PART II.

Inward Correspondence

Extract of a Letter from the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger at Augbourg 14 April 1732, N.S.   To the Reverend Mr. Ziegenhagen at London.

The Remittance of 125 £ Sterling for the Benefit of the Exiles of Saltzburg has raised an Hearty Joy amongst us. The Lord be praised, and may He Bless the Benefactors for this their Charity, in Time and to Eternity.

The Distribution of this Sum has been made with the Approbation of Our Protestant Magistracy in the following Manner.

And here I must observe that our Hospital having no Stock at all, but Subsisting only by the Free Gifts and casual Benefactions makes me hope it will not be taken amiss in England that Part of their Charity is employed this Way.

We have still but a dismal Prospect of Saltzburg for We are informed that the Number of those that have been ordered to depart amounts already to 40,000 wherefore we thought it necessary to mention particularly the deplorable Case of these poor People in the Publick Prayers of our 6 Protestant Churches, and that in the following Manner.

“The Prayers of this Congregation are particularly desired for the Poor Saltzburgers who for the sake of the Protestant Religion are driven out of their Country; the Lord would be pleased with his Powerful Arm to preserve, Protect and Guide both them that left their Country and them that must leave it hereafter. That the Lord would be pleased abundantly to satisfy their Hunger and Thirst after his Word and Sacrament; and furthermore to raise far and near Hearts Charitably inclined to provide for their Bodily Sustenance; but above all things to preserve’em Graciously from Back-sliding and Hypocrisy and from every Sin and Offence whatever, and to bring them at last with all true Believers to Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ Our Lord.”

In Answer to Your Question about the Trees: what sort of Bread the First Exiles found in the District of Rastadt?² My Colleague the Reverend Mr. Hildebrand examined amongst others one Fellockner, who eat of it himself and declared that it was not real Bread, but somewhat resembling Bread Viz. An Excrescence which grows on certain Trees like a Bark as thick as a Finger, white in Colour and Sweet in Tast like Sugar, but soft as New Rolls of Bread. Every one of their Number had got as much of it as was sufficient to satisfy his Stomach for a whole Day.

I have added an Account of 13 of these Saltzburgers in what Manner and by what Means they came to the Knowledge of True Christianity which I hope will not be unacceptable to You.

St. James’s Place.³ 23 May 1732.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: I am sorry my health as well as other Business hinders me from attending the Committee to Day, and taking my leave of them, for in all probability the King will set out next Monday or Tuesday.

If the Account of the Saltzburgers is out of the Press, I should be very glad to have three or four Copies of it this Week.

May GOD abundantly bless the Designs of the Society in General, and more particularly their Christian Compassion, Zeal and Labour with and for the New born but hard persecuted Members of Christ in Saltzbourg: may he put his Name and Seal to the Account that is or will be published by the Society in behalf of this distressed Flock of Christ, and by making it more than ordinary Successfull & strengthen the Heart and Zeal, both of the afflicted and them that are willing to reach out their Hands to the Afflicted. And, I think there is somewhat particular in this Affair, which gives the Society the more Ground to expect such a Divine Approbation and Concurrence in this their Undertaking. The Promise, that is given to two or three, who are gathered together in the Name of Christ Viz to request a Blessing for themselves and others,⁴ cannot but be justly and strongly applied to two or three that are gathered together not only in the Name but also for the Name of Christ, Viz: to promote and Support the Knowledge and Service of his blessed Name.

If during my Absence the Society should be enabled and resolved to send some Money to Augsbourg for the Relief of the Saltzburgers, I would humbly recommend to them two proper Persons, by whose Hands the Money might be remitted. The One is Mr. John Baptista Mayer, A German Merchant in the City, living in New Court, Broad Street, behind the Royal Exchange, whose Correspondent at Augsbourg Mr. Münich is a very Considerable Banker, neither of them hath taken any agio on the Money I sent to Augsbourg. The other Person is Mr. Schick, Clerk of His Majesty’s Privy Council for His German Dominions; whose Correspondent is Mr. Gullman, the King’s Resident at Frankfort, who is very desirous to serve the poor Saltzburgers in any manner he can. but I submit this entirely to the Consideration of the Society remaining with my humble Respects to the Gentlemen present, especially to Sir John Philipps and Mr. Vernon,⁵

Sir   Your very humble Servant   Ziegenhagen

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Münch at Augsbourg 7 July 1732.   To Mr. Mayer at London.

I have paid immediately to Senior Urlsperger the 50 £ Sterling You was pleased to draw upon me for the Relief of the Poor and Necessitous Emigrants of Saltzburg, this Payment I made Charges free with all the Pleasure and Good Will, the same shall be done on the Benefactions that may hereafter be remitted, they are well applied for such Good and Poor People, who are wanting of Succours suitable because though this City is not backward in providing for them; yet their great Number requires also help from abroad; some Days ago 500 more of these poor Exiles set out, and to morrow or next Day 800 of them are expected, and so it goes on continually. The Lord be pleased to excite more and more Charitable Hearts, to enable us to assist these Good People with sufficient Relief.

Please to Command freely[.] I shall Joyfully serve these poor Exiles for nothing, who for Christ’s and Conscience sake endure great Misery, quit their Country, Estates and all they have in the World, Parents & Relations, undertake a long Voyage with Wives and Children, amongst whom are Women big with Child and Suckling Children, yet they never murmur against their Sovereign, but always speak well of him, bearing with Patience to be driven out of their Country for Religion’s sake; There are already more than 20,000 Souls gone away out of the small Country of Saltzburg, and we hope to see a great many more, perhaps also out of other Provinces, Therefore the Benefactions that arrive from abroad, are a great help to such a Multitude, may the Lord reward the Benefactors.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Münch at Augsbourg 14th July 1732 N.S. To Mr. Mayer at London.

I have paid immediately to the Reverend Senior Urlsperger the 40 £ Sterl. You have drawn on me free of all Charges and Commissions, for which I debit You in Your Account.

Yesterday, arrived 347 more Emigrants from Saltzburg, amongst whom are many Children, Women in Child-Bed, and others big with Child; and to Day 500 more are expected, being arrived all ready in the Neighbourhood, these People have suffered much because of the Rain and bad Weather we have had for these 3 Weeks past, and are worthy of Commiseration; only it is to be wondered at, that they shew so much Patience and Resignation, may the Lord more and more comfort and protect them.

There are actually [presently] two more Provinces that quit the Romish, and will embrace the Evangelick Religion, if this happens they will be forced likewise to depart, it would be good for this Distressed People to make General Collections, could not such be obtained likewise in London?

Translation of a Letter in High-Dutch.⁶ To Mr. Newman.⁷

Honoured Sir: With my most humble Respects to Sir John Philipps, Baronet and Sir Richard Ellis, I return first of all sincere Thanks to them in the Name of our Dear Saltzburgers for the Charity of 50 £ and another of 40 £ Sterling, which according to our Money makes 437 Florins 30 Creutzers 345⁸ they have sent as a Relief to these dear Confessors of the Gospel; They are worthy of it.

I had presently a fair Opportunity to put out these Talents committed to my Charge to Use, partly among 900 Exiles, who 5 Days ago went some Miles from hence towards Memmingen, partly among 900 Exiles more, who arrived here Yesterday and to Day, and are to rest till after to morrow; Those that came Yesterday, I welcomed with a Sermon in the upper Burying Ground of the Protestants, and taking Occasion both of the Gospel for the 5th Sunday after Trinity, Luke 5th and of the Hill I stood upon, The Saltzburgers and a great Multitude of other People standing on a Lower Ground. I discoursed on those Words: Launch out into the Deep and let down Your Nets for a Draught. The Good People had not Rested for 8 Days and yet were so desirous to hear the Gospel that they could never hear enough of it. Among them was a Woman brought to Bed but 5 Days before. After I had finished my Discourse, I asked them in the Presence of several Thousands among whom were many Papists, divers of which heard the Word of GOD with Tears, Whether they were not sorry for having left their Native Country? Whether they believe sincerely in GOD the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in whom they were Baptized? Whether they were resolved to continue stedfast in the true Doctrine they now acknowledged, to hear the Voice of Christ only in his Word, to follow him, and to hope for Salvation only through his Merits? To these Questions They Answered Yes! often Clapping their Hands together over their Heads, to express their Earnestness.⁹ Afterwards they were conducted to their Quarters, singing all the Way Spiritual Hymns. All these abovementioned came out of the Jurisdiction of Grossart [Grossarl], belonging to the Arch-Bishoprick of Saltzburg, from whence some of those that went before’em were, most of them, very Poor but of good Cheer.

This Morning being Monday, My Wife and other faithful Persons are to go and enquire carefully in all their Quarters (most of which I my self visit also) who are the most indigent amongst them, in Order to provide Shoes, Stockings, Shirts, Neckcloths etc.

In the Afternoon the Ministers of the Gospel preached the Word of GOD to the Exiles in their Severel Quarters without the City, I had also an Opportunity to do the same in Shooter’s Field,¹⁰ in the Presence of many Thousands of other People a great Number of whom were Papists, both Rich and Poor, and several Regulars of Divers Denominations, on these Words: Psalm 23:5. Thou preparest a Table before me, in the presence of mine Enemies. Which Psalm I have Chosen for Exiles, and has furnished me with many Discourses to these poor People. Though the Number of Hearers was great yet was there so deep a Silence that I was not in the least disturbed. Severel Papists were again observed to shed Tears. I meddled not with Controversey, only set Christ before them as the Good Sheppard of his Sheep.

Before I concluded with a Benediction, I proposed again several Questions to the Exiles, which they Ansered chearfully and exactly, though in few Words. Give me leave to mention, that as 600 of them, who were left behind the Day before, arrived here towards Noon, I went to meet them in my Chaise. And no sooner had they seen me and observed that I was a Protestant Minister, but they came running towards me, offered their Hands, and cried out Oh! Preach to us, Oh! Preach to us. I spoke to several who manifested a great Power of Godliness. One said upon my asking him Whether he had left any thing behind? replied YES I have, but what are all things belonging to the Body, in Comparison with Eternal Goods. I am only sorry for those who staid behind for the sake of the Belly, and would not come away along with us, though they knew better things, but they will come still I hope.

Dear Sir: When I began on Monday Morning to write to You and thank you in the Name of the Exiles for transmitting the Bills of Exchange, a certain Gentleman sent a Piece of Gold Value 10 Ducats for them, and added these Words: “I desire You not to let my Name be known, for having no Mind to sound a Trumpet with my Mite, I am satisfied with the Assurance that Our heavenly Father who sees all things in Secret will reward us openly for Alms given with a faithful Heart. Matthew VI.”

Two Hours after another Benefactor sent 25 Florins with the same Request, and as I went towards Evening to Shooter’s Field to preach there, an Eminent Protestant Banker met and told me he had Orders to pay me next Morning a Bill of 2000 Florins, which were collected by two Foreign Protestant Congregations, and left to the Disposal of the Protestant Ministry here, and another Bill of 40 £ Sterling more which came from England. You may suppose Sir, my Heart was excited to praise the Lord, especially since the very next Day 100 Florins more were sent to my House in three several [separate] Parcels. This was indeed the fulfilling of what I preached from the Words: Thou preparest a Table before me in the Presence of mine Enemies.

On Tuesday I had another Discourse on the 23 Psalm in the Celebrated Garden belonging to Mr. Schaur¹¹ before 100 Exiles, to make the Deeper Impression upon them, of the most happy Condition of those who have a saving Knowledge of their Good Shepherd Jesus Christ. In the Afternoon a very Edifying Sermon was preached by my Colleague Mr. Hildebrand in St. Ann’s Church, upon Revelation III V. 14 22 before the Exiles, who could not be looked upon without the Greatest Commotion of Heart.

Wednesday Morning they were brought again to this Church, when I discoursed upon the following Words: Psalm 23:6 Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the Days of my Life and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. After Sermon they Sung, by themselves, two Spiritual Hymns, One beginning with these Words: O My faithful GOD and Father etc. and the other Come and hear the Sacred Story etc. which caused a Flood of Tears in the Congregation. In the Afternoon most of Our Ministers preached to’em, when 600 Florins part of the abovementioned 2000 were distributed among them, I was with them in the Gardens of Mr. Benz and Mr. Wolf, in Company with our Protestant Syndic.¹² who is the Chief of the Protestants here.

This Morning being Thursday they parted from Us in good Order, dismissed with many Tears, Prayers, and Benedictions. They retain their former Excellent Character [reputation] of being Pious, Quiet, Meek, and Patient. Our Protestant Congregation has abounded in their Charity towards them and during their stay here, were continually sending Benefactions to all their Quarters about the City.

To show the Contentedness of these People, I beg leave to mention one Instance: It happened that a Shoe-Maker took Measure of an Old Man to make him a Pair of Shoes; several came and said they also wanted Shoes, and being told they should have them Gratis, they then said no more about it, giving this Reason upon Enquiry, because there might be some amongst them, who stood more in need than themselves.

I come now to Answer some Particulars of Your Letters of the 13th and 23rd of June Viz.

1st.  I have Received all the Sums of Money which Mr. Ziegenhagen sent by Bills of Exchange, for which I gave him Receipts.

2nd.  The Honourable Society and every Body else may be assured that the Benefactions are managed with all possible Care and Faithfulness; and that I don’t know how any One at this time can bestow his Temporal Goods better than towards the Support of these true Confessors. Therefore be not weary to send Daily and we will not be weary to distribute faithfully Your Charity and Contributions as hitherto our Mites. The Harvest is great and We Expect Daily [any day] 3000 more in one Company.

3rd.  It is computed that there are actually [by this time] gone out of the Country of Saltzburg about 15000 Persons.

4th.  Those who left Saltzburg since March last are all going to Prussia and most of them also who came in the Winter and were here and there received, are desirous to go along with their Countrymen to Prussia. I hear just now that the King of Prussia¹³ hath given Orders to receive 10,000 more, besides them he hath already Received.

5th.  They all go as we are informed to the Prussian Lithuania.¹⁴

6th.  My Correspondent¹⁵ from Ratisbon informed me three Months ago that the Whole Number of these Exiles amounted to 40,000 but the last Exiles say that about 15,000 more left behind in the Country, however no Body can tell the exact Number because they increase Daily. It is but a Week ago that We had a well attested Account that about 1000 Persons belonging to the Salt Mines have openly Professed the Protestant Religion and desired Assistance from Ratisbon. This is a great Blow to the Arch Bishop.

Concerning the Course of Exchange, I receive here for 1 £ Sterling 8 Florins 45 Creutzers and accordingly for 50 £ Sterl. 437 Florins 30 Creutzers. This Account I likewise send this Day to Mr. Ziegenhagen at Pyrmont. I acknowledge with all Thankfulness that I have Received a Packet of Books from the Honourable Society by Mr. Machtolff, who continued with me 6 Weeks.

I admonished our Dear Saltzburgers to pray for their Benefactors in England, which they most readily promised to do. They are indeed very fervent in their Devotions, One of them said this Morning at taking leave: “Sir, when we were in the greatest Perplexity, we betook our selves unto Prayer and then GOD was our help.” I beg likewise the favour of Your Prayers that GOD may vouchsafe Grace and Strength unto me to labour furthermore in his Service for the Benefit of these poor Exiles.

Yesterday I had Letters from Tranquebar¹⁶ dated 18 Oct. 1731 with advice that the Sum of 1100 Dollars¹⁷ collected in this Place Anno 1730 for the Benefit of the Mission came safe to their Hands; The inclosed Copy concerning the great Commotion in Bohemia, I recommend in Secret to the Consideration of the Honourable Society I have sent the same to Pyrmont. May GOD Bless and prosper the Society and You in particular! I recommend myself to their devout intercessions with GOD and remain under a Multiplicity of Business.

Most Honoured Sir Your very Obedient Servant S. Urlsperger Augsbourg 17, July 1732.

N.B.  A Copy of a Letter from [name omitted] was enclosed in this Letter and is entered in this Book Folio 21. [See p.      ]

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Munch at Augsbourg 24 July 1732.   To Mr. Mayer at London.

I took up presently Your Draughts of 37 £ 17 s and 102 £ 2 s Sterling and paid to Senior Urlsperger the Value of it without any Provisions or Charges, and I wish suchlike Providings more and more may be made, being very glad to serve the Poor Emigrants. The Lord will also reward You for Your Trouble, and all the Benefactors. We expect in a few Days some hundred more of them.

Translation of a Letter in High-Dutch [from Urlsperger]. To Mr. Newman. Augsbourg, 1st Aug. 1732 N.S.

Sir: I hope You have Received my last of the 17th of July, containing a particular Account of what passed here with the Exiles of Saltzbourg the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th & 17th Current. Now I acquaint You that Yours of the 30th of June came safe to my Hands, and that the two Bills of Exchange have been readily paid without deducting any L’Agio by Mr. Munch (Who was Knighted a few Days since by His Imperial Majesty) this Gentleman’s Fore-Fathers have been likewise Exiles and upon that Account he hath a very great Compassion towards the Exiles of Saltzburg.¹⁸

In my last Letters, You have seen some Particulars what Profit was made with the Charities from England, and a more particular Account shall follow as soon as possible. Some Days ago 1800 Exiles passed by here both on the Left and the Right Side, but none of them coming hither, I sent some of the Charity Money in my Hands unto faithful Persons, in order to distribute it among the needy, which hath been done accordingly, as I am informed this Minute by a Letter from Memmingen, for which these Dear Exiles have often Blessed the Benefactors. To Morrow in the Evening or the next Morning we expect about 700-800 Exiles. I have ordered my Domesticks to get ready a Good Number of Shirts etc. to distribute them to those who are in want. Though I am Drinking the Mineral Waters, Yet it shall not hinder me to visit these new Guests as soon as they come and to take Care What Land the Seed of Charity sent from London can best be sowed in. I assure You Sir, You cannot see a more pleasant Sight than to be present at the Arrival of such a Company. The Rich among us are glad to be able to serve these Strangers.

If the Report which is spread almost throughout Germany shall come to Your Ears in England that the Elector of Bavaria had sent for me to preach before him I desire You’ll not believe it, as being without Foundation. However there are a great motions up and down in Bavaria, a great many Persons, and even whole Families being come to us, and having embraced the Protestant Religion.

In Carinthia the Fire of Professing the Gospel is breaking out too, as I have been credibly informed; what happeneth in Hungary You will see with Grief by the enclosed Copy of a Letter I received but last Night from Good Hands.¹⁹ Let us Sincerely and incessantly pray for these our Afflicted Brethren. Popery is very much enraged again by the Motions in Saltzburg. However the Lord is with us. Therefore fear not, thou little Flock.

Concerning the Evangelick Body at Ratisbon, it hath made all possible Remonstrances to his Imperial Majesty who also several times sent dehortatory Letters to the Arch Bishop of Saltzburg, but they have done no Good hitherto in the main Business, and though the Ambassador of Saltzburg [Zillerberg] seemed to make the Sincerest Promises at the Diet, Yet all things were found otherwise. Only One thing is done, Viz. the 70 and odd Prisoners, every one of whom continued stedfast, notwithstanding the Greatest Torments they endured, have been set at Liberty and obtained leave from the Arch Bishop to take as much of their Goods along with them as they can carry, but in this very Point many unjust things are Committed. Nor do I see any other way for these good People to get any part of what they left behind’em in Houses, Land, Cattle etc. unless the Emperor appoints a local-Commission, consisting of Members of the Empire of both Religions. I hope to be able very soon to Communicate to You an exact List of all the Exiles.

Being much obliged to the Honourable Society for their Confidence in me, I commit them, all the Benefactors in General, and the Trustees in particular (to whom our Dear Saltzburgers return many Thousand Thanks, and promise faithfully to pray for them) together with You Dear Sir, and Mr. Martini to the Grace of GOD and remain with all Sincerity

Dear and Honoured Sir   Your very Obedient Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

Translation of a Letter in High Dutch [from Urlsperger]. To Mr. Newman. Augsbourg. 12 August 1732.

Dear and Honoured Sir: This Day arrived here 800 Exiles, and at the same time upon the Right and the Left two Companies of each 900, one towards Memmingen, the other towards Rein a little place in Bavaria, I have therefore little time to write.

1st.  I acquaint You that I have Received all Your Bills of Exchange, as mentioned in my Letters of the 17th, and 31st of July,

2nd.  The last return of 208 £ 16 s (for which GOD be ever praised) I have Received at that Instant when there were 900 here who came upon the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th of this Month; as a great many in this Company were very poor and miserable who wanted [needed] particular Care to be taken of them, I obtained leave for them to stay a Day longer, in which time I took Care to supply the most needy with Shoes, Stockings, Shirts, Neck-Cloths etc. I distributed likewise some Books amongst those who could Read, and Ready Money, upon which they frequently broke out into this Language, Good GOD, do they think of us at such a Distance? pray GOD reward them. The Contentedness, Patience, and unspeakable desire of these People to hear the Word of GOD is not to be expressed by any Pen.

3rd.  13,000 Exiles are actually gone to Prussia upon the 3rd of August. 5000 were lodged in the County of Oettingen to be examined before the Prussian Commissary,²⁰ previous to their March, and since that time within Six Days 5000 more went away, including the Company that arrived here this Day. So that in the whole there are 23,000 gone from Saltzbourg, we shall hear to Day how many Thousand remain behind.

4th.  Inclosed is the Copy of Minutes taken by the Mayor when the last Company of Saltzburgers were here upon which You may depend.

5th.  In Bavaria a great Fire from the Gospel begins to glow, of which We have many Accounts, however we must be Silent as Yet.

6th.  Eight Days ago a Person from the Valley of Tefferegger [Deferegen] in Saltzburg came hither, who professed the Protestant Religion here a Year and half ago; he went three Weeks since into the Country, and when he told the People in the Valley of Grossbentzer that the Exiles were so well Received by the Protestants, They wept and the next Day 230 professed openly the Protestant Religion which none had ever done in that Valley before.

7th.  A Minister of the Gospel from Ratisbon²¹ lodges at present in my house, whom GOD has employed these 5 Years past in the Business of Saltzbourg; he came hither incognito to confer with Me in the Name of some Protestant Ambassadors upon some weighty Affairs. But I have not time to say more.

My most humble and devoted Respects, and many Thousands Thanks in the Name of the Saltzburgers to the Society, and in particular to Sir John Philipps, and the Rest of the Gentlemen who collect.

I commit You to the Grace of GOD   Sam. Urlsperger

The Copy which I lately sent concerning the Motion in Bohemia, I desire may be kept Secret.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Munch at Augsbourg 7 August 1732.   To Mr. Mayer at London.

Sir: I have Read the Favour of Yours of the 14 July past O.S. and according to Your desire I acquaint You that I have paid Mr. Urlsperger the Pounds Sterling every time as high as the Course of Exchange could bear, he having received for the            Flor.

So that upon Calculating it Your Self. You’ll find that I paid rather too much than too little, which I hope will please You as well as the Collectors, I have no design to get any thing by these poor Emigrants who are worthy of Compassion, much less to lessen the Christian Benefactions that are bestowed upon them.

The 208 £ 16 S Sterling which You have drawn again upon me have been paid already to Senior Urlsperger in Florins 1820.2 after the Rate of 8.43 per pound Sterling and have been very acceptable, when just 1000 such Emigrants were here, it is observable that amongst these there are several who had a Spight against the first Emigrants for their Professing the Evangelical Faith, railed at that Religion and wronged very much such as quitted the Country on that Score, but were convinced afterwards of the Gross Errors of Popery, and were brought by heavenly Grace to the Light of the Gospel, so that they Chearfully professed it, willingly quitted their house and home, chusing rather to undertake the fatiguing Emigration.

It can be therefore well said that GOD does now great Wonders and imparts his Grace to so many calling them with Power and Might to save them from eternal Damnation; the Patience and Resignation of those People is very particular and almost incomprehensible that they Submit to their Fate as well in their Country as out of it, without the least Murmurings or Signs of Impatience and never have lost the Respect and Obedience due to their Sovereign or his Subalterns.

There appears likewise a Divine and Gracious Direction in that these poor Exiles are received every where with Good Will and Charity, and that Money is sent for their relief from remote parts where they do not pass; which Love and Charity GOD will not leave unrecompenced.

It is easily to be imagined our Ministers by Such frequent Passages are very much occupied, The Spiritual Consolations giving much more Comfort to these People than Temporal Benefactions, and time would not permit Senior Urlsperger to write so often as he could wish to do, but he tells me that he has written to Secretary Newman the 17th and 31st of July last, under cover to Resident Gullman in Franckfort,²² giving him a particular Account as much as was possible.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Münch at Augsbourg 28 August 1732.   To Mr. Mayer at London.

I send You here enclosed a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger for Mr. Newman which please to deliver. The Confession of the Gospel is now broke out in the Bishoprick of Bercktolsgaden,²³ and there have been 1200 already Registered as protestants of the Augustan [Lutheran] Confession.

Translation of a Letter in High Dutch [from Urlsperger]. To Mr. Newman.   Augsbourg 18, 25 August 1732 N. S.

Dear and Honoured Sir: My Letters of the 17th and 31st of July as also of the 12 August I hope You have received with the Papers enclosed in’em; the two first I sent by the favour of Mr. Resident Gullman at Franckfort, and the third under cover of Monsieur de Munch to be by him forwarded to Mr. Mayer at London, in which Letters I have acknowledged the Receit of all your Bills of Exchange and given a full Account of what then related to the Exiles, and I showed likewise how the Money Received hath been disposed of by me.

At present I have nothing further to acquaint You with but only this, that in Berchtolsgaden from whence no Emigration hath happened hitherto, 1200 have professed the Protestant Religion and these are of those Artists whose famous Turnery Ware is sent through the World. But how it is with these People and likewise with the Tirnbergers,²⁴ You will see by the Enclosed which contains an Extract of a Letter from my Correspondent at Ratisbon to me, and of another Letter from the Tirnbergers to my Correspondent who as I have mentioned in my last was the chiefest Instrument in the Affair of Saltzburg. And all these are People who did not stir a Year ago. [To the right of the above paragraph is the following note:]

The Extracts of Letters here referred to are entered at length in this Book Fol. 23 & 24 [See pp. 253-54].

Since the last Company of Exiles, who were here the 11th August and consisted of 900 Persons, we had no other but ’tis said that another Company is to come in a short time and that the Remainder who have Professed the Protestant Religion are obliged to stay the whole Winter in the Country: of which however we have no Certainty but this I may affirm with Truth, that in the Neighbouring Popish Countries a great stir is observed and that many by the Example of the Saltzburgers are become doubtful of their Religion. I could produce many Instances but I dare not venture yet to commit them to Writing. This I may say, that within a few Weeks many Proselites are come to me, particularly a certain Monk, who secretly Corresponded with me before, arrived here 4 Days ago and having changed his Habit is conveyed into a Place of safety. Here a Question arises whether it may be done with the consent of the Honourable Society that in such sudden cases as with the aforesaid Monk, I dispose of some of the Money they have intrusted me with for You may be sure GOD will do great things and Babylon will receive a blow of which it is not aware.

The Letters of the 25th and 28th of July, one of which being written by You my Dear and Honoured Sir, and the other by Messrs. Philipps, Vernon & Tillard, I have received with the enclosed Bill of Exchange of 121 £ 8 S Sterling which Monsieur de Münch very readily paid without any Deduction. It would not be amiss, if You Honoured Sir did insert in your next Letter to me a Thanksgiving to be made in Your Name to Monsieur de Münch.

Pray excuse me to the other Gentlemen who Honoured me with their Letter that I have not sent’em an Answer immediately, for the Multitude of other Affairs hinders me as yet, but I’ll do it as soon as possible.

’Tis very agreable to me that the Society hath been pleased to Print an Extract of my Letter of 17th of July may GOD prosper it with many Good Fruits.

The 2000 Florins came from the Protestant Congregations at Vienna, at the Protestant Ambassadors Viz: the Swedish and Danish Ambassadors there, to which the Protestant Merchants settled in that City likewise resort, but they desired for many Reasons to forbear making it Publick. In all there hath been gathered in these two Congregations 600 Florins for the Saltzburgers.

Tis well known now that the Number of these who are actually gone and are still to go out of Saltzburg (the People of Tirnberg, Berchtolsgaden, Pischerwisen, Gehrn, and of Grossbentzer Valley being not yet comprehended in this Number) will amount to 28 or 30,000 Persons, the full number of them cannot yet exactly be known, hitherto they go almost all, as I am informed, into the Prussian Lithuania, a Matter of 2000 of them may be are still here and in other Protestant Imperial Cities and Countries hereabouts. The Commissioners of Zeeland (one of whom being the High-German Protestant Minister at Middleburg hath Preached Yesterday in my Church) have not been so successful as to get 400 Saltzburgers which number they were sent for, but must be satisfied with 45 Persons.²⁴ The Reasons are because these People love to stay together, and because in Zeeland they can have no Land of their own to cultivate.

If GOD should bring out more of these People, as it appears very plain it will be, it will require mature Deliberation where to place them. However GOD will show ways which no human understanding knoweth yet. If the motions about Religion continue in Bohemia, as I am very well assured of: there is no other Way of taking their Parts, but by Intercession, because the Emperor’s hereditary Dominions are to be considered quite otherwise than according to the Peace of Westphalia;²⁵ but the Lord, who is more powerful than all the Powers upon Earth, and in these our Days particularly manifested his Glory to the Comfort of afflicted Consciences, will give Counsel in this Affair also, for with him is Counsel and Understanding.

The Evangelick Body at Ratisbon doth still continue strenuously to espouse the Cause of the Exiles of Saltzburg. but the Arch Bishop having now made Application to the Aulick [Catholic] Counsel of the Empire, the Affair is brought under new Difficulties. Nevertheless in the mean time many Advantages have been obtained.

My next Letter will show how far the Confidence the Society puts in me concerning the discreet and Prudent Management in the distribution of all such Charities as already have been, and (thro’ the Goodness of GOD) may further be paid into my hands, hath been fulfilled; at least I do my Endeavours for that purpose, and call upon GOD at the same time for the Spirit of Wisdom. May GOD reward the Society, the Trustees, and all the Benefactors for the Good they bestow upon these our persecuted Brethren. I wish the Society could see such a Company here and converse with them. A Multitude of other Business calling me off from this, I commit You to the Grace of GOD, and remain with my very humble Respects to the Honourable Society.

Your most humble Servant   S. Urlsperger

P.S.  If any of these Extracts were to be printed concerning the People in Tirnberg & Berchtolsgaden, the Names of Ratisbon and Augsburg must not be mentioned as far as they have any thing to do with the Correspondence, lest the Enemies get any Advantage of it. Not long since a Romish Priest preached: Ah! call upon all Saints that the defection may not come amongst our Clergy. In the last Company of Exiles were many persons whose Children were taken away by force from the Mother’s Breast, at their departure.

N.B.  You may depend upon my Accounts because I have them either from the first hand at Ratisbon, or know by my own Experience.

Translation of a Letter in High-Dutch [from Urlsperger]. To Mr. Newman. Augsbourg. 1 September 1732 N.S. Hebrews 6:10

Dear and Honoured Sir: Being informed by Your two last Letters that You have received mine of the 17th of July and 1st of August N.S. I hope You have by this time got likewise my Letters of the 12th and 25th past, Your last of the 8th of August O.S. came to my hands the 29th Ditto N.S. with three Bills of Exchange which were immediately paid by Monsieur de Munch with his usual Readiness and disinterestedness Viz. 1991 Florins 34 Creutzers at 8 Fl. 45 Creutzers per Pound Sterling. In a Multiplicity of Affairs, which both my Ministerial Functions and other extraordinary Occurrences daily increase, I add only as much as the present Circumstances permit.

First You will always receive in my Letters particular Receits for the Sums of Money You transmit, as I enclose now three Receits.

Secondly. The use I make of this Money as I hinted several times, is as followeth:

Thirdly. No Company of Exiles having been here since the 14th August N.S. nor any at Memmingen, nor Donawert [Donauwörth], my Cash for the Exiles is in very good Circumstances because I have still in my hands the greatest part of Your three last large Remittances, Viz.

I am now like a Mother, who having both her Breasts full of Milk, can hardly stay ’till her Child comes to suck. For no Company of Exiles having been here these 16 Days I am thinking it is not right, and wait as it were with Pain to make them Partakers of the English Charity but GOD knows best, how to regulate everything; He fills in the mean time the Magazines, that nothing may be wanting afterwards when new Companies arrive.

Fourthly. There are spread several Reports why no more Exiles have been this Way all the while, but We cannot depend upon these Reports. The discourse runs now almost entirely upon the Affair of Tirnberg and Berchtolsgaden of which in my last of the 25 of August.

Fifthly. Yesterday I sent a certain Saltzburger to Nuremberg who was forced to fly the Country for having assisted two Merchants [Zwilling and Moedlhammer] at Saltzburg, who have a secret Inclination to the Protestant Religion, two Chests of Protestant Books (marked Chests of Cheese) were sent to them from Nuremberg who forwarded them to the Mountainous Countries[.] both the Merchants having been betrayed are condemned to Publick hard Labour on the Fortifications of the City of Saltzburg and being Rich one of them was forced besides this to pay a fine of 1100 Florins and the other 1300 F1.

Sixthly. Part of the Company of Exiles that were here in the beginning of August went from hence towards Nuremberg and coming through a Popish Place belonging to the Teutonick Order called Ilingen were miserably pelted with Dirt and Stones by the People so that the Bailiff of the place could hardly make them leave off. When the last Company was coming hither it happened that at a Place belonging to the Bishop called Kirchlein, very famous for frequent Pilgrimage, which lyeth 5 Hours Journey from hence, an Exile Woman very big with Child went to the Mistress of a Publick House into the Kitchen and begged heartily to let her have some warm Broth for Money because She had had no warm Victuals for several Days, but the Woman of the House flew in a Passion against her and bid her be gone out of the Kitchen immediately into the Stable her Lodging for She could not endure her Sight. The Poor Woman went away with Sadness, and hardly entring the Stable fell into Labour. This was a great Trouble, at last they suffered her to come out of the Stable which stank prodigiously into a Barn to lie down upon the Straw. She would not be delivered by a Popish Midwife, and in the mean time the Child was born upon the Straw. A Protestant of this City, who went to meet this Company on Horse back hearing of it, hastened back to Augsbourg and fetched a Protestant Midwife with Bedding and Medicines in a Chaise. The Midwife found the Child under the Straw but the Woman extraordinary Weak; however by the Mercy of GOD She hath been brought hither with the Child and recovered so well that She cannot praise GOD enough for herself and her Child. Some Days ago She and her Husband, and Maid Servant desired the Sacrament from me and having previously examined’em and found them Answer mine Examination excellently well, I distributed it unto them, during which holy Performance Tears of Joy were continually running down their Cheeks. I can assure You Sir of this Family again that I did not hear them complain of any Hardship, but they are continually full of Praises and Thanksgivings. This Family hath been liberally refreshed by the English Charity and I shall do so still, many more particulars might be added, but I want [lack] Time and hands.

Pray Sir give my humble Service to Mr. Mayer and let him Know some of this News who is so ready to send over Your Bills of Exchange, next Thursday I design to write again adding only now that two Days ago I had certain Intelligence from Leipzig that 30 Bohemians went through that City towards Berlin to implore the King of Prussia’s Protection in matters of Religion for themselves and other Bohemians but they will meet with the greatest Difficulties because the Peace of Westphalia does them no Good and because most of the Bohemians are Slaves.²⁶ My most Obedient Respects to the Honourable Society and particularly to Sir John Philipps, the honourable James Vernon Esq. and William Tillard Esq.

The Lord is GOD! The Lord is GOD. In whom I am

Yours entirely   S. Urlsperger

P.S. For the last Bills of Exchange I return Thousands of Thanks in the Name of the Saltzburg Exiles. May GOD bestow Graciously all the Blessings he hath promised in his Word. Amen.

Translation of a Letter in High Dutch [from Urlsperger]. To Mr. Newman. Augsburg 8 September 1732.

Dear and Honoured Sir: I hope You have Received my last of the 1st of September N.S. which contained several particulars: though it’s now 8 Days since I had any Letter from You, I would not entirely neglect the Post, but give You such further Account of the Exiles for the Information of the Honourable Society, as my Affairs would permit.

’Tis probable that We shall have no more Transports this Year out of those Countries from whence any Exiles have already come. Possibly some may come from Tirnberg and Berchtolsgaden, unless they should move towards Ratisbon. Should they not come this Way, I should take care to convey some of the English Charity to my Correspondent at Ratisbon [J. von Reck], who as I formerly told You has been the Chief Instrument in this Affair, that they may have the same Relief as though they were here. The Circumstances of these Saltzburgers and particularly the People of Tirnberg and Berchtolsgaden, You will learn by my Abstract from Ratisbon since the 2nd of September to which You may give entire Credit.

I must explain the latter part of the Abstract, which mentions how ill the Protestants left behind are treated by severe Oaths imposed upon them. They are to Swear.

1st.  That the Protestant Faith is new, Heretical and Damnable, on the Contrary that the Roman Catholick is the only right and true Faith without which no Man can be saved.

IInd.  That the Popish Mass is a Sacrifice for the Sins of Men both Living and Dead.

III.  That without the Intercession of the Virgin Mary and other Saints no one can be saved.

IV.  That there is certainly a Purgatory in which we can make atonement for our Sins, and thereby obtain Mercy.

V.  That we cannot be saved by Faith alone but by Good Works also.

VI.  That the Popish Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, under one Species [bread] is more efficacious than the Protestant Sacrament under both kinds [bread and wine].

VII.  That all these and other such Articles must be believed in order to Salvation.

VIII.  Some of the last Companies affirmed that All who are any Ways suspected must take this Oath and must at the same time Damn such as were already gone out of the Country.

I have added an Abstract of a Sermon preached by one P. Fyffer²⁷ a Popish Priest in the Cathedral upon the 11th Sunday after Trinity, to which he invited the Protestants 8 Days before hand. It was heard by some intelligent Protestants who drew the inclosed Abstract. You will read the wretched Stuff with Amazement, which contains nothing but Falsities, Ridicule, and Blasphemy the usual Weapons of the Papists when They cannot prevail against the Truth by Force or Fraud. Their Impudence is surprizing that they dare affirm that the Exiles said Christ despaired upon the Cross, though the contrary has been assured Them in Print and the Exiles have answered the same Question here in Publick before many Papists. This part however of Mr. P. Fyffer’s Sermon is true that some Young Persons are come hither, who have had Children by each other without ever being Married by a Priest; but we must observe in Answer to it.

First, That of so many Thousand Persons we never pretended to say They were all Perfect and that none amongst them had been formerly Wicked.

Secondly, When they observed that these Young People were enclined to the Protestant Religion, the Catholicks would not marry Them though they had their Parents consent, but insisted they should embrace the Popish Religion and

Thirdly. We have had many Instances of such as repented their former Sins with thousands of Tears, earnestly desiring forgiveness of them by the Blood of Jesus Christ, so that we may apply to them what St. Paul says of the Corinthians I. Chap. 6:11 such were some of You, but Ye are washed etc.

I hope in a few Days to receive an Account from the Ministers belonging to the Danish [Möllenhof] and Swedish Ambassadors at Vienna, how they fare at Schemnitz and the Places there abouts which I will Communicate to You as soon as I can, but with this Caution, that the Names from whence these Accounts come may not be published.

The Popish Clergy do what they can to suppress the Motions which the Emigration has caused, particularly in the Bavarian Mines, and to prevent the like for the future; to which End the Government of Bavaria sent a Rescript some Weeks since to the United Magistracy in this Place, forbidding our Protestant Booksellers to carry any Books relating to the Exiles to sell at Munich, upon pain of having their Books and all their other Goods Confiscated, and the Transgressors be further Punished.

They observed this Order here, but the Treaty of Westphalia being an universal Law of the Empire, cannot be forbid to be made Publick, and being so little known amongst the People, it has been Printed here and a great Number of them sold at Munich. As a Protestant Bookseller’s Shop at Munich was searched by the Examiners, there happened to be a Popish Priest amongst them who finding the Treaty said ‘Ay! this is the very Devil upon which the Saltzburgers and other Protestants depend.” The Bookseller Answered. No, most Reverend Sir this is no Devil, but the Treaty of Westphalia upon which the other said no more.

We had lately another Rescript from the Elector of Bavaria, requiring the Magistracy at Augsburg to examine a Protestant Baker’s Wife, who is charged with having said “The Elector of Bavaria is turned Protestant, and all Bavaria will turn likewise,” which we have no Reason to doubt because the Protestant Ministers have mentioned it in the Pulpit, but the Story has been found to be altogether without Foundation; it shews however how vigilant the Popish Clergy are; but we sing this Hymn, let’em lay their Designs ever so wisely, GOD orders them a contrary Way, All is in his Hand.

The Tirnbergers in a Letter to My Correspondent [J. von Reck] at Ratisbon have this Expression: “We have at Present but little Comfort (they mean because every One is against them upon Account of their declaring themselves Protestants.) and have nothing but hardship to expect, nevertheless we rejoice that we have publickly professed the Word of GOD.” And this indeed is the only true Matter of Joy! may GOD bring many others with Comfort to the Gates of Zion, for as much as the Sound still continues. Yet there is Room.

I shall send You a very agreable Account of a Circumstance which happened to one Joseph Scheitberger²⁸ who has been banished from Saltzburg ever since the Year 1686 has all along by his Writings been a Spiritual Father to his Countrymen and is yet living. (By the By) he has likewise been assisted by the Charity from England.

I beg you will assure the Honourable Society with my humble Respects & Prayers that their Charity brings Praise to Almighty God, and is a great Refreshment to many miserable Creatures and that the Money is distributed with all Faithfulness, and that You will be so kind to Communicate part of this Account to Mr. Meyer [Mayer] the Banker.

I write in hast, and send the Letter immediately away having no Copy for want of Time and Assistance. I commit You to the Divine Grace; and with my humble Service to all the Benefactors and Acquaintance, remain

Yours entirely   Samuel Urlsperger

Where is Mr. Ziegenhagen? I have wrote 3 times to him in Germany, but don’t know whether my Letters be come to Hand. P.S. The Moment I was concluding my Letter I Received Yours of the 18 of August O.S. with a Bill of Exchange for 100 £ and will Answer as much as the Time will permit.

1st.  Monsieur de Munch is still willing [still wishes] to do as He has hitherto done. He has just now wrote to me in these Terms.

“Whereas the Honourable Society and Mr. Newman are not weary in bestowing their Charity upon the Confessors of Christ, and send them so much Money, which I hope the Lord will reward. I shall likewise not be weary in the Affair, to give my Assistance with all my Heart, and desire You’ll give my humble Respects to the Honourable Society and to Mr. Newman.”

2nd.  I return Thanks in the Name of the Salzburgers and other Protestant Converts who are now come to me for Refuge.

3rd.  I can as yet send no more exact Accounts than what I have already given which I received from the Prussian Commissarys.²⁹

4th.  By my last You will see that we cannot certainly tell how many are yet behind in the several Districts that openly profess the Protestant Religion. I am afraid some may be deterred from it, but it will be of little Service to them. We have Examples of this kind who yet afterwards became more Zealous.

5th.  I hear the New Confessors in Tirnberg and Berchtolsgaden amount to above 2000.

6th.  The King of Prussia has indeed given Orders to receive all that are already come except Miners, which all these Tirnbergers are.

7th.  The Rest are dispersed in the Imperial, and other Protestant Principalities and Countries, but several afterward went from thence into Prussia.

8th.  They go into the Prussian Lithuania, which lies 20 Miles³⁰ from Koningsberg [Königsberg].

9.  Most of the Exiles hitherto have been Farmers, with their Men, and Maid Servants, and few Trades-Men, they were such Farmers as lived in their own, some of them very fine and large Farms.

10th.  The Number of Children was very great, more than that of the Adults.

I have thus answered all your Letter, and shall always continue these Accounts as I am able, but Sir I have not been able so much as to read my Letter over again.

Abstract of a Letter³¹ dated Ratisbon 2 September 1732. (enclosed in the foregoing Letter to Mr. Newman)

Just now arrived here the third Deputation from the People of Tirnberg and Berchtolsgaden, who brought again several Letters. The Young Man is come back who I told You went from hence with a Letter into Saltzburg from me and laid it before the Chancellor of the Court, who read it Publickly to the Commissaries, who often looked upon one another. The Chancellor asked the Young Man several Questions concerning the Substance of the Letter, and said at last this was both Preaching the Protestant Religion, and giving useful advice, to all which the Young Man Answered with Courage from a lively Faith and hath now brought a Pass-Port along with him; wherein he is called a Protestant. The Case of the Tirnbergers is very Good, of which I give this short Abstract.

First, they have sent 4 Deputies with their Memorial to the Arch Bishop, in which they made mention of about 800 Persons upon which the Commissaries came to Tirnberg, August the 8th about those Miners in the Salt Mines, called them together and proposed several Points concerning Religion, but they could not be moved, though they examined them one by one.

Secondly, Whereupon their Names were set down as Protestants, being told at the same time how to behave themselves for the future.

I.  They should endeavour to sell their Goods as well as they could.

II.  To forbear Meeting upon a severe Corporal Punishment.

III.  They should do their Work in the Mines diligently and leave no Fraud or Damage behind them (of which they are very much afraid at Saltzburg because one single Miner could do them unspeakable Damage by Water) but they answered modestly: it should be far from them to do so etc.

IV.  They should give Notice of their Departure before hand.

The Preachers of Repentance³² and Jesuits, as Foreigners will now try what they can do with them. But it will be in vain.

The People of Berchtolsgaden are gone almost a whole Year very little to their Churches, and not at all to the Mass but they meet together, read, Sing and Pray, and no Body forbids it. Their Dean would not venture to receive their Memorial and therefore they could have no Answer, now they will go to the Prince himself with their Memorial. And then I hope the Lord will open one Door after another, and bring his Flocks out of other Folds. Blessed be the Lord who alone doth Wonders, and blessed to his Glorious Name; all Lands must be at last full of His Glory. Also,

I have been informed that the two Merchants at Saltzburg Messrs. Zwilling and Moedthamber [Moedlhammer] have been severely punished and must Work in the Fortifications for bringing Protestant Books into the Country. God Grant that the English Magazine [funds] with You be filled more and more with his Blessings.

If the Tirnbergers should be permitted to come hither to us, perhaps I shall make Application to You, though it should be told from whence the Fountain flows. All is quiet now about more Companies coming, it seems the last that was to go, remained in the Country. ’Tis said, they are very hard upon them, especially with taking of Oaths.

Abstract of a Sermon Preached by a Popish Priest at the Cathedral Church at Augsbourg 11th Sunday after Trinity 1732. (Enclosed in the foregoing Letter from Mr. Urlsperger to Mr. Newman).

His Proposition was:

The Glory of the Lutheran Church, which she hath from the Exiles of Saltzburg.

In our Catholick Church our Glory are the 12 Apostles with their Faith and Miracles etc. What is the Glory of the Lutherans? What Miracles have they? the greatest Miracle of our Time, than which none hath been greater yet, Viz. That so many Thousand Saltzburgers turn to their Church. This is such a Wonder that the whole World must Wonder at it. We will consider therefore

First, The Wonder in it self.

Secondly, As it is an holy Wonder.

1st.  The Lutherans say: is it not a great Wonder that above 2000 Men have been enlightened at once? I must confess it is a great wonder; but I read in their Printed Papers, that before Luther’s time Faith had been already in Saltzburg. which sheweth that they have not been enlightened suddenly, and thus You see that they contradict themselves. Pray consider whether it be a Wonder that Tares are found in a Field, which the People see and cut off but leave the Root in the Ground, therefore it grows again and brings Seed, which falls down upon the Ground in several Places, and spreads it self far and near, and so it happened in this Case.

Further observe, that these People were stubborn from their Childhood, who would not hear when others were willing to instruct them in the Catholick Faith, but resisted, remaining stiff in their stubborn free will, and their scandalous Lives, and chosing rather a Religion that is agreable to their Nature and Affections where they may live as they please, and are not tied down to any Injunctions of Fasting, of making Auricular Confessions, of mortifying their Body with Works of Penance etc. but where they say it is impossible to keep the Commandments of God, and therefore we may do what we please.

But what do I say? surely they keep bravely in an unmarried Life, the Commandment, increase and multiply;³³ this was evidently seen by several Hundreds of Children, which they brought along, as so many Witnesses, in Waggons. Pray see this is the great Wonder of the Lutherans, of which they speak in their Form of Prayers for the Festival of Peace, of which they have made Pictures and added Explications to’em, exclaiming with David: it is a Wonder before our Eyes Hallelujah, it is of no great Reputation if People Praise their Goods too much, as we see by the Mountebanks, who make a great Noise of their Medicines to make the People buy them, though it is very poor Stuff; and thus do the Lutherans, they proclaim and make a Noise about this matter in single Sheets, in Prints, in so many Books etc. There is likewise published a Print and called a Wonder by Lutherans that a Child of two Years old jumped down three Stories high. Mind the Wonder! the Child of two Years old did know what Faith is and that the Lutheran Faith is the true Faith; the Child of two Years hath Committed himself to the Providence and Protection of God, and jumped down three Stories high; mind the Wonder, it was a little Country House of a Farmer, three Stories high, such as they have in Saltzburg. My Christian Believers, what must our Wonder be at this and that Altar? before this and that Image of Grace? they are nothing, our Wonders are all Lies, but with them all is true, and all together a great Wonder.

II.  We consider it as an holy Wonder. Mind how the Lutherans praise this Wonder. They say: these People behave themselves very devoutly, O how fervently do they Pray, how humble and contented they are, their Piety & Zeal cannot be looked without Tears. Behold these are the holy People! But Mind, the Lutherans say nothing at all of the Behaviour of these People in their Country. There they sat together round a Table, with a Salt-Cellar upon it, they dipt their Fingers into the Salt, and bound themselves with an Oath,³⁴ not to leave one another ’till they obtained their Will, they gathered together before the Magistrate’s House, as Rebells, attacked him, with several threatning Words, saying there were 800 Men sent from Ratisbon, and 1800 from other Places to their Assistance and were already on the Road; the Popish Heads who resisted them should soon tumble about on the Ground, particularly mentioning their Prince, and other Great Men.

Is not this Rebellion? moreover they spoke Blasphemously of Christ, that he despaired on the Cross, because he cried out: My God, why hast thou forsaken me? likewise of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that She was in the lower most part of Hell. Saint Nepomuck they have called a Hangman, they have disfigured the Image of St. Augustin and other Saints. And yet these are Pious People.

Concerning the Doctrine they have received, Pray, who hath instructed them? I tell You a learned Man, Viz: a Smith. But they have their Faith from the Scripture, You say, but how can that be, when they cannot read? But some could read, and read the Scripture unto others that could not. Well, but who hath explained the Scripture and proved that this is the True Faith, for the Lutheran Ministers themselves say that the Scripture ought to be explained? I Answer, the abovementioned Smith and some others amongst them have explained the Scripture. Ha, Ha, this and his Companions are the Learned Men, who can explain the Scripture: ’tis likely they have made a true Explication thereof. What are the most learned Men of our Church and all the Fathers of the Church? They are nothing in Comparison to these People, but who can be so void of Sense and Understanding and believe that these People can explain the Scripture and prove from the same the Articles of Faith. I have often told the Lutherans, and repeat it again to Day, that they shall prove from the Scripture by one Single Sentence only, but without Explication, that my Faith is a false Faith, I say without Explication, I will turn a Lutheran this very Day.

But it is certain these People have the Lutheran Faith, Why? because their Examination is printed here, there You may Read it: But I find only Nine have Answered, and therefore are all the rest of the same Faith, for all that many may be Anabaptists and I don’t know what. And then why must We believe they have Answered so? two Ministers have Subscribed their Names, therefore it must be true, and yet these are themselves interested in the Case, but so it is, what they say, all is true, what We say, is nothing but Lies. Let it be so, but I desire the Lutherans to consider what they do in seducing so many People. May God convert them that they may return to our true Church!

Copy of a Letter from Mr. [name omitted] dated 10 May 1732. (Sent by Mr. Urlsperger to Mr. Newman enclosed in a Letter dated 17 July 1732).

There is an extraordinary Motion throughout the whole Kingdom of Bohemia, whose increase can’t be related in few Words: This Week the Papists have intercepted again 18 of such as were going to leave their Country to which they were encouraged by a Man of Limburg, who having visited our Country [Saxony] at his return home gave his Friends an Account of what he had seen and heard here. This made such Impression upon their Minds that they expressed a great desire to be Members of such a Congregation as their Friend had described. In short they left all at once and made the best of their Way towards us with two Waggons but before they could leave the Borders of Bohemia, they were pursued by their Enemies, and all of ’em brought back again in Bonds and Fetters, except one, who narrowly escaped out of their Hands in the following manner:

After they had been taken they were forced to take up their Lodging in a Gentleman’s Stable, and being all Manacled and fast tied together two by two, it happened that a Son’s Foot was but slightly tied to that of his Father’s, and by endeavouring found means to free himself from his Shackels. This done he went towards the Door, but stumbling over one of their keeper’s Feet, and being forced to stride over the Body of another that lay before the Door, he would have paid Dear for it, had not been both fast asleep: then opening the Door as soft as he could went out and bolted it after him. When he came into the Yard he had another difficulty to surmount, which was a pretty high Wall, he must climb over it if he would save himself, and finding nothing but an old Broken Ladder of one Pole and but a few Spikes, he made shift to get to the Top of the Wall, and jumping down the other side sprained his Foot. However God was pleased to strengthen him so much that he reached Zittau by 12 at Noon.

The next Morning as the rest were carried back again, they went on Chearfully in their Journey, singing along the Road David’s Psalms and other Divine Hymns, so that many that heard’em were moved at it. They stretched forth their hands to those that Guarded’em, expressing their thanks for giving them an Opportunity of confessing their Lord Jesus openly.

It was remarkable that the very same Person who made his escape, in his Prayers with the Rest of his Brethren upon the Road, after they were taken, made this most earnest Request to God that but one might escape to give an Account of their Circumstances to our Congregation to excite us to remember their Afflictions before the Throne of Grace.

The Officer who Guarded’em asked him why he Prayed with the Rest that were no Lutherans yet, and at the same time gave him such a stroke with his Fist as made the Blood gush out of his Mouth: However the Lord was pleased to hear and to fulfill his Prayers afterwards and although all-wise Providence has suffered these Young and unconfirmed Babes in Christianity to meet with such hard usage, yet that doth not deter others, but We hear every now and then that here 50 and there 100 are ready to leave their Country.

Let this Relation engage You to consider amongst Your selves, whether it would not be advisable and of Great use,

1st.  To Print a short Account of the Present Persecutions of the Protestants in Bohemia, in Order to excite all true Believers to pray for these Poor People, especially since they meet with a far more Rigorous Treatment than the Poor Saltzburgers do.

2nd.  To acquaint other Protestant Princes of the Empire with the Bohemian Persecutions by whose Intercession the Emperor might perhaps be Prevailed upon to grant these Poor People either a free Exercise of Religion, or Liberty to leave the Country.

3rd.  To compose and print a Letter for the Comfort of these distressed People as well as for an Encouragement of their Constancy and Patient waiting the time of their Deliverance, but whether this might not be looked on as an Incentive to Sedition or Rebellion and whether it would not be of more Weight if a Foreign Divine were the Author of such a plain and edifying Composition.

A Speedy Answer upon these Questions is most earnestly desired.

P.S.  Pray Assist our dear Bohemians with Your Advice, many are ready to depart and would be glad to live in a Place where they might serve God according to their Consciences without disturbance. In short all wait for it. Do as much as lies in Your Power to procure’em a Place of Retreat. The Father of Mercies will reward Your Love.

Extract of a Letter from Vienna dated 26 July 1732. (Enclosed in a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger to Mr. Newman dated 1 August 1732.)

The great Pains You have taken in favour of the Poor Schemnitzer (Schemnitz is a City of the High Lands in upper Hungaria³⁵) I acknowledge with all due Thanks. Whilst I was expecting an Answer, I heard the Melancholy News that not only the Question is disputed about in General, whether the Hungarian should be permitted to send for Ministers from foreign Countries, but the Schemnitzer in particular have been actually forbid to supply the Vacancy of their Primariate with another Minister, nay, it looks as if they had a Mind to deprive’em entirely of the free Exercise of their Religion and suffer so many Thousand Souls to Famish for want of Spiritual Food. This has put those People into the utmost Consternation, who for the present are obliged to abstain from calling any Ministers from abroad.

As much Reason we have to rejoice in these our Days at the Providential Retreat of the Saltzburgers and their Deliverance from their Oppressors, so much ought we to be concerned for the Distress of the Numerous Hungarian Church and pray to GOD for their Relief.

In the District of Eisenburg they continue to lock up all the Churches and Schools of the Protestants, but as these strenuously insist upon their Priviledges, some of’em resist by force in many Places, so that the very Women tear off the Seals of the Church Doors, and oblige their suspended Ministers to Preach to them. Last Week the Struggle about a Reformed Church ran so high that one Person was killed on the Spot and Six Wounded, all which may make the Case of the Protestants but worse. The Lord have Mercy upon the Oppressed and endow’em with the Wisdom and Patience of the Saints which is the only Means of holding out and overcoming the Hour of their Affliction.

Extract of a Letter from Ratisbon dated 21 August 1732. (Enclosed in a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger to Mr. Newman dated 18th and 25th August 1732.)

But above all things to come to the main Point, my Joy at my happy return to this Place increased when I was informed that among others a Messenger from Tirnberg waited for me with a Letter which I here enclose for You. God be praised a Good and Joyful Harvest appears! The People at Berchtolsgaden are increased already above 1200 who are ready to go away when the time cometh. O how did the Messenger Rejoice when I Informed him of the Love of the People at Augsburg towards them, and what Good Tidings will it be to them at Berchtolsgaden when they hear that they can live among the Protestants as a Free People, whereas they have lived hitherto as Slaves, but especially that the Bonds are Broken which have tied up their Conscience.

Those at Tirnberg have been called every one by himself before the Commissioners,³⁶ and examined about their Religion, and at the same time Notice was given them to make their Departure known 8 Weeks before, and in the mean time to sell their Goods etc. These People as I understand by the Messenger have a great Faith, and Fear no Man. But Reverend Sir hear how Strangely I am dealt with in this Affair. A Young Man of Tirnberg, who hath been here last, having received a Letter from me (to his Countrymen) delivered the same unto the Chancellor of the Court [Christiani] and all the Commissioners, and confessed openly without any Fear, that he had been at Ratisbon and desired a Passport from the Commissioners to go thither again, but they gave him no Answer but that it could not be done ’till the Commissioners met together and refused likewise to return the Letter. Yet I hope the Lord by his particular Mercy will turn all this to our Benefit. If it goes well I expect that Young Man very soon again with more Good Tidings.

Abstract of a Letter from Tirnberg Received the 20 August 1732. (Sent to Mr. Newman together with the foregoing Extract.)

Whereas we heard of [from] Tobias Wurndle who hath been lately at Ratisbon that You were very desirous to hear very soon of us and our Profession of Faith, and whether we belong to the Augustan Confession, therefore we acquaint You by this Letter that we are come to this Resolution and have sent accordingly Four of us to Saltzburg with a Short Memorial to the Gracious Lord Chancellor of the Court [Christiani], who hath delivered it to the Arch-Bishop. Whereupon Commissioners being sent have called the People before them, and first of all the Officers, who were Stedfast, but not every one of them etc. but the Miners some few only excepted, have openly professed the Evangelical Religion.

The Commissioners are still here and knowing very well that the Gracious Ambassadors and the Reverend Mr. Hard expect an Answer from Us, we are resolved to send a Messenger as soon as the Commissioners are gone, and acquaint You with more Circumstances. For in Berchtolsgaden are not only our Fellow-Miners, but also other Tradesmen and People, especially in Pischerwisen and Gehm [Gehrn], who will [wish to] live and die by the Augustan Confession. Pray serve us, God will reward You for it in Eternity.

To Sir John Philipps. Baronet. Isle of Man 24 August 1732.

My most Worthy Friend Had it not been for the Letter to the Secretary of our Society, which by a Good Providence came into my hands, I had not [would not have] had this Opportunity (which I should have been much concerned to have lost) of contributing my Mite towards the Relief of the Persecuted Saltzburgers.

I know You will be some way or other concerned for these distressed People, and therefore I beg You will order somebody to call for the Value of the Underwritten Bill, and apply it to their use.

One cannot Wonder at the Evil Treatment these People have met with, since they, making the Gospel of Christ the Rule of their Faith and Manners, must of Necessity upbraid continually their Persecutors with perverting its Design by their Antichristianism, of which this is a flagrant Instance.

I pray God Support and Comfort these Good People under this severe Persecution; and open the Hearts of their Brethren of all the Reformed Churches to contribute to their Relief.

This Persecution though Grievous to them, will end in the Glory of God. and the Good of Others, as well as of themselves.

The World will see that the Number of those that Oppose the Corruption of the Church of Rome, is much greater than was imagined.

It will show that Church in her true Colours, since Her Corruptions are so many and great as can be perceived and abhored by a People who have been deprived of all the Advantages of Learning and Correspondence with other Reformed Churches.

By their Patient Suffering for Righteousness Sake, many of their very Adversaries will no doubt of it be converted, and such of their Brethren who have stayed behind against the Sense of their own Conscience, will be awakened and follow their Example.

And One would hope that many amongst our Selves, who are too Prone to Infidelity, will, through the Grace of God, be convinced of the Truth and Power of that Faith, which has enabled this People to Suffer the loss of all for Christ.

But however that be, this People’s present great Distress will give all good Christians a fair Occasion of exercising a Practical Relief of one of the Fundamental Articles of the Christian Faith; The Communion of Saints: by contributing to the Necessities of their Suffering Brethren.

I am,   My most Honoured Friend   Your Son’s and Your Most Affectionate & Obliged humble Servant   Tho. Soder and Man³⁷

Translation of a Letter in High Dutch. Augsbourg 25 September 1732.   To Mr. Newman.

Sir: In hope You have Received my Letters of the 1st & 8th of September N.S. I continue according to my Promise, the Account concerning the Emigration. When the Tirnbergers who are Miners with their Officers, to the Number of 730, had obtained leave upon certain Conditions to go out of the Country, they sent Deputies to the Evangelick Body at Ratisbon with a Memorial to implore their further Assistance, and in particular their Advice, how they should regulate their Journey.

Whereupon the Gentleman I often mentioned already, ³⁸ hath sent them back again to their Brethren with comfortable Instructions. The People of Berchtolsgaden have delivered their Memorial unto the Abbot, their Prince,³⁹ but have not yet received an Answer.

The Arch Bishop of Saltzburg hath published a New Patent in his Dominions, promising therein a Salvum Conductum to those of the Exiles, who will return and look after their Possessions and Children; but forbidding at the same time in the severest manner, to keep Meetings, to turn the Simple Papists from their Religion; or to have any Dangerous Correspondence: but the Master of a House should be permitted to Read, Sing, Pray & Exercise Devotion with his Family. However the Patent being expressed in very ambiguous Words, will give but little Comfort to the Poor People.

In the several Districts of Saltzburg they tell those that are still in the Country, very dismal Stories about the Exiles, as how unmercifully the Protestants dealt with them, by selling the Young People like Cattle, or sending them to the Gallies; and by starving the old People: how the Poles had cut to Pieces 1500 of the Exiles, that came into the Prussian Lithuania etc. but the Deputies of Tirnberg at their return into Saltzburg have been furnished with Sufficient Accounts by Word of Mouth, in Writing, and in Print, whereby they can give truer Information to their Countrymen.

A Fortnight ago a Popish Deacon came from Saltzburg to Ratisbon, in order to embrace the, Protestant Religion, likewise an Officer among the Miners out of another Popish Country, who told my Correspndent that if they did but know in his Country of the kind Reception the Exiles met with among the Protestants, we should hear of wonderfull things next Year.

Some Weeks ago an Exile of Saltzburg, Thomas Keeswurm, went back to Saltzburg to fetch his three Children, who had been detained there by force, but he could get neither of them, and was forced to go away with being called a Lutheran Dog. And yet this very Man was provided with Letters of Recommendation from the Evangelick Body at Ratisbonne.

Just now I received Letters from our Protestant Merchants, who went 10 Days ago from hence to the Fair at Saltzburg, and were desired by me to enquire as well as they could into several Particulars. The Extract of those Letters You will find in the Postscript.

In case the Tirnbergers should come out of their Country this Year, and take their Tour towards Ratisbon, I will send some Relief to them out of my Magazine [funds]. It being known that God hath made use of me in assisting the Exiles of Saltzburg, I receive many Petitions from several Places, to contribute something towards the Support of the distressed Exiles.

I have not yet Received any further Account concerning Hungaria from my Correspondent. A Protestant Minister on the Borders of Bohemia, Mr. Liberda. a very good Man, who Preacheth in the Bohemian Tongue, hath Petitioned the King of Prussia in behalf of 2000 Bohemians, who within a few Years went out of their Country, to grant them some Land in Prussia, and hath obtained his Request. My Brother in Law spoke 4 Weeks ago in Saxony with this Gentleman, and gave me the Information.

With my most obedient Respects to the Honourable Society, and particularly to the Trustees in behalf of the Saltzburgers etc.

I commit You to the Grace of God and remain

Dear and Honoured Sir   Your most humble Servant
S. Urlsperger

P.S.   There are still some Proselytes coming out of Bavaria. I have not yet finished the Account of Joseph Scheitberger.

Extracts of several Letters from Saltzburg dated 22 September 1732. (Sent enclosed in the Foregoing Letter from Mr. Urlsperger to Mr. Newman.)

It is the Common Report here that the Farms of the Exiles are almost all let out to Tenants, but to Strange and mean Persons, who will hardly be able to pay the Rents; and that some of them are gone away already, after having cut down and Sold the Corn; and let nothing behind them. We asked the Landlord, whether there were many more in the Country, who desired to leave it, and he Answered; certainly, many more, and that no Man would live ’till they were all gone: and though they took the Oath, nevertheless their Hearts were otherways inclined.

Here in this City they talk little or nothing of this Affair; especially at the Time of the Fair. Some Weeks ago the Representatives of the several Counties were called together to consent to an extraordinary Tax of 3 per cent as they say but they came to no Resolution, and are to meet very soon again. The Tirnbergers make themselves ready to depart at Michaelmas, if they can have leave to go so soon; they wait only for an Order it being agreed to, that they may depart. ’Tis certain that about 2000 Persons in Berchtolsgaden are desirous to depart out of the Country, but they don’t know here the true State of the Matter, because they have their own Abbot, who is a Prince.

They say positively that about 200 People of Hallein, a City, three Hours Journey distant from Saltzburg, are desirous to go out of the Country.

Translation of a Letter in High Dutch [from Urlsperger]. Augsburg 6 October 1732 N.S.   To Mr. Newman.

Dear and Honoured Sir, To acquaint the Honourable Society with the Present State of the Affair concerning the Emigration within and without the Dominions of Saltzburg I have sent the Enclosed Abstracts of Letters, the Exiles who are actually arrived in Prussia are quartered near Welau, and thereabouts in a District of 12 [German] Miles, the King being at great Expences to accomodate these People.

I have Received Your last of the 8th September, and being informed thereby to my Satisfaction, that my Letters, except the two last, are all come to Your Hands, I hope by this time those also are delivered to You.

The Prussian Commissary, Mr. Gobel,⁴⁰ hath Communicated to me the Minutes of the Depositions the Prisoners have me [made?] containing about 12 or 15 Sheets of Paper in Folio[.] the Question is whether I should send them to You by the Post, knowing the Postage of Letters is very Dear in England? I desire Your Answers upon this Point. ’tis astonishing what Particulars are related therein, which makes me think that if they were soon Published in England, they would have great Influence upon the People, the Rest of Your Letter I’ll Answer another Time; Just now there Goeth a Report that we shall have another Transport in a few Days, but it wants Confirmation; not knowing whether You have received the Memorials which the Tirnbergers and the People of Berchtolsgaden delivered to the Evangelick Body at Ratisbon I have enclosed Copies of them.

May God prosper the New Designs in Georgia, but our Saltzburgers will hardly be persuaded to go that Way because they have no inclination to go to Sea.

I recommend You to the Grace of God, and remain with my most Obedient Respects to the Honourable Society.

Dear and Honoured Sir   Your most humble Servant   Samuel Urlsperger

Extracts of several Letters dated Saltzburg 20th, 22nd and 30th September 1732. (Sent enclosed to Mr. Newman in the foregoing Letter.)

Being arrived here the 15th Instant, God be praised in Good Health, I endeavoured after the dispatch of my own Affairs, to learn the Present Circumstances of things relating to the Emigration. But I could hear very little of it in this City, only I was informed that the whole Number of those who have left this Country on Account of their Religion amounted to 21446. A certain Friend whom I may believe told me likewise that about 15 Families in this City were good Protestants, which were by Order of the Arch-Bishop watched very narrowly and that no doubt this small Number would in time increase more and more, because the dissolute Life and Behaviour of the Priests both within and without the City was very well known and a great Scandal to honest People. I have seen myself here in the City, not only in the Publick House where I lodge, but in others also, where I had been about my Affairs, such dissolute Priests, especially of the Petriner, who were not only in Company with Drunken People, who had Dancings and made a great Noise, but some were Drunk themselves, and others behaved themselves most scandalously Lewd with Women.

And here I must acquaint You with a Relation [an account] a very grave Understanding Papist (who seems in his Heart to value the Protestant Religion more than that which he Professes) gave me with his own Mouth; viz: A certain Regular in Saltzburg put this Question in a Letter to one of his Order in a celebrated City in Suabia: what he thought the Cause of the great Defection from the Catholick Religion in the Bishoprick of Saltzburg: but added presently: he supposed that his Friend would expect that he, who lived in Saltzburg and could know all Circumstances better, should resolve him this Question; and therefore to confess the Truth ingenously, he must say the Chiefest Cause thereof were they (the Clergy) partly because of their Laziness and Negligence, and partly because of their Scandalous Lives. Upon which he goeth on in his Letter and acquaints his Friend that a few Weeks ago the Visitator going from Saltzburg in Order to make a Visitation in the Country (for now the Superiors begin to be more careful) came towards Evening to a Ministers House, and understanding by his Maid Servant that he was at a Wedding in the Publick Inn, he sent for him twice, however not telling who he was, but he did not come, but sent Word to the Stranger in his House that he should stay; at last after Eleven o’Clock at Night, whilst the Visitator waited for him at his House, the Minister advanced towards his House with a Fiddle in his Hand, and a Company of his People after him, Singing and Dancing and carrying their Liquor along with them. The Visitator seeing all this reprimanded the Priest severely, when he came into the Room to him; but he made Answer; he was forced to please the Country People in this Manner, else he could not subsist for his living was too small to maintain him. The Heads of the Clergy in Saltzburg, the Deans and Prebendaries and such like were more to blame than He and his Brethren, for they received the Income of the Livings, and appointed Curates in their Places, whom they would rather suffer to Starve than to give them any thing to live upon etc.

But I return to relate what I have observed myself furthermore. As there was but little News to be heard of the People on the Mountains in Saltzburg, I went with a Friend, a very Grave and understanding Papist, and no Enemy to the Protestants, without whom I could not have obtained the Chancellor’s Passport, which is necessary for Passing through two Forts, into the Country, through Hallein and Tirnberg to Berchtolsgaden, where a Servant in the Inn told Us a secret that his Master the Innkeeper was at that time in the Castle, where a Council was held by the Jesuits and other Clergy, about the Present Circumstances of the City and Country, because there were in this little Tract of Land some Thousand Protestants already, some indeed lived in secret still, but others made Publick Profession of it, and the Number of them increased Daily, who desired either a free and regular Exercise of their Religion, or leave to go out of the Country before the End of the Year; and because a great many Artists, especially in Fine Work, were amongst them, it was very hard for the Prince to let them go out of the Country.

This Servant used a very particular Expression to me, not knowing I was a Protestant, viz: He went hastily to the Window which lieth towards Werffen [Werfen] and opening it, pointed with his Hand and said, that Way all are Protestants, and then running to another Window which looketh towards Austria, opening likewise he said; and that Way all are Protestants too. He said farther that he had been but two Days before in the District of Saalfeld [Saalfelden], and heard that many who last Year had been deterred from making Publick Profession by severe Threatening had now Publickly given in their Names as Protestants, which was a great Grief to the Magistrate of that District, and that the Mountainous Country in General was still full of those People, which was the Reason that very few Rich Men ventured to buy their Possessions, for fear the King of Prussia would at last make Pretensions [claims], and cause many Alterations; ’tis certain that all over the Country they are very much afraid of the Brandenburgers as they call Them.

On my Journey into Saltzburg I met many Jesuists who coming from Munick, Ingoldstadt etc. are willing [desire] to try their skill in the Dominions of Saltzburg, but hitherto their Labour hath been without any great Effect.

I met likewise a Weaver, who being a Subject of the Bishop of Augsburg, had been in the Country of Saltzburg to buy a small Farm which the Exiles had forsaken, but the Magistrate in Goldeg [Goldeck], upon his saying among other things that he heard of more People who Professed the Protestant Religion, was so enraged at him and threatened him with Imprisonment, that he had no further desire to buy any Farm, and because the Weaver thought I was a Papist, he said Sir, Indeed I don’t like to live in this Country, for wherever You come You are sure to find People who will not salute You with the Salutation: Blessed be Jesus Christ; who have no Scapulare make no Cross, neither take off their Hat before the Images etc. in short Sir, believe me the whole Country is Good for nothing.

My Fellow Traveller to Hallein, to the Mountainous Countries and Berchtolsgaden, enquired of me, how the Exiles had been received, and whether I had spoke with any of them about the Purgatory, the Mass etc. and on my giving him a full Account of all things he was silent a while, and then Smiling desired me, by an Opportunity he named himself, to send him all the Accounts of what passed with the Exiles, and to send him Letters for the People in the Mountains, which he would forward to them with all possible Diligence; certainly this Gentleman hath some secret Design; he was very Desirous to know the true Circumstances of the Commotion in France, and knew more of it than I.

The Situation of the Mountains, especially in Summer Time is very Pleasant and the Cattle looks better than in Suabia, which convinces me that these Good People had no want of Temporal Things.

An Account from a Protestant Merchant who is at the Fair at Saltzburg dated 30 Sept. 1732.   (Sent by Mr. Urlsperger enclosed in the foregoing Letter to Mr. Newman.)

Yesterday I had a visit from N. N. of Berchtolsgaden, who told me that the Names of all the Protestants in the Dominion of Berchtolsgaden were set down, that they were allowed to read their Books, none of which had been taken from them, in their Houses, but they were forbid upon severe Penalties to hold any Meetings as they had done hitherto, which made others that could not read Sigh and complain that they were now deprived of the Opportunity of hearing the Word of God. They Promise themselves no Good from the Present Prince, he having sent Letters to Rome to desire Instructions how to behave himself towards these People, and likewise to Vienna with Proposals, whether he might not send his Trades People beyond Sea that the Manufactures might not be set up in Prussia, that the Misery of these People increased because the Papists are forbid to employ the Protestants by whom they have hitherto got their Livings, the worst is that they are all Poor People. That a Number of 200 or 300 Papists of Berchtolsgaden were sent down to work in the Mines in the Room of the Protestant Tirnbergers.

The Postmen who come from the Mountains, have Orders here to deliver all the Letters they bring from thence to the Curators and Deans, they are searched in the City Gates, and all the Letters from thence are taken from them, so that their Friends here can have no News from them, of which they are very desirous. This is a fine Behaviour according to the Treaty of Westphalia. Just now I got the Memorial which the Protestants of Berchtolsgaden sent to the Evangelick Body at Ratisbon, in which only 150 Persons are mentioned who Profess the Protestant Religion, but there is no doubt that if the secret Disciples see the good Success of these, they will likewise appear only [openly?].

Translation of a Letter in High Dutch.   To Mr. Newman.

Dear and Honoured Sir, I do not doubt You will have received in due time my Letters of the 25th past, and 6th Current. So as I have received Yours of the 8th of September[.] it seems that at a certain neighbouring Country there are great Commotions, on Account of Religion, yet I will not give any Account thereof, ’till I have received more and more certain Advices. The Advices which I herewith send You are given to me from Faithful Men whom I had instructed what Enquiries to make. I am expecting [awaiting] what is to be done with the Protocolls and assuring all the Gentlemen of my humble Respects.

I remain   Yours entirely   S. Urlsperger

N.B.: The Original of the above written Letter was read Wednesday the 1st November 1732 O.S. and therefore may be supposed to have been wrote about the 29 October 1732 N.S. a Fortnight before.⁴¹

The Following Account came to hand enclosed in the foregoing Letter to Mr. Newman.

Faithful Accounts from Saltzburg about some Affairs in that Country.

The Affair concerning the Emigration is managed at Saltzburg by Eight Deputies. Viz:

2 Are of the Arch Bishop’s Treasury Viz: Baron of Rehling, commonly called the Suabian Rehling, who is said to be of a Severe Temper against the Protestants; and Baron of Aver, who they say, does not concern himself much about them.

2 of the Cathedral Chaples Viz: The Dean, Count of Thurn, who is a very great Enemy of the Protestants, and Count Truchses of Scheer, who minds the Temporal part of the World, more than the Spiritual.

2 Of the Consistory. Viz: Mr. Freylander and Mr. Hueber who is also Censor of Books.

2 Of the Court Viz. The Chancellor, Mr. Christiani,⁴² who is Praeses of his Deputation, and Mr. Meichelbeck, Secretary of the Aulick Counsel.⁴³

These Eight Deputies meet in the Palace three times every Week, about this Affair, namely, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 o’Clock, ’till 12 in the Forenoon, but in extraordinary Cases they meet oftner.

The Imperial Troops who have been above 4 Months in this Country, and consisted of two Battalions of the Regiment of Warmbrand, of the whole Regiment of Stahremberg, and two Battalions of Prince Eugene’s⁴⁴ Dragoons in all 3600 Men, received daily 8662 Florins 17 Creutzers, for which Expences the Arch Bishop now demands a Sum of 1100,000 Florins from the States of the Country, but they will not consent to it.

From the District of Rastadt [Radstadt] 3962 Persons are gone away, and they say the Deputies have received Advice that 442 Persons who had their Names registered before as Protestants, have declared themselves again for the Popish Religion, and begged Pardon.

There are now on the Mountains and other Districts, Preachers of Repentance of the Society of Jesus, with a design to convert the People, and they going from house to house meet with many Protestants against whom they shew their inveteracy on all occasions. For Instance

N: N: of the Ziller Valley (who sells Brandy at Saltzburg in the Fair-time) told me with Tears in his Eyes, that in his way through Gastein he had seen a Peasant who died a Protestant, and was not allowed to be buried in the Church-Yard but was cast into the open Fields, and there left for his Friends to put him into the Ground at Night. This happened a Week before the last Fair at Saltzburg.

The same N.N. informed me that the Peasants in the Ziller Valley, who belong partly to Saltzburg and partly to Tirol, disregarded the Popish Mass and Invocation of Saints, being instructed by their Parents to pray to God alone for if he forsook them, the Saints could not help them.

He said further: that a Year ago, in the beginning of the Motions in Saltzburg, their High Bailiff would [wished to] force them to make an Irruption from their Valley into the Mountains, kill the Lutheran Dogs, the Peasants there, and take their Goods, but the Peasants of the Ziller Valley answered that as long as the Protestant Peasants did them no harm, they would do them none neither, but in Case they should come and attack them, they were ready to defend themselves. That their high Bailiff was very severe to them, but their Gracious Lord who is a Baron and one of the Council at Inspruck [Innsbruck] took their parts, and assisted them in many things.

He added That formerly he had been very often on the Mountains, but he thought the Grief of his heart would not let him go thither again, much less to make any stay there because the best People and almost all his particular Friends were gone away.

Mr. Seiler, Clerk of the Cathedral at Saltzburg, saith, that he missed the People very much in gathering the Tythes, he was sure the People that went away were the best of People, having paid their Tythes and other Taxes very exactly and most of them if not all even before the appointed time, whereas the Popish Peasants were commonly, three, four or more Quarters behind hand.

The People who come from other parts in the Room of the Exiles, are not fit for the Business, and most of them go away again, several repassing through the City of Saltzburg. I have my self in one day Viz: the 8th of October spoke with three of those People, namely, a Smith from Passau, with his Wife and one Child, a Tailor from Wallerstein with his Wife and three Children, and a Peasant from Ottobeuren near Memmingen, who unanimously affirmed that no Body could live in this Country upon Account of the hard work there was to do, the Peasant from Ottobeuren added, it was not only the poor Livelihood that one could get but the very bad Christianity of the Catholicks, also, which offended him, and made him leave the Country again, especially for the Sake of his Children, who were brought up as Good Catholicks, but the People of this Country were nothing less than Catholicks, for at the Celebration of the Mass all sat still, none of them standing up, just as if there was no Mass that no Body did stay ’till the Priest gave the Blessing and Sprinkled the holy Water, and therefore both the Blessing and the holy Water were given by the Priests rather to the Pews of the Church than to the People. That none at all made the Cross; That he had worked very hard 8 Weeks in Hattau [Hüttau], beyond Werffen [Werfen], and could get but 6 Creutzers a day.

How very watchful they are in some Districts of Saltzburg, to hinder any Protestant Books from being brought into the Country, may appear from the following Instance: Michael Neumayer a Pedlar, who carried about Books, and Goods of Gemund in Suabia, and sold them on the Mountains of Berchtolsgaden and Saltzburg these 13 Years, and was never found Guilty or even Suspected of dealing in forbidden Books or other Goods, came the 1st of October into Abtenau where the High Bailiff presently stopped him, and took his and his Companions Pack from them, telling him at the same time, that all his Goods were forfeited and confiscated, because he used constantly to bring Books into the Country and that now he would not permit any more Books to be carried into the Country. The Pedlar answered him as well as he could that he never brought any forbidden Book into the Country, producing at the same time both a Certificate from the Dean of Hallein, who having examined his Goods already, attested thereby that he had no forbidden Goods, and the Notes of some Ministers and Clergymen, who lived in Abtenau and some other Places up farther on the Mountains, and bespoke several Books of him. he desired the High Bailiff to examine his Goods, and take away what he found forbidden, yea he begged of him at last to return him his Packs again, and promised he would go no farther, but would carry’em back: all was to no purpose, he was forced to leave his Packs, and go away empty handed with his Companions, the 4th October they arrived with great Lamentations at Saltzburg, but there being no Sitting of the Aulick Council ’till the 7th of the same Month, they could not deliver up their Memorial ’till then, and are still in fear, not knowing what Sentence the Aulick Council will give in this Matter.

28 September. An Edict of the Arch Bishop was Publickly read in the District of Werffen, Signifying that the Children of those Exiles, who were killed in the Prussian Dominions, being on the Road to return home, it was ordered, that the Tenants of the Farms belonging to these Children should bring them up, and whosoever was not willing to bring them up, should pay so much money as was Sufficient to educate them at Saltzburg in the Workhouses and Hospitals.

The Publication of such an Edict is attested also by the above named Peasant of Ottobeuren, a strict Papist, who was present at the Reading of it; and saith further, that the new Tenants had been ordered already to pay 1 Florin, 1 Florin 30 Creutzers or 2 Florins each, Entrance Money, according to the value of the Respective Farms.

A certain Counsellor of the Consistory at Saltzburg hath bought 11 Copies of the Treaty of Westphalia, of a certain Protestant Bookseller at the Fair of Saltzburg, and advised him to bring no more of them into the Country, because it was not a Book for common People, and though a Peasant did read that such and such a Religion must be tolerated in the Roman Empire, yet he could not understand the following Articles, the true meaning of which was even disputed at Ratisbon, and therefore it was better not to bring it at all among the Common People. It seems the Good Gentleman smells something.

John Walch, a Shopkeeper of Tirnberg informed me that October the 1st the Protestants were called together at Tirnberg, and told that they should continue their Work during this Month, and then they might depart.

Some Questions answered from Saltzburg concerning several particulars relating to the Commotions in that Country.

Q: How many Thousands are Actually departed?

A: I cannot get any exact Information thereof, but only that the Number amounted to 18 or 21,000.

Q: Who takes care of the Farms of the Exiled Persons?

A: Most of them are taken by Suavians, Tyrolians, Austrians, and Stirians, but many have left them again.

Q: Whether there was no talk in Saltzburg of the Religious Motions in Bohemia, Moravia, and other Countries?

A: Very little and almost none at all.

Q: Whether many Jesuists and Preachers of Repentance travel about in the Country?

A: Yea.

Q: Whether the Jesuists are about to establish themselves in the Country?

A: Though they desired leave to set up a Seminary, and their Petition was Backed by the Intercession and Recommendations of the Bishops of Brixon [Brixen], of Trient and the Cardinal Sintzendorf, yet they could not obtain it.

Q: Whether those of Tirnberg and Berchtolsgaden will not depart from thence this Year?

A: The Tirnbergers are ready to leave the Country, but it is uncertain when those of Berchtolsgaden will leave it.

Q: What sort of a Man is the new Prince of Berchtolsgaden?

A: He is a Baron of Nothasst [Notthaffel] a Bavarian, and very Severe, which gives but little hopes of any Good to be done.

Q: Whether there are no Citizens at Saltzburg who declared themselves for the Protestant Religion, or are willing to declare?

A: There are a few Protestants in the City, but in secret, who desired a friend of theirs to send to them two Catechisms used at Augsbourg and one used at Franckfort.

Q: Whether the Arch Bishop himself is so severe or only some of his Ministers?

A: Chiefly the Arch Bishop himself, who will not rest ’till all Suspected Persons are turned out of his Dominions. However some of the Ministers are not behind hand in their Zeal, who are pretty well known.

Q: How many may there still be in the Country who profess the Protestant Religion?

A: Tis not to be known, but if it should please God to order things so that people might Freely and Publickly declare themselves, I believe very few would continue Papists.

Q: Whether a great many of those, who did not depart with the other Exiles returned to Popery?

A: They talk of a great many, and a certain Secretary shewed a Protestant the Minutes of the Deputation, in which 442 Persons only of the District of Rastadt are set down as new Converts.

Q: What is the Contents of the Oath which is to be taken by those who stay in the Country?

A: The order for taking the Oath hath not been put in Execution, nor is it taken by any Body hitherto, but those who declare themselves willing [who wish] to stay must make their Confession of Faith in the Church.

Q: Whether the Merchants Zwilling and Moedlhammer must still work on the Fortifications, and whether they were forced to pay one 1100 Fl. and the other 1300 Florins, as a fine for clandestinely bringing Protestant Books into the Country, from Nuremberg?

A: Mr. Zwilling hath been confined three Days in the Castle, but was discharged upon paying a certain Sum of money and building a new Altar: but Mr. Moedlhammer hath never been confined there, but cleared himself presently with a Sum of Money, as hath done likewise Mr. Wimber the Leather-Dresser for the Court.

Q: Whether they don’t say the Arch Bishop repented of his Proceedings?

A: Not at all, but he will begin again by having his People registered.

Q: Whether the People in the Dominion of Saltzburg have received any Notice, how well the Exiles were received?

A: Very little, for such things are kept secret by all means, on the contrary, reports are spread that they meet with the worst of Treatment.

Q: Whether the Books published about the Exiles kind Reception by the other Protestants are brought into the Country?

A: Very few, and as far as I know 6 Accounts only published at Augsbourg are brought into this City, and 6 only sent into the Country.

Baron Imsland, who has been High Bailiff at Steuffeneg near Hoeglworth is said to be gone off for Male-Administration, and they believe at Saltzburg that he will go likewise to the Protestants. His Lady a Baroness of Hueffstein lives with her Mother at Saltzburg.

Translation of a Letter out of High-Dutch [from Urlsperger]. To Mr. Newman.   Augsbourg 3 November 1732.

Dear and Honoured Sir: From my Correspondent at Ratisbon I received the following Account: last Week arrived here two Pious Families from Tirnberg, where all things are ready for a departure. These People work still in the Mines till the End of October; and then I fear, when 750 of them depart, the want of such understanding Men will cause a Deal of Trouble in the Territories of Saltzburg; there has been other Miners from Tyrol, who made a Tryal of the work, but came off with broken heads, and seeing the great danger in these Mines, they shew but a little desire to make another Tryal. From Carinthia is gone out a Man, and his Wife with Seven Children, a very Pious Family; he Saith that a great Number of them stayed behind, expecting [awaiting] to hear good news from him; that the Minister and Magistrate of his Parish, had formerly Caned him Soundly upon the Account of his Profession of the Gospel. Now he is full of Comfort and Confidence.

The following Paragraph with a Copy of Verses made no doubt by a Papist hath been inserted here in the Publick News Paper, published by a Papist. Viz.

“Augsbourg 22nd October 1732. According to our advice from France, they say that Philip 5th King of Spain, designs to make another descent in Africa toward Promoting the Christian Faith, and then was fully resolved to lay down his Crown, and retire to the Hermitage at Ildephonso upon which a certain Pen, alluding to Acts the 8 v. 27-40 (where it is said that Philip the Apostle, as soon as he Baptisted the Aethiopian, was carred away by the Spirit of God, and was seen no more) Set down the following Thoughts.”

From Vienna I received this certain Information Viz.: “In the Church of Schemnitz, a well known Place in Hungary, the Vacant Place is not yet filled up, and there are still two great Obstacles to be removed, namely whether they shall have for the future any Minister at all, and whether a Foreigner may be put into the place. The Churches which have been taken away from the Protestants stand still unemployed, and many Children die without being baptized, for want even of Popish Ministers, because ours that are ejected are forbid upon pain of the severest Punishment to exercise any Ministerial Function. There is some hopes given of Restitution, but with what Foundation time will soon shew. According to the Common behaviour of our Enemies we have always more to Fear than to hope from them and yet we may say; Fear not thou little Flock etc. They say here that the Arch Bishop of Saltzburg himself hath declared to those of his Subjects that remained in the Country that he would grant the private Exercise of their Religion, but I fear if the poor People accept of his Declaration they will put themselves in a worse Condition than before.”

The following is an Extract of a Letter from Elbingen⁴⁵ to me about the Saltzburgers.

The dear Saltzburgers have been also with us, a true Salt, both Protestants and Papists have manifested their Love to them in a Particular manner, especially a Popish Tavern-keeper sent 150 Bottles of Wine two miles after them. Other Papists indeed are envious, because they have lost a rich Bleecher or Whitstler amongst them thereby, for when the first Saltzburgers passed through Elbingen, he was excited to turn from the Popish to the Protestant Religion, and when they pressed hard upon him he procured a Soldiers Warrant from the King of Prussia, and then they let him alone. When the last Company came through this Place, a Popish Maid Servant quitted her Service and went along with the Saltzburgers, being now in Service at Frederick’s College at the University of Köningsberg [Königsberg].

What happenth in Bohemia, the following Account will inform You.

A Fortnight ago about 500 some say 9000 Persons were stirred up, to meet together openly in private houses, and as it happened, with the greatest Zeal, three (Popish) Priests came amongst them, who used at first hard Words but no violence. One of the Congregation answered, saying to one of’em, Father, hitherto we served the Devil and the World, and ye said nothing to us having been entangled perhaps in the same Abominations with us; but now when we desire to serve the Lord Jesus, You speak against us; why don’t You rather go into the Publick houses, and drive out the Drunkards, Dancers, and those that Fight one with another. You may know that no body shall hinder us from this our undertaking. A Jesuit hereupon saying Ye are Lutherans, was answered by one of the Congregation: We don’t know Luther, we will serve the Lord Jesus Christ, two of the Priests having staid about 6 or 7 hours amongst them, went away, but the Priest of the Parish continued with them to the End, and at the breaking up of the Congregation, he gave them the Blessing, and wished them increase and Constancy in good things. In the mean time the Enemies took several Resolutions to mischief these Persons, for which Purpose a few days after, three Companies of Soldiers entered this district, which belongs to the Government of Opiezin, and seized the People, and cast them into several Prisons, in a very Barbarous Manner, which their Barbarity they executed more particularly on the three Chiefest of them; For having Pulled off their Cloaths to the Shirts, and tied their hands and Feet fast to a Bench, they beat them with Willow sticks, laid before hand in warm Water, so severely that the Blood gushed out through their Shirts, and when it begun to thicken they Poured warm Water upon them, those that beat them, doing it by turns, and when they were quite Senseless they cast them into the worst of Prisons[.] many of’em escaped and came to us; May God Assist them altogether.

P.S. Augsbourg 10 November 1732.

Whereas the foregoing Letter from November the 3rd was not sent away that Day, I received since both Yours of the 15 September, and the 13th October with the Bill of Exchange for 50 £ Sterling, and I hope that my two last of the 6th and 16th of October with the inclosed are come safe to Your Hands. I add now,

1st.  That October 28th I sent Franco ’till Amsterdam a Packet made in a Roll, addressed to You, containing Minutes, two Medals for Sir John Philipps Baronet and You, the Life of Joseph Scheitberger [Schaitberger] in form of a Letter etc.

2nd.  That I send You the latest Account I had about the Affairs in Saltzburg, as also in Hungaria and Bohemia, of which last Kingdom, daily more informations come in, which I’ll communicate another Time.

3rd.  That I’ll send very soon a Receit for the 50 £ Sterling because the Money is not yet Paid; may God Graciously reward dear Mr. Hollis for it.

4.  Concerning the main Point of Your last, I cannot answer yet, but will endeavour to inform myself, in the most Private manner, and send the best Grounded Information I can get to You. The Multitude of these extraordinary Affairs in Religious matters obliges me to take a proper Student into my House, for my Assistance therein. If Opportunity serves, pray Sir favour me with the Accounts You have Printed in the Affair of the Saltzburgers, I rejoice heartily at Mr. Ziegenhagen’s Health, and committing You to the Grace of God, remain

Yours   S. Urlsperger

P.S. You can hardly believe what great Joy the Charity of the English Nation towards the Persecuted Protestants hath Raised amongst us.

Abstract of a Letter from Ratisbon dated 3 November 1732. (enclosed in the foregoing Letter to Mr. Newman)

How can we assist the Poor Bohemians? It seems to me these dear People want [lack] proper advice. It is not advisable that they hold their Meeting in so Public a manner as yet. But How? why don’t they address themselves to the Protestant Body and use their good Advice! is there no way to acquaint them with good Advice that they may begin the Cause of God and the Work of the Lord in a quiet manner.

The Tirnbergers have obtained leave to depart[.] three of Them provided with a fine Passport (Wherein they are called Protestant Subjects) are come hither, and gave us Notice thereof. This day two of them are going back again in hast into the Country where the High-Bailiffs etc. are really afraid of these People, having desired them not to accuse them before the Illustrious Evangelick Body. They (Viz. the High Bailiffs etc.) in open Court have made a Memorial to the Evangelick Body here, with all their Titles, that by their Requisitory Letters to the Bishop of Passau, and to the Elector of Bavaria, they might obtain Permission for these People to come by Water to Ratisbonne! the States [General] of the united Provinces [of the Netherlands] have now taken them under their Care and Protection, their Ambassador having made already an Agreement upon favourable Conditions with them, Viz. To bear all the Charges of their Journey from Tirnberg to Cassanot [Cadzand] near Middleburg, to maintain them some Years, provide them immediately with Houses etc. which Conditions I can another Time communicate to You if You desire them, the abovesaid Ambassador has already written to the Elector of Bavaria and the Bishop of Passau in their behalf, and if he gets a Favourable Answer, then they can at the End of November depart in the Name of the Lord. A Saltzburger who is Settled here and was lately in Saltzburg [says?] the Number of those, who Profess the Protestant Religion, increaseth even in Places they did not think, and that they likewise are desirous to depart; and I hope God will also provide a Time for them. He says that in Austria⁴⁶ there was a very great Number of those People; but they enjoy upon the Emperor’s Order Perfect Rest, and use their Books openly. I hope the Flock of Christ will now gather together more and more.

One of the Inhabitants of Berchtolsgaden returning from Ratisbon with a Letter from me into the Country was immediately made a Prisoner, but as soon as they had read the Letter, they gave it him again, as also his Liberty. ’Tis likely if those of Berchtolsgaden can obtain leave from their Sovereign, they will come along with the Tirnbergers.

Those that die there in the Protestant Faith are not allowed a Place in the Common Burying Ground, but must be buried in a Forest, or sunk into a muddy Lake, and as I spoke with one who was grieved upon this Account, I told him, wheresoever a true Christian is buried, the Ground is consecrated already. May the Lord carry on his Work more Gloriously from Day to Day that we may be able to thank his holy Name more and more with Chearful Hearts.

Abstract of a Letter dated Dresden October 12 (Enclosed in the foregoing Letter from Mr. Urlsperger to Mr. Newman.)

The King of Poland and Elector of Saxony [Augustus II] hath appointed Commissaries to receive into his Dominions the Exiles of Bohemia, who come in great numbers, they have many Obstacles, and ’tis thought they will Petition the Evangelick Body at Ratisbonne to make Intercession.

Translation of a Letter in High-Dutch.   To Mr. Newman.   Augsbourg.   17th November 1732.

Dear and Honoured Sir: I thought it necessary to send immediately the inclosed to You, hoping to be able next Thursday, being the 20th Current, to acquaint You with more. Just now I received Your Letter of the 24th October last.

Adieu   T. S. Urlsperger

Copy of a Memorial delivered by the Dutch Minister [Gallieris] residing at Ratisbonne to the Minister of the Elector of Bavaria, and of the Bishop of Passau, about the Protestant Tirnbergers. (Enclosed to Mr. Newman in the foregoing Letter from Mr. Urlsperger.)

Whereas, Their High-Mightinesses, the States General of the United Provinces have been Pleased most Graciously to resolve to receive into their Dominions 300 Families of the Saltzburg Exiles, who shall depart from Tirnberg⁴⁷ or Berchtolsgaden the 29th of next Month (being November 1732) or sooner, if possible, and Whereas the said Exiles, being destitute of necessary Carriages, are not able to carry along with them upon Waggons their few Goods, small Children and Sick People, His most Serene Highness the Arch Bishop of Saltzburg hath been most Graciously Pleased to grant them leave to depart from Saltzburg Water, upon the Rivers Saltza and Inn, and afterwards upon the Danube to Ratisbonne. But those Exiles being obliged likewise to pass through his most Serene Highness’s Dominions the Elector of Bavaria’s, which ’tis wished may be done without any Offence or Molestation, the Illustrious Minister from the Elector of Bavaria (at [omitted]⁴⁸) is desired by the Minister of the States General with all due Respect that he would be pleased favourably to use his Intercession and Good Offices with his Serene Highness his Master (with whom the States General live in Good Harmony) in order to obtain for those Exiles a most Gracious Permission, for them freely to Pass upon the Danube (as far as the Territory of his most Serene Highness reaches) to Ratisbon, and afterwards by Land to Nuremberg, and that necessary Orders be given every where to this Purpose, that these poor People may not only be able to travel with Speed and Safety, but find also all proper relief and Assistance to reach the Places of their future abode before the rough Winter Season breaks in upon them.

The same Memorial Mutatis Mutandis, was presented to the Bishop of Passau.

Conditions upon which their High-Mightinesses, the States General of the United Provinces have offered to receive 300 Families of the Saltzburg Exiles into their dominions.

1st.  The Saltzburg Exiles shall be looked upon as Brethren by their High Mightinesses out of Christian Charity and Commiseration, they shall be received with open Arms of Love, and fully enjoy all the Rights and Privileges, which the Natives actually now have and enjoy.

2nd.  Their High Mightinesses will not only protect the Exiles against every Body in their Evangelick Religion, but give them also able Ministers and School Masters in order to instruct them furthermore in their own Language; and provide them with a Competent Salary out of the Publick Cash.

3rd.  The Exiles are to live in a Country where diligent and able Persons at any work whatsoever may get a Sufficient Livelihood and Maintenance, for which Purpose every one shall be assisted according to his Ability & Skill with necessary ways and means.

4th.  The Exiles may be assured that their High Mightinesses will not only provide them in the said Country with necessary Dwelling Places, but also with Sufficient Food, necessary Cloaths and Furniture, untill they shall be able fully to maintain themselves with their own Labour though it should last 4 or 5 Months.

5th.  The Exiles shall be exempt many Years from Paying any Civil Taxes, or they shall receive in lieu of this Immunity Yearly a certain Sum of Money, in order to hinder other Persons from defrauding the Publick Revenue under their Names.

6th.  All and every one, Men, Women and Children, shall from the time they are received (by the States Commissary) be assisted with Money, as agreed upon, for their daily Sustinence. Nor,

7th.  Need they take any more care of their future and entire Transport, Viz. ’till they come to the place of their future abode, but they shall with all the Furniture and Goods they carry along with them be transported thither in the most convenient manner, without being put to any trouble or Charge.

8.  The Children, Old, Sick and disabled Persons shall be provided for and maintained in the best manner like the Natives.

9.  The Exiles shall not be liable to any Servitude, but all together and every one in particular shall enjoy an entire Freedom.

10.  If the Exiles shall behave themselves as faithful and Obedient Subjects, they may not only be assured of all necessary Comfort, Help and Assistance from their Magistrates, but will find them moreover so gracious and ready to assist them, as they neither should nor could have expected and found in other Places.

That these are the true and Genuine Conditions, which their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces, my high and mighty Masters have sent to me, their Counsellor and Minister here at the Diet of Ratisbonne, I attest hereby in the best Form, by Subscribing my Name and putting my own Seal to it. Ratisbon 4 Nov. 1732.

LS   Gallieris

Translation of a Letter in High Dutch [from Urlsperger]. To Mr. Newman. Augsbourg. 27th November 1732.

Dear and Honoured Sir: The Offers made by the Honourable Society as well as by the Trustees for Georgia to the Saltzburg Exiles as great and favourable as they are, so little prospect have I as yet that they will be accepted by them. For,

1st.  They are very much afraid of the Sea.

2nd.  The States General have actually engaged all the Tirnbergers.

3rd.  The King of Prussia has lately declared by his Commissary, that He is willing to receive all the Saltzburgers, who should be obliged to leave their Country.

4th.  They are very desirous to keep together, and in a Body.

5th.  Those of Berchtolsgaden being for the most part Trades-People and Artificers in Turney Ware have already the King of Prussia’s Promise of being received and Settled in His Residence at Berlin: besides it would be highly necessary in case a Number of Saltzburgers should come out next Spring (as there is great Probability they will) thoroughly to acquaint them with the State and Condition of Georgia before they leave their own Country. But I own it will be very difficult to give them such a full Information, The Passages in Saltzburg and Berchtolsgaden being so narrowly guarded that it is no easy matter for the Exiles to send a Letter safe to their Friends left behind in the Country: however means might be found to get over this difficulty. If the Reports that go about should prove true, that the greatest part in the Emperor’s Hereditary Dominions are resolved to declare themselves Protestants,⁴⁹ no doubt there will be many who will readily accept the abovementioned Offer.

I should be glad if You Mr. Secretary could inform me,

1st.  in what manner the Money sent hither has been collected.

2nd.  Whether there has been a General Collection in the Kingdom besides the Money sent already hither by the Society.

3rd.  What Sum the General Collection did amount to.

4th.  Whether the Money of the General Collection is still in the Kingdom, or where it is sent to.

5th.  Whether the Presbyterians did shew themselves well disposed in this Affair.

Before I conclude, I must acquaint You that I have allmost every day Opportunity to improve far and near to good purpose the English Money, I am entrusted with amongst our dear Saltzburgers, which will certainly be a great Blessing to the Society as well as to the Benefactors, and this moment comes a Man of good credit to me telling me that designedly the Tirnbergers had been detained so long that their Voyage which in a proper Season was no more but 4 or 5 days would now require three Weeks, and not without great danger of their lives, my most humble Respects to the Gentlemen of the Society.

Tuus Totus   Samuel Urlsperger

Abstract of a Letter from Ratisbonne 25 November 1732.   (Enclosed to Mr. Newman in the foregoing Letter)

The Tirnbergers upon Intercession of the Dutch Minister have got leave to make their Voyage hither passing through the Dominions of the Elector of Bavaria, and are said to break up at the End of this Week, the Dutch Minister acquainting our Magistrate with it desired some Preparation might be made for their Reception, which was agreed to.

The People of Berchtolsgaden who have desired leave to go out of the Country meet still with many difficulties, particularly upon Account of their pretended [alledged] Servitude. However their Adversaries continue to injure and vex them, especially by depriving them of any opportunity of getting any work to do, and consequently obliging them to spend their little Substance that in case they can’t be prevailed upon to alter their Minds, they may go out empty handed.

Translation of a Letter in High Dutch [from Urlsperger].   To Mr. Newman.   Augsbourg.   11 December 1732.

Dear and Honoured Sir: By what I communicate unto You at present, the Gentlemen of the Honourable Society will see

1st.  How the Case of the Tirnbergers and their leaving the Country stands.

2nd.  That they are declared already to be Subjects of Holland.

3rd.  In what manner the Ambassador of the States General at Ratisbon hath acted in this Affair at the Court of the Elector of Bavaria, and the Bishop of Passau, and what Answer he received from them.

4th.  When they are expected at Ratisbonne.

5th.  What Preparations have been made for their Reception.

6th.  What Money partly myself out of the English Cash, partly other rich Families of this Town have sent to Ratisbon for their Relief.

7.  How the Affairs of those of Berchtolsgaden stands at present, who ’tis said have engaged themselves to settle in the Dominions of the Republic of Holland, though the King of Prussia would have them go to Berlin, from whence a certain Person some days ago privately passed through this City in his way to Berchtolsgaden, on purpose to persuade those who have declared themselves Protestants to go to and Settle at Berlin, the King intending to build them a Street of their own, and allow them Ten Years free of Taxes.

8.  That His Majesty the King of Great Britain as Elector of Hanover is desirous to have a Thousand of the Exiles to settle in the Dukedom of Saxen Lawenburg [Sachsen Lauenburg].

As for the Question whether some of the Exiles might be prevailed upon to go to Georgia, I have told You my humble Sentiments of it in my last of the 17th & 27th Current [sic] N.S. and am now in Expectation of Your Answer thereupon, besides which I think it is necessary.

1st.  To consider Whether we shall have new Transports of the Exiles from Saltzburg next Spring of which there is great Probability.

2nd.  That the Gentlemen of both Societies⁵⁰ would be pleased to draw up some Articles (after the manner of the States General) backed with the Royal Authority, and send them to me with full power to publish them (all which must be done without loss of time)

3rd.  That the Society would employ their Endeavours to get leave that the King’s Minister at Ratisbonne may Correspond and act in Conjunction with me in this Affair.

As much as I wish England may enjoy the Pleasure of getting a Number of the Saltzburgers for Georgia (who knows what a Fire God may light by these People in the West Indies⁵⁷) so difficult I am afraid will the Circumstances mentioned in my last of the 27th make it. However God having hitherto in this whole Affair done above our thoughts and Expectations, I still hope he will graciously be pleased to do the same in this Particular Branch of it, at least I shall not be wanting to do anything in my Power.

At the End of February next there will be a great Fair in the City of Saltzburg, whither some of our Merchants intend to go: whom I shall charge to enquire as much as possible, what may be done in this Affair.

Just now I receive the favour of Yours of November 22nd therefore I add briefly,

1st.  That I am glad You have informed me more fully of the State of Georgia, and what hath hitherto been done for Establishing a new Colony there.

2nd.  What I have mentioned above of the People of Tirnberg and Berchtolsgaden will convince You, that it is no more res integra.

3rd.  In Case the Bohemians should continue to declare themselves Protestants, a good Number of them might perhaps be got for Georgia. But the Event of this is as yet uncertain, especially when as I have been Yesterday informed from Hall [Halle], the Reverend Mr. Liberda is arrested at Dresden, and it is to be feared he will be delivered up to the Emperor on Account that a great many of the Bohemians have desired his Instruction and Advice, with a Number of whom he went last Summer to Berlin, to Petition the King of Prussia for their Reception into his Dominions, this Mr. Liberda, a Man full of Faith and the Holy Ghost, hath preached the Word of God in the Bohemian Language to those who for Religion’s-Sake retired Ten Years ago into Lusatia: and his preaching has been attended hitherto with great Blessings.

4th.  It is true that the Accounts from other Places are not of equal Credit. However the Society is at Liberty to Publish for the Edification of others what comes well attested to them, and they think proper.

5th.  I must do Justice to my Correspondent at Ratisbon [J. von Reck] and freely own that he is a very Useful and Serviceable Man and shall acquaint him with Your Respect for him. My most humble Respects to the Honourable Society and particularly to Sir John Philipps, whom I value very much.

Tuus Totus   Samuel Urlsperger

(1st) Exract of a Letter dated Ratisbon 27th November 1732. (Enclosed in the foregoing Letter from Mr. Urlsperger to Mr. Newman). [Probably from J. von Reck]

I have taken occasion to talk with a Minister at the Diet about the desire of the Society in England whereof You mentioned some thing in Your last, and my humble Opinion is that since nothing can be done in this Affair at present it is better to keep it secret, and even not to mention any thing in General of it in Publick Prints ’till God favours us with a more hopefull Prospect. But God be thanked for the Resolution of the Society, because it prevents our anxious thoughts, where to Settle the Exiles in case a considerable number of them should come next Spring.

The Berchtolsgaders are not to leave their Country this Winter, being not much pressed upon for their departure: but all those who have a Mind to go out are ordered to pay 5 Florins every one of them on Account of the Pretended [alleged] Personal Servitude which they complain much of as not being able.

There’s a Report here as if they are actually Printing at Constantinople, a Translation in the Turkish Language of Arnd’s true Christianity,⁵² and two other Books of Devotion wrote by a Divine called Millar.

You have prevented [anticipated] my desires and Expectations in sending me so liberal an Assistance for the Poor Tirnbergers both in Money and Books (among which is particularly Arnd’s Paradise Garden,⁵³ most of the Exiles being very desirous of it.) the Dutch Ambassador has taken particular Notice of this Charitable Contribution, and set down both the Sums of Money and Number of Books: the Tirnbergers are to stay here about three days during which time care will be taken to instruct them both by Preaching and Catechizing.

(II) Extract Dated Ratisbon 9th December 1732.

I can not Sufficiently express the Joy and Satisfaction which Your enabling me to give some more Relief to the Poor Tirnbergers hath caused unto me. I have received the Letters of Exchange for 350 Florins, and was agreably surprized at seeing a large Chest and two others with Cloaths and Books brought into my house: upon which occasion I could not help thinking on the Ark of the Covenant being brought into the House of Ebed Edom. By this means You have taken care to provide against the want of necessaries and Cloaths for the Poor Exiles, and for the Preservation of their Health too having sent also some [omission] for having mentioned this the Gentleman in very tender and expressive Words wishes all manner of Blessings to the Benefactors, which takes up most part of his Letter.

The Tirnbergers are actually arrived in the Territories of the Bishop of Passau in their way hither, where some Priests made an attempt to bring over again some of them to the Roman Religion, but seeing it was to no purpose they desisted.

The Papists very much grieve for the loss of a certain Nobleman Mr. de May, who turned Protestant some time ago, and above two hundred of the Jesuists Scholars assembled before our Church last Sunday, on purpose to see him or rather to get him again.

(III) Extract dated 9 December 1732.

The Elector of Bavaria has granted the Tirnbergers free Passage through his Dominions through the Intercession of the Ambassador of the States General, and prohibited to extort any Taxes from them on condition that they shall not stir from their Ships or go separately [secretly] into Houses.

They actually set out the 30th November notwithstanding the rough Weather: at their Arrival in the Arch-Bishoprick of Passau, they were received very civily, and all good will shown to them, Phisicians also being sent to take care of their Sick, whether they can continue their Voyage hither by Water, or be obliged to go by Land, on Account of the Ice that comes up the [omission]⁵⁴ cannot be known before the return of a Messenger who is soon expected back.

The Ambassador of the Elector of Brunswick⁵⁵ hath orders to treat with a Number of 1000 Exiles to go to and settle in the Dukedom of Lawenburg [Lauenburg], if there are any more to be got.

Extract of the Dutch Ambassador’s Letter to the Tirnbergers dated 17th November 1732.   Sent to them by one of their Countrymen who with three others had negotiated in their behalf.

The Dutch Ambassador acquaints the Tirnbergers that they being actually [now] Subjects of the States of Holland, the Elector of Bavaria and the Bishop of Passau had at his request granted them free Passage through their respective Dominions, and that they had already given the necessary orders to their Magistrates and Officers to facilitate their Passage as much as possible, wherefore he desires them to make all the hast they can; and not to accept of any offers that might be made to them by some other Powers.

Signed   Marines Gallieris

Translation out of High-Dutch of a Paper enclosed in a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger.   To Mr. Newman dated 25 December⁵⁶ 1732.

Some Grievances of the distressed

Protestants in Hungary.

1st.  Five and Forty Churches of the County of Eisenbach [Eisenburg?⁵⁷] have been taken from’em, (Since November 1732) some of which are of the so called reformed Religion.

2nd.  The Reverend Mr. Vogt Pastor of Chemnitz [Schemmitz] dying the 24 May last, they are not permitted to call another in his Place though they have sent two particular deputies to Vienna for this purpose; but they can’t be heard.

3rd.  The two Protestant Superintendants, the Reverend Mr. Fahnsmith at Leutschall [Leutschau, Löcse] and the Reverend Mr. Antoni at N— are forbid to form a Consistory or to confer Ordination.

4th.  At Cashau [Kaschau] a privileged Place in upper Hungary the Church wants repairing but the Papists have forbid it.

5th.  They are forbid to teach either Philosophy or Divinity in their Schools or any thing else besides Grammar.

6th.  At the Churching of Women the Priest won’t give’em his Benediction except they turn Papists.

7th.  They are strictly forbid to send any of their Scholars to the Universities abroad though some go clandestinely under the Pretence of improving their Trades.

8th.  Formerly when it happened that People of different Persuasions married together, they brought up their Children, the Man agreably to his and the woman to her Opinion: but now if the Father be a Papist he is obliged to bring up all his Children his own way.

9.  On their great Festival particularly that of Corpus Christi they force the Protestant Tradesmen to go in procession with them.

10.  When there is a Marriage agreed on among the Country People, and the Bridegroom only happens to be a Papist; the Priest won’t marry’em except the Bride turns Papist too.

11.  In those small Towns where both Protestant and Popish Ministers are allowed, the Protestant dare not visit a dying Person of his Persuasion, ’till the Popish Priest has been with him to persuade him to embrace his; in order to which he uses all Endeavours to make him Pray with him, but in case the sick man refuses it, then the Protestant Minister is permitted to give him the Sacrament.

Memorandum: What is entered above came inclosed to Mr. Newman in a Letter dated 25th December 1732 but the rest of the Letter not being of much Consequence is not translated from the Original High-Dutch and therefore is not entered her.

Extract of the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger’s Letter to the Reverend Mr. Ziegenhagen dated at Augsburg 19th January 1733.

Whilst I am in expectation of an Answer from Mr. Newman upon my Letter of December the 11th N.S. I chose in the mean time to acquaint You with some things which I think most material at present.

By one of Mr. Newmans Letters it seems the Society is somewhat inclined to think that I dont approve of their Design of sending some of the Emigrants to Georgia; but far from it, For I like the Design very well, but I must needs mention the Difficulties it is attended with which however may not be insurmountable.

In Order to Forward the Design it will be requesite.

1st.  To have a Short and plain Description of the Country they are going to, tho that may be Sufficient what has been sent already by Mr. Newman.

2nd.  A Specification of those Conditions upon which they are to be sent and what they are to expect.

3rd.  The Societys Leave or orders for printing here those Conditions as well as there.

4th.  For Corresponding with a publick Minister at Ratisbon about concerting the proper Measures in this affair.

5th.  To improve [utilize] me to provide a Proper person to direct their Course and be their Guide from Place to Place or a Commissary for their Journey.

6th.  above all it will be necessary to make a publick Declaration in a Conference of the Evangelick Body at Ratisbon either by the Kings Minister or by the well known Mr. [J.] Van Reck Minister of Zell, that His Britannick Majesty was graciously pleased to receive [omission] Families of the Protestant Emigrants and to settle’em in Georgia.

In Writing this it comes just now into my Mind wether it would not be more expedient to go to Ratisbon for some days my self (where I can be in 24 Hours with the Flying Post) to forward Matters the better. I am concious I can spare very little of my time, but when the good Success of any thing depends very much upon the first settingout about it, and a great deal of Time is Spent in Corresponding by Letters I submit my self to the Orders of the Society.

The Resolution the Society has been pleased to take about the Money left still in my hands, viz to save it for the Benefit of those that are to go to Georgia, this Resolution seems to be somewhat different from their former Sentiments. It is owing to my good Husbandry that there is any money left[.] Had I laid out all the Remittances for the Relief of the present Exiles I am sure I had [would have] acted agreeable to my Instructions.

If this Principle should prevail to deny any farther Charity from the very time the Exiles are engaged with any Protestant Power their Case would certainly be very deplorable. We in this City have almost none of those Saltzburgers, yet above 12000 Florins have been given by the Protestant Inhabitants and they are still willing to do more, let them be engaged with what Protestant Prince soever. The People at Ratisbon have freely maintained the 800 Tirnbergers for four Weeks together and been very liberal to at their Departure, notwithstanding they knew very well of their Engagement with the States of Holland some Months before.

As for the Questions I put in my Letter to Mr. Newman I think they are very innocent in themselves and were Suggested to me by several Persons and among the rest by a Royal Person. For in the French News we had it positively said that there had been a general Collection made throughout the Kingdom. The occasion of that particular Query about the Presbyterians was owing to a Letter written from London and communicated to me not to mention the cold and indifferent Treatment the Exiles met with from some of the Reformed Religion called Calvinists in a famous City, in Germany.⁵⁹

You may assure the Society of my most earnest desire to serve them in the best manner I can.

The most material contents of the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger’s Letter to Mr. Newman dated at Augsbourg January the 22nd 1733.

1st.  Some further Particulars relating to one of the Difficulties which Mr. Urlsperger is of opinion do attend the Society’s Design viz. The Saltzburgers fear of the Sea.

By the by he mentions some Reasons which had facilitated the Tirnbergers Engagement with the Dutch.

An Account of some things which he thinks still requsite [sic] in order to Forward the aforementioned Design as

1st.  That a Short and Accurate Description of Georgia might be drawn up in two or three Sheets by a fit person in English & afterwards translated and sent to him, in order to be printed & dispersed among the Saltzburgers, Containing a Description of the Climate, Fruitfullness and other necessary Circumstances & Qualifications of the Land and its Soil, Particularly what the yearly produce of an Acre of Land is.

2nd.  Where the Colonists could live in the mean time that Houses were building for’em.

3rd.  That the Trustees would provide’em not only with a Minister but a Catachet and Schoolmaster too; And that in Case these should come to die they would take Care to get others in their Room [place].

4th.  That the Trustees might be pleased to explain themselves Specifically how much they had in Mind to allow for a man a Woman and a Child, during their Voyage, and after their Arrival in Georgia and put the same in the conditions of Agreement.

Mr. Urlsperger humbly desires for some Reasons which he Specifies that the Society might be pleased to Keep to their former Resolutions viz. to let other Exiles that are not resolved to settle in Georgia also have a share, after their Engagement with other Powers.

Translation of a Letter in High Dutch. To Mr. Newman.   Augsbourg, 12 February 1733.   No. 12069.

Dear Sir: Though I wrote but the 19th Instant a Letter to you, yet I would not be wanting [would not wish to fail] to communicate unto you the edifying example of a new exile out of Carinthia, hoping that it will not be disagreable at all to the Honourable Society to read something thereof, besides this I have been credibly informed that His Prussian Majesty hearing that I had sent 333 Rix dollars out of the private Cash for the exiles to Prussia, for the reasons which I have mentioned in my former he expressed his satisfaction thereat, and spoke in a most Gracious manner and in very Gracious terms of the Honourable Societies zeal, Compassion and Good nature towards the oppressed Protestant Exiles to others that were present etc.

I am   Dear Sir   Yours etc.   S. Urlsperger

Extract of a Letter from a private Correspondent dated Ratisbon 21st January 1732/3.

These are only to let you know that yesterday the Courier returned from Berchtolsgaden being accompanied by six of the Inhabitants of that Country, who having a great desire to come hither, secretly made off with him. some Accounts which partly the Tirnbergers conveyed to them as also some Catechisms etc. which I lately sent them, have contributed very much to strengthen all the Protestants in those parts, their number is said to amount at present to about one Thousand, we heartily wish that God may bless us again with some good and pious Christians, and possibly those may come hither in time according to their desire, they have not liberty to sell any of their Estates or Goods, and when they were registered, the Magistrates valued’em at half the price only of what they are really worth. I believe the Event will correspond with my opinion and thoughts of the Berchtolsgaders; viz. that they would be parted and not all go to one and the same place, most of’em are resolved that if could but come to Ratisbonne themselves, they would then declare whither they were inclined to go. a Considerable party of’em will probably go to settle in Holland, some to Prussia, particularly the Artificers, others into the Hanoverian Territories, where they will want nothing in regard of their Souls as well as their Bodies but both will be well provided for. A small Transport of about 50 persons is going soon to Prussia. I have provided these exiles likewise with some Books and assisted’em in what manner I could, and shall continue so to do, especially if I am to expect and can rely upon some farther supplies from others.

Extract of a Letter dated Ratisbonne 3 of February 1732/3.

After my last some other Deputies from the Miners in Berchtolsgaden are arrived here, who will apply to the Evangelick Body for their Assistance and Intercession, that Liberty to leave the Country may be granted them the sooner, for at present they have not leave to sell any of their Goods, or to depart the Country though before the Commission they publickly declared themselves Protestants in due form and their Goods and Possessions have been Appraised. In the mean time they are permitted to read Protestant Books at home, yet with this restriction that there shall be no more present at their devotions than what belong to the Family, and it is reported that one of the Saltzburg Exiles had lately the misfortune to be arrested there for no other crime but because he came thither, and prayed and sung with some of the Inhabitants, but it is not yet known what will be done with him, neither what crime they will charge him with, the Saltzburg Exiles which arrived here a few days ago, unanimously report that the Inhabitants of of the whole Bailiwick of Gastein have declared themselves Protestants and petitioned for leave to depart the Country, they add that there was many more still who would do the same.

The Melancholy Accounts that come in out of Hungaria continue to be the same, after the Papists have taken away all the Protestant Churches except two in the County of Eisenberg [Eisenburg?], they go so far as to force the People by the Soldiers which are quartered in those parts to go to Mass; it was upon such an occasion that it happened that one of the Soldiers kicked a poor Countryman on the Belly in so violent a manner that he immediately drop’t down on the Ground and lay Languishing ’till the Evening, when he died of the hurt he had received[.] as they were going to bury this man, the Popish-priest would not permit it. moreover they would [wished to] punish the Widow, for not having fetched the Priest before her Husband died, and given him an opportunity to try whether he could not convert him after their manner and way. It is said that the Papists intend to deprive also the other Protestants in other Counties of their Churches in the same manner as they have those in the County of Eisenberg, and that they meditate besides to shut up all the Schools throughout the whole Kingdom, thereby to oblige the Inhabitants to send their youth to the Jesuists to School, all representations that have been made against these their Proceedings, and all intercessions for the poor oppressed people have been fruitless hitherto.

Extract of a Letter dated Ratisbon 5 February 1732/3.

A certain tradesman of this City having been at Saltzburg has brought me the following piece of news, Viz. That he had been credibly informed that in the Bailiwick of Radstadt 700 Persons had declared themselves Protestants, and would leave the Country sooner than was expected.

Translation of a Letter in High-Dutch. To Mr. Newman. Augsburg 19 February 1733.

Dear Sir: The following particulars I have only to communicate to you at present; as for the rest I refer you to my former Letters, and desiring you to give my most humble Respects to the Honourable Society.

I am   Yours   S. Urlsperger

An Account of a Man and his Family that left Carinthia for Religion’s Sake as it was given by them at Augsburg 15 January 1732/3.

John Gruber, late of Simitz (which is thirty Leagues distance from Saltzburg) in the Bailiwick of Allwecken in the Principality of Carinthia, Husbandman, 39 years of Age with his wife Magdalen Pucklerin,⁶⁰ likewise 39 years of age, and seven Children, Viz. Mary 18, Apollonia 15, Ulrick 12, Matthew 10, George 7 & 1 /2, Margaret 3 & 1 /2 and Helena 2 Years old, appeared the day of the month abovementioned and produced their Letters of Admission, as also a Pass-port from a Bailiff in Carinthia called Lorentz Sholler, bearing date 27 September 1732. He left the Country on account of the Protestant Religion which he and his Family profess and related.

That because he publickly declared himself a Protestant, he underwent a hard persecution, and had to struggle with great difficulties which were laid in his way. The Bailiff would [wished to] keep back (from him) his wife and Children, and all that he had but was at last prevailed on by his continued prayers and repeated instances to grant him his request since he could be persuaded by no means to return to the Roman Catholick Religion. but before he set out on his journey, the parish priest named de Esoh [Esch?], who is also the Bishop’s Confessionary together with the said Bailiff Sholler came to his house and renewing their remonstrances to him, to continue a Roman-Catholick assured him, whether he persisted in his resolution to adopt a Blind Heretick Faith and forsake the true Roman Catholick one, by which only Salvation was to be had and obtained, whereupon the Deponent answered that he was surely convinced in his conscience that in the Protestant Religion where the word of God and Christ was taught pure and uncorrupted he should be eternally saved, and that he would live and die therein. Seeing therefore that nothing was to be done with him but that all their labour would be lost whatever way they went to work, they cursed him, saying that now he was sure to go to the Devil, and would be eternally damned. The Constable and Archer⁶¹ whom they had brought along with them were ordered upon this, to search every corner in his house and having discovered the Protestant Books which he had concealed under the Bed, being Spangenberger’s and Luther’s Postil or Collection of Sermons to be read and used in Families;⁶² Aviller’s Art to die well and happy, a Book of Hymns printed at Zittau, Religious Dialogues (or a Book called a Conference upon matters of Religion, the Holy Bible, and some others, the Constable put’em all together into one Bag. But the Priest looked again under the Bed himself to see whether there was any more Books concealed under it, and insisted that he must have Scheitberger’s Heretick Book also, and would have the Deponent deliver it to him. and though the said Book, together with Martin Lodinger’s Writings (of comfort) and Letters, and Martin Luther’s large Catechism lay under the Bed as well as the others beforementioned, yet these Inquisitors did not see’em, hereupon the Priest and the Bailiff grew so angry, that they turned their Canes upon him, and placing themselves on each side they begun to beat him most severely in such a manner that the Silver Ring at the end of the priest’s Cane flew off, which being not found again, the priest insisted that the Deponent should pay him two Florins for it. two days after they found it laying in a Drawer which was left open that day when they searched the House, after the Deponent and his Family had taken great pains to themselves to look for it every where else, they went afterwards with the Books to the Bailiffs’ House, where they carried the Deponent along with them, to whom they intimated that the Books which they had taken from him should all be burned, for which purpose necessary preparations were accordingly made in an adjacent Garden, whither they went together, and the Archer lighted the fire, the Bishop all the while looked out at Window of the Cloyster to be himself a Spectator of the Burning of the Books, the Priest and Bailiff pressed very hard upon the Deponent and would [wished to] force him to throw the Heretick Books into the fire himself, which he refused to do saying though you burn my Books, yet all that is contained therein will remain and be left impressed in my Soul, and be preserved in my mind and I know most part of the Prayers and Hymns which stand in these Books by heart, whereof I could say above an hundred to you which you will never be able to rob me of. The Archer then threw all the Books into the fire, one after another and they did not part ’till all were burnt to ashes: when they came to the Bible which was left last of all, the Priest turning to the Deponent said that this he thought he could throw into the Fire with a safe Conscience, but he shewing little inclination to join with him in that; answered That he should be guilty of the greatest sin if he had the wickedness to burn that Book which contained what Christ had preached and taught with his holy mouth, as it is related in the Holy Gospel which also says that these his words shall be preserved for ever, though even Heaven and Earth should pass away and be no more, therefore they themselves might burn it, if they could take it upon their Conscience the Priest took the Bible along with him and did not deliver it up to the flames, the Deponent added that before the burning of the Books the Priest asked him, How many Sacraments he thought there was, and he answering he believed in two Viz. the holy Baptism, and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, the Priest replied that is even downright Lutheran Heretick Doctrine, the Bailiff put a question to him also, to which he desired an answer. Viz. Which of the two he believed to be true, That Luther is in Heaven or in Hell? the Deponent’s answer was Judge not and you shall not be judged, condemn not and you shall not be condemned. He certainly believed that the beloved and dear man of God Martin Luther is in Heaven, since all his writings are founded on the word of God, and because he seeing that the Traditions of men had got the uppermost in the Church of Rome, and that on the contrary the Gospel of Christ was laid aside, he endeavoured to root out the Tares that were sprung up in the said Church, upon the Deponent’s expressing himself in this manner, both the Priest and Bailff fell into a rage, damning his Soul and Body. The Deponent having in hast sold what goods he could amounting to the value of Seventy Florins ready money and taken whatever came first to his hands, retired out of the Country, and came hither with his Family. He is a very sensible man, and extraordinarily devout, the like I scarce have met with in any other, he can say whole prayers by heart word for word; upon his being asked whether they who profess the protestant religion in his Country are not threatened with being put into prison, and used in the same manner with those in the Arch-Bishoprick of Saltzburg, he answered: that as yet they had not proceeded so far against many of them, and had not much made use of such measures: as for him he had not been at all afraid of being imprisoned and the like; he was ready for Christ’s sake to suffer imprisonment and any torments whatsoever adding what follows in German Verse.

His possessions he would willingly part with for the sake of the word of God even though they amounted to some Thousands, and not look back for them as Lot’s Wife did, but with unshaken Constancy presevere in the profession of it, amidst the hardships and dangers it should be attended with, when he passed through Saltzburg, he was ordered to produce his Pass-ports. The Papists there seeing his Children heartily pitied them that they should go to the Devil, and pressed upon the Deponent to sell’em all or any of them to’em and leave them there but his answer was: that in God’s name he would take them all along with him and sell none of’em. Lastly he related: that there’s a great many protestants in Carinthia. the Inhabitants of about 13 Bailiwicks having declared themselves Protestants, and the number of’em is about 12 or 13000 Men. that some of’em had been imprisoned already, and these good people heartily wished that some other Protestant power might interpose in their behalf and procure’em liberty to leave The Country, they are all substantial men and the most part Husbandmen, my Correspondent at Ratisbon inserts the following particulars concerning the same John Gruber in his Letter dated Ratisbon 10 February 1733. Have given to John Gruber from Carinthia what you [Urlsperger] sent him out of your private Cash for the protestant Exiles, who with Tears in his eyes and a pious heart received this Benefaction, acknowledging the providence of God in this particular, who thus takes care of him and his Family, he promised not to forget in his prayers the Benefactors in England, but to beseech God that he may bless’em for ever and ever, the said Gruber has particularly gained the favour of all the protestant Ambassadors by his pious behaviour and one must wonder to hear how many fine Spiritual prayers his seven Children known by heart, he has had the honour with his family to dine at the Saxon Ambassador’s Table, who also gave handsome Benefactions to them.

Extract of a Letter dated Ratisbon 10 February 1732/3.⁶³

The Deputies from Berchtolsgaden wait still for a Resolution upon their Petition which they have presented to the Evangelick Body which I shall send you by the next Mail in its regular form, the most material things contained in it are,

1st.  They Petition the Evangelick Body that the same would be pleased to interpose with their Prince, not to hinder any longer their leaving the Country, but to grant’em liberty so to Do.

2nd.  At the same time they complain of their being refused and denied decently to bury their dead; as also of some particular Taxes which they are obliged to pay who go out of the Country being already exacted and levied upon some of’em though not a penny of all that belongs to them had been delivered to’em, and several other hardships.

Part of the said Berchtolsgaders, namely the miners with their Families, amounting to 550 Persons are said to go into the Hanoverian Countries, but where the Artificers are to settle is not yet known. Mr. Urlsperger adds, That at that moment he had received the news that eighteen of the most substantial Families, had engaged with Nurembergers.

Extract of a Letter in High-Dutch from the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger.   To the Reverend Mr. Zeigenhagen.   5 March 1733. No. 2.   No. 12088.

I hope you have received my Letter dated January the 19th N.S. as I have Mr. Newman’s answer dated February the second. I shall write to him again as soon as I have received from him some further advice concerning some particulars in his Letter, in the mean time I praise God that he hath blessed with such good success the well meant Letter which I wrote to the Honourable Society concerning the distribution of the money sent for the relief of the poor exiles, and I long to know what resolution the Parliament has taken upon the Honourable Society’s Petition, one Mr. Grinn a Protestant Minister in Hungaria, who is banished that Country has been here for some Weeks, and a friend at Vienna writes to me that we may soon expect more of the like Visitors.

Extract of a Letter from Ratisbon 15th February 1733.

The 3 Instant I sent one Simon Lerchner upon an Errand into Berchtolsgaden, who returning on the 14th at shutting of the City Gates related that being informed as he was going to pass through Saltzburg on his way to Berchtolsgaden, that they rigorously examined and searched every Passenger at Saltzburg, he took the precaution to tie with a string the Letters which he was entrusted with about his Body upon the bare skin, hoping to save’em in this manner, tho’ upon his being asked who he was and he answering that he was a Journeyman Brick maker, and shewing the Pass-port he had from the Magistrates at Ratisbon, they let him go without searching him at all. upon his departing the 11th from Berchtolsgaden he met with two Fellow-Travellers who intended likewise to return to Ratisbon having been in the Arch bishoprick of Saltzburg on account of some Business, these latter when they passed through Saltzburg were examined and even their Cloaths searched very strictly, but nothing being found upon them they were sent their ways. All the Avenues in the Arch Bishoprick of Saltzburg are closely guarded by Soldiers, so that there is even no passing into it by means of taking some By-ways, and in case they deprehend any body travelling out of the common Road, he is outlawed, whereof the Inhabitants give warning to the Travellers, for these reasons every body that travels in those parts, must take care that he carry no Letters about him, in case he will not [does not wish to] be arrested, etc. and have severe Punishment inflicted on him. He likewise related that three Penitential Preachers⁶⁴ go about the Country and visit the Inhabitants in their Houses one after another to strengthen’em in the Roman Catholick Religion. But that the more pains they take the more of those who have any knowledge of Religion embrace the Protestant because it is impossible to hear these Penitential Preachers teach such abominable and Blasphemous Doctrines as they do without being surprized at it, they endeavouring by any means to make the ignorant People believe amongst other things that the blessed Virgin Mary ought only to be worshipped and adored because God hath made her Queen Regent and yielded the Government of Heaven and Earth unto her. God the Father is an elderly man, decayed with age, and hath lost his Hearing. God the Son cannot see any more, and God the Holy Ghost knows nothing of what passes, therefore the Mother of God only Lords it now over all.

Extract of a Letter from Ratisbon 26 February 1733.

You mention in your Letter that you can hardly believe the truth of the Deposition concerning the Blasphemy beforementioned, which is registered in the Protocol I have sent you, but if you please to look into the Protocol, where the Depositions of some Durenbergers [Tirnbergers] are registered by two notaries according to the desire of the envoy of the States General, you will find there an account of other Blasphemies to the same purpose and Intent.

Having most humbly requested His [Prussian] Majesty to let me know what his Will and Pleasure is, in case any more of the Saltzburgers should leave their Country hereafter, I have received orders to engage all that may come from those parts,⁶⁵ and because it has not been possible to build so many Houses for the reception of such a multitude as are necessary: they are in the mean time to be settled in other of His Majesty’s Dominions as in Marchia [Mark Brandenburg] and Pomerania[.] by the way I must inform you that 4000 Rixdollars have lately been sent to Professor Franck⁶⁶ at Hall from Denmark of the relief of those exiles that are already gone into Prussia.

Augsburg 3rd March 1732/3.

This Evening one Christian Schartner, a Journeyman Mason, late from the Bailiwick of Radstadt in the Arch Bishoprick of Saltzburg, about Twenty Seven years of age, came to my House and having shewed me his Pass-port he related at the same time

1st.  That some of those who gave in a year ago their names as Protestants before the Magistrates, but afterwards were enticed to remain in the Country when others left the same, had already taken a certain oath to persevere in the Roman Catholick Religion, which the Priests read unto them on a Sunday sitting on a Chair before the Altar, and they who are to swear kneeling down before him, and touching with their fingers the holy Gospel which lies open[.] of this the deponent hath been an Eye witness himself.

2nd.  That though they had continued for three Sundays following to swear people in the Bailiwick of Radstadt, nevertheless all are not sworn yet.

3rd.  That though many take this oath, yet they retain their former sentiments in religion, and are very desirous of getting Protestant Books.

4th.  That a certain Peasant, who assisted at the divine service in the Church, hearing those who had formerly professed themselves Protestants, take the oath to remain Roman Catholicks for Temporal ends, he publickly and with a loud voice declared that woe would be unto them but that he had been put into prison for so saying.

5th.  That those who comply to take the oath, are nevertheless punished and fined for having formerly declared themselves Protestants.

6th.  That many others of’em are determined to leave the Country rather than to take the oath and that they cannot be diverted from this their resolution whatever endeavours the Capuchins who go about the Country use to alter their minds.

7th.  That those who have occupied part of the Lands of the Exiles are like to be sent away again next Spring, because they have the same sentiments about religion with the Exiles, for which reason it is related that one of the Bailiffs said; we have driven out one Devil, but ten others are come in his place.

8th.  That the Priests in the Arch Bishoprick of Saltzburg have wrote to those in the Country from whence these new Colonists came, advising’em to be well upon their guard, for that they had many of these very People amongst’em, which they had been pestered with so much of late; and partly had still living amongst them.

9th.  That all those who have a mind to stay in the Country are obliged to enlist themselves in some Fraternity or other and wear a certain Mark of distinction.

After I had set down the forementioned Account, which the said Shartner gave, I read it over to him again and asked him whether this his disposition was true in fact, admonishing him at the same time to tell nothing but the truth but he affirmed that so he had done. One of the Exiles that lived in this City whom I am acquainted with told me that he knew this Shartner and his Relations who last Summer went to Prussia very well and that they are honest People.

No. 12101.   Extract of a Letter in High-Dutch from the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg.   To the Reverend Mr. Zeigenhagen. Augsburg 16th March 1733.

I hope my last Letter dated March the 5th N.S. is come safe to yours hands, as is yours of February 9th O.S. As to the project of the Honourable Society, I have not yet received any further Instructions by the hands of Mr. Newman, which in their last Letter were promised, thereby to enable me to take proper measures in case an occasion should offer to get a Transport for Georgia, in the mean time I have wrote a Letter to the Prussian Commissary [Göbel] who at present is at Ratisbon, to inform my self about the following particulars; Viz. whether in regard of the repeated orders which he had received from His prussian Majesty to contract with all the Exiles that may leave their Country and are inclined to settle in Prussia, some difficulties might not perhaps be laid in the way towards getting some of them for Georgia, in answer to this he expressed himself in the following terms Viz. That for his part he would not in the least hinder me, in making my best endeavours to dispose some to go to that Country, but that on the contrary he should be glad if any would take such a resolution, and that I could firmly assure the Honourable Society of this being his intentions, he added that in the mean time he should be glad to Know what number of exiles they were inclined to engage with. I suppose the Commissary had already acquainted the King His Master with the thing, and therefore wrote this by His consent otherwise he would not have expressed himself in this manner, besides this I have desired a friend of mine who went to Ratisbon four days ago to confer before hand with the Envoy of Brunswick-Zell, (Baron [J.] de Reck) about this affair in case things should fall out so that we should get some of the Exiles for Georgia, who at first looked upon the thing as quite impracticable but afterwards changed his opinion. For my friend informs me in his Letter of the 10th Instant that the Baron de Reck had invited him that same day to dinner and told him as soon as he came there that what he told him the day before had quite prevailed with him and that now he was entirely of his opinion; desiring him at the same time to procure him a more particular Account of Georgia etc. my friend added he thought a Letter to his Gentleman would meet with a Favourable reception, for which reason I design to write to him Thursday next in my own name. But after all it is highly necessary that the Honourable Society lose no time in writing me a full answer to several particulars which I have mentioned in my Letters partly to Mr. Newman, partly to you, that in case some new transports set out from their Country (for the Berchtolsgaders have been engaged already before their leaving the Country) all things may be in readiness, it will be requisite also to give full power to some Envoy at Ratisbon or to a Commissary, and thereby authorize him to write to the respective States, the Dominions of which the Exiles at their first setting out as well as afterwards in the Progress of their Journey are to pass through, requiring them to grant’em a free passage. I have talked about this affair some time ago with two Exiles, who are men of good Sense and much esteemed by their Countrymen, to whom the Voyage to Georgia appeared not to be attended with so many difficulties as they at first imagined, and who have promised me to serve as instruments in disposing some of their Countrymen for such a resolution, and to meet for that purpose the first that shall leave the Country, but at the same time they earnestly desired me to let ’em have in time something in print concerning the condition of the Land[.] I have also desired the Banker Mr. De Münch to think with me upon a Person that is fit to be employed as a Commissary. But as for a Minister and a Catechet it will be somewhat difficult to find proper Persons for these Offices tho’ I hope God will shew us ways and means even in this particular. I have wrote upon this Account to Hale [Halle] and to Tubenger [Tübingen], there being likewise in the latter Place a Number of young Students in Divinity of very good Parts and a sincere piety. But what if we could not get an unmarried Man, who is of a sincere Piety, good Learning, and at the same time, knows a little English, have we leave to choose One who is married, and hath no Children, or not above one? Would he be allowed a Salary that he and his Family can subsist by? We must even think of such particular Circumstances in due time. Upon the whole, I must mention this once more, that because often matters admit of no delays, it will be necessary that the Honourable Society be pleased to grant me full power to do in this Affair what is just and right before God. But as for those things which don’t press so much for a quick dispatch, I shall not be wanting to acquaint them therewith in due time, and take not one step before I know what is agreable to the Honourable Society.

From Ratisbon I have received the following News by a letter dated March the 12th viz. That the Saltzburg Exiles are not permitted to take their Rout thro’ Bavaria to Ratisbon. Further, that the Land-Grafe [Landgrave] of Hesse-Cassel is also desirous to have a number of the Exiles. That the King of Prussia got no more than Seventy Persons of the Berchtolsgader that have left the Country, they being parted, and some of them going to Holland, some into the Hannoverian Countries, others to Nurenburg.

That the Passages into the Archibishoprick of Saltzburg are shut up and so closely guarded as ever, for which reason no letters can be conveyed a little way into the Countrey without running great hazard, the Papists there talking immediately of sending to the Gallies, those upon whom any Letters shall be found. & Lastly that we may soon see some families of Exiles out of Austria.

By Letters from Elbingen [Elbag] I am informed that after the King of Poland’s Death⁶⁷ the Dissenters in that Country undergo again a hard Treatment from the Roman-Catholick Clergy. The same melancholly Account is given me by a Friend, who is Secretary to an Officer in the Emperour’s Service at Cassovia,⁶⁸ concerning the Protestants in Hungary, who continue to lie under great Hardships and to be severely persecuted, but I hope the Lord himself will send us help and relief.

I have wrote this Letter to you only at present because I am in Expectation of some fresh Letters from Mr. Newman desiring you in the mean time, to give my humble respects to the Gentlemen of the Honourable Society.

P.S. One thing still I have to add, that it seems to be necessary for me to go my Self to Ratisbon for some days after I have received proper Instructions from England, which as yet I wait for as I have mentioned before in my Letters.

Translation of a Letter from the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger to Henry Newman dated Augsperg April 27   N.S.   12151   Read May 1, 1733.

Honoured and Dear Sir: In answer to your Letter dated March the 27 O.S. the time will not permit me to acquaint you at present with any thing else except the following particulars.

1. That I am fully convinced of the Honourable Society’s good disposition and intentions towards the Protestants Exiles.

2. That I shall patiently wait the Resolutions the Parliament may come to as also for the Description of Georgia.

3. That I shall not be wanting [fail] to send you from time to time an Account of the State of this Affair.

4. That Mr. de Reck is Envoy of the King of Great Britain for the Dutchies Zell, Calenborg [Calenberg], and Saxe Lauenberg [Sachsen-Lauenburg] at Ratisbon.

5. That I am heartily glad to hear that so good News is come from Mr. Oglethorpe.

6. That yesterday I sent some relief to Ratisbon for the 800 Berchtolsgaders who are to settle in the Hannoverian Countries, in money, Linnen, Books etc. and likewise a certain quantity for 100 others, who are going to the King of Prussia’s Dominions. These People deserve to be relieved.

P.S. The Elector of Bavaria is not so willing to grant a free Passage thro’ his Dominions to the Exiles as he was last year but he will have them go by water as the Tirnbergers and Berchtolsgaders have been obliged to do. It is not known yet what will become of some thousands of Saltzburgers, who have been registered as professing the protestant Religion. The Medals shall be sent according to desire.

The Contents of an Abstract of a Letter to the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger dated Ratisbon April the 7th 1733.

Mr. Urlsperger’s Correspondent mentions (1) That the 800 Berchtolsgaders who will settle in the Hannoverian Countries are to set out next Week as they have been promised and have obtained leave at last from the Archbishop of Saltzburg to embark at Hallein. But that those who are to go into the Prussian Dominons are resolved to go thither by land. (2) That the Passages into the Archbishoprick of Saltzburg are shut up still, and all Travellers examined very strictly whether they carry any Protestant Books or Letters about them. (3) That they expected some more penitential Preachers in the Archbishoprick of Saltzburg.

The Contents of an Abstract of a Letter to the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger dat. Ratisbon April the 14th.

The Commissary which the Envoy of the Elector of Hannover [J. von Reck] sent to Berchtolsgaden set out on Wednesday last for that place, and hath taken along with him some thousand Florins to assist therewith those that cannot pay the money which the Majestracy at Berchtolsgaden pretends [claims] to have an [on] Account of the Allegience[.] Mr. Gobel the Prussian Commissary is likewise gone to Berchtolsgaden.

Here follows an Account of one Simon Hoser who had been at Saltzburg April 11th to fetch the Child he had left behind him and to dispose of some of his Goods.

He related chiefly what happened to himself upon his Journey and could not give any particular Account of the State of the Affairs in the Archbishoprick, because he was not permitted to go about the Countrey, but some of his Relations were sent for and called to the Bailiff’s House at Saalselden [Saalfelden].

The Contents of an Abstract of a Letter from Mr. E— [Esterlin?] to the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger dated at Ratisbon April 16th 1733.

Mr. Urlsperger’s Correspondent informs him of the ill treatment he had met with from some Roman-Catholicks, they having got Information that he was very much engaged in the Cause of the Exiles.

He informs him farther that 12 Exiles out of Austria were arrived there and that 20 more of them were upon the Road, the rest impatiently waiting the Success of these their forerunners. No body it seems minds yet these dispersed Sheep; but God will take the more Care of them.

He adds briefly in relation to those that in Carinthia have been imprisoned on account of the Protestant Religion. That the chief Man amongst them having been pressed upon very hard by the Roman-Catholicks in his prison to confess whether he knew of any more such People being in that Countrey, He said at last if he should speak out he must tell them that most part of the Inhabitants were Protestants which declaration struck them with so much terrour that they began to treat him with more lenity.

The Contents of an Abstract of a Letter to the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger dated Ratisbon April the 21 [Probably from J. von Reck].

By and by there arrive some Exiles out of Austrian Countries and we also hope some Provision will be made for them. The Berchtolsgaders are expected the 24th of this Instant at Passau whither five Ships with necessary Provisions sailed three days ago. The said ships carry English Banners, which is a thing very seldom seen upon the Danube.

To Mr. Henry Newman.

Dear Sir: I had the Honour of Writing to You the 30th of March last, and having since received a letter from the Reverend Mr. Hales dated at London the 1st Instant, acquainting me that the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge have lately written to Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg, to send three hundred Emigrant Saltzburgers, or other persecuted Protestants, to Rotterdam, in order to their being transported thence to settle in Georgia, and also that the Society, upon Mr. Hale’s Recommendations have thought fit to honour me with the Care of conducting them from Augsburgh to Rotterdam, in Case Mr. Urlsperger should not be otherwise provided of another Person. I cannot but return my hearty thanks to the Society for the great trust they are pleased to confer on me. In pursuance of that trust, and that no time be lost, I have this day acquainted Mr. Urlsperger by letter that I am in readiness of receiving his Commands according to the directions of the Society for that purpose, and of my going hence upon his notice to meet with Chearfullness such worthy Friends in those parts of Germany.

It is with great Satisfaction to hear that both Colonies of Mr. Oglethorpe and Mr. Purry are going on with good success And that the Parliament of Great Britain have given ten thousand Pounds to the Society for establishing the Colony of Georgia, to which plentifull Contributions from private hands are daily added. I beg the favour of You Sir to make my respects acceptable to the Gentlemen of the Society and to be assured that I am with great truth.

Dear Sir   Your most obedient & most humble Servant   John Vat

Swisserland Biel June the 26th 1733.

To Mr. Henry Newman from Mr. Urlsperger covering Copies of the several Letters following.   A Copy of a Letter from Mr. Senior Urlsperger of Augsburg dated at Poltzig near Zeitz the 15th of June 1733.   No. 12227.   Read 3rd July 1733.

To Monsieur [J.] Van Reck at Ratisbon.

After I had sent my last to Your Excellency which was some days ago I received the day following another Packet of Letters from England, whereof here is the translation which plainly shews how much His Britannick Majesty, the Parliament the Honourable Trustees for Georgia, and the Society are in earnest to promote farther the Interest on the Emigrants and send a number of them to Georgia. I am sorry I was not in Augspurg in order to go my Self to Ratisbon to confer with your Excellency upon this importent Affair; in the mean time I beg the favour of your Opinion about the following particulars as soon as possible; My humble Opinion is Viz.

1st. That the Accounts I have of Georgia after having added some material Circumstances relating to the Emigrants shall with all proper Precaution be published in print Viz. at Ratisbon Augsburg etc.

2. That before the said Additions are ready, these Accounts shall not be published.

3. That some of the Emigrants of Saltzburg, Carinthia and Austria being either in Augsburg or Ratisbon may beforehand be acquainted with the Contents of the Accounts of Georgia.

4. That Your Excellency would take the trouble upon You to enquire of the Dutch Envoy [Gallieris] what the Transportation of a certain Number of such persons from Ratisbon to Rotterdam including the Salary of a Leading Commissary might amount to.

5. That in the mean while I shall look for leading-Commissary as well as for a Minister.

6. That in Case the Number of 150 Persons could not be had all at once, single Persons may be engaged and maintained till the number is completed.

I shall stay here about 17 or 18 days longer and dare hope your Excellency will farther honour me with Your letters before my departure, and if with the help of God I get safe home it will be of an absolute necessity for me to make a Tour for some days to Ratisbon. May the Lord promote his Works every where and for ever bless Your Excellency and all Your Family.

A Copy of a Letter from Monsieur [J.] Van Reck at Ratisbon dated the 18th of June 1733 directed to Mr. Senior Urlsperger.

I had the honour to receive the day before yesterday Your Letter from Poltzig of the 12th Instant, and return you my humble thanks for the Contents thereof. The same day our Embassy received a Royal Rescript dated the 16 Instant by which His Majesty informs us that the Society in England de Propaganda Christi Cognitione is come to an Agreement with the Trustees of Georgia and unanimously resolved to engage 300 Exiles of Saltzburg Berchtstolgaders etc. as Colonists for Georgia and to provide for their Transportation as well as future Maintenance, and that we should likewise keep a Correspondence with You Reverend Sir on this Subject to promote so good an Intention[.] we shall on our Parts not be wanting [not fail] to conform ourselves entirely to His Majesty’s order desiring you would be pleased to communicate to us your Thoughts thereupon viz. How the matter in agitation might be best effected.

A Copy of a Letter from Monsieur [J.] Van Reck at Ratisbon dated the 22nd of June 1733 directed to Mr. Senior Urlsperger.

I answered the 18th Instant yours dated at Poltzig the 12th Ditto by the way of Augsburg, and hope it is safe come to your hands. Friday the 19th Ditto I received another of the 15th Ditto together with the Translation of the Writings of Mr. Newman by which I see what further Resolutions the Parliament hath taken about the Society. The French News make mention of ten thousand pounds Sterling allowed for that purpose[.] I acquainted you in my last with the Royal orders we received here. Whereupon we have this day made appear the necessity and usefullness of soon publishing a full Account of Georgia which may perhaps have a good Influence to strengthen the Resolution of those Exiles that are still behind. Hitherto their exact Number is not known to us nevertheless some of them arrive daily & just now are come 10 of them from Saltzburg. You are Reverend Sir sensible that I should be much pleased to see the Publication of the Account of Georgia supported Regiâ Authoritate. The Dutch Minister M.⁶⁹ Gallieris is in Holland and will not return hither before the End of next month when I shall take the Opportunity to enquire about some necessary matters. The Charges for a Leading Commissary will not be very great and I shall propose in due time a proper Person for it. Indeed the last 800 Persons gone into the Hannoverian Dominions stood us in above 10 Thousand Florins. This here I send directly by way of Zeitz according to the direction you gave me wishing it a Safe arrival and your happy return. I remain

Reverend Sir   etc.

To Mr. Newman.

Dear and Honoured Sir: I received in due time your letters of the 4th, 11th, 18th and 29th of last month here in Poltzig near Zeitz seven German Miles from Hall at the House of Count Henchler a Lord of great merit and intimate Friend of the late Professor [A. H.] Frank where I have began to drink the Waters and from whence I constantly keep Correspondence with Monsieur [J.] Van Reck Envoy at Ratisbon as may be seen by the Copies I send you herewith; at present I should be glad to be informed.

1st.  If the number of an hundred and fifty persons for a Transportation could not be got at once, whether it would be agreable to the Society to engage those who daily arrive and maintain them till the whole Number of 150 shall be complete.

2nd.  As one Minister of the Gospel being hardly sufficient for the whole number of 300 and falling sick or dying would leave his Flock quite destitute whether it would not be necessary to look out for two besides a good Schoolmaster, which is the main point intended for these poor Emigrants persecuted for the sake of the Gospel, they would be at the Loss of being instructed in a Plantation where no other German Teachers are to be had.

3rd.  Whether such Ministers for the Exiles should not be ordained at Augsburg. I wish you all manner of divine Blessings and remain with Esteem. Poltzig the 29th June 1733.

P.S.

I am of Opinion that it would be of great Service to the Society to make intercession with the King’s Minister in order that the Publication of the Account of Georgia (according to the Proposal and Advice of the Deputies at Ratisbon) might be published Nomine Regis, and then I should take Care that nothing that could give Offence be inserted. I believe I shall return to Augsburg by way of Ratisbon which will be but 18 [German] Miles about [out of the way], to have the Opportunity to talke in a more ample manner with the Honorable Hannoverian Minister [J. von Reck] about ordering the matter in Agitation. Farther I could wish Viz.

1st.  That the Account of Georgia had been more full, and they had spared no Cost to send us a complete Relation thereof[.]

2nd.  That altho’ I have made mention of the necessity of having Two Ministers thither I should be glad if I was so lucky as to have One of them a Man of Piety and Learning that may be relyed on.

3rd.  That I shall do my best to induce the Evangelick Body at Ratisbon to grant the same Allowance for the Colonists of Georgia as was granted to them that went into Prussia, Hannover, and Holland.

4th.  That I still have in my Cash above 2000 Guilders.

5th.  That I shall herewith shortly declare my Opinion concerning Monsieur John Vat, being now by reason of my Indisposition not able to do it, in short I must own that the Issue of these Affairs has overjoyed me and move me to praise God for it. As soon as I shall be able to write my Self, I shall inform You farther about the matter. My most humble respects to the Honourable Society. I shall if it please God in a few days be at Hall[e] where 1 shall perhaps be able to find out a good Man for Georgia. I remain

Dear & Honoured Sir   Your humble Servant   Samuel Urlsperger

Poltzig 29th of June 1753.

The Answer to this will I hope meet me again in Augsburg.

Copy of the Translation of a Letter out of High Dutch from the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger to Mr. Newman. Ausburg the 10th of August 1733. No. 12280. Read 14th August.

Honoured & dear Sir: Being some Days ago returned home from a Journey into Saxony to my beloved City of Hall⁷⁰ for the sake of my Health, which thank God, is mighty well recovered; I shall inform You of several Points beside what I have mentioned in my last of June the 10th N.S. Viz.

1. That I have received several of Your Letters partly in Saxony and partly after my Return home viz. of May the 29th of the 3rd, 6 & 10th of July, together with the Bill of Exchange of £ 300 Sterling, exactly paid by Mr. Münch.

2. That I’ve thought fit to set apart the said 300 pounds, solely for the Benefit of such Emigrants as shall resolve to go over to Georgia.

3. That there is as yet but a small Number of those Emigrants, who are willing to embark for Georgia, the Reason hereof is that no whole Transport is lately arrived from the Saltzburg Territories; but only some single Persons now and then, some following their Parents others their Children, gone before’em into Prussia.

4. It seems that besides former Difficulties attending the Transport into Georgia which we have in some Measure found means to remove; Two new ones have been Started. The first of which is that in all the News Papers here and at other Places, there has been Published a large Letter from Pennsylvania, by which every-Body is warned not to imbark for the said Colony. The reason alledged is that New Comers meet with but very Course Reception there: the 2nd Difficulty is caused by the returning of 50 Tirnberger Emigrants from Zeeland to Ratisbone which happened last Week, The said Emigrants making loud Complaints of their being ill used by the Dutch, who keep none of the Conditions Stipulated with ’em: insomuch that, if they had found ways and Means, all the rest would certainly have come back again. The Evangelick Body is highly concerned about it, and it may prove of very bad Consequences, not only in regard to the Emigrants, but to the Papists also: be the Complaints ill or well grounded.

Now to come to an Answer of Your Letters (leaving what remains to the 13th Instant.).

1. I shall, if Possible, make use of Mr. John Vat, who has been proposed for Marching Commissary; & whose Letter to that purpose I received Yesterday, tho’ Mr. Rect [J. von Reck], the Envoy here residing, has proposed another Person, that is here.

2. The reason why the Publishing of the Description of Georgia has hitherto been delayed is that the Envoy thought it (as it really is) necessary it should be done by Royal Authority. Nevertheless, as you’ve been pleased, Sir, to observe to me in your last of July the 10th that the Trustees were Authorized by King & Parliament, also as to this Point, I shall this very week take the Opportunity to propose this affair to the Envoy; that so the said Description may forthwith be published under Royal Authority; without waiting for any further special Order from Court.

3. We shall strive to follow the Intention of the Trustees as to the Number, they’ve marked down of Emigrants for the Transport of one Ship.

4. I shall also imploy all my Skill in the Choice of Persons fit for the Ministry and School teaching: and I have already found out Two very learned and pious Students in Divinity,⁷¹ who, out of pure Love to Promote the Honour and Interest of the Kingdom of Christ, are resolved to serve this new Colony, the one in Preaching and the other in Catechising or teaching in the School.

5. When I shall have a Sufficient Number of Emigrants for the Transport of One Ship, I shall forthwith transmit an exact Specification of the same according to the Direction given by the Honourable Commissioners. This Sir is what I’ve thought fit to Communicate to You in great Hast. The next Post the rest shall follow. Wherewith I remain,

Honoured and dear Sir,   Your most humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

To Mr. Henry Newman.   enclosing Copies of the several Letters following from Mr. Urlsperger Translated out of high Dutch. Augsbourg Aug. 17th 1733. No. 12298.   Read 28 Aug. 1733.   Ordered as on the Minutes of this Day.

Honoured and Dear Sir: In Pursuance of the Promise I made in my last of the 10th of August (which I hope you’ve received) I communicate the following Pieces (which in part contain many Arcanas) from whence the Illustrious Society as well as the Honourable Trustees for Georgia may understand,

1. That the Description of Georgia has hitherto been delayed by reason of the Envoy’s waiting for Orders, to know under what name & Authority it is to be published but your last Letter informing us that the Society is pleased to leave it to our Discretion I shall,

2. By the first Opportunity send the said Description to Ratisbone, according to the Discretion of the Hannoverian Envoy; to have it printed where it most shall suit our Conveniency &

3. Seeing that as well the Imperial Court as all the Catholicks in general look upon this Emigration with jealous Eyes, we that live in a Country and City where both Parties are equal, must use all imaginable prudence, not to give the least occasion to publish Popish Clergy of new Troubles; the late instance of the Reverend Mr. Esterlin at Ratisbone making us Cautious, & shewing what may happen in other Places in the like Case.⁷² It would be therefore not only Convenient but even necessary that by some short Order written in Latin or French I should be authorized by his Britannick Majesty as Serving in this Commission the Trustees for Georgia, by the Request of the Society, whose Correspondent Member I am, to forward a Transport of Protestant Emigrants for Georgia, the said Writing being made to entreat & require all persons to assist me herein and so forth; But in such Writing no use should be made of the Title of Commissary in Respect to me. You can’t imagine what a World of Troubles & obstacles we find in our way, having seriously set about this Work, and with all this we have hitherto but Eight Persons resolved to go to Georgia; The number of new Emigrants being very thin. What happened to the Zirn-bergers [Tirnbergers] at Cassant [Cadzand] in Zeeland is to be looked upon as an Obstruction of the Whole work of Emigration; But, we trust, in God in spight of the malicious Enemy’s will forward and protect his own Work; The Examples of Moses and Aaron must encourage us, who had no smaller difficultys to struggle with under their Charge of Commissaries in the Israelites Emigration out of Egypt. I recommend You to the Divine Protection, & next my humble Submission to the Illustrious Society & Honourable Trustees, I remain

Honoured and dear Sir,   Your most humble Servant
Samuel Urlsperger

P.P. i.e A Paper promised.

The Tirn-bergian [Tirnberger] Emigrants, lately returned from Holland are already so far provided for that by their Industry they may gain their livelyhood well enough here with us; the difficulty would be how to provide for more, as ’tis likely they will not be the last of that Swarm, seeing they are kept so meanly where they are. Their Conduct, no doubt, had [would have] been more prudent, if instead of coming away, they had by some Deputies represented their Case. But considering their Circumstances tis hardly possible that the rest abide there, by the Infraction of all that was stipulated with’em & drawn up in Writing before their Departure from hence. We shall see the Issue of all this at the Arrival of the Dutch Minister here; who is upon his Journey hither.

Ratisbone August the 11th 1733.

Weismeyer

A short Account of the Tirnberg-Saltzburgian Emigrants returned from Holland with their Grievances.

Last Friday Evening the 31 July we were surprized to see Sixty Saltzburgers Emigrants returning hither from Holland: every Body being desirous to know the reason of their unexpected return they alledged those as follows.

1. That after their safe Arrival to the Isle of Cassand [Cadzand], which was the Place assigned them, they were obliged to pass 5 nights aboard the Ships in a raw cold Season at Sea, nobody being allowed to Stir from thence, till

2. They had assigned’em for Lodging Hog-sties Bake Ovens, & other such uncommon places.

3. Having hardly Time allowed’em to rest & recover themselves after so long and tiresome a Journey.

4. They were obliged to do the hardest and toilsomest work for the Inhabitants and after their Labour, instead of their deserved Hire they received Scoldings and ill Usage, so that

5. Besides their working for nought, they were obliged to Subsist by their own Means; by which they found’emselves necessitated.

6. To complain of such hard usage to the Commissary who

7. Instead of hearing their just Complaints, with Threats of Bastonado, sent ’em back again

8. That all Provision was put at so high a Rate for them that they were obliged to pay for a pound of Beef 10 Crusers for a pound of Butter 18 Crusers for a Pot of Beer 6 Crusers etc. insomuch that

9. They found themselves obliged to think on a timely retreat for to escape of the last Misery that threatned them; whilst they yet had something of their own means left.

10. They also found way to escape by the assistance of two German Soldiers who were Lutherans; all the Ship masters being under severe punishments forbidden to transport any of them, so they returned hither by way of Brussels.

11. Lastly as to the Exercise of Religion, or Divine Worship, they had 3 Leagues to go to Church; so that during all their Stay there, few of’ em had been above 3 Times, many but Twice, & some not at all been able to attend Divine Service.

These Grievances seem outrageous, & not to be believed by the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger, as he writes in the Margent.

Charles Albertus, Elector of Bavaria.⁷³

Dearly beloved! As we are credibly informed that Your Ministers of the Church & some of your Citizens take upon them to draw away by promises and allurements several of our Subjects from the Roman Catholick Religion to the Confession of Augsburg; a late instance whereof is a certain Goldsmith’s Daughter, named Dendacher, who being first set upon by one of your Citizens a Shop keeper whose name is John George Rothier, & afterwards by two of your ministers, Esterlin & Roser was prevailed with, thro’ Promises and Presents, to go to Confess in the Lutheran way, was upon that against her Will almost forced to embrace the Lutheran Religion, insomuch that the said Shop keeper promised this Young Woman that if she would turn Lutheran he not only would marry her but also provide for all her Family, tho’ he himself was unable to do it, only by idle Promises to ensnare this poor Creature. Besides this we are informed that your Citizens married to Roman Catholick wives & vica versa, endeavour to withdraw and detain their Consorts from their accustomed Worship. Therefore it being well Known to you, that this is a grievous infraction of the Laws fundamental to the Roman Empire, by which every one must enjoy the free and undisturbed Exercise of his Religion, and above all this, being forewarned by an imperial Rescript to you, to the same Effect. I do Expect from your prudent Behaviour that you will put a Stop to these unlawfull proceedings, and by your Connivance not oblige me to look out for other more effectual means to hinder it.

Given at Münich the 24 June 1733 by special Commission, To the Magistrate of Ratisbone.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Esterlin at Ratisbone dated August the 11th 1733.   To Mr. Urlsperger.

The Lord be praised for your safe Return to Augsburg again, my Joy hereat is exceeding great as it renders me the occasion to continue our Correspondence, & thereby to communicate my Hearts Thoughts to You. In order to answer shortly to the Points of your last Letter, I must tell You

1.   That all the Envoys of the Protestant Princes here are very much astonished at the unexpected Return of 50 Tirnberg Emigrants from Cassant [Cadzand] who prompted by their Impatience did not well consider what they did in leaving their new Settlement, & come back again here to Ratisbone, where their Inconstancy is exposed to the Censure of the whole World. One may easily imagine what a secret Pleasure this inconsiderate Flight affords the Adversaries of our holy Faith, and what a damp it will cast upon the remaining Work of Emigration, to see these fickle Persons lusting after the Flesh Pots of Egypt. Nevertheless our Trust is in the Lord, who can best promote the work he has begun. These People returned hither so well cloathed that nobody could taken’em to be Peasants; which makes me think that they fared not so ill as they would fain make us believe they did. I perceive also that they are grown more stubborn than they formerly were, which I have taken the Freedom to tell’em when I, instead of their Coming to see me, have been obliged to hurt [hunt?] after them at the same time shewing them that these were not the Master of a humble and meek Spirit, & that the Trial God had put them upon, ought to make them more Supple. The Envoys give little Attention to their Complaints and it is remarkable that none of’em dare come to the Envoys, particularly to the Saxon Envoy, to tell them their Case; & I my self, with much ado, persuaded Two of the last returned to go & shew themselves to the said Envoys. I really pity those poor dispersed Sheep and think they are to be treated with some Care and Tenderness. I foresee already they won’t have a farthing more out of the Emigrants Purse; there has been given to them a great deal of Charity, and they have imagined that they should always fare as at Ratisbone, where they daily found the Table spread for them; and lived without any Care, which has perhaps spoiled them. The first Emigrants did not find it so, & were yet Contented. I shewed them some days ago the Example of the Israelites Emigrants, whom God by a Strong Arm, brought out of Egypt, & how they murmered and complained in the Wilderness against the Lord about their Dyet remembring the Fish they did eat in Egypt freely Numbers: XI, but the Lord was highly displeased there at, & his Anger was kindled. This I think may find place here Intra muros peccatur et extra. That there lyes some fault on both sides. Yet I think these Emigrants should have had more patience & stayed for to see the Issue of the Affairs; for we know that a Work of this nature cannot be done all at once. All that now can be done is to put up our Fervent Prayers to God that this Tryal may have a happy Issue. These poor Wretches must learn here to put their Hands to work; and I am afraid some of them will find it a hard matter to subsist. God in his Wisdom turn all to a good End! As to the Second Point; to your demand, if there is any Appearance of any Transport to be Expected from Gastein, I can give no positive answer, Seeing that 200 persons have along while ago a time set for their Departure in the Court of Judicature⁷⁴ of Gastain and for all that are still detained in order to make them spend what they have before they leave the Country. Mr. Lerchner from Saltzburg, who has been with You in Augsburg, & whom I often have bid take more care of himself; lies now in Chains in the Goal at Lintz; he will find it a hard matter to get loose again. God be his Comfort! The News from Austria tell Us that several hundreds have made an open profession of their Faith. They write from Passaw [Passau] that a great number of Protestants Subjects have discovered [revealed] themselves. In the mean while, we are here attacked on all Sides from Vienna as well as from Bavaria by divers Rescripts, concerning me personally, who am plainly named therein. I send you herewith a Copy of the last Rescript with my Answer to it.

Copy of a Letter from his Excellency Mr. [J.] Reck at Ratisbone dated Aug. the 4th 1733.   To Mr. Urlsperger.

Our last news from England concerning a Transport are very favourable, I could wish that the desired Description with the Conditions entered upon with the Colonists might forthwith be printed; but have as yet no order for it. For the present I know but 3 or 4 Persons inclined to go for Georgia; unless there may be found some among the Tirnberger - Emigrants, that are returned hither from Holland, being 60 in all, for which there is but little appearance. I fear this Return will prove a great advantage to the Roman Catholicks, who will not fail to make use of these Clamours of the discontented Emigrants to deter the rest from following their Steps. I can hardly believe all that they complain of to be well grounded, chiefly what they say of their not having received any of the Collected money. In Case any further Orders should come to me from England about the aforementioned Affairs, I shall immediately go to work about it.

Copy of a Letter dated Aug. the 6, 1733.   [Apparently from J. von Reck at Ratisbon].

To Day being a Post-Day, I shall have no opportunity to consult the Envoy von Hugo concerning the Contents of your Letter of the 3rd of August; to morrow I intend to see him. In the mean while I referr to what I have told you in my last viz. that I see [?] have received no Orders as yet, for the Description of Georgia so that we hardly shall come f[?] a Resolution⁷⁵ from Saltzburg cannot so soon be expected; as it was thought. We are here at great Charges with those lately returned from Holland, whose Clamours leave a very noisome Eccho after them. I hope next week to know the Opinions of the whole Body of the Protestant Envoys concerning the Demands You’ve proposed.

Copy of the 13th of August 1733   [apparently from J. von Reck at Ratisbon]

I send You the inclosed which is the Resolves of his Excellency the Envoy Hugo, Minister from the Court of Brunswick Luneburg, upon Your Demands; to which Resolves I also consent referring You to what I have said in my last. We expect the Dutch Minister Gallieries here in 12 days at farthest, when we shall hear what Reply he will make to the Complaints of the returned Emigrants.

Resolves of his Excellency von Hugo upon the Demands of Mr. Senior Urlsperger.

1. I hold it to be very usefull to have the Description of Georgia, as you have proposed it in your Letter of the 3rd August, published in print.

2. As also therein to declare His Majesties Intention of settling a new Colony there; together with the Stipulated Terms, upon which the Colonists are to be received and,

3. To make known therein the Intention of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge; but I am of Opinion that

4. In this matter, as to the Intention of the said Society, you can not be careful enough how to propose it, not to give a Handle to our Adversaries to complain of any the least Infraction of the Instrumentum Pacis,⁷⁶ in drawing away any foreign Princes Subjects. Wherefore

5. It will be a necessary Precaution always to confine and limit the said Intention to such persons as are not obnoxious to the Breach of the said Law or Instrumentum Pacis. I beg leave to your own best Judgment to decide whether it would not be to the Purpose to insert, at the Beginning of the said Description, the Commission You’re charged with to provide a sufficient Number of Emigrants for the said Transport, that so they that are inclined to go thither, may know where to address themselves. In my Opinion, it would also not be amiss; for to present [prevent] unnecessary Troubles, to have the said Description printed not at Augsburg or Ratisbone but somewhere else.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger at Augsburg the 20th Aug. 1733.   To Mr. Henry Newman.

Honoured & dear Sir: The foregoing is a Letter which the Reverend Mr. Fisher [J. G. Fischer] of the Colony of Emigrants at Cassant [Cadzand] in Zeeland wrote to my Correspondent at Ratisbone (I desire you Sir not to make use of any Body of those underlined Names) Out of which the true State of the Case of those Tirn-berger Emigrants is dispersed. I trust in God that if we may have a sufficient Number for the Transport into Georgia, no occasion will be given for the like Complaints either against the Commissaries, or the usage they shall meet with there. I must add this to what I have said in my last of August the 17th that in Case an Order from the King should not be attainable an Order only underwritten & sealed by the Trustees and the Society will suffice. This is in great haste. Mr. Zeigenhagen’s Letter shall be answered with the next Post. Putting my self under the Patronage of these two Illustrious Bodys & entreating God almighty to bless their great & noble Endeavours, I remain

Sir   your most humble Servant   Samuel Urlsperger

P.S.: Without waiting for Orders from Court for the publishing of the Description of Georgia under the C [ourt] Authority, I shall after tomorrow send a Draught, which I have made of the same to the Envoy at Ratisbone that so the same may be printed in intertiolow[?] according to the advice of the Hannoverian Envoy, being first accompanied by the Envoy at Ratisbone, of which I do not in the least Doubt.

Copy of a Letter from the Minister [Fischer] of the new Colony of Tirnberger settled on the Isle of Cassand [Cadzand] in Zeeland. Groede the 20 June 1733.   To Mr. Urlsperger.

Reverend Sir: I’ve taken the Opportunity of the first Post to answer without any Delay to yours Dated June the 4th. As to those Emigrants, who have taken the Flight from hence, tho’ they at their Arrival did encounter many and great Hardships; Yet are they not so excusable as I could wish they were. Seeing they ought to have waited with Patience & Submission for help from above, & Stayed for high Orders of the Sovereign, who will not fail to mend any thing that’s amiss. Concerning the Carpenter, & that Youth led astray by him: The first lives in Strife with his wife & continually rambling & Sauntering about the Country. The Second is also an idle Young Lad, who instead of following the Business he is brought up to, viz. Agriculture, likes better to take a Gun and run about like a fine Sportsman, which he used to practice here till it pleased the Magistrates to forbid him from the like Sport; which also made him Fly. The number of such Emigrants unsettled Emigrants whose Faith is but temporary (I’m afraid) is too great; chiefly among those of the first Swarm, whose chief Design has not been to change their Religion but the Air for a better, in which they may happen to find themselves deceived: & these dangerous Persons (which God forbid) might prove the ruin of many others. Among these deluded Souls, some were found last week attempting to escape, but being timely discovered, & closely pursued, they were overtaken by the Soldiers & brought into the Prisons of Sluys. You may easily imagine, good Sir, what Grief this Causes me, besides my daily Troubles, in tending my poor Flock Scattered up and down throughout this Island. I cannot disown my well grounded Fear that our Commissary’s uncouth Bemeanour [sic!] towards the Emigrants is the Chief, if not the only Source of all this Disorder, treating those poor Wretches with nothing better than Bastanadoes, bitter Invectives, & Curses, whereas it would be much more becoming a Man in that Station, like a Father to take part in their Concerns, & as their Interpreter to speak a good word in their Behalf and by these means to gain their Affection. It has pleased their High Mightiness to appoint several Switzers to serve as Interpreters betwixt the Inhabitants and the Emigrants and to assist them upon any other Emergency but our Commissary makes use of them gratis contrary Purpose. Our Emigrants are for the most part unacquainted with the Dutch Language; many of them too weak and too much worn out for hard Labour[.] the Peasants of the Island are not always endowed with Patience enough for to bear & forbear with the poor Strangers. Many of them have been obliged to take up with a Barn or a Bake-hutt for their Lodging; where they do not find Shelter from the Injuries of Wind and Rain; others there are that must pay for their Lodgings[.] the Dearth of Provisions is that which most puzzles our Emigrants, especially those that have numerous Familys to provide for, they are quartered here and there in Farmer’s Houses, at a great distance one from the other; the knitting of Stockings which is the Daily Employment of most of them, is very unprofitable in a Country, like this, where Provision fetches so high a rate[.] But, notwithstanding all this, I hope in God that with Time and Patience every thing will become easier to us. In all the abovementioned disorders nothing can be laid to the Charge of their High Mightiness, who at the desire and Instances of their Subjects have, not without vast Expences brought these poor refugees into their Dominions: but the Fault lies Chiefly in the Mistake of the Dutch Subjects who thought in this to serve themselves and their Friends too, imagining that these people were all Young and robust persons whom they might imploy in their hard works as Servants, and who thereby might earn wherewith honestly to subsist, the Servants Wages in these Parts running very high but, contrary to the Inhabitants Expectation, it happens that a great number of these Refugees consists of old and sickly Persons, & little Children! ’Tis a lamentable Case that the most of them are forced to leave all they had in this world behind them. The sad and mournfull Condition of our Emigrants has hitherto obliged me to preach upon unusual Texts as particularly last Sunday upon that of St. John’s Ch. VI. v. 67, 68, 69 which was not performed without shedding of Tears, considering how my sheep leave me one after another, and with visible Danger both of Body and Soul wander thro’ Roman Catholick Provinces[.] But all I can say or do herein is to throw my self down before the Lord, imitating the great Examples of Moses and Aaron, who intreated the Lord to take Care of his wandring People.

We cannot enough praise the Lord for the Liberty we here enjoy of Performing Divine Service in all the neighbouring Reformed Churches: but whether we shall be so happy as once to have a Church of our own, we must wait to know when these Commotions are over. I really consider what a hard Struggle these poor people must experience, which none can imagine but they that are in the like Case. May it please the Divine Goodness to Strengthen them that remain with us, and thro’ Sufferings teach them patience and all other necessary Virtues. They are certainly worthy our Pity and Compassion and as new Proselytes claim our Indulgence and Forbearance. As to the Huntsman’s Complaints viz. that for 20 Days successively their Diet-Money had been withheld, is in my Opinion not so, but some few days were deducted by orders of our Superiors in regard of the free Entertainment and Presents the Colony received in Sundry Places: further that the Collections were not distributed amongst them, is only part true because all the Charitys gathered upon the Road, were parted among them off hand: bating those we received at Cologn, [omission] & Nimweg where we were advised to Set apart this Money to be kept in Store for to Assist the poorer Sort in their want; Seeing there were some that needed it not, & others that perhaps would not make the best Use of it. The Magistrates of Dordrack [Dordrecht] and Rotterdam keep the Collections there gathered in their own hands but tis reported that they will forthwith send Deputies hither to provide Cattle and other necessary things for the Colony with the said Means. The former Collections abovementioned have been at our Arrival Lodged in the Hands of the Magistrates of Sluys, our immediate Superiors. God have Mercy upon Us & crown this his work with a happy Issue, according to his infinite Wisdom and Goodness. Amen!

Copy of Mr. Urlsperger’s Letter Augsburg 3rd Sept. 1733.   No. 12318.   Read 18th Sept. 1733.   To Mr. Henry Newman.

Dear & Honoured Sir: Our first Georgians arrived here Yesterday, & were met by many People in their Coaches and on Foot. They are 25 in number and this Day we expect 10 more of them. The Roman Catholicks here not having consented Yet to Lodge these People in the Town, a rich Gentleman named Schauer (who is the Author of the famous Balsam called after his name) has received these 25 Persons for a few Days gratis in his House joining to his Garden without the City, where I saw them Yesterday, and having joyned in Prayers with them I endeavoured to Strengthen them with the Word of God, which I repeated likewise this Morning taking for my Text the 50 Chapter of Joshua and I have explained them at large the Charitable Intentions of the Society and the Trustees. I find them all firmly resolved. 50 more would have come along with them had it not been for an old Man amongst them, who told’em at Memingen that if they were bent to go to that Country not 15 would arrive alive. But God will Send no more of them. Several of our Evangelical Inhabitants here especially divers illustrious Familys have made them poor People already Presents of Cloaths Shirts etc.

I send You herewith Copies of Letters which I received from Messrs. Hugo & Recht [J. von Reck], & what those Ministers have wrote to Our Magistrates, as likewise what Mr. Schorer, who together with one of our Evangelical Burgher Masters Mr. Morrell bestirrs himself exceedingly in this affair, has wrote to me. You’ll also find here inclosed a Copy of a Letter from the Prussian Commissary Mr. Gobel and an Abstract of my Memorial to our Privy Council here. Now we must stay till we can get 70 of these Emigrants together, and then I can send only for the Minister, whom I am almost sure of, & take Care of his Ordination here.

As to the Harbinger or Commissary for the Journey whereof Mr. Recht [J. von Reck] makes mention in his Letter, I shall write to the latter notwithstanding, that I am authorized by the Society to engage one and to defray his Charges. But what Method must I take when after having got together a Transport of 70 Persons & sent them away, & the Season advancing, & Winter coming on, shall I take more of them and send them away? And shall I send the Minister away immediately with the first Transport together with the School Master? I am for the affirmative by reason that if one could find means to send away this Year another Transport of 100 more, then one could send with them the other Minister. This amongst other Questions must be resolved.

I must moreover acquaint You that it seems as if the Roman Catholick Members of the Magistracy here are not willing that our Georgians should lodge in the City since they have taken time till to Morrow to deliberate upon this Subject. My humble Respects to the Trustees & Society & I am etc.

Extract of Mr. Schorer’s Letter from Mindelheim to Mr. Urlsperger of the 29th August 1733.

Being with the Divine Assistance safe arrived here with my poor Saltzburgers, I received an hour after the Favour of Your Letter with the inclosed papers, whereupon and after having Lodged these People, I summoned their Chiefs, in order to be apprized of the answer they Promised me Yesterday. In the beginning it seemed as if they all inclined to go and Settle somewhere else contrary to the hopes I had conceived from the Discourses I had with some of them in our Journey; But having read to them several Articles contained in the Subject sent from Georgia and represented to them Briefly the rest, especially the Conditions upon which they are to be received in that Colony, they all fell into an Admiration of the Charity that was shown them, & of the Temporal as well as Spiritual advantages that would be granted to them, assuring that they could never sufficiently praise the Divine Providence for those Favours. That however they must put off to the next Day giving a final Declaration, in order to converse once more upon the Subject with the rest of their Brethren. Whereupon I dismissed them after having exhorted them to pray to Almighty God with Fervour to please to direct their Thoughts where to go. In these Circumstances I can’t write to You any possitive answer by this Post, since it will be proper for me to go with them tomorrow to Memingen, & to cause their Depositions to be taken before the Magistrates of the City.

Extract of Mr. Schorer’s Letter from Memingen to Mr. Urlsperger of the 1st Sept. 1733.

This is to acquaint You that Twenty odd of the last Saltzburge Transports have resolved to go and Settle in Georgia and those I shall Conduct to day to Mindelheim and proceed with them tomorrow please God to Augsburg. I had conceived great hopes to get more of them but several Circumstances have prevented it. Nevertheless several more have declared that if they could not obtain any Settlements in the Territory of Ulm, they would likewise repair to Augsburg, and thence Transport themselves with their Country men to Georgia.

A List of the 25 Persons that have resolved to go to [omission] in Georgia, but have little or nothing.

1. Family. Thomas Schwandel [Geschwandel] a Miner from Gastein 38 Years old his wife Margaret Holferin⁷⁷ 21 Years old and one Child 1 Year old.

2. Family. Lorenz Haber [Hueber] from Gastein, Labourer 51 Years old, Mary Mandelleithem his wife 45 Years. John his Son 10 Years Magdalen his Daughter 13 years, Mary, 7 Years, and Margaretha 5 Years old.

3. Family. Paul Schweckhofer [Schwaighofer] a Weaver from Mittiersel [Mittersil] or Binfgan Pintzgau 48 Years old. Margaret Prin Wingerin [Prindlinger] his wife 40 Years old Mary his Daughter 6 Years. Thomas his Son 4 Years Ursula his Daughter 1 Year.

4. Family. Barthel Risser [Rieser] a Farmer from Gastein 46 Years old, his Wife 40 Years with 3 Children.

Single Persons

Anna Hoferin 25 Years old.

Christian Steiner from Gastein a Miner 29 Years old.

Balthasar Fleiss from Gastein a Miner 27 Years old.

Tobias Lackner from Gastein a Coalburner 40 Years old.

Mathias Millersteiner [Mittersteiner] from St. John [St. Johannes] a Weaver 41 Years old.

Extract of a Memorial presented by Mr. Urlsperger to the Privy Council at Augsburg which is composed of Evangelical and Roman Catholick Members of the 2nd Sept. 1733.

A Transport being arrived unawares from the Bishoprick of Saltzburg, at Memingen by the way of Lansperg [Landsberg] & Mindelheim, whereof 25 persons have resolved to transport themselves to Georgia, and who as I am informed are to arrive here this Day, my request to the Honourable Privy Council is that these 25 Persons may have leave to Enter this City and to dwell here at their own Expence like other Travellers untill a Transport of 70 Persons of them can be formed. His Majesty and King of Great Britain having taken them under his Royal Protection, I have so much the less reason to doubt of the Complying with this my Request since we are ready in case it be required to give to the Honourable Magistrate or to their Deputy appointed for that purpose an exact List of these Persons at their Entry into the City, whether any are received into the Evangelical Almhouse or lodged in the Houses of the Evangelical Burghers, and that the same shall be repeated at their leaving this Place.

Extract of a Letter from the Envoy Mr. Recht [J. von Reck] to Mr. Urlsperger of the 1st Sept. 1733.

As for what relates to the desired Requisitorial Letter to the City of Augsburg the Ministers here are [sic] at the Diet are willing to grant it. As for proposing a Commissary for the Journey, I have indeed for my own private account offered me and there is such a Person here [Ph. von Reck], whose fidelity and Capacity may be depended on. But he must be engaged by the Society and have his expences defrayed. The Cash established here for the Emigrants will on this occasion be as charitable as they have been before to those people.

P.S. I could have wished some Member of the Society have drawn up the Paper to be published, for we are not so well acquainted here with all particulars & Circumstances. The piece hereby enclosed, called the Directorium, will shew the remarks sent me by the Envoy v. Hugo, upon the Project transmitted to us. You are however at Liberty most Reverend Sir to range the materials as You think proper. I only am of opinion the printing it should be hastened. It was not possible for us here to write sooner nor to send the things desired for the Requisitorial Letter in form we received but to day.

Copy of the Requisitorial Letter from the Electoral Ministers at Ratisbon to the whole Magistracy of this City of 1st September 1733.

You are without Doubt already informed that the English Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, having first made an Agreement with the Company of Georgia at London, have resolved to receive in Georgia 300 persons from among the Emigrants of Saltzburg Berchtolsgaden & other Places, and to take care of their Transport as also of the means of subsistance to be assigned for them; and that accordingly they have thereupon corresponded with the Senior of the Clergy at Augsburg, the Reverend Mr. Urlsperger, and furnished him with proper Instruction for engaging such Persons. And whereas His Majesty the King of Great Britain, our most Gracious King and Sovereign, has been pleased to approve of this undertaking and has ordered us to assist the said Senior in all possible manner in the executing of what the Society have committed to his Care; And Whereas he will find it a difficult matter at once to gather so many of those People as will be required for a Transport nor can they be conveniently transported till the Society shall have received advice of their being all together and made the necessary disposition for their Reception at Rotterdam and for their further conveyance, during which time those People, who are to have their subsistance from the said Senior, cannot better stay and continue together any where else than in Your City. We therefore most humbly desire of You to allow them to Stay there till a Transport may conveniently be ordered for them and after having first assured You that your Compliance with this Request will be particularly acceptable to His Britannick Majesty, we offer on our part all agreeable Services in return, remaining always etc.

von Hugo.   [J.] von Reck.

Extract of a Letter from the Prussian Commissary Mr. Göbel at Ratisbon to the Senior Mr. Urlsperger of 1st September 1733.

We have all received advice here of the Emigrants who are on the Road to the Number of 250 Souls; I should be glad You could obtain that some of them might be sent over to Georgia; The Danish Envoy here will take care of the rest, and go to meet them at Nurenberg, though he is expected [expecting?] first nearer Orders from his King by every Post. I hear another Transport of 600 persons is to set out speedily from the Country of Saltzburg, when I am to meet them as far as Augsburg; for I have the Kings orders to take another certain number of them under my Care, who are to be distributed in the Electoral Marches, [Mark Brandenburg], the Old, the Middle, and the New and other Provinces, there being a little more room left in Prussia. May it please Almighty God to move the Hearts of the other Powers to shew the like Christian Charity and Compassion towards the future Emigrants and to take care of their Subsistance. The poor People of Dürenberg [Tirnberg], who are returned from Holland and as they unanimously say have offered [suffered?] great misery are now straying about like Sheep lost from their Flock; The Burghers and Inhabitants of this City, who had given them quarters before, have now received them again; Nobody gives himself any Trouble about them, time will shew after the return of the Dutch Envoy hither, how they may be provided again. May the Almighty be their Protector.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger Augsburg 7th September 1733.   No. 12325.   Read 11 September 1733.   To Mr. Henry Newman.

Dear Sir: My last of the 3rd of September as well as the foregoing I hope You have received. You See here a Copy of my Letter of the 6th September to the Envoy Von Recht [J. von Reck] out of which You may understand how hard and unfriendly the Roman Catholick part of the Magistracy here behave towards the Emigrants and now particularly towards the British Colonists of Georgia. Notwithstanding my Memorial and the Letter of the Brunswick Envoy in their behalf I send herewith the Declaration of the Roman Catholick part of the Magistrates at Augsburg together with an Account of the Emigrants Newly arrived made by two of the Senates of both Religions and Lastly the Pasports of these People.

How the Declaration of the Roman Catholick part of the Magistrates may be answered (which the Evangelical part of the Magistracy have done already and likewise intend to do by a new memorial to the whole Secret Council wherein I shall request again the Lodging of the said People within the Walls of the City). You will see out of a Copy thereof That which seems most necessary is that the Honourable Trustees for Georgia together with your Honourable Society would most humbly Petition His Majesty of Great Britain as soon as possible that He would be pleased to give forthwith orders to his Envoy at Vienna to represent to his Imperial Majesty how the Roman Catholick part of the Magistrates at Augsburg have hitherto refused to Permit that the Emigrants of Saltzburg and new British Colonists of Georgia might come into the City and be Lodged in the Evangelical Hospital and other Houses of Protestants where they could be cheaper and better maintained notwithstanding there are but 300 in all to be received as such and tho’ they come in small Numbers from time to time and are to be sent away at 3 different times and that the Magistracy have been required [requested] to Grant it by the Brunswick Embassy Yet they have refused it[.] that therefore his Imperial Majesty might be desired in the name of the King of Great Britain to order by way of Rescript the Magistracy of Augsburg that these and all other following British Colonists may always be received in the City and that the Roman Catholick part of the Magistracy may not any further oppose it but conform therein with the Evangelical part of the Magistracy, it being a Civil Case and agreeable to the common Law of nature as well as Christianity And this under pain of incurring the displeasure of his Imperial Majesty. These are in my humble Opinion my Thoughts according to the Love I bear to the Georgian Colonists.

Now I must tell You that besides the 25 Georgians this very day 16 more have engaged to go thither out of the Emigrants lately arrived[.] amongst them is a Family of 11 Persons, The Father George Buchman [Buecher] out of the District of Leightenberg [Lichtenberg] is an excellent prudent and brave man and as I believe has brought along with him near 200 £ Sterling in Effects[.] he is a Farmer and a Salt-Peter boiler about 35 Years of Age, his wife 33 Years, has Six Children the 1st about 13 Years the 2nd 9, the 3rd 7, the 4th 5, the 5th 2 Years and 1 /2 the 6th 10 weeks old besides a Servant of 33 Years and another who is a Miller of 28 Years and a maid Servant of 17 Years. If God should bring this man to You to London (as I doubt not but that the Ship is to bring them from Rotterdam first to London that the nation may see a transport of Saltzburgers) You will wonder at him. This very moment when this was wrote I received the favour of Yours of the 14th of August but as the Post is just going away and I must still to [go?] to Ratisbon about some things necessary according to the Contents of Your Letter, I can now add no more than that I shall Use my Utmost Endeavours to do according to your Orders and I shall Write to You for that very reason every Post day if possible.

All depends upon this Whether the People of Tirnberg will accept of the invitation I intend to give them or no, if they accept of it then the Transport will come quickly, I having now 40 People together: But if they do not accept of the invitation then it may last 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and more weeks till a new Transport comes out of Saltzburg and we can Compleat the number required. In short one can fix no time. Perhaps some of the last Transports may change their minds and come to Us tho’ they have refused at first. I remain in great hast,

Honoured and Dear Sir,   Your most Obedient humble Servant
S. Urlsperger

For want of Room I do not send the Accounts and Pasports abovementioned but only a Copy of the Declaration of the Roman Catholick part of the Magistracy and the Answer of the Evangelical part thereupon.

A Copy of the Declaration of the Roman Catholick Part of the Magistracy at Augsburg.

The Catholick Part of the Magistracy cannot consent to Senior Urlsperger’s Memorial communicated Yesterday to the Catholick Privy Council, by the Intendant of the City and Privy Councillors of the Augustan Confession nor to the Letter, delivered at the same Time, from the Brunswick Embassy concerning 300 Emigrants to Engage them to go to Georgia, and to have their Rendesvouz here any further than if they were provided with Authentick Passes from their Magistrates to give them the Liberty to pass through this Jurisdiction, and if required a quick abode without the Walls of this City for a short Time; likewise to allow them to go to Church, and Visit the Ministers of the Augustan Confession; but to take these People into the City cannot be Allowed because they would immediately, especially if they stayed long, draw continually more of such Emigrants hither and come privately [secretly] into the City, and then they could not answer for their good Behaviour, and it was to be feared that easily such Trouble and Reproof might happen to them, as lately did to the City of Ratisbon from the Emperor and the Elector of Bavaria.⁷⁸

ANSWERS upon this Declaration.

1. communicated Answ: How can the Catholick Magistracy say that the Elector of Brunswick’s Requisitorial Letter, as well as Senior Urlsperger’s Memorial hath been communicated only to them when the former plainly shews that it hath been directed to the whole Privy Council. The Catholicks will by this Word accuse the Protestants, as if they again had done something upon their own accord among themselves.

2. 300 Emigrants. This no Body desires of the Catholick Part of the Magistracy.

3. Rendesvouz. Immediately they call it a Rendesvouz or a Place of abode. And if it could be called a Rendesvouz, It is my Opinion that they ought to have so much Regard for so great a King and besides an Elector of the Empire, as for the Venetians, whom they formerly allowed a Rendesvouz for their Recruits of all sorts of People, which they received in this City without any Scruple.

4. If they. Why do the Catholicks say if? when already two days they have had in Hands as well the Relation of the Deputies as the Passes, whereby they can see plain enough that all is in due Order.

5. without the Walls. I hope that not only the Protestant part [of the Magistracy] here but also the Elector of Brunswick’s Embassy will insist upon taking the People into the City because they can live at half the Expence in the City as they do now and can be better Instructed.

6. Short time. Why this? so long as every time there is a Transport together they will be sent away and yet they would set the Time according as they please, and then they must go whenever it comes into their Hands.

7. continually more. No more than what will go to Georgia and no others than what are gone out according to the Treaty of Peace.⁷⁹ Here they will not stay.

8. privately into the City. Here one may see how they instruct the Protestants, notwithstanding We have offered when such Persons arrive from time to time, and go away again, to deliver every time a Specification [list] of the People.

9. When did ever his Imperial Majesty reprove the City of Ratisbon for having harboured Emigrants even many 100 for several Weeks within the Walls. About 900 Tirnbergers and 900 Berchtolsgadners have been above a Fortnight in Ratisbon and the Emperor hath not objected, nor could he say any Thing against it. But the Imperial Rescripts to Ratisbon did concern quite other Things, of which some Citizens were accused.

A Copy of Senior Urlsperger’s Letter to the Envoy the Lord von Recht [J. von Reck] dated 6 September 1733.

Having received Your Excellency’s Letter of the 3rd September this day after the Sermon and a great Communion, I hope You have likewise received mine dated Yesterday, together with the adjoined Pieces. Herewith I send Your Excellency, for weighty reasons, by an Express, 1. the Declaration of the Catholick privy Council to our Protestant Privy Council, to which I have added in the margin as answers for an Explication; 2. the Deputies of both Religions for the Emigration Affair, and [omission] and Protocol concerning the Emigrants that arrive and 3. the Passes they have brought with them. After the Passes stands a NB [nota bene] which Mr. Morrell hath added to this Copy. But in the Original delivered to the Privy Council are no such Lines. Further I let you know that the Protestant Privy Council keep themselves Protestants and that tomorrow they will write about this Affair to the Brunswick Embassy and send all these Pieces, which I send here privately, along with it. Likewise will the Protestant Magistrate, who had Yesterday Evening an Extraordinary Meeting, acquaint the Emperor with the unfriendly Behaviour of the Catholick Magistracy, and desire a Resolution upon their Letter sent a Year ago about the like Affairs. I for my part will write tomorrow by the Post to the Society and the Lords Commissioners for Georgia and acquaint them with all this, & if the Brunswick Embassy will do the same, I hope His Majesty the King of Great Britain by his Envoy at Vienna will dispose the Emperor to Command the Catholick part of the Magistrates to take his Majesty’s Subjects into the City. I do not know whether Your Excellency and his Excellency the Lord von Hugo will represent the Case here once more. For this is certain that the People will cost me as much again without the City as in the City. Not to mention the great Trouble it will occasion to me and others if they should be without the City. I have sent an Express with the Consent of some Procerum Evangelicorum [Illustrious Protestants] here, however not under my name, nor publickly for reasons I will tell You another Time. This Day the Georgians have been in my Church and I have spoke a word with them from my Heart. My humble Service to his Excellency the Baron von Hugo and to Your Excellency.   I remain etc.   S. Urlsperger

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Urlsperger Augsburg the 14th September 1733.   No. 12288.   To Mr. Henry Newman.

Honoured & Dear Sir: I hope my last Dated the 7th instant is now come to Your Hands. Notwithstanding I have delivered another Memorial according to the Copy adjoyned, concerning our 40 Georgians that they might be taken into the City, the Catholick Magistracy continues still to oppose it contrary to the Laws of Nature and Nations, which Causes great Trouble and Charges. If according to the Envoy’s the Lord von Recht’s [J. von Reck’s] Letters, the Emigrants either from Tirnberg or Berchtolsgaden or from both places, Should resolve to go to Georgia, the first Transport would soon be completed. The Lord von Recht [J. von Reck] hath presented a very honest Man [Ph. von Reck] to be a Commissary whom I have taken. However his Salary doth not begin before a Transport is ready. He will if required, go with them to Georgia. An Experienced Apothecary [Zwiffler] who understands these People’s Manners, Language and Nature, is likewise resolved to go with them to Georgia and to stay there, if not only the Diet Money is allowed him like the Emigrants upon the Journey and some Sustenance in Georgia till he hath established himself. For the Rest, our Emigrants behave themselves here like Christians, and some of them are very well grounded. Yesterday they hear [sic] again to hear my Sermons, in which I propounded these 3 Sentences Matthew VI. 33 Seek Ye first the Kingdom of God etc. Philippians IV. 11, 12, 13. I have learned etc. and 1 Thessalonians V. 24. Faithfull is he that calleth You, who also will do it etc. My humble Service to the Trustees of Georgia and to the Society, I remain honoured and dear Sir

Your very humble Servant   Samuel Urlsperger

P.S.: All my Colleagues in the Ministry do likewise daily preach the word of God to these People.

Copy of Senior Urlsperger’s Memorial to the whole Privy Council in Augsburg 8th September 1733.