USA > Georgia > Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 22 pt 2 > Part 8
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Cannot sub- mit to the low work of writing by hearsay.
Debts in- curred for necessities.
117
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Stephens to the Trustees.
of the 3ª of Jan; & which I begd the favour of him to make known, as he saw proper. To set forth the incessant application to the Busines my Son and I came about, which we have done our utmost in, would be making an Eulogy on our selves : a task against my nature: and to be seeking Favour with a Quantum meruit, I think would be absurd and ridiculous: where- fore I lay that wholly aside; & humbly submit it to Your Honours consideration, how far you'll judge us capable of being usefull in your service henceforward : for in proportion to that, & no otherways, we ought to rely upon being favourably upheld from sinking: which I will not entertain the least doubt of ; yt upon such a firm and certain footing I may go on with Cour- age, & act in every thing required of me so as to insure the continuance of your good opinion.
Mr. Jones ( I am perswaded) has wrote large- ly what he thought needfull, concerning all such Affairs as he got the knowledge of; but by what conveyance he sent it, I cannot tell. After looking over the Contents of my present Journ- al, I am at a loss what to add more, who am
Honourable Gentlemen
Your most Obedient humble Servant Will Stephens.
To the honourable the Trus- tees for Establishing the Col- ony of Georgia.
.
Discour. aged but hopeful.
118
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Verelst from Jno. Martin Bolzius.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
COPY OF A LETTER TO MIR. VERELST FROM JOHN MARTIN BOLZIUS. EBENEZER MARCH 14TH 1738/9.
Dear Sir,
I took the 6th of November. last the Liberty of beseeching the Honourable: the Trustees both for some subsistance towards our Orphan House as for the generous Gift of 2 dutch Fam- ilies, who are imploy'd to be Cowherdsmen over the Saltzburgers Cattle, given us by His Ex- cellency, General Oglethorp. till the Trustees's Approbation, which humble Petition, I doubt not, will be taken in good part but their Honours My Duty obliges me now to give them a humble Account of the Condition of the Saltzburgers, & how far they have proceeded in their Labour in the Ground last year. His Excellency Gen- eral Oglethorpe ordered anew after His safe Arrival the Surveyor Ross to lay out our Farms at Abricorn-Creek, 2 miles below our Place, which he had neglected by reason of his own Interest, leaving untouched the very good Ground down the River, where is abundance of thik Cans, thorns, Bushes & Swams, a great deal more difficult to run it out than open pine- Land. I could wish, the Saltzburgers were set- tled last Spring upon this very fruitful Island, & then I would have the satisfaction of ac- quainting you with a larger Crop of several
-
Request for subsistance towards an orphan House.
Surveyor Ross order- ed to lay out farms.
CORRESPONDENCE
119
Mr. Verelst from Jno. Martin Bolzius.
Countrey Grain, than they had last year at our Place. However God be praised, who has gra- ciously given them such an Harvest, that they was able not only to maintain themselves hither- to, but some of the people could sell a good Quantity of Corn, Peas, Potatoes & some Bushles of Rice too. We had at least at our Place by the meer Blessing of God 1104 Bush. of Corn, 429 Bush. Indian Peas, 518 Bush. Potatoes, 398 Bush. rough Rice, a great many Pumpkins, Cabbitch & other Garden-Stuff, & if not disappointed by the yellow Pensylvanie- Corn, which was strongly recommended us for planting, we would have had a larger Produce. I cannot forbear to mention to the Praise of merciful & Almighty God, that the people, which are imploy'd by me for the sake of our Orphan-House, have brought in a Crop of about 100 Bush. of Corn, 40 Bush. Peas, 30 Bush. rough Rice, & a great many Potatoes, be- sides several sorts of Garden-Stuff, which tho' not sufficient for maintaining our Orphans & the imploy'd people, but is a very good Bless- ing of Heaven, which encourages our Hope very much to be indewed in time to come with the same Blessings in our weak Endeavours. If the Honourable Trustees & other Benefactors would be pleased to contribute some Benefac- tions towards the maintaining the Orphan- House, & paying the Debts which I was necessi- tated to make in raising up the House & Out- Houses, & for other necessary Expences in the Beginning, it would redound to many good uses of my Congregation & other people. General
Offers thanks for a good harvest.
Contribu- tions to. wards the mainte- nance of orphan- house.
120
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Verelst from Jno. Martin Bolzius.
The Saltz. burgers find the country fruitful.
The em- ployment of Negroes.
Oglethorpe was so generous as to send to our Place, besides the Cowherds, some other dutch Servants, which are imploy'd partly in the service of the Orphan-House partly of the Saltz- burgers, who will be willing in time, when they have made sufficient Provisions for their own subsistance, to pay some interest in Grain for them to the Orphan House, for which great Benefit, depending of the Trustees as well as of the General, I return them most humble Thanks. Whereas our Saltzburgers know now by five year's experience what wholesome, fruitful & for industrious honest people very convenient & profitable Climate this Countrey is, in which we live by the wonderful Providence of God, they have taken the Liberty to intrest the General in a Letter to joyn with the Hon- ourable Trustees in sending over from Germany to Georgia an other Transport of Saltzburgers, and to give them the same Encouragements, which the first Comers had by the free gift & Benevolence of them. They have wrote to their Brethren likewise in Germany, & acquainted them with their being settled comfortably, who will be without Doubt ready quickly for being conducted hither, if M. Senior UrIsperger should be impowered again to gather a fourth Transport : and when they are brought hither to Ebenezer, they will be here as well satisfy'd, as we are, having not the least reason now to make any Complaint about the hot season of the Countrey, being not so very hot, as idle & delicate people endeavour to persuade them- selves & others, & for that unreasonable Reason
CORRESPONDENCE
121
Mr. Verelst from Jno. Martin Bolzius.
would like it mighty well rather to imploy Negroes in their Work, than white Europian people. As the Saltzburgers have beseeched General Oglethorpe, so I take the Freedom to beseech the Honourable Trustees not to allow any Negro-man or Woman to be carried to & imploy'd at our Place or Neighbourhood, seeing that the Consequences of it would be very bad & the Ruin of poor Labourers. White people, if industrius & desirous to follow the Direction of God Gen : III. 19 are capable enough to plant here every sort of Country-Grain without hurt- ing their Health in the Summer season; of which is Witness my whole Congregation. I am told, that people in the Colony are endeav- ouring to get Liberty from the Trustees to sell their Land, to whom they please, which if it should happen to be granted, would be of a very unhappy Effect in my Congregation, seeing that bad people, being kept under strict care & Dis- cipline, would in spite of Ministers & their Neighbours sell their Land for a trifle, & we would have our Ebenezer filled with people, troublesome & oppressive to the poor. I doubt not but the Honourable Trustees according to their Wisdom & tender Care for the Welfare of poor distressed, but honest & industrious peo- ple, will go on in their prizeworthy zeal & aim- ing at the true Welfare of the Common, & not land. patronize the privat Interest of some Persons, who endeavour commonly to promote their pri- vat Interest by poor people's Loss & Detriment. I beg the favour of you to present to the Hon- ourable the Trustees the most humble Respect of
Liberty to sell land.
Ebenezer filled with people trouble- some and oppressive to the poor if allowed to sell
122
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Causton to Mr. Harman Vereist.
mine, my Fellowlabourers and of the congrega- tion, which you would be pleased to accept of Dear Sir your most obedient humble Servant John Martin Bolzius.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
MR THOS CAUSTON TO MR. HARMAN VERELST RECD 26 JUNE BY THE JOHN GALLEY, CAPT. PATTERSON. THESE.
Savannah March 20th. 1738/9 ST.
Extract of accounts for year 1736.
Agreable to what is mention'd in my Letter to the Honoble Board of Trustees, I enclose the Extract of Accounts under generall Heads for the year 1736.
Those Heads I hope to send Completed, and what ever else shall appear necessary on my part.
I doubt not, of your Advice, in matters un- avoidably perplext, as the fruits of Your Humanity, especially when Affairs of the Colony require it.
And Am St. with Sincere Respect Yoª very humble Serv. T. Causton.
To M'. Harman Verelst.
123
CORRESPONDENCE
Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
WM. STEPHENS ESQR. TO MR. VERELST BY THE JOHN GALLEY CAPTN. PATTERSON, RECD 26 JUNE 1739
Savannah 29 Mar. 1739.
Having sent away my last no longer since than the 22ª inst, for want of an opportunity of doing it sooner, tho' twas ready long before; I have scarce any thing particular immediately to offer as from my self; but intend soon to write again fully of what I apprehend may be proper to notify. The occasion of this is from Mr. Causton; who just now brought me the 2 enclosed packetts, desiring me to take charge of y" (as he had formerly recª orders from the Trust to send wt he wrote under cover from me) and as a Friend of his was going instantly for Charles Town, he said he should be well pleased if I would commit the care of it to him, who he could confide in to deliver it safe into Defiance be- tween Mr. Jones and the hands of some Master upon sailing, Y' Mr. Causton. should take a proper rect for it; &c: and as the Affair was properly a Concern of his own, I thought wt he askd was not unreasonable. I find Mr. Jones and he, after long prelude are near coming to closer work; and Defiance seems
124
COLONIAL RECORDS
Kend O'Brien to the Trustees.
to be given on both sides : but as those are mat- ters out of my cognisance, I meddle on neither. I am
ST. Your most humble Servant
Will: Stephens.
To
M. Harman Verelst
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
KEND O BRIEN TO THE HONBLE THE TRUSTEES. Augusta in Georgia Ap1. 1. 1739.
Gentlemen
I Settled in this TownShip upwards of two years agone by Mr. Oglethorpe's Permission be- fore lie went last to Brittain and have made Considerable Improvements here which has Cost upwards of £300 sterle and that without a farth- ing Expense to your honours.
Request for a grant of land.
Since General Oglethorpes last Arrival here I have Waited on him and shewed him the in- closed Platt which he has been Pleas'd to ap- prove So far as to Affix his Letter to your honours to it; And if your honours will be pleased to Comply with What he there Recom- mends to you by Sending me a Grant for the
125
CORRESPONDENCE
Thos. Jones, Supposedly to the Trustees.
Same, You will lay the most Lasting Obligation on
Gentlemen
Yr. Most Obed. hum. servt. Kend o Brien.
To the Honble the Trustees.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
THOS. JONES, APR 1739 (SUPPOSED TO BE TO THE TRUSTEES)
Gentlemen
I have, ever Since I arrived in this Colony endeavoured to the utmost of my power and Capacity to discharge my Duty pursuant to my Engagemts. to Your Honours. but have met with those difficulties therein, that cannot be Surmounted by any Endeavours or Application of mine.
I cannot act contrary to my Obligations to Your Hon's. in the Trust reposed in me, Nor offer Violence to my own Judgment & Con- science (tho' perhaps misguided) in order to gain the Esteem or good Opinion of any, There- fore hope, Your Honors. will bear with me in declaring my Sentim's of the Scituation of Your Affairs in this part of the Colony. I could even wish, that I was mistaken therein, & would con- tentedly bear the Reproach and Blame, if other- wise than I apprehend.
Difficulties in discharg- ing official obligations.
-
126
COLONIAL RECORDS
Thos. Jones, Supposedly to the Trustees.
Gen. Ogle- thorpe ex. pected to arrive at Savannah.
By Mine of the Sth. 17th and 23d. February, dir- ected to Mr. Verelst, & Sent of the three Brotli- ers, Capt Yeoman, (wch hope arrived Safe) I mentioned Some of the discouraging Circum- stances we are under; Having nothing Certain then to write to You Honours, expecting daily his Excellency General Oglethorpe's Arrival at Savannah, When I hoped, his presence would have deterred those who seem to have confed- erated to ruin this Colony, and injure the Honble Trustees in their property, from any further Attempts of that nature.
Artfull pre- tences to delay en- quirys.
But his Excellency's Affairs requiring his presence in Carolina, The Artfull Insinuations & plausible pretences made by Some, to delay inquirys into their Conduct, have occasioned Affairs to be left in the Same Uncertainty and Disorder they were in before. If on his Excel- lency's return hither from Charles-Town, he can have Leisure to examine into those Matters w^h I have, & intend more fully to lay before him. And will give Such Orders thereupon, as may bring them to a Certain Issue, I shall not fail, by the first Opportunity that offers, to ac- quaint our Honte. with what is done therein
Mr. Causton perplexing accounts.
Upon his Excellency's Arrival at Savannalı, the Sixth of last Month, I renewed my Request to him, That The Books of Acco's. & Vouchers might be Secured, and Sent to England, as the only Expedient towards coming at any Certain Knowledge of the State of Your Affairs, For that Mr. Causton made daily Alterations in the Acco's. And that what James Houston declared,
CORRESPONDENCE
127
Thos. Jones, Supposedly to the Trustees.
(That they (the Clerks) were employed by Mr. Causton in perplexing the Accotrs. that he defved me, or even Mr. Verelst to unravel them,) Seem- ed to be his only Design by the whole of his Con- duct- His Excellency told me, That he could not Send Mr. Causton to England unless he consented thereto; However he Sent for him. When he came, he said That he received a Letter from His Excellency which informed him, That I had reported, he designed to depart out of the Colony wth. Capt. Stuart, which he Said was very injurious to him, and was false, I then declared the Reasons I had for my sus- pition of Such his Design, (which I had ac- quainted the General with, & have mention'd in my Letter to M' Verelst of Febry. ye Sth.) And added, That it was evident, he (Causton) never intended to render any Occo' to the Trus- tees, And that Some of the Acco's he had Sent to them already, were not to be found in the Books, but were feign'd Accotss. M. Causton Said, That he had given me a Copy of his Cash Accompt, And designed to finish his other Accots. but wanted Clerks to Assist him That I employed Wm. Russell, That he had but two left with him. I replyed, That I acknowledged to have received a Copy of what he called a Cash Accompt, which might justly be called an Orig- inal, but desired to know from whence he had formed that Accot., if from any thing extant in Writing, or from his own Memory or Invention, That there appeared Such manifest Frauds & Forgeries in that Accot (Several of which I instanced to him) that I wondred how any per-
A report that Mr. Causton had designs to leave the Colony.
Feigned accounts.
128
COLONIAL RECORDS
Thos. Jones, Supposedly to the Trustees.
Manifest frauds and forgeries.
son could attempt to publish Such, without blushing, unless he designd thereby to bid de- fyance to the comon Understanding of Man- kind- M' Causton Said, That when he deliv- ered that Copy to me, he had told me that there might be Some Mistakes in it, And that he had Since recollected ye Receipt of several Sums of Money, to the Amount of £700 which he had placed to the Accompt, which was now ready to be sent to the Trustees- I desired that he would give me a Copy of that Accot, so amend- ed, (wch cannot obtain,) but am told, it is Sent to England for your Hon's. Perusal.
Writers of accounts.
In September Iast, (when I came to Savan- nah) I found five writers, (besides Willm. Ewen who had also the Care of the Store) employed in the Accots. Vizt. Samtt Hurst, John Tye, and Wm. Russell, covenanted Servants, Adrian Sever & James Houston, on a Salary of Forty pounds ₹ Annu. Each, Wm Ewen, (Mr. Causton's Serv- ant) has credit in the Books for Thirty Pounds Annu And Provisions, And M' Causton has also Credit, Forty pounds, for two Years Ser- vice of Said Ewen in the Store to the 29th Sep- . tember- Sam Hurst (who lived with Mr. Caus- ton, & Said to keep his Private Accots.) with- drew from the Colony, Soon after I came to Savannah, M'. Causton assured me, that he went away without his Consent or privity, And gave me a Letter which he had received from Hurst, And which I send herewith- Wm. Ewen and James Houston absconded privately in ye Night time of the 28th. October. The General (upon
CORRESPONDENCE
129
Thos. Jones, Supposedly to the Trustees.
my advising him with what had happen'd) Soon after came to Savannah, & dispatch'd two Offi- cers, Lieu's Horton, & Dunbar. The One for Port Royal, to reclaim & bring back, Ewen & Houston; The other to Charles Town, for Samtt Hurst- The Recorder granted his Warrant for aprehending them, if found within this Colony, Upon my Information before him on Oath- A Copy of which, and also that relate- ing to Mr. Causton, I send herewith (having been threatned with Law-Suits to be comenced against me. On Accot of both)- Mr. Dunbar when he return'd from Charles Town, informed me, That having had Mr. Christie's Warrant back'd by a Magistrate of that province, he ap- rehended Samt Hurst, & had him before M. Abercromby, (the Attorney General) who dis- charged him, Upon Hurst's Alledging, That he never was a Servant to, or under any contract with the Trustees, Notwithstanding what I had declared on Oath to the Contrary- Will™ Ewen returned to Savannah soon after Mr. Horton went for Port Royall, and a few days after Ja : Houston bro't me a Letter from Mr. Horton, wch I sent enclosed to ye General, whereby I incurr'd Mr. Hortons displeasure-
I insisted (before M'. Christie) on Ewen & Houston's giveing Security, that they should not depart out of the Colony without Leave ob- tained; Untill the Honble Trustees their Effects, which they had been entrusted with by Mr. Caus- ton, were delivered to me And that The Accots. were finished- Mr. Henry Parker, (who was
A warrant for Ewen, Houston and Hurst.
130
COLONIAL RECORDS
Thos. Jones, Supposedly to the Trustees.
Several re- flecting speeches.
Sent for by them) ask'd me, how I could Swear That the Trustees were like to receive Damage by their going out of the Colony? And if any he desired me to declare to what Value: He complain'd of the Hardships, the Young Men were put to, And used Several reflecting Speeches towards me, Saying he did not think it convenient to put me to my Oath- They entred into Recognizances wth Sureties, but Houston's Recognizance was soon after vacated, (I was told) Upon Mr. Caustons declaring, That Houston was his Servant, that he had dis- charged him; having no Occasion for his Ser- vice any longer.
I shall not have troubled your Honours, with so tedious a Relation of these trivial Occur- encies, But That Mr. Causton has of late em- ployed One Searles, a Pettiager-Man, to assist him in the Occots. And requires Credit for him in the Store at the Rate of Forty Pounds Annum for such his Service- And I have em- ployd a Person, (with the Generals Aproba- tion) at Nine Shillings ~ week, who constantly attends in the Comptinghouse, in order to pre- vent the Books of Accots. from being destroyed or carried away (which has been attempted) tho' Some times neither M. Causton nor any of his Clerks are there for Several days to- gether ;- This last mention'd Expence is oc- casioned by M. Causton's removing the Books of Accot from the Compting house in the Store (since Michaelmas last), into a Room hired by him at Twelve pounds ~ Annu Rent.
Steps taken to protect books of accots.
-
CORRESPONDENCE
131
Thos. Jones, Supposedly to the Trustees.
The excessive prices given for House Rent, Excessive & Labour for the Service of the Honble The prices for house rent and labour.
Trustees, have been very expensive, And no real advantage to the people.
The Demands that Several have for Houses hired this last Year An Accot of which I could not obtain from Mr. Causton, but have got by enquiry, And which Mr. Causton does not con- tradict, amount to a considerable Sum- How long these houses have been occupied, I can not arrive at Any Certainty, but have herewith Sent the Accot. of the Rents, & how occupied- Some of the Houses were hired for the Service of Lieu' Colon11. Cochran, & others for that part of the Regiment which arrived here with him, which last charge, I find (by Instructions Sent Mr. C'auston by the General) is to be defraved by your Honors.
Col". Cochran's Acct., And That which is called, The Regiment's Accot wth. the Honble. Trustees, were delivered to the General, in order to their being transmitted to Yor. Hon™, but are imperfect, And not agreeing with the Accots entred in the Books- When the Clerks were employed in forming those Accot3. in March last, I had a transient view of some part of them and have reason to believe that the Accot. was mod- elled from directions receiv'd from the Lieut Col". (who was then at Savannah) by the many Alterations & Erasements then made therein, (Which will appear by the Books
His Accot (as Stated in the Leiger) has credit
·
The regi- ment's accot. im- perfect.
132
COLONIAL RECORDS
Thos. Jones, Supposedly to the Trustees.
for Sundries (not inserted in the Accot. sent over) which I objected to, Such as- For Wines Sold by him to Jos. Fitzwater, about 40€ - For One Pipe of Wine Sold Widd" Ben- net and delivered her by the Col"'s. Order. 7º August, last)- 16£. wth many others,
I beg leave to mention this Circumstance- That Eleven pipes of Wine bo't of him, by Mr. Causton, for Accot of ye Honb. Trustees, (29th July) are charged at Eighteen pounds ~ pipe; being the Same Wines as what was Sold Ben- net- And that Fitzwater, Bennet & others whose Debts, to Coltt Cochran, are placed to Accot. of ye Honble Trustees, were then indebted to the Trustees, (as appear by their Accots.)
Mr. Gra. ham the apothecary.
I went with M' Causton to attend Col". Cocli- ran, where I found M. Graham (the Apothe- cary) earnestly Solliciting for the payment of his Bill, (about 40€) being for Medicines &c ad- ministred to Soldiers, by his (the Colon""'s) Apointmt. The Colon" Said, That the Trustees must pay him,-M. Graham inform'd him That I had refused him Credit in the Store on that Acco' .- notwithstanding M' Causton had placed his Bill to the Trustees Accot .- At which the Col". was very angry, and Said, He would let the Trustees know. what a Fellow I was, and would justify W. Causton's Conduct- That I was very impudent to appear before him in that Dress, (I had a Velvet Cap, on, without a Wigg, being Warm Weather)
Manner of dress con- sidered im- pudent.
I know, That Complaints of this Nature can- not be pleasing to Your Honors. when Affairs
133
CORRESPONDENCE
Thos. Jones, Supposedly to the Trustees.
of much greater Importance are Neglected - Such as, The State of your Acco's Which I can- not obtain, neither have I the Books wth those Accots under my Direction- I cannot finish An Inventory of yo". Honors. Effects, which were to be delivered into my Care, Those in the Store I received, at Sundry times by the first of De- cember, last, But have not receiv'd, neither can I obtain, any Accot. of Several Effects, belong- ing to yo" Hon's. which remain yet in the Cus- tody of others, I receiv'd (last week) 416 Bush's. Salt, which M'. Causton Saith, he bought of Mr. Robt Williams in Augt. last, but had re- main'd ever Since in M. Williams Custody-
I intend, soon, to Send the Inventory of what I have receivd, wth. an Accot of the Isues to 25th. March And shall on all Occasions endeavour to aprove my Self to be
Gentlemen
Yor. Honors.
Obedient & faithfull
humble Servt.
Tho Jones.
.
134
COLONIAL RECORDS
John Gerald to Mr. Harman Verelst, Esqr.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
JOHN GERALD TO MR. HARMAN VERELST, ESQR. SO. CAROLINA, MAY 17, 1739 Ju. LONDON 1.2.10.
ST.
Your favour of Jen': 9th: directed to ye downes is But this day Com to hand I Imeadatly deliver'd ye Inclosed to Mr. Abercromby who sometime ago sent the things yt. I Brought for ye General to Savana to Be forwarded to him.
I shall be in London in June or begining of July when If you have any Commands this way shall much Esteeme your favours.
Sshubrick's opinion on affairs at home.
We are alarmed here at what Shubrick says of ye situation of affairs at home Imagin that a war may hapen.
Proclama- tion of Gov. of St, Augustine in regard to freedom of slaves.
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