USA > Georgia > Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 23 > Part 30
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The litle Strength I had if they would have joined me in March woud have reduced Augus- tine but they would not come up from Carolina till May and in that Space the half Galleys were arrived & other preparations made which ren- dered the Enterprize impracticable. The same is in civil as in military Affairs the encourage- ment of Cultivation by Premium if promised after planting time is useless. A number of Magistrates necessary among 4 or 5000 people are a Nusance if reduced to 100.
Only in. stances to prove a general proposition.
Important issue now to defend the province.
These are only instances to prove a general proposition the important point now is to de- fend the Province against a numerous Enemy or else all Cultivation must cease or which is worse be beneficial to an Enemy. If the Gov- ernment thinks proper to have the Colony vig- orously defended I could with great Ease have all the improvements carried on.
First measures, to support religion, encourage marriage and the rearing of children.
The first Measures for us as Trustees to take is after supporting Religion to encourage Mar- riage and the rearing up of Children.
Here are a great number of married people and yet there is now in this place only above 700 Men more than there are Women most of these would marry if they cod. get Wives. The
489
CORRESPONDENCE
Gen. Oglethorpe to the Trustees' Accotant.
sending over Single Weomen without Familys that could protect them might be attended wth. Indecencys but the giving Passage to the Wives Sisters and daughters of Recruits and a small maintenance till they go on board would be a remedy to this and much the cheapest way of A remedy. peopling the Country since after their arrival they are no further Expence for their Husbands can maintain them.
We have found also that the married soldiers
. live easiest many of them having turned out very industrious Planters. The next thing is protecting the Magistrates in the Execution of the Laws and at the same time protecting the People from their insolence litigiousness & Ex- tortion in the shape of Fees. Next in persever- ing and encouraging the Europe kind of Agri- culture as Vines Silk Olives &c all which by Ex- perience we know thrive in the Country. Ac- cidents and the War has prevented a large in- crease of them but the keeping out of slaves & peopling the Country with labouring hands from Europe perticularly from Germany (which is the consequence thereof) will soon make Wine and Silk the staple Comodity of this Country since most foreign Protestants are ac- customed to either the one or the other produce but it is needless to talk of these things if the Country is exposed to the Enemy. The suffer- ings of the People here have been very great by the late Invasion and it is natural to beleive that People will not carry on Cultivation in so ex- posed a Scituation.
Seven hundred more men than women in the Colony.
Married soldlers live easiest.
Next step, relating to magistrates.
The keeping out of slaves and peopling the Colony with laborers from Europe.
Sufferings of people very great by late invasion.
490
COLONIAL RECORDS
Gen. Oglethorpe to the Trustees' Accotant.
I think it would not only be a very just & charitable but also a highly comendable step in the Trust to become their Advocates in of whom have lost their All by the Enemy & most of whom voluntarily destroyed their whole for fear it shod. be beneficial to the Enemy,
I already grow tedious shall therefore refer you to Capt. Dunbar for a full account of all things here.
Servants to Frederica very nec- essary.
As I hope we shall succeed in our application & have such Assistance as will put this place in a posture of defending itself it will then be abso- lutely necessary that Vessells shod. be encourag- ed to come over with Passengers as Servants to Frederica.
Labouring hands are much wanting and there are many who are able and willing to pay their Passage for them.
The Pala- tines found the best.
The Palatines have hitherto been found the best. I am
Gentlemen
Your most Obed. humble Servt.
James Oglethorpe.
491
CORRESPONDENCE
Thomas Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM THOMAS JONES TO THE TRUSTEES ACCOTANT. MR. HARMAN VERELST. RECD 26, APRIL 1743
Frederica 21st. Febry. 1742/3
Sir
I came to Frederica Soon after Xtmas last and have ( the Generals Direction) been em- ployd in examining the Books of Accompt (which have not been posted, nor digested under proper Heads of Accompt for three Years last past. Yet I find regular Entries of Issues, Re- ceipts and other Transactions made in Fair Day Books, which (So far as I have been able to examine and compare wth. Vouchers) appear to be very just ; As is also the Cash Accots: Copies of all which are preparing in Order to be Sent by me to England for Your Persual That, by Your Direction & advice, a regular Accot may be Stated therefrom, which cannot be done here- It is to be hoped, a Fit Person may be found, willing to come to Georgia who (for the Time to come) will keep the Accots. in Such Method and Order, That Extracts thereof with Vouchers may be always in readiness to be transmitted to England, when required, or necessary.
Capt". Dunbar has taken with him, A Brief Abstract, containing the Chief Articles of the Annual Expence, His Excellce. The General
Employed in exam- ining the books of accompt.
A fit person to keep accounts hoped for.
492
COLONIAL RECORDS
Thomas Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
A brief abstract con- taining chief arti- cles of the annual expense.
hath hitherto defrayd for his Mats's Service in the Defence and Support of the Colony- This Accot of Expence is taken from the Muster Rolls, Payments made, and other Vouchers for Each particular Service, for One Year, comene- ing Novembr. ye 1st. 1741 Tho No certain Esti- mate can be formed thereby, Yet this may give You Some Idea of the Nature of those Expen- ces, at present absolutely necessary to be pro- vided for
The vigor. ous attempt of the enemy to invade the Colony.
The late Vigorous Attempt of the Enemy to invade the Colony, And the preparations wch are daily carried on by the Generals Order and Direction, for its Security against any future, the like attempts, has greatly enhanced this Year's Expence,- Tho' the Losses & Damages (to a large Amount) Sustained in & during the Invasion of the Spaniards, are not included Such as- The Large Quantity of Provisions and other Stores, which (with the Store Houses at Gascoign's) were burnt to prevent their fall- ing into ye Enemy's hands As were also sun- dry Provisions &c. on board Several Sloops from New York then in the River and those Sloops Sunk- The Loss of Boats and other Vessels- Many Horses on Cumberland (espec- ially) killd by the Enemy &c.
Store houses burned to prevent from falling into hands of enemy.
A list of all drafts drawn on the Trustees.
You will receive, a List of all the Generals Dra's on you for his Maty' Service, many of which may not have Yet been presented to You for your Acceptance- It cannot be Supposed That the Amount of these draughts do answer
493
CORRESPONDENCE
Gen. Oglethorpe to Mr. Harman Verelst.
All the Debts incurr'd or Disbursemts made by his Excellence the General on that Accot., Sev- eral have not brought in their Demands for Services done, or for Stores delivered- It is also to be remembred; That many other former Drats on you On the Generals own accot. were for the King's Service, As particularly those in 1739-40, payable to me to the Amº of near £. 1000, were applyd towards defraying the Charge of Indians & others going to War with ye Spaniards at Augustine, Which Expence Carolina had engaged to defray, but neglected- The Vouchers for those paym's are in my hands, ready to be produced.
I need not add- Hoping 'ere long to have an oportunity of Seeing You,- I remain
Sir
Yo very humble Serv
Tho Jones.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM BRIDGE GENL. OGLETHORPE TO THE TRUSTEES ACCOTANT MR. HARMAN VERELST AT THE GEORGIA OFFICE. LONDON RECD 27 APRIL 1743
Frederica 221. Febry. 1742.
Sir
I desire You would recomend to the Trustees Thomas Sumner who has behaved very well
494
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
Thomas Sumner and the timber trade.
here who goes over with an Intention to come back. If he cod. bring over Servis. as he intends I beleive he might bring a Valuable branch of the Timber Trade here I therefore shod. Wish the Trustees wod. give him Passage for some Serv's. in case they send over any Vessells which wod. be much better for the people than sending them free since they wod. have no House to cover them or @son to take care of them whereas he has both.
Light house best build- ing of its kind in America.
It was he whom I sent to build the Light House wch. he executed in 10 Months & is by much the best Building of that kind in America.
I shall say no more on this occasion but am
Yr. very humble Serv. J Oglethorpe
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.) LETTER FROM MR. THOS. JONES TO THE TRUSTEES ACCOTANT 23 FEBRY 1742 RECD 26 APRIL 1743.
Sir
Having determined to return to England this Spring (God willing) I designed to have for- born troubling You with any Letters of mine, untill I had the pleasure of Seeing you in Lon- don.
Yet considering the Uncertainty of Life, and the Hazards weh may attend a Voyage from
CORRESPONDENCE
495
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
America to England, in this Time of Warr, I embrace this Oportunity, { Capt Dunbar, of acknowledging The Favor done me by the Honble The Trustees; In discharging me from a Trust, which I could no longer have executed, with any Satisfaction to my Self, or done any real Service to their Honours, by any weak Endeavors, in Opposing The Stephanian, or, rather, Spanish Scheme. of New- modelling this Colony; now vigorously espoused, and carried on (Under pretext of Authority from the Trust) by the President & assistants in the Northern part, Their Attempts of introducing their Scheme into the Southern Division have hitherto prov'd unsuccessfull.
I have reason to Suspect That my Letters to you, which I Sent from Savannah, have been Stop'd, ever Since Agent Stephens his Scheme has been Aprov'd of; The Preliminary Article whereof is reported to be; That The Trustees were to be prevaild with Not to Place any Con- fidence in me, And to put it out of my power to obstruct the concerted measures to be taken for carrying on their Design- I have therefore Sent herewith Copys of Three Letters I had directed to you from Savannah: That of 231 Octobr. 1741 -- I shew'd unto Col". Stephens, and then Sealing it, left with him in Order to have it sent with his packet weh he had ready to Send to Charles Town for the Trust; The other two Letters I Sent M' Stephen Badon ye 9th July last to Charles Town, and therewith Copys of Two Letters from his Excellince, The Gen-
The Steph. anian or Spanish scheme of new- modelling the Colony.
Mr. Jones's suspicions aroused.
496
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
An account of the Spanish invasion.
eral, of the 29th June and July ye 2ª. giving an
Accot of ye Spanish Invasion and the Danger he had escaped in Cumberland Sound when at- tack'd by their Gallies- These Letters, ( w-ch. brot Us the first Aceo' of the Enemy's landing in Georgia), The General Sent Express by Land to Savannah, and Ordered me forth with to transmit Copys thereof to you (via Charles Town) I procured John Wright who undertook to ride to Charles Town in Two days, wth. the Letters, but Col" Stephens refused to allow me the Liberty of sending him or any other person thither from Savannah, I urged the ill Conse- quence that might attend the Delay of sending An Accot of the Invasion, and the danger the Colony was in; And told him That I would pay the Messenger, Yet could not prevail The next day being ye 6th July M. Bedon arrivd from Frederica (in a Small Canoe) on his way to Charles Town, with Letters from the General. And a Spanish prisoner; who gave us An Acco of the Spanish Fleet, their coming to Anchor in Jekyl Sound, M' Bedon applyd to Col" Steph- ens for One that could pilot him to Charles Town, (the Men he had to rowe his Boat being Strangers, & unacquainted with the Passage. The Col" said That he knew of none, but if he found a Person, that would be willing to go. he was wellcome to employ him. M' Bedon agreed with one Edwd Townsend to pilot him, but Col- on" Stephens refused to grant him leave to go- Mr. Boden tarried three days at Savannah, at length adventured without a Pilot :
Col. Steph. ens refused to let Mr. Jones send im- portant letter to Savannah.
Mr. Bedon's request to Col. Steph. ens for a pilot refused.
L
CORRESPONDENCE
497
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
The Measures taken at Savannah during the Stay of the Spaniards in Georgia, (which have not time now to mention) have afforded Reasons to conjecture- That the Spaniards would not have been unwelcome Guests, (had they tarried longer), to our Chiefs at Savannah.
General Oglethorpe willing me to assist in Stateing his Accots with the Governm' and also with the Trustees; which Service I was very - ready and desirous to engage in (some Diffi- culties which had formerly retarded that Design being now removed.) I have gone several Times to Frederica (this last Year) for that purpose, But have been so harassed ever Since by reiterated contrivances of the Junto at Savannah, whose Endeavours to destroy me, under ye Color of Law, proving unsuccessfull : They have by the most daring Falshoods calum- niated me, And by open Violence have taken away and deprived me of my Property and Ef- fects in the Colony -- The latter, (after some struggles to preserve,) I have been obliged to Submit to, being denied an Appeal to their Court, or any other legal Remedy.
I gave you an Acco' of the Secret Adjournmt of ye Court from the 3d. to 17th. May, whereupon I went to Frederica, and returned again to Sa- vannah on the 16th May, in Company wth. Lieut Hugh Mackay & Ensign Wemyss, wth 4 Private men of the Rangers, (who were ordered by the General on a Comand to Port Royal) Next Morning, The Court being opend, Col" Stephens M: Watson & Self having taken the Oaths &c.
The meas- ures taken at Savannah during the stay of the Spaniards in Georgia.
Harrassed by contriv. ances of the Junto at Savannah to destroy under the color of law.
An account of the secret ad- journment of the court.
498
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
The Grand Jury were sworn -- M' Watson was desired to give ye Charge to the Jury; wch he did, by telling them, He did not Doubt but that they knew their Duty in General, Yet he must recomend to their Consideration One Affair- Which was, That a party of Soldiers were brot into this Town the last Night. And that Two of them had quarrell'd and would have fought had they not been prevented by their Officer.
The indict. ment against Mr. Jones for felony.
The Indictmt agt me for Felony being (at my desire) read was judged insuffient, and was Quashd by the Court- Then, M' Mercer, (One of ye Presidents' Assistants, And Foreman of the Jury) moved, That M. Bailiff Parker should be sworn, that he might be examined by the Jury touching that Matter for which they had Indic- ted me in January last, Which Indictmt. being found faulty, and now disallowed by the Court; The Jury purposed to prefer Another Bill of In- dictm' against me for that Fact- Mr. Parker Said, The President had laid that Affair before The Trustees, He would not further concern himself therein- The Jury withdrew, and the Day after presented to the Court their Remon- strance, As also a Presentmt against me, And One other agt Patric Graham (Copies of all weh you'll receive herewith)
Remon- strance and presentment presented by the Grand Jury to the court.
In January 1741. M' Newdegate Stephens arrivd at Charles Tr. where having been enter- taind for some Time by Mr. Henry Beaton At his House there, M' Beaton provided a Boat and Hands at his Own Expence, and accompanied Mr. Stephens to Savannah. Col" Stephens (as
CORRESPONDENCE
499
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
he declared to Several) offered to pay the Ex- pence, but M' Beaton refused taking any Recom- pence for ye Charge and Trouble he had been at, Lie only desired the Colonells Assistance to pro- cure the Payment of a Debt due to him from One Rob Vaughan a Trader living at Augusta in this Colony- John Wright was dispatchd with a Warrt of Attachm' to Augusta, who bro't Vaughan in Custody to Savannah and was Co- mitted there to Goal, where he remained a Pris- oner untill this Court.
Before We came into Court, I told Col" Steph- ens & ye. Bayliffs That I had never before heard, Any Person had been imprisoned, much less, remaind so long confined upon an Action for Debt in this Colony- That I much doubted, whether this Court had Authority to determine or try this Case- It being an Action for Debt neither contracted or Arising, in Georgia, nor between persons inhabiting therein ;- That I had not Seen any Instructions given by the Honble Trustees for our Guidance in Such Cases, but I founded these my Sentiments upon a Clause in the Charter, (wch I shewed them)- That this Court were of the Same Opinion in the Case of Thos: Bailie and Patr. Mackay and discharge the Action agt Mackay, it appearing to have been for a debt contracted in Scotland- Col". Stephens averr'd wt more than comon Warmth, The legality of imprisoning for Debt and of the Courts' trying such Cases, And (tak- ing two Letters out of his Packet) Said He had receª those Letters from Gentlemen in Charles
Mr. Beaton's desired recompence for services rendered Col. Stephens.
Imprisoned for debt not in. curred in Colony.
The legality of impris- oning for debt averred by Col. Stephens.
500
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
Town in Favour of M' Beaton-One of those Letters was from Oth. Beale, (wch I read) who therein, making an Apology for his Writing to him, (being a Stranger) Yet having had the honor of an Intimacy with The Worthy Gentle- man, Mr. Thomas Stephens, his Son, he had taken the Liberty &c- Mr. Parker and M' Wat- son were of the Same Opinion with Col" Steph- ens- The Goaler having bro't Vaughan into Court, & a Jury Sworn- M' Jacob Matthews as the Plaintiffs Attorney delivered into Court-A Bill of Parcells, And also a Promisory Note- with An Accot of the whole Debt said to be due to Beaton,- wth Compound Interest on the whole of 10 £ + C. annum, which Papers were by the Court ordered to be show'd to the Jury- I asked Who appears to prove those Debts? Mr Watson said, Mr. Vaughan to be Sure, would Acknowledge His Note of hand as well as the Receipt of the Goods mentioned in the Bill of Parcells- And there needed no other proof- And demanded of Vaughan, whether he did not acknowledge the Debt; I replyd, The Evidence given to the Court and the Jury ought to be upon Oath, which cannot be regularly ten- dred to a Defendant even to exculpate himself- But Nemo tenetur Accusare Leipsum Mr. Par- ker Said The Plaintiff had already Sworn to his Debt before M' Fallowfield & himself. As ap- peard by their Warrant weh to Satisfy the Jury- Should be produced- M' Watson then advised, the Attorney to Suffer a Nonsuit, weh he did ---
A bill of parcells and â promisory note.
CORRESPONDENCE
501
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
The injurious and unjust Treatment Vau- ghan has Since recd may be hereafter fully re- presented- Youll receive herewith his Deposi- tion relateing to Some part of the Hardships he underwent during his Imprisonment at Savan- nah, The Facts mentioned therein, I desired the President & Assistants to examine into; but they did not judge them worthy their considera- tion -- M" Bosomworth was Once present & may remember with what Language M. Watson treated Vaughan because he would not comply with his Advice in paying M' Beaton the whole of his Demands, And to have no regard to his Other Creditors-
I shall not further trouble you wth the Pro- ceedings during the Sitting of this Court, Than by giving a short Accot. of a presentmt. of the Jury in January Sessions agt Reaser & two Zu- blie's Inhabitants of Ebenezer; A Warr was then granted to aprehend them, but (tho they had often been at Savannah in ye Interval) The Warrant lay dormant untill Easter Eve, (A Festival kept and observd wth great Solemnity by the Lutheran Churches) On wrh day The Presid' &c employd Tho : Ellis (One of the Tyth- ing Men) to go to Ebenezer And to bring ye Par- ties in his Custody Prisoners to Savannah wch he did on Easter day- When Ellis went to Eb- enezer, and could not meet with the Persons whom he was to aprehend (They being then at their respective plantations about three or four miles distance from the Town), He acqted Mr Bolzius with his Errand, & shewed him the War-
The injur. ious and unjust treatment received by Mr. Vaughan.
Mr. Wat- son's rough language to Mr. Vaughan overheard by Mr. Bosom. worth.
A short account of a present- ment of the Jury.
Thos. Ellis employed to bring prisoners from Eben. ezer to Savannah on Easter day.
1
502
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
rant- Mr. Bolzius assured him that he would engage to bring them before the Magistrates at Savannah, on any day in the Week ensuing he should Appoint, But, As this Time was observd by the Congregation there. As preparatory for their receiving the Sacrament, he hoped the Magistrates would be Satisfied with his En- gagem" for their Appearance- Ellis Said his Orders were very positive to bring them down in his Custody, And that it was expected M. Bolzius would produce the Men- M. Bolzius unwilling to give Offence took horse as did M' Vigera another and rode to ye Plantations from whence they brought the 3 Men with them to Ebenezer, where being come- Ellis Said That He must have his (M' Bolzius) Great Boat wth men to Row, got ready, in Order to his carrying the Men to Savannah Mr. Bolzius intreated that the People might not be fored to work on the Sabboth day but could prevail nothing So that Two other Men of ye Congregation (besides the Three in Custody) were compelld to go with the Boat to Savannah where they arrivd on Easter Sunday in the Morning, And after the three Prisoners had remained some time in Cus- tody they were had before Mr. Fallowfield, who required no recognizance or Sureties for their Appearance or good behaviour, He only Said The Court would be held at Savannah on the third Day of May, At which time they must ap- pear there to Answer the Complaints made against them, And dismissed them- They re- turned home on Monday The Expence of the
Mr. Bolzjus in regard to the forcing of people to work on Sunday.
CORRESPONDENCE
503
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
whole, Mr. Bolzius was obliged to defray, ex- cepting the Tything man's Pay for his Time and Service which Colon" Stephens discharged, plac- ing the Same to the Accot of the Trustees- The three Men came to Savannah, on the third of May according as they had been ordered ~ M. Fallowfield And again attended at this Court, When the Indictmt being called, And no Prose- cutor appearing, they were dismissd from fur- ther Attendance.
Mr. Watson borrowed, of me Ten pounds, wch he promised to repay at Midsumer, At wych time he should receive (as he said) upwards of Twenty pounds from Col" Stephens, he having been at great Expence by his being obliged to live at a public House, And also wanting to buy some Necessary things for his Lodgings, now fitting up- In a few days after he desired me to lend him Five pounds more, which I did, At which time he told me, That he had expended Thirty Pounds at Tisdale's, Since he arrived in Georgia (being about a Months Space) I was greatly Surprized thereat and acquainted Col" Stephens therewith, And told him That If I should not be at Savannah; when the Salaries were paid I should leave Mr. Watsons Promi- sory Notes to me for £15 with William Russell, who would remind him, also, That Mr. Henry Parker was to pay Seven pounds, And M. Fal- lowfield Four pounds, for the Trustees Accot, out of the Sums due to them for their Salaries- The Colon" said he would take Care of it. But when the time of payment came, he forbid Rus-
Money borrowed by Mr. Watson of Mr. Jones.
504
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
sel's mentioning it to them- M' Watson again Sent a Letter desiring me to lend him a further Sum of Six or Seven pounds -- I went to him, And Said, That Midsumer Day being near at hand when (as he had told me) he should re- ceive upwards of Twenty pounds, which would Answer the Sum he wanted, over and above that which I had lent him, & which I hoped then to receive I to replyd- It is very well -- He has not yet repaid me, but hath from that time, by many Arbitrary and illegal Acts (wherein he has been Supported by the other Confederates) injured me to a great Degree. As I cannot ex- pect the present Redress of those Injuries which my Self and Others have Suffered I shall not trouble you with Any particular Instances thereof.
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