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Mixed support of FREE-HOLDERS REPRESENTATION TO THE TRUSTEES

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

Almost everybody wanted to sign that representation, even the Jews
THIS Representation was signed with the greatest Willingness by the above One Hundred and Seventeen Free-holders in the County of Savannah, and only a very few of the General's Favorites declined to subscribe the same, so strong appeared to all of them the Truths therein contained and the absolute Necessity of such an Application. The Jews asked to sign with us, but we did not think it proper to involve them in any of our Measures.

The Saltzburghers didn’t sign because Oglethorpe gave them what they wanted
We likewise did not allow Widows and Orphans to subscribe because as the Representation contained the absolute Necessities of the Colony, it Might be objected to Ebenezer, the Subscribers specifically appointed some of their Number to show the representation to their pastor, Mr. Boltzius. Boltzius declared the Saltzburghers were just as dissatisfied with their Rights and Restrictions as the other Free-holders and he had no doubt of their Willingness to join in petitioning for Redress. He agreed to consult them and bring their Answer, but never did. One of the appointed Persons commissioned to commune with him, Mr. Anderson, asked Boltzius about the Saltzburghers’ response in the Presence of several Gentlemen. After some frivolous Excuses, Boltzius confessed that the Honorable Mr. Oglethorpe had not only given them Satisfaction, but also asked him to write Home to Germany for a further Supply of his Countrymen. This Gentlemen (we observe it with Regret) has been made the Instrument of imposing upon many British Subjects by publishing Journals and Letters (to which we refer) most inconsistent with Truth.

We didn’t let servants sign because they might be construed as influenced by their masters
Neither did we admit of Servants to sign the same, lest it should be objected that they were under the Influence of their Masters. By this our Conduct it will appear to every Person of Impartiality how far we were from using Arts * to extort by Clamor a Redress of our Grievances.
* Vide Trustees Answer.

George Dunbar and Darien go to bat for Oglethorpe
A COPY of the Representation was immediately sent to Frederica, and another to Darien. The last was sent to Mr. John More M“ Intosh, and under the same Cover a Letter to Mr. Benjamin M“ Intosh. But More kept Benjamin’s Letter, and sent his own with the Representation to the General, who immediately dispatched Lieut. George Dunbar. Dunbar speaks the Highland Language and has a very fluent and artful Way of Talking. Dunbar and More made promises to the poor People of Cattle (which they afterwards got) and persuaded them to sign a Paper to oppose the People of Savannah. They were told the people of Savannah were Enemies to the General and were petitioning against him.

M”Intosh could care less about the colony
As for their Leader M“ Intosh, he was immediately set up in a Store and plentifully supplied with all Kinds of Goods. He has often declared that if, by acting as he did, he could live well himself, he did not care what became of the rest of the Colony; and as for his Children, they might go wander in the Woods with the Indians.

Fredericans were warned not to associate with Savannah anarchists
As soon as it was heard that the Representation arrived in Frederica, the Inhabitants were called together and told That the People of Savannah were going to throw off the Government of the Trustees, and had associated together for that Purpose. H advised them to beware of any Snare that might be laid by these People, which if they were caught with would ruin them. And thus, the intent of the Representation was quashed in both Darien and Frederica.

The Representation to Oglethorpe with the following anonymous letter
Some Time after this, a Copy of the Representation was sent to Mr. Oglethorpe along with the following Letter by an anonymous Author. We insert it here because we think it is partly an Explanation of the Representation, and likewise a true View of the Situation of the Colony at that Time and the Character of Mr. Oglethorpe. It was directed,