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" I am Sir " Your most obedient humble Servant "HARMAN VERELST, Accountant.
" To the HIonble Gen' OGLETHORPE, at Gosport.
to the care of the Postmaster at Portsmouth."
" GOSPORT, June 4th, 1783. " HARMAN VERELST Esqr &c &c
" By the accounts you sent me of the state of the Trustees' affairs there has been more expended in Georgia than granted by Parliament, but if it is in store, and forth coming, it will serve for the provision of this year. If I find that the circumstances are such as you apprehend them, I shall not issue any of the £500 sola bills till I have further orders from the Trustees. I do not doubt but I shall set all things to rights. . . . I know there will be a good deal of trouble in it, but I am accustom'd to difficul- ties, so that they never make me despair.
" If there has been any fraud in these certified accounts, and that the persons did not deliver the effects certified to the Trus- tees' use, but that the certificate was a piece of Roguery, agreed upon between the deliverer and the signer, to be sure such cer- tificates are not binding upon the Trustees, tho' the person sign- ing was employed by them. Therefore, in my poor opinion, the Trustees should delay the payment of those certified accounts till they have the examination from Georgia. . . . " I am Sir Your very humble Servant "JAMES OGLETHORPE.
" P. S. I have the Trustees' order for making an immediate seizure on Canston, his books and papers, and shall see them im- mediately executed. This must be kept with the greatest se- crecy, for if he should know the orders before they are executed, the effect will perhaps be prevented. I have not trusted even my Clerk."
On the 7th of June, 1738, the common council sealed the re- moval of Mr. Thomas Causton from his oflice of first bailiff, and
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CASE OF TIIOMAS CAUSTON.
appointed Mr. Henry Parker in his room. In forwarding these documents to Oglethorpe they desired him to use, or to refrain from using, them in compliance with the suggestions contained in their letter of the 2d inst. They further insisted that Causton should be arrested in any event, and that his books and papers should be secured. To those books and papers access was to be accorded him so that he might enjoy ample opportunity for mak- ing up his accounts from Lady Day, 1734, to date. All the trus- tees' effects were to be promptly withdrawn from his possession ; and, during the period consumed in making out his accounts and necessary for their careful examination when submitted, he was to be retained in safe custody or placed " upon sufficient security." Mr. Thomas Jones was designated as the proper party to make an examination and submit a full report. Copies of all accounts and of Mr. Jones' report upon them, accompanied by Mr. Ogle- thorpe's opinion, were to be forwarded to the trustees at the earliest practicable moment. Until further instructions Causton was not to be sent to England, but was to be detained in safe custody or under bond.
Fortified with these documents, and acting under these orders, Oglethorpe proceeded at once to their proper execution. Ignorant of what was in store for him Causton, with a bold front, appeared at the head of the magistrates to welcome the general on his arrival from Frederica. He was accompanied by others, par- ticipants in his peculations, who, having reason to dread an in- vestigation into their conduet during the general's absence, joined in the public salutations, hoping thereby to conciliate his favor. He was soon informed that the grand jury in Savannah had pre- pared a representation of the " grievances, hardships, and neces- sities " of the inhabitants, in which they complained bitterly of the misconduct of Mr. Causton, alleging that he had expended much larger sums than were authorized by the trustees, that he had brought the colony into debt, that he had exceeded his pow- ers, that he was arbitrary and oppressive in the discharge of his official duties, and that he was partial in the distribution of the public stores. It was suggested by not a few that as the com- mercial agent of the trustees and the keeper of the public stores he had utilized his position for his own advancement and the ben- efit of special friends. It was believed that the funds of the trustees had been by him appropriated to the improvement of his plantation at Ockstead, where he and his family resided in comfort and plenty beyond the reach of his neighbors. That he
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
was arrogant in his behavior, that he had rendered the other mag- istrates subservient to his will, that he had played the part of a petty tyrant in the community, and that he ruled the people through their necessities, taking advantage of their daily wants and making these the means of keeping them in subjection to his pleasure, could not be doubted. It was evident also that he had perverted the due administration of the law, and had sed- ulously suppressed from the knowledge of the trustees many just complaints preferred by the colonists at Savannah.
After a patient examination into the condition of affairs, which established on the part of Causton a woful mismanagement of the trust funds sent for the support of the province, General Oglethorpe on the 17th of October " called all the Inhabitants together at the Town-House, and there made a pathetic Speech to them, setting forth how deeply the Trust was become indebted by Mr. Causton's having run into so great Exceedings beyond what they had ordered, which Debts the Trust had nothing left at present to discharge besides what Goods and Effects they had in the Store, which must in a great Measure be applied to those Purposes, especially first to all such as the Stores were owing anything to, by which Means there would be a Necessity of re- trenching the ordinary Issues that something might remain for the necessary Support of Life among the industrious People who were not to be blamed. This had such an Effect, that many People appeared thunder-struck, knowing not where it would end ; neither could the most knowing determine it." 1
The next day Causton was dismissed from office and required to deliver into the hands of Mr. Thomas Jones all books, papers, and accounts connected with the public stores. General Ogle- thorpe also demanded of him bond, with ample security, to appear and answer any charges which might be preferred against him. It being impossible to procure in Savannah bondsmen of means sufficient to respond to the sums in which Causton would proba- bly be found indebted to the trust, General Oglethorpe was con- tent with Causton's individual bond, coupled with an "assignment of all his improvements at Oekstead or elsewhere."
After weeks and months consumed in the examination, Mr. Jones informed Mr. Stephens " that after so much Time spent about making up Mr. Causton's Accounts, there was so little Progress made in it that he could hardly say it was begun ; so many Intricacies appeared more and more every Day, such In-
1 Stephens' Journal of Proceedings, etc., vol. i. p. 305. London. MDCCXLII.
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CAUSTON'S ACCOUNTS.
consistencies, many Things wrongly charged, abundance omitted which ought to have been brought to Account, and several Day- books said to be lost (which he could not believe but were con- cealed), that at the Rate they went on, he defied any Man living to adjust it ; and for his Part he was quite tired looking into such Confusion which he was confident was by Art and Cunning made inextricable; insomuch that he was positive the Balances, for- merly made, were framed at Will and sent to the Trustees so; for unless he (Mr. Causton) kept copies of them distinctly, it was impossible for him to make out the same from the Books 110w before him."
On the other hand, Mr. Canston complained of the treatment he received at Mr. Jones' hands, and protested against being called a villain and a knave. He declared he had served the trust well, and was prepared to defend his character from all aspersions.1
It being impracticable to adjust these accounts in Savannah, Causton was ordered to London, where he appeared before the common council. Failing there to produce proper vouchers, he was permitted to depart for Georgia where he stated he would be able to arrange everything to the satisfaction of the trustees. Sailing for Savannah he died at sea 2 and, in the bosom of the ocean, found rest from all his troubles.
The vacancy caused by the deposition of Causton was filled by the appointment of Colonel William Stephens, who was then in Savannah occupying the position of secretary of the trustees in the province of Georgia.
The mismanagement in the disbursement of the funds and supplies which had been sent over for the support of the colony and the depleted condition of the trustees' treasury rendered a retreneliment of the ordinary issues most imperative.
In a letter written by General Oglethorpe on the 19th of Oc- tober, 1738, and addressed to the trustees, after alluding to the careless manner in which Causton had "trifled away the public money " and squandered the resources of the colony, he discloses the alarming fact that the scout-boatmen, rangers, and others upon whose active service and watchfulness the province relied for protection, were unpaid and actually starving. "When I told them," says the general, " the Trustees' circumstances, their affection was so great that they offered to serve on until the
1 Stephens' Journal of Proceedings, vol.
i. pp. 362, 406. London. MDCCCXLII.
2 Stevens' Ilistory of Georgia, vol. i. p. 222. New York. MDCCCXLII.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Trustees' affairs mended ; I thanked them but reduced the Rangers since I could not feed them with hopes of what I could not make good. The Scout-Boats I have for this month paid out of my own money, since they are absolutely necessary, and I will not charge the Trustees with new debts.
" There is a worse circumstance than any above, viz : the In- dustrious Poor People, who have saved something by frugality, have lodged their little all in the Store, hoping to have provisions from thence in their Necessity ; and now if the Store cannot pay they must perish for want ; the like misery must befall all the Trustees' servants as well as many of the inhabitants whom sickness and misfortunes have prevented from having a crop this year. . ..
" I can see nothing but destruction to the Colony unless some assistance be immediately sent us. I support things for a while by some money I have in my hands, and the rest I supply with my own money, for I will not incur Debts nor draw Bills upon you. .
" If this (I know not what name to give it) had not happened, the Colony had overcome all it's difficulties and had been in a flourishing condition."
He advises the trustees that the Italians are pleased with their new home, and that Camuse and the members of his family had wound some silk as fine as that made in Georgia during the past year. The mulberry-trees in the public garden were again grow- ing luxuriantly, and promised a foliage which would soon subsist " a great quantity of worms." Clay had been found from which a potter was manufacturing excellent ware. Several yokes of oxen and several carts with horses were employed by the in- habitants of Savannah. The trustees' saw-mill was turning out seven hundred feet of boards per diem ; and, if managed prop- erly, would " bring an income." The idle people had run away, and " a spirit of industry seemed to be stirring." He hopes with his own money to " make shift to support the most valuable part of the people."
" I have already expended a great deal," writes this noble and generous man, " and, as far as the income of my estate and em- ployments for this year will go, I shall sooner lay it out in sup- porting the Colony (till I can hear from you) than in any other diversion."
After payment of ontstanding debts, he estimates £5,000 as the lowest sum practicable for carrying on the civil concerns
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OGLETHORPE'S REPORT.
of the colony, " if any success is to be expected in the produc- tion of wine and silk, and a form of government is to be main- tained."
Existing orders for the erection of churches and the cultivation of lands for religious uses, both in Savannah and Frederica, could not be obeyed unless the requisite funds were supplied.
Recurring to the Causton defalcation, he concludes as follows : " I examined him to know what could be the meaning that he dare to exceed so excessively your Orders, thereby plunging the Colony into its present difficulties. He answered that he made no expenses but what necessity forced him to, and that he could prove that necessity. He entered into several particulars ; That the Multitude forced him to build a Fort for fear of the Span- iards ; That the charge of Saltzburghers and other charges were not provided for in the Establishment sent over by the Trustees ; That he received the Establishment too late to comply with it. He did not pretend to justify himself in not sending over the Ballance of his accompts. His negligence to bring his Accots to a Ballance half yearly, or every year at least, has been the occa- sion of the melancholy scituation he has put us in. Some things he alledged that had weight. That the prices of Provisions were treble to what they were at my first arrival here, from whence we calculated the Estimate. That the Spanish Alarms obliged him to comply with the humour of the people here, for which reason he was forced to give any prices to Sloops to bring down provisions to the Colony. He said farther that he had not been guilty of any fraud, nor converted any of the Trustees' money to his own use. He at first seemed pretty stubborn, but upon a second examination he was more submissive. When I was about to comit him he pleaded that it was not usual here to comit Free- holders for any but Capital Crimes. That Watson, who was accused of killing a man and had been found guilty by a Jury, was bail'd upon his own Recognizance. That he submitted to the Trustees, and that all he had acquired in his six years' service, and that all he had in the world, was laid out in improvements on his Lot in the Colony, and that he would give all as security to abide and justify his accots. Ile has accordingly given se- curity. He has delivered the Stores, Books, &c., unto Mr. Jones according to your appointment. I have not been able to enter into the rest of the affairs of the Colony. The Saltzburghers thrive and so do the people at Hampstead and Highgate. There are abundance of good llouses built in this Town. I desire to
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
know in what manner you would have me proceed in Causton's affair." 1
This defalcation of Causton, and his prodigal waste of the moneys and stores of the trust committed to his keeping, brought the plantation to the very verge of ruin. Appalled at the situa- tion, not a few of the colonists scriously contemplated abandon- ing the province and seeking subsistence in Carolina. Sensible of the hardships they would be called upon to endure before ample relief could be afforded, the general did not undertake to dissuade any, who were so minded, from attempting to better their fortunes elsewhere. Upon reflection, however, they con- cluded to remain ; trusting to favoring seasons and the good dis- position of the trustees to repair at the earliest moment the losses which had been so unexpectedly and causelessly entailed.
But for the immediate and generous aid extended by Ogle- thorpe, but for the magnetism of his presence and example, but for his just administration of affairs, his encouraging words, and his charitable deeds, the effect produced upon the colonists in Savannah by this crisis in their affairs would have proved most disastrous. This is not the only occasion upon which, as the sequel will show, the founder of Georgia proved himself also her saviour.
1 Collections of the Georgia Historical 1873. Compare Gentleman's Magazine for Society, vol. iii. pp. 57-62. Savannah. 1739, pp. 22, 23.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE BROTHERS JOHN AND CHARLES WESLEY IN GEORGIA.
AFTER a short sojourn in Savannah, the Reverend Charles Wesley repaired to Frederica where he entered upon the dis- charge of his duties as private secretary to General Oglethorpe. It will be remembered that he also held from the trustees the commission of Secretary of Indian Affairs for the colony of Georgia.
Unfortunately, at an early date an estrangement ensued be- tween the general and his secretary. In addition to his official duties Mr. Wesley assumed the spiritual guidance of the inhabi- tants at Frederica. He was thus brought into personal contact and confidential relations with the entire population. Among the dwellers there were some whose reputations were not with- out reproach, and whose manner of life did not command the approbation of the young ecclesiastic who carried ever with him a standard of morality and religious excellence inculcated in the school of the divines, yet seldom realized in the walk and conversation of ordinary mortals. Youthful and inexperienced, confiding in his disposition, unsuspecting, and liable to be im- posed upon by the designing and the unscrupulous, his sym- pathies were not infrequently warmly enlisted where the mature judgment of one better informed and not unacquainted with the wiles of his fellow-men, and women too, would have suggested caution and reflection. Fresh from the shades of scholastic life he was, without preparation, transplanted into the midst of a community heterogeneous in its character and, from the very na- ture of its composition and situation, largely insensible to the restraining influences of civilization. Deeply imbued with relig- ious sentiments, and intent upon the execution of his evangelical mission, he regarded all the business of life as wholly subordi- nate to an observance of the rules of the church and the exhi- bition of Christian virtues. Wherever he detected a deviation from what he conceived to be the true path of reetitude he did not hesitate to rebuke the wanderer. Fastidious in his notions
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276
THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
of right and wrong, with ample time and inclination to listen to the disagreements existent among the settlers, often misinformed as to the genuine merits of the quarrel, ignorant of the true mode of adjusting it, busying himself with matters which prop- erly did not concern him, sometimes interfering where he should have stood aloof, and again espousing causes which, upon a nar- rower inspection, should not have enlisted his sympathies, in his efforts to promote peace and advance the Christianity of the com- munity he signally failed, and drew down upon himself the ill- will of not a few.
Oglethorpe, on the other hand, burthened with the cares and the responsibilities of his station, commissioned to develop and guard the life of the colony, confronting engagements, exposures, and dangers enough to oppress the stoutest heart, and familiar with the management of men and weighty affairs, had no leisure for the exhibition of idle sentiment or the discussion of questions of casuistry. With trifling evils and imaginary wrongs he could not pause to deal.
These two men viewed the situation from standpoints widely different. Oglethorpe strove to fortify the hearts and the homes of his people so that they might constitute an insurmountable bar- rier to the threatened incursion of the Spaniards. While not indifferent to the social and moral tone of Frederica, and while solicitous that religion should be upheld and the ordinances of the church supported, he was deeply engrossed in the building of houses, the construction of batteries, the accumulation of sup- plies, and the enforcement of police and military regulations. At this remote and exposed point he exacted and commanded prompt obedience from all. Clothed with the amplest powers to direct, his measures may at times have seemed to the clergyman, accustomed to question, arbitrary and perhaps dictatorial. The situation was novel, and the ecclesiastic brought no experience to assist him in learning the lesson of the hour.
As has been suggested, Mr. Wesley attempted the difficult task of reforming what he regarded as improprieties in the con- duct of the inhabitants of Frederica, and of reconciling the petty jealousies and occasional disputes in which they indulged. The consequence was just what might reasonably have been anticipated. He failed in his object and incurred the enmity of both parties at variance. Many went so far as to form plans to rid the town of his presence. Complaints were lodged against him with General Oglethorpe, who, instead of discountenancing
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REV. CHARLES WESLEY.
them and demanding for his secretary and clergyman the defer- ence and respect due to his station, listened too readily to the charges preferred and suffered them to prejudice his mind against "the truly amiable, ingenuous, and kind-hearted minister." Failing to interpret leniently his well-meant but injudiciously conducted purposes, and omitting to caution him in a friendly way against the commission of acts prompted by inexperience and the lack of worldly wisdom, he treated him with disdain and neglect.
The apology suggested by Mr. Southey for this conduct on the part of Oglethorpe is, perhaps, the most plausible which can be offered. The general, who had causes enough to disquiet him, arising from the precarious state of the colony, was teased and soured by the complaints urged against Mr. Wesley, and re- gretted that he had not brought with him one possessing a calmer temper and a more practical turn of mind. "I know not how to account for his increasing coldness," writes Wesley, in speak- ing of his intercourse with Oglethorpe. His accusers noted the change which had been produced by their insinuations, and tak- ing advantage of it manifested more openly than before their animosity toward the clergyman. His situation was now most unpleasant. His usefulness was gone. Little respect was ex- tended by the inhabitants of Frederica. Even his personal safety was threatened. All friends, except Mr. Ingham, had seemingly deserted him. He was even charged by the general with mutiny and sedition, and with stirring up the people to desert the colony. This Wesley stoutly denied and demanded that he should be confronted face to face with his accusers. Upon further exam- ination the grave suggestions proved to be unfounded. This Oglethorpe practically admitted, and yet outwardly declined to come to a reconciliation with his secretary who still continued to wait upon him and to discharge the duties of his position.
Mr. Wesley was totally unprepared for the rough mode of life he experienced on the southern frontier. He had brought with him nothing save his clothes and books, and was mortified and incensed at the failure and neglect to supply him with necessary comforts. In the midst of his distresses he was seized with a fever which so unnerved him that he envied the quiet grave of a scout-boatman who had just died.
In an hour of calm reflection becoming convinced of the in- justice shown to Mr. Wesley, General Oglethorpe, then on the eve of setting out upon a dangerous expedition, sent for his secre-
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
tary and thus addressed him: " You will soon see the reasons for my actions. I am now going to death. You will see me no more. Take this ring and carry it from me to Mr. V -. If there is a friend to be depended upon, he is one. His interest is next to Sir Robert's. Whatever you ask within his power he will do for you, your brother, and your family. I have expected death for some days. These letters show that the Spaniards have long been seducing our allies, and intend to cut us off at a blow. I fall by my friends : - Gascoigne whom I have made, the Carolina people upon whom I depended to send their prom- ised succours. But death is to me nothing. T- will pursue all my designs, and to him I recommend them and you." " He then gave me," says Mr. Wesley, "a diamond ring. I took it and said ' If, as I believe,
Postremum fato quod te alloquor, hoc est,
hear what you will quickly know to be true as soon as you are entered upon a separate state. This ring I shall never make any use of for myself. I have no worldly hopes. I have renounced the world. Life is bitterness to me. I came hither to lay it down. You have been deceived as well as I. I protest my inno- cence of the crimes I am charged with, and take myself to be now at liberty to tell you what I thought I should never have uttered.' [Then follow in the MS. Journal some lines in cipher. ] When I finished this relation he seemed entirely changed, and full of his old love and confidence in me. After some expres- sions of kindness, I asked him 'Are you satisfied ?' He replied ' Yes entirely.' ' Why then Sir, I desire nothing more upon earth, and care not how soon I follow you.' . . . He then em- braced and kissed me with the most cordial affection.
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