USA > Georgia > Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 23 > Part 21
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To write orderly, in Answer to your several Letters last reed, which came all to hand in one Day, tho of different Dates; I must begin with that of the 14th Dec"; wherein I find the Trusts Pleasure relating to the Accots: for the South- ern Part of the Province, so fully laid down, that it cannot easily be mistaken: I laid the same open to the Assistants when in Council assembled with me; & the great Neglect of those Acco's: being regularly carried on, being too apparent ; strickt Care shall be taken for the
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CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
future, to see that Fault amended: & I hope I shall not be at a Loss to find such a Corres- pondent at Frederica as I can confide in, agree- able to their Honours good Advice & Direction : In the Interim till the particular Acco's: of the Charges of the Southern Part of the Colony are return'd to our Satisfaction; no more Bills shall be sent thither. The 10 £ Ann: formerly al- low'd to M'. Hawkins, will be transferr'd to one who may be expected to deserve it: & from whom we shall also look for an Account of the Application of the former Sola Bills sent them, & for what particular Services; or otherwise, no more such Bills must be issued to them.
The next Paragraph of your Letter (which is partly a Renewal of their Honours former Orders) requires us to look at Home in the North, as well as the South : & take Care, assoon as may be, to transmit a full Acco': of all Sola Bills, & Monies of any Kind, reed for the Trus- tees Use, & to debet our selves with that, at the same Time we take Credit for Disbursements : which appears to me not only very reasonable sure: but likewise ought to be supposed without much Difficulty attending it: tho' it has been too long in doing; but I am now in eager Ex- pectation of seeing it brought to an End speed- ily: scarce a Journal (I think) for a while past has gone, without my taking Notice of it; & giving such Reasons to you, as were given to me ; why it has stopp'd so long.
Their Honour's Approbation of my Dealings, as I did, with Mr. Duchee, gave me great Satis-
Orders in regard to sola bills.
Approba- tion of Mr. Stephens' dealings.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
faction : my sole Ambition being, that in all I do my Endeavour to serve them may be look'd up- on with their Acceptance.
Concerning provisions for Indians.
The full Explanation of what the Trusts Will is, which you write, concerning the Provision for Indians, ought to be duly observed.
The beacon at Tybee.
Thos. Sum. nor. the undertaker.
My former Letters acquainting you how near we were come to a Perfection of finishing the Beacon at Tybee; I have now the Pleasure to tell you that I am expecting the Undertaker (Thos Sumner) in very few Days, with all his Tools & Implements ; when he will have finish'd it to an Iota, & leave it to stand firmly by it self without any need of Help, during one Genera- tion at least : tis hoped Many.
James Dormer's behavior very coni- mendable.
Peter Emery.
James Dormers Behaviour has indeed been very commendable hitherto, & I am glad it find it approved of, during the Time he has fill'd that Station; nor do I doubt, (from the Knowledge I have of his Skill & Diligence) that he will pre- serve the Trusts good Opinion of him: but the Expence which the Trust has been at for some time past, in carrying on that Service, has been much too great, & look'd on by me as a Griev- ance needfull to be remedied assoon as might be: not that any extraordinary Advantage ac- erued thereby to Dormer; but the principal Cause of it, arose chiefly from the Want of a Proper Pilot Boat, fit to go off to Sea almost in any Weather, with good Hands &c, to board Ships that might need a Pilot &c: Thus Mat- ters stood when Peter Emery made shew of his
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Mr. Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
Intention to take it upon him; as is well known to the Trust; but after shuffling betwixt on & off for a while, whether he would or would not, at last he told us plainly he would not meddle with it. About that Time the old Beacon fail- ing, & at last falling; by which means as Ships that came on the Coast, being Strangers, must be in great Peril, having nothing to guide 'em : I was perswaded in myself, taking also M'. Jones's Opinion on it, that 'twas a Matter of too great Consequence to be neglected: where- fore not knowing for the present what to do better, we hired a Stout Boat, & putting James Dormer in her, with another good Hand, & sometimes two, on extraordinary Occasion, Men & Boat were all upon Hire by the Month; When (still to encrease the Charge) in bad Weather last Winter that Boat was driven upon the Flats & Staved, & they who were in her narrowly saved their Lives: the Cost of which appears too plain in our Acco's: To put a full Period to all this Confusion & uncertain Expence: I conceive 'twill be needfull to provide such a Boat as will answer the Design; wherein (the' in very little else) I think it would not be amiss to coppy after our Neighbours at Charles Town; & upon a sufficient Boat being provided, James Dormer is desirous to take the whole upon him, on the Terms he offers in a Pro- posal, which I herewith send Coppy of. To speak plainly his Meaning .- He alledges that in Case he was bound to find Men & Provisions; 'twould amount to as much as his annual Stip-
The old beacon.
A matter of too great con. sequence to neglect.
James Dormer offers proposal in regard to a boat for the Colony.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
A reason. able pro- posal.
A man of pretty good substance.
end; & he would have nothing to depend on him- self besides the Uncertainty of Ships & Vessels wanting a Pilot : but upon advising him to con- sider a little farther of it; he made the Amend- ment we see in the Posteript; where he insists only on one Hand with Provision allow'd. I would not be too rash in obtruding an Opinion of my own; but I find every one whom I have conferr'd with upon it, tells me plainly 'tis a reasonable Proposal; especially considering he obliges himself to keep the Boat in good Re- pair, & stand to all Damages that shall accrue to her: & tis something worth observing; that as he is a Man of pretty good Substance, he is able to make good his Bargain- All this is humbly submitted to the Trustees Judgment- At the same Time I think the procuring such a Boat should no longer be delay'd; & that all Means in our Power to retrench that Expence, should be used; which in some Measure is al- ready began.
An appro- priation for building a church.
Mr. White- field above consulting Col. Stephens.
You have good Cause truly to enquire whats become of the £300 appropriated for building a Church, after so long Time, & so little done in it. I well remember that I wrote you fully on that Occasion formerly; tho I cannot readily turn to the Date when : & no Alteration happen- ing since, I must give you the same in Substance for Answer, as I wrote then. Mr. Whitefield was above consulting me in that, or any Thing else: & having reed from the General £150, as I had the like Sum from the Trust; He immediately sate some People to work, in digging & carting
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Mr. Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
of Stones: at what Rate I was never well in- form'd; but 'twas said to be extravagant; nor have I had any Accot: since, what Money was paid for it. Not long after (about Xmas 1740) He left us : but before he went, I made bold to ask him about it; when he made me a Slight An- swer, that M. Habersham should account with me for it, after he was gone, & calling on Mr. Habersham, he told him to do so: wherefore I have since at several Times given Notice of it to M'. Habersham; but to this Day I have got no Accot: from him what the Price is of those Stones, nor what Cash he has left in hand. The other 150£ which I had, I lock'd up safe as a sacred Depositum which I should esteem Sacriledge, to convert to any other Purpose. What the Trustees purpose, of doing that Work with Stone for the Foundation, & the Walls to be of good season'd Oak wood Work, lath'd & plaister'd with Oyster Shell Lime &c, is unques- tionably well judg'd, & will probably last many Years as well as come near the estimated £300. If it is the Trusts Pleasure to assign me a Coad- jutor in carrying on that Building, I shall be ready, & glad to give what Assistance I can in it: but a self Sufficiency is what I never yet at- tain'd to.
The Plantation carrying on near the Town was by the Generals Appointment so long Time since as when he was here last in ye- Year 1740, intended (as 'twas said) to make a Mulberry Orchard of it. The Trustees Servants who work upon it, are sometimes more or less in
A sacred depositum for the church.
A planta. tion carried on near the town.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
Soil seems better adapted to rice.
Other plan- tation called Desoouvry's Farm.
Number, according to their being call'd off fre- quently on other incidental Service, which is inevitable, & often unforeseen. What they plant has hitherto been mostly Rice, which that Soil seems best adapted to .- The other Plan- tation, call'd Desbouvry's Farm, I have given so full an Accot: of in my Journal of the 28th April, that I need not repeat it here .- There has been no Expence created of an additional Over- seer at either of those Plantations; nor indeed any other Appointment, than one of their own People at each; who by Experience were found to be diligent Persons; of good Knowledge în the Work; & by their Carriage had an Influence over the Rest, inspecting & directing, & working with them. After too long Tryal of what was to be expected from an Overseer among 'em, not of their own Country, or Liking; being natur- ally (most of em) of a perverse Temper; 'twas judged most advisable to try this Experiment now in Use; which happens to answer the End, much more to Satisfaction: & only sending an Occasional Visitor among 'em, to see how they went on, now & then, we see a Prospect of much greater Increase than in any Year formerly.
The Coppy of Dan1: Mackays Claim, that he made on the Trust upon Oath; appears to us pretty surprizing. It might have been expect- ed, that his Breach of Trust reposed in him by the General, to the Amount of great Sums lost in the South, might have produced a little Mod- esty in him. Mr. Jones desiring to take it with him to Frederica, & look into it there, where he
The copy of Danl. Mackay's claim.
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Mr. Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
is now going again; I put it into his Hands to consider of. As to Capt. Patk: Mackays De- mand, after so many attempts to make up his Accots: in vain, for his Services in the Indian Nation; before the Time of my first coming here: I am well assured 'tis past the Under- standing of any of our best Accomptants; but what appears plainest, is a Charge of Sundrys which he stands Debtor for: This likewise M. Jones takes into his Keeping: as also those other Papers sent relating to Docº Hawkins; who, by reason of the Ships meeting with so long Passage, that brought us so lately your Letters of the 14th Dee'; was too nimble; & got Payment of a large Sum of Money from M. Jones when last there; which he would have stopt, if he might, at that Time: but much more would he now, on the Receipt of what you write : & I expect he will so far look into these three Particular Affairs before mention'd, whilst he is in the South, that the Trustees may have what Satisfaction can be come at .-
I am very glad to be informed, that the Trus- tees were intending to take our Guard Duty into Consideration; & make no Doubt but they'll be pleas'd to furnish me with such Orders, & In- structions, as will enforce a due Obedience.
Mrs Camuse has appear'd easy for a good while past; & is busy now in winding off the Silk: but having made some Remarks on this Occasion in my Journal; I would ask leave to refer to that; particularly, May 10th & 26th; & when we come to know the Total Produce of this
Capt. Patk. Mackay's demands.
Papers relating to Doco. Hawkins.
Mrs. Ca. muse now quieted down.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
Mrs. Ca- muse's aver- sion to bringing up children in art of winding silk.
Chris.
Burgh. meister wholly unskilled in silk manu- facture.
Year (which will be soon) I shall be able to write more fully : in the mean Time I find her shewing the same Aversion still to bring up Children in the Art of winding Silk, which she thinks (with the English Proverb) is breeding up young Birds to pick out her Eyes .- I under- stand upon Enquiry, that Chris : Burghmeister whom you mention'd, is wholly unskill'd in that Part of the Silk Manufacture here, which de- mands our greatest Care to provide for. Pro- bably in my next I may write more fully on this Head: which indeed requires good Considera- tion.
Your Letter of the 9th. Feby : consisting wholly of the Minutes made by the Committee of Ac- co": relating to Doc": Hawkins; has been laid before the Board of President & Assistants : but all that can be said to it at present, Youll find in the Minutes of that Board of the 2nd: Ins': which I ask leave to refer to: from whence it appears that M' Jones, after long withstanding the Doctors Importunity whilst at Frederica, was authorized to pay him a large Sum of Money in full Discharge of Sundry Demands as ?? Rec's: by which means the Trustees Orders thereon, now sent, I fear are out of our Reach to fulfill : & moreover upon the Doctors drawing a Bill on me for his Quarterly Demand due at Lady Day last, as Stated ~ Estimate; not con- ceiving any Reason to refuse it at that Time, I accepted & paid it, amounting to £14 : 00 : 10. By these Means the Doctor has brought to pass.
Dr. Hawk. ins' ac. counts.
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Mr. Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
what he aimed at; & probably laughs in his Sleeve at his own Exploits & Craftiness.
Your next is of the 16th of Feby; wherein I learnt the Silk Chest was come safe, & shall be glad if it pleases. Having already in this Letter taken some Notice of Mrs Camuse &c, in Answer to yours of 14th. Dec', & purposing to write more particularly on that Affair by another Occas- ion; I pass it over 'till then.
I receiv'd the Bottle of Salitrum Seeds, & have been dispersing it among my Neighbours as well for planting as for present Use in Time of Need, together with Coppies of those Rec's: sent with it.
The several Constitutions sent, were deliv- er'd as appointed, & every Thing done neces- sary on that Occasion, as you'll please to be in- form'd in my Journal of the 15th & 17th. of May.
The Chest for the Saltzburghers was deliv- ered safe.
Herewith I send you the Note that I got M' Mathews to sign soon after I recd it, as you directed: which happen'd to be in good Time, since he is lately dead. SF
Your very humble Servant
Will: Stephens.
The safe arrival of the silk chest.
Bottle of salitrum seed received.
The several consti- tutions.
A chest for the Saltz- burghers.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM W'M. STEPHENS ESQR. TO MR. HAR- MAN VERELST RECD 2 AUGUST 1742
RED WAX SEAL -
-
Savannah 9th of June 1742.
Dear Sir
I know no surer Evidence of any Mans real Disposition to serve his Friend, than by giving him timely Notice of what he apprehends may turn out to his Injury, if not well guarded against. This I have happily found sufficient Testimony of from several cautionary Letters which you have been so good to write me, in Relation to my Sons vile Behaviour whose Ac- tions have been too manifest to allow of Mitiga- tion, nor have I ever attempted it, I am very sure, but have shewn an utter Detestation of his wicked Proceedings, whenever I have found Oc- casion to make mention of him, in any of my Letters or Journals. Three of your kind Let- ters are now before me, viz of the 6 of June : 9 Now, & 14 Decr. The first of these came to Hand about Mich-mas; when to my great Grief, & without the least Expectation, He was got to Savannah again; & with what Intention could it be, but to stir up all the Mischief his base Heart had conceiv'd? I was so far from
In regard to Col. Stephens' son's vile behavior.
CORRESPONDENCE
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Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
shewing him any Countenance, that I watch'd all his Motions as far as I could attain to any Possibility of knowing 'em: & upon looking over my Journal of that Season, whilst he made his Abode in Georgia, from 28 Sep', to 28 Oct": inclusive, I do not apprehend there is the least shadow of any Suspicion to arise that I had placed the least Confidence in him; but treated him equally with Indignation & Contempt. The next of yours, of 9th Nov': imports alike with the former, your Opinion and thoughts of the fatal Consequences which probably might en- sue, from the Influence he took such Pains to have, upon the People here, to leave the Col- ony; in order to colour a Proof of his Asper- sion in England, that they cannot live without Negroes, & Liberty to sell their Lands; & to en- deavour thereby to distress the Trustees into Compliances, which may possibly end their Trust &c. After having fully taken Notice of his whole Behaviour here during the Time of his Abode among us (which I did in all my Writings at that Season) I could add no more; knowing he was on his Passage for England : but upon the Rect: of your Letter of the 14th Dec'; I find he was got to his former Station again, doing the Work of those who had so worthily employ'd him; wherein he has gone such Lengths as one would imagine the Devil himself had been his Prompter; to spread such abominable Falshoods of his own Father: nor have I any way left, to vindicate my Innocence from such vile Aspersions; but a flat denial of
No con. fidence placed in son, but indignation and con- tempt shown him.
Abominable falsehoods spread about own father.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
my concurring with him in entertaining the least Opinion of Negroes being necessary for the Support of the Colony : & herein I appeal to the Searcher of all Hearts, before whom I must shortly answer for the Truth of what I now utter; that I am no way conscious of my ever writing or saying any Thing, that could give Room to imagine such a Thought was conceiv'd within me. But I think it pretty plainly ap- pears now, that after so much Calumny cast on me for so long Time past, in Order to deprive me of that good Opinion the Honble Trustees have been so kind to preserve, of my honest Endeavours in their Service; they have agreed among themselves to defame me in this Manner both in England & here: a flagrant Instance of which you will find in my Journal of the 1st of this Month. Just now it occurs to my Thoughts that my Son went home in the same Ship with the Chest of Silk: but that was no fault of mine, nor to be avoided: the Chest had lain a long while in Charles Town waiting for a Passage: it being a Season when Ships are coming from England, but few going; 'twas unknown to me, till after the Ship sail'd, that both went on the same Bottom; whether or not he knew it I cant tell; but I am sure he never was acquainted with the Quantity or Contents, nor any one else but the Trustees, from me: could this create any Suspicion of my placing too great a Confidence in him? I cannot think it. I know not what to add farther in my Justification : but having thus discharg'd my Conscience, I must humbly sub-
Son went home in ship with with chest of silk, but no fault of Col. Stephens.
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Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
mit it to those Honble: Persons to judge of my Fidelity as they see good, which is what I set the highest Value on of any Thing in Life: Whilst I must look on my unnatural Son as no longer worthy a Father's Regard from me : but I pray God forgive him.
I beg Leave (Sir) on this Occasion to men- tion somewhat of a different Kind, that creates a little Disturbance in my Thoughts; wherein I must naturally apply to you for Ease, who know how to give it as a Friend, consistent still with that Honour & Duty which is so conspicu- ous in all your Actions that regard the Trust. It is, relating to M'. Bosomworth; a young Man sent over hither & intended as a Writer under me: whom I should injure, not to say that I think him endued with several Qualifications, which in some other Employments, probably might make him. appear to more Advantage. He had not been here many Weeks last Winter, before he wrote me a Letter, which he deliver'd with his own Hand, wherein he express'd great Uneasiness at the Appointment provided for him; setting forth how much he was disappoint- ed in what he was bade to expect; Not without some unbecoming Reflections; which I keep by me; hoping there will be no Occasion given of my producing 'em thro' Necessity; but rather I would wish 'em buried in Oblivion : I confess it a little startled me, & I could not avoid constru- ing it Weakness in his Judgment to put such a Letter into my Hands; however brillant Parts he had otherwise to boast of. The next Occas-
Unnatural son, no longer worthy of father's regard.
Relating to Mr. Bosom- worth.
Disappoint- ed in ap- pointment.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
A student in Divinity or a writer of lyricks.
Mr. Dobe !! given ap- polniment as register.
ion given of his being taken Notice of by me in another Manner, was what I sent you in my Journal of the 11th & 14th March: where he ap- pears a Student in Divinity: at other Times perhaps, a writer of Lyricks, or some other De- monstration of the Mercury being not yet well fixed. In my Letter to you of the 20th. March, I find a long Paragraph again relating to him, which I beg leave to refer you to, wherein you'll please to observe what a Desire I had if possible to settle him in some usefull Station; which indeed I should be very glad to see: but it hap- pening so that M'. Dobell coming hither with the Appointment of Register, knock'd all that Scheme of ours in the Head: & on the 28th May You'll find in my Journal, Mr. Bosomworth giving up all he had in his Custody, belonging to the Register, to M'. Dobell, whom it belong'd to: & in the same Paragraph I added a few Words on that Occasion &c. Good Sir, let me have your Advice & Assistance how to get out of this Perplexity. Twas impossible for me to carry on, what was my Duty to be punctual in, without the Help of a proper Writing Clerk : Mr. Bosomworth not thinking it worth his while : I was under a Necessity of finding one where 1 conld; & have provided a Person that hitherto has behav'd well; nor have I any Cause given me to doubt the Contrary; but accordinly en- gaged with him for £25 - Ann to commence from Lady Day last; expecting Mr. Bosom- worth to be otherwise provided for as before said. You dont want to be shewn. where the
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CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Jo Terry to the Trustees.
Shoe Pinches, I am sure : & I can also hope, with a modest Assurance, that you will lend an help- ing Hand to him [torn] is, so many Ways al- ready,
Dear Sir
Your most obliged humble Servant Will : Stephens.
P. S.
Twill give me great pleasure if I can be so fortunate to meet with any thing peculiar to this Country, worth the acceptance of a Lady, whose curiosity seems to lead her into an en- quiry after such productions of Nature as are not common : wherein I shall do my best to at- tain that Success wch I wish for.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM MIR. JO TERRY. RECORDR. OF FREDERICA TO THE TRUSTEES. 17 JUNE 1742 RECD 12 JANY. 1742/3
Coppy
My Lords and Gentlemen
As you were pleased to Say Y. Commands on me before I Left England To Inform you from time to time of the State of this part of the Collony, (The wellfare of wrh. you have So Much at heart) I hope that the few Hints I pre- sune to Lay before You And weh. I think have a
A few hints.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Jo Terry to the Trustees.
Tandancy to forward the perfecting of your Good works Will meet wth. Yr. Hon™ .. Aproba- tion.
Observa- tions made while in Colony.
I shall not pretend My Lords & Gentlemen to Trouble you with a Particular Accot. of its Situation Nor of its Climat Being well assured you Are perfectly Well informed of the same, Therefore I humbly beg Leave to inform you of what Observations I have Made Since I am in this Country, And wch. I think most Essential for you to Know, To the End you So Justly propose to your Selves in the Propagating of This Collony, And Rendring it Usefull & Ad- vantageous to His Majesty-
Planters therefore My Lords & Gentlemen are of Course very Usefull. And Absolutly Nessesary for that End, The Lands here Are very much Incumber'd wth. Trees, Brush, And Permato roots in Abundance, weh. renders the Clearing of Land Extream Difficult, Charge- able, and Tegious, if a planter that hath No Ser- vants And of Course Must hire Labouring Men to Clear his Land, Such a planter Certainly Needs to have a great deal of Money, And as there Comes here but very few Loaded wth. that metal few therefore Can Clear & improuve Such Lands, without the help of Servants But had Even a man Ever So much Money in this place, he cannot find Labouring Men to do his work. And the few that Are to be had, (The same be- ing all Soldiers Since there is no others,) Do Insist and will have So Extravigant a prise,
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