USA > Georgia > Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 22 pt 2 > Part 11
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Indians stir. red up by the Span- iard and French.
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167
CORRESPONDENCE
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
cient amongst the Indians to perswade them to seperate from the English.
I send you an account of sundry Disburse- ments made by me by the hands of Moore, and I submit them to you to consider of them and if you think they ought to be repaid, you will please to pay them to M'. Verelst on my Ac- count. If there are any Articles that You ob- ject to. If you will let me know them I will ex- plain them in the General Account, this being only an Account for some Disbursements which I send home for your Perusal till I can get the general Account and the Issues of all ye Stores and Provisions by me brought and applied to the Trust's Service.
It is necessary to set down the following Articles for explaining the Expences of the Province.
1st. The whole Civil and Military Expences were to be defrayed by the Trustees till the Arrival of the Regiment, And till my Arrival, none of the Trust's Military Expences were reduced.
2ªly. On the arrival of the first Detachment with Colonel Cochran, the Trustees were put to new Expences for Boats to carry up the Sol- diers, the King's Stores and Provisions, also for Warehouses for them; and at the Trustees Expence also Cleft - board Houses were built for the Reception of the five Companies quar- tered for the Defence of Georgia. These Ex- pences, had I been here, should not have been
Sundry dis. bursements made.
Military ex- penses.
Arrival of first detach- ment with Col. Coch- ran.
168
COLONIAL RECORDS
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
No taxes levied in Georgia.
paid, but have been directly certified home, that the Trustees might have applied to the Crown to obtain Payment for the persons who had dis- burst them. It is very true that they were ab- solutely necessary or the Troops must have perished. It is also as true that Colonies who levy Taxes upon the People, do out of them Taxes defray all surh contingent Charges necessary for the Troops sent for their Defence, But this is not the Case of Georgia, where there can be no Taxes levied, and consequently the Trustees cannot defray the Contingences, there- fore they very properly ought to have been rep- resented to the Crown.
Mr. Horton lessened the expenses of buildings.
3ªly. M. Horton when he found that it was necessary there should be Cleft board Houses provided for covering the Regiment, imployed as many of the Inhabitants as were indebted to the Trustees for Food, as would work, and thereby lessened the Expence of those Build- ings, since he thereby secured the Payment of Debts, which it would otherwise have been very difficult to recover.
Mr. Hugh Mackay erects cleft board houses at St. Andrews.
4thly. Mr. Hugh Mackay imployed at St. Andrews, the Trustees Servants to build the Cleft board houses there, and some few other Carpenters and hired men.
5thly. I presume that the Trustees have a very good Demand for the building of the above mentioned two Camps of Cleft board houses in which 500 Men, and their Officers are con- veniently lodged, since It was done by Servants
169
CORRESPONDENCE
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
and Creditors fed & cloathed by the Trust, whose Labours might have been other ways of use to them.
6thly. It is necessary for the Trustees to use their Endeavours to people the Colony, for which they are entrusted with the Public Money. People cannot live without Protection & Com- munication. The regular Troops protect the Frontier Islands but Boats are necessary for Communication, and Watchmen for preserving the Peace of ye Countrey, and Horsemen for pursuing in the Woods. Felons Runaway Ser- vants, Outlaws and Slaves from Carolina, which have already molested ye Inland Parts of the Countrey and thieving, for want of Rangers to pursue them, is grown so common that great Hogs and numbers of Hogs, and not a few Cattel, have been killed in the Woods, so that it is dangerous to let them out, and People have neither In- closures nor Food to keep them at home. The killing and stealing of Hogs has been so fre- quent at Savannah that there is hardly one per- son in that Town that has one, though when I left that Province there were several hundred there.
7thly. There are great numbers of Servants belonging to the Trustees. Those at Savannah were under the Care of Mr. Bradley and M. Causton, of whose Work I have been hitherto not able to get a full Account. Those at Darien were under the Charge of M. McIntosh, and have learned to Saw, so that all the Boards im- ployed in ye King's Works, as also those for
Necessary endeavours to protect the Colony
cattle killed in woods.
Stealing of hogs very frequent at Savannah.
Servants be- longing to the Trus. tees.
Servants at Darion un- der the charge of Mr. Mc- Intosh learn- ing to saw.
170
COLONIAL RECORDS
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
Servants at Amelia un- der Hugh Mackay's charge have made a plan- tation.
building the Chappel at Frederica, have been sawed by them, the Value of which, I believe, will near answer ye. keeping of them. And next year, as they are now Masters of their Business, will, I hope, considerably more than maintain them. The Servants in Amelia are under M. Hugh Mackays charge, there is a very fertile Spot of Ground, on which I placed them, and they have made a Plantation, it promises fair for a great Crop of Corn, much more than they can eat, but their Cloathing and Meat kind will be still some Charge, nor can the Trustees ex- pect that their Servants should at first entirely defray their Charges, for they must consider that a great part of their time must be taken up in building Hutts, and clearing and fencing of Land, which is an Improvement of the Province & a greater Gain to it than the Crop raised with- in the Year.
Building huts, clear- ing and fencing land.
Boats for the Province
Sthly. Several Boats are absolutely necessary for the Province, one at least to each Settlement, which if the Trust does not maintain, the People can not, and it is as good withdrawing at once from the Colony, as forcing the People to leave it. I have done all I could to reduce the Charge of Boats, as I have wrote more at large.
The Trus- tees' cattel.
9thly. This Countrey cannot be supported without Cattel; the Trustees have a large Herd, the keeping of which hath been a considerable Expence to them, but I think the Profit upon the Increase, notwithstanding that vast numbers have been killed and stole, is above treble the Charges they have cost, but if Mr. Jones the
CORRESPONDENCE
171
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
Storekeeper had not acted with great Courage, there was a general Combination to eat the Trus- tees Cattel, and I cannot say, that the Magis- trates at Savannah did act with that Vigour that they might have done, till I my self was obliged to make them examine the People before me, and there was such a good natured Spirit stirring that I was informed no Savannah Jury would find a man Guilty for killing the Trustees Cattel in the Woods. Of which I suppose M. Jones has given you a full Account. This has forced me to Continue a Number of Cattel Hun- ters, by which means I have already stopped the Stealing, and above Sixty wild Calves have been taken up and marked at the Cow Pen at Ebe- nezer.
10thly. Till the present Stores are issued, of which I have laid in a great quantity, there will be Occasion not only for a storekeeper & Clerks, but several other Servants and Laborers for unloading and preserving. Several may be re- duced as soon as we can put the new Regulation into Practice, but some will always be neces- sary, particularly a Smith for the Indian Arms, a Surveyor &c".
I am afraid I shall tire You with too long a Letter, if I should enter into the whole Detail of the Province, and it is impossible to explain all things at this Distance. The only method that I can think of to hinder any Increase beyond ye intended Expences, is strictly to adhere to the Notice you have already advertized, and which Notices up is now up at all the Storehouse Doors, that no
Mr. Jones acted with great cour. age.
The services of cattel hunters con- tinued.
Impossible to explain things at so great a dis- tance.
at store- house doors.
172
COLONIAL RECORDS
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
person shall contract any Debt chargeable upon the Trustees, and I fear, the allowing any of the People here to indorse your Bills, will give a new Credit to them persons, which perhaps, may be better let alone, for this reason I scratched out the Indorsement which I had ordered to be made to Mr. Causton, and issued them my self, and have charged my self with that £500 received from you.
Amount to be expended yearly upon Georgia.
I mentioned in my fist Letter that if you would acquaint me how much you intended to expend yearly in Georgia. I would frame an Establish- ment to that Sum in ye best manner I could. and would take Care to whilst I was here, that it should not be exceeded and to have left the strongest Orders for Securing the Same after my Return, and to have had Security given for the Execution of them.
There are two Matters of great Importance that I cannot omitt speaking of before I con- clude. First.
Law alter- ing the en- tails of estates.
Those mak- ing more noise about land are those who neglect it.
You mention a new Law concerning the alter- ing the Entails of Estates. There are infinite Difficulties in getting the Laws now in being for this Countrey executed, therefore I should not yet wish for any new ones. The Titles are at present upon a very good Footing, and those who made most noise about their Lands, are those who have taken no Care of making any Use of them. I Suppose the heads which you sent me will be very well considered, and before passed, many things amended, for as they stand they first deprive the Male heir, who has now a
CORRESPONDENCE
173
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
Right from the Grandfather, in favor of the Daughter of the Son. Secondly. They tend to uniting of Lotts and destroying the Agrarian Equality, one of the first Principles on which you set out. Thirdly. They leave Freehold Pos- sessions open to the Frauds of Wills, a Griev- ance Complained of in England, and a Yoke which neither We nor our Fathers could bear. They being Freeholders to be judged by the Civil Law, which is the Law by which Wills are decided, instead of being judged by ye common Law of the Land. And this will make a Court of Doctors Commons, and a Chancery necessary, either of which will be enough to crush a full grown, much more a young Colony. I am per- swaded that You will not pass any Law till such time as the Accounts and Affairs of the Colony are settled.
The Second thing is, You sent over £710 in Bills to be issued for certain purposes. I im- mediately signed and issued £40 to Mr. Mcleod, £70 to Mr. Bolzius & Mr. Gronau, and £60 to M. Jones for the Servants, and sent them to M. Jones to be signed. Mr. Mcleod & Mr. Jones &cª. inform me that Colonel Stephens and M. Parker have both refused signing of them by which means they will be greatly distressed for want of Money. Upon which Mr. Jones came up in an Express Boat to me from Savannah. He will acquaint you wth. M. Parker's reasons. This might have occasioned some Uneasiness to the Trustees Affairs, but I have prevented it for I will take up the Bills and pay the Orders, &
A tendency to destroy the agrarian equality.
Freehold possessions exposed to frauds of wills.
Court of Doctors, Commons and a chan- cery neces- sary.
Col. Steph. ens and Mr. Parker re- fused to sign bill.
174
COLONIAL RECORDS
John Caldwell to Mr. Harman Verelst.
I have sent home the Bills and hope that you will pay into M'. Verelst's hands the Amount of those Bills making £710 to answer my Draughts upon him for the Same. Though this is an In- conveniency, I think it hath prevented a worse, that is to Say, Your giving a Credit to any Persons in America after your Orders published to the contrary.
I am
Gentlemen
Your most obedient
humble Servant
James Oglethorge.
The Honoble. The Trustees.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
LETTER FROM JOHN CALWELL 9 JULY 1739 TO MR. HARMAN VERELST AT THE HONBLE. THE TRUSTEE'S OFFICE FOR ESTABLISHING THE COLONY OF GEORGIA OLD PALACE YARD.
WESTMINSTER RECD 2. Nov. 1739
Sir,
Appointed land survey- or in place of Mr. Auguspour. guer.
His Excellency Gen1. Oglethorpe who has been pleased to Appoint me Land Surveyor in the room of M. Augspourguer has given me Leave to Apply to The Honble. The Trustees & to you in order to give directions that my Child Henry Calwell who lives with Francis Roche
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175
CORRESPONDENCE
Revd. Mr. Gronau to Mr. Harman Verelst, Esqr.
Coach maker on the Marsh near the Bowling Green in Cork may come by the first Ship bound from said place to this Town. I beg that you would be pleased to present My Inclosed Peti- tion To The Honble. The Trustees & to do what- ever else youll find proper to have my desire Effected which Favour I shall always Esteem with the Utmost Gratitude. having a great Liking to this Place I am very uneasy to have my Child in another & therefore hope for this Favour from you -
I shall always be Glad to Receive any Com- mands from The Honble. The Trustees & I hope to give them all Satisfaction in the Execution thereof as I have to His Excellency I am
ST. Your most humble & Most obedt. Servt.
John Calwell.
Frederica July 9th. 1739.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
THE REVP. MR. GRONAU TO MR. HARMAN VERELST ESQR. AT LONDON, RECP 5 OCTOBER 1739.
RED WAX SEAL
Savannah July 11th. 1739.
Dear Sir,
I received your Letter of the 3ª. of March last, in which you gave yourself the trouble to in-
A request from the land survey- or for his child to come over to the Colony.
Likes the Colony.
176
COLONIAL RECORDS
Revd. Mr. Gronau to Mr. Harman Verelst, Esqr.
Petition granted.
form me, that the Honourable Trustees were pleased to allow £30 more towards the Building of my House, besides the £10, which I have re- . ceived before to that purpose from Mr. Causton. I am quite unworthy of such a great benefit, & believe, it is God that has inclined the hearts of the Trustees. to look with a favourable eye upon my humble Petition, which I took the Liberty to lay before them. I hope, God will upon my humble request inable me, to spent my time in this House, as long as I live, to his Glory & to the Welfare of our Congregation. I wish from all my heart, that our good & rich God may re- ward their Honours for their very great favor to me thousand times & bless them in all their Un- dertakings. His Excellency General Ogle- thorpe, who arrived hear last night, paid to me the said £30 by his Secretarie Mr. Moore, to whom I gave [torn away] of it. Be pleased to present my humble Respect t[o the] Honourable Trustees, Wishing them many Rewards fr[om] Heaven for all their & especially for this Bene- faction. Likewise I return you many thanks for all your favours, which you have for me, who am / Dear Sir
your most obedient hum [ble]/ Servant. Israel Christian Gronau.
177
CORRESPONDENCE
Patrick Grant to the Trustees.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.) LETTER FROM PATRICK GRANT TO YE. HONBLE YE
TRUSTEES FOR ESTABLISHING THE COLONY OF GEORGIA IN AMERICA. JULY 14, 1739 RECP. 2 Nov. 1739 A.
May it please your Honours
AsIhave the honuor of being appointed by his Excellency General Oglethorpe, Naval Officer and Search Concerning Rum and other Spirit- uos liquors & Contrband Goods in the Southern Boundaries of this Province: I thought it my Duty to Accquaint Your Honours that there are Considerable quantities of Foreign Sugars and Molasses imported here, with a fraudelent in- tention of re-exporting the Same, and to de- fraud the Crown of a part of its Revenue, Con- trary to An Act for the better Securing and Encouraging the trade of his Majestys Sug". Colonies in America by which it is Eaacted that Duties are to be paid for said Goods, and there- fore I have Made bold to make my Application to your Honours, (as No Duties hath been as yet levied) in order to know your Pleasure con- cerning that affair - who am -
May it please Your Honours Your Most Obedient & Most humble Servant
P. Grant.
Georgia July 14th. 1739
Appointed Naval Offi- cer and searcher concerning rum, etc.
Foreign sugars and molasses im- ported with fraudulent intentions.
178
COLONIAL RECORDS
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
GENERAL OGLETHORPE TO THE TRUSTEES. 16 JULY 1739 RECP B Nov. 1739.
Gentlemen
Twenty pounds of silk sent to the Trus- tees.
I send you by Mr. Auspourger about twenty pounds Weight of Silk, we hoped for five times the quantity, but for want of room we made use of the House where the Sick People used to be, and the Infection had such an Effect, (as Camus tells me) that it occasioned a Sickness amongst the Worms, which destroyed a great many. Some of the Silk was wound last year, but most, this. I hope we shall have better Success next.
Concerning applications for lands.
Talfeur, an apothecary and Wil- liams, a mer- chant quit planting to sell rum.
Land taken for debts.
Several applications will be made to You for Lands, but I hope you will make no new Grants what-ever till we can get those already granted, in some manner cultivated. There is one Talfeur an Apothecary Surgeon who gives Physick, and one Williams of whom I wrote to you formerly, a Merchant who quitted planting to sell Rum. To these two, almost all the Town is in debt for Physick & Rum & they have raised a strong Spirit to desire that Lands may be alienable, and then they would take the Lands for the Debts, monopolize the Countrey and set- tle it with Negroes. They have a vast deal of Art, and if they think they cannot carry this, they would apply for any other alteration, since they hope thereby to bring Confusion, and You cannot imagine how much uneasiness. I have
CORRESPONDENCE
179
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
had here. I hope therefore you will make no alterations.
I desire you would send over an Appointment to the Magistrates of the Town Court of Savan- nah for the time being to proceed to put the Rum Act in Execution.
There is lately a considerable Trade started up here and Mr. Fallowfield Collector of Savan- nah, and M. Grant Naval Officer and Searcher at Saint Simons, vigilantly acquainted me that they had discovered that there were some Span- ish Sugars imported here, which I think ought to pay a duty to the King. I ordered the two Officers to write to you, and hope you will order proper Lawyers to be consulted, and send us advice what to do.
The French & Spaniards have used their ut- most Endeavours to raise Disturbances amongst our Indians, & the not deciding clearly in the Act relating to them has given such Insolence to the Carolina Traders yt ye Indians have de- clared, if I do not come up to them they will take Arms, & do themselves Justice & have ordered a general Assembly of all the Nations to meet me, I set out this night and am
The French and Span- iards en- deavour to raise dis- turbances among the Indians.
Gentlemen
Your most obedient
humble servant
James Oglethorpe.
Savannah 16 **. July 1739.
The Honoble. the Trustees.
The rum Act.
Spanish sugars im- ported.
180
COLONIAL RECORDS
Letter from John Martin Bolzius.
1
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
JOHN MARTIN BOLZIOUS, 19 JULY 1739 -
Ebenezer in Georgia July 19th. 1739.
Most Honoured Sir,
As your Honour was pleased heretofore to bestow many Favours upon me & my Flock, for which I return you most humble Thanks, so I doubt not but you will take my Writing to you in the same good Part, as you was always gen- erously inclined to do formerly. I have taken the Liberty some time ago to lay before your Honour by the Revd. M. Ziegenhagen the Charges of a House for my Ministry, & since he wrote me Word, that you did not dislike it, but had a mind to recommend it to the Honble Trus- tees, I make now bold to acquaint you humbly, that a very good & for obtaining the Ends of my Ministry very convenient House is now built, & I have the Satisfaction of seeing now by sweet Experience, what Difference be be- tween a Dwelling-House & a Hutt, where I was forced to live for the space of 3 years to many Disappointments of my Health & ministerial Office. The Charges of this Building amount higher than I could imagine before viz to £82- 12-but I make bold to assure your Honour, that Ministers of the Saltzburgers after my De- parture will have the Benefit of this House longer than hundred years. Our Carpenters and other Saltzburgers have done their Work
A home for the minis- try.
CORRESPONDENCE
181
Letter from John Martin Bolzius.
so faithfully, as I could wish, & bring before the Throne of Grace many thanksgiving Sacrifices for having gained that way some Money for buying necessaries for themselves & families, therefore look upon their Wages as Benefac- tions bestowed upon them. General Oglethorpe was so generous as to lend me some Money & gave me liberty to take out of the Store at Savannah some Provisions & other Things for my Carpenters, which was a good Means to pay a part of their Wages, and I am very willing to repay it very thankfully as soon as I am able to do it by kind Benefactors. The Honble. Trus- tees have been so generous as to bear the Charges of M. Gronau's House, for which Goodness he has returned himself most humble Thanks in a Letter to Mr. Verelst: this en- courages my Hope, their Honours will not take it amiss, if I beseech them most humbly for some Assistance more towards the Building of my House, than they have bountifully allow'd allready. I have wrote a Letter to M'. Verelst a fortnight ago but did not mention any thing of my House, being not finished at this time. Therefore, I crave your Honour's Goodness to recommend the Necessity & Charges of my House to the Honble. Trustees, which will be of such a Weight & happy Effect, that it will make me rejoyce & thankful to God & Benefactors. If merciful God is graciously pleased to pre- serve my Life, I shall endeavour my self to the utmost of my Strength to spent all the rest of my Life in this House to the Honour of God, &
Money loaned by Gen. Ogle- thorpe.
182
COLONIAL RECORDS
Letter from John Martin Bolzius.
A visit from Gen. Ogle- thorpe to the Saltz. burgers.
Gen Ogle- thorpe on a visit to Indian nation.
Complaints of school- master Ort- man and his wife.
to answer the prayseworthy Intentions of my dear Superiors, which they aime at by maintain- ing me in the Congregation of the Saltzburgers. And as every one of my beloved Hearers is es- ceeding glad to see now a good House built for my & the Congregations Use, so they do joyn with me in Prayers to beseech the Almighty for rewarding you & them for such a great Favour, I expect chearfully from their & your innate Goodness in Respect to the Charges of my House. His Excellency General Oglethorpe honoured yesterday our Town by His Presence & did like my House very well, & was generous- ly inclined to recommend it to their Honours, the Trustees in his next Letter, being now for the Welfare of the Colony gone up to the Indian Nations in the Mountains. He was mighty kind to our Inhabitants, especially to our Orphan- House & has payd out of His Pocket £40 for the Benefit of the Orphan House in lieu of those Sola-Bills, which the Honble. Trustees have sent over to be signed by Col. Steaphans & Bailiff Parker, which they excused themselves to do for some Reasons which they will, I believe, write themselves to the Trustees. His Excellency General Oglethorpe was much troubled by a great many Groundless Complaints of our School Master Ortman & his Wife, which he took the Trouble almost half a Day to inquire into. His Wife was allways exceeding trouble- some by her scandalous Behaviour to my Con- gregation, & since Necessity for stoping Wick- edness in the Bud, obliged me to forbid her the
CORRESPONDENCE
183
Letter from John Martin Bolzius.
holy Table till she would make satisfaction by leading a better life, it occasioned the School Master to grieve me & my Fellowlabourer very much by Oppositions, slanderings & false Im- putations before the Magistrates at Savannah as well as before General Oglethorpe, but to their own shame & Confusion. Since the man is grown by his Wifes wicked Contrivances, & Insinuations obstinat & disobedient, he is a great Burthen to us, & not at all useful to our School, which my Duty obliges me to acquaint your Honour with. He could not be used in any measure to instruct our Children in the English Tongue, which was heretofore a great Disappointment to us. Notwithstanding he pre- tended strongly to be a English School Master, but his wrong Pronunciation & great many Mistakes in spelling, reading & writing occa- sioned General Oglethorpe to order me not to give him leave to teach any Child English. I dare not trouble you any longer by my Writ- ing in your Weighty Affairs, but committ you & all your praiseworthy Undertakings to the Grace & Conduct of merciful God, being with the greatest Respect & hearty Salutations from me, M'. Gronau, our Families & whole Congre- gation / Your Honour's / most obedient
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