USA > Georgia > Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 23 > Part 9
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A chest for the Saltz. burghers.
Your letters of the 6th & 8 of June come next to be considerd; & here again I must hope for the same liberty of referring to my Journal; where on the 11 Sept will be seen yt That of the latest date came first to hand, advising me of a Chest for the Saltzburghers, & a Box for me ?? Cap' Wedderburn, consignd to M' Hopton, as ??
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Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
Bill of loading : which M' Hopton also wrote me; with the reasons why the said Chest and Box were not sent. What is only farther containd in this letter from you, is relating to one Fergu- son ; whom his Mother enquires after; & I wish I could give the poor woman satisfaction in it: but all that I can learn from some of our Oldest Setlers, and others his Cotemporarys is, that he was an Indented Servant with James Hazle- foot; who was a very idle fellow; and after he had run in debt here to all he could, he fled to Charles Town, before my time of knowing him (as many of like Value have done since) and taking his Servant with him, I hear he found another Master, whom he sold him to there, with equal honesty on both sides : since which I am told Hazlefoot is dead. Nothing of this kind is to be wonder'd at in Charles Town ; & I wish honest Bradley did not do the like by his Boy Sinclair. If I can learn any thing farther with certainty you shall hav it.
You'll find in my Journal of 29th of Sept" & 24 of Oct, by what means I got the Chest and Box above mention'd after long waiting for; & wherein (among other things then named) I got your letter of 6 June; which I am now to answer. Here again I find in my said Journal of the 2ª Oct", acknowledgment is made of my rect of the Constitution from the honourable Trustees, appointing me presisident, with 4 As- sistants therein named, for the Jurisdiction of this County of Savannah; with the several In- structions, publick & private, directing us how
Ferguson, an indented servant, asked after by his mother.
James Hazlefoot a very idle fellow.
Appoint- ment of Col. Steph- ens as Pres. ident with four as. sistants.
-
142
COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
Map of District made by Mr. Thos. Eyre.
to act; & M' Pye to be Clerk of the President: and upon your notifying to me the Trusts re- commendation of Mr. Thomas Eyre, to make a Map of this District; which I was before in their former Orders of the 27 Apr directed to get done with all the speed I could; I am again ob- lidged to refer you to my Journal of the 25 & 30 Sept; where 'twill be seen what I had then done to hasten that Work; which the Undertak- er had begun, according to agreement, before I recd this of the 6 June from you : of which it be- hoved me to acquaint Mr. Eyre at Frederica by the next opportunity; least he might be induced to think it a Slight put upon him; which no man living would give less occasion for than my self ; having always esteemd a deserving young Gentleman; & there has been a mutual Friend- ship betwixt us.
The narra- tive asked for.
Nov : 2. The Narrative wch you ask for, yt was printed by our good Friends at Charles Town, & which Mr. Hopton wrote me he had by my order sent you one or more of; I hope you re- ceivd long since : as I now have recd from you, Coppy of that equally valuable Remonstrance, which was sent from hence last Winter, and im- proved with choice additions, as it passd thro' Charles Town: both these excellent peices will admit of some short notes from me, among other things also worthy remark, in those papers I am preparing.
Tenures of Land.
How many names I might obtain, in attempt- ing to get a subscription, setting forth their
143
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Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
being well contented, with the Tenures, of Land as now granted; I cannot take upon me to say : for, not knowing who signd this last; I am ap- prehensive, least by appearing over sollicitous to discover that, it might meet wth an ill con- struction, from such as would be apt to say, we were afraid of their numbers. What can they say, if any of their own List should give it under their hands yt they were surprised and decoyd by false suggestions, to sign that paper lately, which upon cooler thoughts since, they find cause to be vexed at, & ashamed of; wishing they could undo what they did? Two or three yt I have talkd with, tell me so, and promise to make good what they say : wherein I encourage 'em, telling ym that I will not offer to dictate, but it shall be all their own doing: that plain Truth wants no Embellishment, or correction ; but will be recd by the Trustees as kindly as if twere in the most polite manner, and they will have the Praise of it wholly to themselves: I think they'll be as good as their Word: and surely all such as refused to sign the contrary may be deemd content.
With Respect to the Beacon at Tybee; I have the satisfaction to say, that the whole Frame of it is near finishd at Thunder bolt; where it has been put together, & pulld in peices again, square after square; and we are now providing to get it all sent to Tybee, in about a fortnight more: after which, twill be reared there; and then the work within, of flooring &c; and with- out, of weather boarding; will be carried on
Regrets having signed paper.
The Beacon at Tybee nearly finished.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
with the best expedition. The Old Foundation, weh is of Brick, is judged much better than any new, with some little amendment where faulty.
A minister needed.
The care wch the honourable Trustees shew, for a Minister to put us in mind of our Duty, as Christians, requires our gratitude; and tho' they had been twice disappointed when you wrote, I perswade my self they have accom- plishd their good Intentions since.
Wm. Ewen a virulent mischief. maker.
Wm Ewens Acct, as we find it, will be sent among several others of the like Stamp, when the whole goes, as tis now very near (at length) carried up to Michass: and then twill be seen what Grounds this Complainer has, to say he is denyd Justice. It seems to me, as if twas re- solved upon by these Malcontents, that the Trust should have no pretence to expect payment of any Ballance due to them in the Store books: these are mostly the people who are so clamor- ous, Banding together, & inveighing against every thing done; as they set forth in their several appeals to the Publick; and there is not a more virulent little Mischief maker among 'em, y" this Ewen : but if tis the Trusts pleasure. after his account is inspected, to order payment of what he demands, to be sure it ought readily to be obeyd.
Confidence reposed in Col. Stephens.
I have receivd so many signal marks of the honourable Trustees, Benevolence towards me; and of the confidence they continue to repose in my Integrity; notwithstanding my Sons great provocations ; that I am at a loss how to express
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Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
my Sense of 'em; & wish I was endued with much better qualifications, to render them ac- ceptable Service : the Station they have done me the honor to place me in, whereby my hands are so strengthend, requires my utmost atten- tion: & whatever is in my power to do, y' can be justifyd, for promoting unity; shall not be, nor ever has been wanting, in my Demeanour towds all; from those who think themselves greatest, down to the meanest Inhabitant here, or hereabout. But where I find no Terms of Peace, unless from such concessions as would be giving up the Right of my Constituents; tho' twere my misfortune to stand alone, feror Unus et Idem: I see no cause however to fear That, nor likelyhood of it; but expect better things far from what I observe,-which time will un- fold. The liberal augmentation of Salary, which Mr. Martyn was pleased to write, was appoint- ed me by the honourable Trust; can yet meet with nothing but a verbal return of many thanks : if a little longer Space of life is allotted me; I hope my Actions will speak better for me.
The several Admonitions I have lately recª touching the manner of issuing, and accounting for, Sola Bills &c, you'll be so good to imagine have sufficiently alarmd me & I purposed to re- turn an answer to it at the Close of this letter: but I find it necessary in so doing, to lay open that whole Affair, by such a full detail of every thing that has been within the compass of my knowledge, as will take up more paper and time in explaining, than can come within reasonable
liberal salary paid Col. Stephens.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
Bounds at present, after so much wrote already ; and I hope I shall find kind Indulgence, till I write next; when I intend to send it in a full packett of many other affairs of great moment; wch is to follow this assoon as possible. In the mean while you'll allow me to say we have turnd over a new leafe since Michass.
Turned over a new leaf.
A minister expected.
It remains to add a word or two in return to your last recd of the 11th July ; where I find again the good news yt we may soon expect a Minister for all our Benefit; & a Clerk for mine in parti- cular. God send them safely and speedily to us.
Before I shut up this, let me beg that the honourable Trustees will be pleased to take into consideration, what I noted in my Journal of the 16th inst, relating to the limitation of time, wherein such Lots shall be deemd vacated, as the supposed Proprietors do not think fit to occupy, and yet pretend a Claim to: This once known (the sooner the better) I am confident will conduce greatly towds filling up this Place.
Another thing, I must (with their leave) most earnestly recommend; which is relating to what is before said of Camuse's Family: that Wo- mans Behaviour of late, being very surprising ; insomuch y' I am very apprehensive her Designs are bad: and tis evident yt if She is prevailed with to stay; She means to make her own Terms. & set such a value on her self, as will render the Silk manufacture precarious at best : the only care for which, I humbly conceive, must be to procure another; and that might be the means
Mrs. Ca. muse's behavior.
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Wm. Stephens to Mr. Verelst.
of an Awe upon both, when either of 'em might see, the Trust are not at the mercy of tother. Several Hints I have already given of this Wo- mans ill temper; which all the Skill I have, can- not find the way to mollify : and I fear She will give me fresh occasion of using her name again, when I write next; when all that relates to her shall be put together, with some necessary Remarks.
I am
ST. Your very humble Servant Will : Stephens. 12 Nov: 1741.
What you mention of one of my Sons lately taking Orders, was a misinformation; what was done of that kind, was a pretty while before I left England last.
P. S.
Waiting several days for an Opportunity of sending the above letter and Packett (as was too common) ; I had by that means several let- ters of later date from the General, timely enough to put under the same cover.
To M' Harman Verelst.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
John Terry to Harman Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.)
LETTER FROM JOHN TERRY TO MR. HARMAN VERELST ESQ AT HIS HOUSE IN QUEEN'S SQUARE WESTMINSTER, LONDON DEC 1741 RECD 29 MARCH 1742
1
RED WAX SEAL
Sir
Ship load of people from Lon- don arrived safely.
These few lines Will Inform You of our Safe Arrivial [sic] in this Port, On the 2ª. Inst. with- out (thanks be to God) Any Accidents having hapen to us in our Voyage, all the Saltzburghers wch. were Ship'd in London on board of our Ship, Landed here in Very Good health Not one having Died Duering the said voyage, the Re- eruits Allso were in a perfect State of health when they Landed, As to the Highlanders we Lost Six or Seven Children included, the Rest Landed here In Extreame Good health-
I wish wth. all my heart it was in my power to give you So Agreable an Acct. of the 172 Suises ? the Europa Capt" John Wadham who Arived here Two Days After us, forty or Up- wards Died in the Passage, And Near as many Die'd Since they Landed
A sketch of Capt. Lemon's behavior.
This is all I can have the honour to write to you at present So Soon as I shall be at Fred- erica, shall Send you a full Acct. of our Voyage wth. a Sketch of Capt". Lemons Behaviour, the
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John Terry to Harman Verelst.
truth of the Account which I shall send you will I hope be so well Certified as to Leave you No Room to Doubt the Varacity thereof But if the said Capt Lemon should Reach London before I send you Such An Acct., Please Sir to Suspend the forming of Any Judgement on what he may say to you till such time you receive my Packet-
Please Sir to present my Duty to the Honble. the Trustees & make them Acquainted wth. this, And my service to M'. Simpson & that my Next will bring him an Acct. of the Provissions, I have been Keapt here till Now at very Large Ex- pence, And as my presence is of No further Service here, I Expect to go to frederica in 2 or 3 Days, for I long very much to get out of Savannah, for there Are here Human Snakes, much more Dangerous than the Rattle ones, Please Sir to Continue to favour me with your Esteem, my Endeavours shall allways be to Merit them, And shall Ever Subscribe my self with the Ut [most [torn] [Since]rity & Respects Sir
Your Most obd. & hum : Servant John Terry.
The Gen1. is Gone on an Expedition before St. Augustin for Harman Verelst Esq".
Savannah the [torn] th December 1741
Human snakes in Savannah much more dangerous than Rattlers.
150
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Causton to the Trustees.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 22.) LETTER FROM MR. THOMAS CAUSTON TO THE TRUSTEES ACCOTANT 1 DEC. 1741 RECP 14 AUGUST 1742
The Products of the Colony of Georgia which may more especially administer to the support of the Inhabitants are food, Stocks of Cattle, Lumber, Pitch, or Tarr, Silk, Wine, Oyl, Drugs, Cotton, Tobaccoe &c.
By food, I understand Corn, Peas, Rice, Po- tatoes, Turnips, Pompions &c for the raising of which, it cant be denyed, That the Land with- in 100'. miles of the Coast, is for the most part too Sandy and poor for any one to expect just returns for his Labour by either white or black hands till the Plough takes place Rice excepted ; But as every one who undertakes the planting business, may be suppos'd to have more or less Cattle, fowls &c the produce arising thereby is an undoubted help towards a satisfaction for such Labour; Hitherto those Stocks of Cattle have yeilded very small benefit at the best, and many have been entirely disappointed. And truly so it is, that untill the Country is better known, whereby to destroy Vermin, and find out the Ranges of those which have wandred, And some By Law made for ascertaining Claims to such wandering Cattle, the profitts which might arise therefrom are very precarious.
As the remaining productions can only be pro- cur'd as the Land will aford or the Genius of
Land too sandy to yield good products.
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Mr. Thos. Causton to the Trustees.
each undertaker inspire, each must be consider- ed, before a true Judgment can be form'd con- cerning the benefits which may arise from either.
The matter for making Lumber proper for ex- portation grows on many granted Lotts more or less; from the Pine, may be made Timbers and Boards; from the Oak, Staves; from the Hik- ary, hoop poles: and from the Cypress, Shin- gles: These are the most usuall particulars called Lumber for exportation; But there is a great part of the Land which will not aford Lumber of any kind. As to Pitch and Tarr it is made of pine trees so long fallen that the Sappy part being decayed, the heart only remains as fit for that work; and consequently, only those who have such Land, can pretend to attempt it.
The three first productions being laid open for View, I think I may venture to say that those only are imediately within the Reach of the Lab- ourer at his first entrance on his land; and if the Land will not produce sufficient food; If Re- medys are not provided to ascertain Claims, and means used to recover wandering Cattle ; - And if the Lumber, Pitch and Tarr, cannot be brought to market at an equall rate with that of the neighbouring Colony where Slaves are em- ploy'd and maintaind at one fourth of the Cost; It naturally follows, and I think may with safety say, that in these Circumstances Humanity dir- ects Support in some shape or other, till proper Manufacturys are established; And much less will it Justifye that Demands should be made
Lumber grown for expor. tation.
Pitch and Tar.
Concerning the labourer and his land.
152
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Causton to the Trustees.
for Debts contracted in the publick Store by cultivation of Lands, before the produce can (with any reason) enable the payment.
Hitherto the Bountys and Loans granted for raising Corn &c have either been on uncertain terms or not sufficient to induce the Labourer either to begin or continue the work of cultiva- tion; In the year 1733 little else than building was attempted; In 1734 1735 and 1736 was paid 18/ 29 Bushel for Corn and Peas, and 6ª 2 bushel for Potatoes delivered at the Store; and only the Saltzburghers and the Settlers on the Ogee- Saltz. burghers and Settlers on the Ogeechee River. chy River had the like bounty for their whole Crop; the first as a consideration for their ex- traordinary Industry on Joint labour having no Stores imediately to apply to farther than their stipulated allowances: And the Second as a consideration for the distance from Market and being more expos'd to the Enemy; Whilst the people in or nearer Savannah had benefitt from publiek Labour, And never faild of a ready Sup- port under Sicknesses disapointment, And any undertaking that tended for the welfare of the Colony; In the years 1737 and 1738 a Loan was In regard to granted of 20- acre to be clear'd planted and Hardships farming. fenet; As these encouragments now experi- mentally found to be not sufficient And that something farther, or more certain, was neces- sary ; And that the further Credit for the pub- lick Store was wholly Stopt; In the year 1739 a bounty of 2"/ > bushel on Corn and Peas, and 18/ on Potatoes was promised, but paid as M. Jones's humour directed viz. wholly to a few,
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CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Thos. Causton to the Trustees.
part to others, and to some nothing. In the years 1740 and 1741 no bounty or other induce- ment was propos'd or in any shape paid or credited; for the year 1742, a bounty is again promist of 18/ bushel on Corn 6ª } bushel on Peas and 3ª. @ bushel on Potatoes; This bounty (if duly paid) will be some small help to those who have land fit for planting; but will not enable them to get ploughs and Draughts where- by to make labour lighter, Or Induce any one to clear fresh Land or to prepare those lands again for planting weh by disappointments in the years 1739 1740 and 1741 and the evil council of de- signing men in the former years had been grown again to Wood; Neither is there any assurance that this will be continued for any longer term;
If therefore Support is in any shape (when thus necessary) doubtful, and the Labourors recieve repeated disapointment, and their re- peated entreatys slighted; Does not a variety of reflection naturally arise? And as poverty is the undoubted consequence, Does not Anger, and a train of Ills as certainly follow?
The production of Silk was endeavourd at from the first days of the Colony, and means have never ceased, which in appearance might bring it to perfection; that is, a contract was made with Skillfull persons to procure good plants of the white Mulberry, to attend the hatching of Silkworm seed, the feeding, spining, winding and every gradation whereby to com- plete the work; And if the success has not yet
Repeated disappoint- ments of the Laborers cause of anger.
The produc. tion of silk.
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COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Causton to the Trustees.
Mr. Amatis.
arrivd to the expected Pitch, the failure seems to arise from the want of particular instructions to the Managers here; If the planting and nurs- ing up great quantitys of Mulberry trees; If the feeding Silkworms and thereby procuring large Quantitys of Silk Balls are essentiall mat- ters to this end, certainly they ought to be comanded, that without favour or affection they encourage every one, agreable to the progress each person shall make therein; It has been said that the publick garden was poor and ill Situa- ted for the growth of the White Mulberry tree or Vine; But I cannot Joyn in that Opinion; I take upon me to say that Mr. Amatis first ruind those plants by too repeated Removalls because I observ'd that those plants were at first of free growth, but ever after were hide bound and Shrubby, Yet nevertheless had an honest Gardi- ner apply'd proper remedys, those plants might have recover'd I fear it is now too late, and a plantation of thriving young plants would be the most speedy way to raise a proper planta- tion; And as the care of the Silk worm seed, feeding, spinning, and winding are matters whereby this work is to be perfected I imagine it absolutely necessary that many people shod. be tempted to receive instructions therein; And those persons who are skill'd should be pur- chas'd for answers. those purposes, and be so obligated that every failure might recieve a proper Check Otherwise, the Trustees expence is as water spilt where no plant is, and serves only to maintain a family in whose power it is,
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153
Mr. Thos. Causton to the Trustees.
on any Surmise to leave the Colony, to extort what price they please, and perhaps in the end, deny any Instruction; But on the other hand If due encouragment be given to the Inhabitants who shall endeavour to promote the work and agreable remedys taken there is no doubt, that Georgia will soon aford such a visible encrease of Silk As may convince the world that all ex- pectations on that head will in due time be answered; The much greater part of the Silk hitherto wound in Georgia, is from Balls pur- chas'd in Carolina at 48/ 2 pound Now tho' it is undoubtedly to the advantage of Georgia, that Silk rais'd in Carolina is manufactur'd in Georgia, yet I imagine, that none will say that the Inhabitants of Georgia can sit easy, and see their own plantations of Mulberry trees despis'd and useless upon pretence that they are not wanted, when it is well known, that Silk worms may be allways encreas'd. And 'till within this few years all the Mulberry Leaves were con- stantly purchas'd at a price whereby to encour- age plantations of that sort; And surely it can't be suppos'd, that the Inhabitants were obligated by their Grants to plant Mulberry trees without intending an advantage to those who raisd them or suffering any thing which a neighbouring Colony should offer to prevent it; By this I mean those who have wife Children or Servants to employ in feeding of worms ought to have such price for their Balls as may be a sufficient encouragement to persevere therein, And those who have not these and very probably have only
Greater part of silk wound in Georgla from balls purchased from Carolina.
156
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Causton to the Trustees.
Mulberry Plantations.
rais'd Mulberry trees, having Cattle and plant- ing sufficient to take up their time, ought to re- cieve a proportionable price for what leaves any Mulberry trees so raisd may produce; In the past Season about 600" weight of Silk Balls has been deliver'd to the Silk winder, weh I am told hath not aforded 40"b of nete [sic] Silk; As this is farr short of the Calculations hitherto known, I imagine that some Remedy is necessary to prevent Imbezlements. The Mulberry planta- tions now in being are the public Garden, Dr. Patrick Graham's which lately belong'd to M'. John Cuthbert, Mr. Lewis Camus the Silk Win- der and my own; Many other people planted trees which throve very well, but no use being made of them, are now defenceless expos'd to Cattle and ruin'd.
Vines are the natural produce of the Colony, and some of them, (tho' in a lesser degree) by being cultivated will aford wine; certainly great pity it is, that the Inhabitants have not been furnisht with plants whereby a proper grape might be produced for such a Manufacture; Those which have been planted in the publick garden have been ill treated, and by some unjust practices are much diminisht. About the year 1735, one M' Dias a Jew (since dead) brought some good plants, and since that time some other persons in small parcells brought others which have been severally very much encreas'd; those of M' Dias fell into the hands of Mr. De- Leon a Jew, with which and others procur'd by self and Relations were encreas'd to severall
Vines natural produce of the Colony.
Vines brought over thriving.
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CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Thos. Causton to the Trustees.
hundreds and were lately in a very thriving con- dition; But as he has left the Colony at present am not certain, what will next become of them; This is the man who apply'd to the Trustees, and was granted a Loan of 200€ Sterling, I am yet to think from good reasons, he never reced it; I believe that Generall Oglethorpe directed Mr. Thomas Jones to pay him; And that said Jones deducted an Old Debt in the Store; So that the man was not able to perform his con- traet. From the plants which others have pro- cur'd great progress has been made within this 3 years past and according to the best informa- tion, belong to the following persons, Abram DeLeon, Adrian Loyer, James Baileu, James Papot, Samuel Mercer, William Stephens Esq". Noble Jones, Thomas Causton, Henry Parker, Edward Bush, and Joseph Fitzwater; And as each of these might doubtless encrease year by year, I imagine, that due encouragment being given this Manufacture may be also establisht; It has been said that the Trustees would give 100€ Sterling for the first Pipe of wine wch should be made in Georgia, But the assurance of this or other proper matter seems necessary.
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