USA > Georgia > Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 23 > Part 31
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M' Watson soon discovered himself to be a Profane Man, and in other things a proper Com- panion for Mr. Henry Parker but has exceeded all that I have known to have ever lived in this Colony by his Industry in getting of Money, And in lavishly consuming it- He has a Con- venient House in ye Square fitted up, wth a Room therein for his Office, as a Lawyer, but is Sel- dom to be seen there unless when Some of the Indian Traders come to Town, (who generally are litigious), And Apply to him in Law Cases for Advice. He keeps also a Lodging, or An office, at Tisdale's, (A publick House) where he Accompanies with Some Sawyers and Labour- ing Men who by their former Industry and Fru- gality had acquired and Saved Money- There
Injured by arbitrary and illegal acts.
Mr. Watson a proper companion for Mr. Parker.
CORRESPONDENCE
505
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
he practices and instructs them to Set and know, The Main, Having a Box and Dice, wth. a Cloth to cover the Table, at times, when other Com- pany is near), to prevent the Noise, by the rat- ling of the Dice)-Some persons that lodged at the House occasionally, have told me, that M. Watson with others have continued playing at Hazard, in his own Room, from Dinner Time un- till Two of the Clock next morning- Some of those poor thoughtless men by following the Main, will be obliged now to labour on the Ocean for a Livelyhood.
I Saw One of them, (this week) at Frederica, who bewailed his Folly, too late, His Name is Alexander Ross, came over a Servant, And Since the Expiration of his Servitude, workd at Sawying and other Labour. He had by his In- dustry got and laid up Above One Hundred Pounds Sterl- In August last I hired him to row in a Boat to Frederica (but fearing the Enemy, had been Still in ye Colony). He left in my hands, Sixty One Pounds in Sola Bills, which I kept for him untill he returned. Two Others of them, Johnson & Tyrrell I had for a Considerable Time employ'd ({ the General's Order) in Sawing (at Thunder bolt) Timber for ye Works at Frederica- They were So intent in following their Main, that they despised La- bour- I was obliged to discharge them- John- son had servd D' Tailfer, was a Sober indus- trious Man, in Continual Employm' at Sawying, I have had often Sums of Money in my hands,
Mr. Wat- son's so- called office used to gamble in.
Alexander Ross bewails his folly.
Johnson and Tyrrell employed in sawing timber.
Johnson once sober, industrious man, now idle and in debt.
506
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
Ich he desired me to keep for him- he is now become Idle and in Debt .-
A gameing office set up.
An adver- tisement of an address to Genl. Oglethorpe.
Since this Gameing Office has been Set up, The Town have not been amused nor disquieted with Advertisements & Scurrilous Lampoons, Set up on the Trees and other Public Places --- Copies of some of them I have sent you- M. Watson claimed for a While the publishing Ad- vertism's. as his Right only -- as appeared by his pulling down from ye Trees with his Own hands, An Advertisement of an Address to General Oglethorpe, which was thought to be very inoffensive, by all others besides Mr. Wat- son & his Associates- He more especially dis- covered his Anger & Rage thereat, by uttering profane Oaths, Curses, and Reviling Lan- guage- I have sent inclosed a Copy of ye Ad- vertisem.
A common complaint that persons insolvent have been placed in authority.
None able to contract such large debts as the new bailiff of Savannah.
It has been a very comon Complaint of Peo- ple (ever Since I knew this Colony) That Per- sons Insolvent, Such as Mr. Parker Fallowfield and, Christie, have been placed in Authority, who run into Debt where they could obtain ('redit, which they held discharged, Nay often threatned those that demanded paymt. plead- ing An Exemption from being Sued for Debts --- Yet None of them, nor Even alltogether, have been able to contract Such large Debts, in this Colony, by borrowing Money. as Our New Bay- liff has done in ye short Space of time he has been at Savannah- He has left none unattemp- ted who live in Town, & Supposed able to lend ; tho Some wary people refused, Yet he hath
507
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
raised thereby a very considerable Sum of Money from the Inhabitants, besides what he has borrowed of the Indian Trad- ers who have been at Savannah Since his Arri- val there- Some of those who have lent him Money flatter themselves with Hopes, That the Trustees will not Suffer them to be Lossers by a Gentleman entrusted by them with a Comis- sion, and Authorised to be one of those, to issue their Bills- whereby his Credit is recomended; & not Established.
He has lately gone greater Lengths-wch shall not now Mention The Table of Fees, (weh. M. Marcer told me, lately, hath been confirmed by the Trustees) hath been of great Service to the Two Bayliffs in their Tipling Expences .- Yet not contented therewith They Augmented those Fees, in some Articles to double the Sum, which I complaining of- At M'. Watson's Instance, The President and Assistants were pleased to discharge me from acting as Bayfiff, or being One of the Assistants from that day- being in September last- A Court was held some few days after, when Col" Stephens acquainted the Inhabitants that The Trustees had discharged me from being 2ª Bayliff And then the New Oath of Office was taken by Mr. Watson- I had often Urged That the taking of Fees was directly con- trary to, And a Breach of the Oath Solemnly taken by Us- M' Parker had said That tho' it was contrary to what he had Sworn to Observe, Yet that Form had not been Sent, or required by the Trust; He therefore did not look upon
Borrowed Inoney of the Indian traders.
The table of fees confirmed by the Trustees.
Discharged from acting as bailiff.
The taking of fees a breach of the oath taken.
508
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
A new form of oath penned.
himself bound to keep it- But to prevent that Objection for the Future, A New Form of an Oath was penn'd, and now taken by M' Watson- In which the latter part of ye former Oath was omitted- A Copy of the former Oath you have enclosed. I should have mentiond, That when Col" Stephens deliver'd me Your Letter Signify- ing the Trustees Pleasure, sometime in July last, He told me that it was his desire, And the Trustees Intention That I would continue to act as Bayliff &e untill M' Spencer could come to Savannah Which he hoped I would not refuse to do- I consented thereto.
Consented to act as bailiff until Mr. Spen- cer's arrival.
I went soon after to Frederica, But had not been there long before I found it necessary for me to return again to Savannah.
Mr. Noble Jones, bearer of letter from Mr. Causton to Genl. Oglethorpe.
Mr. Noble Jones arriving at Frederica, bro't a Letter directed to the General from M. Tho: Causton, wherein he acquaints his Excellence That having lately applyd to Col" Stephens As presid' & One of ye Com's-for Acco's, (pursuant to what he had been directed to do by a Letter he had receivd from the Trust's Account.) to examine the Accot which he had Sent to the Trust, and had by the Trust been again trans- mitted to the Com's. in Georgia for them to ex- amine the Same and Report thereon- Coll Stephens had Said That no progress could be made therein, unless Mr. Spencer had proper power and would act in it or other Orders from The Trustees arrived-M' Causton urging. The Damages he sustained dayly, Through the De- lays of the Comissioners in makeing their Re-
509
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustces' Accotant.
port on that Accompt-Colon" Stephens, replyd, That it was a Detriment to him, But M. Tho- mas Jones was chargeable with those Delays- And that he (Jones) ought to be put under Ar- rest till he Satisfyed him for those his Dam- ages- M' Causton hesitating at the Expedient proposed by Col" Stephens- The Colon" added that it might be done- And that Mr. Parker would grant his Warrt agt me.
Mr. Noble Jones, who was then present, and heard this Conversation assured me That Col" Stephens endeavourd to persuade Mr. Causton to bring his Action agt me for Damages-
This obliges me to mention the many Difficul- ties & Discouragements I found in examining those few Acco's weh have been certifyed & Sent to ye Trusts, partly thro' Mr. Parker, refusing, or neglecting to attend thereon, He seldom could be prevailed with to come to Town, And when he came on that Intent, oft got intoxicated in Town before he met us, At which Times he is very troublesom and talkative- So that we could not finish the Examination of One Accot Sometimes in a Month, (tho often met for that purpose) As also thro the Behavior and Con- duct of Colon" Stephens which to me was Sur- prizing and Unaccountable whilest I remained ignorant of, and unacquainted wth. the Steph- anian Polity
When any, (whose Claims on the Trust came under our Consideration) were examined touch- ing those their Claims, And their Demands
Mr. Thos. Jones charged with the delay of report on Mr.
Causton's accompt.
Difficulties met with in exam. ining Mr. Causton's account.
Conduct of Col. Stephens surprising.
The Steph- anian polity.
510
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
Manner in which persons complaining of hard usage were soothed by Col. Stephens.
found to be groundless or Exorbitant, would not be allowed- Those persons afterwards com- plaining of hard Usage- Colon" Stephens usu- ally soeth'd them, by saying, That he thought indeed their Demands were very just, and ought to have been allowed- But he could not help what was done- For had he contradicted Jones (who was a very obstinate Fellow) he would imediately have complained agt him to the Trus- tees.
William Ewen's claim on the Trustees.
The last time we met together as Comission- ers in October 1741 was in order to examine William Ewens Claim on ye Trusts. I had be- fore Our Meeting examined the Books, and found several Entries therein of Ewen's own hand Writing- I had taken in Writing the Ob- jections which occurrd to me against Several Articles in that Aceo. When William Ewen was Sent for and attended Us, We examind him upon those Articles objected to, Some of which he allowed to be Mistakes and wrong Entries, but insisted on his being allowed for the Hire of a Canoe 18' ? Day, which he asserted the In- dians had taken from his Landing, and had kept upwards of 15 Weeks, The further Considera- tion of that Matter was deferred to another time. The next day, I enquired of Two Ger- mans, who were Servants to, and lived with Will: Ewen, at Skidowa, during the Time he had missd his Canoe: who joyntly declared to Mr. Parker and Self, That M. Ewen's Canoe (Said by him to be taken away by Indians) lay in a Creek near his House on the Island during
William Ewen's false assertion.
CORRESPONDENCE
511
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
all the Time, he pretended, the Indians had kept it, And that neither Indians nor any other had made Use of it, in that Time- They further de- clared to Us That they had informd their Mas- ter (Ewen), On his asking them Whether they had seen the Canoe) of the Matter as they now related it. That They were willing to testify the same upon Oath, if needfull.
Will: Ewen went that same Day for Charles Town on a Message to the Agent. When he re- turnd again to Savannah- I desired the Comis- sioners to appoint a Time for finishing the Ex- amining of Ewen's Accot .- Colon" Stephens re- ply'd. That the Trustees had orderd all Claims and Accts. to be examined and certifyed by the President & Assistants for the Future
By the Minutes I had taken at our Examin- ing Ewens Claime in October- It appeard That Ewen stood considerably indebted to the Trus- tees But the President &cª. have Since better considered of Ewen's claim and allowed him the Hire of his Canoe, weh lay in the Creek on his Plantation, as also other Articles before object- ed to and disallowed Certifying a Ballance to be due from the Trust in Ewen's Favour- Which Ballance the President offered to pay unto him. (as I am informed) and Ewen refus- ed being much dissatisfyed with the Accompt as now Stated- After he had brought from the Agent such ample Recommendations of his Use- fullness and Capacity to ye President (His Father).
All claims and accounts to be examined by the President and assist. ants for the future.
Ewen's claim re- considered.
512
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
Discharged from acting as comniis- sioner, then threatened for not acting.
The President's Dischargeing me (Twelve Months since) from acting as a Comissioner And afterwards threatning to have me punishd for neglecting to act in the Comission, when dis- charged from it, has occasioned my troubling you with this long Digression
Mr. Jones went to Savannah to avoid impris- onment.
However, to avoid A Capias ad Satisfaciend, being issued against me, And perhaps an Im- prisonm' -- I went again to Savannah, Where Colon" Stephens (who Soon after my Arrival gave me a Visit) entertained me (after his usual Method) by Expressing the great Pleasure and Satisfaction he had in Seeing me at Savannah. hopeing that I would continue among them- That his Life was now a Burthen to him, That he had no Friend to advise wth. or Assist him, that he could depend on- That whilest I had acted with him in the affairs of ye Colony, he had No Cause of Uneasiness, and but little Trou- ble- He continued, wth Complaining of his As- sistants Saying, One was a Sott, another a Mad- man, a Third an Obstinate designing knave, Ap- pealing to my knowledge of them to be Such, I reply'd- When Truth and Uprightness are dis- regarded- That Confidence in One Another, (which is necessary to be maintaind for carry- ing on all Conversation and Business) will be destroyd, & cease
Complaints against assistants.
Mr. Steph. ens' actions when ac- cused of making false assertions.
I did not mention the Reason I had for my coming to Savannah, for I knew what Col" Stephens would Say to me on that Occasion,- And that he would deny his ever Saying to M.
CORRESPONDENCE
513
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
Causton, That I ought to be put under Ar- rest- When I have formerly tax'd him wth re- proaching me, And falsely accusing of me to others- He has with the greatest Solemnity, (clapping his hand on his Breast, wth Seeming Tears in his Eyes, and taking me by the hand) declared (Calling God to Witness)- That he had never Said those Things, And, he appealed to God (who knew his Heart), That he never had entertaind the least Jealousy of my Sincer- - ity- When I sent for those who had reported those things to confront him- He had then recourse to his Usual Salve, (well known, to all persons at Savannah with whom he converses, even to a proverb) That He was Seventy Years of Age, His Memory decayed, And He might probably utter Some imprudent Words, but without any Intention of injuring me or any other- In May last, after he had behaved and used those Expressions as before related, (On an Occasion, now too tedious to relate) I told him, That I had not indeed arrived to his Years, Yet should it please God to lengthen my Days to Ninety Years I trusted, That I should not So far forget my Self, or the Reverence and Duty I owe to my Maker, as to injure my Neighbor, And profane the Sacred Name of God by calling him to Witness to a Falshood-
After M' Causton had waited Several Days at Savannah for Mr. Parker's coming to Town, He at length came and together with Colon" Steph- ens and Mr. Causton calld on me, and, asked. What could be done about examining and State-
Col. Steph- ens' seven.y years of age.
Mr. Parker, Col. Steph- ens and Mr. Causton call upon Mr. Jones.
514
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
Ready to assist with accounts even though of no authority.
Mr. Parker's contention.
ing M' Causton's Acco's. I answered That I un- derstood The Trustees had given Instructions in what was to be done- That, tho I had been told, That I had no Authority to act as a Comis- sion'. Yet I was ready to assist in the Examin- ing that, or any other Accot wherein the Trus- tees were concerned- Mr. Parker proposed our meeting at a Public House to consider of it- I told him That I would attend them, if they met in the Compting House, from Day to Day untill that Acco was Stated, (if I continued so long in Town) but would not meet at a public House to examine Accots. They came Then to no resolu- tions what to do, or how to proceed in ye Affair But meeting Another Day, at ye Compting House in the Stores- Mr. Parker Said That it appeard to him Impracticable, to go thro' that Accot weh would require more Time than they could well Spare M' Causton then desired- They would make their Report to the Trust, in any manner, So that the affair might come to Some Issue, And He be either acquitted from Blame, Or if found Faulty, might know where- in- After much Debate M. Causton desired to know whether the Comissioners would certify to the Trust in General .- 'That the Cargoes 'and Stores bought and Charged to Accot. of 'the Trustees, are regularly entred in the Books, '(Now at ye Store)- That the Advanc'd Price 'on Issues of Stores, is duly placed to the Credit 'of the Trustees- That the then circumstances 'of the Colony required the Purchasing of 'Stores for its Support, And That Altho' some
515
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Thos. Jones to the Trustees' Accotant.
'particulars of Such Stores might be properly 'Said to be Unnecessary, Yet the Purchase of 'them was then unavoidable, because, Otherwise Those which were Necessary could not have 'been obtained-
Col" Stephens, or M' Parker, asked me If I objected any thing to those Heads mentiond by M' Causton- I answered That I did not remem- ber Any Material Objection to be made against Either of them Col" Stephens then Said, We will readily (at any time) Certify to The Trus- tees what You have now Mentioned, And That no Part of your Conduct on a General View ap- pears to bear any Colour of Fraud- What has been since done in ye Affair I am not acquainted with
The Bearer going abroad prevents my adding to what I have written -- Am obliged abruptly to conclude
I am Sir Your very Obedient Serv. Tho Jones. 23ª Febry 1742/3.
To Harman Verelst Esq'.
No part of conduct appears to bear fraud.
516
COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Spencer to Mr. Harman Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM WM. SPENCER TO THE TRUSTEES ACCOTANT, MR. HARMAN VERELST IN QUEEN'S SQUARE, WESTMINSTER. RECD 26 APRIL 1743
These-
Frederica 23 Feb: 1742.
Sir
The arrival of a clock.
Since arrival, lost wife and young- est daughter.
Your's Dated in June last I reced, and return you thanks for your trouble and care in send- ing the Clock, which came in good Order, We had a good passage but since our Arrival I have lost my wife and Youngest Daughter and almost all my Goods and Effects, the ticulars of which (amongst other Sufferers) I hope will come Safe to Your Hands, I have been Ill ever since the Day after our Landing and for Up- wards of 4 Months lost the use of my Legs (but Thank God) am on the Mending Hand, and hope soon to be at Savanah. The Gen1. has been ex- traordinary kind to me, Supplying me with everything I wanted; The Loss of my Wife is more grevious to me, than that of all my Effects &c. pray give my Humble Service to your good Lady & Neice which concludes me
Your most Obedt. & much Obliged Humble Servt. Wm. Spencer.
517
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. John Terry to the Trustees.
Be pleas'd to send the Letters as directed.
[Written up the margin on the left hand side] ST.
I begg the favour of you to forward the Affair of my loss to the Trustees it being my all, and I don't doubt of their Compassion through your good Offices It being a Deed of Charity at this time Yrs. W. S.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM MR. JOHN TERRY TO THE TRUSTEES 24 FEB 1742 RECD 26 APRIL 1743
My Lords & Gentlemen
The third of November Last, I sent your Hon's. The Coppy of my first, of the 17th Last June by Mr. Thos. Bosomworth, wch. I hope your Hon's. have Received
And I Now take an Opportunity to send to the Honble. Board, by Capt". Dunbar who is Going home wth. the Prize Sloop, The Coppy of the Proceedings of our Court, Since My Arrivial in this place.
Capt". Dunbar who is Possesed wth. the Pro- ceeds3. Against the Prize, will I doubt Not show the Same To your Hon's .. The Devission of the Money Arissing from the Sale of the Perishable Goods have been Attended wth. Private Mur-
The coppy of the pro- ceedings of the court.
Division of money arising from sale of goods.
518
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. John Terry to the Trustees.
Petty session of court held to rectify wrongs.
mours, by two or three of The Captors, Notwith- standing that the S4. Devission was made by their Orders & Consents, but I beleive That your Hon's. Are Sencible that in Such Casses, it Sel- dom, or Never happens, that all Are Satisfied And Please'd, However the Court havs been in- forme'd that Some Were Discontent. the Same were Summons'd to Appear at a Petty Session held for To Rectify Any Wrongs they should Make Appear Had been done to them, but As it will appear to your Hon's. by the Minutes of the sª. Petty Session They Refused to Lodge Any Complaints in this Court Nor to have their pre- tended Wrongs & Injuries Tryed by the Same,
Refused to lodge complaints.
Saying that they wou'd Appeal at a proper time To a proper place, And that then, & there they would Have Justice done to them,
Rash words to be spoken to a court.
These I think Are very Rash words to be Spoken to a Court, from whence One Would Reasonable Judge That the s". Court Refuses to do Justice, Or that the Same is held by Un- just & Partial Men, or (Bailifs) But As Peace & quitness is a happy Situation, the Disconten- ted Were Urged No further,
Your Hon's. have Also Inclosed the Proceed- ings held at the Said Court in the Biggining of October Last wch. I hope will meet wtb. the Hontle. Boards aprobation We obmitted hold- ing of a Court at Midsumer on Acet. of The Late Invasion, but for the future We hope to be Re- gular in holding the Quarter Sessions,
CORRESPONDENCE
519
Mr. John Terry to the Trustees.
Inclose'd your Hon". have Also a List of the free Holders of this Town, of weh. his Excellency Gen1. Oglethorpe, Tells me, he has Acquainted the Honble. Board, that his Excellency hath Ap- pointed me Register of the Same & its precincts on Accot. that the Inhabitants of these Parts thinks Much of Going or Sending to Savannah for In registring, And As I am so Appointed by his Excellency I hope & presume to think it will meet with yr. Hon's. Aprobation, in wch. Office I shall Dilligently Acquit Myself of My Duty, And Such further Directions As you Shall think proper to Give me therein shall be Carefully Ob- serv'd And Obeyed, so soon As I shall have a Return of all the habitations in this Part, or Province. I shall Also Make One to Yr. Hon™s. wch. I hope will be soon The Inhabitants Are very Well please'd wth. the Conviniancy of Re- gistring here. And thinks that Applying to his Excelliney by way of Pettission is far better for them Then Going, or Sending to Savannah, And will be a Means of their Never Wanting of Lawyers, the Thoughts of wch. they Cannot Endure,
I beg Leave Of yr. Hon". to be permitted to Inform the Honble. Board that all here that Have Sallery Appointed to them by y'. Hon". Receives None at all, And Mr. Stephens hath wrote to me And very Lately to Mr. Calwell, that he hath Positive Orders from yr. Hon's. to pay No Sallery here As for my part who am so Lately here And have spent My little all in Building, Clearing, And Planting I find it very
-1 list of the free holders of the town.
Inhabitants pleased with con. veniency of registering.
Salaries that should be, not paid.
Positive orders to pay no salaries.
520
COLONIAL RECORDS
John Calwell to the Trustees.
hard, but doubt Not but such orders will Soon be contremanded.
Planters busy planting.
All the Planters in this Island Are Now very Buissy in planting, And Notwithstanding the Late Invasion, or the Aprehension of an Other, No One have been discourage'd from planting, for Such As are In Low Circumstances Are As- sisted in their Undertaking By his Excellency who Incourages it to the Utmost of his power.
I hope My Lords & Gentlemen that Yr. Hon". will have some Regards in Respects to Servants for this place for we cannot possibly Goe on Clearing & planting wth. out them. I remain wth. the Most profound Respect and submission
Most Hond. Lord & Gentleman
Your Hon's / Most Obedient And Dutyfull Servt. to Comd. John Terry.
For the Rt. Honble. the Lords & Gentlemen Trustees for the Collonny of Georgia Frederica the 24th of Feb"y. 1742/3.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM JOHN CALWELL TO THE TRUSTEES 25 FEB : 1742 RECD 27 APL 1743.
Honour'd Sirs
I rec'd a letter from Harman Verelst Esq Dated 21 Agust 1742 in answer to a letter I
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