USA > Georgia > The history of Georgia, Volume I > Part 20
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The other act forbade the introduction of slavery, and was entitled " An act for rendering the Province of Georgia more defensible by prohibiting the importation of black slaves or negroes into the same." If suffered to rely upon the aid of negroes the trustees feared that the colonists would fail to acquire " habits of labour, industry, economy, and thrift by personal application." Both these statutes received royal sanction. In
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
commenting upon this legislation Burke sagely remarked that while these regulations and restrictions were designed to bring about wholesome results, they were promulgated without a suffi- cient appreciation of the nature of the country and the disposition of the people to be affected by them. Long and earnestly did many of the colonists petition for the removal of these prohibi- tions, which placed the province at a disadvantage, when its priv- ileges were contrasted with those of sister settlements, and, be- yond doubt, so far at least as the employment of slave labor was concerned, retarded its development.
During Mr. Oglethorpe's absence the charge of the colony devolved upon Thomas Causton, storekeeper and chief bailiff, assisted by the other bailiffs and by the recorder of Savannah. He was cautioned by the trustees to keep them fully advised of everything of moment which transpired within the province; to have a care that no one traded with the Indians without special license ; to draw all bills for account of the colony upon the trustees at thirty days' sight; to see to it that the sick and indigent, incapable of supporting themselves, and orphans of an age so tender that they could not be articled as apprentices, should, as occasion required, be assisted at the expense of the trust ; to have the glebe land in Savannah inclosed by a sub- stantial fence ; to be zealous in the rigid enforcement of the laws against tippling; to lose no opportunity in encouraging the people to fence and cultivate their lands, as, upon the products thence derived, depended their subsistence; to forward an esti- mate of the cost of constructing a church in Savannah, of brick or timber, sixty feet long, forty feet wide, and twenty feet high within ; to promote settlements on Vernon River ; to favor " the setting up of Brew-Houses," thus leading the people away from the use of distilled liquors; to allow the Salzburgers another year's full allowance from the public store; to urge on to com- pletion the lighthouse which was being built on Tybee Island ; and to compel the town court in Savannah to hold a session once in every six weeks for the trial of civil causes, and to convene for the disposal of criminal eases as often as occasion demanded. No fees were to be exacted by officers issuing warrants.
The encouragement extended by the trustees and the Board of Trade to the production of raw silk in Georgia was not with- out some palpable results. From time to time samples were received. In May, 1785, the trustees, accompanied by Sir Thomas Lombe, exhibited a specimen to the queen, who desired that it
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SOUTIIERN FRONTIER TO BE FORTIFIED.
should be wrought into a fabric. This was done, and her majesty was so much pleased with the manufactured silk that she ordered it to be made up into a costume in which she appeared at Court on her birthday.1
A memorial addressed to his majesty by the governor and as- sembly of South Carolina, dated the 9th of April, 1734, produced a profound impression upon the minds of the trustees for estab- lishing the colony of Georgia in America, and confirmed them in their intention to strengthen the southern part of the province. After thanking his majesty for "his favour and protection," and especially for his benign care in erecting a province to the south of Carolina so conducive to the safety of that colony ; after allud- ing to the effort of the French to enlarge their possessions and to alienate the affections of the Indians from the English settle- ments ; and after referring to the threatening attitude main- tained by the Spaniards in Florida, these memorialists invited the attention of the Crown to the necessity of guarding the har- bors and ports of Carolina and Georgia, and of establishing mili- tary posts to the south, so as to defend the territory adjacent to the Spaniards and protect the British trade with the Gulf.2
As might have been reasonably anticipated, some of the ear- liest emigrants proved as inefficient members of society in the New World as they had shown themselves to be unfortunate in the, Old. Relying upon the assistance extended by the trust, they neglected to put forth such efforts as were demanded by the emergency of their situation. The trustees, although they had exercised caution in the selection of colonists, resolved to be more careful than ever in inquiring into the character and antecedents of all applicants, and to make it known by published proposals that for the population of the southern confines of the province they desired men of strength and courage, accustomed to labor, of frugal habits, and capable of enduring hardships. In their interviews with those who sought to be enrolled as colonists they distinetly advised them of the fact that in the beginning they must expect to encounter privations and exposures, and resolve to labor industriously in order to acquire a comfortable subsist- ence for themselves and families. While a year's provisions and lands were promised, they were informed that those lands were clothed with forests, and that new-comers must lie in temporary
1 Political State of Great Britain, vol. i. Account shewing the Progress of the C.Jony of Georgia in America, pp. 50-56. Lon-
pp. 242, 469.
2 Sce a copy of this memorial in An don. MDCCXLI.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
shelters until they could build comfortable honses. They were further told that they must subsist principally upon salt meat, meal, and water ; that they would be compelled to " work hard, keep guard for fear of enemies," and clear and cultivate the ground before a harvest could be reaped; that the climate was warm in summer and that the insects were troublesome; that thunder- storms in season were frequent and violent; that those who drank distilled liquors were liable to contract dangerous sick- nesses ; and that temperance was necessary not only for the pres- ervation of their substance but also for the maintenance of health. Those who were temperate and industrious were encouraged in the hope that by God's assistance they could soon establish them- selves in comfort upon their own lands. Such, however, as mis- trusted their ability to undergo this probationary period of toil and exposure were warned not to undertake the voyage. Not a few of the faint-hearted withdrew their applications, but their places were speedily filled by others.1
The trustees deemed it proper also to prepare and publish rules for the information and guidance both of those who should be "sent on the Charity," and of such as should " go at their own expence." Here they are : -
" RULES FOR THE YEAR 1735.
" The Trustees intend this year to lay out a County and build a new Town in Georgia.
" They will give to such Persons as they send upon the Char- ity ; viz to every Man a Watch-coat, a Musquet and Bayonet ; to those who have them not of their own, an Hatchet, an Hammer, an Handsaw, a shod Shovel or Spade, a broad Hoe, a narrow Hoe, a Gimlet, a drawing Knife, and there will be a publick Grindstone to each Ward or Village. He will also have an Iron Pot, and a Pair of Pot hooks, and a Frying-pan.
" And for his Maintenance in the Colony for one Year he will have, to be delivered in such Proportions and at such Times as the Trust shall think proper, 300 Pounds of Beef or Pork, 114 Pounds of Rice, 114 Pounds of Pease, 114 Pounds of Flour, 44 Gallons of Strong Beer, 64 Quarts of Molasses for brewing of Beer, 18 Pounds of Cheese, 9 Pounds of Butter, 9 Ounces of Spice, 9 Pounds of Sugar, 5 Gallons of Vinegar, 30 Pounds of Salt, 12 Quarts of Lamp Oil, and a Pound of Spun Cotton, and 12 Pounds of Soap.
1 Sce A Voyage to Georgia begun in the year 1735 by Francis Moore, pp. 10, 11. London. 1744.
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RULES FOR THE YEAR 1735.
" And to the Mothers, Wives, Sisters, or Children of such Men, Provision will be given in the Colony for one Year in the follow- ing Manner, viz : to be delivered as above, 300 Pounds of Beef or Pork, 114 Pounds of Rice, 114 Pounds of Pease, 114 Pounds of Flour, 64 Quarts of Melasses for Brewing of Beer, 18 Pounds of Cheese, 9 Pounds of Butter, 9 Ounces of Spice, 9 Pounds of Sugar, 5 Gallons of Vinegar, 30 Pounds of Salt, 6 Quarts of Lamp Oil, and half a Pound of Spun Cotton, and 12 Pounds of Soap.
" And for every Person above the Age of Seven, and under the Age of Twelve, half the said Allowance; - being esteemed half an Head.
" And for every Person above the age of Two and under the age of Seven, one third of the said Allowance ; - being esteemed one third of an Head.
" The Trustees pay their Passage from England to Georgia, and in the Voyage they will have the following Provisions, viz, in every Week four Beef Days, two Pork Days, and one Fish Day ; and their Allowance served out daily as follows ; that is to say :
" On the four Beef Days four Pounds of Beef for every Mess of five Heads, and two Pounds and a half of Flour, and half a Pound of Suet or Plums.
" On the two Pork Days, five Pounds of Pork and two Pints and a half of Peas for every five Heads.
" And on the Fish Day two Pounds and a half of Fish and half a Pound of Butter for every five Heads.
" The whole at sixteen Ounces to the Pound.
" And allow each Head seven Pounds of Bread of fourteen Ounces to the Pound, by the Week.
" And three Pints of Beer and two Quarts of Water (whereof one of the Quarts for Drinking and the other for boiling Vict- uals), each Head by the Day for the Space of a Month ; and a Gallon of Water (whereof two Quarts for Drinking and the other two for boiling Victuals) each Head by the Day after dur- ing their being on their Passage.
" The Heads to be accounted in this Manner: Every Person above the Age of Twelve Years to be accounted a whole Head : all Persons of the age of Seven Years and under the Age of Twelve Years, to be accounted Two for One; all Persons above the Age of Two Years and under the Age of Seven Years, to be accounted Three for One ; and any Person under the Age of Two Years is not to be accounted.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
" And the said Persons are to enter into the following Cove- nants before their Embarkation : viz. : -
" That they will repair on Board such Ship as shall be pro- vided for carrying them to the Province of Georgia ; and during the Voyage, will quietly, soberly, and obediently demean them- selves ; and go to sueli Place in the said Province of Georgia, and there obey all such Orders as shall be given for the better settling, establishing, and governing the said Colony.
" And that for the first Twelve Months from landing in the said Province of Georgia they will work and labour in clearing their Lands, making Habitations, and necessary Defences, and in all other Works for the common Good and publick Weal of the said Colony, at such Times, in such Manner, and according to such Plan and Directions as shall be given.
" And that they, from and after the Expiration of the said last . mentioned Twelve Months will, during the two next succeeding Years, abide, settle, and inliabit in the said Province of Georgia, and cultivate the Lands which shall be to them and their Heirs Male severally allotted and given, by all such Ways and Means as, according to their several Abilities and Skills they shall be best able and capable.
" And such Persons are to be settled in the said Colony either in new Towns or new Villages.
" Those in the Towns will have each of them a Lot sixty Feet in Front and ninety Feet in Depth whereon they are to build an House ; and as much Land in the Country as in the whole shall make up Fifty Acres.
" Those in the Villages will each of them have a Lot of Fifty Acres which is to lie all together, and they are to build their House npon it.
" All Lots are granted in Tail Male and descend to the Heirs Male of their Bodies for ever ; and in case of Failure of Heirs Male, revert to the Trust to be granted again to such Persons as the Common Council of the Trustees shall think most for the Advantage of the Colony. And they will have a special Regard to the Daughters of Freeholders who have made Improvements on their Lots, not already provided for by having married, or marrying Persons in Possession, or intitled to Lands in the Prov- ince of Georgia in Possession or Remainder.
" All Lots are to be preserved separate and undivided, and cannot be united, in order to keep up a Number of Men equal to the Number of Lots for the better Defence and Support of the Colony.
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RULES FOR THE YEAR 1735.
" No person can lease out his House or Lot to another without Licence for that Purpose, that the Colony may not be ruined by Absentees receiving and spending their Rents elsewhere. There- fore cach Man must cultivate the same by himself or Servants.
" And no person can alienate his Land or any Part, or any Term, Estate, or Interest therein, to any other Person or Persons, without special Licence for that Purpose, to prevent the uniting or dividing the Lots.
" If any of the Land so granted shall not be cultivated, planted, cleared, improved, or fenced with a Worm-fence or Pales six Feet high during the Space of Ten Years from the Date of the Grant, then every Part thereof not cultivated, planted, eleared, improved, or fenced as aforesaid, shall belong to the Trust ; and the Grant, as to such Parts, shall be void.
" There is reserved, for the Support of the Colony, a Rent charge for ever of Two Shillings Sterling Money for each Fifty Acres, the Payment of which is not to commence until Ten Years after the Grant.
" And the Reversion or Remainder expectant on the Demise of such Persons without Issue Male shall remain to the Trust.
" But the Wives of the Freeholders, in case they should sur- vive their Husbands, are, during their Lives, intitled to the Man- sion-house and One Half of the Lands improved by their Hus- bands ; that is to say, inelosed with a Fence of Six Feet high.
" All Forfeitures for Non-residence, High-Treason, Felonies, &c., are to the Trustees for the Use and Benefit of the Colony.
"Negroes and Rum are prohibited to be used in the said Col- ony ; and Trade with the Indians, unless licensed.
" None are to have the Benefit of being sent upon the Charity in the manner above mentioned but
" 1st. Such as are in decayed Circumstances and thereby dis- abled from following any Business in England ; and who, if in Debt, must have Leave from their Creditors to go.
" 2nd. Such as have numerous Families of Children, if assisted by their respective Parishes, and recommended by the Minister, Church-Wardens, and Overseers thereof.
" The Trustees do expect to have a good Character of the said Persons given, because no Drunkards or other notoriously vicious Persons will be taken.
" And for the better to enable the said Persons to build the new Town, and clear their Lands, the Trustees will give Leave to every Freeholder to take over with him One Male Servant, or
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Apprentice, of the Age of Eighteen Years, and upwards, to be bound for not less than Four Years; and will, by way of Loan to such Freeholder, advance the charges of Passage for such Ser- vant or Apprentice, and of furnishing him with Cloathing and Provision hereafter mentioned, to be delivered in such Propor- tions, and at such Times as the Trust shall think proper : viz. : With a Pallias and Bolster and Blanket for Bedding: A Frock and Trowsers of Lintsey Wolsey, a Shirt, and Frock, and Trow- sers of Osnabrigs, a Pair of Shoes from England, and two Pair of Country Shoes for Cloathing : and 200 Pounds of Meat and 342 Pounds of Rice, Pease, or Indian Corn for Food for a Year.
" The Expence of which Passage, Cloathing and Provision is to be repaid the Trustees by the Master within the Third Year from their Embarkation from England.
" And to each Man Servant and the Heirs Male of his Body forever, after the Expiration of his Service, upon a Certificate from his Master of his having served well, will be granted Twenty Acres of Land under such Rents and Agreements as shall have been then last granted to any others, Men Servants, in like cir- cumstances.
"Sign'd by Order of the Common Council of the Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America, this Second Day of July, 1735.
BENJ. MARTIN, Secretary."
" To such Persons who can carry Ten Men Servants, and set- tle with them in Georgia at their own Expence, and whose Char- acters the Trustees, upon Inquiry, shall approve of, will be granted Five hundred Acres of Land in Tail Male, and descend to the Heirs Male of their Bodies forever, under the Yearly Rent of Twenty Shillings Sterling Money for every Hundred Acres, for the Support of the Colony ; the payment of which is not to commence until Ten Years after the Grant.
" And the Land is so granted upon the following Conditions and Covenants.
" That such Persons do pay the Rent reserved as the same shall become due; and no part to be unpaid for Six Months after due.
" That they, within a Month from the Grant, shall register the same, or a Memorial thereof, with the Auditor of the Planta- tions.
"That they, within Twelve Months from the Grant, shall go to and arrive in Georgia with ten able bodied Men Servants, being each of the age of Twenty Years and upwards.
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RULES FOR THE YEAR 1735.
" That they shall abide in Georgia with such Men Servants Three Years from the Registering the Grant there, building their Houses, and cultivating their Lands.
" That they shall clear and cultivate within Ten Years from the Grant, Two hundred Acres of Land, Part of the said Five hundred Acres, and plant Two thousand White Mulberry-trees or Plants thereon ; and on every Hundred of the other Three hundred Acres One thousand White Mulberry-trees or Plants, when cleared, and preserve the same Quantity from time to time thereupon, the Trustees obliging themselves to furnish the plants.
" That they do not alienate the said Five Hundred Acres of Land or any Part for any Term of Years, or any Estate or In- terest in the same to any Person or Persons without special Leave.
" That they do not make Pot-ash in Partnership withont Leave ; but may make it themselves not in Partnership.
" On the determination of the Estate in Tail Male the Land to revert to the Trust.
" That they shall not depart the said Province without Li- cense.
" All forfeitures for Non-Residence, High Treason, Felonies, &c are to the Trustees for the. Use and Benefit of the Colony.
" If any Part of the said Five hundred Acres of Land shall not be cultivated, planted, cleared, and fenced round with a Worm Fence, or Pales Six Feet high, within Eighteen Years from the Grant, all and every such Part shall revert to the Trust ; and the Grant as to such Part, to be void.
" And the Common Council of the Trust, at the Expirations of the Terms such Men Servants shall be severally bound for, (being not less than Four Years) when requested by the Grantee, will grant to each of such Men Servants Twenty Acres of Land in Tail Male, under such Rents, Conditions, Limitations, and Agreements as shall have been then last granted to any others. Men Servants, in like Circumstances.
" When the Land reverts to the Trust on the Determination of the Estate in Tail Male it is to be granted again to such Per- sons as the Common Council of the Trust shall think most for the Advantage of the Colony. And the Trust will have a Spe- cial Regard to the Daughters of those who have made Improve- ments on their Lots, not already provided for, by having mar- ried, or marrying Persons in Possession, or intitled to Lands in the Province of Georgia in Possession or Remainder.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
" And the Wives of such Persons, in case they should survive their Husbands, are, during their Lives, intitled to the Mansion- house and one half of the Lands improved by their Husbands ; that is to say, inclosed with a Fence Six feet high.
" Negroes and Rum are prohibited to be used in the said Prov- ince, and Trade with the Indians, unless licensed." 1
Compared with the regulations established by the trustees when they formulated their earliest plans for the conduct of the colony, these rules indicate no material departure from the in- ducements then offered and the resolutions originally formed.
In 1735 another Protestant sect found a home in Georgia. Among the solicitors whose intervention had been secured to influence foreign Protestants to escape the poverty and the per- secutions of their own lands by seeking freedom of religious thought and worship and new abodes in the province of Georgia, was Nicolaus Ludovicus, Count of Zinzendorf and Pottendorf, who, in his efforts to shape a Christian community " on the model of the primitive Apostolic congregations," organized on his estate of Berthelsdorf a colony of Moravian brethren who, impelled by religious persecutions, had emigrated from Bohemia. In their articles of faith sympathizing generally with the doctrines em- braced in the Augsburg Confession, and yet possessing denomi- national peculiarities, the adherents of this persuasion were pious in their lives, guarded in their walk and conversation, indus- trious in their habits, grave in deportment, and upright in all their dealings. The town of Herrnhut which they builded was noted for sobriety, activity, and good order. In January, 1735, responding to his request, the trustees granted five hundred acres of land in Georgia to Count Zinzendorf, with permission to ab- sent himself from the colony on condition that he sent over ten male servants to cultivate those lands. This was the earliest aid extended by the common council to the Moravians, and it was supplemented by other benefactions as applications multiplied. Accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Gottleib Spangenberg, the first emigrants of this religious persuasion arrived in Georgia in the spring of 1735, and settled along the line of the Savannah River between the Salzburgers and the town of Savannah.
The history of the Moravians in Georgia may be quickly told. Under the auspices of Couut Zinzendorf, seconded by the good offices of the trustees, additions were made from time to time
1 An Account showing the Progress of the Colony of Georgia in America, etc., pp. 43- 49. London. MDCCXLI.
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THE MORAVIANS IN GEORGIA.
to this settlement. A school-house called Irene, was builded near Tomo-chi-chi's village, for the accommodation and instruc- tion of Indian children. In its conduct and prosperity the aged mico manifested a lively interest. With the Salzburgers the Moravians associated on terms of the closest friendship. In sub- duing the forests and in the erection of comfortable homes they manifested the most commendable zeal. Above all others were they successful in tilling the ground and in the accumulation of provisions which sufficed not only for their own wants but also for the relief of their less provident neighbors. Their abodes were remarkable for thrift, sobriety, and honesty. In the ednea- tion and religious instruction of the Indians did they manifest the liveliest interest, and the school at Irene was organized and conducted for their special benefit. They were in all respects useful colonists. When summoned, however, to bear arms in de- fense of the province against the Spaniards, they refused to do so, alleging that not being freeholders there was no civil obliga- tion resting upon them to perform military service. They further insisted that their religious convictions prevented them from becoming soldiers, and stated that before emigrating to Georgia it had been expressly stipulated that they should be ex- empt from the performance of military duties. In January, 1737. Count Zinzendorf had a personal interview with Oglethorpe and the trustees in London. After mature consideration, it was re- solved, in view of their peculiar religious tenets and of the facts connected with their settlement in Georgia, that the Moravians should be excused from all military service. This exemption embittered the minds of the other colonists against them and rendered a further residence in the province unpleasant. Ac- cordingly, in 1738, some of them, having first refunded to the au- thorities all moneys which had been disbursed in defrayal of the expenses connected with their passage from England and their location in the province, abandoned their farms in Georgia, - already so comfortable and exhibiting such tokens of thrift and remuneration, - and removed to Pennsylvania. Others remained in Georgia until, upon a renewal of hostilities between the Span- iards and the colonists, they were again summoned to the field. A second time did they refuse to take up arms ; and many, bid- ding farewell to their homes on the Savannah, joined their breth- ren in Pennsylvania, where the settlements of Bethlehem and Nazareth preserve to this day some of the distinguishing features of this peculiar people.
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