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Oglethorpe tries to bribe malcontents with Wilmington Island

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

1739-5-26 Four original settlers asked Trustees and Oglethorpe for Wilmington island 
One flagrant Instance of the indirect Practices he used to draw People into his Measures was as follows: * In Summer, 1739, [see Trustees’ reply for date and name] (when it was thought the Representation would have succeeded) Messrs. Grant, Douglass, Stirling and Bailie, who had been old Settlers in the Colony and who had in a manner ruined themselves as others had done, either by Planting or Building, wrote to the Trustees for an Island, and at the same Time applied to Mr. Oglethorpe for it. He appeared [in town?] mighty glad at their Resolution and told them that if they would agree to what he had to propose, the Granting of an Island should be Nothing in respect to what he would do for them. They told him they would do anything that was consistent with their Knowledge and Conscience, then they were dismissed.

Oglethorpe offered an offensive deal for the island
The next Day they were to know his Mind. Two of his Emissaries were sent separately with Proposals, which they afterwards wrote in order to be signed, but refused a Copy thereof. These Proposals were to the following Effect: 
• To acknowledge they were in the Wrong for having any Hand in the Making or Signing the Representation.
• To ask the General's Pardon for so doing.
• And to assert that they believed the Colony might flourish according to the then present Constitution

If they complied with these things, they would have what Money they asked for, with Horses, Cattle and everything else they wanted, together with the General's perpetual Friendship and Assistance. If they didn’t comply, they might expect Nothing but his highest Resentment.

They answered that they never expected, nor did they think they ever asked for any Favors from the General, and as for his Resentment, they believed they had already felt the Utmost of it. (*There are particular Affidavits to prove this whole Affair.) In whatever Shape the General wrote Home of this Affair, is not known; but however, from what he wrote, the Trustees thought fit, at first, positively to deny their Request in a Letter which came to their Hands in July, 1740 [1740-7 Trustees deny request for Wilmington Island] of which this is an exact Copy.
[1740-3-25 TRUSTEES RESPOND TO REQUEST FOR ISLAND]