USA > Georgia > Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 23 > Part 3
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Sir
A Sloop from New York ( Fleetwood Mast'.) arrived here last week wth. Flower & other Pro- visions Consigned to W. Minis : Col Stephens & Self tho'. it necessary to buy ye. Cargoe, tho' very dear (having hitherto not being able to procure any Indian Corn, Rice nor Peas at any rate) The Flow": (wch: is the finest that I ever saw bro': from N: York) Cost 15 p ? C. If your Excellency wod: have any part of the Car- goe sent to Fred: your Orders therein shall be punctually obey'd - Baillon and Miller have also some Flow': and other Goods consigned to them & Landd:, here weh: have not yet seen, they ask a larger price for the same -
Baillon and Miller also landed with flour and other pro- visions.
A bag of cotton and four clocks.
I have ? this Conveyance sent (und. the Care of Donner & Fitzwalter) a Bag of Cotton left w": me by Doct: Graham, & also four Clocks, in a Case from the German Clock maker at Ebenezer for yo': Excellence, web: hope will come safe.
A sloop from New York with Hour and other pro- visions.
CORRESPONDENCE
39
Mr. Jones to Genl. Oglethorpe.
Joseph Barker at Ebenezer Cowpen, Apply'd to Col: Stephens and my Self for assistance to hunt the Cattle (weh: we cannot procure him here) He told us that two expert woodmen had offered to Engage themselves with their own Horses in y: Service for £16 Curr' : { Mº: wch: we tho': best to comply wth: on this Emergency at least till we cod: receive more particular directions therein from yo' : Excell' :
Mr Wiggins has Bro': a Stock of Cows & Young Cattle lately from Carolina to Mount Pleasant, and designs soon to settle another Cowpen at Bryers Creek proposed to Jn". Ray to be partner wth: him therein. M. Mathews keeps two or three Cattle hunters-on the other Side how far the Trust: Interest may be affect- ed by either I know not I am informed by the People that went from hence w": Cap: Dun- bar to mount Pleasant that while they tarried there Wiggin sent his Men out to kill a Steer & Calf wch : they brot: home he Wiggins had never a Steer or vet a Calf fitt to kill among his Cattle bro': from Carolina.
On the 11th: Instant in the Afternoon Wm: Ewen who is Maj: Domo to Cap': Mathews came to me at the Store to Demand a Debt due to Edwd: Jenkins havs: left the Affid': (a Copy of web : I have enclosed) with me sometime before I returnª: him in Answer what then Occurrd: to me- Ewen told me that the Queen Tenorky wanted a Bl of Flow": & Bl Biscuit-he went also to Colonel Stephens & made the same de- mand Alledging that your Excell' : had order'd
Joseph Barker of Ebenezer Cowpen ap- plies for as- sistance to hunt cattle.
Mr. Wiggins designs to settle a cow. pen at Bry- ers Creek.
Wm. Ewen, Majr. Domo to Capt. Mathews.
1
40
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Jones to Genl. Oglethorpe.
it- I beg leave to acq': yo': Excellence that Tenorky the Queen w": other Indns: had been at the Store that morning & had reced 10' flow": 20' Bise'. 2 Gall Moloss": 3 Gall: 3 Q': beer in a Cask-1': Tobacco weh: things they had carrd: with them home- That there has not been above the Q"y of a Bl of Flow': (sic) by or Issued to the Ind". in the Space of two Years past Out of the Store.
I must Entreat yo' : Excell : further to Allow me to Represent to you what relates to Jenkins's Demand of me; He, before he went to Carolina, took with him a Coppy of his Acco': with : the Trustees to wch: he made no Objections whereby it appear'd he was indebted to the Trust': above £30 sterling- I imagine by this Affid': (w): I own I do not Perfectly under- stand, having never seen any writing in English under the hand of a Magistrate that equal'd it excepting one writ by our late Record: and another who writes himself Precep': Bailiff in this Colony, Coppys of both wh: I have by me) that their design is to Saddle me with all their pretended Claims on the Trustees .-
To his Excell . Gen' Oglethorpe
Relative to Jenkins's demand.
41
CORRESPONDENCE
Wm. Stephens to Harman Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM WM. STEPHENS ESQR. TO ME. HAR- MAN VERELST ACCOMPTANT TO THE HONORABLE TRUSTEES FOR ESTABLISHING THE COLONY OF GEORGIA. RECD 20 JULY 1741 THESE
L Red - Wax Seal
Savannah 13 May. 1741.
S.
My last was of the 4th ultmo, with the usual papers enclosed (viz) Coppy of my Journal to that day, & Coppy of my letter preceding. I am now to acknowledge your favour of the 9th of Feb: wch had the quickest passage of any for a long while past; for it came to my hands here on the 25 Apr: but I was sorry to find by it, the different Success another from you of the 17 Dec has met with (wrh you refer me to) that has not yet made its way hither; & I begin to fear now it never will; to my grief ; for no other dis- appointments here, can create in me so much disquietude of mind, as an apprehension of our Correspondence being interrupted; & by means of letters passing irregular & uncertain, many mischiefs possibly arising, wh one would wish to prevent: and that Anxiety is grown much more, from your telling me, yt the State of the Colony, so long expected from me, was not yet
Anxiety felt in regard to safety of corre. spondence.
42
COLONIAL RECORDS
W'm. Stephens to Harman Verelst.
arriv'd where you wrote your last: but still I would fain not torment my self with the Imagi- nation that twas utterly lost, but might yet reach you timely enough to be of some little use. in supporting the Truth of what has been affec- ted in relation to this Colony. I may say in great sincerity, that my heart went with it; and I am no ways doubtfull, yt the most prejudiced Opposers of what is there insisted on, are able to impeach the least little of it as an Untruth.
With your letter I also recd the Impartial Enquiry, into the State and Utility of the Pro- vince of Georgia, that you was pleased to send me, lately published : which is so well drawn up; that I coneeive, very little I could offer to the perusal of y Publick, would make it more evi- dent than is there done, how truly valuable this Place must in few years become, with respect to the Benefit of its Mother Country, as well as the defence of other Provinces from their Ene- mys in the South; against whom it is the only proper Barrier. I must hope to be allowd a little Vanity however; for that I find my Bro- ther Compiler and I have both drawn water out of the same Fountain, & interspersed as much of it as we found answerd our purpose: but I must not expect from thence, to claim the like merit, where we stand alone; nor compare my weak reasoning with that Masterly Style which I read in his Enquiry: nevertheless what is wanting in Art, for the Support of divers things by me a-sorted; I have endeavourd to make good by as short argument as possible, & I hope
"The Im- partial En- quiry," a publication. received.
Brother Compiler writer of merit.
a
43
CORRESPONDENCE
Wm. Stephens to Harman Verelst.
valid; namely Affidavits to the Truth of sundry particular Positions, laid down by the persons themselves; as well as a most solemn attestation of the whole; wch a certain number set their hands to, who were truly unbyassd; & who ought to be supposed equally concernd for their own Interest, as others who so eagerly opposed what we joyned in: and it is with the utmost impatience we now wait to learn how far our Endeavours have been approved of ; & what has been the Event of that Enquiry, carried on with so much acrimony before the Parliam, by an angry Sett of people; who you was pleased to inform me, had made use of my Son, among others, to be an Unhappy Sollicitor.
On the 6 of this month I rec your other Packet; the Contents whereof I have noted in my Journal of that days date; to which there- fore I ask leave to refer; where I also take not- ice of the rect of a large parcell of Vine Cuttings, &c.
I am really ashamed not to have given a good account in so long time, of Me. Watt's affair: which nevertheless I have not been unmindfull of; but I fear you'll think me too remiss: and to be free of blame wholly, I see no other remedy but downright using such means as the Law directs, and the Letter of Attorney empowers me, which you sent from the Widow: but I would yet avoid that, if it could be; otherwise, if nothing will do but compulsion, I shall think the right course to be taken, will be to bring the
Son made use of by an angry set of people.
Some vine cuttings received.
A good account of Mrs. Watt's affair.
44
COLONIAL RECORDS
Saml. Davison to the Earl of Egmont.
matter before the Court, & let a Jury determine the Quantum that is due.
Not readily finding matter sufficient to extend this letter to a greater length: more especially since in my Journal herewith, I have the pleas- ure of relating so full an account, of what pro- gress we make this year in our Improvements about Silk and Wine; far beyond any thing formerly; which I hope will give some satisfac- tion to the honorable Trustees : I conclude
The year's improve- ment in silk and wine.
Your very humble Servant
Will : Stephens.
To M. Harman Verelst
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM SAML. DAVISON TO THE RIGHT HONBLE THE EARL OF EGMONT AT HIS HOUSE IN PELMELL LONDON RECD 11 DECR.
Black Wax Seal
Frederica May 16: 1741
May it please y : Lordship
I had the Honour of receiving your Lordships kind Letter, for which I can never be thankful!
45
CORRESPONDENCE
Saml. Davison to the Earl of Egmont.
enough and for your minding me at So great a distance, I rec": a letter from M': Verelst in which he acquaints me that you and the rest of the Honbe. The Trustees have been So good to free me of my debt to yr. Store, which has much enabled me to do for my Family,-as to Suf- fering any disorderly meeting or Late hours to be keept in my house, I never did and hope never Shall, but on the Contrary will to the utmost of my power follow y' : Lordships kind Advise beg- ing god Grace to assist me.
My Lord I dont by way of Complaint Ac- quaint you that I laid down being Constable at Michaelmas 1740 for non payment of two quar- ters Salary according to the Establishment, then not having recª: y: Lordships letter nor the Trustees. which I did not receive till ye 30th of Nov': last,-
His Excellency was So good to offer me a Commission for being Collector and another for Sarcher with a Salary of £35 P Ann". annext to them, but the Oathes were so Strict that I was not able to take them thinking my Self not able to perform them I hope you and the rest of the Honble: The Trustees will not Impute it to any Slight of y: Services, for I Shall always think it an Honour to Serve your Lordship or them in the meninest Station I hope I shall al- ways behave So as not to be blamed by So kind a Benifactor, as y' Lordship and the rest of the Hounourable Trustees-
I had from M'. Martyn a Letter advising that the Trustees had revock'd my being overseer of their Ser's:,-
Freed fromn debt to the Trustees' store.
Salary not paid for services as constable.
Commis- sion as collector and searcher refused.
Overseer of servants.
46
COLONIAL RECORDS
John Brownfield to Harman Verelst.
I heartily pray for your Lordship and my Lady, and the rest of your Noble familys health, and I am with humble Submission Y. Lordships Most Dutyfull Sert.
Sam". Davison
P. S I make bold to acquaint yr. Lordship that my youngest Son dyed last Augt-
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.) LETTER FROM JOHN BROWNFIELD TO MR. HARMAN VERELST AT THE GEORGIA OFFICE IN WEST- MINSTER RECD. 14 AUGUST 1741
the Pergussus Capt. Pertterson
Red Wax Seal
Savannah May 2S": 1741
Sir
I received last Week your Letter of Dec" : 17": written to me by Order of the Trustees. Be pleased to acquaint them with the Contents of this.
In the February before last I was so ill as to be incapable of perform": my Duty of Register
Death of youngest son.
CORRESPONDENCE
47
John Brownfield to Harman Verelst.
of the Province & therefore thought it best to let the Trustees know (as I did) how it was with me lest their Designs should in any degree have been hindered thro' my Illness. And when I received from Colonel Stephens some time after an Account of such Lands as he had taken Minutes of it was my hearty purpose to have made a compleat Return thereof & indeed of all the granted Lands in the Province to my Bene- factors the Trustees Yet my Illness came on again & prevented me but did not however make me lay aside my purpose for a considerable time. At length I was more & more convinced that it behoved me to let the Trustees know how the Registership was delayed But I afterwards thought it best to wait a little & so time slipt away till about August when my Weakness grew upon me & I was obliged for some Months to get help for writing my common Business .- Indeed at this time I ought more especially to have acquainted the Trustees how that it was impossible for me to go on with their Work: But having told Col : Stephens of my inability & relying on his writing to them an account of it I was guilty of the neglect which you seem to tax me with It deserves blame & I desire the Trustees will pardon me. My present low state of health keeps me still unfit for their Service altho I am not unmindful of their favours to me. Accept Sir of my Thanks for the trouble you have taken in writing to .
. Your unworthy Servant
J. Brownfield
I'nable to perform duties as Registrar on account of illness.
48
COLONIAL RECORDS
John Calwell to Harman Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM JOHN CALWELL TO THE TRUSTEES ACCOTANT, MR. HARMAN VERELST, ESQR. LONDON.
Red Wax Seal. - Sir
The S" of Decembr. 1740 I begg'd leave to have a Petition to the Honble. The Trustees of Geor- gia recomended through yr. Hands. The Favour the Rev. W. Norrice does me in carrying this, gives me an opportunity of mentioning again my former request & address to them. as M. Norrice knows ine & the constant attention & Faithfulness I have used in the office of a Majes- trate I hope his recomendation will have some weight & Influence to obtaine what I believe the Honbr. Trustees have allways Intended for me. Since the first settlement of this place I have re:4. but fifteen Pound. Ster. to this time; WFF Jones whome we were told was to make Pay- ment of the Publick Money specified in yr. Esti- mate of the Expence for the Southern part of this Colony donies to have rec1. Money for that purpose or paying it at all, so that we are still at a loss whome to apply to for it. I have been led into a great many Extraordinary Inconven- iences & Expences for a long time by being ob- liged to hold Courts in a publick house when there was none erected for that purpose. I
Recommend- ed to the Trustees by the Revd. Mr. Norrice.
Obliged to hold courts in public house.
CORRESPONDENCE
49
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
hope you will recomend my case to the Honhle. Trustees as you have Access to their Ear. I am
Sir your very Humble Serv ..
John Calwell.
Frederica May 30th. 1741
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM GENL OGLETHORPE TO THE TRUS- TEES RECD 28 SEPT. 1741
Frederica 29th. June 1741.
Gentlemen.
Upon Hearing of an unfortunate accident happened at the Camp down at the South end of this Island of a Quarrel between Capt. Des- brisay & Capt. Norbury, I wrote immediately to Lieut. Col°. Cook and he spoke to the Major who sent me the Enclosed Letter, on which I wrote to Mrs. Norbury, of which a Copy is Enclosed. The Magistrates ordered a Jury being the Coroners Inquest to sit upon the Body who found the matter Manslaughter. One who was upon the Coroners Inquest went down to Port Royal that M's Norbury might be informed of the whole, and I receivedl answers from other People to whom I wrote, but had none from Mrs. Norbury.
In the mean time one Court Day came on and the Magistrates would not bring on the Tryal
A quarrel between Capt. Des- brisay & Capt. Norbury.
50
COLONIAL RECORDS
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
Capt. Des- brisay found guilty of man- slaughter
of Captain Desbrisay that there might be time for M' Norbury to send up on which Capt". Desbrisay apply'd to be Bailed till the next Court Day. And on the 1st of June being Court Day the Grand Jury found a Bill against Cap. Desbrisay upon which he was tried, and found guilty of Man Slaughter. Some time after his Tryal, Mr. Norbury came up, & I send you Copy of her Letters and my Answers Enclosed. She refuses to bring any Evidence against any Per- son here as also to Commence, any Action for the Loss of her Husband, but seems to insist upon Trying Cap' Desbrisay again in another Countrey. The Magistrates offered her the Liberty of using any Records, or Evidence of the former Tryal here, and to Examine any Person, or to commence any new Suit, that might be Lawfully done, but She seems entirely to Contemn all Authoritys Derived from the Charter. I believe the Magistrates will send Home the full Proceedings to you. All the Colonys in America try Criminal matters finally in the Colony, & if this or any other was De- prived of that Previledge the oppression of twice being put into jeopardy of their Lives & carrying Witnesses so far upon Expences would be too great for the Subject, to suffer, my Opinion was that if she thought there was any Injustice or omission of Evidence in the Tryal of Cap'. Desbrisay which was for the loss of the Kings Subject, She might try him in the Colony for the loss of her Husband, and being upon the Spot might have the Benefit of all Witnesses without Expence, but I believe she is very Sen-
51
CORRESPONDENCE
Cent. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
sible that the Tryal was very full, & seems by the removal of the Tryall only to intend to put the Persons she would attach to Expences and to Compass some other end.
As the President of removing Criminal Tryals after Sentence, and putting Men twice in Jeopardy of their Lives would not only Distroy this Colony but also be an Injustice to the Peo- ple here I must Desire you would have this matter well Enquired into, and would Desire that M' Towers, and the other Lawyers who are of the Trust would consider of it, and whether it would not be best to take the Attorneys Solicitor Generals opinion thereupon
The Charter gives Power to the Trustees & they to these Courts, to try all Matters, Capital, or not Capital and to award Execution thereon I am Gentlemen Your most Obedient humble Servant James Oglethorpe
To the Honble the Trustees.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.) LETTER FROM GENL. OGLETHORPE TO THE TRUS- TEES RECD 28 SEPT 1741
Frederica 29th: June 1741.
Gentlemen
I have wrote very fully to the Ministry to obtain Assistance for the Defence of this Colony
52
COLONIAL RECORDS
Genl. Oglethorpe to the Trustees.
Ministry to obtain as. sistance for the defence of Colony.
which every Day I believe Shows the usefull- ness of, since without any new Succours from Europe we ravaged Florida and besieged St. Augustine, and have since Defended our Selves though the Spaniards have received great re- inforcement from Cuba.
Spanish stirring up discontent among the people, espe. cially the negroes.
The Spanish Emissarys are very busy in stir- ring up Discontents amongst the People hence their Principal Point is Negroes since as many Slaves as there are so many Enemys to the Government, and consequently Friends to the Spaniards. Another great Point is to Discour- age the Planters, since they think if planting don't go forward England will grow tired of supporting the Colony & then of course the Spaniards will gain their Ends.
The way to overconte this trouble.
The way to overcome all this is to persist in allowing no Slaves, encourage the Importation of Germans and married Recruits, and prevail with. the Government to answer those necessary Expences of Rangers, Sloops Boats and Forti- fications. In spite of all opposition our Vine- vards go on Prosperously, and Colonel Stephens will give you a full Account of the Silk from Savannah.
I am Gentlemen Your most Obedient humble Servant
James Oglethorpe To the Honble the Trustees.
53
CORRESPONDENCE
Thos. Jones to Harman Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O .. B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.) LETTER FROM THOMAS JONES TO THE TRUSTEES ACCOTANT. RECD 28 SEPT. 1741
ST.
You receive herewith An Accot of the Ex- pence of the Trust" Servants, & how employd in the Northern Part of this Colony for One Year, comencing Michas. 1739- by my Direc- tion, wch Consent of Col" Stephens, but for the most part ? Orders recd from his Exelles. Gener'. Oglethorpe.
I am very Sensible, that I have not therein Strictly pursued the Instructions given me by their Hon's. The Trustees, therefore relying on their Candor & Goodness, Shall readily Submit to their Censure of my Conduct in this, as well as in all other Matters, wherein I have been en- trusted by them, Only beg Leave to hint at some Circumstances, which rendred it impossible for me to take the Oath required, As Overseer of the Trusts. Servants, & to act conformable there- to without doing manifest Prejudice to the In- terest of ye Trust .- The unforeseen Events that had then happen'd in ye Colony. particu- larly The Saw Mill at Ebenezer's being de- molished. - The Cultivating of the Land apro- priated to religious Uses, the Same adjoyning to the Common of the Town (a pine barren) wch. in the Opinion of All persons, who know any thing of the Nature of that loose, Sandy Soil, would not quit Cost of Cultivation- The Scitu-
An account of the expense of the Trus- tees' ser- vants.
Circum- stances which ren- dered it im- possible to take oath as overseer of servants.
The saw mill at Ebenezer demolished. etc. Un- looked for events.
54
COLONIAL RECORDS
Thos. Jones to Harman Verelst.
ation I was then in, represented, by our Saviour in his Sermon on the Mount. Matth. 6- 24,
John Mil- Jage em- ployed as director of Trusts' servants.
His Excell"", Gen". Oglethorpe, Order'd a Tract of Land, (90 Acres) within One Mile of ye Town, to be clear'd by the Trusts' Servants, for a New Plantation; and recommended Jolm Mil- lage (a Youth) to be employd in directing and Overseeing them, who was ordered to render an Acco' of their Labour daily or weekly unto me, Which he did for some time- But, being in- formed that Some of these Servants had been Seen in Town on the usual Hours for Labour. (tho' returned, by Millage, as having been con- stant at Work) I found, upon Enquiry, that Millage had been prevaild with to connive at their not working-I acquainted his Excellence (then at Savannah) therewith- What Incon- veniences to my Self ensued thereon, I shall not trouble you with relateing.
Rice panted on plantation.
This Plantation is well drained & partly «leared: The further Mention thereof shall de- ferr, untill I can give An Accot of the Quantity of Rice. (being the only Grain yet planted there- on) it will produce this Year-
Hutt built for servants. tools, etc., burned.
It being judged necessary to build an Hutt, on this Plantation, for the Servants, wherein they might dress their provisions, And to keep their working Tools in, As also to be a Shelter for them from the Sumer Heats, as well as in Rainy tempestuous weather; A Strong & como- dious fram'd Hutt or house was built for yt purpose But the Same (with the Tools, & the
-
CORRESPONDENCE
55
Thos. Jones to Harman Verelst.
Servants Utensils,) was burnt on a Sunday in the time of Divine Service, (no body being therein)
One Thomas Ormstone, I was inform'd, had been seen to fire the Brush near the Hutt. But I forbore making a further Enquiry into the Affair, As I have been obliged to pass by other outrages of the same Nature, (under our pres- ent Circumstances) when comitted by a Sett of People combin'd together, to bid Defiance to all Order .-
The only Instance, where I tho't it necessary to take notice of their insolent Behavior, was last Summer; When Tellfair, Grant, Douglas, Bailie & Philp went, on a Sunday, in the time of Divine Service, into the Trusts Gardens, broke down the Fence, took ye Key by force from the Gardeners Wife, kickd at her, threatned to beat the Gard'ner, Tellfair shaking his cane over the man's head -. A Bill of Indictm'. was pre- pared & the Servants belonging to ye Garden with others sworn in Court to give Evidence thereon- Whereupon Mr. Fallowfield ad- dress'd ye Jury (the first Time) telling them That they ought not to regard what such mean pittifull Wretches (who would Swear any thing) should swear against Gentlemen- telling the Jury, That this was a Contrivance of mine.
Excuse this Digression-
The other Plantation (Desbovery Farm) was, by the General's Aprobation, last year, culti- vated by the Trusts Servants, under the Di-
Thomas Ormstone seen to fire brush near hutt.
Insolent behavior of Tellfair, Grant, Douglas, Bailie and Philip.
56
COLONIAL RECORDS
Thos. Jones to Harman Verelst.
The planta- tion Des. bovery Farm, culti- vated by Trusts' ser. vants under direction nf John Foulds.
rection of John Foulds, (who had the Care of them under M' Bradley) This Foulds, either thro' Idleness, or being prevaild with, to Act in that manner, by those who contrive all Methods to ruin the Colony, neglected the Plantation so, that it produced not above Eighty Bush", clean Corn besides Pease & Potatoes, on fourteen Acres Land, then clear'd: Indeed, Corn faild every where in these Parts of America, that year, wch. Occasions the present Scarcity; In Carolina, they did not raise, in many places, one third part of their usual Crop of Corn, as I have been informd by several of the Inhabi- tants there-
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