1736-1737

Transactions of the 5th Year from 9 June 1736 to 9 June 1737

[N.B.] On the 4th & 11 of June 1736 Mr. Oglethorp in Support of the Act for keeping Peace with the Indians, issued divers Orders Instructions and Commissions to take up and Seize the goods of all Traders within the Province of Georgia, who had not taken Lycenses therein, which kept up the base of contention between S. Carolina and Us.

9 June. 1

A Common Council was Summon’d for this day to consider if anything further was necessary to be wrote before Capt. Thompson’s departure who was to Sail this week for Georgia. But we were not a board.

1. Benefactions were reported: 20£ from an unknown person, for the Ministers; 50£ from the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, for paying the Saltsburg Ministers; 30£ from the D. of Richmond towards Mrs. Millar the Botanists Sallary; and Some lesser benefactions.

2. Approved a letter from Mr. Verelts to Mr. Oglethorp in the name of the board insisting on frugal management, & that he draw no bills on us.

3. A calculation was Sent him amounting to 9500£ to be defrayed out of the money remaining in our hands & the 10000£ given by Parliamt. desiring that if any thing could be Saved out of it, it Should be apply’d to the cultivating Trust lands.

4. We computed to him that the charge of provision next year for those who are now in Georgia on the poor Acct. will amount to 3269£.

5. We agreed it to be our opinions that 50£ p ann. ought to be the respective Sallary’s of our 2 Ministers, the 3d Minister being as yet paid by the Incorporated Society for propagating the Gospel.

6. We also agreed it to be proper that more Sola bills Should be made out to the value of 3150£ to be fill’d up by Mr. Oglethorp as he Shall See occasion; and that these bills be 1150£ in 5 pounds, 1000£ in 10£ pd. bills, & 1000£ in 20 Shillgs. bills.

7. Draft made on the Bank to Mr. Heathcote of 500£ to pay Sola bills lately come over, and to pay others as they Shall come.

[N.B.] On the 14th of Same Month Mr. Oglethorp directed Noble Jones, Surveyor to the Trust to Lay out a new Town call’d AUGUSTA on the Savannah 250 miles from the Sea, for the convenience principally of the Indian Traders. He order’d it Should consist of 40 House Lotts each of an Acre, the largest Streets not narrower than 25 yards; a Square in the Center, & Lotts for Publick Buildings on each Side the Square. All the Publick Lotts together not to consist of less than 4 acres. The Common to consist of 600 acres, and the Lotts next the Town to be 50 acres, but only to each of those who have 500 acres. That a house in town and a 500 acre Lot Should be mark’d out to the following Indian Traders,

50 Acre Lotts were at the Same time order’d to Such persons as Mr. Roger Lacy Should think proper: the whole under the Same conditions as the rest of the Colony of Georgia were.

N.B. On the 14 Sept. 1739 there was a paragraph in one of the Publick papers, that there was a pretty little town there, protected by a Fort, & inhabited by English. That there were Several Traders Settled, with large Warehouses of goods, and a great trade drove with the Indian nation. And that Mr. Oglethorp who arrived there the 5 of that month, granted lands to Several people who desired to Settle there.

[N.B.] 14 June. The Grand jury presented the Memorial Sent over by the Assembly of S. Carolina against the proceedings of the Magistrates of Savannah as containing unjust assertions, unwarrantable Presumptions, and Aspersions highly reflecting on the King, The Trustees, the Magistrates and the whole body of the Colony, and gave a detail wherein.

16 June. 2.

An Urgent Common Council was Summond for this day to issue money out of the Bank for payment of accepted Bills of Exchange, for Provisions & freight of Goods & Passengers on board the Two Brothers, Capt. Thompson, there being no money but what is in the Bank for that purpose, & 200£ to be paid the next day. But Still we were not a board. We therefore order’d another Summons for tomorrow, the affair being of great consequence. In the mean time we read divers letters from Mr. Oglethorp, mention’d in the foregoing year, & relating to his negotiations with the Govnr. of Augustine.

17 June. 3.

Notwithstand the necessity of a Common Council, and the particular Summons order’d yesterday, we were not a board.

1. Read the letters & papers enclosed in Mr. Oglethorps Packets, and desired Mr. Vernon to present to the D. of Newcastle the Memorial of the Kings right to Georgia Sent over by Mr. Oglethorp, together with the depositions of Several persons who had visited the North Side of St. Juans river and found no Spaniards occupying the Same. He was also desired to acquaint his Grace that there were matters of great consequence in other letters Sent his Grace, and particularly where mention is made of orders & instructions recieved from his Majesty by Mr. Oglethorp, to which the Trustees were Strangers, wherefore they Submitted the whole to him to Send Such orders as he Should judge necessary.

N.B. When Mr. Oglethorp Saild to Settle the Southern Province, the Trustees were not aware it would give umbrage to Spain, which had they been, they would have made the Settlement more northward, for a contest wch that Nation about bounds, and the defence of our Settlement when made, in case of an attack, would necessarily create an expence far beyond our ability to defray. I was not therefore displeased that his Majesty had given orders to Mr. Oglethorp for him to pursue, because thereby it lay on the Crown to justify and Support him in his conduct. But it Seem’d Strange to us that Mr. Oglethorp conceal’d those orders from us when he went, for nothing ought to be a Secret to our board, relating to our Province; and besides it might happen that we Should give Mr. Oglethorp directions contrary to those his Majesty had given him. On this occasion, Mr. Vernon Shew’d us the very letter He wrote to the Duke, being By Mr. Oglethorp Enclosed to him open, with desire that he would Shew it to Mr. Towers and then Seal and deliver it to the Duke, thereby passing by the Trustees, and leaving them in ignorance of what they ought to know as being materially concerned therein.

[N.B.] 17 June 1736. I was privately inform’d this day that Tho. Frederick, Esq., a Member of the Common Counsel designs to come no more among us, he being very intimate with Sr. Robert Walpoles Lady who is a great enemy to our Colony. Neither is Sr. Robert and the Employment Men friends to us, because Some of our Board vote in Parliamt. against the Ministerial measures. They also pretend our Charter gives us too much power, and makes us Independent of the Crown.

[N.B.] 18 June 1736. Capt. Thompson of the Two brothers Saild for Savannah with 5 males and 1 Female Sent at the Trustees charge. Two of them were able Millrites intended to erect a Saw Mill framed partly in England, & which cost near 500£.

23 June. 4.

1. Seal’d a letter of Attorney to Mr. Verelts for receiving at the Treasury the 10000£ granted by Parliamt.

2. Mr. Vernon reported he had laid our papers & Mr. Oglethorps letter to the D. of Newcastle before his Grace, but as yet had reed, no answer.

3. A letter was orderd to Mr. Tho. Christie Recorder to Send Copies of the Court Proceedings of Savannah Since Novbr. 1734 hither to neglected to be done by him, that he do the Same quarterly, and also certify whether any Fees and what have been taken for issuing and executing Processes, and what Fees are taken in Gaol, and at the discharge of persons from thence.

4. Letter orderd to Mr. Tho. Causton Bailif to acquaint the Trustees with all proceedings in the Province notwithstanding Mr. Oglethorp is there. That he prevent as much as he can the peoples running in debt by putting them on labour, and not letting them Supply their necessities by Credit. That he Send particular Accts from time to time of the Settlers, and their progress and behaviour.

5. Letter orderd to Jo. Bromfeild Register of Georgia commending his diligence in informing the Trustees of what passes, and desiring he will continue to do the Same.

6. Order’d 500£ to be insured on Capt. Thompson on acct. of the Saw Mill carry’d Over.

7. Resolv’d that any 5 of the Common Council may draw on the Bank for a Sum not exceeding 1133.17.8½ (prt of the 10000£ given by Parliament for payment of divers expences that may acrue).

8. Imprest to Mr. Heathcote 447£ to pay Bills when they come to hand. The uncertainty of Common Council Boards during the Summer obliged us to take these measures.

[N.B.] 25 June 1736. A Committee of the Assembly of South Carolina made Report, concerning Mr. Oglethorps letters relatg. to the Indian Trade: 1. That Nothing contain’d in the Georgia Act for maintaining Peace with the Indians, excludes, in their apprehension, the Traders of other Provinces from trading with the Indians within Georgia, there being an act of S. Carolina Subsisting and unrepeal’d by his Majesty, that gives liberty to Traders of S. Carolina to carry goods & barter with those Indians, & no Non obstante in the Georgia Act. 2. That the heads of the Savanna & Allatahama Rivers (the N. & S. boundaries of Georgia) are not Known, but by what maps & information could be got, it appear’d that but a Small part of the Creek & Cherokee Nations are included within the bounds of Georgia, So that Supposing the Georgia Act were in force to oblige all Traders with Indians in Georgia to take out Lycenses in Georgia, it could not oblige them to take Lycenses there who trade with Creeks and Cherokees dwelling out of the limits of Georgia. Wherefore they recommend to the Assembly to assert the right of their Traders to trade with the Several Nations of Indians in amity with the English, without taking Lycences in Georgia and to indemnify them for loss of goods or imprisonment incurred thereby to the amount of 2000£ Sterlg. And also to bring in a bill for removing Such discouragements as the Indian trade of their Province lyes under with regard to the Lycense Money, and the duties imposed on the Trade.

Upon this the Council and Assembly past the Same day an Ordenance for ascertaining the right of their Traders to trade with the Creeks, Cherokees & other nations in amity with the English, without being obliged to take Lycences in Georgia. That 2000£ Sterl. Shall be appropriated out of the next Genl. Tax for indemnifying them for their Losses. And that all additional duties not heretofore laid upon Indian drest deerskins or other Skins or furrs Since 25 March 1730 Shall be remitted. And that but 10 Shillgs. Shall be hereafter paid for taking out a Lycence to trade with the Indians. This ordenance was to remain in force for 2 years & to the end of the next Session of the General Assembly. But his Majesty annull’d it.

[N.B.] 27 June 1736. Chigilli Chief of the Lower Creeks with the Chiefs of 7 Towns and their Attendants to the number of 60, came down to Mr. Musgroves Cow pen to have a talk with Mr. Oglethorp, who caused them to be conducted to Savanna in boats and recieved them Kindly.

[N.B.] 28 June. Mr. Jenys Speaker of the Assembly acquainted Mr. Oglethorp by letter how irregularly and basely the Ordenance above mention’d past, and how thin the lower house of Assembly, there being but 19 Members present & 9 agst. it. He added that he believed the differences of the Two Provinces might be made up, if it would content him (Mr. Oglethorp) that the Agent for Indian affairs Should be named by him, and their Traders Subject to him, and their conduct under his inspection.

[N.B.] On 29 June 1736 Mr. Saml. Eveleigh wrote to Mr. Verelts a particular Acct of the Engagement between the French and their Indians, and the Chickesaws. That in the Month of Jany. 1735 the Savannah Indians met the Chickesaws in their winter Hunt and inform’d them the French intended in March to destroy their Nation. That upon this the Chickesaws put themselves on their defence. That on the 8 March they heard Some guns, and concluding the French were coming, they on the 9th went out in Scouts and in 3 different paths about half a mile distance one from the other, and about the Same distance from Chocolissa their chief town. That they found bread in their way which they Supposed thrown there by the French Indians to give them notice, for the French had a Chickesaw Slave (afterwards taken) who inform’d that the French and the Indians had Some difference in their March. That on the 10th March, by break of day, the French being about 150 and their Indians about 400, attack’d the aforesaid town (where the Chickesaws were retired) very courageously, but these being well prepared for them, after an hours firing very close at each other, the French Indians, tho they were 5 times as many in number, retired, and the French Seeing them gone immediately follow’d them to their Camp, which was about 3 quarters of a mile from the Town, where the Chickesaws pursued them and took their Governr. Monsr. Dartiquet, brother to Monsr. Bienville, Govr. of Moville, prisoner, continuing the pursuit for 8 miles taking & killing them all the way; that by their computation there were about 25 French Men and 10 of their Indians kill’d and about 23 French and 2 of their Indians taken prisoners. That they immediately burnt 19 of the French & 1 Indian, but not tortured as is the customary way among the Indians, being first knock’d on the head & then cast into the fire.

The Chickesaw Slave Said it was constantly the Governours talk to the Indians that the English were no more than Fowls, that they would make us pack their horses and their leather to their Sloop, and then deliver us to the Indians.

There were 8 of the Chickesaws kill’d viz. 4 Men, 1 Woman, & 3 children. Several Frenchmen were afterwards found dead by the Turky Buzzards.

Mr. Eveleigh added, that the Chickesaws will certainly be destroyed by the French by one means or other, wherefore he had advised Mr. Oglethorp to endeavour to move them from whence they are, down to the occony or Ochemulgy Rivers, which would be an act of humanity to a brave people, and a great Service in case of a War between us & the French to whom they bear inveterate prejudice as the French do to them. But they look upon it as a great disgrace to leave their own ground.

He had the Acct. of the above mentioned Engagement from Mr. Willm. Macmullane a Trader with the Chickesaws who was present and Saw it.

[N.B.] On the 1. July 1736 Mr. Oglethorpe wrote another letter to the D. of Newcastle, importing that in October last the French upon the Messassippi River reed, advice from Europe to prepare for War the Spring following, and accordingly Spent the Winter in drawing together 2500 French, and 800 Indians. That they also attempted to gain over the Creek Indians through whose Country the road to Charlestown lay. That they had provided pack horses Sufficient to carry 70 days provision, and made Magazines upon the Moville River at a Fort call’d Albam as otherwise Fort Tholouse, which is the nearest they possess to Carolina, and to which the Pack horses go from Charlestown in 27 days. That they were to Rendevouz in Jany. and take the field in March. That in Jany. Monsr. de Bienville arrived there, but that on the 10th of that month orders arrived to him to lay aside the design, upon which he gave out his preparations were against the Chickesaws, a Nation of Indians in allyance with the English, and nearer by Some hundred of miles to the quarters His troops came from than the Moville.

He then relates the Engagement with the Chickesaws (mention’d by Mr. Eveleigh) and adds, that the Chickesaws pursued the French 3 days, till they met with another Body of French consisting of Some hundreds, who guarded the boats, on the Messasippi river, but no Indians. That the engagement was very Short, The French immediately taking to the Stream, where most of them were drown’d, their boats having been in the beginning of the Action Sunk, or burnt by the Indians.

That the Creeks had carry’d him down to the Frontiers of the Kings dominions in America which are divided from the Spanish by the River St. Juan, & of which the English or their allyes have been in possession quiet, before the Treaty of Utrecht. That the Govr. of Augustin disputed our right to St. Simons Isld. & the Allatahama river, but at last offer’d to leave all differences concerning the Limits of the Two Provinces to the determination of the Courts in Europe provided he would deliver up the Fort at St Georges Point on the N. Side of St. Juans River over against their garison which he would not do without the kings orders.

That the people of Charlestown are angry wth. him for insisting on their obeying his Majesty’s Orders, particularly that relating to the Treaty with the Indians, Some of their Merchants carrying on a clandestine Trade with the French & Spaniards and very zealous against every thing that Settles the Indians in his Majesties Interest; for if the Indians go to the French & Spaniards these Merchants gain by it, because they Sell to these Nations at vast prices, Goods to present and trade to those Indians. By the Georgia Act, no person can go into the Country of the Indians without giving Security for his behaviour, and obtaining a Lycence thereupon, a precaution absolutly necessary, since if Men without Security given went into Country’s where are no Magistrates to do justice to the Indians, they would be apt to commit all Sort of Offences, and if we Suffer’d the Indians to distroy them for Such Offences, we Should give them the Governmt. from the King, and if we did not, they would take a national revenge on us all and be therein Supported by the French and Spaniards.

[N.B.] On the 3. July 1736 The Upper and lower Creek Indians had a Talk wth. Mr. Oglethorp at Savannah where they came to complain of abuses reed, from Joseph Watson for beating them and drinking one of their people to death. They Said the Spaniards told them Mr. Oglethorp would cut off their heads, and the Carolina people that he was come to Steal their lands. They complain’d that while they were at War wth. the Cherokees, the Cherokee Traders came out on horseback to help their Enemies. They desired Mr. Oglethorp would order those Traders to Stay at home, and they on their Side would not let the Traders help them. That the Uchees and they were friends, but if they met with any Cherokees, they must die, for they had made peace with them and yet they kill’d their women & children, that they were mad men. That the French enlarged the Fort Allamos last autumn, & had made it much Stronger, tho they promis’d the Indians, that if they would not pull it down they would never repair it. Then Mr. Oglethorp made them presents, and they departed, Saying all was good, All Should be Straight between us always, & Chegilly their chief Said he was never So well pleased in his life as wth. this Talk.

7 July. 5.

A Common Council was Summond, but we could not make a Board.

1. Mr. Verelts reported that he had recieved at the Treasury the 10000£ granted by Parliament, and lodged it in the Bank, and that the Several Offices had forgiven their Fees amounting to 257£.

2. The Impress to Mr. Heathcote order’d last meeting of 1133.17.8½ and 447£ and 500£, in all 2080.17.8½ was Sign’d by the 4 Common Counsellors present, and Mr. Verelts order’d to procure another hand to it.

3. Thomas Boyde and David Blair, Scots Gentlemen, apply’d by letter from Edinburgh for grants of lands in Georgia, & each to carry 10 Servants.

4. Mr. Vernon reported, that he waited on the D. of Newcastle to Know his pleasure on the letter Mr. Oglethorp had wrote him, and on the papers we had communicated to him. That his Grace observed by the Copy of our order for his attending his Grace, that the Trustees would not charge themselves with, or be accountable for Mr. Oglethorps conduct in going out of the limits of Georgia to build Forts. His Grace Said he had written to Mr. Oglethorp, & Mr. Stone would bring the letter for the Trustees to forward. Accordingly that Mr. Stone would have come but Mr. Vernon chose to go to him who read to him the contents of the Dukes letter but refused to let him have a copy of it. That the contents were to recommend to him not to fall out with the Spaniards, but to follow the things recommended to him when he left England, which Mr. Vernon Supposed related to S. Carolina; that it ended with many compliments.

5. Order’d that Mr. Vernons report be enterd in the minutes, & agreed on a letter to Mr. Oglethorp, expressing the impossibility of our disbursing the Publick money upon any undertakings of his beyond the Limmits of our Province which we could not answer. We therefore recommended to him to act with the greatest caution & prudence, & Sent him a copy of the minute we made when Mr. Vernon was Sent to the Duke of Newcastle (the Duke having Sent the Same to him) because Mr. Oglethorp Should not think that we had been accusing him of indiscretion to the Duke, & were ashamed of it afterwards.

6. Mr. Millar our Botanist who was Seized in his passage from La Vera Crux to the Havannah, and Sent to England by order of the Governour of La Vera Crux, being arrived the 26 of last month, attended, & presented a Narrative of his proceedings in America. He brought us no Seeds or Plants for Georgia, as we expected, but Said he left them in Jamaica, where he heard they thrived.

[N.B.] On the 7 July 1736 Robt. Millar Botanist gave us his narrative of proceedings to collect plants &c for Georgia.

[N.B.] On the 10th July 1736 Opayhatchoo K. of the Upper Creeks, and a beloved ‘Man of the Abecoes, and a head Warriour of the Cussaboes of the Lower Creeks were Sent for to come to Charlestown, and the first in his Talk wth. Presidt. Broughton and Council Said he wish’d that the Traders might go abroad in peace amongst them from Carolina as they did before. That he would not have the River that goes round (Savannah) to be Stopt for the carriage of Rum. That he chose Charlestown to deal with as his friends. That he was a red Man, and the ground did belong to them, but they had parted with their land on this Side the River, and had no pretention to it, But That on the other Side (Georgia) was for the Red people, and was their land. That Mr. Mackay had built a Fort there by his consent but had not reach’d him, and whoever Should build another Fort on his land Should be a better Man than he.

[N.B.] On the 10th [July] Mr. Jo. Wesley had a conference with the Chickesaws touching their notions of Religion, wherein they protest to believe there are 4 Beloved things above, the Clouds, the Sun, the Clear Skie, and He that lives in the clear Skie. That there is One lives in the clear Skie, & Two with him, Three in all. That he made all men at first out of the ground. That he had often Saved them in battel, and would not let the bullets hurt them, and tho Some then present had bullets went into them, they Still were alive. That he might Save them from their Enemies now, but who knew if he would have mercy, that if they are to die, they must, but if he will have them live, they Shall tho they have never So many Enemies, he can destroy them all. That he had on occasions made the beloved Clouds, and rain and hail fight for them, and that in a very hot day; and the ground had made a noise under their Enemies and the beloved ones behind them, which drove them away. That often, before & after almost every battel they heard the noise of drums & guns and Shoutings, and Postubee (one of the Chiefs) Said this happened after their last battel with the French. That the night before he dream’d he heard many drums beating up there, and many trumpets Sounding with much Stamping of feet and Shouting. That before this, he thought they Should all die, but then he believed the beloved Ones were come to take their parts. That the next day he heard above 100 guns go off before the battel began, (the Interpreter Said he heard them too) and he Said when the Sun is there the beloved ones will help us, and we Shall conquer our Enemies, and they did So. That they thought of the Beloved Ones always, and wherever they were talk’d of them & to them, at home, abroad, in peace, in war, before and after fight, and indeed when ever & where ever they met together. He added that they thought the Souls of Red Men (Indians) walk’d up and down after death near the place where their bodies lye, for they often heard cries and noises [near] the places where any prisoners had been burnt; that this was the general belief of his Nation, but for himself he thought only the Souls of bad men walk’d, but that the good went up. Mr. Wesley told him, We white men had a book which Says many things of the beloved ones above, and ask’d him if he would be glad to know them? To which he reply’d their Enemies were all about them, and they had no time but to fight. But if they Should ever be at peace they Should be glad to know. That the Old Men of his nation know more of these matters than himself and would tell him more than he had done. That there are only a few whom the beloved One chuses from a child, and is in them, and takes care of them, and teaches them, and they know these things, and their Old Men practiced, therefore they knew, but I (Said Postubee) do not practise, therefore I know little.

[N.B.] On the 12 July 1736 the Assembly of S. Carolina, being extraordinarily assembled, to consider of letters and papers Sent to their Lieut. Governor Mr. Broughton, by Mr. Oglethorp, wherein he adhered to his resolution of executing in full force the Acts for maintaining peace with the Indians, & for prohibiting Rum to come into the Colony, met and on the 17th drew up a Representation to his Majesty, against the Trustees of Georgia and their Magistrate there. In it they complain’d that we pretend to the Sole navigation of the Savannah river, tho it is only a boundary between both Provinces, and consequently free to both. That in consequence thereof we Seize and Stave their Rum, tho not intended to be landed in Georgia, but at their remote Settlements on the Same river. That the moderate use of that liquor is wholsome, and the Indians like it, and if they cannot have it from the English will go over to the French and purchasse it of them. That they must be presumed to know better how to carry on the Indian Trade than new people Such as the Trustees and magistrates of Georgia, and that the Safety of S. Carolina depended on a right management of it. That they cannot conceive his Majesty design’d when he past the Georgia Act for maintaining Peace with the Indians, that Georgia Should have an exclusive trade with them, for that Two Acts giving liberty to S. Carolina to trade with the Cherokee and Upper & Lower Creek Indians, past by his Majesty were Still in force, yet the Trustees will Suffer none to go up to them unless they take out Lycences in Georgia, which was a great hardship on the Indian Traders of S. Carolina, in as much as it obliged them to come down 3 or 400 miles to take those Lycenses and give Security. That if they refused So to do, their persons were threaten’d to be imprisoned and their Goods Seized, which was an ill return for the aid the Province had given towards Settling the Colony of Georgia. That having represented these things to the Trustees and their Magistrates, and found no redress, they beseech’d his Majy. to declare the Rights and libertys of S. Carolina to an open and Free trade with all the Nations of Indians in amity with the English, according to the Regulations for the Same by the Laws of S. Carolina, without being Subject to the Laws & Regulations of Georgia, and that the passage of the Savannah river may be declared free and open to all his Majesties Subjects of S. Carolina, and that the Magistrates of Savannah be order’d to make reparation for all the violences they have done to the Traders of S. Carolina.

[N.B.] 12 July 1736, Mr. Paul Amatis wrote us there was no doubt of Succeeding in raw Silk in Georgia, to the utmost perfection as Soon as there are a Sufficient quantity of balls or Coquons, a building erected for the purpose, and Spinners enough. That Rome was not built in a day. When he first came there was not a white Mulberry tree in the Province, but he brought 40000 plants in Carolina & transplanted them thither in to the Trustees garden for a nursery. That at Mr. Oglethorp’s arrival he gave out to the Inhabitants 15000, and he had 25000 Still in the garden, the greatest part of which were to be distributed this Autumn, and he hoped in two years they would receive the fruits of their labour.

[N.B.] On the 13 July 1736 Mr. Oglethorp had a talk with the Chickesaw Indians who came to Savannah to request guns powder & Shot to defend themselves from the French and the Indians their Enemies. They first produced commissions whereby it appear’d they had been declared Subjects to the King of Great Britain by the Governr. of Carolina, and were as Such entitled to the help and protection they Sought for. Then they Said the S. Carolina Traders told them Mr. Oglethorp was a Red womans child, but now they had Seen him, he believed he was as white a body as any in Charles Town. That they told them many other talks, but he Saw by their coming, they did not believe them. However they believed him a Red Man in his heart. That they were come into their own town & their own people, and had they not So many enemies would Stay with him till winter. That the people of Old Savannah town (in South Carolina 300 miles up the Savannah river built 24 years ago) Said they were going to a French town and a French Man, and the Creeks, Chickesaws, Obehatchee and the White Men told them So, and that they Should be tied & never return, but they had Seen him and were Satisfied. That they had heard of Georgia in their own Country, that the Abeenchee King Said He was French, but they were resolved to take his talk, and they had taken it and their heart was as glad as his. That they were come to their great Micho for assistance wanting powder and bullets. That it was the English first came to their nation, not the French. That they could not tell the names of all their Enemies they were So many, The Chocktaws, Towasiaws, Movilles & Tomos, who were not concern’d in the late Invasion; the Yungusees, Tomolohaws or Illinois, Nawtowees and Wrawtonos, these were with the French that had just now fallen on them. That 700 Men came into their Towns twice, but had not killed them all. That the French had Forts in all those Nations, and kept them always in readyness to Send against them. That the Great Micho (K of Gr Britain) had a long time ago promised them white Men and arms, and to Send white Men and Writings. The people of Carolina had promised them too, but never Sent them. They ask’d nothing but powder and bullets, and he Mr. Oglethorp had a heart. That their nation was So big (making a Small circle with their fingers) You English So big (making a larger) but the French were quite round them all (Stretching out their Arms) & kill’d them like hogs or fowls. That only the Cherokees were their friends, the Creeks were almost So, but the Albamos entirely French, and the Chocktaws were also their Enemies, tho they came not against them in the late invasion, except Some few Stragglers. That of the Cherokees, their most beloved Towns were Tanasee and Great Telliquo, till the Creeks kill’d their Chief Warriour. That the French threatened to bring great guns against them, but they did not believe they could.

Mr. Oglethorp presented them with what they wanted, and Sent them away contented. When he gave them the gunpowder, he bid them See and try if it was good, to which they Said the French had told them our powder made no noise & that the bullets dropt down as Soon as they came out of the guns, but they knew wt. he gave them would be good, and they would not look upon it.

[N.B.] On 20th July 1736 Will. Drake Esq. wrote from Santee to Cha. Pinkness Esq. his thoughts of the importance of rightly Settling the bounds of the British Dominions in America, with Spain. That he Should be Sorry to find the Rumor true, that the bounds were to be from the head of the Allatahama westwards to the South Sea in a Streight line, by which the importance of those Countries which ly South and West of that River would be overlook’d. That K. Charles the sds Charter to the Proprietors of Carolina the Latitude of 29 degrees was fixt as the Southern boundary, which includes also the mouths and Entrances of the Apalachee, Catachuchee, and almost all the other rivers that empty themselves into the Gulph of Mexico to the East of the Messasippi River. Whereas Should the Allatahama be Settled as a boundary, we Should thereby lose at least 100 miles extent of Dominion, and what would in process of time be of infinite worse consequence, we Should be excluded from the mouths of those Rivers aforemention’d, which would effectually hinder the Settlement of the Inland Shoars of those rivers by the English. For if the Allatahama must be the boundary to the head thereof, and a west line be Struck from thence to the South Sea, it will certainly render those parts of the Catachuchee which ly to the north of that line of no manner of consequence to us, Since it will be in the power of the possessor of the mouth of that river wholly to command the navigation of it. That in 1735 he was appointed Commissioner of the Indian Trade to perform an Agency to the Creek Nation, and during his Stay among them inform’d himself of what he thought he might concern the British Interest in those parts. That in his journey he crost 5 or 6 Rivers before he came to the Nation, and rode through a body of good rich lands for near 200 miles in length, among which there was hardly any intermixture of that which could be call’d bad. And after a journey of about 400 miles from Charlestown came to the Catacuchee River before mentioned, a place and Country by far the pleasantest he had Seen in America, tho he had been in Several other parts besides Carolina. But the agreableness of the Situation was the least part of its value, its exceeding richness & fertility of Soil, and its being capable to produce every necessary of life made its value inestimable. That Upon this River live the Lower Creek nation and from thence the Indians Sometimes go down to the Sea, and Some of their Chiefs who had been down inform’d him it took them up a whole month to return in their Canoes, from whence he concluded that from the part of the river where he had this information it was 200 or 300 miles down to the Sea, whereafter watering a fine Country it empties itself at the Bay of St. Joseph in the Gulph of Mexico.

That this River is more deserving consideration than any that falls into that Gulph, not excepting even the Messasippy, tho it leads into a greater extent of Country. For Capt. Hen Isaac, an Englishman who had lived many years with the French on the Messasippy, and whom he found among the Creeks, Said the Messasippy is So full of flats at the mouth & Shallow, and its Stream So exceeding rapid, that its navigation is render’d extreamly difficult. But the Catahuchee has 12 or 12 fathom water at its mouth, and carrys its depth a considerable way up into the Country, and is adorned with Several noble and bewtiful Islands which it Surrounds, and is not at present possest by any Europeans from one End of it to the other, So that there is no obstacle to hinder us, if So minded, to take possession of it.

That the advantages which would accrue to the English by possessing this River, would be,

1. The immediate possession of a fine Port & Harbour in the Gulph where now we have not an inch of Teritory.

2. The Ships that use the Same would ly in a Fresh water River free from the Worm, which So much injures the Shipping at Jamaica & the West Indies.

3. They might here be very easily Supply’d with Masts and all other Naval Stores.

4. The Country would in a little time Supply them with provisions.

5. It would be a more convenient receptacle for our West India Squadron than Jamaica, there being (as the Indians inform’d him) no Hurricanes or hard Gales of Wind that ever blow down their Trees, and from thence they might as easily obstruct the Spanish Flota in their voyage to old Spain as from Jamaica, and as well protect our trade.

6. It would render the French Settlement at Moville of little use to them, and it would prevent their encrease & Spreading in those Countries.

7. But above all it would be the best Barrier we can possibly have against the encroachment of the French at Messasippi, of which they were So Sensible, that as Capt. Isaac inform’d him, wilst the Capt. was at New Orleans (at which time the Settlement of Georgia was first talk’d of) The French were under a good deal of concern about it, and concluded the Settlement was to be on the Catahuchee River, whereupon the French Genl. Monsr. Bienville Sent a vessel from thence to the mouth of the Catahuchee to learn the certainty of it, with design no doubt to give what obstruction he could to it.

He further observed, that the French were endeavouring to unite their Strength and joyn their hands from all their Settlements from Canada & the Bay of St. Lawrence in the North through the Messasippi and the Gulph of Mexico in the South, by which means they will in time either gain all the Indians from St. Lawrence to the Messasippi to their Interest, or destroy & root out all those Indians who will not come into their Interest, as they are now attempting wth too much probability of Success agst. the Chickesaws. From which a very possible consequence is to be fear’d, that in process of time they will be able to push the English in N. America into the Sea, unless proper Stands & Barriers be in time (even now when they are to be had) made against them.

[N.B.] 20 July 1736 Mr. Saml. Eveleigh wrote to Mr. Verelts that the Assembly of Carolina had Sent a Committee to Settle disputes between the 2 Provinces with Mr. Oglethorp, and that Mr. Oglethorp design’d to build a Fort and call it Augusta as high as the near the head of the Savannah river is navigable by pettiaguas which is at a place 3 miles above Fort Moor call’d Kinyans Bluff on the S. Side of the River.

21 July. 6.

A Common Council again Summon’d to consider of Bill whether to accept or not: but no Board.

1. Letters lately arrived from Mr. Oglethorp containing his negotiation with the Govr. of St. Augustine, and from Mr. Eveleigh were read.

2. Several bills drawn on us were refer’d to the next meeting.

3. Mr. Wants the German who was employ’d above a year ago to Select persons to Send to Georgia, appear’d, and told us that many of them were come to Rotterdam: We answer’d that having fail’d in bringing them at the appointed time, they were come too late. Besides we put him in mind that when he many months ago return’d, that if any came we could not accept them for want of money.

4. Capt. Thomas, and Capt. Dunbar appear’d & gave us a good Acct. of Georgia.

5. Capt. Dunbar apply’d to be paid by the Trustees for 31 Servants he carry’d over, not on the Trustees acct. for on that of private Men, and he produced a letter from Mr. Oglethorpe recommending the Same. He Said he did not desire we Should pay the freight, but take them as our Servants till their work Should discharge it, and he believed Mr. Oglethorpe had already actually taken them into our Service. We answer’d it was more than we Knew, but if it were So, then the proper Owners wanting those Servants could not perform their agreement to cultivate their lands according to their Covenants. That these Servants freight was no concern of ours, but as he was to answer it to Mr. Simons his Owner, we would recommend to Mr. Oglethorpe, that if they have been employ’d in our Service the 5£ for their respective passages be Stopt out of their wages, and paid to Mr. Pury Agent to Mr. Simons in Georgia. He made Some other demands about Canon &c with wch. he furnish’d Mr. Oglethorpe, whereto we could Say nothing, not being a board of Common Council.

6. A letter order’d to Mr. Oglethorp on these heads.

N.B. Our Situation was now bad. Great drafts & little money to answer them. Few accts. from our Magistrates of proceedings in the Province, & but Short ones from Mr. Oglethorp. Two Forts building beyond the limits of our Province, danger of the Spaniards resenting it and in that case a vast expence accruing to defend ourselves. The Carolinians fallen out with us, and our own Members backward in attending. The Ministry giving us no countenance &c.

[N.B.] 24 July 1736 Mr. Oglethorp wrote the Trustees that he had drawn on us for 700£ which was employed in presents to the Indians, fitting out 2 Agents, one for the Creek the other for the Cherokee Nation to prevent them from falling upon us, to which they had been Sollicited not only by the French and Spaniards but by Some who are nearer to us (S. Carolina) as might be Seen by Hoboihachi’s Speech; in advancing Credit to people who wanted it, and in Cash put into Bailif Caustons hands for circulating our Georgia Sola bills.

[N.B.] 26 July 1736 Mr. Oglethorp wrote to me the opposition made by the Assembly to the execution of our Georgia Act for maintaining Peace with the Indians, and that Some of the Indian Traders Sent from S. Carolina had with much difficulty obtained of One Indian Chief Opayhatchoo to deny the concession of those lands which he himself had before consented with the rest of the Nation to grant us. He also desired to know what he should do with relation to assisting the Chickesaws.

[N.B.] This month of July 1736 Mr. Oglethorp wrote to the Trustees in answer to theirs of the 1 April wherein they advised him to lay aside his design of making a Settlement on the Allatahama by reason of their want of money to pursue it, That The Town there was already Settled, the Kings Independent Company fix’d there, Two Forts build beyond it, and the Kings Sloop Station’d.

That Servants were much wanted, & if Some hundreds were Sent by the next Ships, there were persons enough at Savannah and Frederica who would be glad to purchasse them immediately.

That he would reduce the Expence by all possible means, especially by discouraging the Lazy to Stay, tho when gone they would abuse the place as many already had done.

That he had engaged 100 Workmen from various places for 6 months, and 50 Rangers for a year, before he reciev’d our letter. That the Spanish Frontier had occasion’d many large and new expences, as also large presents to the Indians which the opposition from Carolina obliged him to make, to procure the Confirmation of the cession of the Islands.

That They had refused as yet to give leave to Settle the In-land Parts up the Allatahama.

That if the Act for the Peace with the Indians be not Supported, not only our Province but Carolina too must be undone, and an Indian War follow.

That our resolution was wise of Sending over no more people on the charity, for there were too many mouths, and not labouring hands in proportion.

That it would be very necessary to Send Some more persons to form the Morals of our people and instruct them in Religion. The change Since the arrival of the Missioners was very visible with respect to the increase of Industry, love and Christian charity among them; but Should they remove to the Indians, we Should be left entirely destitute, and the people by a relapse become if possible worse than before.

28 July. 7.

A Common Council was Summon’d to recieve a Report from the Committee of Accounts: to consider of Mr. Oglethorps letter and Bills presented: and to issue money for paymt. of what is due to Mr. Simond. But we were not a board.

1. Impress to Mr. Heathcote to pay Sola bills return’d from Georgia—300£.

2. Capt. Dunbars Memorial was read, as also his Sailing orders given by Mr. Oglethorp, by which he would have us understand it was by his orders he took over to Georgia the Servants of Mr. Mackay and Cuthbert. So that he expected we would pay their freight to the Owners of his Ship, altho they belong’d to Gentlemen who went over at their Own expence, and we might repay our Selves out of Work done by them for the Trust. We order’d our Accomptant to prepare a State of the case to lay before the next Common Council board.

3. A person from Mr. Baker the Merchant attended, to know if we would accept Mr. Oglethorps bill on us for 500£, payable to Mr. Saml. Eveleigh of Charlestown, & by him assign’d to Mr. Baker. We told him we were not a board & could order nothing in it. But we directed our Accomptt. to go to him before our next meeting & talk the matter over to See if he could prevail with him for Mr. Oglethorps Sake not to protest the bill tho we Should not accept & pay it, which we did not think we ought to do, that money having been disburst by our Province, namely for buying Arms for defence of Forts erected South of the Allatahama. The charge on Mr. Oglethorp on protest of his bill would have been 30 p cent.

[N.B.] On the 2d August 1736 the Committee of the Assembly made the following proposalls to Mr. Oglethorp for restoring harmony between the Two Provinces, to which soon after Mr. Oglethorp reply’d as underneath.

1. That a certain number of Traders with the Indians be licenc’d from both Provinces purusant to the laws thereof: and that Such Traders observing the laws and instructions of both Provinces do pass and re-pass through the Said Provinces equally unmolested.

Oglethorp. I Shall come into any measures not inconsistent with the Laws of the Province, and without disobeying them. I refused no Carolina Traders who conform’d to the Act: I granted Lycences to none but those who had been employ’d by Carolina, and I gave them the Same Rules and Instructions as had been given them by Carolina, and at your desire I Shall give Such further instructions as are necessary on the present emergency. I desire the names of Such persons as have been lycenc’d by Carolina may be Sent me. And then if it is proved that any Indians do live beyond our without the Limits of Georgia, with whom these persons Shall be lycenc’d to trade, I will give orders to the Officers of Georgia not to molest those Traders, but give them aid.

2. That there will be no distinction or difference of instructions, but one Set agreed on by the Two Provinces for the regulation of the Traders of both.

Oglethorp, I have and Shall continue to give Such instructions to the Georgia Traders as have formerly been given by the Province of Carolina to theirs. And if Carolina Shall give new Instructions to theirs, and they appear for the benefit of both Provinces I will add them to the Instructions of Georgia.

3. That the Same form of Instructions Shall be Sent to the Agent or Commissionr. Sent into the Indian Nations.

Oglethorp, The Georgia Act has appointed the manner in which an Agent or Commissioner is to act in Georgia, and I cannot alter or dispense with it.

4. That no distinction Shall be made between the Traders of either Province and that all discourses with the Indians Shall be in the name & behalf of his Majesty, and for the benefit of all his Subjects without distinction of Provinces.

Oglethorp, I will give orders to all our Officers & Traders as is here desired.

5. That the Agent or Commissioner Shall be directed to act with equal justice in all complaints against any Trader or Indians, as well to the Traders of One Govermt. as the other, and that if any Trader Shall act amiss, he Shall be punished according to the laws of that Province from which he was lycenced.

Oglethorp. If any Trader or Indian be complaind of, I will act with impartial justice, and if any Trader act amiss he Shall be punish’d according to the Laws of the Province wherein he acted amiss.

6. That the Agent be obliged to enter into Bonds with his Majesty, and take an Oath for the due execution of his charge.

Oglethorp, The Georgia Act expresses the obligations under which the Agent is to act.

7. That any Traders who have well behaved heretofore Lycenc’d by Carolina, Shall have liberty to trade being again lycenc’d by Carolina, and if it be desired, to the particular town or towns where they traded before, and in Such case that a Trader from Georgia Shall withdraw from Such town or towns with his effects. Provided the number of Traders lycens’d or to be lycenc’d from [Carolina] do not amount to more than one half of all the Traders that have been usually lycenced.

Oglethorp, To answer this, I must first know the number and names of the Traders which Carolina have lycenc’d. and to what towns they are lycenc’d.

8. That Orders be immediately Sent to the Agents lately Sent from Georgia not to molest any of the Traders licenc’d from Carolina.

Oglethorp. I doubt not but the Commissioner of Carolina will take care to prevent any Trader licenced by him from disturbing the Peace of Georgia, by entering the Same in defyance of the Laws thereof. But as the Western lines from the Heads of the Savannah and Allatahama Rivers have not yet been run, whereby the bounds of Georgia to the West of those rivers are yet unknown; and that no dispute may arise in the Indian Nations which ly beyond the Same, between the Traders of the Two Provinces, I will dispatch orders to the Agents Sent up into the Said Indian nations, not to molest the Traders already there licenced from Carolina, until boundary Lines are Settled, or his Majesties pleasure be Known.

9. That the Use and Navigation of the Savannah River be left open and free for all his Majesties Subjects of Carolina to all parts & places within the Province of Carolina, without molestation or hindrance whatsoever. And that an agreement pursuant to the above Propositions be enter’d into by Mr. Oglethorpe in behalf of Georgia, & this Committee in behalf of S. Carolina to Subsist till his Majesties pleasure be declared on the petition and Representation of the Assembly to his Majesty, and that the Said agreement be exchanged. Jo. Hamerton, Cha. Pinkney, Oth. Beet.

Oglethorpe. It would be presumption to determine any thing finally till his Majesties pleasure is known: But the Officers of Georgia must continue to act according to the laws thereof within the Said Province till his Majesties pleasure be Known. However, till that be known there, I Shall Suffer all boats and Pettiaguas from Carolina to pass up the Same, They delivering a Manifest of their Cargo and of the place or places to which they are bound in Carolina upon Oath to the proper Officer or Officers of Savannah, and at the Expence of the Trustees putting an Officer on board Such boats, to See the Same deliver’d at the place or places exprest in the Manifest.

4 Aug. 8.

1. Letter from the E. of Derby was read, promising to perform the late Lords intention of paying 50£ to Mr. Millar the Botanist, but excusing himself from continuing it.

2. Order’d that Mr. Millars Sallary be paid him to Midsummer 1736, being 75£ at which time his contract with the Trustees ended.

3. Received two Reports from the Committee of Accts. & agreed thereto.

4. Order for Speedily making out 3150£ in Sola bills to be issued in Georgia by Mr. Oglethorp for the Services appointed by our letter of the 15 June, viz. 1000 bills of 1£ each, 1150£ in bills of 5£ each, & 1000£ in bills of 10£ each.

5. Draft made on the Bank to pay Mr. Simond the Merchant 469.9.10 for charges of freight &c of passengers.

6. Impress to Mr. Heathcote of 1000£ to pay bills that may come over.

7. Seal put to Mr. Hugh Andersons Commission to be Inspector of the Publick Garden and Muberry Trees.

8. Order for payment of Mr. Caustons bill drawn on us 14. May last viz. 173.7.9.

9. Agreed unanimously not to accept or pay Mr. Oglethorps bill to Mr. Eveleigh for 500£ dat. 11 May last, being for arms bought by him at Charlestown to prevent the Spaniards buying them, but for the Service of Forts built by him without the limits of our Province, which we apprehended was a misapplication of our money given only for Services within the Province. For tho the Forts built (which gave the Spaniards Such jealousie) were on land part of Carolina Southward of our bounds, and did ascertain his Majesties right thereto, yet the Parliament did not design we Should defend Carolina with the money given us, but only establish and Support our own Colony. Ld. Carpenter only objected that by our Charter we are to defend our Colony, and as Mr. Oglethorp apprehended the Spaniards design’d to dislodge us, he might Say the purchasse of those arms was to prevent the Spaniards in their purpose. Besides, the not accepting this bill would bring us under disrepute. To which Mr. Vernon, Mr. Towers, Alderman Cates and Aldn. Heathcot reply’d, that had not Mr. Oglethorp built those Forts the Spaniards would in all probability enterd into dispute with us, that the maintenance & defence of those Forts was the Govermts. concern, not ours, and we neither did nor could give orders for erecting any beyond our own bounds. And as to refusing to pay this bill, it would prove So contrary to bringing us under disrepute, that nothing could more preserve our Credit, for the reputation of Merchants lay in not paying Bills they had no right to pay, and Shewing caution therein.

10. Grant Seald to Mr. Tho. Boyde of Piteon in Scotland 500 ac.

11. Grant Seald to Mr. David Blair of Gifford in Scotld. of 500 ac.

12. Order’d that the Accompt. write Mr. Oglethorp the reason why we refuse to accept his bill for 500£ to Mr. Sam. Eveleigh, and that we will not charge ourselves wth. 31 persons who went over with Capt. Dunbar from Scotland, viz. Mr. Jo. Cuthbert, his 10 Servants, 10 Servts belonging to Mr. Patrick Mackay, and 10 Servants belonging to Mr. John Mackay, whose freight was payable by those 3 Grantees of 500 acres. But it appearing that he had lent those people their passage to be repaid to the Trust by their labour in the publick works of the colony, or in Such provisions as they Should raise more than would Support themselves, and Should carry into the Publick Store, We had payd Mr. Simond the Said 155£, with which they charged him (Mr. Oglethorp), which he was to discharge himself by Sending an Acct. of those peoples labour.

[N.B.] On the 7 Augst. 1736 Mr. Eveleigh wrote our Accompt. a more particular acct. of the 2d Engagemt. between the French and Chickesaws, mentiond by Mr. Oglethorp in his letter of 1 July which Augustin Smith lately came down from the Chickesaw Nation related as follows.

That about 20 days after the first engagement, the French came before that place (Chocolissa) in the night time undiscovered, and tis supposed Monsr. Bienville himself commanded them. They were in number 600, 800 Chocktaws & 400 Negroes. In the night time they threw up an Intrenchment just before the Town in the form of a half Moon, & just before break of day 3 Indians came into the middle of the Town, Set up the Warr-Hoop, and So ran off, in expectation that the Indians would have follow’d them, and So have fallen into their Ambuscade. But the Chickesaws being dubious of Some Such design forebore it. The French finding them were dissappointed in that design Set the Indians to fireing upon the town, which they did without any execution, and then flew off out of the reach of their guns, and lay on their arms. Then the French went into the Town, and attempted to pull down the pallasadoes of their Fort, wch. gave the Chickesaws an opportunity of firing on them and killing several, upon which the French fled leaving about 30 of their number dead & wounded on the Spot and in the Intrenchment. Amongst the wounded was a gentleman very richly cloath’d, he had a fine gun, cuttlass & Snuffbox. The two latter Augustin Smith Saw, and the Cutlass was inlaid with Gold as he took it to be. It is Supposed to be Monsr. Bienville. There were also kill’d in the battle 8 Choctaw Indians, with only the loss of 2 Chickesaws & one Nauchee.

This Body of Troops came up the River Tholouse (or Alabamas) in pettiagua boats and Canoes, and landed about 10 miles from the Chickesaw Town. The Indians follow’d them down to their landing place, and in their retreat kill’d about 60 of the French, So that in the whole they lost about 100.

Augustin Smith was about 10 Miles distant from the Nation, which the Indians understanding, they immediately Sent out a Party to guard him in, and likewise Sent 8 Indians with him to guard him back to the Creek Nation. They appeard finely drest with White ruffled Shirts and other fine cloaths they had taken from the French, and were very earnest to go back for fear of another attack, tho Mr. Eveleigh believed these two losses would very much discourage them.

There are 3 Towns in the Chickesaw Nation, the chief of which is called Chocalissa. When this town was attack’d in the first engagement, the Women march’d from the other two to its assistance at the head of the Men & boys with their hatchets in their hands Singing, and the boys with bows and arrows, which frighted the French Indians & made them run.

Tis very usual when the Indians take any prisoners whether white Men or their own colour to put them to the torture, which is a very cruel death, but the French they took they knock’d on the head, and then threw them into a very great fire. But they burnt one Indian after the first engagement after a most cruel manner: they ty’d him to a Stake naked, and having a fire by, heated barrels of guns, & thrust them into his privy parts, his face and neck, and this they continued to do 3 or 4 hours before they kill’d him.

Upon examination of an Indian that was taken, they found, that if the French had had the better of it, The Traders among the Chickesaws had been deliver’d up to their Indians to be Served after the Same manner.

These Chickesaws are not in the whole 300 fighting Men, but are esteem’d the bravest Indians upon this Main.

[N.B.] About this time the journal Willm. Stephens Esq. (Since Secy, of the Province of Georgia) was communicated to the Trustees, giving account of his proceedings in taking up lands in Carolina in behalf of Col. Horsey, granted to him this year. His description of the River Savannah for 300 miles from our principal Town Savannah up to Old Savannah otherwise call’d Fort Moor and now New Windsor is very proper to be here incerted, & the more So as it Shews the distances of our Settlements one from ’tother on that River.

Satturday, July 5. He Set out in a Canoe & 6 hands, 4 of which were to row at a time, pretty late in the day, and lay at Josephs town, where 4 or 5 families of 500 acres to each (Scots) were at Work on their plantations. This place is 10 or 12 miles above Savannah town, and the Tide flows about 6 miles higher.

Sunday, July 6. He Set out early and about noon reach’d Purysburg, where he rested that day. This place is on the Carolina Side of the River, inhabited by Swiss, and about 14 miles above Josephs town.

Monday, July 7. He Set out very early. Now the current was very Strong against them and every day they were to expect the Same. They past by Abercorn which ly’s up a creek on the Georgia Side, and at noon Stopt in the Woods to dine. About Sun-Setting they arrived at New Ebenezar, reckond about 12 miles above Purysburg. This was a hard days work.

Tuesday, July 8. He Set out before Sun-rising and had a Strong current agst. him all day. He met with no Inhabitants or anything remarkable but high close woods on the sides of the River. At Noon they Stopt to dine in them, and proceeding, lay in them, making fires near them to keep off vermin and the Musketas which were exceeding troublesome. They judg’d themselves about Midway between Ebenezar and Palachocolas.

Wednesday, July 9. He Set out very early, Stopt at Noon to dine in the Woods, and at 5 arrived at Palachocolas, computed 24 Miles by water from Ebenezar, and about 60 or 62 from Savannah. This is a Fort on Carolina Side of the River, maintain’d formerly at the expence of that Province, but upon a Colony being Settled in Georgia, they thought themselves Secure, and gave this Fort up to Mr. Oglethorpe and all the Artillery which belong’d to it, he promising to maintain it, which the Colony of Georgia Since did with a garison of 10 Men, and Capt. Mackintosh the Governor.

Thursday, July 10. He Set forward from Palachocolas about 10, and Stopt at Noon at a town of the Uchee Indians on the Georgia Side about 5 or 6 miles above Palachocolas where he dined with an Indian Trader who lived there, and proceeding, lay at night in the woods. This days work was reckon’d about 10 miles.

Fryday, July 11. Proceeded early and Saw nothing all the day, but high close woods, with here and there a little opening where Some Indians formerly lived. Stop’d as usual to dine, and at night lodged in Some old Indian hutts which had been forsaken Some time.

Satturday, July 12. They rowed about 3 or 4 hours, very lea-surly, and found the Mark where the vacant lands began, which gave him great pleasure, having now the whole River before him upwards, to fix on. So that from thence forward they row’d Slowly, often Stopping to look into the land, and the nature of the Soil, which he found very good, but flat, mostly on the river & Swampy; in Some places Subject to overflowing, in others not; frequently full of canes which is allow’d to be the best token of fertility. The timber generally Oak either white, red, water oak or live Oak (call’d in Europe ever-green) Hickory, Gum, Cypress with many others, but very rarely any Pyne or Fir. This day was Spent resting a While at noon, and at night he lay in the Woods.

Sunday, July 13. Row’d up a few miles further to examine land & Stayd all day. About 2 furlongs further was an Indian hut where a family or two lived.

Monday, July 14. He proceeded Still up the River which hitherto winded & doubled So much from the beginning of vacant or ungranted land, that it was double the length by water, as in a Streight line cross the land. This day he found a firm Bluff on the Carolina Side above 30 foot higher than the Surface of the Water And there fixt his choice for a Grant for Col. Horsey whose design was when in his Post (for his Majesty had newly made him Governr. of S. Carolina) to erect a considerable Town on his land.

Here Mr. Stephens Staid a week lodging in a Tent, to See the land run out and Survey’d, and in that time a Scout boat of 8 Oars came up the river with an other of 4 Oars wherein was 12 hundred weight of powder. They were going as far as to Old Savannah or Moors Fort, new named by the Province of Carolina in which it Stands, this very month, New Windsor. It is by land but 150 miles from Charlestown, but the communication that way is very little, & therefore these latter Send their trading vessels thither up the Savannah River, from the mouth of which they must row near 300 miles. In this Town are 100 white Inhabitants among whom are Several Traders who have warehouses and Supply the Indians of Divers Nations and Towns with European Goods, either by carrying them to them, or Selling them to the Indians who come to purchasse them, So that it is the great Mart of S. Carolina for the Indian trade in these parts. And as Rum is One of the Commodities they Supply the Indians with, the prohibition thereof to enter the Province of Georgia by the Georgia Act, and the rigerous execution of it by not Suffering Rum to come up the River Savannah, least it Should clandestinly be landed on the Georgia Side (of which there were frequent instances) extreamly irritated the Province of Carolina and will continue So to do until the matter be amicably adjusted between both Provinces, Carolina being apprehensive that it is Mr. Oglethorpes design to engrosse all the Indian Trade to Georgia, and cause enough they have for this jealousie. For thus Mr. Stephens goes on, and Says:

Opposite to this Town of Old Savannah, Mr. Oglethorpe has lately order’d the Plan of a Town to be laid out (named Augusta) which the Indian Traders have undertaken to build upon Mr. Oglethorpes assigning to them a reasonable quantity of land. (500 acres to each). These Indian Traders are all Europeans, English, Scots or Irish, who plant themselves here and there among many Nations of the Indians, Several hundred miles beyond Old Savannah and many miles asunder. There they trade for Skins Furrs and Such commodities as are of value with us, and in exchange for it they dispose of Blankets powder & Shot, and many other things of Small note, by which trade many of them grow rich, and indeed they earn it dearly. For tho the Several Nations they So live among and deal with, are at present our Friends, yet they are almost at continual War wth. one another. And were it in the power of the French Settlements on the Messasippi to incite them against us (wherein their endeavours are not wanting) those Indians would not be our Friends long. This trade has hitherto been carry’d on by the way of Charlestown, But Mr. Oglethorpe by virtue of a power vested in him by the Trustees for Georgia, intends from hence forth it Shall take its course that way and in order thereto, all are prohibited from being Indian Traders, but Such as take Licence from him. Upon which occasion, most of them have lately been with him at Savannah Town, and taken out Such Licences. So that the whole Indian trade hereafter is So meant to be carry’d on by the Savannah River; which River as it is the boundary betwixt Carolina and Georgia, it may be proper to observe, that its entrance from the Sea its course is near East and West, but after a few miles above Savannah Town it alters more to the North, and with abundance of windings, runs in many places almost North and South, by which means it contracts the extent of Carolina pretty much westerly, and they having but little communication (as has been Said) with Old Savannah or Moors Fort by land whereby any traffick can be carry’d on by land, they have been obliged to Send their trading vessels quite round to the River Savannah, from whence they must go afterwards near 300 miles further by water, which Shews how much they are encompassed. But So valuable a trade few would grudge to go far for, which may in Some Sort be guest at, when we Know, that the Cargo of one of their trading boats, wch. commonly go with only 4 Negroes to row, and a white Man to Steer who is Master, is Seldom less worth than 1000£ Sterlg. all which Trade from what is Said is now likely to center in Georgia, and hereafter the Indian Traders, instead of Sending their goods over the mountains to Old Savannah, will Send them to their own Town Augusta, where they will also be provided with all Such commodoties from the Colony of Georgia, as their Trade requires. Thus in all Events the River Savannah is likely to become as noted in few years as any River in America whether Carolina or Georgia are mostly benefitted by it, Few if any Surpassing it in Such a depth of Water as to be navigable from the Sea to old Savannah Town upwards of 30 miles. And notwithstanding the great body of water it consists of, it Shews no extraordinary rapidity any where, but glides Smoothly on as the River Thames at Putney, and in many places confined within as little Space of breadth, but then tis far deeper.

18 Augst. 9.

A Common Council was Summond to recieve Mr. Quincy’s account of the State of Georgia being lately arrived. To read letters from Mr. Oglethorp of the 18 May, and to consider of the acceptance of bills of Exchange drawn by Mr. Oglethorp for provisions, for 500£ Sterlg. But we were not a Board.

1. Letters were read from Mr. Oglethorp and Fra. Moore Recordr. of Frederica, dat. 18 May. The former acquainted us that Capt. Green of Charles Town had tempted the Uchee Indians to fall upon the Saltsburgers at Ebenezar, because these last had past the River and put their Cattle on the Indian lands on the Carolina Side, but that the Indians refused. That the dispute with the Govr. of Augustine was happily over, who was prejudiced against us by letters he received from Charlestown.

Mr. Moors letter related chiefly to accompts.

2. Bills lately drawn on us by Mr. Oglethorp to the amount of 2700£ a great part of which was for provision astonish’d us, considering the number of Sola bills he carry’d with him.

3. We hoped to put an end to this drawing bills on us, by ordering an advertisment for the gazet & other Newspapers, that we will answer no bills from Georgia but our own Sola bills, which Should be duly paid.

4. Mr. Quincy who brought these letters, gave us a very unsatisfactory Acct. of Savannah. He Said the people employ’d themselves in building their houses in order to Set others to advantage, & neglected cultivating their lands, So that he did not believe the first Settlers would be able to maintain themselves, but must Still live at the Trustees charge on the Stores, altho they have been 3 years there. That very few had cultivated any thing worth, but he heard the Tithing men had lately enter’d into agreement to cultivate in common. That he believed there were about 200 houses in the Town besides hutts and 600 Inhabitants. That a new Town house had lately been built capable of holding 200 persons, which was likewise made use of for a Church. That he left the place very healthy, but many of the new born children died, he supposed for want of milk, because the land adjoyning to the Town was Pine-barren, yeilding no grass for above 8 months of the year, So that the cattle run wild into the woods, & among the Sugar cane Swamps.

26 Augst. 10.

No Board again this day tho a particular Summons was orderd for going into a Committee of Correspondence & Accts. and to recieve their reports, Capt. Yoakly being to attend. For ordering the acceptance of Several bills of Exchange, and for other business necessarily to be dispatch’d this day.

1. Capt. Yoakly appeard & demanded 378.134 for demurrage in Georgia, in complyance with Mr. Caustons directions, and as certified by Mr. Moore Recorder of Frederica. We concluded we Should be obliged to pay it, but could not order it being no Common Council. We highly condemn’d Mr. Causton for creating this expence.

2. Mr. LaRoch acquainted us that his brother a Mercht. at Bristol would credit all the Sola bills deliver’d out by Mr. Oglethorp, which would prevent the Carolina people from running them down, and Mr. Oglethorp would by circulating them be free’d from the necessity of drawing on us.

3. Order’d a letter to Mr. Oglethorp to acquaint him therewith, and with the low State of our Cash, and with the reason of not accepting his bill on us payable to Mr. Eveleigh for arms &c.

4. Order’d also a letter to Mr. Causton Severely reproving him for Sending over imperfect Accts. and for not writing any thing to us from 14 April to 8 June. For not answering Queries Sent him, and for employing Capt. Yoakly in Sounding the Allatahama and continuing him on demurrage til Mr. Oglethorps arrival, which came to 60£ Sterlg. p month.

[N.B.] On 30 Aug. 1736, it was wrote in the S. Carolina Gazet, that a Commissioner from the Governr. of Havana was Sent to Frederica, Solemnly to demand that the English Should evacuate all to the South of St. Helena Sound; and that the Town of St. Augustine was reinforced by 3 companys of foot from Havana.

8 Sept. 11.

Tho we were enough to make a Common Council being 8, yet the pressing hast with which Ld. Carpenter and Aldn. Heathcote made to go away, prevented us from very necessary business, one of which was ordering the acceptance & payment of 2141.14.0 bills of exchange, which if return’d for want of a board would be near 30£ p cent expense.

The negligence of our Gentlemen in attending was now become great matter of complaint.

1. Robert Parker a Saucy fellow who formerly was an Alderman of Lyn in Norfolk and transported on the charity acct. to Georgia, having lately run away from the Colony appear’d, and made heavy complaints against Mr. Causton that he had ruin’d him by not advancing him money to compleat a Saw Mill which would have yeilded him 1000£ p ann. Also that he would not Suffer him to leave the Province. He concluded with desiring the Trust to advance him money, being in debt, and in danger of arrest. We bid him put his request in writing & bring it next fry-day. He told us the land of Savannah was very indifferent, and he could not Speak much for the place; and is very detrimental to the Inhabitants, who for want of molasses to make beer, had for 6 months drank nothing but water.

2. Imprest 500£ to Aldn. Heathcote to discharge Several Sola bills lately arrived, and to pay others that would come.

3. Captn. Yoakly attending, and offering to make oath to his Acct. for demurrage, we directed him So to do, for our better justification in paying him.

4. We agreed that Capt. Diamonds demand for demurrage be a guardship to Frederica & for freight of provisions ought to be paid when the Common Council meets, being duly certified by Mr. Oglethorpe and Francis Moore Recorder.

10 Septbr. 12.

1. Order’d the 378.13.4 be paid to Capt. Yoakly for demurrage at Frederica and for Searching the harbour at the Allatahama, he having made oath to his Acct.

2. Report of the Committee of Accts. touching his demand for demurrage at Frederica freight of provisioons &c was received & approved & order’d 289£ to be paid him.

3. The Report from the Same Committee was received, toughing a bill for 13£ odd Shillings drawn us by Mr. Jeffries of Bristol, for the expence of 6 couple of Dogs Sent Mr. Oglethorp, And agreed that payment be Suspended till we know if they were Sent on the Trust acct. But 8 Shill. and 4 pence postage of letters was orderd to be paid him.

4. Order for paying Several bills drawn on us for provisions and other uses of the colony.

5. The Board took into consideration the new Set of Sola bills made out amounting to 3150£, and concluded that if all were Sent to Mr. Oglethorpe (as at first intended before the late bills Sent us) We Should have but 1681£ remaining in our hands to answer future drafts, and all other unforeseen expences of the Colony. And Since means had been found to give currency to the Sola bills Mr. Oglethorpe carry’d over, it was judged proper to Send at present but 1500£ in Sola bills, whereby we Should have remaining on this Side 3331.12.10 including the rest of the Sola bills not to be Sent which were 1650£ which we order’d to be lock’d up. The Sola bills to be Sent we orderd Should be 1000 of 20 Shill. each, & 100 of 5£ each.

6. Order’d payment of 23£ to Mr. Bevan Apothecary, for druggs & Surgeons instruments Sent to Supply our Physical Chest in Georgia.

7. Imprest 1500£ to Aldn. Heathcote, for paymt. of bills drawn us, he having the rest of the money in his hands, and for answering Sola bills that may be returnd for payment.

8. Draft also on the Bank of 974.14.2 to pay Mr. Simonds demands, of which Capt. Yoakly’s money is part.

9. Robert Parker again attended to See if he could obtain money from us, either by gift or loan. We told him he was already indebted 80£ to the Trust advanced him towards erecting his Sawmill, which by Accts. Since received we heard would not have Succeeded. That we could not justify the giving him Publick money, or lending him any more. He then desired we would contribute to him out of our private purses, but none of us were inclined thereto. He was very blustering and indecent, and again complained the Magistrates of Savanna had been unjust and cruel to him in ruining his project of a Saw Mill. We answer’d, if all was true he Said, he had his action against them, but We had only his own word for it unsupported by any manner of proof. That Mr. Oglethorpe was in Georgia when he left it, & it is Surprising, if he had been injured, that he did not complain to him, who had power to redress all wrongs, and too much honour & conscience not to do it if proved, but we had received no letter or intimation on that Subject from him or any one else.

10. Capt. Dunbar attended, to make us an offer of 150 Swiss whom he was to bring from Holland & carry to Carolina, but if we thought it for our Service, he believed they might be prevail’d on to go to Georgia. We thank’d him, but with all acquainted him we were too low in Cash to Send any more at present.

11. Two Scotsmen brothers, named Gibson attended, and desired their Grant of 100 Acres formerly made to one of them might be changed to a 50 acre town lot in Savanna. The other also desired a town lot there, but we told them it was doubtfull whether there is a town lot vacant, and advised them to take their 100 acre lotts each, promising that when they had cultivated them they Should have more land in proportion to the Servants they carry’d over, in which they acquiesced, only desired their land might be as near the town as possible.

N.B.: it dos not appear they ever went over or took out their Grants.

12. Rowland Pytt and Jo. Tuckwell Merchts. having trusted Jo. Bromfield our Register at Savannah with 2000£ of goods, petition’d that we would send instructions to the Magistrates of Savannah, that in case He Should die, they Should take an inventory of his debts & effects in order to Secure them for their use, which the Board thought reasonable, and orderd the Accompt. to write a letter to that purpose.

[N.B.] 10 Septbr. 1736. Paul Jenys Esq, Speaker of the Assembly of S. Carolina wrote the Trustees that John Baker of Charlestown Esq. was dead. He had a grant of 500 Acres, and was a good friend to our Colony, So that by his dying at this juncture when Such heats were arisen between the two colonies, was a great loss to us.

[N.B.] 11 Septbr. 1736. Mr. Jo. Wesley wrote Mr. Vernon giving account that Mr. Benjamin Ingham had made Some progress in the Creek language, but that himself chose rather to learn the Chickesaw language, the Genearality of that despised and almost unheard of Nation being humble and tractable (qualities Scarce to be found among any other of the Indian nations) having So firm a relyance on Providence and So Settled a habit of looking up to a Superior Being in all the occurrences of life, that they appear the most likely of all the Americans to receive & rejoice in the Glorious Gospel of Christ.

[N.B.] 15 Sept. 1736. Mr. Benj. Ingham wrote Sr. Jo. Philips that a School house was built on a little hill (caird by him Irene) by a brooks Side, a quarter of a mile above Tomochachi’s town, where the Savannah River divides itself into 3 Streams. That this hill had been raised Some hundred years ago, he Supposed to perpetuate the memory of Some Warriour. In digging the cellar, they found abundance of oyster Shells, and Some bones and Buckhorns. That Tomachachi favourd the building, but the Indians ask’d him if he was not afraid to live on a hill as they were, believing Fairies haunted Hills. That the Moravian Brethren (the most holy Society of Men in the whole World), were So zealous as to help on the building at a very low price. That he design’d to live there with one of these Moravian families. That the Indians who at first were unwilling their children Should learn, were now willing to have them taught, and Some of the Men Seem’d to have the Same desire. That Chickilly the chief of the Lower Creeks was well pleased when he Saw the children Say their lessons, and Said, perhapps the time is now come when all our children are to be taught learning. That white peoples children behaved themselves like Men, we Indians who are Men, behave ourselves like Dogs. And Molatchee who is next to him, Said, if he had 20 children, he would have them all taught.

[N.B.] 18 Sept. 1736 advice was Sent from Charlestown that Roger Lacy by Commission from Mr. Oglethorp had with an armed force broke open the Stores and carry’d away the goods & Skins to the value of 3000£ of John Gardiner an Indian Trader from Charles town, in the Town of Tunasea on the Messasippi River, one of the most northern towns of the Cherokees, and accounted above 100 miles North of any part of Georgia. And that the Said Gardner was by Lacy order’d to depart out of the Cherokee nation in 4 days, on paid of being carry’d prisoner to Georgia. That on the 11 August he according left Tunasea, and arrived at New Windsor the 26 and leaving that town (al. Old Savannah) the 28, arrived in Charlestown 3 Septbr. Of this he made Oath. Also Joseph Griffin, another Trader lycenced at Charlestown, that he with a carriage of the Same value had undergone the Same fate, and lost everything he had by the Same people, who threatened to bind & carry him to Georgia, because he would not Sell his horses to them.

[N.B.] 20 Sept. 1736 came an Acct. that Don Antonio Aredondo the Spanish Commissary demanded that the English Should evacuate all they Stand possest of as far as St. Helena Sound, the Spaniards having formerly had Forts there. But that Mr. Oglethorp demanded of him, that the Spaniards Should evacuate as far as the 29 degree North latitude, conformable to King Charles the 2ds Charter, the English having formerly had possession as far as that Latitude, Sr. Francis Drake having by Q. Elizabeths orders taken Augustine. That at length Don Antonio agreed that on withdrawing the Garison from the Island St. George, the Said Island Should remain unpossest by either Party, till advices Should arrive from Europe, and that no hostilities Should be committed on either Side till the determination of the English and Spanish Courts Should be known; and all other claims be defer’d till their determination.

That after this Mr. Oglethorp had gone up the Allatahama River Several days journey, and return’d by the Darien, where he marked out the Fortifications of that place, and orderd a Church, School house, and Guardhouse to be built.

That while he was there, Capt. Macpherson arrived with a drove of Cattle, which he brought all the way over land from South Carolina, and that it caused great joy in all our Settlements to find the communication for Cattel by land open’d, whereby those Southern Settlements will be Supply’d with Milk and fresh provisions of which they hitherto Stood in great need.

[N.B.] 21 Sept. 1736 Monsr. Giraldini the Spanish Minister at London wrote a letter to the Duke of Newcastle Secy, of State fill’d with false complaints agst. our Province, the Substance of which was, that Our people had attack’d a Fortress Situated on the Teritories of his Master, 8 leagues distant from St. Augustine the 3d of March last and Kill’d a Spanish Soldier in the taking it. That afterwards they built a Fort on his Masters Territories, in Florida 25 leagues to the North of St. Augustine at the Entrance of the River St. Simons and garrison’d it, altho the Inhabitants of Carolina who had built a Fort in the Same place, caused it to be demolished by order of the Court of England, at the request of that of Spain.

That the Govr. of the Fort St. Mark in the Province of Apalache had Sent account, that the Indians of the Provinces Uchisses, and Talapuzes Subjects of his Majesty, complain’d, that the English were building a Fort in the Territories of his Majesty inhabited by the Said Uchisses, and that they give acct they will build another in the territories of the Talapuzes to the N.W. of Augustine.

That another Party of 300 English had appeared on the Frontiers of the Talapuzes, and having Set up a Standard of War in a town of Indians call’d Apalachicholo, had Summond the chief Town of that Province call’d Coveta to joyn them in order to make War on the Spaniards, assuring] them they were resolv’d to demolish the Fort St. Mark, and afterwards to besiege St. Augustine.

For all these things be desired the people of Georgia concerned in them might be punish’d. And added,

That the Colony of Carolina being Situated in 32 degrees of Latitude, and 294½ of Longitude, and the Colony of Georgia being to the Southward of the other, Georgia is without dispute on the Territories of the King his Master. And even the former according to the Treaty of Peace in 1670, by the 7th Article of which, the Limits were Settled precisely for the Said Province and that of Florida at 33 degrees of Latitude and 339 degrees of Longitude and 30 minutes, Tho the Town call’d Carolina (he meant Charlestown) was tolerated, because it was built before the making the Said Treaty. And as by the 8 Article of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 it is agreed that the Limits and Demarcations of the West Indies Should remain on the Same foot as they were in the reign of K. Charles the 2d. The king his Master hoped the Inhabitants of Georgia Should be punish’d, that due observance Should be paid to the limits that had been Settled between both Crowns, and that the Forts built on the Territories and demarcations of Florida, Should be immediately demolish’d.

[N.B.] 27 Sept. 1736. The above letter was Sent by the D. of Newcastle, acquainting the Trustees at the Same time, that twas her Majesties pleasure we Should enquire into the matter, and Send him a State of it, to lay before [her] Majesty for her commands thereon.

6 Octbr. 13.

A Summons for a Common Council was issued, to consider of Monsr. Giraldinis Letter to the D. of Newcastle containing complaints against the Inhabitants of Georgia, and of his Graces letter to us to State the matter to be laid Before the Queen; and to make a further Contract with the Botanist. But we were not a board.

1. Seal’d a Commission to Mr. Thoresby to preach & collect for us in the church of Stoke Newington.

2. We considerd of an answer to Mr. Giraldini’s letter to the D. of Newcastle.

3. A Message from the Lords of the board of Trade came desiring we would talk with them thereon.

4. Read a Memorial (formerly mentioned fol. 136) and desired Mr. Fury the Carolina Agent not to present it out of hand, hoping we might accomodate disputes wthout making noise, which he Said he would yeild to Since the depositions for Supporting the Memorial were not yet arrived

It was our opinion that the Navigation of the Savannah is free to the Carolina Traders, but that Mr. Causton Should when their Vessels come up, Send a person on board in the nature of an Officer to prevent their landing Rum.

We admired at Mr. Caustons negligence in not acquainting us with his proceedings in a matter of this consequence.

13 Oct. 14.

A Common Council again Summond for the purposes above mentioned, as also for ordering paymt. of a bill of exchange, and to confer with the Board of Trade; But again No board.

1. Order given for transporting to Georgia a daughter of Sr. Francis Bathurst, She desiring to be Sent, her husband being lately dead.

2. Agreed on the form of a letter to the D. of Newcastle in answer to Monsr. Giraldini’s Memorial or letter to his Grace.

3. Being inform’d that by Mr. Oglethorps order Mr. Causton had drawn upon us a bill payable to Mr. Abrm. Minas of 210£ being the purchasse of a whole Cargo bought on the Trust acct. and as Mr. Causton inform’d us in his letter of 22d (blank) was bought entire, because Such goods as were proper for the Stores thereby became cheaper, we thought it fit the bill Should be accepted. It was dat. 20 July. But we admired that Mr. Oglethorp did not make use of the Sola bills instead of drawing bills, and Some Suspected he kept them to answer extraordinary charges with which he did not think proper to acquaint the Trustees till over. We also were greatly displeased that Mr. Causton having So fair an occasion as the drawing this bill gave him to write to us the Transactions in the Colony wholly neglected. Mr. Vernon was absolutly of opinion that Mr. Oglethorpe had forbid him or any others to write us any Accts. tho at the Same time he Scarce writes us any himself, by which we are kept in the dark. And this he thought might reasonably be interpreted one of the reasons why the Gentlemen of the Common Council fall off from giving their attendance at the Board.

4. We observed that Will. Cooksey is made debtor by Mr. Causton to the Trust for bisquet, corn, tea & Coffee, pt. of this Cargo to the value of 27.15.11, by which we perceived Luxury was introducing into the Colony. N.B. This loan or credit to Cooksey was without order of the Trustees, and a misapplication of their money by Causton.

[N.B.] 13 Oct. 1736. Mr. Saml. Eveleigh wrote to our Accompt. that Mr. Oglethorpe had taken his passage to go from Georgia to London on board Capt. Thompson who was to Sail the 18th inst. But that he design’d to Stay till the return of the Two Agents he Sent to the Cherokee and Creek nations, Roger Lacy and another.

[N.B.] 13 Oct. 1736. Mr. Boltzius Saltsburg Minister, wrote complaints to Mr. Oglethorpe, that the new come Saltsburgers had not recieved half the Tools promist them out of the Stores. That the Surveyor had not run out all the gardens & Farm lotts of the people, but was gone to Purysburg to do work there and was like to Stay there a considerable time. That Some gardens were run out on pine barren lands, and confidently hoped it Should be exchanged for better ground, of which there lies a fine Tract behind their gardens towards Ebenezar River. That the Spots in the middle of the Town reserved for Publick Buildings were not exactly laid out, wherefore none could be built. That he and Mr. Gronau his fellow labourer wanted money to build a dwelling house, having hitherto lived in hutts. Their Sallary being hardly Sufficient for their Sustenance. That they had bought a Small boat which was necessary for their Colony and hoped to be repayd. That the Schoolmaster & Dr. Swiffler were disabled to pay the building Hutts & garden Fence, which they had advanced them out of what was Sent for the poor of their Congregation. That 4 Carpenters were yet unpaid for building Mr. Gronaus house at Old Ebenezar, tho it had been promised them. That the peoples provision allowd them is too Short. Finally that they must break up & go more Southward, if deny’d their full provision on acct. of being Settled at Ebenezar. That flower and butter was wanting as well as Molassus for the Sick. That they had not received their full quantity of Cows, Sows and Poultry, and provision was necessary for the School children as also a School house.

[N.B.] 16 Augst. [October?] 1736. Mr. Eveleigh wrote our Accompt. his Surprise at the likelyhood of Mr. Oglethorpes bill to him for 500£ for purchasse of guns & duffels to be return’d protested, it being to prevent the Govr. of Augustine from purchassing them to present the Upper Creeks to come down to him, to whom he had Sent word he would give 400 guns and as much cloth as they could carry back. That it was confirm’d from many hands that the Govr. above mentioned had that design.

That the Indians were So used to presents of late years, that they expected them as a right from English, French and Spaniards who in Some measure were become Tributary to them.

That he was credibly inform’d, that 3 or 4 years Since, the Govr. of Moville gave their Indians at one time to the value of 2000£ Sterlg.

That an Indian Trader inform’d him, The upper Indians had met with a body of Frenchmen, had kill’d 4 of them, and brought one wounded into their Nation.

That in the Engagement for mention’d between the French & Chickesaws it was Monsr. Dartigut was Slayn.

He further acquaints him that Mr. Philip Von Reck Commissary of the Saltsburgers Sail’d for England the day before the date of his letter.

Octbr. 20. 15.

A Common Council again Summond, and in great distress for one, to order the matters mention’d in the former Summons but no Board.

1. Seal put to our Memorial to her Majesty, in answer to Monsr. Giraldini’s letter to the D. of Newcastle. Wherein we acquaint her Majesty

a. That concerning the complaint of our peoples attacking on the 3. of March last a Spanish Fort 8 leagues distant from St. Augustine, and killing a Spanish Soldier, We could not find any English or Indians inhabiting Georgia had been concerned in the Outrage; But that it was committed by Some neighbouring Indians in revenge of a most unheard of barbarity acted by Some Spaniards or Spanish Indians who had killed Some Indian Women and children and two Men, and after most wickedly abusing another Indian Woman, burnt her alive.

b. As to our rebuilding a Fort wch. is alledged to have been formerly demolished by order of the Court of England at the request of the Court of Spain, the Spanish Minister was misinformed therein, for that Fort having been left without the consent or Knowledge of his Majesty, was order’d to be rebuilt by his Majesty, by an instruction to the late Govr. Johnson.

c. As to the complaints of the Uchisses & Talapuzes Indians, that the English were building a Fort on the Teritories of the K. of Spain inhabited by the Uchisses, and gave out they would build another on the Talapuzes land, The Trustees never gave direction for any Settlements to be made or Forts built but within the Limits of Georgia, and if those Nations inhabit within the Same, they ought not to be Stiled Subjects of Spain.

d. As to the 300 English appearing on the Frontiers of the Province of Apalache, Setting up a Standard of War, Summoning the Capital Town Coveta to joyn them in order to make War agst. the Spaniards, and telling them they intended to demolish the Fort of St. Mark, and afterwards to beseige St. Augustine: We did not believe there is any foundation for these reports, or that any of our people could have acted So contrary to the intentions of the Trustees, who always had it at heart in making their Several Settlements to avoid all occasions of contest with their Several Neighbouring Nations.

e. That We confine our Selves within the Limits of our charter, and make no question but his Majesty has an undoubted right to Georgia, observing nothing in the Treaties refer’d to by Monsr. Giraldini that makes for the contrary.

2. Mr. Quincy late Minister at Savannah appeard & desired 3 things:

a. That we would give him an attestation of his good behaviour while he served in Georgia.

b. That we would make him a consideration for his expences and loss of 3 months time after the arrival of Mr. John Wesley to Succeed him, before his return to England.

c. That we would let him know what charges had been laid against him, and by whom, in Georgia, that he might wipe off the aspersions.

[3.] Mr. Vernon being in the chair, reply’d in the name of the Board.

a. That his behaviour had been Such in Georgia, that had he not of himself wrote to be dismist, we Should have dismist him without it.

b. That as to his desire of a consderation for Staying in 3 months after Mr. Wesley arrived there to Succeed him, we must first know whether he made that Stay at the desire of the Magistrates or Mr. Oglethorp, for otherwise we could not justify the giving him the Publick money, merely to maintain a person to whom we had no longer relation. Then being ask’d if he had been desired to Stay, & he replying no, Mr. Vernon told him we could give him nothing.

c. As to his request that we would let him Know his accusers, we thought it better for him to rest his return on his own desire than to oblige us to give the reasons why his conduct was not approved and he thereupon dismist. That the Board always acted on good reason, and were not obliged to give him Satisfaction what we disliked concerning him. However he Should be So far indulged as to Know, that his abandoning the Colony for Six months together, and leaving a Wheelright to read Publick prayers, comfort the Sick and bury the dead, was a behaviour the Trustees could not excuse. We were Sorry he had given occasion for censure, and Supposed by accusers he meant the Magistrates of Savannah, but we could not recollect that they had wrote a Syllable against him, But indeed Several had viva voce acquainted us with his behaviour there, and his neglect of duty by the long absence above mention’d: And besides he was guilty of another great neglect in not corresponding with the Trust as enjoyned when We sent him.

He reply’d it was Sickness carry’d him to New York, but he was answer’d he Should then have taken care to have his absence Supply’d by Some other Minister, or have obtained leave to go from persons who had authority to give it.

He then Said the cause why he had raised Enemies to him in Georgia, was his representing against the great irregularities and bad administration of Affairs there. Mr. Vernon reply’d, this was a new matter which we would consider of, and therefore desired him to withdraw a while. Whereupon taking his hat he left the room, and as we thought retired into the next adjoyning, but he went quite away, & returned not.

4. Letter wrote by the Accompt. to Mr. Oglethorpe, that 1500£ in Sola bills had been Sent him by the Brook Capt. Keet; that he Should draw no more bills; that he Should Speak to Mr. Causton that he Should return Satisfactory answers to the Several queries Sent him, in order that a proper application of the moneys that have come to his hands may appear. That the Trustees make him Debtr. for the 210£ bill drawn by Causton in July last payable to Abraham Minnis, because credit had been given to Will. Cooksey for part of the Cargo. He concluded with the Trustees earnest desire that he would return to England before next Session of Parliamt. for without his presence we had no manner of hopes of a further Supply.

Octobr. 27. 16.

A Special Summons for a Common Council to do Several necessary business for which former Summons were issued, but again we were no Board.

1. We only in a Committee of Accts examined the Vouchers of last years Accompts.

[N.B.] 1 Novbr. 1736. It was publish’d in the S. Carolina Gazet, that the Sloop Frederica, Capt. Goodwin Commander was lately arrived at Philadelphia from Frederica, reported, that the furthest English Settlement Southward lies in the Latitude of 30 degrees 30 minutes; The Town of Frederica in 31 degrees, and that of Savannah in 32 degrees. That he found 3 Fathom & ½ on the Bar of Frederica, and went in without a Pilot. That there are several Clapboard houses built there, and 2 brick houses one Story above ground, & preparations for a great many more. That there is a Fort with 4 Bastions, one large Store house three Stories high and another building, the Timber being all ready for the building.

That Mr. Oglethorpe was returning to England, having fix’d his people, & Secured them both against Want and Enemies, & was to Sail in a fortnight.

[N.B.] 3 Novbr. 1736. One P. Thickness a young Lad who lived with Mr. Causton and work’d for him wrote his mother that he had been over about 2 months that in Savannah were about 300 houses besides hutts. That he liked the place and would Sooner live in it than in any part of England, but not in the Town, for there was an island about 12 miles off where were about 10 lots, and 7 of them taken, and being Surrounded with salt water was more healthy, and one may keep their Cattel Safe, wch. they cant on the Main-land. That if a man had there but 20£, & laid it out in Cattel, he might clear that 20£ on Salt beef and boild Rice instead of bread. That there were a parcel of good for nothing Chapps who gave the place an ill name to all Strangers, and had like to have frighted him away when first he came. That if a man died, his child inherited his Improvements at 16 and there was no man but might live on his own Improvments if industrious. That it is a fine Country for any Sort of game, one needed not fear Shooting a deer every day, Turkeys, and wild Ducks Swimming 1000 of them in the River all the Winter. That he mounted Guard once in 17 nights.

[N.B.] 8 Nov. 1736. Joseph Cannon (Son of Danl. who was appointed 2 Bailif of Frederica in case of vacancy) wrote to Joseph Flitchcroft Esq. from Frederica the following Acct.

That the Island St. Simons (where Frederica is built) is about as big as the Isle of Wight: about 60 leagues South from Charlestown, 30 from Savannah, and about 30 N. of St. Augustine. That there were about 15 or 16 Settlements in the Colony already. That Frederica lies very well Situated on the West Side of the Island on a fine River, where a Ship of 300 Tun may come up. On the South End is a fine Inlet of the Sea, where his Majesty’s Sloop the Hawk lies, and on the point of the Island was a garrison of 100 Men. On the East Side was the Sea. On the North End another fine Inlet of the Sea. That there were about 50 families in the Town wch. was laid out for 500 families. That the Island was pretty thick of Wood, and there were a great many Deer on it, but they Seldom got any, the Wood being So very thick, But the Indians very often brought them 10 or a dozen at a time, and Sometimes a whole Buffelo. That there were a great many wild fowl, Such as Turkeys, Geese, Ducks and other kinds, And abundance of fish, but having no time at present for want of getting houses over their heads, they got any of them.

That they had no lime or chalk, or Stone, and their lime was made of very fine Oysters, which they burnt 2 or 300 bushels at a time. That his father and about half the people of the Town were agreed to build themselves brick houses. The first Two were almost coverd in 3 Story high. That when first they came they built themselves little Hutts, and cover’d them with Palmetto leaves.

That they had clear’d their Acre lott about ½ a mile out of town, & their Lot is town as Soon as they knew where it was, which was not till April last. That they had clear’d and fenc’d it round with a hedge, and Sow’d it with almost all Sorts of garden Seeds of England, which grew very well, So that they were the forwardest of any person in the place, & lived as happy and as well contended as possible, and hoped So to continue if it pleas’d God they Should find their health. That his father was talking of getting 10 Men with himself to fence round their great Lots which are laid out in Tithings, and himself and 9 more had agreed to do the Same, and to put Some Cattel on to begin the Same, 1 Jany., And Mr. Oglethorpe had given them a grant for the Same.

10 Novbr. 17.

1. Col. Horsey newly appointed Govr. of S. Carolina communicated to us Mr. Stephens journal (fol. 141) who was Sent by him to take up a Grant of 40000 Acres in Carolina.

2. An impertinent letter was read from Robt. Parker formerly mention’d, the Sauceyest fool and errant knave I have met with. After many charges against Mr. Causton, he concludes with desiring the Board to lend him 3 or 400£ of the Publick money, or that We would club and do it among ourselves in our private capacities. We answer’d we would Send over his complaints to be answer’d by Causton. This fellow offer’d his Service to Mr. Fury the Carolina Agent, to appear at the Council board, and Support viva voce the Representation Sent by that Province against our Magistrates.

3. Mr. Fury above mention’d came and excused his presenting the Representation and lodging it in the Council Office yesterday, on account of the notice taken in town that he had So long delay’d to give it. We told him he did but his duty, and acquainted him we would accept and pay him bills drawn to his use by Mr. Oglethorpe for 400£, being money of his paid into Mr. Oglethorp’s hands in Georgia and was his Sallary which Carolina return’d him after this manner. Our orders not to draw were not then arrived.

4. Mr. Millar the Botanist whom we agreed with to continue in our Service for 2 years from Midsummer last attended, and received from us the Articles he is to Sign, together with directions concerning his conveying to Georgia the plants and roots he collected in his last voyage.

5. Bills drawn on us to the amount of 1800£ were accepted, being mostly for provisions to Supply the Publick Stores, the rest for Ship Goods.

6. Letters from Mr. Oglethorpe and Mr. Causton were read which contained nothing of any moment towards Satisfying our desires of Knowing what was doing in Georgia. But we expected a thorough information from Mr. Jo. Wesley who we heard was on the Sea in his return to England who we Supposed brought letters.

7. Mr. LaRoch inform’d Some of us privately that the Bristol Merchants complain Mr. Oglethorpe is turn’d Merchant, and bought up Skins at 21 Shillgs. p hundd. Whereas they used to give but 20 Shillgs., So that he monopolized the Trade.

And Mr. Vernon said he had obtained a Grant of 12000 Acres in Carolina.

The former was new to me, but the latter is taken notice of in Mr. Stephens journal who Says these 12000 Acres are adjoyning to Palachocolas Fort.

Novbr. 24. 18.

A Common Council was Summond, but we were not a number.

1. Benefactions received, among others 38.2.0 collected by Mr. Thoresby.

2. Drew up a letter from Mr. Verelts to Mr. Popple Secy, to the Board of Trade, renewing our application for a report from that board upon our petition to the Crown for Cannon presented in August 1735. It Seems the regular manner had been to have refer’d our petition to the Board of Ordenance, but the Ministry Sent it to the Board of Trade, very probably with intention to defeat our application: for we never obtained our request, no report being ever made.

3. We also drew up a letter to Mr. Oglethorpe to be written to him by Mr. Verelts as in his own name but by our order, complaining in Strong terms that he had given us no acct. of his proceedings in Georgia Since June last, tho the complaints agst. the managements in Georgia Sent by the Province of Carolina have Since that time been frequent and Strong. That the Representation from Carolina was come and presented, and refer’d to a Committee of Council, and Such paragraphs were incerted in the Newspapers, as required explanation. That for want of a regular correspondence from him & Mr. Causton, of what is doing in Georgia, we are wholly disabled from giving the Publick the Satisfaction they expect. And that we cannot carry on the Settlement of Georgia, or apply again to Parliamt. with any Success unless he come over to answer objections, and give an Account of the progress already made, and justify the application of the Sums heretofore granted.

1 Decbr, 19.

Summons again for a Common Council: but were not a number.

1. We went thro the Genl. Acct. & Settled it, in order to its being presented to the Ld. Chancellr. &c pursuant to Charter.

2. Mr. Towers reported his and Mr. Vernons Conference wth. the Board of Trade yesterday on the Subject of our petition for Cannon. He Said the Lords present were the Ld. Fitzwalter, Mr. Pelham and Sr. Archer Crofts. That my Ld. Fitzwalter Said it was not neglect in their Board that we had for a year & half recieved no answer to our application, but we had gone by the bow & not by the String (meaning as our gentlemen Supposed, we had not apply’d first to the board instead of petitioning the King, but I thought differently). Nevertheless when we Should be able by new Accts. from Georgia to give them further information, they would give our application due consideration. He added, that as the Parliament had given money for the Support of Georgia, he thought the Supplying of cannon Should have been taken care of out of the Sums given by the Publick.

Mr. Vernon reply’d, that we would cease further application till we Should hear from Georgia, But as to buying cannon for the defence of that Province, the Trustees look’d on it as a matter that lay upon the Crown, the money given by Parliament being for the Settling, not defending Georgia. That it was not to be expected the Trustees would out of their own pockets purchasse cannon, they acting voluntarily for the Service of the Publick, and having no private Interest of their own in conducting this affair.

[N.B.] In the beginning of Decbr. 1736 Mr. Charles Wesley arrived from Georgia, and on the 8th made me a visit, when he told me the following particulars:

1. That the Chickesaw Indians are about 400 fighting Men, a brave people, fond of the English and utter Enemies to the French, who Seek to root them out because Situated in Such a manner as to divide the French settlements, lying between the Northern and Southern Territories, to the hinderance of their communication, & consequently their Trade and Strength.

2. That the people of Carolina are utter Enemies to Georgia, tho not the Governing part.

3. That if the Province Should Succeed in their Representation lately Sent over to the King and Council, and obtain an explanation of our Trade Act in their favour, there would be an end of all hopes of converting the Indians to Christianity, or of preserving peace with them. For if the Carolina Traders are not obliged to take their Lycences from Georgia, and Submit to the regulations of the Georgia Act, they will go on to cheat the Indians as formerly, and new Wars will follow, in which case Georgia will be attack’d by them, they making no distinction of British Subjects when once engaged in War.

4. That the Spaniards were excited to attack us by people in Carolina, & were furnished with arms and ammunition for that end, which occasion’d Mr. Oglethorps buying up all the Spare Arms that could be found at Charlestown to prevent the Spaniards having them.

5. That the people of Carolina did what was in their power to prevail on the Indian Nations to recede from their agreement with Mr. Oglethorp when he purchassed from them the lands of Georgia, and had prevaild on Opayhatchoo one of their chiefs to deny the concession of those lands which himself had before consented to with the rest of his Nation, But that at length Mr. Oglethorp had got him to confirm it again, and we have now possession by consent of all the Nations, of all the Sea Coast & Islands, and 6 miles within the Coast of our Province, Two Islands of rich land excepted that ly between Savannah and the Allatahama which the Indians have reserved to themselves.

6. That Carolina has distrest our Colony by Seducing away, Since the first Settling our people 700 persons, who were of great Service in cultivating our lands, and this had occasioned the Slow progress in that affair, and render’d labour dear.

7. That Carolina is unreasonably jealous of our injuring her in the Indian trade for hides, for the publick Revenue arising from it is to her but 500£ Sterlg. p ann., and as to the Rice trade we having no Negroes Saw none of that grain So that She has no reason to fear on that head, but it is the private Interest of a few Carolina Traders which occasions all the un-easiness, and a pride not to Submit to take out lycences in our Colony, together with a desire to traffick in Rum.

8. That Carolina labours with the Indians not to Send their children for instruction, telling them we Shall detain them prisoners and hostages to keep their nations in Slavery, but one of their chiefs making a journey on purpose to know the truth, return’d satisfied of the falsehood of what had been told him.

9. That this dispute between the two Provinces, together with that between Georgia and the Spaniards had occasion’d a very great and unexpected charge, especially for presents to the Indians to Secure their friendship.

10. That the Scots at Darien are very industrious, have cultivated Surprisingly fast, and have a very honest quiet Minister.

11. That the New Settlers at Frederica are likewise very industrious.

12. That Mr. Lacy Settled at Thunderbolt has many Servants, a great deal of Indian corn in the ground past danger, and would make this year a hogshead of wine.

13. But the Moravians are the most laborious, cheapest workers and best Subjects in the whole Province, and have among them also the best Carpenters.

14. That there are about 200 houses in Savannah, and 700 Souls. That the people now Seem disposed to labour and cultivate their lands which many have been too tardy in.

15. That a New Convenient Town hall is built in the town, furnished wth. Benches, a Gallery for the Bailifs and a Pulpet for the Minister for Divine Service, and it will hold 100 people.

16. That every one of the complaints (of which there were above a hundred) against Mr. Causton, were found by Mr. Oglethorpe at his arrival absolutly frivilous.

17. That Joseph Watson who was try’d for killing an Indian by giving him Rum with intent to destroy him, and who is Still confin’d, is really disturbed in his Senses, as the Jury had found him, & this Mr. Wesley Said he learn’d from Several persons in Charlestown, who declared he had Six years before been mad on account of a Mistress that jilted him.

18. That Noble Jones our Publick Surveyor is an idle Man, and Mr. Oglethorp greatly desired Two more Surveyors to expedite laying out the peoples lands, till when they could not pretend to Set about cultivating.

19. That Mr. Oglethorp is indefatigable, often Sleeping but 2 hours in a night, and rising at midnight would Set out on journeys of 150 miles & perform them in 2 days; yet he was never better in health.

That he had Sent large Accts. of his proceedings to the Trustees by Mr. Apie, who loiter’d his time at Charlestown where he was to take Shipping, & at last came over in the Same Ship with Mr. Wesley. Yet tho now arrived he had not Sent the packet he was charged with to the Office. Tis very probable the people of Carolina detained him till their memorial was first arrived and deliverd.

20. That no lands for Religious Uses had yet been Set out; neither did he know that Mr. Oglethorpe had taken any care of finding proper catechists for instructing the Negroes at Purysburg.

21. That Mr. Oglethorp is cutting a road from the mainland opposite to the Isld. St. Simons, up to Savannah, to open a free communication between our Northern and Southern Settlements.

22. That for the defence of Frederica Darien, and our Southern Settlements Mr. Oglethorp had erected a Strong Fort 60 Miles beyond the limits of Georgia, but Still on the lands claim’d by our Crown as part of Carolina and belonging to the Indians in Allyance with us. Which Fort is garisond by 60 Scots, who desired that Post of honour, as most exposed to the Spaniards. That there is a good ditch round the fort and a rampart palisadoed, and Cannon to defend it. N.B. This is Fort St. George, which Mr. Oglethorpe told me could not be taken but by regular approaches.

23. That when he arrived at Savannah, he found the people had been miserably neglected by Mr. Quincy our late Minister; that but 3 people partook of the Communion, and employ’d the Sunday in Shooting. But before he came away, his brother John Wesley who preaches by heart, had full Assembly’s, that publick prayer was Said every morning, and at 9 at night, by reason the day is Spent in labour in the field, and that there were now 40 Communicants.

24. That Mr. Ingham our 3d Minister, dedicates himself to the conversion of the Indians, and for that end lives at Mrs. Musgroves Cow Pen or farm in order to learn their language, in which he has made a great proficiency.

That the Indians are all fond their children Should be Christians, tho the Old ones Say they are too old to learn. However these have a great notion of God and a Providence, especially the Chickesaws. That young Toonaway and his brother is learning, and much brought off from the habit of drinking which our English had taught him. That he understands & Speak English So well as in Mr. Oglethorps opinion to be the best Interpreter we have.

That there is a handsome Hall building in Tomochachi’s town to Serve as a School, that the Indian children may be taught English & religion among their Parents.

25. That Mr. Delamot (a Merchants Son of London) had opend a School to teach all children who were Sent him their catechism, and the first principles of Religion, gratis.

26. That no Mulberry trees have yet been demanded out of our Publick garden by the Planters, but there is great Store of them there, and it abundantly furnishes the Town of Savannah with cowcumbers, melons and vegetables, tho ill managed as to the Nursery trees by the former gardiner, Whom therefore Mr. Oglethorp removed, and had placed Fra. Piercy who marry’d a daughter of Sr. Francis Bathurst in his room.

27. That our Georgia Sola bills have due currency, and our advertismt. to answer no bills drawn on us from Georgia, other than our own Sent over, was exceedingly pleasing to our other Colonies.

[N.B.] 11 Dec. 1736. Mr. McBane a Highlander Settled at Darien, and Sent over by Some private persons to procure them Servants, brought me the present of a bare (which I refused to accept) and gave me the following particulars of the State of Georgia.

1. That the first Settlement to the South of Savannah made by the Embarkations of last year, is Darien, So named by Capt. Dunbar, who wth. his people arrived before Mr. Oglethorpe. That there were about 45 families of Scots Settled there, besides about 30 Servants. That the Town Stands on the Continent on a fruitful bluff about 10 miles distant from St. Simons Island, and has no Fort, but Some cannon. That the people are extraordinary industrious, and will have corn sufficient not only for their own Subsistence, but to Sell. That Capt. Mackintosh has the chief command of them, and Mr. Macleod their Minister is extraordinarily beloved by them. That they first cultivated their lands, and then built their houses, which it were to be wish’d the people of Savannah had done.

2. That the next Settlement made is Frederica in St. Simons Island where there is a Strong Fort finish’d of 4 Bastions, ditch’d and rampier’d, with double palisadoes. That it has 9 cannon with Suitable Ammunition, and the Storehouse in the middle of the Fort has a platform, on which a 100 Men may Stand & defend the place. That there are Settled there about 60 or 80 Families besides Single Men, and that many come from Carolina & other parts to fix there. That Mr. Horton has the general care of the place, Dr. Hawkins a Surgeon 1 Bailif and Mr. Moore Storekeeper. That two Streets were laid out and 15 or 16 houses already built. That the people are industrious, and there is great plenty of Fish, fine Cedar Trees, and other Timbur, and no Rum drunk.

3. That the next Settlement to Frederica is on the South extremity of the same Island, where a Fort is built that commands the Sea, and guards the Island, named Fort Arguile. It is garrison’d by the Carolina Compy. of Regular Forces commanded by Capt. Delagal consisting of 50 men. There were yet no Settlers upon lands, it being intended purely for defence of the Island.

4. The fourth Settlement made is call’d Fort St. Andrews, and Stands about 50 miles Southward of Darien, on the Continent, but Still on the North Side of the Allatahama River, & So within the limits of Georgia. It is erected on a high Bluff and commands all the Country round. Tis built like the rest, and So Strong by Situation that 30 Men, of which the Garison consists can defend it against 300. And there is a fine well in the middle of it. There are no Settlers on land, this being intended only for a Guard to the Country, and the vilages and Forts that ly within the bounds of it. Mr. John Cuthbert commands there, a Gentleman of Scotland, & of Some fortune who went over wth. Capt. Dunbarr.

5. The 5th and last Fort erected is call’d Fort St. George, and Stands in a Streight line 50 miles from Fort St. Andrews, close to St. Juans River which at that place is 3 leagues broad, tho Some way higher up, not half so much. Capt. Mackay commands there, and has generally with him 200 Men, tho they are not all upon pay, for there are many labourers & workmen, and besides, Mr. Oglethorpe enjoined all who came out of curiosity to See the place, to reside a month there, that if a Sudden occasion Should happen, they might assist in defending it. [It] has a great many cannon, but there are no Settlers on land, because So much exposed to the Spaniards, to whom it gives great umbrage being in Sight of their advanced Guard, & Fort Augustine not far beyond the other Side of the River.

This Fort is out of the Limits of Georgia, but the land belongs to Indians in our Allyance, who claym it and have given us leave to Settle there. They are mortal Enemies to the Spaniards, and many refused to accompany Mr. Oglethorpe thither, because he refused to let them attack and kill them. N.B. Mr. Macbean did not know that Mr. Oglethorp vacated this garison by agreement wth. the Spaniards in October 1736.

6. That as to Savannah, there are Some who have cultivated & are diligent to thrive, but a great number are idlers and will never come to good. Many of these were intending to leave our Colony when orders came to Strike them off the Stores, but having run themselves in debt, were not Suffer’d to depart till they had paid their debts, upon which Some had made themselves over Servants to their Creditors to work them out, and it was hoped more would do So.

7. That the people there Still get Rum notwithstanding all the care taken, by means of Carolina boats which in the night time land it in creeks unknown to the Magistrates. However that they are healthy, whereas at Ebenezar they are not So.

8. That at Frederica tho it ly’s So much to the South he work’d in the midst of Summer as he would have done in England, So tolerable are the heats.

9. That the land bears good barly as it dos Indian wheat, and the beer they make of Molossus is very good. That there is plenty of horses, cattel and fish, and hemp and flax grows well.

10. That Watson who has So long layn in prison is at times mad, but rather foolish than mischievous, and when he left Savannah, there was a talk of Shipping him on board the Diamond, & making him return to his first occupation, that of a Sailor.

11. That a fair hearing had been given to all the complaints made against Mr. Caustons administration, and this by Mr. Oglethorp in open Court, and that all present Said there never were more groundless accusations.

12. That the Publick garden is now in good order, Since Piercy had the care of it, and Some had already planted mulberry trees taken out of it, on their lands, and that the Silk worm thrives & multiply’s.

This Gentleman came over as has been Said to hire Servants for particular persons, and chiefly for Lycenced Traders, who offer to pay the charge of transporting & keeping them, if the Trustees will only be at the charge of Sending a Ship to Scotland, Wales or Ireland to take them up, & if any of they who require Servants Should die or change their minds, then they desire the Trust will keep them for the Trust use.

75 Decbr. 20.

1. The Committee of Accts. reported the Annual Acct of Receipts and disbursmts. from 9 June 1735 to 9 June 1736 and that they had examin’d the Vouchers, and the Acct. was approved, and 250 Copies order’d to be printed after the Same Should be presented to the Ld. Chancellor &c.

2. Mr. Philip Von Reck who conducted, Saltsburgers to Georgia being return’d to England, to go in quest of more, and not being able to attend us by reason of a Fever, we order’d him 30 guineas.

3. Mr. Wesly appear’d & gave us a journal book of Mr. Oglethorps proceedings in Georgia with other papers.

4. The Packet brought over by Mr. Apie (from which we expected much information) was at length Sent to us, but it only contained duplicates of what we found in the journal book.

5. The Lords of the Board of Trade having Sent to desire a conference with us this day upon the Memorial of Carolina refer’d to them, we Sent to acquaint them we were not prepared for it, and desired them to name Some other day. Whereupon they named the 13 Jany.

6. A Resolution that gave us very great offence both for the wording and manner of delivering it was Sent us by the Incorporate Society for propagating the Gospel, reminding us that we had formerly told them we would Settle a Glebe of 300 acres on the Minister of Savannah, and desiring we would inform them whether we had So done, but that in the mean time they had Suspended the paymt. of their 50£ Sallary to our Minister. We were all in indignation at Such a Message which condemn’d us unheard, and concluded among ourselves not to Stand obliged to that Society for a Sallary but to raise it among ourselves. But we resolv’d nothing until we Saw the process of this matter.

7. Agreed that a Committee Should meet to inspect our books, papers & letters in order to prepare our Selves for the Conference desired by the Board of Trade toughing the Carolina Memorial.

17 Decbr. 21.

1. We met in Committee to prepare an Answer to the Carolina Memoriall, and Set down heads for our Council to plead, having learned that the Province of Carolina intend to be heard by Council in Support the Memorial and Representation. These heads we order’d to be wrote fair for the approbation of the next Common Council, and we pitch’d on Mr. Murray and Mr. Cha. Clarke to be our Council, and to be pd. 2 guineas each for a retaining fee Subject to the Common Councils good liking. Mr. Towers undertook to put these heads into form in nature of a Brief for the Councils Instruction.

2. Sr. Jacob Bouverie came to offer us 1000£ legacy left to him by his deceased Brother to dispose in charity as he thought fit, and Said he believed it could not be better disposed of than to further the designs of our Colony. That he Should like it were disposed to one head of our Expences, and therefore desired to know which way we would apply it. We answer’d that Some of our designs were to propagate Christianity among the Indians, the maintenance of Clergymen and Catechists, the building Churches, the cultivating lands, and for that end Sending over Servants whom we Stood much in need of, the maintenance of Magistrates, the building of Forts, the feeding a number of people, and raising usefull produces. That it did not belong to us to prescribe to him how this generous gift Should be disposed, and that twas frequent for our Benefactors to appoint under what head their money Should be laid out. He liked best the furnishing ourselves with Servants, Since we appeard to Stand in need of them, and they further’d cultivation of land, and therefore if we pleased the money Should be apply’d that way.

We answer’d it came very opportunly, for there was now come over Mr. Von Reck the chief leader of Germans to Georgia for 2 years past, and he was Speedily to Set out again for Germany to bring Servants. Sr. Jacob Said he did not know but that for his Safety it might be necessary for him to get an Act of Parliament to allow of & confirm this gift, but in that case he would be at all the charge, So that we might receive the 1000£ clear, but he hoped we would take care it might not discourage the Grant of other money by the Parliament, for in that case his gift would be in effect to the Publick not to us, if it any way lessend the Sum we expected from them. We reply’d it was true and we would think of it, but we hoped So generous a private benefaction would rather excite the Parliament to assist us hansomly, than occasion them to give us less.

22 Dec. 21 [sic].

A Common Council was Summon’d to Settle Instructions for Mr. Von Reck who was going this Week to bring Germans over, and to Settle a letter to the D. of Newcastle relating to the protection claim’d by the Chickesaw Indians against the French: both which were necessary to be dispatch’d this day. But we could not make a board, and we were obliged as Trustees to act.

1. We drew up a letter to the D. of Newcastle, and order’d our Secrety. to Countersign it, wherein we acquainted him that the Chickesaw Indians had been attack’d by the French: That Mr. Oglethorp thought this of So much consequence as to send over Mr. Wesley his Secy, to acquaint us with the conference he had with them on that Subject. That they demanded the protection and Support of Gr. Britain as at all times faithfull allyes, and that they had accepted Commissions from our Governours from the first time his late Majesty Sent Genl. Nicholson to be Govr. of South Carolina, as appeard by one of those Commissions in the year 1732 under the hand of the late Govr. Johnson, wch. they produced at the Conference, and is now Sent over to us. That in duty to his Majesty, and out of concern for the Safety of the colony we layd this matter & the copies of the Conference before his Grace for his Majesties information, not doubting but his Grace would apprehend that if that nation Should be deserted & not Supported, All the Other Free Indians which ly on the back of his Majesties Colonies will thereby be obliged to throw themselves into the hands of the French; and if the French be allow’d to destroy our Indians Nation by Nation, in time of Peace, the Settlements must meet with the Same Fate in time of War.

2. We drew up the form of an advertisment to be publish’d in the Newspapers, for clearing the Trustees from Several imputations & malicious aspersions flung out against us & our proceedings, but agreed to defer it till our hearing against the Carolina complaints were over.

3. We drew up an answer to the Minute of the Incorporate Society (See Fol. 155.6) and orderd it Should be left at their Office, with Copies of the Resolutions taken by the Trustees for allotting 300 acres for Religious uses, & of our letter to Mr. Oglethorp thereon.

4. Agreed to a calculation for the disposal of Sr. Jacob Bouveries 1000£, and found that Sum would bring over 40 German Servants with 20 Women and children.

5. We prepared instructions for Mr. Von Reck who Sets out tomorrow for Germany, directing him to bring over the above mentioned number, the Men under 50 years old and the children above 12. We recommended to him to chuse persecuted Protestants preferable to others; and gave him 30 guineas to carry himself over.

6. Mr. Macbane (Mentioned Fol 54) attended to acquaint us that Mr. Oglethorpe had sent him over to bring Scots Servants, which Mr. Oglethorpe expected the Trustees would enable him to procure, and the charge was to be reimbursed by the Masters who Should take those Servants. We told him, we were entirely un-acquainted with the Affair & could Say nothing to it, he having brought no letter from Mr. Oglethorpe to explain the matter. But that we had compassion for his case to be Sent over on So empty an Errant. We advised him to Stay till Mr. Oglethorpe Should be returned, which we believed would be in a week or fortnight, and then we Should know what answer to make him.

[N.B.] 2 Jany. 1736–7. Mr. Oglethorpe landed from Georgia at Ilfercomb in Wales, & taking Post arrived at his house in Westminster the 6th. He was 70 days in his passage. He had a narrow escape from drowning, being caught on the English Coast for 9 days in So thick and continued a Fog, that they knew not where they were, and at last found themselves among the Breakers, which So frightened the Sailors, that Captn. Thompson could not by any entreaty get them to work the Ship, and get them out of the Hould, where they ran all down to a Man, giving themselves for lost; So that Mr. Oglethorp and Mr. Tanner who came with him were obliged to jump out of bed in their Shirts to pull the ropes.

He Said he left Georgia in good condition, the people much reformed to Industry, the Stores full, and an honourable Treaty concluded with the Govr. of Augustine, who proposed to be furnished from Frederica with provisions and make payment in pieces of eight, which alone would support that Southern Settlement, the allowance for the Garrison of Augustine being annually 150000 pieces of eight.

But as for Savannah, Two thirds of the people are in debt, and he thought the properest way to do by them, was to give them all leave to Sell their Town Lotts of house & 5 acres (there being Tradesmen enough to buy them,) and oblige them with the residue of their money (after their debts are paid) to Settle on their 45 acre lotts.

That Servants are absolutly [necessary] for the people to help cultivate their lands.

That last year, the French Govr. of Louisiana, upon a report that there would be a general War in Europe, drew down all his Garrisons to compose an army to invade S. Carolina, and must if he attempted it Succeeded, For they have 2500 Regular troops, besides Several thousand of Indians their allyes: But when the Govr. was on the point of marching, letters came from France commanding his forbearance, on which he remanded his Forces, but afterwards Sent a body against the Chickesaws who repuls’d them in the manner we had been informed.

12 Jany. 22.

This Common Council was Summond to confirm the Instructions for Mr. Von Reck to be Sent after him: but it was very uncertain if they would come to his hands, Such is the inconveniences of Gentlemens not attending to make Common Council Boards. The Summons was also to meet Mr. Oglethorpe and receive his report on the State of the Colony, and his proceedings there.

1. Mr. Oglethorpe reported his proceedings in Georgia from the time of his landing in Feby. last, and presented the Treaties he had made with the Spaniards, dat. 26 Aug. 1736. Thanks were return’d him for his many important Services.

2. Thanks orderd to Capt. Windham & Capt. Gascoign.

3. Order for Selling 260 barrils of Rice & 7 Casks of Skins.

4. A bill for 200£ dat. 29 Sep. 1736 drawn by Mr. Oglethorpe to Jo. Crockats use value reed, was ordered to be accepted & paid, tho drawn 4 days after our advertisment was printed in the Carolina Gazet forbidding the drawing more bills. For Mr. Oglethorpe assured us he was at that time at Frederica & knew not of the advertisment, and he drew the bill for Services of great importance to the Colony.

5. 100£ order’d to the Accompt. for extraordinary Services.

6. Imprest 1000£ to Aldn. Heathcote.

7. Imprest 500£ more to him for paymt. of Sola bills.

8. Order’d a letter by Capt. Nicholson to Mr. Jenys, to Send back the sola bills for 1500£ wch. we Sent to Mr. Oglethorpe but were not recieved by him before he left Georgia.

[N.B.] 12 Jany. 1736–7. Nicholas Lewis Ct. Zinsendorf landed in England.

14 Jany. 23.

This was a meeting of a Committee to consider of the Carolina Representation, which my Son Hanmers extream illness would not Suffer me to attend.

19 Jany. 24.

1. We agreed to a Representation to be presented his Majesty this day, wherein we complain of the Lieut. Govr. & Assembly of S. Carolina’s opposing our Act entitled an Act for maintaining peace with the Indians in the Province of Georgia.

2. Agreed that Mr. Paris be employ’d as our Sollicitor, when the hearing of this dispute by Council comes to be 3 weeks hence before the Board of Trade.

3. Agreed that Counsellor White be added to Counsellor Cha. Clarke and Counsellor Murry to plead for us, and that a Retaining Fee be offer’d to the Sollicitor Genl. Mr. Strange, in order to engage him for us, or not to be agst. us.

4. Agreed upon an answer to the Incorporate Society, wherein we acquainted them (as they desired) with what we have done & further design to do in relation to the Religious concerns of our Province, and in gentle terms exprest our resentment at their Suspending the allowance they gave our Minister, before they had heard from us on that head.

5. Imprest 600£ to Aldn. Heathcote, which was resolv’d last meeting, but we were not a board to Sign it.

6. Several bills drawn on us by Mr. Oglethorpe 2 2d Octobr. last were order’d to be paid amounting to 475.13.11½. We also did the Same by the 500 bill drawn by him payable to Mr. Eveleigh, for purchassing Arms & Duffels at Charlestown, which bill we on the 4th of Augst. last Suffer’d to be protested because we thought it was for Services without the bounds of our Province, and therefore that we could not be justify’d in paying it.

But Mr. Oglethorp explain’d that matter in a right light to us. He said that when he came to Settle our people at Frederica on St. Simonds Island, (which is undoubtedly within the limits of Georgia) He Sent 2 persons to Fort Augustine with a compliment to the Spanish Govr. who against the law of nations confind them, and Soon after drew out his Soldiers, and Sent to the Indians to assist him against us. That at the Same time he had private intelligence, that the Spaniards intended to fall upon him. Whereupon he immediatly Sent to Charlestown to buy up all the Arms, duffels and wollen goods that were there, to prevent the Spaniards from doing the Same, knowing that if the Spaniards were prevented in that, the Indians would want arms to hurt us, and would not assist the Spaniards, because no presents were made to engage them. That for further Security he built a Fort more Southward & nearer the Spaniards, to keep the Spaniards from interrupting his building a Fort at Frederica: but this was not unnecessarily done, or before the threatened Invasion by the Spaniards. That part of these arms & duffels had been given in presents to the Indians, and the rest were lodg’d in our Storehouse, to be disposed of as occasion Should require.

[N.B.] 19 Jany. 1736–7. Some days after the letter ordered this day to be wrote to the Incorporate Society, I was in conversation with Mr. Burton one of our Trustees (a very worthy Clergyman) and Mr. Oglethorpe. When talking of our difference with that Society on acct. of our not allowing lands in Glebe to our Ministers, by wch. means he was removable at pleasure (his living not being a Freehold) by the Trustees, and could not appeal to or be redrest by the Bishop of London, He exprest his wishes that Some expedient could be found to please both Party’s. For he thought it very right that our Ministers Should be answerable to that Bishop for their behaviour, who by law has the care of all the American Clergy. Besides it was unknown to the Primitive Church that Ecclesiasticks were accountable to Laymen, and not any way to the Bishop.

Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d that the Trustees are not all Laymen, and as to the Bishop of Londons power over the American Clergy, he has no legal power, for that which he exerts dos not flow from the King, but from a bare letter Sign’d by a Secy, of State. That he cared not to mention this publickly, Since the exercise of this power has been wink’d at. That the true Diocesan of the American Clergy is the A.B. of Canterbury, and if he appointed Suffragan Bishops there, his authority would be obey’d, and things would go well.

Mr. Smith also (another worthy clergyman of the Trust) doubted if the Bishop has authority over the clergy of our Province, being erected Since the power given him by the Secretary’s letter. Some time after I had discourse with Dr. Philip Bearcroft a Member of the Incorporate Society (and Since Secretary thereto) on the Same Subject. He Said the Society thought it very hard, that the Ministers in Georgia Should be the only persons without Property, and depend on a Bailif for payment of their Sallarys. That having ask’d for an allowance on engaging to Settle lands in glebe, We had broke our bargain, the Society thereby released, and we might thank our Selves. Besides Mr. John Wesley our present Minister had (as appeard by a letter of Mr. Oglethorpe to the Society) renounced a Sallary, as thinking Ministers ought to preach the Gospel without hire, and had only desired the 50£ designd for Sallary might be paid him on the foot of charity to be put into his hands to distribute to others, which the Society was not warranted to do. Lastly, that Dr. Humphrey, their Secy, had on his own head, added to their written Message the paragraph that gave our Board offence, namely that the Sallary was Suspended till we Satisfy’d the Society how we had disposed of the 300 acres.

I reply’d, Our Ministers had no hardship done them if regularly paid for their Service, which it was our absolute intention to See done, and no man in his Sences could Suppose otherwise, wherefore there was no need he Should have Such a property in land, as that we might not be able to remove him if we found him unworthy, without a tedious uncertain and expensive application to the Bishop, during which process he must come over to England to defend himself, and the Inhabitants be So long without a Minister, or he must remain on the Spot giving offence. That when we first promised to give the land in Glebe, we did not consider the consequences, and had not the instance happen’d of Mr. Quincy’s abandoning the Province for 7 months, and leaving only a wheelright to comfort the Sick and bury the dead, we might have given land in glebe, but experience had made us cautious. That had land been So given at that time, Mr. Quincy would not at this [moment] been removed. That a Clergy man may be a good Parish Minister as to the discharge of his Office, and yet be so troublesome and injudicious in his conduct as not to be fit to be continued, but Such bad conduct might by the Bishop be thought no Sufficient reason for depriving him, tho a necessary & justifyable one for us. That our Colony is made up of Protestants of all denominations, and much depended on the prudence of our Clergy, but he who Should Shew himself most violent against all Protestants but those of our church, would be most favoured by the Bishop. That if Mr. Wesley refused a Sallary, or any others, there was the less reason for the Bishop to insist on it, and it only Shew’d his desire of power. That when we Spoke of glebe we had not intention as now we have to cultivate that land, and it would cost us 1000£. That tis no excuse to Say their Secretry. added the offensive matter on his own head, for it appeard to us the Act of their Society who Speak by their Secrety. and at the bottom, we found the Society were disposed to adhere to the Sense of it unless we gave our land in glebe. Finally that we had more concern for our people than for one Minister, but the Society had more for one Minister than the people.

He appear’d Satisfy’d with what I Said, but added that the Society had a very bad opinion of the Members of our Trust, and as to himself he knew of none but Mr. Vernon and me, but what were Enemies to the Establish’d Church. I reply’d the Gentlemen were greatly injured, and named to him Ld. Tirconnel, Mr. Digby, Mr. Towers, Mr. Oglethorpe, Dr. Hales, Mr. Smith and others who were as zealous for our Church as any whatever.

24 Jany, 25.

We were only a Committee who met to prepare instructions for Counsel in the Carolina affair.

1. Several letters and Affidavits were read manifestly proving that the people of Carolina, bring & Secretly land them in Georgia contrary to our Law, and trade with our Indians who are within our Limits without taking Licences from Us.

2. Read also a petition from the Magistrates & Inhabitants of Georgia, complaining of these abuses, and desiring redress. These and Several other papers we put into the hands of our Sollicitor Mr. Paris for forming his brief.

26 Jany, 26.

A Common Council was Summon’d to confirm the Instructions for Mr. Von Reck (See fol. 158.5). To Settle the money payable by the Soceity for promoting Christian Knowledge for the 9 months maintenance of the Saltsburgers who went to Georgia with Mr. Vatt, & for other purposes. But could not make a board.

1. A letter from Mr. Ulsperger to Mr. Hen. Newman was communicated to us, wherein he desired to know if we purposed to Send more Saltsburgers, and repeated his wishes that we would not confine our Grants of lands to Heirs male.

2. We debated upon what answer to return, and at length resolved that Mr. Ulsperger Should be inform’d we were not able at present to Send more Saltsburgers. As to not Suffering Females to inherit, Mr. Oglethorpe & Mr. Towers insisted on it, and gave Such reasons as Satisfy’d us we did right not to allow thereof, tho my Ld. Chancellor Talbot is of another mind. We desired Mr. Towers to Set his reasons down in writing, that we might Shew them to our acquaintance as occasion offer’d, to Satisfy them, there being a great clamour against us on this head.

3. Mr. Vernon inform’d us that Willm. Stephens Esq. (formerly Member of Parliament in England) the Same who went to S. Carolina to take up lands for Col. Horsey had offer’d his Service to go to Georgia, and be our Secretary for that Province, on the terms of making him a Grant of 500 acres, and paying Servants to cultivate them. This was highly pleasing to us, he being a Man of cool temper and excellent Sense, & great industry & punctualness, and by him we were sure of having constant information of the State of the Colony concerning which hitherto we had been kept too much in the dark.

4. Mr. Vatt who went Secrety. for the Saltsburgers in Octbr. 1734, and So remaind till the 26 March 1736 when we recall’d him for breeding disturbances there, attended for Some gratification for his trouble, but not being a Common Council we could dispose of no money.

5. A letter from Mr. Popple Secy, to the board of Trade to Mr. Martin our Secy, desiring him to acquaint the Trustees that at Mr. Fury’s desire (Agent for Carolina) the Hearing upon the Carolina Memorial was by their Lordships put off from the 8 of next month where on it was appointed, by reason more Evidence was to come over to Support the complaints. Upon this we drew up a letter to Mr. Popple expressing our concern that the Hearing did not proceed but was defer’d Sine die, whereby our material Wittnesses might be lost. Besides that we Suffer by the calumnies raised against our proceedings, and Should continue so to do, till we had cleared ourselves.

6. Mr. Verelts our Accompt. Said before us the State of our Cash, which for the general Uses of the Colony was now reduced to 928.15.5¼. But there was owing to us from the Society for promoting Christian knowledge 287.0.1 for 12 months provision furnish’d to the Saltsburgers, and Some money was to come by the Sale of 3000 Deer Skins and a good quantity of Rice imported by Mr. Oglethorp from Georgia on the Trustees Acct. Mr. Verelts valued the Cargo at 1200£, but there would be a considerable deduction for freight duties &c.

2 Feby. 27.

A Common Council Summond to order payment of Several demands on the Trust, But again no Board.

1. Some letters were read, among which was one from Mr. Ellis a Mercht. of Pensilvanea, that a Ship had been freighted with Madera wine flax, wheels &c from thence to Frederica, on which Several persons were gone to See the place, and if they liked it intended to Settle there.

2. We drew up a 2d letter to the D. of Newcastle concerning the Spaniards complaints against us, deliver’d by Mr. Giraldini in a Memorial to his Grace.

[N.B.] 6 Feby. 1736–7. Mr. Oglethorp told me he was last fryday with Sr. Robert Walpole alone, who was at a loss what to do in the American affairs with respect to the Security of our Colonys, and desired his advice, with Some Scheme or Plan for defending, with his thoughts upon paper.

He Spoke with great freedom to Sr. Robert, who Said he was not used to have Such thipgs Said to him, to which he reply’d, Yes, he was, when he was plain Mr. Walpole, but now was Sr. Robert, & chief Minister, he was Surrounded by Sycophants and Flatterers who will not tell him the Truth, incapable of advising him well, & the first who would drop him on a reverse of fortune.

Sr. Robert protest himself very Sincere to further the Settlement of Georgia, but ask’d him whether he was in earnest for carrying it on, adding the Trustees he heard were at variance, and had given the matter up.

Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d that nothing was more false, and he could not imagine who inform’d him So. But as to himself he must give it up, if not Supported by him, for he had twice crost the Sea to carry the Colony on, and not only ventur’d his life & health, to the neglect of his own affairs, but actually Spent 3000£ of his own money. That this Colony was a National Affair, and he did not pretend to be a Don Quixot for it, and Suffer in his reputation as he must do, if he continues his concern for it without Publick Countenance. If Sr. Robert was of opinion to drop it, he Should advice the making Some good bargain for it with the Spaniards who would be very thankfull to See it Surrender’d to them, But if he did drop it, he would hazard the loss of South Carolina & Virginia too. For the French would then be invited to attack those Colonies on their backs, and in 27 days were able to march up to Charlestown. That in case of Such Invasion, those who were rich would Ship themselves for England, or buy their peace, & the poor would submit themselves without a Stroke to the Conquerors.

Sr. Robert Said he was ignorant of West India affairs, but repeated his desire of Some general Sketch or out line, without entering into a detail, which he had not leasure for.

Mr. Oglethorp Said, there were but two ways of defending our Colonies from the French and Spaniards and their Indians: The One by forming a regular and Warlick Militia, The other by keeping a Regular Body of Troops. That a Substantial Militia is not to be had, for want of numbers of White Men. That he could form about 300 Men capable of bearing arms in Georgia; That South Carolina had money, but no Men; That New England had Men but no money, and New York had money but few Men. That if the defence were left to a Militia, it would cost dear, because they must be paid when in Service on account of the neglect of their own affairs, and therefore it were more eligable as well as safe to have regular forces.

Sr. Robert Said it was very difficult to Keep a Sufficient Body of Soldiers because of the Expence.

Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d the expence would amount to about 20000£ p ann. But if his Majesty would allow a draft of 2 Men out of each Company of foot, and each troop of Dragoons on the English Establishment, it would cost little more than the Expence England is now at.

Sr. Robert Said, the King would not consent to it.

Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d, then there must be a certain number new raised, and he believed if a Batalion of 500 Men were allow’d to each Colony the Colonys would themselves pay them, for the un-easiness they now are under proceeds from observing that the Company’s now there are not kept full, but have only the name of a Company, the Officers putting the pay of vacant Soldiers into their pockets, So that the regular Forces there are only nominal, and of no Service.

Sr. Robert relish’d the proposal, and ask’d him if he had anything further to propose on that head?

Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d it would be necessary those Forces Should be put under Some Single persons command, otherwise they could not be rendevouz’d in time, and the particular Govrs. of Provinces, if they differ’d in judgment, or had more respect to the Safety of their own Provinces than to the general Safety of all, would defeat any measures that might be necessary for a defence.

Sr. Robert Said that was right, and ask’d him if he would be the Man? Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d he would that he Should not desire the Title of Capt. Genl. but of Inspector Genl. of all the Forces, with power to direct & lead them forth.

Sr. Robert ask’d how that would agree with his being a Member of Parliament?

He reply’d, very well, he need not lose his Seat, this being a Military & not a Civil Employment, and there were presidents for it.

Sr. Robert ask’d if he would accept to be Govr. of South Carolina? He answer’d he would not, but he Should require that Province might be govern’d by a Lieut. Govr., and Presidt. Broughton turn’d out for the animosity he bore to Georgia.

Sr. Robert then Said, he was really a favourer of Georgia, but we had many Enemies, and we Should find them among the Gentlemen who oppose the Administration, wherefore we must Seek to gain them over.

Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d he was mistaken, our Enemies have rather been his own Creatures, whose mouths if he pleased he might Stop.

Sr. Robert hinted his dislike of the Trustees as a body that hangs together and in Parliament votes against the Governmts. measures.

Mr. Oglethorp reply’d he knew none among them were his personal enemies, and that the far greater number were constant Voters wth the Court.

Nay, Said Sr. Robert, I believe as you do, but our friends will have it otherwise, and there are Some I cant undeceive. There are others also who will not believe that any advantages can come from your Colony, and I wish you would write Something on that head to clear their doubts, but it must be done Suddenly, no time is to be lost.

Mr. Oglethorp reply’d, he had done Something that way, and if he had time might follow his advice.

Then Sr. Robert ask’d what money we Should want this year?

He reply’d 30000£, but if that could not be obtain’d we must have 20000£ merely for the Settlement of the Colony, wholly distinct from the defence of it, except the keeping a Compy. of Rangers, and finishing the Forts begun. And therefore if both the Settlement and the defence are to be provided for, there must be two distinct Estimates made.

Sr. Robert approved it. After this the discourse turnd on other topicks.

9 Feb. 28.

1. Order’d that Mr. Oglethorpe, Ld. Tirconnel, Mr. Towers, Mr. Hucks & Mr. LaRoch be a Committee to draw up a petition to Parliament for a further Supply, and that they wait on Sr. Robert Walpole for that purpose.

2. A letter to the D. of Newcastle containing our reply to the Spanish Memorial was read & approved, and a copy of the Treaty of pacification between Mr. Oglethorpe & the Govr. of Augustine order’d to be given his Grace at the Same time with the letter.

3. Benefactions reported: 100£ from a person unknown to the use of the Missioners, and 100£ from the Bi. of Woster for the use of the Saltsburgers.

4. Order’d 10£ to Mr. Macbane for his coming to England & detainor here to collect Servants for Georgia.

5. Orderd 75£ to Mr. Verelts for his Services, being for the ½ year endg. Christmas 1736.

6. Order’d the like Sum to Mr. Martin for his Services the Same length of time.

7. Confirm’d the disposal of 31.10.0 to Mr. Von Reck, wch. Sum the Committee had Some time ago given him on his going to Germany to bring Servants.

8. Orderd 20£ to Fra. Moore Storekeeper at Frederica for ½ years Sallary due Christmass 1736.

9. Order’d paymt. of 100£ bill for Madera wine Sent to Frederica.

10. A bill of Mr. Causton for 263£ dat. 19 Novr. last, was refer’d to the Accompt. to examine, and then to be paid.

11. Imprest 700£ to Aldn. Heathcote to answer these paymts. and other purposes.

12. Accepted a bill for 120£ to be paid Lieut. Hugh Mackay in behalf of his Nephew Jo. Mackay, for 8 Servants made over to the Trust, whose Covenants are to Serve for 7 years, and are purchased at 15£ p head.

13. A Committee appointed to meet next monday to peruse Mr. Paris our Sollicitors brief in the cause agst. S. Carolina.

14. Our Secy, reported, that he had attended the Board of Trade to know their orders on our letter to Mr. Popple, and representation of the hardship put on us by a delay of Hearing the Cause; that they reply’d they could not yet fix the day, but it Should not wait long. Mr. Martin urged that possibly our witnesses might be dispersed, and Some returnd to Georgia. Mr. Bladen answer’d, that if we Sent our Wittnesses to make affidavit before a Master in Chancery, their evidence would be good, tho themselves were away. Mr. Martin then Said, we hoped the Carolina people would not be heard to new matter of complaint, because we could not be Supposed to be prepared against it, besides our witnesses might be gone who might be able to Speak to it, & So we Should be at an utter loss to reply to Such new matter. Col. Bladen reply’d it was not reasonable to hear new complaints, but they Should be confined to those already given in. That Some new ones had been offered by their Agent, but they were very trivial.

Mr. Oglethorpe said on this, that in case the Board of Trade reported against us, We ought to appeal to the Privy Council, & have a new hearing there, and in Such case Evidence taken before a Master in Chancery would not be allow’d good, or any notice taken of it, for Evidence reed, at the Council board must be taken by a Privy Counsellr.

15. We agreed to ask Dr. Warren Minister of Bow Church to preach our Anniversary Sermon.

[N.B.] 10 Feby. 1736–7. Commodore Dent wrote Mr. Oglethorpe that the Spaniards were Suspected of a design to attack Georgia: that he was prepared, and hoped to give a good account of them when the other ships had joyned him. That being pretty fat, the Spaniards Should have fat with their Salt, for they Should Slice him in pieces before he Surrender’d.

[N.B.] On 22 feby. 1736–7. A Man was Sent from Bristol to Georgia at the Trustees charge.

23 Feby. 29.

A Common Council was Summond to Seal our petition to Parliament, and to receive reports from the Committee of Accts. but we could not make a Board.

1. The complaints of the Saltsburgers wrote over by Mr. Boltzius 13 Oct. 1736 (See Fol. 147) were taken into consideration, and we came to resolutions to be offer’d to the next Common Council board for confirmation, viz.

a. That the 45 acres allow’d to each family of Saltsburgers (over & above their 5 acre lots) being not yet survey’d to them, the Allowance from the Stores for the 1 & 2 Transport Shall be continued to them from March last to September next.

b. That the boat provided for them Shall be pd. by the Trust.

c. That Noble Jones our Surveyor be immediately directed to Survey their 45 acres.

d. That the familys who went in May, Shall each of them have a Cow, Swine & poultry as the others had.

e. That the Ministers houses be built at the charge of the Trust out of the money appropriated for Religious uses.

f. That the Ministers Sallary be forthwith paid, and the Interest due for the money they were obliged to borrow be paid by the Trust out of the Said money.

g. That the Same number of Tools and quantity of other necessaries be distributed to the 3d Transport as were to the 1 & 2.

h. That the 4 Saltsburgers be pd. for buildg. a house at old Ebenezar.

i. That for the Satisfaction of the Revd. Mr. Urlesperger of Ausburg, a copy of our former order on these heads be Sent him.

2. Mr. Oglethorpe reported from the Committee appointed to wait on the A.B. of Canterbury to know his opinion of the Moravian Brethren, that his Grace declared to them, the Moravians are an Episcopal and Apostolick Church.

3. The Committee appointed to treat with Ct. Zinzendorf about furnishing 2 Moravian brethren to Serve as Catechists for the conversion of Negroes at Purysburg, and to catechise also Such white children as the Swiss there Settled Should admit to be instructed, that he had agreed two of those people Should reside at Purysburg for a yearly Sallary to each of 15£, and houses built for them at the charge of the Associates of Dr. Bray.

4. A Letter from Mr. Causton dat. 26 Novbr. last was read, acquainting us,

a. That to the Westward of Savannah town, there had been much Sickness, but few died; but that at Purysburg they had lost 30 men that bore arms.

b. That the Saltsburgers had also been Sick, but lost few.

c. That Josephs town, most had been Swept away.

d. That a Cowpen had been erected at Old Ebenezar (wch. the Saltsburgers had deserted) for keeping our Cattel.

e. That Mr. Augustin had erected a very good Saw Mill, but it had often been blown up by the water, being ill Situated, which would be remedied. N.B., he deserted it in 1737.

f. That he had brought a Ship load of Sugar Molossus &c which would be freighted back with timber.

g. That Mr. Musgrove continued a very usefull Interpreter.

h. That the Inhabitants had raised Sufficient corn for themselves for their use next Season. That Savannah Town improved much as did Hampstead & Highgate.

i. That Mr. Lacy had improved well at Thunderbolt.

j. That Skidaway Improvmts. went not on So well.

k. That the Settlers on the Ogeeky river had made good Improvements.

1. That those on Tybee had improved nothing at all.

m. That the Settlers at Fort Arguile did not think of improving, but had all enter’d themselves into the Rangers Troop.

n. That in general the people Seem’d resolv’d to be obedient & to improve, but there were many idle who ran themselves in debt, and those who had not improved, occasioned the best planters to fall Short of the publick encouragement given by the Trustees, by reason the lands improved by them lay exposed to cattel and vermin for want of the others clearing their ground.

5. Another letter from Mr. Causton dat. 14 Decbr. 1736 was read, enclosing an Acct of Proceedings of Justice. He complain’d of the refractoryness of the Constables and Tything Men to do duty of Watch and Ward, and their irregular proceeding to elect the like Officers among themselves without consulting him. He added that Mr. Oglethorpe directed him to put the Stat, of Westminster 4 & 6 in relation to the Militia in force.

6. We drew up heads for a letter to be prepared to lay before next Common Council board, containing Several directions to Mr. Causton, and particularly that he be as easie as possible with the Constables and Tything Men, until we Should pass a Law for Settling the Militia on a proper foot.

7. A Proposal was offer’d for Settling 2000 Protestants of the Canton of Apenzel, in Georgia.

8. A Proposal offer’d also from Geneva for Sending people thither; both proposed to be Settled there on as good terms as any had before been Sent. This matter was refer’d to future consideration.

9. We prepared and directed to be wrote fair our petition to Parliament for a further Supply; as also a calculation of our Wants, and the necessary Sum to be ask’d, to be Shewn to particular Members when we present our petition. I desired an article might be inserted of 20 Men to be employ’d in cultivating lands for religious uses, which number Mr. Oglethorpe Said would in 3 years time cultivate 300 acres.

10. Capt. Jenkins who was lately at Savannah told us the people were in a happy [condition]. That he found in the woods divers plants and herbs that grew both Southward & Northward, even as far as Moscovy where he had been. That there are Trees in Georgia bearing a finer cotton than in any other parts, and that they had planted the Coffee berry. That there is a face of Industry, & the Spaniards at Augustin are in fear of us, But the people of Carolina, where he afterwards went, are exceedingly incenced against us.

[N.B.] 24 feby. 1736–7. Mr. Causton Sent the Trustees the following Account of the Inhabitants of Savannah town at the time of his writing:

2 March 30.

1. Seal put to our petition to Parliament for a further Supply, and approved of the form of motions to be made for lying before the house an Account of the manner how we disburst the last years Supply.

2. Approved of the estimate & calculation of our wants to be Shewn particular Members.

3. Report was made that Mr. Timothy Wisson deceased had left part of his Estate to Charitable uses, & that half thereof being already Sold, Mr. Callard one of the Trustees had promised 400£ to our Trust, and had a prospect of giving 400£ more when the remainder of the Estate Shall be Sold.

4. Report was made, that Sr. Jacob Bouverie had quitted his purpose of procuring an Act of Parliament to Secure to use the 1000£ he promised: and that he would pay in the money tomorrow.

5. Mr. Berry (formerly mention’d Fol. 83.3) came and renew’d his proposal to go over to Georgia, and there cut timber for to Supply his Majesties navy, which would prove of advantage to our Province, and to his Majesty, by Supplying his Stores with timber at a cheap rate, & particularly with an Oak which he by experience had found would not take the worm. He demanded for his encouragement a yearly Sallary of 200£ payable Quarterly in England, 7 Shillgs. p diem travelling charges when in Georgia, a further gratification according to his Success, 10£ for his freight over, and as much for his return, besides other advantages.

We reply’d, his proposal was very commendable, and would be of great advantage to the Publick, but we were in no condition to bear the expence of it. That He would do well to lay it before the Admiralty, & we Should be extreamly glad they would approve of it.

6. We approved the letter drawn up at our last meeting to be Sent to Mr. Causton.

7. Order’d 50 Muskets & Bayonets to be bought, & Sent tomorrow on board.

8. In the afternoon Several of us met in a Committee of Correspondence, and prepared heads of an answer to be return’d Ct. Zinzendorf concerning his proposal to Send more Moravians over to Georgia. He is now in Holland expecting our answer, and the Common Council gave us full power to transact that affair with him.

9. The Common Council before they broke up, Resolv’d that Mr. Oglethorpe Should be desired to issue Francis Moore Recorder of Frederica (now in England) 1000£ Sterlg. in Sola bills, and that the Said bills be dated Some day in Novbr. last, before Mr. Oglethorpe and the Said Francis Moore left Georgia. And that they be Sent by the Peter and James, Capt. Diamond to Mr. Causton as Cash for the present Supply of the Colony. And that the 500£ Credit in provisions and money which Mr. Simons was desired to give Mr. Causton be countermanded.

10. Order for cancelling Sola bills paid.

11. Jacob Lopez de Crasto, a Jew in Georgia, having marry’d Siporah, widow of David Lopez de Paz, and thereby becoming possest of her 50 acre lot as well as his own, desired leave to dispose of one of them to Such purchasser as he could get. We refer’d the matter to Mr. Causton to make us a report thereon.

12. Report from the Committee of Accts. being read, concerning Capt. Thompson’s demand for demurrage, freight of goods, and bring Mr. Oglethorpe over, We allow’d his demand.

13. Report from the Said Committee was read, concerning presents made by Capt. Dempsy to Several persons at St. Augustine where he was employed to negotiate the Treaty with the Govr. of that town & Fort, and the Same amounting to 83.2.0 was allow’d.

[N.B.] 7 March 1736–7. This day Ld. Limerick presented our petition to Parliament for a Supply, and was Seconded by Mr. Duncan Forbes, advoct. Genl. of Scotland. It was refer’d to the Committee of Supply without opposition, only Some gave their noes to it.

9 March 31.

A Common Council was Summond to dispatch business postponed last meeting, but we were not a board.

1. We did no business, only discoursed over our affairs. I Said I was Sorry that in our calculation of expences for this year, we did not Set down 3000£ for a perpetual Fund for the maintenance of Ministers in our Colony by applying the Interest of the money that way. But Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d it could not be, for that the 20000£ we propose to ask for will not answer even what we propose as most necessary, wherefore we must provide for our Ministers by Subscriptions. Mr. Vernon Said he would Subscribe 20£ p ann. Some others were also So disposed, but it was not likely this would come to much, and besides would be very precarious. It could never come to 200£ p ann., for So much would be wanting to maintain 4 Ministers, viz. 1 at Frederica, 1 at Savannah, 1 Itinerant Missioner for the distant Settlements, & 1 to be employ’d in converting the Indians.

I proposed that Mr. Whitfeild Should be appointed for Frederica, Mr. Jo. Wesley for Savannah, Mr. Charles Wesley for Itinerant Minister, and Mr. Ingham for Indian Missioner, who is now learning the Creek tongue.

14 March 32.

This was neither a Common Council or Trustee Board, but an appointment at Ld. Limerick’s desire to consider of Joseph Watson’s case (See Fol. 62.1), One of our lycensed Traders, who glory’d in killing an Indian by drinking him to death. This Man had been try’d at Savannah for that and other offences, and found guilty but at the Same time, the Jury represented him as out of his Senses, & on that account desired we would Shew him favour. This transaction fell out the beginning of the year 1735, and as Soon as the Trustees had notice of it from Mr. Causton, they directed him to confine Watson as a Lunatice, until having recover’d his Senses, a Commission Should be Sent to try him for the Murder: for he had been indited only of a misdemeanor.

Accordingly was confined as a Lunatick and had remaind So ever Since, whereupon his wife came over & made heavy complaints against Mr. Causton, and proceeded So far as to present his case to a member of Parliament for redress.

My Ld. Limerick much concerned thereat, and ignorant of the truth, had recourse to our Office to See what we had done therein, and afterwards Shew’d the Member above mention’d, the verdict past by the Jury, wch. prevented his complaining to the house, but my Ld. Limerick was desirous we Should take the case into further consideration; the Woman continuing very clamerous, and many thinking, hardly of us.

After refreshing our memory’s by consulting our books, Mr. Oglethorpe was of opinion, that if Watson were released, it would be interpreted by the unruly people of Savannah our censure of Causton for having confin’d him, and they would grow more insolent. And as he was in his conscience persuaded, that Watson not only drank the Indian dead by design (he having had a quarrel with him, and afterwards boasted he killed him) but that he poison’d his liquour, as the other Indians aledged, and appear’d by Several Symptoms on his body after he was dead, he was of opinion to Send over a commission to try Watson of murder.

But Mr. Holland who is a lawyer Said it was against law to try Men twice for the Same Fact, & with him we all joined.

Then Some Gentlemen proposed that orders Should be Sent to Mr. Causton to proceed to pass Sentence, which might be corporal punishment.

But this my Ld. Limerick opposed, as a great hardship to punish corporally a Man after 2 years confinement.

Then it was proposed that Watson Should be fined, and remain in confinement till he had found Security for his good behaviour, or else banished.

But this was not thought proper, it not belonging to us to direct what punishment the Magistrate Should inflict, and Mr. Oglethorpe added, that to banish him (tho a good thing to be rid of him) would be understood a favour done him.

My opinion was, that we Should write to know if he is Still out of his Senses, for if he is, he ought Still to remain confined, if not, the Magistrate without direction would at least fine him, and oblige him to give Security for his good behaviour for a certain number of years, if not for life. To this I think the Gentlemen agreed.

Mr. Oglethorpe Said Watson would certainly have been found guilty, of murder, if Indian evidence had been allow’d to be taken. Hereupon we all thought it proper that an Act Should pass to allow of Indian evidence, and that the Same Should be consider’d of by the Common Council.

[N.B.] 14 March 1736–7. I had private information this day (which proved true) that Sr. Robert Walpole had agreed Mr. Oglethorpe Should return to Georgia with the Commission of Genl. of the Forces of South Carolina and Georgia, but that Mr. Oglethorpe desired they might be Separate Commissions.

Also that at Mr. Oglethorpe’s desire Coll. Horsey was to go Govr. of South Carolina, to the great advantage of our Province, he being a friend to it.

Also that Mr. Willm. Stephens would go over & be Secrety. of Our Province, which gave me great pleasure, as I knew it would to all the Trustees, being Sure he would regularly correspond with us So that we Should know all that post there; and that his influence and example would have great weight there, being a man of age, experience, Sober, and of calm temper.

[N.B.] 16 March. This day Ld. Limerick moved in the Committee of Supply for 20000£ to carry on the Service of Georgia, and tho there were many noes, no body Spoke against it.

The Same day Mr. Vernon and I dining with our Accompt. at the Cyder house, Dr. Hales brought a benefaction from a Gentleman unknown, of 100£ to be apply’d to the Support of an Indian Missioner.

Also came Mrs. Stanley Publick Midwife of Savannah to whom we allow 5 Shillings for every woman she lays. She lately came over to ly in her Self, not caring to trust her Self to the other Midwifes in our Province.

She Said She had brought into the World Since her going over (which was in the 1 Embarkation 3 Nov. 1732) 128 children, of whom 40 were dead.

She gave an extraordinary account of the peoples industry, and attendance on Divine Worship, and greatly commended Mr. Jo. Wesley, who went about from house to house, exhorting the Inhabitants to Religion and virtue.

She Said Some relations of her husband had promised to Send from Madera a great quantity of Vines, and her husband did not doubt of making good wine, the Vines in the Publick garden having Succeeded extreamly well and produced very large grapes.

That tho Mr. Paul Amatis was dead, and his brother run away, yet the Silk affair goes on and will Succeed, and it was talk’d at Savannah that this year a hundred pound weight of Silk would be Sent us. That when he died, his wife who had been his maid Servant gave up to the Magistrate all the machines and Eggs. That a great number of Mulberry trees had been planted out of our garden, and the worms have leaves enough for their Sustenance.

She Said her husband had cultivated his 5 acre lot entirely, & intended to go upon his 45 acre lot, but desired We would allow him two Servants, without which, it could not be done, he being Sexton of Savannah Church, which took up Some of his time: besides which he Kept a cart, and hoped to be employ’d in our Publick Works.

We ask’d her how the Inhabitants did, when Mr. Quincy was absent from his Parish? She reply’d he was frequently absent, & then a Presbiterian Minister came and Supply’d his place. That the Church is too Small, altho there are Several other Religions there, as Presbiterians, Jews, Moravians and Anabaptists who have all their Teachers.

17 March 33.

This was our Anniversary day of meeting for having an annual Sermon, and filling up vacancies in the Common Council.

1. Mr. Verelts presented an Acct. of Receipts and disbursmts. from 9 June 1736 to this day, with a particular of Expences accrued & accruing to Midsumer 1737. And then,

2. We elected 3 of our Trustees into the Common Council in the room of Mr. White & Mr. Moore who formerly resign’d, and of Mr. Hucks who resign’d this day. The Gentlemen were Mr. Talbot (now Ld. Talbot by the Ld. Chancellors death the 14 feby. last) Mr. Thomas Archer, and Mr. Robert Ayers, Son to the late Chief Justice. We also elected Sr. Jacob Bouverie a Trustee.

On this occasion Something very remarkable past between Mr. Hucks, Mr. White (whose conduct to the Trust may be Seen Fol. XCVII, CIV.5, CVIII.5, & CIX) and me. Those Gentlemen apprehensive that Some more Clergymen might be proposed for Trustees, took me aside before we enterd on business, and Said they hoped none of that Sort would be proposed, for they Should oppose it, and were therefore for chusing no Trustees at all to prevent an occasion being given.

To this I reply’d I knew of no Such design, but one new Trustee we were under a necessity of taking in namely Sr. Jacob Bouverie, who had given 1000£ to us, and had accepted to be chosen, and it would be monstrous after that not to do it.

Soon after, Mr. White (who had a mind Mr. Archer Should be elected preferable to Mr. Ayers whom most of the gentlemen were for) came again to me, and Said, that if Mr. Archer were chosen, it would not prejudice Mr. Ayers, for Mr. Hucks intended to resign, which would make room for him. But as Soon as Mr. Archer was chosen, he came a third time to me, and Said Mr. Hucks had changed his mind & would not resign. I Reply’d I was glad to hear it, tho Sorry Mr. Ayers was dissappointed who living always in town would attend more frequently than Mr. Archer could be expected to do who lived much in the Country, and we all Knew what difficulties we were under in getting Common Council boards, and how much our business Suffer’d on that account. I Spoke this wth. an air that Shew’d I did not like Such mean artifices to carry points, which he observing, went back to the corner of the room to Mr. Hucks and Mr. LaRoch, and after a Small consultation Mr. Hucks came up to the table and deliverd his resignation.

He assured us it was not out of dislike to any Gentleman, or that he grew cool in his affections to the colony that he left us, but purely because his business in trade obliged him to be absent when we met, which was prejudicial to our proceedings, as it often dissappointed us of Common Council boards. He therefore thought himself obliged to resign, and make room for a Gentleman whom he perceived every Member was desirous Should be chosen, Mr. Ayers.

I told him I was confident I Spoke the Sense of every Gentleman present in Saying, it was a great concern to us to See One who was originally appointed in the Charter and had been So constantly zealous and usefull to us, Should now quit the Common Council, and as to my Self it most Sensibly affected me. However I hoped he would Still give his attendance as often as his business would permit as a Trustee, and even on Common Council affairs would come and assist with his advice. He reply’d he would do both, But rarely did either, which was the case of most who at Several times resign’d, tho they made large promises.

3. After this, all present who were not Members of Parliamt. went to Church, the rest going away to attend the Report of the Committee upon our 20000£ Supply, but they return’d to dine with us at the Castle Tavern. Dr. Warren preach’d to us.

It was observable Dr. Bundy tho the Church was his own was not present: our not granting the Ministers land in glebe Stuck in his gizard.

4. At dinner we were the following Members; and the persons invited were Capt. Hugh Mackay, Dr. Warren, and Mrs. Whitfeild. The whole number with our Secy. & Accompt. 22.

[N.B.] 19 March 1736–7. Our Accompt. acquainted me that by a Ship just arrived from Carolina, that the Spaniards design’d to attack Georgia from the Havana, notwithstand our late Treaty of pacification with the Govr. of St. Augustine; and thereupon that the Commodore of the Kings Guardships in America had order’d them all to joyn him to defend our Province.

[N.B.] About the Same time arrived a letter from Mr. Horton (to whom Mr. Oglethorpe committed the care of the Militia of Frederica at his departure) that the people were resolv’d to defend themselves against the Spaniards if attack’d. That they were industrious, but wanted corn to sow.

21 March. 34.

1. The Trustees took under consideration the petition presented to the King and Privy Council last week by Sarah Watson, complaining against Mr. Causton, The Trustees and in particular of Mr. Oglethorpe for an unjust Tryall of Joseph Watson her husband, & the confining him a lunatick, to the ruin of his fortune. There were diverse unfair insinuations & misrepresentations contain’d in this petition. We drew up heads of instructions to be given our Lawyers against the Cause is heard before the Committee of Council & order’d that the Sollicitor & Attorney Should be retain’d on our Side.

3. [#2 omitted] A letter from Mr. Dobree at Frederica inform’d us that not one person was Sick there, & that most of them were industrious, but they are in great want of a Minister to perform Ecclesiastical Offices.

4. Resolv’d that Mr. Oglethorpe be desired to issue to Fra. Moore now in England 1000£ in Sola bills at 10£ each, to be Sent to Mr. Causton for particular uses, to be exprest in a letter that goes with Capt. ________ tomorrow.

5. Order’d ½ years Sallary to the Saltsburg Ministers.

6. Order’d 5 guineas to the Midwife Stanley while She Stays in England, to be repaid by her husband.

7. Order’d that Mary Cooper Widow, now here, be paid 10.10.0 being the Rent of her house let for that Sum to a Tenant in Georgia, and that her rent be paid to our Acct. in Georgia.

8. Agreed to the Committees report for gratifying Capt. Dempsy for his Services whilst in Georgia.

9. Order’d a puncheon Iron for cancelling Georgia Sola Bills.

[N.B.] 22 March 1736–7. Embark’d for Georgia at the Trustees charge on board the Peter and James, Capt. Diamond, 11 Males & 7 females.

23 March. 35.

1. Mr. Tho. Archer, Member of Parliamt. for Warwick, Mr. Ayers, Commissionr. of Excise, and Ld. Talbot, Sworn into their Office of Common Counsellors.

2. Benefactions reported: 100£ for the use of a Missioner to instruction of the Indians (mention’d 16th inst. Fol. 175) from a Gentlewoman unknown; 50£ legacy by the late Sr. Jo. Philips for the relief of the Saltsburgers or other persecuted Protestants. And Some lesser gifts.

3. A letter from Mr. Eveleigh (but without name) to Mr. Oglethorpe was readed, dat. from Charlestown, giving Acct. that the Spaniards design’d to attack Georgia, and that the Govermt. of Carolina were taking divers precautions to defend their Province and Ours. That Ships of 86, 56. & 20 guns were building at the Havana. That a Ship was arrived thither from Old Spain with 500 Soldiers.

4. A letter was read from Dobree Clerk of the Stores at Frederica confirming the Same, adding the report was the Spaniards design’d to fall on our Province.

5. Mr. Wrag the Mercht. came to Shew us a letter he had recieved from his brother in Carolina confirming the Same, and that the Spaniards design’d to publish a Proclamation, declaring all Negroes free who Should not assist their Masters.

6. This news is come authentically confirm’d from Capt. Dent, Commodore to his Majesties Guardships in America to Sr. Charles Wager, dat. 3 Novbr. last, acquainting him, that by private Intelligence from St. Iago de la Vega, he was inform’d, that a person who had formerly been on the English half pay, but was Struck off, and thereby disgusted, was just arrived there from Cadix in 70 days. That he took on him a borrow’d name, and pretended to be an Irish Man. That immediatly on his arrival, a report ran that Georgia was to be attack’d, and preparations were making for it. That Ships were building at the Havana &c, and he had thereupon Sent for the Kings Ships to joyn him.

7. Mr. Oglethorpe reed, other letters that the Province of Carolina was much alarm’d, and had order’d the Creek Indians to go down against the Florida Indians to keep them in Play, that they might not joyn the Spaniards. This was very hasty, and might have proved of ill consequence, for it is hard to restrain our Indians from falling on the Spaniards, and in that case the latter would Say we were the first who broke the late Treaty.

8. Our condition at that time was bad: For tho we had about 700 men in our Province capable to bear arms, not above 300 could be got together to defend either Savannah or Frederica, in either of which places we had but little amunition, and no military Man fit to command.

[N.B.] 23 March 1736–7. Altho the Spaniards design to attack Georgia blew over, yet that they had Such intention, and continued it for a considerable time (not without Suspicion that the French also purposed to invade Carolina), appears by Several letters received by our English Merchants from Charlestown.

[N.B.] The 25 March 1737. Mr. Saml. Eveleigh wrote to his correspondent in London, that a Sloop was arrived from the Govr. of Providence with a packet, on reading which, it was Sent to Capt. Windham who commanded the Kings Sloops at Carolina, together with 5 affidavits made before that Govr. by 5 Englishmen who had been lately prisoners at the Havana, and were newly arrived there. These letters confirm’d the Accts. of the preparations of the Spaniards at the Havanah against Carolina.

That Capt. Dunbar was come from Georgia wth. an Acct. that at Frederica, Darien and Savannah all was well prepared, and the Inhabitants resolved to defend themselves. That the Forts at the two former Towns are Strong & regular, and a great progress was made in the 3d at Savannah.

That the night before the date of his letter Capt. Colcock was come in 15 days from the French town of Moville, and brought account, that a French Man of War was arived there, and that 2 more were expected wth. 1200 Soldiers: that they brought with them Several Warlick necessaries, particularly Some Small Mortars. That they design’d to make a third attack on the Chickesaws with 2000 White Men & 1000 Chacktaws. That an Acct. of this design had been given the Chacktaws, who bravely Sent down word to the French Govr. that they needed not put themselves to the trouble of coming to them, for that they would meet them half way, if they would let them know of their coming. That the Chickesaws had for a long time had constant War with the Chocktaws and had kill’d vast numbers of them wth. very little loss on their Side, insomuch that not only the Indians, but the French themselves were very much afraid of them, and acknowledge them to be the Stoutest Indians on the Main. That the French Officers dread going to War against them, & Say they dont understand Bush fighting. That the Soldiers now arived and expected, are all Roman Catholicks, & the few Switzers there who are Protestants were orderd home & there to be discharg’d.

That a gentleman there named Tarascoe, and a friend to the English was clapt into prison and put in Irons, and it was Said would be Sent home & put into the gallies.

That the Chacktaws had taken 2 Chickesaws, and carry’d them in great Triumph to Moville where they were burnt after a cruel and barbarous manner. One of them was a boy of about 10 or 11 years old.

[N.B.] On the 27 March 1737 Andrew Rutledge Esq., a Member of the Council of South Carolina confirm’d the Acct. of the Spaniards intending a Decent from Cuba, in a letter to his friend in London, and Said they were Soon expected.

In another letter of near the Same date, it was written as follows to a Merchant of London: The certain advices from the Havanah by the way of Providence made me hurry away 100 barrils of Rice Short of my cargo, for fear of an Embargo, which I had reason to fear would be laid on in a few days. The advice which was a few days before I Sail’d, confirm’d the former, of the Spaniards arming at the Havana, and that they only waited for the Barliavento Squadron to Strengthen their Naval Force with 2 or 3 Men of War. They are to carry Six hundred Troops from thence to joyne an equal number at St. Augustine, besides Volunteers &c. On receipt of these advices, Expresses were dispatch’d by the Govr. & Council to their Agents in the Creek & other Nations to endeavour to raise 800 of them, 500 to be Sent to Georgia, and orders given to others to buy Rice and Corn for provisions for them.

That there is reason to believe the Spaniards views are not confin’d to Georgia, but extend to Carolina, where they have neither Forts nor Castles worth mentioning to Secure their Stores, provisions, Women & children in, But must leave them exposed to a more dreadful Enemy than the Spaniards, viz. their Slaves, to whom the Spaniards are to give them their freedom, and I am jealous that Some of them know it; For a few days before I Sail’d, wch. was the 23 of March, they rob’d a Store at Dorchester of Arms & amunition, So that the Carolinians have only to depend on their own courage & Strength in the feild, and if they come to engage, God only Knows the Event, & you may guess what a fright the Sight of a formidable Enemy would put them in.

Also Paul Jennys Esq. Speaker of the Assembly of South Carolina wrote to his friend in London 21 March that the Spaniards design’d to attack Georgia with 1000 land forces, but waited for the Barliavento fleet consisting of 4 Ships from 60 to 26 guns, to join two others from the Havana.

About the Same time Mr. Causton wrote us that the Lt. Govr. had inform’d him by letter that he was coming down in person with a body to the borders of South Carolina to defend Georgia.

On the 18th of the Same month Capt. Gascoign wrote Mr. Oglethorpe he believed the Spaniards persisted in their design.

The Same month Mr. Hawkins wrote the Trustees that the people of Frederica were industrious, and Since the embarkation there had died but one old woman Of 60 years, & a child of 4.

Davison the Chairman a Constable of Frederica wrote me that he had built him a brick house 3 Story high and fenced in his whole Lot, and desired a Servant without which it was impossible to cultivate.

30 March. 36.

1. Benefactions reported: 50£ from an unknown Gentlewoman for building a Church at Frederica: 10£ from the Bishop of Gloster (Dr. Bentson) for the religious uses of the Colony, And Sr. Jacob Bouverie presented us the 1000£ formerly mentioned. Report was also made of a benefaction intended to be made us of a Town Seal for Savannah.

2. Report of 858.6.6 paid into the Bank, being the Produce of Rice from Carolina, bought by Mr. Oglethorpe when in Georgia, for the Stores. But being more than necessary, he sent it over to England to be Sold, and thereon arose a profit to the Trust.

3. A letter from Lt. Govr. Broughton to the Trustees dat. 7 Feby. last, was read, acquainting us that the Spaniards are preparing to attack Georgia, and fitting out a fleet for that end. But that S. Carolina were taking measures to march troops to their Southern borders to be near at hand to assist us.

4. A like letter came to Bristol and was read at our board that the Spaniards would attack our Province wth. 11 Ships.

5. Mr. Oglethorpe acquainted us that the French were marching 500 regular Troops to attack the Chickesaws with intent utterly to extirpate that nation, and had order’d the Albamas Fort which is the nearest to Carolina to be repaird, & then put a garison into it of 1000 Men.

6. Mr. Elisha Dobree Clerk of our Stores at Frederica, having wrote to desire his wife might be Sent over to him, we order’d her to attend, but She declined going, alledging he was a whimsical Man, and not able to maintain her & her 3 children.

7. Mr. White Council for the Trustees in Joseph Watson’s business, & Mr. Paris our Sollicitor, attended us for instructions. They observed to us 2 heads of complaint, in his wifes petition to the Council board, One against Mr. Causton our Bailif for arbitrary proceedings, the Other for confining her husband as a Lunatick.

We reply’d, that as to Mr. Causton, he was chief Magistrate, and no petition had come from Watson to be reliev’d against him till last year, and without information on Cash (which we never had) we could not enquire into his conduct in that affair, for that were to Suppose a Magistrate guilty of misbehaviour, without any proof. Secondly, that as to the Trustees continuing Watson in confinement, the Jury had brought him in guilty, but out of his Senses, and Such persons are under the Magistrates care, till they recover. That there are others will Swear he is Some times out of his Senses, and Mr. Oglethorpe added Several instances of it, as his running naked about the town &c. That Men are deem’d Lunaticks tho Sometimes in their Senses, and that his confinment was a protection to his person, the Indians Seeking his life for having murder’d (as they believed) the Indian, not only by drinking him to death as Watson brag’d, but by poisoning his drink. That besides he was concerned in the Red ribbon plot of rising & killing the Inhabitants, & had Said he had been the ruin of 2 Colonies, & would be of a third, by wch. he could mean no other than Georgia.

8. Accompts of Mr. Saml. Eveleigh for necessaries bought by him for Georgia, lately arrived, were referr’d to the Committee of Accts.

9. 7 Casks of Skins arrived from Georgia were orderd to be Sold at 2 Shill. nine pence p hund. weight.

10. Order for paying 5.5.0 to a person in recompence for recovering a Survey of the Coast of Georgia, from the Executors of a person dead.

11. Order for paying the Revd. Mr. Cha. Wesley 25£ for officiating in Georgia, being for ½ years Sallary paid him before & now confirmed.

12. Resolv’d that the Attorney Genl. be retain’d in the cause of Watsons petition.

13. Resolv’d that on all occasions where the Trust are to be engaged in law Affairs, that the Attorny. & Sollicr. Genl. be retain’d.

14. Agreed to certain Articles for Jo. Pye to be a Clerke of the Stores at Savannah.

15. Agreed that Saml. Hurst be employ’d as Clerke of the Stores either at Savannah or Frederica, on the Same terms wth. Jo. Pye.

16. Mr. Zuberbullers proposal to carry 150 persons from Switserland to Georgia, were read, and refer’d to the Committee of correspondence.

17. A proposal from Mr. Dant McLaulan to carry over whole Clans of Scots to Georgia was read, to which I absolutly refused my consent, he being the Minister whose gown was Stript off his back for writing last year a pamphlet to prove that whoring is no Sin.

1 April. 37.

A Common Council was Summond upon extraordinary business Specially to be considered. But I could not be present, being obliged to attend my Son who died this morning.

1. Upon Mr. Oglethorpes representation of Lieut. Hugh Mackay’s Services in Georgia, given under his hand & specified, Thanks were orderd him & 100£ present.

2. Lieut. Govr. Broughton’s letter to the Trustees dat. 7 feb. 1736/7 was read giving Acct. of the Spaniards preparations at the Havana & St. Augustine to attack Georgia, as Signified to him by Commodore Dent.

3. A letter to the Same purpose was read from Bristol dat. 26 March 1737 wrote by Mr. Will. Jeffryes to Messrs. Baker in London.

4. Orderd Copies of these letters to be Sent to the D. of Newcastle.

5. Orderd that Mr. Ayers, Mr. Hen. Archer, Mr. Tho. Towers & Mr. Holland be desired to prepare the following laws:

A law for taking Indian Evidence.

A law against the use of gold & Silver in Aparel & Furniture, and for preventing Luxury.

A law to oblige Ships clearing out of Savanna & the Allatahama Rivers to pay a pound of pistol powder p tun Port duty.

A law to regulate the manner of private persons giving Credit to one another, & the manner of Suing for their debts.

4 April. 38.

We only did Trustee business.

1. Order’d that Mr. Ayers, Mr. Tho. Archer, Mr. Holland & Mr. Tho. Towers be a Committee to prepare the following Laws:

a. For allowing of Indian Evidence in our Courts.

b. To regulate the manner of private persons giving credit to each other in Georgia, & of Suing for debts.

c. To regulate the Watch & Settle the Militia.

d. A Sumptuary law to regulate aparel & furniture, and prevent extravagance & luxury.

e. A law to oblige Ships clearing out of Savannah and Allatahama rivers to pay a pound of pistol powder duty p Tun, according to the Tonnage for Port duty. N.B. The Gentleman appointed to prepare these laws never did any thing in them.

2. Mr. White and Mr. Paris attended to recieve further instructions in Watsons cause, and Some alterations we made to our Memorial for the Privy Council on that Subject, and orderd that the Same be Shewd to the Attorney Genl.

3. The Seal was put to our answer to Ct. Zinsendorf for Sending more Moravians over. Regularly a Trustee board could not do it, but a former Common Council, having given the Committee of Correspondence full power to make the Ct. an answer, we did it in that capacity.

4. This morning Ld. Tirconnel, Mr. Oglethorpe, Mr. LaRoch & others waited on the D. of Newcastle to communicate to him the Acct. we had recieved from Carolina of the Spaniards new design to invade Carolina & Georgia. His Grace reply’d, what ever could be done, care Should be taken to protect us.

5. A paper was prepared by us to give Sr. Robt. Walpole, expressing the impossibility of carrying on our designs, unless Some Stated allowance were made for an annual Support of our Forts & Civil Goverment, to be given into Parliament by way of Estimate, in the manner that other Governments in America are provided for. And we determin’d that as many of our Gentlemen as could be prevaild on Should wait on him Some day this week to present him our paper.

[N.B.] 4 April 1737. This day Mr. Oglethorpe acquainted us, that his Commission of Genl. in Chief of the Forces in South Carolina & Georgia, ly’s made out in the Office, but that he will not accept it until his desire be comply’d with to have a Regiment of 700 Men with the Commission of Coll. wherewith to defend the two Provinces.

He reckon’d up about 7000 Indians we may depend on for our friends, viz. 400 Chickesaws, 1500 Creeks, & 5000 Chacktaws: But that the French have 16 or 20000.

He Shew’d us the Plan of Frederica Fort, which has 4 bastions wth. a ditch and double Palisadoes, and at present contains a garison of 100 Men, but can contain 40 more, and is capable of defence unless attack’d in a regular manner with Cannon.

6 April. 39.

A Common Council was Summond to consider of a letter from Inverness, and Sending a Ship to Scotland for Servants now engaging for Georgia, and other immediate business; but we were not a board.

1. Mr. Sharp Clerk of the Council came, and deliverd to us by the Ld. Presidents order a petition given by the wife of Joseph Watson to his Lordship desiring the Committee of Council would dispatch the hearing of her complaints, on Suggestion that unless Some orders are Speedily Sent by the next Ship to Bailif Causton, he will have finish’d the prison he is building, and destroy her husband by confining him therein. The petition was so absurd that we took no notice of it.

2. Mr. McLaulan (mention’d Fol. 181.17) appear’d again, & presented a proposal to carry over to Georgia 100 Scots at his own expence. Mr. Oglethorpe had appointed him to come, and was fond of the proposal because it would Strengthen the Colony: but I declared I never would consent that So vile a Wretch Should be allow’d to go & Spoil the morals of our people.

Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d, that if we discouraged the Scots from going, we Should want men to defend the Province and the reason we had for discouraging them would not be known. Wherefore he thought it prudent to call the man in, and give him the true reason for our rejecting him, to which perhapps he might give Some answer that would Satisfy us that he had been injured, & possibly he might Shew he was not the Author of that book.

Finding Mr. Oglethorpe Set upon the matter, & that I was not Supported by my Ld. Tirconnel or Mr. Anderson (who now were all the members remaining at the board and knew nothing of the affair) I acquiesced. So he was call’d in, and inform’d he had given great Scandal by a book publish’d by him to justify Fornication and was therefore unfit to be Sent to Georgia: However we would hear what he had to Say to it. He Said he was indeed author of that book, but had wrote it with no ill design. That Sr. ___________ of Scotland having made proposals to the Goverment to raise the Rents of an Estate the D. of Arguile held from the Crown, he wrote the book to ridicule that Knight, & So the preface would Shew had it been printed with the book. That afterwards Some of his young friends advised him to print; he did So, and was Sorry for it.

I reply’d this was no Satisfactory answer; that I had read the book, and there were most Shocking passages in it, not only perverting the Scriptures, but calling God to wittness Scandalous immorality, and ending his book with a prayer to open mens Eyes.

Mr. Oglethorpe who is a man of religious principles Said this border’d on blasphemy, and was most Surprising to hear, and ask’d him whether he was not a Minister?

He reply’d he had been one, but being call’d to account by the Kirk for writing that book, he had renounc’d that Church, and had turn’d Episcopalian of the Church of England.

Mr. Oglethorpe ask’d him if [he] had publickly profest the Church of England? He answer’d no, but he had let his friends know it. Then he ask’d him if he had been to wait on the Bishop of London or any other Bishop to express repentance of his crime, and had received any censure, or made publick recantation?

He answer’d the Bishop of London had apply’d to Sr. Robt. Walpole to take him up, which when he heard he surrender’d himself, from which time he remain’d a year & half confin’d, So that he could not wait on the Bishop; but he had wrote Several times to him, with offer to make what recantation he pleased, or Suffer any punishment, So he might have his pardon & freedom. But the Bishop Sent him word the matter was now out of his hands, the Civil Power having taken notice of it. We then desired him to withdraw, and debated what to do with him. At length it was concluded to tell him, that if he could find a way to See the Bishop and make Such Submission to him as was Satisfactory, and if thereupon the Bishop would certify in his favour, we then would consider his application to go to Georgia. But till that was done, We could not be justified in Sending over a person who Stood censured both by the Civil & Ecclesiastical Power.

Upon his being told this, he answer’d that he had promises to be Speedily Set free, and then he would wait on the Bishop, and declare to him that he was ready to Submit to any punishment he Should inflict on him, and even write against his former book, if he commanded him: So we got rid of him for this time.

3. As we were rising a Packet come fresh from Georgia was brought, wherein was a letter from Mr. Jo. Bromfeild ye Register of our Province acquainting us,

a. That the Allarm of the Spaniards purpose to attack us had put the Inhabitants of Savannah on building a Fort which went on with alacrity.

b. That the People had a desire to chuse their own Bailifs.

c. That those who had not yet cultivated their lands were excusable, partly because their lands were not yet Survey’d to them, partly that Some of their Lotts were Pyne barren and half Swamp.

d. That neither had they enclosed for want of help, whereby the Cattle and Vermin had eaten up their corn.

e. In the general he gave a very indifferent account of the Colony, and desired we would not entertain So good thoughts of it as we probably did.

14 April. 40.

A Common Council Summon’d to consider of the Terms where on Mr. Stephens was willing to Serve the Trustees as Secret, in Georgia, and to order the Arms, gunpowder & Servants by the Ship Two brothers—Capt. Thompson, going to Scotland & from thence to Georgia & other business, but we were no board.

1. Mr. Paris our Sollicitor attended to acquaint us, that he had given the Attorney Genl. our answer to Mrs. Watson’s petition, which he took into the Country to peruse, and had return’d it with an endorsment, that Our answer was too general, and not Satisfactorily at all to him, but that he advised we Should make a particular answer to each particular of her complaint.

Mr. Oglethorpe Said that a general answer was all we ought to make, and this by way of Information only to the Privy Council: that otherwise, for a Set of Gentlemen in England incorporated by Charter to acknowledge the Privy Council’s power as if we were Subject to their jurisdiction, and to make ourselves as in duty bound accountable to them, and obliged to obey their commands by making answer to them, would render us lyable to a Premunire, and So he had told the Ld. President. If therefore we were call’d on by the Privy Council to answer for any fault committed by us here, we are not to make answer. But if the Privy Council has power to take cognizance of any malversation in Georgia, and if they desire no more than information from us concerning Transactions in Georgia, in order to their proceeding on things done there, it would be proper to give it them, but this by way of information only, & for that a general answer was Sufficient.

Mr. Paris own’d what Mr. Oglethorpe Said was true, but he Supposed the Privy Council only Sent to us to know what proceedings in Georgia had been transmitted to us relating to Watson.

Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d, So much was proper, but Still if the Privy Council intended to determine on the complaint, they must Send to Georgia for further lights, or give us time to do it for their information: otherwise for them to proceed to judgment in the first instance without hearing Mr. Causton the person complain’d of in his defence, would be partial and unjust.

Mr. Paris reply’d the Attorney would return to town on Monday, and then he would discourse the matter with him.

2. We then desired him to present a Memorial to the Board of Trade, that we might come to a Speedy hearing on the Carolina complaint; for we thought it hard & un-usual for defendants in a cause to be denied a Speedy hearing, and harder Still to be put off So long at the desire of the Complainants. Neither was it a decent usage of a Set of Gentlemen appointed by charter. The truth is the Board of Trade were most partial against us through the whole course of this Affair, knowing how little Sr. Robert Walpole cared for us, and being prejudiced against us by the Carolina Merchants.

[N.B.] 14 April 1737. The Queen told me at Court this day, that the Georgia Trustees had been under a mistake. I reply’d I Should be glad to know where in that we might mend it. She Said the Silk of which her gown was made last year was indeed the finest She ever Saw, but She was told it came from Italy not from Georgia. I reply’d Smiling the only ground for that report was that we had debauch’d away from Piedmont two Italians & Sent them to Georgia where I assured her the Silk was work’d. This Shews what pains was taken to injure us at Court.

18 April. 41.

1. An answer to Lt. Govr. Broughtons letter to us (See fol. 180.3) wherein he acquainted us with the Spaniards design to attack us and the care taken by Carolina for our defence, was drawn up. I thought it not Sufficiently civil, But Mr. Oglethorpe would have it that we ought not to compliment him too much, lest advantage Should be taken by the Carolinians to think we courted them, after Sending Such a Representation against us to the King and Council. We therefore only thank’d him for his intelligence, and hoped we Should be able to make head agst. the Spaniards, not doubting but Mr. Causton would take due care therein. But no thanks were return’d him for the care that Province was taking for our Security.

2. Order’d that it be refer’d to the Committee of Correspondence to contract with the Owners of the Ship Two Brothers to go to Inverness in Scotland & take in 40 Servants for Georgia at 5£ p head. And that 20 Shillgs. p head be allow’d for cloathing & bedding for them. And that a reasonable allowance Should be made for as many heads as Should be wanting of that number, the Same to be Settled by a Committee to meet for that purpose. These Scots were design’d to be employ’d on Trust lands. The Capt. to be obliged to Stay 14 days at Inverness, and in case he did not receive the number within that time, he was to be at liberty to Stay or go with Such as he received.

3. Resolv’d that by the Same Ship be Sent 15 barrils of powder for Small arms, 100 Muskets & bayonets, 200 Indian arms, 300 weight of musket balls, 300 weight of Indian gun bullets, 600 weight of lead, a pair of bullet moulds of 9 holes each for musket bore & 2 Iron ladles, a quantity of nails, and 300 pair of Shoes at 4 Shillgs p pair.

4. The Proposals of Will. Stephens Esq. to be our Secretary were read & agreed to, and He appointed Secretary. The conditions made with him were, that he would Serve us in that Post 6 years, and take with him his 3d Son Mr. Thomas Stephens to perform that duty in case himself Should fail. That we Should grant him and his heirs male 500 acres, pay the passage of himself & family over; pay 10 Servants to cultivate his land for one year only; give him 50£ in hand for his voyage, and 50£ more when demanded; that we would furnish his house and allow him for travelling charges when orderd to take journeys by the Board.

5. Mr. Oglethorpe read to us a letter that came to him from Mr. Eveleigh by the last packets, acquainting him, that the Spaniards had been endeavouring to buy up 400 muskets and other warlick Stores at Charlestown, and had received Some other Supplyes from another Province which past through Carolina. That the Ld. Govr. had Seized 3 gentlemen come from Augustine whom he imagined to be Spies, and than an Embargo had been laid on all the Shypping in Carolina, wch. Mr. Oglethorpe Said would be 100,000£ loss to Carolina by reason it would hinder their rice from being exported to Lisbon in the early time when the best market is to be made, and thereby oblige the Portuguese to Supply themselves from Leghorn and Barbary, after which the Carolina rice (not to Speak of the damage it Sustains by lying by) would Sell for far less: besides it might throw that trade into a new channel.

Moreover the taking Men from their farms to make Soldiers of them, on this allarm, would be another great damage to them.

This he Said might have been prevented, if the Ministry had hearken’d to the Memorials Several times presented them by the Board of Trade, Setting forth the necessity of Strengthening Carolina with Some troops.

6. I prest Mr. Oglethorpe to get all the Members he could See in the H. of Commons this day, to go jointly to Sr. Robt. Walpole to obtain of him an assurance that hence forward we Should not be obliged to ask yearly the Parliament for money, but that 6 or 7000£ Should be annually brought in by way of Estimate for Our Colony’s Support, as the other Colonies are Supported, wherein the military charges Should be distinguished from the Civil, and the Civil Supported at a fixt rate by the Governmt. until the Province could Support itself. Otherwise that the Trustees must Surrender their Charter into the Kings hands.

7. Order’d that the Committee of Correspondence Do Settle instructions for Mr. Stephens, before he Sets out.

20 April. 42.

1. Mr. Paris attended, and made report that upon conversation with the Attorney Genl. he had now alterd his opinion and thought the Trustees in the right not to make themselves Parties in Watsons complaint, but to answer only by way of information, what we knew of the matter.

2. He also reported, that he had presented a Memorial to the Board of Trade for a Speedy hearing on the Carolina complaints, representing the hardship of So many & long delays, that it behoved Accusers to be ready to make out their charge, and not desire further time for Strengthening their Evidence, when the defendents were ready to joyn Issue. That the Trustees had Suffer’d in their character by the Carolinians printing their case & depositions, & dispersing it abroad before the Tryal of the cause, & the world were thereby prejudiced against us.

That Mr. Plumer, Ld. Fitzwalter & Col. Bladen were the only Members of the Board present that day. That Mr. Plummer Said nothing, Col. Bladen Said we ought immediately to have a hearing, but Ld. Fitzwilliams Said Mr. Fury Agent of Carolina had been with him that morning, to desire a forbearance of hearing until the Affidavits that were to Support their charge Should come over attested under the Colonies Seal, which he expected by the first Ship, and his Lordship thought that reasonable, otherwise they Should only hear one Side, and when the Affidavits came, there must be a hearing over again.

We desired Mr. Paris would again represent to that Board, that Since the Representation came over, Several Ships were arrived from Carolina, without bringing the affidavits expected, and that ‘twas our belief they only delay’d matters till Mr. Oglethorpe and our wittnesses Should be return’d to Georgia, and we thereby be deprived of our natural defence. We also order’d our Accompt. to aprise Mr. Paris of the names of those Ships, & times of their arrival; as also of the dates of letters reed, by our board & private persons from Carolina, Since the Representation was Sent. We also desired Mr. Paris to demand of the board of Trade a dismiss of the complaint, in case Mr. Fury did not consent to proceed to a hearing.

3. Then as a Committee of Correspondence we agreed with Capt. Thompson of the Two Brothers who was to go on his own acct. to get Servants for private persons in Georgia, That he Should take on board 40 Servants on the Trust Acct. and wait a fortnight for them at Aberdeen. That he Should have 5£ p head for their freight, but if the number could not be got ready by the time, he Should Sail with as many as could, and for what were wanting of the full number Should be allow’d 2£ p head.

And as he had agreed to carry Servants for private persons in Georgia at 10£ p head, and was to Stay a month in Georgia for their payment, if the Masters did not pay him in that time, we would take them into our Service & pay him 8£ p head.

In consideration of this agreement, we further agreed that we would give him 30£ as a premium for the risk he would run of Servants dying on board, because in Such case he was to receive nothing for those who died.

27 April. 43.

1. Mr. Paris attended with the draft of a fresh Memorial to the Board of Trade, for our revisal & approval. It was to reiterate our desire to have a Speedy hearing, & in it was Set forth, that Since the arrival of the Carolina Complaint, and the printing the book, 15 Ships were come from that Province, by none of which came the affidavits So long promis’d to Support the charge against us. But our Secrety. acquainting us that he heard the affidavits were come two days ago by a later Ship, we Suspended the presenting this memorial.

2. Our Accompt. acquainted us that Mr. Oglethorpe had received a letter from Mr. Eveleigh dat. in March last giving acct. that Tomachachi had repair’d to Savannah wth. 60 Indians to asist in building the Fort at Savannah; & that Col. Bull (according to the Commission left with him by Mr. Oglethorpe to command the Militia of Georgia), was march’d down to Savannah with 100 Men. That the Creek Indians had engaged to asist us with a great number in case the Spaniards attack’d us, which considerable Service the Carolinians own is owing to Mr. Oglethorpe. (The Creeks Upper and Lower are 5000 fighting Men.) It did not appear by that letter that the Spaniards had then a design to attack us, what ever they might have intended before.

3. Mr. Burton paid in his 4th yearly gift of 10£ towards the Endowment of a Catechist in Georgia.

4. A letter was read from Mr. Millar the Botonist dat. at Jamaica, acquainting us, that at his arrival he found Some of the Ipicuana root alive, and that he would in a month Send Some of it to Georgia, where if it throve & was not neglected, it would become a valuable Commodity.

5. Mr. Holland to whom it was refer’d in concert wth. Mr. Towers to prepare the 5 new intended laws, represented to the board, that both he and Mr. Towers had So much business on their hands that they could not take the whole of that affair upon them, and therefore desired we would employ Some other Lawyer to make drafts and then they would Supervise them. Thereupon We recommended to them Counsellr. Mason, whose zeal for our Success prompted him to offer his Service, without expectation of Reward. Thus our design of new laws came to nothing, for after a time, Mr. Towers acquainted us the Counsellor had made Such bungling drafts that he could make nothing of them, and not recommending another but declaring he knew of none, no further proceeding was made in that affair.

6. Refer’d to a Committee to consider of a Device for a Town Seal for Savannah Town, which a gentleman intended to present us.

7. Seal put to the articles of Agreement made with Jo. Pye to be a Writer in the Stores.

8. Seal put to the Articles of Agreement made wth. Saml. Hurst to be a Writer in the Stores.

9. Order’d that 300 Acres be laid out at Frederica for Religious Uses there, the produce whereof when cultivated to go to the maintenance of a Minister & Cathechist there, and for other Religious Uses.

10. Resolv’d that 40 Servants be employ’d in clearing & cultivating a Farm Lot of lands reserved for the Publick, to be call’d Bouveries Farm, in discharge of Sr. Jacob Bouveries Benefaction for Sending over Servants to Georgia; which 40 Servants at 25£ p head will amount to the Expence of 1000£.

11. Order’d that an annual Acct. of the produce of Said Lands be kept distinct, and enter’d as the produce of Bouveries Farm, to be apply’d for the Benefits of the Colony.

12. Oath of Office administerd to Will. Stephens Esq. as Secy, of Georgia.

13. Additional Members appointed to the Committee for Settling Mr. Stephens Instructions. His Instructions Seal’d: & a paper Sign’d of more private instructions to him.

14. Grant past to him of 500 acres by which he is obliged to cultivate 200 acres in (blank) years, and the remaining 300 acres in 16 years.

15. Grant past to John Warwick (recommended by the Bishop of Derry) of 50 acres. Twas Said he was worth 1000£. The lot is in Savannah.

29 April. 44.

1. As a Committee for drawing up instructions to Send with Mr. Stephens, we prepared the Same to be ready next Common Council board for Setting the Seal to, altho the Committee had power given them to Set the Seal thereto, and tho this was properly the business of A board of Trustees & not of the Common Council, yet we were willing they Should be approved by as many Members as could be got.

2. One Jennings having exposed to us that the 5 guineas formerly given him, was too little for the Ms. Survey of the Coast of Georgia taken by a person by Mr. Oglethorpes direction who died in passage to England, and was redeem’d of the Ship Captain for 10 guineas: We orderd the other 5 guineas Should be paid him.

3. Read proposals from J. Mathias Kramer Secy, to Ct. Zinsendorf for translating Some part of the book call’d Reasons for establishing the Colony of Georgia into High Dutch at the Trustees expence.

4. Read also a proposal from the Same person for engaging more of the Moravian brethren to go to Georgia, together with the answer prepared by the Committee of Correspondents thereto.

Resolv’d that both these proposals be refer’d to the Committee of Correspondence to consider, and that they Settle instructions to the Said Kramer in case Ct. Zinzendorf Shall approve our answer, and that they contract with Messieurs Hope of Rotterdam for the passage of 60 heads of 12 years old & upwards the expence whereof the Moravians are to repay 6 weeks after their arrival in Georgia, or else be indented Trust Servants.

5. A Memorial was presented by Capt. Cha. Dempsy, Setting forth his Services (which in truth were very great, hazardous & Successful) when employ’d by Mr. Oglethorpe to conclude the Treaty with the Governr. of Augustine. The Same being read, Thanks were orderd him & a gift of 150£.

This gentleman is an Irish Papist and past his life in the French Army, yet a man of honour & a lover of England. In the prossecution of the Treatty above mention’d, he was three times cast away at Sea and ran great peril of his life, threatned to be put in prison at Augustine & chained, he had renounced an Employment at Augustine, & contracted Such Sickness as he will never recover. He was carry’d young into France by his Father who follow’d K. James’s fortune, and was Sent by Monsr. Giraldini & the Ct. of Montego Ministers of Spain at our Court to be Purveyor to the Stores of the Garison at Augustine: but going over in the Same Ship with Mr. Oglethorpe was by him prevaild on to give his assistance in preventing a War, & forego his Employment.

6. Read Mr. Zuberbullers proposal for Sending 52 families from the Canton of Apenzel: but on debate we declined it, finding the execution of it would amount to 2032.10.0 besides 100£ p ann expence to the Trust.

7. Mr. McLaulan formerly mentioned, appeared, and produced a Certificate from the Bishop of Rochester’s Chaplains, that he had made his Submission to that Bishop for writing his Scandalous pamphlet, and was reconciled to the Church, & admitted to Lay Communion. He therefore with one Cameron apply’d to us to know on what conditions & encouragmts. Scots highlanders of his procuring might be admitted to Settle in Georgia.

We refer’d him to the usual terms which Our Accompt. was directed to Shew him.

8. Order past for appropriating 1500£ out of the 20000£ granted this year by Parliament, for the payment of Sola bills issued in Georgia Since Mr. Oglethorpe left the Province, and which consequently were not endorsed by him.

It Seems these bills have Such credit, that altho not endorsed by Mr. Oglethorpe (as they ought & are directed to be) people take them for payment of the goods they Supply the Stores with: and Mr. Oglethorpe Said, that at the Havana they bear a premium of 40 p cent.

9. Order’d that 433£ out of moneys unappropriated in our hands be paid to Mr. Oglethorpe, to answer So many Sola bills, and to be replaced when the Parliaments Grant of 20000£ Shall be received.

The meaning is, he was to account for this Sum, being money with which Mr. Causton charged him on account of other Sola bills not endorsed by him, which Causton disposed of in exchange for money recieved by him in Georgia.

10. Orderd payment of 150£ in 3 bills drawn by Mr. Causton on Mr. Oglethorpe, in part of 200£ advanced Said Causton to enable him to Settle his Farm.

11. A Certified Account of 112.18.11 for provision delivered in Georgia dat. 1 Dec. 1736 before the 1500£ Sola bills arrived in Georgia being presented for payment by Mr. Bland the Goldsmith. We resolv’d it Should be paid, he giving Security to prevent the Trustees paying it twice.

12. Draft made on the Bank to pay Mr. Oglethorpe 433£.

13. Imprest to Aldn. Heathcote 450£.

14. Imprest further to him 425£.

15. Order’d that Archibald Hodge be allow’d to go to Georgia, and be allow’d provision out of the Stores for one year, he paying for his passage. He has a wife & 1 child.

16. Agreed that Mr. Thomas Upton, born in England, but of Irish Parents, bred in Ireland, but of late years a dweller in Jamaica which he left through misfortunes attended, and having assured us he had made up his debts, We agreed that he Should have a grant of 150 acres, he carrying over 3 Servants. He Said he had about 300£ and would Settle at Frederica.

17. A letter from Mr. Causton lately arrived, acquainted us wth. divers inteligences of the Spaniards intention to attack Georgia, but that the advice boat he Sent out, and the Indian Partyes were return’d to Savannah and reported all was quiet, So that he doubted much if the Spaniards would meddle with us.

That under apprehension of an attack he was building a Fort in Savannah Town, at which all the people work’d chearfully, with whom he agreed to pay them 7£ currency p month.

That Some Indians Sent by Lieut. Govr. Broughton to the Spanish frontier, had kill’d certain Spaniards whom they found with a gun that had belong’d to one of their Nation, wch. he fear’d might produce ill blood and provoke the Spaniards. This latter was dat. 24. feby.

[N.B.] 3d May 1737. There embark’d for Georgia at the Trustees charge on board the Princess Caroline, Capt. Coe, 1 Man and 2 Women.

4 May. 45.

A Common Council was Summond to finish business postponed last meeting, & then to go into a Committee of Correspondence on the letters received from Georgia, and the matters refer’d to the Committee: But we were not a Board.

1. Mr. Paris attended, to acquaint us, that the Board of Trade had fixt Thursday Sennit for hearing the Carolina Complaint.

2. Also that the Attorney Genl. approved in general our Answer to Watsons complaint, but that in our defence we Should Shew whether the expence of his confinement had been charged to him as Set forth in the complaint, or defray’d by us; and whether we had prevented his going on with his Improvments of his lands, which was another head of the complaint.

We reply’d that we ourselves had paid the charge of his confinment, as appeard by Mr. Caustons Accts. who charged the Same to us, of which we had the receipts. And as to his being hinder’d from cultivating his land, He had indeed desired land & a grant was order’d, but he never took it out, So that he has no land.

3. Mr. McLaulan attended to receive an answer to his application for encouragement to Send Highlanders to Georgia, 8: after Some discourse we promised to write to the chief of the Cameronian Clan. We also gave him our printed Rules, but doubted if they would acquiesce in the encouragement we were able to give them.

4. One Giles, an alehouse keeper apply’d who had a wife & 3 children & Said he was worth 140£ desired a grant of 50 acres. We Said he Should have it, & Settled at Abercorn.

[N.B.] 4 May 1737. Mr. Oglethorpe this day acquainted the Board that Mr. Horace Walpole had received an anonimous letter, Setting forth the weak condition of S. Carolina, and their apprehension of being abandon’d by the Govermt.

He also inform’d us that when he waited on the D. of Newcastle this morning, his Grace laid the blame on the Spaniards uneasiness against us, to his charge, which he resented.

It Seem’d to us that One Savy, a person of vile character, who had been a bum-Bailif in Carolina, was he who under the character of an Officer arrived at the Havana from Old Spain, and by his bragging how Carolina & Georgia might be reduced, gave occasion to the report that the Spaniards design’d to invade us.

And in this opinion we were further confirm’d by a letter reed, the 8 of June from Mr. Causton of later date than others, wherein he inform’d us, that tho the allarm continued, he could not find any preparations were made at Augustine for that End, where they were in want both of money & provision. That the new Govr. of that Town had exprest his Surprise to See our Ships hover about their harbour; that the information given by the South Sea Agent at Havana arrose from his conversation with Savy above mention’d, an empty arrogant Man, who flying from Carolina or rather being driven out, repayr’d to the Queen Dowager of Spain, who recommended him to Monsr. Patinho 1st Minister at Madrid.

Whatever the Spaniards might intend, these Allarms were a prodigious expence to us, in taking the people off from cultivating their lands, and flinging their maintenance upon the Publick Stores for another year.

7 May. 46.

A Common Council was Summond to Seal an answer to Watson’s petition, and finish’d business postponed: But we were again no board.

1. Mr. Paris attended with the Trustees answer to Watson’s petition fair drawn: but he was order’d to Suspend giving it to the attorney Genl. and therefore defer’d to Sign it, until we had his opinion in writing,

a. Whether the Privy Council can by law receive Appeals from the West Indies in Criminal matters.

b. Whether by this Answer or representation to the Privy Council, in obedience to an Order of theirs, the Trustees do Subject themselves either in this or any future complaints from Georgia, to be Parties to Such complaints.

Mr. Oglethorpe was for making Short work, & not obeying the Privy Councils Order at all, lest Such complyance Should be interpreted an obligation upon us to answer in a judicial manner before that board.

But Mr. Vernon argued very justly, that not to answer at all, would be the greatest disrespect that could be to that Board. Besides it was not design’d we Should answer judicially, or make ourselves Parties to Watsons complaint, but only to acquaint the Council board by way of Information with what we knew touching that complaint. Mr. Paris also cited a paralel case that happend Some time ago, upon a complain for redress against Some Officers of Giberaltar, which being made to the Privy Council, their Lordships order’d the Govr. to make answer thereto. But his Council urging, that his answer was not to be construed as if he was concern’d in the matter, their Lordships allowed he was no Party thereto. Besides, our answer was So carefully worded, that we could by no construction of law be judged to be made Parties thereto.

2. Then Mr. Paris acquainted us that Mr. Fury and Mr. Sharp the one Agent, the other Sollicitor for Carolina, had Since our last meeting been very urgent with the Board of Trade to defer a week longer the hearing between that Province & Us, which yet had been Settled for thursday next, on pretence their Council had not time to prepare themselves. And the Lords were very inclinable to gratify them therein.

We thought this delay not only affected, but of very great consequence to the Safety of both Provinces, and therefore order’d Mr. Paris to go again to the Lords of Trade, & insist on the cause being heard next thursday. That Some Spaniards had been murder’d by Indians at the instigation of the Carolinians, which might involve us in War. That the Spanish Agent had already complaind of it, and they might revenge it not only on Carolina but Georgia.

11 May. 47.

1. Mr. Paris attended to acquaint us, that he had again apply’d to the board of Trade to press that the hearing might come on tomorrow, As their Lordships had at first resolved, and not to be put off til tomorrow Sennit.

The Ld. Fitzwalter Said, they must do equal justice that the other Side had represented their Council was not ready to plead tomorrow, but ours were.

Mr. Paris reply’d it would not be doing equal justice if they defer’d the hearing till tomorrow Sennit, for in that case We Should lose the advantage of the Attorney Genls. pleading, who would be hinder’d by other business, but had disposed himself to plead tomorrow. On the other Side, they desired delay because the Sollicitor Genl. would then be able to plead for them, which he could not do tomorrow. That thus the loss of our best Council was an unmerited disadvantage cast on our Side who So frequently apply’d for a hearing, and to defer the hearing till they could have the best Council, was an apparent hardship on us. Besides they were the Agressors, and in the nature of the thing ought to have been the first prepared. Moreover this delay would oblige us to the expence of feeing new Council. After this he withdrew, and immediately notice was Sent him that the Board adhered to their resolution of not hearing the cause till tomorrow Sennit 10 a clock, when they would begin, and Sit de die in diem till it was over. Mr. Paris observ’d he was detain’d 3 hours before he could be admitted, and that all that time their Secretary was reading to them the printed Representation Sent over by the Carolinians.

We had just reason to complain of the Boards partiality, & determined with ourselves, that if they gave the cause against us, we would appeal to the Privy Council.

2. Mr. Paris further acquainted us, that the Attorney was not ready to give his opinion in the cause of Watson till Monday next.

3. 50£ order’d to Francis Moor Store keeper at Frederica & private Secy, to Mr. Oglethorpe for 5 quartrs. of a year’s Service from October 1735 to Jany 1736–7.

4. 20£ order’d to be pd. Mrs. Watt (to be reed, out of the Rent of her house at Savannah by Mr. Causton to whom She gave a letter of Attorney) and to be repaid to the Trust.

5. 20£ Order’d to Mr. Harbin for his trouble and expences, who was directed to go to Holland to procure Servants, and afterwards countermanded.

6. 2.2.0 Orderd to Mrs. Stanley the Savannah Publick Midwife now in England, to be repaid by her husband.

7. 25£ orderd to the Revd. Mr. Cha. Wesley, being the rest of his Sallary.

8. 10£ orderd to Mr. Kramer for his long attendance to receive instructions.

9. Seal’d Instructions to the Said Mr. Kramer to bring over from Germany 60 Moravian brethren or other German Protestants to be Trust Servants.

10. Mr. Wragg’s proposal was read, offering to transport to Georgia from Holland Servants at the rate of 6.6.0 p head and that none Should be paid for who died in the passage. We agreed that he Should bring over 80 heads on that foot, and that none Should be under 12 years old or above 40.

11. 202.5.9 Orderd to Ri. Wilson gun maker for muskets lately Sent over, in case his bill on examination prove right.

12. 100£ order’d to Mr. Paris in pt. of ye charges accrued & accruing on the Carolina complaint.

13. A Certified Acct. from Mr. Causton dat. 29 Dec. 1736, being the value of 218.7.5 payable to Msrs. Soloman & Minis was referd to the Committee of Accts. to take into consideration.

14. Mr. McLahlan’s proposal to Send over 100 Highlanders of the Cameron Clan to go at their own expence, was read. We answer’d we would give 20 bolls or bushels of meal of the Indian kind, and a musket and bayonet to each man, once for all, but could make him no allowance for procuring these Men as he desired.

15. On Reading a Silk & Cotton Dyer in Rotterdam wrote to us a letter, desiring leave that he might go to Georgia at his own expence, & there carry on his trade. But we agreed not to allow him to go, it being our purpose not to encourage manufactures in our Colony, but only to raise materials for our Mother Country to manufacture.

16. A Memorial was read from Capt. Thompson of the Two Brothers, desiring a Grant of 50 Acres belonging to Mr. West, formerly one of our Bailifs, & then when granted he might have leave to Sell it, and convert it into money.

The Case was, that he carry’d back Mr. West to Georgia, who had no money to pay for his passage. Wherefore he having obtain’d a Grant of 500 acres, he proposed to part with his wifes 50 acre lot (the Widow Hughes) to Capt. Thompson and thereby pay the Captain, & others of his Creditors. In this Mrs. West joyned, but it was necessary to have our consent.

Our reply to the Memorial was, that We could readily consent, that Capt. Thompson Should purchasse the 50 acres, but not that he Should afterwards Sell it to whom he pleased, for by Such an example, others would expect the Same liberty, which would turn the property of Georgia into a trade of Stockjobbing, & the lands would become deserted, whereas our business was to have the Proprietors reside and cultivate their lands. When therefore the Capt. Should have found a purchasser who had our approbation, and would reside on the Land, we would allow Mr. West to make over the lot to the Captain.

17. Imprest to Aldn. Heathcote 425£.

18. Imprest to him more 250£.

19. Order’d that James Hazlefoot be advanc’d the charge of a Servant, and he to repay the Same in Georgia.

20. Grant of 150 Acres past to Mr. Tho. Upton.

21. Grant past to George Foster (Son of a Brewer’s Son in London) of 50 Acres & who designd to Set up a Brewer’s business in Frederica, but is not to Sell by Retail. He was to go at his own expence, appeard a modest youth of 20 years old, and his father Said he would give him 150£.

[N.B.] This 11 May 1737 Mr. Tanner, a young gentleman of Surry & neighbour of Mr. Oglethorpe (Since an Ensign in his Regiment) dined with Some of the Trustees. Who went for his amusement in the last embarkation with Mr. Oglethorpe to Georgia, and was employ’d by him in Several Services whilst there, & particularly among the Indian Nations, where he past 4 months in driving away the Carolina Traders who pretended to traffick with the Indians within the limits of Georgia without taking lycences from Mr. Oglethorpe our Commissary for Indian Affairs.

He Said the Indians are extreamly human to those in friendship with them, perfectly just in their dealings, & know not what it is to tell a lie.

That the Old Men were much pleased that we did not trade wth. them in Rum, for it made their young people mad, and disobedient to goverment. That they like better to trade with Us than with Carolina on that Account: but the young Men with Carolina.

That Tomachachi had a house of 3 rooms built like the rest of Clay, and cover’d with plank, that he keeps his parlour lock’d wherein is the picture of the Lyon we gave him, as also Mr. Oglethorpe’s picture, in whose arms he Said (when he was ill last year) he wish’d he might [die.] That when he Sees company, or calls Councils, he Sits in this room.

That when he visited him, he gave him a very good dinner of rost and boiled Pork, Bufalo beef, fowl, & pancake, and Senawky his wife made tea for him.

He Said further, that all the Indian Traders have wives among the Indians, being necessary for dressing their victuals, and carrying on their business, and he believed there were 400 children So begotten. That being left and bred up by their mothers, they Speak both Indian & English, So that there are now few Indians that do not Speak English enough to be understood: but what ever is the reason, they do not care to do it but when drunk.

[N.B.] 13 May 1737. I went alone to the Georgia Office to look over the Books, & accidentally Mr. Paris came in, who told me he had at last got the Attorney Genls. opinion, and that he Said the Trustees were parties to Watson’s complaint, because we gave the Magistrates of Georgia Order to continue her husband in confinement. Nevertheless, that this was no rule we Should be deem’d Parties in future Suits, the present being a mixt case.

I Said if we were Parties, then the Council board might think fit to order us to release Watson, and thereby usurp an Authority over us, wch. Some of our Board would not relish, esteeming themselves a Society of Gentlemen incorporated by Charter, over who by law the Privy Council has no power, but that if we had done amiss, we were to be in the Kings Bench, and there only. He reply’d, Mr. Oglethorpe was So much of that opinion, that he would not be present when the Board met on this affair, beleiving that the Majority of the Trustees would acquiesce in the attorney Generals Opinion.

16 May. 48.

A Common Council was Summond this day to consider of the Attorney Generals answer to our queries (See Fol. 195.1) on the Representation to the Committee of Council on Watsons petition, But they were not a Board.

1. Order’d that the Magistrate of Savannah be wrote to, to give the Trustees particular information of the State of Joseph Watson’s mind, confin’d for Lunacy.

2. Approved & Seal’d a Representation to the Committee of the Privy Council in relation to Joseph Watsons case, and our proceedings therein.

[N.B.] 17 May 1737. This day Mr. Oglethorpe acquainted the Trustees, that he had very lately a conference with Sr. Robert Walpole, and Shew’d him a Memorial which we intended to present him in a body, which Memorial he read twice, and Said, there is Something in this, pray let the Trustees come together and give it me in form, that we may afterwards talk it over, for there will be a Cabinet Council upon it. I am myself well enclin’d in the affair, but there are others who want to be convinc’d. I agree with you that tis an uneasie thing for the Trustees to be annaully obliged to apply for Support to Parliament, and indeed I can well judge they are uneasie, because it gives me trouble too, and therefore the best way will be as you desire in your memorial to put the provision of 6 or 7000£ a year for the Support of the Civil Magistracy on the establishment, and give it into Parliament by way of Estimate, as the charge of other Colonies is brought in. I cant Say I think So well of the Trustees as I do of the design, for many of them dont think well of me.

Then he added his approbation of Sending a Regiment for the guard of Georgia, if a Fund could be found.

Mr. Oglethorpe reply’d he might reduce Company’s in the Islands and other Colonies, the pay of which might go towards the charge of a Regiment in Georgia, and So 700 Men would not amount to more than 15000£ p ann.

Sr. Robert Said he Should approve it if others did, but ask’d why he would not take on his the Govermt. of Carolina?

Mr. Oglethorpe answer’d, for the reason he told him before, because he would not lose his Seat in Parliament, and it was Sufficient for the Safety of Carolina & Georgia that he accepted the chief command of the military force with a Regiment, but he would go over on no other terms.

[N.B.] 17 May 1737. Embark’d at the Trustees expence for Georgia, On board the Two Brothers, Capt. Thompson, 4 Men.

19 May. 49.

1. Order’d that a letter be immediatly wrote to Mr. Causton to inform the Trustees whether Joseph Watson be return’d to his right Senses, & in that case to give him his liberty.

[N.B.] 19 May 1737. This day I recieved in the Country a printed State of the matters in difference between Carolina and Us, the Same being drawn up and Sign’d by Mr. Murry and Mr. Charles Clarke our Council, who this day pleaded before the Board of Trade. That Board went thro hearing part of the complaint and Evidences against us, and adjourn’d the further hearing to Wednesday Sennit.

25 May. 50.

A Common Council was Summond to grant lands for cultivation; to raise a maintenance for the Minister at Frederica, & for other business: but we were not a Board.

1. Benefaction reported of 10.10.0 bequeath’d by Mr. Morse of Dublin to be distributed among the poor German Protestants Settled in Georgia.

2. Order’d a letter to Mr. Causton, that the Magistrates Should call to their assistance the Physicians & Surgeons of the place to enquire into the case of Watson’s Lunacy, and if he now found recover’d & in his right Senses, to Set him free, he giving 200£ of his own personal Security to behave well, and not provoke the Indians within our Province.

June 6. 51.

1. Report made that Sr. Hans Sloan had paid his 20£ Subscription towards Mr. Millars Sallary, our Botanist abroad.

2. Order’d that our Members who Subscribed towards building a Church in Georgia Should be call’d on, and certified to pay their money a month after the Call.

3. We alter’d our letter to Mr. Causton relating to Watson’s lunacy, and directed that if he be now in his Senses, Sentence Should be past on him according to the Verdict brought in against him.

4. Order’d that it be refer’d to a Committee to consider of a Fast to be Kept in Georgia for a blessing on the people & to avert the danger of an Invasion.

5. Read a Memorial deliver’d by Mr. Jo. Vatt of his Services in Georgia with his petition for recompence. We order’d him 46.8.7 Carolina money, being the ballance of an Acct. he gave us; also 60£ Sterlg. which with 12£ he received of Mr. Causton in Georgia was in full for his Services there, & his attendance here Since his last arrival.

6. Resolv’d that 3068 pd. weight of Skins imported from Georgia by the Two Brothers, Capt. Thompson be Sold to Mr. Simond for 415.9.2 being at the rate of 2.8½ p pound. The money to be placed in the Bank.

7. Agreed with Saml. Smallwood to be a Clerk of the Stores at Frederica for 3 years, at 40£ p ann.

8. Refer’d to a Committee to consider of a Plan for building a Church at Frederica, or Savannah. Mr. Oglethorpe was for Staying till more money came in, in order to place the Capital at Interest in Carolina at 10 p cent, and only to build with the Interest money, But we thought the delay of building would be too long.

9. A certified bill of 188.8.4 arrived from Georgia was orderd to be paid William Clay, being for Cattle deliverd at Savannah.

10. Three other certified Accounts amounting to 372.19.2½ brought to us by Mr. Robt. Ellis, were refused payment.

11. Seal’d a grant of 300 acres for Religious uses in Frederica, In Trust to Willm. Horton Esq., Tho. Hawkins, 1. Bailif, Willes Weston, & Tho. Hird.

[N.B.] 6 June 1737. This day the Board of Trade proceeded on the hearing of the Carolina complaint. Counsellor Brown pleaded on their Side, but made nothing of it (tho a very able Counsellor) Counsellor Cha. Clarke was on our Side and Spoke well.

[N.B.] The Same day Capt. Dunbar attended the Board, being lately return’d from Georgia. He told us,

1. That the Allarm of the Spaniards intention to invade Carolina & Georgia continues, and He believed they will, but the whole Province are determind to defend themselves.

2. That the Forts at Frederica & Darien are finish’d and mounted with Cannon, but the muskets and Swords we Sent over prove bad.

3. That One Butler is Secured on board Capt. Gascoign, on Suspicion of being a Spie.

4. That the Governr. of St. Augustine who made the Treaty of Peace with Mr. Oglethorpe has been put in chains, and Sent to Old Spain, & is Succeeded by an Officer from the Havana.

5. That the person’s name who gave advice of the Spaniards preparations at the Havana & St. Augustine to attack us is pub lickly known, and printed in the Carolina gazet which is very unfortunate for him, for he will certainly be cast into prison.

6. That 80 Yamasee Indians belonging to the Spaniards had been Seen about our Settlements, and at Joseph’s town our Centinal had been Shot at.

7. That the Spaniards had Sent Parties out to drive all Cattel they could find to Augustine, where they had great reinforcement of Men, and their advice boats were often Seen hovering about our Coast, but always retired when our Ships made towards them.

8. That at Augustine they were laying in Stores for 3000 Men for a year, wch. must be with Some ill intention towards us.

9. That the people of Savannah in their hast to erect a Fort for their defence had cut down the fine garden wood on the East of the Town, which was an ornament and Shelter from the East Winds, and would render the Town less healthy. That Mr. Causton declared against it and would have no hand in it, apprehending the Trustees would not approve it.

10. That Mr. Causton is more condescending in his Govermt. to the people, & they begin to be better reconciled to him.

11. That Mr. Ingham who Shew’d So much zeal for converting the Indians on whom we So much depended, & who went over for that purpose, was on a Sudden motion, none Knew why, Set out for England, & that there were letters from him to the Bi. of London, and to a Fellow of Eaton.

12. That Mr. Jo. Wesley had been at Charlestown, but for what cause was likewise unknown to him.

These Methodical Gentlemen, or Methodists as they call themselves are for the general pious and zealous for advancing the cause of Religion, but what ever they deliberate on and afterwards resolve, they fancy to be a motion of the Holy Spirit.

[N.B.] 8 June 1737. The Trustees reed, a letter from Mr. Causton (mention’d Fol. 194) that the Moravians in Georgia declared they could not in conscience fight, & if expected So to do would leave the Colony. A Copy of their letter to Causton was Sent us. In a 2d letter they exprest their intention to go away. Bad Subjects for a frontier Colony.

The Number of Trustee Boards & Committees held this year were 47, and of Common Council 17. The Number of days the Gentlemen met were 51; and the times each of them attended were as follows:

The Persons Sent this year at the Trustees Charge were 22 Males & 10 Females, in all 32: which with 1044 Sent in the former years, makes 1076, of whom Foreigners 302, Brittish 774.

Private Grants past this year

Public Grant

Abstract of the 5th Years Acct. of Receipts and Disbursments, endg. 9 June 1737

CHARGE

DISCHARGE

Apply’d in England,

2567. 3. 8