A Brief Account of the Establishment of the Colony of Georgia, under General James Oglethorpe

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 (Georgia Trustees 1733).

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.