspiria: ita fratres quoque suos per Sacra communia obtestantur et implorant, ut laboranti imo labanti ecclesiæ suæ subveniant. Hoc autem commodius, nisi librorum, ædificationi inservientium, subsidio, fieri nequit: hi doctores mutivivis doctonem [doctorum] publicorum vocibus tantisper substituendi erunt, dum, prior docendi libertas, si qua speranda est, Substituatur. Quod præclarum christianæ cantatis, immo extremæ necessitatis opus ut præstet civibus suis, hic ipse Vir Clarissimus, Joannes Sartorius, ex Hungaria ortus laudabiliter adgressus est, nec infelici, quod ego testis adseverare possum, successu. Versant quam plurimi libellos ejus, et pabulum inde avidis animabus suis colligunt. Sed impenso tot millium desiderio nondum Satisfactum est, nisi novis auxiliis ipsis prospiciatur. Sic huic negotium suam qualemcunque operam plane destinavit hic Sartorius noster, cui quocumque modo stimulum addere detrectabit nemo qui Servatoris nostri Regnum amplifica, tum cupit. Dab. Neostadii ad Ascham: A. MDCCXXXIV. Johannes Christianus Lerche. Pastor et Superintendens.

[The preceding letter is so badly copied that only an approximate translation is possible. It appears to have been written by John Christian Lercher, pastor and superintendant at Neustadt on the Asch in Upper Hungary to an exile named John Sartorius.]

Behold, the books that you sent us have arrived safely by the Providence of God: in one parcel there were 200 and in the other 150 volumes. As you have wished we have distributed them among the poor, who are not only thirsting for the Word of God but also praying to God both privately and publicly for your health, and I wish you to find a place of solace. Be of good cheer: for the sake of His glory the God of Jacob and Elias will never forsake you. As far as we are concerned, things are getting worse from day to day. In the space of two years in our homeland two or almost three hundred churches have been taken from us by the Jesuits, and still today the Roman beast is raging, nor will he stop until he has taken away all those that remain. Nor does this tyranny spare you; for after your books had been distributed, two Jesuits entered into your home in the absence of your kinsman and his sister and took away the chest and box. At last they found two volumes of your books which they not only took away with them very treacherously and with great indignation but also summoned the host before the court the next day, treated him most shamefully, and turned him over to the jailer; and after six days they fined him 100[?] thalers with the condition that he not write to you or give you any help. Finally they returned to your home and adjudicated your house, fields, meadows, vineyards, and all tools to the public treasury. None of us could resist them, yet they did all this privately and upon their own authority. Now hope shines upon us better than before, for we have recently received an Imperial edict that everything is to remain status quo. Above all, take care of your health and diligently guard the books which you are editing. Informed of the Imperial edict, rejoice! We are awaiting your presence with best wishes. From Hungary, 24 December 1733.

[The next letter, also from John Christian Lercher, date at Neustadt on the Asch, 1734, is so badly copied that any attempt to render it would be more conjecture than translation.

It begins with a reference to Acts. XVI: 9 ff., which mentions that St. Paul was requested to go to Macedonia where the Christian churches were being destroyed. The author likens the conditions then in Macedonia with present conditions in Hungary, where the Protestant churches are being closed and the enemies of religion are trying to eradicate the memory of Christ from the minds of men. All teachers are being expelled and all books confiscated, and all freedom to teach is abolished. A splendid man named John Sartorius has fled the country and is sending back religious books. Sartorius is the author of the following letter.]

Benevolent Reader: The Great and Manifold Oppression for Conscience sake the Protestants in Hungary are labouring under are known to the World! Now in order to Assist such fellow Christians, as are thus greatly oppressed upon Account of Religion, I, about Four Years since out of hearty Compassion, ventured my all; For I resigned not only my Office of master of a School in Hungary, chiefly consisting of 300 Scholars which at first was reduced to teach no farther than the Donat, by the Enemies of Truth, that I may be better able without my Native Country, to Serve my Country men; But also to lay out about 800 Dollars, out of my own small Estate, toward printing some Books in Hungarian Language because most of my Countrymen do not understand any other Tongue, and the old Books are either lost or have been taken from them; That thereby these poor Comfortless Brethren of the Faith, after about Three hundred Churches had been shut up might receive some Comfort & Instruction And after I had printed about 3000 Copies of each of the following Pieces, Viz. Spiritual protestant Hymns in Number 500; in One Volume; Dr. Luther’s Catechism, with Scripture Passages; The Psalms of David, Books of Prayers and Communion; and the new Testament; For which Letters with their accents were cast with no Small Expence; A good part of them having been actually already privately sent to Hungary and distributed among the poor. But the Enemies of Truth have taken it very ill, and so straitned all farther Means for my Subsistance, that now I’m not able to Subsist any longer, much less to discharge the remaining Expences amounting to Three hundred Dollars, Still due for Printing them, neither to finish the Homilies on Sundays and Feast Days — Gospels and Epistles, which I designed to add to the former works. In such Circumstances, my humble Request to the Kind Christian Reader is that he would be pleased to promote such holy Intention and good Work, by his compassionate Assistance. May God reward it both here and hereafter!

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg 5 April 1734.   No. 12620.   Read 16 April 1734.

Honoured & Dear Sir: Your Letters of the 22nd February and 1st March last O.S. came in due time to my Hands, and I answered them the 18th and 22nd March last N.S.

We have since received Advice, That the Arch Bishop of Saltzburg held a Sermon on Sunday the 14 March last at Saltzburg wherein he mentioned, that there had been in his Sheepfold many Stubborn Sheep for which he had shed many Tears, and Prayers— to God that they might be led in the right way, but, that having from their tender years never been brought up in the good right Catholick Faith, but always professed the Evangelick Lutheran Religion (as it is called) and persisted in their Stubborn Opinion despised the Saints and shewed themselves Refractaries, he had been obliged to send them away; Wishing nothing so much as to see his Sheepfold pure, and filled up with none but Catholick Sheep, that then he might say with Simeon, Now let thy Servant depart in peace and freely die! As to the present State of Affairs in that Country. The People are now pretty quiet. Some Jesuits are sent into the Country; but they are enjoined to use the People very gently. Some Weeks before Two Persons died in a certain District of Saltzburg — One of them whose Children were sent out of the Country, as he prayed by himself, some Capuchins telling him something of the Purgatory answered them, I hope God will immediately receive me into heaven. It was observed at their Funerals, That this last who was suspected of being a secret Lutheran, was conducted to the Grave by Threescore and Ten persons and above, On the contrary the former, who was always esteemed a Catholick and professed himself as such, had hardly Twenty Persons at his Funeral. Whereby its supposed that there are Still many such protestants in several parts of that Country. Yet we do not hear that any of them are coming out of that Archbishoprick.

We have likewise advice that the Protestants in Upper Kärnten [Carinthia] in Austria who were desired to go into Hungary, if they would leave their Native Country, to the Number of about Three hundred families have declined that Expedient.

The Tirnbergers returned from Holland have had no assistance from the Protestant Body of Ratisbonne, so that they are left to the providence of God, as to their Settling.

Mr. Mölenhoff Danish Chaplain at Vienna writes the 31st March “I have learned from the Envoy of Hanover that after H. H. [His Highness] the Bishop of Bamberg had desired the Roman Catholick Agent of Augsburg to signify to the Roman Catholick Senate That they should no more obstruct the Emigrants out of Saltzburg but to allow a short Stay in Augsburg to such of them as should go to Georgia; The magistrates answer was actually come in purporting That in obedience to H. H. Commands they should not fail to obey in every respect; Which Answer had been already communicated to Mr. Robinson.” with which Answer 1 am well pleased. Were the Word Short Stay, which perhaps hath been already added by the other Side, left out it would be more acceptable.

We are in hopes of receiving in a Short Time a good Account of the safe Arrival of our first Transport in Georgia; many people here believe that upon such good Advices some of the Emigrants that are not yet Settled, and were some of the Tirnbergers may resolve to go with the next Transport that may happen to be prepared for Georgia.

I remain   Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most humble & obedient Servant   S. Urlsperger

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg 22 April 1734 N.S.   No. 12632.   Read 23 April 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured Sir: The favour of Your Letter of the 26th March last is come safe to Hand, & I observe that the Lands in Georgia are tolerably high,¹⁸⁹ where the Saltzburg Emigrants are to be Settled; The Family of 5 Persons [Rieser] who were to go with the First Transport are still very desirous of going to Georgia; And Yesterday, one of the Saltzburg Emigrants, who went to Middlebourg in Holland some time before the Tirnbergers were sent to Cassant [Cadzand] came hither, and is also desirous of going to Georgia and there are some Emigrants here, who are not Settled, but get their Bread by Day Labouring, that would join a Second Transport, should a good Account of the First come in, as we now Expect to receive every Post Day from Georgia. You’l see by the Letters and Memorial under, in what State the Protestant Religion appears to be in Austria, and that at this Easter Time, many, very Many, of them are like to make publick Profession of their Faith, not only in that Province, but in several other parts of those Countries where the poor People are in Motion. There is a report in this Town that there is also some such Motion at this Time in the Archbishoprick of Saltzburg. As soon as any of them shall come this way, I’II give you notice thereof and how they are inclined. Mr. Vat is highly obliged to such of his old Acquaintance with You; as honour him with their kind remembrance[.] he begs the Favour of you Sir to make his best respects acceptable to them and he is in hopes of having, in a short Time, an Opportunity of being nearer at Hand, and of the pleasure of waiting upon them, as well as on your Self. I am

Honoured & Dear Sir   Your most Obedient & humble Servant
Saml. Urlsperger

P.S. It would be very acceptable here should Mr. Robinson’s Letter to my Lord Harrington¹⁹⁰ in answer upon such Answer as was given by the Catholick Magistrate to His Highness the Bishop of Bamberg concerning the admittance of the Emigrant Saltzburgers into this Town as should resolve to go to Georgia, be sent to me, or at least an Extract of that Letter in order to make use thereof in Case any new Colonists should present themselves.

Copy of a Translation of a Letter written from Goisen, March the 7th 1734 in Austria to an Emigrant of Austria, living at Ratisbone.

The Grace and Blessing of GOD be to your friendly Salutation Dear Brother in Christ, Blasius Engleüthir [Engleitner], besides manifold Greeting, and wishing you chiefly temporal & Eternal Welfare from God. I do let you know that thy Dear Wife and Children are in good health and give thee to know that by GOD Almighty’s Direction, thy Letter which you sent us is come safe to our Hands, & hath brought us good News from you by his high Hand and Protection of his Holy Angel [.] which Letter, being well grounded in the Word of GOD, we have read with great pleasure. Besides other Circumstances therein contained We have learned That we should be constant in the Faith and in prayer and not forsake them but stand fast therein That GOD almighty might direct us according to his Divine Will. We have also Learned that Mr. Clostermeyer at Ratisbonne would gladly know what sort of a Memorial We sent to his Excellency The Land Captain at Lintz¹⁹¹ differing only in the Titles thereof. Both Memorials were put under one Cover and directed as followeth viz. To the High and wellborn—Herren Herren Christopher William; Earl of the Holy Roman Empire, and Lord of Thurheim Baron of Bibrach Zell, upper & lower Reichenbach, Lord of the Lordships of Wineberg, Dornach Maraberg, Fischbach, and Stockenfeld, His Roman Imperial and Catholick Majesty’s actual Privy Councellor Chamberlain, chief Master of the Faulcons in his Hereditary Dominions, and Land Captain in Austria upon the Enns at Lintz; having sent that packet in the last Week of September last, down to him. The Reason why we took notice in the Memorial of Hans Lerchner¹⁹² is because the Commissioners of Religion were with us in the Month of August last, and we were Examined which Examination was chiefly upon the Account of the said Hans Lerchner who had given his Answer to about One hundred & Fifty Questions put to him, which were read to us; Among others, there was one Question or Article That the Gentlemen at Ratisbone would concern themselves in our behalf, if We should be sent out of the Country. Upon which we have defended the said Hans Lerchner; both by word of mouth and by Writings as well as we could, and declared That we professed our Faith & were resolved to go out of our Country before we knew or had seen the said Hans Lerchner. André Neff thanks you a thousand times for the fine Small Tract of our Lord’s prayer. I wish to GOD that I could repay it, or return Satisfaction for the same! Dear Brother in Christ, Blasius Engleüthner [Engeleitner], We let thee know that Michael Neff is still detained in Prison at Lintz; But no Body else out of Camer—Gut [Salzkammergut]. However Michael Neff’s wife hath sent in December last a Memorial, both to his Excellency, the Land Captain at Lintz and to the Honourable Commission for Reforming of Religion, altho’ no Messenger would venture the carrying it to Lintz, yet a Soldier of Lintz who had been here wellknown, carryed it down; upon which she received Weekly one Florin from the Government of Wilbenst[?] … for herself and her Children. But as the Woman was very uneasy at the absence of her Husband, she went hereself, the 1st instant to Lintz with one of her Neighbours in order to present a Memorial praying for her Husband’s release, without Compelling him to the Roman Catholick Faith, after she had desired leave of going of the Government and afterwards of Count Von Serau, who declined giving it, & did not severely forbid her going, she ventured however to go to her Husband, but we have not yet learned what Success she hath had or may obtain. ^xAbove Four Score persons Men Women & Children of the Parish of Ichler [Ischl] have this year 1734 entered their Names as Evangelical, among others also Balthasar Greisshofer and his Family.^X We Salute your dear Father and desire him, he would join his Prayers to ours for Imploring GOD Almighty’s Mercies, That He may give a Happy Issue to this Affair, according to his Divine Will, and to the Glory of his Holy Name. We desire him likewise to intercede for us at the Evangelick Envoys. ^XAbout Forty Persons of the Parish of Goison, and Ten Persons of the parish of Hallstadt have declared themselves protestants and entered their names.^X We Emigrants have already heard from our Government That the whole Evangelical Body at Ratisbone, concern themselves in our behalf. For which we return our hearty Thanks to GOD almighty! my dear Brother in Christ We let thee also know That Leopold Hueber died the 4th of march last. As he was upon his dying Bed, the Chaplain of Goison came to him, in order to Confess, and to feed him, upon which he Contradicted the Chaplain, & said That he never in his Life believed that there was a purgatory or that the Saints that are dead should be Invocated; And thus he declared his Evangelical Faith to his last Breath. So that he had no absolution from him neither was he fed by him, nor would they bury his Corps in Holy Ground but he was buried in the place where they use to lay the Children dying before Baptism. (NB whilst this man was in Health he was not Entered down as an Evangelical.) Yet Five Florins were exacted and paid, to the Rector of the Parish, and one hundred Creutzers to the Schoolmaster for his Burying. There are Still many Thousand persons as thou well knowest who are Secretly in their Hearts of the Evangelick Faith, and who have not as yet made publick Profession thereof nor entered their Names; but how God shall be pleased to direct them, Time will show us; Yet we hope to God that Still many more will declare themselves to the true Evangelical Faith, particularly now at the approaching Easter Confession. We have very great hopes, and we have heard many Say that they would never more go to the Confession, and were resolved to declare themselves of the Evangelick Faith about this Time. We desire thee Dear Brother in Christ to intercede for us at the Evangelick Envoys. We Emigrants intreat them for GOD’s sake, That they would intercede for us with the Emperor that this Affair maybe brought to such an Issue as may be wholesome to the Soul, for which we shall in the mean time heartily pray to God. As to the Children of the first Emigrants, I acquaint thee that there are One Hundred & above, who were found too Young at the Examination, and they threaten us with detaining of them from us. Thy Son Jacob sends his Duty to thee, and desires to know whether he shall Sell the Hamlet & House or something else? We desire thee to Salute all our dear Country Folks of our acquaintance, & to put them in mind as they are delivered from their Hypocrisie and Superstitious way of Living that they would be likewise assisting to us; by making Intercession with all Evangelical Gentlemen living at Ratisbone that we also may be delivered out of the Hands of the Superstitious. Herewith thou art, dear Brother in Christ, heartily saluted from all Emigrants and they Likewise entreat you not to be any ways backwards in obtaining something favourable for us, neither to think the Time too Long. Every Thing will be rewarded both here and hereafter; And therefore all is recommended to God’s Providence and Protection. Goisen the 7th March 1734. We remain till Death Thy faithfull Wife, Children, & Brethren, and Fellow Pilgrim, The Emigrants in Saltz Cammer-Gut or Estate

NB. Michael Neff’s wife called Catharina, together with her Neighbour is got safe to Lintz, and hath been upon her Knees before the Land Captain[.] she had Leave to see and Speak to her Husband as long as she would; But Michael looks already very pale, so that his wife hardly Knew him. She Delivered her Memorial the 4th March, and was answered That it should be Considered of the next Day in Council; and she returned hither this Day very safely. But Michael Neff is not yet come. About 20 Persons declared themselves Evangelical at Ischl, and entered their names very lately, so that their number amounts to One hundred in that Parish.

Memorial sent to the Imperial Commission High and wellborn, very Gracious, highly honoured and Commanding Lords.

We hereto underwritten workmen of the Imperial Saltz-Cammer-Gut, and Emigrants, cannot omit to Entreat most humbly your Imperial Commission for Reforming of Religion. It is no Doubt before now Known to you Sufficiently, in what manner, in June last His Lordship of Serau & Governor of the Salt mines at Haalstatt [Hallstadt] together with 2 Fathers Capucins & all the Officers of Haalstatt as also the Company of Miners at Ischl & Ausse came hither, and seriously proposed, & recommended to all the Miners, that they should be always good Catholicks, and not thus play the Hypocrites in being inwardly Lutherans and outwardly professing the Catholick Religion, as to his Knowledge some of them had sent their Children into Lutheranisme whilst their Parents remained in these Mountains, and also some Children were here, whose Parents were gone to travell into Lutherum¹⁹³ whereby it was easily known of what Religion were the Parents, so were likewise their Children. At the same time he Seriously exhorted us not to be Hypocrites, but every one should go to his Magistrate of his respective District & desire him to give a pasport, that We should certainly obtain a Pasport, & not be detained neither the smallest Twig be laid in our Way, but that we should permitted to go out, & where we pleased, our Wives & Children, & likewise with our Small Effects. At this Declaration of His Lordship of Serau &c. we were greatly rejoiced to see that we had so fair an Opportunity, of leaving our Native Country with good reputation & to go to a place where we could publickly profess the Evangelical Faith; and having a short Time before that Declaration of the Count of Serau learned by one Hans Lerchner, who came hither from Ratisbone, & had told us that in Case we should be drove out of our native Country upon Account of our Evangelical Faith, by our Magistrates, or Sovereign Power, he had heard the Gentlemen at Ratisbone say they would concern themselves in our behalf.¹⁹⁴ We have punctually observed the Order of His Lordship of Serau &c Governor of the Salt,¹⁹⁵ and humbly applyed to the Magistrates, and desired them to be so good, as to give us Passports, that we with our Wives and Children, as also with our small Effects might honourably go out of our native Country, and to live in a Place where we might profess freely the Evangelical Faith according to the Confession of Augsburg; and thus we have made use of this good opportunity, publickly to declare our Faith, which we partly nourished secretly in our Hearts for along Time, & some of us all their Life Time; But we could no longer venture with a good Conscience to deny our Faith; for our Lord Jesus Christ, the Living Son of GOD hath Severely Threatned and admonished Mark VIII. 38 whosoever shall be ashamed of me & my words, in this adulterous & Sinful Generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with the Holy Angels. And further Christ Saith; whosoever shall Confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father, which is in Heaven. Matthew X. 32. Luke XII. 8. And the Apostle St. Paul Saith Romans X. 10. For with the Heart man believeth unto Righteousness, and with the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation. Therefore no Blame is to be laid upon his Lordship of Serau &c concerning this Affair much less upon Hans Lerchner who is Prisoner at Lintz because we were long before of that Faith, & Resolution of going out, even before His Lordship of Serau &c was born, and before we had known or Seen Hans Lerchner. Perhaps God Almighty had not appointed the Time till now; For the Holy Ghost saith by Solomon Ecclesiastes III. 1. To every thing there is a Season, and a Time to every Purpose under the Heaven. But this we find lying very heavy upon us, that His Lordship of Serau as Governor & other officers had promised to give us pasports for our going out during the warm Season with our Wives and Children and small Effects Yet did not keep their word, but have detained us already a long Time, so that we are apprehensive of coming into the Cold Autumn, or even into the Cold Winter; As it is well known to the Honorable Imperial Commissioners for Reforming of Religion, who in August last were personally at Hallstatt and Ischel, and Examined us; But we could not in good Conscience deny our Faith, altho’ we are persecuted for the same; For we know very well That Christ Jesus Saith Matthew X. 22. 23. Ye shall be hated of all Men for my names Sake: but he that Endureth to the End shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this City Flee ye into another. For altho’ we should declare our Selves with a false heart to the popish Catholick Church, or Swear thereto, yet Secretly at Heart be Evangelical or Lutheran according to the Confession of Augsburg; we could indeed for some time deceive men, but God Almighty can never be deceived and thus we should deceive our Selves; For it is written in the Book of Job, Chap. VIII. 13. The Hypocrites Hope shall perish and the Royal prophet David, Psalms XII. 3. The Lord shall Cut off all Flattering Lips and the Tongue that speaketh proud things. And Syrach Chap. XI. 14. 15. 16. 17.¹⁹⁶ Therefore we most Humbly beseech Your Excellencies of the Commission for Reforming of Religion that we may remain unmolested in our declared Faith of the Confession of Augsburg, and not use us too hard, but according to Favour and mercy, And God Almighty will show You mercy at Your last Breath, & on the last day of Judgement; to which all men must appear, be he of high or low Condition, Rich or Poor. We pray You to consider that we for a long time by Night and Day have faithfully worked for His Imperial Majesty, as our Gracious Emperor, King and Sovereign of the Country, and upon pressing occasions in dangerous places, we have ventured health and Life, as it is wellknown to GOD Almighty; We have likewise readily paid our Duties and Taxes to our Magistrates, as they doubtless will certify the same; For it is wellknown to us that Christ Saith, Matthew XX. 21. Render unto Caesar the Things that are Caesars; and unto GOD the Things that are GOD’s and St. Paul Romans XIII. 2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the Power, resisteth the Ordinance of GOD, we never resisted our Magistrates, but always paid them their due Obedience. GOD forbid that we should not render them due Obedience in Civil matters, But as to what belongs to GOD and the Faith, we must hearken unto GOD more than unto men as it is written Acts IV. 19. and we shall be very willing furthermore faithfully to Serve His Roman Imperial Royal Majesty, as our Gracious Lord and Sovereign provided Liberty be granted unto us of freely and publickly professing our Faith and performing of Divine Service according to the Rites of the Evangelical Churches of the Confession of Augsburg, as it was done above One Hundred Years ago. But if that cannot be done, we pray for GOD’s sake that we may have passports as mentioned above, & leave of withdrawing with our Wives, Children and little Effects and to go where we shall think fitting; By reason that his Lordship of Serau &c Governour of the Saltmines had promised it unto us. We shall offer up to Almighty GOD our fervent and constant Prayers in behalf of the Honourable Imperial Commissioners for reforming of Religion, That he may given them Health Blessing Prosperity, & long Life & to all that belong to them as also a happy Government & after this transitory, Eternal Life, in acknowledgement of so great a Favour to be granted to us. We recommend our Selves, by the Love of Jesus Christ, most humbly to your Excellencies, as our most Honoured, gracious and Commanding Lords, as being

Most Honourable Imperial Commissioners for Reforming of Religion, Your most humble Obedient all Emigrants and Workmen of Salt-Cammer-Good-or Estate, in Austria near the River Ennss.

Extract of a Letter from Ratisbone Dated 13th April 1734 [possibly from J. von Reck].

A Little Time since two men coming from Hanover, were here Saying that some, if not most of the Berchtolsgaden people had a mind to come away from Hanover X. But they have been disuaded from so doing. There is an Account of Hans Lerchner, who is a prisoner at Raab, that he is in Irons, and is working all Day long at the Fortifications thereof, and is obliged to be assisting in cleaning Houses of Offices, and altho’ he has but water and Bread, yet he is very patient; He is condemned to work here, for Conscience sake, Eight Years. Some Days ago, Two men out of Stiria¹⁹⁷ were with me, all Evangelical Books were taken out of the House of one of them; for which he had been some time in prison. He saith that in Carinthia there are many Eminent, even Persons of the Administration of Justice inclined to Evangelical Truth. In Austria above one hundred Persons of a Parish [Ischl], where it was not Suspected, have entered their names as Protestants. I learn from young Lerchner, who is one of my Servants, that his Father at Raab is tolerably well, excepting that he must work at the Fortifications thereof. I’ll endeavour to send him some money by the first Opportunity. I have had him recommended to the Commanding Officer in Gomorra[?] for I have been told that he hath already set at Liberty some poor People of that sort.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg May the 27th 1734 N.S.   To Mr. Newman

Dear and Honoured Sir: That I did not answer before now your Letter of the 2nd of April last O.S. was chiefly by Reason of the Operations of the French Troops having brought us under a great Consternation, after my dear Native Country of Wirtenberg [Württemberg] was laid under their Contribution and that we were here very apprehensive concerning our Neighbours; and likewise as I was in hope of being able to write something certain concerning the Emigrants of Saltzburg. Now I answer your dearest that I am of Opinion that still some Emigrants are to come out of Saltzburg; For a few Days ago a Merchant of this Town, who lately came out of the Archbishoprick of Saltzburg Precinct of Hallein, reported that there a Trusty Roman Catholick Correspondent of his had told him that very lately Two Hundred persons of that District, who for the greatest part were Stocking knitters and who had worked for himself, had Entered their Names as Protestants But could not determine the Time of their coming away; So that I doubt not but that most of them will be better disposed for going to Georgia, than the Tirnbergers who were frightened by the Dutch Usage, as they said. Neither do I doubt of their having Leave of going out of Germany even at this Time For People are not wanting.

Moreover I must tell you that some weeks ago the Privy Council of the Prince of Hesse Darmstatt wrote a Letter to the E. [Evangelical] Privy Council of this Town desiring them to dispose me to the receiving the Tirnbergers (that are now at Franckfort, who were to be distributed among the Neighbouring Protestant States) for sending of them to Georgia, where they would undoubtedly be provided to the best advantage upon which I have myself acquainted the said Privy Council of Hesse Darmstatt, That the Tirnbergers were not disposed that way; yet should the said Privy Council find means of disposing them for Georgia that I was ready to receive such of them as are in good health, and proper thereto Upon which as it’s supposed the French have likewise laid them under Consternation, I have not yet received a full Answer.

As I lately mentioned Letters out of Georgia are impatiently Expected; Upon the arrival and Publishing of which we shall know further. Mr. Vat is as perfectly recovered as can be desired; and he longeth soon to perform that for which hath been called hither And he presents his Duty and Respect to the Gentlemen of the Society and to yourself, and I remain

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most obedient humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

P.S. As to War with us it depends wholly upon a Battle; Should it fall out unhappily on the side of H. I. M. [His Imperial Majesty] and the Empire, unless God doth particularly protect us, We here are in a manner wholly undone. As Two Years ago there were great motions concerning the Emigrants and as one Body after the other passed round about our Walls here, I preached not only once but several times as it was deeply in my Heart. Believe me these motions and marchings will soon be followed by other motions. Christs Symbol remains true. If God be for us who can be against us.

Copy of a Letter from Lord Harrington at Whitehall 5 April 1734.   To the Trustees for Georgia.   No. 12614.   Read 9 April 1734.

Gentlemen: I send you herewith Inclosed an Extract of a Letter I have received from Mr. Robinson, inclosing one from Augsburg by which You will see what that Gentleman has been able to obtain in favour of those Emigrants from Saltzburg whom You propose to Transport to Georgia, which I hope may be to your Satisfaction, I am

Gentlemen   Your most humble Servant   Harrington

Extract of Mr. Robinson’s Letter 26 March 1734 N.S.   To Lord Harrington.

The Enclosed Copy of a Letter from a Magistrate of Augsburg to the Catholick Agent of that Town there, which has been given me in Confidence by the Bishop of Bamberg, will show Your Lordship what has been done and what is promised to be done in favour of the Georgian Colonists, I humbly Submit to Your Lordship if more can be well Expected in the Emperor’s present Situation joyned with the Tendency of the Elector of Bavaria’s Conduct, and in Truth with regard to the Constitution of the Empire in general, however hard it may be for the Trustees to conceive it, especially under the partial and perhaps warm representations of their Correspondents at Augsburg.

Copie de la Lettre d’un des Membres Catholiques de Magistrat de la Ville d’Augsburg à leur Agent à Vienne, à Augsbourg le 15 fevrier N.S. 1734.

Par celle que Vous m’avés êcrite le 30 me du Mois de Janvier passè, j’ay vû en substance ce que Son Altesse de Bamberg et Wurtzbourg vous a donné à entendre de la parte de sa Majesté Imperiall, Savoir, que comme Sa Majesté le Roy d’Angleterre êtoit toujours resolue de faire transporter des Emigrans Saltzburgeois à 1 Isle de St. George, et que on avoit fait souis [soumis] main des plaintes à Vienne comme si le Magistrat Catholique ne vouloit pas tolerer ces Emigrans dans cette Ville jusques à ce que la Saison permette de les transporter, c’est pourquoy il seroit très agreable à Sa Majesté Imperiall si pour maintenir et fortifier la bonne intelligence avec La Cour d’Angleterre on pouvoit favouriser en quelque Maniere ces Emigrans, et leur accorder un libre accés jusques à ce qu’ils puissent être transportés. Je n’ay pas voulu manquer de conferer amiablement et en confidence avec le President et deux des autres Membres du Concil Catholique, surquoy j’ay ête chargé de vous marquer en reponse; que Vous pouviés assurer S.A. de Bamberg que de la part du Directoire Catholique et du Concil privé l’on fera tout ce qui sera possible pour marquer de toute maniere, la deference la plus soumise aux Intentions de S. M. Imperiall afin que les Emigrans qui viendront icy par la suite, et qui seront destinés pour la Georgie non Seulement recoivent generalement toutes les marques possibles de bonne volenté mais que aussi sur la requisition qui en Sera faite on leur accordera un Asile dans la Ville pour un tens moyennant qu’ils viennent successivement et non pas trop à la fois, afinque par ce Monsen [mesure] on ne donne point lieu a apprehender des troubles parmi la populace dans une Ville composée des differentes Religions comme cellecy, le principal Soin du Magistrat Catholique ayant toujoures ête de la prevenir; Et pour Montrer que l’on na aucune raison de se plaindre de la parte Catholique die [du] Magistrate de cette Ville pour le passé[.] Je vous envoye eyjoint [enjoint] copie de la reponse fait aux Ministres de Bronsvic [Brunswick] à la Diete de Ratisbonne en date du 17 ême Septembre de l’Anneé passeé, laquelle Je vous prie de communiques à Son Altesse de Bamberg à quoy Vous pouvés ajouter, qué les Emigrans Colonistes qui arriverent icy au Mois de Septembre passé au nombre de 36 Personnes furent logés le plus commodement hors des Portes de la Ville, qu’ils visitoient tous les jours et sans empechement les Eglises de leur Religion dans la Ville, et qu’ils ont pû aller venir librement chés leurs bienfaiteurs.

[Translation of the Foregoing letter, by George Fenwick Jones.] Copy of the letter from one of the Members of the Catholic Magistrate of the town of Augsburg to their agent in Vienna. Dated 15 Augsburg February N. S. 1734.

I understand from the gist of the letter you wrote me on the 30th of the month of last January, that His Highness of Bamberg and Würtzburg let you understand, on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, that, as His Majesty the King of England was still determined to have emigrants from Saltzburg transported to St. George’s Island [Georgia] and that many complaints had been submitted in Vienna to the effect that the Catholic Magistrate would not tolerate these emigrants in the town until the season would permit their transportation, that it would give great pleasure to His Imperial Majesty if, in order to maintain and fortify the good understanding existing with the Court of England, we could, in some way, favor these emigrants and grant them free access until such time as they may be transported. I did not fail to talk amicably and in private with the President and two other Members of the Catholic Council, about which I have been entrusted to inform you in reply that you may assure His Highness of Bamberg on behalf of the Catholic Directory and the Privy Council that everything in their power will be done to ensure that the slightest wish of His Imperial Majesty will be carried out so that the emigrants who will come here afterwards and who will be destined for St. George will not only receive all possible tokens of good will in general but also, upon request, will be granted sanctuary in the town for a time providing that they do not come in quick succession and not too many at a time, in order to avoid, by such measures, any dissension arising among the population of the town, composed as it is of different religions, the principal aim of the Catholic Magistrate having always been to avoid such incidents and to show that there are no grounds for complaint about the Catholic Magistrate of this town for things past. I herewith enclose a copy of the answer made to the Ministers of Brunswick at the Diet of Ratisbonne dated 17 September of last year, which I beg you to communicate to His Highness of Bamberg to which you may add that the emigrating colonists who arrived here in the month of September past to the number of 36 persons were lodged most comfortably outside of the gates of the city and that every day they visited the churches of their religion in the city without hinderance and that they were able to visit their benefactors freely.

Mr. Butjenter’s Journal at Dover. An Account of the several Occurrences during my Stay at Dover and in my Journey thither.

On the 26th of November O.T. having received Commission from the Honorable Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge I entered on my Journey which towards the Evening of the 27 I had finished.

After we had been some Days at Dover, on the 11th of December about 10 in the morning we saw the Ship that carried the Saltzburg Exiles, enter the Port; I with a Friend that accompanied me on some Business (but more especially on account of my Ignorance of the English tongue) Standing on the Shore near the Ship wellcomed the Saltzburgers. The Exiles seemed very melancholly not on Account of any fatigue on their Voyage, but because there were some who told’em they were carried to Georgia in order to be made Slaves of. We had some difficulty to remove those their apprehensions, but at last we effected it. Having thus a little gained upon the fears of the Saltzburgers, I took home with me the Reverend Messrs. Bolzius and Gronau their Ministers to the house which Capt. Coram had prepared to receive Mr. [Ph.] De Reck who had the day before left the Ship at Deal and had been to visit us. Then returning to the Ship and finding that there were some sick persons and some were Infants and that therefore it would be necessary that they should come on shore. I with the Leave of Capt. Coram hired one Room in a publick house wherein they might repose themselves and take some refreshment, and now the Saltzburgers began to be a Little heartned and to give credit to our persuasions when they were not only convinced by my words and those of their Ministers but by actual experience that their good was wholly consulted. The approach of the Evening closed our interview and discourse of that Day.

On the 12th Day of December in the morning I bought for and gave the Saltzburgers what the Ministers instructed me would be necessary for’em, afterwards I examined the Saltzburgers whom I found much more chearfull than before. A Dinner was that Day provided them by Mr. Coram’s direction in the Workhouse where the poor are Maintained which was a greatway thro’ several Streets[.] Mr. De Reck led’em they following in two Companies with their Children in their Arms and Singing Psalms while I with the other Ministers closed the procession. I could scarce forbear Tears at this Sight. When we came into the House where the Dinner was prepared when they were all sit down at Table they sung Psalms in praise of the Providence of GOD. When Dinner was served up, after Grace said, they received it with all imaginable Thanks to God, acknowledging his Bounty at every mouthfull. what they left they refused to take away saying that they were Satisfied and that they chose that others that were hungry might have it. They drank very sparingly everyone having about a Pint to his Share tho’ many of them refused to have ale. We Dined with them in the same House, where after having Sung Psalms and Hymns to God I returned with the Saltzburgers to the said publick House where after having Sung, Standing in the middle of them, I preached to ’em from the 2 Corinthians 6. v. 17, 18 which they attended with the greatest Devotion and with Sighs and Tears some of them Kissing my hands whilst I spoke to them. Having finished my Sermon and Sung Psalms I distributed the money ordered by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, which they received Kissing my hands with singular marks of acknowledgement, Some of them at first declining to take so much money. Having conversed sometime with them I proceeded to their Minister’s Lodgings with whom I consulted about settling the form of their publick Worship.

Their publick Worship as near as may be will be conformable to the Church of England to which End I delivered to’em German Books in which are the forms of prayer, Baptismal Rites, The Lord’s Supper, Matrimony and Burial etc.¹⁹⁸

On the 13 of December in the Morning I proceeded to buy Things that were necessary for the Saltzburgers on their Voyage and Examined whether the Clergymen’s Lodgings were convenient on Ship bord. After Dinner I again visited the Exiles and discoursed with’em upon Religion and faith and I perceived a greater part of them wanted to be more fully Instructed in the fundamental Articles of the Christian Doctrine and being asked whether they proceeded on their Journey with Cheerfulness they answered that they were willing to go to the uttermost parts of the Earth, That they were Children of God and that God would be with them. I took my Leave of them with Tears in their Eyes. I took also Leave of Mr. De Reck and Messrs. Bolzius and Gronau who do their utmost to chear up the Saltzburgers this they did in my presence[,] They likewise performed divine Service by reading and explaining to them every morning and Evening the Holy Scripture and concluding with Prayers and Hymns.

On the 14th Day of December about 4 in the morning I began my Journey for London by the Stage Coach in company of a Friend of mine Mr. Junner Matthison whose assistance was of great Service both to me and the Saltzburgers, which Journey by the Grace of God I finished the next Day in the Evening very Safely.

Henry Alard Butjenter

Text 2 Corinthians 6 V. 17, 18.

17. Wherefore come out from among them and be ye Separate Saith the Lord and touch not the Unclean thing and I will receive You.

18. And will be a father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters said the Lord Almighty.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg June the 17, 1734.   No. 12712.   Read 18 June 1734.   Answered 18 June 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured and Dear Sir: You’l see by the following Pieces that the Protestants of Saltzburg are again persecuted and that such as have Protestant Books are drove out of the Country[.] in all Likelihood the Two persons lately come to Ratisbone will be followed by many more, which time will show. We are not a Little Surprized to hear nothing of the Arrival in Georgia of the First Transport of Saltzburgers, And we cannot Account for the reasons of their Silence.

I should have mentioned Long ago that I received a Letter from the Reverend Professor [G. A.] Francke of Halle desiring that the Two Hundred Reichs Dollars [rix dollars] he had laid out at my Request for necessary Books, Equipage, and Travelling Expences from Halle to England for the Two Divines, gone to Georgia [Bolzius & Gronau] might be brought in the Credit of the Missionaries at Tranquebar or the Value thereof delivered to the Reverend Mr. Ziegenhagen for the use of the said Missionaries in East India. I remain

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most obedient & humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

Since your Letter of the 2nd April last I received none in answer to mine of the 5th and 22nd April and 27th May.

Translation of a Letter written to the Protestant Magistrates of Kaufbeuren from Ratisbone, 7 June 1734.

Inclosed is a Copy of a Memorial, or an Examination privately handed about in this Town, concerning Two Emigrants Saltzburgers, born in the Jurisdiction of Goldegg [Goldeck], namely, Michael Gschwandtner, and George Schönegger, being now in this Town viz. (Ratisbone) the first being forever banished the Country, for having possessed some Lutherian Books, leaving an Estate of about Two Thousand Florins, and the Latter for the same Reasons altho he had no Estate of his own. Time will shew in what manner they may be assisted, I remain with the Greatest Duty and Respect

Your Excellencies &c.   Most obedient & most Humble Servant
G. Wismeyer

Ratisbone 7, June 1734.

An Examination taken at Ratisbone, on Friday the 14th May 1734.

Michael Gschwandtner, born at Goldegg [Goldeck] in the Archbishoprick of Saltzburg, about 40 years of age Saith that he had been several times examined concerning Lutherian Books and that his House had been Searched for the same; Now that, altho’ no such Books had been found in his Custody Yet on the 5 of this Month he was provided with the annexed Order of Emigration, together with Sixteen Florins towards his Journey and an Injunction that he should now go out of the Country and never be seen therein neither be in expectation of receiving one Farthing of his Estate which he valueth to be about Two Thousand Florins, because he had said, at one of his Examinations, that he would willingly be of the Lutheran Religion, and live with his Wife and Children, being very Sorry that he did not go out at First with them, as having had Sufficient Opportunities of overcoming his inclination of Possessing worldly Goods; That now he was resolved to enquire after his wife and Children till he had found out the Place of their abode, tho’ unknown to him; his Wife being called Maria Kelbin, his Eldest Daughter Christina 10 years of age the other Barbara, about 8 Years and his Son Urban, about 4 Years Praying that their Residence might be enquired after and made known to him.

George Schönegger of Goldegg [Goldeck] aged 48 Years Deponent Saith; That at two different times by order of the Court of Justice Lutherian Books had been Searched for in the House he Lived in, Yet none had been found by reason that he carried them in his Pockets about him which they did not Search; But the Second Time the Clerk and Officer of the Court took away Kollman’s Book of Prayer, as containing according to the Clerk’s Opinion Superstitions and forbidden Arts and acquainted the Court thereof; Upon which he received Sentence the same Day as Michael Gschwandtner; That he had left nothing behind him, excepting Two Children one of 8 and the other of 6 Years of age, having got his Livelihood by Peasants work; and that they had given him Six Florins towards his Journey. Of which money so received they had paid Thirty Cruitzers to the Officer of Each of the Eight Justiciary Courts¹⁹⁹ through which they were Conducted, being four florins and one Florin for the Waggon upon which they were arrived from the first to the Second Court of Justice. That having paid for their Assistance very little they were in Possession of the Remainder.

Order of Emigration in German   Schub = Schein

By Virtue of an Order of the Honourable Privy Commission of H. H. Dated the 2nd January of this Current Year, Michael Gschwandter former Proprietor of the Estate called Schertzberg, because He contrary to Prohibition hath kept several Lutherian Books is for Ever Banished the Archbishoprick of Saltzburg and is ordered to be Conducted from Court to Court to Strasswallhen [Strasswalchen] on the Frontiers and this Order of Emigration is given him for his going out.

At the Castle at Goldegg, May the 5th 1734. His Highnesses of Saltzburg Government there and the Court of Justice of S. Veit.

L. S.   John Christophle von Eyss   Governor

For his further passing from this Place out of the Country he was sent forward. Strasswallhen May the 9th 1734 His Highnesses of Saltzburg Court of Justice.

L.S.   John Anton Haussen

Copy of a Letter from James Oglethorpe, Esq. at St. Hellens Road near the Isle of Wight June the 16, 1734.   No. 12715.   Read 18 June 1734.   Answered 20 June 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: I have Several Letters for you from Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck and the Congregation of Saltzburgers whom I left well pleased and in good health at Ebenezer. I thought it not proper to send the Letters by the Post since I shall have the pleasure of delivering them to you with my own hands in a few days. I have wrote at Large to Sir John Phillips to which I refer You and am

Sir   your most Obedient and humble Servant   Ja. Oglethorpe

Copy of a Letter from James Oglethorpe, Esq. at St. Hellens Road near the Isle of Wight June the 16, 1734.   To Sir John Philipps, Bart.

Sir: Tis with Pleasure I acquaint You I left Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck the Two Ministers and the Congregation of the Saltzburgers in perfect Health, they are a Sober, industrious cheerful and devout people[.] God has been pleased visibly to protect them in their passage as Mr. Von Reck has mentioned at Large in his Letters to Mr. Newman. They are Settled to their Satisfaction upon a River which they have named Ebenezer, where they intend to create a Stone Pillar “in memory of God’s having delivered them from persecution and led them through to the utmost parts of the Earth where they may praise his name with freedom and be a light to the Gentiles.” These are the Minister’s own words as near as I can translate them: and indeed there does seem to be a door opened towards the Conversion of the Indians; for one of the Indian Chiefs called Tomo cha chi the Mecko of Yammacraw a man of excellent Understanding is so desirous of having their Youth instructed in the English Learning and consequently in the Christian Religion that he is come over notwithstanding his great age to Solicit for a means of instructing their people: he is now with me and has brought with him a Youth whom he calls his Nephew and next Heir. This Child hath already learnt the Lord’s Prayer both in Indian and English. I shall leave the Indians at my house in the Country whilst I shall go to Town where I hope to have the happiness of waiting upon You and acquainting You more fully with many things relating to this matter at which I believe you will be as much pleased as Surprised. I am

Sir   Your most obedient humble Servant   James Oglethorpe

Copy of Translation of a Letter from Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck at Savannah Town²⁰⁰ in Georgia, 22 March 1734.   No. 12725.   Read 5 June 25 June 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: I hope my poor Letter dated at Charles Town with the Journal of our Ministers will be delivered to You; You will see also my little Journal which I delivered to Mr. Oglethorpe. I intreat and humbly beg You will be so good as to send the Journal to my Dear Uncle [J. von Reck] at Ratisbonne together with the Letter herewith sent.

Let him and me have this Joy and Pleasure I beseech You. The suddain departure of Mr. Oglethorpe for England, the Business which engages me here, and a Sickness that took me two days ago having taken up my Time, so that I have hardly strength to assure You and my dear Patron Mr. Vernon of my most humble respects, and the Veneration with which I remain during Life.

Sir   Your most humble and Obedient Servant   Reck

P.S.: After having recovered a little Strength, put in order the Saltzburgers, regulated their Labours and their affairs, built Houses and sowed some Acres[,] I shall return and God willing I hope to Compass it in a month, when I propose to Leave this Place by God’s Help.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Bolzius dated at Savannah Town in Georgia the 22nd March 1734.   No. 12726.   Read 25 June 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Most Honoured Sir: The Contents of your Letters which we received in Dover from your own hand gave Us Singular Evidences of your favour for us: therefore I hope surely, that you will accept this humble Letter as a Testimony of our gratitude for your beloved kindness and that you may favourably over see the faults, which I committ in writing the first time in your English Tongue. By the Blessings of God we are arrived on the Coast of Charles Town the 7th of March where our Ship rid at Anchor, till a Pilot came to bring us for Georgia. after we were gone with the Captain and a few other persons in a Sloop for Charles Town, we had the great Honour to wait upon James Oglethorpe Esq. and to dine in the House of the Lord Governour [Robert Johnson]. Mr. Oglethorpe received us kindly and sent unto the people in the Ship some fresh water, meat, good Wine and Garden Fruits to refresh them with after the hard and Salt provisions; what Joy this brought is inexpressible. We departed from thence the 9th of march and arrived the 11th Day at Savannah in Georgia. In this place was pitched a Tent and having received here much Benefit by the fatherly care of our Governour Mr. Oglethorpe, we took a Journey further to our own Country designed for us, for which we have Longed a great while. All our fellow Travellers were very glad to see the green and fruitful Tracts of Land on the Right and left sides of the River and especially the Saltzburg people have a great desire to Labour earnestly and hope by the Blessing of God a happy Success. And tho’ our Voyage was attended with much Trouble nevertheless this Voyage was of great advantage and we have much reason to magnify God’s goodness, that he showed both to our Souls and Bodies. A Few of them were Sick, because they were not used to eat Ship Victuals, and the great motion of the Sea; but their Health was restored in a short time insomuch that they all live and are well at this time. Even as these persons have received from Us at other times a good testimony of their true Piety and Christian Virtues so I assure You that we can report the same of them at present: for they have much delight both to hear the holy word of God and to exercise with all their heart that which God demands from men in his holy Scriptures[.] taking this good purpose, they will Show themselves not good Labourers only but good Christians also all their Lifetime. and after this way shall it come to pass that they may adorn the doctrine of Christ and Set a good example to dwellers in the same place or in the Neighbourhood. many amongst them are defective in reading because they have wanted [lacked] good instructions in the Land of Saltzburg, but for the Love of God’s word they give their utmost application to learn it, and we will help them therein with all our power. Very few are Stocked with Bibles and Psalm Books after which they have a hearty desire. And if our hearers continue (as we surely hope) to walk before God so he shall perform his dear Promises being in his holy word especially Leviticus 26 & Seq. and you and all our Benefactors shall receive much matter to glorify God and take reward for all your Goodness presented to us. I close up this with my heartiest and best wishes and remain with the greatest respects.

Most Honoured Sir   Your most addicted Servant.
John Martin Bolzius

My beloved Colleague Mr. Gronau presents his respects to You.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg 1st July 1734 N.S.   No. 12732.   Read 2 July 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured and Dear Sir: My Last Letter to Yourself was the 17th June last and it is now near Three Months since I received any of your Favours even since the Second of April last which maketh us apprehend, that you are indisposed; However we are in hopes of receiving agreeable Accounts of yourself and of our Colonists in Georgia, or that the Reverend Mr. Ziegenhagen will take the Trouble thereof in your absence from London. By the annexed Memorial and Extract out of some Letters You will see, that the Spirit of Persecution is still raging on the Confines of the Archbishoprick of Saltzburg; and that the Body Protestant [Corpus Evangelicorum] of Ratisbonne have resolved to interpose their good Offices with His Imperial Majesty on the behalf of such worthy Confessors of the Gospel. Time will Shew what is like to be done with these poor People, and I remain

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most Obedient humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

P.S. I expect [await] Order if [whether] Mr. Vat stays any longer here.

Translation of a Memorial presented to the Protestant Body at Ratisbonne the 18th June 1734 by Forty Heads of Families of the Workmen in the Salt Mines in upper Austria, Sentenced to be Carried to Hungary and Transylvania there to receive their Reward.   T.T.E.

Your Excellencies s.s. have been already several times troubled with an Account of our hard Oppressions concerning our Faith, under which we Labour at the Instigation of the Romish Clergy of this Country and in what manner we are hindred from Serving the Lord our God, according to our Conscience and the Principles of the Protestant Religion and humbly desired that you would be graciously pleased to Intercede for us with his Imperial Majesty, our most Gracious Lord. But as we have not hitherto perceived the least Mitigation, and rather from time to Time have been molested and more severely persecuted by the said Clergy, till we have seen many of our Fellow Citizens, one after the other dragged to close Prison and at last on the 31st May, 1st and 2nd of this Instant June, Forty men Housekeepers [Householders] together with their Wives and Children according to the enclosed List, were ordered to appear before the High Commissioners of Religion, Commanded that all such whose Names were markt with a Seal in the Margin of the List should be ready on the 6 and 7th days of this month, in order to go on Board Shipping and to be transported to Hungary and Transylvania, there to receive our Rewards, intimating that perhaps we should be deprived of our Lives. Upon such a proposal we fell all on our Knees and prayed that we might rather be carried to the Place of Execution and there to die, then [sic] to be sent into Hungary and the Tartars, if it was His Imperial Majesty’s Pleasure and Command, which however we could not believe of so gracious a Sovereign; For we said, if the Emperor is so gracious and can suffer us in Hungary he may be likewise so gracious as to Suffer us to live in our Native Country. Now we most earnestly entreat your Excellencies, provided it be the Will of GOD, and it be in your Power, that you would be graciously pleased to interpose your good Offices in this Affair in our behalf But if it is not in your Power, We shall willingly submit our Selves to the Will of God, and rejoice to be worthy to suffer not for any ill Fact, but for the name of Jesus Christ and for the Truth of the Gospel. We die with the most profound respect

Your Excellencies   Most obedient Humble Servants.   All the Emigrants and Workmen of the Saltmines in Austria on the River Enns

A LIST of such Protestant Confessors as are Ordered to go out of the Country.

André Nerff [Neff], Widower, and 5 Children. a close Prisoner at Lintz.

Tobias Leimar, his Wife and three Children.

Blassius Eggenrüther, his Wife and five Children.

Paul Lehrbacher his wife and Three Children. himself close Prisoner at Lintz.

Michael Leserer, his wife and 5 Children. He being in close Prison at Lintz.

Paul Kayser and his wife.

Hans Goller, his wife and 5 Children. In all 39 Souls of Halbstadt [Hallstatt].

Blasius Engleither, his wife and 5 Children.

Michael Osterer, his wife and 5 Children.

André Brümbsperger his wife and 2 Children.

Thomas Kütler, his wife and three Children.

Matthias Gütler his wife and three Children.

Hans Karrman his wife and 5 Children.

Jacob Küttler and his Two Sisters.

Matthias Karrman his wife and Two Children.

Hans Höll, his wife and 1 Child.

Michael Gupfleitner his wife and Three Children.

Hans Köhl his Wife and Six Children and 1 Servantmaid.

Matthias Engelkitner his wife and Seven Children.

Andrè Bäer his wife and Six Children.

Hans Greismauer his wife and Seven Children.

Matthias Leinpacher his wife and 5 Children.

Michael Nerff [Neff] his wife and 4 Children. He in prison these 9 months at Lintz.

Thomas Kayser his wife and 2 Children.

Matthias Buchsteiner his wife 1 Child and 1 Servantmaid.

Matthias Fischer, Widower and one Child.

Joseph Güttler, his mother his nephew and 3 Sisters He having formerly been in close prison.

George Stoymer his Wife and Seven Children.

Michael Kerfer his Wife and 4 Children.

Hans Geissmauer, his wife and 2 children.

Hans Bäer, his Wife and 5 Children.

André Neüpacher his wife and Six Children.

George Glöchel Widower, and 2 Children.

Wolf Ursteger his Wife and Six Children.

Wolf Engelleiter, Widower and Two Children. In all 162 Souls of Gossen [Goisern].

Matthias Hueber his wife and 3 Children.

Stephen Hueber, his wife and Five Children.

Sebastian Hueber and his wife.

Joseph Heüschober his wife and Eight Persons of his Family. He being now in close prison.

Matthias Heüschober his wife and 8 Children. In all 34 Souls of Ilschler [Ischl?]. The whole number of the said Three parishes being 235 Persons.

Extract out of the Register of the Protestant Conferences held at Ratisbonne the 12 June 1734.

It was resolved to represent to his Imperial Majesty the hard usage against such of the Inhabitants in the archbishoprick of Saltzburg as kept Protestant Books, and were found among them, Likewise for obstructing the passages in the said Archbishoprick, and for refusing Passports to such Inhabitants as are willing to withdraw out of that Country. As also in regard to such Protestants in Austria to the number of 300 as desire to obtain Leave of coming out of that Country, and particularly concerning Hans Lerchner, who is condemned to work at the Fortifications at Raab, for Eight Years.

Extract out of a Letter, written to the Magistrates of Kauffbeuren; by Mr. Weysmeyer [Weismeyer] date at Ratisbonne 21 June 1734.

That by Reason of some Difficulties relating to the Person of Mr. Goebel, the King of Prussia had appointed Mr. Von Plotho, Counsellor of Embassy, to assist at the Conferences of the Electoral College at Ratisbonne, as his Prussian Majesty’s Envoy as Elector of Brandenburg and afterwards to go to Saltzburg to reclaim the Effects of such Emigrants out of Saltzburg as are Settled in the Dominions of His Prussian Majesty.

That several Grievances of the Protestants in the ‘Paletinate’ [Palatinate] in the Bishoprick of Wirtzburg [Würtzburg] and Principality of Schwartzenburg had been laid before the Evangelick Body at Ratisbonne.

Copy of Translation of a Letter from Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck at Savannah in Georgia 7 March 1734.²⁰¹   No 12741.   Read 9 July 1734.

Sir: Being arrived by the Blessing of God altogether safe and in good Health near Charles Town from which we were about Six Leagues distant we there cast anchor, and the Captain went to Charles Town to procure a Pilot who might conduct us into Georgia, and as I was with him I had the happiness to meet with Mr. Oglethorpe at the house of his Excellency the Governour of Carolina [Robert Johnson], the father and delight of the Colony of Georgia[.]²⁰² he designed to have returned into England in 15 days but is now Setting out for Georgia to Settle the Saltzburgers there. The Voyage is not yet finished for tomorrow we shall continue our Progress, my Journey is not yet Compleat, the little time of my Stay here preventing my committing to Writing what I have to say, I propose to send you a full Account of our Passage as soon as we shall come to the end of it.

The first Ship which goes from hence will carry to you my Packets, my Journal, and my Respects to all my Patrons in particular to Mr. Vernon in the meantime the Ministers have compleated their Journal and sent it to the Reverend Mr. Ziegenhagen; Excuse me then I beseech You that My Journal does not accompany my Letter, once more I beg your pardon for it[.] my Journal shall follow in a few weeks and I remain while I live with great Respect Sir   In hast   Your most humble and most obedient Servant   Reck

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg 15 July 1734 N.S.   No. 12743.   Read 16 July 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Dear and Honoured Sir: Both your Letters of the 11th & 18 June last are come to Hand, and I have seen with great Pleasure, not only the safe arrival of the Saltzburgers in Georgia but also the return of James Oglethorpe Esq. into England. The Lord of Hosts be Praised for all and Particularly for his having opened a Door to the poor Gentiles, who at the beginning of this affair lay at the Bottom of my Heart to come at them. Now I long after seeing such Letters, as are come out of Georgia in order to print them out of Hand for the Publishing of them, as I have already done with such accounts as you sent me, by Inserting of them into the Publick news Papers here which have raised an universal Joy among the Protestants here in this Town. Mr. [J.] Von Reck the Envoy at Ratisbonne was no less overjoyed at the accounts I gave him of the contents of your Letter of the 11 of June.

And now is the Question: In case upon the Publishing of the Letters and accounts expected, there should be 30, 40 or 50 Saltzburgers willing to come out of some Neighbouring Imperial Towns, and be inclinable to go to Georgia, Whether I should send them upon Notice thereof given to the Society under the conduct of Mr. Vat to Holland? Likewise whether I should, in the present Juncture of the Warlike Troubles, especially in regard to the French Army along the Rhine, apply to the English Hanoverian Ministers at Ratisbonne for Passports in their Behalf and also whether in case the Emperor upon the Memorial and Intercession of the Body Protestant in behalf of the Protestants of upper Austria of which I lately Sent you Copies, should permit them to come to this Town, I might admit of such of them as should be inclined for Georgia, as being of the Neighbourhood of the Territories of Saltzbourg and being encouraged to come away by these and of the like good Dispositions. We hear nothing more of those of Hallein by Reason, no Doubt that all Correspondence with that Country is cut off. Upon which the Envoys at Ratisbonne very lately as it is just laid before Complaints before the Emperor. God grant that the Imperial Army on the Rhine be not so unhappy as they were in Italy and Neapolis [Naples], otherwise our Circles would be very much embarrassed I What remains to be answered upon your Letter of the 11 of last month Shall be deferred to another Opportunity. I could wish, that I might be for Two Days with your good Company present at the Report of our Dear Mr. Oglethorpe; However I hope to be acquainted with the Substance thereof by your indefatigable Love Letters.²⁰³ May God Almighty give his Blessing to his Work furthermore! I remain

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most obedient humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

In Case the Letters come from Georgia be inclosed in the Kings Packet, it will not be amiss the Recommending to the German private Secretary [Reiche] that a cover may be put there upon in London directed to Mr. [J.] Von Reck H. M. Envoy at Ratisbonne. Otherwise if they go by the way of Hanover they may be a long while a coming, as it happened formerly with the full powers; Yet it’s of Consequence that those Letters might be here in a Short time.

Honoured Sir I am Highly obliged to the kind Remembrance of Governor Shute and Collonel Valogne; I beg the Favour of you to return them my Hearty Thanks and to make my Respects acceptable to them and to James Oglethorpe Esq. whose return to England giveth me the greatest Pleasure, which would not be diminished could I hear something of his Knowledge relating to the Carolinian Swiss; And what Success Collonel Purry hath in Swisserland[.]²⁰⁴ And I crave Leave to Subscribe myself.

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most obedient and most Humble Servant   John Vat

P.S. P.S. Since the writing of the former Postscript, I think his Britannick Majesty’s Passport for a Commissioner and as many Colonists as the Society intend to send to Holland, or Leaving the number of them in Blanc would be less liable to Exception than any other.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Quincy at Charles Town in South Carolina 29 March 1734.   No. 12749.   Read 16 July 1734.   To Mr. Copping.

Dear Sir: I had the Pleasure of yours by Mr. Bolzius Minister to the Saltzburgers and am very Sorry to hear that you have heard nothing from me. I wrote by a Gentleman who went from hence about five Months ago, and desired him to wait upon you that you might have an Opportunity of informing yourself in as particular manner as you desired about the Condition of this new Colony. I have desired the same favour of the Gentleman who brings this. he comes over with Mr. Oglethorpe in order to get Servants, and then returns to Settle here. I hope this will in some Measure attone for the deficiency of my account of this Place. When I came first to Charles Town and should have employed my time in Writing to my Friends, I was so ill as not to be capable of it and am now in a very great hurry to provide for my voyage to New England expecting to sail today. I intend to make my return from New England, as far as Philadelphia at least, which is 400 Miles, by Land, and Mr. Oglethorpe has desired me to make Observations as I pass through the Country and remit them to him which I intend to do and as I believe they will not be unacceptable will send You a Copy of the same. We [in Savannah] are now considerably increased in numbers being about 900 and have made great Improvement in Building. I believe we have between 50 & 60. Houses up. a large and commodious Store House, but no Church yet[.] we are forced to make use of a very indifferent Place for that purpose, which will not hold 1 /4 of the People, so that I hope they will go about that necessary work as soon as conveniently they can. at present they are employed in making a Fortification round the Town; for in case of a War with France or Spain which we have had much rumour of; we expect to be attacked from the French or Spanish Settlements which are our Neighbours, and have a great influence, especially the French over the Indians. If it please God we are not molested this way I think there is no doubt to be made, but that the Colony will succeed very well. We have indeed lost a great many by sickness[.] I have buried since I have been here upwards of an hundred²⁰⁵ but when we have overcome the Hardships and inconveniences of a first Settlement we shall I hope enjoy better health. I believe the distemper we have been afflicted with, which is the Flux is more owing to mean Diet, and the being exposed to Heat and Cold and Wet, without any covering but Tents or boarded Huts equally defenceless, than to the badness of the Air, so that when these inconveniences are remedied which Time and Industry must do, the bad effect of them will cease. Amongst the rest that have died, I have lost the poor man that came over with me[.] he proved an exceeding good Servant and would have been of great use to me. Mr. Oglethorpe has been so good as to make me a present²⁰⁶ of another but he proves but very indifferent. I had a Letter at the same time with yours from Mr. Wilson and Mr. Newman. I shall write more to both those Gentlemen from new England, which Letters may probably arrive as soon as this. Mr. Newman has Relations in New England and will I presume be glad to hear of them. My Relations there had heard of my being in this Country and sent me a Letter being a very obliging one. It will be great pleasure to me to see them again from whom next to my Parents I have received the greatest Obligations in the world. my absence will be Supplied part of the time by a very worthy Gentleman Mr. Jones a Missionary at Port Royal, a very good man whose Conversation and Friendship I highly esteem. I hope to be able to return in about three months and then shall not desire to leave the People any more while I continue in the Country. I had a Letter from Mr. Vernon since Christmas which is dated in May last, and arrived by a Ship in August but by reason the parcel it was enclosed in, was not opened it came not to my hands sooner. I shall do my self the Honour of writing to that Gentleman from New England and return my thanks for so great a favour. The Commissary [Ph. von Reck] and Minister [Bolzius] to the Saltzburgers have the use of my house in my absence which happens very convenient for them. they would otherwise be exposed to equal Hardships with the rest of the new comers. They appear to be very good People, and I hear like the Place very well. I shall do all in my Power to preserve the People in peace and unanimity now Mr. Oglethorpe has left us, and shall not I hope disappoint the expectations of my Friends, in the confidence they repose in me[.] at least nothing within the compass of my ability shall be wanting for promoting the good of the people, the success of our best endeavours must always be left to the wise over Ruler of all things. I shall take care to transmit frequent Accounts of the Circumstances of the Place as you desire. My humble Service to Mrs. Copping, I am sorry to hear she has an ill State of Health. Service if you please to Mr. Vernon, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Newman with other Friends from

Dear Sir   Your most obedient humble Servant   S. Quincy

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg the 19 July 1734.   No. 12753.   Read 23 July 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured Sir: Since my last of the 15 Instant, I have received the accounts above, and it is Submitted to your Consideration of the Societies. Whether it would not tend to the Honour of the British Nation should His Britannick Majesty intercede powerfully in behalf of the Protestants of H. I. Majestys Dominions? We are in Expectation of receiving such Letters as were sent from the Colonists in Georgia and I remain

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most obedient Humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

Extract out of a Letter dated at Ratisbonne July the 12, 1734.

The Letter of Intercession of the Body Protestant in behalf of the Emigrants out of upper Austria dated the 19 June last hath been delivered to his Imperial and Catholick Majesty and hath been entered in the Register and even printed and published; But the effect thereof is as yet expected [awaited]. There are here some Deputies from Carinthia who Solicit likewise such Letters of Intercession. But it is evidently reported That at Vienna They insist That in case any Protestants of the Imperial Hereditary Dominions are inclinded to leave those Countries on account of the Protestant Religion, They should go into some other Imperial Hereditary Country and that such as are now in that Case should be sent to Transylvania and that it should be by virtue of a private Priviledge, of which no mention is made in the Treaty of Westphalia, Yet it is very sure and certain that the Arch Dutchy of Austria belongs to the Roman Empire and is to be put again upon the Foot of the Year Annus Decretorius; But it might happen to those people in Transylvania, as it has to the Tirnbergers in Holland, where they must necessarily, among so many Sects, be brought into Confusion.

Extract out of another Letter Dated at Ratisbonne 13 July 1734.

The Protestants of Austria have sent hither a Deputy and a new Memorial wherein among other Circumstances it appears that one of their Parish Priests, called Matthias made use of one possest of the Devil, who upon all Questions put to him was to prove that the Roman Catholick Clergy was the only way of Salvation and thereby to deterr the protestants from adhering to the principles of Luther and his followers.

Now God hath likewise manifested himself in Carinthia by his Light of the Gospel; For there they begin to declare themselves freely and openly; I have been told by their Deputies that at first about 150 of them had publickly declared themselves to be of the Evangelick Faith according to the Confession of Augsburg, which before their coming hither were joined by three Districts of Jurisdiction (called Gerichtes). Another Man, who went thither to fetch away his wife and Children but could only save one child, his wife being caught and sent to prison, relateth that there were already Several Hundreds nay above Thousands gone to these Jurisdictions to be entered as Protestants, and that there would be many more.

N.B.   These People together go into By-Chappels and sing and pray unmolested, and are permitted to read Evangelical Books freely. Some of their Priests at these Events wept bitterly. One of their Deputies hither was a prisoner for 23 weeks. very lately 13 young men who had declared themselves were forced to be Soldiers.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg the 22nd July 1734.   No. 12759.   Read 30 July 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured and Dear Sir: I hope you have received my last Letters of the 15th Instant since which Time yours of the 25th of June and 2nd of July, together with the enclosed are come to Hand; and I am in great Expectation of receiving the Journals of Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck and Mr. Boltzius. The Resolution of the Society, as far as I can see seems to be these: At present to receive none other Transport so that at last it cometh upon the Answer, which you shall be pleased to give me, upon the Question contained in one of my Late Letters Viz. Whether such Persons, as could not go with the First Transport or the Friends of such; as are already gone to Georgia, and should upon Publishing the Accounts come from thence resolve to go to the Number of 20, 30, 40 to 50 would be received upon the same Conditions as the first and whether they should be by Mr. Vat conducted to Rotterdam Or whether the 5 Persons remaining here, since the first Transport went from hence altho they have a great Inclination of following their Country Folks, should be left here? I return my hearty Thanks to the Society for the Copies of Messrs. Bolzius and Von Reck’s Letters to them; Their Letters to my self refer themselves to their Journals of which upon their reception You shall have Extracts. Thus much I can see by those Letters that notwithstanding the many Troubles the Ministers work chearfully among their Flock. I have long ago lamented the Loss occasioned by the Conduct of the Tirnbergers; However it seems to me a Transport of 30 to 50 should break no Squares and consequently That such a small number might hope for the assistance of the Trustees in the same manner as the first.

Mr. [J.] Von Reck Envoy at Ratisbonne, writeth the 20th Instant, “I expect [am waiting] to See more particulars of the Georgian Colonists. There are here some Deputies of Austria and Carinthia who assure that the Emigrants out of those Countries which [wish] for nothing more than to be Transported to Georgia, and there is no doubt that after they shall hear how happily the First Transport is got to Georgia they will have a much greater Desire of going thither.” I am with all Sincerity

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

P.S.: As to Mr. Vat, He hath had his Diet and Lodging at my House at the Charge of the Society and his own Horse hath been at publick Stable to the latter end of April, and since that Time at Grass and he designs to make use of it at his return to Swisserland. I paid his Physician and Apothecary when he was Sick; and he hath received Twenty Five Guilders in money. His Journey from Swisserland hither costs him Twenty Florins and his return to Swisserland will cost as much. Now it is to be known what the Society designs that I should give him more. Certainly he is a very pious and understanding Gentleman; a man of great experience in such Things and worthy to be loved and esteemed from all true Christians.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg 2 August 1734 N.S.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured Sir: Referring my Self to my Letters of the 1st, 15, 19 & 23 of July last these Lines are only to accompany the Memorial and Extract of a Letter, concerning the unhappy Condition of such Protestants of Austria and Carinthia as have made a publick Confession of their Faith. I was in Expectation of receiving the Journals of Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck and Messrs. Bolzius and Gronau but they are not as yet come to Hand. However I beg Leave to join here to the inclosed Letter which I desire may be conveyed to the Reverend Mr. Bolzius in Georgia, I am

Honoured Sir   Your most obedient Humble Servant   For the Reverend Senior Urlsperger   John Vat

Memorial of the Protestants of Carinthia delivered the 4 of July 1734.   To the Protestant States at Ratisbonne.

We the publick Confessors of the Gospel Truth in the Province of Carinthia cannot omit most humbly to represent to your Excellencies, the Envoys of the Protestant States of the Roman Empire at Ratisbonne in what manner we have by the Powerful Assistance of God and by the Free Conviction of our Conscience been roused up to adhere publickly both with Heart and mouth to the pure Doctrine of the Holy Gospel, according to the Confession of Augsburg; For which reason and indeed upon that account only, We have Suffered very heavy Persecutions at our Courts of Justice chiefly by the instigation of our Clergy here; Now we most humbly beg Leave to mention in few words, That we cannot comprehend considering that many Thousands of Protestants who profess the same Faith, as we do, especially in some other Provinces belonging to his Imperial Majesty, our most Gracious Sovereign, especially in Silesia and Hungary where they are protected, Why we should be persecuted with being cast into dark prisons and the like Hard Dealings, because We profess the same Publick Faith as they do, altho’ we are no less Faithfull in Civil affairs, than any other Subjects of His Imperial Majesty, as our Sovereign Lord, to whom the Great God King of Kings and Lord of Lords may grant long Life Health victory a happy Reign and pour down his choicest blessings and Favours to a great Age, thinking our Selves bound at all Times to shew our most Dutifull Submission, by venturing our Estates Body and Life, in all Faithfulness to his Service. Yet it is not unknown That among others Simon Seigel, Locksmith, our Brother and Confessor of the Faith hath been detained in Prison at Vienna for Eighteen months, and before that sometime at Klagenfurth and as far as is come to our Knowledge remains still a close Prisoner upon no other account as That of the Evangelical Lutheran Religion. On the 25th March 1733 Christopher Lägler went to the Parish Priest in order to make his Confession and to receive absolution. The Priest asked him whether he did well understand the Five Commandments of the Church? upon which Lagler answered They could be of no Benefit for Salvation. Then the Priest called him a heathen and dismissed him without his absolution pretending That by Order of the arch Priest and the chief Officer or Governour he durst not absolve him, But he gave a Bible to the said Lägler to carry home to his own House telling him That therein he would find every thing concerning the Rosary and the Purgatory; But after Lägler had Signified to him that he could not find any Thing of any Foundation therein and that it was not necessary to Salvation and therefore could not believe it the Priest run upon him in the open Street took him by the neck cloth and dragged him in such manner that he had like to be Strangled. Some Time afterwards the said Lägler was sent to close prison and there detained for Twenty three weeks, During which Time he was Twice examined by the Clergy and Laity, And there he freely gave Glory to God by Professing the Gospel according to the Confession of Augsburg. About that Time many more were convinced of the Truth of the word of God and the Gospel, and united themselves in Devotion by Praying and Singing together. Which alas! altho it is a Service most acceptable to God and even commanded by the Lord himself hath been looked upon as such a Crime that soon after Twenty Peasants were cited to go to Klagenfurth and Seven of them were put into close prison who likewise joyfully made publick Confession of their Faith. As these were carried out of their native Country, our adversaries said to a Bailiff officer, These men shall never come back again to Hear the Ringing of the Bells of that market Town[.] Yet its very observable That soon after a Fire broke out in that Town and consumed many Houses and the Church and melted down the Bells thereof, so that they themselves could no longer hear the Sound of them and yet the said men Confessors returned afterwards to that Town and then there was an order that we should no more meet together in Prayers For that the following Spring there would be an End made of that affair. But since hitherto no alteration hath been made, We meet together in a By-Chappel in Singing and Praying and this year about Two hundred Persons of these parts are not come to Confession. Last year it was publickly ordained That such persons, in whose Custody Lutheran or the like Heretical Books, should be found should forfeit Houses and Lands and the like Penalties have been inserted in the Leases of such as Live in the Jurisdiction of Patria[?]. It was likewise ordered by severe Penalties that no Saltzburger should be admitted into any House! It was also forbidden last year about Martinmas at Nicholas Town to the Roman Catholicks to converse negotiate or to travel with any Heretick! The Schools in such Towns where no Priests reside have been suspended and put down for no other reason but that the Children in Length of Time may be disabled from learning the Reading the word of God; They knowing how powerfully it worketh against their Superstition. In the Jurisdiction of Mühlstadt [Millstatt] the Priests always called our people Hereticks; Upon which at first, Five of them made a free Confession, and as they were asked What they did believe? Answered That they would by the Grace of God believe only according to the Holy Scripture. Then the Priest referred them to the Commandments of the Church, But they replied That they Trusted to be Saved only by the Holy word of God, as many Thousands since the Time of Christ and of the apostles down to this time were Saved. For the Gospel is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth. Romans 1. 16. As lately the arch Priest came to the Church, at the Visitation, It was read from the Pulpit that such as had any Thing to say in matters of Faith should come forth and appear. On the 6 of June last Four Score persons of the parish of Biberstein made their appearance and professed themselves to be of the Evangelical Faith according to the Confession of Augsburg; and on the 7th Ditto Fifty persons more, which were followed on the 14 June in the Parish of Margaret by above Twenty Persons and according to what we hear many many in other Jurisdictions are by the Grace of God to make open Profession of their Faith. Therefore we the openly Confessors of the Dear Evangelical Truth most humbly entreat for God his Sake Your Excellencies, according to your most laudable Zeal not unknown to the Evangelical Christianity, to be graciously pleased to take our Cause in Hand with the same Vigour as you have already done in behalf of so many Thousand other poor Emigrants and Evangelical Brethren of the Faith and to promote our Welfare and good Religious Cause according to your wise insight and your Influence by a Gracious Intercession. Dated the 4 July 1734.

Extract of a Letter written from Ischel upon the Ens in Austria the 6 July 1734.

As on the 12 June last it was Signified to the Forty Four Heads of Protestant Families by the I. [Imperial] Commissioners of Reformation of Religion That in Three Days they should go on Bord some Ships in order to be carried down to Hungary & Transylvania with Threatnings that there they should receive their Salaries²⁰⁷ and their rest. such of them as would not readily comply with that order but gave for answer That if his Imperial Majesty would grant them Liberty of Conscience in Hungary or any other Province of his Dominions they did not know why he could not grant them the same Liberty in their native Country; But if they should receive their rest in Hungary it would not be necessary to carry them to so great a Distance. They were ready for the Sake of the Gospel to receive it out of Hand here, were put in Irons and immdiately carried by water to Lintz; Viz. Aster, Thomas Tauber, Matthias Fischer Thomas Kayser Michael Kerfer Andreas Brumpelsberger Jacob Gädler Hans Bäer and Wolfgang Engelleuthner, and they were told this was done not upon account of Religion but for their Disobedience! Besides these Michael Köbel, Hans Kampel, Thomas Feüchtner, Joseph Heuschober, Hans Losserer and Balthasar Eckenreüther etc. are also put in Irons and in prison at Ischel. The others answered that they durst not fight against Power, but must Suffer whatsoever should be done with them; Moreover that they were as ready to die for the Sake of Truth in their native Country as in Hungary etc. which was interpreted by the Commissioners as their Consent to be transported and it was entered into the Register of the Court. All of them insisted on the words and Promises of the Count Von Serau chief Officer of the Salt office who at the beginning of these motions, before they had made open Profession of the Evangelical Religion and were written down as such, had not only exhorted them all to discover the Bottom of their Heart and Faith and to be no longer Hypocrytes with their Lips but had Promised them faithfully upon his word of a Count to grant necessary Passports and Letters of License to all such as should write themselves down as Protestants, in Order to go where they pleased. They said they had Served his I. Majesty their most gracious Sovereign truly and faithfully to the best of their power and did not know themselves guilty of any Crime committed in Civil matters against his authority, and that they could hardly believe it to be the Emperor’s Orders, to be used [treated] in that manner; For some weeks ago Two men were with the Emperor himself and delivered Him a Petition for obtaining Leave of coming out of the Country which Petition his Majesty received in an extraordinary gracious manner and told them he did not know what to do, there were in his Dominions very many such people; That after better peace He would once go into their Country to hunt there the wild Goats [Chamois] with them. Yet for all that, by order of the Commission of Religion, the above mentioned Persons, who spoke chiefly in behalf of the others, were sent to close Prison as above said and on the 4 instant, the remainder of them together with their Wives and Children even the smallest without allowing them the least Time for putting on their Cloaths, were taken at night out of their Beds and houses by some Bailiffs and Soldiers and carried to an uninhabited House belonging to the Government and there altogether locked up. Such of them as did not readily go along were unmercifully beaten and some of them tied by the Hands and Feet, particularly Stephen Hueber who remained Three Hours in that Condition untill the arrival of the Count and Governour and at the same time they were told that on the 12 Instant the Ships should carry them down the River, That such as had some small Things might put them into Small Chests and take them with them; such as had sold their Effects were obliged to deliver the money of the produce thereof to the Governour. Time must Show whether anything and how much thereof at their going off will be returned to them? They have had no work from the Salt office these Six weeks. neither have they obtained any Letters of Leave for withdrawing nor Certificates for shewing in Time to come upon what account they have been in that manner carried out of their native Country.

The Gazette printed in this Town on the 31st July last contained a paragraph dated at Vienna the 17th July last purporting that the 40 Protestants Families consisting of Three Hundred persons coming out of the Land upon the Ens in Austria went by there upon Five Ships, in order to be carried down to Ofen or Buda in Hungary and thence farther to Transylvania where they live among the Saxons Settled in that Country.

A Translation of a Letter from Mr. [J.] Reck dated at Ratisbon 22 July 1734 N.S.   No. 12768. N.B.²⁰⁸   30 July 1734.   To Mr. Henry Newman.

Sir: As I am not so happy as to be Master of English enough, you will excuse me that I answer you in french that I had the honour of your letter of the 25th of June inclosing my Nephew’s [Ph. von Reck’s] letters from Savannah Town. God be praised that he is happily arrived with the Saltzburg Colonists.

I hope he will stay there sometime and beg Sir you will exhort him not to think of returning so soon to Germany but that he would endeavour to recommend himself to the incorporated Society for Georgia that he may hereafter enjoy their Protection as the principal End of his Voyage. In Germany he has little fortune to hope for.

This is what I have wrote to him in the enclosed letter, which I beg you will put into his hand when he arrives in England.

Be so kind as to present him to our²⁰⁹ Court and to the Ministry as a Young man zealous for the Service of the King.

I remain with all possible respect

Sir   Your most humble and Obedient Servant   Reck

Copy of a letter from H. W. Guerdes London August 6, 1734.   No. 12771.   Read 6 August 1734.   To the Honourable Society.

Gentlemen: I am desired by three Successive letters of Christopher Ortman your Clerk and Schoolmaster amongst the Saltzburghers of Ebenezer in the Colony of Georgia to acquaint the Honourable Society in the most respectfull manner in his Name (1) That he is not able to take and till any land to his advantage, (2) That it will be absolutely impossible for him to subsist by a Salary of ten pounds Sterling per annum, particularly when the Provisions now granted to the Colonists will come to cease; and therefore to pray in his behalf that the Honourable Society would be graciously pleased, either to let him have his full Salary of twenty pounds per annum, (which he says was promised him at his appointment by the Honouble Trustees of Georgia, and will appear to be so by their Protocoll at their Office) all in money: or to give him such an Equivalent for that one Moiety of his Salary as they think will be of equal Value in Georgia to ten pounds sterling per annum.

Now as this man has been employed by me for six years past as a Schoolmaster and found by experience to be able to instruct Children and make them learn their book and Catachism with the greatest patience and application imaginable and therefore hath been recommended by me upon his repeated requests to the honourable Society for the Office he now enjoys: And whereas this man in all other Stations before has behaved honestly and faithfully, nay [and also] for his Services done to the Crown of England has been rewarded formerly with the Pension of Greenwich Hospital which he quitted because he would not live an idle life but serve God and his Neighbour as long as he was able; for which, if needful, the Testimonies of the Governours and Officers of Greenwich Hospital, and of his Grace the Duke of Montague, may be had.

I hope the Honourble Society will not think it impertinent in me, that I presume to beg that this honest poor Man may have favour and pity shown; and that the faults of his Wife’s quarrells may not be imputed to him, but He the rather more be pitied upon that account as he really deserves.

I shall not say too much if I add that any favour shown to him will be deemed by me as done to my Self; for if the Society should think fit to discard him the Charge will fall upon me, thinking my Self in honour and Conscience obliged to support him.

I beg pardon for the trouble I give to the Society by this letter and am with great respect

Gentlemen   Your Honours most obedient humble Servant
Henry Walther Guerdes

Translation of a letter from Mr. [Ph.] Reck dated Rotterdam 28 October²¹⁰ 1734   No. 12806.   Read 10 Sept. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Sir: Being arrived here the 20th Current I set out the 22nd for the Country of Cadzand; many reasons induced me to take this Journey which I shall have the honour to acquaint you with. Being returned but this day, I shall set out for Germany this Evening or if it please GOD without fail tomorrow morning.

From Frankfort or Augsburg I hope to let you know whether and when a Transport of Saltzburghers may be expected.

I beg you to make my Complements to Messrs. Vernon & Oglethorpe and if the latter please to send me a plan [map] of Georgia I shall be glad to receive it at Ratisbon. Mr. Reiche will not fail to put it into the King’s Packet. I am without reserve

Sir   Your most humble & Obedient Servant   P. G. de Reck

Copy of a letter from Mr. Ulsperger dated at Augsburg 6th September 1734.   No. 12807.   Read 10 Sept. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured and Dear Sir: Since my last letter of the 2nd of August I received the favour of yours of the 30 July; and in pursuance of the resolution of the Society, for sending a Transport of between 40 and 50 Saltzburgers to be conducted by Mr. Vat to Rotterdam, and from thence to Gravesend in the River of Thames in the Passage Sloops, consisting of the five Persons left here since last year, and of the friends and relations of such who went first to Georgia. I have ordered a short advertisement to be printed, and sent to several Imperial Towns where these People are dispersed, having fixed the 20th day of this month for giving their Appearance here in this town; and by that time I hope to be fully informed to the Number of such of them as shall be willing and ready to accept of this generous Offer of the Society, so that all possible Care shall be taken, that this Transport shall be in England by the latter end of this Month, Old Stile. Mr. Vat who presents his most humble respects to the Society and to your Self will be as frugal in the Expenses upon the road etc. as possible; and is expecting the Society’s full Instructions, how to deport himself upon his Journey and Voyage to England; as also a Passport from his Britannick Majesty for himself and the People of this Transport; which may be sent to Franckfort in Case it be not already sent thither, as it was mentioned in my letter of the 15th of July last. I have likewise received Mr. [Ph.] Van Reck’s Journal on the Voyage to and at Georgia, which you sent to the Baron [J.] Van Reck at Ratisbone, and a letter from Mr. [Ph.] Van Reck of the 6th of August acquainting me with his safe Arrival in England. I could have wished to have some letters of the Saltzburgers themselves, in order to print them with the Extracts out of the Journals of the two Reverend Divines and of Mr. Van Reck, I remain

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most obedient humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

P.S.: My Journey to Stutgardt, whence I returned on Saturday last, hath been the Occasion of so much Business to be done that I have not time to answer Mr. [Ph.] Van Reck’s letter, but I hope to be able to do it on Thursday next, in the mean time I beg the favour of you, Sir, to give him my humble Service.

Copy of a letter from Mr. Urlsperger dated at Augsburg 16th September 1734.   No. 12812.   Read 17 September 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured and Dear Sir: I received the favour of your letter of the 20th of August and hope you received my last of the 6th Instant. I have the honour to acquaint you that this moment twenty and one Saltzburgers came from the Imperial town of Memmingen, in order to go home [hence?] to Georgia for which Voyage they are very willing. For want of time I must referr the sending a list of them till next post; I dont doubt but Mr. Vat may go hence in eight or ten days. The royal Passport is not yet come to hand, but I shall procure one for him from his Majesty’s Envoys at Ratisbone, in such manner as Mr. [Ph.] Van Reck obtained One last year. The Societys Orders of being very frugal upon the Journey and Voyage were communicated to Mr. Vat, and he will certainly do all in his power to answer the expectations of the Society. He is expecting the Instructions of the Society, how to deport himself upon his Journey and Voyage hence to England. If those Instructions should not come to hand before his going, I’ll give him such as are in my power. But one thing is, Honoured Sir, which I desire of you Viz. that the Captain of the Ship, which is to transport the people, might behave himself better than the former Captain [Fry], for I find many Complaints in the Ministers Journals against him,²¹¹ There are two Families, One of two, and the Other of three Children, All the Others are single and most of them young People.

Mr. Van Reck is not yet come hither. I cannot omit telling You that the Roman Catholicks made not the least Obstruction for the admitting the said 21 Persons to come from Memmingen to be lodged in this City. I remain

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most obedient humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

Copy of a letter from Mr. Urlsperger Augsburg September 20th 1734.   No. 12826.   Read 24 September 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured and Dear Sir: My last was the 16th Instant. And if the Providence of God was made manifest in regard to the first Transport of Saltzburgers gone to Georgia, it doth much more shine in favour of the Second; for beyond all expectation, forty seven Persons, according to the inclosed list, have actually entered their Names and joyfully intend to undertake the Voyage, and I dont doubt but before Thursday next, their Number will be encreased to Sixty. Moreover they are people that make a good appearance and will be of very good use. As to their true Christianity concerning some of them to the number of 13 the inclosed testimony of the Reverend Minister of Lindau [Riesch] giveth a full Account. In the meantime a great Blessing attends Georgia by these people. And I earnestly beg of You that good care may be taken of them, and that the promises made to them be fully made good; for I have engaged my word for the due performance thereof.²¹² I beg particularly that good orders may be given concerning their transport to America. And since by Your letter of the 30th of July you recommended the going of the Transport with great diligence, Its departure is fixed to Thursday next the 23rd Instant. We are in hopes of receiveing by Wednesday next letters from England and the Instructions intended for Mr. Vat, as also his Majesty’s Passport. May the Lord of Hosts, who led Israel, also lead these honest people. I remain

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most obedient and most humble Servant   Samuel Urlsperger

P.S. My humble respects to the Society and the Trustees.

A List of the Saltzburgers embarked on Board the Prince of Wales for Georgia made out by Mr. Vat 29th October 1734.

5 Bartholomeus Riser, his Wife and 3 Boys²¹³

4 Thomas Bacher, his Wife and 2 Girls

4 Ruprecht Schoppacher, his Wife and 2 Girls

2 Ruprecht Kalcher and his Wife

2 Thomas Pichler and his Wife

2 Ruprecht Eischberger and his Wife

2 Matthias Burgsteiner and his Wife

2 Stephen Rothenberger and his Wife

2 Ruprecht Steiner and his Wife

2 Simon Steiner and his Wife

2 Adam Riedelsperger and his Wife

2 Veit Lemenhesser [Lemenhofer] and his Wife

2 Matthias Brandtner and his Wife

1 Ruprecht Zimmerman

1 Sebastian Glantz

1 Georg. Felser

1 Paulus Zietrauer

1 Georg. Bruckner

1 Paulus Lemenhesser [Lemenhofer]

1 Gabriel Bach

1 Car. [Carl] Sigmund Ott

1 Hans Michael Muggizer

1 Bartholomeus Zand

1 Georg. Kogler

1 Nicolaus Riedelsperger

1 Christian Reidelsperger [Riedelsperger]

1 Hans Madreüter

1 Jacob Schortner [Schartner]

1 Ruprecht Zietrauer

1 Sibilla Schawl [Schwab]

1 Veit Landfelder

1 Andreas Rasch

1 Georg. Sanftleben

1 Christian Hassler [Hessler, Hössler]

1 Gabriel Maurer

1 Hans Maurer

A Translation of a letter from Mr. Urlsperger dated Augsburg Sept. 23, 1734.   No. 12831.   Read 24 Sept. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured and Dear Sir: This day at half an hour past nine Mr. Vat departed hence with a Transport of 54 Persons amongst whom are but seven Children. They set out from my house, whither I had ordered every thing necessary to be brought. That Instant when the march began I received letters from Mr. Commisary [Ph.] de Reck wherein he acquaints me of his arrival at Ratisbon and promised to be with me this day or to morrow and bring the two Royal Passports which are arrived. But every thing being ready for marching I let it go on, and when Mr. de Reck arrives I shall advise with him about what is fit to be done in relation to Himself and other Circumstances. These people will give great Joy to the Trustees. What else has happened in relation to this Transport worth mentioning, I must defer to my next, being hindred to day by a great many other Occurrences in my Pastoral Office.

Mr. Vat begs that some Credit may be procured for Him and his Transports with some Merchants of Rotterdam and if possible with those Mr. Simon formerly recommended him to, the Names of whom I cannot in the hurry I am at present recollect.

I hope that this Transport will soon arrive at Roterdam, it being six weeks sooner than the first went off.

The Moiety of this Sheet I desire you to cut off and deliver it to Mr. Ziegenhagen because it is directed to the Gentlemen Ministers of Ebenezer [Bolzius & Gronau].

I have paid to Mr. Vat about 800 florins for the discharge of the Expences of the Transport between here and Frankfort, having enjoyned him to husband the money every where in the best manner he can and to give a particular account of all Payments.

Besides this Mr. Van Munch has been so good as to procure Credit for Mr. Vat at Frankfort and Cologn.

And whereas I have before advised you in my letter of the 15th February of this Year; that I had then no more than 942 florins 21 creutzers in Cash as a remainder of my Georgia Cash, and whereas I have Since the 4th March last (including the aforesaid 800 florins and all the maintenance of Mr. Vat for 9 months past) disbursed more than 1080 florins; nay on behalf of the Georgians now departed have paid some what more than mentioned.

Therefore you see that not only Georgian Cash is quite exhausted, but likewise that I have been obliged to make use of part of the 1000 florins, which I had else reserved for the Benefit of the Emigrants in general and the maintenance of some Children of theirs here received. I remain

Honoured & Dear Sir   Your most humble Servant   S. Urlsperger

Translation of Mr. [J.] Recks letter dated at Ratisbonne 16 September 1734 N.S.   No. 12833.   Read 24 Sept. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Sir: I had the Honour of receiving about a Week ago two of your acceptable Letters the 1st and the 15th of August O.S. congratulating me on the happy return of my Nephew [Ph. von Reck], from Georgia and to assure me that my letter was delivered to him at his arrival but that nothing could dissuade him from hazarding a second Transport for that Country of which he had undertaken with the Approbation of the Society.

You do him too much honour Sir in heaping so many Praises upon his Conduct and the happy Success of his Commission. You have likewise the Goodness to add to it the Testimony of his Excellency Governour Belcher to Your Self and his Son too advantageous for the small Services he has done.

I am very much pleased that Mr. Oglethorpe is of the same mind and entirely approve of the resolution that my Nephew has taken for the Glory of the English Nation and of the Society.

Your second letter which I find my Self honourd with is of the 20th of August O.S. accompanying one of mine wrote to him supposing he had been in London.

You repeat to me the agreable News that my Nephew is on his way hither since the beginning of this Month and that he is furnished with a Pass from his Britannick Majesty to return to Georgia with another Colony with which I am very glad because it perfectly answers my Wishes. May GOD bless this glorious design. Since he left London I have no news for him but expect it every moment; as for the rest, I am very much obliged for the advice you give me of your Function which will serve for my future direction and I flatter my Self with your favour and Protection of my Nephew which I recommend to You and remain with all mine heart

Sir   Your most humble and obedient Servant   J. Reck

Translation of a letter from Mr. [J.] Reck dated at Ratisbonne 27 September N.S. 1734.   No. 12835.   Read 1 October 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Sir: It was the 21st of September N.S. before I had the honour of receiving yours of the 29th August O.S. inclosing the two Passports for my Nephew [Ph. von Reck] and Mr. Vat; And as I had then the pleasure of having had my Nephew at my house since the 19th September I had a good Occasion of putting into his hands his Majesty’s Passport and the letter accompanying. He only stayed for that to go to Augsburg to concert with Mr. Urlsperger the means and time of undertaking a new Transport of Saltzburgers for which Service he set out the 23rd September where he arrived the day following according to the letters I received yesterday: And as Mr. Urlsperger believes that he has already People enough for that purpose I hope he will soon be in a Condition to set out for Georgia. I find him very zealous to execute that laudable design with the help of GOD of which he himself will more amply satisfy You. I remain

Sir   Your &c.   Reck

Copy of a letter from Mr. John Vat dated Franckfort 4th October 1734.   No. 12838.   Read 1 October 1734.²¹⁴   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured Sir: I don’t doubt but the reverend Mr. Senior Urlsperger hath acquainted you with my leaving Augsburg on the 23rd of September last, having under my Care 32 Men, 14 Women; 4 Boys and 4 Girls, under 15 Years of Age; Their Baggage being put upon two Waggons, a Messenger on Horse back went with us thro Donawerth [Donauwörth], Dünckelspiel [Dinkelsbühl], Rothenburg, as far as Wertheim where we took the Water, and thence came hither in two days, GOD be praised, and every one in good health. As I could not get a proper Barge for Holland at Wertheim, I bought one here on Saturday last, which is filling up, and I propose to go down the main [River Main] this afternoon, and hope to be at Holland in Eight or ten days. Mr. [Ph.] Van Reck having sent by an Express which overtook us near Dünckelspiel [Dinkelsbühl] His Britannick Majesty’s Passport acquainted me at the same time that Mr. Walters [Wolters] at Rotterdam had Orders from the Society, for providing us with proper Shipping for our Passage from thence to Gravesend and I suppose he is also empowered by the Society for supplying us with Moneys necessary to our Passage. I received at Augsburg from Mr. Urlsperger between seven and eight hundred florins and I intend to take up here of Messrs. Van Münch five hundred Guilders more.

The Prince royal of Prusia and the Russian Auxiliaries passed yesterday thro’ this Town coming from the Army on the Rhine and are incamped within Cannon Shot of this Town.²¹⁵

Mr. Degmair Candidatus Ministerii of Augsburg, who some time ago was Preceptor to Mr. Urlspergers Children, and hath been very usefull to him in transcribing and translating English and French into the German Language having been proposed to me by Mr. Urlsperger to be our travelling Chaplain till we should be at Rotterdam, I readily agreed to defray his Expenses on the Voyage, and as he seems enclinable to see England, I humbly submit to the Consideration of the Society whither [whether] it will be proper to invite him for going with us to Gravesend? I believe such an Invitation, as to a Gentleman of fine parts in Divinity, will be conducive to enlarge the Interest of the Society; And I beg leave to subscribe my Self

Honoured Sir   Your most obedient & most humble Servant
John Vat

Copy of a letter from Mr. Richard Lowther at Rotterdam 8th October 1734.   No. 12840.   Read 1 Oct. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Sir: Your favour of the 20 Sept. I received, and observe the Contents; as soon as the Saltzburgers arrive, I shall be ready to give them all the Assistance in my power and put them on board such Sloops where I am sure the Commanders will use [treat] them well. The price per head to Gravesend will not I believe exceed five Shillings; they must provide their own Provision, and sleep between Decks for that price. Here is a poor Family, a Man, his Wife, and three Children from Philipsburg,²¹⁶ lost all they had and obliged to wander for their bread, they are Lutherans, I fancy they would be glad to be transported to Georgia if the Trustees and the Society will give me leave I shall put them on board with the Saltzburgers. Pray you Sir, present my most humble Service to Sir John Philipps, Mr. [Erasmus] Philipps, Mr. Vernon and the other worthy Gentlemen of the Society. You may acquaint them, whenever the Trustees or the Society think I can be usefull in forwarding any of their good designs they may freely comand me. I am, Sir Your most obedient humble Servant Richard Lowther P.S.: I shall be glad to have your answer as soon as possible to know whether I may send the poor family from Philipsburg with the Saltzburgers.

Translation of a letter from Mr. Urlsperger dated Augsburg Sept. 27 N.S. 1734.   No. 12847.   Read 8 Oct. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Sir: By my last letter you have seen that a Transport of 54 Persons did depart from hence the 23rd of this Month. The next day Mr. [Ph.] de Reck arrived here from Ratisbonne and took Lodging in my house that we might the better confer with one another. I sent after Mr. Vat the Royal Passport with some Admonitions hinted by Mr. Reck. I proposed to have sent to you to day an exact Account of the Transports but the Occurrences of my Office have taken up all my time. The chiefest of what I must mention now is that the new Transport may not be sent to the Indies²¹⁷ without a Conductor. Mr. Vat has often been asked by me if he had a mind to go to Georgia and used to answer he should not refuse going if he should receive a Call for it.

Mr. [Ph.] de Reck is yet a while necessary in Germany partly that we may confer with him, partly that he may see if a new Transport might not offer to be conducted by him. He is else still resolved to return to Georgia. As soon as I shall hear what Mr. Vat took up at Frankfort or Cologn on my Credit I shall let you know it that the Bill of Exchange to be sent from London hither to Mr. Munch may be proportionable to it.

To day the Transport arrives at Marchstehl [Marksteft] where it is to embark for Frankfort. GOD preserve the good People that they may arrive in Georgia in due time as a great Blessing. The Presence of Mr. Van Reck gives me a great deal of Pleasure. This very moment arrives two Saltzburgers here, one a Bricklayer and the other a Carpenter, desirous to go to Georgia.²¹⁸ They are good men and have good Testimonies about them and are Brethren, but I doubt whether they can still be sent after[.] I conclude and remain

Sir   Yours &c.   S. Urlsperger

P.S. by Mr. [Ph.] v. Reck: Sir: I take the liberty to add a few lines and a letter to Mr. Vernon which will let you see the State of our Affairs. It goes too hastily so that I cannot conduct this transport and see you again before winter but it must be as god pleases. I am without reserve,

Sir   Your very humble & most obedient Servant   Reck

Translation of a letter P. G. F. de Reck dated Augsburg October 4th N.S. 1734.   No. 12851.   Read 8 October 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Sir: To give you an Account of the State of our Affairs in Germany I have the honour to acquaint you (1) that the Transport arrived the 30th last N.S. at Wertheim where they lay to embark upon the Mayne [Main], and if it please GOD will be in two days at Frankfort. (2) That Mr. Vat will conduct them if the Society please to Georgia. (3) That I am this day going to Saxony and Brunswick. (4) That I am always ready to obey the Orders of the Society, either to stay this Winter in Germany or to follow the Transport cost what it will till they arrive at London; or to conduct towards next Spring a Third Transport and to perform every thing that shall be enjoyned me (5) That Monsieur Count Sinzendorff [Zinzendorf],²¹⁹ whose Portrait the Reverend Mr. Zeigenhagen can better give you than I, wishes to send some of his People to Georgia: (6) That Count Spangenberg will go on his part to London to conferr with the Honourable Society and Trustees for Georgia on their Propositions. God prevent all the [omission]²²⁰ which may happen to Georgia[.] We commend you entirely to his Bounty, and for the rest we recommend to you as much as we can the request of Mr. Zwiffler and the Salary of the Preachers which are delivered to Mr. Vat (who I suppose will go to Georgia for he won’t leave his Charge) that every thing may be done according to their desire. If you please to communicate this and the other Letter to Mr. Oglethorpe and to the Honourable Society. Procure for me from Mr. Oglethorpe a Plan of Georgia. There is a little general Chart of the coasts of Georgia Carolina and Cape Florida engraved at London. I should be glad [if] you would send me two Copies together with the Plan above mentioned from Mr. Oglethorpe which shall be presented to the King²²¹ and Mr. Urlsperger. These may be of good Service. If you have any other particulars concerning the Indians be pleased to communicate them. When you favour me with a letter please to send it to Ratisbonne or Augsburg[.] Mr. Urlsperger salutes you respectfully and I beg my Complements may be acceptable to Mr. Zeigenhagen. I am   Sir Yours &c.   Reck

Copy of a Letter from Mr. John Vat dated at Cologne Oct. 11, 1734.   No. 12854.   Read 11 Oct. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured Sir: I had the honour of writing to you from Frankfort the 4th of this month and gave you an account of our safe arrival at that town, where two Saltzburgers came from Lindau by the way of Augsburg, and we got on board our Ship on Tuesday the 5th. We were detained by high Winds at Höchst on Wednesday, and at Mayntz [Mainz] by the imperial Commander of that Town from Thursday at Noon till Friday morning at eight of the Clock, and now we are come to this Town, GOD be for ever praised, in very good health. As soon as I shall be dispatched by the military and civil Officers I intend to proceed on our Voyage and I hope to be at Rotterdam in few days and to receive there your Commands I am

Honoured Sir   Your most obedient & most humble Servant
John Vat

P.S.: On Monday morning at 10 of the Clock as the Post for Holland goes tomorrow from Cologne I shall send this Letter from Suntz²²² being 15 Miles English nearer to Rotterdam[.] I cannot sufficiently express the Satisfaction I enjoy with my fellow travellers who are the finest of all Saltzburgers that went this way, if Credit is to be given to the respective Custom House Officers and I am sure the Society will be pleased with the Sight of them. Dusseldorff on Tuesday at 7 of the Clock in the Morning the 12th of October 1734.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Vat dated Rotterdam Oct. 19, 1734.   No. 12856.   Read 15 Oct. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured Sir: I suppose my last from Dusseldorf is by this time come to your hands, and I beg leave to give you a short account of our Voyage from Franckfort to this time. We left that town the 5th Instant and came to Hoëhet [Höchst] and were there detained by high Winds and heavy rains the 6th all day; the 7th we came to Mayntz [Mainz] by 8 of the Clock in the morning but the Governour of the Emperor would not let us go till the 8th at 8 of the Clock, and the Master of the March Ship going every day at 10 Clock from Francfort to Mayntz and vice versi by virtue of an old Privilege revived within these six months exacted sixteen Creützers per head which I declined paying till I had been with Mr. Stubenrauch, Member of the Privy Council to the Elector, who told me that it was resolved that I should pay the said Shipping which seems to be an unjust Duty altho’ the Ship was bought at Francfort. However Ships coming from any Port above Francfort are exempted from paying that Duty. Then having hired a Pilot we came that Night to Caub; the 9th within a League of Coblentz the 10th to Cologne where I dismissed the Pilot of Mayntz, and took another for conducting us hither: the 11th we passed by Santz, the 12 Dusseldorf and Zaysersworth [Kaiserswerth] at which last town the Custom House Officers would not let us proceed till I had paid them one Gold Ducal [ducat?] for the People’s Bagage over and above all other Duties, particularly Brandzoll in two Offices, which tho very unjust is required arbitrarily in all Roman Catholick Places, as Perquisites belonging to the respective Custom House Officers; It being to no manner of purpose the contesting with them serving only to prolong the delaying of Passengers, and it cannot be avoided but by having free Passports of the respective Sovereign bordering on the Rhine which perhaps upon succeeding Transports might be obtained by applying for them at Ratisbonne; This would save a good deal of time and Charges. The 13th we got to Ruhrort where the Prussian Custom house Officers gave us a free ticket for several Places as far as Emmerich but we were detained at Orsoy two nights and one day by high contrary winds. The 14th we made Wesel, and got in the Evening to Emmerich, where at that time my Lord President of Cleve happened to cross the Water in his return to Cleve whilst we went over on the other side, however we overtook him in his Coach and he very graciously ordered the Officers to dispatch us without going to Cleve, by which we saved a Journey by Land and the Charges thereof. The 15th we came to Scheallschans, there the Dutch Officers remitted us Brand Zoll and gave us a free Tickett as far as Arnhem, but the Officers of this last place made us pay Brand Zoll in two Offices. The 16th we came to Wick,²²³ the 17th we passed by Schonhoffen [Schoonhoven], and arrived in perfect good health at one of the Clock within half an hours walk of Rotterdam. As it happened to be on Sunday we could not come before the Magistrates till yesterday Noon and having readily obtained leave of our Boat coming into the town, on Condition that our people should not go begging in the Streets, they got into this town by four of the Clock. The Prussian and Dutch Officers every where excepting Arnhem were exceeding kind and obliging particularly Mr. Wrick at Wick²²³ requiring only a small matter for the Custom House Servants. We enquired of Capt. Hewers the price of our going in his Sloop and he was pleased to ask fifteen Shillings per head, and Capt. Christian seven Shilings and Six pence but as Capt. Wm. Thompson Master of the Two Brothers North Carolina built for 150 Tuns offered by the mouth of the Reverend Mr. Horner to carry us for 5 Shillings a piece hence to Gravesend we agreed to it and gave him time till Friday to get his Ship in readiness and we have to go on board tomorrow. Messrs. Curtone have offered to comply with the order of Messrs. Simonds concerning the Credit the Society are pleased to give me and I shall make use thereof as I shall be in want. At my coming to this Town I received the favour of your Letters of the 24th September and 1st of this month by the hands of Mr. Walters [Wolters] who has been as well as Mr. Lowther, very obliging, and it is with their Approbation that Capt. Thompson has been pitched [picked] upon. Inclosed is the List of the Emigrants now with me to the Number of 56 and Mr. Degmair is very glad of having an Opportunity of presenting his respects to the Gentlemen of the Society. I hope the Society will get a permit of the Commissioners of the Customs for their Officers at Gravesend that we may be dispatched & kindly used there. I am very glad to hear that the Prince Frederick²²⁴ Capt. Dunbar is appointed to carry the Indian King²²⁵ and his family together with our Saltzburgers directly to Georgia; but the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger has mistaken my declarations concerning my going to Georgia, for as he and several other Gentleman, and some of the Saltzburgers were asking me, whether I would not go to Georgia? My answer was that if it were necessary upon the Society’s enquire for a proper Person not to be found I should not scruple to go on the Voyage notwithstanding my weak Constitution of Body, but that I could not give a full answer till I should have the honour of waiting upon the Society in London, and I am still of the same opinion; and could wish the Society had a proper Subject to go along with these honest people. Wherever they went people of the respective Places declared, they never saw so fine a Transport of Saltzburgers.

I am   Honoured Sir:   Your most obedient and most humble Servant   John Vat

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Richard Lowther dated at Rotterdam 19 October 1734.   No. 12858.   Read 15 Oct. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Sir: Your favour of the 1st October O.S. I received, and as the Society are not at Liberty to send the poor Philipsburg family, I will endeavour to support them here till the Spring and send them to Philadelphia, whither they would rather go.²²⁶

Last Sunday Mr. Vat and a Clergyman [Degmair] arrived here, they left the Saltzburgers about an hour from this town, but yesterday they all arrived here in perfect health, they are in number 56. Our trading Sloops would not take them to convey them to Gravesend for less than three half Crowns per head, but we have met with an Irish Master bound for London, that we have agreed with to carry them for five Shillings per head, they providing for themselves. I think it cheap, all their Baggage is included: the Masters name is Wm. Thompson the Ship is called the Two Brothers. Mr. Horner who I perceive is known to the Society recommended the Master[.] He promises to use them well; By our agreement he is to sail next Friday if the wind be favourable. He is to be paid for 54 You may assure the worthy Gentlemen of the Society (to who I desire you will present my humble Service) my good Offices shall not be wanting to Mr. Vat and the Emigrants under his care, whilst here. I am   Sir   Your most humble Servant

Richard Lowther

Copy of a Letter from Mr. D. Wolters dated at Rotterdam 19 October 1734.   No. 12859.   Read 15 Oct. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Sir: The inclosed is a letter which Mr. Vat gave me just now for you by which you will see we had the good luck to meet with a Ship that is going home to England empty. We are agreed at five Shillings a head for the Passage of the Saltzburgers the Cabins of Mr. Vat and the Minister included, which is reckoned very civil for no Sloop would have taken them under seven Shillings. They are to take their own Provisions.

We have been, Mr. Vat and I, to the Magestrates to desire leave for to have the Saltzburgers in town which will be much more convenient for them than being at a mile out of town where all foreign Transports are obliged to stay and after some Considerations I had the pleasure to obtain it.

We thought fit to leave them in their boats till the Ship is ready to take them in, which will be much less expensive and quite as convenient as having them in a private house on shoare. The Capt. has engaged to sail a Friday next if the Wind permits.

I am with a true regard   Sir   Your most humble and most obedient Servant   D. Wolters

P.S.: If you are so kind to put a direction over my letter to Mr. Gravius at the Post Office at the Briel they cost me very little Postage.

No. 12865.   Read 15 October 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.   A Letter in High Dutch from Mr. Samuel Urlsperger dated at Augsburg in Germany 11 October 1734. [Listed but not copied in the Newman Letterbooks.]

A Letter in High Dutch from Mr. Samuel Urlsperger dated at Augsburg in Germany 18 October 1734.   No. 12865.   To Mr. H. Newman.   [Listed but not copied in the Newman Letterbooks.]

A Letter in High Dutch from Mr. Urlsperger dated at Augsburg in Germany 28 October 1743.   No. 12865.   To Mr. H. Newman. [Listed but not copied in the Newman Letterbooks.]

Translation of Mr. Urlsperger’s letter to Mr. Vat Augsburg Oct. 14, N.S. 1734.   No. 12865.   Read 15 October 1734.

Dearest Mr. Vat: Having asked last monday Parson Degmayer what he thought of it in case the honourable Society should think fit to offer to his Son at his arrival in London to conduct in Conjunction with Mr. Vat the Transport unto Georgia, and return and he having answered that he could not consent to it for many weighty reasons therefore let it be known to his Son.

Last monday I wrote to Mr. Newman and as none of his letters are come to day I have nothing to acquaint you with except that the Arch Bp. of Saltzburg continues his Persecutions and from time to time some single Persons arrive here and at Ratisbonne, banished out of their native Country and fined a great deal of money for no other Cause or reason than the finding some Evangelick Books about them and their refusing to abjure the Protestant Religion, of whom we have received in our Evangelick Alms House but a few days ago a married woman driven away from her husband and Children for the reasons above mentioned.

What has been promised out of the Evangelick Cash at Ratisbonne is not yet come to hand but the Envoy M. [J.] de Reck has assured me yesterday of its coming by the next Opportunity. I must beg of you Mr. Vat to endeavour to bring it about amongst those Trustees of Georgia who are our friends that the Lands allotted for the Saltzburgers in Georgia may not be restrained to descend only to the Male Heirs²²⁷ but descend a like to the female Sex, and this particularly for this substantial reason, that the Women as well as the men have been exiled for the sake of Religion and therefore ought not to be deemed deterioris conditionis less worthy; besides that else the Widows and female orphans of such families as are destitute of male heirs must needs be Beggars.

Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck has brought a long with him several Letters among which there are two happily fallen into my hands written in such a manner as would have given occasion for many Calumnies.²²⁸ One was written by one Braunberger but he is a Saltzburger and the letter was styled by that wicked man ROTH the other was a little more moderate, but very imprudent too.

I desire therefore (1) you would speak with Mr. Ziegenhagen that he may send all letters and Packetts from Georgia immediately to me. (2) that you would speak with Messrs. Bolzius & Gronau and desire them partly to reprove Braunberger and Roth for the writing such a Letter; Partly to admonish the people in general that they may raise no clamours against the Country they are in by their imprudent letters; and for that end to look over the letters before they are sent from thence.

The Parents of M. Degmayer not being to give their Consent to his Voyage for Georgia he must content himself with it.

I know God Almighty will work the more amongst you by his Spirit and excite some amongst you to perform the spiritual office of Deacons to their Children.

But, dear Mr. Vat, you have no Father or Mother, that hinders you from going to Georgia. You, You will go along with my Children: You, You will shew Moses’s faithfullness towards them and bring them to that Country GOD almighty has allotted for them. Go but cheerfully and be not afraid, but believe that Jesus who was with his Disciples upon the Sea will be also certainly with you: Go therefore to my Brethren of Eben-Ezer in Georgia, Mr. Bolzius, Gronau, Geschwandel, Mosheimer [Mosshamer], and tell them that I wear them in my heart and pray for them incessantly. All my house saluteth and blesseth You and I remain for prayers for you till death.

S. Urlsperger

P.S.: Pray make my best respects acceptable to the Honourable Trustees and Society and other Friends and Patrons. I dont know whether I told you that Mr. Belcher Governour of New England did send me from Boston a very hearty letter by Mr. [Ph.] de Reck to which I intend to return an answer next monday if possible because I still keep my bed.

To the Congregation of Eben-Ezer in Georgia.   No. 12865

Dearly beloved Children: As a father rejoyceth on account of his Children living in foreign parts, when they do well and are sweet savour to others, and as he likewise heartily grieves at the hearing of their not doing well, or that they become by their wicked life and Conversation an ill Savour to others so have I likewise in part rejoyced heartily when I heard of the wonderfull Providence of God attending you, and how the greatest part of you have been in good earnest working out their Salvation: but in part it has grieved my very heart when I have been told from time to time that some body or other of you not acknowledging the ways of God and his Benefits bestowed upon you but grieving and scandalizing others by their disorderly and sinfull Behaviour.

To you therefore of the latter sort I do call saying. Return O! ye going a stray and let the word the tears and the zeal of these faithfull Servants of God living with you have their Effect upon you for this purpose; for then the Lord will not hide his face from you for he is mercifull and will not be angry eternally; but acknowledge your Crimes that you have sinned against the Lord your God: Make hast and save your Souls that you may not fall into Judgment of GOD and men.

But, to you who have been hitherto the Joy and Crown of your Teachers, I do say, Go on in the good way you have begun with[.] let no body alter your Aim; avoid all deviations as well to the right as to the left. Take heed of bad Christians as well as Heathens that you may not Be ensnared nor fettered by any of them. Do constantly look by faith on the Lord Jesus; pray without intermission, love the word of God; use frequently the Lords Supper for the strengthen your faith; labour willingly; be patient and meek to one another, be afraid of nothing but Sin; let the Helmet of Hope not be taken from your head; have ye care of all false Liberty; let no predominat Vice be told of you; be lightning and burning Lamps a Salt that all the blind neighbouring Heathens may be salted with; Ease your Ministers in their Office as much as you can, for I love your Ministers more than my own Brothers, the manner they have hitherto laboured in with your Souls I approve entirely.

The letters of Moshammer and Huber I have received with Joy but wonder that Gsirandel [Geschwandel] and Riedelsperger who are able to do it did not write to me. If I can serve you in any thing let it be known unto me for I [omission] my self in Love obliged unto you till death; But know ye that I shall believe of no Body that he loves me if he dont before all and above all Love the Lord Jesus. Keeping my bed at this time I have been obliged to dictate this Letter else I should have written it with my own hand. I recommend you all to the infinite mercy of God and remain untill death sincerely praying for you. S. Urlsperger

Copy of a Letter from Harman Verelst²²⁹ at the Georgia Office Westminister 18 Oct. 1734.   No. 12869.   Read 22 Oct. 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: Please to speak the following Parcells of Seed to be parcelled in 42 parts each which I shall distribute on board to each Person wanting them which Mr. Oglethorpe thinks the most proper method Viz.

Sir John Philipps recommended Mr. Pacell a Seedsman near Bartlet’s Buildings in Holborn. Desire him to send them to the Trustees Office for Georgia and a Bill of Parcells next monday at 12 to            Sir   Your most humble Servant   Harman Verelst

P.S. If the Medicines and Grocery are not ordered how to go on board; they may as well be ordered to the Trustees Office at the same time to go with other things. Let the Medicines be markt G x C. Medicines and let a Bill of Parcells come with them. I have one of the Grocery Mr. Palten in Milk Street Market sent me.

Copy of a Letter from Dr. Guerdes dated London 16 Oct. 1734.   No. 12873.   Read 22 Oct. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured Sir: The Consistory of my Congregation has determined to day (1) That 25 Guineas be distributed to the Saltzburgers in their name viz. 10 Shillings per head for every grown Person and 5 Shillings per head to the Children. (2) That I shall distribute this Benefaction in their Name.

Nay they have even dispensed with my Attendance on their Sundays Service, so that I may go down now, and stay even of a Sunday if required, provided no other hindrance arises. I therefore beg the favour of you to let me know of the Arrival of the Saltzburgers at Gravesend as soon as you hear of it, and likewise if or when you know when and where the Gentlemen are to meet that I may not miss of the Opportunity of going with them and be no hindrance to their going but be ready to wait on them. I am with due regard

Sir   Your very affect. Friend & Servant   H. W. Guerdes

Copy of a Letter from Mr. John Vat dated at Rotterdam October 22, 1734.   No. 12878.   Read 25 Oct. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured Sir: I had the honour, on the 19th Instant of giving You an Account of our safe arrival at this town on Sunday last and of our having agreed with Wm. Thompson Commander of the Two Brothers 150 Tunns, North Carolina built, for carrying to Gravesend for five Shillings sterling per head, which is the lowest price we could expect to have it. As the weather was very bad all this Week excepting this day the said Thompson’s Ship could not be cleared as yet between decks, however we are to go on board of her tomorrow; in the mean time our People dine and lye in the Barge that brought them hither, and we all long for a fair Wind for Conveying us to England being all in very good health. If the wind holds at S.W. till Sunday next Mr. Degmair is to preach a German Sermon to our people, in the English Episcopal Chappel, the Reverend Mr. Lowther having generously proposed that Service. This hath exceedingly rejoyced our Young divines²³⁰ and I hope it will be a great Satisfaction to the Reverend Mr. Senior Urlsperger and to the Body of the Protestant Ministers at Augsburg where the Reverend Mr. Senior Weidner, two days before our setting out thence preached an excellent Sermon to our people whom I headed to the Church of St. Ulrich and after divine Service was over he distributed One florin a piece to all of them that had entered their names in my list being money of the Clergy at Augsburg, and the next day after a most excellent Sermon preached by the Reverend Senior Urlsperger the Protestant Magistrates of Augsburg by the hands of the Clergy gave also one florin to each person old and young and Mr. Burgomaster Morel, who is a zealous and hearty friend to the Saltzburgers, was so kind that morning we set out to give his direction for loading our people’s Chests and Baggage, consisting in thirty four Chests Boxes or Trunks. I beg the favour of you Sir to obtain a permit of the Custom house of London, for the Officers at Gravesend, that we may not be at unnecessary trouble at visiting our Baggage, for I can affirm that there is nothing else but what is to be necessary for wearing for our people and some provisions.

The Duke of Richmond got yesterday safe to the Hague and I hear he intends to return to England by the first fair wind.

I also beg the favour of you honoured Sir to make my respects acceptable to all the Gentlemen of the Society and all my old Acquaintance and I beg leave to subscribe my Self

Honoured Sir   Your most obedient & humble Servant   John Vat

Copy of a Letter from Mr. John Vat dated at Rotterdam Oct. 26, 1734.   No. 12878.   Read 22 October 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured Sir: Since my last of the 22nd I received the favour of yours of the 11 Instant, and I received this day six hundred & sixty Guilders Current money of this Country of Messrs. Courtone & File [Fils] & Denormandie of this Town, which you will be pleased to reimburse to Messieurs Simonds et Freres Merchants in London. We got our people on board on Saturday afternoon, and Capt. Thompson promises to go down to morrow morning with the tide to Helvoet Sluys and if this wind be favourable we hope to be at Gravesend in few days. Messrs. Lowther and Wolters who have been very kind to us present their humble Service to You and I remain

Honoured Sir   Your   John Vat

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Ziegenhagen Kensington Square October 4, 1734.   No. 12882.   Read 4 October 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Dear Sir: Reading over again the Letters from Messrs. Bolzius and Gronau I find they desire some few things which I wonder I have so long forgot viz. 3 Pair of Tongs and 3 Shovels[;] Some quantity of Sugar, Soap & white Starch[;] A Travelling Bed. If it is not too late I should beg the favour of the Society to grant this small request. I am

Dear Sir   Your humble Servant   F. Ziegenhagen

Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. Vat dated at Gravesend 2 November N.S. 1734.   No. 12884.   Read 24 Oct. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured Sir: We came this Evening at 5 o’the Clock to an Anchor before this town in good health[,] after we sailed the 31st of last month from Helvoet Sluys we got the next day into Oxford Road and did not heave Anchor till this morning the wind being favourable all this day. Mr. Mayor of this town [Haffenden] hath been so kind as to present the Saltzburgers with the Charges of Postage of Letters, and as you order the going of the Saltzburgers to the Red house at Deptford, Capt. Thompson proposes to go up tomorrow and I must postpone the pleasure of waiting on the Society till the Saltzburgers shall be on board the Prince of Wales.

I am   Your most obedient & most humble Servant   John Vat

Translation of a Letter from G. Reck dated in the Dutchy of Mahren [Moravia] Oct. 7 O.S. 1734.   No. 12890.   Read 5 Nov. 1743.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Sir: I send you the inclosed Letter for Mr. Vernon to which I refer You; I humbly beseech you to communicate it to both the illustrious Societies. I hope to see you soon (if it please God).

I am till death   Sir   Your most humble & obedient Servant
G. Reck

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Vat London Oct. 29, 1734.   No. 12895.   Read 5 Nov. 1734.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Sir: I humbly request the Favour of the Society to give my hearty thanks to the Reverend Mr. Senior Urlsperger, Mr. Burgomaster Morel, and the Reverend Clergy of Augsburg, as also to Mr. Von Münch of Augsburg and Messres. Munch of Francfort and likewise to the Reverend Mr. Lowther, Mr. Walter [Wolters] and Messrs. Courtone of Rotterdam for their great Civilities to the Saltzburgers and to my Self.

It is humbly desired to send a Box to the Reverend Mr. Senior Urlsperger at Augsburg by means of Mr. John Herman Zur-Hurst Merchant in London containing Six pewter Dishes and twelve Plates weighing 38½ lb. as a present to Mrs. Urlsperger; and desired; likewise that Mr. Wolters give advice whether Mr. Tervin of Amsterdam hath paid by order of Mr. Horner f 10, 11 [10 florins 11 creutzers] for beer put on board the two brothers not called for on John Vat when he was on board the said Ship but is allowed Mr. Horner as paid by him.   Yours   John Vat

Copy of a Letter from Mr. John Vat dated at Deal in Kent November 6, 1734.   No. 12899.   Read 12 November 1734.   To Mr.H. Newman.

Sir: Having Sailed from Gravesend on Friday last the 1st Instant, we did not come into the downs till this day at Noon[.] God be praised all excepting one of the Saltzburg men in good health, and I received the favour of your two Letters of the 31st of October, and that of the Reverend Mr. Ziegenhagen of the 2nd Instant to whom I sent this day by our Pilot two sermons sent him by Mr. Stockmeyer of Autgard [Stutgard] which I could not find whilst I was in London. The Packet is recommended to Mr. Simond.

Sir Francis Bathurst²³¹ having got a dangerous wound about fourteen days ago by hitting his Shinbone on board the Ship; I have dressed it every day, and applied Shour’s²³² Balsam of Augsburg, and it is in a fair way of doing well provided he takes Care of it. The Ship is so crowded with People & Baggage that I can hardly find room to write any thing. The Capt. and Tomo Cha-Chi [Tomochichi] return the humble Service to You. We are waiting for a fair Wind and I am   Yours &c.   John Vat

P.S.: Pray my very humble Service to Mr. & Mrs. and the Reverend Mr. Hales as also the Reverend Mr. Wilson and to all the Gentlemen of my Acquaintance. I desired my Nephew Nicholas Watt²³³ who lives with Mr. Lightbourne in Ironmonger Lane near King street in the City, to fetch a Brown Coat with brass buttons at Mrs. Giles’s and to carry the same to Mr. Simond and if you send any thing to deal before we sail I beg you will send also the said Coat.

The Lying in Woman [Mrs. Schoppacher] doth extraordinarily well and all the Saltzburgers present their most humble Thanks to their Benefactors, and the Reverend Mr. Degmair to whom I beg the favour of giving my humble Service.

Copy of a Letter from John Martin Bolzius at Ebenezer in Georgia 13 July 1734.   No. 12900.   Read 12 Nov. 1734.   To James Oglethorpe, Esq.

Most honoured Sir: The many favours and benefits you have paid upon me and all the Saltzburgers hath occasioned my writing to you, and I hope your generous good nature will excuse it when these lines cause any hindrance in the urgency of your affairs for that should render us worthy of blame if we dont let you understand that we account our Selves happy in your favour and tender Care towards us and our prayers are daily for your Health and Welfare. We have it already cast in our minds to bring to our father in heaven many Sacrifices of Thanksgiving so soon as we are informed you have finished your Sea Voyage in good health and prosperity. God reward you thousand times for all your Goodness presented to us in the former time and let all your good Councels and weighty affairs redound to the Publick Good and welfare of many poor people. We will make it the future Business of our Lives by the grace and assistance of the Holy Ghost to be no ways behind in Gratitude towards God and all our Benefactors. I cannot but let you know by this that through your fatherly Care and order Mr. Causton has sent for the Saltzburgers very sufficient Provisions and gave me daily several testimonies of his tender regard to us, which is as we see and hear very tedious to the People at Abricon [Abercorn]²³⁴ and Savannah wherefore they spread out very many lies and ill things against the Saltzburgers Viz. that they were all given to Laziness Drunkenness and several disorders and were not worthy of so many benefits. I and all persons which are much conversant with these people are obliged to report well of them that they dwell in the fear of God, practise soberness and all other Christian Virtues, and labour so earnestly that some of them have by much troubles and heavy work brought Sickness and Death upon themselves.²³⁵ Five Men and two Women are deceased and some of them have been till now deadly sick. Therefore seeing that we do not find a great abatement in our Congregation we pray you will after your beloved kindness be carefull that some more Saltzburgers may come to our place as soon as possible because a greater number of hands shall ease their burden and very difficult works. Untill this time they are constrained to do several Works which hinder them very often in building their own houses and tilling the Ground. They have put into the Ground some Indian Pease, corn and other Seed which they received from Mr. Causton in abundance, but no more, as the said Pease and some English beans and cucumbers grow up. I believe the seasonable time of sowing was past or the seed is supperannuated[.] As for Mine and Mr. Gronaus health thanks be to God it continues as heretofore and of our livelihood we have no reason to complain. The Indians haunt [visit] us and tell us several words of their Language which we note and learn by heart. So soon as we can quit the Business which are without our vocation we will do our utmost endeavour to learn the said Language after which we have a hearty desire and delight. We wish earnestly that some family might dwell among us in Ebenezer and rest in hopes our wishes shall be by you and Mr. Causton’s Care successfull. I have no more to add than that my Colleague Mr. Gronau gives his humble respects to you and so with my heartiest and best wishes I close up this and am evermore with the greatest respects most honoured Sir

Your most humble Servant   John Martin Bolzius

P.S.: Mr. Roll [Roth] gave me the inclosed Letter to send it to you and desire that you Sir grant him leave and license to return to Germany by reason he cannot work in the Ground after the Testimony of all the Saltzburgers.²³⁶

A Copy of a Letter from Mr. Peter Simonds in Nicolas Lane London.   No. 12912.   Read 23 Nov. 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: I little expected the Complaints that have been made that the Saltzburgers are ill accommodated on board my Ship the Prince of Wales; I hope that when you’ll have heard what I have to say, you’ll own they are groundless, and justify me from any such frivolous Assertions.

The Ship’s Burthen is 200 Tuns, built on purpose to carry with Conveniency a great number of Passengers; She is 6½ foot high in the Steerage, and 5 feet high between Decks. So large a Ship and of such a Built might contain very easily 150 Common Passengers, whose Passage is paid upon the common footing; if they were to be heaped upon one another as the Palatines²³⁷ it might have contain 300 and these pay however as much as the Saltzburgers. To give more ease and air to the Passengers on board my Ship, and particularly to the Saltzburgers we built Cabins with little Beds along the Sides of the Ship only, and left all along in the middle an empty space 9 feet broad; a thing never practized in the fitting out a Ship for Passengers, where the Owners had their own Interest in view.

Those Cabbins built round the Ship in the Steerage & between Decks, were to contain 118 heads, putting two in the uppermost little Beds and three in the lowermost, I had limited my Self to that number being resolved thro’ a principle of honour and humanity to lay aside any Consideration of my own Interests.

We had kept in the Hole sufficient Room as we thought for the Baggage of the Saltzburgers, little imagining that those poor Emigrants would have any considerable quantity; but the truth is that when they came on board they brought such great heaps that they did not know where to put it all; the Hold was soon filld, the rest was put in the space between Decks that had been kept clear for the Conveniency of the Passengers, nor was this sufficient till they had beat down the Cabins that had been built in the Fore Castle which were to hold 12 persons; this Expedient was the sooner resolved upon as Mr. Detzius²³⁸ and Mr. [Peter] Gordon and their families consisting in 11 Persons, said they would not go the Voyage; however they met the Ship at Gravesend, which occasioned some disorder, the Cabins that had been built for them having been beat down; but why had they been beat down, was it not for the Sake of the Saltzburgers and their Baggage, why then do they complain, when they are the occasion of the Inconveniences other people suffer.

I have in that Ship but 5 Tunns of Beer and two Mill Stones that serve for Ballast, so that ’tis filled up entirely with Provisions and Baggage. I had prepared Some Goods for Georgia and Purrysburg, but perceiving there was no room in the Ship I have sent them to Charles Town per Capt. Pick to whom I have paid 50 s per Tun freight.

I dont know why it is intimated that there is in the ship 14 Passengers more than the number I agreed for which they say was 120. I don’t know that I ever agreed for any fixed number, I indeed said, that if there were not at least 120 Passengers I should be a Looser, and this is but too true, but I always expected there would be more since there were Cabbins built for 118 in the Steerage and between Decks besides those in the great Cabbin.

According to the muster made at Gravesend by Mr. Verelst there are in all in that ship                     Heads 124 5/6²³⁹

Out of which deduct those that are in the Cabbin and State Room viz

So that there is but 112 5/6 in the Steerage and between Decks[.] there were places for 118[.] if they were afterwards taken away those must be blamed for whose Baggage the Cabbins were beat down, not I.

I should have gained £ 200 on the Voyage to Charles Town & my Ship would have been there ready to take in her Loading for London.

That is 105 £ loss to me which added to 200£ that I might have gained makes 305 difference and my Ship will be at Savannah where contrary Winds and other Accidents may detain her a long while, before She can reach Charles Town to take in her Lading, as it has happened to all the Ships that I have hitherto sent there. ’Tis true that if it pleases God to give her a short passage, there will remain some Provisions that may make some amends for a part of my loss but that is very uncertain.²⁴⁰

You see then, Sir, that it is not the desire of Gain that makes me undertake these Embarkations, which besides are exceedingly troublesome, and you may easily judge that acting as I do in a view far from mercenary, I must be extremely affected with the reproaches that are groundlessly made me, I hope, Sir, they’ll not alienate the friendship you have always honoured me with, which will make me ample amends for the Injustice done me, as I am conscious that I in no ways deserve blame. I am Sir

Your most humble and most Obedient Servant   P. Simonds

P.S.: I wish those Gentlemen who complain would inquire if a Ship of 200 Tuns which has 6½ feet high in the Steerage, and 5 foot high between decks, and built purposely for Passengers, may not very easily contain 125 Passengers when there is nothing else in the Ship but their Baggage and provisions and whether, those Passengers paying but 5 £ a head, and nothing at all for the Baggage with which they fill up the Ship and being nourished & accomodated as those are, the Owner can come off without loss; they’ll find they are much in the wrong to complain. And indeed I had rather another would undertake it for the future.

A Copy of the Translation of a Letter from the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger dated Augsburg 8th November 1734 N.S.   No. 12915.   Read 23 November 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured & Dear Sir: Two Bohemians who Some years ago left their Country for Religion Sake are arrived here, and by recommendation of an eminent Count of the Empire, applyd to me in order to make their Complaints of what they suffered on Account of their Country men who for Religion Sake are in Prison. What they told me, and I could give Credit to, I have caused to be set down in writing, and send it inclosed to the Honourable Society, since they have often desired me to communicate to them what happened in regard to Sufferers for Religion and Emigrants. It contains Examples that are terrible to read. The two mentioned Bohemians intend to go to Ratisbonne in order to see whether there is any help for them. These two have several times ventured to go into their Country in order to save some, which they also happily performed. God send these Persons some help. I have heard nothing from our Transport since the 26 October from Rotterdam; I hope they are well arrived. I salute Mr. Vat, Degmeyer and the Colonists & remain Tuus totus S.U. P.S.: in Carinthia 2000 have declared themselves Protestants of which more in my next.

An Account of the Persecution of the Protestants in Bohemia. No. 12915.

In our Country viz. in the Kingdom of Bohemia, especially in the Dominions of Opotsch, Leutomyshel and Neustadt, are many Protestants, but dare not discover themselves for fear of being severely punished. Since two years ago, in the Dominion of Opotsch in the König-Grätres Circle [Kreis Königsgrätz], some discovered themselves by a Petition to their Superiors that they were no Roman Catholicks but Protestants, and therefore humbly begged liberty to edify each other in private, which they also immediately made a Beginning of, in praying, singing and reading the Word of God in private Houses, but they were put in prison, where 60 persons of them are kept to this hour,²⁴¹ notwithstanding some of them agreed with the Roman Catholick Clergy in some articles[.] Those who for Conscience sake leave their Country and all what they have, and go to places where Protestants are tolerated are in danger of being taken up by the way and put in prison and beaten till they discover others their Brethren, who are treated in the same manner, and the Prisoners have no hopes of being released, since we have not one Example that any hath been set at liberty unless he hath wronged his Conscience and denied the truth of the Gospel. The Wives of those men imprisoned in the abovementioned Dominion of Opotch were going to petition for their Husbands at Praag or Vienna, but they were hindred from it. Many perish in prison, an Example of which is John Tlaska’s Wife, who upon the road leaving her Country, was taken up brought to Neustadt and put in prison, where She being big with Child, brought forth Twins, and for want of Assistance, perished with both Children. Other Examples more this kind, we are willing to give a true account of either by word of mouth or in Writing. When any of those who have left their Country, and actually settled again in other Countries, and for some necessary Business return into their Country and are apprehended, they are likewise unmercifully beaten and put in prison. This puts the rest of the Protestants, thro’ out the whole Kingdom, in such fear that none of them declare the religion in their heart, but are continually troubled with Scrupel of Conscience. Because now no Protestant is permitted to go out of the said Kingdom, to seek for help for their Souls and Consciences, and the mean people, who mostly are concerned in these troubles do not understand the German Tongue, nor are capable of taking good Counsel We two Emigrants, Tobias Bernhard and John Sommerbrodt, born in Bohemia, have resolved, since many particular Circumstances, and the great Sufferances of our Brethren is known to us and goes us to heart, to try whether it was not possible upon Earth that some Body would pitty them, and assist them in such a manner as is right before God and Men.

Out of the Dominion Lytomishel, belonging to the Count of Trautmansdorff

Watzlaw Erespivoa, an Inkeeper, and his Wife, have been put in prison about two years ago, and his house and goods taken from him, and are in prison to this hour. The Village where he lived is called Znedossyna.

George Wostrowskj, born in Ezezalsche, hath been beaten very hard and afterwards made a Soldier.

John Anderle, Geo. Bzizschka, Nicolaus Dolezal, born in Hermannitz, and John Penitzschka from Syrneden these four have had the same treatment as Geo. Wostrowski, and afterwards been forced to be Soldiers.

Syrezeck, hath got above 200 Stroakes. The Enemies of Truth have a Chest, in which is a Hole so big that a Man can put his head thro’ it. Upon this Chest the Sufferers must lay themselves down and put their head into the hole, which afterwards is shut close that the poor peoples crying out when they are beat, may not be heard.

Nicolaus Anderle, a Brother to the abovementioned Anderle has likewise got 200 Stroakes and so violently that his Shirt stuck to the Flesh and afterwards he was put into Prison, and left there not cured of his Wounds till Maggots grew in the foul Flesh upon his Back; after that he is set at liberty, but is very weak and miserable.

Nicolaus Butner, hath likewise been beat in the same manner, and these two viz. Nicolaus Anderle & Nicol. Butner when they were set at liberty, they were obliged to pay 40 Guilders fine and give Security. A certain Countryman’s Daughter, namely Stemadi, who hath a Sister living in Saxony, resolved to go to her Sister, but She was taken up, and after having also got 200 Strokes, put in prison. She hath afterwoods got her liberty, but is very miserable yet on account of the Stroakes. She hath been set at liberty with this Condition that she should pilgrimage and thereby do penitance for her Sins, but being so unmercifully beaten, that She cannot stirr nor move, her Brother was obliged to take the Pilgrimage upon him in her place. Two other Girls who were resolved to go away with the aforementioned, were also betrayed, and these were likewise beaten and put in prison together with their Parents. The father of one of these two is a Smith, who for fear that his Business should be taken from him, was forced to pay 40 Gilders fine, besides give Security, and promise that never he would let come such thoughts more into his head.

Two Brothers namely Ezapkya had also a Brother in Saxony who once visited them and exhorted them earnestly to embrace the Protestant Religion. Afterwards it was known that their Brother from Saxony had been with them, and gone away again but these two were immediately arrested and forced to pay, the one of them 250 and the other 200 Guilders, and give three Men for Security that they never would leave their Country for if they did these three men Security should in their place loose their Estates and be driven out of the Country.

A Countryman namely Benetsch from a Village called Zlubeyso was put in prison together with his Wife because his Wife’s Sister who lives in Saxony had wrote a letter to them, and they should confess the Contents of the Letter, wherefore they both were beaten insomuch that the Child which his Wife was big with died in her Belly.

Penizschka, born in a Village Syrneden, and his Son and Daughter were accused of having Protestants Books by them, which they were forced to deliver, and afterwards unmercifully beaten, especially the Daughter, so that her Breast is mortified.

In the Dominion Opocinzki, belonging to Count Rudolfa Skoloredj²⁴² a Schoolmaster namely Dautz, because he had wrote the Petition above mentioned for 400 Persons that would joyn to edify one another, was unmercifully beaten, insomuch that he sounded [swooned] away, and after that boyling Water was thrown upon his Body and then put into Prison where he is to this hour.

Some of the 400 Persons after they were brought by the Soldiers from the Village to the City in order to put them in prison, and whilst others were carried thither, they were brought into the Walch [watch] houses and put under the tables and Benches; and when the Officers came in they mocked them; among other Games they had with them, they tied their Canes with their hairs and then tore them out again with great force; besides this barbarous Treatment the Officers bid them to bark at them under the table like Dogs, and to sing the Hymn: “Welcome Cross, with all my heart etc.”

Sixty of these 400 Persons are still in prison, the rest have abjured the Evangelick Doctrine out of fear; but not [now?] they are troubled in their Conscience and find no rest.

In the Dominion of Neustadt belonging to Count Lessel a Smith and his Wife living in a Village called Prowodow left their Estate worth about 4000 Guilders and went away. When this was known they were persued and taken, but the Husband escaped, and his Wife being with Child could not but was put in prison, where she brought forth Twinns, but being left without Assistance, She together with the Children died in great misery.

Besides, it is to be observed that all those that have been set at liberty have been obliged to give Security.

New Bond Street 22 November 1734.   No. 12915.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: You’ll find here enclosed the Account sent by Mr. Urlsperger but without any Corrections, for Mr. Wilson and I could not meet about it as yet.

It is my Opinion that this Account should not be handed about in the name of the Society,²⁴³ before we have a Confirmation of it from abroad, because in the very Book Mr. Urlsperger sent to us relating to the History of the Emigration of the Saltzburgers, I find an entire Chapter treating of Impostors that have pretended to great Sufferings for the Sake of Religion till they were found out, so that we cannot be too cautious in the publication of such Accounts.

Be so good to acquaint Sir John Philipps with what I say here and present my most humble respects to his Honour   I am   Good Sir   Your very affectionate Friend and Servant   H. W. Guerdes

Augsburg.   No. 12920.   Read 26 November 1734.   To Mr. Hen. Newman

Honoured and Dear Sir: The following Accounts from Carinthia and Saltzburg show how Affairs stand here. The archBishop of Saltzburg hath lately declared, by his Envoy at Ratisbonne to the Envoy of Holland Mr. Gallieris, that he will permit the Emigrants who are gone to Prusia Holland or elsewhere, to sell their Effects left behind them, On which account the Evangelick part of the Magistrate at Augsburg have actually wrote to Mr. Ploto the Prussian Envoy at Saltzborgh, in behalf of the Saltzburgers who are here, desiring him to take Care of those Effects belonging to them, according to the Letter of Attorney sent him; Query whether something is to be done for our Georgians, who doubtless have also left something behind them! Mr. Goebel Prussian Counselor who is likewise to go to Saltzburg, in order to assist Mr. Ploto hath offered himself in a letter to me to take the Georgians Part in case it was required, as I have mentioned some months ago.

The two Bohemians namely Tobias Bernhard & John Somerbrod,²⁴⁴ after they had lodged 10 days incognito in my house, and privately received many Benefactions from the Protestants here, are yesterday gone by water to Ratisbonne. The Envoy Mr. [J.] Von Reck will assist them as much as possible. They are true Confessors, and I was very glad to harbour Christ in them. Pray Sir, if Mr. Vat is with you yet, tell him that they have lodged in his room. In my next I shall send a farther account of them. Having had no letter yet from London I have heard nothing about the Transport since the 26th October N.S. Sat cito si sat bene. I remain honoured and dear Sir; Tuus totius [sic]

U.

P.S.: For certain Reasons I have this time used another Seal, and caused the Superscription wrote by another hand.

Translation of an Account from Carinthia dated the 7th September 1734.   No. 12920.

There being in our Country about Two thousand Persons who publickly have declared themselves Protestants, and perhaps some more will do the same, we suffer very much of the Commissioners, as well Spiritual as Temporal, who continue to throw Protestants in prison, which now amount to 30 or 40 persons, three of which are shut up in a Stable, and young men they starve, and say unto them: forsake your heretick Religion and then we will give you Victuals. Many of us have also suffered much of the Penitance— Preachers,²⁴⁵ notwithstanding that by a Committee, and as they say by the Emperor’s Command, it hath been published from the pulpit, that those who declare themselves Protestants might go to their respective places, and have their names set down; Accordingly a great number did, but yet from time to time some were fettered and two Waggons full at once carried from the Court at Spateria to Klagenfurt into prison: besides Seven Countrymen, some unmarried Persons and Jacob Haffel, Matthias Zwang and Windelbaum; and Simon Sigil and Joseph Schwollinger are now above two years in prison. Besides they threaten to banish them and to sell their Effects, which Rigour hath caused that nine Persons are fled into the Woods where they live miserably.

The Fathers of Families which are known to be Protestants and stayed in Cammeryuth [Kammergut] when other Protestants left their home, amount to three hundred and fifty nine Persons their Families included; and Thomas Lasserer, because he went to Vienna to receive the Sacrament in the Protestant Church, lies fettered in prison since a quarter of a year ago, and has been told that he must remain there till his Cause has been heard and made out.

A Declaration of a Saltzburg Woman concerning the hard proceedings against her and her Husband who remained there after her. No. 12920.

Elizabeth Stuchlebner, who came from Berlin hither and expected her Husband to meet her here, but according to his desire went to Oettingen, and from thence to Johannis, arrived here again the 14th September, and declared that after She had been with her Husband at Johannis 14 days she had been betrayed, found out, brought to prison, and kept there three weeks, during which time she had been twice examined, and her Husband pressing her to stay with him in that Country, and She refusing it, the Officers had taken her from her Husband, without speaking one word more with him, and brought her to the Boarders of Bavaria, and then was forced to pay to them 2 Guilders and 30 Krentzers. Moreover she told that her Husband had been obliged to pay 200 Guilders fine for having lodged the Messenger Andreas Pohre, who had brought letters from his Wife and another Woman here, Anna Hirnbacher, two nights and not informed the Magistrate of it and the other Man 100 Guilders.

Translation of a further Account of the Two Bohemians.   No. 12920.   To Mr. Newman.

A year ago Tobias Bernhard went to his Country Bohemia and took with him from thence a Widow with 6 Children. Two years before that time her Husband was resolved to leave that Country, but he fell sick and died; after his Death his Son took possession of the Estate, but three months after he left it, and went out of the Country with his Mother & the rest of his Brothers and Sisters, and the aforesaid Man conducted them. It was midnight when they set out from the Village, and travelled all night without any hindrance, till daybreak, when they met with some Hostlers, who took them to be Thieves because they travelled by night, and some of them carried Bundles upon their Backs, wherefore they stopped them; But Tobias Bernhard talking with them he made room for his people to escape; the Horslers set after them, but returned soon, and said to Bernhard, it was enough they had him, and He should give an account of the rest. They also sent immediately to the Judge in the next Village, in order to fetch a Man whom they suspected. In the mean time Tobias Bernhard spoke to them saying: God Almighty would call them to an account for what they were going to do to him; if he should be put in prison, his Sighs would not be good for them. This and other such talk more, frightned them, and they said to each other if they had known that before, they would have let the Man pass, and not sent to the Judge. But an old Soldier who, near that place, watched a pease Field, came to them, and this being a wicked man, they were afraid of being betrayed by him, wherefore they asked Tobias Bernhard to give them money to satisfy the Soldier for fear he should betray them. He having no more about him than two Pieces of seventeen Kreutzers gave them to them, wherewith they were satisfied at last, tho’ at first they had asked 4 Ducats, and they let him go, and bid him make hast that he might escape the Judges hands. He went away full of joy singing aloud the Hymn, Let us praise the O Lord &c whereby he was known to his Companions who stayed for him in a Forest.

Twelve years ago the Enemies took a man up in the fields, namely Christian Sommerbred [Sommerbrodt], a Miller by trade because he had protestant Books, and went to their meeting, whom they put in prison, besides 6 persons more from the Village Moraschitz. In prison he was examined very sharp, and asked about those that were gone with him to the meeting; and because he would not confess, he was punished with 50 Strokes. Three days after he was examined again, and he not confessing then, he got two hundred Strokes. Three days after this he was examined the last time, and he not confessing yet, he suffered 250 Strokes, which made him swoon away, then he was carried into an Office and layd behind an oven where he lay half a day senseless; after which they laid a Cloth dipt in vinegar upon his back which recovered him, but immediately he was brought into prison again, and was forced to remain there 13 Weeks: And since they could get nothing out of him, they sent him, together with 6 other persons, to Praag, two and two tyed together and thrown upon a Waggon, and then forced to be a Soldier for 9 Months, after which time his own Wife purchased his freedom; He then went home, but did not stay there above three days, after which He, his Wife, and four Children left their Country. Two Children they left there with their Grandmother, one of which, viz. a Son, they fetched away in two years after and the other, a Daughter, is to this hour, with the Grandmother and cannot get free, because the Grandmother will then loose all what She hath and be likewise banished.

At the Fustigation their hands were tied upon their backs, and their Heads laid upon their Knees, then a Stick put between the Arms and Knees, so that the Back may be the better exposed to receive the Strokes.

A year and a half ago the following Persons left Bohemia, born in a Village called Hermanitz, Frantz Anderle, Tobias Martineck, and a Widow named Gauckin with four Children; And because they were forced to go out privately, they could take nothing with them of their Goods, but trusted all their Household Goods to one named Martineck, Father to the aforesaid Tobias Martineck, in hopes to get them conveniently when opportunity happened; for which purpose they hired a Waggon last Summer this present year in order to fetch them; but before the Waggon went, the news came that all was betrayed in Bohemia, and the Goods taken away by the Magistracy, and the Man, who had taken them into Custody, was put in prison. Immediately this good man’s moveables and immoveables were seized on among which were 200 Guilders Orphan’s Money belonging to the four Children of the said Widow Gauckin, and in prison he was told, that if he would have his house and goods again, he must buy them of the Magistracy, else he would never have them again nor come out of prison. Two months ago some persons came from Bohemia and said that this Man was then in prison.

A man, namely Briddel, from a Village called Zworlowist, was last Summer put in Prison, beaten and forced to pay 40 Guilders fine. His Daughter left her Country a year ago, and happily escaped into Lower Lusatia. This present year about 8 Weeks ago She returned thither to see her Father, because he had promised her to go with her, but the misfortune happened that She was catched, and immediately brought before the Magistracy, and put into the same Prison where her father lay, and hath twice been beaten.

Old Palace Yard November 19, 1734.   Read 31 December, 1734.   To the Reverend Mr. Samuel Wesley at Epworth near Gainsboro in Lincolnshire.

Reverend Sir: I am very glad to find by yours of the 7th Instant that you are upon recovery after your long Illness. I ought to thank you for the kind Concern you express for the Welfare of our Colony. You are very much in the right that an Inundation of Rum would be the destruction of it; to prevent which we have given very strict orders for staving all Rum that shall be landed there, and also to stop the allowance of food and all other Benefits from such Persons as shall venture to sell any Rum. Our people do not go at all upon Sugar Canes; their labour at first was taken up in building Houses, next in raising Provisions; as Corn, Peas, Potatoes and other Garden Stuff Fruit Trees, Poultrey, Hogs and Cattle of which latter they have a large Stock, having now near 500 head in the Colony. The bringing these things to perfection takes up a great deal of time, considering there is a great deal of timber upon the Land which must be cut down. It is true they convert the Timber to use, splitting some for fencing withall, cutting up some to sell for building and pipe Staves and some for fireings. They do not grub the Roots of the Trees but dig between them and let the Stems stand and rot. They have very good Crops in this way which saves a great deal of Labour in grubbing & in a few years time the Roots will rot and come up easily. When they have got every thing round them so as to live comfortably then it will be time enough to think of Exports. Wine, Oyle and Silk will be the Staple Commodities and we have already Mulberry Trees, Olives and Vines in the publick Garden to furnish the people with Plants as soon as they are ready to receive them.

We should have been very happy had a man of your Spirit health enough to have gone thro’ the labours of a Missionary, for I can assure you Sir, that we have not found any one who is qualified for that difficult Office willing to undertake it. Though the Indians are mighty desirous to hear Instruction, and have high Notions of a Deity, yet we could not prevail upon any one of a good life and pious Conversation to go and live amongst them. We have one Clergyman²⁴⁶ in the Town of Savannah and he has so much Business amongst our own people that he has not been able to apply himself to the Indian Language nor can he be of any Service in instructing them, for whosoever would succeed in instructing them, must like them undergo a voluntary Poverty, must live with them in hutts, have all things in Common, abstain not only from Vice and Excess, but from all things that give Scandal; must bear equal hardships with them, learn their Language and teach their Children. They say that when God is pleased to instruct them he will send a man proper to do it. As for their Language they have two kinds, One which is a vulgar Dialect, different in each Town, the other a general Language common to the Creek Nations the Chactaws and the Blew Mouths, which if thoroughly searched into would (I believe) be found to be the radical Language of all America. In this Language are the Songs which contain their History and sacred Ceremonies. In their History they have an Account of deluge, that their Ancestors formerly inhabited great Cities, had Reading and Writing and the use of Shipping. That they came from the Setting Sun, over a great Sea of Salt Water, & that in process of time the Men in their Infancy minding hunting and neglecting Learning they fell into their present Ignorance. It is too long to give a particular Account of their Religion; but in short they believe the Immortality of the Soul and expect an Instructor & Mediator.

I had the Lord’s Prayer translated into their general Language of which I send you a Copy. The New England Bible is in the Dialect of a particular Nation that lived where Boston now is and of no use but to that particular Nation.

I am   Reverend Sir   Yours   James Oglethorpe

Wroot December 5th 1734.   To the Reverend Mr. [Samuel] Wesley at Epworth.

Honoured Sir: The Account of Georgia which you were so good as to communicate to me out of Mr. Oglethorpe’s Letter gave me a great deal of Pleasure, particularly what relates to the Indians, that they are very desirous of Instruction have high notions of the Deity, believe the Immortality of the Soul and expect a Mediator which I could not but look upon as an excellent Foundation whereon to build the saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ.

That God should throw into our way a people so predisposed for the Reception of the Gospel, looks like an especial call from Providence to our English Clergy to glorify their Master in a more than ordinary manner, by enlarging the Kingdom of Christ, and I cannot but consider it as a very great Talent put into our hands, which it is highly incumbent upon us to improve.

Since that time my heart has been labouring with a Design, which I am almost afraid to disclose, lest it should be thought the Effect of Youthfull Rashness (my Age being only about 26) but being pressed with weighty reasons on the other Side I now resolve not to smother it: It is a design of going over thither, if I can get leave of the Lord Bishop of London, and the honourable Gentlemen abovementioned in order to trye what can be done by the Grace of God towards instructing the Natives in our holy Religion.

Whether I am qualified for such an undertaking I dare not say. I have a Constitution naturally pretty strong and for the first Seventeen Years of my life was enured to as great Hardships of Cold, Heat, Labour, etc. as almost any I have known, which makes me think I should be better able to bear the Difficulties of that kind which a Missionary must expect to undergo, than many others. I think I have an indifferent good Notion of the Christian Religion in general as it is contained in plain and indisputable Texts of Scripture, in our Articles, Creeds, and Church Catechism, and that seems sufficient in the present Case, for nice and controverted points in Divinity I cannot suppose needfull but rather very improper for those with whom I should have to do. And I hope I shall be the firmer in my Principles, as I have examined the most important points, both of natural and revealed Religion with all the freedom of thought and impartiality I was Master of. As for Courage I flatter my self that there are several Instances in my life which show I do not altogether want [lack] it, when I have any matter of Importance upon my hands, and surely nothing can be of greater Importance than the Salvation of so many Souls, to any one, who considers the inestimable worth of them, or the price their Redeemer paid for them: And, as for learning the Language of the natives, having Youth, and a tolerable Memory, I hope I shall not find any great difficulty in that. But what I reckon most considerable of all is, that since the Death of my beloved Wife, I have no Attachment either to the World in general or to my own Countrey in particular.

This is what account I am able to give of my Self, but as every one is an improper Judge in his own Cause, I desire to refer it to your determination who well know my Life, my Abilities and Capacities, whether I be in any degree qualified to be of use in an Affair of this nature.

As to the point, whether my resolutions be the effect of youthfull Heat & Rashness, I can only say I have weighed the matter, with as much deliberation and impartiality as I am able, and that I am at present firmly fixed and heartily willing to leave my native Countrey, with all the pleasures and advantages of it, in order to bring Glory to God, and promote the Salvation of men, besides which I have an additional reason drawn even’ from worldly Prudence (tho’ I hope I should have no need of it to determine my Choice) namely that a Life of action and labour would not only much conduce to my health, but would also prevent that drowsiness & Indolence which in an unactive State I am apt to fall into.

If I go over, I believe I can prevail with one or two of my acquaintance, gentlemen of great piety and Spirit, to go over likewise, if there is occasion & assist in the Glorious Enterprize. I rather chose to communicate these things to you because you have been, thro’ your whole Life remarkable for your Zeal to promote the Glory of God, and the good of his Church and so I have reason to hope you will encourage a Disposition towards it in others: Wherefore I take the boldness to desire you if you approve of my design to use your Interest for me with proper persons in this Affair, and if it succeed to my Wishes tho’ the Glory I would have all given to God, yet the Reward of bringing many to Righteousness will in good measure be yours, and if it does not succeed, you will still have the reward of desiring and endeavouring it. This is what I thought proper to acquaint you with, and may he who is infinite in knowledge direct us to what is most conducive to the Glory of his name and the Good of Mankind.

I am   Honoured Sir   your obedient Son²⁴⁷   John Whitelamb

P.S.: Should I go into Georgia I should think my Self much obliged to act punctually according to the Instructions I should receive from wise and experienced Men in England, & to live among the Natives & accomodate my Self to their manners as Mr. Oglethorpe proposed in his Letter.

Epworth December 7th 1734.   No. 12972.   Read 7 January 1735.   To James Oglethorpe Esq. in Old Palace Yard, Westminster.

Honoured Sir: I can’t express how much I’m obliged by your last kind and instructive Letter concerning the Affairs of Georgia, I could not read it over without Sighing (tho’ I have read it several times) when I again reflected on my own age and infirmities which make such an Expedition utterly impracticable for me, yet my mind workt hard about it, & ’tis not impossible but providence may have directed me to such an Expedient, as may prove more serviceable to your Colony than I should have ever been.

The thing is thus, there is a young man [John Whitelamb] who has been with me a pretty many years and assisted me in my work of Job, after which I sent him to Oxford to my Son John Wesley Fellow of Lincoln College, who took Care of his Education where he behaved himself very well, and improved in piety and Learning: then I sent for him down, having got him into double Orders, and he was my Curate in my Absence at London where I resigned my small Living at Wroot to him, and he was instituted and inducted there; I likewise consented to his marrying one of my Daughters, there having been a long and intimate friendship between them, but neither he nor I were so happy as to have them live long together, for She dyed in Child bed of her first Child. He was so inconsolable at her Loss, that I was afraid he would soon have followed her, to prevent which I desired his Company here at my own house that he might have some amusement and Business, by assisting me in my Cure during my Illness. ’Twas then Sir I had just received the favour of yours, and let him see it for his diversion, more especially because John Lyndal and he had been fellow Parishioners and School fellows at Wroot and had no little kindness one for the other. I made not great reflection on the thing at first, but soon after when I found that he had thought often on it, was very desirous to go to Georgia himself, and wrote the inclosed Letter to me on that Subject, and I knew not of any person more proper for such an Undertaking, I thought the least I could do was to send the Letter to your honour who would be so very proper a Judge of the Affair, and if you approve of it, I shall not be wanting in my Address to my Lord Bishop of London or any other, since I expect to be in London my Self at Spring to forward the matter as far as it will go.

As for his Character I shall take it upon my self, that he is a good Scholar, and sound Christian and a good Liver, has a very happy memory especially for Languages, and a Judgement and Diligence not inferior. My eldest Son [Samuel, Jr.] at Tiverton has some knowledge of him concerning whom I have writ to him since your last to me: My two other his Tutor at Lincoln [John] and my third [Charles] of Christ Church have been long and intimately acquainted with him, and I doubt not but they will give him at least as just a Character as I have done. And here I shall rest the matter, till I have the Honour of hearing again from you, and shall either drop it or prosecute it as appears most proper to your maturer Judgment. Ever remaining

Your Honours   Most sincere and most obliged   Friend & Servant   Sam. Wesley, Senior

Old Palace Yard Westminster.   December the 25th 1734.   To the Reverend Mr. Sam. Wesley at Epworth near Gainsboro in Lincolnshire.

Reverend Sir: I received yours with great pleasure and could not help thinking of good Evander

sed mihi tarda gelu saeclisque effæta senectus

Invidet imperium seraeque ad fortia vires

…..spes et solatia nostri

Pallanta adjungam²⁴⁸

like the old Hero, not able to assist himself, your longing Soul looks out for one whose youth and Capacity renders him proper for the undertaking. I can assure you that it was with great Joy I heard of a man indued with that worthy Spirit and true Christian Zeal which both his & your Letter expresses him to be. If his resolution be not took up in hast, and as soon laid down again, he may be the happy Instrument of Salvation to many thousands. He must consider well before he undertakes so great so glorious but at the same time so difficult and dangerous a Task. There are not only the Hazards and Inconveniences of a Sea Passage to be gone thro, but when he arrives there he must be prepared to meet with the difference of the Climate and the want of all Luxuries, and now and then of some necessity. The Air is clearer and more piercing, the Heats in Summer greater, and the Colds in Winter less raw, and lasting than in England. There are also Gnats and Flies which are troublesome to the face, and little red Vermin called Potatoe Lice which in Summer time crawl up the Legs of those that lie in the Woods, and if scratched raise Blisters.²⁴⁹ There are also Thunders and Lightnings in Summer, but with them there are violent Showers of Rain which greatly refresh the Earth, and cause a fragrancy superior to the most blooming Spring in Europe. Besides these Inconveniences he must also expect much Gainsaying from Men who dare not themselves undertake so great an Enterprize and yet are envious of any one who has Courage and Virtue enough to attempt it.

With respect to the Indians they are People of an excellent Temper and will receive with great Joy the glad Tidings of Salvation. They will not only hear with patience but with Pleasure the Doctrine preached to them: but they will Sift everything that is alledged with great penetration. They will ask very Shrewd Questions and will argue with great Strength and Solidity and always give up their Opinion to Reason. They are greedy of Knowledge and having plenty of all things meerly necessary, and desiring nothing more, their Genius’s, not being pressed by Poverty nor Clogged by Luxury, exert themselves with great Lustre: their Expressions are high and lofty and their Sentiments noble. In their manner of Living they resemble much the patriarchial age. They often dwell under the Shade of Oak, Laurel or Pine: instead of Beds they lie upon Skins of Beasts; they hunt in the woods for Venison and wild Turkies. Their Houses are in their Corn or maze Fields. The women take Care of the Poultry, dress the Victuals and bake the Cakes upon the hearth. Their houses are Covered with barks of Trees, their Floors of Clay, their Windows are not glazed and their Doors have rarely any Iron Hinges. In these Mansions they live much more contented than our great men in palaces.

Their King directs them when to hunt, when to Sow, when to fish, and a little Labour thus employed Supplys all the Nations with Food, for whilst one has they never let another want. The rest of the time they spend in conversing together in the Square, in eating together or in playing at Ball or in dancing or Singing. They think the English very unwise who waste Life in Care and Anxiety merely to heap up Wealth, for to raise Discord amongst their Heirs and to build lasting Houses for to make their Children incapable of bearing the Inclemency of their native Air. They do not conceive how People can be in Debt, for they say that if a Man does not want a thing he ought to give it to him who does, and if he doth want it should use it himself and not sell it. They in their little Fields have plenty of Indian Corn, Pumpkins, Potatoes, Mush Mellons, Water-Mellons, Peas, Peaches, Plumbs, Nectarines & Locust Trees. They have Fowls and Hogs in abundance and some Cows and Horses. Besides which their Gunns furnish them with wild Turkeys and Partridges, Ducks, Wild Geese & Teal. They use the Fat of the Bear instead of Oile and the Honey Combs which the Bees Build in the hollow Trees supply the place of Sugar. These are the Men with whom Mr. Whitelamb must converse and whose Language he must learn; this also is the manner in which he must live, in order to convert them to Christian Faith.

I would have him thro’ly well consider these Difficulties, and if upon reflection he thinks he shall want health Courage or Steadiness to go thro’ them, I would advise him immediately to lay aside all thoughts of it: but on the Contrary, if he finds that God hath indued him with a Portion of his Spirit sufficient for the great Undertaking (for its only the Grace of God that can support Man under such Labours and Difficulties) I say if he finds his heart warm with the Love of his fellow Creatures and willing and desirous for their Salvation, to sacrifice Pleasure, Youth, Health, nay Life it self; If he finds his Heart glow with the Love of his Saviour, that he is eager to take up the Cross and follow his Crucified Master, I should be far from discouraging him to undertake this Task; for he may be the happy Instrument of converting the Heathen to Christ which God hath so frequently promised in holy Writ and which the Heathen also expect, and of a Truth we know that God in the fullness of time will raise up proper Instruments for their Conversion.

If therefore after a serious Consideration he resolves to offer himself as a Missionary to the Indians, and has a mind to come to Town for that purpose, if he pleases to come to my House in Old Palace Yard Westminster he shall be mighty welcome to a good Bed and share of my Commons that he may be at no expence during his stay here, and I can then acquaint him more particularly with the nature of the thing, of the difficulties he will meet with, and of the methods of obviating them, and then upon a full knowledge he will be able the better to go on with or to quit this Enterprize.

The reason I delayed answering your Letter till now was that I acquainted some of my Friends with it and asked their advice; They were all greatly pleased with the primitive Spirit of Mr. Whitelamb’s Letter & very thankfull to you for recommending so worthy a Person. I am.

Reverend Sir   James Oglethorpe

A short letter in French dated Windhausen 1 November 1734 from P. De Reck.   Read 26 November 1734 and undertook to be answered by Mr. Vernon.   No. 12919.   [Listed but not copied in Newman Letterbooks.]

Translation of a Letter from Mr. De Reck dated at Wernigerode 18/29 December 1734.   No. 12959.   Read 24 December 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: The divine Will has been, and is always in my undertakings as the Pillar which guided the Israelites in their March, and as the Polar Star of which the Brightness encouraged the 3 Eastern Kings to go to Bethlehem. Without a lively Conviction of that, and without the advice of my Superiors, I will not, nor can I stir or imbark in any undertaking whatsoever. Having been tossed till now from Province to Province from City to City from Place to Place, I don’t yet see the end of my Pilgrimage. My Intent now is once more to return to Bavaria, and perhaps, if it pleases God, farther. I have learned to resign my Self from day to day to the faithfull and wise providence of my Saviour, hoping he will one day take me out of my troubles, and this miserable Life which I pass for his Glory, and eternal Felicity. If there are any that resolve to go to Georgia this winter, or any other Countrey of America they shall do it at their own expence. As for my Selfe I shall stay at Augsburg and at Ratisbonne for to wait your orders concerning a third Transport. The Map of Georgia which I have so often mentioned, which you have sent by the way of Mr. Reich in the Baggage of a Gentleman is not yet delivered to us. How do the English Nation, that is always glorious, when the Glory of God and the Liberty of Conscience are concerned, regard the Cruel Persecution of the Papists in the hereditary Countries of the Emperor, is it with an Indifferent or an attentive Eye? Give my Service to Mr. Vernon and Mr. Oglethorpe. I am beyond my Expressions

Sir   Your most obedient and humble Servant
Philipp Geo. Fr. De Reck

Rotterdam 30/19 November 1734.   No. 12917.   Read 26 November 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: I have sent the two letters I have received from England to Mr. Urslperger at Augsburg where I suppose Mr. [Ph.] De Reck is, and I know the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger is in correspondence with him. The Inclosed is a letter for Mr. Vatt I received from Germany. At the beginning of next year I’ll have the honour to send you a bill of what I have spent in Postage for account of the Honourable Society.

I am with a due respect Sir   Your most humble & most obedient Servant   D. Wolters

Translation of a letter from Mr. Urlsperger dated Augsburg 13 December 1734 N.S.   No. 12956.   Read 24 December 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured and Dear Sir: Your most acceptable Letter of the 1st Nov. O.S. I received in due time, and perceive with great Joy what God has done in London for our beloved Brethren the Saltzburgers; but of the many letters received from thence, I have made abstracts and caused them to be printed whereof I herewith send you a Specimen: This relation has given here and in the neighbouring imperial Towns, especially at Ratisbonne, such Consolation as to produce Tears of Joy and praises to God, as appears by the many letters I have by me, and can testify the same by my own Experience[.] May God himself be a shield and great reward to the Society Trustees and all others.

As far the rest I am concerned that the Trustees as well as the Society are under some uneasiness occasioned by a Letter wrote by Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck to Mr. Vernon, as I perceive by a Letter from Mr. Agent Wolters enclosing Mr. Von Reck’s Letter as also a Letter from Mr. Ziegenhagen. God be preased that every thing was redressed by me before the Letters were sent from London; In the mean I entreat you to excuse my dear Mr. Von Reck who had the Fatality in his Travels to fall into the hands of a Person of distinction who animated him to carry on such a design, but now he, namely Mr. Von reck, writes to me that he will for the future enter no more into any design of this kind without communicating of them to me.

I expect to see him with me soon when I shall speak more fully to him. I expect answers soon to my Letters from Mr. Secretary.

Mr. Ziegenhagen’s Letter of the 8th of November O.S. I have received, but from Mr. Degmar [Degmair] I have received none Since the 11 Nov. N.S. I recommend you to the Grace of God and remain

Dear Sir   Your most humble Servant   S. Urlsperger

Translation of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger dated Augsbourg December 20, 1734.   No. 12971.   Read 31 December 1734.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured & Dear Sir: Your favour of the 1st Nov. O.S. I have received, and that of the 26 of Nov. to day, as I hope mine of the 15 of Nov. and 13 of December N.S. are come to your hands.

The two Bohemian Brethren are gone away from Ratisbonne the first Instant; what passed there with them you may see from the extract of the letter written to me[.] God help these and all others distressed. As I perceive Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck’s last Letter refers to the Letter of Mr. Vernon, directed to me some Weeks ago. I hope to see him here short, and thus all the letters to him may be safely addressed to me for the future, because I know best wherever he resides, if he be not here or at Ratisbonne. I could wish also that his letters might be sent open to me provided they contain nothing but the Affairs of the Society so that I may be immediately informed what proper measures to take. The Lord be praised, that our Transport, under the Conduct of Mr. Vat, left the Downs with such a fair Wind. I have composed a particular form of Prayer to implore the Almighty’s Assistance and Protection for this present Transport, which by the Approbation of the Magistrate and the Consistory is always read whenever any publick Service is performed in our Church at St. Annes. May the Lord hear our Intercessions. Some days ago I received letters from the two Ministers in Georgia, dated July 16th under Cover of the Reverend Mr. Ziegenhagen, wherein they refer themselves to their Journal, which I dont doubt is still in Mr. Ziegenhagen’s Hands. By these letters I learn the particular Tryals they as well as their little Flock have hitherto undergone, so I look upon the present Condition of their Countrymen as a signal Providence. The Lord enable them to overcome all Temptations.

Dear Sir, you owe me still several answers, if you have not time, be pleased to communicate them to Mr. Degmair[.] I am very glad to hear he makes so good a Progress in the English Tongue, which give me hopes he will be usefull to me in my English Correspondence at his return instead of Mr. Vat, to which I shall not forget to encourage him. The Lord bless and strengthen you for the Prosecution of the Interest of the Protestant Mission in the East Indies,²⁵⁰ and since we are not able here to assist you with our advice, we shall the more earnestly pray to God to bless your pious Endeavours, which you may be always assured of from

Honoured & Dear Sir   Your most humble Servant
Sam. Urlsperger

Extract of a Letter to S. Urlsperger from Ratisbonne December 3d N.S.1734.   No. 12971.

Your kind letter I received with Joy from His Excellency [J.] Von Reck by the two recommended Bohemian Brethren[.] When I saw them wanting an Intercessor, I went with them to all the Protestant Ambassadors, with whom they met not only with a favourable Reception, but also a great deal of Compassion; but the question was, How shall we assist You? In the mean time I procured them a Lodging at one of the Cityzens where they could live incognito, because the Bohemian Ambassador, Count Coloredo,²⁵¹ himself has above 60 of such Confessors, Prisoners in his own Territories,²⁵² and we sent them to Nurenberg December 1st with a safe Opportunity. Mr. __________ Von²⁵³ composed their memorials, whereof one is to be sent to the Evangelick Body; the other to England, the third to the States General, but they must be subscribed by some of their Brethren, and in Lusatia, before they can be delivered here.

May the Lord bless it with Success; for when he will help, they must lend their Assistance, that have no mind to its present.

Translation of a letter from Mr. Urlsperger dated Augsburg 30 December 1734.   No. 12977.   Read 7 January 1734/5.   To Mr. H. Newman.

Honoured & Dear Sir: Your favour of the 3rd December O.S. I received in due time. What Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck wrote to Mr. Vernon he likewise wrote to his Uncle [J. von Reck] and to me. I have, without delay, writ two letters of his undertaking to Moravia and Bohemia upon the same foundation that the Honourable Society was pleased to use and with the full Consent of the Resident Baron [J.] Von Reck as he had desired me, and to diswade him by all means that he should not undertake any thing in that nature be it from whom it will until he has been here and concerted with me farther thereupon. This is, God be praised, come to the hands of Mr. Von Reck as we were informed by the Letters of yesterday’s Post from Professor [G. A.] Frank, that the 21st Instant Mr. Von Reck was arrived at Hall, the 22nd he came to Poltzig to Count Hanckel [Henchler?] and by this means to keep the Hollidays with his Serene Highness the truly pious Duke Regent of Saxon Salfeld [Sachsen Saalfeld], and so from thence will hasten hither thro’ Nuremberg and Ratisbonne, that in all probability I may see him here in 4 or 5 days with his dearest Uncle [J. von Reck] as a most Christian, wise experienced, and with regard to the Protestant Interest, an incomparable Statesman with whom I may freely Act and impart to him every thing that is communicated to me on that Subject.

With regard to the people that Mr. Von Reck so highly recommended, most of them are come out of Moravia & Bohemia in a private manner [secretly] above ten years ago for the sake of Religion and with the greatest danger of their lives and loss of Goods and often long Imprisonments. These people have from time to time gone to receive the Protection of the Count of Zinzendorff who has offered them a little part of his Estate in the upper Lusatia to build houses thereupon which is a present called Herrenhût or in English the Lord’s Protection.

I hear they are there narrowly supported but in no respect persecuted. Hitherto they have not declared to be of the Augsburg Confession tho’ they do not appear to be any way against it; with regard to their Doctrine they will not be obliged or bound to any Confession, but rather to the former Ecclesiastical Discipline of the Bohemian Brethren but they thro’ the visible head of those Herrenhutischen Brethren (as they call themselves) the Count of Zinzendorff has much altered and added to it. The Herrenhutischen Brethren themselves most of them, before they came to Herrenhût were instructed by our Evangelick Ministers in Silesia most of them appearing to be honest and good Christian people, and it should be in no wise be imputed to them what is alledged against their Lord and Count, that upon the whole he seems to have a great Zeal for a reformation, for which reason he has been accused of indiscreet actions and some Errors in Doctrine; from which he cannot intirely acquit himself but that it is given out to have altered many things, but others who know him well will not trust him. But it is not to be denied that since he is a person of distinction & great Gifts and has preached in the pulpit several times publickly in Stralsund, and lastly in Tubengen [Tübingen], and at the last place with his embroidered Star upon a black Velvet Suit, and the little Order of Danningbrook, has occasioned a great Speculation.

The same Gentleman as likewise his Herrenhutischen Brethren have desired me to be concerned with them: but I would not, for the Affair is not sufficiently clear & right to me. But I do not write this to be in any ways prejudicial to the Count, but according to the best of my Knowledge and as the Honourable Society desires to know, I am ready to comply in all Duty when I can have a Testimony of a better Information.

What Count Zinzendorff’s project is with regard to Georgia he would send thither 15 of the Herrenhutischen Brethren at his own Expence, or much rather at the Expence of his Brother in Law Count Reuss of Ebursdorff and to the intent that they shall preach the Doctrine of Christ to the Heathen, in which proposal I cannot be any ways concerned since it is not known to me what call they have to entitle them to it. Secondly, since they have not the extraordinary or ordinary Gift of Speaking foreign Languages,²⁵⁴ while they begin in this manner under Heathens & Christians, it is to be feared many disorders will arise not to mention other things. There is a Rumour goes that they have already begun their Journey from the Voigt Land of Ebersdorff, thereupon 8 days ago I writ to the Count’s chief Manager, Mr. Deboni, to exhort the people not to go, and if they were even upon the road, to turn back, and before they begin their march, to have a Correspondence with the Trustees for Georgia; if they will not follow these directions they must impute to themselves any Accident that befalls them. Now it is to be considered that in Case those people do go and entirely upon their own expence, what the Trustees will resolve upon, whether to send them back or to let them go forward. Should it be the last, I with all Submision think it will be proper that Mr. Ziegenhagen should examine them and forewarn them against any singularity of Opinion, and especially that Care be taken that they do not become chargeable to the Saltzburgers Congregation, or introduce any disorders there. Tis not enough to have good Intentions which I do not discommend these people for, but there is still more required.

I have farther to mention that these 15 persons as far as we know are common Artificers, as likewise that Count Zinzendorff gives out upon all Occasions that the Trustees had presented him with some Land. Before I received that Commission, which Donation I hope the Trustees will not retract from. To Mr. Ziegenhagen I wrote the last month as likewise since I sent him an Extract of my whole Correspondence in this Affair from whence a greater light may be gathered. God enlighten and govern the hearts of all, that his Will may be thereby in all things accomplished.

In the last letters from Mr. Resident [J.] Von Reck, he says as follows; That you may give orders at London that your Letters may be directed under Cover to me and be certain that I shall take all due Care of them. But the Resident desires that they should be sent to Mr. Reiche in Pall Mall to be put in his Packet, by this means all letters will go free, and I shall receive mine but one post day later; I request you to make mention of this to Mr. Ziegenhagen.

In Carinthia the numbers of the Confessors of the Gospel grow greater and greater, but the necessity and misery of those that are in prison to the number of above 50 is still heavier; In Ratisbonne they are coming still more & more who forsake their Wives, Children, and Goods,²⁵⁵ but it is yet unknown where such people shall be supported.

God in mercy cause the fountain to be opened for the relief. All this I write out of a hearty Love for the Promotion of the Kingdom of Christ. Amidst a multitude of Affairs especially at this time with intreating you once for all, that when I do not observe to write accurately you’d be pleased to excuse me.

Under this most hearty wish that God would at the opening of this new year abundantly bless the Trustees and Society I remain

Honoured and Dear Sir   Your most humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

P.S.: Lord be mercifull to our dear Mr. Vat, to the Transport of Saltzburgers and even to all that are in the Ship. Mr. Professor Frank has paid the 302 fl. to Mr. Münch so that they are to be repaid to Mr. Ziegenhagen. The Map of Georgia is come to Ratisbonne.

Savannah in Georgia January 15, 1734/5.   No. 13154.   Read 13 May 1735.   To Henry Newman Esq. in Bartlet’s Buildings Holbonne [Holborn] London [from Samuel Quincy].

I have had the Favour of three Letters from you for which I esteem my Self much obliged, and should certainly have returned an answer much Sooner, but that since my Return from New England I have had no opportunity till very Lately and the Vessel I now send by has been delayed above a month in our River by means of a Dispute with a Custom house Officer from Carolina.²⁵⁶

Mr. Vat arrived here with the Saltzburgers all in good health on the 28 of last month, having had a Short and pleasant passage at Sea, and express themselves well pleased with the Treatment they met with from Capt. Dunbar who has a very good word from all his Passengers. Mr. Vat is now gone up with his Charge to their designated Place of Settlement Ebenezer. He desired me to give his Humble Service to you and to acquaint you that he would write very shortly which he will have a good opportunity to do by the Return of Capt. Dunbar who intends to Load in our River and Sail directly for London. We hope that he will have his full Freight in about Six weeks from the Date of this, tho’ it may possibly be Longer. I hear from Ebenezer that the People make very great complaints of the Badness of their Lands, and that Mr. Vat and Mr. Bolzius have a great Deal to do, to persuade them to stay on the Place. This is a very great discouragement and cannot too soon be Remedyed; for by all accounts the Land is indeed very bad, and will produce nothing at all. But Mr. Vat I suppose will particularly acquaint you of this Matter. Mr. Bolzius has merited the best of Characters for his Prudent Conduct and Singular Care of the People under his charge whom he endeavours by all means to make easy and contented in their present Situation.

I return a great many Thanks to the Honourable Society in behalf of the poor People here for their Last Benefaction of Books and shall take Care to distribute them where they are necessary and may be most Usefull. I have informed Mr. Bolzius that I am ready to deliver to him so many of the Books as he thinks will be Serviceable to him or his People.

I am Sorry that I cannot Send the Honourable Society a more Agreeable Account of the State of Religion amongst us than I must do if I say any Thing at all upon that head. The Publick Worship of God is very much neglected & Vice and Immorality are Very open and flagrant amongst us. The pretence for not attending Divine Service is the Want of a Church and indeed the place we are at present obliged to make use of as such, is much too Small to contain the People[.] it will not hold above 100 at most, and we might reasonably expect according to our present numbers not less than 300 if the People were at all Zealous to Perform this great Duty towards God. But is very seldom that we have above 30 or 40 People at Church and not near so many who give their Constant attendance. I have heard that the Trustees have money in their hands towards Building a Church and doubt not when the Matter is represented to them, but that they will think it necessary to put it forward, that this may no longer be an objection. They have been so good as to recommend This Duty in particular to the People in a Letter which was by their order publickly read to them and I pray God it may have a good Effect upon their Minds. It is the more necessary to hasten the Building of a Church because we have a great many Dissenters amongst us who talk much of Building a meeting house and getting a Minister. We had last Summer an Embarkation of Scotch all of them Presbyterians and many of them very rigid that way, and I verily believe if we had a Church it would lend very much to keep the English Dissenters especially in our Communion and without their Joyning with the others they will hardly be able of themselves to carry on the Design.

We are much obliged to Mr. Hale for his Friendly Admonition it is very seasonable here; for we have too many addicted to the hatefull Vice of Excessive Drinking which Reigns as much amongst the Women as the Men to the no little Scandal of the Sex. We have very strict Prohibitons against bringing Rum into the Colony but it seems almost impossible wholly to prevent it; for those who have got a habit of it, will by one means or other procure it[.] It is Strange that Vice So apparently destructive, Should Stick so close People that no arguments will prevail with them to Leave it tho their own Misery and Ruin may so plainly be pointed out. But Experience Shows that it is so, and that as soon almost may the Ethiopian change his Skin as those who are accustomed to this Evil forsake it.

Since the Writing of the above Mr. Vat has been down here to acquaint our Magistrates that the Saltzburgers were so discouraged with the Badness of their Lands at Ebenezer that they desired not to be Set down there, but to be removed to Some other place where their Labour in cultivating might not be lost. Upon this one of our Magistrates [Causton] with the Surveyor [Noble Jones] went up, and they found a Small Tract of Land about half a mile distant from the Town which they judged to be very good planting Land, and there will be about 10 Acres of it for each Family, this they will divide amongst them for their present use till they can further know the Pleasure of the Trustees. It would be a great Pity that the People who are come So far and are really deserving for their Industry and Sobriety should not have good Lands; but it Seems the Magistrates here have not a power of removing them with out Leave from the Trustees and therefore what they have done is only to Satisfie them for the present, till they have further orders.

I hear there is a Missionary intended to be Sent to the Indians our Neighbours. This is certainly a very pious and Charitable Design, and I must beg Leave to offer some Informacons I received upon the Subject of Indian Missionaries, from Mr. Quincy our worthy Relation in New England. He assured me that they found by the long Experience of upwards of a 100 years, that is ever Since that Country has been Settled; That the method they had taken to convert the Indians there was intirely wrong, which was to instruct English Missionarys educated amongst them in the Indian Tongue, who were to preach to the Indians and instruct them in their own Tongue without teaching them any English. This they now find has greatly obstructed Christianity amongst them. Whereas if they had been taught English, they would in time have forgot their own Language, and together with it their old Heathenish Customs which are now too much retained amongst their Converts particularly in those Places where this Method only has been pursued. The Indians they have near Boston are a full Confirmation of this; for they not only acknowledge the Christian Religion but have in a great measure forgot their own Language and are so Conform to the measures and manners of the English that they are not to be distinguished but by their Complexions. The Reason of this is very obvious for those who are taught to understand and Speak English can converse universally with the English and therefore have abundantly more opportunity for Instruction than those who only Speak Indian. In the former Case they receive all their Instruction from one Person who perhaps has a whole Nation under his Care and tho’ ’tis not to be doubted, but that a good man employed on so excellent a Design himself thoroughly convinced of the Truths and Importance of the Christian Doctrines will carefully instill into them the most essential & fundamental Points of our Holy Religion so far as it in his Power, but it has I think always been found that the greatest difficulty in bringing over the Indians has been to reclaim them from their Wild and Savage Way of Living and Settle them in a regular and orderly manner; and this will be certainly best be attained by Teaching them English whereby they will become more readily acquainted with the Customs and Manners of the English, & Sooner brought over approve of, & imitate them. And it would be to very Little purpose to entertain them with Speculations tho’ ever So just and exact without reforming their Behaviour.

The only objection to this I’m Sensible will be, that the generality of Christians themselves are So bad & vicious in their Lives that they will rather expose than recommend Religion to the Infidels, & therefore it will be best to keep them ignorant of the Language that they may be less influenced by the bad Examples of such Christians. It is indeed true that we have too many degenerate Christians who are a Shame & Scandal to their Profession; but I cannot agree that we have any Christians more degenerate and worse than Heathen;²⁵⁷ This I know is Strongly maintained by the Enemies to Christianity and made use of as an objection against it tho’ very unjustly; for if it was true that Christians were indeed So bad as they represent, this would not destroy the Truth and Excellency of the Christian Religion tho’ it might eclipse it. But the assertion is in reality very false; for if we take a View of the Shocking & abominable Vices practised by the Indians, without any shame or Remorse, it will Sufficiently Convince any impartial person that Christians, bad as they are, are not arrived to a Pitch of Wickedness and Impiety equal with the heathens. The most abandoned and profligate amongst them if they commit a Crime of a heinous nature as Murder for instance, are generally touched with Some Remorse and Concern for it and cannot conceal the Guilt and Horror of their own Minds. But these wretches are So far from Tenderness and Humanity, that the barbarous Mother frequently dispatches her Sucking Infant, merely to get rid of the Troubles of nursing it. In their Revenge they are most bloody and cruel, not being contented barely with the death of their Enemy, but inflict the most horrid Torments they can invent and nothing occasions greater Joy amongst them than a Spectacle of Inhumane Butcherie, Their Perfidiousness and Treasury [treachery] are notoriously known to all the English in America, particularly in New England where they have often found to their Cost that the Most Solemn Promises and Engagements of Peace & Fidelity would never hold to restrain them from Hostility and Outrage. To Say nothing of their Bestial Vices which they are said to be vilely addicted to, too abominable to mention. And these Crimes which amongst Christians are branded, as they ought, with the utmost Marks of Infamy, are not looked upon by them as Such, but rather gloried in, and committed by them without the least Remorse or Shame. I should be very sorry I have at all misrepresented them, but I verily believe I have not because those things that I have Said out of my own Knowledge I have taken from the Report of Men of Probity who are well acquainted with them. Their War Dances sufficiently show what Sentiments they have of Honour, when the Hero instead of being praised for brave and hazardous Exploits, boasts himself of Some base and insiduous piece of Treachery more worthy of Contempt than applause. Their Religion if they may be Said to have any consists in Songs and Dances Some of them very obscene, these are used upon their going to hunt or to War; and they have likewise a Sort of Jargon consisting of unintelligible Words not understood by themselves which they say over them that are Sick in order to recover them. I might relate many more of their Superstitious and abominable Vices, by all which it will evidently appear with how little Justice it is Said that Heathens by the Light of nature are better than Christians with the help of Revelation. For certainly if we would look for a Sect of People who have been always governed by the meer Dictates of nature, and never have been Corrupted, (as they impiously term it) by Revelation, they are to be met with among the American Indians; for it cannot be proved but that the Heathens of other Countries have had some notices of Revelation and reformed themselves in some measure by it. As for the ordinary Harangues of Deists upon the excellent Morals and Virtues of the Grecian and Roman Sages and Philosophers they are no fair proof at all that Heathens are better Moralists than Christians because these Manifestly received their best Notions from Revelation it self. But if we would See nature in its true Light divested of all Supernatural Assistance, we must turn our Eyes upon these Western Climates, and here I’m Sure the Infidels will have little Cause to extol natural above revealed Religion. Thusly I have endeavoured to answer all the objections that I think can be raised against instructing the Indians in the English Tongue, and I might add to it that tho’ this should not be done yet will it not wholly prevent bad Examples before them; but as this cannot be expected I should think it would be very much in the Power of a Missionary to antidote the Mischief of ill Examples to let them know how odious the Characters of bad Men were amongst good Christians.

I heartily pray for the abundant Success of the Society in all their pious undertakings for the Glory of God and Good men and am

Dear Sir   Their and your most obliged and most obedient humble Servant   Samuel Quincy

My most humble Service to Sir John Philipps, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Copping.

No. 12991.   Read 21 January 1735.   Extract of a Letter from the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger to Mr. Newman dated Augsburg 13 January N.S. 1735.

Mr. Urlsperger gives a Copy of a letter of Baron [J.] Von Reck the Envoy to Him in which it is said,

That several hundred of Saltzburgers in the Baillage of Gastein are ready for Emigration, and will have the Liberty for so doing.

He therefore desires to be informed whether he may offer to these people the same Conditions for going to Georgia as before and

Whether he may receive one or two hundred of them, upon accepting of the known Conditions.

Lastly Whether he must allow Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck upon his staying with him at Augsburg his Alimentation money in full or in part, or discharge the Expences of his Journey to and from Augsburg on the Society’s Account?

Translation of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger dated Augsburg 13 Jan. 1735.   No. 13005.   Read 28 Jan. 1734/5.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured & Dear Sir: My last of Oct. 20th. I hope you have received. It was a fortnight that I did not hear any thing of Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck where he was but last night I received the following Letter of his dear Uncle [J. von Reck] dated Ratisbonne 11th of this month

“My Cousin being arrived here the 8th of this month in the morning and intending to go with the Stage Coach to morrow for Augsburg to give you a verbal Account of all, I need not to tell you what I heard of [from] him. He will acquaint you among other things.

That there are still remaining in the County of Saltzburg (particularly in the Bailage of Gastein) some hundred of Emigrants which will be willingly dismissed; If therefore the English Society would be pleased to receive these people and they should be willing to go thither, it would be a great opportunity to satisfy both.

I leave it principally to the divine Providence and your Reverence’s wise direction recommending likewise my Cousin [Nephew] to your farther Instruction, and hoping that you will keep his Religious Fire and Zeal within due bounds, that it may tend only to the Honour of God & the Benefit of His Church.

I remain faithfully   Reverend Sir   Your very affectionate & obliged Servant   V. R. [J. von Rech]”

I desire therefore an answer by your next upon the following material Questions (1) Whether if these several hundred Saltzburgers of the Baillage of Gastein should actually [now] emigrate, I may offer unto them the old Conditions for going to Georgia, and receive one or two hundred of them if they should accept the Conditions.

2. Whether (as Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck is to conduct the next Transport if any is to be made) I must allow him his Alimentation in full or in part in Case he should stay here, or pay the Expences of his Journey to and from if he should not stay with me?

I do not remember whether I told you in my last that Mr. Professor [G. A.] Frank has paid to Mr. Münch here the 302 fl. and that this Sum consequently is to be repaid by the Society to Mr. Ziegenhagen on account of the Mission at Malabar[.] If I have not do it before I mention it now for this purpose.

Wishing you heartily a happy new year and recommending my Self to the Society I remain

Honoured & dear Sir   Your most humble Servant   S. U.

Translation of a letter from Mr. Urlsperger dated at Augsburg Jan. 14, 1735.   13,005.   To Mr. Newman.

Honoured & Dear Sir: Here I send you some very remarkable and certain Accounts which as well as the foregoing can be certified upon Oath. I received these Accounts four days ago from an eminent and pious Person living in a great Town of Silesia²⁵⁸ who has Spoken partly with these Bohemian Exiles himself and sent me formerly several hundred florins for the benefit of the Saltzburgers, so that they may be depended upon.

I wish that God may move the hearts of some in England to assist these people with some Charitable Gifts. I intend to desire the same here privately from some able and well disposed persons.

Mr. [Ph.] Von Reck is now with me and begins to apprehend the impracticableness of his former design, But it will be necessary when you, dear Mr. Secretary write to him again, that you tell him by order of the Society (and let the Secretary of the Trustees do the like) not to begin any thing absolutely without me, for else it will give me incredible Trouble to adjust and correct things again, and I shall at last not be able to handle all things as required, on account of the multiplicity of the Business of my Office. Of the several hundred Emigrants out of the Baillage of Gastein last mentioned, I have heard nothing farther therefore expecting a convenient answer upon my last I remain unalterably

Tuus totus   S. U.

Copy of a Letter from Messrs. Bolzius and Gronau at Ebenezer dated 6 Feb. 1734/5.   No. 13090.   Read 8 Apr. 1735 and Read 19 Apr. 1735.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: Being assured that you have kindly received that letter which we took the Liberty to write to you the 10th December last, we now make bold once more to trouble you in the midst of your weighty affairs, by these humble Lines. Whereas you gave us in your last very obliging Letter dated the 29th of October Sufficient marks of the Continuance of your and other great Benefactors favour toward us, and have sent in the name of the Society money, two travelling Beds and other necessary things for our Relief, we should be the most ungratefull Persons in the world if we did use these Benefits without praising Almighty God, and the praise worthy generosity of our great favourers; ’Tis our firm Resolution, which is renewed now by these new Testimonies of divine Blessings, to employ all our Care in beseeching God continually to reward them a thousand times for all Benefits bestowed hitherto upon us and our flock and to grant us his Grace to be answerable to their desires, and extraordinary Intentions. We take the pleasure to acquaint you that the Saltzburgers under the Conduct of Mr. Vat have finished their Sea Voyage so happy and in so short a time, that every one wondered at it. ’Tis impossible to express in words all manner of Joy & pleasure we have had in receiving them in our place Eben-Ezer. We appointed them quickly several Houses and Hutts, builded already here as well as possible we could; And they may live in these Houses and Hutts of their Countrymen till they have prepared some Acres to plant Corn and other things next Spring. They told us with pleasure of mind that by the particular Care of their Benefactors, they have received at London as well as in the Ship a great many kindnesses and benefits, and not only confess themselves highly obliged to them, for the said and many more Benefits, promised for time to come, but are also firmly resolved to make it their Business by the assistance of the holy Ghost to perform to the utmost of their power all that shall become true Christians, to answer the Expectations of the Trustees and the Society. Some of these good people are affected with some Infirmities, which as we hope and wish in our prayers, will go off in a short time.²⁵⁹ One man [Sebastian Glantz] died at Purisburg before he could be brought up to our place of Abode. The Child [Schoppacher] that was Christened at Gravesend died likewise a few days after their Arrival. For the Young man [Henry Bishop] that was sent to our Service by the providential Care and Goodness of the Society, we return our humble thanks assuring his Soul’s and Body’s Welfare shall be our special Business, to make him thro’ God’s Blessing, capable of being serviceable both to God and Men. We accept of with Thankfullness the Salaries the Society are pleased to allow us for the support of our Bodies, moreover relying upon the Blessing of God, who can, and as we hope, will by his fatherly Affection and Care supply all our Wants. The Bill of fifty pounds has been accepted by Mr. Montagut, and the Spanish pieces of Eight, together with the Half pence, are come to our hands, and we could wish that more half pence had been added in lieu of Silver; Copper money being extremely usefull and convenient in this Country; For the English Books the Society are pleased to allow us by Mr. Quincy, we return our humble thanks; We know to take Advantage of them and pray for many more. I am in hopes, You will not take it amiss in troubling you with an account of the manner of the Saltzburgers divine Worship. We are exceedingly glad to perform by God’s direction divine Offices among them. Their Love to the holy word of God is very great, and they shew by words and by deeds, that That was the chief and only reason of leaving their native Country. They not only come on Sundays three times to our Assemblies, but their Zeal to Edifying their Souls is so ardent, that at their desires we have appointed in the Evening about half an hour’s time for instructing them in Christian Duties and putting up with them, to Almighty God, our prayers in the Weekdays, after they are come from their daily labours and Refreshment so that they may not loose the least time for preparing their ground and they convince us by their sober behaviour, that they make a very good use of the Gospel they have heard, and endeavour to keep strictly, by assistance of the holy Ghost, its precepts, They at all times remember the great many Benefits, they constantly receive from their generous Benefactors in England, particularly for having allowed them Ministers, preaching and administring to them the holy word of God and the holy Sacraments. And, being sensible of those great Blessings, they lift up their hands and Heart to God Almighty for the Prosperity of their noble Benefactors. Their Children being now 12 in number who constantly come to School and give us great hopes of following the footsteps of their pious Parents. And in order that they may be instructed in the Principles of the Christian Religion, and other necessary Qualifications, we both teach them every day, over and above what they are taught by Mr. Orthman [Ortmann] who follows our directions concerning them, wherein he employs at present his best Skill, and we hope he will continue so to do hereafter. Some of the Children begin to be of years fit for assisting their Parents and upon that Account we use our utmost Endeavours to promote their Learning. Lest we weary you with our Scribble, and for fear we steal from you that time which you wholly employ for the Care of the publick, we conclude, professing that we beseech God to prosper the noble designs of the Society, and hope surely he will further mercifully grant a good Issue to all their praiseworthy Enterprises taken for promoting Christian Knowledge, And so wishing you all Happiness imaginable, we take the leave & pleasure to subscribe our Selves

Kind Sir   Your most humble Servants   John Martin Bolzius[,]   Israel Christian Gronau

P.S.: Mr. Vat presents to the Gentlemen of the Society his most humble Duty and Respect not being yet able to write to them himself by reason of his Infirmities upon his Eyes.

Copy of a Letter from Henry Bishop dated Jan. 2nd 1734.   Inclosed in Messrs. Bolzius & Gronau’s Letter.   No. 13090.

Honoured Father & Mother: I am willing [anxious] to let you know of my safe arrival at Georgia. Thank God we had a fine passage. We were but Six weeks from Lands End to Land’s End, only as we had no Sun the Captain did not know it was Georgia, We sailed past it and sailed to Augusteen [St. Augustine] at the Mouth of the [St. John’s] River among the Spaniards, but as it happened they did not see us. The Indians being on board knew the place, for some times they are at war with them. The Queen on board lost her Eye with the Spaniards. We had a fair wind and Sun & sailed to Georgia & the pilot boat came and brought us into Georgia River.²⁶⁰ I don’t live at Georgia Town but far up the River. There are three Towns, Georgia Purrysburg and Ebenezer. I live at Ebenezer. I have got a very good Master [Bolzius], he has promised me when I have learned German to furnish me with a great many fine Books[.] Pray remember me to Esq. Oglethorpe and Esq. Newman & Esq. Vernon and return them thanks in particular & also my Master & all the Trustees of the School & also of the Office[.] Pray remember me to my Schoolfellows my Brothers & Sisters & all friends. I delivered Mr. [Noble] Jones his letter being he came on board the Ship when we came in the River. So no more at present I remain

Your loving Son   Henry Bishop

No. 13097.   Read 8 Apr. 1735 and Read 19 Apr. 1735.   To Mr. Henry Newman.

Honoured Sir: I don’t doubt but before this cometh to your Hands you’l have heard of our Safe arrival in Georgia and of our Landing at Savannah Town, which was on Saturday the 28th of December last. I should before this Time have given you an Account thereof; But having got a great Cold in my Head and Eyes ever since we cast the Lead for Sounding at sea, I could hardly read or write any Thing; Besides being obliged to attend the Loading and unloading of the Baggage and Provisions for one Quarter of a year; so that I must refer my self for further particulars to the Letters now to be written by the Reverend Messrs. Bolzius and Gronau to James Oglethorpe Esq. to James Vernon Esq. more particularly to the Reverend Mr. Ziegenhagen & to your Self. The substance whereof they have made me acquainted with, as being of the same Opinion with them relating to the Soil of this Place and the great difficulties the People lie under in bringing up their Provisions from Savannah Town and other matters concerning the present settlement of the Saltzburgers.

On the 12th of January we left Savannah Town, and got on Board three Periawgoes,²⁶¹ the Smallest of them being gone with the Sick directly for the Landing Place at 4 English miles distance from this Town over Purysbourg and Ebenezer River. We came with the two larger Periawgoes the 12th to Abercorn and the 13th of the same month by Land being 12 or 14 miles to this Town of Ebenezer; At the Sight whereof we were confirmed of what every Body (excepting Mr. Causton and Mr. [Noble] Jones the Land Surveyor) had told us of the Barrenness of this Part of this Province being chiefly Pine barren, a sandy white Ground not above one Fifth or at most one Tenth Part of tolerable mould, Cane Land or Swamps; which swamps seeming to be Good are covered with a black mould about one or Two Inches Deep, but under it appears a White Sand like salt. So that every one who cometh hither saith The People will never be able to get a Livelyhood in this Place be they never so Industrious and Laborious; For upon a rainy Day the Black mould being washed off nothing but white sand is seen in large Places like paths in a Walk so that the poor Saltzburgers were exceedingly struck down²⁶² and disheartened and begged that according to the Permission given to them by Mr. Causton for looking out for some good Ground and for working it jointly till he and Mr. Jones should come to Set out their Lotts, They might seek out some such Spot; At their Return they reported to have seen some good spotts of Ground near the mouth of Ebenezer River and Savannah River. Upon this Mr. Bolzius and myself went by water the 25 January to the Red Bluff and the Indian Hut, this last being about nine miles distance by Land from this Town in a Straight Line 6 Miles; And meeting in our Passage thither on Ebenezer River the small Perriawgoe, loaden with part of our Baggage and Provisions from Abercorn, I ordered it to go down and to unload its cargo on the Indian Hut and coming out thither, We found that there was on the North side of that Indian Hut up to the Red Bluff and along the South side of Ebenezer River about Two miles high on the Land on the declivity whereof Large oak Trees and others as also large Vines of 3 or 4 Inches Diameter; but at the Top of the high Land mere Pine barren, and judged that were the Lotts there so ordered that one Chain were given on the River side and Three upwards, the People would have one Moiety good Land and the Other Moiety Pine Barren, with which the People would be exceedingly pleased. The next Day we went to Abercorn, and meeting there by chance Mr. Christie the Recorder, We acquainted him with our Expedition And he carried me in his Boat the 26 to Savannah Town in order to see the Powers given by the Trustees for Georgia to Mr. Gordon Mr. Causton, Mr. Parker and Mr. Christie jointly for Setting out 2500 Acres of Land for our Saltzburgers, Those Writings giving them power to Sett out such Lands, where and in what manner they should think fit. Mr. Christie proposed my Presenting a Petition to the said Four Gentlemen but Mr. Causton and Mr. Parker were of Opinion (Mr. Gordon being absent) Mr. Causton and Mr. Jones should go with me to view the Lands at Ebenezer and the Indian Hut and should make their Report thereof to the other Gentlemen. Accordingly Mr. Causton and Mr. Jones came with me the 29th to Abercorn the 30th to Ebenezer Town. After Dinner we desired to go by Land to the Indian Hut, But missing our way thither We came again to Abercorn. The 31st Mr. Causton designing to return to Savannah Town I desired him to give me his directions for my acting with the People since he did not intend to go to the Indian Hut for want of a Knowing Guide. He told me the People should [pitch?] upon some spott of Ground near Ebenezer Town and clear it and work it jointly till such Time as the Pleasure of the Trustees should be known for which Purpose he would write to them. Then I proposed to him the Permitting the new Settlers under my Care to build a hutt on the Indian hutt Land for working there jointly; but he roundly refused Complying with my request. I returned that day to Ebenezer Town; & some days afterwards I heard Mr. Causton and Mr. Jones had been the 1st instant in the Indian Hut and were gone thence the 2nd in the Morning early. The 3rd I went by Land to the Indian Hut and Ordered such Baggage etc. as was deposited there to be brought up to the Landing Place with the Small Perriawgoe and the Small Boat. The former of which was sometime five days in going from Abercorn to the Landing Place, Which might have been avoided if we had proper Carriages and Horses to be conveyed by Land about 12 or 14 Miles. And this Transport could not be Computed [completed?] before the 5th tho’ We have not as yet all our Provisions for one Quarter of [a year from] the store house in Savannah Town. And the People are obliged to bring their Baggage and small Tools and Casks upon their Backs from the Landing Place and the heavy Casks in the small Boat by water, Which will require 8 or 10 Days more provided the Water in the River Ebenezer doth not fall. The Inhabitants of this Province generally compute the distance 20 Miles from Savannah Town to Abercorn Creek. Thence 6 Miles to Purysbourg 10 Miles to the Indian Hutt, 4 Miles to the Red Bluff or the mouth of Ebenezer River, 7 Miles to the landing Place and thence 12 Miles to Ebenezer Town. In all 59 miles by Water. The Town of Abercorn lies 2 Miles from the river Savannah. Indeed our Saltzburgers with a small Boat go down from the Landing Place to Savannah Town, in one Day but cannot come up in Less than Three Days. And that Boat cannot carry above One Thousand Pounds weight and four Men. Neither can it come hither from the Landing in Summer or at low Waters by Reason of some Trees Bushes and sands in the River, By which the People must lose a great deal of Time and Labour. However were the soil of this Place tolerably good these Difficulties might be overlooked[.] But as it is the Opinion of every Body even some of the best Planters in this Country and the Province adjoining, It’s humbly hoped the Trustees for Georgia will take the low dejected Condition of these Poor People into their Consideration and grant them the Favour of Removing hence to the Indian Hutt or the Red Bluff or to some other Place higher on Savannah River more likely of being thereby enabled to get a Livelihood. For should they be obliged to remain here in this place, according to the promise made to them in Germany, The Society or the Trustees for Georgia will find themselves under a necessity of Subsisting them with Provisions as long as any of them shall be living And it is to be feared many of them will dye for grief; no less than eleven have died of the first Transport since they came into this Province, and two of the last Transport viz. Sebastian Glantz the 13 January at Purrysbourg, and the Child [Schoppacher] born on board the prince of Wales, whilst the Ship was in the Thames, dyed here the 23 January last; And Some of the first and last Transport are now Sick, but we are in hopes by Mr. Zwifflers Care some of them will do well again, as some others are recovered of their Illness. And here I cannot but observe that indeed 6 pounds of salt Beef per Week for a Man, and 5 pound for a Woman, and as much for 2 Children above two and under 12 years of Age is Sufficient; yet 2 lb of Rice, 2 lb of Flower and 2 lb of Corn or pease per Week, per head is not Sufficient as not being thereby enabled to bake Bread which is the main Support of Health and Life. Neither is the Allowance of 4 lb of Cheese and 2 lb of Butter per Quarter per head Sufficient if they actually had had Garden Roots or Eatables.²⁶³

It is our humble Opinion that should the Trustees for Georgia think fit to Settle the People of the new and last Transport near the Indian Hutt, the Town to be built there might go by the name of Ebenezer and would not discourage other Saltzburgers in Germany to come there and settle; but as long as these remain here none are like to be invited either by the first or last Transport.

On the 6th of this month the Reverend Mr. Bolzius proposed by a fine Speech to the people of the last Transport to work jointly on a piece of Land to be pitched upon near this Town, tho’ attended with many Difficulties, Some of such as were present seemed to come heartily into it, and such as are gone to Savannah Town for some Provisions, are to be consulted at their Return, and then we shall pitch upon some place for that purpose. My next shall give you an account thereof, and of such other Occurrences, as may happen, I am with great Submission

Honoured Sir   Your most obedient and most humble Servant
John Vat

Ebenezer Feb. 10th 1734

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Chas. Purry London 24 February 1735.   No. 13034.   Read 25 Feb. 1734/5.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: Inclosed is a Duplicate of Capt. Lusk’s Receipt for the Box directed to Mr. Quincy[.] I have paid all 8 s. for all Charges viz.

I have sent to Mr. Quincy under the Cover of Mr. Thomas Caston [Causton] another receipt for the said Box.

We hear from Carolina that on the 17th December Capt. Geo. Dunbar²⁶⁴ arrived at the Barr of Charlestown and called there for a Pilot in order to enter Safely in the River Savannah.

I am Sir   Your most humble Servant   Chas. Purry

A Copy of the inclosed Receipt Received of Messrs. Peter Simond & Co.

a large Box directed to the Reverend Mr. Quincy at Savannah which I promise to deliver to Mr. Thos. Causton after my safe Arrival (the danger of the Seas ex[cepted?] free of freight London february 22nd 1734/5.