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A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COLONY OF GEORGIA

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A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COLONY OF GEORGIA,
UNDER GEN. JAMES OGLETHORPE, FEBRUARY 1, 1733.
[no 1]
WASHINGTON: PRINTED BY PETER FORCE.
1835.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COLONY OF GEORGIA.
Proceedings of the Trustees.
London, July 22, 1732:—On Thursday last, the Trustees for establishing the Colony of
Georgia in America, held their first regular meeting. Their Charter was read; as also, a
certificate from the Lord Chief Baron of his Majesty's Exchequer, by which it appeared that
Rt. Hon. the Ld. Visc. Percival had qualified himself as President, and taken the oath for
the faithful administration of his trust. Then, the President administered the oath for the
faithful administration of their trust, to the Several Trustees present.

Sept. 22, 1732.—On Thursday last, the Ld. Carpenter sat for the first time, as one of the
Trustees for Georgia in America; and after taking the oaths, was chosen President, in the
absence of the Ld. Visc. Percival.
Sir Gilbert Heathcote acquainted the Court of Directors of the Bank, with his Majesty's
having granted a Charity, for relieving necessitous people, by establishing of the aforesaid
Colony: and after shewing the great charity of the undertaking, and the future benefit
arising to England, by the strengthening all the American Colonies, and increasing our
Trade and Navigation, and raising raw-silk, for which upwards of £200,000 a year is
paid to Piedmont; he himself gave a very handsome benefaction to the design, and was
followed by all the Directors then present.
4
Some account of the designs of the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia
in America.
In America there are fertile lands sufficient to subsist all the useless Poor in England, and
distressed Protestants in Europe; yet Thousands starve for want of mere sustenance. The
distance makes it difficult to get thither. The same want that renders men useless here,
prevents their paying their passage; and if other pay it for 'em, they become servants, or
rather slaves for years to those who have defrayed the expense. Therefore, money for
passage is necessary, but is not the only want; for if people were set down in America, and
the land before them, they must cut down trees, build houses, fortify towns, dig and sow
the land before they can get in a harvest; and till then, they must be provided with food,
and kept together, that they may be assistant to each other for their natural support and
protection.
The Romans esteemed the sending forth of Colonies, among their noblest works; they
observed that Rome, as she increased in power and empire, drew together such a conflux
of people from all parts that she found herself over-burdened with their number, and

the government brought under an incapacity to provide for them, or keep them in order.
Necessity, the mother of invention, suggested to them an expedient, which at once
gave ease to the capital, and increased the wealth and number of industrious citizens,
by lessening the useless and unruly multitude; and by planting them in colonies on the
frontiers of their empire, gave a new strength to the whole; and This they looked upon
to be so considerable a service to the commonwealth, that they created peculiar officers
for the establishment of such colonies, and the expence was defrayed out of the public
treasury.
From the Charter. —His Majesty having taken into his consideration, the miserable
circumstances of many of his own poor subjects, rely to perish for want: as likewise the
distresses of many poor foreigners, who would take refuge here from persecution; and
having a Princely regard to the great danger the southern frontiers of South Carolina are
exposed to, by reason of the small number of white inhabitants there, hath, out of his
Fatherly compassion towards his subjects, been graciously pleased to grant a charter for
incorporating a number of gentlemen by the name of The Trustees for establishing the
Colony of Georgia in America. They are impowered to collect benefactions; and lay them
out in cloathing, arming, sending over, and supporting 5 colonies of the poor, whether
subjects on foreigners, in Georgia. And his Majesty farther grants all his lands between
the rivers Savannah and Alatamaha, which he erects into a Province by the name of
Georgia, unto the Trustees, in trust for the poor, and for the better support of the Colony.
At the desire of the Gentlemen, there are clauses in the Charter, restraining them and
their successors from receiving any salary, fee, perquisite, or profit, whatsoever, by or
from this undertaking; and also from receiving any grant of lands within the said district, to
themselves, or in trust for them. There are farther clauses granting to the Trustees proper
powers for establishing and governing the Colony, and liberty of conscience to all who
shall settle there.
The Trustees intend to relieve such unfortunate persons as cannot subsist here, and
establish them in an orderly manner, so as to form a well regulated town. As far as their

fund goes, they will defray the charge of their passage to Georgia; give them necessaries,
cattle, land, and subsistence, till such time as they can build their houses and dear some
of their land. They rely for success, first on the goodness of Providence, next on the
compassionate disposition of the people of England; and, they doubt not, that much will
be spared from luxury, and superfluous expenses, by generous tempers, when such an
opportunity is offered them by the giving of £20 to provide for a man or woman, or £10 to a
child for ever.
In order to prevent the benefaction given to this purpose, from ever being misapplied; and
to keep up, as far as human Precaution can, a spirit of Disinterestedness, the Trustees
have established the following method: That, each Benefactor may know what he has
contributed is safely lodged, and justly accounted for, all money given will be deposited
in the Bank of England; and entries made of every benefaction, in a book to be kept for
that purpose by the Trustees; or, if concealed, the names of those, by whose hands they
sent their money. There are to be annual accounts of all the money received, and how the
same has been disposed of, laid before the Lord High Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice
of the King's Bench, the Master of the Rolls, the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas,
and the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, or two of them, will be transmitted to every
considerable Benefactor.
By such a Colony, many families, who would otherwise starve, will be provided for,
and made masters of houses and lands; the people in Great Britain to whom these
necessitous families were a burthen, will be relieved; numbers of manufacturers will be
6 here employed, for supplying them with clothes, working tools, and other necessaries;
and by giving refuge to the distressed Saltzburghers, and other persecuted Protestants,
the power of Britain, as a reward for its hospitality, will be encreased by the addition of so
many religious and industrious subjects.
The Colony of Georgia lying about the same latitude with part of China, Persia, Palestine,
and the Madeiras, it is highly probable that when hereafter it shall be well-peopled and

rightly cultivated, England may be supplied from thence with raw Silk, Wine, Oil, Dyes,
Drugs, and many other materials for manufactures, which she is obliged to purchase
from Southern countries. As towns are established and grow populous along the rivers
Savannah and Alatamaha, they will make such a barrier as will render the southern frontier
of the British Colonies on the Continent of America, safe from Indian and other enemies.
All human affairs are so subject to chance, that there in no answering for events; yet from
reason and the nature of things, it may be concluded, that the riches and also the number
of the inhabitants in Great Britain will be increased, by importing at a cheap rate from this
new Colony, the materials requisite for carrying on in Britain several manufactures. For
our Manufacturers will be encouraged to marry and multiply, when they find themselves in
circumstances to provide for their families, which must necessarily be the happy effect of
the increase and cheapness of our materials of those Manufactures, which at present we
purchase with our money from foreign countries, at dear rates; and also many people will
find employment here, on account such farther demands by the people of this Colony, for
those manufactures which are made for the produce of our own country; and, as has been
justly observed, the people will always abound where there is full employment for them.
Christianity will be extended by the execution of this design; since, the good discipline
established by the Society, will reform the manners of those miserable objects, who shall
be by them subsisted; and the example of a whole Colony who shall behave in a just,
moral, and religious manner, will contribute greatly towards the conversion of the Indians,
and taking off the prejudices received from the profligate lives of such who have scarce
any thing of Christianity but the name.
The Trustees in their general meetings, will consider of the most prudent methods for
effectually establishing a regular Colony; and that it may be done, is demonstrable. Under
what difficulties, was Virginia planted?—the coast and climate then unknown; 7 the Indians
numerous, and at enmity with the first Planters, who were forced to fetch all provisions
from England; yet it is grown a mighty Province, and the Revenue receives £100,000 for

duties upon the goods that they send yearly home. Within this 50 years, Pennsylvania
was as much a forest as Georgia in now; and in these few years, by the wise oeconomy
of William Penn, and those who assisted him, it now gives food to 80,000 inhabitants, and
can boast of as fine a City as most in Europe.
This new Colony is more likely to succeed than either of the former were, since Carolina
abounds with provisions, the climate is known, and there are men to instruct in the
seasons and nature of cultivating the soil. There are but few Indian families within 400
miles; and those, in perfect amity with the English:— Port Royal (the station of his
Majesty's ships) is within 30, and Charlestown (a great mart) is within 120 miles. If the
Colony is attacked, it may be relieved by sea, from Port Royal, or the Bahamas; and the
Militia of South Carolina is ready to support it, by land.
For the continuing the relief which is now given, there will be lands reserved in the Colony;
and the benefit arising from them is to go to the carrying on of the trust. So that, at the
same time, the money by being laid out preserves the lives of the poor, and makes a
comfortable provision for those whose expenses are by it defrayed; their labor in improving
their own lands, will make the adjoining reserved lands valuable; and the rents of those
reserved lands will be a perpetual fund for the relieving more poor people. So that instead
of laying out the money upon lands, with the income thereof to support the poor, this is
laying out money upon the poor; and by relieving those who are now unfortunate, raises a
fund for the perpetual relief of those who shall be so hereafter.
There is an occasion now offered for every one, to help forward this design; the smallest
benefaction will be received, and applied with the utmost care:—every little will do
something; and a great number of small benefactions will amount to a sum capable of
doing a great deal of good.
If any person, moved with the calamities of the unfortunate, shall be inclined to contribute
towards their relief, they are desired to pay their benefactions into the Bank of England, on

account of the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia in America; or else, to any
of the Trustees, who are, &c.
8
Arrival of First Colonists, at Charleston, South Carolina, 13 January, 1733.
Charlestown, Jany. 20.—On Saturday night 13th of January, 1733, came to anchor off our
bar, a ship with about 120 people, for settling the new Colony of Georgia, in which was
James Oglethorpe, Esqr; who came ashore that night, and was extremely well received
by his Excellency, our Governor. The next morning, he went on board; and the ship sailed
for Port Royal:—and, we hear, there are two more ships with people (which will make the
number 500) expected daily.
Account of the Progress of the first Colony sent to Georgia.
We set sail from Gravesend, on the 17th of Novr. 1732, in the ship Anne, of 200 tons, John
Thomas, Master, being about 130 persons, and arrived off the bar of Charlestown on the
13th day of January following. Mr. Oglethorpe went on shore to wait on the Governour;
was received with great marks of civility and satisfaction; obtained an order for Mr.
Middleton, the King's pilot, to carry the ship into Port Royal; and for small craft to carry
the Colony from thence to the river Savannah, with a promise of further assistance from
the Province. He returned on board the 14th day; and came to an anchor within the bar of
Port Royal, at about 16 miles' distance from Beaufort. On the 18th, he went on shore upon
Trench's island, and left a guard of 8 men upon John's; being a point of that island which
commands the channel, and is about half-way between Beaufort and the river Savannah:
—they had orders to prepare Huts, for the reception of the Colony, against they should
lie there in their passage. From thence, he went to Beaufort town, where he arrived about
one o'clock in the morning; and was saluted with a discharge of all the Artillery, and had
the new Barracks fitted up; where, the Colony landed on the 20th day; and were, in every
respect, cheerfully assisted by Lieut. Watts, Ensign Farrington, and the other officers of his

Majesty's independent 9 company, as also by Mr. Delabarr, and other gentlemen of the
neighborhood.
While the Colony refreshed themselves there, Mr. Oglethorpe went up the River, and
chose a situation for a Town; and entered into a treaty with Tomochichi, the Micco, or
Chief of the only nation of Indians living near it. He returned on the 24th day; and they
celebrated the Sunday following, as a day of Thanksgiving for their safe arrival; and a
sermon was preached by the Revd. Mr. Jones, (the Revd. Dr. Herbert, who came with the
Colony, preaching that day at Beaufort town.) There was a great resort of the Gentlemen
of that neighborhood, and their families; and a plentiful Dinner provided for the Colony, and
all that came, by Mr. Oglethorpe; being 4 fat hog, 8 turkies, besides fowls, English Beef,
and other provisions, a hogshead of punch, a hogshead of beer, and a large quantity of
wine; and, all was disposed in so regular a manner, that no person was drunk, nor any
disorder happened.
On the 30th, the Colony embarked on board a sloop of 70 tons, and 5 Periaugers, and
made sail; but were forced by a storm, to put in at a place called the Look-out, and to lie
there all night:—the next day, they arrived at John's; where they found huts capable to
contain them all, and a plentiful supper of venison. They re-embarked the next day; and in
the afternoon arrived at the place intended for the Town.
Being arrived, on the 1st of February, at the intended Town, before night they erected 4
large tents, sufficient to hold all the people, being one for each tything; they landed their
bedding, and other little necessaries; and all the people lay on shore. The ground they
encamped upon is the edge of the river where the key is intended to be.
Until the 7th was spent in making a Crane, and unlading the goods:—which done, Mr.
Oglethorpe divided the people; employing part, in clearing the land for seed; part, in
beginning the palisade; and the remainder, in felling of trees where the Town is to stand.

Col. Bull arrived here, with a message from the General Assembly to Mr. Oglethorpe, and
a letter from his Excellency Governor Johnson and the Council; acquainting him, that the
two Houses, upon a conference, had agreed to give 20 barrels of Rice and 100 head of
Cattle, besides Hogs, to the Trustees; and, that they had commanded a detachment of the
Rangers (which are Horse, kept in the pay of the Province, for the scouring of the frontiers)
and the Scout-boat (which is an armed B 10 Bark, employed for the same purpose by
water) to attend him, and take his orders.
Col. Bull brought with him 4 of his Negroes, who were Sawyers, to assist the Colony; and
also, brought provision for them, being resolved to put the Trust to no expense; and by this
means, to bestow his benefaction in the most noble and useful manner.
On the 9th day, Mr. Oglethorpe and Col. Bull marked out the Square, the Streets, and
40 Lots for houses for the town; and the first House (which was ordered to be made of
clapboards) was begun that day.
The Town lies on the south side of the river Savannah, upon a Flat on the top of a hill;
and 60 yards of it is reserved between it and the Key. The river washes the foot of the hill;
which stretches along the side of it about a mile, and forms a terrace 40 feet perpendicular
above high-water.
From the Key, looking eastward, you may discover the river as far as the islands in the
sea; and westward, one may see it wind through the woods above 6 miles. The River is
1000 feet wide; the water fresh, and deep enough for sloops of 70 Tons to come up close
to the side of the Key.
Gen. Oglethorpe's Conference with the Indians.
Mr. Oglethorpe set out from Charles town, S. C. on the 14th of May 1732, and lay at Col.
Bull's house, on Ashley river, where he dined the next day:—and landed at Savannah, on
the 18th, at ten in the morning; where he found that Mr. Whiggan, (the interpreter) with the

chief men of all the Lower Creek nation, were come down to treat of an alliance with the
new Colony.—The Lower Creeks are a nation of Indians, who formerly consisted of 10,
but now are reduced to 8 tribes or towns; who have each their different government, but
are allied together, and speak the same language. They claim from the Savannah river, as
far as St. Augustine, and up to the Flint river, which falls into the Bay of Mexico:—all the
Indians inhabiting this tract, speak their language; Tomo-chi-chi, micco, and the Indians of
Yamacraw, are of their nation and language.
Mr. Oglethorpe received the Indians, in one of the new houses, that afternoon:—they were
as follow:
From the tribe of Coweeta: —Yahou-Lakee, their king or 11 micco; Essoboo, their warrior,
the son of Breen, (lately dead) whom the Spaniards called Emperor of the Creeks; with 8
men, and 2 women, attendants.
From the tribe of Cussetaho: —Cusseta, the micco; Tatchiquatchi, the head-warrior; with 4
attendants.
From the tribe of Owseecheyo: —Ogeese, the micco, or warking; Neathlouthko, and
Ougachi, 2 chief-men; with 3 attendants.
From the tribe of the Cheehaws: —Outhleteboa, the micco; Thlauthlo-thlukee, Figeer,
Sootamilla, war-captains; and attendants.
From the tribe Echetas: —Chutabeeche, and Robin, 2 warcaptains, (the latter was bred
amongst the English;) with 4 attendants.
From the tribe of Pallachucolas: —Gillatee, the head-warrior; and 5 attendants.
From the tribe of Oconas: —Oueekachumpa, called by the English, Long King; Coowoo, a
warrior.

For the tribe of Eufaule: —Tomaumi, the head-warrior; and 3 attendants.
The Indians being all seated, Oueekachumpa, a very tall old man, stood out, and with
a graceful action, and a good voice, made a long speech; which was interpreted by Mr.
Wiggan and Mr. John Musgrove, and was to the following purpose.—He first claimed
all the land to the southward of the river Savannah, as-belonging to the Creek Indians.
Next, (he said) that though they were poor and ignorant, He, who had given the English
breath, had given them breath also. That He, who had made both, had given more wisdom
to the white men. That they were firmly persuaded, that the Great Power which dwelt in
heaven, and all around, (and then he spread out his hands, and lengthened the sound
of his words) and which hath given breath to all men, had sent the English thither for the
instruction of them, their wives, and children. That therefore they gave them up freely, their
right to all the land which they did not use themselves. That this was not only his opinion,
but the opinion of the 8 towns of the Creeks; each of whom having consulted together,
had sent some of their Chief-men with skins, which is their wealth. He then stopped; and
the chief-men of each town, brought up a bundle of buck-skins; and laid 8 bundles, from
the 8 towns, at Mr. Oglethorpe's feet. He then said, those were the best thing they had;
and therefore, they gave them with a good heart. He then thanked him for his kindness
to Tomo-chi-chi, Micco, and his Indians, to whom he said he was related; and said, that
though Tomo-chi-chi was banished from 12 his nation, that he was a good man, and had
been a great warrior; and, it was for his wisdom and courage, that the banished men
chose him king. Lastly, he said, that they had heard in the nation, that the Cherokees had
killed some Englishmen; and that if he would command them, they would enter with their
whole force into the Cherokee country, destroy their harvest, kill their people and revenge
the English. He then sat down. Mr. Oglethorpe promised to acquaint the Trustees with
their desire of being instructed; and informed them, that, there had been a report of the
Cherokees having killed some Englishmen, but that it was groundless:—he thanked them,
in the most cordial manner, for their affection; and told them, that he would acquaint the
Trustees with it.

Tomo-chi-chi, Micco, then came in with the Indians of Yamacraw, to Mr. Oglethorpe; and
bowing very low, he said,—I was a banished man.—I came here poor and helpless, to look
for good land near the tombs of my Ancestors; and the Trustees sent people here. I feared
you would drive us away, for we were weak and wanted corn; but you confirmed our land
to us, gave us food, and instructed our children:—we have already thanked you, in the
strongest words we could find; but words are no return for such favors; for good words
may be spoke by the deceitful, as well as by the upright heart. The Chief men of our nation
are here, to thank you for us, and before them I declare your goodness, and that here I
design to die; for, we all love your people so well, that with them we will live and die. We
don't know good from evil, but desire to be instructed and guided by you; that we may do
well with, and be numbered amongst the children of the Trustees.
He sat down:—and, Yahou-Lakee, Micco of Coweeta, stood up and said,—We are come
25 days' journey, to see you. I have been often desired to go down to Charlestown; but
would not go down, because I thought I might die in the way: but, when I heard you were
come, and that you were good men, I knew you were sent by Him who lives in heaven,
to teach us Indians wisdom. I therefore came down, that I might hear good things:—for
I knew, that if I died in the way, I should die in doing good; and what was said, would be
carried back to the nation, and our Children would reap the benefit of it. I rejoice that I
have lived to see this day; and to see our friends, that have been long gone from amongst
us. Our nation was, once strong, and had 10 towns; but, we are now weak, and have but
8 towns. You have comforted the banished; and have gathered them that were scattered,
like little birds before the Eagle. 13 We desire therefore to be reconciled to our bretheren,
who are here amongst you; and we give leave to Tomo-chi-chi, Stimoiche, and Illispelle,
to call the kindred that love them, out of each of the Creek towns, that they may come
together and make one town. We must pray you to recal the Yamasees; that they may
be buried in peace amongst their ancestors, and that they may see their graves before
they die; and then our nation shall be restored again to its 10 towns. After which he spoke

concerning the abatement of the prices of goods; and agreed upon articles of a Treaty,
which were ordered to be engrossed.
Tomo-chi-chi invited them to his town, where they passed the night in feasting and
dancing.
On the 21st, their Treaty was signed:—a laced coat, a laced hat, and a shirt, was given to
each of the Indian Chiefs; and to each of the Warriors a gun, a mantle of duffils; and, to all
their attendants, coarse cloth for clothing. There was also given, a barrel of Gun-powder,
4 kegs of Bullets, a piece of broad-cloth, a piece of Irish linen, a cask of Tobacco-pipes, 8
belts and Cutlasses with gilt handles, Tape and inkle of all colors, and 8 kegs of Rum, for
to be carried home to their Towns;—1 lb. of powder, 1 lb. of bullets, and as much provision
for each man, as they pleased to take for their journey home.
The peace concluded,—the care of the People, and of carrying on the works, being
recommended to Mr. James St. Julian, and Mr. Scott, Mr. Oglethorpe left the Savannah,
on Monday, the 21st, dined at Mr. Bulloch's at Willtown, on the 22nd, and arrived here,
early in the morning on Wednesday the 23rd.
Gen. Oglethorpe's Speech before the Assembly of South Carolina, June 9, 1733.
On Saturday 9th of June, 1733 James Oglethorpe, Esqr. made a very handsome speech
to the Hon. Commons House of Assembly, returning them thanks for the encouragement
they gave to the settling of Georgia.
It is as follows:—
Speech of James Oglethorpe, before the Provincial Legislature of South Carolina.
I should think myself very much wanting in justice and gratitude, if I should neglect
thanking your Excellency, you Gentlemen 14 of the Councel, and you Gentlemen of the
Assembly, for the assistance you have give to the Colony of Georgia. I have long wished

for an opportunity of expressing my sense of the universal zeal, which the inhabitants
of this Province have shewn for assisting that Colony; and could not think of any better
opportunity, than now the whole Province is virtually present in its General Assembly. I
am, therefore, Gentlemen, to thank you for the handsome assistance given by private
people, as well as by the public. I am to thank you, not only in the name of the Trustees,
and the little Colony now in Georgia; but in behalf of all the distressed people of Britain and
persecuted Protestants of Europe, to whom a place of Refuge will be secured by this first
attempt.
Your charitable and generous proceeding, besides the self-satisfaction which always
attends such actions, will be of the greatest advantage to this Province. You, Gentlemen,
are the best judges of this; since, most of you have been personal witnesses of the
dangerous blows this country has escaped from French, Spanish, and Indian arms. Many
of you know this by experience, having signalized yourselves personally; either, when
this Province by its own strength, and unassisted by every thing but the courage of its
inhabitants, and the providence of God, repulsed the formidable invasions of the French;
or, when it defeated the whole body of the southern Indians, who were armed against
it, and invaded the Spaniards, who assisted them. You, Gentlemen, know there was a
time, when, every day brought fresh advices of murders, ravages, and burnings; when, no
profession or calling was exempted from arms; when, every inhabitant of the Province was
obliged to leave their wives, their families, their useful occupations, and undergo all the
fatigues of war, for the necessary defence of the country; and, all their endeavors scarcely
sufficient to defend the western and southern frontiers against the Indians.
It would be needless for me to tell you, who are much better judges, how the increasing
settlements of the new Colony upon the Southern frontiers, will prevent the like danger
for the future. Nor need I tell you, how much every plantation will increase in value, by
the safety of the Province's being increased, since the Lands to the southward already
sell for above double what they did when the new Colony first arrived. Nor need I mention
the great lessening of the burthen of the people, by the increasing of the income of

the Tax, from the many hundred thousand acres of land, either taken or taking up on
the prospect of future security. The assistance the Assembly have given, tho' not quite
equal to the occasion, is very large, with respect to the present circumstances 15 of the
Province; and, as such, shews you to be kind benefactors to your new-come countrymen,
whose settlements you support; and dutiful subjects to his Majesty, whose revenues and
dominions, you by that means increase and strengthen.
As I shall soon return to Europe, I must recommend the infant Colony to your farther
protection; being assured, both from your generosity and wisdom, that you will in case of
any danger and necessity, give them the utmost support and assistance.