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Georgia malcontents feel ignored
Source: A True and Historical Narrative of the Colony of Georgia in America #173
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[From 1741 A True and Historical Narrative, edited by Amy] The trustees ignored the Representation and Wesley left town THE Original of this was signed by all 44 grand jurors and sent Home. However, we never heard any sign that the Trustees took any notice of it. We hope it will appear evident to every judicious Reader that this Jury was neither bypassed nor intimidated by Causton to be Prejudiced of any Person whatsoever, as Mr. Wesley asserts in his Journal printed at Bristol, 1739. He likewise says there were a professed Atheist and Deist in the group, but for our Parts we know of neither. But a Man of Mr. Wesley's Principles, who makes no Scruple of writing willful Falsehoods (as may be seen by anyone who compares this Narrative with his Journal) and of damning every Person of a contrary Opinion with himself; may, without Hesitation, give People what Appellations come in his Head: However, this put an End to any further Prosecution of Mr. Wesley's Schemes because soon after this, he departed the Colony privately by Night and went to Charles-Town, and from there to England. Wesley negotiated retractions from several of the jury members, then didn’t fulfill his end Mr. Wesley had Address enough (as he says in his Journal) to persuade several members of the Grand Jury to sign a paper he drew up retracting their former Sentiments. He persuaded them by assuring them that his intentions back home were to represent the Grievances and Oppressions which the poor Colony labored under. Hearing that assurance, diverse private persons related to the colony gave him Letters and Papers, which he undertook faithfully to deliver. However, we have since learned that all Mr. Oglethorpe's Interest was employed to protect Mr. Wesley. It’s no wonder those Promises were never fulfilled, nor could it ever be determined whether he even delivered the private Letters he promised to deliver. Causton showed his hatred of the jury, but we were all the more patient and trusting of the Trustees ON the other Hand, Mr. Causton forever after bore a mortal Hatred to the Members of this Grand Jury and took every Opportunity to show his Resentment. We have no doubt he pressured three or four of them into a Recantation, having either terrified or starved them into Compliance: But we bore those Things all the more patiently, content that the Trustees were Gentlemen who had our Interest at Heart and would hear and redress our Grievances in due Time. We heard Oglethorpe was made General over Georgia and South Carolina forces We also trusted that Mr. O—pe might still be a Friend to the Colony; but finally, we heard He had procured a Regiment for its Defense, of which he was made Colonel. We also heard He was made General and Commander in Chief over all his Majesty's Forces in South-Carolina and Georgia. The Trustees sent a secretary to report actual circumstances, but Causton controlled him This News was confirmed by William Stephens, Esq. who was sent over as Trustees’ Secretary to represent the State and Condition of the Colony as it really was and assist and consult with the Magistrates. But Mr. Causton soon managed to bring that old Gentleman over to his Interest, or at least to acquiesce in everything he said or did; for he still had Command of the Cash and Stores, and Mr. Stephens had Nothing to live upon but his Salary, which Causton could stop the Payment of at will; so our Secretary remained passive until Causton's Government ended.
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