USA > Georgia > Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 22 pt 2 > Part 5
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CORRESPONDENCE
67
Mr. T. Causton to the Trustees.
from any thought of aspersing any one in a private Capacity or Character, as is Suggested here I hope, (from Your known Justice) that altho' it might be proper to shew MT. Thomas Jones those Diarys before he left England, He will not be countenanced in making his Obser- vations upon it here to my Prejudice. I should be more particular in this Affair, but such is my Desire to Vindicate my Conduct, and Obey Your Comands, That I (at present) choose to undergoe the worst Event, than seem to expect your favour, further than my Actions shall be found, (on an Impartiall enquiry) to Deserve.
I am Sorry to find myself charg'd with pre- suming to disregard Your Honours Orders dated the 14th. of December 1737. by certifying the Accounts of Captain James Macpherson, Robert Williams and Comp. and Messs. Ellis and Ryan, because I can take upon me to say, That every one of those persons were ac- quainted with those Your Orders, and were then told, that they must consequently hazard, such Objections as you would certainly make should payment for them be demanded in Eng- land .- Captain Macpherson as Comander of the Garrison at Fort Argyle demanded such Certificate and represented to me, That he had been at extraordinary Charges in providing Horses and necessarys for his Company on Creditt, And that unless he was enabled to con- tinue such a Creditt to his people, by my Imedi- ate Payment, or such an Assurance, As he could Raise a Creditt upon, It was impossible for
Desires to vindicate conduct.
Charged with disre. gard of orders.
Capt. Mac- pherson; commander of the gar- rison at Fort Argyle, makes cer- tain de- mands.
68
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. T. Causton to the Trustees.
Capt. Mac- pherson's threats to quit the service.
him to keep the People in Garrison, and threat- en'd, That unless, I comply'd with his Demand, He and his men, would imediately quit the Service; This proceeding of Captain Macpher- sons, As it was Sudden and seem'd to be very extraordinary, I could not, (with humble Sub- mission) think it proper for me to deny his Request. Because such a Deniall, might have given him a Pretence to have executed his threats; which (if done) would certainly at that time, have expos'd the Colony to many Dangers, The Spaniards and French, being then, very busy among the Creeks and other neighbouring Nations of Indians in making Presents, forming Treatys and Stirring them up against us ;- I was at that time, very dan- gerously ill, and therefore in a more particular manner than usuall consulted Collonel Stephens and the Majestrates as to this matter and now enclose, Coppys of the Captains Letter and my Answer on that Occasion. As to M'. Robt. Wil- liams and Comp and Messs. Ellis and Ryan, I am certain, that I not only frequently repeated to them, That Your Honours had determin'd, All payments should be made at Savannah; But also, that many Accounts Prior to theirs would be certainly sent back, for like payment here. And That they must expect (As the necessary expences of the Colony had exceeded Your Calculations) to wait for such payment, till an Account of those expences could be laid before you and Affairs would permitt a Suita- ble remittance .- And it was never otherwise told them or any one else, than that as many
1
The Span. iards and French busy among the Indians.
An order to make all payments at Savannah.
CORRESPONDENCE
69
Mr. T. Causton to the Trustees.
Certify'd Accounts might be return'd for paymt. here, And many other Sumes likewise due to Sundry persons which was not certify'd, A farr less Sum would be remitted (at present) than would be Sufficient to discharge them; And that therefore, each person so concern'd, could only expect such a Part as was agreable to their Demands and the other Imediate Services of the Colony would admitt of-And I can take upon me to say, That all my expres- sions were of this Nature to every one, who had (from the time of Your Honours said Orders) any demands upon the Stores .- And therefore if it shall thus appear upon an Impartiall En- quiry, and that the providing further Stores was necessary, I hope you will believe, that I thereby endeavour'd to discharge the Generall parts of my Duty, And Altho' the Sence of my own Integrity, and Variety of business pre- vented the thought, that such particular Rea- sons was necessary, You will recieve such en- deavours, in mittigation of the Charge for dis- pensing with Your Comands; And contrariwise beleive, That I did render as punctuall an Obe- dience, as was consistent with the then Circum- stances of the Colony.
My Cash Account, is herewith sent wherein all Your Honours Sola Bills, As also all other Cash as hath in any other Shape come to my hands since the 6th. of February 1735. is duly accounted for. And as it thereby appears, that the Discharge exceeds the Charge, I beg leave to say, that I am apprehensive some part of my own particular Cash has been appropriated
Concerning delayed payments.
Just to every one with de- mand on the stores.
Personal cash used by Mr. Causton on behalf of the Colony.
70
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. T. Causton to the Trustees.
to the use of the Colony besides the Sume of £50 which I mention'd in my Letter of the 14th. of January to have drawn in favour of Mess s. Montrigut and Comp on M. Oglethorpe for the purchase of Hogs and other Provisions in De- cember 1736. As Errours may possibly be dis- covered on a further perusall of the Accounts I have not charg'd the Cash Account as such, But have left it for my Creditt (till Such fur- ther examination is taken) when my particular Account shall be laid before you .---
Errors through the incapacity of clerks.
The Generall Heads of Account for the Year 1736 as mention'd in my Letter of the 26th. of May last, were all then drawn out, And the Coppys near finisht ; But tho' the utmost Charge was given, they appear'd (upon examination) to be so very full of Errours, thro' the Inca- pacity of the Clerks that it could not have answer'd the Design, which by my said Letter is mention'd, But least it shod. be doubted if such Heads were prepar'd or some false Rea- sons Suggested for its not being sent, I enclose it to Mr. Verelst; And that those Errours may be amended, Those Generall Heads are put into other hands to be rectify'd, And will with a Continuance to the end of my Acting as Store Keeper be transmitted .-
-
Mr. Jeny's account.
I have herewith enclosd M'. Jenys whole Acct. after a full reexamination, which I imagine will clear up the Observations which Mr. Verelst has made upon it, to Your Honours Satisfaction.
The Reason, for my Suffering M'. Bradley's Bill on Mr. Verelst to be charg'd in said Ac-
CORRESPONDENCE
71
Mr. T. Causton to the Trustees.
count, is, because Mr. Thomas Jenys produc't Mr. Oglethorpe's Letter to his Brother, As an Authority for such a Charge, And having shewn the Coppy of such Letter to the Generall, I have herewith enclos'd it. -
The Inventory's of remaining Stores at Sa- vannah taken the 29th. of September 1738. are herewith enclos'd Witnessed by the respective Clerks who took them, wherein those Articles purchas'd here, or of which, I have any bills of parcells are according to such Cost charged, And the Condition Noted .- Upon the Arrivall of Generall Oglethorpe I gave Mr. Jones poses- sion of the Stores; And expected to have reced an Imediate reciept, But he thought fitt, to Issue away the most necessary part, without any Examination, or giving such Reciept con- trary to the Opinion of those, whom Your HonTs. had authorized to direct him; And afterwards refus'd such Reciept, under a Pretence, That he must examine into the Value of every par- ticular. - I have also entred on these Invento- rys Such Annotations, as I have been able to inform myself of, which Mr. Jones after more than a Three Months Posession thought proper to make, But having no Reciept to this Hour, I thought it necessary, that the Clerks should certifye, their own Actions, And (they tell me) are ready (if occasion require) to Swear it is true.
The French Prisoners mention'd in my Jour- nal, were taken (among others) at a Battle, by the Chickesaw Indians, when the French attackt
Inventorys of remain- ing stores.
72
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. T. Causton to the Trustees.
The rescue of some French pris- oners by Mr. Thomas Andrews from the Chickesaw Indians.
One of the captives hanged on the way to Savannah.
those Indians; And . M. Thomas Andrews, One of the Traders in that Station, having acquaint- ed M. Oglethorpe, That he had been the means of preserving the lives of these and one other of the said Captives, from a Cruell Death, (Mon- sieur Bienville brother to the Governour of New Orleans, The Son of a Secretary of France, a Priest, and 19 other Captives having been burnt) Mr. Oglethorpe enjoynd him (before his last return to England) that at any price wtever he would redeem, and bring them all three to Savannahı. - In pursuance of which, The said Andrews with 4 Chickesaw Indians Sett out for this place . One of which Captives being taken (on the way) with a Flux, And not recovering by the Remedys which the Indians administred, they thought proper to hang him, The other two arrived here, to whom, I issued allowances from the Store, And they waited Upon the Gen- erall at his Arrivall .-
Explains certain blanks in journal.
The Blanks, left in my Journall for Sums paid, was intended to be filled up from the Leidger, But as it was forgot (the Books not being at hand, when the said Journall was transcribed, I humbly hope, that such an Omis- sion will not be thought very Materiall, because the Accounts themselves will sufficiently shew what those Sums were. -
Mr. Causton accused of being Mr. Ellis's Factor.
I am Sorry, I should be suppos'd to be MIT. Ellis's Factor, when It is well known, and can be prov'd, That I have denied all Offers of that kind, And am ready to Answer any Charge, for being in any Shape concern'd (with design) in
73
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. T. Causton to the Trustees.
anything whatever, unbecoming the Character of one who Stedfastly was Your (only) Duti- full Servant, And the great Trust you were pleas'd to Repose in me. The Beef mention'd in Your said Orders, was (at first) purchas'd for the use of the Stores; And being soon dis- covered to be unwholsome (after a proper Con- demnation) reced such a Fate, as the Law directs. And I humbly apprehend, that neither he, nor any one in his behalf, can have any just Complaint or Charge upon that Account.
I have enclos'd Mrs. Watson's Letter of Attor- ney to me, together with the Defeazance of a judgment, which she was pleas'd to send; As also her Husbands whole Account with the Store, (wch. some time) since Subsequent to his Discharge from his Confinement, were all examined and adjusted with his Consent.
The Sum of £46 . 8. 7 Carolina Currency has been allow'd to Rubriek Kalcher upon the Ap- plication of the Revd. Mr. Boltzius, agreable to Mr. Vatts Letter and Your Order. -
I humbly hope, that what I have mention'd in my Letter dated the 14". January with re- gard to the Creditt taken myself, for Servant, brought as well by Captain Thompson, As a Go-by-Capt. Hewitt, And also to the Creditt given to Mr. Broadie and Mr. Upton, will re- cieve Your Honours approbation; Those Serv- ants delivered to the Creditt of Archibald Mac- Bean, being particularly Subject to Your Comands, he has no pretence, from any Act of mine to deny a Return of or imediately pay for
Mrs. Wat- son's letter of attorney.
Creditt for servants.
74
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. T. Causton to the Trustees.
Lieut. Jno. Moore Mackintosh command- ing officer at Darian.
them. - Those to Alexander MacLeane, Benja- mine Mackintosh, Lieutenant John Moore Mackintosh, and Kenneth Bayley were deliv- ered to them respectively at the particular re- quest of the said Lieutenant being the Comand- ing Officer at the Darian; I have therefore given them Notice That such payment is expected. Those in the Service of James Anderson being duly charged to his Acct. there appears to be due to him the Sume of £77 . 3s . 81/4d ster on - a Ballance. - LachSan MacBean's wife ,is with her husband, and he being a Man of Substance (at present) in the Indian Station I hope to be excus'd for such a Creditt, which he will not fail to Satisfye at his Return.
Loaded with business an excuse for certain oversights.
Having thus endeavour'd to lay before you Satisfactory Answers to Your Honours Sev- erall Comands before mention'd, I beg leave, further to Offer to Your Consideration, How far any One, tho' endow'd with far greater qualifications, than I can presume to be posess't of, can possibly in every part Acquitt himself, when thus Loaded with business (which I will Venture to call here, of the greatest conse- quence) without proper Assistance; Especially, when I imagine it will be allow'd to be neces- sary (As well for my better executing so gen- erall a Trust, As for manifesting to the World my Fidelity with regard to the Expence) All Accounts, and Entrys Ought and were kept, and entred by such persons as seem'd to be best qualify'd .-
And I beg leave further to Offer; How farr
CORRESPONDENCE
75
Mr. T. Causton to the Trustees.
Difficulty of restricting expenses.
Italian silk winder left Colony.
it was possible for me to Confine the expences of the Colony to Your Honrs. Limitations (which my own Safety, as well as my Duty requir'd) when three fourths of the time was elaps'd, for which those Limitations were Calculated before they arriv'd, And consequently before I could possibly make such Alterations, as were agre- able to those Limitations, the time for which they were calculated would be wholly expired. And (if the King's Forces arriv'd according to expectation) other different Orders might be reasonably expected. And I am very Appren- sive, that had I omitted any Reasonable en- deavours to keep the People together, till those Forces arriv'd, I should have expos'd myself to a just Censure, Because when the Italian Silk winder was Suppos'd to have left the Colony thro' Discontent, I was told by Letter that you were much Surprizd to hear it, Because it was in my Power to have prevented it.
From what ever Quarter Your Honours Doubts of my Conduct or good Endeavours may Arise, I can take upon me to say, That no Will- full Act of mine has occasion'd it, And as my past Services were rather the Effects of Your Choice, than my Intercession, I cannot yet be- lieve, but that You will favorably accept Such Endeavours. And beleive me to be
Yor. Honours
Most Dutifull Servant
T. Causton.
Savannah
February 14th. 1738.
76
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Brooks to the Earl of Egmont.
MR. BROOKS TO THE RIGHT HONBLE. THE EARL OF EGMONT TO BE LEFT AT THE HONLE. PERCI- VAL'S IN PALL-MALL, LONDON.
1 Red Wax Seal
1
York Feb. 17, 1738/9
My Lord,
The Honour of your Lordship's Letter came safe to me at my Return yesterday out of ye Country, where I had been a Week which pre- vented me from returning an Answer sooner. I am very Sorry the Trustees have it not in their power to comply with my Proposals, which I flatter'd myself would have laid the Founda- tion of three very considerable Branches of Trade very beneficial to Old England, because silk, Hemp & Flax might very well be carried on by ye same hands without interfering with each other, for after sowing of Hemp and Flax, the Mulberry-Trees come to be in perfection for feeding of Silk Worms; and the Silk Har- vest (as they call it abroad) is over before Hemp and Flax are ripe, and the breaking and dressing of these may be work for ye rest of ye year, tho I have contriv'd a Machine, which will assist 'em in that part of the Work, so that many hands may be otherways employ'd: A material Thing in the first establishing a new Colony. Another Thing of great Consequence
Three con. siderable branches of trade: Silk, hemp and flax.
Things ma- terial in es- tablishment of a new colony.
77
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Brooks to the Earl of Egmont.
ought carefully to be look'd after in the Be- ginning of such new Establishments, viz: to take sufficient Care that ye Poor be supplied with our own Manufactures, least they Should be forc'd to employ 'emselves that way, when their Industry should be turn'd into another channel more beneficial to Old England, which now may easily be done, but I am told this Cir- cumstance has not been sufficiently attended to, none having as yet undertaken to do it, this I will contribute to as much as in me lays, foi I have given orders for a large quantity of this Country Cloth and Hose to take with me; and as I find in the printed Letter from Savanna that they are in great Danger of wanting Corn before next crop can be got, I have also given directions for buying a great quantity of our best Wheat for their Subsistance wch. I shall get away as soon as every thing shall be com- pleated, I am very sorry they are reduced to such Straits, but I hope they will soon have an End of their Troubles of that Kind.
As the Trustees are oblig'd by their Charter not to grant more than 500 acres to one Person, yet I will go if they will grant to me and to my son each 500 acres to our Heirs and Assigns for ever with all mines & all other Priviledges thereunto belonging, tho that will be far short of my first proposal: Here is a neighbour of mine who will be glad of 500 acres also, whose name &c: together with my own I shall give your Lordship and the Rest of the Gentlemen when I shall do my self the Honour to wait upon
A contribu- tion of cloth, hose and wheat to the Colony.
Not more than 500 acres of land grant- ed to one person.
78
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Brooks to the Earl of Egmont.
you, which shall not be delay'd longer than ab- solutely necessary after I shall have a Letter of your agreing to these Terms: I only con- ceal my Name &c: 'till I am certain of going, because I think it better so to do, together with other Reasons, with which I shall acquaint your Lordship if requir'd at a proper Time.
Wants to embark at once.
The Season now advancing very fast makes me that I would willingly be there soon, if I do go, which now I believe I may be certain off since I shall want no more from The Trustees than their grant which I make no doubt I shall have together with my Son's and also the other for my Neighbour, but of which I beg your Lordship will be pleas'd to give orders that I may have the earliest notice, because of sending the Servants to prepare every thing necessary for ye voyage, which I have so contriv'd may be done in a Month's Time; this will add to the obligations due to your Lordship from
My Lord Your Lordships most Humble Sel. tho'
Unknown.
York, Feb. 17 1738-9.
Please to order ye directions for M'. Brooks at Dr. Burton's in York. I never had an answer from M. Martin yet.
P: S: As I had made a mistake in the direc- tions of my last, I am affraid of doing the like again, not having the Honour of knowing,
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CORRESPONDENCE
79
Mr. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
where yr. Lordship lives, so have directed it to be left as your Lordship sees, least it should not arrive in due Time.
MR. JONES TO THE ACCOTANT RECD BY CAPTN : YEOMAN 14 MAY 1739 READ MAY 23P. 1739
Savannah Feby. 17th. 1738
Sr.
On the 13th. Instant in the Afternoon, thirty Six Indians of the Chactaw Nation arrived here, We knew not of their coming, 'till we Saw them at the Bluff, They were conducted to the Courthouse where they were entertained with Tobacco, Wine and Biscuit; They, by their Interpreter, (a French Youth who lived some Years among them, and deserted from a French Garrison in their Countrey about two Years Since) acquainted us, That they were Friends to the English; That they protected the English Traders and conducted them Safe to and from their Nation; That they were come a great way to have a Talk with The Great Man, and were determined to see him; That they would tarry for his coming here, or go to him where he was. There was no Meat in the Store, Nor Beer. I bought two Hogs And three Barrlls. of Beer (with my Own Money) And last night had three of ye Trustees Steers killd, And brew'd an hhd. of molossoes Beer, which I hope may Suffice untill his Excellency, The General arrives; I
The Choc- taw Indians guests of the Colony.
Indians come to have a talk with the Great Man.
80
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
A canoe dispatched to advise Gen. Ogle. thorpe of the arrival of the Indians.
Tomo Chici.
imediately (with Col". Stephens® concurrence) dispatch'd A Canoe to advise the General and hope to See him, or to receive his Orders in a day or two, for they are troublesom and ex- pensive Guests, but have hitherto kept them in good humor; Tomo Chici with his Chiefs came Yesterday to pay them a visit. The further particulars his Excellency, when he comes here will, I doubt not, acquaint the honble. Trustees with.
Melancholy condition of the Colony.
Awfull con- trivances to put things into con- fusion.
The Melancholy Condition this Colony is in at present, My own Insufficiency to undertake any Measures (if I was Sufficiently instructed) that may tend to bring Affairs into a better Scituation, The Absence of ye General for So long a time from these parts, And The Awfull Contrivances daily renewed by a party here, to bring all things into Confusion, And to re- proach the Good Intentions of the honourable Trustees, endeavouring to lay the Blame of all the Calamity and Distress, the People labour under, at their Door, give me great uneasiness ; but am resolved, with God's help, to use my best Endeavours to Stem ye Torrent, if I perish in the Attempt: hoping their hon's. will not for- sake the few lionest industrious persons in Georgia, who have been the only persons for some time past neglected & put under hard- ships, but will in due time Appoint Some per- son of a better Capacity that can use closer Application to Business, than I have been inured to.
You have (for Some Years past) known that
CORRESPONDENCE
81
Mr. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
my good wishes alwayes attended the Wellfare of this Colony, which continue the Same Still, . therefore intreat You will excuse to the Hon- ourable The Trustees any unguarded Expres- sions, the Proliscity, and plainess, that may be used by me, I shall have, at all times, a regard to Truth in what I write-which had it been more consulted by some others in time past, This Colony would, in all probability, have been in a more flourishing Condition, than it is in.
For Some time, after I came to Savannah, I imagined that the great Disorder, the Trus- tees affairs were in, proceeded rather from Neglects; through Mr. Causton's haughtiness of temper, And his having too many Affairs to manage, than from any design'd Knavery or Injustice in him; I took the Liberty of com- municating my thoughts to his Excellency, to the Same purpose, And daily press'd Mr. Caus- ton to render as plain & full Accot. as he was capable, of all the Affairs under his Care and Managemt., And tho' it was evident, The Trus- tees had Suffered greatly by his Misconduct, which he might be led into thro' an hurry of Business, and his being obliged to entrust the Managemt. of Some affairs to others, Yet, I did not doubt but their Honours would be Satisfied when he represented to them the Difficulties he had laboured under, And that it appeared he had not Sought his private Interest therein- He Said That he had not got the Value of a pair of Shoes in the Trustees Service, but Spent his own fortune, complain'd of his hard Usage,
Disorder in affairs caused from neglect.
Trustees suffered greatly through the misconduct of Mr. Causton.
82
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
Mr. Caus- ton's threat to apply to Parliament for satis- faction.
& threatned to apply to Parliament for Satis- faction. That he would not concern himself about the Accounts-that was the Clerks Busi- ness, that he had never writ in the Books, That he had been too faithfull a Servant, And had not dealt in any One Comodity, nor been con- cern'd in any Traffick or Business, whereby he gained One penny (tho' often Sollicited thereto) Since he had engaged in their Service- I was Soon after convinced to the Contrary. The Revª. Mr. Bolzius of Ebenezer desired me to See what Credit had been given him for a par- cell of Linen (whereof ye Prime Cost in Ger- many was Seventy One pounds Sterling) which he had delivered to M'. Causton; I look'd into his Accot. in the Books, but found no mention therein of any; I then enquired of Mr. Causton, the Reason he had for not giving Mr. Bolzius that Credit. He told me that he had taken that Linen on his private Account and had Sold the greatest part of it, And that Mr. Bolzius might bring his Action against him, if he pleased, That there was one piece and a Remnant left, which Mr. Bolzius might have, or he would leave it in the Store. Many such instances, you will meet wth in his Accots when Sent over.
The heavy Expence wch. the honble. Trustees have been at, in Supporting this Colony will appear, when the Vouchers for those Expences shall be sent over for your perusal, In the mean time I shall only mention two instances of what has been undertaken this last year, how neces- sary I shall not determine - The One is, M.
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