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SC Proprietors reneged on Purry's 300 Swiss settlers for GA
Source: The Southern Frontier #86
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Purry was already in Switzerland, recruiting his colony. Soon, indeed, the activities of 'Purry et Cie.' of Neuchatel in distributing advertisements which painted Carolina as 'one of the finest countries of the universe,' brought concern to the authorities of Berne, anxious to check the emigration fever. 13 [Note 13 AHR; Purry, Memorial, Augusta, 1880; A. B. Faust, Guide to Materials for American History in Swiss and Austrian Archives, 1916] By such propaganda during 1725-1726 Purry succeeded, however, in attracting numerous colonists, and in securing promises of financial support from several Swiss capitalists. Two hundred would-be Carolinians were assembled near Geneva by M. Vernet. In September, 1726, more than a hundred made their way to the rendezvous at Neuchatel. Popular interest was growing, and Watt believed that six hundred volunteers could readily have been obtained. But once more the Proprietors had changed their minds about the contract. Withdrawing their pledge to transport the first detachment, they had granted instead to two London merchants, Stephen Godin and Jacob Satur, a patent of 12,000 acres in trust for Purry, on condition that he convey two hundred colonists at his own expense. When this latest tergiversation became known, Purry's backers at once withdrew their support. With success in sight, the enterprise collapsed. 'For want of one hundred pounds Sterling,' declared an agent, Purry had to desert his penniless and rioting colonists in Neuchatel. 14 [Note 14 C.O. (petition of Jean Watt, 1726 or 1727). For the Proprietors' version, which ignored the breach of faith, see c.o. See B.M. Add. for 'A Short Abstract of the Contract for Transporting a Number of Swiss to South Carolina.']
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