YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

THE
COLONIAL RECORDS

OF THE

STATE OF GEORGIA

VOLUME IV

STEPHENS' JOURNAL
1737-1740

COMPILED AND PUBLISHED UNDER AUTHORITY
OF
THE LEGISLATURE

ALLEN E>. CANDLER

ATLANTA, GA.
THE FRANKLIN PRINTING AND PUBLISHING COMPANY
GEO. W. HARKISON, MANAGER
IQ06

Compiler's Preface to Stephens' Journal.

The plan of government first instituted by the Trustees was
Utopian and impracticable. The colonists were discontented
and unhappy. They were divided into factions, and constant
complaints were sent up to the Trustees by one faction or an
other, and the Trustees, to inform themselves of the real condi
tions that prevailed in the colony, and the justness of the com
plaints that reached them, deemed it advisable to send a repre
sentative to Savannah to study the situation and keep them ad
vised. They selected for this important work Colonel William
Stephens, a man of integrity and character, who had sat in
parliament for a quarter of a century, and who enjoyed the con
fidence of the Trustees and of the country. In the summer of
1737 he was sent to Savannah as " Secretary to the Trustees
in Georgia," and his office was to take a general oversight of
affairs, to advise unofficially the officers of the colony, and to
keep the Trustees fully informed of the conditions that pre
vailed and of the progress of the settlement. He entered upon
his duties as Secretary on the 20th of October, 1737, and con
tinued to perform them with diligence and fidelity till the 4th
of October, 1740, when the plan of government was changed
and the colony was divided into two counties, and he was ap
pointed president of the county of Savannah. The journal
which follows was the result of his three years' work as Secre
tary. Only seventy copies of this journal were ever printed, and of
these two, and only two, are in Georgia, one among the ar
chives of the State in the capitol, the other in the library of
the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah. It is possible,
indeed probable, that none of these seventy printed copies, ex
cept the two referred to, are in existence. It is said, however,
that the original manuscript volumes are still preserved in the
hands of private parties in England.

JOURNAL

OF THE

PROCEEDINGS

GEORGIA BEGINNING
October 20, 1737.
By WILLIAM STEPHENS, Esq;
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
A STATE OF THAT PROVINCE,
AS ATTESTED UPON OATH
IN THE
COURT of SAVANNAH,
November 10, 1740.

JOURNAL,

Began from my landing in Charles-Town,
South-Carolina.

Thursday. Landed at Charles-Town, at Eleven of the ^^
Clock, from on board the Mary Anne, (Captain Thomas Oo^er
Shubrick ;) and the same day delivered several Letters
entrusted with me ; but the Lieutenant Governor, Colonel
Broughton, being out of Town, and dangerously sick, I
gave two Letters for him to Mr. Alickie, the Under-Sec
retary, who promised to send them carefully to him ; and
Mr. Jennys being lately dead, I delivered his Letters to
his Widow, which I had for him ; and one Mr. Hopton
now transacting all the Affairs of that House, I had very
ready Assurances of all the Assistance that I desired.
Friday. Deliver'd several other Letters, and then at- 21.
tended Mr. Hopton, to expedite our Passage to Georgia
as soon as possible ; and our first Work was, to provide a
proper Conveyance, in order to which, we spoke with sev
eral Masters of Pettyagua's, and other small Sloops, and
view'd well their Make, and what convenient stowage
they had ; but none of them would go under 70 /. tho'
neither of them was capable of the whole Freight, with
any tolerable Convenience ; wherefore we thought it
most advisable to hire a Skooner, which was ready, of a
little more Burden, with Accommodations proper both
tor Passengers and Goods ; but she would not go under
100/. whereat I hesitated much, being loth to swell the
Charges so high ; but upon consulting Mr. Eveleigh and
others, they plainly convinced me, it was the cheapest
Way I could take : for none of the Pettyagua's could

8 COLONIAL EECORDS.
find Accommodations for all the Passengers and Goods i!!L
and the Skooner taking the Whole, at only 30 /. Ad- °2°. er
vance more than the other, made it in effect cheaper ;
and they all allowed, that 70 I. was but a reasonable
Demand for a Pettyagua : Add to this that the Men hav
ing been sickly, and, divers of them yet weak, it would
be a great Benefit to them to lie dry, and conveniently
under Deck in the Skooner, which very few, if any of
them, could do in the other: And lastly, whereas, the
Pettyagua's Way was always within Land, and their Pas
sage often spun out to a Fortnight or three weeks, or
more ; the Skooner was fitted for the Sea, and in Case of
a favourable Wind, we might reasonably hope to reach
Savannah in two or three Days ; wherefore, upon the
Whole we agreed with the Skooner to be ready the Be
ginning of the Week. After which, I went and fech'd
all the Servants and Recruits, with their Wives, ashore,
from Capt. Shubrick, and placed them in a small House
that Mr. Hopton and I had looked out for them, where
they might lay their Beds all at Ease, and cook their
Victuals, which we would provide, such as coarse fresh
Beef to make Broth with, some Rice, and such like, by
which I hoped to find them get Strength in a few days :
In the mean while, I thought it proper that they should
be attended by a couple of trusty Negroes, which Mr.
Hopton provided, who were to help them to what was
needful, and narrowly watch them at the same Time.
Saturday. Peter Emery, Patroon of a Canoe, being 22.
in Town from Georgia, and intending to set out on his
Return thither this Evening, I wrote a Letter by him to
Mr. Causton, acquainting him with my Arrival, and that
I had divers Goods and Passengers with me, which I
wish'd him to assist me in the disposing of, when I came
to Savannah, where I hoped to be before the week ensu
ing was out.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 8
Sunday. Din'd with Mrs. Jenuys, upon her Invitation ^^
Yesterday. 0ct2°8b6r
Monday. Went out early in Quest of the Master of «*•
the Skooner to hasten every Thing what I could ; and
then went aboard the Ship, where I directed all the
Goods to be hoisted out of the Hold upon the Deck,
ready for the Skooner to come along Side, and take them
in : Then I went and visited the Soldiers and Servants,
&c. to see how they recover'd ; where all (except one)
were growing hearty, and I order' d what was proper and
needful for them, whilst they staid.
Tuesday. Not being able Yesterday to come at all 25-
the Goods I wanted in the Ship, by Reason of their be
ing so stowed among others, I got the Whole cleared
before Noon, and saw it myself put aboard the Skooner.
Dined with Mr. Godine by Invitation, who treated me
with great Courtesy and showed much respect for those
I came from.
Wednesday. Busy most part of this Day in provid- 26.
ing Necessaries to be put on board the Skooner, for the
People and myself, during our Passage, intending to sail
to morrow Morning.
Thursday. Capt. Reid arriving last Night from Lon- ^-
don, I deferr'd sailing this Morning as I had design'd,
expecting Letters very probably from the Trust of Geor
gia ; wherein I was not mistaken ; for he brought a small
Box with Sola Bills for a large Sum and a Packet of Let
ters ; both of vfhich I was glad to carry with me.
After Dinner I waited on Capt. Wyndham of the Rose,
to ask his Commands in the South, and he gave me a
Letter for Capt. Gascoigne.
Friday. About Ten of the Clock I went on board 28.
the Skooner, after having sent the Recruits, Servants,

10 COLONIAL RECORDS.
and others of my Company, on board over Night, that I i^L
might not be to seek for them now. We sailed immedi- C28. "
ately, with a very small westerly Breeze, and got over the
Bar about Noon ; but what little wind there was, came
about more to the South, which retarded our Progress ;
and when the Ebb Tide came in the Evening, we were
obliged to come to an Anchor: Then we went to Fishing,
(all who liked it) the Master having Plenty of Hooks
and Lines, and the Fish were so plenty that in a few
Hours we catched a great Number, haling them in as fast
as we could run out our lines ; most of them excellent in
their Kinds. Towards Morning we weigh'd again, and
sailed with the Flood-Tide.
Saturday. The Forenoon foggy, and little Wind, but 29.
we stood out to Sea, and plied to and fro all day. After
noon the Weather cleared up but the Wind hung South
erly ; and in the Evening, on the Ebb-Tide coming again,
we drew near Land off St. Edistb, anchor'd as Yester
day, and went to our Fishing again with the same Suc
cess. Sunday. Fine weather, and we took the first of the 30.
Tide very early in the Morning, but the Wind continuing
not to favour us, we stood off to Sea as before, making
the best we could of it, till Eleven of the Clock, when
the Ebb-Tide coming, and the Wind dying away, we an
chor'd again : At the same Time a Buzzard, weary of
flying, came and pitched upon our Bolt-Sprit end, and
one of our Men shot it. The next Flood coming in the
Afternoon, we made Sail again, but to little purpose, as
before, and about Nine at Night we anchored on the Ebb
of St. Helena.
Monday. Weighed upon the Flood at Three in the si
Morning with a fine Breeze at N. W. which we hoped
would bring us to Tybee ; but as soon as the Tide was
spent, the Wind fell again, and all went to Fishing whilst

COLONIAL RECORDS. 11
we lay at Anchor, which was most Part of the Afternoon ^II
in a Calm. Towards Evening, on the Flood being made, 0ct3°|)er
a new Breeze sprung up from the N. E, which freshen'd
very agreeably, and in the Dusk, being off Tybee about
three Leagues, the Master (who was a good Pilot on the
Coast) having set the Land and the several Marks, we
push'd in for the River, got well over the Bar, and about
Seven of the Clock anchor'd at Cockspur.
Tuesday. Weighed at Day Light, when a Canoe came 1737.
aboard us, which lay all Night ashore, and was sent Yes- Novemb.
terday by Mr. Causton with Packets, to go by a Sloop
that lay at Tybee, and sailed Yesterday Evening to the
South. About Ten of the Clock we arrived at Savan
nah, when I landed and went directly to Mr. Causton,
carrying all the Packets, &c. with me that I brought from
London by Capt. Shubrick, as well as what I received
afterward by Capt. Reid. Mr. Causton showed me the
House he had provided for me against our Coming; and
after Dinner I got some of the Goods ashore as well as
People : The Servants &c. I kept under my Care, and the
Recruits, with their Wives, I delivered to one Mr. Car-
well (an old Soldier formerly, but at present a Freeholder
and Tything-man of Savannah) who was to take future
Charge of them whilst there.
In the Evening, upon spending a leisure Hour with
Mess. Causton, Christie and Anderson at a publick House,
Mr. Robert Williams came in to us, and at first Sight be
gan to lay open his Mind pretty Freely concerning what
difficulties the Landholders lay under, as well with re
spect to the Want of Negroes, as the Tenure of Tail
Male, vehemently exclaiming against the Method they
were now in, and declaring that it was his Resolution, as
it was also of many others, to leave the Colony, unless
some remedy could be found, before they were quite
ruined. I endeavored to persuade him into better Temper, told

12 COLONIAL RECORDS.
him, that if he or any others thought themselves ag- ^J^
grieved in any Thing, their wisest Course would be to rep- ^Y™13-
resent it in a decent Manner to the Trustees : wherein I
would so far join with them, as was consistent with my
Duty, in laying it before them impartially, and hoped
that he and all others would wait their Determination
upon which he appeared better humored.
Wednesday. Busy this whole Day in getting all 2.
Things ashore and writing Letters for England, to goby the
Skooner that was returning to Charles-Town.
Thursday. Understanding that a remarkable Trial 3-
was to come on before the Court which now sat, wherein
Mr. Bradley was indicted for shooting Cattle ; I attended
as an Auditor, among others, and finding the Allegations
pinching, and the Prosecution to me appearing to be car
ried on with some Party Warmth, I advised him to trav
erse it to another Time, which I believed the Court would
be ready to indulge him in, and probably Mr. Oglethorpe
might hear it himself : The Trial was accordingly put
off, and I thought both sides were pleased at it. After
wards I had from different Hands a long Detail of the
Cause of Discord between Mr. Causton and the Parson,
ever since Mr. Williamson married Miss Hopkins, (Niece
to Mr. Causton) which was told me variously, as the Re
lators inclined ; but it was carried now to that Height,
as to engage great part of the Town, which was so
divided, that Mr. Causton and Mr. Wesley drew their
greatest Attention, and the Partisans on both sides did
not stick to throw Plenty of Scandal against their Ad
versaries. Friday. Great Part of my Time taken up this Day 4.
in listening to Abundance of Tales which were obtruded
upon me, and told very partially (I observed) by most,
in Favour of one or the other, as they liked or disliked :
Nevertheless, I would not seem averse to hearing what

COLONIAL RECORDS. 13
came in my Way, believing, that out of such Abun- ,£^
dance something probably might be learnt worth regard- Nov£mb-
ing, and I should the more readily discover their several
Dispositions. Afternoon I wrote Letters to Capt. Gas-
coigne, Mess. Horton, Delegal, White, &c. at St. Simon's,
in order to send them off to Morrow Morning, with sev
eral Packets I brought from England for those Parts,
by a Pettyagua, which likewise was to carry sundry
Goods for the Stores there, and the Recruits which came
with me.
Saturday. Out of the five Recruits one of them 5.
being relapsed since his Landing, to his former Illness,
and in a dangerous Condition, the other four went off,
leaving him behind. Towards Noon I rode out, by In
vitation from Mr. Causton, to his new Plantation, which
he has named Ocstead ; where I din'd with him and his
Family, and Mr. Anderson : I found he had built a very
handsome House, fit for any Gentleman to live in, laid
out a pleasant Garden, cut a fine Visto thro' the Wood,
to a large Opening, and was going on with great improve
ments, both for Pleasure and Profit. Going out and
home I took cursory Notice of several Lots in our Way,
how they were improved or neglected.
Sunday. Went to Church in the Forenoon, where we 6.
had (what is commonly called) the second Service only,
and a Sermon not to be found Fault with, upon mutual
Forgivenesses : But I was concerned to see so thin an /
Audience, which proceeded from a grown Aversion to
the Preacher, since this publick strife sprung up. Sev
eral of the Scotch Gentlemen having hinted to me their
Desire of a Conference, I sat with three or four of them
over a Cup of Tea towards Evening, for an Hour, when
they told me in the Name of all the rest, of Mr. Wesley's
informing them lately, that Mr. Causton persuaded him
to write to the Trustees and acquaint them, that the
Scotch here were universally a turbulent people, who

14 COLONIAL RECORDS.
neither regarded divine nor human Laws, but lived idle ™^
and continually fomented Mischief : From whence they Nov6e.m '
inferr'd, that they were never to expect common Justice ;
but upon my asking how long since it was, that Mr.
Causton said this to the Parson, I was answered, more
than a year : From whence it seemed to me that Mr.
Wesley, who had kept it smothering in his Breast so
long, brought it forth now maliciously at this Juncture,
when he and Mr. Causton were fallen out in order to ex
asperate the Scotch against him, whom at this Time he
lived in good Accord with.
Monday. Went in the Morning and took my Break- 7.
fast with Mr. Wesley, when I paid him the 10 /. sent by
me from an unknown Hand ; and then we had some
Talk about the Differences betwixt him and Mr. Causton,
which he put in another Light than what I had it on the
other Side :
I desired him to be free, assuring him that my Ears
were equally open, and I should be glad to be instru
mental (if it lay in my power) to reconcile those Ani
mosities, which began first between two Friends, and had
now drawn almost the whole Town into Parties in the
Quarrel. I found it manifest the first Rise of it was
upon young Williamson's marrying Mr. Causton's Niece,
whom the Parson had a Liking to for himself ; and who,
whilst she was unmarried, used constantly to receive the
Sacrament, which is here administered weekly to some
few, who frequently resort to Mr. Wesley, for their better
edification, in private ; but upon Miss Hopkin's entering "
into the State of Wedlock, she refrain'd from such pri
vate Lectures, and refused to go to him, when sent for ;
probably, by Direction from her Husband ; for which
Reason, (or some other unknown to me) Mr. Wesley re
fused her the Sacrament at the next Communion, and
she went home from the Table : So far Mr. Wesley ac
knowledged to me ; but in his own Justification said, he
had given her Notice before, not to offer herself there,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 15
till she had first conferr'd with him in private. Mr. ™j
Wesley told me farther, he would at some other oppor- NoT7emtl-
tunity explain these Things more fully, and believed I
would hear it impartially : So we parted, and I spent the
rest of the Day in settling my own little Affairs at home,
and beginning to provide for our future Living.*
Tuesday. Mr. Robert Williams and Mr. Patrick Mc- 8-
Kay, called on me this Morning, and renewed the Dis
course we had the first Night I came, concerning the
Difficulties they lay under in making farther Improve
ments on their Lands ; telling me, that as they reposed
Confidence in me, they designed to draw up a short

* Since it is apparent that Colonel Stephens was in sympathy with
that faction headed by Mr. Causton, which was opposed to Mr. Wesley,
the compiler has deemed it not amiss to present in a footnote the fol
lowing extract from Mr. Wesley's Journal, that the reader may have
both versions of the controversy :
Thurs. Feb. 19, 1736. We waited upon Mr. Causton, the Chief
Magistrate of Savannah.
Sunday, March 7, 1736. I entered upon my ministry at Savannah
by preaching on the Epistle for the day, being the 13th of the first of
Corinthians. Wed. May 5, 1736. I was asked to baptize a child of Mr. Parker's,
Second Bailiff of Savannah.
June 25, 1737. (Sat.) Mr. Causton, the store keeper and chief
magistrate of Savannah, was seized with a slow fever. I attended
him every day (as I did any of my parishioners who were in any
painful or dangerous illness) and had a good hope, from the thank
fulness he showed, that my labor was not in vain.
Sun. July 3, 1737. Immediately after holy communion I mentioned
to Mrs. Williamson (Mr. Causton's niece) some things which I thought
reprovable in her behavior. At this she appeared extremely angry ;
said she did not expect such usage from me ; and at the turn of the
street through which we were walking home went abruptly away . The
next day Mrs. Causton endeavored to excuse her ; told me she was
exceedingly grieved for what had passed the day before and desired
me to tell her in writing what I disliked, which I accordingly did the
day following.
But first I sent Mr. Causton the following note : — Sir : To this hour
you have shown yourself my friend. I ever have and ever shall ac
knowledge it. And it is my earnest desire that He who hath hitherto
given me this blessing would continue it still. But this can not be
unless you will allow me one request, which is not so easy a one as it

16 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Memorial of what Grievances they lay under, which J3IS
they would put into my Hands, relying on my represent- g.
ing it to the Trustees in a true Light : To which I an
swered they might be assured I would act without any
Deceit in it either Way ; but as I thought it a common
Right which every one had, to lay their Complaints (if
well founded) before those who were the sole and proper
Judges to hear them, and apply such Remedies as they
saw expedient, so I apprehended it would be most
advisable to state Facts only, and recite the real Causes
of their present Uneasiness, without prescribing the Cure,
which undoubtedly belonged to the Trustees only to de
termine ; and to go farther, might probably give Offence,
appears : do not condemn me for doing, in the execution of my office, what I
think it my duty to do. If you can prevail upon yourself to allow me
this, even when I act without respect to persons, I am persuaded
there never will be, at least not long, any misunderstanding between
us. For even those who seek it shall, I trust, find no occasion against
me "except it be concerning the law of my God." I am, etc. July
5. 1737-
Wed. July 6, 1737. Mr. Causton came to my house with Mr. Bailiff
Parker and Mr. Recorder, and warmly asked ' 'How could you possi
bly think I could condemn you for executing any part of your office ?"
I said short ' ' Sir, what if I should think it the duty of my office to ex
pel one of your family from the holy communion"? He replied, "If
you expel me or my wife I shall require a legal reason. But I shall
trouble myself about none else. Let them look to themselves."
Wed. May 3, 1737. Sunday 7, I repelled Mrs. Williamson from the
holy communion. And Monday, 8, Mr. Recorder of Savannah, issued
out the warrant following : —
Georgia,Savannah . ss.
To all Constables, Tithingmen, and others, whom these may concern :
You, and each of you, are hereby required to take the body of John
Wesley, clerk.
And bring him before one of the bailiffs of the said town, to an
swer the complaint of William Williamson and Sophia his wife, for
defaming the Said Sophia, and refusing to administer to her the sacra
ment of the Lord's supper, in a public congregation, without cause ;
by which the said William Williamson is damaged one thousand
pounds sterling ; and for so doing, this is your warrant, certifying
what you are to do in the premises. Given under my hand and seal
the 8th day of August, Anno Dom. 1737. THO. CHRISTIE.
Tues. Aug. 9, 1737. Mr. Jones, the constable, served the warrant,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 17

especially if such Propositions were Innovations on some
Rules, that I conceived were laid down as Fundamentals,
on which this Colony was to be reared. They took
their Leave, and promised to show me the Result of
what they were now going about, after they had reduced
it to a Form ; for which Purpose, a select Number was
appointed, of which they two and Mr. Brownfield (as I
afterward learnt) were a Part. In the Afternoon I sat
awhile with the Magistrates, who were met at Mr. Caus-
ton's, when we had a great Variety of Discourse of the
present Posture of Affairs : I found them join firmly in
opinion with each other in all points ; setting forth Mr.
Bradley's indecent Behaviour in many Instances ; telling
and carried me before Bailiff Parker and Mr. Recorder. My answer
to them was that the giving or refusing the Lord's supper being a mat
ter purely ecclesiastical, I could not acknowledge their power to in
terrogate me upon it. Mr. Parker told me, "However, you must ap
pear at the next court, holden for Savannah". Mr. Williamson, who
stood by, said, "Gentlemen, I desire Mr. Wesley may give bail for his
appearance." But Mr. Parker immediately replied, "Sir, Mr. Wes
ley's word is sufficient."
Wed. 10. Mr. Causton (from a just regard, as his letter expressed
it, to the friendship which had subsisted between us till this affair)
required me to give the reasons in the court house why I expelled Mrs.
Williamson from the holy communion. I answered "I apprehend
many ill consequences may arise from so doing ; let the cause be laid
before the Trustees."
Thur. 11. Mr. Causton came to my house, and among many other
sharp words said, "Make an end of this matter : thou hadst best. My
niece to be used thus ! I have drawn the sword, and I will never
sheath it till I have satisfaction." Soon after, he added, "Give the
reasons of your repelling her before the whole congregation". I an
swered, "Sir, if you insist upon it, I will, and so you may be pleased
to tell her." He said, "write to her and tell her so yourself ". I said,
"I will", and after he went home I wrote as follows : —
To Mrs. Sophia Williamson.
At Mr. Causton's request I write at once. The rules whereby I pro
ceed are these : —
" So many as intend to be partakers of the holy communion shall
signify their names to the curate at least some time the day before".
This you did not do.
" And if any of these have done any wrong to his neighbor, by
word or deed, so that the congregation be thereby offended, the cu
rate shall advertise him that in any wise he presume not to come to the
2 c r— v 4

1787.
Novemb.

18 COLONIAL RECORDS.
me the Foundation of the Prosecution which was carried J^,
on against him, that it arose from divers Affidavits made or8em
of his frequent killing of Cattle ; that those Things be
ing laid before the Grand Jury, which consisted of a
large Number of Principal Freeholders, they had found
that Bill of Indictment against him, to which he had
pleaded Not Guilty ; and they were very glad he had
Temper enough to receive my Advice, and get it trav
ersed to another Time, rather than run the Risk of being
scandalously found Guilty as a Felon :
But that before my Coming, he had bid open Defiance
to the Court ; and on several Occasions, at other Times,
Mr. Wesley and he, and some others, who were closely
link'd in opposing the Magistrates in the Execution of
Lord's table until he hath openly declared himself to have truly
repented." If you offer yourself at the Lord's table on Sunday I will advertise
you (as I have done more than once) wherein you have done wrong.
And when you have openly declared yourself to have truly repented,
I will administer to you the mysteries of God.
August 11, 1737. JOHN WESLEY.
Mr. Delamotte carrying this, Mr. Causton said, among many other
warm sayings, "I am the person that am injured. The affront is
offered to me ; and I will espouse the cause of my niece. I am ill
used ; and I will have satisfaction if it be to be had in the world".
Which way this satisfaction was to be had I did not yet conceive.
But on Friday and Saturday it began to appear : Mr. Causton de
clared to many persons that " Mr. Wesley had repelled Sophie from
the holy communion purely out of revenge ; because he had made
proposals of marriage to her, which she rejected, and married Mr.
Williamson." Tuesday 16. Mrs. Williamson swore to and signed an affidavit in
sinuating more than it asserted ; she asserting that Mr. Wesley had
many times proposed marriage to her, all of which proposals she had
rejected. Of this I desired a copy. Mr. Causton replied, "Sir, you
may have one from any of the newspapers in America."
On Thursday or Friday was delivered out a list of twenty-six men
who were to meet as a grand jury on Monday the 22nd. But this list
was called in the next day, and twenty-four names added to it. Of
the grand jury (forty four of whom only met) one was a Frenchman
who did not understand English, one a Papist, one a professed infi
del, three Baptists, sixteen or seventeen other dissenters, and several
others who had personal quarrels against me and had openly avowed
revenge.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 19

Justice, used to come into the Court in a menacing Man
ner, crying out, Liberty, calling to the People to remember
they were Englishmen, &c. and that Mr. Wesley was gen
erally the principal Speaker, to harangue the People
though he had no Sort of Business, or any Call there ;
insomuch, that they had been divers Times apprehensive
of being mobb'd and turned off the Bench. In this
Manner was the Town divided, and very few remained
neuter, but espoused one Party or the other. After this
they proceeded to acquaint me, that the Constables,
Tything-men, &c. were many of them so influenced,
and led away by these Means, as any of them happened
to be personally piqued, that often they neglected the
To this grand jury on Monday, the 22nd, Mr. Causton gave a long
and earnest charge ' ' to beware of spiritual tyranny, and to oppose
the new, illegal authority which was usurped over their consciences."
Mrs. Williamson's affidavit was read, after which Mr. Causton de
livered to the grand jury a paper entitled: " A list of grievances,
presented by the Grand Jury for Savannah this  day of August,
1737." This the majority of the grand jury altered in some particu
lars, and on Thursday, September i, delivered it again to the Court,
under the form of two presentments, containing ten bills which were
read to the people.
Herein they asserted, upon oath, " That John Wesley, clerk, had
broken the laws of the realm, contrary to the peace of our sovereign
lord the King, his crown and dignity :
I. By speaking and writing to Mrs. Williamson against her hus
band's consent.
2. By repelling her from the holy communion.
3. By not declaring his adherence to the Church of England.
4. By dividing the Morning service on Sunday.
5. By refusing to baptize Mr. Parker's child otherwise than by dip
ping, except the parents would certify it was weak and not able to
bear it.
6. By expelling William Gough from the holy communion.
7. By refusing to read the Burial service over the body of Nathaniel
Polhill. 8. By calling himself Ordinary of Savannah.
9. By refusing to receive William Anglionby as a godfather, only
because he was not a communicant.
10. By refusing Jacob Matthews for the same reason, and baptizing
an Indian trader's child with only two sponsors. (This I own was
wrong ; for I ought at all hazards to have refused baptizing it till he
had produced a third.)

1737.
Novemb.

20 COLONIAL RECORDS.
due Execution of Warrants, whereby Justice was de
feated ; nay farther, that tho' it was well known there
were Abundance of unlicensed Tippling Houses in all
Parts of the Town, where Spirits were sold ; and that the
Magistrates had often given it to them in Charge to
present such Houses, (which they well knew) yet they
never could procure one Presentment from them : So
little Regard was paid to their Authority. Many other
Things passed in this Conversation, setting forth the
Hardships the Magistrates now lay under; and withal, that
their whole Time almost was spent to serve the Publick,
for which they never yet had any Recompence, (viz.
Parker and Christie) but were very great Losers ; and
Christie said plainly he resolved to quit, but upon my
Fri. Sep. 2. Was the third court at which I appeared since my be
ing carried before Mr. P. and the recorder. I now moved for an im
mediate hearing on the first bill, being the only one of a civil nature ;
but it was refused. I made the same motion in the afternoon ; but it
was put off until the next court day. ,
On the next court day I appeared again, as also at the two courts
following, but could not be heard because (the judge said) Mr. Wil
liamson was gone out of town.
The sense of the minority of the grand jury themselves (for they
were by no means unanimous) concerning these presentments, may
appear from the following paper which they transmitted to the Trus
tees. (Here follows a long paper written on the part of some of the
jurors, whose names are not given, dissenting from certain parts of
the presentment.)
This was signed by twelve of the grand jurors of whom three were
constables and six were tithingmen, who consequently would have
made a majority if the jury had consisted, as it regularly should
have done, of only fifteen members, viz. The four constables and
eleven tithingmen.
Thur. Nov. 3. I appeared again at the court, holden on that day,
and again at the court held Tuesday, Nov. 22nd. on which day Mr.
Causton desired to speak with me. He then read me some affidavits
which had been made September 15th last past, in one of which it
was affirmed that I had abused Mr. Causton in his own house, calling
him liar, villain, and so on. It was now likewise repeated before
several persons, which indeed I had forgot, that I had been repri
manded at the last court for an enemy to and hindrance of the pub
lic peace.
I again consulted my friends who agreed with me that the time we

t 17S7.
Novemb.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 21
saying I hoped he would not be too rash, he seemed ^?Hl
content to wait awhile longer, and see what the Trustees' NoT8emb
Pleasure was. Parker's Case I thought indeed deserved
particular Consideration; for thro' the Necessity of his
neglecting his own Business to serve the Publick, he was
run much behind hand ; and the very mean Habit he was
in, (very little better than the common Sort of the Popu
lace) too plainly shewed it, which upon the Bench must
appear despicable : Mr. Causton said a great many
Things in Commendation of his Perseverance, and steady
Behaviour, under all those Streights, which I could not
but think, would merit the Favour of the Trustees, and
that he would not be driven to make use of his Gown in
looked for was now come. And the next morning calling on Mr.
Causton, I told him I desired to set out for England immediately. I
set up an advertisement in the great square to the same effect, and
quietly prepared for my journey.
Fri. Dec. 2. I proposed to set out for Carolina about noon, the tide
then serving. But about ten the magistrates sent for me and told me
I must not go out of the province, for I had not answered the allega
tions laid against me. I replied, "I have appeared at six or seven
courts successively, in order to answer them. But I was not suffered
to do so when I desired it time after time". They then said, how
ever, I must not go unless I would give security to answer those alle
gations at their court. I asked " What security? " After consulting
together about two hours, the recorder showed me a kind of bond en
gaging me under a penalty of fifty pounds, to appear at their court
when I should be required. He added, "But Mr. Williamson too has
desired of us that you should give bail to answer his action". I then
told them plainly, "Sir, you use me very ill, and so you do the Trus
tees. I will give neither a bond nor any bail at all. You know your
business and I know mine"
In the afternoon the magistrates published an order requiring all the
officers and sentinels to prevent my going out of the province, and
forbidding any person to assist me to do so. Being now only a pris
oner at large in a place where I knew by experience every day would
give fresh opportunity to procure evidence of words I never said and
actions I never did, I saw clearly the hour was come for leaving this
place, and as soon as evening prayers were over, about eight oclock,
the tide then serving, I shook off the dust of my feet, and left Geor
gia, after having preached the Gospel there (not as I ought but as I
was able) one year and nearly nine months.

22 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Court, as a Cover for Rags. After two or three Hours ™,

Novemb.

Conference on such Topicks we parted.
Wednesday. Mr. Causton called on me in the Morn- 9.
ing, telling me that Mr. Watson being released from his
Confinement, by Order of the Trustees, the next Affair
would be to settle Accounts with him ; and as he ex
pected him immediately at his House for that Purpose,
he wished I would be present, to observe what passed ;
whereupon I went with him, and finding it a long, intri
cate, and tedious Piece of Work, wherein they could not
readily agree in divers Articles, I proposed to them to
refer it to two indifferent Men, to be named by them
selves, who were well-skilled in Trade and Accounts, to
state it betwixt them ; which, though not definite, yet
might be a Means to shorten the Dispute, by placing it
in such a Light as would give each a clearer View of the
Whole : They both agreed to it, and two such Persons
were named as proposed. Several of my Servants that
came with me continuing sickly, under the Care of one
whom Mr. Causton recommended, I could yet employ
none of them to any great Purpose.
Thursday. Busy the Forenoon writing on various 10.
Occasions: After Dinner Mr. Causton called on me again,
desiring I should be present to hear what passed be
twixt him and some of the Moravians, whom he expected
at his House by Appointment, and to whom he was to
communicate such Advice as he had newly received from
the Trustees: The Reason, he said, why he asked me to
be there, was, because he knew they had been tampered
with by some of the disaffected People of the Town, and
were grown apprehensive, that the Liberties which Count
Zinzendorff had stipulated for them with the Trustees,
were in Danger of being infringed: I went and sat with
them for some Time ; and upon Mr. Causton's reading
the Rules and Orders which the Trustees requir'd to be

COLONIAL RECORDS. 23

1787.

Novemb. 10

observed towards them, by the Magistrates, &c. they dis
covered great Contentment, and went away extremely
well pleased.
Friday. Mr. Watson made me a Visit this Morning, n.
bringing Mr. Coates (the Constable) with him, who was
constantly his Companion, and entered on a long Narration
of his Confinement and Sufferings from the Beginning,
alledging, that the whole Proceeding was illegal and un
justly founded ; particularly that the Verdict was wrongly
transmitted to the Trustees, that there was no original
Record from whence to take a Copy, that he was hur
ried on to his Trial instantaneously in an arbitrary Man
ner, and threatened by the Magistrates before the Prose
cution commenced, that unless he quitted the Province,
he might depend on certain Ruin ; but that was what he
could not do, (he said) without first getting his Effects
together, which were very considerable ; wherefore the
Prosecution was then carried on with unexampled Rigour
and Injustice: In all which Mr. Coates concurr'd.
Then he expatiated on the many sad Consequences
which ensued from that Time to this, wherein he wanted
not Words to utter himself plausibly; but I could not
readily believe everything as Fact, not doubting but good
Reasons were to be offer'd in Answer, such as I was not
Master of ; moreover, I thought him a little too much
transported, and carried away with Flights sometimes in
his Discourse, which had the Appearance of a distem
pered Head. After great Part of the Morning taken up
in this Manner, I could only tell him, (as I did) that if
there was any Thing which he thought might be of Use
to him, to lay before the Trustees, if he would put it in
Writing, and leave it with me to peruse, I would there
after let him know my Opinion, how far it was proper
for me to meddle, or acquaint the Trustees with it: So
we parted.
Saturday. Little worth Observation this Day, partly 12.

24 COLONIAL RECORDS.
spent at home, and partly in walking round the adjacent il^,
c Novemb.
Lots. 12-
Sunday. Mr. Wesley preach'd on these Words, Is it 13.
lawful to give Tribute unto Caesar ot not ? from whence he
discoursed largely on the duties of Magistrates in their
several subordinate Ranks and Degrees, and the Obedi
ence due from the People ; setting forth how far it was,
nevertheless consistent with Christian Liberty, for Peo
ple to insist on their Rights, when they found themselves
oppressed by inferior Magistrates exercising a discretion
ary Authority, which exceeded their Commission ; as an
Instance whereof, he laid down St. Paul's Behaviour,
when the chief Captain had him before him, and how ap
prehensive the chief Captain was, of his having gone too
far, as it is related in the twenty-second Chapter of the
Acts ; and on another Occasion, when St. Paul had been
evil intreated of the Magistrates at Philippi, who the
next Day ordered him to be set at Liberty, &c. he then
put on a peculiar Spirit, in the thirty-seventh Verse of
the Sixteenth of the Acts. This seeming to be urged
with an uncommon Emphasis, some were of Opinion,
that it pointed directly at Mr. Watson's Case, who was
one of the Audience, and who had been advised by the
Magistrates, upon his being newly discharged, to make
haste out of the Province ; and whom (it was said) Mr.
Wesley was now very intimate with. The Congregation
was very thin again, which I was sorry to see ; but I
found that the Magistrates, and many of the principal
Inhabitants of late, had wholly absented themselves
from Church ; nevertheless, I thought it my Duty not to
abstain from the publick Worship, whatever Failings the
Minister might have, which in Time would be more
fully known, whether more or less grievous, but at
present represented in a bad Light by too many.
Monday. Walked early in the Morning, by Appoint- u_
ment, about two Miles out of Town, to view the Road,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 25
with Mr. Robert Williams, who had the Care and Inspec- ^^
tion of it; and I thought it carried on with good Judg- No]|mb'
ment. My Son Ball's five Acres Lot laying near it, I
spent some Time in looking narrowly into it, and re
turned home a little before Noon, intending to set on
some Hands very soon to begin clearing of it. Mr.
Causton (who went on Saturday to his Country-House)
return'd to Town this Evening.
Tuesday. This Day arrived a Sloop laden with Pro- 15.
visions of divers Kinds from New York, (Lubois, Master)
which was very welcome ; for in all the Time that I have
known Savannah, several Sorts of them were never more
wanted: The greatest Part of it was consigned to Hen-
riquez Nunis, a Jew Inhabitant here, who is one of the
greatest Substance among them; and whereas our Neigh
bors of Carolina were grown very slack in supplying this
Market; though they knew our Wants, and seemed to
talk of it with Pleasure, (as I thought, when lately among
them) representing the Colony in a starving Condition,
without Money or Credit; I was of Opinion, that this
Importer should not want Encouragement, provided he
sold his Goods equally cheap with others; whereby we
might shew them, that we were in a Condition to help
ourselves, and wanted neither Money nor Means, to be
furnished with what we desired. The other Part of the
Cargo was in the Master's Disposal; and what Mr. Caus
ton found needful for the Stores, he would take of each
of them: The rest, such as many Sorts of Garden-Roots,
Cabbages, Fowls, Butter, Beer, &c. the Inhabitants were
ready very eagerly to take off their Hands. The Master ,
reported, that he spoke with Capt. Thompson on his Pas
sage off the Coast, on Saturday in the Evening; and
early on Sunday Morning, havipg lost Sight of him, he
heard the Firing of several Muskets, which he doubted
might be from his Ship in Distress; and this gave us no
small Apprehension of Thompson's Danger: But late in
the Evening of this Day, Capt. Thompson came very

26 COLONIAL RECORDS.
agreeably to us himself, in his Boat from Tybee, where ^^,
he had left his Ship safe at Anchor, and all was well: N°™mb-
But the Danger he had been in, was real; for he ac
quainted us how he had struck upon the Flats on Sunday
Morning off the Bar of Charles-Town, occasion'd by the
Negligence of his Mate, who had steer'd a different
Course from what he had order'd, whilst he lay down to
get a little Rest, after being fatigued, and the Weather
at that Time very moderate.
Wednesday. Mr. Bradley came and sat some Time 16.
with me in the Morning, entertaining me with a long
Narration of his Grievances (almost endless to go
through the particulars of) the Substance whereof in
general was, That he found himself much disappointed
in what Encouragement he thought he had good Grounds
to expect; that he apprehended some Promises would
scarcely ever be fulfilled which had been made to him;
but on the contrary he was subjected to Mr. Causton,
who being jealous of him, as of one capable of discern
ing his dark Practices, had therefore set himself against
him, and not only refused, in an arbitrary Manner, to
deliver such Money and Stores to him as he had a Right
from the Trust to demand, but sought all Ways possible
to ruin him, whereof his late Prosecution was a flagrant
Instance. Then he told me (as a secret) that Causton
had already began his underhand Craft in relation to
me, and insinuated into some People's Heads, that they
should not give too hasty Credit to all I said; for that
he was well assured I put some Things in a better Light
than they deserved; particularly, that all those strong
Assurances I had given of the honourable Trustees hav
ing it much at Heart to make every Body as easy as
possible, who were truly industrious, and conformed
themselves to the Laws and Rules of the Place, he
thought to be Words of course; and as to Mr. Ogle
thorpe's coming shortly, he gave little Heed to that, for
he had Reason to think otherwise. When I press'd him

COLONIAL RECORDS. 27
to let me know how he could get such Intelligence of ™!^
Mr. Causton's talking in that Manner, whom every Body NovJmb'
knew to be of so close and reserved a Temper; he said
he had it from Mr. Brown of Highgate, whom Mr. Caus
ton said all this to lately, and a great deal more: I
seem'd to listen to it; but when I found it came through
that Canal, was in myself convinced, that supposing Mr.
Causton to have ever so bad Intention to discredit me,
yet I knew he had too much sense to make a Confident
of a Man of Mr. Brown's Character, who is seldom so
ber, or has the Use of his Reason. Some other Persons
coming to speak with me, put an end to our farther Con
fidence for the present. I saw plainly, that every Hour
of my Time might be so employed, if I shewed too
much Inclination that Way: A little now and then (I
thought) would be Time not ill bestowed, in hearing what
the prime Sticklers for each Party had to accuse their
Adversaries with; by which I might form at length the
better Judgment of those Matters, which produced so
much Strife. In several Occurrences of this Day, I learnt
that Capt. Hugh McKay had been very industrious in
the Highlands to make bad impressions on the Minds
of the People there, with relation to this Colony: A
great deal Capt. Thompson complained of, and gave
many Instances; but from James Anderson (a Carpenter)
I got more Particulars, especially by a Letter which he
shewed me he had received from one of the Magistrates
of Inverness (Bailey Avis) who was his Friend and Kins
man, wherein I read abundance of malicious and false
Reports, spread by him to the Discredit of the Trust,
and the great Discouragement of many who were other
wise well disposed to come over, and seek a Livelihood
here. Thursday. Capt. Thompson's Ship coming up the 17.
River, now lay a little below Augustin Creek at Anchor;
the Tides flowing so short at present, made the Pilot
fearful to venture farther by Yoakley's Bank for want of

28 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Water, till it flowed higher. In the Evening Mr. Brown- ™j
field came and sat with me alone: He entered freely v/ith Nov«mb-
me into Discourse, which 1 gave the readier Attention to,
knowing him to be capable of informing me of most of
the Transactions here; but at the same Time I knew it
behooved me to be upon my Guard, lest he should mis
lead me through Prejudice: He professed a Neutrality as
to all Parties, condemning without Distinction, most of
their Proceedings, and laying open the different motives
which they went on; particularly the Parson, Mr. Caus
ton, Bradley, &c. whom he equally censur'd for Violence
and Passion; but I found him (as I thought) attach'd
more particularly to Messieurs Williams, McKay, and
that Knot, who complained so loudly of the Tenure of
their Land, and the Impossibility they lay under of Im
provements, which he said had been sadly experienced,
by several who had thrown out most of their Substance
that way, and found themselves every year falling more
and more back, notwithstanding their utmost Endeavours,
Thrift, and Industry: I heard all he said, interposing only
a few Words now and then, to discover (if I could) what
he principally drove at: And in the main I judg'd him
studious in projecting some Amendments, in many Parts
of the present Management, as well with relation to the
Improvement of Lands, as the Execution of Justice; but
blaming all such as were led by Passion, and made great
Clamours, which he said was not so likely a Way of in
ducing the Trustees to hearken to their Complaints, as by
representing their Grievances in a modest and submissive
Stile; wherein I did not stick to concur with him in Opin
ion; and after two or three Hours so spent, he took
Leave. Friday. Mr. Bradly with me again early this Morn- is,
ing, together with Mr. Aglionby, bringing with them a
copy of the Representation of the Grand Jury, dated the
first of September last, which they had sent to London
to be considered by the Trustees; and as Mr. Brownfield

COLONIAL RECORDS. 29
was Foreman, I could not much hesitate in Judging who ^JL
it was that drew it up, especially when his Discourse last No^|mb-
Night (so fresh in my Thoughts) was so much of a Piece
with this. They left it with me to peruse, and after a
little of their usual Talk, went off, upon Capt. Thomp
son's coming to me with three Highland Servants, which
he brought with him from Inverness, instead of Six that
were levied, three of whom run away afterwards, fright
ened at the Report made of Georgia by Capt. Hugh
McKay. Meeting Mr. Robert Williams in my Walk this
Day, he fell into the former and constant Discourse
again, touching the Tenure of the Lands, &c. warmly ex
postulating thereon, and producing a Letter he had re
ceived from some Merchants at Bristol lately, to whom
he made Proposals of carrying on a Trade here in Part
nership; but they had rejected it with contempt, alledg-
ing, that no Factor could act with Safety, or give any
Credit for Goods, where no proper Security could be
offered; by which Means all our India Trade here, which
is the most valuable of any, could not be supported; for
no Merchant, either of London or Bristol, would venture
to risk anything among People whose Property was so
precarious, that they could not make a Title to it; where
fore his Friends advised him by all Means to quit his
whole Affairs here, and leave them at any Event, with
out throwing away any more Money, to no other End
than his own Loss. He added, that he expected a Ship
very soon from his Brother in the Leeward Islands, only in
Ballast, which he knew not what to do with; but that his
Brother at St. Kitt's, to whom he was a Partner, had
wrote to him, that unless he came away with the Ship,
and quitted this Place, he would dissolve the Partnership,
and leave him to fall by himself. I reasoned cooly with
him as well as I could; but he seemed resolute (whether
so or not.) Some Time after I called on Mr. Causton, to
considei how far it was proper to take Notice of what had
passed, and what Consequences might be expected: Each
of us resting in one Opinion, after a little Talk, that this

30 COLONIAL RECORDS.
was a Contrivance betwixt Mr. Williams and his Corre- ^t
spondents, to bring about a design of those Merchants to NoTJmb-
get Possession of great Part of the Lands of the Province,
which would not be hard to do, if the Proprietors of
Lands here had a Power of mortgaging; and by that
Means cultivating Lands would find no Encouragement,
farther than as it conduced to promote mercantile Traf-
fick. It was expected, that this Scene would open more
intelligibly in a short Time.
Saturday. Little occurred worth Note this Day: But 19-
in the Evening I was informed, upon Mr. Watson's giv
ing out Threats, what he would do when he came to Eng
land, in calling all People to Account for what was past;
Mrs. Musgrave's Husband (Matthews) apprehended he
might mean him (among others) some Trouble in a re
mote Country, on account of a Partnership subsisting be
twixt Musgrave and Watson; he thought it his best Way,
to learn before he went, what Demands (if any) he had
upon him, which he was not aware of; and therefore got
a Warrant from the Magistrates against him, to bring
him to Account here; which Warrant he gave to the
Tythingman then upon Duty to serve, and offered to go
with him and shew him where he was; but the Tything
man refused serving it, for that Reason, because he was
upon Guard. Upon Enquiry I found that some Disputes
of the like Nature had happened before, concerning the
Officer upon Guard's Duty, in that Point, whether he
was obliged to execute a Warrant in a civil Action, or
not, whilst he was upon a different Duty; and it remain'd
yet a Controversy which might produce very bad Effects;
as particularly in this Case; to-morrow being Sunday,
when no civil Process can issue, in case Watson should
remove out of the Province before Monday, by that
Means the Action is defeated: Moreover it is of the
utmost Importance (as I conceive) that ready Obedience
be paid to all Warrants from the Civil Power, for Rea
sons too obvious to be named. Upon this Matthews (now

COLONIAL RECORDS. 31

nearly allied to the Indians by Marriage) resolved imme
diately to appoint two or three of them to watch the
Passage, and if Watson offer'd to go off, to stop him,
waiting what Monday would produce.
Sunday. Mr. Wesley gave us a Sermon upon the sev
eral Kinds of Passion, from these Words (Jesus wept)
setting forth how far they were consistent with Chris
tianity, as our blessed Saviour himself was subject to all
of them in his human Nature, except Hatred, which he
shewed in nothing but against Vice, and therein person
ally towards none: The well-regulating those Passions
therefore, was the Christian's Duty. In treating of which,
he shewed himself a good Casuist (as I thought) but such
a metaphysical Discourse, would have been better adapted,
in my Apprehension, to a learned Audience, than such a
poor, thin Congregation of People, who rather stood in
need of plain Doctrine. In the Afternoon Capt. Thomp
son's Ship finding Water enough in the River, came up
to the Town, saluted the Fort, and his Compliment was
returned. Monday. My Servants now beginning to recover
Strength after their Sickness, I resolved, with such as I
had, to begin work this Morning, in clearing the Lot
near Town, which belonged to my Son-in-Law, that had
been before shewn to me; but some Doubt arising,
whether I was mistaken or not in what I thought right,
and that being said to me by an old Inhabitant, the Sur
veyor Jones being also out of Town, about twelve Miles,
upon some Lands where he was beginning an Improve
ment, I sent a Messenger with a Horse to call him to
Town, and ascertain it, before I would begin. The Affair
of Watson's being apprehended, continued still subject
to much Obstruction, from several of the Officers evad
ing artfully, or some refusing positively, to execute that
Warrant: And upon a little private Conference I had with
the Magistrates, I found they were apprehensive of worse

Novemb. 19.

20.

32 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1737.
Novemb.

Thiners: for they were informed divers of the Officers
lately declared they did not value their Commissions, 21
but were ready and desirous to give them up, rather than
be subject to such Servitude (as they termed it) and Dis
couragement of all Kinds: So exasperated were they
grown through the Influence of those, who to make their
Party considerable, had filled their Heads with Fears and
Jealousies, of being perpetually laden with Grievances,
for which there was no Likelihood of Redress. I exhorted
them to be of good Courage, and steady in pursuing the
Thing that was right, and did not doubt but I should
shortly see them disunite again, and fall out one with
another. We appointed to meet again to-morrow Morn
ing, and consult what was expedient.
Tuesday. This Morning early I went to meet the 22.
Magistrates at Mr. Causton's, and this being the Day to
which the Court, that was holden at my first coming to
Town, was adjourned, I found them in Dispute about put
ting on their Gowns ; whether at this Time it would be
proper, or better deferred till Matters were more com
posed : I recommended to them to read what the Trus
tees had wrote in their Letter concerning it; where it
was found they meant it as a Favour to the Town, in giv
ing greater Weight, and Shew of the Authority of the
Magistrates : Mr. Causton seemed to be of Opinion
with me, that it would be so, and urged, that the not doing
it carried the Appearance of Coldness : Mr. Parker pro
fessed a great Desire to shew all dutiful Obedience to
the Trustees' Orders, and appealed to those present how
far his Zeal in the Service had carried him for supporting
the Establishment, even to his very great Loss by such
frequent Attendance in Town on publick Business,
whilst his own was neglected ; nevertheless he would
persist, as long as he was able, in so doing ; and nothing
should terrify him, in Conjunction with his Brethren ;
then he asked me how well his Gown would fit such mean
Apparel (as indeed he had on :) and I found the poor

COLONIAL RECORDS. 33
Man's low Circumstances sat heavy on his Thoughts ; ^j
but he did not want a good Share of Understanding. I No^|mb-
was surprised a little at Mr. Christie, the Recorder's
shewing such an Indifference to put on his Gown now or
hereafter ; for he had executed that Office (he said) from
the Beginning, during so many Years, that it took up al
most his whole Time, for which he had no other Recom-
pence than to bear the Brunt of all Clamour, and was es
teemed among the Disaffected, no other than Mr. Caus-
ton's Tool ; that he had often sought for Leave to quit
it, but was persuaded otherwise ; and now he was fully
determined. Mr. Causton replied, that it was well known he him
self was the Butt which all the Fury was shot at ; and
that the Recorder had not so much Reason to complain
on that Score ; and with some Warmth declared, that if
Mr. Christie declin'd his Office, he would no more hold
any Court, but be ready to act hereafter, only as a pri
vate Magistrate. From what passed, and more that fell
from them, I perceived there was grown an inward Cold
ness betwixt those two, though it was not visible to out
ward Appearance. I reasoned the Matter as well as I
could with Mr. Christie, and asked him what Opinion all
the World must have of his good Will to the Publick, if he
withdrew at such a Crisis, when every good Man ought
to exert himself : Upon which he so far recollected him
self, as to assure me he did not intend to throw up in
such an abrupt Manner as I conceived ; that I should see
he would proceed with the same Vigour he had ever done,
for the good of the Publick, till some fitter Person was
appointed in his Room, desiring me to represent it to the
Trustees, in the most dutiful Manner. After much Time
spent in this Conference, it was judged most advisable to
adjourn the Court, by Notice fixt on the Court-house
Door (as was customary) till to-morrow. In the mean
while Affidavits were to be taken by the Recorder from
the several Complainants against such Officers as had re-
3 e r— v i

34 COLONIAL RECORDS.
fused to execute Warrants, and thereupon those Officers ^j^,
were to be summoned to answer them. °T,|mb-
Wednesday. Several Affidavits being taken pursuant 23.
to Yesterday's Deliberation; it was thought best to take
another Opportunity for summoning the Officers com
plained of, before the Magistrates, and enquire into it in
a private Manner, rather than at the Court to be held
this Day, where the Temper of the People might be ob
served : And there being no Matter of extraordinary
Moment to come on, Mr. Causton (who had Abundance
of Business on his Hands, which required- Dispatch) de
sired Messieurs Parker and Christie to open the Court
without him, and if any Thing particular happened
which required his Attendance, or Assistance, he would,
upon Notice, come to them. They did so, and went
through the whole Affair of the Day with great Tran
quility, and no Interruption ; whereat they expressed
themselves much pleased, because it was more than they
expected : And Mr. Christie told me, he had now read
my Commission in open Court, which I had put into his
Hands to do at a former Court ; but it was then (as he
said) forgot. And now I renewed to them our former
Discourse about putting on their Gowns, which they
shewed a better Disposition to than before, when they
were not in so good Humour : And I promised myself to
see the general Ferment subside by Degrees, if a firm
Unanimity and Resolution was preserved among those
who had the executive Power ; so that the next Court
should be opened with due Solemnity. Mr. Wesley
having sent to Mr. Causton for a Copy of some Papers,
occasioned through their falling out, Mr. Causton sent
him Word, that if he would come to him, or give him an
Opportunity of a few Words, he would give him Copies
of any Thing he asked ; and Mr. Wesley thereupon send
ing him Word he would wait on him after Dinner, Mr.
Causton desired me to be present, and hear what passed.
When they met, some Marks of Resentment were easily

COLONIAL RECORDS. 35
discoverable from their Words, as might be expected ^^_
betwixt two Persons at Variance, recriminating on each NovJ||nb-
other ; wherein I really thought Mr. Causton most vehe
ment, alledging high Provocations (too long to insert
here) which I presume he lays fully open before the
Trustees ; as it is likewise to be presumed Mr. Wesley
does on his Part. What I thought most worthy my ob
serving therefore, was, that though the Parson appeared
more temperate in the Debate, yet he shewed a greater
Aversion to a Coalition than the other : For Mr. Caus
ton very readily told him (after the first Heat was over)
that to show his Disposition to an Accommodation, he
should find him come to Church again, and willing to
pass over a good many Things that seemed to obstruct
a good Understanding with one another: But no such
Advances were made (as I could find) by Mr. Wesley ;
who by his Replies seemed to be of Opinion, that a Re
conciliation was hardly possible. However, from what
happened, I hop'd that this Beginning might lead on far
ther Steps the same Way, and end well at last: They
parted with mutual civilities. Some Time after (the
same Evening) Mr. Williamson arrived from Charles-
Town, who was the Person that married Mr. Causton's
Niece, from whence all this Feud arose ; and he went
away from Savannah not long after the Breach began,
giving out that he would go for England ; but now he
returned again : And meeting him on his coming ashore,
I told him what had passed this Day, and the Hopes I
had of seeing two old Friends unite again : Which he
was so far from being pleased at, that he made a solemn
Asseveration, that if such an Agreement came to pass,
he would not stay under the same Roof an Hour : From
whence I doubted the Breach would widen again.
Thursday. Mr. Jones the Surveyor being come to 24.
Town again, I went with him to see the five Acre Lot,
where I purposed at present to employ what Hands I
had ; and as it was run out before, he readily shewed me

36 COLONIAL RECORDS.
the Bounds, and renewed the Marks in each Line, which
had been formerly made. At my return to Town, I was
a little surprised to hear that Mr. Wesley had fix'd up a
public Advertisement signifying his Intent of going soon
for England.
The Magistrates convened again this Evening at Mr.
Causton's, where I was present ; when they sent first for
one Gough a Tything-man, who was one of those Offi
cers against whom Affidavits had been made for disobey
ing their Warrants : He behaved with Pertness very un
becoming, telling them, that whatever Warrants he had
served, he looked on as a Matter of Courtesy ; which
justly provoked them, and I took upon me to tell him
how justly he deserved proper Treatment, reproaching
him with his cabaling against the established Authority,
and how inexcusable he was, when I knew that at Mr.
Oglethorpe's last departure, he had acted so as to be in
his good Esteem, and received some Marks of his Fa
vour, which had he persever'd in, he might have expected
reasonable Encouragement from the Trustees. He of
fered some few Excuses not very material, but principally,
that he hop'd that he was not more culpable than others
who had done the like. Upon his seeming Disposition
and Promises to behave more orderly for the future, and
to be as forward as any in promoting the publick Service,
as I had aggravated his Offences before, I now became an
Intercessor for him, and prevailed with the Magistrates
to try how he would perform in Time coming; being of
Opinion, that during these Discontents, a little Mildness
shown to such as had an Inclination to reform, might op
erate well ; but Severity was requisite for the Obstinate.
'Twas thought best, therefore, after this, to call now and
then one of those Offenders at a Time before them (two
among which were Constables) after some of the most
deserving of them had been first talked with in private,
and better advised ; which part I undertook to try with
one or two of them, whom I had formerly known of a
different Disposition. Before we parted Mr. Causton

1737.

Novemb. 21.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 37
shewed me a Packet from the Trustees, sent as long since 1737-
as by Capt. Scott in the Seaforth (Copies of which he N^mb.
had received by another Ship long ago), which Packet
now received was broke open, though sealed with three
Seals, and came inclosed to him from Mr. Eveleigh
at Charles-Town, without one Word about it.
Friday. Spent this whole Day at Home in private, as.
and had no Intelligence of any Thing worth remark ;
only that the Pettyagua bound for Darien with the
Scotch Servants, and others, for Frederica, (who all
came with Capt. Thompson) sailed this Morning.
Saturday. Very early this Morning I went with what 26.
Servants I had that were able to work, and set them on
at the five Acre Lot to clear the Ground, &c. At my
return I read a publick Advertisement fixt up in the
Common Place by Mr. Williamson, and signifying, That
whereas Mr. Wesley had given publick Notice of his
Intention to go soon for England; he did hereby notify,
that there was a Cause depending in this Court, where
he had brought his Action against the said Mr. Wesley
for 1000 I. Damages ; and therefore, if any one should
aid and assist Mr. Wesley in going out of the Province,
he would prosecute such Person with the utmost Rigour.
So that from what each of them had advertised, I now
began to lay aside all Hopes of an Accommodation be
twixt those Families; which would be a Means (I feared)
of keeping these Party Divisions alive; many being led
by their Passions to espouse that Side which carried on
an Opposition to such as they were at personal Enmity
with; whilst several of them, I plainly saw, cared little in
Reality for either.
Sunday. Mr. Wesley, in his Discourse this Day on 27,
Acts xx. 26, 27. took occasion to explain what was
meant by the Counsel of God; and enforced the Practice
of all Christian Duties very pathetically; which he was

38 COLONIAL RECORDS.
well qualified to do always. Some People imagined iZJL
from the Choice of his Text, that he meant it as a Sort °27.
of Farewell Sermon; but it did not appear so to me from
any particular Expressions that could shew it.
Monday. Mr. Paris, (a gentleman of large Plantations, 28.
and one of the Assembly of Carolina) who came to Town
last Night, made me a Visit this Morning, when among
other Discourse he informed me, that one Mr. Nicholson,
who had formerly been a Factor for the South Sea Com
pany at the Havannah, was lately obliged by the Span
iards to quit that Place, together with all other British
Subjects, except only two or three that were immediately
employed by the Company; that he had in his Passage
for England wrote a Letter directed for Mr. Oglethorpe
at Georgia, or in his Absence to the Commander in Chief
there, importing the Designs of the Spaniards against
these two Provinces, and what Preparations they were
making; which Letter he had given to Capt. Percy, Com
mander of a Ship bound from Europe first to Philadel
phia, and thence to Charles-Town, whom he met in his
Way, having the Letter ready to give the first Ship he
found. Mr. Paris farther added, that in like Manner one
Mr. Campbell on board the same Ship with Nicholson,
had wrote a Letter, and sent it to his Friend  in
Charles-Town by Capt. Percy: which Letter he (Mr.
Paris) had seen; and wherein he wrote in Substance as
follows, viz. "I write nothing of Politicks to you, Mr.
" Nicholson having wrote fully of that to Mr. Oglethorpe,
"which will be publick soon enough." On this Occasion
Mr. Paris shewed a great Desire to come at some Knowl
edge of the Truth of it; and understanding by what he
heard at Charles-Town, that this Letter from Nicholson
was sent thence by a. trading Boat of Mr. Eveleigh's
(which Boat came to Savannah a Day before him) he
concluded, that it was come to Mr. Causton's Hands :
Mr. Causton not being just then at Home, after Dinner,
as soon as he heard Mr. Paris had enquired for him, came

COLONIAL RECORDS. 39
and found him out at a publick House; when upon hear- ^L
ing this Relation of Things, he said he had not received Nov2|™b'
any such Letter, nor any other, by Mr. Eveleigh's Boat
from Charles-Town; but he was informed there was a
Packet directed to Mr. Purry (who was now at Purrys-
burgh) and he would send a Boat thither on Purpose to
enquire whether there was any Letter for him, or not.
And nothing else material passed this Day concern
ing it.
Tuesday. This Day passed without any Occurrences 29.
worth Note. Mr. Causton could not find that any Letter
for him from Charles-Town came either by Mr. Eve
leigh's Boat, or any other Way: So that Talk which
Yesterday filled all Conversation, relating to the Span
iards, began to die away, and was little regarded. Mr.
Wesley continued in his Resolution of going forthwith
to England, and Friday was given out as the Day of his
Departure. Wednesday. Mess. Watson and Coates with me again 30.
this Morning, when Coates produced a large Sheet of
Paper, close wrote, containing a Multitude of Grievances
that many People (as he said) laboured under; great Part
of which he laid to the Charge of Mr. Causton; but upon
reading it, though out of such a Heap possibly some few
Errors might upon a strict Inquisition be found, I could
not clearly discover any Thing remarkably culpable: It
was plainly evident, that much Malice was at the Bottom
of it, having been the Work of some Years to collect it;
and as I knew the querulous and litigious Temper of the
Complainant, I thought the less of it; though I gave no
Room for them to accuse me of Partiality, or Unwilling
ness to hear, what any one would lay to the charge of
those who had the chief Rule. Coates offered to make
Affidavit of all that was wrote; but I told him I had no
such Authority; which he seemed disappointed at; and
after a great deal of Talk they took their Leave. Mr.

40 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Paris called to make me a Compliment at his going off i^Il,
for Charles-Town: He acquainted me, that he had just No^om '
received Advice, that Colonel Broughton, their Lieu
tenant-Governor, died last Week. I wrote a letter by him
to Mr. Hopton (at Mrs. Jennys's) putting him in Mind
not to fail advising me timely of all Ships going for
England. This being the Festival of St. Andrew, was
observ'd by the Scotch here with the usual Form; and in
the Evening I joined them at a publick House, where
they were all in good Humor and chearful.
Thursday. Walked out to see my People how they Decemb.
went on with their Work, where only four were em
ployed, three of them being ill at Home ; and ever since
my Arrival some or other of them were ailing every
Day, which required a Doctor's continual Attendance,
and like to prove very chargeable. From thence I took
a Round among the neighbouring Lots, and returned
Home not till Noon. After Dinner I wanted not Em
ployment at Home to take up the rest of the Day.
Friday. Another Servant taken ill at his Work this 2.
Morning, and came Home; so now I had but three
Abroad. This being the Day of Mr. Wesley's intended
going off, the Magistrates met, and he sent them a very
short Letter of two Lines unsealed, acquainting them,
that some Matters of Moment required his waiting on
the Trustees, and he desired to know if they had any
Design to stop him: To which they returned a verbal
Answer, importing, that since he did not think fit to enter
into a Recognizance for his appearing at the Court, to
answer what was alledged against him, the}' could not
give up the Authority of the Court. After which they
gave publick Notice to all Constables and Tything-men,
in case he attempted to go off, to apprehend him, or any
Person who should aid and assist him therein.
Saturday. Notwithstanding all the Precaution that 3.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 41
was taken, it was known this Morning, that Mr. Wesley ™!^
went off last Night, and with him Coates a Constable, De^mb-
Gough a Tything-man, and one Campell a Barber. This
surprized most People (even many of those who wished
him best) that he should take such Company with him ;
for there scarce could be found Men more obnoxious:
Coates especially was, and had been a long while one of
the principal Fomenters of Mischief, a busy Fellow,
always taking upon him in Court to be an Advocate and
Pleader for any Delinquent; going from House to House
with idle Stories to fill Peoples Heads with Jealousies,
and distinguishing himself for a most inveterate oppo
sition to all Rules of Government: All which was evident
to myself, as well from what I observed when here for
merly, as more especially now since my Arrival: More
over, he was greatly accountable to the Trust on divers
Articles, as well as indebted to many People: And to
add to all this, he had never improved one Foot of Land
since he came to the Province, or built any Thing more
than a very mean Hut. Gough was also a very idle
Fellow, pert and impudent in his Behaviour, alwa)-s (of
late) kicking against the Civil Power, and making it his
Business to enflame a Sedition: He likewise had little to
shew of any Improvement, more than setting up the
Shell of a House, which he never near finished, though
(if I am rightly informed) he had received considerable
Favours to enable him; and now went off in many Peo
ples Debt, leaving a Wife and Child behind him, who
even in this forlorn State scarcely grieve at his Absence,
since he used to beat them more than feed them. Cam
pell was an insignificant loose Fellow, fit for any Leader
who would make a Tool of him ; and all the visible
Motive at present to be found for his going off, was in
so doing to escape his Creditors. As I was always ready
and willing, in Conversation or otherwise, to make Al
lowance for Mr. Wesley's Failings in Policy, and (out
of Respect' to his Function) careful not to run hastily
into an entire Belief of all I heard laid to his Charge, I

1737.
Deoemb.

42 COLONIAL RECORDS.
was now asked by divers, in a sneering Way, what my
Sentiments were of him; which indeed puzzled me: Nos-
citur ex Sociis was the common By-word; and all I had to
say was, that he must stand or fall by himself, when his
Cause came before the Trustees.
Sunday. Mr. Bradley came to me, telling me the Oc- *•
casion of it was to inform me, that a Servant-Boy of his
had (unknown to him) been one of those to help row the
Boat for Mr. Wesley ; that the Boy had been missing
from Friday Evening till last Night, when he came
Home again; and upon asking him where he had been,
he told him with Mr. Wesley ; at which he said he was
much surprized (but I observed he did not express any
Anger ;) and then he made the most solemn Assevera
tions, that it was without his Order or Knowledge ; which
he said he was desirous I should be rightly informed
in, whatever other Folks might think : And indeed, con
sidering the great Intimacy betwixt him and Mr. Wesley
since these late Commotions, I doubted, that People
would hardly credit it. The Church being destitute, Mr.
Dyson (Chaplain to the independant Company at St.
Simons) now in Town, with Leave of the Magistrate,
voluntarily officiated for the Day.
Monday. It was now publickly known, that the Boat 5.
which carried Mr. Wesley and his Company off on Friday
Night, was Mr. Burnside's; that the Rowers were a Serv
ant of Mr. Mercer's, another of Mr. Brownjohn's, one
Griffin of Skeedway, and Mr. Bradley's Boy ; that they
went to Purrysburgh, and landed there about Three or
Four a Clock on Saturday Morning, from whence they
purposed to make the best of their Way to Port- Royal
on foot. This was such a heavy Day of Rain, that
there was no going Abroad, so I found Employment
within Doors.
Tuesday. Closely employed all the Forenoon at 6,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 43
Home. After Dinner walked out to see what Improve- ^1
ments of Vines were made by one Mr. Lyon, a Portuguese Dec®|nb'
Jew, which I had heard some Talk off ; and indeed
nothing had given me so much Pleasure since my Arrival,
as what I found here ; though it was yet (if I say it
properly) only in Miniature, for he had cultivated only
for two or three Years past about half a Score of them
which he received from Portugal for an Experiment ;
and by his Skill and Management in pruning, &c. they
all bore this Year very plentifully, a most beautiful,
large Grape, as big as a Man's Thumb, almost pellucid,
and Bunches exceeding big ; all which was attested by
Persons of unquestionable Credit (whom I had it from)
but the Season now would allow me only to see the
Vines they were gathered from, which were so flourish
ing and strong, that I saw one Shoot, of this last Year
only, which he allowed to grow from the Root of a bear
ing Vine, as big as my Walking-Cane, and run over a few
Poles laid to receive it, at least twelve or Fourteen Foot,
as near as I could judge. From these he has raised
more than a Hundred, which he has planted all in his little
Garden behind his House at about four Foot Distance
each, in the Mariner and Form of a Vineyard : They
have taken Root, and are about one Foot and a Half
high ; the next Year he says he does not doubt rais
ing a Thousand more, and the Year following at least
five Thousand. I could not believe (considering the
high Situation of the Town upon a Pine-Barren, and the
little Appearance of such Productions in these little
Spots of Ground annexed to the House) but that he had
found some proper Manure wherewith to improve the
sandy Soil ; but he assured me, it was nothing but the
natural Soil, without any other Art than his Planting and
Pruning, which he seemed to set some Value on, from
his Experience, in being bred among the Vineyards in
Portugal ; and to convince the World, that he intends
to pursue it, from the Encouragement of the Soil proving
so proper for it, he has at this Time hired four Men to

44 COLONIAL RECORDS.
clear and prepare as much Land as they possibly can U^_,
upon his forty-five Acre Lot, intending to convert every eeu.m
Foot of the Whole that is fit for it, into a Vineyard ;
though he complains of his pres.ent Inability to be at
such an Expence, as to employ Servants for Hire. From
hence I could not but reflect on the small Progress that
has been made hitherto in propagating Vines in the pub
lick Garden, where the Soil being the same, it must be
owing to the Unskillfulness or Negligence of those who
had undertaken that Charge : And another notorious In
stance of it, is that of the Mulberry -Trees. After
amusing myself thus agreeably for a while, I took a
Walk to see what my People were doing at the five-Acre
Lot, where only four had been able to work for more
than a Week past : There I staid some Time, and then
returned Home.
Wednesday. Confined at Home with Rain ; where I 7.
was never at a Loss what to do. Mr. Parker (one of the
Magistrates) at my Request came and eat a Bit with me
at Dinner; and as I had from a pretty long Observation of
him, as well formerly as of late, conceived a good Opin
ion of him, for an honest, plain, well meaning Man, and
one who I apprehended had as good a Share of Common
Understanding as most of his Neighbors ; I wished to
have the more Intimacy with him, imagining I might
thereby come readily at the Knowledge of many Things
which I should be glad to look into. Among other Talk
in private Conversation, happening to say something of
Mr. Christie, he asked me if I had heard any Thing of
the Recorder's Intention to leave us ; and upon my re
plying, that I knew no more than that he had been with
me a little while since, and opened his Mind so far to me,
as to say some Family Affairs of his pressed him to go
for England in some reasonable Time, which he should
be a Sufferer by, if longer neglected ; but that he in
tended to make no long Stay there before he returned
hither again ; and seemed to desire my Opinion about

COLONIAL RECORDS. 45
the certain Time of his going, when I thought it would vIIJ!L
be most proper and agreeable to the Trustees, whom he Dec|mb-
would be cautious of offending ; to which I gave him for
Answer, that if he would wait the next News from Eng
land, probably I might be then capable of judging better
what Opinion to give upon it than at present ; especially
if we got certain Intelligence of the Time Mr. Ogle
thorpe designed to visit these Parts again : When I had
said this to Mr. Parker, he did not stick to tell me, that
he had Reason from some Circumstances to believe Mr.
Christie was about settling in Carolina, at Bloody Point,
and to enter upon it in the Spring ; for that he knew Mr.
Dormer, the present Occupier of that Plantation, had let
it to some Person unknown, who was to take Possession
of it in the Spring ; at which Time Dormer was to go
for England ; that Mr. Christie and Dormer were very
intimate ; that Christie had let his own Dwelling-House
to the Sterlings ; and that the little House he was now in,
he had taken but till Lady-Day : Wherefore from all
these Circumstances, it was very reasonable to believe
it, &c. Hereupon I presently recollected what had fallen
from the Recorder, in our Conference on the 22d ultimo;
the Particulars whereof are noted on that Day: Many
other Hints I received from him on different occasions,
while we sat together ; some of which may probably fall
under due Consideration hereafter.
Thursday. My People having now cleared all the s.
Underwood and Rubbish of the five Acres, what remained
next to do, was to fall the grown Timber, and fence in the
Whole ; which being a Work that none of them were
expert at, I thought it best to hire a Man that was well
recommended to me, at 12 /. Currency per Month, to
work with them, and direct them : The most I could yet
make of my own Servants, was only four who had Strength,
the rest continuing still weak after Sickness. In the
Afternoon I had some Conference with Mr. Causton (as
indeed it was necessary to impart our Thoughts how to

46 COLONIAL RECORDS.
break through this stubborn Knot of ill-designing People,
and restore Unity as far as possible) and it was both our
Opinions, that if the Parson had taken a few more with
him, of such as he then made his Companions ; provided
their Creditors did not suffer, the Colony would be better
without them : But there were yet some few among the
Discontented, whom I could wish to see reconciled; Men
that made good Improvements, industrious and thriving ;
and such as had formerly been of a peaceable and quiet
Temper, till lately led aside by the Craft of such as had
Views of their own, which yet probably they have not
openly avowed. Out of those 1 had at sundry Times
taken upon me to try one of them in familiar, friendly
Conversation, (viz. Mr. Fallowfield, a Constable, whose
Temper I was the better acquainted with, having lodged
at his House during my former Abode here) pursuant to
what I had promised the Magistrates the 24th ultimo •
but was sorry to find him so changed from the Man I
knew him ; for he now was sullen and reserved : Nor
could I discover what the real Cause of this ill Humor
was, unless it arose from a Quarrel and scolding Bout be
twixt Mr. Causton's Wife and his some Time before, which
Mr. Causton never abetted, but was ashamed of, as he
ought also to be. And now the Hands of the Magis
trates appeared every Day weaker, Mr. Dearn (one of
them) being dead a while since ; out of four Constables,
Mr. Vanderplank had lain a long Time ill, in so dano-er-
ous and decaying a State, that all Hopes of his Life
were nearly over : Coates was newly run away ; Fallow-
field was not to be relied on (as it was thought) and
Jones the Surveyor, who was one of the four, very seldom
in Town: Nevertheless I could not persuade myself to
believe but we should see some of these misguided Peo
ple weary of their Leaders ere long, and give them up.
(Vide Dec. 16.)
Friday. Little stirring to be observed. Mr. Lacy ar
rived this Day from Augusta, by whom I was informed

1737.
Decemb.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 47
the Fort there was in great Forwardness, and near fin- ™^
ished ; he farther acquainted me, that he had lately run Deo9einb-
out a little Town near him, for the Settlement of some
of the Chickasaw Indians, which he apprehended would
be a great Benefit and Addition of Strength to that Part
of the Province. N. B. These Indians were a vagrant
Branch of the Chickasaw Nation, which was far remote,
and borders on the French Settlements, with whom they
were in continual War (which we have had various Ac
counts of formerly) and this small Branch had for some
Time past settled in the Neighborhood of New Windsor
in the Province of Carolina, where they hunted and
traded ; but by some Means or other, this last Year the
People of Carolina disobliged them, and they preferred
rather to have a friendly Commerce with us, and to be
ready in assisting us on any Occasion, under their
Leader, who is known by the Name of the Squirrel
King. Saturday. This Morning I received a Letter from Mr. 10-
Kent, which came by the Boat that brought Mr. Lacy :
Wherein he tells me, that as he is left there by Mr.
Lacy to take Care of all Things in his Absence, he thinks
it a great Charge, which he expresses a Diffidence in
himself how to execute rightly ; whereupon he wishes
me to confer with Mr. Causton and others, and advise
him. I found by the Person who delivered me the Let
ter, that Mr. Lacy was so weak and ill when he came
off thence, that they had taken Leave of him, expecting
never to see him more (which probably might be the
chief Motive of Mr. Kent's writing what he did ; ) but
the Change of Air and Movement on the Water in his
Passage, had so well recovered Mr. Lacy, that it was
hardly discernable he had been ill ; and he told me last
Night, that he intended to return again to Augusta soon
after Christmas : He was gone this Morning for Thun
derbolt, before I received Mr. Kent's Letter. This Day
produced nothing else observable.

48 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Sunday. Mr. Vanderplank died early this Morning, ^L
and was buried in a Soldier-like Manner in the Evening, De^mb-
about Forty Men (the Number of a Ward) under Arms,
attending him to the Grave, firing three Vollies, and sev
eral Minute Guns from the Fort discharged, during the
Time of his Interment. An Honour due to him; for he
was unquestionably the best Officer of his Rank, and
truly zealous in promoting the publick Good. Mr. Dyson
being gone to Carolina, and now the Town wholly desti
tute of a Minister, Mr. Causton read the Funeral Service.
Towards Night Mr. Horton came to make us a Visit from
the South.
Monday. Walked in the Morning to see how my Peo- 12
pie went on with their Work, where I spent good Part of
the Forenoon; and the rest of the Day I was mostly in
Company with Mr. Horton, from whom I got what Infor
mation I could how Matters stood in the South, where I
purposed to have been myself ere now; but the late Divi
sions at Home hitherto confined me to attend them, and
contribute what I could to heal them; wherein I had now
more and more Hopes of Success. Upon some Conver
sation, with Mr. Robert Williams, I was glad to find him
discourse with much better Temper than I had observed
formerly, relating to the Tenure of Lands, and the great
Discouragements complained of by him, and some others,
mostly Scotchmen, who (as I have before noted) intend
to represent their Case to the Trustees. These may truly
enough on this Head only be deemed Malecontents, be
ing continually infusing into Peoples Heads bad Notions
of the Precariousness of their Tenure, and going so far as
to term it a Slavery under the Trustees, who probably
would take Possession in Time of the Fruits of their
Labour, in case they were ever able to bring their Lands
to any Perfection, after throwing away the best of their
Substance in the Way they now went. As I never heard
such Speeches without Indignation, so I always took
upon me to rebuke them freely. Otherwise (to do them

COLONIAL RECORDS. 49
Justice) they expressed an Abhorrence of the civil Dis- ^L
cord in the Town, and openly, on all Occasions, took T'ec^h-
Part with the Magistrates, in Opposition to any Sedition.
At this Conference Mr. Williams told me very frankly,
that notwithstanding what his Brother and o'.her Friends
had wrote, which greatly shock'd him, and had almost
made him resolve to leave all, and quit the Province; yet
he had fully considered of it now, and was determined
with himself to try one Year more, and run all Hazards,
still hoping the Trustees would take it into Considera
tion, and relieve them by some Means or other, before
they had lost all. Then he talk'd warmly of the great
Desire he had to see the colony flourish, and that no
Man should go greater Lengths, or run greater Risks in
promoting it, provided he could have any rational View
of Success; with Abundance more to the same Purpose;
and a few Negroes was always at the End of it. I said
as much as was proper for me, assuring him in general
Terms, that the Trustees had it undoubtedly much at
Heart, to encourage all such especially as went on in
good Earnest with Improvements; and I did not doubt
but a little Time would show it in some Shape or other,
as they thought best. So he left me in good Humour.
Tuesday. Mr. Horton doing me the Favour to par- 13.
take of a Bit of Meat with me; from my Observance of
an Intimacy betwixt him and Mr. Williams, I engaged
him also to make one with us: When our Conversation
ran mostly the same as with Mr. Williams Yesterday; in
all Appearance frank and easy. In my Walk towards
Evening, upon hearing of some Preparations made for a
small Collation at the old Indian Town, where Tomo
Chichi formerly lived, which is about a Furlong out of
Town, I went out of Curiosity (with some others) to see
what passed, and there I found a Table spread with a
Cloth, &c. Mrs. Matthews (formerly Mrs. Musgrave) sit
ting at the End of it, with two young Girls, her Husband
and Tomo Chichi near by; and a young Shote just ready
4 c r— vol i

50 . COLONIAL RECORDS.

barbacu'd over a Fire in the Wood, was set on the Table. ^1
They asked us very kindly to sit down and take Part De°i8n
with them; which one or two did, and we who had no
Stomach to eat, did not refuse taking two or three Glasses
of Wine. The Occasion of this, I found was meant, as a
Treat to Tomo Chichi, and three or. four Indians, upon
his making a Grant of that Spot of Land to Mrs. Mat
thews and her Husband; and Tomo Chichi addressing
his Discourse to me by Mrs. Matthews (who interpreted)
said to this Effect: that he desir'd Notice might be
taken of his Claim and Property in that Land; that he
had granted it to Mrs. Matthews and her Husband; and
O
that he hoped the Trustees would not be offended, if
henceforward Mr. Matthews allowed no Cattle to go
there but his own; all which I promised to take notice of.
N. B. This Land begins at the Rails near the Town's
End, runs away West to a small Creek, bounded on the
North by the River, on the South by several blazed
Trees, and is judged about two or three hundred Acres,
more or less.
Wednesday. My Time this Day was taken up mostly 14
at Home, not sparing any to accompany Mess. Horton
and Williams up the River, as invited, to make a Party
of Pleasure at Mr. Williams's Plantation: They were both
Countrymen in England, fond of each other, and almost
inseparable here, so as to talk apart with either: From
whence I conceived Mr. Williams would disclose his
Thoughts more frankly to him, than he would hitherto
venture to do to me; and as I knew Mr. Horton to be a
Gentleman that professed great Regard to his own Char
acter, for Truth and Honour in all his Actions; I assur'd
myself he would have the Interest of the Colony so much
at Heart, as to endeavour to create a better Opinion of
this Province in his Friend, than he had lately discov
ered, by so many Complaints of Discouragement.

Thursday. The Fellow who was recommended to me,

15.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 51
and whom I hired to attend my Servants, and work with ™j
them for their better Instruction, proved such a Rascal in Deo1e5mb
filling their Heads with bad Notions of the Place, and
other Discouragements, that I thought proper to dis
charge him, before he had done more Mischief. And it
was a sad Case too well known, that great Numbers of
Newcomers were often so poisoned at first, by the Venom
of ill-designing People, which they infused craftily, to
spoil any future Hopes of Good from them. In the Even
ing I spent an Hour or two at Mr. Causton's where Mess.
Parker and Christie (Magistrates) and Jones and Fallow-
field (Constables) all dropping in one after another, by
Accident; upon seeing the whole Body together, in
whom the civil and military Power was lodg'd, I took
Occasion to remonstrate to them how their Number was
lately diminished through Mortality or otherwise ; and
as some of them had frequent Avocations out of Town to
look over their Lands, through whose absence (especially
of both the remaining Constables at once) the publick
Service was in Danger of being neglected; that it was
therefore incumbent upon them to think of some Regula
tion among themselves, whereby all Obstructions might be
removed, which might impede the usual Course of Duty
which all approving, upon Debate they agreed to what I
proposed, viz. that the two Constables should by divid
ing the Town in two Parts, take each of them three Wards
apiece, under their Charge; and that the duty might not
be too hard upon them, it was allowed upon either of
them going out of Town, they should have Power to de
volve that Charge on some expert and well qualified
Tything-man, to be named and approved of now by the
Magistrates, for executing that Duty such Days as the
Constables were absent : Accordingly two such Tything-
men were made Choice of, to act as Deputies pro Vice :
After which the agreement was committed to Writing,
signed by two Constables, attested and allowed by the
two Magistrates; to continue till a better Establishment
should be duly authorized.

52 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Friday. Mr. Horton giving me frequent Opportuni- ™j
ties of Conversation this Day, gave me plainly to under- eC;f6m
stand, that he thought himself ill used by Mr. Causton in
many Instances, enumerating divers of them, particularly
in his personal Behaviour to him whenever he came here,
as well as his trifling Way of corresponding when he
wrote: For that he very rarely gave him any Answer at
all to such Matters of the greatest Importance that re
quired it; but usually passing that over, perhaps touched
a little upon some trivial Affair of no Significance, and
not at all to the Purpose; which often brought him under
extream Difficulties, and instead of listening to him, or
advising with him for the publick Good, when together,
he gave little or no Heed to what he said; but either
evaded it by calling on some other Person, whereby he
might break off any Conference; or (which was worse)
if he talked to him of any Thing, Mr. Causton would
make him some impertinent Reply no Way relating to
it. Then Mr. Horton observed to me with what Pride
Mr. Causton carried it, and such a scornful Air, that he
thought himself treated on the same Footing with those
other Vassals he employed: Upon the Whole he expressed
a deep Resentment at the Treatment which he found.
Some Time in the Forenoon seeing Mr. Fallowfield, and
falling into a Discourse on what had pass'd among us
last Night (which he seemed pleased at) I took Occasion
again to talk on the same Subject we were upon several
Times before, relating to the late Disaffection which was
grown up among the people; which I was very sorry to
find him concerned in (Vide Dec. 8) and hoped he would
yet think better, and return to his old Way. The willing
Attention he gave to what I said, gave me Room to urge
it more Home, and convince him how he was acting
against his own Interest; which he could never raise so
sure a Foundation for, as by Preserving the good Opin
ion of the Trustees. He readily acknowledged that, and
professed a great Value for their Favour,' which he said
he should endeavour upon all Occasions to obtain; tell-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 53

Deeemb. 16.

ing me at last very plainly, that he meant no more than
a Resentment of Mr. Causton's using him ill; but his
Heart was still the same as ever towards the Welfare of
the Colony, which no Man of his Rank should give better
Proof of than himself; and upon my telling him, that if
Mr. Causton had used him otherwise than he ought, he
would find some proper Time to represent it, and have
Justice; he assured me, that all Things relating to it
should drop for the present; which I thought a good
Conclusion. Saturday. Captain Thompson intending in few Days n.
to sail for Charles-Town, and get Freight there for Lon-
day, to whose Care (I understood) Mr. Causton designed
to commit his Letters, &c. with Intent that Capt. Thomp
son should forward them whilst there, by the first Ship
master bound for London that he could confide in; I re
solved to take the same Opportunity ; and therefore em
ployed good Part of this Day with my Pen and Ink, find
ing very little Interruption worth Notice. One of my
Servants came Home at Noon wounded by the Stroke of
an Ax in the Leg; and in the Evening another of them
was taken ill. The Doctor 'that dressed the first, and
bleeded the other, gave me Hopes that they would both
be well again in few Days : But how uncertain soever
that might prove, I was very sure his Bill increased apace.
Sunday. Nobody to officiate at Church now. In the is.
Afternoon a Sloop came up the River bound for the
Island of Providence, from Charles-Town, where she took
in her Lading; and Mr. William McKay being on Board,
who had a Share therein, stopt here to confer with his
Brother Patrick McKay about the Traffick. By him I
had a Letter from my Son, who came over from England
a Passenger with Capt. Nicholson in the Minerva, that
was newly stranded on the Sands, through the unskilful-
ness of the Pilot, &c. the Particulars of which may be
seen in his Letter of the 9th Instant from Charles-Town.

54 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Mr. Causton went out of Town early in the Morning for ij^L
his Country-House, as usual, generally at the latter End Dee1egmb-
of the Week.
Monday. Heavy Rain in the Forenoon hindered all 19-
from going Abroad to work, and confined me at Home.
In the Afternoon I learnt, that Mr. Christie (who went
down the Water some Days ago) was not returned yet,
which made me imagine he was employing himself in
some Sort or other at Bloody-Point, where it was rumored
he had a View of settling in the Spring: What Truth
there was in it, a little more Time would show. Mercer,
Brownjohn, and Adams the Butcher, were also gone to
some Parts thereabouts, to look after some Land, if they
could get it to their Liking; which they purposed (as it
is said) to raise living stock upon ; but I could not yet
learn, whether or not they intended to settle there, and
give up their Lands in Georgia ; which I could hardly be
lieve, though they were all three of the Number of those
Malecontents, who set themselves in Opposition to Mr.
Causton particularly, thinking themselves ill used by him.
Tuesday. Mess. Horton from Frederica, and Mcln- 20.
tosh from Darien, took Leave in the Morning, and re
turned to the South : Mr. Causton came to Town before
they went, and had some Communing with them both ;
but that I was not privy to. After their Departure, Mr.
Causton took Occasion to tell me, that he observed Mr.
Horton appeared very shy in his Conversation with him ;
which occasioned my calling to Remembrance what Mr.
Horton had said to me of him, at several Times, more
particularly on the 16th Instant : Upon the Whole, I found
there was ill Blood between them. The Master of a Ship
laden with Palatines, whose Name was Hewet, came to
an Anchor last Night within Tybee, and this Day he
rowed up to Town in his Boat, where he reported his
Cargo to Mr. Causton, acquainting him how many of them
had indented for Georgia, and how many for Carolina ;

COLONIAL RECORDS. 55
but had no Letter of Advice with him concerning them. ^Jj
Mr. Causton thereupon gave Orders for proper Boats to Dec2e0fb'
go down the River, and bring them up as soon as might
be with Convenience to Savannah, where Care should be
taken of them, till he had the Trustees Orders, which he
waited to receive in some Letters expected by Capt.
Nicholson : And this Master now coming from Charles-
Town where he had spent a few Days, told us moreover,
that a Skooner was actually come from thence with all
Capt. Nicholson's Passengers on Board her that were
bound for Georgia : So that I began to expect my Son
among them some Time in the Day ; but therein I was
mistaken, no Skooner arriving yet.
Wednesday. Capt. Hewet, who brought the Palatines, 21,
came ashore again, and delivered to Mr. Causton the
Trustees Packet, with proper Advice ; which he forgot
Yesterday, and occasioned many Doubts and Conjectures
how it should happen. I was busy the fore Part of the
Day finishing my Letters for England, which I had been
upon some Time Yesterday. This being Mr. Oglethorpe's
Birth-Day (which is celebrated here annually) the Magis
trates, military Officers, and principal Inhabitants, met at
the Fort, where some Bottles of Wine and some Biscuit
being prepared, about Noon his Majesty's Health, and the
Royal Family's, were drank, under a discharge of thir
teen Guns ; then the honourable Trustees ; and next the
Captain General of these Provinces: In the Evening a
handsome, cold Entertainment was provided at a Tavern,
by the Subscription of upwards of thirty, who (as many
as could find them) brought Partners to dance; which
they did and were merry. In the Midst of it my Son
arrived in a Skooner from Charles Town, together with
the other Passengers that came over with him for Geor
gia : They sailed from Charles-Town on Sunday last.
Thursday. Good Part of my Time was taken up this 2-j.
Day in private Conversation with my Son, who brought

56 COLONIAL RECORDS.
me several Letters, as he did also for Mr. Causton, which .™J^
he delivered to him last Night: And what News he De«|mb-
brought was pleasing to every Body ; more especially
that relating to the Regiment, &c. Capt. Thompson be
ing not like to be ready for sailing yet in some Days, and
some Ships preparing to go off every day from Charles-
Town, I resolved with Mr. Causton to send our letters
by the Skooner that brought these Passengers, and was
to return to-morrow : Wherefore I filled up my Time
the other Part of the Day in finishing what Letters I had
to write.
Friday. This Morning the Letter which Capt. Paris 23.
enquired after (as mentioned Nov. 28.) came to Mr.
Causton's Hand which he shewed me: But the Person's
Name who subscribed it, I observed was not 
Nicholson, though the Substance was much the same as
he (Mr. Paris) was notified : It was brought to Town (I
learnt) by Mr. Burn-syde, from his Settlement that he is
making upon an Island called Rotten-Possum, about
twelve Miles off by Land, or more : He had it from Mr.
Hugh Bryan, a Dealer in Cattle, who is furnishing Burn-
syde with Stock, and enclosed it to him ; but how long it
lay in Bryan's Hands, or where else all this while, we
could no ways be informed in. This was another sad In
stance in what a lamentable Condition we were at Savan
nah, about the Uncertainty of Letters, be they of ever so
great Import : What Regard was due to the Contents of
this, we could not tell, being of so long a Date past as
August ; but it was proper to send a Copy of it, with the
other Dispatches to the Trustees, as Mr. Causton resolved
by the Skooner, which sailed in the Afternoon, with a
Packet to the Care of Mr. Hopton.
Saturday. I closed the Week in attending on my own 2i
little Affairs out of Town, and forwarding the Work my
People were upon, clearing the Lands, &x.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 57
Sunday. Christmas-Day. Mr. Dyson being returned ™^,
from Carolina, supplied the Vacancy in our Church this Det2e6mb-
Day, and officiated in Mr. Wesley's Stead.
Monday. Most People idle, and little to be done. Mr. 26.
Causton out of Town, Mr. Bradley made me an Evening
Visit, and sat with me two or three Hours ; when his
whole Conversation was upon the old Theme of his being
ill used by Mr. Causton ; which he laboured to exemplify
in a Multitude of Instances; but with so much Warmth,
that I thought great Allowance might be made in many
Particulars, for Room to question how exactly it comported
with Truth : But as there had been a long Difference be
tween them, which originally sprung from an Aversion in
one to have any Shew of Dependance on the other, or
receive any Orders from him ; whilst the other sufficiently
tenacious of the Power he had, would not fail to let him
know it : This in Time increased to such an Enmity, that
each of them plainly discovered their Readiness to be as
troublesome to one another as they could ; Wherein Mr.
Causton seemed to have the Advantage (in Case he
would be vindictive) by having it in his Power to do what
Mr. Bradley could onlj' retaliate by hard Words, and
railing publickly against his Proceedings in all Parts of
his Office. His Arguments now were so vehement, and
his Passion so far transported him, that he had prepared
(he said) a full Narrative of all the Injustice he had sus
tained from Mr. Causton since he lived here, which he
was resolved to print ; and to conclude all, made a sol
emn Asseveration, that one and the same Country should
not hold them both.
Tuesday. Few People inclined to Labour still ; so 27.
great a Propensity was there among them, through Prev
alence of Custom, to keep the Christmas Holidays ; tho'
Feasting here was not yet in Fashion ; and my Servants
thought it best Working, without which I told them there
was no Eating. The Germans were all now landed ; and

58 COLONIAL RECORDS.
the Ship which brought them gone (as we supposed) from ^!L
Tybee to Charles-Town. Mr. Causton returned to Town Dec«,mb-
in the Afternoon from spending a Day or two in the
Country with his Family. Nothing remarkable.

Wednesday. This Day the Germans were divided
and parcelled out to their several Employments, pursu
ant to the Directions sent with them. A small Sloop
(Donald Stuart Master) sailed with some Dispatches and
a few Provisions for the South, and a Pettyagua with
Stores was to follow. I had long since, by a Note under
my Hand, directed to the Constables and Tything-men,
called for Lists of the several Inhabitants in each Ty-
thing; but I found it was hard to come at, scarce Half of
them being yet returned to me, and those without any
Method, which I must reduce them to ; wherefore I put
them in Mind again of their Duty, who had so long neg
lected it, in making no Return at all.
Thursday. Upon a little Conference with the Magis
trates this Forenoon, I was told another notorious Defect
in the Course of Justice, which happened a few Days
since, An Execution under the Town Seal was granted
against one Turner, a Carpenter, for Payment of a just
Debt of 5 or 6 /. and put into the Hands of a proper
Tything-man to serve : When the Tything-man went to
make Distress, Turner and his Wife used him very roughly,
shuffled away betwixt them what Goods were of most
Value, and sent him off not without some Blows in the
Contention; whereupon he complained to the Magis
trates, and they granted a Warrant immediately, to ap
prehend Turner, and bring him before them to answer,
&c. but he getting Notice somehow or other of it, lav
concealed in the House of one Scot a Gunsmith, and a
notorious Dealer in Spirits; who with other Help, took a
fit opportunity to carry him off in a Boat : Mr. Christie,
the Recorder, being accidently at the same Time near the
Guard-House, and seeing the Boat going off with Turner

28.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 59

in it, ordered the Centinel to fire his Piece (a signal for
his Officer to come as customary) and to hale the Boat to
come ashore, threatening to fire at them if they did not :
But they in the Boat called to him in Derision, bidding
them fire, or what else they pleased ; and kept on their
Way till they were soon out of Reach. This Turner also
lies under a heavy Fine to the Trust, being formerly
found guilty of aiding Mellichamp in forging Currency
Notes ; which in Mercy was never yet levied upon him ;
and owing many other small Sums, it is apprehended he
will not return again, but take Example of other Run
aways lately gone the same Way.
Friday. Walked early in the Morning to see how my
People went on with their Work in Clearing of Ground; and
spent the whole Forenoon among the neighbouring Lots,
observing what Improvements were made ; or I might
rather say, what a visible Neglect was to be observed
almost every where ; for in all my Walks of this Kind,
as well before, as now, I not only found Abundance of
Lots untouched, and many which had little done upon
them, but (which was yet worse) divers Improvements
that had been made, now going to Ruin again, the Land
over-run with Rubbish, and seeming to be wholly given
up and abandoned ; at leastwise no Appearance of Cul
tivation intended upon them this Year coming ; so that
the Number of those that were occupied to good Purpose
was but small : One Reason which I often heard al-
ledged for this, was the great Discouragement they found
from the bad Crop that they had the last Season ; which
is indeed allowed by every Body to have been such; and
thereby all their Cost and Labour in a Manner wholly lost,
to their great Impoverishment: But it oughttobe observed,
that it was not a Misfortune peculiar to them alone; for the
same Complaint is almost universal, thro' all the Provinces;
that their Indian Corn failed, though Rice, and some
other Grain did pretty well : And the great Backward
ness that People at present shew to cultivate Land, is in

1737.

Decemb. 29.

60 COLONIAL RECORDS.
a great Measure (I fear) owing to the constant Talk of ^!l
some People, who are Landholders some Miles off, and ee3e0m
live in Town, who are always exclaiming against their
Tenures, the Loss they sustain by white Servants only,
without a few Negroes, &c. (as I have before noted) which
has filled divers of the Free-holders Heads of this Town
also, and several of them (otherwise picqued too) are
lately gone for Carolina, to seek for some Land there
{vide 19th Instant) though it is said they do not de
sign to quit their Possessions in this Province. Spent
the Afternoon at Home, nothing else occuring worth
Note. Saturday. Mr. Causton came voluntarily and sat with si.
me two or three Hours in the Morning, when we had a
great deal of free Converse, and afterwards engaged me to
dine with him : Our Discourse was various, concerning
the present Situation of affairs in the Town and Neigh
borhood of Savannah, and the particular Behaviour of
s ome of the Inhabitants, with the several Views which
they had; wherein for the most Part our Sentiments
were the same: But I observed him more than ordinary
perplexed about Mr. Bradley, whose Enmity he seemed
desirous to guard against: What he stuck chiefly at now
was, that since the Arrival of these Germans (about seventy
of whom were fallen to the Care of Mr. Bradley) he
had drawn Bills after Bills upon him, for several
Sums of Money, payable at Sight, amounting to near 40 /.
and what he meant, how far he intended to go, or where
he wuuld stop, he could not tell; and as he had received
no Orders about Payment of Cash, he was truly at a
Loss what to do. Upon my saying, that I believed in
this short Time, few or none of those People were yet
settled to their Labour; he told me yes, he knew Mr.
Bradley had employed some of them in working at a
Garden-Lot of his Son's, in casting Earth, &c. where he
was making Bricks : I could not take upon me to advise
him how far he ought to comply, in accepting such Bills,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 61

1787.

Deeemb. 31.

having no Knowledge what Orders Mr. Causton had re
ceived ; but I freely told him, that as Matters stood now
betwixt them, till it could be brought to a final Issue, I
should rather incline to err on the benign Side, provided
it was within a reasonable Compass, than by holding too
hard a Gripe, give occasion to say it proceeded from Prej
udice. What Method he would follow he did not re
solve to me ; but after Dinner he went out of Town as
usual to his House in the Country ; where his Wife and
Family (Mr. Williamson and his Wife included) reside
wholly ; and I found Business enough at Home. 1738.
Sunday. Mr. Dyson officiated again at Church. January

l.

Monday. This Day produced little worth observing.
Mr. Fallowfield's Loss at his new Plantation in the Coun
try was the common Talk ; where his new House (which
was a handsome, well-framed Hut) made very commo
dious, was burnt to the Ground the latter End of the
last Week ; and all his Stores, Goods, Linen, Bedding,
&c. belonging to him and his Wife, were entirely con
sumed, to his great Damage; by what Accident was un
known : But his Wife walking out to meet her Husband,
who was coming to Town with more Stores of Provisions,
and shutting the Door, with very little Fire in the Chim
ney (as she says) it unhappily catched somehow, and
destroyed all in a few Minutes. In the Evening I under.
stood there was a little Assembly of some of the Male-
contents, at the House of one Townsend, where probably
(as I conceived) no Good was contriving, especially as
Aglionby was one of the Company, who was bred a
Smatterer in the Law, lodges at present in that House,
and is looked on as one of the greatest Mischief-makers
in the whole Town ; being consulted with frequently by
those of the Faction. It is to be noted, that this House
of Townsend's is where they commonly resort ; being a
publick House, though unlicens'd; and the Keeper of
it (otherwise an industrious Man in getting Money divers

62 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Ways) being a Man of some Substance, has his House
always well provided, with such Things as are inviting ;
which brings him Custom indeed more than enough.
Tuesday. Closely employed all Day in preparing
Matters to send by the next Ships ready to sail ; and
stirred not out till the Evening, when understanding that
Mr. Causton was just returned from the Country, I went
and sat an Hour or two with him ; and among other
Things, talked of the great Mischief which I apprehended
would ensue, from the unlimited Number of Houses that
sold Liquors privately (tho' it was pretty well known
who divers of them were) and even the worst of Spirits
from New England, or elsewhere ; which they got cheap,
and thereby many of the working People were drawn
in, to spend what little Money they had ; or if they had
none, they readily gave them Credit, and afterwards ex
acted Payment of them, by their Labour, about what
they wanted : He entirely agreed with me in Opinion ;
and told me (what he had several Times before) that he
had constantly given it in Charge to the Constables and
Tything-men at the several Courts holden, to present all
such unlicens'd Houses ; but that he could never get any
such Thing done : Which he could find no other Reason
for, than an Unwillingness to be the Authors of Severity
towards their Neighbours : I told him I wished there was
not a worse Reason for it, and that some among them
had not been private Factors, to help such Houses to
those Liquors they sold, and found a profit in it them
selves ; for such Things had been whispered to me as
greatly suspected. Another Court being to be holden in
a few Days, I told him I did not doubt but he would en
force that Affair home; and he said to be sure nothing
should be wanting in him to suppress it, if possible.
Wednesday. The Returns of the several Tythings
being at length made, I found divers of them so imper
fect, and confused, that it took me up many Hours this

1738.
January

COLONIAL RECORDS. 63
Day in getting them rectified ; which I did as well as I ™^j
¦could, by calling here and there an Inhabitant of such Jan4uary
Tythings to my Assistance, by whom I might learn a
true State of their Neighbours. Nothing passed of any
Moment that I heard of Abroad : In the Evening I re
ceived a Letter by a chance Boat from Mr. Hopton at
Charles-Town, signifying, that he had sent the Packet
which he received from me in the Christmas Holidays,
for London, by Capt. Newton in the Fanny, inclosing
two Receipts for it, which the Captain gave him, as he
had also a third that he had enclosed to Mr. Verelst.
Thursday. The Forenoon taken up entirely with my 5.
Pen and Ink ; and after Dinner I spent the rest of the
Day among my Workmen : The whole Day produced
nothing observable at Home ; but from Highgate we
had News brought, that Mr. Brown, an Inhabitant there,
in one of his drunken Fits, with little or no Provocation,
had taken his Gun loaden with drop Shot, and a Ball,
and shot his Servant through the Thigh ; and the Sur
geon who dressed it said, the Man wan in a dangerous
Condition. Friday. Went in the Morning to Mr. Causton (at his 6.
Request) where the Magistrates were convened, in order
to consider of divers Matters preparatory to the Court,
which by the last Adjournment in November was to be
held to-morrow ; but it was thought best to adjourn it
farther, by publick Notice, till Monday : Summons's for
Juries, and other necessary Orders were issued accord
ingly : And after a Conference of two Hours, on such
Things as we apprehended would conduce to the publick
Good, I returned Home, to get forward such Papers as
were incumbent on me to send, and as I meant so to do,
by the next Ship bound for London. In the Evening
Mess. Brownjohn, Mercer, Adams and Bush, returned all
from Carolina, where they went about three Weeks
since (on what Errand I before noted) and meeting

64 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Mercer soon after his coming ashore, who was a leading ^Oj
Man among them, I took Occasion to enter into some angary
Discourse with him, walking to and fro, and telling him
in a jocular Way, that I understood he intended to but
ter his Bread on both Sides (meaning his Design of
taking Lands in both Provinces): He told me very
plainly, that they had all done what they went about, to
to their great Satisfaction ; and for his Part, the Trustees
were welcome to do what they pleased with all he had in
Georgia ; where he had suffered too much, and would
bear it no longer. Such a surly Answer surprised me a
little at first ; but I seemed to make light of it ; only
saying, Some go, and others come; and so we parted :
But I thought with myself I would endeavor what I
could to enquire the Truth, how far these Men had been
Sufferers more than others, that they distinguished
themselves in such a Manner. A Schooner came up this
Afternoon from Port-Royal, with the Owner Capt. Davis
on Board had been a Trader several Years at Augustin,
and lived there great Part of the Time : It was suspected,
that he intended to carry a Loading of Provisions thither
now ; but the Government of Carolina having prohibited
the Exportation of those Commodities (excepting only
to Georgia) by Reason of the bad Crop of Corn last
Season ; he could not be supplied at Port-Royal ; and
what his Business here was, probably we might discover
shortly. Saturday. Very heavy Rain all Day, allowed no go- 7.
ing Abroad ; but was no Hindrance to the Business I
had in Hand, that I might be ready for the next Ship
bound for London.
Sunday. Mr. Dyson supplied the Vacancy, and offici- 8.
ated again at Church. A Sloop arrived in the Evening
from New-York, laden with Provisions from thence,
Samuel Tingley Master.

COLONIAL RECORDS. !''*"' 65>
Monday. This Day a Court was held ; when the ™^
Magistrates put on their Gowns, making a very decent Jan^ar3r
Appearance ; and Mr. Causton opened it with a Speech,
setting forth the Trustees Favour intended thereby, to
the Town, in adding a greater Shew of Authority, for
preserving all their just Rights, as well as the publick
Peace : And among other Things, took Notice of the
vile Abuse lately crept in among us, in selling spirituous
Liquors in many private Houses, unlicens'd to sell any
Sort of Drink ; which produced grievous Consequences,
and would tend to the Ruin of the Colony, if not sup
pressed ; which therefore the Magistrates were deter
mined to do their utmost in ; and hoped every good
Man would assist him, in discovering such secret and
dangerous Practices, that the Authors might meet with
due Punishment : Afterwards the Constitution of the
Court was read, shewing its Dignity and Power, that de
manded due Awe and Respect. Then they proceeded
to Business, trying of Causes betwixt Parties, &c. I sat
there good Part of the Day, and had the Satisfaction of
seeing all Thing carried on with great Order and Deco
rum ; such as (they told me) they had not seen a great
while.

Tuesday. The Court sitting again, I attended there
awhile in the Afternoon, and finding nothing extraordi
nary, but all Matters going on smoothly, I returned to
my Business at Home : In the Afternoon Mr. Bradley
came to me, acquainting me, that he had tried two Causes
there, in one whereof he was Plaintiff, and the other De
fendant ; both which had gone against him by Verdicts ;
and he accused Mr. Causton of being the occasion of it,
by giving partial Charges to the Jury : In the Evening
Mr. Causton called on me, imagining (I supposed) that
Mr. Bradley had been telling his Story in his own Way ;
and acquainting me with the Particulars of the Evidence
(as he told it) I could see no just Cause of Complaint ;
5 o r— v 4

10.

66 COLONIAL RECORDS.
but it appeared to me, that the Jury had given honest ^i
17 J-.0. January
Verdicts. 10.
Wednesday. A Boat sent by Lieutenant Delegal at Ul
St. Simon's for Charles-Town, called here in the Morning,
and brought several Letters ; among others, from Capt.
Gascoigne, Mr. Horton, and Mr. Hawkins, for me. Capt.
Daubuz in the Georgia Pink, arrived at Tybee laden with
Provisions from Ireland; and leaving his Ship there, came
up in his Boat to deliver his Packets, and make his Report.
Richard Turner the [Carpenter, who fled lately from
Justice, after resisting the Tything-man in the execution
of his Duty (vide 29 ult.) appearing now again publickly,
in open Contempt of all Authority ; The Magistrates, in
Pursuance of the Execution granted against him, com
mitted him to Prison.
Thursday. In my Walks this Day I called on Mr. 12.
Bradley, to put him in Mind of his making me out an
Account of the Horses and Cattle under his Care, be
longing to the Trust : I found him on his Bed complain
ing of his Want of Health ; which he attributed to his
living so much on salt Provisions ; and when I said it
was proper for him sometimes to get fresh ; he replied,
How can I get it without Money ? and Mr. Causton will
let me have none : Which Answer a little surprized me,
when Mr. Causton so lately told me how' fast he had
lately drawn Bills upon him; though for what Uses I knew
not. He then went on in his usual Way of exclaiming,
very tedious to me, who could be no Judge how far he
was injured, or what real Causes there might be of Com
plaint : But I saw he was every Day more and more dis
contented, and (I remember'd) the last Time I saw him
(which was Tuesday) he asked me if I had any Com
mands to Charles-Town, where he was going shortly; to
which I made him no Answer, nor asked him on what
Occasion. The common Occurrences of this Day any
farther, were not worth Notice.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 67
Friday. Nothing happened of extraordinary Mo- .^JL,
ment. One of the Families of Freeholders, who had J"™^
left the Colony some Time since, to seek their For
tune in Carolina, returned again, finding they had not
met with such Encouragement as they expected ; and
reported that some others they believed would see their
Mistake. This Man's Name was Tibbet, a good Sawyer,
who expected to mend his Wages in another Place :
And it was now to be hoped he would set a greater Value
on his Lot by improving it more than hitherto. Mr.
Causton went in the Afternoon for Ockstead, intending
to stay till Monday.
Saturday. Mr. Bradley brought me his List of Horses w-
and Cattle ; and upon my observing how few they were
in Comparison of what I expected ; he told me, that
he believed those Horses which were left, would die
soon, being poisoned with the bad Corn Mr. Causton
gave him out of the Stores for them : On the other Side,
I remembered Mr. Causton had told me, he thought all
the Horses would come to nothing, Mr. Bradley and his
People having rode them to Death : But which of them
came nearest the Truth, I could not tell. Mr. Causton
returned to Town again unexpected this Afternoon, and
Jones the Surveyor came at Mr. Bradley's Call, in order
to run out some of the Trust-Land for the Germans to
work on.
Sunday. Mr. Dyson did the office again of the Church. ib.
Capt. Thompson's Ship fell down the River to Tybee, in
order to sail for Charles-Town, and get Freight for Eng
land, after laying here a great while, occasioned by his
importing a pretty deal of Goods of divers Kinds, which
probably he did not find so ready Payment for as he ex
pected. Monday. Capt. Daubuz brought his Ship up this Morn- 16.
ing to the Town ; when he saluted the Fort with three

68 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Guns, and his Compliment was repaid : I had by him ^j^,
two Servants sent me from the Trust, whom he sent Jan^ary
ashore on Saturday Evening. After expecting Capt.
Gascoigne to visit us for some Days past, pursuant to
some Letters he had lately wrote ; we had Advice this
Evening, that he was come to an Anchor at Cockspur.
Sickness, which had never yet wholly ceased among my
Servants, continued to pull them down ; and no less than
four were now under the Doctor's Care, one of whom we
scarcely hoped would live, till this Day he began to re
cover. Tuesday. The Court that was adjourned to this Day, 17-
sat again ; when a great Cause was expected to have come
on betwixt Watson and Matthews, the Husband of Mrs.
Musgrave (of which I took Notice the 19th of Novem
ber.) A special Jury was appointed, to the Satisfaction
of both Parties, and sworn ; but being Matter of Accounts,
and each not equally ready, it was put off for another
Week. Capt. Gascoigne came up in his Pinnace about
Noon, and the Fort, upon his coming ashore, compli
mented him with nine Guns. Mr. Ellis, Master of a
Sloop from Pensilvania, with Provisions, arrived at the
same Time, but last from Charles-Town ; who told us
of Capt. Ayres's being newly arrived there from Eng
land ; and that he brought the melancholy News of the
Queen's Death on the 20th of November last. Most
Part of the Afternoon passed in Company with the Cap
tain, Mr. Causton, &c. but whatever Packets might come
by Capt. Ayres for Georgia, we heard nothing of any
such yet.

Wednesday. Most Part of the Day was spent in at
tending Capt. Gascoigne, who took Part of a short Com
mons with me ; by whom I informed myself of many
Things that I enquired after in the South, where I in
tended now soon to make a Visit ; and he was pleased to
offer me a Conveyance in his Ship when he returned ;

18.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 69
which he purposed in few Days ; and I thought it would ^J^j
be a good Opportunity, if other Affairs did not detain Jai™ary
me. Thursday. Having now prepared all Matters ready to 19.
enclose, and send away in a Packet for the Trustees, ex
cept one Account only, which was relating to the Stores
of Ammunition and Accoutrements of War, which could
be had only from Mr. Causton, whom I had asked often
for it ; went to his House, to see if I co,uld get it ; but
he was gone this Morning to his Country-House at Ock-
stead with Capt. Gascoigne, and some other Gentlemen,
whom he invited : Whereupon I acquainted one of
his Clerks of it, telling him that the Neglect of it, incase
I did not send it, I doubted would be imputed to his
Master ; and he promised to do what he could in it
against to-morrow.
Friday. Mr. Causton and the Captain returned to 20.
Town about Noon ; and after several Accounts of the
Stores and Ammunition brought me, which were so im
perfect that I could not accept them, at length I got it
done to my Liking : Which compleated all the Lists I had
to send by this Conveyance. In the Evening an Express
arrived from Mr. Horton at Frederica, with Letters for
Mr. Causton and me, dated the 14th Instant, importing,
that a Spanish Launch arrived at his House at Jekyll the
nth, with an Officer and nineteen Men, who went back
the 13th, and the Officer delivered three Letters, one for
Mr. Causton, one for Capt. Gascoigne, and another for
himself ; which Letters he now sent to Mr. Causton,
wrote all in Spanish ; desiring him to get that which was
for himself translated, and sent him back : To which
Letters he referred me ; and on my going to Mr. Causton
(where Capt. Gascoigne was at the same Tide) I found
by the Translation made by one of our Jews, the Con
tents were to complain of an Insult made by some Indi
ans in Amity with us, upon some Indians of theirs, sev-

70 COLONIAL RECORDS.
cral of whom they had surprised and killed, and carried ^j^j
off their Wives Prisoners. Mr. Horton added, that the Jan2u0ary
Spanish Officer told him, the Governor of Augustin de
sired to live in Friendship with us, and to have a good
Correspondence. Saturday. Little or nothing worth Remark this Day. 21.
Dined with Capt. Gascoigne at Mr. Causton's by Invita
tion ; when understanding he had provided a small Box
to enclose his Dispatches in for the Trustees (being very
voluminous) I thought it best to enclose mine in the same
Vehicle ; which was afterwards delivered to Capt. Thomp
son, who after so long a Stay here, purposed to go early to
morrow on Board his Ship now at Tybee, bound to
Charles-Town ; where he promised to see it carefully
forwarded by the first Ship for England : And by him I
wrote also to Mr. Hopton at Charles-Town, desiring his
Care in it conjunctly, &c.
Sunday. Mr. Dyson continued to officiate at Church. 22.
Capt. Thompson went off in the Forenoon, in order to
sail from Tybee. Mr. Causton at his Country-House,
where he had an Entertainment for Capt. Gascoigne
and other Company. A trading Boat of Mr. Eveleigh's,
bound from Charles-Town for New- Windsor, called in the
Evening ; and by her we had great Expectation of Let
ters from England, which we looked for by Capt. Ayres,
newly arrived there ; but none came.
Monday. My Servants drawing near a Conclusion 23.
now of their Work, in clearing and fencing the five-Acre
Lot, and my Dispatches gone to the Trust ; I took this
Leisure before I went South, to look into the forty-five
Acres ; and very early this Morning took a Walk thither
with my Son, and one or two others ; where I took good
Observation of what I thought needful, that I might the
better give proper Directions what should be done whilst I
was gone away. Here I found a Defect of the Surveyor

COLONIAL RECORDS. 71
Jones again ; for he had only marked out the two ex- £^,
tream Corners of the Land which lay next the Road ; Jan2:^ry
but run out no Lines to bound it inward, which would be
necessary to guide us, lest my People should go wrong.
I returned Home about Noon ; and after Dinner Mr.
Amory came to me, complaining that in so long
Time as he had been here (which was ever since before
Christmas) he had not been able to get Mr. Jones to as
certain the Bounds of some Land for him ; which was
all he desired of him, lest he might for Want of that, go
to work on other Peoples Ground ; and as for the Con
tents, he could measure it himself: I promised to speak
with Mr. Causton about it, and Jones also, as soon as I
could come at the Sight of him : And soon after I went
and talked to Mr. Causton upon it, who promised to
hasten Jones, that it might be done. Mr. Fallowfield
coming accidentally to us whilst together, I fell into Dis
course with him (as one of the commanding Constables)
concerning the Militia, and the ill State which I feared all
their Arms would be found in, upon a due Inspection ;
which therefore was highly necessary : And he told me
they had some Thoughts of a general Muster soon ;
whereupon I urged it more strongly ; and before we
parted, I understood it was determined to have it in a
few Days.
Tuesday. The Court met again according to Adjourn- 24.
ment : when the Trial was expected to come on betwixt
Watson and Matthews ; but as there had been a special
Jury impanelled and sworn, and one of those Jurors was
withdrawn, and gone Abroad without Leave (for which
the Court fined him forty Shillings) and moreover Watson
complained, that two of the Persons intended to have
been on the Jury at first, had not been duly summoned ;
the Court thought it a sufficient Cause to adjourn over
the Trial to the next General Court, to be holden some
Day in February ; against which Day another special
Jury was ordered to be summoned. Seeing no Likeli-

72 COLONIAL RECORDS.
hood of Capt. Gascoigne's Readiness to sail soon for the ^^,
South, I determined with myself to lose no Time, but Jan£ary
take the first convenient Opportunity for that Progress.
Wednesday. Good Part of this Day spent in Confer- 25.
ence with Capt. Gascoigne and Mr. Causton; especially
relating to the Spanish Letters lately received, and proper
Answers to be returned : And as there was now a Scout
Boat here, lately come from the South, partly on partic
ular Business to make up Accounts, and partly to get
some new Men, I resolved to make Use of that Oppor
tunity, and proceed in her to-morrow.
Thursday, After farther Conference with Capt. Gas- 26.
coigne and Mr. Causton, when each of them had given
me their several Letters in answer to the Spaniards, &c.
(which 1 was to carry with me) I set out in the Afternoon
in the Scout Boat for the South, making such Observa
tions by the Way on what Settlements lay near the Water,
as I saw proper ; intending to make a different Account
of it to be sent to the Trustees. We stopt when Night
came on, at Skedoway Island, waiting for Day-Light,
and a proper Time of Tide to pass through the Narrows
of those Marshes.
Friday. In the Morning we went on, and passing 27.
by the Mouth of Vernon River, Ogeechic, and divers
Islands ; we made no other Stop, but as the Tide re
quired, either by Day or Night ; and,
Saturday. About Three in the Afternoon, we arrived 28.
at Frederica, from whence Mr. Horton had been gone
not an Hour for Jekyll: But upon Signal given (which
was by firing a Certain Number of Guns, in case his be
ing there was thought needful) he returned in about an
Hour more ; and we spent the Evening together in agree
able Conversation suited to my Errand.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 73
Sunday. Not having better Employment for the Day, i^
I thought it was doing my Duty to walk to and fro among Ja™ary
the adjacent Lots, whether of one Acre or five ; wherein
I employed myself the whole Day, Forenoon and After.
Mr. Horton readily accompanied me, together with the
Surveyor Mr. Augspourguer, and Mr. Hird a Constable,
and one of the principal Improvers ; by whom I had am
ple Information of all that I asked, besides what I saw
with my Eyes ; and we returned not Home whilst Day-
Light. Monday. Employed myself this Day partly in the so.
same Manner as Yesterday, and otherwise looking into
divers Matters at the Fort, inforhiing myself in many
Things required of me by the Trust.
Tuesday. Proceeded farther South, to visit the several si.
Forts and Settlements, Mr. Horton still accompanying
me ; and we stopt at Noon with Lieutenant Delegal, who
commanded the Company at Fort St. Simon's, and re
ceived us courteously. I thought it would exceed my
Commission to enquire into the Conduct of his Majesty's
Officers, and therefore I contented myself with some few
Generals, whereof I meant to send a particular Account
to the Trustees. In the Afternoon I went on with Mr.
Horton to Jekyll, where he had a Plantation carrying on
for a Year or more past, with a good Number of Serv
ants, and considerable Improvements made, as well in
building Houses, as cultivating Land, having more than
twenty Acres fenced in, and preparing for planting.
Here we rested this Night,
Wednesday. In the Morning (after diverting ourselves February
a little, in viewing his Improvements) we went on for
Cumberland Island, where stands Fort St. Andrew's, a
particular Account of which I purposed to send also to
the Trustees. The wind favoring us by coming suddenly
about to the South ; after some Hours spent agreeably

74 COLONIAL RECORDS.
(I might say delightfully) there, and informing myself ^L
in all that I enquired after, I resolved to turn back again, I'ebJuary
not thinking it of absolute Necessity to go as far more
South as the Look-out at the Island of Amelia, which
was at least twenty Miles off ; where a Scout Boat is
stationed to keep Guard, with thirteen or fourteen Men
on an Eminence of Land, encompassed beneath with a
Palisade, whereon they cover themselves with a Hut,
having two Swivel Guns, two Pateraroes, and one Piece
of Cannon (a six Pounder) to defend or annoy with. Be
fore we left Fort St. Andrew's, Mr. Horton, sent off the
Scout Boat belonging to Amelia Look-out, with those
Letters prepared by Capt. Gascoigne, Mr. Causton and
himself, in answer to the Spaniards (as before men
tioned) giving them strict Orders to row down, and lay
off Shore at Anchor, in Sight of the Spanish Look-out
on Friday Evening, that so they might receive their Letters
from them on Saturday, and they might be at Augustin
with the Governor there on Sunday the 5th, which was
the Day agreed on for him to receive Answers. The
substance of what the Spaniards wrote being to acquaint
us of an Insult made by some Indians in Amity with
us (as before noted on January 20.) who they say killed
ten or eleven of their Indians as they were rowing in a
Boat, and carried off five or six of their Wives, with
seven or eight Men more Prisoners ; wherefore they did
not doubt but we would make strict Enquiry after those
who had committed so atrocious a Fact, and punish
them, and send back the Prisoners in Safety; as they
would be ready to do the like on their Parts, and in all
Cases observe a true Friendship, which they desired to
preserve betwixt the two Nations: The Answers sent
were general, full of Compliments and Professions of all
Readiness to discover the Authors of so wicked an
Action, which we had in the utmost Abhorrence: But no
Promises were made of what was not in our Power. Mr.
Horton told me, that the Officer in the Launch acquainted
him before they parted, that he understood they were a

COLONIAL RECORDS. 75
Party of the Euchies; and if so, they are far off now ™^,
from us; for those of them who lived on the River Sa- FebJuary
vannah, went off this last Year, we know not whither;
being afraid of other Enemies coming upon them there.
Towards Evening we made our way back to Jekyll, and
took up our Quarters again there.
Thursday. Lieutenant Delegal, in the Morning *•
crossed Jekyll Sound, from his Fort on St. Simon's, and
made us a Visit. Mr. Horton then would not allow us to
part without dining with him, which I perceived he had
made some Provision for, and we fared well. Afterwards
Mr. Delegal took his Leave, and returned to his Fort,
and we made the best of our Way to Frederica, where
we arrived asthe Day closed, having by the Way visited
Capt. Gascoigne's Plantation, in his Absence, which is on
St. Simon's Island, near the Station where his Ship
usually rides; and there he has built a convenient House
for himself, with several Out-houses, a Garden, &c. and
cultivated several Acres of Land.
Friday. This Day I was fully employed in perfect- %.
ing such Lists, Observations, &c. as I had began before
I went farther South. In the Evening I had the ready
Consent of the Magistrates and Constables to sit an
Hour or two with me, from whom I was very well pleased
to hear, that they all lived in perfect Peace and Quiet,
without Fear of any Disturbance from Abroad, and with
out any Strife or Contention of Law at Home, where
they sometimes opened a Court, but very rarely had any
Thing to do in it : They seemed to shew some Concern,
that there was so little Appearance of Improvements
made on their Land last Year, which was owing to the
continued Alarm from the Spaniards, and the frequent
Duty they were upon (and that was well known) which
they hoped would be a just Excuse for them ; and they
assured me, that there was very few (if any) but who
went on now in good Earnest this Season to do all in

76 COLONIAL RECORDS.
their Power : All of which I myself was partly an Eye
witness of, and could the more easily believe : They ex
pressed a great Desire of gaining the good Will of the
honourable Trustees ; and I told them, I would do them
Justice in representing it ; and moreover could assure
them of obtaining their Favour in Proportion to their
future Diligence and good Behaviour.
Saturday. About Ten in the Morning I took Leave at
Frederica, and steered for Darien in my Way Home, Mr.
Horton still affording me his Company; and Mr. Augs-
pourguer, the Surveyor, having Business Northward, was
welcome to a Place in the Boat. The Wind not favour
ing, we made it near Four a Clock before we arrived
there, where I lost no Time in taking a List of the In
habitants, and an Account of all Things requisite, pur
suant to my Instructions. It was a Pleasure to me to be
informed here from Mr. Mcintosh, the Principal among
them (who indeed is a careful and discreet Man) of the
orderly Behaviour of these People, and their real Dili
gence in Improvements; having laid open a good Tract
of Land, all the Lots run out to the Old King George's
Fort, and some others the other Way; all of which they
purposed to cultivate and plant this Season, and hoped
from the Product of their last Year's Labour, they should
do much greater Things this. The Particulars collected
here by me, I purposed also to send the Trustees
with the rest. Mr. Mcintosh gave me a kind Reception;
and, Sunday Morning, most of the People being gathered
together, they expressed themselves well pleased that
somebody was sent to inspect what they were doing,
shewing a Desire that their Work hitherto might be well
approved of; which I told them they need not doubt,
and I would not fail to do them Justice in what I wrote
concerning them. About Ten a Clock I took my Leave
of them, and Mr. Horton staying there in order to return

1738.
February

COLONIAL RECORDS. 77
in the Afternoon to Frederica, Mr. Augspourguer and I ^!i,
pursued our Way towards Savannah: The Wind favour- Feb™ary
ing us, we made good Speed, and no Stop till Midnight ;
when upon Entrance into the Narrows through Skeed-
away Marshes, we lay on our Grapling till Day Light ;
and, Monday, early in the Morning, we kept on our Way, «.
till about Noon arriving at Thunderbolt, I went ashore
there, partly to visit Mr. Lacy, who had been dangerously
ill, and partly to see how the Cultivation of Land went
forward there among his next Neighbours (his own good
Improvements being well known ; ) but I could not dis
cover any great Matters done among them. I was glad
to hear Mr. Lacy was grown well enough to go to
Savannah Town, about an Hour before I came. Then we
kept on our Course, and a few Miles farther down the
Water we came to Mr. Causton's Plantation at Ockstead,
which stands on a fair Eminence. Capt. Gascoigne and
Mr. Hugh Anderson standing on the Bluff, I went ashore
to salute them, where I found a good Dinner just on
Table, and was easily persuaded to take Part of it: Mr.
Causton I understood went to Town in the Morning,
leaving the Captain there (who came with him last Night)
and he was expected to return to them this Evening.
After Dinner I was agreeably amused in viewing the fine
Improvements here made, as well in building a very
handsome House after the modern Taste, neatly finished,
with convenient Offices and Out-houses adjoining near,
in an uniform Manner; as also a large Garden and Or
chard laid out elegantly, planting, and intended to be
well filled with the best Kinds of all Things which this
Country will produce. About Four a Clock I returned
to my Boat, and arriving at Savannah just at the shutting
in of Day-Light, having by the Help of favourable Winds
made this Town in eleven Days, which at setting out I
could not well promise myself to accomplish under three
Weeks. I learnt nothing new from my Son of any Mo-

78 COLONIAL RECORDS. \
ment since I went away; but all Things much in the ^j
same Way. Feb6ruary
Tuesday. Very heavy Rain all Day, with some Thun- i-
der and Lightning, confined me at Home : Capt. Gas
coigne, with Mr. Causton, returning to Town in the
Evening, and desiring my Company ; I went and sat
with them. We had neither of us any Thing new and
material to communicate, and therefore nothing passed
in our Conversation but ordinary Chat.
Wednesday. Advice came this Day, that one Hughes, 8.
a Smith, settled at Abercorn, was newly gone off, with
out the least previous Notice of his Intention, for Caro
lina, with his Family ; which shewed him to be an errant
Rascal, Mr. Causton having very lately supplied him with
good Stock of Provisions out of the Stores. To balance
this, one Desborough, a Carpenter, who went off from
Savannah for Carolina some Months since, with his Fam
ily, now thought fit to return again, and reported, that
Atwell, and some others, he believed would shortly do
the same. This verified my conjecture which I had wrote
to the Trustees, concerning such to-and-fro People, who
were handicraft Men, and always seeking how to improve
their Wages. One Scott, a Gunsmith, a notorious Dealer
in Rum, was this Day charged upon two Affidavits with
retailing that Liquor, and bound over to the Court in
order to be prosecuted for two Offences, as well as for sell
ing Rum, as for selling it without being a licensed Victu
aller. Happy were it for the Town, if all Delinquents
of the same Kind were discovered, and severely pun
ished ; which certainly would appear to be a greater
Number than can be easily imagined ; and not only
tends to destroy the Peoples Health, but debauches the
labouring People and Servants, being Places of Nursery
for all Vices ; and it is observable, that Thieving begins
to grow very fast, robbing of Gardens and such like of
late being frequent. Capt. Daubuz in the Georgia

COLONIAL RECORDS. 79
Pink being unladen and clear, fell down the River a little i3!j!L>
Way, in order to sail, as soon as the Wind favours to go Feb^ary
over the Bar.
Thursday. Upon my telling Mr. Causton how great 9-
Reason Mr. Delegal had to complain of the Want of
Carriages for his Guns, which he expected hence ; and
Mr. Causton laying the Blame upon one Young, a Wheel
wright, who undertook it some Months ago ; I went to
Young, and rebuked him sharply : He had Half a Dozen
ready, which I told him he might very conveniently put
on Board the Hawk, now Capt. Gascoigne was just upon
sailing thither ; and he promised me he would, and also
assured me no further Time should be lost in getting
the Remainder.
Friday. Capt. Gascoigne and Mr. Causton sitting a io-
while with me, the Captain took occasion to talk of the
very great Inconvenience they lay under in the South,
for want of having divers Kinds of Stores always ready
at Hand for fitting and repairing of Boats, and supply
ing them with Sails, Oars, and other Necessaries for the
Service, which would often have suffered very much in Dis
patch, had not he assisted them with his Carpenter, and
what was wanting; whereupon he proposed, that a private
Store of proper Utensils might be lodged with him for
that Purpose, such as Pitch, Tar and Turpentine, Cloth
for Sails, and divers other Articles, for which he would
be Accountable to the Stores here, &c. Wherein he
partly directed his Discourse to Mr. Causton, with whom
he had before talked of it ; and they both seemed to
expect my Opinion : To which I made Answer, that I
saw no Objection to it ; but it would be necessary to
have the Approbation of the Trust, and was somewhat
doubtful in myself how far multiplying Stores might be
agreeable to them, when the Publick Stores for the
South Part of the Province were so near the Captain's
Station as Frederica is.

80 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Saturday. This Day I devoted to my own private Af- ^^_
fair of cultivating Land; and walked out early with my Feb™ary
Son to see what Progress the Men made in clearing the
Ground near three Miles out of Town : I spent some
Hours there, and coming Home in the Afternoon, we
were catch'd in a heavy American Rain, and handsomely
washed to the Skin.

Sunday. Mr. Dyson continued to officiate at Church
with a pretty full Congregation.

12

Monday. A Brigantine came up the River laden with 13.
Provisions of the usual Sort from New York, at the Dis
posal of  Provost, Supercargo. Mr. Christie the
Recorder, having let out to several his Dwelling-House,
and other Conveniences in Town, and laid aside any
farther Thoughts of Bloody- Point in Carolina, and a
Fishery there, which formerly at that Time he was in
tent upon, as I then noted; now all on a sudden resolved
to apply himself wholly to improving of Land, and live
upon it; reserving only to himself a Lodging-Room in
Town, where he purposed to be on certain Days, for ex
ecuting his office as a Magistrate : 'Twere well if he per
sisted stedfastly in this Purpose ; but his Humour being
so variable, I doubted how long he would be of the same
Mind, having (as I learnt) divers Times rented this or
that Lot (as his Fancy led him) of the Owners, with De
sign to cultivate them to such particular Uses, as he
thought the Nature of the Soil was properly adapted, and
quickly thrown them up again, without bringing any
Thing to Perfection. A Man of competent Knowledge
in many Things, but unstable in all his Ways. Mr. Caus
ton returned in the Evening from Ockstead.
Tuesday. Bailiff Parker and Mr. Hugh Anderson tak- «¦
ing Part of a Commons with me, after Dinner took a
Walk, first to the publick Garden, where I was very glad
to see so good a Progress made in putting all into due

COLONIAL RECORDS. 81
order again, after the sad Confusion it had been lately ^j
in. Thence we went to several neighbouring Lots; and e j™ary-
the great Improvements which Mr. Bradley was making
on a five-Acre Lot of his Sons, being much talked of;.
I had a Desire to see that, where indeed I found great
Things done; a neat Garden well laid out, on about an
Acre of it, which was filling, and to be filled with proper,
choice Fruits: on a Slope which led down to a Swamp,
and which was well dressed, were planted upwards of an
hundred Vines, raised from Cuttings brought out of
England partly, and partly from Pensilvania: To drain
the Swamp, several deep Trenches were cast up with
great Labour, and the Land thereby becoming very rich,
was designed to be planted with Rice: One remaining
Corner of the Lot being productive of good Clay for
making Bricks (whereof Experiment had been effectually
made) was to be reserved for that Use. All this was a
little suprising ; but my Wondering ceased when I found
the Work was carried on by a great Number of those
Germans imported by Capt. Hewit: Twenty or more of
them I observed were at Work upon it, besides others
preparing Materials in the Woods, for paling the Gar
dens, and divers Accommodations of that Sort. After
my return Home, upon my telling Mr. Causton what I
had seen, he said he never had, nor was yet inclined to
it; but what he knew was, that none of all those Men
under Mr. Bradley's Care, had ever done a Stroke of
Work towards clearing or cultivating the Trust's Land;
from whence it might have been hoped some Produce
would have arisen towards their Maintenance another
Year; but, far from that, they had not yet made them
selves any Huts, or Covering of any Kind to live in, but
continued a Burden on the kTrust, by taking up divers
vacant Houses in Town, which they were put in at their
first Arrival "for Shelter, and the Rent of all which will
come to upwards of 30/.
Ash-Wednesday. One Smith, a Shoemaker (not a 15.
6 0 r— v 4

82 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Freehold Inhabitant) paying away a few Spanish Bits, ™^
the Receiver observed them to be fresh clipped; where- Feb™ary
upon he went to a Magistrate, and got a Warrant to ap
prehend him, and search after more; by which Power
they found Half a Pound Weight of new Clippings, and
another Bag of Spanish Bits newly clipped: All which
appearing so strong a presumptive Evidence of its being
done by Smith, he was committed to Prison, in order to
take his Trial at the next Court for so high a Misde
meanor. Mr. Brown's Servant at Highgate being likely
to die, as the Surgeon declared who attended him; a
Warrant was ordered to take Brown into Custody. {Vide
January 5.)
Thursday. This Morning an Express arrived from 1S
Lieutenant Willy in the Creek Nation, and came by the Way
of Augusta, signifying, that the Choctaw Indians in the
French Interest, had some Time in November last come
in a great Body, far superior to the Chicasaws, and at
tacked them in such a Manner, that the Chicasaws not
being of Force sufficient to face them, betook themselves
to their Forts, to defend what they had: That after they
had committed what Plunder they thought good, killed
and taken Prisoners about twenty People, and also killed
and eaten a great Number of Horses, partly belonging to
those Chicasaws, and partly to white Men, they marched
off, telling them they would come and visit them again
in the Spring, &c. It is added, that the Chicasaws are
said to have followed them, and fallen on their Rear with
good Success; but we do not find it confirmed. The
same Advice tells us, that Col. Bull had sent Notice to
the Chicasaws of certain Information he received, that
the French were making great Preparations to fall upon
them in the Spring, resolving utterly to destroy their
Nation; whereupon he persuaded them by no Means to
shut themselves up in their Forts, which would be no
Defence for them against the French Artillery, but prove
certain Destruction; wherefore their best Way would be

COLONIAL RECORDS. 83
to gall them with Ambuscades; or if they could not ™j
trust to that, then to retreat nearer to their Friends, from Feb™ary
whom they might be supplied with what they wanted
against their Enemies. I made no Doubt but the Trus
tees would have the whole Affair fully represented to
them by Mr. Causton, to whom this Express came. In
the Afternoon the Magistrates, upon examining into the
Affair of Mr. Brown, thought proper to commit him to
close Confinement; and gave Notice to Smith, who was
committed Yesterday, that if he could find sufficient Bail
for his Appearance at Court, they would accept of it.

Friday. Capt. Gascoigne, who arrived here the 17th
ult. took his Leave this Day, and went for Tybee in the
Ranger Sloop, in order to Sail : At his going off, the
Fort saluted him with nine Guns. In the Evening Mr.
Bradley came and sat with me, making grievous Com
plaints of the cruel Usage he met with from Mr. Caus
ton, whereof he enumerated divers Particulars : Among
others, he told me, that he had drawn two or three small
Bills on him for Payment of Things absolutely neces
sary ; such as two Doctors for attending his Family and
Servants in their Sickness, and others for Cloaths for his
Children, &c. all which he had not a Penny to discharge;
nevertheless Mr. Causton refused him any Assistance,
telling those who brought them, he would pay none of
his Bills ; insomuch that he expects every Day to be ar
rested for Payment. The Workmen about the great
House (which he calls his) who are mostly Germans of
Mr. Spangenburgh's Tribe, he said, upon demanding
Payment, were likewise refused, unless he will sign their
Accounts ; which he told me he objected to, because he
finds that Mr. Causton will make him Debtor in his
Books to the Trust for all publick Works that he is con
cerned in ; and upon my saying, that if Mr. Causton
did so, I apprehended that it would not be a Charge
upon him when those Accounts were liquidated ; he re
plied ; that in case either of them died, it would not

17.

84 COLONIAL RECORDS.
easily be set right, and he would not leave his Family at JJjJ^
Mr. Causton's Mercy, in case he survived. He desired Febr7uary
I would particularly take Notice of this ; which I prom
ised him I would ; and then he gave me broad Hints of
his Intention not only to concern himself no farther about
the House (which it is vulgarly computed is very ex
pensive ; and surely I think, intended for a greater In
habitant than Mr. Bradlej*) but also that he had Thoughts
of quitting all, and therefore hoped I would put a good
Construction upon it, if I heard he was gone privately
off : For should his Intention be known, probably he
might be stopt ;  with Abundance more to the
same Purpose ; which I listened to, and said little.
Whilst we were conversing, Mr. Brownjohn came to
speak with me ; and knowing that he and Mr. Bradley
had been before very intimate, being one among the
Malecontents, I expected to have heard some angry
Words from him too, but therein I was mistaken ; for he
only took Notice in a cool Manner, that Mr. Causton
had dealt hardly with him, as he thought, in a few small
Instances, which he named ; which he should say no
more of at present, but would wait the Opportunity of ap
pealing to a greater Man than him : I very much com
mended his Discretion, telling him that it was the Ad
vise I gave to all who complained of ill Treatment, to
reserve such Complaints against a proper Time, when
strict Justice would be done them, and those who were
injured would have Right ; but to set themselves against
the Colony for any private Pique against this or that
Man in Power, who they imagined injured them, without
appealing farther, was doing an Act of Injustice to the
Trustees, whose Aim was to make every Body, who was
industrious, easy : All which he seemed to give good At
tention to. N. B. This Brownjohn was one of the four
before-mentioned (January 6) who had been at Carolina,
&c. of whom Mercer was the chief Leader, and the most
sour in his Temper of any of them ; and this Man being
his Brother-in-Law, naturally concerted with him : But

COLONIAL RECORDS. 85
as I knew him otherwise a good-natured Man, and one ™j
of the valuable Freeholders in Town, for the Improve- Feb™ary
ments he has made, wherein he has been curious in many
Experiments to find what the Soil was most fitly adapted
to ; and this Year particularly has Wheat, Barley and
Oats, about Half an Acre of each in a very flourishing
Condition, expecting the Wheat which is nigh shooting
in Ear now, will be ripe in May ; besides a good Num
ber of various Kinds of Fruit-Trees, which he is raising ;
and lives decently with his Family : For these Reasons
I sought his Acquaintance, as well hoping by that Means
to reduce him to a good Disposition towards the Colony,
as to get some Instructions from him about the most
profitable Way of planting : And having before invited
him to come and sit an Evening with me, when he had *
most Leisure and Inclination ; it happened he came now ;
and from the Reception I gave him, I expect he will
come again, and grow good humour'd as in Time past.
Saturday. Mr. Causton understanding, that Mr. Brad- is.
ley had been with me last Night, came to me ; and in his
Turn laid Abundance of heavy Things to his Charge,
running over a long Scene of Mr. Bradley's Behaviour
towards him ; how in all Things he made it his Study to
perplex him, and create him what trouble he could: That
nothing he could do would ever satisfy him, but every Day
produced some new and extraordinary Demand, which he
could not warrant the complying with: That he had pro
fessed and avowed Enmity against him; done all that lay
in his Power to stir up the People to an Aversion towards
him ; and that it was impossible for him, or any one who
had to do with such a Person, to live in Quiet : That he
was continually laying Traps and Snares to catch him, in
case he fell into any Error ; so that he did not think
himself safe at any Time from his Wiles ; that he had
borne it so long, and had been so scandalously traduced
through his Means, he was resolved to bear it no longer ;
and any Body was welcome to take his Place, unless the

86 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Trustees would defend him from such injurious Treat- ^J^,
ment, who (he added) too were falsely served by him, as Feb™ary
they would find, when they compared the great Expense
he had put them to, with the Fruits of his Labour ;
which for his Part, he saw scarce any Appearance of.
Abundance more to the like Purpose fell from him in a
great Passion ; which indeed I could not wonder at, if
true (as I had Reason to apprehend good Part of it was,
from what I had observed;) but I interposed in my com
muning with him, no farther than to persuade him to be
pacified, till a proper opportunity offered, of bringing
all these Things into open Light, before those who would
do impartial Justice, and not suffer such as appeared to
serve them well, to be run down. Then he said, that he
was determined for the remaining Time to come, that he
had any Thing to do with him, not to have any Converse
or Dealing of any Kind with him, but before Witness ;
and to pay no Money on any Account he should bring,
but what was of absolute Necessity, and perfectly well
warranted ; so we parted.
Sunday. Mr. Dyson officiated still at Church. 19.
Monday. Mr. Bradley with me again, complaining 20.
now of more Grievances : That among those Germans
under his Care, there was one Carpenter, which he ex
pected would have been of good Use to him in building
Huts, &c. for his People; but that Mr. Causton this
Morning had taken him away from him ; and that upon
his asking the Man what purpose he was called off for,
he told him he was hired to serve Mr. Williamson (Mr.
Causton's Nephew :) That having lately a Carpenter
among his own Servants, who was now dead, he was
hereby rendered utterly helpless, and knew not how to
settle those People any where, &c. Then he told me (as
he had several Times before) that he never could get the
Trust's Lot near Vernon River to be run out by Jones in
the Manner as shewed him by the Trustees, and as his

COLONIAL RECORDS. 87
Agreement with them was, viz. a Mile square ; but that ™^
Jones, after being so often called upon by him, had lately Febr0uary
sent his Boy, and run out that Lot two Miles long, and
Half a Mile broad, alledging it was pursuant to his in
structions when bordering upon a River ; which Bradley
asserted was not true ; for it was all Marsh near it, and
so navigable Water within two Miles : And it was in
vain to cultivate that Lot in such narrow Shape, which
by Reason of Woods so near adjoining, would produce
not Half a Crop. Upon the Whole, he said, that he
found that Mr. Causton was set upon it, to defeat him in
all his Undertakings; and that therefore he resolved to
quit his Hands of the Germans, and have nothing more
to do with them : All which he desired me to acquaint
Mr. Causton with, also that I would take particular
Notice of it: Both which I promised him. Soon after
he was gone, Adams the Butcher came and showed me a
Bill of 6 /. and odd Money Sterling, which Mr. Bradley
owed him for Meat, and which Mr. Bradley had drawn
on Mr. Causton to pay, but Mr. Causton had refused it ;
whereupon he had taken out a Warrant to arrest Bradley,
and hoped, by so doing, he should not give Offence to
the Trustees, as Bradley was their Servant, asking my
Advice ; but I told him it was not any Part of my Office
to meddle in such Matters of common Right; that the
Trustees had erected a Court of Justice, which I did not
doubt but they meant should be open to all Complain
ants. In the Evening I acquainted Mr. Causton with
what Mr. Bradley had given me Commission to say; who
after pausing a little, told me, that in case Bradley was in
Earnest, he had one capable and ready to employ those
People, to better Purpose than they were like to be
under Bradley (meaning Mr. Parker) but he (Mr. Causton)
was of Opinion, that Bradley would hardly stick to what
he had said, and therefore wished, if I saw him again, that
I would know of him whether he was determined to
abide by the Message he had sent him, or not ; which I
promised I would the first Time I saw him ; and I be-

¦88 COLONIAL RECORDS.
lieved that would not be long, for he now was almost ^j
daily dinning me with his Complaints against Mr. Caus- Fet2™ary
ton, of one Sort or other. Late this Evening another
Sloop came up the River, laden with divers of the usual
Sorts of Provisions from New York,  Stenbury
Master. Tuesday. It was not long before I met Mr. Bradley 21.
again, who followed me Home, and went on in his usual
Way of Talk, and accusing of Mr. Causton; which he
was so full of, that he waited for no Answer from me, to
any Matters healledged: Wherefore I heard with Patience
all he thought fit to utter, for the Space of two Hours;
wherein he rambled, like a Man out of his Senses, from
one Subject to another; sometimes charging the Trustees
with Non-Performance of the Agreement they had made
with him, and afterwards leaving him in the Hands of a
Person, who it was well known (he said) would be glad
to see him hanged: Then he would return again to his
Catalogue of Sufferings thro' Mr. Causton's arbitrary
and unjust Dealings with him (as he termed it) and with
many dreadful Imprecations, declared his Resolution of
printing his Case in the Carolina Gazette, and publishing
the cruel Usage he had met with. From which Violence
of Passion I expected he would have confirmed what he
before had desired me to note, of his Resolution to throw
up all farther Care about the Germans, &c. but instead
of that, he told me, that he had considered farther of it,
and now thought otherwise of it; for he believed, that
Mr. Causton sought all Ways to make him weary of
them, and resign that Charge; for which Reason only he
would not yet do it, that he might have the Pleasure of
gaining such a point upon him if he did: Though what
remained of them shortly would not be worth any man's
having, after they were pickt out every Day that were fit
for Service; divers of them being taken from him since
what he told me of Yesterday. Upon my saying, that it
was the Trustees orders to discharge all such as could

COLONIAL RECORDS. 89
either pay for their Passage themselves, or had any Friend ™jj
to do it for them; he asked me, whether or not I thought Febr1uary
it was the Trustees Meaning, that any Person had Lib
erty to wheedle them away under Colour of doing them
a Kindness, by paying for their Redemption from their
present Service; and at the same Time to engage them
in their own Service by Indenture for the like Time, under
Pretence of being better treated; whereas they would
find themselves abundantly more enslaved, and make'
good the Proverb, out of the Frying Pan into the Fire:
To all which he not seeming to expect any Answer; for
this Time again we parted: And when he was gone, I
could not but doubt some of those poor People might
verify that Proverb.
Wednesday. This being the Day appointed for another 22.
Court to be holden, it was opened, as usual, in due Form,
and a Grand Jury Impanelled; when it was proposed by
some few of them, that they apprehended they had a
Right to administer Oaths, and make Enquiry thereon
of all such Matters as they thought fit to examine into:
The Tendency of which was easily seen into, and not al
lowed of by the Court, which occasioned some Debate:
And as the Magistrates were pleased to appeal to me for
my Sentiments therein, I frankly declared, that it ap
peared to me contrary to the Usage of all Grand Juries
in England: That in all wherein I had served, the Wit
nesses to the Facts set forth, whether by Indictment, or
otherwise, were indorsed on the Back, and certified to be
sworn by the Clerk in Court, before they were examined;
though it must be supposed, many of such Jury were
acting Justices of the Peace, and qualified to give an
Oath and record it, on other Occasions: That in this Case
therefore more particularly, I could not imagine any
Body of Men capable of administering an Oath, who had
never any one of them been empowered by the Trustees
so to do on other Occasions. Upon which they acqui
esced; and much the greatest Part of them appeared

90 COLONIAL RECORDS.
well pleas'd: Only two or three of the Remnant of the ™^,
Malecontents seemed disapponited in their Views of ere- Feb™ary
ating fresh Trouble, and new Disturbances; which they
could not fail in (they thought) if they had such a Power
of Inquisition vested in them. In the Evening, by a
Pettyagua just arrived from Charles-Town, I had a Let
ter from Mr. Hopton there, dated February 6th, to ac
quaint me with the last Packet for the Trustees being
sent by the Prince William, Capt. Adam Montgomery:
So long was this Pettyagua on her Passage.
Thursday. Attended the Court, where three offences 23-
were to be tried, which the Grand Jury had found Bills
of Presentments against. The first was against one
Scott, a notorious Retailer of Rum : The Evidence
against him were two Affidavits, taken from two Persons
who were now gone to Sea, who swore they drank both
Punch and plain Drams often, of his and his Wife's
filling to them, and that they left a Gold Ring as a Pledge
for payment : To which the Defendant pleaded that they
were both old Friends of his, whom he had treated ; but
that they paid nothing and they had the Gold Ring
again : But it appeared, that the Gold Ring was given
up after those Affidavits were made, to elude the Law ;
whereupon pledging any Thing valuable, being to be un
derstood for Payment ; the Jury were directed to find
him guilty : But they brought in their Verdict to acquit
him ; which was so barefaced and scandalous a Proceed
ing, they were sent out again, and their Verdict not ac
cepted : But they returned a second Time and persisted ;
so that this hopeful prosecution was defeated ; but for
asmuch as they had divers former Complaints of him of
various Kinds, the Court now required him to enter into
his single Recognizance of 50 /.for his good Behaviour ;
which he not readily complying with, he stood commit
ted till he did. The next Offender was one Smith, an
Irishman, Shoemaker, an Inmate at Savannah, who was
prosecuted for clipping Spanish Bits: The Clippings

COLONIAL RECORDS. 91
were found upon him ; he was taken in uttering some of ™^
them when newly clipped ; had little to say for himself, Feb™ary
and was found guilty of the Misdemeanor. The third
was an idle Woman of the Town, indicted for Petty-
Larceny, in stealing a Shirt ; for which she also was
found guilty : But the People here will not yet easily
think Rum-selling a Crime, till some can be brought to
understand it with Severity. In the Afternoon the Cause
came on to be tried betwixt Watson and Matthews,
which had been a pretty while depending. Mr. Causton
very opportunely was taken with a sore Throat ; which
gave him Handle for a fair Excuse to be absent from
this Trial, and which he was otherwise determined not
to sit as Judge in, having been basely traduced by Wat
son, as a partial and prejudiced Man against him. This
Trial was intricate and tedious, being wholly on fair
stating an Account of Partnership betwixt them ; and
after the Court had sat till late at Night, observing that
no evidence was to be produced more than Books of
Accompts, I took the Liberty (though a Spectator only)
to propose, that the Court might leave it to the Jury to
examine those Books and Accompts themselves, leaving
it to them to meet when and where they pleased to look
into it, and inform their own Judgments upon the Whole ;
only limiting them to a fixed Time for their Returning
to Court, and make such a Report of their Proceedings
as might enable the Court to give a Charge to the Jury
according to Law, whereon to find ther Verdict. The
Proposition was approved by the Court and all Parties ;
so they adjourned.
Friday. Mr. Causton acquainted me with Mr. Brad- 24.
ley's having made some extraordinary Demands on him
for divers Kinds of Provisions, out of his Stores ; where
upon he was making up his Accompts to the latter End
of December last, in order to send it to the Trustees,
by which they might see how far he had exceeded his
Allowance as per Agreement with the Trustees ; which

92 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Allowance he showed me, as he was advised from Mr. ™j
Verelst in his Letter dated in March last : And even Feb™ary
now, he said, Mr. Bradley had already exceeded his Al
lowance for a Quarter ending the 25th of March next,
though one Third of the Quarter was yet to come ; so
that he knew not what to do with him : Nevertheless, if
he would let him know at once what his demand was,
and make such Demand in Writing, he would let him
have it ; otherwise he would not go on any farther as he
had done, endeavoring to please a Man whom nothing
he could do would satisfy. I could say little to it, not
knowing what objections to make, nor on what Footing
Mr. Bradley might found his Demands beyond what ap
peared in Mr. Verelst's Letter : But I plainly saw it was
not possible j for me to mediate between them to any
good Purpose, they were now become so irreconcilable.
Notwithstanding the hopes which I had conceived of the
Grand Jury's acquiescing in the Opinion I had given
about their Power of administering Oaths, Mr. Causton
told me he had private Information that they had as
sumed it to themselves, and examined one or two there
upon ; but not finding any Thing which they thought
worth their Notice, they laid nothing which they enquired
into before the Court. I attended the Court again all
this Afternoon, where I observed every Thing done with
good Order and Care.
Saturday. Mr. Bradley sent his Son to me, sadly com- 25.
plaining of Want of Provisions, which Mr. Causton had
refused them; and moreover, that the Beef which they had
last, was so bad, and stunk, that it was not to be eaten:
Furthermore, that the Work about the Trust's House
which was building, was wholly stopt, Mr. Causton re
fusing to pay the Workmen. I talked with Mr. Causton
soon after upon it; and he told me in Answer to the
first Part, the same that he had said Yesterday; that
notwithstanding his great Exceedings already, he would
yet supply him on those Terms (which were easy for Mr.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 93
Bradley to comply with, if he pleased) and not other- ^J^,
wise; for he would have as little to do as possible with a Feb™ary
Man who from Day to Day made it his Business to give
him all the Vexation he could; and as for the bad Beef
which he knew nothing of, being given out in the ordi
nary Course among others, he said, Mr. Bradley well
knew, that whenever such an Accident happened in Re
ality, they had never refused to take it again from him, or
any others. The Reason why he had made some Stop
page in Payment of such as worked about the House,
proceeded from an Observation, that the Man who was
employed in calking the Top of it, he thought did not
follow his Work; and that he had been urgent with that
Man to make some Computation what Time it would take
for him to complete it; but that he was surly thereupon,
and imagining Mr. Causton had nothing to do with him,
being employed by Mr. Bradley, he refused to make any
such Computation; Wherefore as his Day-Wages was very
large, Mr. Causton was of Opinion, it was his Duty to be
cautious how the publick Money was earned, which he
was to pay: And as for the other Workmen employed,
he had never refused them Payment, provided it was cer
tified to him by Mr. Bradley how much was due. In
the Evening Mr. Bradley called on me himself; when I
acquainted him with my having talked to Mr. Causton,
and told him what his Answers were, to the several Par
ticulars which he had desired me to be informed in. Ad
ams the Butcher suing Mr. Bradley for a Debt upwards
of 61. Sterling {vide 20th Instant) it came on this Day to
be heard before the Court; when Mr. Bradley's Plea was,
that it was not a Debt of his, but the Trustees, which
Mr. Causton should have paid: Whereupon the Court
sent to Mr. Causton (who had kept Home since Wednes
day by Reason of much Indisposition) desiring, if he
could, that he would come and give Evidence in that
Affair: Mr. Causton went accordingly, and gave his Ev
idence as a private Man on his Oath, at the End of the
Clerk's Table; which consisting mostly of written Or-

94 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ders to him from the Trustees, and his Voice failing him, ^^
by Reason of a great Hoarseness, such Parts of those Feb™ary
Papers as he pointed out, which any ways related to Mr.
Bradley, were publickly read to the Court and Jury; who
thereupon, without any further Hesitation, gave their
Verdict against the Defendant. The Court, after having
gone through what was before them, sentenced the Fel
low for Clipping to be three Times whipped; and the
Woman for Petty Larceny once: Then they adjourned
pro forma till Monday, intending to do so de Die in Diem
till the Jury had finished that long, intricate Affair before
them, relating to Watson and Matthews.

Sunday. The Church continued to be supplied by Mr.
Dyson.

26.

Monday. Walked in the Morning to look a little into 27.
what was done about clearing more Land, and leaving my
Son to continue a while there, and set out what I would
have next done, I returned Home about Noon, making
the rest of the Day out in preparing what I had to send
by the first Opportunity to the Trustees; which I was
told by Mr. Causton would be in a few Days; but I could
yet be at no Certainty when he would be ready with his
own Dispatches; wherefore I was obliged to wait for that.
Tuesday. The Jury which had the Affair of Watson 28.
and Matthews before them, that was so intricate as to
take up several Days Time, for their close Examination
into Accounts &c. gave their Verdict this Morning into
publick Court, which had been kept open since Saturday
purposely to wait for it: And it appeared, that their
Pains had been well bestowed, though so long about it;
and after all that, they were enclosed Yesterday in the
Evening, and it was Day-Light this Morning before they
could all agree. From Watson's giving out in common
Talk, what great Sums were due to him from that Part
nership with Musgrave, great Expectations were raised

COLONIAL RECORDS. 95
what would be the event; but the Surprise was equal, ^^,
when at last it was known, that Matthews was adjudged Feb^uary
to pay only 10 I. Currency in full of all Accounts be
twixt Watson and him; which the Jury desiring might
be done immediately in Court, and Watson thereupon to
sign a full Discharge, which would shew they were both
satisfied with the Verdict: It was readily done by both,
and both declared themselves well pleased: Which has
fixed such a Character on Watson, of being a pompous
Trifler at best, if not something worse, that it is thought
he will not easily get quit of: And the Jury very dis
creetly moved the Court, that it might be a Rule hence
forward, for Plaintiff and Defendant to make up their
own Accounts upon any action brought, and not expect
to make that the Work of a Jury; since here was such a
shameful Instance, how much Time it had taken up such
a Number of Men to go through this, and any litigious
Man might in like Manner find the same Employment
for others; wherein the Court concurred. Another Sloop
laden with Provisions from New York came up this Day,
whereof Mr. Provost's Brother had the Charge as Super
cargo. Wednesday. More Complaint from Mr. Bradley, who March
brought with him one Sheftal (a Jew, that had been ap
pointed Interpreter betwixt him and his Germans) to
testify the Truth of what he Alledged ; which principally
was relating to their being sent for out of the publick
Service they were in under his Direction, and the ill
Treatment the rest of them found from the Stores, who
continued with him : As an Instance of the first, he said,
that no longer since than Yesterday, two or three of
them were called away from their Work at a Minute's
Warning, by Mr. Causton's Order, when they were at
plough upon the Trust-Land, in order to enter into an
other Service, which occasioned the Plough to stand
still ; and as to the second, to discourage them what
they could, they had sent them such Cloth for Shirting

96 COLONIAL RECORDS.
as was fitter for Sacking, whilst others who worked else- JJ^,
where were served with such as was very good : The Ma,™h
Witness acknowledged that it was so, but upon Com
plaint made of it, it was changed, and they had better ;
and the other Charge about the Plough he could say
very little or nothing to. Mr. Bradley desired I would
take particular Notice of this, which I promised him ;
and upon his farther telling me, that some of those Peo
ple had been persuaded to take Jews for their Masters,
in Exchange for the Trust; I could not but be somewhat
shocked at it, to think of Christians becoming Bondmen
to those Infidels, and I doubted it would be ill looked
on by every Body in the Communion of our Church. In
the Evening Mr. Causton told me, he expected a Man
from among the Saltzburghers at Ebenezer to-morrow,
who was going for London, and thence to Germany, on
some Affairs of that Settlement, and that he intended to
send his Dispatches by him to the Trustees, whom he
was to wait on from the Settlement with divers Letters ;
and that Monsieur Bolzius, their Minister, had recom
mended this Person to him, as one he might safely con
fide in to deliver what he was entrusted with : Therefore
he hoped I should be ready, for the Man could not stay :
I made answer, that I should give him no Occasion, for
I had closed what I had to send two Days since ; and
had it not been that I waited when he himself would
think fit to write, I had wished for an Opportunity to do it
this ten Days past. I could not avoidsome little Reflexion
within myself hereupon : It was apparent to me, that
Mr. Bolzius acquainted Mr. Causton with this Occasion,
when he came last to our Town from Ebenezer, which
was a Week past ; and though I often importuned Mr .
Causton to tell me if he intended to send any Dispatches
to the Trust soon, and when ; he never would explain
himself to me farther, than to say shortly, or in a little
Time : From whence I found I had a Waiter's Post ; and
now at last he was ready to send off his own Packet, with
out giving me twenty-four Hours Notice.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 97
Thursday. Towards Noon, Mr. Causton sent me Word ¦— v->
March.
the Man was ready who was to carry our Letters, and by 2.
this Time I had got Knowledge, that he had been in
Town two Days. I did not delay him five Minutes, but
went instantly, and joining mine with Mr. Causton's, they
were all sewed up in a Cloth, directed to the Georgia
Office, and delivered to the Man whose Name was George
St. Leaver, by whom I wrote a Letter to Mr. Hopton at
Charles-Town, recommending him to his Care to see that
he was a Passenger in the first Ship bound for London,
and desiring Mr. Hopton to write me the Ship's Name, and
the Captain's, and when she sailed. In the Afternoon
the Man went in Company with Mr. Provost down the
River, to go aboard his Brig, which had cleared here, and
was now at Tybee bound for Charles-Town.
Friday. Resolving now to devote a few Days to Agri- 3.
culture, I spent great Part of this in attending that Work.
Mr. Brown's Servant at Highgate (of whom Notice be
fore has been taken) dying Yesterday, the Recorder exe
cuted the Office of Coroner ; and this Day an Inquest
was summoned, who sat upon him, and late at Night
brought it in Manslaughter.
Saturday. Betook myself to the same Employment. 4.
Mr. Causton went to his Country-House; and nothing
occurred worth Note all Day.
Sunday. Mr. Dyson continued to perform the Offices 5.
of the Church.
Monday. Attended my People again at their Work : 6.
and the Season for planting being now at hand, I caused
them to revise what was done, and amend what I thought
was not cleared so perfectly as I would have it. The
same Day I began first with about 150 small Mulberry-
Plants, which I set in an Angle of the Ground as a small
Nursery, where I expected they would take good Root,
7 c r— v 4

98 COLONIAL RECORDS.
and be ready against the Fall of the Leaf to transplant in ^^
such a Disposition, as I thought proper for their future Marel1
Continuance. Mr. Causton returned to Town in the
Evening. A Sloop arrived laden with Provision from
New-York, consigned to Mr. Minas.
Tuesday. Mr. Causton sat awhile with me, conferring r.
on various Matters ; among others, he was sure not to
forget divers Passages betwixt him and Mr. Bradley of
late, all of a Piece with many taken Notice of before ; so
that no Peace henceforward could be expected from that
Quarter, one studying to make the other uneasy in every
Thing they had to do. By a Person just come to Town
(last from Port-Royal) we learnt, that two Ships from
England arrived at Charles-Town about ten Days ago,
which put us upon earnest Expectation of some Letters ;
but according to the usual Way of Letters coming, it was
too soon to look for them yet from Charles-Town, in case
there were any ; and possibly a Fortnight to come yet,
might produce some Certainty. The late extream Varia
tion of Weather, more than common here, may not im
properly be taken Notice of; several Days past being
hot to a very great Degree, equal to May, and the Wind
coming this Night out of the N. W. and blowing a hard
Gale, occasioned such a sudden and severe Frost, as is
but seldom seen in the depth of Winter in England, Water
standing in Pans or Basons within Doors, being frozen
entirely into a solid Lump of Ice. This puts us under
some Fears and Apprehensions, lest the young Orange-
Trees and other tender Plants may suffer much.
Wednesday. Hard Frost again this Morning. I 8
walked to see my Husbandry going on about three
Miles. At my Return towards Evening, Mr. Causton
called on me again, and Bradley again was the principal
Theme: He now told me, that whereas among the Ger
mans under his Care, there was one Shoemaker, whom
at Mr. Bradley's Request he had entrusted with some

COLONIAL RECORDS. 99
Leather out of the Stores, in order to make Shoes for the ^^
Trust's Servants; expecting to know what Shoes he had M|rch
made, thatthey might be brought to Account, Mr. Bradley
had by Violence taken what Shoes were made out of the
Fellow's Hand, and disposed of them as he saw fit,
without accounting for any; which (as he apprehended)
was against all Rule and Order, laying a Way open to
defraud the Trust, &c. wherefore knowing such a Man,
if well employed, might be of good Service, he would
send for him, and certify to Mr. Bradley, that he had
discharged him from that Service which he was in : As
Mr. Causton (I thought) seemed to expect my Opinion
in what he had done, I was ready to believe the Man
would be usefully employed for the Publick, and his
Work regularly brought to Account ; but how far he
might be said strictly to pursue the Orders he had re
ceived, about discharging any of those People in such
Manner, I had some Doubt.
Thursday. Mr. Causton went this Morning ; and I 9.
found Employment at Home: One Mr. Ryan (Partner
with Mr. Ellis of Philadelphia) came and delivered me a
Letter from Mr. Hopton at Charles-Town; from whence
he made it an eight Days Passage, in a Sloop which he
had taken upon Freight there, and laden her with such
Sort of Provision as he had first imported thither from
Pensilvania, whereof this was the Surplus that was not
disposed of in Carolina: The Sloop lay yet at Tybee,
and he expected her up in a Tide or two. Nothing stir
ring in Town worth Remark, but all in profound Peace
and Quiet, to a Degree which I had not hitherto ob
served; and a pretty many of the Freeholders now
grown a little better humoured, I took Notice were mak
ing Preparation for planting, and seemed to go about it
with good Will: Which I am fully persuaded most of the
same Men would have gone about sooner, and done
more, had they been left to themselves, and not influ
enced by such as they now began to be ashamed of.

1738.
March

10.

100 COLONIAL RECORDS.
The Wind shifting about towards the South, the Weather
changed with it, and grew more temperate, agreeable to
the Season, after another severe Frost in the Morning.
Friday. A Rainy Day confined all at Home: Mr.
Causton in the Country; and nothing happened observ
able. Saturday. The Court sat again per Adjournment, u.
where I attended, and the Business chiefly was to set
Fines upon all such as were Defaulters in appearing to
serve on Juries at the last Sitting, as they had been sum
moned, and now were again, to offer what they had to
say in Excuse; the Court observing, that through too
much Lenity in allowing such Neglect of Duty to pass
impune, too many were apt to make light of it : Some
Excuses were allowed; and where not, the Fines were
easy, two Shillings for not attending: Two only (some
of the Remnant of the late Mutineers) behaved some
what indecently, and let fall some Expressions, which
the Court shewed great Easiness in passing over ; too
much indeed, as I thought, and as I frankly told them
afterwards; for the Construction such Men are apt to
make of Indulgence undeserved, is to imagine a daring
Behaviour may terrify the Bench: Wherefore for the
future if it happens that any Affront is offered to the
Court, it would undoubtedly be advisable to lay hold of
one of the most Audacious, and commit him to Prison ;
there to lie a few days for an Example, and learn
how unable they are to help him who first taught
him to treat Magistracy with Contempt. Mr. Caus
ton came to Town about the Time of the Court's
Rising; and it was of late become pretty usual with
him to leave the ordinary Affairs of the Magistracy
to his Brethren, which he gave two Reasons for,
namely, the Multiplicity of other Business, and the
Clamour lately raised against him by a Party, for acting
(as they termed it) partially and arbitrarily; whereof he

COLONIAL RECORDS. 101
knew a Representation, signed by a great many, was J^,
sent to the Trustees in September last; the Event of Ma1roh
which he wished to see, and in the mean Time did not
care to act on the Bench oftener than Need required;
but in any arduous Case, where the others desired his
Assistance, he would be always ready: And as well be
fore the Court sat as after, I observed they generally had
a private Conference.
Sunday. Mr. Dyson continued to officiate at Church. 12.
Mr. Bradley meeting me in my Return from a Walk in
the Garden in the Evening, had with him one of the
Germans, who had lately quitted the Trust's Service un
der him, in Exchange for that of Mr. Williamson, which
he told me the Man was already weary of, and wanted to
come back to him; wherefore at his Desire I asked the
Fellow about it, whether it was of his own Seeking, or
not; and he told me it was: But when I asked the Rea
son of it, he could find none of any Weight, only that
he was allowed no Sugar to his Rice, and such like idle
Complaints: I told them both that I did not care to
meddle with it; and moreover, I did not see who could
discharge him from Mr. Williamson, whom I supposed
he had voluntarily bound himself to by Indenture, upon
Mr. Williamson's first paying his Passage &c. pursuant
to the Trust's Order: But upon his saying that he had
yet signed no such Indenture, neither would he, I would
ask no more Question, but left them to themselves ; and
Mr. Bradley ordered him to go to the publick Work un
der him, as he had been before: He was a Taylor by
Trade; and the Shoemaker, of whom Mr. Causton spoke
to me on Wednesday last, having been asked since by
Mr. Causton, whether he would rather chuse to work for
the Trust at his Trade in the Stores, than where he was,
showed no Inclination to change: Another also who was
a Joiner, and employed by Bradley in making some Cu
riosities in his new Garden; being offered to work at his
Trade in the Trust's Work elsewhere, did not appear fond

102 COLONIAL RECORDS.
of it at present; but both of them said, they hoped Mr. ^jJL
Causton would take them under his Care when they M*™h
sought it; which he promised, and engaged them to ac
quaint him from Time to Time, what Work they did, and
what Mr. Bradley employed them about. Mr. Causton
went to Ockstead about Noon.
Monday. Mr. Williamson with me early this Morning, 13.
from his Uncle Causton's at Ockstead, to enquire of me
what passed relating to him, at my meeting Mr. Bradley
last Night; (whereof he had quick Intelligence) and upon
my relating it to him, he said, he was very well pleased
to part with such a Servant, whom he had found hard to
please, and thought he was to expect little Good from.
I then took a Walk to look into what my People were do
ing in the Country; and he gave me his Company for a
while there, but after a short Stay left me, and returned
again to Ockstead: I continued there good Part of the
Day; and when I came Home, made out the Remainder
of it with my Pen and Ink.
Tuesday. Mr. Causton came to Town again this Morn- 14.
ing; and calling on me, we had a pretty long Conference
together. I found he was a little picqu'd at the Thoughts
of Mr. Bradley's seeming to triumph on his carrying off
his Nephew Williamson's Man; and therefore told me
he had sent for the Fellow again, and ordered him to
work at the Crane: I resolved not to intermeddle any far
ther betwixt them, feeling plainly, that neither would fail to
take any Advantage they could find to make the other
uneasy, and carry their Resentments to the utmost Ex
tremity. Several People who were now in Earnest about
cultivating Land, had lately told me, they feared they
should be disappointed in their getting Potatoes, not
knowing where to buy them; and there were none in the
Stores: This I acquainted Mr. Causton with, and told
him that I doubted it would be a great Baulk upon sev
eral poor Men whom I was glad to see now well em-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 103
ployed on their Lots, but had no other Dependence than ^^
the Stores for wherewith to plant them: He said he had Ma™a
lately sent to enquire for Potatoes, which were grown
very scarce, wherefore I could not but wish he had thought
of it sooner, for it would be great Pity the People should
meet with any Disappointment, at a Time when it ap
peared there was a good Spirit lately sprung up among
them; and they knew there was a large Supply of those
Things lately sent out of the Stores for Frederica, with
out leaving any of that Kind for planting at Savannah.
Wednesday. What was most remarkable, and I ob- 15-
served with Pleasure, was a thin Town; many People who
were used to spend a good Part of their Time either
idling, or doing worse, were now at their proper Employ
ment, and busy at their Lots; so that I had every Day
more and more Hopes, that I should be able at last to
write something more satisfactory of them to the Trus
tees than I once expected; especially as I had in my
Letter to them lately said, that I would defer giving
them an Account of our Improvements in this Neighbor
hood, till I could see what was done this Season. Mr.
Brownjohn (whom I formerly numbered among the Male-
contents, but of a more pliable Disposition, as I thought
than many of them; and being an industrious Man, I
was of Opinion was worth being reduced to a better Way
of thinking; and therefore I had shown him some little
Marks of Distinction occasionally. Vide February 18, &c.)
Upon his complaining to me a little while since, that he
had a Servant sent him from England by Capt. Daubuz,
whom he had not ready Money to pay for his Passage,
for which Reason Daubuz had empowered another Man
to take Payment of him within a short limited Time, or
to take the Servant again from him, and dispose of him
elsewhere; Brownjohn at the same Time saying, it was
very hard upon him to lose his Servant for Want of such
a small Sum, when he had much more owing him from
the Publick, which he shewed me an Account of in

104 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Writing; and though I could not pretend to determine 2IJL
from thence how much was really due, or what Deduc- Ma5,ch
tions might be made; yet I was so far of Opinion he had
some Demand, that at his Request I promised to speak
to Mr. Causton in his Favour, so far as appeared
just: And thereupon I had talked with Mr. Causton of
it; who after acknowledging, that he believed there might
be -something due to him, though not equal to what he
set forth; and that he had not behaved so well as to de
serve any Favour at his Hands; he then asked me frankly,
what I would advise him to do, or what I would do were
I in his Place; and without any Scruple I answered, that
in Consideration of the late Disposition I had found him
in, to be easy and tractable, which I believed was his
natural Temper, though he had been led astray by some
of more Cunning, I should incline to do him such good
Office, laying aside farther Resentment at present, for
former Miscarriages; and making Trial what good effect
such mild Treatment would have upon him, or others
who were the like valuable, and so disposed: All
which I apprehended Mr. Causton assented to, by his de
siring me, when I saw Brownjohn next, to send him to
him. After these Things had passed, Brownjohn now
came to me, telling me he had been to wait on Mr. Caus
ton, as I advised him, expecting to be kindly received;
but that at first Sight he began reproaching him with
many Things past, charging him with being one among
others in forming a Petition against him to the Trustees;
(which Brownjohn with solemn Asseverations denied he
had ever seen, or had any Hand in) and accusing him of
many other Crimes ; which insisting upon, Brownjohn as
warmly denied in his own Vindication; till at length Mr.
Causton (he said) fell into a great Passion, telling him he
would humble him, and bring the rest of his Compan
ions to submission with him, in Spite of their Teeth, and
so he went off re infecla. I could not avoid some uneasy
Thoughts at hearing this, for fear the Consequence
might be, to kindle again a fresh Animosity among divers,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 105
when they saw no Forgiveness was to be expected ; and ^^
this at a Time when the late Ferment (I thought) was Mi™h
happily subsiding.
Thursday. This Day I set apart again to attend my 16.
own People at their Work; and Bailiff Parker was so
kind to accompany me, whose Experience I had good
Regard to: We spent the best Part of the Day there;
and in our Way Home meeting Mr. Minas, a Jew Free
holder, who had been employing himself in the best Man
ner; after a few Words, wishing Success, &c. Minas said
he had little Encouragement to undertake any Thing,
for the Land he was at work upon, was so frequently
under Water, that it was productive of nothing, unless it
could be drained; which he was attempting at such an
Expense, as he had little Reason to Expect it would pay
him again; nevertheless he should think the less of that,
if he did not find himself unkindly used otherwise: I
asked him wherein; and he told us in his late dealing
with the Stores, where he had been an Importer of di
vers Kinds of useful and necessary Provisions consigned
to him from New-York, equally good with others, and
unexceptionable; but that he was obliged to sell them at
a lower Price than was given to others, both before and
after, or else they would not be taken at all: Notwithstand
ing which, he had lately made another Adventure of the
same Sort, and imported a Loading of choice good Com
modities, such as was brought by others; but it would
not be taken at any Rate ; the Reason given was, that
they were fully supplied, and wanted no more: Yet in a
few Days after another Sloop came, that was a Stranger,
and no Scruple was made of taking all she brought;
whilst he who was one of the Town was forced to take
all his Cargo into private Stores: From whence he in
ferred, that a Stranger might expect good Usage, but
the same must not be looked for by one of us. I could
not be well pleased to hear such a Tale ; and I liked it
the less, because the Man who related it has a fair Char-

106 COLONIAL RECORDS.
acter, of being an industrious, honest Man: But I made ™^
little Reply, presuming Mr. Causton was not without a Ma™h
Reason for all he did; who went in the Evening (as I
heard) to Ockstead.
Friday. Mr. Bradley with me this Morning, accom- n.
panied by Mr. Mercer. He seemed to make some Apol
ogy, for such frequent Visits, which he meant should in
form me of the unparallelled Severities he met with from
Mr. Causton, who now (he said) had exceeded all hith
erto; for that he had absolutely refused to deliver any
Provisions of any Kind out of the Stores for himself, or
Children, or Servants; alledging, that he did not find his
Name in the Establishment sent him by the Trustees,
and he would have nothing to do with him; so that now
he was in the utmost Extremity, and knew not where to
get a Dinner any Day, unless it were with one or other
of his Neighbors; which Mr. Mercer was ready to tes
tify. Necessity now (he said) compelled him to do what
he was very unwilling; and he had no other Refuge to
subsist, but by killing one of the Trust's Steers for food,
which he desired me to take Notice of; and all that I
had to take Notice of was, that I hoped he would con
sider well what he was about. He then told me he had
some Business which would call him to Charles-Town, if
I had any Service there, and so we parted.
Saturday. Mr. Causton came to Town this Morning; is.
and Mr. Amory waiting his coming (as I advised him)
acquainted him with what he had often before com
plained of to him and me ; namely, that he thought it
very hard after so long Time being here, he could not
get any Land ascertained to him, or given him in Posses
sion, by being duly run out, according as he had agreed
with the Trustees; which occasioned a great Loss of
Time to him and his Servants, after their first Arrival; and
Mr. Causton having after some Time authorized him ver
bally to sit down on a Piece of Land, and cultivate it,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 107
telling him he might assure himself of a good Title to it; ^L
which accordingly he has been at great Pains and Ex- Ma|ch
pence about: After all this, notwithstanding he is daily
told by one or other, that he is only improving Land
which he will find taken from him again: Therefore he
desired Mr. Causton would put some End or other to his
Doubts, and let him finally know what he had to trust to,
by making the Surveyor run out his Land; or otherwise
he must conclude, that it was intended to trick him, as
he understood divers had been mislead after the same
Manner before. Upon this Mr. Causton sent for the Sur
veyor, and ordered him to do it; and a Day was appoint
ed by Jones and Amory to meet and go about it.
Sunday. Mr. Dyson continued to officiate at Church. 19.
A Sloop came up with divers Sorts of Provisions, many
of which were pretty scarce with us, particularly Corn
for Seed; But no Potatoes yet to be had, which was likely
to prove a great Disappointment at this planting Season:
The Sloop came from some of the Northern Plantations,
and had called in and disposed of great Part of her
Cargo by the Way, but what she had left was very wel
come:  Monro Master.
Monday. Very cold Weather, with high Winds, and 2o.
frosty Nights returning again, gave us a melancholy
Prospect what would be the End of it, in relation to all
tender Plants; and the Silk Worms coming Abroad in
spite of all Endeavors to retard them, many of them
must inevitably perish for Want of Leaves; the Mulber
ries which first put forth being all nipt with the Frost;
and the next Buds not yet opening, by reason of so un
kind a Spring. Sitting an Hour with Mr. Causton in
the Afternoon, considering of divers Matters that re
quired it; Brownjohn accidentally called, to let us know,
that he had been in pursuit of some Runaway Servants
lately fled, and taken two out of four; and that some
others (he heard) had taken the other two; I took occa-

108 COLONIAL RECORDS.
sion to touch a little upon what passed betwixt him and 1738.
Mr. Causton on Wednesday last; and after a little fresh Mj"ch
Skirmishing betwixt them, and Brownjohn's insisting
upon it that he had shown as hearty a good Will to pro
mote the Good of the Colony, as any one Man of his
Rank in it (which was not denied) and moreover that he
was still the same Man, and should always be desirous
to live in Peace, and follow his own Business; Mr. Caus
ton granted his Request, to pay for the Passage of his
Servant; which I was glad to see, and could not help
wishing, that every Man in Town, who had as good In
tention to make the same Use of a Servant as he would,
were provided in the same Manner.
Tuesday. Hard Gales of Wind still, and a very dry 2i
Season; nevertheless I had the Satisfaction to see Plant
ing go on with Diligence, beyond what I once expected.
My Son having been lately up the River, to look into
some of the adjacent Plantations, brought me Word, that
he understood Capt. Pat. McKay had taken a sudden Res
olution to be doing something again about his Land at
Joseph's Town, and was setting People at Work to plant
what he had already cleared there, though he meant to
meddle with no more, and it was suspected that he would
make Use of some of his Negroes on the Carolina Side
of the River, whom he might send over for that Purpose.
My Son farther told me, that he heard the Captain had
brought over a good Number of Cattle to range in the
Woods on this Side the Water at different Places, and
had placed some Servants at Sir Francis Bathurst's and
Augustin's (at present unoccupied) to take Care of them;
where they had taken Possession of what Houses or
Huts they found, to live in. Soon after I acquainted
Mr. Causton with it.
Wednesday. Mr. Robert Williams and I meeting in 22.
our Walk towards our Plantations, he fell into Discourse
with me, partly in relation to several Bickerings lately

COLONIAL RECORDS. 109
betwixt him and Mr. Causton on various Occasions; which J^,
I could not form a Judgment of, who was most in the M|2ch
right; but I found it was mostly about Matters of Ac
count, wherein I presumed one might think the other too
tenacious; wherefore I said little to it: But was more at
tentive to what he said afterwards; when he told me he
had run out some Lands in Carolina, about fifteen hun
dred Acres; that his Title had passed through all the
Offices in due Form, but was stopt at last by Colonel
Bull, who refused to pass it as President, alledging that
he thought it would not be agreeable to Mr. Oglethorpe
for any of the Colony here to settle on Lands in Caro
lina, which he said was all the Reason he gave for stop
ping it; and then flew into a great Passion, protesting,
that no Man upon Earth should compel him to relinquish
what was his Right, or hinder him from going where he
thought fit; that he had been at great Expences in Im
provements in Georgia, and had suffered very much by
them; nevertheless he was still going on in Hopes of
better Encouragement, which if he failed of, he must do
better where he could, and would not be a Prisoner any
where: All which was of a Piece with what had been the
Drift of his Discourse a long while; and Negroes was
at the End of it. All that I had to say to it was, that I
hoped the Time was coming, when he might have an Op
portunity to open his Mind freely to Mr. Oglethorpe
himself concerning any of those Matters, who would
hear him, and give him such an answer as was requisite.
Thursday. Being intent now upon my own little 23<
Affairs of Cultivation and Planting; and nothing of Mo
ment requiring my immediate Attendance in Town, I spent
all this Day entirely Abroad: When I returned in the
Evening, I heard Mr. Causton had sought to speak with
me; but missing me, he was gone to Ockstead.
Friday. Mr. Causton called on me this Morning as 24.
soon as he came to Town, and shewed me a Letter he

110 COLONIAL RECORDS.
had received from Mr. McPherson, Captain of the Ran- i^L
gers, wrote in an insolent and bullying Stile; wherein he MaJcl1
told him, that as the Six Months were now expiring,
which his People had engaged for, they would not con
tinue on the same Terms; and unless Mr. Causton would
comply with sundry Particulars required, as well relating
to himself as his Men (most of which appeared to me
to be exorbitant Demands) he would bid him farewell,
and desired he would send somebody to take Charge of
Fort Argyle: To which he expected his positive and full
Answer on or before the 25th. I asked Mr. Causton,
whether he had already sent him such an Answer (the
Time and Occasion admitting of no Delay) and he told
me he had; whereof he shewed me a Copy, desiring my
Opinion; and on Perusal of it, I found he had so far
given him Satisfaction about it, as to leave it to McPher
son himself to make the best Terms with his Men that
he could; and promising to conform to all that he insisted
on besides, as far as it was in his Power; Which I readily
concurred with him in, Necessity having no Law; and un
doubtedly it would be better justified so to do, than risk
the abandoning that Fort, and dissolving the Company:
Though we were both sensible that the Captain himself
otherwise merited little Indulgence, being very seldom
with his Men upon any Duty; making the Post a Sort of
Sine-Cure, and putting so much Pay in his Pocket for
little or nothing done. Mr. Causton also shewed me an
other Letter newly received out of the Indian Nations
(from what Hand I could not learn) directed to the prin
cipal Commander in Georgia, wherein was a Letter from
the Governor of Virginia, directed to the principal Offi
cer in Carolina, importing the great warlike Preparations
the French were making with the Choctaw Indians,
against the Chicasaws; and it was to be apprehended
they had farther Views, &c. The Letter from the Gov
ernor of Virginia, was dated so long since as in August
last; so we judged it of little Significance now; but it
was pretty remarkable what Diligence had been used by

COLONIAL RECORDS. Ill
the Government of Carolina to impart the Advices re- il^,
ceived from Virginia to this Province. Mr. Brownfield's Ma™h
Wife died this Afternoon.
Saturday. Taking a Walk this Morning to my People 25.
Abroad, Mr. Causton joined Company, and went with
me Part of the Way; when we fell into various Discourse,
mostly tending towards the advancing the publick Serv
ice, and communicating our Sentiments freely, upon the
different Motives which we apprehended some People
about us were influenced by, and which had created so
much Disturbance. It was equally our Opinion, that the
greatest remaining Root of Discontent now, was among
the Club which met constantly at the Tavern, mostly
Scotchmen (as I before observed) but promiscuous also,
and open to any that would come, in the Manner of a
Coffee-House, where every one called for what he liked:
And usually once or twice a Week, I made it my Choice
to go and sit an Hour among them; thinking it right to
mix now and then with all Sorts indifferently, whereby
I might the better be informed of the Disposition of
People, and make the better Judgment what they drove
at: And some of them indeed would often with so much
Warmth lay themselves open, that it was not very diffi
cult to see through their Meaning; as I have observed
in my Letters to the Trust. Mr. Samuel Brown, one of
our Indian Traders, being newly come to Town out of
the Cherokee Nation, principally to take some Advice
about a Wound which he got in his Head among his
Fellow Traders, was at the Club this Evening, when I
went thither, and he gave me the following Relation,
viz. That besides the five hundred Acres of Land he had
at Augusta, and which he was intent upon improving of
there was a small Island lying in the River, betwixt that
and New-Windsor (and therefore in the Province of
Georgia) which he said Mr. Oglethorpe had granted him
to hold by Lease, and that he had put several People
upon it to cultivate Land; but that the Carolina Gov-

112 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ernor of New-Windsor had taken an Opportunity to ^t>
drive all his Men off, alledging, that it was a Part of Car- M^r.ch
olina, and he would plant it himself. I could say little
to it, but thought it worth Notice here. Mr. Causton
went for Ockstead in the Afternoon, much disordered and
feverish. Sunday. Mr. Dyson continued performing the Offices 26.
of the Church.
Monday. Mr. Causton returned to Town very ill in a 27'
Fever. Much Whispering about Town this Day of
strange News, which was spread with Diligence by a Set
of People who were delighted at all Things that carried
any Appearance of a bad Aspect, and at their usual Meet
ing in the Evening, if nothing fell out unluckily to grat
ify their ill Humor, would frequently form some Story
that might serve to incite some People to give Ear to it,
and so go away perplexed with vain Fears. What came
just now out of that Forge, was very surprising indeed,
could it have stood the Touchstone of Truth. It was
no less than that all our Expectations of seeing any reg
ular Forces here, or a General at the Head of them,
would come to nothing; that the Design of bringing
Men from Gibraltar was laid aside; that some Attempt
had been made to beat up for Volunteers for Colonel
Oglethorpe's Regiment; but none would list, or be per
suaded to come into this Country; that Mr. Oglethorpe
himself had enough upon his Hands to answer the Par
liament, who called upon him to account for the Money
given by Parliament, which had been spent here;
with abundance more of such audacious Ribaldry, told
with a seeming Concern, and sorrowful shaking of the
Head; though at the same Time tickling their own Im
aginations. If it is asked, how comes all this News? or,
whence is it brought? The Answer is (with a close Whis
per) "I spoke with a Gentleman, a particular Friend of
"mine, one of an unquestionable Character, who would

COLONIAL RECORDS. . 113
"be very cautious of reporting such Things without un- ^^L
"questionable Foundation; and he lately read it in a Ma*°h
"Letter sent to a Friend of his, of like Credit, and the
"Letter-Writer is avery eminent Man; but his Name is by
"no Means to be used yet; the Truth will appear too
"soon, &c." All this the good Man would have you to
believe he is afraid of.
Tuesday. What Time I had to spare, I bestowed in 28.
overseeing my People, now every Day busy in planting.
Capt. McPherson came to Town, last from Fort Argyle,
in order to settle Matters with Mr. Causton, pursuant to
what passed lately betwixt them; I understood by him,
that the Fort was become so ruinous, that there was a
Necessity of his rebuilding of it. Mr. Causton contin
ued ill.
Wednesday. Being informed, that Mr. Cooksey (one as.
of our Freeholders) was going for Charles-Town, in or
der to get a Passage there for England, to settle some
Affairs of his own; I took hold of the Opportunity of
writing by him to the Trust; but his Intention of going
off was so sudden, that it would not admit of a long
Letter, nor of my sending several Dispatches, which about
this Time I was preparing. A fine Rain last Night, and
good Part of this Day, gave new Life to our Planting,
which I attended when I had most Leisure; and my
Son more frequently. Mr. Causton ill still.
Thursday. In the Forenoon arrived a Packet from the so.
Trustees, sent from Charles-Town, by a trading Boat go
ing thence for New- Windsor. Our Letters from the
Trust (among which I had one) were dated December
14; and Mr. Wragg, who sent the Packet to Mr. Caus
ton, and likewise wrote to him, not saying when it ar
rived, nor by what Ship, gave us good Reason to think it
had lain a long while, according to' Custom; for from
what usually happened, we might allow a Month at least
8 e r— vol 4

114 COLONIAL RECORDS.
for any Letter to find its Way to us from England after ^j
its Arrival in Carolina. I had also by the same Packet, Ma3o°h
a separate Letter from Mr. Verelst, who wrote me the
good News, that Colonel Cockran would soon be here
with four Transport Ships, under the Convoy of a Man
of War; and Colonel Horsey would soon follow, to his
Government of Carolina: So that now I was well pre
pared to confound the Authors of all such scandalous
Reports as flew about lately, and particularly on Monday
last; but my present Thoughts were, rather to let them
alone uncontradicted for a while, and see what Lengths
they dared to go.

Good-Friday. Laboring People generally busy at
their Work. Mr. Dyson performing the Office of the
Day to such as thought good to attend it was taken ill
suddenly, and forced to break off before he could go
through with it. I sat a while with Mr. Causton, who
was mending a little, but very weak; and among other
Things talking of what the Trustees had been pleased to
signify in their Letters by this Packet, to him and Mr.
Bradley (which plainly shewed that Mr. Bradley was in
the wrong to take too much upon him) I asked Mr. Caus
ton if he knew in what Manner Mr. Bradley lived since
the last parting (which was this Day Fortnight, when he
determined to kill one of the Trust's Steers, and I had
neither seen nor heard from him since) Mr. Causton
told me he could not imagine, unless he had privately
done as he purposed; for it was not done openly we both
knew, Mr. Mercer who was one of Mr. Bradley's most
trusty Friends, not caring to stand by him in going so
great a Length: And Mr. Bradley refusing to comply
with the Terms required by Mr. Causton about delivering
out Provision to his own Servants and Family, had re
ceived none out of the Stores since that Time: Where
fore we were equally at a Loss how to know the Way he
had to feeding so many People. Upon my communi
cating the agreeable News I received from Mr. Verelst,
of the Approach of some of Colonel Oglethorpe's Regi-

31.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 115
1788.

March 31.

1.

ment, with Lieutenant Colonel Cockran at the Head of
them, &c. he had imparted it to other Friends ; and so it
soon became publick, which put an End to my farther
Craft at present: And now none more forward in coming
about us to enquire into the Truth of it, and put on joy
ful Countenances, than those very People who so lately
put on the Disguise of Sorrow, when there was no Oc
casion, only to gratify their own Spleen, and make Sport
among themselves.
Saturday. A showery Day; nevertheless having set April
up a Hut for Shelter, I made out all this Day in Attend
ance upon my People to expedite their Planting. After
I returned Home in the Evening, Mr. Causton sent me a
Message by one of the Clerks, with a Letter sent him a
few Hours before from Capt. McPherson, which he wrote
him from the House he quartered at in the Town; and
indeed was akin to what he had wrote him before (vide
24th ult.) full of Threats what he would do, in Case he
had not full Satisfaction immediately in what he required:
And the Messenger told me, Mr. Causton desired me to
answer it : I went therefore with what haste I could, to
confer with Mr. Causton upon it; who was now upon
Recovery, but weak; and therefore unfit (as he said)
to enter into much Argument with McPherson, who
was grown very untraceable, and he could not bear being
so roughly handled by him: For which Reason, he de
sired I would talk with him, and see what Terms I could
bring him to; which I promised him I would, after hav
ing first learnt of him how far he thought it reasonable
to comply: Accordingly I sent to Capt. McPherson, to
know when he would give me an Opportunity of talking
with him; and he said he would see me to-morrow Morn
ing. Mr. William McKay came up the River this Even
ing in a Sloop from Providence, and those Parts; with a
Cargo of Brazilletta Wood, Mahagony, two thousand
Weight of Turtle, &c. (not mentioning any Rum, which

116 COLONIAL RECORDS.
I also imagined might be a Part of the Cargo) some Or
anges, and other Fruit; little or none of which was well
sorted for Georgia, intending (as he said) after be had
conferred with his Brother Capt. Patrick, to look for a
Market at Charles-Town, or elsewhere. Within an Hour
or two after, Mr. James Williams (Brother to Robert)
after having been a trading Voyage ever since October
last, and not seen Savannah, came up to Town, leaving
the Snow which he sailed in at Tybee; and coming to
gether with his Brother to Mr. Causton's, they made a
Tender of thirty and odd Hogsheads of Molasses, some
Hogsheads of Sugar, and other Things of less Impor
tance; which were all very acceptable, but especially the
Molasses, which there had been none of in the Store for
some Months past, to the Grief of many People; where
fore those useful and necessary Commodities were read
ily taken off their Hands.
Sunday. (Easter) Capt. McPherson came to me about
Eight in the Morning; and we had some Discourse about
his Affair, though at an improper Time; and finding him
much out of Humour, that he had been kept so many
Days in Town, attending to no Purpose (as he termed it)
for that he could not get his Account settled, which was
the first Thing to be done, and then it would be a proper
Time to settle 'other Matters in futuro; I promised him I
would hasten it all I could, and did not doubt but it
would be done in a Day or two at most, which a little
pacified him at present. Mr. Dyson performed the Offices
of the Church as well as his Health would allow, but was
notable to preach: After reading the Morning Service,
he published his Majesty's Order in Council, concerning
the Form of Prayer to be used for the Royal Family,
which the Trustees had been pleased to send Copies to
Mr. Causton and me. After Church I called in at Mr.
Causton's to acquaint him with what passed betwixt Capt.
McPherson and me in the Morning; but he was gone to

1738.
April

COLONIAL RECORDS. 117
Ockstead, intending to spend a few Days there for his i^
Health. A?.r11
Monday. William Ewen, the principal Servant under 3.
Mr. Causton at the Stores, came to acquaint me, that
none of the Germans employed at the publick Work,
either at the Crane or elsewhere, would take any Labour
in hand, resolving one and all (with or without Leave) to
keep Holiday: I well knew them to be a slothful and
mutinous Crew, always complaining of too much Work,
and too little Victuals, that they were daily growing
more and more troublesome; and therefore I thought
there would be a Necessity of laying aside too much
Lenity, and letting them know some Discipline which
would reduce them to a better Temper; nevertheless I
told Ewen, I thought he would labour in vain in en
deavouring to get them together to Day, as they were
scattered Abroad; but they might the better be called to
Account for it another Day, and a proper Course then
taken with them, to teach them their Duty. The Stores
were all shut, the Clerks gone, and universal Holiday
through the Town; but not so in the Country with the
Planters, who would be inexcusable to neglect a good
Season; and my Servants, as many of them as could
work, were not allowed to be idle; but two or three of
them were commonly sick at a Time, notwithstanding the
best Care could be taken of them, and that at a great
Expence too. I went and found Capt. McPherson, who
was a little chagrined again, seeing his Business at a Stand
yet; and entering into a free Converse convinced him there
was no Delay intended, but that it was only accidental,
occasioned by this Festival; and that I hoped I should
find it done for him against to-morrow; he became a lit
tle easy once more; but I apprehended a little more Jarring
at parting at the Conclusion of all.
Tuesday. Little observable this Day. Mr. Williams 4.
(Robert) acquainted me, that he was about loading the

118 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Snow which his Brother came in, with Lumber for the ™^j
West Indies; that he was under Contract for sailing in a A^.r11
Fortnight, or else to pay Demurrage, that he had it all
ready, did not doubt but he should easily accomplish it,
and that he intended to go in her himself, now his
Brother James was come; and intended to be back again in
about ten Weeks: Wherefore if Mr. Causton thought fit
to send for any of that Country Product, which might be
wanting in the Stores, he would be ready to serve him;
particularly Molasses (of late much wanted) which would
come cheaper a great deal this Way, than from Charles-
Town, from whence he commonly had them. I told him
. when Mr. Causton came to Town, I would talk with him
of it; but he was yet in the Country.
Wednesday. Mr. Lacy after having been several 5_
Months at Home under a very great Indisposition, was
now preparing to return to Augusta again, where I was
glad to hear from all who came thence, that Mr. Kent
(his*Lieutenant) behaved with good conduct. Mr. Lacy
showed me a Letter very lately come to his Hands, dated
in August last, from the Governor of Virginia, signifying,
that he understood a Seizure had been made of some
Goods belonging to an Indian Trader among the Chero-
kees, by an officer of Georgia; which he was at first very
much surprised at; for as much as Virginia had always
carried on a Trade with that Nation, long before the
Province of Georgia was thought of, and he should yet
have been a Stranger to any Restriction, had not my Lord
Egmont been so good to send him the Act: That (how
ever hard he might think it) since his Majesty had been
pleased to give his Assent to it, he should pay all due
Obedience to it: But hoped in the present Case, the Pro
prietor of those Goods would not suffer through Igno
rance; and therefore hoped in all Justice and Equity they
would be restored again, &c. the Whole being conceived
in very^handsome Terms. Upon Mr. Lacy's asking my
Opinion, I could not hesitate upon saying, that allowing

COLONIAL RECORDS. 119
the Case to be, as set forth in that Letter, without Doubt i^L
the Trustees would make Justice and Equity their Guide Ag"'
in all Things; and not be rigorous in taking the Advan
tage against any one who transgressed undesignedly;
nevertheless, as I expected Mr. Causton in Town again
to-morrow (who yet continued at Ockstead weak since
Sunday last) I advised him to take his Opinion also.
Afternoon I walked again to my Planters, and kept them
Company till Night.
Thursday. Mr. Causton came to Town this Morning; e.
and calling on me, we had a pretty long Talk together of
some Things past since I saw him, and of others to be
done: Among others, the 7th Instant being the Day ap
pointed for holding the ordinary Court, and the Season
now at this ' Juncture calling every Body into the Field
who was well inclined; I offered it to his and the other
Magistrates Consideration, whether it would not be ad
visable to adjourn the Court for two or three Weeks, and
suffer the People to follow what they were so commend-
ably about, rather than break in upon their good Designs,
and oblige them to two or three Days Attendance in
serving upon Juries, &c. which was approved of, and
publick Advertisement fixed up; to prevent unnecessary
Attendance; and giving Notice, that the Court would be
adjourned to the first of May. A Sloop coming up last
Night from Philadelphia laden (as it was said) wholly
with Beef on Account of Mr. Ellis, Mr. Causton told me
he was so well provided with that Sort of Provision, that
he should not take the Cargo on any other Terms, than
to give it Store-Room; and Mr. Ellis must risk the De
mand for it, in case it should be needed by the Increase
of People, which it was apprehended might shortly hap
pen; and as far as I understood it, it was so far agreed
with Mr. Ellis, when he was herein January last. In the
Evening Mr. Causton returned again to Ockstead, weak
yet, and not well.

120 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1738.

Friday. This Day I gave up great Part of, in getting
forward my Work for planting; and my Son employed A^fu
most of his Time every Day, as often as I could spare
him, to promote it. Nothing happened in Town worth
Remark. Saturday. Mr. Causton came from Ockstead this 8,
Morning, and soon after received an Express sent from
Port-Royal by two Justices of the Peace there (Mess.
Wigg and Woodward) enclosing Copies of two Affida
vits made before them on the 6th, one by Lyford, Master
of a Sloop bound for Augustin, and the other by a Sailor
in the said Sloop; both of the same Import, viz. That
coming, a few Days since off the Bar of Augustin, they
observed three or four Ships of considerable Bulk, lying
at Anchor there, with a Couple of Sloops, and another
Ship of Burden coming in out of the Sea; and there
upon they lay by, not caring to go nearer in, being about
a League off; and put out their British Ensign, expect
ing it would have been answered, as is common; but they
found no Answer of any Kind from the Ships; but they
could discern several Boats going Aboard the Ships from
the Town: All which put together gave them some Ap
prehensions of bad Designs; wherefore they turned back
again, and made what Speed they could into Port- Royal,
to give this Intelligence. Mr. Causton came to me, and
showed me what he had received; the whole being a
Copy from the Original sent by the same Gentlemen to
Charles-Town. I went at Mr. Causton's request to his
House; from whence a Messenger was dispatched over
Land in the Evening, first to Darien, and thence to the
proper Officers at all the Southern Settlements, Fred
erica, Fort St. Simon, Fort St. Andrew, and to Capt.
Gascoigne of the Hawk, advising them fully of the Whole,
&c. Capt. McPherson being not yet gone out of Town
since his Arrival here to make a new Bargain (as before
is noted;) it was recommended to him now to be more
than ordinarily careful and diligent with his Company of

COLONIAL RECORDS. 121
Rangers, and try if they could discover any Danger: ^j
And Notice was also sent to Mr. Cuthbert, that he might AfllX
be as active also with his Men: The Constables likewise
were to have immediate Orders to look carefully into all
the Arms, and see, that they were in good Order, and
nothing wanting; after this, late in the Evening, Mr.
Causton went for Ockstead, taking Bailiff Parker in Com
pany with him.
Sunday. The first Thing I discovered soon after I 9.
rose, was two of my Servants drunk; one of which had
been taken up in the Night, and kept upon Guard till
morning; but no farther Mischief being done, he was
discharged, and sent home. It was a constant Rule given
them to observe, that at the End of the Week they
should all come Home, by which I should see what Nec
essaries in their Clothing, or otherwise, might be want
ing; after which they were to return again, taking such
Things with them of all Kinds, as would serve them the
Week ensuing. These two Fellows, it seems, had watched
my going to Bed last Night; after which they slipped
out into the Town, from a back House where they
lodged; and well knowing where to meet Comrades to
their Liking, they played their Parts with them over Rum
as long as they were able. It was to no Purpose to talk
with them at present: But I resolved to make what Scru
tiny! possibly could into this dark Work, to-morrow, be
fore the Magistrates, when possibly we might discover
something worth our Enquiry, concerning the Sellers of
that Liquor, whose Number increased daily. Mr. Dyson
still carried on the Church Services as hitherto.
Monday. The two Constables Jones and Fallowfield i0.
(which was all we had) came early to Town on the pres
ent Occasion, from their distant Plantations, and took
Breakfast with me, conferring on the Affair they came
about; which was more immediately to look into the
Condition of the Arms. It was resolved (for Experi-

122 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ment Sake) to order the Drum to beat immediately to i^
Arms, that thereby we might see how alert the People xf^
were, and what Number would get together on a sudden,
without previous Notice. It was so done, and in less
than an Hour's Time we saw eighty odd Men in the
Centre of the Town, with their proper Arms, well ap
pointed, and all able Men, Freeholders; such as were ab
sent, were almost every Man Abroad, busy in planting:
And great Pity would it be, should any unlucky Occa
sion break their good Purposes now, and cut short a
Number of Acres in a promising Way to be planted;
which probably might otherwise amount to double at
least, if not treble, the Quantity of any Year past. Those
who now appeared, after firing off their Pieces singly
(which was done with scarce any Baulk) were dis
charged, and allowed to exercise their Weapons of Hus
bandry on their Land, if they inclined to it: And those
who were at too far Distance to appear on Beat of Drum,
the Officers undertook to visit, and inspect their Arms
on their Return Home. Mr. Causton being returned to
Town, I caused my two disorderly Servants to, appear
before him, and the other Magistrates, that Examination
might be strictly made into Saturday Night's Debauch
ery: And it appeared, that in the Space of so short a
Time, they had visited no less than four Houses, and
bought and drank Rum in them all; which was the less
to be wondered at, when it was so notoriously known,
that those private Rum-Shops were become as common
among the People, in Proportion, as Gin-Shops formerly
at London. After some sharp Admonitions and Threats
of Whipping-Post, in case of the like Offence hereafter,
they were dismissed, upon Promises of better Behaviour.
What Course to take for suppressing this Evil (daily in
creasing) of Rum selling, was worthy a due Considera
tion. Tuesday. This being another Leisure Day, my chief n.
Care was about my Planting, to get that forward as fast

COLONIAL RECORDS. 123
as possible, and nothing intervened to divert my Thoughts ^J^
on other Matters: But at Night, soon after I was in Bed, x$n
Mr. Jenkins (who heeps a Victualling House in Town)
came to my House, desiring to speak with me; and sit
ting by my Bed-side told me, that a certain Person came
to his House this Evening from on Board a Skooner,
which he had left at Tybee, intending to take his Lodg
ing with him; that the Man's Name was Preu, that he
came last from Augustin, after having been before some
Months made a Prisoner at the Havannah; that he called
in here now, on Purpose to tell us the good News, that
the Spaniards had given over their intended Expedition
against this Province, by Virtue of Orders newly come
to the Havannah from Old Spain, &c. all which the Man
himself was ready to relate to me, who was come along
with him for that Purpose: Upon hearing whereof, I
arose, and went to him; when he did so, and added a
great deal more of the like Tenour with such Confidence,
that it raised a Jealousy in me, lest he should be hired as
a Spy, to make this Feint and lull us to sleep, instead of
being upon our Guard, upon the Alarm we had taken at
the Intelligence we had received on Saturday last: Where
upon I told him, it would be proper to communicate
this good News to Mr. Causton, our principal Magistrate,
who at present was not in Town, but would be to
morrow; and bidding him good Night, I hinted it pri
vately to Jenkins, to see that his Lodger did not give
him the Slip; and sending for the Officer upon Guard, I
gave it him in strict Charge, that no Person whatever
was suffered to go off in the Night, till due Examina
tion could be taken; which I declined doing myself, but
reserved it to be done before the Magistrates when met
together. Wednesday. A Messenger having been dispatched to 12.
Mr. Causton by me, desiring his hastening early to Town,
he came, and Mr. Parker with him; when Mr. Christie
also joining them, I acquainted them with what I knew;

124 COLONIAL RECORDS.
and then we sent for Jos. Preu, who was examined with ^J^,
all the Caution and Care we were capable of; wherein A?£n
we spent most Part of the Forenoon: The Particulars
whereof I made no Doubt would be sent, most properly
to the Trustees, by Mr. Causton; who without Loss of
Time prepared Copies of the same to be sent to Charles-
Town, and to our own Settlements near the Altamaha.
It was judged expedient likewise, to look into the Skooner
that Preu came in as a Passenger, which lay at Tybee,
and try if we could discover any Thing farther which
might be concealed in her: I proposed doing it myself,
and accordingly went down in the Night when the Tide
served, accompanied by Mess. Parker and Christie, and
two other Inhabitants, whom I had confidence in, taking
Preu and the Master of the Vessel (whose Name was
James Howell) along with us; who when we came aboard,
very readily opened all Places we required, and showed
us what Letters they had ; which appeared to be no other
than common Letters of Traffick, &c. to several Persons
in Port-Royal and Charles-Town (most of whom we
knew) wrote by their Correspondents, Subjects of Britain, 13.
residing at Augustin. I took a List of the Letters, and
enclosed it in a Letter that I wrote immediately to Col
onel Bull, President of the Council, acquainting him
with what we had done, and leaving it to him to try if
he could detect any Thing which might not be discov
ered yet by us: Which letter I delivered to the Master
of a small Sloop that was then passing by us, bound to
Charles-Town with the Dispatches that Mr. Causton had
prepared over Night; which done, the Skooner presently
weigh'd and sailed to Charles-Town in Company with the
Sloop ; and we returned homewards, meeting in our Pas
sage another large Boat, bound from Savannah to the
South, with Dispatches of the same Kind thither, and in
her also some Carriages for mounting Guns at St. Si
mon's, which Mr. Delegal had long expected, and which
had been shamefully long delayed; though I had fre
quently spoke of it ever since February, when I came

COLONIAL RECORDS. 125
thence, and saw the Want of them. Young Mr. Delegal ™^
having been in Carolina lately, upon this Alarm there, Af3nl
was making what Haste he could to his Duty; and
coming to Savannah, took the Opportunity of a Passage
in the same Boat. We landed a little after Noon; and
when I had spent some Time with Mr. Causton, talking
farther of these Matters, I went Home, not hearing any
Thing material more worth Notice.
Friday. Mr. Jennj^s of Charles-Town, Brother of u-
him lately deceased, having been a Day or two at Sa
vannah, engaged Mr. Causton and me to dine with him;
when Mr. Causton acquainted me, that a Messenger from
Ockstead very early this Morning brought him Word,
that a Boat passed by his House making great Speed
with eight Oars in the Night towards Savannah River;
that his People hailed her as she passed, but they would
not answer; and thereupon the Watch fired, but yet they
passed on, and took no Notice. Mr. Causton, I observed,
appeared more shocked at this than any Thing hitherto;
and proximus ardet seemed to be in his Thoughts: But Mr.
Jennys somewhat abated his Apprehensions of their be
ing Spaniards, by telling him, that in his Way hither at
Port-Royal, he was informed, that Mr. Wig was newly
gone out thence, in a Scout-Boat with eight Oars, in
order to take a Cruise for a few Days among the Creeks
to the Southward; and by the Description, most proba
bly it was that Boat. Mr. Causton however, before we
saw him, had ordered out a light rowing Boat, with six
Oars, to go on the same Errand, and given some Instruc
tions, which were of his own forming (it is to be sup
posed) done with good Judgment, and undoubtedly it
was a proper Service at such a Juncture. In the Even
ing he retired again to Ockstead, taking Bailiff Parker
with him.
Saturday. All the Talk this Morning was of some ]5,
Ships arrived at Tybee, but what they were none yet

126 COLONIAL RECORDS.
could tell; some judging them to be Friends, others En- ^^
emies, according as their Hopes or Fears suggested; but Af"L
upon Enquiry of the Person who brought it, and who
was Patroon of a trading Boat that came up in the
Night, bound from Charles-Town to New-Windsor, he
made no more of it than one Ship, which lay off the
Bar at Sea, and a Sloop, which he guessed might be
Capt. Scott in a Man of War from Charles-Town, and a
Tender, which were to sail from Charles-Town when he
came thence.
Saturday Afternoon. Mr. Jennys intending to return is.
to Charles-Town early to-morrow, I wrote a Letter to
Mr. Verelst, inclosing my Journal to this Time, with Du
plicates of Letters, &c. which I gave him in the Evening,
as Mr. Causton also had given him what he meant to
send, and Mr. Jennys promised it should be dispatched
by the first Ship, which he expected would be some Day
in the Week coming.
Sunday. Mr. Dyson absent, and no Church this Day. ie.
All quiet, and the Spaniards began to be less frightful
every Day than other, among those who had discovered
their Fears too far.
Monday. The good Work of Planting went on as be- 17.
fore, which I was glad to see, and every Body easy, ex
cepting a few of the nightly Club, who seemed well
pleased at nothing; but their Art began to fail them in
improving Discouragement; for the People in general
(even those who formerly were of the Number of Male-
contents) now showed a hearty Disposition to cultivate
their Lands, and to defend it, when done, against all In
vaders. Tuesday. Another small Sloop arrived belonging to 18.
Mr. Ellis, with about seventeen hundred Bushels of Corn,
which was ordered to be taken in Store; but would have
been more acceptable sooner, for the Seed-Corn which

COLONIAL RECORDS. 127
the People had for planting, was but very mean, scarce a ^^
fourth Part being fit (after picking) to be put in the Af$}1
Ground: And the other Sloop of Mr. Ellis's (noted of
the 6th Instant) being delivered, was preparing to depart,
when it timely happened, that a Discovery was made of
the Provisions being bad, and unfit for Use, which that
Sloop imported: It seems, after what passed between Mr.
Causton and the Master on the 6th, upon the Master's
representing to Mr. Causton, that the cargo which he
brought, it was expected would have been immediately
spent, upon Presumption of a great Number of People
being newly arrived; wherefore the Meat was not packt
as usual for long keeping, but would be best for present
Use, &c. In Consideration of Mr. Ellis's being an old
Dealer, and a Man of Character, Mr. Causton took all
the Beef off his Hands; and upon issuing several Casks
to Day out of the Stores to sundry Persons, it was all
returned, and found to be not eatable: Whereupon a Sur
vey was immediately ordered on the Whole, and all ex
cept a Trifle found to be bad. Such Confidence is to be
reposed in such Dealers. Late in the Evening we had
another little Spanish Alarm, sufficient to keep us waking,
which came from a Servant of Bailiff Parker's, who was
alone on his Plantation, about ten Miles off; and reported,
that about Ten in the Forenoon four strange Men, all
Foreigners, came suddenly upon him, and at first one of
them drew his Sword with Intent to kill him; but another
(who was the only Person among them that had a little
broken English) interposed, and desired his Life might
be spared; after which they all went into the Hut hard
by, where they sat down and rested themselves about an
Hour and a Half, without offering further Violence of
any Kind, but obliging him to stand at the Door and
watch, that nobody might surprize them; and then they
walked away into the Country by a Path which showed
they knew their Way, after first making him swear he
would not discover what he had seen: He said they were
all swarthy Men, with black Hair braided up, and brought

128 COLONIAL RECORDS.
up from behind under their Hats, every one alike in 2I?!L
Dress, and black or dark coloured Cloaths, and each was Afg'a
armed with Sword, Gun, and a Pistol; no Buckles but
Straps to tie their Shoes. Mr. Causton riding in his Way to
Ockstead in the Evening, and meeting this Man in the
Road coming to Town, sent me a Line or two by him, de
siring me to enquire of him more particularly, and to send
Capt. Mcintosh (Commander of the Palachocolas Fort
now in Town) with two of his Men and Horses, to meet
him at Mr. Parker's Plantation early in the Morning, and
try if any Discovery of that Kind could be made: I
thereupon talked to Mr. Parker and Mr. Christie, and
examined the Fellow who was Parker's Servant, before
his Master, who gave me this Account as I have wrote
it, and stood to it; his Master telling me at the same
Time that he believed the Fellow would say nothing but
the Truth, and we might credit him. I then spoke with
Capt. Mcintosh, and told him what Mr. Causton desired;
who promised to go off at Day-break, and Mr. Parker
appointed to go with him. It was our Opinion (what
ever Truth might be in it) that the ordinary Guard should
be doubled, and two or three Men ordered to patrol at a
Time at a little Distance around the Town, and in case
of any Danger to give Notice, &c. This was ordered
accordingly, and the Remainder of the Night was Peace.
Wednesday. This Day produced nothing of any Mo- 19.
ment. All being returned to Town, who went out to seek for
some Intelligence of those Spaniards, who were supposed
last Night to be so near us ; and not being able to make any
Kind of Discovery farther, People generally began to
think it only an idle Story cooked up by Mr. Parker's
Servant, for a Pretence of coming to Town, and leaving
his Work; but Mr. Parker yet seemed to have a good
Opinion of his Man's Veracity; so that various con
jectures arose about it, however I did not find it made
any great Impression, and People went quietly about
their Business.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 129
Thursday. Mr. Robert Williams ^having loaded his ™|^
Snow with Lumber for the West Indies (as before taken A^n
Notice of) sailed this Morning, and with him Hugh
Sterling, upon a trading Account: James Williams, now
in Turn staying here, to carry on the Plantation Work,
&c. and as they are both Men that seem resolved to be
pushing on a Trade and Business of any Kind that has a
Shew of Profit; it were to be wished they may find Suc
cess, and thereby encourage Industry in all Shapes, that
may tend to the Benefit of the Colony: It were also at
the same Time to be wished, they would lay aside a lit
tle of that Warmth which I have known sometimes to
carry them too far in defending that Opinion about the
Allowance of Negroes, so industriously propagated by
some others less worth regarding. In the Afternoon the
Messenger who was dispatched to the South the 8th In
stant, returned with Letters from the several Settlements
there; by which we learnt, that they were none of them
under any great Apprehensions from what Intelligence
they had from us, which was founded upon what Lyford had
deposed before Mess. Woodward and Wig at Port- Royal;
for that the reinforcement of the Garrison at St. Augus
tin, which came thither under Convoy of a Man of War,
was no more than what they expected, and were in
formed by the Spanish Launch was intended; which Mr.
Horton gave us Advice of on the 20th of January last;
and Mr. Horton now wrote me, that if they came, they
would give them as warm a Reception as they could, but
he believed they were only fortifying their own Frontiers;
and he did not intend it should put a stop to the Work of
one of the Freeholders of that Place, who were plant
ing, and had now ready for planting near an hundred
Acres. Mr. McLeod, Minister at Darien, wrote me, that
he apprehended the Dimensions given for building their
Church were too little, and desired my Opinion, in con
junction with Mr. Causton's, whether they might ex
ceed it, or not.
9 c r— v 4

130 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Friday. An Accident befel me this Day, which pre- ^!^
vented my stirring Abroad: Sitting at my Table in the A^
Morning writing, my Stool happened to slide, and fall
ing across it, I so bruised my Side, that I was obliged to
take away a little Blood, as well as apply some outward
Remedy for Ease. I did not learn any Thing material
from my Son that the Day produced worth Notice.
Saturday. Mr. Causton and the other Magistrates 22.
were pleased to call on me this Morning; when we had
a short Conference on the present Posture of Affairs,
and divers Orders were given suitable to the Exigence of
the Times: For notwithstanding it seemed to us, that the
Spaniards had put a Stop to any farther Proceedings,
yet it was not in our Power to judge how soon they
might resume their former Designs, especially since we
were all assured, that there was a great Force lay
ready at St. Augustin for any purpose they thought fit to
employ them about; whether it were to attack us, or
only strengthen their Frontier (as was given out) and
build Forts, viz. on the old Appalachee Fields, &c. more
over the Launches, Pinnaces, and half Gallies contin
ued still attending them in that Port. This uncertain
State we were in, produced various Opinions among the
People; some few could not hide their Apprehensions,
of a sudden Invasion, and wanted an Opportunity to
withdraw out of Harm's Way; but as a Stop was put to
any one's going off without Leave, that was difficult to
come at, and the Generality appeared easy, following
their proper Business. Somebody among us had under
taken the Part of Pasquin, and fixed up a paper in the
publick Street, ridiculing the idle Fears of such among
us as discovered them; and telling them for their Com
fort, that he had fixed up an Office of Insurance, where
he would insure any of their Safeties after the Rate of
from 5 to 15 per Cent, provided they did not set too great
a Value on themselves: With some other double Entend-
ers pretty severe, which a certain Person or two of my

COLONIAL RECORDS. 131
Acquaintance taking some Offence at, and seeming impa- J^j
tientto discover the Author; I prevailed with them to be x^
easy, and not let the World see that the Cap fitted their
Heads, by putting it on themselves; and I was farther of
Opinion, that a little merry Drollery among us (without
gross Scandal) at such a Season might contribute to keep
up a cheerful Spirit; and this was not a Time to be peevish
at Trifles. Some Gentlemen and others not Freehold
ers in the Town, having been forming a Design to make
a Company of Volunteers to act in Defence of the Prov
ince, where Occasion might require, under the Command
of such Person as they should chuse among themselves;
and sending to me to make one among them; towards
Evening finding myself a little more relieved from Pain,
I went to them to the Tavern, where ten or twelve of
them were met, mostly such as either had, or were enti
tled to different Tracts of Land: Upon reading the Pro
posal, which was ready drawn, I told them I was very
glad to see so good a Disposition among them; that I
thought it was very laudable, and I would be as forward
as any one in joining them and promoting it, provided
we took Care to do it legally, i. e. it would be absolutely
necessary to have a sufficient Authority for taking up
Arms, and in the next Place due Care must be taken,
that it must be done so as not to clash with the Method
and Form the present Militia were in; wherefore in both
these Cases the Magistrates must be consulted: After
some Discourse farther on that Head, they then made it
their Request to me, that I would impart it to the Magis
trates; and opening fully to them the whole Design,
learn their Sentiments upon it: I undertook to do so, and
returned Home.

Sunday. No Minister, nor publick Service for the Day.
This being the Festival of St. George, the Flag was dis
played: At Noon the Magistrates and severalof the Of
ficers, and other Inhabitants of the Town, met at the Guard-
House, where some Biscuits and Bottles of Wine being sent

23.

132 COLONIAL RECORDS.
from the Stores, his Majesty's Health was drank under the ^^
Discharge of eleven Pieces of Cannon; next the Prince A$&1
and all the Royal Family; then the honourable Trustees,
and Prosperity to the Colony; and lastly to the safe Arrival
of our Captain General. After which I talked a little
aside with the Magistrates upon the subject of last Night;
telling them freely my Opinion, and some Jealousy that
I had conceived of their real Design at Bottom, under
this colourable pretence of setting up a Military Force
wholly independent of the present Establishment, which
Suspicion the rather arose in me from my observing that
this Proposal was formed and carried on by that very
Club, who for so long Time have been inveighing against
the chief Fundamentals of Policy, which our Constit
uents have hitherto maintained; for which Reason I told
them to-morrow would be Time enough for their Answer
to the Paper; and so leaving it with them, Mr. Causton
rode off to Dinner at Ockstead, taking one or both his
Brethren with him.
Monday. Mr. Causton, with the other Magistrates, by 24.
Appointment met three or four of the Gentlemen who
had made the Proposal, at my House; when after a full
Explanation made, of what was the Design of the honour
able Trustees, in regard of the future Establishment of
the Militia throughout the whole Province, viz. that
all Tracts of Land would be reduced into Villages; and
it was supposed the Proprietors of those Lands would by
Appointment from the Trustees be invested with a Power
of commanding the Inhabitants of those Villages, partly
in the same Manner as the Wards at present within the
Town of Savannah are under the Command of Consta
bles; For these Reasons it was apprehended, that such as
had already taken Possession of such Tracts, by Grant
from the Trustees, were in some Sort understood to be
intitled to the Command of all who lived under them,
upon any emergent Occasion, as now; wherefore to enter
themselves in a separate and distinct Body, would be in-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 133

consistent with that Post which they seemed more imme
diately concerned to maintain; but whereas there were
divers others, some of whom had Titles to Lands, which
were not yet run out, nor taken Possession of; and some
who had yet neither Title nor Possession; undoubtedly it
would not only be allowable, but praiseworthy in all such
to show their Zeal in Defence of the Country; and in
order to it, they might form themselves into such a
Company of Volunteers under a Commander of their
own chusing, as they saw good: Provided still that in
Case of an Attack that they would act in Concert with
the present Militia, and be subject to such Orders as
should be given by the Commander in Chief: Which they
declared themselves ready to observe, but objected
against receiving any Commands from the Constables in
Town. So it ended for the present, and next we were to
see what farther would come of it. Some of them were
pleased to tell me, that I was the Man they had in their
Thoughts, to place at the Head of them: But I thanked
them for the Honour they intended me, and found more
Reasons than one, why it was proper for me to desire to
be excused; telling them at the same Time, my Son
would be ready to make one in their Ranks, or wherever
else the Service might require; and in case of any Action,
I hoped to be found doing my Duty among the most for
ward. In the Evening Mr. Andrews, a Trader among the
Chicasaw Indians, arrived in four Days, last from Au
gusta, bringing with him several Letters for Mr. Caus
ton, and one to me from Mr. Kent (Lieutenant there
under Capt. Lacy) who went back there to his Command
about a Week since, after several Months Indisposition
at Home, and was on his Passage thither as Mr. Andrews
came down. Mr. Kent wrote me a good Account of the
Situation of Affairs there; and I heard from every Body
who came from those Parts, a good Character of him, as
a diligent Officer who maintained good Order and Au
thority, and had applied himself with such Industry for

1738.
April 24.

134 COLONIAL RECORDS.
the Defence of the Place, that the Fort was as good as ^j^,
finished, and made capable of withstanding any Attack, A|£l1
which was more than was expected could have been
!done since Mr. Lacy left it. The News Mr. Andrews
brought us from the Chicasaw Indians was very disagree
able: For it was, that the French had fallen upon them
again last Year with a greater Force than before, and in
several Battles had killed upward of sixty of them; that
finding themselves unable to withstand them any longer,
the Remnant had quitted their Lands, and were drawn
near to the Creeks, who received them kindly; and that
he hoped they would have settled there, which would
still put it in their Power to have annoyed their Enemies
the French, and also strengthen our Frontier against
their nearer Approach: But the Government of Carolina
hearing of their Intentions, had invited them, and by
large Presents persuaded them to come and settle in the
Province of Carolina, in the Neighbourhood of New-
Windsor, which he wished might have been prevented,
doubting it may tend to the Diminution of this Province.
In answer to these Things I had little to say.
Tuesday. A Day of Leisure, which gave me Oppor- 25.
tunity to divert myself awhile in the Garden, which was
now in good Order, and all Things in it had a good Ap
pearance; but the Frost we had so severe in March, cut
off all the young Orange Trees again, and made it nec
essary to apply the Pruning-Knife almost home to the
Ground, from whence they all once more put forth strong
and promising Shoots: The Vines likewise had somewhat
suffered; but were now in a thriving Way: The Mulber
ries now also produced Plenty of Leaves, and though the
unkindness of the Spring had kept them back, which
was a little destructive to the earliest Silk Worms, there
was yet a Stock of Worms, and Store of Food for them
come at last sufficient to give us Expectation of seeing
something in the Silk-Affair done this Year worth re
garding. Planting continued to go forward in the Coun-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 135
try with uncommon Diligence on all Sides: And as to ™^j
my own Part, what was in hand being three Miles off, A^u
my Son took it almost wholly upon himself to inspect it,
coming Home once in a Day, or two or three, only if any
Thing extraordinary required. The hot Weather began
to come on apace, and Rain much wanted. Three of my
Men at this Time lying ill.
Wednesday. A Pettyagua lately arrived with some 2s.
Goods from Charles-Town for some of our Store-Keepers,
went back this Morning unknown to me; by whom Mr.
Causton wrote Letters to the Care of Mr. Jennys, to be
sent the Trustees by the first Ship (as he told me himself
afterwards.) I told him it would have been kind to have
let me known it in Time, because I would not willingly
slip any Opportunity of doing the same; and many such
probably fell within his Knowledge, which could not be
known to me: But as I had wrote so lately as of the
15th to Mr. Verelst, and had in my View another Oppor
tunity very likely to be soon; I was the easier on that
Account. Several Gentlemen who had been the Promoters of
Volunteers, and had Titles to Tracts of Lands not yet
run out, went this Day to Vernon River, and those Parts,
taking Jones the Surveyor with them; the Effect whereof
we might expect to know another Day. Mr. Causton
went in the Evening to Ockstead as usual, and all Things
quiet. Thursday. Another Piece of Pasquin's Wit was found 27.
affixed to the common Place this Morning; wherein he
carried his Buffoonery (I thought) a little too far, in
making Sport with our Militia; for tho' I saw no Offense
in exposing such as were timorous (which was the prin
cipal Drift of the last) yet undoubtedly it was unseason
able to make a Jest of all military Preparations at such
a Time for our Defence: It passed off in Merriment,
however, and People were wise enough in general not to

136 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1738.

take Offence. Mr. Causton came not to Town to Day;
nor did I observe any Thing of Consequence to take No- A§TU
tice of.
Friday. The Survey of the damaged Beef (noted the 28.
i8th Instant) being now finished, and legal Condemna
tion made of near two hundred and eighty Casks out of
about two hundred and ninety; Order was given for car
rying it out of Town, in order to be burnt or buried deep
in the Earth, to prevent Infection; the latter Course
seeming to be most eligible; forasmuch as it was appre
hended some Malignancy might be conveyed from so
great a Smoak into the Town. Two or three of the
Gentlemen who went with the Surveyor to Vernon River
on Wednesday last, I now learnt had fixed upon a Tract
of five hundred Acres each, intending to make them
selves thereby capable of commanding that District, in case
Occasion required their appearing in Arms, after that
Affair being discussed in the Manner it was, when the
Magistrates met several of them at my House last Mon
day. Saturday. Wrote several Letters on various Occa- 29.
sions to the South, and sent them by Sloop and Pettya
gua, both going thither with sundry Stores from Mr.
Causton. Soon after, a private Boat that went thither
lately on small Affairs, returned and brought Letters to
Mr. Causton and me from Capt. Gascoigne; whether
from any one else Letters to Mr. Causton came or not, I
was not informed. The Captain referred each of us to
what he had wrote the other; so that betwixt us we were
informed, that Capt. Scott in the Seaford, in his Cruize
from Charles-Town to Augustin, to see what the Span
iards were about, had called on him in his Way; and
that thereupon he weighed immediately, intending to join
him; but that the Wind and Tide would not let him get
out before Morning, when Capt. Scott was gone, i. e. the
1 8th; and on his return to him, the Day of the Date of

COLONIAL RECORDS. 137

the Letter he wrote me, which is the 22d, Capt. Scott (he
says) informs him of seeing nothing on the Coast, nor in
Augustin Harbour, but small Vessels, viz. two Snows, one
Brig, and two Sloops. Capt. Scott farther added, that
he believed that he sweated them in their Turn, by the
number of Guns they fired whilst he lay off the Bar,
which was thirty Hours; and the Appearance of one
King's Ship off the Bar, leaves them no room to doubt
but we have heard something of them ; whether well
grounded or not, is what we want to know; as Capt.
Gascoigne writes: But it is Time only must discover that.
 Whatever it proves, People in general now begin to
be easy; and it is to be hoped they will none of them
be bashful in the Face of a Spaniard if ever they put it
to a Trial.

Sunday. No Minister this Day, nor any Church Serv

ice.

1738.
April 29.

30.

Monday. The Court, which stood adjourned to this May
Day, was again farther adjourned to the ordinary Course
of its meeting once in six Weeks, which was the 22d
Instant. This was concerted among the Magistrates, as
most expedient at this Time; and though no publick
Reason was given for it, yet probably the true Reason
for so doing might easily be guessed at, viz. to have as
little to do as possible with Grand Juries, till the Trus
tees decide that Point of their Power to administer
Oaths; which divers of the Freeholders seemed very
fond of, and the Magistrates would by no Means assent
to, being apprehensive of creating an Inquisition, which
would know no Sort of Bounds, and might carry their
Power to such a Height, as to endanger the subversion
of all Order and Authority, in the Hands of those who
at present are entrusted with it. And indeed it was my
Opinion, that it behooved them to be watchful in guard
ing against all Innovations: For though there was no Ap
pearance at present of new Disturbances among our-

138 COLONIAL RECORDS.
selves, yet the Seeds of Discontent were not so utterly ^j^
dead, but with a little Art applied they might revive. Mjay
Mr. Causton staid this Day in the Country.
Tuesday. This Day an unfortunate Accident hap- 2.
pened in my own little Affairs, which for the most Part
demanded my Attention. The Person who owned the
next five-Acre Lot adjoining to that which I had
cleared and planted this Year, had in like Manner cut
down all the Wood on his, and laid it in Heaps, but not
yet burnt it; and notwithstanding a very high Wind
blow'd this Day (such as rarely happens here) two Men
employed in clearing that Land chose it, and setting
Fire to those Heaps of Wood, it burnt with such Fury,
that there was no coming near it; and the Wind driving
it full upon my Fence, it very soon destroyed all one
third of it, and the Cinders and thick Smoak which came
from it flew over near half the Corn I had planted;
which was finely flourishing, but in a great Measure de
stroyed now, so far as the Scorching went; and what I
was yet more concerned at, was to see about an hundred
and fifty young Mulberries, which I was nursing up
against another Season, likewise the greatest Part of
them spoiled. A Boat arrived from Frederica, sent by
Mr. Horton with Letters to Mr. Causton and me, desir
ing our Assistance in taking four of his Servants who had
taken his Boat and run away with it. All quiet in the
South, and no talk of Spaniards.
Wednesday. My first Care in the Morning was to 3.
take a proper Person with me, and view what Damage
was done by Yesterday's Conflagration, which was found
to be very great; however, I very well knew, that little
Benefit would accrue by seeking for it at common Law;
for the Action must lie against those who kindled the
Fire, and they were poor labouring Men (Foreigners)
who were in no wise capable of Restitution; whilst he
who employed them, little cared what they suffered:

COLONIAL RECORDS. 139
Wherefore I summoned them before a Magistrate, and Jf^,
required no more of them than their Labour to make Msay
good my Fence again; that would cost them some Days
Work, which they readily agreed to: And as I was wil
ling to impute it to their Want of knowing better, I told
them (to shew that I forgave them) if they did it hon
estly and well, that I would give them something to
drink for their Pains: And the Damage I had sustained
otherwise, I must make the best of that I could. The
dry Season, which we had for a long while past, began to
raise sad Apprehensions in the Minds of manv People,
lest their Labour should be lost by failing of a Crop; the
Corn in divers Places not coming well up, and in others
beginning to pine away with the Heat, for Want of Rain;
when Providence sent us refreshing Showers in the Even
ing, which were divers Times repeated in the Night. Mr.
Causton returned to Ockstead.
Thursday. I resolved to lose no Time, but immedi- i-
ately take the Advantage of so kind a Season that of
fered; and though it was late, I ordered some Hands to
go about replanting all the Corn that was lost; not with
out Hopes but that it might yet come to good, in case
we had a few more such Showers now and then, as fell
last Night: At my Return Home at Noon, I found an
other cross Accident: My principal Servant, whom I most
confided in, and was at such Times as I could best spare
him from Field-Work employed as a Domestic, was mis
sing; and upon my hearing that his Chest was carried off
while I was Abroad in the Morning, I made no Doubt
but he was preparing to go off in the Night: The Magis
trates being neither of them at Home, I sent a Messen
ger to get a Search Warrant from Mr. Causton, who was
at Ockstead; and taking what Precaution in the Interim
I thought needful, to hinder his Escape; in the Evening
I got some Intelligence what Company he had been seen
with in the Day; whom I knew to be idle, disorderly
Servants of others; and Mr. Parker being now returned

140 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Home, and coming kindly to my Assistance; we laid 1738-
hold of one of those, threatening to deal severely with ^ay
him, if he did not discover where my Man was; at which
being terrified, he went with the Officer and produced
him: Then upon Enquiry where his Chest was, we found
that in a small new-built Hut, which the Owner had let
a Gentleman have the Use of, for the reception of a few
of his Servants occasionally, at such Times as any of
them came to Town on their Master's Business, from
his Plantation a pretty Way off. Upon opening the Chest
to search what was in it, we found several fair Pieces of
Beef, about twelve Pound of Biscuit, some Rice, two or
three Bottles of Wine, one Bottle of Molasses, &c.
which was a plentiful Provision for a Voyage: But he
was so abominably drunk, that it was in vain to attempt
any Examination of him this Night; wherefore the Bail
iff committed him close Prisoner to the common Goal,
till a fit Opportunity to look into it farther: And so the
Day ended.
Friday. Nothing of any Moment happened this 5.
whole Day, that I could get Knowledge of; but perfect
Tranquillity every where, People following their own
Business, and the Spaniards no longer talked of. Mr.
Causton continued at Ockstead these two Days, nothing
extraordinary requiring his Attendance.
Saturday. This Morning about Eight I was most 6.
agreeably surprized, when at opening my Door I saw
Colonel Cockran, whom I joyfully saluted: He left the
Transports, which he quitted at a good Distance off the
Bar Yesterday Evening; and betaking himself to the
Boat, rowed up in the Night, complaining (which I was
sorry he had so much Reason for) of Want of Pilotage,
to bring the Ships in at Tybee: Which Complaints we
have too frequently had from other Masters of Vessels;
but on so great an Occasion it was less excusable. It is
alledged by some, that we can hardly hope for it other-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 141
wise, till a good Pilot is fixed to live there, who may be ™^
always ready, by having a small competent Support: For M6ay
that it cannot be expected any one in that Station, who
has his Living to seek for where he can get it, will be
still upon Duty. But these Evils I know will be cured
by such Dispositions as our General shall make, when
we are so happy to see him again here. I waited on
the Colonel to Mr. Causton, who was just come to town;
and all the Dispatch that was possible (to be sure) was
made in sending proper Help; and the same Evening
the two Transports from whom the Colonel came, were
safely brought to Anchor at Cockspur; the other Trans
port not being then in Sight: Which was thus accounted
for, viz. That Capt. Fanshaw upon making the Coast,
steered his Course directly for Charles-Town, and made
signal for all the Transports to follow him; but the Col
onel being determined, that none of his Men should land
there, gave the Officers such Orders; and thereupon the
Ship he was in, with one more, made their Way for Tybee;
but he was apprehensive the other might be decoyed to
Charles-Town, which nevertheless if it was so, he was
sure, that the Officer that commanded the Men there,
would not disobey his Orders, in suffering a Man to land
in Carolina. I made it my business to attend the Col
onel all Day, and Care was taken to provide Vessels,
with what Expedition we could, to convey the Forces to
the South, in such Manner as was at that Time thought
convenient. Sunday. The Church-Service discontinued for Want 7.
of a Minister. Divers Letters were sent Express, as
well to Charles-Town, to acquaint the Government there
what was doing, and to require the Transport that was
missing (if there) to join the others here; as also to the
South, to desire Capt. Gascoigne's making haste to us,
together with Mr. Horton, &c. All which was done by
Order from the Colonel, that he might not want proper
Assistance, or being well advised in every Thing that

142 COLONIAL RECORDS.
was needful: Mr. Causton at the same Time gave Di- ^i
rection about fresh Provision being got ready, which had M7ay
been preparing against this Occasion: And whereas one
Ship's Company had particularly been very sickly, a
Steer was ordered immediately to be killed, and sent
down to them to-morrow Morning for some Refreshment.
About Noon the Colonel went down again himself to
Tybee, enjoining Mr. Causton to come to him thither
to-morrow. In the Evening I was informed, that a
Ship's Boat was come up with divers People in it;
among whom it was said there was a Clergyman; which
I thought good News, if his Abode was to be at Sa
vannah; too well knowing the Want of a good and dis
creet Pastor among us.
Monday. After much Thunder and Showers in the 8.
Night, a heavy Rain fell in the Morning, and continued
near the whole Day; which prevented Mr. Causton and
me from waiting on Col. Cochran at Tybee; but clearing
up towards Evening, the Colonel came again to Town
with the Flood-Tide. After a short Conference he went
with me to make a Visit to Mr. Whitfield the Minister;
whom I congratulated on the Occasion of his coming,
and his safe Arrival; promising myself great Pleasure in
his future Acquaintance.
Tuesday, | The Colonel being intent upon 9
Wednesday, ¦ making all possible Expedition in 10.
Thursday, f getting the Troops away to the South, 11.
Friday. J and accepting what Assistance I could 12.
give in conferring with several People whom he was a
Stranger to, and introducing them to him for Orders, &c.
most Part of my Time was taken up these four Days in
close Attendance on that Affair; and little occurred else
of Consequence. Mr. Whitfield was taken, since his
coming ashore, with a Touch of an Ague, which it was
hoped would soon be removed: And the sick Men aboard
at Cockspur, went ashore every Day on that Island;

COLONIAL RECORDS. 143
where, with taking the fresh Air, and by the Help of ^J^_
proper Refreshments of sundry Provisions frequently M9ay
sent them, they began to be lively again, and were very 10.
hearty and well pleased to find such Care taken for them. n.
The Phcenix Man of War, and the other Transport that 12.
was missing, came from Charles-Town, and anchored
within Tybee on Friday Afternoon, as we were advised
that Evening.

13.

Saturday. Capt. Fanshaw came up to Town this
Forenoon in his Barge, and had a full conference with
Colonel Cockran all Day, when itwas agreed between them
to send one of the Transports to the Alatamaha, which
together with the Pettyagua's that we had now ready, it
was judged would be sufficient for all that was to be
done: They resolved to go down together to-morrow
Morning; and the Captain staid in Town all Night, Mr.
Causton engaging them both to dine with him to-morrow
at Ockstead; which would not be far out of their Way
by Water as they passed.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield being a little recovered, at- 14.
tempted to officiate at Church; but by Reason of his
Weakness was obliged to stop at the Communion Service.
The Colonel and Captain obliged me to accompany them
to Mr. Causton's, from whence they proceeded afterwards
to Tybee; and in the Evening I walked Home. We all
thought it strange, that no Return yet was made to those
Expresses sent to the South, now a full Week since.
Monday. Some of the Pettyagua's coming up from is.
the Ships with large Quantities of divers Stores by the
Colonel's Order, which my Son had his Direction how
to dispose of; he was fully employed all Day in getting
it carried to the Places provided for them, and taking
Care of their Safety: Wherein I found it needful to give
what Assistance I could in quickening a lazy Crew, who
without looking after would do little. Mr. Causton
under some Indisposition at Ockstead.

144 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Tuesday. The same Employment took up my Son's ™^,
Time wholly, and good Part of mine. The Colonel came up ^ay
again from the Ships towards Noon; and about the same
Time the Boat that was sent to the South express, so longas
since Sunday the 7th returned; and Mr. Horton came in her
as he had Orders: Upon enquiring what the Reason was,
why they staid so long, we found, that they had lost their
Way in going; and after wandering some Days, they did
not reach Frederica till the latter End of the Week: The
Boat's Crew being all hired men on this Occasion, and
the best we could procure; having not any that by proper
Appointment attended such Service. By a Sloop which
came up with Provisions for Sale from New York, last
from Charles-Town, Mr. Causton had Letters from Eng
land, and I one from Mr. Verelst, very short, only to
give me the Pleasure of knowing, that Colonel Horsey
was appointed Governor and Lieutenant General of
South-Carolina; and that it was expected General Ogle
thorpe, with the Remainder of his Regiment, would em
bark some Time in the next Month after the Date of his,
which was February 17.
Wednesday. This Morning we had Advice, that Capt. 17.
Gascoigne in the Hawk, with the Sloop Ranger his
Tender, was come to Tybee, where he had joined the
other Ships; and as soon as the Pettyagua's that were
daily employed in bringing up such G°°ds and Stores as
were intended to be landed at Savannah had compleated
that Service, it was judged there needed no farther Provis
ion of proper Vehicles to convey the Troops to the sev
eral Stations the General had assigned them; and they
would lose no Time about it. A Snow and a Brigantine,
both laden with Provisions from New- York, belonging
to Mr. Provost (the same who was here before, and bought
Town Lot of Mr. West) came up the River this Evening;
the Owner intending that such of the Cargo as Mr.
Causton did not readily accept of for the Use of the
Trust, he would take into private Store.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 145
Thursday. Colonel Cockran went down to the Ships ^j
this Morning to give such Orders as he saw proper for May
expediting the Service, and several sick Men who were
judged unfit to bear any farther Fatigue at present; were
sent up to Town, and put in a spare House under the
Care of a Doctor to recover them. The Remainder of"
this Day, and the two following, found sufficient Em
ployment for me and my Son, to see such Orders fulfilled,
as the Colonel gave to

19.
20.

Friday, ) hasten the Departure of the Troops
Saturday. j from Tybee; and the heavy Pace where
with our German Servants went forward with the Work as
signed them, gave us no small Vexation; whilst the Colonel
himself, who came up to Town again on Friday, was in
defatigable in all Places to promote the Service every
Day, and could not avoid discovering great Impatience
under any Delay.
Whitsunday. The Colonel having got some of the 21;
Ship's Crew up to Town, and seeing no Labor was to be
expected this Day from any others, prevailed easily
with them to unload divers Goods, that the Service of
the Vessel which brought them might be made use of in-
transporting some of the Soldiers, &c. for as she was a
Vessel of convenient Stowage, and capable of carrying
a pretty good number of them, the Colonel agreed with
the Master at a reasonable Freight to engage in it; after
which he went down the River, together with Lieutenant
Dunbar and Mr. Horton, to give his last Orders for their
going off soon. Mr. Whitfield officiated this Day at
Church, and made a Sermon"in the Forenoon and After,
very engaging to the most thronged Congregation I had
ever seen here: Late in the Evening the Colonel returned
again from Tybee.
Monday. The Court which stood adjourned to this 22.
Day, now met; when a Grand Jury was impanelled, and
10 c r— v 4

146 COLONIAL RECORDS.
a Charge given them in the ordinary Course; expecting J^!f>
they would not again insist on administring Oaths, as ^fj
they had done some Time before; and there was no Ap
pearance of any Disturbance on that Account, or any
other, but all Things went with Decency and Order.
Such Soldiers as continued weak and sickly, and were
judged unfit to undergo farther Fatigue at present, were
daily brought to Town, three or four at a Time, and put
under proper Care to get Strength: They were now near
thirty in Number, but most of them in a promising Way
of Recovery, only two or three who were quite worn
away died soon after they were brought ashore; and this
Day a Servant of mine died, after two or three Months
Decay and Sickness, whom the Doctor had small Hopes
of at first, being of a broken Constitution: And the
Town in general pretty healthy; though I had the Mis
fortune to have commonly two or three of my People ailing
something or other.
Tuesday. The Court continued to sit; and Mr. Brown 23.
of Highgate was indicted and arraigned for killing his
Servant; and at his Request his Trial was put off to an
other Day, that he might have such Evidence ready as
he said he could produce in his Favour. Capt. McKay
had Orders from the Colonel to proceed this Day with
five Pettyagua's to convey such Part of the Regiment as
were appointed for Cumberland Island, Fort St. An
drew's, &c. and it was expected that he was gone accord
ingly on that Service from the Ships at Tybee. Mr.
Horton was also sent off to the South, with Orders to
make Preparations for the Receptipn of the Remainder
of the Forces at St. Simon's, which the Colonel hoped to
see go off, and accompany them himself, in few Days, all
possible Expedition being used to effect it.
Wednesday, \ The Colonel continued to push on the 24.
Thursday. J Work about getting all Things ready 25. ,
for sending the remaining Part of the Forces South, with

COLONIAL RECORDS. 147
indefatigable Application; and whatever Service I or my ™^j
Son could be of to him, his Acceptance of it was a Pleas- M4.y
ure to us. Thursday he werit down again to Tybee, and 25.
returned again at Night.

Friday. The hurry about transporting the Soldiers
to St. Simon's &c. beginning to abate, and Matters in
such Forwardness, that it was expected they might go off
in two or three Days, the Colonel resolved to send his
Sergeant forthwith to Charles-Town, in order to take the
first Opportunity of a Passage there for England, on
particular Business which he intrusted him with: Where
fore I resolved not to let so fair an Opportunity slip of
writing, and spent most Part of this Day in preparing
what Matters I had to send. The Court continuing to
sit de Die in Diem, till a convenient Day was appointed
for the Trial of Mr. Brown, one Pat. Grant a Tything-Man,
who was a weak Man, but conceited in his own Opinion,
and affected to distinguish himself in publick, by a pert
and saucy Behaviour, affronted the Magistrates, by per
emptorily refusing to obey their Orders, and setting them
in open Contempt; for which they very deservedly com
mitted him to Goal.
Saturday. Great Stir made in Behalf of Pat. Grant
by his Countrymen, to let him out upon Bail, which the
Magistrates shewed little Inclination to, till by suffering
a little farther, he grew sensible of his Offence, which he
shewed no Token of; for in a Letter which he wrote me
to intercede for him, he said he had made a Protestation
for Damages and illegal Imprisonment: To which I sent
him a verbal Answer; that when he acknowledged his
Crime, and shewed some Penitence, I would use what In
terest I could; but till then, there was no Room for me
to appear in it: for that it was my Duty to do all in my
Power to strengthen the Magistrates in their lawful Au
thority. What Time I had to spare from attending Col
onel Cockran about getting his Business forward, I made

26.

148 COLONIAL RECORDS.
use of in finishing my Work of getting my Dispatches vil^.
that were to go to the Trust ready against to-morrow, May
when the Colonel intends to send his Serjeant off for
Charles-Town in his Way for London. In the Evening
Mr. Causton came to Town from Ockstead, where he was
retired for a Day or two, to prepare likewise what Dis
patches he had to send by the same Hand.
Sunday. The Colonel sent his Serjeant off for Charles- 28.
Town, as he purposed; to whose Care I committed my
Letters &c. as Mr. Causton also did his; and I wrote to
Mr. Hopton to assist him in procuring him as early a
Passage as possible for London. Mr. Whitfield daily
manifested his great Abilities in the Ministry; and as his
Sermons were very moving, it was hoped they would
make due Impression on his numerous Hearers.
Monday. The Colonel went down early for Tybee, to s»,
give his last Orders about the rest of the Men proceed
ing for the South; and to take his Leave of the Captain
of the Phcenix, and returned in the Afternoon: The
Phoenix sailed presently after to her Station at Charles-
Town; and Captain Gascoigne in the Hawk, with one of
the Transports and a Brigantine hired for the Purpose,
both full of Soldiers, sailed in the Evening for Jekyll
Sound. Nothing of Moment happened at Savannah.
Tuesday. The Captain of the other two Transports so..
which remained yet at Tybee, being now discharged,
came up to Town, to see the Place, make up Accounts
with the Colonel and take leave of him.
Wednesday. This being the Day the Court was ad- sl.
journed to, when Mr. Brown's Trial was appointed; upon
his alledging (as before) that he could not have his Wit
nesses ready in his Defence, one of whom was Surgeon
on board the Hawk at the Alatamaha; the Court indulged
him farther, till the ordinary Meeting of the next Court,
which would be holden the Beginning of July.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 149
Thursday. The Accounts betwixt the Colonel and ^L
the two Captains of the Transports requiring much Time J,ine
to adjust them, wherein two Clerks were employed;
whilst that was doing, it was proposed to me for their
Diversion, to go up the River, and shew them something
of the Country; whereupon I waited upon them, and Mr.
Causton did the same: We went first to Tomo Chi
chi' s Indian Town, and thence to Mr. Matthew's, where
we dined; and after looking into that and some other
Plantations most worth our Notice, so near at Hand,
which they were pleased at, we returned in the Evening.
Friday. Colonel Cockran's Affairs of one Kind or 2.
other, continued to draw my chief Attention; which
though it took up the greatest of my Time as well as
my Son's; so long as we could be useful to him, I thought
not ill bestowed: The Accounts betwixt him and the
Captains coming this Day to a Conclusion, they took
Leave in the Evening, and went down to their Ships, in
tending to sail early in the Morning for Virginia: And
the Colonel now finding himself pretty much at Liberty
purposed to go South for St. Simon's &c. in a Day or two,
to direct as he saw needful in those Parts. Mr. Causton
went in the Afternoon for Ockstead, seemingly weary of
Attendance. Saturday. Notwithstanding the Offence given by 3
Pat. Grant to the Magistracy, for which he was justly
committed to Prison; upon his Appeal to them for Jus
tice, they had several Times given him to understand, that
they would accept of Bail; but he continued obstinate,
and seemed determined to offer none; writing frequent
Letters to all his Acquaintance, and exclaiming against
their Proceedings as arbitrary and illegal: Among others
he wrote to me, desiring me to intercede for his Liberty,
and at the same Time insisting on his being injured;
which I was so sensible of his Error in, and knowing it
proceeded merely from Pride, and an Aversion to sub-

150 COLONIAL RECORDS.
mit; that I was determined not to appear in his Favour, ™0,
till he came to better Temper, and thought fit to offer Ju3ne
Bail. In the Evening a Messenger arrived from the
South, with Letters from Mr. Horton, signifying what
Preparations he had been making since his Return thither,
pursuant to the Colonel's Orders; who was greatly satis
fied at the Account he received, and now resolved to
proceed himself thither on Monday.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield's Auditors increased daily; 4.
and the Place of Worship was become far too small to
contain the Numbers of such as sought his Doctrine,
which was very prevalent. Mr. Causton came to Town
in the Evening from Ockstead to wait on the Colonel,
and take his Leave before he went, which he held his
Resolution of doing in the Morning.
Monday. Colonel Cockran, with Lieutenant Dunbar, &¦
went off this Morning for Ockstead, attended by Mr.
Causton, with whom they were to dine; and the Scout-
Boat that was to go hence round, was to take them in
after Dinner and proceed. My Son and I were at Lib
erty now after a close and willing Attachment to the
Colonel's Affairs, to look after our own again; which by not
being so well attended as usual; and the Sickness of some
Servants, as well as the Neglect of others, when not well
looked after, began to want proper Management in dress
ing the Ground, and keeping the Plantation clean. The
Weather for a Fortnight passed had been exceeding hot,
more than common so early in the Year, and equal to
those Months that are usually the hottest; which made
Rain much wished for, to bring Things forward, which
began to be at a Stand.
Tuesday. A Sloop from New-York arrived with Pro- 6-
visions of sundry Sorts, (  Stanbury Master) consigned
to Mr. Ab. Minis; which at Mr. Minis's Request, who
offered them at a lower Rate than ordinary, Mr. Causton

COLONIAL RECORDS. 151
took off his Hands into the Stores: And the Day pro- ™^
duced nothing more worth Note. Ju6ne
Wednesday. Some Informations being made before 7.
the Magistrates about killing of Cattle; Mr. Causton be
ing present at the Examination of the Informers; who
were a Man and Woman Servants lately of Mr. Ethering-
ton's of Thunderbolt, whom he had now transferred to
one Burton of this Town: They set forth several In
stances of Cattle and Hogs they had been assisting in
bringing out of the Woods, at their Master Etherington's
command, and were killed and cut up and salted for the
Use of their said Master, and Mr. Bishop of the same
Place; that some of the Hogs were driven into Mr.
Lacy's Yard of the same Place and killed there; but
whether Mr. Lacy had any Part of them or not, they
could not say: These Things were alledged to be done
about December or January last, and the Circumstances
were so strong, that Warrants were issued out to appre
hend the Parties accused or suspected; but it was said,
that Etherington was lately gone off. Pat Grant making
Offer of giving Bail, a proper Recognizance was prepared
for it; which instead of signing in Form, he underwrote
a few Words, justifying what he had done, and trifling.
Lieutenant Delegal, jun. came up in the Afternoon from
the Pettyagua's, which had landed those Troops at Fort
St. Andrew's, that went under Capt. McKay's Command
from Tybee on the 23d past; and were now going to
Port- Royal, with the Company which had lain some Time
at St. Simons:
Mr. Delegal purposing to tarry no longer here, than to
give proper Orders for thirteen Men to follow him, which
Colonel Cockran had left behind to join that Company;
the Pettyagua's lying at the Mouth of Augustin Creek,
and waiting Mr. Delegal's Return to them.
Thursday. Etherington (who was suspected to have 8.
been gone off) being apprehended, together with Bishop

152 COLONIAL RECORDS.
at Thunderbolt last Night; and Mr. Causton and Christie ^,
being both together at Ockstead, Mr. Parker alone 3u8ne
thought fit to commit both, that were charged with such
Offences, to safe Custody, till the other Magistrates met.
Upon the Transports sailing away last Week for Virginia,
it was ordered, that the Pilot should come ashore in one
of the Long-Boats, which afterwards was to be employed
in carrying some Soldiers South, as Colonel Cockran had
left Orders: But the Ships took the Pilot so far out to
Sea, as eight Fathom Water; and it being near Night
and hazy Weather when they came off, they mistook their
Way in at Tybee, and striking upon the Shoals of De-
fuska Sound, the Boat was stranded, and all who were
in her (being five or six in Number) were in the utmost
Peril of their Lives, being twenty-six Hours toiling in
the Water; and when they got ashore beyond all Ex
pectation, their Skins were so burnt and blistered with
the Violence of the Sun on the Salt Water, that it was
grievous even to look at. The Pilot and another of
them that was there, coming to make Report to me
of what happened; I sent for William Ewen, a trusty
Servant of Mr. Causton's at the Stores, and advised him
to send a Boat-Mender immediately, with a Hand or
two to assist him, and do what they could to save the
Long-Boat, and bring her up; which Ewen did accord
ingly. Friday. Received a letter this Morning by Donald 9.
Stewart (just arrived) from Mr. Hopton at Charles-Town,
informing me, that Serjeant McKenzie, whom I had
recommended to his Care for a Passage to England {vide
28th ult.) he had at first shipton board the London Mer
chant (Capt. Thomas) but he not sailing so soon as ex
pected, he had removed him on Board the Baltick Mer
chant (Capt. McKenzie) bound for Cowes in a few Days.
Mess. Causton and Christie being come to Town, the
Persons charged with killing Cattle were sent for, and
examined afresh upon several Affidavits made against

COLONIAL RECORDS. 153

1738.
June

10.

them: They seemed to appear very easy under the Ac
cusation, which they doubted not (they said) to acquit
themselves of: Nevertheless the Evidence was so full,
that the Magistrates thought proper to commit them to
Prison till they found such Bail as should be judged suf
ficient for their forth-coming. Pat Grant at length began
to listen to his Friends, who had prevailed with him to
give Bail; whereby he got that Liberty, which for a Fort
night past he would not accept. A sudden Blast of
Wind which happened this Day, gave us Hopes of Change
of Weather, and some Abatement of Heat, which had
continued exceedingly violent to an uncommon Degree
ever since the Middle of May; insomuch that People
began to be apprehensive, from so early a scorching
Drought, that their Plantations would fail much; all
Things being at a Stand, and their Growth stopt for Lack
of Moisture.
Saturday. All present Prospect of Rain vanished
again, and sultry Heat returned. A Sloop came up ( 
Monro Master) wherein, among other Traffick, were sev
eral Horses for Sale, of good Size and Strength, brought
from Rhode Island; but the Prices asked for them was
such as did not suit well with the Inhabitants Pockets of
Savannah; and probably they would require a fitter Mar
ket. Mr. Causton came and spent a few Hours in Town
-dispatching Business, and returned again soon to Ock
stead.

Sunday. The Men that went to Tybee to look after n.
the Long-Boat which was stranded, came up re infecla,
the Gale of Wind which happened on Friday making
such a Sea where she lay, that she was staved all to
Pieces, and utterly lost; the Grapple-Rope which held
her awhile being rotten, breaking; and the Grapple
{which they brought with them) was very feeble, and of
little Value.
This being the King's Inauguration Day, was observed

154 COLONIAL RECORDS.
with the usual Solemnity; The Flag displayed, the Guns ™0j
fired, and the Magistrates and principal Inhabitants as- Jj1n.e'
sembled at the Guard-House at Noon, drank his Majesty
and the Royal Family's Healths, and afterwards the hon
ourable Trustees, our Captain-General's good Arrival,
and Prosperity to the Colony. Mr. Whitfield spared no
Pains in expounding the Scriptures, with much Eloquence,
both before Noon and After. A Servant of Mr. Lacy's
of Thunberbolt, at present at Augusta, brought a Letter
from his Master thence to Mr. Causton (unluckily for
himself) being one who was charged in some of those
Affidavits lately made concerning killing of Cattle, with
being a Person assisting in that Work; wherefore being
examined before the Magistrates, he was committed to
Prison with those who were sent thither on Friday. Mr.
Causton came to Town in the Morning, and returned to
Dinner with his Family at Ockstead.
Monday. Mr. Causton upon his coming to Town, sat 12.
awhile with me, entering into a free Conversation; and I
found him much chagrined under an Apprehension lest
too much Credit should be given by the Trustees to what
has been represented by his Adversaries, particularly
Mr. Wesley, and those who were the principal Promoters
of that Representation, wherein so many Crimes were
laid to his Charge without any Proof. Then he com
plained of the Uneasiness which the Office that he exe
cuted was attended with; for whatever Caution he used,
he found still new Complaints from one or other, who
thought themselves injured, be the Case what it would;
and unless his Authority was better supported, it would
be impossible for him to maintain it as it ought to be.
What had happened betwixt him and Mr. Wesley, and
that memorable Grand Jury, before I came, I could say
but little to; though I did not forget how great Discord
I found (almost universal) among them: But I could not
forbear replying, that I saw little or no Cause at present,
why he thought his Authority lessened; for that I had

COLONIAL RECORDS. 155
observed all the Courts of late holden preserved a due ^L
Dignity, and all ready Obedience was paid to their De- JSe
terminations in general; and whereinsoever any Person
had given Offence in his Behaviour, the Court very
justly had laid their Hands on him; which nobody pre
sumed to dispute the Legality of; and the Chief Thing
that I conceived wanting from the Trustees for the better
establishing the Rights of the People, and the Authority
of the Magistrates, was their Decision of that one Ques
tion only, how far a Grand Jury, after being impanelled,
and receiving a Charge from the Court, had Power of
themselves to administer an Oath to any Person whom
they thought fit to summon; and by Virtue of such Oath
proceed to make what Enquiries they pleased into the
Behaviour of all Persons in public Office: And as I had
laid it before the Trustees, I would not doubt their De
termination thereon. In our farther Discourse he touched
upon another Affair, which I thought indeed worth No
tice; and that was concerning the Hardships we lie under
here in relation to such Servants as run away, and find
Shelter in Carolina: A fresh Instance of which he gave
in a Wench who run away from her Master some Time
since, and being lately discovered in Charles-Town, was
pursued and taken in a Man's Service there; who going
with them before a Justice of Peace, and her former
Master producing her Indenture duly executed and as
signed in Form to him; which Indenture too was printed
on Parchment in the Manner directed by the Trustees;
the Justice made no Scruple to vacate the Indenture by
his own Authority, declaring her to be free, though she
had two Years yet to serve: Which carried with it such
Consequence, that any of our Servants, who can escape
thither, may reasonably expect the same Freedom, for
the like Reason given by the Justice, viz. that such In
denture was never authorized by any Justice of Peace in
England. Which if it holds good, it is to be feared few
or no Masters have a Right to their Servants for Want of
such Allowance. Mr. Causton returned to Ockstead

156 COLONIAL RECORDS.
about Noon, and nothing of Significance happened within
the Compass of my Knowledge during the Remainder
of the Day.

1738.

June 12.

Tuesday. The long Drought and excessive Heat 13-
which this Country continued to feel, made a great many
People look heavily, who had taken true Pains on their
Land, and began to have small Hopes of reaping any
Fruit of their Labour; which was a melancholy Consider
ation. Mr. Causton continued in the Country.
Wednesday. It being intended to send a Boat off for 14.
St. Simon's, with five or more of the Soldiers who were
left behind, I wrote some Letters to go by the Convey
ance; but Mr. Causton continuing at Ockstead under
some Indisposition (as we heard) it was deferred till to
morrow and nothing material happened this Day.
Thursday. Mr. Andrews, an Indian Trader among 15.
the Chicasaws (of whom vide antea 24 April.) acquainted
me, that he had just now received Intelligence, the Choc-
taws, who were in Alliance with the French, had fallen
out with them, and made Peace with the Chicasaws; and
that thereupon the Remnant of them who had been per
suaded by the People of Carolina to settle in that Prov
ince, were all returned again to their former Habitations;
which we looked on as a Piece of good News; and Mr.
Andrews was resolved to make haste to them into that
Country, to attend their Resettlement, and wait Colonel
Oglethorpe's coming thither, when he would give a full
Account of all that happened. Mr. Causton came to
Town, and after writing some Letters to .go South, the
Boat was dispatched that was designed yesterday with
those Soldiers. An Indian Trading Boat arrived, laden
with the usual Traffick of those Nations, Part on account
of Mr. Brownfield, in return for Goods sold by him to
our Traders in those Parts; and it was said that she had
no less than eight thousand Weight of Skins; of such

COLONIAL RECORDS. 157
Value is that Trade. Mr. Causton returned to Ockstead i^
in the Evening. 3?£e
Friday. A Boat from Frederica with Letters to Mr. is.
Causton, myself, and others, of various Signification. En
sign Tolson of Capt. Norbury's Company, who was
left behind when that Company went from St. Si
mon's to Port-Royal, now came after; and took with
him one Soldier only belonging to that Company, who
staid sick after his Comrades were gone (who were twelve
that went away for Port-Royal, pursuant to Lieutenant
Delegal's Orders of the 7th, and followed him in a Day
or two after) vide June 7. A small Thunder-Shower
fell, which was a little refreshing, but reached not the
Root. Saturday. The Heat was so excessive, that few Peo- it..
pie dared stir Abroad; the like having not been known
before, since the first Comers settled (as they reported)
so early in the Year. A Planter of Carolina, who was at
one of our publick Houses, where he dined, and was
well in Appearance, after Dinner complaining that the
Heat overcame him, sat down in a Chair, and died sud
denly: The Town in General, nevertheless, was as healthy
hitherto, as had been observed at any Time since I first
knew it, which was more than two Years.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield went on captivating the People is.
with his moving Discourses; which it was to be hoped
would have a good Effect in reforming a great many
loose Livers, who heard him gladly, and seemed to give
due Attention. A Child being brought to Church to be
baptized, he performed that Office after the usual Man
ner, by sprinkling; which gave a great Content to many
People, that had taken great Distaste at the Form of
Dipping, so strictly required, and so obstinately with
stood bysome Parents, that they have suffered their Chil
dren to go a long while without the benefit of tkat Sacra-

158 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ment, till a convenient Opportunity could be found of £^
another Minister to do that Office; and it is well if some J"^e
luke warm Parents have not wholly neglected it, and
suffered their Children, whether living or dying, to re
main in a State of Heathenism. Mr. Causton came to
Church from Ockstead in the Morning, and returned
thither at Night. The Boat which came from the South
last Friday, being a Canoe properly belonging to Savan
nah, which Mr. Causton bought in the Winter purposely
(as he said) for expediting any Part of the Service as
Occasion required; upon seeing her now disengaged, I
told Mr. Causton, that I thought a better Opportunity
could not offer for me to take a Trip up the River among
the Settlements, which I had long ago proposed, that I
might inform the Trustees, as my Duty required: To
which Mr. Causton agreed; and I determined to go upon
it in few Days.
Monday. Another Boat from Frederica, with two or 19-
three Inhabitants of that Place as Passengers, on their
own private Affairs; and some Letters, &c. A Boat of
our Town being ordered to go thither with some Provis
ions, I wrote by her in Answer to what I had lately re
ceived from Mr. Horton. This Afternoon we had much
Thunder &c. which was followed by a smart Shower,
very refreshing and comfortable, which gave Room to
hope, that a great deal of Corn, and other Things planted,
which lay in a withering State, might yet produce some
thing; though it was too Apparent that so long a Drought,
and such extraordinary Heats, had exceedingly lessened
the fair Prospect there once was of a plentiful Crop; in
somuch that it was computed it would fall short at least
one Half of what most People reckoned. An unhappy
Accident happened on the River, where a Boat was going
with Half a Dozen Men in her, and some Provisions in
tended for some Settlements beyond Skeedoway; but
{by what Means does not appear certainly; it is said they

COLONIAL RECORDS. 159
were drunk) three of them were drowned, two of which ^^
were Jews, not Freeholders. Jr9°e

20.

Tuesday. Passed the most Part of this Day looking
into my Plantations, and advising what I saw needful to
improve the Benefit of Yesterday's Rain, as far as might
be. Talking with Mr. Whitfield in the Evening of the
Difficulty I lay under in fulfilling the Order of the Trustees
about sending them an Account of the Births, Burials,
&c. by reason of my not coming at the Register since
Mr. Wesley left us; he told me he had got it, and that
Mr. Causton had lately got it of him, intending (as he
supposed) the same Thing.
Wednesday. Resolving to defer my going up the 21.
River no longer, and looking into the several Settlements
bordering upon it; I had some Talk with Mr. Causton
thereon, who I found was very desirous of coming at
the Knowledge of many Things, which he suspected were
concealed from him, and seemed apprehensive I might
discover something upon View, more perfectly than he
could from such Reports as were made him. It was for
this Reason (as I conceived) that he advised me by all
Means to take somebody with me as a Companion, who
was well acquainted with those Parts, and knew all the
People there; so that he would be of good Use to me in
my Enquiry; at the same Time recommending Bailiff
Parker as a fit Person; and therefore knowing him to be
very capable of assisting, I readily accepted the Offer.
Late in the Evening Capt. Dunbar arrived from St. Si
mon's, by whom I had Letters from Mr. Horton and
Capt. Gascoigne, and one under Cover from the Captain
for Capt. Fanshaw, Commander of the Phoenix at Charles-
Town, superscribed for his Majesty's Service, which he
desired me to send forward by the first Opportunity.
Thursday. Having the Fore-part of the Day pre- 22.
pared what was needful for the Execution of what I was

160 COLONIAL RECORDS.
going upon; in the Afternoon, about Four, I took a Boat i^,
and four Oars, and set off together with Bailiff Parker: J2£e
Before Night came full on, we got the Length of Joseph-
Town, where we rested that Night with Mr. Cuthbert.
Friday. In the Forenoon viewed his Plantation, **¦
where were thirty Acres cleared and well planted; then
we looked into Capt. McKay's, where the Number of
Acres cleared in former Years was computed at about
fifty, whereof twenty-four were this Year planted. Then
after Dinner, the Tide helping, we went to Purysburgh,
and lay there that Night.
Saturday. Proceeded up the River to Ebenezer, 24.
where we arrived about Noon. In the Evening walked
over all the Plantations, which consisted partly of two-
Acre Lots, and partly of Land lying in Common, which
they had cultivated, and for this Year appropriated to
themselves, enclosed mostly under one Fence, their
proper lots not being run out till this last Spring, and
then not perfected; lying moreover almost wholly on the
Pine-Barren, where they apprehended it would be lost
Labour, and therefore would wait in Hopes of better
Land being assigned them farther down the River: What
they had planted, appeared done exceedingly well; but by
reason of the Difference of Seed (as every where else in
the Province) great Part of it was in no wise equal to
that which was planted with better.

Sunday. Rode in the Morning to Old Ebenezer, dis
coursed Joseph Barker, who had the Care of the Trust's
Cattle, and the Cow-Pen, in those Parts; which there
must be supposed a great Stock of; took what Account
of them he was able to give; which being imperfect and
unsatisfactory, I appointed to be with him again in a Day
or two; against when, he was to bring as many of them
together as he could, that we might see them. When
the Heat of the Day was over, and divine Service ended,

25.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 161

1738.

that was in an unknown Tongue to us, we returned to
Ebenezer-Town, which is eight Miles; Cooper and his Juj"e
Comrade Smithard (the Millwrights) seemed to avoid us,
by keeping close within till the Afternoon; and then
they went out in the Woods a shooting, whilst we viewed
the Saw-Mill without them.

26.

Monday. Spent the Forenoon in taking an exact
List of the Inhabitants, with their Names and Family,
&c. and after being exceedingly well pleased at the good
Order and Economy those People lived in, in the Even
ing we rode again to Old Ebenezer, where we met sev
eral of the Indian Traders, on their Return from Savan
nah to the Nations, taking their Abode this Night with
Barker at the Cow-Pen; as we also did; but finding the
House full, we purposed to have rested in the House
where Cooper and Smithard lived; till on our going there,
and finding one Sommers (a Servant) with the Small-Pox
out full upon him, and nevertheless walking about and
doing his ordinary Business; I took upon me to rebuke
him, telling him how wicked a Thing it was for him to
appear Abroad in that Manner; whereby People who
were frequently travelling that Way were in Danger of
catching it; which at this Time raged so in the Province
of Carolina (where he had lately been and got it) and
this was the ready Way to make it spread over all Geor
gia; wherefore it was highly necessary for him to keep
Close, &c. to all which he gave me surly Answers, and
seemed to give no Heed to it: Upon which I applied my
self to Cooper, under whom he worked, and told him it
behooved him to confine him; but he and his Partner
likewise making light of my Advice, and talking imperti
nently, I left them, not well pleased, and returned to
Barker's, where we shifted among the Croud as well as
we could.

Tuesday. At my Request the Saw-Mill was set a go- 27.
ing for a very little while, Water being very low (the
11 c r— vol i

162 COLONIAL RECORDS.
River throughout indeed was reckoned as low as ever i^l,
was known in the Memory of Man) and they were mend- J££e
ing the Race for the back Water to go off quick: The
Mill went heavily (as might be expected) the Work ap
peared sufficient and well done in all its Parts; but I
doubted whether or not when the Creek was full, the
back Water would go readily off; which Cooper assured
me there was no Fear of: The Creek being at present so
low in Water, Abundance of Stumps, fallen Trees, and
other Impediments, appeared fully; which made me ap
prehensive what Difficulty might be fdund in floating the
Ware down, when cut; which Cooper acknowledged
could not be, except when the Freshets came down,
which he said would be sufficiently frequent, from
what he observed during the Time he had been there:
Then I asked him how much longer Time he thought it
would take to finish his Work, so that the Mill might be
constantly employed on the Business of the Trust that it
was built for; and he told me, that he expected in two
Months more he should compleat it all; and it might
have been ended some Months sooner, had not good
Part of the Men been taken from him, which were at
first allowed. The Indian Traders, after gratifying their
Curiosity in seeing the Mill work, went on their Journey;
and I had afterwards some Talk again with Cooper and
Smithard, about the Fellow's being confined who had
the Small-Pox; but I found it was to little Purpose, and
the Fellow himself talked so saucily, huffing and swear
ing, and setting me at nought, that I desired Bailiff Par
ker to take Notice of it; who promised me he would in
a proper Time and Place. After farther Talk with Bar
ker, and Enquiry about the Trust's Cattle, many of which
I perceived had not been brought together this Spring,
nor duly marked and numbered; all which I took proper
Notes of: In the Evening we took Horse and rode to
Abercorne, about twelve Miles, where we had ordered
the Boat to meet us, being a great Way round.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 163
Wednesday. The Morning was taken up looking into ^1.
what Improvements were being made, which were but 2£e
few, most of the present Settlers being newly come in
the Room of such as had deserted the Place. I noted
what I thought needful, and then we took Boat, and
went back to Joseph-Town, where in our Way up the
River before, we had viewed the Plantations of Mess.
Pat McKay, Dunbar and Cuthbert: We now walked
through the Land that had been occupied by Sir Francis
Bathurst, where little had been done during his Life, and
since it was wholly neglected; thence we continued our
Walk through that Land which Augustin had possessed,
but very little of it had been cultivated, and it was all
deserted by him, as well as the Saw-Mill, which he at
tempted to make some Distance higher up that Creek:
The Boat arriving, which we had sent round several
Miles about a Point, while we travelled the Isthmus to
the proper Place of meeting it, we made our Way again
down the River, and passing by several Lands granted to
Mr. Williams and some of his Family, we stopped at
the principal Plantation, where we found several com
modious Buildings, fit for carrying on the Work, about
twenty Acres of Land well planted, and several more
cleared, besides five or six Acres more on the Lot be
longing to them, next adjoining: Thence we proceeded
by Water, and passing by a Tract of Land of five hun
dred Acres (not known whether granted to any Person
or not) and two Trust Lots, we came the close of the
Evening to Mr. Matthew's, where we were glad to stay
all Night and refresh ourselves.
Thursday. Looked over Mr. Matthew's Plantation in 29.
the Morning, which consisted of about thirty Acres well --'
planted, and good Part of it had been ploughed; be
sides several Acres more cleared, but not yet cultivated.
Afterwards we went to see the Neighboring Lots, the
first of which was belonging to the Trust, where Mr.
Cooksey (a Freeholder in Town) had made a Settlement,

164 • COLONIAL RECORDS.
and planted about five Acres, presuming upon his obtain- vi^
ing a Lease from the Trust: The next to that was a five J29ne
hundred Acre Lot, which goes by the Name of Capt.
Watson's; but (as I am informed) he never had any real
Grant, and what small Improvements he had formerly
made, we saw; which was only Part of a Shell of a
House, never nigh perfected, and now ruinous and rot
ten, nothing having been done upon it for many Years
past; and only an Acre or two of the Land had formerly
been opened from the Timber on it, but never cultivated
or planted, and thro' long Neglect, that was grown full
of Underwood again: The next was a Lot of one hundred
and fifty Acres belonging to Isaac Young, which run
home to Pipemakers Creek, and is the Bounds betwixt
us and the Indian Land; here we found no Improvements
neither; the Land (it seems) though granted some Time
since, was not run out till this Spring, which Young im
puted to the Backwardness and Ill-will of those who
had the ordering of it: Next above that, on the same
Creek, Mr. Amory has begun a Settlement, who came
over last Winter, and expects to find as much Land there,
not before run out, as will answer the Amount of his
Grant: The Ground is low, for which Reason what he
has planted, which is about five or six Acres, is with
Rice. Having gone to the full Extent of the Settle
ments on the River Savannah, in the Afternoon we made
our Way Home, and landed about five a Clock. A re
freshing Thunder Shower fell this Day where we had
been; but at Savannah (we understood) it was much
heavier there, and the Thunder and Lightning so sharp,
that it shook the Corner of a House, where was a con
siderable Magazine of the Necessaries for the Regiment,
bursting open the Door, Window, &c. and setting the
Roof on Fire; but it was presently extinguished, and no
farther Damage sustained: And the most remarkable
News we heard farther, from the South, was worse;
where one of our Town Boats, lately sent thither with
some of the Soldiers newly recovered, having privately

COLONIAL RECORDS. 165

Ji:ne 29.

some Rum aboard; the Soldiers in those Parts hearing
of it, went on board, and getting drunk with it, two of
them were drowned by oversetting the Boat they went
ashore in: And at Darien, a most unhappy Accident be
fell Mr. Mcintosh's Family, whose two Sons (young
Lads) being swimming in the River, an Alligator snapped
one, and carried him quite off. What else we learnt,
that was most worth Note since our being Abroad was,
that Libelling began to grow much in Use; for that some
few Days since a Paper was fixed to the most publick
Places, abusing the Magistrates in the most gross Terms,
and throwing some scandalous Reflexions upon others
also; among others, I was not suffered to escape without
a little Dirt: And shortly after, some Pieces of Wit and
Satire were published in the same Manner, exposing the
Characters of some of the other Sex, who indeed had
made themselves too obnoxious by their late Behaviour.
Friday. Very hot Weather, and being a little fatigued 30.
with my late Expedition, made me content to confine
myself this Day at Home, and make an Extract of my
Proceedings from such Minutes as I had taken, in order
to lay them before the Trustees, with the next Packet
that I sent.
Saturday. Spent my Time much in the same Manner juiy
at Home, and found nothing when I went Abroad worth
committing to Paper.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield gained more and more on the 2.
Affections of the People by his Labour and Assiduity in
the Performance of divine Offices; to which an open and
easy Deportment, without shew of Austerity, or Singularity
of Behaviour in Conversation, contributed not a little,
and opened the Way for him to inculcate good Precepts
with greater Success among his willing Hearers. Mr.
Causton came to Town this Morning from Ockstead,
whom I had not seen since my Return Home; and
after Church we had Leisure for a free Conversation.

166 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Monday. Mr. Whitfield sent me the Register, which ™^,
I had been asking for a little while since, that was left Jg.ly
by Mr. Wesley, and which he told me was in Mr. Caus
ton's Hands: And instead of finding it contain an Ac
count of the Births, and Burials, &c. I was surprised to
see it filled with the Names of Communicants at the
Sacrament, where their Number and Day of receiving
was carefully preserved; which I took Notice was gene
rally the same Number and Persons; but what Use Mr.
Wesley proposed to make of it, I cannot pretend to
judge, neither could I think it worth my copying.
Tuesday. A Boat arrived with one Wright, a Prisoner 4.
in Cuslody, taken up by Mr. Lacy, and sent by him
from Augusta, by Virtue of a Warrant issued out to ap
prehend him some Months since; for that he was a law
less Person, trading among the Indians, without Licence,
either from Carolina or Georgia, and stirring up Mischief
of dangerous Consequence among those Nations; one of
their chief Men, through his Instigation, lately asking
who it was made Tomo Chichi such a great Person, to give
away Lands which he had nothing to do with? and at
the same Time claiming a Property in those Lands about
Augusta. Wright had also been charged with demolish
ing, by his own Hands, one of the first Huts we had
built there, and now lately with Pistols in his Girdle in
sulting the Men at the Fort: For all which he was this
Day committed to our Goal. N. B. It was said at his
first coming over he was a Transport Convict. In the
Afternoon Mr. Upton called on me, newly arrived from
Frederica; in the Neighborhood of which he began a
Settlement upon some Land by Virtue of a Grant, &c.
He came over in November last with Capt. Thompson,
with a Wife and a some few Servants: But after building
some convenient Housing, and clearing and planting
some Ground, finding it likely to fail and the Crop to
come to little, he is grown so discouraged, that he told
me he resolved to be at no farther Pains or Charge

COLONIAL RECORDS. 167
about it; wherefore under that Resolution he had brought ^^
away his Wife with him, intimating, that he hoped some J£ly
Land might be assigned him in this Part of the Province,
where he would try farther; otherwise he professed him
self determined to quit it all together; to all which I
gave Ear, but thought it best to say but little, till I knew
more. Wednesday. Finding myself under some Indisposi- 5.
tion, I kept Home all Day to avoid the Heat, which was
grown excessive; and made Use of my Pen and Ink to
such Purposes as I thought needful; nothing happening
Abroad, that I could learn worth Notice.
Thursday. The same with Yesterday. 6.
Friday. This being the anniversary Day whereon 7.
the first Court was holden for the Town and County of
Savannah, it was observed with the usual Solemnity;
when Mr. Whitfield preached a good Sermon suitable to
the Occasion, &c. after which the Court that stood ad
journed, was opened; and a Grand Jury being sworn, a
proper Charge was given, relating especially to several
Matters that would come within their Enquiry as crim
inal; whereon to find Bills of Indictment, or not, accord
ing to the Evidence given; too many lying in Prison at
this Time under Commitment, being charged with Of
fences of the highest Nature, viz. Hetherington and
Bishop, Landholders at Thunderbolt, together with Fran
cis Elgar, a late Servant of Mr. Lacy's there, these three
for killing Cattle: Wright lately sent down from Augusta,
for what Crimes Notice is before taken (4th Instant) and
to these must be added Mr. Brown of Highgate, not yet
tried for killing his Servant, but indulged by the late
Court till now, for making his better Defence.
Saturday. The Grand Jury applied themselves to 8-
the proper Business before them, without any Marks of
contending for more Power than belonged to them; as

168 COLONIAL RECORDS.
some of the former had discovered they aimed at; and 17S8-
not only found all the Bills exhibited against the Pris- J«ply
oners for Felony, Misdemeanours &c. but one also against
the Wife of Mr. Lacy, whom they found by the Evi
dence to be privy to the killing of divers Cattle, and as
sisted in salting and barrelling the Meat, knowing it be
longed to other People: They also presented the Papers
fixed up in publick Places by Persons unknown, scandal
ously reviling the Magistrates and others, as abusive and
malicious Libels, tending to disturb the Peace of the
Colony; and thro' their whole Proceedings shewed them
selves to be good Men: For which the Court returned
them due Thanks when they were discharged in the
Evening. Sunday. The Church continued well filled both before 9.
Noon and after.
Monday. The Court sitting, I attended it most Part 10.
of the Day, when the three Persons indicted for killing
Cattle were arraigned, and pleaded not guilty; but at
their own Request their Trials put off till to-morrow;
and the Day was chiefly taken up in trying civil Actions,
which was done with just Decency. Three Servants run
ning away from their Masters last Night, and stealing a
Canoe; some proper Persons were sent in Quest of them
up the River, on Suspicion they were gone by the Way
of Purysburgh, it being the Course which some others
had before taken, and (it was to be doubted) had found
too ready Assistance there.
Tuesday. The Court sat, and Hetherington and Bishop n.
came upon their Trial for killing a Steer, being the Prop
erty of a Person unknown. Hetherington, when the
Jury was called, demanded as his Right to challenge
twenty personally and peremptorily, without any Reason
alledged, which he insisted on a long while, as conform
able to the Statute Laws of England; but therein he was
over-ruled by the Court; for were that allowed, it would

COLONIAL RECORDS. 169
hardly be possible to find a Jury many Times in such a J^fl/
new-planted Colony; moreover it appeared by the Con- J^
stitution framed by the Trustees, that on such Cases six
and no more were allowed to be challenged peremptorily
by the Prisoner; and the like Number, if it was thought
proper, by the Constable in behalf of the King. After
much Wrangling, at length they proceeded; and the
Proof being very strong that the two Prisoners had shot
the Steer, and after cutting it into Quarters, they and
their Servants by Order had carried it Home to Thunder
bolt, where they divided it, and buried the Skin privately;
the Prisoners withal not endeavouring to shew what
Property they had in it, and only endeavouring in their
Defence to invalidate the Testimony of the Witnesses,
who they said were their Servants, and swore against
them maliciously; the Jury found them both guilty. This
holding several Hours, and the Heat so excessive in
Court, they were obliged to adjourn till to-morrow. In
the Evening we had much Thunder, and some Rain.
Wednesday. The Prisoners convict sent a Letter to 12.
the Magistrates, demanding Arrest of Judgment on the
Verdict Yesterday; and also as there were several more
Bills of Indictment found against them for Offences of
like Nature, that they would stop any farther Proceedings
till the Opinion of the Trustees could be known, concern
ing the Manner of their being brought on their Trials;
which was (as they alledged) contrary to Law: The first
Part of what they asked, they were answered should be
readily complied with; for that the Magistrates were in no
Haste to give Judgment, and they would have all the
Opportunity of applying to the Trustees they desired;
but forasmuch as there was one more (namely Francis
Elgar) who stood indicted likewise for Crimes of the
same Kind, and who if convicted, would equally demand
Arrest of Judgment; it would be necessary first to try
him on one Indictment, which they could not do dis
tinctly from them, because they were all equally charged

170 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1738.

on that Indictment: Wherefore upon the Court sitting,
when the Prisoners came to the Bar, Hetherington in a Ji2ly
very insolent and audacious Manner protested against the
Proceedings of the Court, which he declared he would
not submit to, and that it was a Combination against him,
behaving himself very rudely, and turning his Back to
the Bar; which when he was admonished of, he little re
garded, but was by a kind of Violence compelled by the
Officers in Court to stand in a decent Posture. Elgar,
who had been a Servant of Mr. Lacy's, and seemed at
present under the Direction of Heatherington, said like
wise, that he could not submit to be so tried; but it was
with a little more Modesty: Till at length they were told
they might make their Defence or not, as they pleased;
but as they had all been arraigned, and pleaded Not guilty,
the Court would instantly goon; which they did, and the
Substance of the Indictment being, that they had killed
and taken away twelve Hogs, the Property of Henry Par
ker (Bailiff) it was fully proved, that a large Drove of
Hogs coming one Day into the Neighbourhood of Thun
derbolt, the three Prisoners went out with their Guns and
shot four of them, which the)- brought Home and singed;
and afterwards driving a good Number of them into an
enclosed Place belonging to Mr. Lacy, they there made
Choice of eight more of the best of them, which they
stuck, after turning the rest of them out into the Woods;
then they scalded and dressed them, and in the Evening
cut them all into four, five, or six Pound Pieces, which
they divided into three Shares, and took severally to their
own Homes, viz. one third Part foi Hetherington, one for
Bishop, and one for Elgar's Mistress, Mrs. Lacy, who
was privy to all that was done. To prove that the Prop
erty was in Mr. Parker, the Evidence swore, that they
had seen the same Hogs divers Times before, both in that
Neighbourhood and elsewhere; and they were generally
known to be his; and that Mr. Parker came particularly
to look after them once, and finding them there, got them
driven Home. Mr. Parker (who sat not in Judgment,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 171
but appeared as an Evidence) swore that he had lost not ^^
only twelve Hogs, but divers more; and one of the Hogs J"2.y
Faces being produced in Court with the two Ears on, he
swore that his Hogs were marked with the same Ear
mark, tho' he did not take upon him to swear positively
from thence that it was his Hog: But there being little
or no Defence made by the Prisoners, Elgar, saying only,
that what he did was by his Mistress's Orders, and he
never questioned hers or his Master's Property; and the
other two Prisoners being as good as their Word, and not
offering to say any Thing during the whole Trial, but
standing mute and sullen, the Jury found no Difficulty in
finding them all three guilty. This being so over, was
thought (upon a Conference) sufficient for the Trustees
to form their Judgment on, and to resolve any Scruples in
Point of Law, which might appear difficult till better ad
vised; wherefore the several remaining Indictments might
well be traversed to some future Session; and in the
mean Time Mrs. Lacy, who also stood indicted, was
nevertheless through great Indulgence and Tenderness
in regard to her Sex, and the Character of her Husband,
admitted to give Bail for her Appearance at the next
Court: After which the Court adjourned to Friday Morn
ing. Thursday. The three runaway Servants before-men- is.
tioned, being overtaken about twelve Miles beyond
Purysburgh, on their Travel thence toward Charles-Town,
and brought back; it is to be noted what Report the Pur
suers made after their Return, of the Treatment they
found in that Country where they said they were Appre
hensive of being mobbed, and having those Prisoners
rescued; and upon their making Application to Mr. Le-
fete, a Justice of Peace in those Parts, for Assistance, by
a Letter from Mr. Causton directed to all Magistrates
there, and praying their Aid in apprehending those Peo
ple, who were described in a hue and cry requiring all
Persons in the Province of Georgia to assist in it; he threw

172 COLONIAL RECORDS.
the Letter aside with Contempt, saying Mr. Causton had ™b
nothinp- to do in Carolina  Another notable Instance 3$J
of the Good-will too many of that Province bear towards
the Colony of Georgia.
Friday. Attended the Court again, where Hethering- 14-
ton being sent for, and asked if he could shew Cause
why those Servants of his whom he had employed in com
mitting those Felonies, which they had given Evidence
of should not be discharged from their Indentures; he
behaved with great Insolence, and appearing much dis
ordered with Drink, was taken out of Court, not without
being threatened to be laid by the Heels: Upon the
Court's adjournment at Noon, he wrote Mr. Causton a
short Letter, with some Appearance in it of coming to a
better Temper; whereupon as soon as the Court sat after
Dinner, he was sent for again; when he continued the
same Behaviour as before, seeming to shew an utter Con
tempt, as well as an open Defiance of the Magistrates;
and he was then sent directly to the Stocks; from whence
after an Hour sitting there, he was carried back to Prison,
there to wait the Result of what he had been convicted
of on two Indictments together with Bishop; But Elgar
(who was also found guilty on one Indictment with them)
behaving with due Submission, the Court considering
that what he had done, was as a Servant by Direction
from whom he served; granted him an Enlargement, on
condition that he found sufficient Bail for his Appearance
next Court, &c. Wright also, who had been charged
with divers Enormities among the Indian Nations, and
in the Neighbourhood of Augusta, was admitted to Bail,
provided he could find sufficient Sureties for his Appear
ance when required. Mr. Brown, who stood indicted
ever since the last Session for Murder, and had met with
so much Indulgence from the Court, to put off his Trial,
on his Pretence of a material Evidence in his Favour,
whom at that Time he could not come at; and moreover
was permitted to live in Custody of an Officer in the Town

COLONIAL RECORDS. 173
at his House, instead of being closely confined in the Goal, ^J^
now became importunate to have his Trial come on, J^ly
though that Witness which he before wanted was not yet
found: But now it was so contrived, that one of the
strongest Evidence for the King was missing, and it was
suspected (not without Reason) that he was stifled and
spirited aside: Wherefore the Court was of Opinion,
that there was an equal Reason now, to defer the Trial
in Behalf of the King, as before in Behalf of Mr. Brown;
and a Reward of lol. Sterling was publickly advertised for
whoever should take that Witness; whom they were not
without Hopes of coming at. Mr. Brown hereupon be
came outrageous, and publickly caused a Paper to be fixed
up at the Door of the Court-House, inveighing bitterly
against the illegal and arbitrary Treatment he met with,
appealing to the People in general of all Ranks and De
grees through the Colony to consider his Case, and de
cide it for him in such Manner as they saw good; after
which the Court did not think he merited any Enlarge
ment, but left him to think a little farther of it under
proper Confinement in the common Prison; and having
gone through generally what other Matters were before
them, the Court made a short adjournment to this Day
Se'nnight. Saturday. Spent this Day wholly at Hampstead and ie.
Highgate, taking a particular Account of the State of
those two Villages, by their Families and several Planta
tions. At my Return Home my Son met me with the
News of my Hut being burnt to the Ground, which I had
caused to be set up in the Winter for my Servants to live
in, that I might employ at the forty-five Acre Lot; and
as I had my Share among my Neighbours of some nota
ble Villains among them, I had a shrewd Jealousy that
it was done rather by Design, than Accident; which pos
sibly I should discover sooner or later.

174 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1738.
July

17.

Sunday. The Church wanted not a full Congregation
before Noon, or after; nor they to hear their Duty to ^
God and Man pressed home by Mr. Whitfield, who was
indefatigable continually through the whole Week in the
Exercise of his Ministry, as well in the adjacent Villages
as the Town, to teach People true Christianity.
Monday. Showery Weather, Little to be done Abroad.
Mr. Hopton from Charles-Town informing me, that
there would be a Ship ready to sail soon, I began to
prepare such Papers as I thought would be proper for
me to send to the Trustees.
Tuesday. Stuck to. the same Work, writing Let- is.
ters, &c.
Wednesday. Some Information being attained, where w-
the Fellow lay concealed in Carolina, who was absconded
from giving Evidence at Mr. Brown's Trial, some Men
were dispatched in Quest of him by the Magistrates;
and Mr. Causton wrote Letters by them, praying Aid
from any Magistrate of that Province, in Case of Need:
After which he returned to Ockstead, where he frequently
retired, and was free from Interruption (as he said) when
his Accounts required close Application.
Thursday. Took a Round this Day among some of 20.
the forty-five Acre Lots; Mr. Bradley sparing me a
Horse, who has now got into Possession of the new
House, that has been so long in building, and by the
Apartments seems capable of receiving any Person of
high Rank; but is not yet finished, though there is Room
abundantly more than enough for a private Family like
Mr. Bradley's, as it now is.
Friday. Nothing new. The Magistrates all together 21.
at Ockstead. Mr. Causton intending to send a Packet
for England, at the same Time I dispatched mine, sent
me a Message, that he was getting his ready as fast as

COLONIAL RECORDS. 175

July 21.

he could, and expected it would be in a few Days;
wherefore I was not willing to show any Disregard to
him by leaving his Packet to follow mine, but I began to
grow impatient at the Delay, fearing the Ship might
sail, which Mr. Hopton had advised me of.
Saturday. All quiet, and no Appearance of any 22.
Thing in Town worth observing; but my Thoughts and
Time were both sufficiently perplexed, how to rule my
own disorderly Servants, who partly thro' Sickness, and
partly through Stubbornness, when well, began to give
more Trouble than my Son and I could readily dis
pense with.
Sunday. The Duties of the Day performed with the 23.
usual Decency, and the Church always full Morning and
Evening. Monday. The Day produced little observable: In the 24.
Evening a Boat arrived with nine or ten Hands here,
having lost their Ship, which was a large West-India
Trader, on the Coast of some Parts of the Spanish West-
Indies: They reported, that upon their Ship being
wrecked they betook themselves to this Boat, which
they fitted as well as they could, taking Provisions with
them, and intending to steer for Carolina; but not well
knowing the Coast, they put in here, whilst some others
of their Ships Crew in another Boat, made the best of
their Way for some other Country, they knew not where.
They meant to make a Protest in Form; but the Re
corder Mr. Christie, being at Ockstead with Mr. Caus
ton, they must wait his Return to Town.
Tuesday. The first Thing I met with early this Morn- 25.
ing was, that Hetherington and Bishop (two Convicts)
and Wright, who stood committed for Want of Sureties
for his Appearance to answer such Misdemeanours as he
had committed in the Indian Nations, were all three
broke out of Goal: This occasioned much Hurlyburly,

176 COLONIAL RECORDS.
and Mr. Parker, after some conference we had together, ^J^,
did all that became a Person in his Station, to get them J^5'y
retaken: Then a Messenger was sent to Mess. Causton
and Christie, yet at Ockstead; and afterwards Mr. Parker
went thither himself, to advise farther with them; return
ing in the Evening, when a Reward was published of
10 /. Sterling for each of them being taken; and divers
People were sent out several Ways in Quest of them.
Wednesday. Colonel Cockran arrived this Morning 2«.
from the South, intending to spend a few Days among
us; whilst the Scout-Boat he came in, was to go to Port
Royal to fetch Lieutenant Delegal, whom he purposed
to send to Cumberland, and take the Command of the
Men there upon him, who were under Government at
present of Capt. Hugh McKay; for that the Captain
had behaved so, that he was determined to put him un
der Arrest till Colonel Oglethorpe's Arrival. Mr. Caus
ton came also to Town, together with Mr. Christie, from
Ockstead, and I was urgent with him to send away our
Packets, which I thought him dilatory about, after long
waiting; and I grew more and more impatient, upon
Advice I had received from Mr. Hopton, that a Ship was
so near sailing, it would be as much as we could do to
save our Time before she went; and there was no Prob
ability of any other going in some Months: Notwith
standing all which, it was with much ado I got it done;
no Boat or Hands could be procured without great Diffi
culty; but at length, towards Evening, when the Tide
was near spent, I saw them go off after many Obstacles,
not without Apprehensions the Ship would be sailed be
fore they reached Charles-Town. Thus were we (con
tinually almost) embarrassed, for Want of a Boat being
under a regular Appointment; and howsoever urgent the
Affair might at any Time be, we must run the Risk of
getting one for Hire, at such a Rate as the Owners
thought proper to demand; which was sure to be the
more unreasonable the more pressing the Occasion.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 177
Thursday. Nothing stirring. Little Expectance of ™s&
the Felons being retaken; and it began to be a prevailing J27ly
Opinion among a great many, that it would be as well to
have them lost as found, since the Colony was not in
Danger of being troubled with them again. Colonel
Cockran's good Company took up good Part of the Day
very agreeably. Mess. Causton and Christie at Ock
stead.

Friday. Two German Servants, under Mr. Bradley's
Direction in the Trust's Service, rambling out Yesterday
with a Gun to look after Venison; one of them, by the
Gun's going off through Defect of the Lock, as he had
it on his Shoulder, shot his Comrade dead, who was be
hind him: Whereupon a Jury was summoned under the
Direction of the Recorder, who acted as Coroner, to en
quire into the Cause, &c. and the Inquest gave in their
Verdict accidental Death. This was the only remarkable
Affair of the Day.
Saturday. My Son taken ill with sharp Pains, occa
sioned thro' a great Cold, which seized him in the Midst
.of the violent Heats, which now we had after the late
Rains; And nothing extraordinary called me aside, I sat
mostly at Home all Day.
Sunday. The publick Service well frequented; and
they who attended it never failed of hearing their Duty
pressed earnestly upon them by Mr. Whitfield. My
Son's Pains were grown very exquisite, and all Applica
tions made Use of that were advised, to abate them.
Monday. The Scout-Boat returned which Colonel
Cockran had sent to Port-Royal to bring Lieutenant De
legal; but the Lieutenant being ill, sent a Letter of Ex
cuse; and the Colonel sent his Orders to come to him
without Delay, as soon as he was able, in the South,
where his Duty called him. In the Afternoon a Skooner
arrived from Augustin, belonging to Capt. Cobly of Port-
12 c r— v 4

28.

29.

30.

178 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Royal, who lived and traded with the Spaniards: But ^^,
what Occasion brought her into this Port, I could not J^'y
learn; nor did I find that Mr. Causton, or any one of our
Men in Office knew. All the News we could get was,
that the Report which Prue had made to us formerly was
true, concerning the Preparations made by the Spaniards;
and the Reason how they came to desist, at the Time
when we were in Expectation of them in the Spring;
which Expectation appeared not to be ill founded; and
the providential Cause of that Invasion being laid aside,
was now well known. My Son continued very ill still.
Tuesday. Mr. Causton (who lived much of late at August
Ockstead) came to Town; and after dispatching such
Business as he thought requisite, returned again to the
Country in the Evening: About which Time a Boat ar
rived from Augusta, and brought Capt. Lacy thence, who
had the Command there; but was now grown very ill,
and so exceeding weak, that his Recovery was much
doubted: And as he had always preserved a fair Charac
ter, it was not without Reason imagined, that his Wife's
Behaviour, and Actions of late, together with his princi
pal Servant Elgar, in killing Cattle, &c. stuck close to
him, and made the Impression stronger, which formerly
he had conceived from his Wife's Conduct, and loose
Way of living: By the Boat I had a Letter from Lieu
tenant Kent there, desiring my Advice, as Occasion
might happen. But little Abatement yet of my Son's
Illness. Wednesday. My Son's Pains were grown so exceed- 2-
ing sharp and severe by the Contraction of his Nerves
in all Parts of his Body, that I had more than enough to
do, to give him all the Aid possibly I could, being in
such Convulsions, that two Men were scarce sufficient to
hold him: But at length through God's Blessing, that
Agony began to wear off; and in some little Time after
from the sudden Amendment and Relaxation of Misery

COLONIAL RECORDS. 179
which he found, we hoped it was the last Effort of his ™!L
Distemper; for he grew sensibly more and more easy Au513t
every Hour. It may not be unworthy Remark here, to
observe what strange Effect Colds frequently have in
this Country; this showing itself at first only in an ordi
nary Tooth-Ach, but by Degrees insinuated into all the
tender Nerves, and even deprived him of his Senses,
Feeling only excepted.
Thursday. My Son happily began to recover apace. 3.
Capt. Roger Lacy, who came ashore so very ill on Tues
day, died this Day about Noon; he had been a Valetudi
narian a long while, and afflicted with epileptick Fits,
proceeding (it is to be doubted) from an inward
Trouble of Mind, which first grew unhappily through
some conjugal Dissensions. In the Evening Mr. Robert
Williams came up the River, and arrived in a new Sloop
from St. Kitt's, whither he sailed the 20th of April last:
He brought with him divers Commodities useful to the
Colony, particularly Sugar and Molasses, &c.
Friday. Mr. Whitfield leaving us for a Season, and *•
going Yesterday for Frederica; that in his Absence there
might not be a total Cessation of publick Worship, he ap
pointed the School-Master to observe regularly the stated
Hours of Prayer Morning and Evening, and to read the
ordinary Service constantly to such as were disposed to
frequent it. In Conference this Morning with Mr. Wil
liams, together with Colonel Cockran, and enquiring
what News he brought from the West-Indies; that which
was most pleasing, was to hear, that by Letters arrived at
St. Kitts before his Departure thence, they were informed
of Colonel Oglethorpe's having taken Leave of his
Friends in London, and being come to Southampton,
where he was on the 10th of May ready to embark, to
gether with the Remainder of his Regiment, for Georgia:
In the Evening by a Letter received from Mr. Hopton at
Charles-Town, I was farther agreeably informed, that by

180 COLONIAL RECORDS.

17S8.

News lately arrived there from Colonel Lucas, by the
Way of Antigua, General Oglethorpe was actually on Aufust
his Voyage to Georgia, and might be daily expected.
This was Matter of great Joy to all honest Men. Capt.
Lacy's Corpse was carried by Water to Thunderbolt, in
order to be buried there by his Mother; and the Cere
mony of firing Minute Guns, as usually due to his Rank,
was observed from our Guard.
Saturday. Nothing stirring that deserved any Notice 5-
in Town. Colonel Cockran intending to return to-morrow
to the South, after having seen the needful Business done
which he came about, gave me the Pleasure of his Com
pany good Part of the Day. The Boat returned from
Charles-Town re infecla, which carried two or three Peo
ple, that went in Pursuit of the Evidence which was se
creted from appearing at Mr. Brown's Trial, and who was
known to be in Carolina; but notwithstanding what rec
ommendatory Letters they carried with them, they
could obtain no Assistance from any Person in Authority
that they applied to in that Province.
Sunday. Though the Town was now without a Minis- &••
ter, the People assembled at Church before noon and
after, in a decent Manner; and Mr. Habersham the
School-Master read the ordinary Service of the Dav. The
Colonel took his leave of us, rode to dine with Mr. Caus
ton at Ockstead, and thence he was to take Water, and
proceed to St. Simon's.
Monday. The Boat returned which was sent with the i.
Packet for England, so long ago as the 26th ult. (but as
I feared) came too late, the Ship which it was intended
to go by, being sailed some Days before; but Mr. Hop-
ton wrote me, that there was accidentally Capt. Coe come
in lately from Gambia, who would sail in twelve Days,
and he would send the Packet by him: His Letter was
dated the 31st of July, and this Boat had since been in

COLONIAL RECORDS. 181
Pursuit of the Felons who broke Prison, but to no Pur- 1738
pose. Mr. Causton came to Town, and had some Talk Ausust
with me to consider what was proper to be done at Au
gusta now upon Capt. Lacy's Death; and upon long De
liberation, it was thought most advisable not to send any
Person who might seem to bear an Authority that might
clash with Lieutenant Kent (such as a Constable, &c.)
Mr. Kent not having behaved so as to merit any Dis
couragement, but rather (we hoped) the contrary; and as
Colonel Oglethorpe was now soon expected, it would be
the most prudent Course, to leave it with as little Altera
tion as possible, for him to regulate all as he saw good:
In the mean while, that no Time might be lost in sending
the Boat back again, with the People that came down
with Capt. Lacy, they being one Half of the Number
established for that Fort: And if a sober, discreet Per
son could be readily found, who might be assisting to
Mr. Kent, in the Nature of a Serjeant, or such subordi
nate Office, it might be of good Use; and such a one, Mr.
Causton said, he would endeavor to find if he could.
Tuesday. Nothing particular to be observed: Agues s.
and Fevers began to grow common, as usually at the lat
ter Season of the Year; but the Country in general was
as healthy as had been known: It was my Misfortune,
nevertheless, never yet to be free of Sickness among some
of my Servants.
Wednesday. A trading Boat, bound to Charles-Town 9.
from New- Windsor arrived; by whom came one of our
principal licensed Traders, who reported, that the Creek
Indians, among whom he lived, were in a very good Dis
position, and hearty toward us. An Accident happened,
which it was feared might prove of fatal Consequence.
Upon Mr. Whitfield's going for Frederica, he rode as far
as Vernon River taking Mr. Habersham, the School-
Master's Brother, with him, with Intent that he should
bring the Horses back, whilst he himself proceeded by

182 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1738.

Water; but the young Man missing his Way home, and
getting into a Swamp, through which he could not get -^f"3'
his Horse that he led to follow, he left him tied to a Tree,
and with Difficulty got Home in the Morning, after much
Wandering and Fatigue. A Day or two after he took
two People of the Town out with him, to try if he could
get the Horse which he left tied; but whereabout it was
he could not tell, which occasioned them to ramble far
and wide from each other, till at length they could not
tell how to meet again; and the Townsmen at length re
turned home again, hoping to find Mr. Habersham there
also: But nobody hearing any Thing of him yet, since
he and his Companions parted Yesterday in the Forenoon,
his Friends with Reason began to be alarmed, and all
good People wished to give what Assistance they could:
Night was coming on; and Mr. Causton being not in
Town, Mr. Parker and I thought it advisable on such an
Emergency, to get some damaged Powder out of the
Stores, and ordered a Gun to be fired now and then at a
small Distance of Time; (once in an Hour or less) so
that if happily he was within hearing, it might be a Guide
to him what Course to take: Then we sent to get two or
three Indians ready against Morning, and several active
Men with Horses engaged to be ready very early, by
whose joint Endeavors we hoped some Good would come
of it; which was all could be done instantly, the Sky be
ing very dark.
Thursday. The Horsemen went out several Ways 10.
towards those Parts where the Man had lost himself, and
continued their Search all Day, firing Pistols, and calling
frequently on each other; but returned in the Evening
without Success; and the Indians who went out with them
continued Abroad all Night, endeavouring to find some
Track of him; but our Hopes began to fail of making any
good Discovery. Nothing passed all Day worth Notice.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 183
Friday. Mr. Causton came and spent a Day in Town, ™^
for Dispatch of such Business as called him necessarily; Aux^uat
otherwise he chose to be retired in the Country as much
as possible, where he said he could more closely attend
the voluminous Work he was preparing to lay before the
Trustees. The young Man who was almost given over
for lost, was at last happily found again; wherein Prov
idence seemed in a particular Manner to show itself: One
of the Inhabitants of Hampstead, who among others
had been seeking him two Days in vain, had so strong
an Impression made on him in the Night, that he could
not rest; wherefore going out again this Morning, in a
short Time upon firing his Piece, he heard the poor Man
make a faint Answer, and then he soon came up with
him: He had been three Days bewildered in a Swamp,
which lies on this Side Vernon River, the largest in all
the Country, and in many Places unpassable; but was
now got within a small Distance of Hampstead, which
was more than he knew; and being quite spent, he was
laid down, expecting never to have risen again, when he
heard this honest Man's Gun; who carried him to his
House, gave him Milk, and what he had, and then came
and acquainted his Friends with it, who went and brought
him joyfully to Town. A Sloop arrived at Tybee laden
with Corn, and live Store of all Kinds, from Virginia,
which the Master came up to Town and made Offer of;
but Mr. Causton thought he was already so well provided,
that he did not deal for any; and returned in the Even
ing to Ockstead.
Saturday. What only was remarkable this Day, was 12.
another unhappy Accident that befel a German who was
going to work at Highgate; where standing by as they
were falling a Tree, which he was not aware of; in falling,
it crushed him to Death; leaving a Widow and several
Children at Savannah. Though we had no Letters, nor
any News directly from England so long since as last
May, and the freshest Advices then bore Date in Febru-

184 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ary; yet we had now Advices from Charles-Town, by
Letters received there, as well from New-England in the
North, as from the West-Indies in the South, importing,
that from the Measures taking in England in April last,
there was great Appearance of a Rupture very soon with
Spain: From whence all People in these Provinces began
to think it was Time to look about them, not knowing
how far the Spaniards in these Parts might incline to
strike the first Blow.
Sunday. The ordinary Service of the Day was read
by the School-Master Mr. Habersham. This Day we lost
William Brownjohn, one of our Freeholders, after a lin-
gring Sickness; whose Death I particularly mention, as
he was a Man generally well spoken of, and one whom I
knew to be a Pains-taking, industrious Man, never idle,
but addicted to improve his Land; which he did in so
exemplary a Manner, that though he did not boast of so
many Acres cleared as some, yet in Spite of the Poverty
of the Land where his Lot was fallen, few could show
such a Product. When I came first to this Town, I
found him at Variance with Mr. Causton, and complaining
of Hardships, &c. which induced me to interpose (find
ing him a Man worth encouraging) and upon conferring
with him and Mr. Causton both, I so far mediated, as to
work a Reconciliation; which I also did in divers other
Instances, at that Time, when I found Resentments very
keen. In the Evening a Sloop arrived from New-York,
with various Provisions, the usual Product of that Coun
try,  Ware Master; the greatest Part of which
Mr. Causton designed to take into the Stores.

1738.
August

'e>'

13.

Monday. Mr. Causton came to Town this Morning, u.
and had a Conference with me touching the Instructions
which were necessary to be sent to Lieutenant Kent at
Augusta, now upon Capt. Lacy's Death; which after he
had form'd suitable to the Occasion, and prepared what
was needful for the return of the Boat that Capt. Lacy

COLONIAL RECORDS. 185
was brought down in; I wrote Mr. Kent in Answer to ^^
what he had asked my Advice, that the best I could give Au]8ust
him, was punctually to observe such Directions as he
would receive from Mr. Causton, with some few additional
Hints of my own, which I apprehended might be of Use
to him in his future Conduct, in meriting Colonel Ogle
thorpe's Favour in particular, as well as the Trustees in
general. Tuesday. The Magistrates all out of Town; and the 15.
only two Constables we had, were so also, and seldom
(indeed) in it, but at their Plantation far off; where
nevertheless there was no great Appearance of much
Work done. What was remarkable chiefly at present
was, that after a long Continuance of hot Weather, the
Town was said never to have buried, so few since the
first planting of the Colony; but now Fevers and Agues
began to multiply apace, which nevertheless were not yet
become very mortal: My Servants, however, never failed
of their Share; and it was very rare that more than Half
of them were capable of working at a Time.
Wednesday. Mr. Whitfield returned this Day from 16.
Frederica, to his Care of the People here, expressing
much Satisfaction in the ready Disposition he had found
in the Inhabitants of those Parts to attend the publick
Worship. By the same Boat which brought him, came
Letters from Mr. Horton, advising us, that the Spaniards
had taken Post upon St. George's Island, in Violation of
the Agreement betwixt Mr. Oglethorpe and them, that
it should stand a Barrier betwixt them and us, to be
possessed by neither. This happening just at a Time,
when such Advices as we could get from all Parts con
curred in the Imagination of a War being likely to break
out with that Nation; every Body began again to turn
their Thoughts that Way. Mr. Horton wrote for a Sup
ply of Ammunition Stores for Frederica, which we were
in no Condition of furnishing them with; and Mr. Caus-

186 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ton wrote to the Government of Carolina to assist us ^^
with some, at the same Time that he acquaint them with Auj|"st
what Posture Things stood in the South: He likewise
wrote to the Trustees of it; as I also thought it my Duty
to acquaint them with what I knew, which I wrote to Mr.
Verelst to lay before them; though these Intelligences
could be of little Import by the Time they would reach
England. Mr. Causton came to Town this Evening up
on this Occasion, and after dispatching these Things, re
turned late to Ockstead, taking Mr. Parker with him, and
Mr. Christie he had left there: Which Frequency of
their meeting in that retired Manner had the Appearance
possibly with some of adding greater Weight to their
Consultations; but I was not entirely of that Opinion.»
Thursday. This Morning an Indian trading Boat i7~
putting off for Charles-Town, which came from New-
Windsor, wherein went one Mr. Obryan, well known to
Mr. Causton, he took the Charge of our Letters, prom
ising they should be safely delivered. In the Afternoon
we heard, by a Letter which Mr. Whitfield received from
Mr. Hird (first Constable at Frederica) that the Report
of the Spaniards having taken Possession of St. George's
Island proved groundless; which was so flatly contra
dictory to our Advices received thence Yesterday, that
we must wait farther to learn the Truth.
Friday. Meeting with Samuel Lacy, Master of the is..
Pettyagua just arrived from Frederica, I inquired of him
what Information he could give of the Spaniards; who
told me that three Men having deserted from the Amelia
Scout-Boat, who were suspected to be gone over to the
Spaniards, Capt. Hugh McKay, who commands at Fort
St. Andrews, had ordered young Hugh McKay, with a
six-oar'd Boat, to go to the River St. Juan, and lie there
in wait to intercept them: And whilst the Boat was upon
that Duty, a Spanish Sloop came in out of the Sea,
hailed the Boat, and made a Signal to them to come

COLONIAL RECORDS. 187

1738.

August 18.

aboard; which they not caring to venture, the Sloop
fired a Gun; but the Boat not willing to trust them,
row'd along Shore, and left them: Upon which the Sloop
stood out to Sea again; and by her being so very clean,
they supposed her to be one of the Guarda Costa's: But
as to any Settlement or Port taken by the Spaniards on
the Island of St. George, there did not appear a good
Foundation for that Report. We were yet nevertheless
at an Uncertainty what to believe.
Saturday. Some Guns being heard from Tybee this 19-
Morning, and our Expectations of Colonel Oglethorpe's
Arrival daily now running high, it was generally thought
he was off the Bar: Wherefore a Boat was instantly dis
patched down the River with a Pilot extraordinary, fear
ing lest the Pilot stationed at Tybee should be off from
his Duty; and a Messenger went in the Boat, who was
to return immediately to us with Information in case it
was so, that due Preparation might be made to receive
him; but upon that Boat's coming back in the Evening,
it ended only in this, that the Hawk Sloop Capt. Gas
coigne Commander, was arrived from the South, come
into Cockspur, and well moored there.
Sunday. A full Congregation at all Times of publick 20.
Services demonstrated the good Opinion the People had
conceived of Mr. Whitfield their Teacher, the like Dis
position not appearing so universal in Time past. A
Sloop came up this Day with Corn, and other such Com
modities, as usual from the Northern Provinces, under
the Disposal of  Lloyd Supercargo, who had
made Offer a little while since, but his Prices were too
dear then; and having since tried other Markets without
Success, he now returned, glad to accept the Offer made
him here.
Monday. Little worth observing. Wrote some Let- 21.
ters to go South by a Pettyagua that Way bound; and

188 COLONIAL RECORDS.
employed good Part of the Day in preparing Papers to ™^j
send to the Trust by Mr. Whitfield (if I could be ready Au2^at
timely enough) who said he intended to be going in few
Days. Tuesday. The Court was opened this Day, when Mr. 22-
Brown's Trial came on for killing his Servant; wherein
he behaved as usual, with a particular Air of Indiffer
ence, and often interrupting very unseasonably, and im
properly, the Course of Proceeding; on which he was
admonished to take Care how he behaved, and have Re
gard to the Place where he stood. The King's Evidence
which absconded, not appearing, he grew the more confi
dent, that no Proof could be made of his shooting with
an ill Intention; and two Surgeons agreeing in a great
Measure, that had the Patient been a healthy Man, the
Wounds in all Likelihood would not have been mortal,
though they could not but say, that undoubtedly they
occasioned his dying so soon; the Jury brought in their
Verdict Manslaughter; which in most Peoples Opinion
was very favourable.
Wednesday. This Day I finished my Survey of all 23.
the five and forty-five Acre Lots belonging to the Town;
which was what I had long been about; and as I resolved
to take nothing upon Trust, but satisfy my own Sight,
the great Heats we now had made it very tiresome. Mr.
William Aglionby, a Freeholder in this Town, died this
Morning, and was buried in the Evening. His Character
was better forgot, than remember'd to his Infamy: But
it may not be improper with Regard to the Colony, to
touch upon it briefly. He was of a good Family, and
had the Appearance of some Education; but as he had a
little Smattering of the Law, he made Use of that Talent,
in being a great Adviser among divers of our late Male-
contents; most of whom had forsaken him, seeing their
Error. He was so far from making any Improvements,
that he discouraged many others from it; and in most

COLONIAL RECORDS. 18&
Matters of Controversy, took Part against the civil Mag- ^^
istrates: He lived and died at a publick (though unli- Au££st
censed) House, where he dictated to a few that frequented
it, and was a Stirrer up of ill Blood: And as he was a
great Devotee to Rum, it is said, that using it to Excess
brought a Flux upon him, which after all Endeavors to
the contrary, at length carried him off; wherein the
Colony (I conceive) sustained no Loss. During his
Sickness, Mr. Whitfield was divers Time to attend him,
offering to do his Duty in Prayer, &c. but he refused any
such Assistance; and upon several Questions put to him
properly at such a Season, he denied any Mediator, and
died a confirmed Deist. He made Mr. Bradley his Ex
ecutor, who at his Funeral ordered one of his Servants
to read the Service appointed by our Church, Mr. Whit
field very justly refusing to do that Office; who taking
the Opportunity, as soon as the Corpse was interred, be
fore the Company dispersed, came to the Grave, and
there made a very pathetick Exhortation to the People,
to be stedfast to the Principles of Christianity, and care
ful not to be seduced into damnable Errors. It is to be
hoped we have not many of the like Stamp among us, the
Generality of People showing a better Disposition; but I
fear three or four yet remain, who are fond of the modern
Way of Freethinking, and seem to set at nought the
Holy Scriptures, both Old Testament and New: Their
Names may probably be better passed over, than exposed. •
Thursday. The Heats were now grown very sultry, 2*.
and People began to find the ill Effect of them, several
falling down frequently in Fevers, &c. Mr. Horton ar
rived here in the Afternoon from Frederica, after stop
ping by the Way at Ockstead, to do some Business with
Mr. Causton, who now spent the greater Part of his Time
in the Country: It was very agreeable what he reported,
that they were all in good Health in the South, and that
there was hardly a Man to be found sick among the Sol
diers; which was attributed to the constant refreshing

190 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Breezes that came off the Sea which was so near them; ™^,
whilst other Settlements, far up in the main Land, could ^l"3'
not expect the like Benefit. He farther told me, that at
Darien their Expectations once run so high, as to get
three Thousand Bushels of Corn this Year; but now they
would think it well if they got five Hundred; and at
Frederica there was no Appearance of what might be
called a Crop; which Misfortunes were owing to the long
Drought, and improper Seed, before taken Notice of.
Friday. By a Person just come from Carolina we s.
heard, that a Brigantine at Charles-Town newly arrived,
reported, that they had seen Colonel Oglethorpe at the
Maderas in his Way hither; which appearing probable
from what other Advices we had lately received from
different Parts, found the more easy Credit; and we now
began to raise our Hopes of seeing him soon. Mr. Wil
liams's Sloop which came lately from the West-Indies
with sundry Provisions, sailed again this Afternoon with
a Lading of Lumber from hence, bound to St. Christo
pher's. Saturday. After frequent Advices from Charles-Town 26.
of the terrible Havock which the Small-Pox made in Car
olina, carrying off a great Number of People, both White
and Black; by a Boat arrived from thence this Morning,
we farther heard, that a new Distemper was spreading
itself among them, which was thought epidemical if not
contagious; seizing People in the Head, who first swelled
in that Part, and soon dropped down dead. Mr. Causton
had some Discourse with me upon it, to consider what
Precaution was necessary to be taken; and it was our
Opinion, that in case it was so, it would be necessary to
place a Guard-Boat on the River that might stop any
Persons coming from thence, and not suffer them to land
here before they were examined: But as this News
came by a Woman, we hoped it might prove an old Wo
man's Story only; wherefore it was thought advisable,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 191
before such a Course was taken, to send a proper Person J^,
to Charles-Town to enquire what Foundation there was A"Just
for it. My Time was chiefly taken up this Day in writing
Letters for England, to go by Mr. Whitfield, who was to
set off hence on Monday.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield preached his farewell Sermon 27.
this Afternoon to a Congregation so crouded, that a great
many stood without Doors, and under the Windows, to
hear him, pleased with nothing more than the Assurance
he gave, of his Intention (by the Will of God) to return
to them as soon as possible.
Monday. I delivered into his Care what Letters I had 28.
ready for England, some of which I had wrote this
Morning; and in the Afternoon he took his Departure
for Charles-Town, in order to embark on board a Ship
which we had Advice was to sail in a few Days from
thence. Tuesday. No Business extraordinary forbidding, I 29.
went, in Company with Mr. Causton, to make a Visit to
Capt. Gascoigne in the Hawk, now at Cockspur, believ
ing, after lying a Week there without coming ashore, it
might be a Ceremony of Respect which he expected:
And after a few Hours spent in Conversation of little
Import (but kindly received) we returned in the Evening.
Wednesday. Fine Rain, very comfortable and refresh- 30.
ing, after violent Heat for awhile past, was the best
worth Notice of anj' Thing that this Day produced.
Thursday. Mr. Horton having finished what he came si.
to do, returned this Morning to his Duty in the South.
Mr. Causton calling upon me, showed me a Letter he re
ceived from Capt. Gascoigne, importing his having stopt
a Canoe going by, wherein were three runaway Negroes
from Carolina, &c. whereupon it was thought advisable

192 COLONIAL RECORDS.
to send, and let publick Advertisements be made of it at
Charles-Town, that the Proprietors might make a legal
Claim of them in the Court of Savannah, pursuant to the
Rules laid down in the Act made for prohibiting the Use
of Negroes in the Province of Georgia: And at the same
Time we thought it would not be amiss to let the Presi
dent and Council of Carolina know, how different a
1 Course we took with Regard to them, from what we too
often found from the Magistrates of that Province, who
in many Instances of late had been so far from giving
any Assistance (if desired) in stopping Deserters from
hence, that they discountenanced their Pursuers, and
rather inclined to protect and conceal such Fugitives, to
the great Detriment of this Colony; and such as if not
soon remitted, would be of pernicious Consequence. Mr.
Causton then falling into other Discourse with me, seemed
to discover a great Uneasiness he was under (as he had
at Times occasionally done before) with Regard to the
Office of a Magistrate; which he said he had a long Time
been weary of, and was resolved, henceforward he would
meddle no more with, than Necessity obliged him, till
the Time came (which he hoped was near) when he might
be quit of it wholly. What the real Cause of it was, I
could not ascertain; I had often observed him hinting,
that he thought the Power wherewith he acted was too
narrow and limited; insomuch, that in divers Cases where
Matters were brought before him, and the Party charged
was proved culpable, he found himself so aw'd, that he
was glad to let it drop, fearing if he used any Severity,
he should not find such Countenance as might be ex
pected (it is not hard to guess from whom he meant.)
This a little surprised me, and the rather, because we
were now in Expectation almost of Colonel Oglethorpe's
Arrival every Day, when without Doubt due Enquiry
would be made into all such Grievances as might affect
the Community. I told him that what he said was very
mysterious to me; for that I had seen no Instance of late
where any Person dared to make light of the Magistrates,

1738.

August 81.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 193
but soon found himself mistaken, and the Power he would ^J^
set at nought able to vindicate itself. But what Rule he Aufuat
had to walk by unknown to me, I could say nothing to.
He took Horse at my Door in the Afternoon, and rode
for Ockstead, much discomposed (as I thought) in his
Mind, nor could I fathom it.
Friday. It was expected the Court would have sat, septemh.
this being the Day it was adjourned to, and a great many
People attending to have their Business done : But
Mess. Parker and Christie thought proper to make a far
ther Adjournment to another Day next Week: Whether
it was from Mr. Causton's refusing to sit as a Magistrate,
or what other Cause, I could not tell; but I found several
complaining, that they should suffer Loss by not being
heard. The Town grew more and more sickly; and no
less than six of my Servants at this Time were incapable
of working.
Saturday. Mr. Causton came to Town this Morning, %
and called upon me, taking Bailiff Parker with him; who
from what followed, I suppose came to observe what
passed betwixt us: And now he discovered fully what it
was that stuck with him, when we were together on
Thursday last; which may be necessary to relate here
fully, to prevent any Mistakes hereafter, when many
Particulars may be otherwise forgot. It so happened,
that having a Bit of fresh Beef for my Dinner, I had en
gaged Mr. Pat. Houston, and Mr. William Sterling, to
take Part of it with me, in return to a Compliment of
the like Nature made me by them: Mess. Causton and
Christie chanced to come voluntarily, and take a Share
with us; which I esteemed a Favour, and bade them
heartily welcome: After a little easy and agreeable Con
versation when we had dined, the Recorder pulled out a
pretty large Bundle of Warrants which had been served,
and were supposed to be the Subject Matter of the Court
which was intended per Adjournment to sit to-morrow
13 c r— v 4

194 COLONIAL RECORDS.
(i. e. Friday:) Whilst Mr. Causton was perusing some of JJ^,
them, my Son accidentally looking into one, took Notice SeP|emb-
of the Form it run in; which was to take the Body of the
Party charged, and bring him before some one of the Magis
trates, &c. Upon which I told him that it was the usual
Form, as I apprehended, wherein all Warrants ought to
run, where the Matter was of such Consequence to need
it; but that I presumed it was not general, so as to make
no Distinction between offences of high Nature and
Trifles, or dangerous Debts and petty Controversies: To
which Mr. Causton replied, with a little unexpected
Warmth, that they made no such Distinction, nor did he
think any such ought to be made, let the Warrant be
against the best Man in the Province: I presume then
(said I) that it is a Form prescribed by the Trustees,
from which you ought not to swerve; and if so, I humbly
ask Pardon for the Freedom I have used: No (said Mr.
Causton) it is a Form of my own, which I have thought
necessary upon finding an ordinary Summons often set at
nought: Whereto I replied, that wherever such Contempt
appeared, undoubtedly they ought to vindicate their own
Authority, and let such Persons feel their Resentment:
Some few more Words of little Import might drop
from either of us, such as I do not remember; but I
found he grew warm, and I thought it best to drop the
Discourse, diverting it, as I could, to some other Topick;
but after a very little said, Mr. Causton fell into his
usual Talk of late, complaining of the Magistrates Want
of sufficient power, &c. (as before mentioned in my
Notes of Thursday last) which I could in no wise under
stand there was any Defect in; though I said nothing to
it: Nor was I conscious of the least Offence which
should occasion his parting so much out of Humor. But
now upon his coming this Morning, he no longer con
tained himself from giving Vent to his Passion at first
Sight; telling me in plain Words, that he could not get
over what had passed on Thursday, but it still stuck
close to him, and that I had given the greatest Wound to his

COLONIAL RECORDS. 195
Honor that ever he felt in his Life : At which I was really as- ™j
tonished; not knowing what he would be at, or whether SePt2emb-
it was most eligible to me to be serious, or endeavour to
bring him into better Temper by being a little jocular;
I tried both, and insisted (in my Turn) upon it, that he
would explain what he meant by my having wounded
his Honor so terribly; which at length came out thus. —
Mr. Christie (it seems) had taken out a Warrant lately
against Mr. Houston, for 7 or 8 /. Sterling, which War
rant was granted by Mr. Causton; and the Tything-man
who executed it, after taking Mr. Houston into Custody,
carried him as his Prisoner first to Mr. Parker, and upon
his not being at home, to Mr. Causton, where the Affair
was ended, to the Satisfaction of the Complainant Mr.
Christie: Which done, Mr. Houston took the Freedom
to expostulate with them upon the severe Treatment (as
he called it) which he had found; to be carried round
the Town in the Custody of an Officer, Malefactor-like,
for such a Sum, to his great Disgrace, as a Spectacle to
all his Acquaintance; when it was well-known from his
large Plantation, and other visible Circumstances, that
he was not running away, &c. Now it so fell out, that
both Mr. Causton and Mr. Houston happening to meet
accidentally at my House on Thursday, at which Time
by mere Accident likewise we fell into that Talk; Mr.
Causton conceived a Jealousy, that what I had said, was
in Vindication of Houston, and with Intent to throw a
Blot upon him: Whereas I call God to Witness, that at
that Time I had not heard of any Difference among
them, nor till after Mr. Causton left us on Thursday, when
Mr. Houston told me the Whole, and at the same Time
said, my Discourse of that Day would undoubtedly be
construed by Mr. Causton as a Thing concerted betwixt
us; which now I found to be true: And the Explanation
of the Wound given to his Honor was, that whereas it
was already a common Topick of Discourse, that the
Form of those Warrants showed an arbitrary Disposition
in him; much more would it be thought so, when my

196 > COLONIAL RECORDS.
Sentiments were publickly known among the People. ™^,
Upon the Whole, all I could say to it, or thought neces- SeP*emb-
sary, was in the first Place to convince him, that Mr.
Houston and I had no previous Talk about that Affair,
but it was mere Chance: Wherefore I asked him, if he
believed I had any Design to lessen his Character as a
Magistrate, either by what I had then said, or at any
other Time? And he readily said, he truly did not be
lieve any such Thing: Then I asked him whether he did
not know, or was not convinced in himself, that I had
taken all Occasions in publick and private, to vindicate
and espouse the Magistrates, and do what in me lay to
support their Authority? Which he and Mr. Parker both
frankly acknowledged. When we had said all we had
to say, Mr. Causton took Mr. Parker with him, and they
rode to Ockstead.
Sunday. Mr. Habersham the School-Master read the s.
Common Service of the Day, which was attended by a
decent Congregation, both Forenoon and after.
Monday. Mr. Causton, upon his coming to Town this 4.
Morning, made me another Visit, and now appeared in
perfect good Humour; so that I hoped all that passed be
twixt us was forgot, and that he was convinced in himself
it ought to be so: Wherefore not a Word more fell from
either of us about it; but we discoursed with our usual
Freedom on various Matters proper to be talked of. A
Sloop came up the River, Samuel Tingley Master, from
New- York, laden with the common Sorts of Provisions
imported thence; and the Cargo being mostly such as my
Son had wrote for by Order of Colonel Cockran, for the
Use of the Regiment, she was ordered to proceed to
Frederica. Tuesday. The Court sat this Day as per Adjourn- 5.
ment, and proceeded in their usual Dispatch of Business:
Mr. Causton also came to Town ready to give his Assist-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 197
ance in case of any Exigence, and appeared in very good J^,
Temper; but declined sitting as a Magistrate for Reasons SePt^ml)-
best known to himself. Capt. Gascoigne came up from
Tybee to make us a Visit, after having lain there a Fort
night, where his Ship continued, in Expectation of the
General's Arrival, whom we all looked for every Day,
from such repeated Advices from all Parts of his being
at Sea.
Wednesday. A heavy Rain all Day, produced noth- 6.
ing Abroad worth observing. Capt. Gascoigne staid with
us waiting better Weather.
Thursday. The Captain left us, and went by Invita- i.
tion to dine with Mr. Causton at Ockstead, whence he
designed to return on board his Ship. Out of nine Serv
ants which I had living, seven of them were lying in
Fevers and Agues, or so weak (some of them) as to be
unserviceable; which greatly distressed me, the Time of
Harvest drawing near, and many Things requiring to be
done preparatory to it; so that I was much at a Loss how
to obviate so great an Evil, and it took up my Thoughts
almost wholly.
Friday. By Letters that came by several Pettyaguas 8.
from Frederica, we were informed, that all Things re
mained quiet in those Parts; and that the Troops at Fort
St. Simon's, and Fort St. Andrew, as well as the Inhabi
tants of Frederica, were in perfect Health; whilst Fevers
and Agues with us at Savannah were too common: It
may not improperly be here observed, that Rum was not
so easily come at among the Generality of People there,
as here in all Corners.
Saturday. By Letters that were brought from Charles- 9.
Town, in an Indian trading Boat bound thence to New-
Windsor, we learnt, that Capt. Hugh Piercy was newly
arrived there in ten Weeks from London; who reported,

198 COLONIAL RECORDS.
that at his Departure General Oglethorpe, with two Men ^^
of War and two Transports, sailed the same Day: This, SeP^emb-
together with what casual Advices we received from dif
ferent Parts, seeming to agree, we all began now in good
Earnest to expect every Day would produce what we had
so long wished for. Mr. Causton having now resigned
up the Use of the House he lived in, to his Niece Wil
liamson and her Husband, in whom the Right of Posses
sion was; and John West the Smith inclining to part with
his Shop and Trade, together with his Dwelling House, for
a Season, finding he made no Profit in it (which by the
By was owing to his own Neglect) Mr. Causton took it
all at a certain Rent of him, intending (as he told me) to
put in a Couple of working Smiths, as Servants to do the
Work of the Trust; and the Dwelling-House would serve
for his Clerks, as well as for himself, when he came to
Town; and to stay a Night in when Occasion required,
which probably he meant should be very seldom, having
for a good while past never slept a Night in Town; but
when Occasion required, he came three or four Times a
Week, and after a few Hours returned to Ockstead, where
he was easiest at Home.
Sunday. The Service in the Morning was read (as 10.
before) by Mr. Habersham; but in the Afternoon Mr.
Dyson being in Town, whose Character was grown infa
mous, by reason of a scandalous Life, and frequent De
bauchery; for which Reason Mr. Whitfield had left behind
him, when he went away, a Short Letter, which had been
delivered to Mr. Dyson, forbidding him in any Manner,
to officiate in the Church here; which if he did, he might
expect to hear farther from him: Notwithstanding this,
Mr. Dyson took upon him to exercise his ministerial
Function, after first asking who would hinder him; to
which Mr. Habersham only replied, that he had nothing
to say more than what Mr. Whitfield had wrote, which
he expected would have been observed. Some few went
out of the Church, and many who staid were much of-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 199
fended, especially such as knew how notorious he was ^L
grown, and even at this present Time he had taken up SeP*£ml>-
his Lodging at a Jew's, one of the most profligate in the
whole Place; and another of his greatest Intimacy of late
was, Capt. Watson, a vile, busy Mischief-maker among
the People, and as to his Principles of Religion, much of
the same Stamp with that Arch-Deist Aglionby, lately de
ceased  Two worthy Companions for a Priest of
the Church of England!
Monday. Peter Emery, a Freeholder of this Town, n-
who keeps a Boat wherein he goes to and fro sometimes,
as he sees Occasion offer, arrived now from Charles-
Town, and brought with him a large Packet from the
Trustees directed to me, which he had from the Attor
ney-General Mr. Abercromby, who came newly from
England in Capt. Percy's Ship, and who wrote me a Let
ter with it, enclosing the Receipt that Emery had given
him for the said Packet, withal assuring me of his Readi
ness to serve the honourable Trustees in whatever was
committed to his Care. It so happened, that Mess. Caus
ton, Parker and Christie, were with me when Emery
came; so that I delivered to Mr. Causton and Mr. Parker
such Letters, &c. immediately as were directed to them,
and took Care that all other Letters enclosed to me, were
likewise safely delivered to whom they were directed.
This Packet containing Matters of great Moment, in re
lation to the future Management of Affairs, occasioned a
long Conference (as might be expected) but mostly
speculative, not to be entered into here, as of little Im
port; but it behooved each of us whom it concerned, to
consider well afterwards what was wrote, and to pay due
Obedience. Tuesday, ~) These three Days were chiefly 12.
Wednesday, y remarkable for the Apprehensions 13.
Thursday. j which a great many People seemed 14-
to be under, of what would happen to them upon the Or-

200 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ders being put in strict Execution, which they heard J^ib
were come; and I had enough to do to give Answers to eP1t|_ml»-
such as resorted to me for Intelligence; wherein I en- 13.
deavour'd to satisfy all that I knew were deserving; but u.
those who were least so, were generally the most impor
tunate and clamorous.
Friday. Such among us as had any Plantations worth 1§
their Care, began to be busy now in gathering what Corn
they had; which proved very different, according to what
Kind of Seed they had planted; and it now- appeared too
plain, that the Failure of a Crop where it happened, was
principally owing to that yellow skin'd Corn, whereof
Mention has formerly been made, more than to the
Drought; because they that had the good Fortune to
plant of the broad, white Sort, had generally a reasonable
Return, not to be complained of: As to myself in par
ticular, who began first to clear a five-Acre Lot, which I
planted almost wholly with that yellow Corn, no other
Seed being at that Time to be had; it produced scarce
any Thing worth naming, but pined away in Spite of all
the Labour I could bestow upon it, and came to nought;
neither could it be imputed to the Sterility of the Land,
which has the Appearance of being productive of divers
Things: Whereas on the ten Acres which I cleared and
cultivated, out of forty five, and which was planted a
considerable Time later than the other; about six Acres
of it, with the white Seed which I then got, and the rest
of it with Rice and other Things, I hope to find the Pro
duce turn to some small Account; tho' the great Plenty
which is said to be in other Provinces has at this Instant
brought down the Price to very little: From hence it is
natural to consider what an unhappy State that Person
must be in, who has been truly laborious and careful in
cultivating and planting Land, depending wholly on the
Increase for his and his Family's Support; now to find
himself destitute of all Relief, unless the Trustees shall
please consider and distinguish such Men from those who

COLONIAL RECORDS. 201
can make no just Pretence to their Bounty; some such ^L
Instances unquestionably will be found; but it is to be SeP^mb-
hoped not many.
Saturday. Every one of my Servants now were sick, i«.
and incapable of Work; and what was worse, when well
were grown so false and lazy, through the poisonous In
fluence of other idle Rascals, who made it great Part of
their Business to seduce and debauch all they could, that
for some Months past their Labour did not pay for keep
ing them. This I had often been told I might expect
would be my Case shortly, as it had been of too many;
and now I find it true: So that I knew not what Remedy
to find, other than to dispose of two or three of the worst,
if I could get any proper Master to take them off my
Hands when well, and try to get others who would be of
some Use to me; otherwise all must go to Ruin: In the
mean Time I was under a Necessity of getting some Help
at any Rate, to save what I had grown; and therein I was
sure to pay severely, for our common labouring People,
who never cared to work as long as they had Money or
Credit to live in Excess; when they were wanted for
Hire, required such Wages as is hardly to be believed:
One or two that I attempted had the Modesty to ask
Half a Crown a Day, besides Provisions; and after all the
Means I could use, I found I must think well of it if I
could procure any at eighteen Pence, and their Food
withal. This Evil alone, without the Addition of others,
I apprehend to be of pernicious Consequence to the
Colony, unless some Cure can be had for it; and in my
humble Opinion may be worth the Consideration of the
honourable Trustees, in what Manner to regulate La
bourers Wages: For so long as an idle Fellow can find
one Day's Pay sufficient to maintain him two or three,
he will work no more; and more than Half the Time of
such a Man's Labour is lost to the Publick.
Sunday. Mr. Habersham read the Prayers of the "¦

202 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Church; as he did likewise on the Morning early, and ^^L
Evening at Seven, every Day of the Week. Mr. Dyson Se^\^
in Town, but did not appear.
Monday. My Thoughts were now principally taken 18-
up in procuring what Help I could to save what I had
grown at any Rate. A New- York Sloop arrived at Ty
bee, laden with the usual Cargo,  Hunt Master,
who came up in his Boat to learn how Things stood with
us; but finding little Probability of a Market here, he
talked of looking farther. Mr. Robert Williams coming
to Town from his Plantation, called on me, to enquire
what News I had by my late Packet, and particularly
with relation to the Tenure of Lands; to which I gave
him in Answer the Resolution of the honorable Trustees,
with the Reasons they had been pleased to send me, for
adhering to their first Determination: At which he ap
peared very uneasy, and at length broke out into great
Warmth, telling me, that no one ever yet came here with
a more firm Intention of doing every Thing in his Power
to promote the Interest of the Colony; that he had given
sufficient Testimony of it in many Instances, and thrown
out a great deal of Money, which he has yet seen no
Return of; which nevertheless he could be content to
wait farther to seethe Event, and go on with Courage;
but that now he saw plainly all he did was on a precari
ous Title, and that he could insure nothing: Wherefore
he was resolved to lose no more Time, but as soon as he
got his Crop in, he would instantly bid the Colony adieu,
and remove all his Effects over the Water into Carolina,
where he would settle on some Lands he had in that
Neighborhood. I endeavoured to reason with him as
well as I could, and soften him into better Temper; but
I found it impracticable at present, by his growing more
and more vehement: So we parted.

Tuesday. Mr. Samuel Brown, one of our principal
Traders in the Indian Nations, came to Town, by the Way

19.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 203
of Augusta, in a weak State of Health; and as he was a il^
Settler also at that Place, where he had built a House SeP1t«mt-
upon a Lot granted him, he had made some Stay in his
Way. I was sorry to hear by him, that they were grown
extream sickly thereabouts; that it came through Caro
lina by Degrees to their Settlement at New- Windsor,
and thence soon crossed to Augusta; that a great many
were down in Fevers at his coming away; and that Lieu
tenant Kent was so ill, that it was feared he could not
live. At the same Time I received a Letter from one
John Miller, who keeps Stores at Augusta to serve the
Indian Traders, acquainting me that the Inhabitants
were settling in a very irregular Manner, by building
Stores on five hundred Acre Lots some Miles distant
from each other up the Path towards the Creeks: The
Reason for which is that the Out-Parts have the Advan
tage and Chance of intercepting the Customers of those
who live in ornear the Town of Augusta; but consequently
lie under greater Danger of being cut off by Enemies of
any Sort: Whereas a collected Body of People would be
better able to defend themselves, or retire and take the
Benefit of the Fort: Moreover it will be in the Power of
such Indian Traders as run in Debt with the settled
Storekeepers, to go to one of those out-lying Stores, and
be supplied, and then return to the Indian Nation, there
by defrauding their former Creditors, who cannot bring
them to regular Justice. Mr. Brown confirming this, I
thought it worth Notice, and conceive it may be worth
Consideration of such as have Power to regulate it
better.

Wednesday. Little observable this Day. Towards
Evening we were informed, that a great Number of In
dians, no less than fifty of the Upper Creek Nation,
were on their Way hither, and might be expected to
morrow, with an Intent to make a Visit to the General,
from whom, without doubt, they would expect Presents
as usual; which I saw would put us under some Difficulty

20.

204 COLONIAL RECORDS.
how to receive them: Wherefore I ordered a Messenger ^^
to call Mr. Causton to Town early in the Morning, that SeP2t0emb-
we might consult what was expedient to be done.
Thursday. Upon Mr. Causton's coming, it was all 21.
our Opinions (Mr. Parker joining in the same) that it
would be by no Means advisable to suffer such a Num
ber of remote Indians to come and take up their Abode
in this Town, for we know not how long a Time; neither
would it be well to do any Thing. that might give them
Offence: Wherefore we thought it the best Way to send
to Mrs. Matthews, whom they all have Resort to on these
Occasions, to persuade them, when they were come the
Length of the Plantation where she lives on the River,
to stop there where she might furnish them with Corn
and proper Sustenance, for their Support whilst they
staid, which would be allowed her again; by which
Means we hoped to content them: But in case they were
to come to Town, we knew by Experience, that not only
Meat from the Stores must be dealt out to them in
Plenty, but strong Beer also, and Liquor of any Kind
wherewith they might get drunk, as was too often their
Practice; from whence great Mischief might ensue: This
was a tender Point however, which required great Cau
tion; for as they were a numerous Nation, in strict Amity
with us, and whom the French were near Neighbors to, and
always courting of them; it was most undoubtedly the
Interest of this Province, to be on good Terms with
them almost at any Rate. Hoping this Expedient would
satisfy them till the Arrival of the General, we sent a
Messenger to Mrs. Matthews, in pursuance thereof, to
desire her to amuse them for awhile, as she best knew
how. Friday. Nothing stirring more than common. Every 22.
one who had any Crop growing employed themselves in
gathering it in; and I made Shift to get a little Help at
the rate of 10 /. Currency per Month, which I found

COLONIAL RECORDS. 205
would be accepted by a few Stragglers from Purysburgh, ,£^L
who sought for Work, whilst our Countrymen refused it SeP^mb'
without exorbitant Wages; and even those I got must
have Provisions into the Bargain.
Saturday. The Magistrates taking the Orphans Ac- 23.
counts into Consideration, I attended them some Time;
and from what appeared there was no Discovery of any
Fraud: But since the Death of Mr. Dearne (who was one
of those Trustees) Mr. Jenkins had nobody appointed to
act with him, which he expressed much Dissatisfaction
at, as I had often heard him do before: What the Trus
tees had been informed of concerning Coates being
chosen in that Office was a Mistake; for he never was.
The principal Objection now made to these Accounts,
was their being a little confused, in not making a proper
separation of sundry Charges, but blending Things to
gether; so that Mr. Jenkins was directed to get that done
against another Day appointed, which he readily prom
ised. Sunday. The common Service was read, as hitherto, 24.
by Mr. Habersham; and pretty well attended by the Gen
erality of the People.
Monday. Mr. Causton coming to Town, I acquainted 2s.
of my Intention to write this Week to the Trust; and de
sired to know if he should have any Thing to send in my
Packet; to which he seemed to show an Indifference, and
told me, he thought he should write none before he saw
the General and spoke with him. Frequent Conferences
now were daily held at Ockstead betwixt him and Mess.
Parker and Christie, who seldom failed of being one or
both with him continually; but as these were Matters of
Privacy, I knew not what they were about.

Tuesday. This Day I spent wholly at my forty-five
Acre Lot, where I continued till Night, doiii-^ what I

26.

206 COLONIAL RECORDS.
could to hasten in my Corn, &c. together with m)' Son, j^I
and two People that I hired. At my Return home, I SeP^mb-
heard that Mr. Causton was taken extreamely ill, and
obliged to take to his Bed at Ockstead.
Wednesday. A little after Noon a Boat arrived from 27.
Frederica, wherein came Mr. Thomas Jones, by whom
we were informed, that the General, with the Blanford
Man of War and five Transports, arrived safe and well
at St. Simon's on Monday was Se'nnight the 18th In
stant, all in good Health: So long was this good News
in finding its Way to us. The Remainder of the Day I
spent with Mr. Jones, informing myself in what he would
allow me; but he appeared very reserved, and I was much
surprised at my having no Letter from him of any Kind,
either publick or private.
Thursday. Upon farther Conversation this Day with 28-
Mr. Thomas Jones, he was pleased to call me aside, and
in a private Manner delivered me a Packet from the
Trust, which he thought not proper to deliver me Yes
terday, and now desired me not to take Notice of to
others: Which I could in no wise comprehend the Mean
ing of; but what he said or did hitherto, appeared to me
very mysterious: This Packet containing nothing of any
Moment more than the original Letters and Papers which
I before received Copies of from Capt. Percy; but it
seemed to me as if it was unexpected, that that Packet
came too soon to hand before this. When I made any
offer to talk with him relating to any Thing about the
Stores, he seemed not well pleased, but plainly told me,
he had no Business with them, neither would he: But I
understood by what I heard Mr. Causton had said to
others, upon Mr. Jones's calling on him in his Way hither
(as Mr. Causton lay ill) that he was to be assisting to
him in making up his Accompt: And that Mr. Jones's
principal Appointment was Advocate of the Regiment.
From what I could observe, I imagined his chief Busi-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 207
ness at present was to learn from any whom he thought ^^
best to enquire of, what Posture Things in general stood SeP^|mb-
in among us, and to make Report of it to the General,
whom he sometimes talked of returning to very soon:
But indeed I could make no certain Judgment of any of
his Purposes. Mr. Causton continued ill at Ockstead.
Friday. Busy in writing Letters and preparing my 29.
Packet for England. Mr. Jones, to divert himself, at the
Invitation of Mess. Williams and Matthews, went up the
River to visit their Plantations, and gratify his Curiosity
that Way: Wherein (knowing his Companions) I fancied
their Aim was to fish what they could out of him: But I
was much mistaken, if he was behind either of them in
Cunning. Saturday. Dispatched my Packet, and sent it away 30.
early this Morning to the Attorney-General at Charles-
Town, which I was obliged to hire a Boat for, at great
Wages; Mr. Jones telling me, that the General expected
his Letters that he had sent, would be forwarded from
hence without Delay; and we were never sure to find a
Conveyance any other Way. This Packet containing
great Variety of Matters, I enclosed in a Box; but noth
ing in it from Mr. Causton. Mr. Jones with his Company
returned in the Evening.
Sunday. Mr. Habersham continued to read the October
Prayers of the Church. The News of the Day was, that
three Persons went off privately in the Night, who were
said to be run away; their Names were Hughes, Gould
and Hurst: The first was a young Fellow, by Trade a
Tallow-Chandler, who of late had not applied himself to
Business of any Kind; wherefore the Loss of him was of
no Significance: The second was a very good Accompt-
ant, had formerly been employed in the Stores, but for
what Reason discharged was unknown to me: and the
third was at this Time a Writing Clerk, sent over last

1.

208 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Year, and closely employed by Mr. Causton at his House ^^
both in Town and at Ockstead: Wherefore Mr. Jones 0a''°*er
expressed some Uneasiness at it, seeming to conceive
some Jealousy that the two last were gone off with no
good Design; and it occasioned much Talk among many
People. Some more Servants being run away from their
Masters a few Days since (as it was of late become too
common a Practice, thro' the Countenance they met with
in Carolina) one Galloway, a Freeholder, and an honest,
industrious Man, going by the Way of Purysburg in Pur
suit of them, and straggling in the Woods, it was feared
was lost, his Companion who was an Indian, missing him,
and returning without him. Mr. Causton continued ill at
Ockstead. Monday. The wet Weather, which had now contin- 2.
ued a long While this later Season, was grown as Griev
ous as the great Drought in the former Part of the Year,
to a great many People, who had any Thing to do with
Harvest; and this Day more particularly, such a heavy
Rain fell, as the Like had hardly been seen the whole
Year; which shut up all at their own Home, and nothing
was to be observed Abroad.
Tuesday. Mr. Causton came to Town towards
Noon, but weak, and spent some Time with Mr. Jones
at the Stores, and elsewhere ; many necessitous People
attending to get some Provision, who had an undoubted
Pretence to it; but the Stores having been shut up sev
eral Days past, during the Time that an exact Inventory
was taking; and Mr. Causton alledging, that he had Or
ders from the General to issue nothing except to the
Trust-Servants only, till he came himself; it occasioned
much Distress among some Families, who had not made
timely Provision before-hand, as some had, who looked
farther forward, and laid in Plenty at home, sufficient to
secure themselves against Want for a Season: Mr, Caus
ton himself particularly at once very lately sent off a

Ootober

COLONIAL RECORDS. 209
Boat with Provisions laden to the Value of 40 /. Ster- ^t.
ling, to Ockstead.
Wednesday. Another terrible heavy Rain locked
every Body up at their own Homes, and nothing stirring
Abroad. The low Lands were generally overflowed;
many People lay under Difficulties in saving their Crop,
especially of Rice; and that being the principal Depend-
ance of Carolina, the Planters there were under sad Ap
prehensions. Thursday. Mr. Causton in Town again for an Hour
or two at the Stores, but returned Home towards Noon,
weak still. A Vessel arrived from Frederica, with sev
eral People belonging to this Town, who went that Way
on various Business of their own; but none of them
could give any Account when the General might be ex
pected here. Many poor People came frequently to
me, entreating for some Relief for their Families out of
the Stores, and imagining I could help them; wherein
I let them know how far they were mistaken, and that I
could not doubt but Mr. Causton had followed what Or
ders he received concerning delivering out Provisions;
which was all I had to say, but was really grieved at the
Wants which divers of them suffered, whom I knew to
have a just Demand. As Matters now stood, Mr. Caus
ton thought proper to break off the Agreement he had
made with Mr, West {vide Sept. 9.) and not meddle any
farther in that Affair; but rather chose to take Lodgings
in Part of an House near adjoining to the Stores, where
two Rooms would be sufficient, and convenient for him,
and such Clerks as he should have Occasion to employ
there, whilst his principal Abode would be at Ockstead:
And as for Mr. West the Smith, he seemed to have given
over all Thoughts of carrying on the Forge Work; where
though it was not wholly shut up, little or nothing was
done. 14 c r— vol 4

210 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Friday. Several Guns being fired in the Night off *j^,
Tybee, which we could plainly distinguish, the Wind 0ct£ber
being at North-East, I called upon Donald Stewart,
Master of the Pilot Sloop, and rebuked him for his (al
most continual) Indolence, in lying with his Sloop idle
at Home, and giving such frequent Occasion for Ships
coming out of the Sea to complain of Want of Help:
More especially now I told him it was barbarous, and
unpardonable in him, to hear of Ships being off the Bar,
and without doubt in Distress, by their firing in the
Night, and to take no farther Notice of it: Wherefore I
required him at his Peril, to make haste instantly; but
he gave me flatly for Answer, that he had no Provisions,
and without that he would not stir for any Man in Eng
land. Upon which and Mr. Causton not being in Town,
I talked of it with Mr. Parker; and we both agreed, that
in such an Exigence of Danger, lest Ships and Men ,
should perish for Want of Assistance, it might be justi
fiable in us, though without proper Authority, to direct
the Delivery of a few Days Provision for that Purpose;
and we did so: By Virtue of which that Necessity was
supplied; and some little Time after Stewart sailed; but
by Reason of these Delays it was now of no Significance;
for it proved to be a Ship and a Sloop both from the
Bay of Honduras, bound to the Northward, but by Rea
son of fresh Northerly Winds, they had been driven
back, and could not reach Charles-Town, where they
might revictual, their Provisions being all spent, for
which Reason they sought to put in here; but having no
Pilot, they durst not attempt it at first; till being driven
to Want, and near upon a Lee Shore, which they could
not bear away from, they came to an Anchor through
Necessity near the North Breakers, where they fired for
Help in Distress, expecting to perish in case the Anchor
or any Thing gave Way; and at last seeing no Sign of
Relief, in extream Want of all Things, they resolved to
make a bold Push, and try for the Bar; which they did,
and by great Providence came safe to an Anchor at

COLONIAL RECORDS. 211
Cockspur within Tybee. It is to be hoped such a Rem- ^j
edy will be found to prevent all future Complaints of 0ct60ber
this Kind, that this Place, instead of being a safe and
inviting Harbour, may not acquire the Character of an
inhospitable one, to all who seek it.
Saturday. No less than four Sloops now at the 7.
Bluff; but none of them were of any great Boot to this
Place: One was newly returned from Frederica, Samuel
Tingley Master, where she had delivered her Cargo for
the Use of the Regiment, and was going back to New-
York: Another was a Sloop from Providence, with Turtle,
Fruit and Molasses, which stopt at Tybee a few Days
since, bound for Charles-Town, but in her Way thither
sprung a dangerous Leak, and now came back hither to
mend it: Another was that Sloop which came in in such
Distress with the Ship to Tybee, mentioned Yesterday,
wanting Necessaries, which she could come at no other
wise than by trucking some of her Lading (that was Log
wood) with some of our Keepers of Stores, for Food:
And the fourth was a Sloop just come in from New-York
in an extraordinary Passage of five Days, laden with all
Kinds of Provision (  Ware Master) but he was now
at a wrong Place for a Market; though having good
Plenty of well brewed Beer aboard, which at this Season
of the Year was much wished for by most People; more
(abundantly) went without any, than the few who could
find Money to buy, and the publick Stores had none.
Mr. Causton came to Town, made a short Stay at the
Stores, and returned.
Sunday. The publick Service of the Day was read by 8.
Mr. Habersham, as before; and there were not wanting
enough to make a decent Congregation.
Monday. John Penrose, who went for Charles-Town 9
with my Packet on the 30th ult. and returned Home in
the Night sick, occasioned by very bad weather, told me,

212 COLONIAL RECORDS.
he had delivered it safe at the Attorney-General's; but ™^_,
he being out of Town, his Clerk opened my private Let- Oot°ber
ter to him, whom he said he would send it instantly to,
and promised effectual Care should be taken that the
Packet should go safely by the Seaflower, John Ebswor-
thy Master, now ready for sailing, and bound to Bristol.
The News we had from all Parts now, agreed in the great
Preparations that were making in England to send out a
grand Fleet of Ships, so that there seemed to be no lon
ger Doubt of a War breaking out soon. The Weather
being now grown favorable again, every Body who had
any Harvest were busy in saving what they could.
Tuesday. This Morning we had the long-expected 10.
News of the General's being on his Way to us from
Frederica; and accordingly due Preparation was made to
receive him, as we did in the best Manner we could,
about four in the Afternoon, under a Discharge of the
Artillery: He was attended in his Passage by only Capt.
Hugh McKay, of his own Regiment, and Capt. Suther
land, Commander of Johnson's Fort at Charles-Town in
Carolina. All who thronged to bid him welcome, were
kindly admitted, without Distinction.

Wednesday, ~) These Days were variously taken n.
Thursday, , up in attending the General, to re- 12-
Friday, | ceive his Orders, and execute such 13,
Saturday. J Commands as he saw proper, where- u"
in nothing passed that was uncommon or extraordinary.
Sunday. The common Service of the Day was read 15.
by Mr. Habersham, as before; and the General was
pleased to attend it personally, both in the Morning and
Afternoon. In the Evening arrived Capt. Thompson in
the Two Brothers, with a great Number of German Serv
ants, and as a Passenger Mr. Norris, appointed by the
Trustees to supply the Place of a Minister, in the Room
of Mr. John Wesley, who went for England last Winter.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 213
Monday. The General having in divers Instances dis- ™^,
covered his Dislike of the past Management of the Stores, 0cJ°ber
Mr. Jones was busy now by his Order, in looking into
the Books and Accounts kept there. Received Letters
from Mr. Abercromby, Attorney-General at Charles-
Town, signifying, that the Packet which I sent in a Box
for the Trustees, and which had been delivered to his
Clerk in his Absence out of Town (vide Monday the gth
Inst.) was not gone, by Reason the Ship which it was in
tended to be sent by, and which sailed presently after,
was bound for Bristol; and as he knew not whom to con
sign it to the Care of there, he did not think it safe to
hazard it at an uncertainty: Which News was very un
welcome to me, and more so to the General, from whom
I inclosed and sent in it divers Letters of great Moment.
Robert Gilbert was sworn one of the Bailiffs.
Tuesday. The great Mismanagement of the Trust 17.
Funds sent for the Support of the Colony, now more
and more appearing, upon enquiring into; the General
called all the Inhabitants together at the Town-House,
and there made a pathetick Speech to them, setting forth
how deeply the Trust was become indebted, by Mr. Caus
ton's having run into so great Exceedings beyond what
they had ordered, which debts the Trust had nothing left
at present to discharge, besides what Goods and Effects
they had in the Store, which must in a great Measure be
applied to those Purposes, especially first to all such as
the Stores were owing any Thing to, by which Means
there would be a Necessity of retrenching the ordinary
Issues, that something might remain for the necessary
Support of Life, among the Industrious People, who were
not to be blamed. This had such an Effect, that many
People appeared thunder-struck, knowing not where it
would end; neither could the most knowing determine it.

Wednesday. By Order from the General, I wrote a Let
ter to Mr. Causton, and delivered it myself ; dismissing

18.

214 COLONIAL RECORDS.
him entirely from the Stores, and requiring him to deliv- J^5
er over all Books, Papers and Accounts belonging to the 0e5& er
Stores, into the Hands of Mr. Thomas Jones: And in the
Evening he sent for Mr. Causton, and required him to
find Security for his Appearance to answer, &c. but it
appearing not possible to find Sureties in this Place ade
quate to the Charge which might be against him, the
General was content, for Example-sake, to all other
Prosecutors, not to insist upon more than his own Bond,
and an Assignment of all his Improvements at Ockstead,
or elsewhere.

Thursday, ) The General's close Application m
Friday, f to Business, calling on divers for 20.
Saturday. ' Information in many Things, took 21-
up the Time of all who were any Ways engaged in the
Trust's Service; so that I found little to Remark in par
ticular, except an unhappy Accident of Fire, which in
the Forenoon on Thursday burnt down two large Huts,
where two French Families lived, viz. Becu a Baker, and
Bailleau a Hatter; and it was so sudden and violent, that
great Part of their Household Goods, &c. was lost.
Some one of these three Days I delivered to Mr.
Parker, by the General's Order, the Constitution ap
pointing him first Bailiff; whereby Mr. Causton was now
discharged from that Office as well as from the Stores.
Mr. Jones the Surveyor was also discharged from that
Employment, and suspended from the Office of first
Constable. Fitzwalter the Gardener likewise received
his Dismission, being judged not needful, and to save
Expence: For which Reason several other Expences,
which at this Time appeared superfluous, were marked
out to be retrenched.
Sunday. Mr. Norris, lately arrived by Appointment 22.
from the Trust, began to exercise his Office this Day,
and preached on 1 John i, 5, 6, 7, wherein he exhorted
his Hearers to Holiness of Life, as a Means to assure

COLONIAL RECORDS. 215
us of the Forgiveness of Sins by Christ's Death; and ac- ™^,
cording to my weak Capacity, it was a good practical 0c^ber
Discourse, such as every good Man might improve by,
in making it a Rule of Life : But was a little surprised
to find some People shew a Dislike to his Sermon after
wards, alledging that they thought he set too great a
Value on good Works, though they were the Effect of
a sound Faith, and condemning any Thing that came
from a Pulpit savouring of Morality; not allowing of
Christian Philosophy, or that the Practice of all social
Virtues was of any Significance, but all was wrapt up in
an unintelligible Faith; which I knew no better Evidence
to be given of, than an entire Obedience. From whence
the Propagation of such mysterious Doctrine at first
sprung, is pretty well known: But such sublime Points
in Divinity, I apprehend, are ill suited with the present
Circumstances of this young Colony, where the Preach
er's Labour would most certainly be best bestowed, in
plainly setting forth the sad Consequences of a vicious
Life, the Amiableness of a Christian Religion, with the
certain Rewards attending the Practice of it; and incul
cating those Duties to God and our Neighbors, which
are so essential in our Religion; and the Practice of
which, we are taught to hope, through the Mediation
of our Saviour will be accepted, though not through any
Merit of our own, relying on him by Faith.
Monday, 1 These two Days were fully taken 23,
Tuesday. f up, as many had been before, in 24.
attending the General's Commands; whilst he pursued,
with unwearied Application, his Enquiry into past Mat
ters of all Kinds; which were so various and perplexed
in divers Instances, as to render it impracticable to make
a Detail of here: But it may not be amiss to specify two
or three remarkable Particulars.
The General, after having publickly laid open the
lamentable State the Colony was in, and now reduced
to, in his Speech of the 17th Instant; and in divers Con-

216 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ferences afterwards unfolded his Sentiments thereon, ^fl.
was pleased one Day to signify his Pleasure to Mr. 0e|°ber
Parker and me by Way of Letter; wherein he required 24.
us to deliver our Opinions to him in Writing, how and
in what Manner it would be advisable to issue Stores, for
the intended Purpose of answering the Debts claimed
against the Trust; which after Deliberation, we did in the
Words following.
"We are humbly of Opinion, that to make publick
"Sale of any of the Stores by Auction, might produce
"great loss, by selling at under Value, and few Buyers,
"so that the Amount would be inconsiderable: Wherefore
"we conceive, that any Persons residing in the Province
"only, to whom the Store is indebted, and are willing to
"take the Value of their Debts in Stores, may be entitled
"to receive the same in such Proportion as their Neces
sity requires." But this not appearing fully to answer
the General's Purpose, he chose rather to dictate his
own Meaning; which he did, and we took it from him in
writing, as he spoke it, in the following Words.
"Pursuant to the Trustees Orders, we shall proceed to
"give Notice to all that are indebted, to pay in their
"Debts, and shall be ready to receive the same: But we
"have too great Reason to fear, that few can at present
"pay, by Reason of the Loss of their Crops, and hard
"Duties, occasioned by the Apprehension from the Span
iards, which has reduced the People to great Poverty.
"And with respect to the Manner of selling the Effects
"of the Trustees, we are of Opinion, that to sell them
"by Auction would produce great Loss, by selling at under
"Value, and there would be few Buyers, so that the
"Amount would be inconsiderable: Wherefore this
"Method we conceive would be contrary to the Trustees
"Orders, viz. That these Sums thereby due to the Trus
tees, together with their Effects in Georgia, is the only
"Fund to answer all Expences in Georgia to Midsummer
"1739, besides paying all outstanding Debts there, and
"what is deficient to answer all the certified Accounts

COLONIAL RECORDS. 217

October 23,

"sent over. Therefore our Opinion is, that to make the ^J3^
"most of the Effects, is to issue at the Store Prices, to
"such Persons as are desirous to take them in Payment 24,
"of their Demand; and in so doing to pursue the Trust's
"Directions, who first mention the answering all Ex-
"pcnces in Georgia, and paying all outstanding Demands
"there". To which Opinion Mr. Parker and I set our
Hands. The last Affair which the General took in hand on
Tuesday Evening, was to settle the Officers civil and
military: Mr. Parker now was confirmed first Bailiff, to
whom Mr. Gilbert was added; but there remained a Va
cancy for a third, to be farther considered of: Mr. Jones
being displaced, Mr. Fallowfield was first Constable by
Succession, to whom Mr. Mercer was now added for a
second (a Man in all Appearance very well qualified for
that Office, and a good Townsman, though formerly there
was some Variance betwixt him and Mr. Causton
but the General deferred making a Choice of another
Constable till he saw us again: And several Vacancies
being among the Tythingmen, he created some new ones,
so far as to make the present Number eighteen. Then
calling all the Officers to his Lodgings, he gave it in
Charge, that they should all do their Duties with Care
and Vigilance, especially in preserving Peace among us,
at this Time, when ill disposed Persons, taking Advan
tage of Peoples Uneasiness at those inevitable Pressures
they laboured under, and must necessarily for some Time,
might craftily incite them to an Insurrection: At the
same Time he recommended earnestly to them, to pre
serve Unanimity among themselves, which would
strengthen and support a due Authority, and restrain the
Licentious in due Obedience.

Wednesday. This Morning the General left us, and
returned to the South, leaving a gloomy Prospect of
what might ensue; and many sorrowful Countenances
were visible, under the Apprehensions of future Want:

26.

218 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Which deplorable State the Colony was now fallen into, i^
through such Means as few or none had any Imagina- 0o^ber
tion of (my own entire Ignorance of it I truly own) till the
Trustees in their late Letters awakened us out of our
Dream; and the General, when he came, laid the Whole
open, and declared we were but little removed from a
downright Bankruptcy. Now was a Time when it would
be fully apparent, who were most valuable among us, by
shewing a hearty Endeavour to contribute what in them
lay, to appease the Discontents which must arise, and
with Patience wait to see better Things, which were not
yet to be despaired of. Mr. Jones was now in full Pos
session of the Stores, notwithstanding that Declaration
he made at his first coming, which I could never well
unriddle the Meaning of; and he had ample Instructions
from the General, in what Manner and Proportion he was
to serve the different Classes of People he had to deal
with: At the same Time Mr. Causton and his Clerks
were busied in an adjacent Apartment, exclusive from
the Stores, to make up those long Accounts, and then
Mr. Jones was to examine them and make his observa
tions: But Mr. Bradley (as Mr. Jones told me) had yet
made no Beginning, nor did it appear when he would;
for whatever Method had been proposed to him, he
liked none of them, but evaded it under some Pretence
or other: He had been sickly of late, and continued
weak.

26.

28.

Thursday, \ It was now Time to look into my own
Friday, > small Affairs again, which the Multi- 27.
Saturday. ) plicity of Business of far greater Mo
ment would not for a while Past admit of: Wherefore
my present Care, during the remainder of the Week,
was about what was yet undone, in saving such Pro
ductions of my Plantation as were last ripe, namely
some Rice and Potatoes; and to that I was forced to
hire Help, my own Servants now affording very little.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 219
Sunday. Mr. Norris proceeded regularly in doing ™j
his Duty, conformable to the Rubrick, in all Parts of the °%°ber
publick Worship, and this Day administered the Sacra
ment, to the Comfort of divers People.
Monday. It began now to appear, that a Misunder- 30-
standing was growing betwixt Mr. Norris and Mr. Hab
ersham the School-Master, whom Mr. Whitfield had
substituted in his absence to read the Prayers, &c. the
latter not qualified to execute that Office, which it be
hoved him to surrender to a Person so properly commis
sioned, could not refrain from speaking lightly of him to
divers People; and in making Comparisons betwixt him
and Mr. Whitfield, to whom he was so closely attached,
was sure to give the Preheminance to his Friend: All
which coming to Mr. Norris's Ears, he complained of to
me, but did it in a very modest Manner, and appeared
no Ways uneasy at it, farther than that he was apprehen
sive it might be a Means of dividing the Congregation,
and spiriting up a new Sect, who through Ignorance
might be led away, and absent themselves from publick
Worship. This I was sorry to hear, and the more so,
because I feared there was too great a Probability of it:
For Mr. Whitfield being a Man of peculiar Eloquence in
the Pulpit, had captivated his Hearers very much; and
withal after reading the second Lesson, was wont gen
erally to expound on the whole Chapter extempore, with
great Volubility; to make Room for which, he laid aside
the Use of the first Lesson, and the Psalms, which un
doubtedly carry in them the highest Spirit of Devotion:
On the contrary Mr. Norris did not assume Confidence
enough, in that Manner off-hand, to be an Expositor of
whole Chapters at a Time in the Bible; but contented
himself with going through the whole Office appointed
for Prayer, Mornings and Evenings constantly with great
Decency, and was punctual in catechising the Chil
dren, baptising of Infants, visiting the Sick, and all other
Parts of his Duty, so far as could be seen hitherto; and

220 COLONIAL RECORDS.
behaved himself modestly, but sociably; and unblameable ^^
in his Conversation and Manner of living: Wherefore it Ocao.ber
was due to him to meet with Courtesy, and just Regard
from all People; and much more, not to be slandered, and
brought into low Esteem by some Zealots of a new Sort,
who affected an extraordinary Sanctity, and would shut
the Gates of Heaven against all who could not attain to
that Purity which they professed and had been instructed
in. Tuesday. Mr. Jones sending frequently to desire my 31.
coming to him at the Stores, with Mr. Parker; I always
went readily, as Mr. Parker also did generally, when he
could be found; and ordinarily the Occasion of his send
ing, was to give our Opinion concerning the Delivering
out small Quantities of Provision to People in Distress;
for bare Subsistence a very short While; some of whom
had a just Pretence, under an immediate Necessity, and
were willing and able to repay it soon; some again were
Objects truly deserving Aid and Support, after being re
duced to a low Estate, through Sickness, or perhaps the
like; and some had no better Pretence, than a bold Face,
hardened through Custom to hang upon the Stores for a
Maintenance: In all which Cases we distinguished as
well as we could, and gave our Opinions to the best of
our Judgment: But Mr. Parker expressed some Uneasi
ness at it betwixt him and me; saying, that he thought it
was going beyond our Commission, which was from the
Trust Letters to authorize Mr. Causton and us two, or any
two of us to direct the Issues of all Stores; which were in
pursuance of that, to be delivered out by Mr. Jones: But
Mr. Causton being now discharged from any former
Trust, and the General having pointed out to Mr. Jones
such Limitations as he thought needful concerning the
future Issues, he (Mr. Parker) apprehended we had no
more to do in it: Wherein I so agreed with him in Opin
ion, that we ought not to take upon us to direct in it;
but nevertheless as there might be (and were) many

COLONIAL RECORDS. 221

1738.

Cases, which the General and Mr. Jones together could
not foresee; I thought it was no more than showing our c8i. er
good Wills, and Readiness to give any Assistance we
were capable of, by telling our Opinions in such Matters
when asked; which was to be deemed an Opinion only,
and not an Order; and therefore I should never refuse
giving it when desired; which sometimes was often in a
Day. Wednesday. A Rumor about Town prevailing (from Novemb.
what Grounds I know not) that Mr. Bradley was prepar
ing to leave the Colony privately; a Surgeon, whom he
was indebted to in the Sum of 20 /. Sterling, for Medi
cines and Attendance in time of Sickness, had him ar
rested, and obliged him to give Bail for his Appearance
to the Action, &c. In private Conference with Mr. Jones,
he told me often of the confused State in which he found
Mr. Causton's Account, and every Day gave him more
and more Dislike to what he saw, hinting that he could
not be without Suspicions of bad Practices coming to
Light ere long.
Thursday. This Morning Mr. Jones's Suspicion con- 2.
cerning Mr. Causton was grown much stronger, from an
Information received, that William Ewen, Mr. Causton's
principal Servant in delivering our Stores, and young
Houston a Clerk there, were both gone off privately for
Charles-Town. It had been customary with Ewen to go
on Saturday's Evening to a Plantation which he had at
Skedoway, and to return on Monday's Morning; but now
from last Saturday when he went, together with Houston,
no News had been heard of either, till this News came
by a chance Boat, which met them on this Side Port-
Royal, making their Course that Way. Mr. Causton had
been complaining before this Advice came, of Ewen's
Negligence in not attending at the Stores duly, to be
serviceable to Mr. Jones in whatever he required; which
Neglect of his he was apprehensive (he said) might be

222 COLONIAL RECORDS.
looked on as countenanced by himself, and draw on Re- ™^,
flexions to his Prejudice; for which Reason he had de- NoT2emb
sired Mr. Parker and me to write him a Letter, reprehend
ing him sharply for the Injury he might do his Master,
and admonish him to return with all Speed: We did so,
and Mr. Parker undertook to send it to Skedoway to
him: But it is to be doubted, that all this was Craft only,
if what some People said was true, viz. that it was talked
in Mr. Causton's Family the same Morning over a Cup
of Tea, that Ewen was gone to Carolina, at the same Time
we were desired to write to him at Skedoway : However,
this was looked on as a malicious Suggestion, and raised
by his Enemies to aggravate his Guilt.
Friday. Little passed this Day worth noting, or call- 3.
ing me aside from my own private Affairs; only a
small Packet having been brought me from Charles-
town for the General, directed to my Care, about two
or three Days since from John Penrose, and hearing that
a Boat was going very soon for Frederica, I wrote to
the General enclosing that Packet, and likewise acquaint
ing him with the Report we had from Carolina, that
Colonel Horsey, their intended Governor, died in Lon
don two or three Days before his designed Embarkation;
which was most unwelcome News, and such as we wished
might not prove true, though what Foundation there was
for it we yet knew not. This Packet I delivered to Mr.
Upton, who was going a Passenger in the Boat aforesaid.
Saturday. After spending a great Part of this Day 4.
abroad at my little Plantation; at my Return home in
the Afternoon, I understood the Boat was gone wherein
Mr. Upton went, and by him Mr. Jones wrote also to the
General, informing him in what Posture Things stood in
the Stores, more particularly relating to Mr. Causton and
his Accounts, where he had conceived a great Jealousy
for some Days past; and this Evening as soon as I came
home, he found me at my Dinner, when he very much

COLONIAL RECORDS. 223
surprised me, by telling me what Suspicions he had, that ™^j
Mr. Causton was intending to go off privately, and for Nov4e_mb-
ought he knew, it might be this very Night. What far
ther Grounds he had for suspecting it more than the go
ing off of some of the Clerks together with Ewen (which
we had known several Days, and which indeed had an
ugly Aspect) I could not tell, neither did he acquaint me
with any new Information, if he had any such: Never
theless, he said he was determined that he would make
Affidavit, that he had good Reason to be apprehensive
of it; which to be sure I would not be averse to, that
Examination might be made about it, and Security taken,
if needful, &c. Wherefore Mr. Christie being near at
hand, Mr. Jones made Affidavit accordingly before him,
agreeable to what he had before declared; and Mr. Chris
tie thereupon issued his Warrant to apprehend Mr. Caus
ton; which was soon done at his proper Abode in Town;
and upon hearing what was alledged against him, and
what he had to say in his own Vindication, Mr. Jones
was content, that such Bail should be accepted for his
Appearance as was customary in the Colony, and could
be reasonably expected; namely, two Freeholders who
were to be bound in 100I. each, and himself 200/, for
which Mr. Bailiff Parker, and Mr. Hugh Anderson, en
tered into Recognizance with him; and so for the Present
it ended.Sunday. Mr. Norris officiated as usual; observed the 5
proper Service appointed for the Day, and gave us a
very good Sermon upon blind and mistaken Zeal, with a
suitable and ingenious Application.
Monday. When the General was with us, he received 6.
several Letters and Petitions from divers poor People,
intreating his Favour and Aid in many Instances, which
the great Perplexity of Affairs he was looking into then,
not allowing him Time to consider well of, he was pleased
to refer a good Number of them to me to enquire into

224 COLONIAL RECORDS.
the Merits of, and report to him my Opinion upon them.
This would take up what spare Time I had occasionally;
and this Day more particularly I was pretty much that
Way employed.
Tuesday. Mr. Bradley going Yesterday for Carolina,
without any Stop or Molestation; and giving it out that
the Occasion of his Travel, was to seek for Provisions
for his Family, which now he thought were delivered out
of the Stores too sparingly for them to subsist on (and
what other private Reasons he had for absenting himself
he did not divulge) Mr. Causton took Occasion from
thence to exclaim against Mr. Jones in Conversation
among all his Friends, as acting partially with him,
whom he said he had dealt rigorously with, and required
to find Sureties for his Abode in the Colony; and now
suffered another barefaced to go off, whom he knew to
be greatly accountable, even to such a Degree, that there
was but little Appearance of his ever getting a due Dis
charge: But all Talk of this Kind among them I avoided
saying any Thing to, or intermeddling where my Duty
did not call me; thinking it sufficient to speak my Opin
ion plainly and openly in such Matters as Mr. Jones
asked of me, when he thought proper to communicate
his own Sentiments relating to the publick Service.
Wednesday. This Day like many others, my Door
was almost continually frequented by poor People of di
vers Sorts, importuning me to intercede at the Stores for
some small Relief under their immediate Necessities;
imagining, though without Cause, that it lay in my Power
to order it: And thereupon the greatest Part of the
Clamour fell to my Share, which indeed gave me great
Disquiet. Some whom I judged most deserving, I assured
I would recommend to Mr. Jones, on Mr. Parker's join
ing with me ; and others I gave such different Answers
to, as to me seemed best suited to their Pretensions.
What else occurred was scarce worth Notice.

1738.
Novemb.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 'V 225
Thursday. The same again; and nothing farther to ^j
be observed till late in the Evening; when Mr. Causton Nov*mb-
came to me and told me of his being much surprised an
hour or two ago, upon the receipt of an anonymous Let
ter, which was delivered him at his Lodgings by a Per
son also unknown; importing, that Mr. Jones treating
him so severely, and putting him into so great Terror;
he, though a Stranger, looked on his Case to deserve
Compassion, and therefore offered him (Mr. Causton)
his Assistance, which if he would accept of, he would
carry him to a Place of Safety, where he might be easy,
and have full Liberty to make up his Accounts at his
own Liesure; that if he inclined to speak with him upon
it, he should find him at this Instant walking alone in
the Square, and might be known by a certain Sign
(which I have forgot) or if he rather chose to meet him
in a less publick Place, he would be walking in the
Morning towards the Spring, at the Town's End, and
would be known by some other certain Sign. Hereupon
Mr. Causton (as he told me) chose rather to go immedi
ately to the Square, where accordingly he met such a
Person, with whom he had a very short Conference; in
which he thanked him for his Offer, wondering what
could induce such a Stranger to propose a Matter of
such Consequence to him, wherein consisted every Thing
that he valued; and that he was determined to see the
utmost of it, come what would; and so after mutual Civ
ilities they parted: The Person (he said) appeared by
his Garb and Behaviour like a Gentleman, and believed
him to be one. Capt. Blake, whose Ship was now lying
at Tybee, who lately came in there upon receiving some
Damage at Sea in bad Weather, and was now refitting
there by the Assistance of Mr. Williams; after which
she was bound to Barbadoes. Upon putting it all to
gether, I thought it pretty remarkable; nor could I judge
what to make of it: But he farther assured me, that he
had two Friends with him, when the Letter was delivered,
15 e r— v 4

226 COLONIAL RECORDS.
who both subscribed their Attestation to its being so re- ^^
, Novemb.
ceived. 9.
Friday. The ordinary Business of the Day passing 10.
over, wherein nothing uncommon happened; towards
Evening young Hugh McKay (who commanded at Fort
St. Andrew's till the regular King's Forces arrived) came
to us from the South, and brought us the unexpected
News, that the General was on his Way hither again,
and that we might expect him by the next Flood.
Saturday. Waiting early in the Morning at Church, u.
on the bell ringing to Prayers, General Oglethorpe who
landed but a little Time before, came and made Part of
the Congregation: After which, he took a Walk towards
the Garden, allowing me to attend him; and from Part
of his Discourse, I gathered, that the chief Occasion of
his sudden Expedition hither, was from what Mr. Jones
had wrote him concerning Mr. Causton's Proceedings in
making up his Accounts, who (it seems) had in some
Talk with Mr. Jones insinuated something which carried
a Reflexion on the General, as if he very well knew what
extraordinary Occasions had created these great Exceed-
ings; which the Trustees not approving of, he was given
up to be driven to utter Ruin: This Mr. Jones had be
fore taken Notice of to me; and at the same Time told
me, he had wrote it to the General; wherefore I might
readily conclude (I thought with myself) that the Gen
eral would not sit still, when he found his Name men
tioned in such a Manner, and his Honor was concerned.
Divers Affairs which he thought of most Importance to
enquire into, during the short Stay he purposed to make,
he dispatched; and in the Evening sent for Mr. Causton;
when in a very mild Manner, and gentler Terms than
could be expected upon such a Provocation, he repre
hended him for the Freedom he had taken with his
Name, advising him to use no Delays or Shifts in making
up his Accounts, which would add more Weight to what

COLONIAL RECORDS. 227
he had already upon him, that if in the Course of his il^L
Enquiry he had any written Orders from him, he ought No|Jmb-
to produce them; or if he had verbal Orders only, he
should not scruple to charge such to his Account, and
leave it to him to exonerate himself; or if he had in
divers Cases no other Plea than the Necessity of the
Service, there he ought to set forth what that Necessity
was, and leave it to the Trustees to consider how far it
would content them; wishing he might get to as good
an End of it, as he ought in Reason to expect; and so
dismissed him. Among other Things generally talked
of in Town on this Occasion, none deserved the like At
tention, as what was told us concerning a late Mutiny
among the Soldiers at Fort St. Andrew's; where they
attempted openly the Life of the General himself, as well
as their immediate Officer Capt. McKay; but by the great
Presence of Mind in the General, and his daring Intrep
idity, it was happily suppressed, with the Loss of one
Man shot in the Scuffle, and divers taken into Custody,
to meet with their Demerits at a Court-Martial hereafter.
These Things coming to my Knowledge by Report only
and variously told, I chuse to waive the Particulars, lest
I should err, and knowing it will be more fully and au
thentically related.
Sunday. Mr. Norris did the Duty of the Day, to the 13,
satisfaction of all who were well disposed; and urged
the Necessity of doing the Will of God, and not to rely
on the Appearance of Religion, by saying Lord, Lord,
&c. The General took Boat, and went back South again
a little after Noon.
Monday. Having much Writing upon my Hands, and 13.
nothing particularly requiring my Attendance elsewhere,
I confined myself this Day wholly at home.
Tuesday. Mess. Horton and Dunbar, who attended 14.
the General hither, and were left behind him with Orders

228 COLONIAL RECORDS.
to go on to the Settlements of Carolina, and to buy Oxen ™^,
and other Kinds of Provision there, for victualling the Sol- N°™mb-
diers &c. went forwards this Day for the Purpose de
signed: And Mr. Jones being very much dissatisfied at
so many of the Peoples withdrawing wdio belonged to
the Stores, viz. Hurst, Houston, and Ewen, he got a
Warrant to apprehend them, which he gave to those
Gentlemen going that Way, desiring that they would get
it backed by any Justice of the Peace in those Parts; and
if they or any of them that so kept aside, could be
taken, that they might be sent hither for farther Enquiry
to be made.
Wednesday. About Noon William Ewen (late Servant 15.
at the Stores) arrived in Town from Pbrt-Royal (as he
said) and not knowing that any Warrant was issued to
apprehend him; but Mr. Jones said afterwards, that he
accosted him in a very insolent and saucy Manner: Be
that as it would, Mr. Jones came to me soon after the
other's Arrival, telling me of it, and that he did not
think it sufficient Ewen was come, for that he might,when-
ever he pleased, play the same Trick again; wherefore
he was resolved to take him up by Warrant, &c. which
Mr. Christie readily granted; and upon his being brought
before the Magistrates, who upon this Occasion met at
my House, after hearing what Mr. Jones alledged against
him, and what he had to say in his own Justification, they
required him to find some Person, who was a Freeholder,
that would jointly enter into Recognizance with himself,
in the Penalty of 20/. each, that he should not depart
this Colony within the Space of one Month ensuing, or
before the Stores were fully delivered into Mr. Jones's
Hands: Which was done accordingly.
Thursday. This Morning Mr. Colliton, with Colonel 15.
Dorsey, and Mr. Middleton (all Gentlemen of Carolina,
who came to Town last Night) called to make me a Visit,
which they principally intended to the General, but missed

COLONIAL RECORDS. ,229

1738.

Novemb. 16.

him: They brought two small Packets of Letters with
them, one from Lieutenant Governor Bull, and the other
from Mr. Godine, a Merchant in Carolina, which were
both delivered me by the Gentlemen for the General.
They reported Colonel Horsey's Death, which we were
unwilling to give Credit to, from divers Circumstances
which seemed to contradict it, still hoping for better
News.

Friday. Sent off those Packets which came Yester- 17.
day for the General, by William Francis, who had for a long
While been an Established Messenger by Land, betwixt
the North and South Parts of the Province; for which
Purpose he kept Horses, and was a daring Rider, at ioo/.
Sterling per Annum Salary: By him I also wrote to the
General, whom he was now going on other Occasions to
attend per Order,
The Carolina Gentlemen took leave, and returned
home. Saturday. Mr. Norris could not forbear complaining is.
to me again, of the injurious Treatment he found from
Mr. Habersham the School-Master; who, he was well
informed was still raising false and idle Reports of him
in such Company as he kept, endeavoring to ridicule
him, and make him contemptible in the Eyes of the Peo
ple, &c. which he seemed to expect me to bear in Mem
ory, in case any future Notice should be taken of it; but
said withal, that he wished much rather that such Back
biting might die away, and that Mr. Habersham would
put an End to all Calumny; which he for his Part should
very unwillingly draw into Debate, unless Self-Defence
made it necessary. This I was sorry to hear, knowing
Mr. Norris to be of a peaceable, quiet Temper, who I
never heard had spoke with any Disrespect of his Prede
cessor that was now in London, nor behaved with any
Indecency towards Mr. Habersham: But the whole Truth
I plainly saw was this, that Mr. Norris, by the Trustees

230 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Appointment, was established Minister at Savannah, ™^j
whilst Mr. Whitfield was gone for England, in Expect- No^|mb'
ance of returning hither invested with that Appointment
himself: Under which Disappointment among some few
particular People, whom as few can please, this Minis
ter's Character must be pulled to Pieces and mangled,
that another, whom they are fond of, may shine with the
greater Lustre: But they begin to find themselves mis
taken, in expecting an Increase of such giddy Professors,
who to express their Zeal, forget Charity; for that is
truly the Case.
Sunday. The Congregation shewed plainly both Fore- 19-
noon and After, that the Generality of the People would
not desert the Church so long as divine Service was well
performed in it, and sound Doctrine came from the Pul
pit; which could not be objected to, in an excellent
practical Discourse delivered there this Day: and it was
remarkable, that notwithstanding so much Endeavor to
depreciate the Minister, there was more of those present
who hold the first Rank among the Inhabitants, than or
dinarily has been observed.
Monday. Mess. Causton and Jones each with me in 20
their Turns severally complaining; one that he was so
harrassed and terrified with hard Words and Threats,
that at the Rate he was going on, he should become inca
pable of perfecting the Work he was upon; and the other
retorting, that he saw the Pains which were taken would
end in nothing but rendering the Whole more abstruse,
and inextricable, than before, which he said with great
Warmth: But as I knew myself no competent Judge in
those Matters, I could say little to either. Upon my ask
ing Mr. Jones, whether any Progress or Beginning had
yet been made in Mr. Bradley's Affair; he replied, after
some Pause,  " Poor Man! I pity him, he has
"such an unsettled Head, that I fear no Good can
"ever be expected from him: Would to God he would

COLONIAL RECORDS. 231

"find some Way or other to withdraw and go off; I know
"of nobody that would think it worth while to persue
"him; and the first Loss to the Trust, in his Case, would
"be best, without adding yet more." To which I said
nothing. The Trustees in their last Letter directing me
to enquire what Grounds there was, for a Complaint to
them against Thomas Young, Wheelwright, for abusing
his Apprentice one Oakes, whose Father was one of the
King's Coachmen; I sent for the Boy, and examined him
closely thereon, shewing him great Countenance, and as
suring him not only of Protection here, but also if there
appeared good cause for it, I told him I had Power to
discharge him, and send him home, whereupon he should
be bold, and tell me the Truth without Fear: But the
Boy assured me, that he never sent any such Complaint,
and believed it was the Doing of one Mrs. Charles,
whose Husband first ran away out of the Colony, and
she followed about a Year since; and that if she was the
Person (as he believes she was) that did it, it was with
out any Orders from him: And as to his Master's Usage,
he told me, it was very good; that he never failed of a
Belly-full of good Food, such as his Master himself eat;
that he had Shirts and Cloaths as good as any in the
Town of his Equals in the Service they were; but only
wanted a better Coat for Sundays, which his Master had
ordered to be provided for him: That he worked alike with
a Grandson of his Master's at the Trade he was bound
to, and that when his Master corrected him, it was but
just, and what he ought to expect for running away,
which he had done more than once, but never would
again; and was very well contented now : Whereupon I
had no more to say, but bid him mind his Business, and
if he was abused he should come and tell me.
Tuesday. Sergeant McKenzie, who went for England
in May last, and now returned by Capt. Nicholson lately
to Charles-Town, came this Morning, and brought me a
large Packet from the Trustees' Office with many Let-

1788.

Novemb. 20.

232 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ters in it; some for this, and some for the South Part of l738-
the Colony; together with a small Box for my Son from No^mb-
his private Correspondence in the City. I had only one
short Letter from the Trust, dated August 25; but of
other Letters too many; the Import being the News of
my good Friend Colonel Horsey's Death, which affected
me very much. In the Evening I was present at the
Examination into a most notorious Offence committed
by one Woodhouse, a Soldier lately come from St. Si
mon's upon Furlow; who the Night before, being at a
publick House in Town, and heated with Liquor, in a
mixt Company, talking of the Apprehensions he was in
of great Want of Provisions shortly, he used vile, op
probrious and dangerous Words against the General, and
the whole Colony; which being proved upon Oath, he
was committed to safe Custody till to-morrow, when it
was intended to send him to the Regiment.
Wednesday. The ordinary Time being come about 22.
for the Court to sit, it was opened this Day in the usual
Form; when Mr. Parker took his Seat as first Bailiff, and
Mr. Gilbert next him upon the Bench. No Matters of
extraordinary Concern came before them, only petty Ac
tions for Debt, &c. which were tried by Jury, as always;
and such Matters as appeared litigous, as far as the Par
ties could be persuaded to refer them to Arbitration, were
so dispatched; thereby to discountenance all little Spite
and Malice, the frequent Concomitants of Poverty.

Thursday. Capt. Thompson, who went a little While
since for Frederica in his Boat, to know what the Gene
ral's Pleasure was, concerning the Remainder of those
foreign Servants yet on board of him, returned this
Morning thence, and brought me a Packet from the
General, to be forwarded to Colonel Bull the first Oppor
tunity; and a Letter to me with Orders to publish, that
the Court of Claims, which before had been appointed to
be holden here on the first of December, was now to be

23.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 233
put off, by Reason of the General's not being at Liberty J^,
to attend it sooner, to the 14th of the same Month; No^mb-
which Notice I took Care to see published immediately.
In the Afternoon I sent the Packet of Letters by Samuel
Lacy's Pettyagua, to the South, which I had received
from Sergeant McKenzie on Tuesday last. The Court
of Savannah, which sat again this Day, after doing what
was needful adjourned to the 15th proximo.
Friday. Nothing but exclaiming daily against one 24.
another, betwixt Mess. Causton and Jones: which, as I
had nothing to do with, I was quite tired with hearing:
But as I thought with myself often, that all Persons on
their Trial for Offences of any Kind, were intitled to a
temperate and candid Hearing, whilst they made their
Defence; so I wished Mr. Jones were more inclined to
observe it, especially since he had such Powers, as he
said he had to make himself feared.
Saturday. Young Houston the Clerk in the Stores, 21s.
who went off for Carolina some Time since (as before
said) with Ewen, meeting with Mr. Horton, who told
him of the Warrant that was against him from Mr.
Jones {vide 14th Instant) Houston told him, that he need
not to give himself that Trouble, for he would instantly
return of his own Accord, and would have done so
sooner, had he known it was expected; but as Mr. Jones
refused to give him Provision whilst with him, he thought
it was Time for him to seek his Bread where he could
find it, and had now got into a good Service: However,
he came voluntarily this Morning; but Mr. Jones now
obliged him to find Surety for his Continuance here some
Time, in the same Manner as Ewen had done, resolving
not to trust them again; though Mr. Horton had wrote
in the young Man's Favour, and he had a certificate of
upwards of 20 /. owing to him from the Stores.
Sunday. Mr. Norris did the Duty of the Day as usual, 26.

234 COLONIAL RECORDS.
made a good Discourse on mutual Love and Benevolence, ^J^.
and administered the Sacrament. Novemb.
Monday. Received a Letter from Mr. John Miller of 27.
Augusta, by a trading Boat that came from those Parts;
signifying, that two of their Inhabitants were lately dead,
leaving four small Children behind them; wherefore he
and Mr. Richard Kent had taken an Inventory of their
Effects (Copy whereof he also sent me) and whereas he
was the greatest Creditor, he desired Letters of Admin
istration might be granted to him, to take Care of the
Effects, and secure some Part of his Debt, &c. wherein
he desired Advice. Mr. Christie having in pursuance of
the Trustees Orders been supplied with two Servants,
from among those imported by Captain Thompson; he
had the additional Favour also from the General to get
out of the same Ship, a whole Family, viz. a Man and
his Wife, and four or five Children, some of which were
capable of Work, whom he took on the same Footing
with others; and being so well provided, I heard that he
had sold and assigned over the two single Men to Mr.
Pat Graham, a Surgeon of this Town and a Planter, for
a certain Sum paid him in ready Money; which I thought
was an artful Contrivance of making a Penny (as he had
many others) but how well it would be approved of, I
doubted. Tuesday. Mr. Bradley returned again to Town from 2s
Carolina, where his Business was best known to himself,
and he appeared well pleased. Having now waited ever
since Thursday last, for sending off the General's Packet,
which I had received from Captain Thompson, and pre
pared my own to send with it the same Day to Charles-
Town, directing it to the Attorney-General's Care to for
ward it to England: But foreseeing no Likelihood of any
certain Occasion that would offer; and not knowing what
ill Consequence might attend such Delays, I thought it
necessary to hire a Boat for that Service, to go off early

COLONIAL RECORDS. 235
to-morrow Morning, with Letters to Commissary Dart ™^,
and the Attorney-General. Novemb.
Wednesday. Sent away the Boat betimes with those 29.
two Packets and Letters. Afterwards I received Letters
from Mr. Kent, Lieutenant at Augusta, by the Arrival of
their large Boat, acquainting me with divers Particulars
there, and that he had sent their Boat in obedience to
the General's Commands signified to him some Time
since. Then, finding a little Leisure, I walked to the
forty-five Acre Lot three Miles off, to inspect what was
needful, and how the few Hands employed themselves
which I had there; which were few indeed; for I had no
less than four at this Time sick and weak in Town, where
I had for a while past been forced to hire a Hut for the
Reception of such Invalids, in the Nature of a Hospital,
which might the better conduce to their Recovery, being
near me, to see that they wanted not what was proper.
Thursday. This being the Festival of St. Andrew, so.
which the Scotch always celebrate in the best Manner
they can; and was annually taken Notice of here, as a
Compliment due to that Nation: Upon my going out
towards Noon, I observed there was no Flag hoisted at
the Guard, nor any Preparations to fire any Guns, as cus
tomary; Mr. Causton now not concerning himself in
such Affairs, the other Magistrates either forgetting or neg
lecting it, and Mr. Jones unacquainted with it; wherefore
upon my telling him what had been usual, he ordered .
some damaged Powder (fit for all such Occasions) to be
delivered for the present Purpose; and I ordered the Flag
to be- displayed: Whereupon the Scotch of best Dis
tinction all assembled at a Tavern, where several others
joined them, who thought it would be kindly taken,
towards Evening; when eleven Guns were fired, several
publick Healths were drank, and all was well; which I
was glad to see, thinking it would produce no Good if

236 COLONIAL RECORDS.
such a Body of People received an Opinion, that they
were thought not worth regarding.

1738.

Novemb. 30.

Friday. William Francis the Messenger, who went Decemb.
by Land to the South on the 17th past, and by whom I
then sent two Packets that came from Charles-Town to
the General, now returned, and brought divers Letters
and Packets with him from the South, with one to me
from the General, requiring me to forward those Packets
for England with all Speed: and by great good Luck, a
Pettyagua was now lying at our Bluff, which had newly
brought a large Parcel of Goods sent from the Trust by
Captain Nicholson, and consigned to the Care of Mes
sieurs Crockatt and Seaman at Charles-Town; which
Goods being delivered, and the Pettyagua ready to re
turn home, I put these Dispatches on Board, after mak
ing them all up in one Parcel, which I delivered to the
Care of  Martin the Patroon, who promised me a
safe Conveyance to the Attorney-General; to whom also
I wrote a Letter with it, &c. conceiving it might be
timely enough, to go in Company with what I had before
sent on the 29th ult. N. B. The Letter I now received
from the General was dated November 22.
Saturday. Mr. Bradley called on me, and took Oc- 2.
casion to express great Uneasiness that he was under, on
Account of the Boat not being yet returned, wherein he
and Mr. Amory went to Carolina; the Case being thus:
 After he had done what he went about, and taken
Leave of Amory, in order to return home again, he
came as far as Pon-Pon in the same Boat, where quitting
her, he chose for some Reason, best known to himself,
to take Horse, and travel by Land to Purysburgh, and
thence to Savannah; which he did, expecting the Boat
which he had left, and which he ordered to make the
best of her Way, would have arrived before him: But
ten Days were now passed since they parted, and no
News of them; so that it was to be feared they

COLONIAL RECORDS. 237
were either lost, or run away; and no Wonder if it ^J^
proved so, the four Hands that were in the Boat being Dec|mb-
loose, idle young Fellows, and hardly fit to be trusted
any where: Nevertheless he owned he had left Letters,
which were from the Lieutenant Governor Bull to the
General, and committed them to their Care, fearing (as
he said) lest they might take Wet and damage with him,
in case he should be obliged to swim his Horse by the
Way: at which he was much concerned; and yet more,
for that he had bought among those Settlements, three
Shotes, two Sows great with Young, two or three Sheep,
with Fowls also and Turkeys, as a Store of Provisions
for himself; all which was likewise to have come with
the Boat. I thought indeed with him, that it would be
a great Disaster if all these Things were lost; but at the
same Time could not but reflect upon some of those sad
Complaints he had frequently made, of the great Want
he was in of every Thing, and of Money to purchase
any Necessaries for Food or Cloathing; when such a
Cargo, if it came safe, was more than any the best Man
in Town I knew could pretend to compare with. Before
he left me, I took the Freedom to ask him how Mr. Jones
and he went on with his Accounts; and the Answer he
gave me was surprising, viz. that he was ready to go
upon them whenever Mr. Jones pleased, but that he had
often asked him, and Mr, Jones still put it off. Upon
my seeing Mr. Jones the latter Part of the Day, I ac
quainted him with it, who appeared to be much dis
pleased at it, and retorted the Blame back from whence
it came. Fearing to be out of my Depth, I stopt here
and said no more.
Sunday. The Duty of the Day was performed by 3.
Mr. Norris, with great Contentment to his Congregation,
who had visited the neighbouring Villages of Hampstead
and Highgate one Day in the Week for the same Pur
pose, and intended to set apart frequent Occasions for
repeating it.

238 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1738.

Monday. This was a Day productive of so many va-
_. T , , , . Decemb
nous Occurrences, that I could not let some of the most 4.
material pass unobserved, though not being under my
immediate Cognizance, I could yet attain no farther Cer
tainty of, than common Fame; but as it was generally
talked and believed, I feared there was too much Truth
in great Part of it. The Occasion of Mr. Bradley's late
Expedition appeared to be principally in Order to get a
Grant for Lands in that Province; wherein it is said he
succeeded so far as to get a Family Grant, which being
numerous in Children and Servants, at fifty Acres per
Head, came to thirteen hundred Acres: And this was
supposed to be the Occasion of his coming back over
Land by the Way of Purysburgh, in which Township his
Grant was said to be. Mr. Amory who went with him
was also said to have obtained a Grant of five hundred
Acres for his Family; but that the Reason of his not re
turning with Mr. Bradley was, because Mr. Johnson, the
late Governor's Son, being a Passenger with him from
England this Time Twelvemonth, and discovering him to
be a Person of some Qualifications desirable, now meet
ing him in Carolina, persuaded him to stay, and be Stew
ard and Supervisor of his Estate in that Country, which
was pretty considerable; for that he himself was purpos
ing to go for England, and would leave it to his Care
and Management, on certain Terms being very advanta
geous. He was at a little Loss at present for Maintenance
of his Family, and hoped he should be favoured with a
few Months Credit out of the Stores, which he would re
pay punctually the Value of in such Species as his Plan
tation afforded, or otherwise: This, unhappily, in the
Circumstances that Matters stood with us at present,
could not be complied with; whereupon he took that
Resolution of seeking for Support where he did: And
where the Arms of those People are always open to re
ceive such as leave this Colony, be the Cause what it will;
for even our runaway Servants too often find it such an
Asylum, as their Masters cannot easily recover them

COLONIAL RECORDS. 239
from. What we heard reported of the Settlement at ™j
Darien, was of still greater Consequence much, if true; Deo4emb'
where, it was said, an universal Defection appeared among
them all on a sudden, and very unexpectedly, as they had
hitherto shewn no Marks of Discontent, living quiet, and
in all Appearance very intent upon cultivating their
Land: But that now they discovered at once, what un
doubtedly they had been smothering some Time past;
and had sent a Deputation from among them, in the
Name of one and all, to wait on the General at St. Si
mon's, and lay their Grievances before him, and obtain a
satisfactory Answer, with a certain Assurance, that they
should have immediate Remedy for their Complaints; or
else they were determined to break up, and seek a Settle
ment elsewhere. What Hardships they were which they
sought Relief for, it is hardly fit in Prudence to name, with
out good Authority; but the same common Report told
us, that the Tenure which they held their Land by was
uppermost; that the Poyerty of the Soil discouraged them
from expecting to raise future Crops from it, as they had
experienced, by having so much less grown this last
Year, than they had Reason to look for, after so much
Labour: That in case of any future Dearth or Want,
they had no Market to go to, nor any Credit to support
them, &c. wherefore to prevent that Evil, they proposed,
that a publick Store should be set up, which they might
resort to, and be supplied with what they wanted; for
which they should be allowed to make Payment in Lum
ber sawn, or in Shingles, Pipe-Staves, and the like (which
if true, would unquestionably put an End to all Planting
at once) with Abundance more, which I rather wave than
give too easy Credit to, knowing it must appear soon,
how much or little Truth there is in what at present is so
much talked of.
Tuesday. The same Subject of Discourse, which Yes- 5.
terday was whispered about, now became the publick and
common Talk of every Body; which nevertheless found

240 COLONIAL RECORDS.
more or less Credit, in Proportion to the good or ill Dis- £f^,
position of such as heard it: For through Prejudice Dee5emb-
among too many, Truth was not always easy to come at:
From what I had observed however for awhile past, it
was sufficiently apparent to me, that under the same Ca
lamity, which bore very hard upon several Families,
hitherto unblameable, uncommon Pains were taken by
some whose Talent lay that Way, to aggravate their
Misfortunes, and possess them with a Belief never to ex
pect to see better Things in Georgia, till they could make
it worth their Pains and Expence to go on in cultivating
Lands, for which End some Expedient ought to be found
(as they alledged) or the Colony would be deserted in a
short Time. The chief Propagators of such Talk were at
this Time (I knew from one of the principal Men among
them, whom I had enquired of upon a Jealousy I had
conceived of it, and he freely owned that they were)
forming a Representation of divers Grievances, which
they resolved to send to the Trustees; wherein among
other Things, they should clearly demonstrate, that no
Person could carry on any Improvement of Land here
upon the Footing we now were, without certain Loss; and
the greater Labour and Cost he was at, the more certain
was his Ruin. I then asked the same Person, whether or
not they would proceed to do that, without first applying
to General Oglethorpe, who was now in the Country; and
was answered, that they intended to acquaint him with it.
From all these Circumstances, I was fully persuaded in
myself to believe, that the whole Affair was concerted
among them, and that if it proved true, that Darien led
up the L^ance, there were not wanting others elsewhere,
who were ready to fall in with them. At the same Time
such Encouragement is given, and even Invitation by our
good Neighbours of Carolina to all who appear uneasy
here, that it is to be feared too many may be tempted
to make Experiment what better Fare they may find in
that Province: Such at present was the dark Appearance
of Affairs among us, whilst the General continued in the
(

COLONIAL RECORDS. 241.
South; but being expected among us again soon, it was nss.
much wished that his Presence might have such Influence, Decemb,
as to reduce People to a better Way of thinking.
Wednesday. Mr. Bradley's Boat, which was suspect- a.
ed to be lost, returned this Morning after the Hands that
were in her had wearied themselves with rambling, em
bezzled some of his Provisions, and one of them thought.
fit to quit the Boat, and stay in Carolina. Mr. Amory
also came to his Family by another Conveyance of a
Pettyagua bound this Way: Upon my enquiring of him
what News, &c. he told me he had got a Warrant to run out
fivehundred Acres (as we had heard)and that hewas about
engaging in another Affair, but whether it was with Mr .
Johnson or not, he did not resolve me. He now again
told, that he liked very well to be where he was in Geor
gia, if he could by any Means have lived in the Colony,.
but Necessity drove him from us. Received a Letter,
by a trading Boat that came down the River, from Mr-
Willy, who is stationed at a small Fort in the Upper
Creek Nation, in the Character of a Lieutenant, with
two or three Men under him to observe the Motions of
the Indians, and to give Intelligence, &c. The Letter
was very long, and filled with many Circumstances; but
the principal Matter to be noted was, that he had Infor
mation a while since of a Design among some of the
neighbouring Towns, to cut off all the white People who
lived among them; but upon his Enquiry into the Grounds
of such Information, he found very little: What he chiefly
learnt was, that the French, who lived at their Backs,
frequently put about such Reports, in order to terrify
our Traders, and drive them off, that so they might take
their Places; but that the Dog King, who is on their
Frontier, bid him be easy; for that they never would
take Part with the French, but would always be true to
us, whom they would die with. As soon as the General
returned to us, which we looked for daily, I would not
neglect to lay the Letter before him.
16 c r— v 4

242 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Thursday. Nothing fell within the Reach of my Ob- was.
servation this Day worth Note, only that Mr. Provost, Decern b.
who was a Freeholder, and kept a Store-house, traded
with New- York, and had been gone thither several
Months ago, now was returned hither loaden; but finding
how Matters stood, he stopt at Cockspur, and was de
termining to go on thence to St. Simon's, as the most
likely Place where he might dispose of his Cargo: for
neither Money nor Credit were now current at Savannah.
Friday. The Boat that I sent with those Dispatches 8.
to Charles-Town the 29th ult. returned this Day, and
.brought me a Letter from Mr. John Dart, Commissary
there, signifying that he had sent a Packet for Colonel
Bull immediately, by a Messenger to him at his House
in the Country: And as for the other Packet, which I
had directed to the Care of the Attorney-General, the
Person whom I sent it by (Francis Brooks, a Freeholder
in Savannah) told me, the Attorney-General being out of
Town also, he had left that Packet with his Servant at
his House, in order to be sent by the next Ship for
England. Thus it was, when I sent my Packet of Sep-
tember 29, which whether it was gone for England yet
or not, I had no Advice of.
Saturday. Walking towards the Water-Side, I ob- 9.
served a pretty many of our principal Scotchmen as
sembled in my Way thither, with Mr. Robert Williams
among them, who upon my drawing near, came out with
Dr. Tailfer, and accosted me with an open, frank Air,
telling me they had just been putting a finishing Stroke
to a Representation, which they were sending to the
Trustees, setting forth the general Grievance of the Col
ony, with relation to the Titles of Land, and the Dis
couragement they laboured under in cultivating Land
with white Servants only, without Negroes; which had
well nigh ruined some Settlers here, and must effect
ually divers more, unless proper Relief were given them;

COLONIAL RECORDS. 243
in Matters of Trade likewise, they had shewn at how 1738.
great Disadvantage they carried any on, in comparison Decemb.
with the other Provinces subject to the Crown of Great
Britain in America, &c. &c. &c. As it was no Secret
(they said) they desired me to go with them to read it,
which I did at Mr. Williams's House, where I found a
young Clerk of his, making a fair Copy of it, in order to
have it signed by such as liked it; after which (but not
till then) they would shew it to the General; and upon
my asking them when it was to be sent for England, Mr.
Williams told me he was going soon thither himself, and
would present it with his own Hand. All I said to it
was, that it appeared to me a very great Enterprize, to
attempt an absolute new Form of Establishment in the
Colony, which I apprehended was not easy to be done;
and as it was an Affair of so great Moment, I did not
suppose any Concurrence of mine was expected in it,
especially as I was a Servant to the Trust, and had for
merly wrote their Sentiments of these Things at their
own Request to the Trustees, from whom I had received
a plain Answer, which I had then shewn them.
Sunday. Mr. Norris went on in doing his Duty as be- 10.
came a good Minister, and the Church was well filled.
Monday. The Representation which was carrying on, n.
with Intent to be laid before the Trustees, was now the
common Talk of the Town; and the surprizing Concur
rence it met with from almost every Body, shewed plainly
the Contents of it were what they had at Heart, though
they had hitherto refrained from making such open Com
plaint: No less than seventy (as I was informed) had al
ready signed it; and that without being asked, only as it
was left open, at the House where it was wrote fair, viz.
Mr. Williams's; all who came voluntarily might sign it,
if they liked it, or let it alone, if they pleased; so that it
ran like Wild-fire, and seemed almost universal: All At
tempts of reasoning upon it were either turned into Ridi-

11.

244 COLONIAL RECORDS.
cule, by those who were most warm; or received by the "ss
most sober in such a Manner as to give a plain Indication, Decemb.
that they were quite weary and out of heart in planting,
at the Rate they had done for Years past; which had
sufficiently demonstrated the Inability they were under,
of supporting themselves and Families by cultivating
Land on the Footing they had gone: So far were they
from thinking the General would be offended at it, who
was expected in Town before the 14th (the Day appointed
for holding a Court of Claims) that some of them offered
to lay a Wager with me, he would approve of it, and
promote it: With such a Spirit was this Affair carried
on, and such Confidence of Success, as perfectly amazed
me: But the Consequence I feared. In the Evening I
took Occasion to go and sit an Hour or two with some,
who were well known to be the first Promoters of this
Work, at a publick House, where there seldom failed to
be a pretty full Meeting most Nights, and the Room be
ing common, the Company was generally mixt, which
made Conversation the less agreeable; wherefore I seldom
frequented it, only sometimes a little out of Curiosity:
And now I found them pretty much elated (as I expected)
at the Readiness of so many to join with them in what
they were doing: They were since the Morning advanced
from the Number they then said they were to near
ninety; and the People at Highgate had all signed it as
soon as it was brought to them, and read in their Lan
guage. They were of various Opinions (I found) in what
Manner to lay it before the General when he came,.
whether it would best be done by the whole collected
Number, or by two or three deputed by the rest; and
whether it would be proper to present it to him at his
House, or rather in open Court, when he sat there: This
Point I did not stay long enough to see determined
among them, but took my Leave, and returned home;
where I could not avoid amusing on another Occurrence,
which I had not Penetration enough to discover the
Meaning of, viz. Mess. Brownfield and Habersham walk-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 245
ang over to visit Mr. Causton at Ockstead on Saturday itss.
last, continued there all that Day, Sunday, and till this Decemb.
Evening, when they returned, as Mr. Causton also did:
So long Time spent together seemed to import some
what more than a bare Visit; and the rather, because there
had been a long continued Variance betwixt them; and
such a Conjunction now at this Season, when Matters of
the greatest Importance were in Agitation, gave Room
to imagine that they did not sit all the while idle, with
out consulting each other thereupon; the Result of which
might possibly come to Light hereafter.
Tuesday. Nothing to be taken Notice of Abroad but 12.
a general Buzzing at the Corners of the Streets about
what they had been doing; and forming such Events from
it in their own Imaginations, as they conceived would
follow. As I had no Share in their Councils, I chose to
retire, and leave them to themselves, whilst I minded my
own Business, waiting with some Impatience now for the
General's Arrival.
Wednesday. This Day arrived off Tybee, and soon 13-
after came and anchored at Cockspur, a Ship from St.
Simon's, of about two hundred Tuns Burden, Captain
Steward, which was one of the Transports that came
with General Oglethorpe, &c. and being now freighted
by Mr. Williams, was come hither in order to take a
Loading of Lumber, to go to the Leeward Islands with
it; which Mr. Williams had been some Time preparing,
partly with his own Servants, and partly some that he
got from others, who had made a little Attempt that
Way, in splitting out Pipe and Hogshead-Staves; but I
heard they complained of his beating down the Price,
and undervaluing their Labour; and he on the other Side
complained, that what he got here cost him above twenty
per Cent, more than the same Goods could be procured
for on the other Side of the Water; and from thence
went on the common Topick of the great Difference

246 COLONIAL RECORDS.
there was, in Point of Labour, betwixt the two Provinces; "38^
whereby our Neighbours must always have the Ad- Decemb.
vantage of us: How far that might prove true by Expe
rience, I thought a little more Time would fully unfold;
but at present I could not be altogether so credulous as
to believe Mr. Williams, who had been wholly bred to
Trade, would carry it on to so great Disadvantage: And
it may not be from this Occasion, improper to recur to
what the Trustees were pleased to observe to me in their
Letter of the 4th of August, concerning Timber con
verted to such Uses, and Mr. Williams's then getting
some from Carolina to compleat the Loading of two
Ships, which he could not wait longer for in Georgia:
Wherein it is proper to take Notice, that at that Time
there was a sufficient Cause for him to get it where he
could; but since, though some few, whose Land lies most
commodiously for that Purpose, have turned their
Thoughts to provide some Store of that Commodity, yet
the crafty Buyer takes the Advantage of the above Ar
gument (how much cheaper he can be served elsewhere)
to depreciate what he takes here. To-morrow being the
Day appoined to hold the Court of Claims, by the Gen
eral's Order, he was earnestly expected this Evening,
but in vain. Thomas Young the Wheelwright, acquainted
me, that his Boy Oakes (whom by the Trustees Order I
had examined lately) notwithstanding his acquitting his
Master of any ill Usage, was run away from him again;
but did not leave him till his Master had first equipt him
with a new Coat for Sundays.
Thursday. By a Letter that Mr. Jones received from 14.
the General, we were informed, that his Affairs where he
was would not allow his coming to us, at the Time ap
pointed; Wherefore he ordered the Court of Claims to
be put off farther to the 27th Instant; but that he hoped
to see us soon. Indeed his Presence among us was much
wished for now, as well on account of this Representa
tion so warmly carried on, as because our Stores were

COLONIAL RECORDS. 247
near exhausted, by Means of divers very large Quantities i^ss^
that had been drawn out, by several Creditors, who had Dacemb.
it in their Option to take Provisions instead of Money,
if they liked so to do; wherein they acted variously, as
they were well or ill affected, or as their Necessities
obliged them to support their own Credit: And there
being yet no Appearance how the Stores would be re
cruited, gave a melancholy Prospect of what might hap
pen. Mr. Horton, who went among the Settlements in
Carolina some Time since, to provide Stores of Provis
ions for the Troops, by the General's Order, came to
Town to Day from Port-Royal to dispatch some little
Affairs here, intending to return soon to the same Place,
and finish what he had not fully perfected. Mr. Provost,
who attempted to sail with his Sloop to St. Simon's some
Days since, but was confined from getting out by thick
Fogs, now was preparing to attempt it again; by whom I
and several others had the Opportunity of writing Let
ters to the South.
Friday. Captain Davis came up to Town with his 15.
Sloop, last from St. Augustin: He was an old Trader
thither of many Years, with such Cargoes from Carolina
or elsewhere, as he knew was most vendible there; and
is said to be grown wealthy: In his Way to and fro he
was wont commonly to stop at this Port; but to what
Benefit either to himself or others, I had not Discern
ment enough to find out: He had very little aboard him
now of much Use to these Parts, only Sugar, of which
too he had not much, though more than he was likely to
get Money for among us: He told me he came purposely
to wait on the General, and was resolved to stay till he
came: As he was known to be a shrewd, cunning Fellow,
I readily imagined his Affair with the General was Mat
ter of Intelligence, which he had to impart; wherein if
he was honest, much Good might come of it; but as the
General well knew him, so without Doubt he did how
far to confide in him. What I had to remark, was a Re-

248 COLONIAL RECORDS.
lation he made, that no less than nineteen Negro Slaves ^J3^
which he had in Carolina, run away from him lately all Decemb.
at once, under that strong Temptation of the Spaniards
making all free that fled to them from the English,
which he said he found verified; for he saw all his said
Negroes now at St. Augustin, who laughed at him; and
on his applying to the Governor, he told him, that it
was the King of Spain's Orders.  If the Negroes in
Carolina can make their Escape to the Spaniards, not
withstanding the great Obstructions they are to meet
with from this Province lying in their Way; Quaere, If
the Use of such were permitted to this Colony, what
could be expected, but they would march off when they
pleased? Saturday. A very heavy Rain all Day, confined all is.
at home. Thomas Young's Boy the Wheelwright, who
lately run away from his Master, together with another
who was a Servant to the Widow Brownjohn, were both
taken at Fort Argyle, and brought home; upon which
the Magistrates committed them to the Log-House, to
remain there till Monday, when some farther Course
should be taken with them.
Sunday. The publick Service was observed with 17.
proper Decency, and a very instructive Lesson given by
our Minister upon Faith and Repentance.
Monday. This Morning Captain Steward brought his 18
Ship up to the Town, in order to take in his Loading of
Lumber from Mr. Williams and Company: Upon letting
go his Anchor he saluted the Fort with three Guns, and
had his Compliment returned the same. Thomas Rob
erts, who was sent over as a Servant by Mr. Verelst, rec
ommended by Mr. Smith, and delivered to me by Ser
geant McKenzie upon his Arrival, being a very idle Boy,
and exceedingly addicted to lying; upon my Son's tell
ing him the latter End of the Week, that he should

COLONIAL RECORDS. 249
reckon with him on Monday; the Boy went out of the v&
Way Yesterday in the Evening, and could not be found Decemb.
yet, though upon describing him, we learnt, that such an
one had been seen in the Out-Parts of the Town; and
from his being so young, and unacquainted with the Coun
try or People, it could hardly be imagined he could sub
sist, or lie concealed long, due Enquiry being made after
him. Tuesday. The Weather, which had been warm to an 19.
uncommon Degree for a while past, changing on a sud
den, first to a cold northerly Rain, and thence to a smart
Frost, several People unaware were caught with Colds,
&c. among whom I had a Taste, sufficient to shut me up
all this Day at home, where nothing came to my Ears
worth Notice. In the Evening Mr. Horton returned
from Carolina, having done what he had to do; he called
and sat an Hour with me, telling me what Haste he was
obliged to make; for that he supposed there was aCourt-
Martial to be held this Week, to determine some Differ
ences and Disputes among divers of the Officers; and a
Scout-Boat was sent hither from the South to attend him
with the better Dispatch, in which he purposed to,
go early in the Morning; which was such an Oppor
tunity as I could have wished, for my writing to the
General; as I did. No News yet of my young Run
away. Wednesday. Little to be gathered from what was to 20.
be seen or heard Abroad: Our Politicians all quiet, as if
brooding over their Representation yet in Embryo, to be
brought forth at the Time appointed. Mess. Causton
and Brownfield, so closely united of late, to the Admi
ration of most People, went to Ockstead together to re
tire from Business in Town, that they might employ their
Thoughts with the more Freedom about such Matters
as they judged worth their Deliberation. Upon getting
no Intelligence yet of my Boy, I conceived that none

250 COLONIAL RECORDS.
would be better qualified to hunt him out, than some of rm^
his Equals in Age; whereupon I applied myself to the Decemb.
School-Master, to send out a small Party in Quest of
him; who in a few Hours found the Place where he
lurked, and brought him home.
Thursday. Another very heavy Rain of all the last 21.
Night, and this whole Day's continuance; which what
ever Impediment it might occasion to other Affairs, was
no Hinderance to our Celebration of the General's Birth-
Day, as had been always accustomed hitherto, and in the
very same Manner we did last Year, under a Discharge
of Cannon; but in the Evening we were not in the same
Capacity to follow that Pattern, for Reasons too appar
ent: Wherefore it was proposed and agreed to, by some
of the principal Inhabitants, among whom were the
Magistrates and Constables, to get some Supper bespoke
at a publick House, where all that would come should
pay their Club, and Mr. Jones (to make it the easier to
them) was to send a little Wine, &c. Accordingly the
Company met, to the Number of fifteen, or more, and
were chearful awhile, behaving with good Temper and
Decency; till at length they made the Representation the
Topick of their Discourse, which brought on Argument
of various Kinds; and some Warmth beginning to shew
itself, which was not very agreeable, I and a few others
withdrew and left them.
Friday. In Conference with Mr. Jones, I was sur- 22,
prised at his telling me, that after so much Time spent
about making up Mr. Causton's Accounts, there was so
little Progress made in it, that he could hardly say it was
begun; so many Intricacies appeared more and more
every Day, such Inconsistencies, many Things wrongly
charged, abundance omitted which ought to have been
brought to Account, and several Day-Books said to be
lost (which he could not believe but were concealed) that
at the Rate they went on, he defied any Man living to

COLONIAL RECORDS. 251
adjust it; and for his Part, he was quite tired looking n3s.
into such Confusion, which he was confident was by Art Decemb.
and Cunning made inextricable; insomuch that he was
positive the Balances formerly made, were framed at
Will, and sent to the Trustees so; for unless he (Mr.
Causton) kept Copies of them distinctly, it was impossi
ble for him to make out the same from the Books now
before him. I was sorry to hear it, but could have noth
ing to say in an Affair beyond my Capacity.
Saturday. Two Sloops which lately came from New- 23.
York laden with Provisions,  Tingley and  Tucker
Masters, for the Behoof of Mess. Minis and Provost,
both Freeholders here; finding no Prospect, upon their
stopping at Tybee, to dispose of their Cargoes, sailed
thence for St. Simon's; and now on their Return empty,
made a short Stop again, but brought no Letters; and
what they reported was, that all the Discourse in the
South was concerning some Disagreement among the
Officers of the Troops there, and that a Court-Martial
was to be held soon, to determine those Disputes: This
we had heard of before; and there was too much Reason
to believe, that what with the Disorder of the civil CEcon-
omy in those Parts, and the Disputes of the Military,
the General had more Trouble than enough; and what
was yet worse, I could not imagine but when he came
here, the Representation which was formed, and signed
by a hundred and ten Hands, would give him great Dis
pleasure.

Sunday, ] These two Days were
Monday. Christmas Day. J observed with due Rev
erence, and Mr. Norris administered the Sacrament ac
cording to the Usage of the Church.
Tuesday. This was kept as a Holiday (or rather as
an idle Day) according to the Custom of our Mother
Country; but with us it was a Festival without any Feast
ing.

24,
25.

26.

:252 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Wednesday. The Court of Claims, which the General ^rm
had sent Orders to publish was to be held this Day, now Decemb.
was dropt till we farther knew his Pleasure; and our Ex
pectations sadly baulked when to see him again. Whilst
we kept a poor Christmas at Savannah, it was said there
were other Doings at Ockstead, where several resorted
-either by Invitation, or as Volunteers, such as were in
most Esteem there: Among whom, Mr. Jones told me,
his Man Vernon, with his Wife and two Daughters, whom
he brought out of England, and had great Confidence in,
made Part of the Company, and were treated in a very
distinguishing Manner; which he (Mr. Jones) took such
Offence at, that he had just then dismissed them his
Service, and sent them out of the Colony, being persuaded
in himself, that such an extraordinary ^Reception would
not have been given him at Ockstead without some
Reason; and Vernon having been entrusted with the Cus
tody of the Office, where Mr. Causton's Accounts were
inspecting, with special Orders to keep a strict and watch
ful Eye that no Books or Papers were carried off and
¦secreted; he could not but suspect now, that he was
wrought on to connive at what he ought not, and that he
was no more to be trusted.
Thursday. Mr. Phelps, a Scotch Merchant (alias 28.
Chapman) who at Times has been used to bring sundry
Goods of divers Sortments from England, adapted the
Manner of this Country; wherein he had hitherto suc
ceeded so well as to be encouraged to come again on the
same Business; but now finding the Face of Affairs dif
ferent from what he expected here, he had been South to
try what Market he could make there; this Day he re
turned thence, by whom we hoped for some Advice; but
he brought no Letters, nor any Intelligence, only that
from what he heard whilst there, he believed we must
not expect the General with us, under a Fortnight or
three Weeks yet to come. In the Afternoon arrived
Captain Ellis from Philadelphia, laden with the usual

COLONIAL RECORDS. 253.
Kinds of Provision, wherein he had traded with this nss.
Colony for several Years past: But knowing our now Decemb,
poor Estate, he left his Sloop at Tybee, and came up
only to get his Accounts settled between Mess. Causton
and Jones, intending to proceed with his Cargo to St.
Simon's. He stopt by the Way at Charles-Town, where
the Attorney-General put into his Hands a Packet for me
from the Trustees, which came to him the Day before by
Captain White from England; wherewith he also wrote
me a Letter, both which Captain Ellis gave me, and I
found only a short Letter for myself from Mr. Verelst,
acquainting me that the last Letter which the Trustees
received from me was so long since dated as the 27th of
May last, &c. which I was much concerned at.
Friday. After often talking with Duche the Potter, 2»..
about the great Improvements which he had proposed in
the Manufacture; which he had hitherto carried on in a
plain Way with good Success; and therefore I had form
erly wrote in his Commendation: I was the more urgent
with him now, that he would let me know what farther I
might write, that could be depended on, especially as I
had received Lord Egmont's Commands to put him upon
the Trial of making some earthen Vessels of a fine Kind,.
agreeable to the model and Pattern which his Lordship
had sent; whereat I found him boggle very much; and
seeing me very importunate thereon, he brought me a
Paper of his own Writing, setting forth many Things re
quisite to enable him to carry on such a Piece of Work;,
and another Advancement of Money at the Bottom of it;
at the same Time very scrupulous of sending any of the
Clay to the Trust, with which he was to work it; alledg
ing, that it was a peculiar Nostrum of his own, which he
rather would hope for a Patent to appropriate to himself,
than divulge; I thought it was fit for me to stop, and not
take upon me to say more than I could warrant; but
rather lay his own Proposals before the Trustees, who-

254 COLONIAL RECORDS.
best knew what was fit to do in it; and thejGeneral being 1738.
also here, he might have proper Recourse to him. Decemb.
Saturday. Upon opening the Packet that I received 30.
the other Day, and taking thence such Letters then as I
found intended for this Town, and the Northern Parts;
I then closed it again, after separating those that were
for the General, which I put under a distinct Cover, to
gether with one of my own which I wrote him this
Morning; and directed both Packets to him at St. Si
mon's, delivering them to the Care of Captain Ellis, who
purposed to proceed thither immediately. About an
Hour after, I received another small Packet, that was
directed to me and left at a publick House in our Town;
wherein I found one Letter for the General, from Colonel
Bull, which I had Opportunity to put under Cover in
stantly, and give to Captain Ellis, as I had done with
the others; a strong easterly Wind that sprung up oblig
ing him to defer going off till to-morrow. In the same
Packet was a Letter to me from the Attorney-General,
acquainting me, that he had received the Packets I had
sent him, which he should have Opportunity to forward
to the Trustees in a few Days by a Ship near upon sail
ing; as Colonel Bull also wrote me of the Care he had
taken of a Packet that I had sent him from the General
the 28th of November.  N. B. the Cause of my being
so particular in this Matter was, that those Letters were
dated December 4, had been left at Port- Royal, where
they had lain, and now came by one Mr. Wig, a Justice
of Peace in that Neighbourhood, who shewed what
Regard he had to them, by leaving them at a publick
House; when the Trustees Servant, to whom they were
directed might so easily have been sent for, if it were tq'o
much Condescension to call at his Door: But such Con
tempt of every Thing in Georgia was become common
now with our Neighbours, and all Correspondence very
little regarded by too many of them.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 255

1738.

Sunday. Mr. Norris went on doing the Duty of a
good Minister. Upon his complaining to me Yesterday, Decemb.
that a scandalous Woman of the Town had wickedly in
vented and endeavoured to spread a vile Story of him, tend
ing to lessen his Character in the most sacred Part of it,
as if he was lascivious, and addicted to Women; I ad
vised him to have Recourse to the Magistrates; where I
was present at her Examination; and it was proved fully
by two Witnesses, that she had published a most abom
inable Scandal, suggesting that Mr. Norris had too much
Familiarity with a Maid-Servant, whom he had borrowed
of a Neighbour to clean his House; which she industri
ously reported in several Places, without the least Shew
of any Foundation for, but purely did it to stir up more
Mischief, as she saw there were not wanting a Few who
would be ready to imbibe any Thing in Prejudice of Mr.
Norris, though he lived ever so unblamably. Upon
plain Conviction of the Offence, the Magistrates ordered
her to be whipped publickly (a Correction she had more
than once tasted before for other Crimes) but Mr. Norris
rather chose to accept of such Satisfaction as she could
make, by confessing her Fault, and asking God Forgive
ness, before the Congregation; which she did this Day.

Monday, | Began the Year with preparing Papers, "39.
Tuesday. ) and writing Letters to the Trustees and January

my Friends in England; wherein I was mostly busied
these two Days; but when I should get an Opportunity
of sending my Packet to Charles-Town, I yet saw no
Prospect. Wednesday. An unhappy Accident happened by a
Sailor's falling over-board from Captain Steward's Ship,
as they were loading her with Lumber; who was carried by
the Stream under a Raft of Timber which lay along Side
of the Ship, that prevented his rising again, whereby he
was drowned. Mr. Causton, who had long since quitted
his former House in Town, and kept his Family wholly at

256 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Ockstead, now thought fit to rent another here, which was 1739.
fitting up to receive them again as he saw Occasion; January
which, considering the late Resort of divers People to
him, gave Rise to various Conjectures, as if he was grow
ing popular, and put himself in the Way of caballing;
which some People thought would have been more Wis
dom in him at this Time to have avoided.
Thursday. What was most remarkable among us at 4.
present was the Weather; such a severe Frost happening
two Nights following, as no one here living ever saw the like:
Standing Water in several Places covered with Ice near
two Inches thick, Chamber-Pots frozen under the Bed,
and Ink in the Standish, where a Fire had been all Day;
which gave us Apprehension that all tender Vegetables
would suffer Damage. Nothing else passed more than
common. Friday. Much Talk about Town of an anonymous 5>
Letter said to be found in the Street, supposed to be
dropped with Design, and directed to the General; full
of such Politicks as were now in Fashion among us: But
I could not readily find a Way to come at a Sight of it,
nor to know in whose Hands it was got. Scarcity of Pro
visions growing more and more every Day among the
People, it began to be strongly suspected from divers
Circumstances, that some were about laying in a Store
for themselves, by killing Cattle in the Woods; and
whereas it had been observed, that some of our Ger-
imans, living in Huts in the Out-Parts of the Town, fre
quently had been seen at unseasonable Times in the
Night sitting around the Fire far out in the Woods, with
Guns lying by them; for which no good Reason could
be given (for it was not a Time to look for Game, whether
Venison or Fowls;) I talked with the Magistrates there
upon, and recommended it to them, that some Order
should be made in Court, which was to sit in a few Days,
to prevent such Mischief as might happen through

COLONIAL RECORDS. 257
Servants and idle People having too free a use of Guns. "39.
Weather grown more temperate. January
Saturday. Having a strong Inclination to get a Sight «.
of this anonymous Letter (if possible) which was so much
talked of ; I thought the likeliest Place to come at any
Knowledge about it, would be among our Gentry at the
Nightly Club; to which therefore my Curiosity led me ;
and as I was apprehensive, that from my seldom coming
among them, they might have a Jealousy that I had some
private View in hand; I told them I came to make an
End of Christmas this Twelve-Tide; when I found some di
verting themselves with Cards, and some at Backgammon.
I had not sat long, before I was made sensible, that one
who had the Custody of the Letter, was as ready to
shew it me, as I was to see it: Wherefore calling me aside
into another Room in Privacy, he pulled it out of his
Pocket, told me what he had got, and asked me to hear
him read it; which he did: It was very long, and filled
two or three Sheets of Paper in a loose Hand: The Stile
was copious and flowing, attempting a sort of Panegyrick
on the General, for the many great Things he had done,
and the indefatigable Pains he had taken in establish
ing this Colony: This took up the first Part of it. From
thence he proceeded to set forth, that as it was scarcely
to be expected within the Reach of human Wisdom, any
great Work of such a Kind could be formed perfect at
first, but it was Experience only that must be the Test,
whether or not any Amendment was wanting; he there
fore asserted, that no Founders of Colonies in old Times
were ever ashamed to rectify what they found themselves
mistaken in: And since it was very evident now, that the
Plan in which the Colony was formed, was defective in
many Instances (whereupon he expatiated very much) it
would redound to the General's Honour, that he himself
should be the first that attempted to make it better:
After much Haranguing on that Part, and a great deal
of Tautology in setting forth the Miserable Disappoint-
17 c r— vol 4

258 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ment of the Landholders here; he concludes with telling • "39.
him, that forasmuch as there were too many Examples of January
Men, who by cultivating Land on the present Terms, had
so expended what little Substance they had, that they
were equally incapable of either going or staying; it
would be no more than Justice due to them, in case there
was no Relief here to be found, that the Trustees should
be at the Expence of sending them to Britain and set-
ti ng them down at the Place from whence they came.
These, as far as I can remember, were the principal Parts
of it; and it was very easy from many Circumstances to
discover, that he who read it was the Author (viz. Mr.
H ugh Anderson.) Upon my asking him, in what Man-
n er it was meant that it should come to the General's
Hands, he readily told me, he believed it would easily be
co ntrived to fall in Mr. Jones's Way, and to be sure he
would see it safe delivered. After spending the Even
ing there, I took my Leave, and returned home.
Sunday. The Service of the Church was regularly 7.
p erformed by Mr. Norris, with good instructive Dis
course after it in practical Divinity. The great Resort of
P eople this Day to Ockstead, was so very remarkable,
th at it was the common Talk of the Town, eight or nine
di ning there, who hitherto were Strangers to that Place,
a nd till very lately in avowed Enmity with Mr. Causton;
particularly among others Mess. Robert and James Wil
liams, Dr. Tailfer, and such as had lately appeared most
active in complaining of Grievances. This was judged
ill Policy by most People, as Matters stood.
Monday. The Court sat again, according to the s.
stated Time in course. The Grand Jury when sworn,
began to shew a Disposition of nibbling at their
o Id Pretensions to administer Oaths, and to examine
t hereon, to such Purposes as they thought fit; but upon
a ppealing to what Opinion the Trustees were of, in their
L etter to me by their Secretary Mr. Martyn; and my

COLONIAL RECORDS. 259
shewing it to them (as I had formerly done) they acqui- w®j
esced, and coolly proceeded to the proper Business before January
them; when they found two Bills of Indictment for Fel
ony, against two Persons in Prison at that Time, for being
charged with those Crimes: But as to the Bill against the
two Soldiers, which were sent thither in Custody by
Order from the General; one for offering his Wife for
Sale, and the other for offering to buy her; they said
they did not think the Evidence that was laid before them,
was sufficient to ground an Indictment upon, tho' for a
Misdemeanor only; wherefore they returned it Igno
ramus. Tuesday. The Court proceeded to try the two Felons: 9.
The first was a Sailor, for stealing out of a Chest on board
the Vessel he belonged to, a hundred Ounces of Spanish
Silver; The Fact was fully proved, and good Part of the
Silver found upon him; which being regained, the Jury
were so merciful as to find him guilty to the Value of ten
Pence: The other was a Servant brought out from Scot
land last Year by one Mr. Brodie, at present in a very
weak, sickly State in Town, at a House where poor, help
less People Were commonly sent to be taken Care of, and
a Woman appointed to live there, to be helpful; this
Woman had (to the Admiration of every Body when
known) saved no less than seventeen Guineas, from the
Time of her first coming into the Colony; which she kept
by her, sewed up in a Waistcoat, made to be worn in the
Form of Stays, as the Usage of the common People is in
the Country from whence she came, she being a For
eigner; and she had two Daughters, one of which was
lately married. Upon the Trial it appeared, that the two
Sisters had each of them an Eye for a while Past, on what
their Mother had got; and upon the old Woman's now
missing her Stays and Money, which she had unwarily
left out of her Chest, and was taken away; they appre
hended this poor Fellow, who was charged with it upon
Suspicion, because he was observed to rise in the Night

260 COLONIAL RECORDS.
and go out: To which he pleaded, that it was Necessity "39.
forced him as he was under a Flux: It was proved at the January
same Time, that the Son-in-Law and his new Wife went
directly, when they made Search, to the very Place where
the Waistcoat was buried, which was within a newly en
closed Lot, about a hundred Yards from where they
lived, and Half a Foot under Ground; whereupon being
asked what could induce them to go so readily and search
for it there; they said, they had seen the Fellow come
from thence not many Hours before: But on the other
Side it was observed, that it was not probable any one
should go to the Spot where it was, and open it, but such
as knew where to find it. Upon the Whole, the Jury
were of Opinion there was some Juggle in it, and the
Prisoner was at best but a poor, half-witted Fellow;
wherefore they acquitted him.
Wednesday. Bailiff Parker being much indisposed, 10.
and Bailiff Guilbert distrusting his own Ability, which
made him unwilling to set alone on the Bench only for
shew, whilst the Recorder at the Table must take all on
himself; it was thought best to adjourn the Court till to
morrow. Mr. Jones (in Conference with him) acquainted
me, that he now began to think he should very soon
make such Discoveries of Fraud in Mr. Causton's Ac
counts, as would sufficiently convict him of great Guilt,
though he believed it impossible to trace him to the Bot
tom of so long and intricate a Work as was before him.
Thursday. The Court was farther adjourned to Mon- n.
day next, for the same Reason as before. After so many
Days waiting for an Opportunity of sending away my
Letters of the 2d Instant to the Trust, at last I met with
one by Chance, which was by one Mr. Campbell, a
Keeper of Stores at New-Windsor, who stopped here
with his Boat in his Way to Charles-Town; and finding
that he had the Character of a careful, honest Man, I
committed my Packet to his Care, to be delivered to the

COLONIAL RECORDS. 261
Attorney-General, together with a Letter to him from ^is^
me, requesting him to send it by the first Ship. Mr. January
Jones now in close Pursuit of what he told me Yester
day, gave me broad Hints, that he believed in another
Day or two, he should come to the full Knowledge of
some few of Mr. Causton's Practices enough to astonish
me. Friday. Thomas Roberts (the Boy lately sent me) 12.
proved so egregious a Rogue, that now I despaired of
ever seeing an}' good of him; running away and skulking
about in Holes, was his frequent Practice, without any
Provocation: The Work required of him was easy, and
he wanted no Food or Cloathing: But he was naturally
so wicked, lying and thieving, that no Correction would
mend; so that I was not safe in my House, for he was an
accomplished Thief, and confessed he had been in the
Hands of publick Justice in London: Wherefore being
quite tired with his Villany, I desired the Magistrates,
upon my Complaint, to send him to the Log-house, and
confine him there a little while, till it might be consid
ered, what farther Measures to take; which was done.
Mr. Jones in the Evening gave me to understand, that
what he meant Yesterday about Mr. Causton's late
Practices, was become so incontestable that he should
make no Secret of it; and it was no less than fraudulent
Certificates signed, and sent by him to the Trustees for
Payment, when the Things to be paid for, were never
sent to the publick Stores, but bought for his own Use;
and this in large Sums with divers People; which indeed
very much surprised me, as he said it would; but it added
to my Wishes that all such Villany might be detected.
Whilst we were conversing on these Things, Mr. Bradley
came to us, complaining of his Want of Provisions for
his Men, and demanding a Supply; to which Mr. Jones
answered, that the General, when he went hence, left no
Orders with him about it, nor was his Name in the Estab
lishment he had given him; wherefore he could do noth-

262 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ing in it without Mr. Parker or I would authorize him so ras^
to do (as we had once or twice recommended it to him, January
apprehending it to be a Case of Necessity, and suppos
ing it might be an Oversight of the General's;) wherefore
I said to Mr. Jones, that I was of Opinion he might let
him have some sparingly, from Week to Week only, till
the General's Pleasure was farther known. Mr. Jones
then replied, that Beef was in no wise to be had, for that
I well knew there was not left in Store sufficient to an
swer the Appointments more than a Fortnight: Whereat
Mr. Bradley used some warm Expressions; and among
others asked him, whether or no the Trustees had sent him
here to starve the Colony? Which Mr. Jones highly re
sented; and one Word begetting another, foul Language
ensued, so far as to give the Lie, and call Knave, &c.
till from Words they were coming to Blows; but I took
Care to prevent that; and at length Mr. Bradley with
drew, which put an End to it for the present. The Sailor,
who was found guilty, received due Correction at the
Whipping-Post. Saturday. Spent great Part of the Day out of Town, 13.
to see what those few Hands were doing, who were left,
and able to do any Work on the Plantation; and return'd
not a little chagrin'd, to find how poorly we went on,
and how far short we fell this Year of what we had done
last. At my Return home, to my farther Comfort, I
met with the News of another Boy being run away,
soon after my going out in the Morning, whom I had been
endeavoring for a Year past to make useful, and hoped
he might prove so at last: But as I well knew he also
had his Tutoring among Thieves, I now found that I
could promise myself nothing from such that was good;
especially since I had shown frequent Marks of Favour
to this Youth, whom no Gratitude could bind. He went
off with a suitable Comrade of his own Age, who be
longed to a Neighbour; and knowing that they were une
qual to such an Undertaking, without Victualling, and

COLONIAL RECORDS. 263
utter Strangers to the Woods, and Manner of finding ra^
their Way thro' them; I made no Doubt but Necessity January
would drive them Home again, if they did not perish
with Cold and Want in the Interim. Mr. Jones conceived
a fresh Suspicion of Mr. Causton's Intention to fly the
Colony. Sunday. The proper Business of the Day duly ob- u.
served at Church, &c. Opportunity offering by a Boat
going to the South, Mr. Jones wrote a long Letter to the
General of all Circumstances relating to Mr. Causton;
which being immediately under his Enquiry, I thought it
not proper for me to intermeddle in: Wherefore having
nothing material to write, I gave a Letter to Mr. Jones to
put under his Cover, which came to my Hands for the
General a few Days before.
Monday. The Court sat again, dispatched some Cause is.
of little Moment, and adjourned till to-morrow. Heavy
Rain all Day allowed of no stirring Abroad; nor did any
Thing memorable come to my Knowledge.

Tuesday. The two runaway Boys, who run off on
Saturday, finding themselves miserably mistaken in what
they attempted (which I believe would be their Case)
were glad at last to find their Way back to a Hut of
mine about three Miles out of Town; from whence they
were conducted home last Night; and this Morning I
caused them both to be put in Mind of their Duty with
a little sharp Correction; which possibly being done in
private, may have better Efficacy than to be whipped
openly; from whence Offenders have often been observed
to grow more hardened. The Court continued to sit
and try some Causes, thereby in some Measure to stop
the Clamour of the People: But what could any Way be
avoided from being brought to Trial, which good Rea
son could be given for, it would certainly be most pru
dential to defer: And above all, it behooved them to be

i«.

264 COLONIAL RECORDS.
very tender in giving out Executions, except against ^1739^
such as wilfully with-held Payment of a just Debt, and January
were of Ability; otherwise if the Rigour of the Law was
not a little checked, during this Distress, which so many
laboured under, probably the Goal would need great En
largement for the Reception of Prisoners.
Wednesday. Captain Steward's Ship being now so far "•
loaden as to draw near twelve Foot Water, he fell down
the River this Day for Tybee, in order to take in
the rest of the Lumber there, which was to follow him
thither in Rafts. The Court continued yet to sit, rather
to amuse, than determine any Matters of much Conse
quence: I commonly attended there; and where it was
possible to persuade the Parties to a Reference, it was
done. Thursday. The Ship which weighed Yesterday, dropt is.
Anchor again a little below the Town; and the Wrind
coming now easterly, she lay there all this Day. The
Court sat a few Hours in the Morning only, and then ad
journed to Wednesday next Week, thereby to give Time
to all that were disposed to drop Law Process, and come
to an Accommodation with their Neighbours. Observing
of late that there appeared a profound Calm and Quiet
more than for a while past had been among us, my Cu
riosity again led me to visit our nightly Club in the
Evening,andtoseeif I could discover whatmight occasion
such a Change of Temper among them: And I soon per
ceived that they were much crest-fallen, and not a little
chagrined at the Disappointment they had met with from
their Friends at Darien, and in the South; to whom (it
seems) they had sent their late Representation, expect
ing an universal Concurrence from them: But it so fell
out, that Capt. Wood, to whose Care they told me they
had committed it, depending on his Readiness to pro
mote it, had a different Way of thinking from them; and
upon opening it, when he found what it was, folded it up

COLONIAL RECORDS. 265
in the same cover wherein it came; and without sealing J£39^
it again, gave it to Mr. Minis, a Jew Freeholder of this January
Town, to carry it back, who had never signed it, and
happening to be there on Business of his own, was then
returning. This was thought by some of our high-
spirited Gentry a very great Indignity offered, and such
as by their Words they showed great Resentment at.
What farther (I saw) vexed them, was, that they had re
ceived Information, the People in those Parts were not
altogether so warm as they expected, and had been re
ported; for tho' there were some among them that
showed they were not very easy; yet most of them drew
back in Time, thinking it the wisest Way not to quar
rel with the Bread and Butter they got, though per
haps not spread to their Liking: So that our Madcaps
(I fancied) began to think themselves bit, and outwitted;
under which Perplexity of Thought, I left them at pres
ent, and went home.
Friday. It was remarkable that Mr. Causton, who 19.
lately with his Wife and Family in Town, appeared much
intent upon spending more Part of his Time among us,
than for a while past, and was fitting up a House for that
Purpose, now seemed to have taken another Turn of
Thought, and absented himself (as it was looked on)
more than ever; leaving the Clerks who were employed,
to carry on the Work of his Accounts as they pleased;
whom he visited but one Day for a Week past, whilst
he lived at Ockstead, and received such Visitors as came
thither to him. All hush'd and quiet about Town, as if
nothing amiss had happened: But I doubted ere long we
should hear of some farther Practice among our wise
Schemists. Saturday. The chief of my Employment, was at my 2o.
Plantation; which, from being once a Delight, was now
become a melancholy Employment; and grieved me to
see what poor Work we made of it, with such weak and

266 COLONIAL RECORDS.
wretched Hands, that gave me little Prospect of what 1739.
might be expected from them, to maintain themselves. January
These Dispensations of Providence, however, are not to
be repined at, when I see other Servants lusty and strong,
and Men of Labour capable of following their Work to
good Purpose, if they are well inclined; for the whole
Colony were never in a more universal State of Health
than at present: So that many of our representing Folk,
have little Reason this Year, above all others, to exclaim
against the Use of white Men. It behooved me, if I
could not go the Length I would, to drive the Nail as
far as it would go.

21.

Sunday. Mr. Norris went on in a steady Course to
perform the divine Offices; and this Day administered the
Sacrament to such as were well disposed; whilst not a
few chose to ride out of Town in small Parties, some to
Mr. Causton's, some to Mess. Jones's and Fallowfield's
Plantations, at a good Distance off, where it may be pre
sumed some further Consultations were to be held to
wards supporting that Spirit of Faction, which began to
wax cold again and decline.
Monday. Seeing of late many of our Freeholders
dropping away, I thought it incumbent on me to look
particularly into that List as it stood the Beginning of
last Year, and take an exact Account of such of them as
were gone off since, whither they were gone, and whom
we might expect from among them were likely to return
again: Wherein I spent good Part of the Day, and in
tended to perfect the Whole, as I had Opportunity, so as to
send it with my next Letters to the Trust: But the Num
ber of them increased so fast upon me, that I soon found
it a very unpleasing Task: The Truth however must not
be concealed.

Tuesday. Pursued the same Work, as Leisure would 23.
allow, from various Avocations more immediately re-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 267
quiring my Attention. Our Reformers seemed to have vj^
resumed a little fresh Courage on their late Consultations; January
and now began to give it out, for the better keeping up
their Party in good Heart, that since the General's con
tinuing so long in the South, would not admit hitherto
of presenting their Representation to him in the Manner
they intended; they were determined to lose no more
Time, but would send it to him under Cover, in Form of
a Letter; and take a fit opportunity very soon of laying
the same before the Trustees by a proper Hand; and in
case both proved ineffectual, they had Friends in Eng
land, who would carry it before the Privy Council. A
Boat going occasionally, at this Juncture, for Frederica,
it was supposed they sent it to the General by that Con
veyance; and as I took frequent Opportunities of ac
quainting him with what I thought most material here, I
was not wanting now in my Duty so to do, by the same
Boat. Wednesday. The Court per last adjournment, was to 24.
have sat again; but Mr. Parker the first Bailiff being out
of Town at his Plantation several Miles off, and not re
turning till Ten a Clock in the Morning, Mr. Christie,
the Recorder, a little rashly, and unadvisedly, adjourned
the Court till to-morrow; by which Means the Jury that
was summoned, being dissipated, it was to be doubted,
they would not easily be got together again, since fre
quent and long Attendance on that Duty, was always es
teemed grievous. Divers of the German Servants (who
in general were every Day growing more and more in
solent, and lazy) having combined together, and under
Pretense of not having Justice done them, declared they
would not work till their Demands were satisfied; the
Magistrates ordered they should have a Hearing at my !
House this Afternoon, when Mr. Jones also would be
present, and hear what they had to say: They were all
separately examined, which took up much Time, till Ten
at Night; and it plainly appeared, from their Agreement

268 COLONIAL RECORDS.
with the Trustees, which Recourse was had to, that it was >i739:)
fulfilled in all its Parts, and that their Complaints were January
frivolous: Whereupon not being willing to come to ex-
tream Severities with them, if it could be avoided; the
only Punishment now ordered them was, that the three
idle Days they had taken to themselves in such
a mutinous Manner, by refusing to work, they should
each of them make good to those they served, (viz. the
Trustees) by working on three Saturdays, which other
wise they were per Agreement entitled to take to their
own Use: And they were farther given to understand,
that the next Act of Disobedience which any of them
should be guilty of, would certainly be reckoned for at
the Whipping-Post.
Thursday. Mr. Jones having received Advice from 25.
the General by a Boat which came up last Night, that
we might expect him now in a short Time; such News
was never more acceptable, considering the Face of Af
fairs among us at present. The Court sat again, and a
Jury being found, they proceeded to determine all such
Matters as required to be dispatched. Before the Court
adjourned, I put them in Mind of what I had before
hinted to them, about the ill Use I apprehended might
be made of Arms so frequently carried by Dutch, Ger
man, and other Servants {vide 5th Instant:) Which the
Grand Jury had also thought so much worth their Notice,
that they had made a Presentment of it to this Court as
a Matter of dangerous Consequence: To which the Court
gave me for Answer, that an Order of Court should be
issued to the Constables and Tything-men, to take away
the Arms of such Servants carrying them without special
Licence from his Master; which Licence also must not
be for more than one Day, &c. moreover, that a Copy of
the said Order should be published, for the general In
formation of all Persons concerned.
Friday. Being somewhat indisposed, I kept home all 26.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 269
Day, and had Intelligence of nothing that deserved No- "39.
tice. January 26.
Saturday. The Magistrates assembled at my House, 27.
at my Request, to enquire into the late Behaviour of some
disorderly Servants belonging to several Masters; among
whom was one of mine, whom I could never yet make
any Good of, but so exceedingly false and lazy, that he
would do nothing longer than he had one to oversee his
work: Wherefore to break him of that, a little while
since I agreed with a Neighbour, who was a good Sawyer,
to take him some Months to his Use, on no other Terms
for his Part, than barely to feed him, &c. and as I knew
him to be a laborious Man himself, so that I was pretty
sure there could be no Flinching for a Servant that
worked with him without being corrected for it: This, I
thought, would be a good Expedient, as well to cure him
of that lazy Distemper, as possibly it might also to ren
der him useful to myself, at such Time as I began build
ing. This Rascal took the Opportunit}' of a Sunday,
when nobody's Eyes were over him, to stroll among the
neighbouring Plantations, and pilfer divers Sorts of
Provision out of the Huts upon them; finding no one
there that Day, which was fully proved; as it was also
that he was meditating to run away, and had been per
suading and endeavouring to seduce several others to
join with him in so doing: For all which notorions Of
fences, and for Example-Sake to others, I desired no
Favour to be shown him (which I began to think I had
been too liberal of among my worthless Crew) where
fore he was ordered to receive publick Correction from
the Hands of the Common Hangman: And others were
differently dealt with, according to their Behaviour under
their several Masters.
Sunday. Divine Service duly performed by Mr. Nor- 28.
ris, as usual. Captain Thompson, with his Brigantine,
came to Tybee last Night from St. Simon's, where he

270 COLONIAL RECORDS.
had at length disposed of the Remainder of his Servants "39.
he brought over; on my seeing him this Morning, he January
could give me no certain Account when the General in
tended to be here: What I chiefly learned from him was,
that at the late Court- Martial held upon the Difference
betwixt Colonel Cochran and Captain McKay, the Colo
nel being defective in his Evidence, the Captain was
acquitted; and the Colonel by Leave from the General,
was preparing to follow Captain Thompson to Charles-
Town, and go with him for England.
Monday. Walked to make another Visit to my People 29.
at their Work; where I remained the greatest Part of the
Day, closely observing how they went on; as my Son
seldom failed a Day spending some Hours among them;
without which nothing was to be expected, and (I feared)
but little with it, the Men being most of them so dispir
ited with long Sickness, besides an habitual Laziness and
Aversion to Labour so grown upon them; but I deter
mined with myself (if possible) to dispossess that evil
Spirit, which had taken hold of those whom I knew to
have Strength. That little Thief, Thomas Roberts, who
lately came from England, and had so far manifested his
Talents, that I could not any longer bear with him, I
delivered up to Bailiff Parker, who would send him to his
Plantation, about ten Miles off upon Trial, among others
he had at work there; and being thereby so far removed
from all Company, except his Fellow-Servants, with an
Inspector over them, we hoped he might reform a little
through such Means; if not, he was to return him, and
some other Course must be taken. This Evening Captain
Norbury came to Town from St. Simon's, and stopt in his
Return thence to Port-Royal, where the Company was
stationed that he commanded: He came to Tybee in the
Ranger Sloop (the Hawk's Tender) all we could learn
was, that Colonel Cochran would be here in a Day or
two, and the General soon, but he could not say when.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 271
Tuesday. The Service appointed for the Day was ob- "39.
served by Mr. Norris. A melancholy Accident was dis- January
covered, by a Woman that was found dead, and cast up
by the Sea near Tybee: She was known by some who
went to view the Body, to be the Daughter of Major
Richards at Purysburgh, who had been twice married, and
her last Husband was yet living there: It was said, that
she had been at Charles-Town, and was returning with
two little Children, together with four or five other Peo
ple, in the same Boat (or Canoe rather;) and meeting
with bad Weather in Delfuska Sound, which is noted for
many dangerous Shoals, that occasion great Breakers, it
is supposed they drove on them, and every Person was
lost. Mr. Causton being this Day in Town, came as a
great Stranger to make me a Visit; but it soon appeared
he had something more to say than a bare how d'ye; for
he pulled a Letter out of his Pocket, which he said he
had wrote to the Trustees, and intended to commit it to
the Care of Captain Thompson, who would deliver it
safely with his own Hands; wherein having made Use of
my Name, he showed me a Paragraph that he had wrote,
in Vindication of himself, against the Blame incurred by
him with the Trustees, for continuing so many People at
such a great Expence in making Roads, &c. And the
Reason alledged for Part of the Increase of the Expence,
he plainly said, was through my Persuasion, which he
hoped I would remember now, and confirm it when I
wrote: To which I made him Answer, that I would by no
Means let it go in the Terms it was wrote, without some
Explication; for tho' there was Truth in some Part of it,
yet that Truth misrepresented, would most undoubtedly
be misunderstood; wherefore he ought not to think I deal
unfairly by him, if I wrote a few Words also to the Trus
tees on the same Occasion; wherein I would be so open
with him, as to give him a Copy of the Paragraph I
meant to write, that he might do with it what he pleased,
if it would be of Service to him.

272 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Wednesday. Mr. Cadogan, a Cadet in the General's "39.
Regiment, came to Town in the Forenoon, being sent by January
the General in Pursuit of some Deserters, whom he pub
lished a Reward for the taking of, viz. 5 /. each; and af
ter he had fulfilled such Orders with Mr. Jones, they
called on me, and he made haste to return again by Land
to Thunderbolt; where his Boat that he came in waited
for him; to whose Care I committed a Letter for the
General, and two for Mr. Horton, that came to my Hands
on Monday' Evening from Carolina: Upon my asking
him when we might hope to see the General again, he
told me next Week certainly; which I was very glad to
be so far assured of. Captain Norbury left us about
Noon, and proceeded to his Command at Port-Royal.
Nothing stirring among us extraordinary, but frequent
Chit-chat about such and such who were newly gone off;
which I gave not much Heed to, knowing that some of
them were no Loss; other some I thought not to be
blamed, who were Sawyers, and such like Workmen, that
finding at present but little Employment, and both Wages
and Provisions scarcely to be had, thought it Time to
look out for Subsistence where they could find it; and
several of them, I was satisfied, had an Eye still to their
Freeholds here, which they would occupy again when
they saw it to their Advantage: Very few, or none of
such as had made any considerable Improvements on
their Lands, as I observed, made any Show yet of their
Intentions to leave the Place; so that I laid aside all far
ther Anxiety, which I found myself a little uneasy under,
about eight or nine Days ago, when I first began this
Scrutiny. Thursday. The fatal Time was now come, when Mr. February
Jones found the Stores utterly empty of all Flesh Pro- 1"
vision; which it was hoped would not have happened be
fore the General's Presence among us again, who for
many weighty Reasons, as well as for this, we had long
in vain wished for; whilst Matters of very great Moment

COLONIAL RECORDS. 275
detained him where he was: Flour and Bread were also jm
near exhausted; and what was to be expected next, who February
could tell? The General might well be imagined to be
incensed, by those repeated Provocations lately given
him, thro' the Instigation of some Hotheads, in their
Representation and anonymous Letter; but it could not
easily be believed, that nothing less would appease him,
than starving the Town. This alone was enough to ex
ercise the Faculties of all Persons concerned, to debate:
on the whole Day, one with another. '
Friday. Nothing but Complaints, go where I would;' r
and at Home no Quiet, from the clamorous Importunity
of many poor People, whom I knew to have a just De
mand on the Stores, and were not to be satisfied with
what I could say: One Thing more especially was urged
by several, viz. when it was so well foreseen, that by the
great Draught that had been made, the Stores must be
soon exhausted, and no foreign Supply was to be ex
pected; what Reason could be given for not killing some
of the Trustees Steers in Season, whereof there are Plenty;
unless it was intended to starve them! which Steers were
now reduced by the Winter to Carrion. I had no Argu
ments proper to make Use of, but did what I could to
persuade them to be patient, till we saw the General
again, whom we now looked for every Day, and I did
not doubt but he had Means in Reserve to support such
as deserved it: And so I passed over a most irksome
Day. Saturday. Letters to Mr. Jones from the General; 3.
who upon the Information sent him, that Mr. Causton
was suspected to meditate a Flight out of the Province,
and escape in Captain Steward's Ship, near upon sailing
to the West-Indies; wrote to the Captain, to charge him,
at his Peril, not to carry any Person off who was under
Bail; as he did also to Mr. Fallowfield, whom he had ap
pointed Naval Officer, to go on board that Ship, and wait
18 c r— v 4

274 COLONIAL RECORDS.
to prevent it; and likewise to Mr. Causton himself, ad- "3».
vising him not to attempt it, but to show his Integrity February
by hastening on his Accounts, for that he should not
want Protection here from Calumny and injurious Treat
ment (which he had complained of) but that if he sought
another Abode, he could be no where out of the Reach
-of the Trustees. Murmuring and Complaining continued
•in all Corners, which I avoided hearing as much as I could.
Sunday. Mr. Norris did his Duty; and told his Con- 4.
gregation theirs, in a Discourse well adapted to such as
make a Show of Godliness, without benefiting themselves
by the Practice of a holy Life.
Monday. Walked out of Town, to be easy and free 5.
from the Jargon of the Town, among my People at the
Lot: But there also I met with Vexation; and returned
home a little after Noon. Mr. Habersham the School-
Master (whose Brother died lately at Frederica) return
ing thence, after taking Care of the Effects of the
Deceased; I enquired of him what News he brought; but
he had little: The most material was, that the General
expressed great Resentment against our Representers
here (which I could not wonder at) and the whole Town
he found was under his Displeasure; insomuch, that he
said to him, with great Warmth, he should leave them to
themselves, and not come near them, as he was going
soon to Charles-Town: Which would be a heavy Resent
ment indeed, if pursued, and might have bad Conse
quences attend it; but we were willing to hope better
Things. Tuesday. Busy all Day in preparing Papers of divers a_
Kinds, and writing Letters to go for England.
Wednesday. Captain Thompson's Ship having lain at 7.
Tybee ever since his Return from the South, and being
now near upon sailing, first to Charles-Town to get a

COLONIAL RECORDS. 275
Loading, and thence to England; divers of our Deserters ^im
sought so fair an Opportunity of going off, and had been February
for some Days past putting themselves on board; which
I took Notice of to the Captain, and cautioned him about
it, lest he should make himself obnoxious, in carrying
any away whom there was Reason to with-hold. He told
me, that very few of them (if any) were gone aboard with
his Privity or good Liking, and that he meant of his own
Accord to turn some of them ashore, who he heard were
there, adding withal, that he was not fond of any of
their Company, nor did he expect Profit by it: Upon
which I advised, that some proper Person should go
aboard with him when he went, who could distinguish
one from another; and such as were liable to be ques
tioned, might then be stopt, whilst the rest had free
Leave to go where they pleased. This was readily
agreed to, and I purposed to speak to Mr. Christie of it,
who I thought was a proper Judge of their several Cir
cumstances, and therefore a fit Man to separate those,
who in Justice ought to be detained.
Thursday. Little happened worth Notice at Savannah 8.
Town: But what we heard told us by several newly come
from Carolina, was not to be disregarded, viz. that a Con
spiracy was formed by the Negroes in Carolina, to rise
and forcibly make their Way out of the Province, to put
themselves under the Protection of the Spaniards; that
this was first discovered at Winnyaw, which is at the most
Northern Part of the Province; from whence, as they were
to bend their Course South, it argued, that the other
Parts of the Province must be privy to it, and that the
Rising was to be universal; whereupon the whole Province
were all upon their Guard: It was added, that the Coun
cil and Assembly had each deputed a Person, whom they
had sent off in a Sloop for Augustine, to demand of the
Governor there a Restitution of all those Negroes who
had lately fled to that Place; some of which I before took
.Notice of {vide December 15.) And I could not miss

276 COLONIAL RECORDS.
now again reflecting on the mistaken Politicks of some 1789.
among us, who endeavour to evince the Necessity of us- February
ing of them in Georgia. N. B. The Number of Negroes
at this Time in Carolina, is imputed to be at least thirty-
five Thousand, and the Number of white People, at most,
not to exceed nine thousand Souls.
Friday. This Morning I talked with Mr. Christie «¦
about his visiting Captain Thompson's Ship, as before
designed; which he readily consented to, and promised
me to take Care in, when the Captain went aboard.
Afterwards, I spent most Part of the Day upon the Lot,
directing what I thought needful; and in the Evening I
made another Visit to our notable Club, where I under
stood Captain Thompson was, and who took his Leave
and went off in his Boat for Tybee about Nine at Night,
fine Moon-light and soft Weather. The Packet which I
had prepared for the Trustees, I had before in the Morn
ing given him, well pleased that I had so opportune a
Conveyance for it to Charles-Town, where he promised
me to deliver it, together with a Letter attending it, to
the Attorney-General, that it might go for England by
the first Ship that sailed; and as I knew Thompson must
stay a few Weeks at Charles-Town, I had it in my pres
ent Intent, to get another Packet ready against he went
thence, which I would commit to his Care, to be deliv
ered with his own Hand. What I thought most observ
able at the Club was, that out of no less than seventeen
or eighteen present in the publick Room, fifteen were
Scotch: And when I walked home, one of the Company,
whom I had a pretty good Familiarity with, told me (on
our Way) that my coming in this Night had put an End
to a long Debate they had began among themselves,
about some Means to be used for making their Repre
sentation more publick, in some other Parts of America,
as well as in England: So that I doubted I should have
little Welcome among them hereafter, if I came; and
was very seldom now that I did: But I resolved not to-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 277
tally to exclude myself, through too much Modesty, 1J39-
where none besides used any to their own Disadvantage. February
Saturday. The Report we had on Thursday, of the 10.
Measures taken by the Government of Carolina, for se
curing their Negroes, was now verified; for this Day ar
rived at Tybee a Sloop from Charles-Town, on board of
which were Mess. Brathwaite, Rutlidge, Amian and
Fenwick; the first deputed as one of the Council, the
second as one of the Assembly, the next as Clerk of the
Assembly, and the last a young Gentleman only as a
Companion; who all leaving the Sloop at Anchor, came
up to Town; and well knowing Mr. Brathwaite, I waited
on them with the ordinary Compliments of a Welcome,
&c. They told me the Occasion of their Voyage, agree
able to what we had before heard; with this Difference
only, that such Negroes as were already gone, did not
attempt it by Land, but were mostly such as were em
ployed in Pettyagua's and other like Craft, which they
carried off with them: That they were going, by Order
of Council, to Augustin, to demand Restitution of all
such as had fled thither, which Demand was by virtue of
a Treaty betwixt them about five Years since; and tho'
they had very little or no Expectation of Success in
what they went about, yet it was thought proper to take
an Answer from the Governor of Augustin himself, that
so in case of a Refusal thay might have a just Founda
tion to lay their Complaint before his Majesty. They
much desired to see the General, and had been as far
South, as off St. Simon's; but the Weather would not
allow them to put in there, where the General yet was;
wherefore they chose to stop here a little, and were now
at a Loss what to do next, fearing that if they put to
Sea again, as the General was daily expected with us, he
might in that Interim come hither within Land, and they
might so miss him.
Sunday. Mr. Norris continued to read Prayers, and "•

278 COLONIAL RECORDS.
exhort all to do their Duty, in the same Manner he had "39.
done hitherto; and was every Day more and more con- February
firmed in the good Opinion of all his Hearers.
Monday. The Gentlemen from Carolina showing a la>
Desire of seeing the Nature of the adjacent Parts of the
Country, we got Horses, and they passed away a few
Hours diverting themselves that Way; and at their Re
turn confessed, that they little expected to see such a
Tract of Land, as they found on each Side, after leaving
the Pine-Barren, and descending into the flat Country,
which exceeded any Thing about Charles-Town (they
said) but told us withal jocularly, that till we could find
a Way of cultivating it at less Expence, Carolina needed
not to look enviously upon us; and thence falling into
Talk of the Benefit of Negroes, I thought it best to wave
that Discourse, which would afford more Argument than
could presently come to a Decision; and I well knew
that too many of my Neighbors (some of which were
present) were of late become strenuous Advocates on
that Side of the Question: Wherefore the Odds against
me I saw too great now to encounter. Most of my Time
was taken up this Day in attending them, and showing
such Regard to the Affair they had with the General, as
I thought the Importance of it demanded.
Tuesday. The Strangers now seeing no certain Ap- 13.
pearance when the General might return to Savannah,
came to a Resolution of leaving us, and trying again if
they could find him in the South : Accordingly they took
Leave, and went down the River to the Sloop that waited
for them at Cockspur. Just at the same Time Mr. Burn-
side and Noble Jones came to Town from their distant
Plantations, bringing with them three Deserters who had
been advertised before {vide January 31.) who finding
themselves unable to make their Escape through such an
unknown Wilderness, but famished almost for Want of
Food, surrendered themselves to the first Settlers they

COLONIAL RECORDS. 279
came at ; and were now put in safe Custody, &c. This I "39.
had an Opportunity of writing a few Words of to the February
General by these Gentlemen, acquainting him with it, and
also inclosing to him a Letter which was lately put into
my Hands, that came from the West-Indies directed to
him. In the Afternoon we were alarmed every Body, on
the sudden and unexpected Landing of betwixt thirty
and forty strange Indians, who advanced up into the
Heart of the Town before we could get any Men under
Arms to receive them : They proved to be of the Choc-
taws, a numerous Nation, which bordered on the French,
whom they had lived with in Friendship till of late, and
now upon some Difference they abandoned them, and
chose rather to take Part with the English : They came
out from home near a hundred, fifty of whom, with their
Chief, were gone to Charles-Town, whilst these came
hither. They were very urgent to see (the great Man)
General Oglethorpe, whom they were resolved to follow
till they found him; but we thought it advisable to divert
that if we could, knowing that the General was too much
embarrassed where he now was, to receive them with
Pleasure; especially as the Presents provided for such
Uses were in the Magazine with us; wherefore we were
resolved to entertain them till we could know the Gen
eral's farther Pleasure; though the Stores were never so
empty before: Accordingly we conducted them to the
Court-House, heard what they had to say by an Interpre
ter; and after reciprocal Assurances of Love and Good
will to each other, when they had refreshed themselves
an Hour with Pipes and Tobacco, and two Biscuits each,
besides every Man two or three Glasses of Wine, they
were shown to an empty House for them to lodge in, in
case of wet Weather (otherwise their Choice is to lie
around a Fire which they make in the open Air) and such
Provision as could be got, was sent them, namely, a small
Hog, which they would barbacue themselves; and by
good Fortune a New-York Sloop coming newly up the
River which had good Beer on board, Mr. Jones got two

280 COLONIAL RECORDS.
or three Casks of that, which was to be dealt out to them "3»
moderately, lest they grew drunk and mischievous. No February
Doubt was to be made of the usefulness of such a Bar
rier as these People would be against the French, so
many hundred Miles off, in case a firm Alliance with
them could be insured.
Wednesday. Mr. Causton called upon me; and after 14.
complaining heavily of the severe Treatment he met
with, and the scandalous Stories which were spread over
the Town and whole Country concerning him, who looked
on him as no better than a downright Knave; which he
said was all owing to Mr. Jones, who continually was
casting out Reproaches publickly against him for Frauds
committed, without his having yet any Opportunity to
clear himself; moreover, that he was preparing to fly out
of the Colony, being unable to stand the Enquiry into
his past Actions : For these Reasons he was induced to
¦draw up a Paper in the Nature of a Memorial, setting
forth his own Innocence and faithful Services for the
Trust, which he defied all the World to disprove; never
theless, that he was most injuriously calumniated and de
famed, without any Room given him to defend his own
Character. All of which (and much more) he told me he
would make Affidavit of before the Magistrates, and also
proposed to receive the blessed Sacrament upon it, as a
Test of the Truth of what he intended to publish. Then
he asked my Opinion, whether I thought he acted right
or not in so doing : And I told him plainly, that I
thought every Man living had a natural, as well as legal
Right, when he was attacked in any Manner injuriously,
to use all proper and lawful Means for his Defence: But
I added also, that it would behove him to be cautious
how great a Length he carried those Protestations to;
for if he over-rated his Services, and professed a stricter
Rule to walk by than he had in some Cases (perhaps un-
wilfully) stuck to; should it in the Course of this Enquiry
appear so, it would greatly invalidate all healledged:and

COLONIAL RECORDS. 281
wished him to remember, that Facts were knotty Points, 1739.
not to be evaded: Whereat he appeared very easy, and February
made no Reply, so we parted: Whilst I remained not a
Jot wiser than before; for it was not in my Power to judge
betwixt Mr. Jones and him; and as I often thought Mr.
Jones a little too warm in throwing out reproachful Lan
guage against him, such as Villain, Knave, &c. so I must
also incline to believe, that such Charges as I heard were
lately exhibited by him against Mr. Causton, must have
appeared with strong Evidence, or else Mr. Jones did him
great Injury. Towards Evening we sent away a Boat
express to the General in the South, to whom I wrote
what at present was needful, and particularly relating to
the Indians which came Yesterday, praying to know his
Pleasure. Edward Haines, a Boy Servant of mine, was
at my Request committed by the Magistrates as an in
corrigible Rogue.
Thursday. All that happened remarkable this Day, is
was another unfortunate accident, which befel a Boat go
ing for Charles-Town, wherein were divers Passengers,
who were in very great Peril of their Lives going over
Delfuska Sound, where they stuck upon a Shoal about
Half a Mile from the Shore, but it chanced that they
were not quite out of their Depth "in wading all the Way
to Land; from whence being espied, they got Help.
Friday. One Martin, a Soldier lately among those 16.
who came from Gibraltar, but discharged some Time
since, as an unhealthy Person, after being salivated in
this Town, where he yet continued, living idle, and sus
pected to be doing no Good among our working People;
now was grown very impudent and abusive of many
honest Men in the Place, raising false and scandalous Sto
ries to make Mischief; and not content with that, he let
his Tongue loose against the General himself, who he said
had cheated him of a great many Pounds when he dis
charged him: Whereof Affidavit being made before a Mag-

282 COLONIAL RECORDS.
istrate, it was thought proper to require Sureties of him iras^
for his Appearance to answer such a Charge of Scandal; February
which he not finding, he was committed to the Log-
House, to learn better.
Saturday. This was a Day that gave me great Vex- "¦
ation and Uneasiness in my own little Affairs, occasioned
by the Baseness of a vile Crew of Servants, who had
been a long while a Torment to me by their past Be
haviour; but were now growing every Day from bad to
worse, and become truly an intolerable Burden to me;
for it was evident, that for many Months past, very few
(if any) of them had earned by their Labour Half the
Value of what they eat: But some weakened with a long
Sickness, and others possessed with a stubborn Laziness,
which no Cure could yet be found for, whether of Lenity
or Severity, made me almost despair now of getting any
Good from them this Season, which was so far advanced,
as to call upon every one who had any Eye towards
planting, to be prepared speedily: And out of ten which
I had once had, who last Year worked with a Good-will,
and wanted for no sort of Encouragement from me, I
could not at this Time depend on more than three or
four to have any Service from: So that instead of re
ducing the Number of Acres already Cleared, into per
fect good Order, and cultivating it in the best Manner
(which is usually the Work of the second Year) I doubted,
after all the fine Things I had been promising myself,
whether or not I should accomplish the Half of it; which
was Matter of great Mortification to me: And my Son
grew so impatient at our being thus abused, that I could
hardly persuade him to look towards what they were do
ing any more, after the Pains he had been all this while
taking, to that Degree, that I never could expect a Day's
Labour from the best of them to equal that, for Exam
ple's Sake, he wrought with his own Hands often.
Sunday. Mr. Norris went on regularly doing his Duty is.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 283
like a good Minister, and this Day he administered the "S9.
blessed Sacrament, whereat Mr. Causton made one, ac- February
cording to what he had before given out was his Inten
tion: Whether otherwise he meant to be a Guest or not,
Charity bids me not enquire.
Monday. Notwithstanding the Order of Court, lately
made and published against all Servants going abroad
with Guns, not having their Master's License; many of
the Germans (who seemed most of them determined to
follow their own Will in every Thing) continued their
former Practices; and that not only on ordinary Days.
but Yesterday several of those particularly under Mr.
Bradley's Direction, were known publickly, and he him
self also complained of it, for daring to defy all Author
ity, by carrying Arms into the Woods; not only Guns,
but Cutlasses also, as if they meant to maintain by Force,
those Liberties they saw fit to assume. This gave great
Offence to all sober People, who had Regard to the Pro-
phaning of that Day, as well as endangering the publick
Peace: But being in continual Expectation of the Gen
eral among us, it was thought most advisable to refer
the Remedy of such Disorders to him, rather than come
to Extremities, if it might be avoided. Spent the After
noon again among my slothful Servants, where I was not
disappointed at what I saw, but sufficiently chagrined at
the Thoughts of it on my Return.
Tuesday. The most remarkable Thing that was com- 20.
monly talked of among us this Day, ought not to be
passed over without proper Notice here; namely, the
great Danger Mess. Montaigut and de Beaufain were
said to be in, by a Conspiracy of their Negro Slaves,
whereof they have got a great Number, upon a very
large Plantation in our Neighbourhood, on the Banks of
Savannah, within the District of Purysburgh, a little be
low that Town, and about a Dozen Miles above us. So
far as we could yet be informed of the Truth, we hear

284 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1739.

that the Design of those Slaves was to cut off their
-Masters and Families, and all the white People that be- Febraary
longed to them entirely, and then to make their Way as
fast as they could to Augustin, either by Land or by Wa
ter, after furnishing themselves first with Arms out of
their Masters Houses when plundered, &c. but by good
Providence their Design was timely discovered.  An
other Instance this, of the Benefit that might accrue by
such in Georgia.

Wednesday. Eight Days were now past since we
sent a Boat express to the General with Letters acquaint
ing him of the Arrival of the Indians, and of the Diffi
culties we were under how to content them, the Stores
being so empty; and they began to grow impa
tient now, rambling abroad into the Country among
those few Plantations that lay near us; where tho' they
had yet done no Mischief, yet they would come boldly
into their Huts, laying their Hands on any Thing they
liked, and appearing displeased at their being refused to
take it; which struck some Terror into those who made
their Abode in those Places. The long Absence of the
General from among us, began indeed to be sadly re
gretted by all good Men, under such melancholy Circum
stances as we now saw come upon us; whilst there were
not wanting some, who were malicious enough to deride
the Confidence we had of seeing Things better hereafter,
and to ridicule all present Hopes of Relief from the
General; who, they would persuade us to believe, had
given over all farther Regard to Savannah, and reserved
his Favours entirely for those whom he had his Eyes
more immediately over in the South: This was the
Handle at present made Use of to aggravate our Suffer
ings, and to create an Aversion (as far as in them lay) to
every Thing that was to be done or expected in Time
coming; which tho' I could in a great Measure say to
myself as well as to them, was no more than what might
be expected from the Trustees, after such Provocation

21

COLONIAL RECORDS. 285
given; I could nevertheless not entertain the least ^39^
Thought, that their Resentment would blend the Inno- February
cent with the Guilty, and suffer such as had been truly
industrious, and deserving better, to share alike with the
Idle and Lazy, who generally were the greatest Mischief-
makers, and at all Times clamorous.
Thursday. Rapine and Violence began now no longer 22
to skulk, but appear bare faced in many Instances;
a pretty remarkable one of which happened this Morn
ing, when Mr. Bradley took on himself, by his own Au
thority, to kill one of the largest Steers of the Trustees,
that was in the Colony. The Pretence given out for it
was, that his People wanted; that Mr. Jones did not sup
ply him; and that he could not see them starve: How
far Mr. Jones had assisted him with Provisions, I could
not tell, for I meddled not with what was doing at the
Stores, except when Mr. Jones called on me and Mr.
Parker for our Opinion in some Cases, perhaps doubtful
a while since: But at present there was no Flesh, more
than now and then that Necessity required killing a
Steer, which was delivered out fresh in small Parcels, as
seemed good; and Mr. Jones told me, that he had served
Mr. Bradley fully up to the Proportion which the Gen
eral ordered; which if he had (as I am inclined to be
lieve) certainly this was one of the most audacious At
tempts yet heard of among us, that the Person appointed
to inspect and have a particular Regard to the Trustees
Cattle, should be the first to lay unlawful Hands on
them: But as I never knew yet how far his Power ex
tended, which he was apt to magnify greatly himself, I
ought not to pass a too hasty Censure, especially when
the General is in the Colony, before whom it will be
hove him to answer it: The House he lives in, must
indeed create an Opinion in any Stranger, that whoever
lives in it must be a Person of great Distinction and Au
thority, being formed in proper Apartments for a Man of
Quality, at the Expence of a pretty many (I had heard

286 COLONIAL RECORDS.
it variously computed from five to eight) hundred "39
Pounds. His being indicted formerly for killing other February
Folks Cattle at my first coming on my present Service
(the Trial whereof had been suspended) the continual
Jars betwixt him and Mr. Causton; the flagrant and open
perverting the Trust's Servants Labour, to his own and
unwarrantable Uses, &c. &c. are Things I have so fre
quently touched on in my former Course of this Paper,
that it is not allowable here to dwell on the same again;
especially as these Facts are such as Mr. Jones cannot
miss making Report of also; but what he will have to
Report concerning his Accounts, is best known to himself.
Friday. Talking this Morning with Mr. Jones of di- 23.
vers Matters, wherein the Interest of the Trust was
nearly concerned; among other Things, we touched again
upon the State of their Cattle, which we had some Dis
course of Yesterday: And wheresoever we turned out
Thoughts, it was too apparent that they lay exposed to
great Loss. Such as Mr. Bradley reckoned under his
immediate Care, I could not find any certain Number of,
that he might account for; and the short List he gave
me in January 1737-8 (whereof I transmitted Copy) was
looked on by all, and even allowed by himself then, to
be very imperfect; but I do not see it amended since,
though without Doubt it is altered much; for I have been
informed by several, that he has brought up Cattle at
sundry Times, which he has branded with a B, and turned
out again, that probably the Letters G C would more
rightly have been placed on.  But such Suggestions
are not to be immediately understood as Facts, howso
ever strongly suspected, till supported by plain Evidence.
If we look towards the Cow-Pen at Ebenezer, and the
Keeper of it, there also we are at the like Uncertainty;
and have been ever since I was at that Place, so long ago
as in June last Summer, as I then took Notice; when
they had been ranging that Part of the Country, to bring
;in what they could find, but had yet then got together

COLONIAL RECORDS. 287
only one hundred and thirty out of one hundred and "-m^
eighty which they looked for, besides thirty-five not yet February
delivered from Carolina, by those of whom they were
purchased. Some Time the latter Part of the Summer
last Year, there were a hundred Steers bought (or within
one or two of it) from Carolina, and delivered at Savan
nah, which by Mr. Causton's Appointment were delivered
to the Care of Bailiff Parker to be kept on a Tract of
Land about ten Miles off, whereon he and Mr. Fallow-
field, and Noble Jones have lately Settlements; and it
almost forms an Island over the Isthmus, whereof a new
Fence was made, which was thought sufficient to keep
every Thing within it: Thither, therefore, those Cattle were
driven, as in a Place of Safety; but being exceedingly
wild, and not contented with all that Range (which was
very large) they soon broke out; and tho' many Days
have been spent at divers Times since by several People
to get them together again, yet it is said they have not
brought in much above Half of them, and the Remainder
are dispersed widely, and still to be sought for; so that
they must needs be subject to Depredations; and some
of them are suspected (not improbably) to have rambled
back by the Way they first came, and have taken the
River to swim over to their native Place; as has been fre
quently known in other Cases. It is to be hoped, there
fore, that these Evils among many others will be prevented,
as far as possible, for the future, by such Regulations as
the General shall think proper to form, when he comes
among us again; which was never so much wished for by
all good Men, as now.
Saturday. Five of the Steers that broke away from 24.
their Company in our Parts, being picked up as far off
as Old Ebenezer by the Cow-Pen Keeper there, whereof
he lately gave Notice, and that they were so wild he could
not insure the Keeping of them, nor undertake with
Safety to drive them so far as Savannah: Under the great
Necessities we found ourselves, it was thought a good

288

COLONIAL RECORDS.

Expedient to get them for Food if we could, by getting "39.
them driven a few Miles to Abercorne, where they might Peb2r4uar
be slaughtered, and the Carcasses brought thence by
Water: This being resolved on, Mr. Jones would send
proper Orders thither by a Boat with needful Help to
have it done. In the Afternoon Mr. Kellaway, who went
to St. Simon's in the Boat that was dispatched the 14th
with Letters, &c. returned in a Sloop that came thence
without Land, and only informed me, that what Letters
were wrote in Answer to those we sent, would come by
the Return of the Boat, which we might expect in a Day
or two more: That the Carolina Gentlemen, bound for
Augustin as before mentioned, were upon sailing thither
from St. Simon's when he came away; and that the Gen
eral was also sending an Officer with them, with Letters
from him to the Governor there: And upon their Return
thence, that the General purposed to come and see us in
a few Days. In the Evening the Keeper of our Prison
came to acquaint me, that one of the Deserters under
his Custody had just made his Escape; which was such a
Neglect, as we knew not how to recover, it being now
dark; but what Enquiry could be made, was immediately
done, &c.
Sunday. The ordinary Service performed as usual by 25.
Mr. Norris, with a pretty full Congregation, considering
how many among us totally abstained from our publick
Worship; which Defect proceeded not from a particular
Dislike to the Minister, whose Character they offered not
to blemish; but the Ministry itself rather seemed to be
set at nought by too many, partly such as being Prot
estants of a different Persuasion, disliked any Communion
with our Church; and partly others, who made little Show
of any Religion at all. This Reflexion, which may look
a little severe, and which I make unwillingly; yet I think
I ought not to pass over, in doing my Duty. Captain
Steward, who had lain a long while at Tybee, after being
loaden with Lumber by Mr. Williams, sailed this Day for

COLONIAL RECORDS. 289
the West-Indies; as did also two or three other small S^a
Vessels, for other Ports to the Northward. In the Even- Febraary
ing the Boat arrived, which we looked for from St. Si
mon's, and brought Letters from the General, signifying
his Pleasure in divers Matters he had lately been made
acquainted with, and leaving us Room to hope, that we
should see him in a short Time.
Monday. After all proper Precaution taken since Sat- 26.
urday Evening, by People patrolling different Ways, to
prevent that Deserter's getting off, who made his Escape
out of Prison, and no Intelligence yet to be had of him;
divers idle People were taken up this Morning (such as
we had any Sort of Suspicion of) and examined sepa
rately and strictly by the Magistrates; and some kept in
Custody in Hopes of getting Information by some Means
or other; but yet all our Enquiry proved fruitless. Ed
ward Haines, that Boy-Servant of mine who was known
to be such a notorious Villain, that he was committed to
Prison in order for some future Punishment, and had lain
there ever since the 14th Instant, Mr. Christie seeming
inclined to make some Trial of, whether he could work
any Good out of him or not, by taking him into the
Country out of the Reach of his Acquaintance and Com
rades in Town, I very readily gave him Possession of
him, to make the Experiment, finding it not safe for me
that he should come any more under my Roof, or have
any Communication with his Fellow-Servants: But I
meant not to part with his Indenture, or the Property I
have in him, expecting it might be possible for me in
some future Time to see such a Reformation wrought, as
would induce me to think him worth having again. Thus
having in some Sort got rid of two young Villains for a.
Season, who wearied me with their daily Practices, as
they who were full grown did with their Stubbornness and
Laziness, I was in the next Place to see, whether these
latter were to be any Way reformed or not; which there
appeared little Hopes of from two Thirds of them {vide
19 c r— v 4

90 COLONIAL RECORDS.
January 29.) This Evening hearing of a Boat going to "39.
the South, I wrote to the General, acquainting him with February
some Things fit for him to know, and particularly of the
late Escape of one of the Deserters.
Tuesday. The first News I met with early in the 27.
Morning, was of a Robbery committed at Mr. Kellaway's
in the Night, by some Persons in Combination with a
young Lad that is his Servant, who left the Window
Shutter unfastened, which opens into Mr. Kellaway's
Room that he lodges in ; whereby the Thief entered in
the Evening, when he knew he was to be abroad at Sup
per; and breaking open a strong Chest, wherein were Ac-
compt Books, some Sola Bills, a little Spanish Silver,
Papers, and other Things of Value, he rumaged all over;
but took nothing (as they yet discover) except the Silver
in a little Bag, which had in it about fourteen or fifteen
Ounces. When the Master came home to go to Bed,
finding how Matters were in that Disorder; upon calling
his Servant to Account, and using some Severity; he con
fessed so far, that a run-away Servant, who went from
his Master about three Weeks since, whom he robbed of
some Money, and had skulked about Town at Nights,
after lying concealed all Day, was the Author of this Vil
lany; whereupon all possible that could be now thought
on, was done to take him, and Parties sent every Way in
Search after him : But our Care proved ineffectual this
Day, and we had only Hopes of better Success another.
Whilst these Matters were under Examination, a Person
came to Town with two other Servants, who were newly
run also from their Service; one of which happened to
belong to me; and (it seems) he went off from the Plan
tation Yesterday Morning, but after a Day's March, hap
pened to fall accidentally in this Man's Way, who was
ranging after Cattle; and soon after he met also with the
other (for they went not off in Concert) who was a Ger
man that came lately with Captain Thompson, and was
disposed of to Mr. Norris our Minister, where he might

COLONIAL RECORDS. 291
have lived very easy; but the Plague of idle and roguish 1789.
Servants was grown universal. These two were commit- Febraary
ted to the Log-House, in order for some Correction; and
Mr. Kellaway's Boy sent thither for Felony: But it was
expected that some Inducement might yet be found, to
make that Boy confess more than he had yet done; for it
was generally believed, that our vile Rum-Houses where
so much Mischief was conceived, had brought forth a
Gang of mature Villains fit to attempt any Wickedness.
Wednesday. Nothing memorable passed this Day. 28.
Pursuit was continued close after the House-breaker, and
also the Deserter; the former of which had near fallen
into their Hands, but narrowly escaped (it was hoped
only for a short Time;) and the other having been met by
a Person who knew nothing of him, or his Crimes, on the
Path-Way to Ebenezer, a Horseman was dispatched after
him, who probably might come up with him before he got
to the Ferry of Palachocolas; and if he attempted to
cross the River there, we had but little Doubt but that
the Commander of the Fort would stop him.
Thursday. The Disorders that increased almost daily March
among us now, of various Kinds, occasion'd great Per
plexity, seeming to bid Defiance to all Authority: Divers
of our Freeholders (more particularly some who thought
themselves above the vulgar Rank, and were pretty con
stant Frequenters of the nightly Club, which consisted
mostly of North Britons, as they also were) refused to
do any Guard-Duty, alledging, that as there were several
Freeholders gone, the Number that mounted nightly was
not sufficient, and that would occasion more frequent Serv
ice from such as remain'd; moreover, that as there was
no Powder in the Store, but what was damaged and unfit
to use, they thought it ridiculing the Service, to mount
with Firelocks, and nothing to load them; and to lay their
Arms by, and to take up a long Staff like a Watchman,
was what they would not submit to; for that they acted

292 COLONIAL RECORDS.
as in the Militia, and not in any other Capacity: Where- "39.
upon, taking this Affair into serious Consideration, the March
Magistrates thought it most advisable to let it pass at
present, as a Matter they had not immediate Notice of,
rather than levy any Penalty on the Recusants, as it had
been practised, lest it might produce some ill Conse
quence at this Juncture; and though there might not be a
full Guard for a few Nights, the Approach of the General
was now believed to be so sure, that we might expect to
see a perfect Regulation made by him, before such
Things were too far grown to a Head.
Friday. A German Servant who was committed to 2.
the Log-House, was found dead there this Morning;
which may need a little Explanation here, of some Cir
cumstances attending it. The Man had once been a
Servant under Mr. Causton, with whom he voluntary
indented, on Condition of Mr. Causton's paying for his
and his Family's Passage, rather than make himself liable
to be sold by the Captain, to one whom he could not ex
pect so good Usage from. The Fellow nevertheless left
Mr. Causton's Service, without his Leave, or any just
Cause, as his Master says (which is not material here)
and in several Months could never be persuaded by fair
Means to return to Ockstead; but liked better to nest in
an old-deserted Hut in the Out-Part of the Town, as
some others of his Countrymen did; and these having
Arms, were some of the Folks particularly aimed at in
the late Order of Court against Servants carrying Arms;
by which it was visible these disorderly People lived; and
under Pretence of shooting Deer, frequently destroyed
other Mens Property in Cattle, &c. neither were any
Threats available to deter them from these Practices.
This Fellow happened to be espied Yesterday with a Gun
on his Shoulder, in the Street openly, by his Master, who
was walking at that Time in Company with Mr. Parker,
our first Magistrate, and they both called him to come to
them; but he walked off, without taking any Notice of

COLONIAL RECORDS. 293
one or the other (the certain Index of that incurable "39.
Stubbornness which generally prevails among them.) March
Mr. Parker, therefore, sent the Constable Mr. Fallowfield,
to follow him, and take his Arms away; pursuant to
which he went, taking one or two with him to assist; but
the Fellow resisting and struggling, and by clubbing his
Piece, attempting to knock down any of them who stood
most in Opposition, some Blows passed, and he was car
ried before the Magistrate, who committed him for re
sisting the Constable, &c. Upon his Death the Coroner's
Inquest sat on the Body, and examined several Witnesses
who saw what passed; as also an able Surgeon was called,
to give his Opinion touching the Blows he received,
which it seems were given by the Constable with the
Handle of a small Whip, so that no Sort of Mark ap
peared, either on the Head or Body, of any Wound which
might occasion his Death; and the Posture the Body lay
in, when found dead, being flat on his Face, and a great
Effusion by Vomiting also appearing, it was judged a
Suffocation; and the Jury's Verdict was Accidental Death.
Saturday. Most Part of this Day was taken up by s.
looking into what my People were doing at the Lot, and
what Forwardness they were in for planting; where I
found we went on at the same Rate they had done for a
while past, and small Hopes left me of seeing such
Things brought to pass, as I had set my heart so much
upon. In the Evening arrived Lieutenant Colonel Cock
ran from the South, under the Conduct of Lieutenant
Dunbar, with two private Centinels to attend him, as un
der an Arrest: The Occasion of which, was a Quarrel
betwixt the Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain McKay, that
had inwardly subsisted betwixt them for some Months
past, but was stifled a while. A Court-Martial was called
to decide the Controversy, &c. which is by no Means
proper for me to make any Remarks on, being at so great
a Distance, and consequently liable to Mistakes from the
Relaters: And now of late the former Animosity broke

8.

294 COLONIAL RECORDS.
out again afresh, and was so visibly dangerous, that they "39.
were both secured, by Order from the General, from see- March
ing each other, which could not be (it was believed) with
out fatal Consequence. Colonel Cockran, from a former
Acquaintance I had with him in England, which was re
newed with Pleasure, when he landed with Part of the
Regiment in this Country last May, was pleased to come
of his own Accord, and take up his Quarters at my little
House, for the few Days that he told me he was to stay,
being bound for England by the Way of Charles-Town:
I bade him welcome to what Reception I could give him,
and Lieutenant Dunbar took Care to place a Centinel at
the Door, for a continual Guard upon him.
Sunday. The common publick Service of the Church
was duly observed by Mr. Norris; and his Hearers wanted
not good Doctrine to improve by. In the Afternoon ar
rived Captain Hugh McKay from the South, in like
Manner as Colonel Cockran did Yesterday, and with the
like Attendants for his Guard, taking up his Quarters at
a publick House, with a Centinel at the Door, under the
Command of Hugh McKay, Adjutant.
Monday. Our General, after long Time being expected,
arrived about Noon; and came so suddenly upon us (as
he seemed to intend) that very few were ready on the
Bluff to receive him at his Landing.
Tuesday, \ During these Days of the General's 6.
Wednesday, Continuance among us, my Duty re- t-
Thursday, K quiring constant Attendance on him, 8
Friday, to receive his Commands, and inform *
Saturday. J him in whatever he was pleased to
enquire of me (which I did with Pleasure, so far as I
was capable of) it was hardly practicable to keep an ex
act Diary of all that Variety of Matter which each Day
produced: But some of the most remarkable Occurrences
ought not to be passed over without Notice. Among

10.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 295
which it a little surprised me at the Conference one "39.
Evening held betwixt Messieurs Jones and Causton, in March
Presence of the General, by his Allowance; when all
Heat and Passion being on each Side restrained, it did
not appear so plainly as I expected, that Mr. Jones was 9.
yet got so far into the Discovery of Facts evidently 10.
culpable, as was given out: At leastwise Mr. Causton's
Replies wanted not a plaudible Show of Defence; inso
much that he complained of his being calumniated
grievously by so many heavy Things publickly talked
of, as laid to his Charge; which he said were never yet
made out, nor could ever be; and insisted more particu
larly on his Innocence, and the Injury done him, in pub
lishing to the world, that he intended to fly the Colony;
which he never had the least Thought of, nor was there
any other Foundation for, than a bare Jealousy in Mr.
Jones, supported only by false Whispers of those who
were his professed Enemies. After a pretty deal of
time spent in Controversy of this Kind, the General at
parting recommended all possible Dispatch in that Affair;
wherein the Truth would soonest be come at, by a tem
perate Enquiry on one Side, and on the other nothing
would sooner make Innocence appear, than in contribut
ing all that possibly could be, to remove whatever ob
structed such Enquiry: Which undoubtedly was with
just Discernment pointed at each separately. Time yet
to come may reveal what now lies hid, if any such
Works of Darkness are so concealed, wherein the World
judges very injuriously of Mr. Causton, if he comes off
blameless: And Mr. Bradley also must have more to say
than is at present known, if he can justify himself
throughout his whole Conduct, in creating an Expence,
which appears hitherto so exorbitant.  But I fear
meddling in Matters beyond my Reach.
Captain McKay went off on Wednesday, and Colonel
Cockran on Friday Morning, for Charles-Town, each
under the same Appointment and Guard which brought
them hither: And here I am obliged to follow Truth,

296 COLONIAL RECORDS.
which I shall do with the utmost Strictness in relating an ™>^
Affair, wherein my Son is unluckily become a Party, and Mareh
has incurred some Censure unaware.  The Case was 7
literally thus: Colonel Cockran, on his landing at Savan- 8.
nah last Summer, brought with him large Stores of vari- 9.
ous Kinds for the Use of the Regiment, which he lodged 10.
in several Houses, under the Care of different Persons
whom he appointed; and a large Quantity of Wine, viz.
twenty-seven Pipes of Red, for the Use of the Regiment,
and above forty of White, as his own for Sale: All
which Wines were lodged in a Cellar under the great
House that Mr. Bradley lives in, being very capacious,
and the only fit Place for preserving them against the
Heat of Summer, in the whole Town: After being so dis
posed of, the Colonel was induced, from the Knowledge
he had of my Son in England, to commit the Care of
these Wines to him; but all other Kind of Stores he had
nothing to do with, neither indeed was it fit that he
should; this Charge being sufficient (as it proved after
wards) to take up more of his Time than he foresaw;
which added to the continual Fatigue he gave himself in
carrying on the necessary Work in the Field, and at
home, that brought him hither, I was apprehensive would
overcome him. The Colonel, from the Time he went
hence to the South in August last, never had been here
since, till now: And whatever Wines belonging to the
Regiment have at any Time been delivered out by my
Son, to be carried South, it has always been done by an
Order directed to him, from Mr. Wansell the Quarter-
Master to the Regiment: The other Wines have been
variously disposed of by Sale, &c. to different Places and
Persons, as my Son was from Time to Time advised from
the Colonel: And I do not find any Imputation of Blame
upon him for Neglect, either in not keeping a regular
and exact Account of the Whole, or by suffering the
Wines to come to any Damage thro' Want of filling up,
Cooperidge, &c. wherein he was so assiduous, that not
withstanding the Inclemency of the Season, the Waste

COLONIAL RECORDS. 297
was inconsiderable, and far less than looked for. As to ^rm
my own Part, I never in the least concerned myself about Mareh
any of those Matters, nor was three Times in the Cellar 7
during all the Time they were transacted.  This be- g,
ing premised, it is Time to say what ensued. The Colonel 9.
willing to gratify my Son, for the Care and Pains he had 10.
taken, made him a Present on Friday Morning of a Note
that was understood from the Contents of it to be to the
Value of about 9 /.  which it is to be hoped was not
extravagant: But instead of a Recompence, it unhappily
proved an Occasion of drawing the General's Displeasure
on him. The Note (or Order) was from Mr. Wansell
the Quarter-Master, upon a Person who had the Custody
of the Stores before-mentioned, to deliver to Colonel
Cockran, or his Order, a certain Quantity of Oil and
other Species of Provisions (amounting as near as can
be estimated to the above mentioned Value) which Order
Colonel Cockran endorsed, and gave to my Son, just
on taking his Leave of him, without my Privity or Knowl
edge, and he far from imagining any Thing in it unwar
rantable; forasmuch as he understood it to be what the
Colonel had a Right to, out of the Savings of those
Provisions brought with them when they came; and
moreover being informed, that the Keeper of those
Stores remaining, had Directions from Mr. Wansell to
deliver what was in his Custody to Mr. Francis Moor,
after this Note of Colonel Cockran's was first answered;
my Son made no Scruple of tendering it, and was much
surprised at its being refused: From whence concluding,
that upon Colonel Cockran's being now gone off out of
the Way of justifying his own Note, he was likely to be
defeated in receiving what was intended, by some Juggle
or other; he then applied himself to one of the Magis
trates, and got a Summons to have the Matter discussed
as a civil Action: About which Time it came to my Ears,
who till then knew nothing of what was done; and
though I could not help thinking with myself that my
Son had an honest and fair Pretence to what he de-

19.

298 COLONIAL RECORDS.
manded; yet I was doubtful lest his proceeding too has- m^
tily in that Manner might be misconstrued: Wherefore I March
sought him earnestly, and persuaded him to lay aside all 7_
farther Thoughts of it, whether ever he got any Thing or s.
not; since if it was obtained, it must be with so much 9.
Difficulty: Upon which he readily acquiesced, and I
thought there was no Harm done. But some over-busy
Person or other, had at the same Time so misrepresented
it to the General, that the next Morning on my waiting
on him, he told me what he had heard, and ordered me
to send for my Son: Who, upon the General's examining
him on the several before-mentiened Particulars, with
due Deference freely acquainted him, with every the most
minute Passage relating to it; and being not conscious
of any base Action, appeared under no Terror of Guilt:
But the General rebuking him, gave him to understand,
that attempting to embezzle the King's Stores, was of a
criminal and felonious Nature, for which he deserved to
be sent home to England, and there to answer it; but in
Tenderness (he said) to me and my Family, he was
pleased to pass it over; and so dismissed him. My Son,
however, shocked at the Imputation of so vile an Act,
cannot be dissuaded from appealing to all Mankind, what
Probability there was of his evil Intention in what he
did, from the Circumstances before related; and he will
admit of no other Transgression, than his being too rash
in applying to the Magistrate for a Remedy; which never
theless he is humbly of Opinion in itself must acquit
him of designing any Thing that he was not willing to
show his Face to; and as for the rest, he must leave it
to Colonel Cockran how to vindicate an Act which was
entirely his own. On Saturday Evening, betwixt Seven
and Eight a Clock, the General left us, and made his
Way by Water to Port-Royal; where at Fort Frederick,
near Beaufort Town, one Company of his Regiment kept
Garrison in Barracks; and from thence he purposed to
visit Charles-Town, where he had not been since his Arri-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 299
val in those Parts last from England: He was pleased to 1739.
signify to us his Intention of returning to Savannah in a March
Fortnight or three Weeks; and it is to be presumed with- 7.
out all Doubt, that he left such Orders with Mr. Jones as *"
he would have observed during his Absence. 10.
Sunday. The publick Service of the Day was ob- 11.
served. A Sloop from New York with Provisions, 
Tingley Master, lying in vain for a Market here, and
therefore preparing to sail for St. Simon's, I put the two
Deserter's on board her, by the General's Order, which
had been some Time in Custody with us; but the third
who made his Escape, we could yet get no Hold of. A
very hard Wind blew most Part of the Day, such as I
hardly had seen the like since I knew the Country.
Monday. The Villain who committed the Robbery on 12-
Mr. Kellaway {vide 27th ult.) and in Spite of all our En
deavours still escaped the Hands of Justice (though we
had frequently sufficient Grounds to believe he skulked
near the Town, and divers others to be aiding and assist
ing him) made a fresh daring Attempt last Night on Mr.
Christie's Plantation, about two Miles out of Town, with
Design to break open the Hut by Force; but being acci
dentally discovered, they stood upon their Guard with
Weapons, &c. and as soon as Advice of it came to Town,
proper Assistance was sent; before which, the Rogue was
fled; and a Servant of Mr. Christie's, who had formerly
been a Fellow- Servant with him under another Master,
being upon Suspicion, and found to faulter in several
Questions put to him; moreover it being provided that he
had publickly declared he would never betray his Coun
try (for they were both Irish) it was thought proper to
keep him in safe Custody, for a farther Examination; and
though every Thing was done that we could think of to
take the Thief, and some neighbouring Indians whom we
sent for, came to assist us by Tracing (which they are
very skilful at) yet we could make nothing of it this Day.

300 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Such audacious Crimes gave Occasion to some Doubt "39.
arising, lest any other Rogues among us should be des- March
perate enough to join such a Villain, and form a Sort of
Banditti, which might bid Defiance to any ordinary Pur
suers. Finding now a little Leisure, I began writing Let
ters to England.
Tuesday. No Good to be done yet in Search of this 13.
Robber. Last Night and this Morning a very severe
Frost happened thus late in the Spring, which having
brought all tender Plants very forward, by the warm
Weather of a Month preceding, it gave us Pain lest we
should see many valuable Things cut off again.
Wednesday. An exceeding violent Rain held the 14
whole Day, wherein my chief Employment was prepar
ing a Packet for England; but uncertain when or how to
send it to Charles-Town, under no present Appearance of
any certain Conveyance. The great Vicissitude of Ex-
treams in the Weather, during three or four Days past,
was a Matter, perhaps, not unworthy Observation among
the Curious.
Thursday. Some of our best Rangers in the Woods i».
having several Times of late been in Quest of Cattle,
and returned with but little Success; this Day they
brought home a large Drove of a mixt Kind of Cows,
Calves, young Bullocks, and well-grown Steers; apper
taining partly to different Owners in the Town and
Neighbourhood, and partly to the Trust: Whereupon, at
a Consultation where Mr. Jones was present, it was pro
posed by some, that in Consideration of the great Ex
tremity that People were now come to, and no View of
any Supplies at the Stores it would be absolutely neces
sary to kill ten or twelve of them, which might be salted
and barrelled up, to be delivered out as the Store-Keeper
judged most agreeable to what Instructions he had re
ceived: Which Proposition being approved of by Mr.
Jones, he ordered it to be done.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 301
Friday. Finding myself under some Indisposition w®^
more than ordinary, I submitted to sit still at home; and March
nothing particular calling me into the Publick, I passed
this Day over in a little Indolence.
Saturday. Divers of the German Servants having \ 17.
again combined to be troublesome, and signed a Paper j
which was delivered to the General when here, complain
ing of beinghardly dealt with, in not having either Cloaths
or Provisions given them, which wastheir Due; which Paper
the General ordered strict Enquiry to be made into the
Truth of: The Magistrates and Mr. Jones met at my
House this Morning, and the Complainants being sent for,
appeared, to make good the Complaint: Which they
were so far from doing, that it appeared fully they had
received such Cloathing, both Linen and Woollen, as was
fit and needful; and as for Provision, they had often re
ceived it for a whole Week, and not struck one Stroke of
Work: Even at the very Time their Complaint was dated,
they had a Fortnight's Provision delivered, and nothing '
done; so that it plainly appearing they had endeavoured
to impose on the General, and that they were daily grow
ing more and more mutinous; four of the Ringleadersi
were picked out, and sent to the Log-House, there to ex
pect the Consequence on the General's Return.
Sunday. Mr. Norris officiated as his Duty required, is.
and administered the Holy Sacrament to such as were
well disposed.
Monday. In Conference with Mr. Jones he showed 19-
me a Paper delivered him from Mr. Bradley, in which
were set down the several Particulars he demanded for
the Maintenance of his People for a Quarter of a Year to
come; which amounted (as Mr. Jones computed) to near
90 1. Which asking my Opinion of, I was silent, not
knowing what to say. Most lamentable News came to
Town, of a Pettyagua being cast away in Delfuska Sound,

302 COLONIAL RECORDS.
on her Way hither, with many Soldiers, &c. intended by "39.
the General's Appointment to keep Garison at Fort Au- March
gusta; and that Sixteen Souls were lost; the whole Truth
and Circumstances of which sad Story, we must wait to
come at the Knowledge of, till the Return of the Boat
which we were now sending off, to bring away those few
Persons and Goods that were saved from the Wreck.
Tuesday. The German Servants that were under Com- 20.
mitment, now grown sensible they mistook attaining their
Ends, began to show much Penitence, and sought what
Friends they could make to solicit their Enlargement,
and obtain Pardon; which full Information being given
of, it was considered, whether under the Terror they were
at present, and such Promises as they made of their fu
ture good Behaviour, it would not be better to show
some farther Lenity, and once more try how far they
meant well; than by rigorous corporal Punishment prob
ably make them more hardened in their Stubbornness,
and even desperate: This Opinion prevailing, they were
three of them discharged out of Prison, with proper
Threats of what would ensue, if they did not perform
their Duty, &c. Only one who seemed more daring than
the others, was detained still in Custody, to see how long
the sullen Mood would hold him, and whether or no he
would drive the Magistrates to a Necessity of showing
what Effect Whipping would produce.
Wednesday. The Boat returning, which was sent 21.
down to the Wreck on Monday, brought a Gentleman,
whose name is Shenton, from thence; who being a Sort
of Cadet attending the Army, and waiting in Expecta
tion of Preferment from the General, was employed in
this Expedition with the Soldiers from Port-Royal, and
narrowly escaped with a few others, from being drowned
as the rest were; so that the Story, as we had it genuine
from him, was thus: A Detachment being made by Order
of the General, of twelve private Men, with one Serjeant

COLONIAL RECORDS. 303
and one Corporal, under the Command of a subaltern J^
Commission-Officer from the Fort at Port-Royal, to go M«cn
and keep Garison at Augusta, they set out in a Petty
agua, which also carried all necessary Stores of every
Kind along with them: But after they had passed the
Waters within Land, and came to Delfuska Sound, which
is a wide Inlet of the Sea at the Mouth of Savannah
River, the Wind rising upon them, and the Sea running
high, they found themselves at a Loss for Want of a
Patroon to govern the Vessel, who understood it better
than him they had: By which Means they run upon the
Flats, and the Vessel falling in Pieces, tho' they were
near enough to the shore to have got to it, had the
Weather favoured; no less than sixteen perished in the
Waves, viz. seven private Soldiers, together with a Cor
poral, a Serjeant, and a subaltern Commission-Officer,
whose Name was Kitson (who was a Gentleman of a good
Character, and looked on as a sober, discreet Man, well
qualified for the Post he was to have taken upon him:)
The other six lost, were three Soldiers Wives, a Youth of
about Fifteen (very promising, whose Father was the
Serjeant before named lost) and the two Negroes who
belonged to the Pettyagua were also lost: Five of the
Soldiers and the Patroon, together with Shenton (the
Relator) by good Luck made shift to get ashore alive.
Thursday. Mr. Shenton designing with as little Loss 22.
of Time as possible, to make his Way to Charles-Town,
that he might give the General full Information there of
this unhappy Accident, resolved to take his Journey by
Land; and sending his Horse Part of the Way on the
Georgia Side of the River, he purposed to take a Boat
which might carry him that Length; where mounting he
would proceed, and cross the Water by Ferry at Palacho-
colas, &c. This being the first Opportunity I had met
with, of sending my Packet for England, dated ever
since the 12th Instant, I laid hold of it, entrusting it with
him as a safe Hand, and giving him Instructions what to

304 COLONIAL RECORDS.
do with it when he came to Charles-Town; and by him I "39.
also sent Letters to the General and others. Mr. Bradley M|£cn
having given it out for same Days past, that the General
expected him at Charles-Town, thought it a proper Oc
casion now to have such Company; and so he prepared
his Matters to go in the same Manner with Shenton, taking
the first of the next Tide, which would be in the Night:
But whether the General expected him or not, or for
what Purpose, I found nobody that could tell.
Friday. Mr. Brownfield returning to Town last Night, 23.
after having been several Weeks in the South, at Fred
erica, Darien, and elsewhere, negotiating Business with
divers whom he served in various Sorts of Goods; know
ing him to be a Man that would naturally fall into some
Discourse among those he kept Company with there,
concerning the Controversy of late so much in Vogue
among us, about the Tenure of Lands, Negroes, &c. I
engaged him to take Breakfast with me, that I might
hear what News he brought; and the rather because he
was one of those who had signed the late Representation
from Savannah. He appeared open and free in what
Talk we had, relating as well to what had happened here,
as there; professing solemnly, that he never advised, nor
had any Hand in forming or contriving that which went
from hence; nor did he ever see it before it was shown
him at the Time when he signed it, which he saw many
had done before him; and as it was perfectly agreeable to
his own Sentiments, which he had always owned openly,
he readily put his Hand to it, believing, from his Heart,
that unless such, or some other Expedient were made
Use of in Favour of the Settlers here, the Colony could
never flourish; which no one wished better to than him
self; and was far from thinking the honourable Trustees
would resent it as an Indignity offered them; what was
in itself no more than an humble Petition which every
free-born Subject of England had a Right to offer,
whether ever it were granted or not: But as for all the

COLONIAL RECORDS. 305
vain, idle Discourses arising from it, and the Bouncing raso^
made Use of by two or three Men principally, he utterly Ma3°n
condemned it; and never did, nor never would, associate
with such Hot-heads. I told him I was pretty sure, that
I knew divers of the inferior Rank of People, who, were
it to be done again, would not do it, and had no other
Reason for having done it, than seeing so many Names
to it before; which he said he could easily believe, for
the like Instance might be found in the South, where a
counter Petition was carried on lately, being the very
Reverse of what was framed here; and which at first was
set a Foot by two or three only, but afterwards carried
on openly by Numbers; divers of whom since wished
they had not been persuaded to it; which I understood
he spoke with a Sneer. Upon asking him how Planting
went forward in those Parts; he said, that at Frederica
he was of Opinion little was to be expected, though most
of them were doing somewhat in that Way; but the Gen
erality of such as did, aimed at such small Parcels, per
haps an Acre or the like, that the Produce could not be
great: But at Darien he thought they seemed more in
earnest, and most of them had the like View with one
another. These Things I thought with myself might
probably fall within the Compass of my Enquiry here
after, when the Crop would be visible.
Saturday. I thought it would as well behove me to 24.
look a little, when I could spare Time, after my own Im
provements, as to be informing myself about others
(which I did very often) and this Day I spent good Part
of among, my own People, whom I seldom visited, but
came away disturbed in my Mind.

Sunday. The publick Duty of the Day was regularly
observed. Monday. Some more evident Marks appearing of
Cattle being newly killed in the neighbouring Woods; it
20 e r— vol 4

25.

26.

306 COLONIAL RECORDS.
was thought proper to send out several Officers with a "39.
search Warrant, and that they should make close Pursuit Ma^cb
immediately, to discover what possibly they could; going
different Ways at the same Time, the better to surprise
such as were concerned in the Fact. This happened to
succeed better than some Attempts of the like Nature
had done before; for they found the Flesh of a young
Bullock cut in Pieces, and stowed away in a private
Place, which a Fellow had the Custody of, who was soon
wrought upon to confess the Fact to be his, and that
another Fellow was his Accomplice, whom he named,
and they soon after laid hold of also. Upon the Exami
nation it appeared, that the Beast was the Property of
Bailiff Parker, who had been unfortunate divers Times
in losing several after the same Manner; and the two
Thieves were young Rogues, not twenty Years of Age,
but indented Servants that had a Year or more to serve:
They acknowledged that they did not want Provisions
from their Masters, sufficient; but they were tempted to
this from a Desire of fresh Meat. They we're committed
to Prison, in order to take their Trials in due Time.
Tuesday, ) Planting now being in high Season, 2 .
Wednesday. ) tho' in low Esteem by too manv; all 8
who had due Regard to it, gave proper Attention; and
finding no Avocation worth heeding, I stuck principally
to that Work, with what Strength I had: And all that I
learnt of what passed in Town, was a continual Bickering
betwixt Mess. Causton and Jones; wherein it was hard
for Bystanders to judge, whether or not too much Arti
fice and Cunning was made Use of to conceal Matters on
one Side; which on the other might be too rashly con
demned, in very severe Terms, possibly before thoroughly
understood.

Thursday.- Mr. Causton called on me this Morning,
bringing with him a large Parcel of Papers, Accounts,
&c. which he told me he had been preparing to send to

29.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 307
the Trust; from whence having Orders some Months since 1739.
to transmit what he wrote under my Cover, he desired March
now to do so; and desired withal, that I would put my
Seal on them before him: In Answer to which I said,
that I was ready to do so; but wished I had done it at
the same Time that I sent off my own last Packet, which
was but a Week since; and now on so short Warning I
could write little or nothing of it (for he was sending it
by a Friend of his just then going off for Charles-Town,
who was to put it safe on board the first Ship bound for
England) wherefore I only wrote a short Letter and the
Occasion of it, to Mr. Verelst; and after sealing up the
Packet, delivered it to his Friend to take Care of; which
was Mr. Hugh Anderson, who among several others, was
going (he said) to make some Experiment what he could
do in Carolina, for he could no longer subsist where he was,
as Things stood at present; but as soon as he saw any
Prospect of better Things in Georgia, he should be will
ing and ready to return to it, and try his Fortune again.
Savannah began indeed now to grow thinner of People
apace; nevertheless it was apparent, that the Generality
of those who went off, were either such as being one Size
above the lowest Rank of People had formed wrong No
tions to themselves of growing wealthy a little sooner
than the ordinary Circumstances of a new-founded Col
ony will readily admit of; or else they were People really
of no Value for promoting the publick Welfare by their
Industry and honest Labour: There yet remained (and
were likely to continue) a small Body of Reserve, who
minded their own Business quietly, and kept the beaten
Path, without swerving; though divers of them (I write it
with Concern) to my Knowledge fared very hard.
Friday. One of my Servants, not discouraged at the
late Attempts of some of his Fellows in vain to run away,
whom he saw brought back again; resolved to try
what Luck he could have; and accordingly went off this
Morning, in Company with another who belonged to a

308 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Neighbour: As it happened that I had not a more worth- 1739.
less one among them all; and for any Good that ever I M|goh
could expect from him, concluded, that he were better
lost than found; I took little Notice of it, only made
Show of using such Means as were usually taken in the
like Case; that for Example's Sake he might possibly
meet with his Reward, if taken again. What spare Time
I had, was chiefly employed among them, resolving since
they had put it out of my Power to cultivate such a
Quantity of Land as I promised myself should be done,
what they did should be after the best Manner; and my
Son generally followed them pretty closely.
Saturday. Intelligence being brought us, that the si.
Corpse of Mr. Kitson (the Officer lately so unhappily
lost, among others) was thrown ashore by the Tide, near
the Place where he was drowned; Mr. Jones took a Boat
with proper Hands to go and find it. A Sloop belong
ing to Captain Davis arrived here from St. Augustin,
with the usual Traffick of that Place; but as a Cargo of
that Kind was not likely to sell here, where the Neces
saries of Life, which were frequently offered us from the
Northern Provinces, could not be bought; her next Move
ment would probably be to Charles-Town for a Market.
Mr. Williams had a Sloop likewise come in this Day from
St. Christopher's, with Molasses and many useful Com
modities, none of which could be come at by us; but the
Owners expecting to find a readier Market at St. Simon's,
intended to send her thither. It was observable, that
during this Time of Trial, when so many People were
gone, and going off, some of whom were driven away
through Necessity, and others without so good a Reason
left us; there seemed to be a Show of future Trade ex
pected to be carried on at Savannah, maugre all Dis
couragement so much complained of: For Instance,
Mr. Kellaway having the Grant from the General lately
of one of the Lots hitherto reserved, fronting the River,
has already set up a large Store-House, and purposes a

COLONIAL RECORDS.

309

Dwelling-House also: Captain Davis (I am informed)
has the Grant of another Lot, next to Mr. Kellaway's,
where he says he will immediately do the like (and very
probably much more) being reputed a wealthy Man, and
makes Show of a Fondness of the Place; The next Lot ad
joining, which has generally been looked on as intended for
Mr. Montaigut, it is now said he is determined forthwith
to build both Dwelling and Ware-houses on: Mr. Provost
some Months since built a large Warehouse on his Lot
(formerly Hughes's:) Mr. Brownfield keeps a large
Warehouse well provided with many useful Commodities
from England: and Mr. Woodrooffe (bred a Haberdasher
of small Wares) deals much in the same Way here as in
London, keeping a Shop well furnished with Variety.
Mr. Williams hitherto has had Vessels frequently coming
here, which he has freighted with Lumber for the West
Indies; but now seems to give off farther Thoughts of it,
intending (he says) to leave his Plantation also, and go
soon for England, waiting the Event of the late Represen
tation which he had such a Hand in. Thus in the mer
cantile Way, we see enough ready to turn Adventurers:
Happy were it, could we also find the like Disposition
for cultivating Land.  But what can be said of that?

1739.

March 31.

Sunday. The publick Service was performed as usual;
and I could not help making one Remark: That not
withstanding a considerable Number of People have for
saken the Town within the few Months past, the Con
gregation does not appear to be lessened: From whence
it is evident, that whatever Service they might have been
of, had they staid, the Cause of Religion (it is to be hoped)
will suffer little by their going hence.

April 1.

Monday. Mr. Jones returned to Town, after having
found the Corpse he went to seek, and buried it as de
cently as the present Circumstances would admit of.
Mr. Williams, with his Sloop and Cargo, sailed for St.
Simon's. Mr. Causton taking Occasion to have some

310 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Confabulation with me, complained heavily of the Treat- 1739.
ment he continued to meet with from Mr. Jones, who A^ril
(he said) bespattered him daily with opprobrious Stories
given out, and laying most scandalous Things to his
Charge, which he defied him to maintain: And putting a
different Air from what he had done of late, he plainly
told me, that he was resolved no longer to sit still and
bear it: but would seek for proper Reparation for Dam
age he sustained, in having his Character so vilified.
Tuesday, "j What Time I could well spare from 3.
Wednesday, > attending Plantation Work (which at 4.
Thursday. ) this Juncture I was most urgent in) I 5-
found myself obliged to bestow good Part of, in listen
ing to the alternate, daily, hard Speeches uttered by
Mess. Causton and Jones against each other; wherein
they appeared now to lay aside all Restraint; and some
times threw out foul Language mutually Face to Face,
as well as Reproaches, when their Backs were turned,
concerning what one knew of the other's Employment,
and former Course of Life; which was generally told
with such Bitterness on both Sides, that it was sufficient
to create an utter Contempt among such as had already
a great Regard for neither. At this Time a fresh Cause
of Contention had arisen between them about some Mul
berry-Leaves, which may not improperly be taken No
tice of.  Mr. Causton had taken Care, among other
Things in his large Plantation at Ockstead, to raise a
good Stock of young Mulberry-Trees (several Hundreds)
which thriving well, began to throw out pretty good
Plenty of Leaves; and the Silk- Worm Season now de
manding good Store, Camuche persuaded Mr. Jones to
purchase them; which accordingly he agreed for, at the
Rate of Three-pence per Tree; and it was judged by im
partial People a reasonable Price: This the good Wife
thought a Perquisite of her own, and (it seems) expected
ready Payment for, not intending to have any Account
with the Stores, where her Husband had enough without

COLONIAL RECORDS. 311
Doubt already: But it so happened, that Mr. Jones, with- "89.
out farther Ceremony, sent over two or three German AP,n
Girls to Ockstead to gather the Leaves, and bring them 4
away thence; where there was no Servant, or any one 5-
appointed to assist and direct them in it; Mr. Causton's
Family being atpresent in Town, who had no Notice of
what they were doing: Whereupon after it was over, Mrs.
Causton irritated to a great Degree, to find herself taken
no Notice of, and more so probably, on suspecting her
self defeated in such Payment as she looked for; made
a publick Exclamation among all People, of the harsh
Treatment she had met with; not refraining from some
of that foul Language, which of late was become cur
rent among them; and alledging, that the Trees were
spoiled through the Ignorance of those who were em
ployed; for that it required great Care how the Leaves
were gathered, which they had used so little of, that
they had with their Fingers stript every Branch naked,
by drawing it through them; and if ever the Trees re
covered, it would not be in another Year; which she ex
emplified from the publick Garden, where it is said the
like had once been done, and was the Occasion of spoil
ing a great many. Mr. Jones hearing so much Noise
made about it, went to Mr. Causton, and required him to
keep his Wife's Tongue in Order; to which he answered,
that he had been greatly injured, and must expect Satis
faction of him for the Damage done him; That begat
more Warmth, &c. &c.
Friday. Mr. Habersham, our School-Master, who at- e.
tended the General to Charles-Town, when he went
thither on the ioth ult. returned; but brought no Letters
with him of any Kind, that I heard of; nor any particu
lar Intelligence for our farther Instruction: He came
from Port-Royal to Purysburgh, over Land, for what Pur
pose he best knew. Much about the same Time arrived one
of our Pettagua's thence, wherein came Mr. Habersham
the Length of Port-Royal: But by this Boat likewise, I

312 COLONIAL RECORDS.
found no Letter: Mr. Jones I found had one more imme- £^_
diately concerning some Affair of the Stores: Where- APr11
fore finding nothing urgent of Business relating to the
Publick, I made the best Use of my Time in looking
over my own.
Saturday. By some Persons arrived from Augusta, ?•
I received a Letter from Lieutenant Kent, enclosing a
Conference (or Talk, as it is commonly called) he lately
had with some of the Indians, who arrived at the Fort
from the Cherokees, to know why the English would
cast them off; which, it seem, had been insinuated among
them by a French Emissary, a German by Nation, whom
our General has wished to lay hold of for some Time
past: But by the Talk (which was committed to Writing)
it appeared, that they went back very easy, and fully
satisfied, the English meant them nothing but Good, and
would be ready to supply them with whatever they
wanted in Trade; which that Fellow had persuaded them
to imagine no Nation could do so well as the French:
So after mutual Assurance of Good-will and Friendship
betwixt us, at length they returned in perfect good
Humour. We had now no less than Half a Dozen Brig-
antines and Sloops lying at Anchor with us, beside one
or two more lying at Tybee, all trading Vessels of con
siderable Burden, which made an Appearance of Busi
ness; but alas! we had little to do with them: Their
Traffick mostly was from the Northern Provinces; some
to Providence and Augustin, and others to St. Simon's,
where they found a Market; but their calling here was
ordinarily en passant, put in perhaps by contrary Winds,
or some Accident. Many idle and scandalous Stories
were whispered about Town to Day, certainly without
any Foundation, but propogated by ill-designing Men,
reflecting on the Behaviour of the People of Charles-
Town towards the General, who (they insinuated) met
with a cold Reception there; with some Circumstances

COLONIAL RECORDS. 313
not fit to commit to Writing, which we were confident "39.
were utterly false. A^n
Sunday. The publick Service was duly observed; and 8.
Mr. Norris was not wanting in exhorting his Hearers to
amend their Lives, and betake themselves to the Practice
of all Kinds of Virtue.
Monday. The first News I had this Morning, was by 9.
one of my Servants at the Plantation, who came to tell
me two of his Fellows were run away in the Night;
which I had little Cause to be sorry for, too well know
ing that I must never expect their Work would pay for
their Maintenance: Nevertheless I would not be want
ing to get the proper Means of getting them taken;
wherein it was not unlikely we might succeed, as hitherto
we had not failed in any one; and the last who went off
{vide 30th ult.) I had now Intelligence was caught by the
Cow- Keeper at Old Ebenezer. The Court sat again this
Day, according to their ordinary Course of Time; and
indeed it was Time to make some Goal Delivery or
other, there were such a Number of Criminals got to
gether in Custody: But the Grand Jury took up most
Part of the Day in preparing Bills and Presentments
against to-morrow.
Tuesday. Attended the Court most Part of the Day, 10.
where no less than five Criminals were to be tried, against
whom Bills of Indictments were found for several Felo
nies. Wednesday. The five Criminals mentioned being all n.
legally convicted, some for petty Felonies, and some for
more notorious, received Sentence severally to be pub
lickly whipped in Proportion to their Offences, viz. two
for cattle-killing (as noted on the 26th ult.) one for be
ing privy to a Robbery committed on his Master, (as
noted on February 27) one, a German Servant, for steal
ing Fowls; and one, a Swiss of Purysburgh, by Trade a

314 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Cooper, for stealing Pipe-Staves, that were made by one, "39.
of our Freeholders in the Woods. In the Afternoon" -^p™1
the General returned to us by Water from Carolina, in
the same Manner he went, and attended only by Adju
tant Hugh McKay, besides his own Domesticks. The
Court resolving to take as few Causes of Litigation in
hand, as Necessity would permit, during such a general
Insolvency, they adjourned themselves to the 25th In
stant.

Thursday. From this Time my Duty requiring daily
Attendance on the General, during the Time of his
Abode among us, it must suffice to touch on a few Inci
dents only, worth most Notice in that Space. Among
others, the Affair of Cattle- hunting, and afterwards tak
ing due Care of them, which had been too. long in a loose
Way, was thought by the General deserving his Consid
eration; especially as the Stock of the Trustees, as well
as that of private Persons, was greatly increased, not
withstanding the frequent Peculation made, whereof there
had been many Instances. To cure which Evil, and put
it under a proper Regulation, required much Thought,
and divers Conferences betwixt the General, and such of
the most sensible and deserving Inhabitants as he was
pleased to advise with. At length several Conclusions
were formed, and such Orders thereupon issued by the
General, as it is to be hoped, when duly observed, may
answer the End intended of securing to each their Prop
erty. At Savannah a Pindar was appointed, and who
was to be furnished with Half a Dozen Horses, to enable
him at the usual Seasons to hunt for, and bring home to
a Cow-Pen, all such Heads as lay scattering many Miles
wide, and not to be turned out again without being reg
ularly branded and marked by the rightful Owners; and
where there should be any Claim made, which was
not sufficiently evident in Behalf of private Prop
erty; such, as well as all found without any Mark, were
to be judged unquestionably to belong to the Trust.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 315
At old Ebenezer, where another Cow-Pen is appointed, "39
a proper Person also is under the same Orders and In- A^ril
structions as the former: By which Means, if punctu
ally observed, it is expected that the live Stock of this
North Part of the Province, which at present is com
puted at near a Thousand, will soon multiply greatly.
While some of our People showed themselves weary of cul
tivating Land partly through a lazy Indifference, and part
ly discouraged by bad Crops, which induced several to try
their Fortune elsewhere; divers yet appeared desirous to
make Experiment under all the Disadvantages so much
talked of, whether or not it were possible to employ
their Labour that Way with better Success, and besought
the General to grant them sundry vacant Lots in Savan
nah; among whom he was pleased to make Choice of a
few that he judged most promising, to gratify their Re
quest: And that such as were gone off rashly might see,
that they made more Haste than good Speed, he prom
ised a Bounty of two Shillings per Bushel for all Indian
Corn, and one Shilling per Bushel for all Potatoes, which
they should have grown, to all who continued to perse
vere in doing what they could on their Land, over and
above what they could sell it for after next Harvest.
The Way down to the Water-Side wearing away apace
with the loose Sand, which made it very incommodious
in passing up and down with Burdens, and the Crane
growing often out of Repair, which made it dangerous,
as well as expensive; the General agreed with one to
to build a Wharf down at High-Water Mark, with a Store
House, and proper Conveniences on it; which must un
doubtedly prove a cheap Bargain to the Trust, who are
to pay only 50 /. Sterling to the Undertaker, which is
Duchee the Potter provided he can effect it; but there
are few who think it possible it can be done for that
Sum; and argue, that if it costs twice that Sum to do it
firm and strong, it must not be thought dear. Mr. Brad
ley, whilst he waited on the General at Charles-Town,
thought fit to make a Demand of 1200 /. Sterling, which

316 COLONIAL RECORDS.
he said was owing him from the Trust; but at Savannah jm
we heard from Mr. Jones, that he stood Debtor 1900 /. AP2r11
However that may be, the General was pleased to tell
me, that Mr. Bradley had fully resigned all future med
dling with the publick Affairs belonging to the Trust;
that he was content to sit down quiet on the five hundred
Acres which were first granted; in order to which, that
he might be enabled to go on with it, his Excellency
was so good to advance him a certain Sum on his own
private Credit, which was no Ways to interfere with his
publick Accounts, that he was to stand to as before, and
liquidate as he could. On Wednesday the 18th in the
Afternoon the General left us again, and went South by
Water, attended by two other Boats carrying some of
his Officers and some of his Domesticks.
Thursday. The last Week passing over without dis- i9.
tinguishing Days, I now return to my usual Course: And
this Morning, by the General's Appointment Yesterday,
I took Horse, and rode to the Mouth of Vernon River,
where I was to expect him. The Occasion was, that
after so long waiting in Hopes of finding a Settlement
near, on Savannah River; but seeing little likelihood of
it at last, by Reason of many Difficulties and Objections;
I had learnt, that there was a Tract of Land in those
Parts where I now went, which might answer my Purpose,
though at twelve Miles Distance; the Way to it by Land
being good, and the Situation near the River making it
agreeable; and now upon Sight I so thought it. The
General came and found me there: But there also some
Doubts were started; for the two Etheringtons of Thun
derbolt (it seems) had formed a Design of obtaining a
Lease of that Land, in order to raise live Stock upon it;
which whether or not the General had given them any
Reason to expect a Grant of, it did not appear; however,
on that Presumption, they had set up a little mean Hut
upon it, by Way of taking Possession. Having heard of
this before, I sent to one of the Brothers at Thunderbolt,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 317
to ask what Pretensions he had to it; who returned me "«9.
for Answer, that his Brother and he had some Design of Ai>9r11
that Kind once about two or three Years since; which
they had laid aside again, and afterwards had their Eyes
upon an Island for the same Purpose; and as for his own
Part, he never intended to meddle with this any farther:
His Brother, at the same Time, I had good Reason to be
lieve would never interrupt me; for beside that he had no
Title to it; if he had any, it was sufficiently forfeited by
Felony; whereof he with others was convicted on several
Indictments for Cattle-killing, a Year and more since, be
sides several other Indictments found against him by the
Grand Jury, that he had not yet been tried for: Where
upon he broke Goal, and fled out of the Colony. Upon
representing which to the General, and telling him that
if there was no other Objection, I would be contented to
sit down here, and run the Risk of it; he asked me
smiling, if I had such confidence in him? Which (indeed)
I did not relish as a Compliment; but replied, that he
must have a mean Opinion of me, if he doubted my Con
fidence in him extending a far greater Length than this.
Then calling his officers about him, and ordering some
cold Provisions and Wine to be brought ashore, which
he carried with him in the Boats for Refreshment; we
all sat down, and eat and drank with good Stomachs.
After which they all proceeded on their Passage, and I
with my Companion, Mr. Mercer (one of our Constables)
returned home the Way we came.
Good- Friday. This Day was observed with the usual 20.
Solemnity at Church, both Morning and Afternoon; and
all I had to observe was, that Mr. Bradley returned home
again from his Travels in Carolina.
Saturday. Mr. Jones with me, complaining, that Mr. 21.
Bradley had already been at him for Provisions again,
and was as troublesome as before, so that he knew not
what to do; nor was I capable of advising. I was after-

318 COLONIAL RECORDS.
wards informed, that Mr. Jones, to stop his Clamour, "39.
issued for his Use a hundred Weight of Beef; though ^n
there was not treble that Quantity left in the Stores.

Easter-Sunday. Mr. Norris officiated Morning and
Evening, preached on a Subject suitable to the Day, and
administered the Sacrament to near thirty Partakers.
Mr. Williams's Sloop which went to St. Simon's returned
hither this Night.
Monday. This was a Day full of mischievous Events.
The Morning began with a private Information, that Mr.
Jones had received from one Green a Freeholder, who
has a Lot on the River Side, a little below the publick
Garden, with a Hut on it, where he mostly lives: And
the Information being of an extraordinary Nature, Mr.
Jones desired me and Mr. Christie to be present, and hear
what the Man had to say: I went accordingly to Mr.
Jones's, where Mr. Christie was expected by Promise, to
come immediately; but after long waiting for him in vain
and he not coming, it was thought proper to take down
in Writing what the Informant had to say, which he
might make Affidavit of afterwards when required; and
it was to this Effect, viz. Mr. Williams's Sloop coming up
late Saturday Night, and the Tide falling short, Mr. Wil
liams and the Master left her, and taking the Boat rowed
up to Town: After which the Mate hailed to this Inform
ant, desiring him to come aboard with his Boat; which he
did; and that upon asking him what News from the South,
they told him the Soldiers were all in a mutinous, dis
contented Way, cursing their Officers, and even the Gen
eral himself who (they said) had best look to himself, lest
he should get two or three Bullets through him; for if
one did not do it, another would. Upon asking the In
formant if he knew the Persons again when he saw them,
who reported those Words; he said, he knew two of them
very well, and one of them was the Mate. Mr. Shenton
also was present with us when this Information was

22.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 319
made; who being upon Haste on some Business, by Order ^
of the General, and following him by Land, it was ap^u
thought by us advisable, that he should take this Infor
mation with him. Mr. Christie coming late when the
Affair was near over; Mr. Jones grown out of Humour
at it, shut the Door against him; whereat he went away
affronted. Soon after, Mr. Jones and I went to Mr. Jen
kins's, where Mr. Shenton lodged, in order to deliver him
a Packet from Mr. Montaigut, which was left in my Care
to send to Frederica: There we chanced to meet Mr.
Robert Williams, with his Brother-in-Law Dr. Tailfer;
from which Accident a great Feud broke out betwixt
Mess. Williams and Jones, who had long thought hard of
each other; and now Mr. Williams attacked him in warm
Language, for representing him injuriously to the Gen
eral last Week, in his Absence, when he could not defend
himself. This being a Matter of Consequence, it may
be proper here to note the whole Circumstance, as I heard
the Enquiry, lest it might slip my Memory, if future Oc
casion should require my Testimony. Some Time since
we had Notice, that there were several Cattle killed, and
killing, at Mr. Matthews's Cow-Pen up the River, to
which Mr. Williams's Plantation was near adjoining; Part
of which Meat was sent down to Town, and delivered to
such there as Mr. Williams appointed in the Absence of
Matthews, who at that Time was far off on the Alata-
maha River, settling there a Trade with the Indians, by
Allowance from the General: Mr. Matthews was well
known to have a large Stock of Cattle in these Parts, and
had divers Times formerly, when he thought fit to kill
any, sent good Part of them into the Stores, which were
accepted in Mr. Causton's Time; and not only so, but it
seems had also Orders from Mr. Causton, when any of
the wild Steers belonging to the Trust, and could not be
come at, happened to fall in with Matthews's Drove at
his Time of killing, he should kill such also, giving im
mediate Notice to the Stores, where they might be ac
counted for. Mr. Matthews now having ordered some to

320 COLONIAL RECORDS.
be killed when he was away; among the rest, one of them v178sk
was known to belong to the Trust, and sent openly in ^n
four Quarters to one Person (a Carpenter) by Order, as
he that killed it affirmed, of Mr. Williams. This had a
very ill Aspect; and Mr. Jones thought proper to defer
the Examination into it, till the General came lately, that
it might be had before him. The Fellow who killed it
told readily what Orders he had, which he had observed;
but denied strongly, that he had killed more than one of
the Trust's; tho' he thought (he said) if he had, he should
not have incurred any Blame: The General hereupon or
dered the Fellow into Custody, in order for a further
Examination, when Williams or Matthews, either or both
of them were to be spoken with, neither being at home.
The next Day Mr. Matthews came and attended the Gen
eral; and acquainting him with the Whole, making it ap
pear also, that he had made himself Debtor to the Stores
in the Account he kept with them, and that on the same
Account the Stores were still Debtor to him. Mr. Jones
likewise acknowledged, that Notice had been given of it
to the Stores (tho' not immediately when the Meat was
delivered) the General was pleased to tell me himself,
that he thought Matthews was justified; and thereupon
the Fellow was discharged. Mr. Williams, during this
Enquiry, happened to be gone to St. Simon's, in order, if
he could, there to dispose of the Cargo his Sloop had
lately brought; so that he had not seen the General, nor
did he during his Abode with us a Week. Upon his meet
ing Mr. Jones thus accidentally now, and charging him
with unfair Treatment (as above) they both grew into
Passion; Williams had been informed by somebody, that
at the late Examination Mr. Jones insinuated as if the
Meat which was sent the Carpenter was to pay a Debt of
his own due to that Carpenter; whereas he had not em
ployed that Carpenter, nor owed him any Thing; but the
Carpenter had been employed by Matthews, and the Meat
sent him was in Part of Payment from Matthews: Had it
been otherwise, it would have been a felonious converting

COLONIAL RECORDS. 321
another's Property; which therefore irritated Williams: Jjsj^
Mr. Jones denied, that he had insinuated any such Thing, &^il
adding, that whoever told him so, was a Liar and a Vil
lain: Upon which Williams sent for the Carpenter who
had the Meat, and who among others had been examined
upon it, telling Mr. Jones he would prove it to his Face;
both continuing in great Passion: And to make Things
yet worse, about this Time Mr. Christie came in, and full
of Resentment at the Repulse he had met with at Mr.
Jones's this Morning; many angry Words passed betwixt
them also. Mr. Jones, therefore, to put an End to such
Contention, thought proper to walk away to his own
Home, as I did to mine; so that what ensued I know no
otherwise than it was told me, viz. that soon after Mr.
Williams followed Mr. Jones to his House, telling him,
that he had now got the Carpenter at Jenkins's, and there
fore expected that he would go and confront him, or else
he should believe all that was said of him: That Mr. Jones
refused to go, desiring Williams to go out of his House;
then more angry Words ensued, and particularly the
Word Villain was interchanged; but which of them first
used it, I could not learn the Certainty of; till at length
Williams run his Fist in Mr. Jones's Face: Mr. Shenton
being present with Mr. Jones when this happened, he is
the only proper Evidence of what passed. In the After
noon sitting with Mr. Jones at a Neighbour's over Tea, a
Message came to me, that the Magistrates were all three
assembled at my House, and desired I would come to
them: I did so, and when I came, I found Mr. Williams
with them, who had been soliciting them for a Warrant
against Mr. Jones; and that Mr. Shenton (whom they also
had with them) might make his Affidavit of what he had
seen, &c. Upon their asking my Opinion how to act in
this Case, I told them, that I thought if Mr. Shenton was
to be examined touching what had happened, and very
probably Mr. Williams might ask him some Questions in
his own Favour, it would be proper, that Mr. Jones also
should be present to object what he thought needful on
21 c r— v 4

322 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1789.

his Part: Upon which they sent to Mr. Jones, desiring
that he would please to come to them: But on the Re- AP,r11
turn of the Messenger it appeared, that he was very much
displeased at it, and said, if they had any Thing to say,
they might come to him; Which indeed I thought was a
little too rough an Answer to send to the Magistrates,
who were assembled with an Intent to do their Duty, in
endeavouring to know the Truth. After this, they asked
Mr. Shenton, at Mr. Williams's Request, to relate what
he knew about it: But he seeming to appear an unwilling
Evidence on either Side, they desisted, and did not pro
ceed to examine him upon Oath, or to take any Affidavit;
but left it as they found it. Soon after, I went to Mr.
Jones, and he had then taken a Resolution to go in the
Morning to the South, and acquaint the General himself
with this whole Day's Proceedings: Seeing which, I for
bore meddling any farther; and thought it my Duty to
put in Writing (as I have done) what I knew of the Whole,
without Partiality.
Tuesday. Went in the Morning to see Mr. Jones, and 24.
to give him an Opportunity (if he so inclined) to commu
nicate any Thing he thought proper relating to the pub
lick Service, before he went: Wherein he appeared
pretty much reserved, and said nothing about it, more
than that he heard Mr. Bradley had killed a small Steer,
which he gave out was one of his own; though he learnt
that it was branded with the Mark of the Trust; and
moreover he could see no Necessity for it, having at his
Importunity issued a hundred Weight of Beef to him
since his Return home. About Noon Mr. Jones went off
for St. Simon's, and Mr. Norris (our Parson) by his Per
mission, went with him to Frederica, where he had been
some Time expected to perform the Office of his Minis
try; and intended to return again with what Speed was
convenient. Wednesday. Peter Emery (one of our Freeholders, 25.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 323
who keeps a Boat of his own) going this Morning for ™^
Charles-Town, I took the Opportunity of sending a small APril
Packet by him, directed to Mr. Verelst, inclosing Copy
of my Journal, &c. dated ever since 21. N. B. The
General, when here, expressing some Displeasure at the
Attorney-General, whom I was ordered by the Trust to
correspond with; and discovering some Jealousy of his
not acting faithfully, in relation to such Letters as he was
intrusted with; he was pleased to direct me to send no
more through his Hands, but return to my former Cor
respondent Mr. Hopton, whose Character he approved
of: And accordingly I committed this to Mr. Hopton's
Care. Mr. Mace, an Ensign in the Regiment at St. Si-
men's, arrived, and brought me a Letter from Major
Cook, advising of three indented Servants, belonging to
the General, being run away; and also of five Soldiers
having deserted (viz. two from the Major's own Company,
and three from Lieutenant Colonel Cockran's) all from
St. Simon's; describing the Persons, promising the Re
ward for taking, as usual, &c. The Ensign had with him
a sufficient Force of Hands well armed, in case they
came up with them, and was pushing on for Carolina with
Intent to keep a head of them, and look out narrowly in
his Way back.
Thursday. Mr. Bradley, upon having Notice from 26.
one of the Constables, that he had Orders from the Gen
eral to go without Loss of Time with him to the five hun
dred Acres appointed for his Use by the Grant, and to
put him in full Possession of the same, now seemed very
indifferent about it, and began to cavil at the Lines being
not run out with that Certainty as he expected: Yester
day he put it off, on divers Pretences; and this Day he
could not go (he said) because he was not well: So that
some Folks began to imagine he did notreally mean to sit
down there in haste, notwithstanding what passed betwixt
the General and him at Charles-Town: But at length,

324 COLONIAL RECORDS.
upon farther consideration, he went and took Possession itss^
of "it, though in all Appearance with no Good-will. APgrU
Friday. Nothing worth observing. Most People who 27.
regarded their Lots abroad, were busy in replanting a
great Part of what had been done before, which withered
away before, the Heat coming on so early; and I among
the rest thought it worth my Care.
Saturday. Mr. Upton, who had been at Port-Royal, 28.
returned thence, and brought with him several Letters
from England, that Mr. Jennys brought with him thither
from Charles-Town, and delivered to him; telling him,
they came by a Ship newly arrived, which was a great
Rarity of late, no Ship being come in from thence in several
Months past; and they had taken them up at the Post-
House (by which I apprehended the Attorney-General
took little Care about it) wherefore I hoped from hence
forward I should find a more trusty Correspondent in
Mr. Hopton, who still lived with Mr. Jennys, and I had
formerly had good Experience of. Mr. Upton farther
told me, that he had strict Orders from Mr. Jennys to
deliver the Letters to Mr. Jones; who being gone South,
he asked me what he had best to do with them; and upon
my looking over them, and finding only one Letter for
myself, which was a private Family Letter; but several
for the General, I told him, that since they were not
committed to my Care, I would not presume to meddle
with them, lest I should go farther than became me; but
as we were at all Times ill provided with Means for any
sudden Expedition, and now more especially in Mr.
Jones's Absence; I advised him to send them by a safe
Hand over Land to Thunderbolt, where the Messenger
might give them to the Master of a Pettyagua, which he
would meet there in her Way South; and so he did. I
could not but esteem it a Misfortune upon me to find no
Letter from the Trust's Office, from whence the last I
received was dated in October, since which Time the Sit-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 325
uation I have been in here, has been attended with un- n»9.
common Difficulties. A£8r11
Sunday. Mr. Habersham, the School-Master, read the 29>
Prayers of the Church, in the Absence of Mr. Norris; and
also read a Sermon upon operating Faith and Regenera
tion, before Noon and after; being a Subject much dwelt
on by the Fraternity of Methodists. A Letter was
brought to me by a Servant of Mr. Wiggans, a licens'd
Trader in the Creek Nation, who came on Business from
his Master, which Letter was wrote by Lieutenant Willy
at Okefuskies, where he was stationed at a small Fort,
with two or three Men only, in the same Nation; setting
forth, that he had seen a Letter that came from the
Chicasaw Nation, directed to Mr. Thomas Andrews, the
principal Trader among them, who at that Time was on
his Way returning to them from Savannah; wherein he
was to be informed, " That the Choctaws had fallen on
"the white People in their Passage to that Nation: That
"Mr. Binon arrived there about the 14th of February,
"wounded in the Hand, having three of his Fingers shot
"off: He said he had left his Pack-Horses that Day
"about thirty Miles from the Nation: and in his Passage
"was attacked by a Party of Indians, who fired at him,
"and wounded him as aforesaid; but got from them by
"the Help of his Horse, without further Damage: But
"at his Arrival he sent out a Party of eleven Chicasaws,
" to conduct Mr. Fisher and the Pack-Horse Men safe in;
"who in the Night after their Arrival at the Camp, were
'•attacked by a Party of Choctaws, who fired on them,
"killed four Chicasaws on the Spot, and wounded Mr.
"Fisher in both Feet, and drove off the rest of the white
" Men and Indians, plundering the Camp of three Pieces
" of Strouds, six Pounds of Vermilion, and some Brass
" Kettles; showing they were in haste by not supplying
" themselves better, the white Men having a great Cargo
"there: The Choctaws left one only dead behind them;
" but whether any more were carried off by them that

326 COLONIAL RECORDS.
"were killed or wounded, was not known; it being not "39.
"thought fit to follow them: That they are thought to A|>9ril
"be of the People called Chigassaies, who are in the
"French Interest, and settled among the Choctaws.
" Red-Shoes the chief King of the Choctaws, and who
"was on returning from Carolina and these Parts, was
" not passed by the Upper Towns, when these Letters
"arrived from the Chicasaws; who when he was told of
" the Disaster, fell into a great Passion, and ordered his
" People to make all the Dispatch home that they could,
"promising to take sufficient Revenge on the Parties
"concerned: But it is not certain whether he was real,
" or whether he was afraid the Creeks, whom he must
" pass through, would take Revenge on those whom they
" found, for the Damage done to their Friends the Chic-
" asaws." Upon the Whole it is looked on as certain,
that the Creeks and Choctaws must come to an open
War; which our Traders would rather chuse than not;
for whilst those Nations are most at Variance with one
another, it prevents any dangerous uniting, to the Detri
ment of us. The Man who brought me Mr. Willy's
Letter, told me, that it was generally believed, the Choc
taws, who lately went from Savannah, either were, or
would be, cut off to a Man by the Creeks in their Way
Home. About Nine in the Evening Mr. Jones returned
from Frederica, to the surprize of every Body at so expe
ditious a Passage out and home; With him came Lieu
tenant Horton, sent by order of the General; so that
now we might expect soon to learn the Consequence of
what happened on Monday last. ,
Monday. After a short Conference with Lieutenant 30.
Horton this Morning, wherein I told him freely my
Opinion concerning divers Matters which he was ordered
by the General to enquire into, and make Report thereof
to him, relating to Mr. Jones's Complaints, &c. I rather
chose to leave him to himself (as he well knew all the
Party) to learn what farther he could of that Affair, as

COLONIAL RECORDS. 327
well as some others; than by any Act of mine show the ^739^
least Appearance of leading him into a partial Judg- A^n
ment; wherefore I avoided seeing him any more the rest
of the Day, and followed my own Business, without ob
serving any Thing worth remembering.
Tuesday. John Penrose arrived with his Boat this May
Morning from Charles-Town, and brought with him a
Packet sent me by the Attorney-General from the Trust;
wherein were divers Letters for the General, and many
others as well here as in the South; among which there
was one for me from the Accomptant, that was very wel
come, though short, being the only one from the Office
since October last, which I received in December; and
the Date of what came now, was of December 22, from
thence, the Ship having been so long on her Voyage.
N. B. This Packet came by the same Ship that brought
those Letters which were delivered to Mr. Upton by Mr.
Jennys, as noted on the 28th ult. As there were sundry
Parcels of Goods, &c. that came with this Packet, some
for the General, and some for others, whereof Mr. Verelst
wrote me the Particulars, I took an Account of it all;
and after it was brought ashore, saw it all lodged safely,
either in the Stores, or elsewhere, as it was most proper
for the Purpose of those whom it was intended for. Mr.
Horton, with some few whom he chose to accompany
him, went up the River to visit Mrs. Matthews and her
Husband, with whom he had a particular Charge from
the General to commune, on some important Matters re
lating to our Neighbour Indians of Tomo Chichi's Tribe,
who of late appeared not so tractable as formerly; divers
of them in Concert with others of the Creek Nation,
making Preparation to attack the Florida Indians, who
were in Amity with the Spaniards; in Order whereto,
some were already advanced Southward towards them;
and should they come to open Hostility, it would not be
easy to persuade Spain into a Belief, that the English
had no Hand in it; forasmuch as these Indians our

328 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Neighbours, were not only in Friendship with us, as the w®^
Florida People were with Spain; but it was also under- May
stood, that any Breach of the present Peace on either
Side, must in Consequence affect the two Nations, whose
Allies they professed themselves to be: This, therefore,
being a Thing of great Moment, and Mrs. Matthews
(who was a half Indian) one who had a great Influence
over those of our Neighbourhood; the General wished
to see her, as he frequently used to do; and Mr. Horton
was to prevail with her and her Husband, if he could, to
go with him to Frederica. Ensign Mace, who went thro'
Savannah on the 25th ult. in Pursuit of Deserters, having
Advice that they were all returned to their Colours, came
to us again in his Way back to the South; and hear
ing where Lieutenant Horton and Company were, he
followed them up to Matthews's, but came down to
Town in the Evening again.
Wednesday. Wrote some Letters to the South, and 2.
sent them, together with what came Yesterday, to Fred
erica, St. Simon's Camp, &c. by Mr. Mace, who took
special Charge of what related in a more particular Manner
to the General; and promised a safe Delivery of the rest.
Mr. Horton, on his Return from Matthews's, acquainted
me (with equal Satisfaction to us both) that he and his
Wife had promised him to go forthwith, and wait on the
General in the Camp, with Intent to shew their Readiness,
in whatever he required of them concerning the late
Movement of the Indians; and that old Tomo Chichi
would go also, and lay what Restraint on them he could,
from proceeding any farther in what they purposed. In
these three Days that Mr. Horton had been in Town, I
could plainly discover what Sort of Sentiments he began
to entertain of the Place, from such Talk as we had to
gether: And indeed a Man of much less Discernment,
could not well miss in that Space of Time, to find Dem
onstration sufficient to convince him what Mischief an

COLONIAL RECORDS. 329
intemperate, self-sufficient Conduct, cloathed with Power, "39.
is capable of creating in the Publick. May
Thursday. In the Morning, Mr. Horton calling on 3.
me, it was thought a fit Time to enquire into another
Affair, that he was charged with from the General, to
learn the Truth of; relating to an Information made (as
noted 23 ult.) wherein the General's own Safety seemed
to be in Danger: In Order whereto, Mess. Parker and
Gilbert (two Magistrates) assembled at my House, Mr.
Christie the Recorder being out of Town; and the In
formant Green being sent for, together with his Boy
Cundal, Mr. Robert Williams the Owner of the Sloop,
and  the Master of her, were also called: Then
Green being asked if he was sure he knew the Men again
when he saw them, with whom he had that Talk on Sat
urday Night was Se'nnight, on board the Sloop; and
both he and his Boy affirming, that they should know
them upon Sight; they were sent with a Constable on
board the Sloop to find them; as they readily did, and
came all together before the Magistrates; where, upon a
strict and careful Examination, the Informants Green
and his Boy did severally make Affidavit to this Effect,
viz. That upon their going aboard the Sloop on the
Saturday Night, as aforesaid, and asking what News
from the South; the two Men now present, whose Names
were Nelson and Conn, the one Mate, and the other a
Sailor belonging to the said Sloop, answered him in these
or the like Words: "The Soldiers of the Camp told us
" they heard the General was laid hold on at Charles-
" Town; which they said they were glad to hear; for if
"ever he came among them at the Camp again, some of
"them would give him a Pill; and if one did not shoot
"him, another would; after which they would go off to
"the Spaniards, &c." To which the two Sailors now
present answered, That they utterly denied their ever
having said so much: They acknowledged the first Part
of it, that the Soldiers talked of the General's being in

330 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Custody at Charles-Town, but farther than that, they _ira&
never heard, nor did they say they had, which they of- May
fered to swear, if they might be allowed so to do; but
that not being admitted, they objected against the Credit
of Green the Informer, who they heard had a bad Char
acter, and indeed he had not a good one; he having been
formerly convicted of bad Crimes, and his Testimony on
some Occasions in our Court being regarded but very
little by our Juries: Nevertheless, on such positive Evi
dence, nothing could be done less than sending them
down to the General at Frederica, or confining them here
till the General's Pleasure should be farther known:
Whereupon they rather chose to be sent thither instantly,
to make their Defence, lest by delaying it they might
lose the proceeding on their Voyage; and therefore mak
ing it a Request of their own, the Magistrates allowed
it, and Lieutenant Horton undertook to carry them down
with him when he went.
Friday. Among other Things sent from the Trust by 4.
the Ship America, lately arrived, was a Parcel of Vine-
Cuttings, which with proper Care in packing would have
been extreamly valuable, and are much coveted: But
unhappily they came naked, without any Covering, and
only bound up like a common Faggot; so that being in
that Manner exposed, and possibly thrown carelessly up
and down in the Voyage, they had the Appearance of no
other than a Bundle of dry Sticks; adding to all which,
the uncommon Length of Time in their Passage, being
several Months; I was very sorry to see little or no Hopes
left, of any Good to be expected from what was so truly
desirable: Nevertheless, that nothing might be omitted
which could be done, I called De Lyon the Jew to my
Assistance, who has the most Skill of any among us, and
has planted some Hundreds of the Portugal Grape this
Year, out in his Plantation, which he reared last Year
from Cuttings and otherwise: And when I had ordered a
Spot of fresh Ground, in the Swamp of the Garden be-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 331
longing to the Trust, to be cleaned and dressed, I left it ns9.^
to him to put some of them into the Earth, that we May
might at least try if any of them would haply make
Shoot. N. B. He told me, that the Time they were cut
in (viz. December) was a right Season, and had they been
rightly packt too, notwithstanding so long a Passage,
he believed most of them might have been saved:
Wherefore for future Instruction, I learnt of him, that the
proper Way of preserving the Cuttings, is to fill a Cask
half full of good Earth, wherein the Cuttings are to stand
half their own Depth, and the Tops of them only bound
with Straw, without any other Covering, by which the
Air may come to them so much as is proper; but no
Sprey of the Sea; wherefore they should not be exposed
upon Deck. I found nothing else all Day, which I
thought so much worth my regarding as this.
Saturday. Mr. Horton went off this Morning, on his 5.
Return to the General at Frederica, taking with him those
he designed. Mr. Bradley, I was informed, killed
another Steer, which he called his own; but other People
were of a different Opinion, and thought him making the
most of what was in his keeping, before he surrendered
all up.
Sunday. Mr. Habersham read the Prayers of the e.
Church, as before, in Mr. Norris's Absence; and two Ser
mons on the Working of God's Holy Spirit within us.
Monday. What I had to observe now principally was, 7.
the Dislike which the Magistrates and Mr. Jones had
conceived against each other, and which was every Day
(as I thought) increasing, notwithstanding all the En
deavours I had a good while used to reconcile such Dif
ferences, and to bring them into better Temper; that by
uniting heartily the publick Good might be the sooner
promoted: But all I could say began to be but little re
garded on either Side; so keen was their Resentment

332 COLONIAL RECORDS.
grown of late. What seemed to be the Ground-Work of ^^
all this was, that Mr. Jones thought he had not Deference May
enough paid him; and they thought what they had paid
him was too much. He by Virtue of Power superior to
any (which he had, or appeared to have) expected the
ready Attendance of the Magistrates whenever he pleased
to send for them; and they complained of being treated
in the Manner of ordinary Servants, to come whereso
ever he pleased to call them; and moreover when met,
they said they were looked on as Cyphers, and hardly
allowed to examine into Facts, but required to Act in
every Thing as Mr. Jones dictated, &c. This they had
often expressed great Uneasiness at to me, thinking
themselves made contemptible to the common People;
and I had frequently on such Occasions, when I saw
Matters of Consequence like to pass too lightly over,
made Use of an Expedient to bring them together, with
out Diminution of either of their Authority (so highly
rated) by engaging them all to meet at my House; which
succeeded well, and I hoped a little Time would wear
out these pernicious Jealousies; till Monday the 23 ult.
all such Hopes began utterly to vanish; and from that
Time they are grown more and more exasperated on both
Sides {vide the Notes of that Day.) Mr. Christie, as I
apprehend, was a little too dilatory then, in coming on
that Occasion so long after the Time appointed; in which
to vindicate himself, he alledged afterwards, that he did
not know it was a Matter of such Importance, and be
lieved it would make no difference whether he came in a
Quarter of an Hour, or staid a whole one: But to have
the Door shut against him in that scandalous Manner,
was using his so as he could not bear: From whence arose
that smart Tongue-Fight betwixt him and Mr. Jones at
Jenkins's soon after (as noted.) The same Afternoon,
the Magistrates assembling all three at my House, with
out so much as my knowing it, sent a Messenger to find
me, and very well pleased I was to be so sent for, that
the Truth might be enquired into of that Morning's Out-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 333
rage: And I wish that Mr. Jones, who was in the same jm
Manner sent to, had gone as readily: But upon his return- May
ing that rough Answer, they all cried out immediately,
"Now you see how we are used;" and so breaking up,
went their Way. The next Day Mr. Jones pursued his
Design of going to wait on the General at Frederica; and
there being two Steers killed before he went for the nec
essary Support of such as had anv Dependance on the
Stores; when the Meat was given out in small Pieces the
Day after, and every Body that had any Pretence, was
desirous of getting a Bit of fresh Meat (none salt at the
same Time in the Store) Mess. Parker and Christie each
sent to ask for a little; but were answered, that Mr. Jones
had left Orders there was none for them. This put them
both into very ill Mood, and made them exclaim heavily
to be so singled out. Christie declared publickly his posi
tive Resolution of going soon for England, &c. &c. Par
ker grew sullen, and said, it could not be possible for him
to act the Part of an honest Man, if he must be in Dread
of the Store being shut against him, whenever in the Ex
ecution of his Office he differed in Opinion with Mr.
Jones; and came to me this Day purposely to acquaint
me, that he would be ready at any Time to come to me,
or meet me when sent for, on any Thing relating to the
Publick, provided it was not to attend Mr. Jones; but
whatever were the Consequence, he never would wait on
him again as a Magistrate, who should expect Mr. Jones
to come to him, if he had any Thing to say to him as
such. Which Declaration of his, was the Occasion of
this long Paragraph, reciting some Occurrences previous
thereunto. Tuesday. Divers Servants being lately run away from 8.
their Masters, which there was Reason to believe were
got the Length of Charles-Town, where they found Shel
ter, as Experience had too often shewn: At the same
time having full Information by Mr. Shenton, who had
apprehended him, that Isaac Bradford, that notorious

334 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Thief, who lately had committed so many Villanies here, vm^
was, at the Instance of the Person that took him, com- Mgay
mitted to Goal there by the civil Magistrate; it was
thought proper to send a Boat with proper Instructions,
as well to demand the Criminal, in order to his being
brought to Justice, as also to discover and retake (if pos
sible) some, if not all of those Deserters. Taking an
Opportunity to talk with Mr. Jones on the Subject-Mat-
ter of the Magistrates Uneasiness; and letting him know
what it was that they seemed most to stick at: He shewed
no Concern about it; but told me, he saw what they
would be at, was an unlimited Credit in the Stores: Which
effectually stopt me from going farther; for as he had the
Custody of all, and must account for what he did, as
well as others; he certainly ought to observe such Rules
as were given him, and it was not my Business to persuade
him to deviate from them, not knowing what Lengths
they went: So I left it to him to do as he thought fit; but
saw plainly, from many Instances, he had set himself
against them both.
Wednesday. Mr. Jones being required to call on Mr. 9-
Bradley, to surrender up all Things in his Custody be
longing to the Trust, pursuant to his Agreement with the
General lately at Charles-Town; and desiring me to be
present at his demanding it, I was so: When Mr. Bradley
made Shew, by his Words, of his Readiness to do it; but
at the same Time made use of a little Chicanry (as I
thought) to put it off for a while, by saying, that he
ought first to have the General's Orders in Writing before
he could be justified in so doing: And so we parted;
Mr. Bradley appearing pleased at the Answer he had
given to that Demand.

Thursday. Lieutenant Dunbar arriving this Morning
from the South in one of the Scout-Boats, he spent some
Time with Mr. Jones in private; but as he was not pleased
to see me, going on the same Day for Palachocolas all

10.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 335
that I could come at the Knowledge of was, that he was raj^
to take some Horses there for the General's Service, May
which he was to convey over Land from thence South
ward. Mr. Jones, in the Afternoon, calling on me, said,
he was quite empty of Meat in the Stores, having none
to feed even the Trust's Servants; and wished to have
two or three Steers killed for that Purpose: Whereupon
knowing that Mr. Parker, who had the Care of those
Steers, had also Orders from the General to deliver at any
Time to Mr. Jones what he needed of them; I told him,
that he had no more to do, but to send Directions to Mr.
Parker about it, who without Doubt would take Care they
should be brought up: But was surprized at his saying,
whatever the Want was, he would neither ask him, nor
send him "any Directions about it: However, that the
publick Service might not thereby suffer, Mr. Mercer
being present, I desired him to acquaint Mr. Parker with
it, who, I was confident would readily see it done; and
Mr. Mercer promised me to let him know it  To
such a Height was Mr. Jones's Resentment grown since
the 23d past.
Friday. Upon the Notice that Mr. Mercer gave, Mr. "•
Parker took Care to see three Steers brought in this Day
for the Use of the Stores; in which Service he got a se
vere Fall with his Horse upon him, that had well nigh
spoiled him. Most of my Time and Thoughts this Day
were employed in promoting what was needful to be done
about the Corn, &c. which I had planted this Spring; for
unless continual Attendance was given, in houghing the
Ground, and keeping down the Weeds, that grew apace,
all our past Labour would dome to Nought; and the vil-
lanous Falsehood of those Servants I had, without fre
quent Inspection, would not allow me to hope for any
Good; neither with all the Care that my Son and I could
use, was it in our Power to attain that Perfection we pro
pose to ourselves, almost in any Work: But if we could

336 COLONIAL RECORDS.
come up to, caeteris paribus, in keeping clean what Ground ipj>.
we had planted, we must not look for more. May
Saturday. Finding myself under a little Indisposi- 12.
tion, I kept home, and began preparing necessary Papers
to make up another Packet for England.
Sunday. Mr. Norris being yet in the South, Mr. Hab- 13.
ersham, as before, went on with the proper Service of
the Day, in reading the Common Prayer, .and after it
some of Archbishop Tillotson's Doctrine, which is so
universally admired.
Monday, ) These two Days I spent wholly at the 14.
Tuesday. j Mouth of Vernon River, having Mr. is.
Mercer with me, whose Judgment in many Things relat
ing to Improvements, I approved of very well, and
therefore consulted him sometimes: Moreover, he had
lately obtained from the General a Promise of a Grant
of three hundred Acres upon Lease, under the same
Covenants with several others; and as he had a View of
being near the same Place, I was willing to promote it,
and get him fixed my next Neighbour, being assured in
myself, that he would not be idle upon it: Our business
now was to look narrowly into, and make such Observa
tions, that we might, at our Leisure, be contriving be
twixt ourselves at home, what was proper to be done as
soon as it was surveyed, and Possession given us. At
my Return home on Tuesday Evening, what I met with
for News was, that Captain Shubrick, in the Mary Ann,
was newly arrived at Charles-Town; by whom Mr. Verelst,
in his last Letter, promised me I should hear fully from
the Trust; but was now sorry to hear it reported by some
who came lately from Charles-Town, that Captain Shu
brick was bound to Frederica, as soon as he had delivered
what Merchants Goods he had aboard him for Carolina;
and that he would deliver no Letters for Georgia till he
came to Frederica, where he would deliver them himself:

COLONIAL RECORDS. 337
But when that would be, who could tell? Which gave "39.
me a little Uneasiness, being what I could not understand May
the Meaning of. 15i
Wednesday. Samuel Lacy arrived this Morning from ie.
Charles-Town, and brought with him four Letters from
England, that were put under Cover for the General, and
sent to me by the Attorney-General; which Cover, when
I had opened, I found three of the said Letters came by
Captain Shubrick, and one of them by Captain Gerald;
by whom also came other Letters, which I received (as
noted) the 1st Instant; so that it appeared to me, that
all these Letters came over from England in the common
Bag, and were taken up by the Attorney-General at the
Post-Office; which made me give the more Credit to
what was said last Night, of Captain Shubrick's having
with him a Packet from the Trust not yet delivered; In
the Afternoon Mr. Purry arrived from Charles-Town, and
brought with him a Packet of more Letters for the Gen
eral, and others at St. Simon's, which came under Cover
to Lieutenant Governor Bull, from whom Mr. Purry re
ceived them, and delivered them to my Care. Mr. Jones
told me, that he had a Letter or two also for the General
from Charles-Town; but did not acquaint me who it was
that sent it to him. By all these scattered Letters thus
collected, and none from the Trustees Office; it appeared
now past all Doubt, that Shubrick had the Trust's Packet
with him, which he would not deliver till he arrived him
self at Frederica, or some other Port in Georgia; which
might be a great while yet to come.
Thursday. Mr. Hird, a Freeholder, and one of the 17.
Constables at Frederica, after two or three Days spent
here on his own Affairs, intending to return thither this
Day; I delivered into his Care all the Letters that came
to my Hands Yesterday, making them up in one Packet
for the General; to whom also I wrote myself in Answer
to one which I had through Mr. Jones's Hands from him.
22 c r— v 4

338 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Captain Wood from Frederica, in his Way to Charles- ^lm
Town, came ashore here last Night, and called on me May
this Morning; but brought no Letters. Very heavy Rain
came on in the Morning, and held all Day; which pre
vented both Captain Wood and Mr. Hird from setting
out on their Passages North and South till another Day.
Friday. Little happening worth Notice abroad, stuck is.
mostly at home to my Pen and Ink. Captain Wood and
Mi. Hird went off their several Ways. In the Evening
I was informed, that Bailiff Parker had received a Letter
from the General, signifying his being informed by Mr.
Jones of an Intention so«ie Persons had to make Waste
of certain Stores belonging to the Trust, and requiring
him to look into it, and take Care that the Trust might
not be injured in their Property: Wherein my Son ap
prehending, that Mr. Jones had again been doing him
some ill Office with the General, relating to some Wines
bought of Colonel Cockran; he now expected and wished
that Affair might be thoroughly canvassed, so that it
might appear with what Justice such an Accusation was
brought against him: The Particulars of which ought not
to be passed over, without a full and explicit Relation of
the Whole, when Mr. Jones sets forth before the Magis
trates what he has to alledge.

Saturday. Got forward with what Papers and Letters
I had to send to England; and lost as little Time as I
could to make another Packet ready, not knowing how
long it might be, ere we heard from Captain Shubrick,
whether he had any Letters for us, or what they were;
which I wished to have learnt. My Son expected to have
been called before the Magistrate, pursuant to what we
were informed Yesterday; but Mr. Jones had yet made no
Step about it, and what he had to say, as well as when,
was wholly in himself. Towards Evening Captain Des-
brassie, and Ensign Maxwell, arrived from the South, by
whom I had a Letter from the General, and one under the

19.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 339
same Cover for Mr. Jones, which I delivered to him in- 1739.
stantly; he accompanying those Gentlemen to my House. May
Sunday. This Morning two Letters were brought me — 20.
by a Servant of Mr. Cuthbert, which his Master sent him
with, from his Plantation at Joseph's Town, where they
came to his Hands from Lieutenant Willy in the Indian
Nations; the Contents of one of which would require my
laying it before the General. Mr. Habersham, during
Mr. Norris's yet continuing in the South, performed the
Duty of the Day in the same Manner he before had done.
Monday. Bailiff Parker, in Obedience to the Gen- 21-
eral's Letter (as mentioned the 18th) calling the other
Magistrates together; Mr. Jones at the same Time ap
pearing, together with all Parties supposed to be con
cerned, viz. my Son and 1, and Mr. Bradley; Mr. Parker
read Extract out of the said Letter from the General to
him, in these Words: "Mr. Jones acquaints me, that some
" Persons have refused to deliver to the Trustees their
"Wines by them bought, and the Possession of their own
" Cellar. I hope you will see Justice done to the Trus-
" tees, and that they are not stript of their Properties
"with Impunity." Which Words, importing a grievous
Charge, that without Doubt pointed particularly at my
Son; it will be needful to look back, and trace this Mat
ter from the Beginning, that the whole Truth may be un
derstood.  When Colonel Cochran came hither
with Part of the Regiment in May last Year, and brought
a large Parcel of Wines with him, Part for the Regiment,
and Part for his own Account; he found no Place in the
Town so capable and fit to put them in, as a Cellar under
the great House that Mr. Bradley lived in, and was vul
garly called Mr. Bradley's House: Whereupon Colonel
Cochran applied himself to Mr. Bradley for the Use of it
on that Occasion; who readily granted it; and when the
Wine was all secured there; the Colonel knowing my Son,
gave him the Custody of the Wine, with the Key of the

340 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Cellar, &c. (for farther Information, vide ioth of March "39.
last.) After a whole Year past, and all the Wine disposed May
of; the Cellar was now cleared of the Whole; excepting
only two Pipes of Wine, which had been bought for the
Use of the Trustees Stores, and yet remained there: On
which Account Mr. Jones demanded of my Son the Keys
of the Cellar, intending to make Use of it for the Trust;
but Mr. Bradley had cautioned him some Time before not
to deliver the Keys to any one but himself; from whom
he should expect them; for though he had lent the Use
of the Cellar for a Season, to answer a certain Purpose;
yet he would not give up his Property in it : Which put
my Son under some Doubt what Course he must take to
be safe; often telling Mr. Jones that he might send for
the Wines when he pleased; but was desirous to avoid
having any Contention with Mr. Bradley, and only wished
to have Directions that were proper from one that would
support him. Matters thus depending, and my Son
dreaming no Harm; Mr. Jones gave him this Wound in
the Dark, setting forth these Transactions in such a Man
ner, as shewed plainly the General was irritated, by what
he had wrote to Bailiff Parker. But now on Enquiry
before all the Magistrates (for I resolved to have it dis
cussed as publickly as might be) it appeared on full
Proof, that my Son was perfectly blameless; that he had
never refused delivering the Trust's Wine; that there was
not the least Shadow of his being concerned in so vile an
Act, as stripping the Trust of their Property; and that the
only Thing he boggled at, was whether he was legally
cautioned or not by Bradley about surrendering the
Keys: Which the Magistrates now gave their Judgment
in, and made an Order, that the Keys should be delivered
up for the Use of the Trust: This my Son was very glad
of, being thereby freed from any farther Care about it:
And this might have been done much sooner, had Mr.
Jones applied himself to the Magistrates, who would
readily, at any Time, make Enquiry into Abuses of such
Kind, if any there are, and rectify them: But that he

COLONIAL RECORDS. 341
seems to think is condescending too much, and wherever "^
he apprehends his Will is obstructed, he makes no Scru- May
pie of heaping Abundance on the General for Advice; a
great deal more (as some think) than the General cares
to be troubled with, unless where Matters of Difficulty
and Importance require it. My son could not help
thinking this Act of Mr. Jones's favoured of much Ill-
will towards him, and must be represented in a very bad
Light to the General, that it produced so sharp an An
swer; when he was conscious of no Crime he had com
mitted: And bringing fresh to his Remembrance the Dis
pleasure of the General, which he unhappily (tho' inno
cently) fell under in a former Affair (March 10.) It
affected him deeply, and so discouraged him, that it be
came a Matter of great Concern to myself. Lieutenant
Delegal arrived in the Evening, on his Way to St,
Simon's from Port-Royal.
Tuesday. This Morning my Son delivered up the 22.
Keys of the Cellar for Mr. Jones's Use; taking one of
his Men with him, to see that the two Pipes of Wine
there for the Trust were perfectly full, and in good Con
dition. Captain Desbrassie, and Ensign Maxwell, who
arrived here on Saturday from the South, taking a Tour
up the River to visit some Friends, and being not yet
returned; and Lieutenant Delegal arriving here since, in
his Way from Port-Royal Southward; he thought fit to
wait their coming, not knowing what Orders he might
meet with by them from the General.

Wednesday. The General in a late Letter recom
mending it to me to settle the Matter amicably, between
those who hunt Cattle for themselves, and the Pindar
appointed by him, great Variance already arising among
them; I got the Pindar, and two or three of the princi
pal among the others, to my House; where with a little
cool Reasoning, and soft Words, shewing them how
much it was all their Interest to agree and be assisting

23.

342 COLONIAL RECORDS.
to one another; I soon brought them to good Temper, "39.
and at length to (I hope) a perfect Unity. On which May
Occasion I cannot help reflecting on the like Success I
have often met, in healing Discord among some that
have been at Strife, by the like Means; and it is most
certain these People pay more Regard to gentle Treat
ment, than to Menaces; which generally sit sour upon
them, and often do more Harm than Good.

24.

Thursday. Expected to have sent several Letters
(some of which were from myself, and some from oth
ers) to the South by Lieutenant Delegal, who was going
to wait on the General, but I was disappointed; for he
no sooner saw Captain Desbrassie and Ensign Maxwell,
but he met with such Orders as obliged him to return to
Port- Royal with them, on some particular Business of
the Regiment; so that I knew no more when or how I
should have Opportunity of sending them, than I did
those I had prepared to go to England.
Friday, ) The long-continued Series of perfect 25.
Saturday. ) Health, which has been so remarkable 26.
ever since the last Fall, throughout the Colony, began a
little to alter with us: The great Vicissitude of Weather,
betwixt Thunder, Rain, and sultry Heats (all violent in
their Terms for a few Days past) catched many People
unawares, and taught them to be more cautious hereafter*
not to expose themselves to such Inclemencies more
than Necessity required; from whence Fevers began to
grow rife among us all on a sudden; and though I had
been but little abroad of late at such Seasons, yet sev
eral ugly Symptoms began to tell me it was Time to
take Care of myself; wherefore I thought it not amiss
to confine myself these two Days, when by Abstinence,
and a little Self-Defence, I began to hope the worst was
over. Mr. Bradley called on me on Saturday, to let me
know that he was going again to make a short trip to
Charles-Town, if I had any Service that Way; and that

COLONIAL RECORDS. 343
he intended not to stay there above three or four Days; "39.
how far he meant as he said, he best knew himself; the M,ay
common Talk of the People was, that some of his best 25
and choicest Goods were sent before; such as Scrutores,
fine Tables and Chairs, with other fashionable Furniture,
which was mostly the Operation of an ingenious Work
man, whom either the Trust or Mr. Bradley paid (I know
not which) and was employed many Months on such
Curiosities; and as he had now but a small Remainder
of his Family left here, which I knew not when he
meant should follow the rest, I had no great Inclination
to commit my Packet to his Care, that I designed for
England; but would rather take another Chance.
Sunday, Mr. Habersham, as before, continued to 27.
read the Prayers and a Sermon; whilst the Return of
Mr. Norris began now to be thought long. In the Even
ing by a trading Boat arriving, bound up the River, I
had Opportunity of sending inclosed, under Cover, to
Lieutenant Kent at Augusta, a Letter from the General
to Mr. Willy in the Creek Nation.
Monday. Nothing stirring that was worth Observa- 28.
tion; only a Difference happening betwixt Captain Da
vis, Owner of a Snow laden with Lumber for the West-
Indies, which now lay at Tybee ready for sailing, and
the Master which he had put in her; it produced great
Controversy before the Magistrates, where many People
had the Curiosity to attend; and both of them pleaded
their Parts so well, that there was great Difficulty in so
uncommon a Case to decide it to general Satisfaction;
neither was it ended the whole Day.
Tuesday. The Contention yet continuing as Yester- 29.
day betwixt Captain Davis and the Master, whose Name
was Pope; it may not be improper to take some Notice
of the Cause whence it arose; which from what I could
collect, was thus: Davis had newly built this Snow at

344 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Port-Royal, where Pope, who was a good Carpenter, as rm^
well as a good Seaman, had a good Hand in hastening May
the Work, and getting her out to Sea; when by Promise
before made from Davis, he took to her as Master, and
brought her to Savannah, where Davis had made his
Abode for some Time, and now was settling in good Earn
est, having lately the Favour of one of the best Lots on
the Strand granted him by the General, whereon he was
intending to build a Dwelling-House and Store-House,
&c. being a Man who in all Appearance traded with the
most Money of any that use the Place, and had generally
three or four Sloops, Snows, or such like Vessels, going
and coming betwixt these Parts and Augustin, the West-
Indies, or elsewhere, that he found most to his Advan
tage: In which Capacity he was looked on, and regarded,
by all who wished well to the Colony, as an useful Man
to promote Traffick. But his most visible Foible, was
keeping a Mulatto Servant (or Slave) who in Reality was
his Mistress: For he had in former Years by trading
much in the hottest Parts of America, contracted such
Distempers, as well nigh bereft him of the Use of both
his Legs and Arms: And this Girl (who was of an ex
ceeding fine Shape, and setting aside her swarthy Coun
tenance, might compare with an European) was of much
Use to him; not only as an Helper to put on his Cloaths,
dress him, and look after his Linen, &c. which she did to
great Perfection; but having very good natural Parts
also, and by Length of Time having obtained good
Knowledge of his Business, and learnt to look into Ac
counts; he suffered almost every Thing to pass through
her Hands, having such Confidence in her, that she had
the Custody of all his Cash, as well as Books; and when
ever he ordered any Parcel of Silver to be weighed out
for any Use, whether it were two or three hundred
Ounces, more or less, in Dollars, she had the doing of it:
And as this had been the Course for several Years past,
wherein he had found her very faithful, and of great Serv
ice to him; it may easily be supposed the Life of such

COLONIAL RECORDS. 345
Slavery was not a heavy Burden upon her, and that she 1739.
had Art enough to shew, all Persons who had any Busi- May
ness with Captain Davis, were expected not to treat her
with Contempt. It so happened, that Pope, who is a
rough Tar, and naturally surly, upon some Difference
with this Damsel, made Use of some Words she did not
like; and she wanted not to return in softer Terms what
was not a Jot less provoking; whereupon he gave her a
Stripe across the Face with her own Fan; and having
raised such a Flame in the House, left it. The Snow
was now at Tybee ready for sailing, and Mr. Robert Wil
liams, who had a good Share with Davis in the Loading,
was intending, together with his Brother, to go Passen
gers to St. Kit's, where, upon their Arrival, it was agreed,
that Williams should have the Direction of all Things,
and to freight her from thence as he saw good, to what
Port he thought most likely to turn to Account. This
(it seems) was what Pope neither expected or liked, de
pending on it, that on the Delivery of the present Cargo
at St. Kit's, the whole Direction of all was to devolve
to him, and that he was to be both Master and Super
cargo; on which Occasion some Words falling from him,
which Davis could not well relish, and the Abuse of
Madam being also fresh in Memory, Davis told him he
discharged him from being Master of the Snow; and
that he was ready, upon making up his Accounts, to clear
with him, and pay him what was owing for Wages: To
which the other replied, it was not in his Pov/er to dis
charge him from the Ship in such a Manner, neither
would he submit to it; and thereupon went hastily to his
Boat in order to go immediately on board, and keep
Possession: To prevent which Davis and Williams with
some others, went to the Guard, and desired them to stop
the Boat, as she was passing by; for that Pope was run
ning away with the Boat, and afterwards with the Ship,
in a piratical Manner. And the Guard finding upon hail
ing the Boat, that they resolved to keep on their Way,
did their Duty, and fired a Gun to bring them to; whereat

346 COLONIAL RECORDS.
they came ashore. This was on Sunday Night last about ^ZJL
Eleven a Clock; and the next Day Complaint on all ^y
Sides was made to the Magistrates, when the Complain
ants inveiged heavily against each other; but it was too
knotty a Point for them to determine upon haste, being
doubtful of their own Knowledge; and informed more
over, that it ought regularly to be brought before the
Admiralty; wherefore they proceeded no farther, that to
direct Pope to make his Accounts with Davis as fast as
he could; in order to which, his Chest was to be sent for
ashore with his Papers; but he was not permitted to go
aboard himself, without Davis's Knowledge, fearing the
Consequence might be his going to Sea as soon as he
set his Foot upon the Deck. So ended this Affair on
Monday: And this Day divers Meetings were had again
about it; when all Expectance of accommodating Mat
ters were given over on both Sides; and hard Speeches,
with Threats, succeeded. By this Time it began to be
the Opinion of most Folk, that forasmuch as Mr. Robert
Williams's Brother was to go a Passenger, who was a
good Seaman, and had been Master of several Ships; it
was thought expedient by them, that it would be well,
as one of them had the Disposal of the Cargo, the other
also might have the Direction of the Ship as Master; in
order to which Captain Davis had been persuaded to lay
hold of this Quarrel, and put James Williams in Master,
in the Room of Pope, at so short Warning.
Wednesday. The same Controversy still increasing, so
drew the Attention of manv People, especially such as
made themselves Partisans in the Dispute; but I did not
want Employment any Day sufficient to take up my
Time, about my own proper Business, without meddling
of what did not belong to me. Pope was now ready to
make up his Accounts; but having the Register of the
Ship in his Possession, could not be persuaded to give up
that alledging that there were several Bonds out against
him, which he had entered into as Master; beside, that

COLONIAL RECORDS. 347
the Sailors, who were all shipped by him, might come "39.
upon his for Wages for the Time he had been Master, in May
case they had not a Mind to re-ship themselves under a
new Master: Whereupon our naval Officer, Mr. Fallow-
field, being out of Town, was sent for in order to get a
new Register; and Mr. Williams, impatient at these De
lays, brought an Action against Pope of several hundred
Pounds Damages, for detaining Vessel and Cargo; to
answer which, Pope not readily finding Bail, Mr. Parker
withdrew, not apprehending how such Damages could
ensue, by a Vessel delayed a few Days, that was only
loaden with Lumber; and Mr. Gilbert being likewise
away, Mr. Christie took the farther Proceedings on him
self; and, at the Instance of the Complainants, committed
Pope to Prison, for not offering Bail.
Thursday. All pretty quiet this Day: Pope shut up si.
fast, made an open Field for his Adversaries to triumph
in; and Mr. Fallowfield provided them with a new Reg
ister, to Content. Very near a Fortnight was now past,
since I had prepared a Packet for the Trustees, to go by
the Way of Charles-Town, or any other, if I could find
it; but no Opportunity offered in all that Time, to my
Sorrow, which I had too often experienced.
Friday. Very early this Morning Mr. Williams and june
his Brother went for Tybee, in order to bring the Snow
to sail, which they seemed more than ordinary hurried in,
upon some Intelligence they had got, that the Admiralty,
at the Instance of Pope, were intending to stop the Ves
sel. Pope was now out of Prison, upon offering Bail;
and resolved not to sit quiet without carrying Matters
as far as he could: Wherefore he in his Turn also brought
an Action of Damages to the Value of /. against Da
vis, which he likewise was to find Bail to; and so for the
present this Dispute ceased. Mr. Parker with me this
Morning, complaining of Mr. Jones's dealing so intoler
ably with him, that he could not bear it, and that his

348 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Servants whom the Trust had ordered to be provided for, ^^
would be obliged to leave him, and get their Bread J^ne
where they could, Mr. Jones refusing to allow any Thing
farther towards their Support; I told him that as I knew
nothing of the Rules Mr. Jones went by, nor what Or
ders he might be under about the Delivery of Stores;
it would not become me to be too officiously meddling;
but his proper Way, was to apply to the General, who
was now in the Province, and was the only Person to
judge what was proper in this Case, as well as all others
that required immediate Determination; and therefore I
advised to put what he had to say in Writing, and send
it to him, not doubting but he would take it into Consid
eration. Saturday. All People most worth regarding, looked 2.
peaceably after their own Affairs, and attended what
would conduce to their Benefit; especially the Planters,
whose present Care was to subdue the Weeds from an
noying the Corn, &c. in its Growth; which my good
Folk would have been well content to have allowed, un
less quickened by frequent Inspection.
Sunday. That Notorious Rogue Isaac Bradford, who 3.
was lately taken at Charles-Town, and brought back to
Prison here, that he might answer for his Crimes at our
Sessions (which were on his Account adjourned a while,
till the principal Evidence against him returned, who at
present was in the South) this Morning early found
Means to break out of Prison; which gave Cause of Un
easiness to many People, who knowing him to be so
dextrous and accomplished a Villain, expected more
Mischief to be done, unless he could soon be taken;
which there were but little Hopes of. It was most Prob
able, that his Escape was owing to the Negligence of
his Keeper, who had suffered several to get off in the
same Manner; particularly the Ring-leader of those
three Deserters from the Regiment, as formerly noted,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 349
who could never since be recovered. Mr. Norris's Abode 1739.
in the South yet, showed that he was welcome there; J"ne
and though he found some Marks of a cold Reception
here at his first Arrival, from Causes that having been
formerly taken Notice of, need not again be repeated
{vide October 22.) yet his Absence was generally re
gretted to that Degree, that most People wished appar
ently for his Continuance among us, and no more
Changes. Mr. Habersham in the mean while read the
appointed Service of the Day, &c. as before.
Monday. Bailiff Parker called on me, in the Fore- 4.
noon again, and now told me, that his Case was become
so desperate, as not to admit of any farther Delay, for
that his Servants were upon leaving him, which must end
in his own Destruction; for that his Plantation now to
be neglected, must occasion his irreparable Loss, it be
ing the principal Dependance he had for the next Year's
Support of himself and Family; wherefore he was seek
ing to get a Boat and two or three Hands, which should
carry him to wait on the General wherever he could find
him. My Son, who was daily more intent on his in
tended Voyage to England, but had yet taken no Step
towards it; upon hearing this, concluded it a lucky Con
juncture for him; forasmuch as he would by no Means
stir in it, till he had first paid his Duty to the General,
and thought he now had the fairest Opportunity he could
wish: Wherefore he presently laid hold of it; and Mr.
Parker and he agreeing upon it together, whilst I sat
still and said nothing; in the Cool of the Evening they
both set out for Frederica.
Tuesday. Nothing particularly worth remembering 5,
happened this whole Day, that came to my Knowledge.
Wednesday. Peter Emery arrived with his Boat from e.
Charles-Town, and brought two small Packets, which the
Attorney-General sent me, that he had by two Ships

350 COLONIAL RECORDS.
newly arrived; and wrote a short Letter with them, ad- "39.
vising me, that one of those Ships came by Way of Jl£ne
Madera, and the other in six Weeks from London; by
which he found he might expect some more Letters by
another Ship which sailed some Days before him. In
these Packets were Letters for the General, &c. and one
for me from Mr. Verelst of the 15th of February; in
closing Copy of the Minutes on Mr. Cooksey's Petition.
and referring several Resolutions taken thereon by the
Common Council, for me to inquire into Facts, and re
port them to the honourable Trustees. Mr. Verelst was
pleased also to signify to me, the favourable Disposition
of those Gentlemen, to gratify my Request formerly
made, concerning Joseph Watson's five hundred Acre-
Lot; which I had wrote them he never had a Grant of,
nor shewed any Regard to; and at that Time I had a
great Inclination to fix upon, for Reasons then given;
wherefore they were now pleased to direct, that I should
state the Case with respect to Watson's Pretensions to it,
or the Value of any Improvements made upon it. Mr.
Verelst farther added, that my Journals and Letters to
November 21, were come to hand, and would be an
swered by the Mary Ann, Captain Shubrick, who has
been arrived at Carolina several Weeks since, and is now
at Frederica (as I hear) but no News of any Letters by
him for me yet.
Thursday. Understanding early in the Morning, that 7.
a Boat was setting out South by Order of Mr. Jones,
who (it was said) intended to go as far as Skeedoway,
expecting there to find Captain Desbrassie, &c. on their
Return to St. Simon's from Port-Royal; and Information
coming Yesterday, that the Scout-Boat those Gentlemen
went in, was seen to turn in at Augustin Creek, making
their Way South: Thereupon I would not let so fair an
Opportunity slip, of sending those Letters to the Gen
eral, &c. which I received Yesterday; but putting them
all under one Cover, directed to the General at St. Si-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 351
mon's, I sent my Packet to Mr. Jones's Care; writing J-73&
also therewith, a few Lines to the General from myself. Ju7ne
Afterwards I went to make my People a Visit, and see
how well they followed their Work, in fulfilling the last
Directions given them; and here I employed good Part
of my Time this Day.
Friday. Mr. Jones returned this Morning from Skeed- 8-
oway, where he missed Captain Desbrassie, who continued
yet at Port-Royal; but found Lieutenant Delegal, who was
going South with the Boat; to whom he told me he had
given Charge of my Packet to the General, together with
others Letters. What the Occasion of this secret Expe
dition was, I could not learn. Mr. Habersham, the
School-Master, having received a large Packet of Letters
from Mr. Whitfield, by the same Ship that brought those
I received on Wednesday last, directed to many People
in the Town; among whom I was one; he went with
particular Delight to deliver them, and rejoice at the
good News of Mr. Whitfield's being appointed to return
again to his former Charge at Savannah, which those
Letters from him imported. As to myself, I must own,
that it was a Matter of more Indifference; for as I
thought Mr. Whitfield, when among us, took great Pains
in preaching God's Word, and doing his Duty; so I can
not say Mr. Norris was defective in his; and as he was
particularly recommended by the honourable Trustees,
for being a Person of very good Qualifications, so I found
him; and in Obedience to their Orders, gladly did what
lay in my Power to promote a good Opinion of him
among the People at his first coming; which by his good
Conduct he had now well established.
Saturday. Captain Hunt, Master of a Brigantine 9.
that traded to these Parts from New-York, arrived from
St. Simon's again, where he had been once before, offer
ing his Cargo to Sale; but having (it seems) some Rum
on board him, which he said he was bound to Province

352 COLONIAL RECORDS.
with; the General was so offended at his daring Presump- rjag.
tion to bring it into Harbour, that he would not allow J^ne
him to dispose of any other Goods among them; where
fore after having been and disposed of his Rum else
where, he made this second Offer to sell the rest of his
Cargo, but in that, he did not yet succeed, the late Of
fence given being too fresh in Memory: Nevertheless, it
was manifest (as I thought) that most of the Loading
was disposed of some how or another, by the Vessel's
appearing so much lighter in the Water, than she for
merly did. He brought no Letters, except one from Mr.
Jones; nor any particular Advices, only that our Minister,
Mr. Norris, was soon coming to us again, in order to take
Leave of his Friends.

Sunday. Mr. Habersham continued the publick Serv- 10.
ice of the Church, Morning and Afternoon, and took
Occasion to read an Epistle he had received from Mr.
Whitfield, who had directed him to do it publickly to the
Congregation; wherein he acquainted them with his being
appointed their Minister, that he was returning to them
soon, and exhorted them to bear in Mind the Doctrine
he had formerly preached among them, &c. In the
Evening arrived Donald Stewart, with his small Sloop
from Frederica; where he had been some Time to at
tend Mr. Brownfield, carrying divers Goods thither to
dispose of; and now Mr. Norris, our Minister, returned
with him; who reported, that he had been exceedingly
kindly treated by the People there, in every Respect; and
that the General had been pleased to give him great
Countenance and Marks of Esteem. He acquainted me,
that Captain Shubrick had been there several Days, de
livering what was committed to his Charge from the
Trust; and brought me a Packet from them, which was
given to the Captain's Care; wherein I found divers Let
ters for several People, and one from Mr. Verelst of
March 3, which contained some weighty Matters that
would require due Consideration and Obedience, &c.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 353

June 10.

But it was not in my Power to write any Thing immedi
ately about it to the Trust, having delivered to Peter
Emery a Packet, which he was to proceed with to-morrow
Morning early for Charles-Town (on various Business of
other People) and glad I was at last, after three Weeks
Waiting, to catch this Opportunity; so uncertain and rare
does any happen, to keep a due Correspondence with
England. The Packet that I now sent, was directed (by
a Letter I sent with it) to the Care of Mr. Hopton, whom
always I found very punctual in dispatching whatever
came to his Hand; and the last which I sent, he had the
good Luck to forward the same Day he received it, by
Captain Watts in the Greyhound, dated April 21, as this
was May 19.
Whit-Monday. High Holy-Day among most of our 11.
common People in Town; but- such as were concerned
in planting, could spare no Time from close Attendance
in dressing their Land, to preserve the Fruit of the
Ground from being over-run with Weeds.
Tuesday. Captain Wood of Frederica having been 12.
some Time at Charles-Town on Account of Traffick; on
his Return, stopt here since Sunday last; by whom I took
Occasion to write to the General, and send several other
Letters, which I gave him before his Departure. Duchee
the Potter, who I formerly took notice had agreed with
the General, to build a Wharf under our Bluff, for the
better Landing of Goods, having framed most of it, be
gan to set it up; but for some Days past, finding many
Difficulties in fixing a certain Foundation in the loose
Sand, without Piles; and often altering his Purpose, now
seemed determined how to proceed, in the Manner we
saw; which from what I could judge, as well as many
others of better Experience in such Works, did not prom
ise any long Duration, for divers Reasons which I
thought were apparent.
23 c r— v 4

354 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Wednesday. Several Indian Traders began now to "s9-
apply fcr Licences; some to obtain new, and some to re- ^ne
new their old ones; Wherein it was my Duty to acquaint
the General with the Circumstances as I found them, and
take his Orders. I learnt by most of them, that divers
of the Nation began to seek Occasion of falling out with
one another: Better so, than by too long Peace among
themselves, to differ with us, whose Business it is to avoid
taking Part with one or the other, or meddling in their
Quarrels (at least openly.)
Thursday. Devoted this Day almost wholly to my 14.
little Plantation; wherein falling so far short of the Num
ber of Acres I had last Year, through the Defect of bad
Servants, that instead of fifteen, I could not reckon fully
ten; I made it my Care that what I had, should be at
least as well dressed and cultivated as any of my Neigh
bors: And the Crop this Year generally promising very
well, I concluded I should have as great a Produce, at
least, as last Year, out of a larger Piece of Ground, when
a dry Season and bad Seed was a great Baulk to most
People: And from hence also I concluded a pretty just
Estimate might be made hereafter, of what might be ex
pected by a diligent Planter, if the Land were reasonably
good, to pay him for his Labour.
Friday. Little in Town worth Notice. In some Con- 15.
versation with Mr. Norris, I found he was somewhat un
easy at his Appointment here being superseded by the
honourable Trustees, to make Way for Mr. Whitfield, who
(he said) had found Means to supplant him; which he
thought little agreed with that open Simplicity which was
made so distinguishing a Part of his Character, by his
Imtimates at this Place; who with the like Candour had
done what in them lay, to lessen him in the good Opinion
of the People, though not with that Success they ex
pected; for he must do them the Justice to acknowledge,
he had found a kind Reception from the Generality, and

COLONIAL RECORDS. 355
a Readiness to attend the publick Service; wherefore he rras^
was sorry to leave them: Nevertheless he should con- Ju5ne
tinue doing his Duty, till Mr. Whitfield showed him his
Authority to take his Place; and then (he seemed deter
mined) upon quitting it, to quit America with it. I told
him I was very sorry to hear that; for indeed I thought
him a valuable Man, of good Endowments, constant in
his Duty, exceeding affable and courteous, and wholly
inoffensive in his Behaviour throughout: Wherefore I
would persuade him not to resolve too hastily in it, since
I was confident the Trustees meant it as no Disfavour
towards him, and without Doubt would have an equal
kind Regard to him whatever Part of the Province he
resided in: Which he said little to at present, and so we
parted. Saturday. Arrived a Pettyagua from Frederica, mostly i6.
laden with Corn; which surely was the first Instance of
that Kind; and it would have been indeed worth noting,
had it not been the Produce of the South; but that Time
is not yet come, nor (it is to be hoped) will Savannah
suffer her younger Sister to contribute more to her Sup
port, than she has done for herself, or will do hereafter.
This Corn (as the Master reported) came from the North
ern Settlements in Carolina; and the Stores being pretty
well provided in the South, it was ordered, without land
ing there, to come to the Aid of those who stood in Need
of it in Savannah; where (be it as it would) it was ex
ceeding welcome, to People who at that Time were in
Want of Bread.
Sunday. Mr. Norris officiated regularly at Church, n.
and administered the Sacrament; which he was prevented
from doing the Sunday before, by a long Passage from
Frederica by Water.
Monday. Spent some Time again with my People is.
abroad, giving what Directions were needful. The late

356 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Rains we had, which were so seasonable and refreshing, nss.
began now to come on in so great Abundance, having JV™e
continued daily, more or less, for three Weeks past, that
several of our Plantations in the low Lands were over
flowed, and the Corn (we feared) was in Danger of suf
fering Damage. Mr. Bradley returned home from his
late Expedition to Charles-Town, where his Business was
known to himself only. In the Evening my Son also, and
Mr. Parker, returned from the South; where I before took
Notice of the Occasion of their going {vide 4th Instant.)
Mr. Parker found his Ends in some Measure answer'd, by
some present kind Relief from the General, who prom
ised him to take it into farther Consideration, as soon as
he came to Savannah, which he designed the Beginning
of next Month; from whence he intended to take a far
ther Progress into some of the Indian Nations, where
we heard he was earnestly expected, and his Presence
would be of great Use, at this Time especially, when the
French and Spaniards were busy infusing what Mischief
they could, by endeavouring to alienate their Affections
from us. My Son, I found, had little Satisfaction from
his Journey; the General, he said, retained yet a strong
Suspicion of his being an Accomplice in some intended
Fraud, about those Wines of the Trustees, remaining in
Bradley's Cellar; notwithstanding that full and open Ex
amination made into it, as related on 21 ult. when there
appeared not the least Room for any Suspicion of such
a vile Practice; from whence my Son concluded his
Character was so deeply stained by Mr. Jones, that he
despaired of ever setting it right again with the General,
which sat very heavy upon him; and indeed affected me
also now pretty much, to see a young Man (my Son)
whom I knew to be endued with a virtuous Disposition,
and scorn'd to be guilty of base Acts, and using little
mean Arts to conceal them; but was always open and
honest, and dared be so, whomsoever he might give Of
fence to, through Want of Caution perhaps in his Words:
To see him so ill treated by a Person whom he neither

COLONIAL RECORDS. 357
deserved, nor expected it from (I mean Mr. Jones) it put 1739.
me upon a little Reflexion on divers former Passages be- Ju"e
twixt him and me; where he had too plainly discovered
(as I thought) what an Opinion he had conceived of my
Abilities, so far short of his own, whose Vanity led him
to imagine he saw clearly to the Bottom of other Peo
ples Capacities, whilst his was unfathomable; which Con
ceit of his, he was welcome to enjoy; but when those
boasted Talents, in Contempt of all others, are employed
to the Injury of such as have done no 111, but perhaps
stand suspected by him, that they may possibly in Time
be looked on too Favourably; to get rid of such, may,
for ought I know, require the Skill of a Man of deep
Reach (an Expression he is very fond of) but I fear it
will in Justice require another Name. In short, I began
to think it was Time for me no longer to look on Mr.
Jones a Friend to me, or mine; which would have been
no' Ways incompatible, as I apprehend, with either of
our Duties to the Trust, whom we served.
Tuesday. Mr. Obrien, a Keeper of Stores at New- 19.
Windsor, coming to Town last Night, called on me, and
brought with him several Licences from some of our In
dian Traders, to be renewed in this Province; which I
would lay before the General, together with some others
of the like Sort for its Direction; to whom I wrote in
the Evening, and sent it by Mr. Phelps, a Keeper of
Stores with us, who was to set out early for the South,
glad of such an Opportunity, which I would not miss,
not knowing when I might find another. Mr. Parker
came and told me, that he had been with Mr. Jones, to
confer with him on what the General had said at Fred
erica; when Mr. Jones took out some sola Bills; (Part
of them which the Trustees wrote were to be issued by
Mr. Jones, Mr. Parker, and myself, or any two of us)
desiring he would sign them; which Mr. Parker said he
demurred at, asking him if he had offered any of them
to me for that Purpose; by whom he was informed of

358 COLONIAL RECORDS.
the Trustees Orders; which were, that the Bills to be is- "39.
sued by any two of us three, were likewise to be ac- Jugne
counted for by them that issued them, who were to
certify what Uses the Produce of said Bills had been ap
plied to; which he did not conceive was possible to be
done, when the Bills so signed, were no longer within his
Cognizance how disposed of. Though I heard, that Mr.
Jones had a considerable Quantity of those Bills by him
for some Days past, I was no Ways disturbed at not be
ing taken any Notice of about them, so far was I from
coveting to meddle with Matters that were not well un
derstood at present, and might subject me to great In-
conveniencies hereafter, in accounting for.

Wednesday. This Morning I understood that Mr.
Jones went off very early for Frederica, to wait on the
General; that he went out of Town on Horseback, in
Company with two or three others, among whom Mr.
Phelps was one, to whom I had given my Letters last
Night, knowing no better; that they intended to ride so
far as Mr. Fallowfield's Plantation, to which Place they
had sent a Boat round to meet them. About Noon Mr.
Upton arrived from the South, who brought no Advice
of any Kind for me; but had a Letter for Mr. Jones,
whom he missed meeting by the Way: He had the Pleas
ure to tell me, that the General had been very kind to him,
in taking the Land off his Hands, which had been granted
him near Frederica, and made him a new Grant on the
Island called Allhony, lying a little beyond Sweedoway
Southward: That what he had done on his other Planta
tion, he was to be paid for as should be valued, which
the General would convert to pious Uses, &c. More In
dian Traders were now frequently coming, this being the
usual Season of the Year for granting Licences: Two
such were with me this Day, who were told by me, the
General intending to be here very soon himself, it would
be needless to write to him any more about those Mat-

20.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 359
ters, which he would give his Directions about when he ra^
came. J£0ae
Thursday. Heavy Rains continued to fall daily, which 21.
would admit df very little Attendance from any at their
Plantations, and began to raise fearful Apprehensions of
much Damage. Time past since the Date of my last
Packet to the Trust, put me in Mind that another might
be now expected; wherefore I began to prepare what
was needful, and stirred but little from home, nor did I
hear any Thing worth regarding abroad.

Friday. Busy good Part of the Day in finishing my
Dispatches for England. It was currently reported about
Town, that we might have had a little Money circulated
among us, had not I been the Occasion of the contrary,
by refusing to sign the issuing of a great many sola Bills,
which had been offered me by Mr. Jones: Whereat I was
the less surprized, expecting some such malicious Turn
might be given to what passed betwixt Messieurs Parker
and Jones on the 19th, wherein I was no Party, nor had
any Bills been offered me; but Parker's refusing was con
strued by Mr. Jones my Advice; though in Truth I had
notany Way consulted Parker, nor knew any Thing that
passed, till Mr. Parker informed me of it; when I must
confess I told him that I thought the Answer he had
given Mr. Jones was right. From hence I had Reason
to imagine, that Mr. Jones's sudden Expedition South
arose from these Grounds.
Saturday. Nothing observable happened this Day;
but late in the Evening arrived a Pettyagua, sent by the
Attorney-General, with two Men and five Women from
Saltzburgh, together with sundry Goods, which he wrote
me were lately arrived per Captain Harramond, and con
signed to him by the Trust, with their Direction to for
ward them to Mr. Jones; whereof he was to give me
Notice, viz. eighty Barrels of Flour, thirty Casks of

• 22.

360 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Butter, fourteen of Cheese, and a Box of Books for Mr. 1739.
Norris: With these came also a large Packet from the J™e
Trust to me, wherein I found great Store of Letters;
some for these Parts, and many more for the South; es
pecially divers for the General: What concerned me
particularly was a Letter from Mr. Verelst of the 2d of
April, signifying the Pleasure of the honourable Trustees
in divers Matters of Importance; wherein they required
me to act in Conjunction with Mr. Parker, Jones, &c.
invicem, as Occasion required: And withal had sent a
Commission, empowering us three to examine and state
the Truth of sundry Accounts, certified by Mr. Causton
to be owing from the Trust: Moreover to examine and
state the several Debts owing by the Store in Georgia
the 10th of October last; with which Commission came
also Instructions for executing it, and for examining and
stating the Accounts of Messeurs Causton and Bradley:
These were Matters of so great Moment, that I had not
Confidence sufficient in my own Abilities, to acquit my
self, as I wished to do; but resolved to shew my Good
will towards it as well as I could, in not declining to act
as far as my Understanding would admit. By several
Passages in this Letter, I was now fully convinced, that I
had not misconstrued the former Directions sent to Mr.
Parker and me, relating to our -joint issuing, together
with Mr. Jones, divers sola Bills; as per Mr. Verelst's
Letter of the 3d of March; which Mr. Jones told Mr.
Parker, we had no more to do with, than only to sign our
Names {vide 19th Instant;) for now we were plainly ap
pointed to cheque the Delivery of not only those Stores
now sent, but also the Remains of all others. As Mr.
Jones was now in the South attending the General, and
we should probably (I thought) see upon his Return,
what the General's Instructions to him were, relating to
those Bills, &c. and his Excellenfce being also expected
very soon himself, I most heartily wished to find the
Way made plain wherein I was to walk, that I might not

COLONIAL RECORDS. 361
be subject to stumble so frequently, and in Danger of nso.
falling into Displeasure, do what I could. J^e
Sunday. Mr. Norris did his Duty at Church as became 24.
a good Man; and after the publick Service was over, I
thought it no Breach of the Sabbath, to divulge the wel
come News I had received of the honourable Trustees
being about preparing an Act, to enable the Possessors of
Land in Georgia, in case of Want of Issue Male, to dis
pose of it by Deed or Will to their Daughters, or for
Want of such, to their other Relations, and their Issue
Male, &c. Such Tidings soon spread thro' the Town;
now would it be unknown long in all Parts of the Prov
ince, to the great Joy of many People: And (if I may
venture to speak so plain, without giving Offence) I am
full)' persuaded in myself, that the same Act of Grace a
few Months ago, would have produced a hundred Acres
at least of Corn more than we can now find is planted in
this Part of the Colony this Year; and I am very confi
dent a visible good Effect will arise from it in another.
Monday. This being the Grand Anniversary of the 25.
Free Masons every where (as it is said) the Brethren with
us would not let it pass without due Observance: Mr.
Norris accordingly was asked to give them a Sermon,
which had been customary with his Predecessors; and he
made them an ingenious Discourse, with a decent and
proper Application: From Church they marched in sol
emn Order to Dinner at a publick House, the Warden
Dr. Tailfer (who likes Pre-eminence as well as any Man)
attended by four or five with Wands, and red Ribbands in
their Bosoms, as Badges of their several Offices, took
Place foremost; but the Train that followed in white
Gloves and Aprons, amounted only to about Half a Dozen
more; which some, who are apt to burlesque the Order,
turned into Ridicule. My principal Affair this Day was,
to send off those Packets and Letters to the General
which I received on Saturday; wherein I met with no

June 25.

362 COLONIAL RECORDS.
small Trouble: None that I could apply to, would go "39.
without ready Money; till at last I prevailed with one to
undertake it, upon my personal Engagement to be his
Pay-Master, and then he went.
Tuesday. Messieurs Samuel Brown and McBane, two 26.
Indian Traders, came to Town from Augusta last, and
brought me a Letter from Lieutenant Kent there; to
gether with one Wright, whom Mr. Kent wrote he had
sent a Prisoner; having lately taken him, and was the
same who was taken up last Summer, committed to Prison
here, and broke out of Goal on the 25th of July with
Hetherington, Bishop, &c. But in their Way down the
River now, a fatal Accident happened to one Evans, who
was one of the two sent to guard the Prisoner; his Gun
by some Means unknown going off, killed him outright;
which was the more to be lamented, for that he was a
sober, diligent young Man, well looked on by all that
knew him, was lately out of his Servitude, and gave more
promising Hopes of future Good to be expected from
him, than too many do. A great Misfortune of another
Kind, came to our Knowledge also; which was, that very
much Damage was done to the Goods which came by the
Pettyagua on Saturday, and which was now unloading:
The Flour and Cheese especially appeared so damnified,
that it was feared little or none of it could be saved, the
Wet having gone to the very Heart of the Casks; from
whence it was the Opinion of the most knowing People
here, that the Damage was done at Sea; for it is univer
sally agreed, that a Cask of Flour well packed, though
it stand several Days in the Rain (as this did in an open
Pettyagua) yet will not take wet more than an Inch in-
but this in general appeared musty and stinking to the
Centre of it, where they bored to try; from whence it is
judged it must have laid in Water in the Ship's Hold. I
advised, that two or three Men of honest Characters, and
good Understanding, among whom one to be a Baker,
should take a Survey of it all upon Oath: Such being

COLONIAL RECORDS. 363
found, and looking into several Casks before they were 1739.
sworn, they reported to me, that the whole Cargo of J^ne
Flour and Cheese was lost; which I was not so satisfied
in, but to tell them, that till they had stripped the Casks
off, and gone to the Heart of it, and reported them upon
Oath as they found it, I thought it was of no Significance:
Whereupon, as Mr. Jones was expected soon, who was
not yet returned from Frederica, they were of Opinion
it would be best to wait his coming; which I had no Ob
jection to, the Goods being all carried into the Store,
and a Receipt given to the Master of the Pettyagua for
the whole Cargo much damaged, by  Harris, who
acts under Mr. Jones; as he told me himself. I fear no
Care was taken at Charles-Town, upon taking the Goods
out of the Ship, to see whether or not they came in good
Order and well conditioned, as in the Bill of Lading:
And if so, it is farther to be doubted if Satisfaction for
the Damage will with great Difficulty be come at.
Wednesday. Little to be done in Town; wherefore 27.
I took Occasion to look again into what my few Hands
were doingat my Plantation; which I found drenched with
Water by the heavy Rains, which had fallen for so long
a while past, and did not yet cease in frequent Showers;
but we hoped yet upon Change of Weather, to find the
Corn recover. Fevers began now to grow rife, occasioned
by a thick, unwholesome Air, and sultry Heat; but they
did not yet prove very mortal: Only Mr. Bradley lay
dangerously ill, in one that he brought home with him.

Thursday. Not the least Appearance this whole Day
of any Thing worth taking any Notice of.

28.

Friday. The same. Mr. Jones staying so long from 29.
home, gave Occasion to many of thinking that he would
return when the General came, and not before; and as I
had good Reason to believe, that the Dispatches from the
Trust, &c. which I sent off on Monday last, were now

364 COLONIAL RECORDS.
before the General; I hoped he would so well consider 1789.
of those Directions I had received from the Trust, that Ju9ne
I might be under no Mistake in the Construction of
them, nor become liable to any Blame for not executing
them. Saturday. All Things seemed at a Stand, and scarcely so.
any Body stirring. The Stores had no Flesh Provision
of any Kind to give out to the German Trust Servants,
who were ill satisfied to' live upon Bread Kind alone,
till better could be; tho' it was too evident, that the
Bread they eat was more than they earned; and many
poor People in Town (that I knew) were hard put to it
to provide that for themselves. Some proper Course,
without Doubt, would be taken by the General when he
came, to make such Provision for the future, as he should
think necessary. This proving a fine Dav, and the only
one without Rain for a long while past, we hoped good
Summer Weather was coming seasonably, to ripen the
Fruits of the Earth.
Sunday. The publick Service was performed by Mr. July
Norris with due Decency: About Noon happened a most
violent Tornado, with such a Gust of Wind and Rain,
as we had scarcely seen the like, holding for about Half
an Hour; in which Time several of the Huts and weaker
Buildings about Town were blown down, and even the
strongest shook, so that we were apprehensive of much
Mischief; and there was Reason to fear, that we should
find a great deal of the strongest Corn blown down.
Monday. People upon a Review of what Damages 2.
the Storm Yesterday might occasion, had the Satis
faction to find it much short of their Fear; so that the
old Adage of being more afraid than hurt, was literally
verified: And the Weather again promising fair in Ap
pearance, we hoped the foul had taken its Leave in this
last Effort. Many Indian Traders were now in Town,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 365
in order to get Licences; for which End they waited the 1789.
General's Arrival, whom, together with Mr. Jones, we looked J£'y
for every Day. Several printed Papers (being Extracts
of the Weekly Miscellany in London, N° 320.) were sent
from Charles-Town by some Persons there, to their Ac
quaintance here; in which Mr. Whitfield particularly, as
well as the whole Sect of Methodists, were so animad
verted on, that it was like to be the Entertainment of
most publick Conversation, for some Time; and appeared
to be an odd Preparative for Mr. Whitfield's Reception,
whenever he came. It is said that Mr. Cooksey brought
over a Number with him when he came to Charles-Town
lately; where I am informed he has taken up his Resi
dence, and bid Adieu to Georgia, for some Time at least.

Tuesday. John Penrose, whom I hired to go with his
Boat on the 25th ult. for Frederica, and carry that Packet
to the General, now returned, and brought me a short
Letter from Mr. Jones, signifying, that the General in
tended to set out from Frederica as Yesterday, or this
Day at farthest, in his Way hither, and thence up into
some of the Nations; so that we looked for him now
every Day. Hearing that one Mr. Cattle was in Town,
who is a Merchant in Charles-Town, I found him, and
asked the Favour of him to carry a small Packet, which
I had for Mr. Verelst, desiring he would deliver it to
Mr. jHopton's Care, whom I also wrote to with it; and
he readily promised me to do it, intending to be going
very early to-morrow Morning. N. B. This was the
Packet which I inclosed on the 22d ult. and this was the
first Opportunity I could find since of sending it.
Wednesday. Rain ceasing now for two or three Days,
and hot Weather succeeding, as in this Part of the Year
might be expected, the Waters began to sink away,
which had overflowed the low Lands, and done much
Damage in some Places; but there remained still an Ap
pearance jaf a plentiful Crop in general, though some

3.

366 COLONIAL RECORDS.
few might suffer Loss. The printed Paper mentioned im
two Days since to have been made publick among us, J^y
began to show the Effect that I expected it would pro
duce; People of all Ranks engaging fiercely in Disputes
(as is too common in religious Matters) and it was pretty
difficult for any one to avoid discovering his Sentiments
therein, howsoever cautious he might be, not to meddle
in Controversy: Whilst it afforded Sport, not only to
Jews and Deists, but many of our Protestant Dissenters
from the Church of England, could not but sneer at
such Divisions. It ought nevertheless to be observed,
that Mr. Norris manifested a meek Disposition, and De
sire to promote Peace, without offering to blemish the
Character of his Successor, whom (he said) he was ready
to surrender to, as soon as he showed his Authority from
the Trustees. This was what only I thought worth No
tice this Day, and wished it less, for I feared great Dis
cord ensuing.
Thursday. An uncertain Report going about for two 5,
Days past, of a Man being drowned, or some how lost,
out of a Sloop lying at Anchor here; whereof Captain
Davis had two now, which he intended to send abroad on
some Trade or other; Providence so ordered it, that the
Corpse floated this Morning, and was brought ashore, and
left by the Tide very near us on the Strand: Whereupon
the Recorder, who acted as Coroner, summoned a Jury,
who upon Inspection of the Body, with the Assistance
of two experienced Surgeons that probed several Wounds
given, brought in their Verdict Wilful Murder, by Per
sons yet unknown to them. It appeared, that a certain
Person who was said to have had some Contention with
the Deceased on board, some Days ago, was now miss
ing, and gone out of the Way, supposed to be fled; and
there were some Circumstances by which divers were apt
to imagine, that the Master of the Sloop himself (one
Brixy) was not wholly guiltless, but at least knew of what
was done, and never discovered it: No positive Evidence

COLONIAL RECORDS. 367
yet however appeared, sufficient to found a Charge "39.
against him; but it was to be hoped by some Means or Jn]y
other so base a Murder would ere long come to Light,
and the Authors meet with due Justice: In the Interim
the Master of the Sloop, and two of his Men, who were
under the strongest Suspicion, from what the Mate de
posed, (viz. that they had been all quarreling) were con
fined, till it could be seen what farther Evidence might
appear; and due Course was also taken, that such Evi
dence as could be come at, should be forth coming when
required. Friday. To-morrow being the Anniversary of the o.
Day, when the first Court was holden at Savannah, proper
Care was taken to summon a Grand Jury, and to open it
as customary at the stated Time. Nothing fell within
my Knowledge, that I thought deserved any Remark;
and I resolved not to meddle in any Contention touch
ing our future spiritual Welfare, which at present was the
Employment of more Tongues, that would be of any
good Use, as I thought.
Saturday. The Court sat, the Grand Jury was sworn, 7.
received a proper Charge, and had divers Matters com
mitted to their Consideration: After which the Court ad
journed till next Thursday; before which Time we hoped
to see the General, who was looked for with some Ap
pearance of Certainty this Day; but in vain.
Sunday. Mr. Norris officiated, and the publick Serv- 8.
ice was performed with due Decency. Information be
ing made, late in the Evening Yesterday, against a Per
son now in Town, for uttering some Words among the
Soldiers (where he had been lately) magnifying the good
Living of the Spanish Troops at Augustin, in Compari
son of the short Allowance of ours here, &c. tending to
their Discouragement; he was ordered into the Custody

368 COLONIAL RECORDS.
of our Guard, where he was detained, in order to make "89.
. a full Examination into it to-morrow. July
Monday. The first News I met with this Morning 9.
was, that the Fellow who was taken into Custody Yester
day (whose Name was Kipp) was gone off, and not to be
found. Upon Enquiry I understood, that the Foundation
of committing him, appearing doubtful, forasmuch as it
arose only from the Report of a Person in Town, newly
returned from Frederica, and no Information given upon
Oath; Mr. Christie thought proper to give him the Lib
erty of walking about Town, upon one of the Freehold
ers engaging for his Appearance: But now his going off
in such a Manner, carried in it such a Shew of Guilt, that
a Hue and Cry was sent out, to take him if they could.
Our Expectations of seeing the General this Day were
again baulked; but in the Evening Mr. Jones came, whom
we looked on at this Time as his Forerunner; and told us
he believed he would be with us to-morrow.
Tuesday. The Court sat, and received from the Grand 10.
Jury such Indictments and Presentments as they had pre
pared; among which were three Indictments they had
found against some of the Persons concerned in the late
Murder, whereof one was against Brixy the Master of
the Sloop. In the Evening the General arrived from the
South, and was received under a Discharge of the Can
non, and about forty of the Freeholders under Arms;
which he was pleased to say, was more than he expected
not run away.
Wednesday. Upon my acquainting the General 11.
(among other Things) with what Circumstances Matters
appeared relating to Murder, which were very strong, but
no positive Evidence of Fact; he was of Opinion not to
proceed too hastily on the Trial, but postpone it for a
while, in Hopes of making the Proof clear; and I ac
quainted the Magistrates with it, who thereupon ad-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 369
journed the Court to Monday next. My Duty requiring rzue.
close Attendance on his Excellence, to learn his Pleas- July
ure, most Part of the Day was so taken up; when he was
pleased to discourse freely, and lay open his Sentiments
on divers Matters of great Importance.
Thursday. The General's Stay among us being very 12.
likely to be short, many People successively sought Au
dience of him, on various Occasions; whom he dis
patched in such Manner as he saw good: But as he called
on me pretty frequently, either to give Direction, or en
quire into such Matters as he thought proper; it behoved
me to be near at Hand, so that I saw little of what
passed elsewhere in Town. Upon a Survey of the Flour
lately imported, it was found totally bad, and stinking;
insomuch that it was believed to be old cast Goods when
shipped, that were imposed villanously on the Trust:
The Cheese escaped with some small Damage, and the
Butter with less.
Friday. Several of the Indian Traders now in Town is.
applying for Licences, and Mr. Charles Wesley having
taken all the Books and Rules with him to England,
relating to that Affair, which was his Care when here;
I had the General's Orders to dispatch four of them, by
writing only short Permits, instead of the regular Form
to be observed at a proper Time; till when, this Method
would sufficiently answer their Purpose, which limited
their Power, and kept them under the same Regulations
as their former Licences, whereunto Relation was had. I
did so, and delivered such a Permit to each of them. In
the Evening, waiting on the General, when Messieurs Jones
and Parker were also present, he was pleased very gener
ously to call on Mr. Jones, to say that now to my Face,
relating to my refusing to issue those sola Bills of 500 /.
which he had told him at Frederica; from whence I made
no Doubt of his setting forth that Affair without that
Candour which I thought myself entitled to; and there-
24 c r— vol 1

370 COLONIAL RECORDS.
upon, taking Mr. Verelst's Letter out of my Pocket, of "39.
March 3, wherein the Trustees Orders were fully and J"'y
clearly delivered (as I thought) relating to that Matter;
I read them as I had formerly done to Mr. Jones; when
I told him, that I found myself therein farther concerned,
than barely to write my Name, for the Reasons so ap
parent; wherefore it behoved me to take Caution in
what I did, and therefore was willing, before I took any
farther Step in it, to be advised how to act by the Gen
eral himself, who was expected soon: Which he called a
Refusal, (and had suggested it so to the General) and
now upon referring to that Letter, the General readily
said, he could not blame me; But as for those Bills, he
had taken it on himself to issue them; and as for that
Part of the 710 /. which was to be applied in cloathing
and maintaining the Trustees Servants, whose Service
was to answer the Expence thereof, as far as 400 /. to
wards building a Church at Savannah, &c. he had sent
those Bills home again, with his Reasons for so doing.
Wherefore upon the Whole, I looked on myself, and so
did Mr. Parker on himself, excused of any farther Trouble
about issuing, or accounting for, any of the Bills that
were sent, as mentioned in Mr. Verelst's Letter aforesaid.
Saturday. The Evidence to prove the late Murder, not 14.
yetappearingso full and plain, as to leave no Doubt of Con
viction; by Reason that most of the Persons who belonged
to the Sloop, were supposed to be concerned in the Fray
that happened among them, when they had been drink
ing; and therefore, a Man being lost, unless the particu
lar Person who gave the mortal Wound could be distin
guished, they were all equally guilty; they stuck together,
and the Truth was hard to come at: I had the General's
Order to call upon the Magistrates, and together with
them, to take a Re-examination of the Whole, as well
those who were in Custody, as those others who yet ap
peared less suspected: Which took up the whole Day;
neither could we, after all our utmost Care, come at the

COLONIAL RECORDS. 371
Point we wanted: The Question being, whether the De- 1739.
ceased voluntarily leaped out of the Vessel, resolving to J^y
go ashore, against the Master's Will; and it being dark,
missed the Boat, and so was drowned (which was what
they all alledged) or whether he had received his Death
among them, and then was thrown overboard; which
there was great Reason to believe, from several Wounds
that appeared on the Body, supposed to be done with a
Flesh-Fork, or a Pair of Compasses, which were found
near the Place where they had been drinking; each of
which answered to the Form of the Wounds, and ap
peared rusty at the End, near about the Depth of the
Surgeon's probing when the Coroner's Inquest sat, whose
Verdict was Wilful Murder. From so many concurring
Circumstances, every Body was persuaded to believe the
worst; and the General, for the better Discovery of the
Truth, ordered Publication to be made, that any Person
concerned in that Fray, who would appear and give Evi
dence who it was that was the Author of this Man's
Death, so far as that he might be convicted, except the
Person himself who did it, should not only have the
General's Interest to be pardoned, but also receive a Re
ward of 40 /. to be paid him in Sterling Money at the
Stores upon such Conviction.
Sunday. The ordinary Service of the Day was duly 16.
performed, with a full Congregation, where the General
was one; and Mr. Norris afterwards administered the
Sacrament to such as were so well disposed.
Monday. Great Crouding and Hurry of Business this 16.
Day; when it was expected the General would have set
off in the Evening on his Indian Expedition; but such
Variety of Matters with-held him, that he was constrained
to defer it till to-morrow.
Tuesday. The General left us this Forenoon, and 17.
proceeded up the River in his Cutter, with Lieutenant

372 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Dunbar, Ensign Leman, and Mr. Eyre (a Cadet) his At- n39.
tendants, besides Domesticks and menial Servants: At Jj^y
the Euchie Town, about twenty-five Miles above Ebene
zer, he purposed to quit the Water, having appointed
some of our principal Indian Traders to wait his coming
there, with a Number of Horses, as well for Sumpture as
Riding; and also some of our Rangers to assist; intend
ing from thence to travel on to the Creek Nations, &c.
The Court at Savannah now sat, as per Adjournment,
thinking themselves fully prepared to enter on the Trials
of the three Persons under Commitment for Murder. Ac
cordingly Brixy the Master was first brought to the Bar.
The Trial lasted several Hours, though the Prisoner made
but a poor Defence; but the Proof against him consisting
of sundry Circumstances, which when put together left
not the least Room to doubt of his being a Principal in
the Murder, the Court omitted not to produce all that
appeared worth regarding; and the Jury were so fully
convinced of the Fact, that they considered but a very
little while, after being withdrawn before they brought
in their Verdict Guilty.
Wednesday. The other two Sailors,  Cozens, 18.
and Levett, came on their Trials separately; and after a
full Hearing of the same Evidence, and strong Circum
stances which appeared Yesterday against Brixey; and it
being proved, that they were all together in Company at
the Time of the Fact committed (as also one Jones who
fled the next Morning) the Jury found them also Guilty.
Two of our Indian Traders, coming for Savannah, and
meeting the General on the Water, brought me a Note
from him, with his Orders to continue their Licences,
and some short Directions in what Manner to distinguish
such others, as applied for Licences in his Absence.
Thursday. The Court proceeded to try other Indict- 19.
ments, for Misdemeanors and other petty Offences;
which being of no great Import, I could ill spare Time

COLONIAL RECORDS. 373
to attend till the Evening; when having gone through 1739.
all Matters before them, relating to the Crown, I went J''!y
again to hear Judgment given; and Sentence of Death
was pronounced against the three Murderers; which they
seemed little affected with, but appeared more and more
hardened; as it was evident they had stuck closely to
gether all along, from a Presumption (as it was supposed)
that the Evidence given was not sufficient to take away
their Lives: But they were advised not to flatter them
selves with Hopes of Merc)-. Wright, who sent down a
Prisoner from Augusta {vide June 26.) and one or two
more committed for Crimes of a high Nature, were al
lowed to find Bail (if they could) for their Appearance
the next Session, the Court not having yet sufficient Ev
idence to try them. Adjourned to Monday next.
Friday. Very little or nothing to be observed. To- 20.
wards Evening Captains Norbury and Desbrassie arrived
in a Scout-Boat from Port-Royal, intending to stop two
or three Days with us in their Way South.
Saturday. Early in the Morning a Messenger from 21.
the General, whom he left at the Euchie Town, and
brought Letters to me and Bailiff Parker from him; re
quiring to be informed concerning the late Trials for
Murder; that so in case the Prisoners were convicted,
and Sentence was given according to Law, he might
bring it to Effect. About the same Time an Express-
Boat arrived from Mr. Fallowfield at Tybee, who was or
dered by the General, as Naval Officer, to keep a good
Look-out there for the Return of a Spanish Launch,
which he was lately informed, came all the Way from
Augustin within Land, and was gone for Charles-Town;
which at this critical Juncture gave Occasion to People
to say, that his principal Business was, to sound the
Depths of the several Inlets of the Sea on this Coast;
and which was not improbable. Hereupon the two Cap
tains, with Mr. Jones, Captain Davis, and some others,

374 COLONIAL RECORDS.
took a Boat with a few Hands armed, and went to give "S9-
Mr. Fallowfield Assistance; who had wrote, that the J£j
Launch was now returned thither, which he had prevailed
with to stay there till she was spoke with farther: On
which Occasion, I would gladly have made one; but my
immediate Task was to fulfill the General's Orders, in
giving him a full Relation of the late Trials, and the
Proceedings of the Court thereupon; which would take
up most of the short Time allowed for the Messenger
to stay. In the Evening the Gentlemen came back from
Tybee, after speaking with the commanding Officer of
the Launch, who told them he had been at Charles-
Town, to deliver to the Governor there a Packet, from
the Government of Augustin; and that he had another
to deliver to the General (which by the Bye he might as
well have delivered as he went, had he not imagined
that he should have been well watched) and that Packet
he now gave to these Gentlemen, together with a Present
of Sweetmeats for him: His whole Talk being of the
Pacification agreed on between the two Crowns lately
(though not so perfectly, we apprehended, as to put all
Breach of it out of Doubt.) He seemed to be offended
at his Reception at Charles-Town; where he said he was
only permitted to go ashore alone, but none of his Men;
wherefore he made but a short Stay there. He was very
earnest to take the Inland Passage in his Way home, but
was told it could not be allowed him. The two Captains
wrote each a Letter to the General to give him an Ac
count of their Proceedings, and gave them to the same
Messenger very opportunely that carried mine, and one
also from Mr. Parker, the head Bailiff inclosed in mine;
with all which he set off about Midnight, with Design to
make all possible Haste, the General intending to wait
his Return at the Place where he left him.
Sunday. The publick Service of the Church was ob- 22.
served as usual. Captain Norbury and Desbrassie, who
had both been lately ill in Fevers, were each of them

COLONIAL RECORDS. 375
taken with the same again, and forced to submit to 1739.
proper Means used for their Recovery. J^'y
Monday. Received a Letter this Morning from Lieu- 23.
tenant Kent at Fort Augusta, brought me by one Morri
son, who intended a very short Stay, and was returning
into the Creek Nation: And the Letter he gave me, con
taining some particular Relations of the Talk of the
neighbouring Indians, as if the Cherokees were ready to
fall out with the white Men among them (which I did
not find any certain Foundation for giving too hasty
Credit to) I thought it not so trivial, but that the Gen
eral should be acquainted with it: Wherefore I resolved
to write to him of it, and inclose the Letter I had re
ceived; which I did, by the same Person; who returned
in the Evening with Design (if possible) to overtake the
General in his Progress. The Court met again, in order
to go on upon civil Actions, which multiplied too fast;
and the Recorder being not well, the Magistrates made
Use of it as a good Cause to adjourn farther to Monday
next. Tuesday. Most of my Employment this Day was in 24.
preparing Letters and divers Papers for England. One
of Captain Davis's Sloops, which had lain here for a long
while, fell down the River at Tybee, bound (as it was
said) for Augustin; but what her Cargo was, I did not
learn; it was supposed most of it to be Provisions, chiefly
the Produce of Carolina, together with some Bale Goods
for Cloathing; also Hats, Shoes, &c.
Wednesday. Followed the same Employ as Yester- 25
day, and made up my Packet; but left it yet unsealed,
by which Means I had Opportunity remaining, to add
any Postscript I saw proper: And it well so happened,
for late in the Evening arrived Peter Emery from Charles-
Town (who with his Boat of late kept pretty constant
going betwixt this Town and that, as often as he found

376 COLONIAL RECORDS.
sufficient Freight) by whom I received a Packet from the "39.
Trust, with divers Letters inclosed, and some loose, J^ly
for the General, and divers private Persons, sent me by
the Attorney-General, who also wrote what Ship they
came by from England, &c. viz. the Prince Galley, Cap
tain Bowles. Mr. Verelst was so kind to write me by
the same Conveyance two Letters, one of the 27th of
April, and the other of the 10th of May; in both which
acquainting me with the favourable and kind Determi
nation of the honourable Trustees, in relation to me and
my future Support; which was Matter of great Comfort
to me, not doubting but it would be equivalent to my
Need; though the Particulars I was not yet acquainted
with. Thursday. By the Return of the Boat which carried 26.
the General up the River, Letters came to Messieurs
Parker, Jones, and myself, in Answer to what had been
wrote him on the 21st Instant, advising us in what he
thought proper, relating to the Execution of the Crimi
nals: Upon which we met, and went to the Prison; where
we took Levett aside, who was weak and sickly, and had
been so some Time before the Murder was committed;
but it appeared at the Trial, that he was one among them
when the Fact was done, and consequently that he must
be privy to it, though possibly he might not actually give
any Wounds to the Deceased; whereby he was in Law
equally guilty with the others; we let him know, that we
had Leave to reprieve him, if he would ingeniously con
fess which of them gave those mortal Wounds; which
would give the greater Satisfaction to the Publick; and
in so doing he would discharge his own Conscience, and
leave Room for Mercy to be shewn himself: All that
we could get from him was, that without Doubt the
two persons under Sentence with him, together with
Lewis Jones, who fled the next Morning, must be the
Persons who did it; but which of them particularly he
could not tell; for that he was ill himself, and laid down

COLONIAL RECORDS. 377
to sleep on the Deck: But that was not credited by i73«.
the Jury, who thought it impossible for such an Act to J"1?
be done, wherein so many were concerned, all which
must be in so small a Vessel, within the Space of a few
Feet before the Mast; and that any Man could, in the
Midst of all such Confusion, lie down quietly to sleep,
and not know what was done: As this was all the De
fence he made at his Trial, so he yet persisted in the
same; whereupon we left him, and spoke to Mr. Norris,
who visited them, to use his Endeavours in trying what
he could prevail with him to say farther.
Friday. Heavy Rains returning upon us again for 27.
some Days past, on this more especially there was little
or no stirring abroad: Fevers and Agues increased apace,
and our two Captains could not yet get free of them, so
as to proceed South: Nevertheless these Distempers
hitherto were so far from proving mortal, that I scarce
ever knew fewer People die here, than of late: Mr. West,
late Smith to the Trust, died this Afternoon of a Con
sumption, wherewith he had been wasting for near a Year
past: Besides this Occasion, I hardly remember a Grave
opened for any other, for some Months past; and it is
generally remarked, that the catching these intermitting
Fevers, is mostly owing to the Peoples Unwariness in
taking cold when they are hot.
Saturday. The Magistrates convened at my House ss.
this Morning, to consider of what was needful to be
done about the Execution, which was agreed to be on
Friday next the 3d of August; accordingly a Warrant
was given out to the Constables for that Purpose, and
Orders given for a sufficient and proper Guard to attend
it: It was also ordered that a Gallows should be erected
on the Bluff, towards the Extremity of it, near the Water,
as near as we could judge opposite to the Place where the
Sloop lay, when this Murder was committed; which was
agreeable to what we understood to be the General's In-

378 COLONIAL RECORDS.
struction: And if there was Room given by Levett, be- "39.
twixt this and the Time of Execution, for him to find J^y
Mercy on the Terms advised by the General, he might
yet obtain a Reprieve.
Sunday. The ordinary Service of the Day was regu- 29.
larly observed. In the Evening, upon Intelligence, that
a Person had been skulking in Town, under the Charac
ter of a Jew practicing Surgery and Physick, ever since
Friday; and giving out, that he came from North-Caro
lina, intending to go for Frederica, and hoped to get
Leave to settle there; it was thought proper to have him
taken up, and examined before the Magistrates; which
was done: And it appeared by the Testimony of our
principal Jews here, that he was not of that Religion:
Then, upon asking him what Country he was of, he said,
of Germany: But his Complexion not agreeing with
that Climate, we could not presently give Credit to it:
And moreover it appearing he had his Pockets well
stored, and that finding he began to be suspected, he
had agreed with some Hands to row him up the River
in the Night to some convenient Place, from whence he
might travel by Land as far South as Darien; we were more
and more confirmed in our Opinions, that he was a danger
ous Person: whereupon it was thought needful to have
his Pockets well searched, where he had Abundance of
Papers, &c. among which, though we could not make a
plain Discovery of his Designs, yet many Tokens ap
peared of his deserving to be taken good Care of: When
he found that it was in vain for him to deny, what we
could quickly prove, he confessed himself born in Old
Spain; that he had been rambling for a few Years past,
farther Northward, in the Practice of his Profession,
particularly in Virginia and North-Carolina, &c. but had
made no Abode in South-Carolina, nor seen Charles-
Town for a long while past: But upon looking into his
Papers, was evident he was in Charles-Town about a
Fortnight or three Weeks since; which, as near as we

COLONIAL RECORDS. 379
could guess, was much about the Time that the Spanish jm
Launch was lately there: It was plain that he had gone J"iy
by several Names; and in short there was sufficient Rea
son for suspecting strongly that he was no better than a
Spy: Whereupon he was committed to the Guard, to be
there secured till the next convenient Opportunity of
enquiring farther, after having made as strict an Exam
ination as we could till Midnight.
Monday. The Court sat again this Morning; and 30.
after determining some petty Causes, adjourned till to
morrow. In the Afternoon we made a farther Examina
tion into the Affairs of the Spaniard, who was brought
before the Magistrates Yesterday; and it was found need
ful to continue his Confinement till the General's Return.
Arrived at Tybee a Brigantine belonging to the Assiento,
Captain Fennell Commander; who, together with two
other Gentlemen that were Passengers on board him,
came up to Town in a Boat, out of Curiosity (as they
said) to see the Place: And as soon as they were housed,
I had the like Curiosity, to make them a Visit of Com
pliment, hearing they came from the Havannah, to learn
what News I could from thence: Mr. Jones accompanied
me; and we soon found that Captain Fennell was a Man
well known on this Coast; and though he had never
seen this Town before, he had often been at Charles-
Town and Port- Royal, near which last he had an Estate
of his own. He reported that he left Havannah twelve
Days since, where all Things continued in their usual
Posture; and as to Peace or War, they were under the
same Uncertainty as we: So that the Captain said he was
not without Apprehension of being stopt; nor did he
think himself safe till he was out of Gun-shot from the
Forts: That he was now bound for England, after having
dispatched some Business in Carolina, where he should
put ashore a pretty many Men, who had been detained
Prisoners at Havannah, and were making their Way now
home, in such Ships as they should like: That the two

380 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Gentlemen with him were Creolians at Jamaica (one of "39.
whom had been a Writer in the S6uth-Sea Company's J"1?
Service) and were designing to take Passage home thither
from Carolina. This Brig was supposed to have a rich
Cargo, and carried twenty Hands or more: The Captain
was a Man of courteous Behaviour, and agreeable Con
versation: After passing away Part of the Evening with
them, I took my Leave.
Tuesday. The Court sat again great Part of the Day, 3i.
dispatching such Affairs as were indispensable, and post
poning such as well might be; importing rather Strife
betwixt the Parties, than Benefit to either Plaintiff or
Defendant; which ought to be discouraged: Neverthe
less the Day was not sufficient for what they had to do;
but somewhat yet remained to take up Part of to
morrow. Nothing occurred to me worth Notice; but
heavy Rains fell almost daily, insomuch that it was much
to be feared the Corn which was now in Ear, would
suffer greatly, and rot, instead of growing hard, and
ripening. Wednesday. This Forenoon the Court made an End August
of what they thought needful at present, and adjourned
to the 22d Instant. My Son, who had waited a pretty
while for a convenient Opportunity of making a Voyage
to England, now thought that a better could never offer,
than to go in this Brig commanded by Captain Fennell,
now lying at Tybee, and bound directly for Portsmouth:
Wherefore, applying to the Captain, he readily admitted
him as a Passenger, intending the Ship should sail to
morrow, or next Day; which short Warning must una
voidably create some Inconvenience to my Son and me
both, by parting in such a Hurry: And, as many Things
were to be looked into, and well considered, before his
Departure, it found us full Employment this Day, as it
must at least another, so to adjust Matters, that no De
fect therein might occasion any Detriment to the Pub-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 381
lick. The two Captains (though weak yet) went this 1739
Day South for St. Simon's. August
Thursday. This whole Day was found short enough, 2.
for what Work my Son and I had to do, pursuing what
we were upon Yesterday; and I heard of nothing abroad,
that required my Avocation from what I thought needful
at home.
Friday. This was the fatal Day, which called those *¦
wretched Criminals for Murder, out of Prison for Exe
cution (which was appointed on the 28th ult.) and Gal
lows now were prepared, at the Place where Orders had
been given about it. The Freeholders were called to
Arms by Beat of Drum, and in an Hour's Time more
than seventy appeared, well accoutred; which, consider
ing the Absence of some who were occasionally out of
the Way, and others not well able to attend, being not in
.perfect Health, besides Orphans, &c. &c. shewed that
Savannah was not yet quite so much deserted, as by some
reported. Before the Hour of Execution came, the Mag
istrates met, to consider farther of Levett's Case; whose
Sickness and Weakness at the Time when the Murder
was committed, inclined Abundance of People to believe,
that he was not one who actually gave any of the
Wounds to the Deceased; from whence he seemed to be
an Object of Pity, though by the Law he was undoubt
edly guilty, being privy to it, and not discovering it; for
the Jury could not believe what he alledged in his own
Defence, that he was asleep all the while it was doing
{ut antea:) All those Circumstances being now again de
bated, Pity prevailed; believing if it was an Error to
shew Mercy, it was an Error on the best Side of the
Question: Wherefore it was resolved to reprieve him for
two Months, in which Time we might expect the General
again, who would direct what farther he saw proper
about it: It was so ordered nevertheless, that the Re
prieve should not be known, till the very Minute he

382 COLONIAL RECORDS.
was to suffer; whereby we thought it possible that he "39.
might make a fuller Confession, than he had yet done, as August
before recited. At the Gallows, Brixy, the Master, be
haved very resolutely, confessed nothing, nor absolutely
denied any Thing: He had been of different Sects of Re
ligion, conformable to the Country he was in: a Presby
terian in the Northern Provinces, and at Augustin a
Papist, as it was generally thought he died; though he
received the Sacrament at the Hands of a Divine of the
Church of England, who attended them since their Con
demnation, and at the Place of Execution: He went up
the Ladder more nimbly than the Hangman, and fastened
the Rope to the Beam himself: Then turning about to
the Spectators, told them he was satisfied to die (which
was interpreted variously by several) and after a short
Prayer, he was turned off. Cozens owned himself to have
been a very wicked Man; for which, he said, God's Ven
geance had overtaken him: He behaved with Penitence
in Prison, and now also; but made no Confession of the
Guilt for which he suffered, nor said any Thing in par
ticular of it. Levett was conducted to the Foot of the
Ladder, after the other two were turned off, before his
Reprieve was declared: He made great Lamentation
for his former Course of Life, and appeared under much
Terror; but continued to deny that he saw the Wounds
given; and was so affected with his unexpected Reprieve,
that he was very near losing his Life by excessive Re
turn and Flow of Spirits; after which he was returned
in safe Custody to the Prison from whence he came.
These Things being over, I had a few Hours left to spend
with my Son before his Departure; which was at Six in
the Evening, when we took Leave of each other (for a
short Season, it was hoped) and he went, in Company
with a few others, for Tybee where he was to embark
immediately on board the St. Francis Brig, commanded
thus far by Captain Fennell: But now the Captain had
determined to send her for England under the Conduct .
of his Mate; intending, after a short Stay in Carolina, to

COLONIAL RECORDS. 383
return to Jamaica, together with the other two Gentle- "39.
men that came with him: Wherefore he would only stay August
at Tybee, to see her under Sail over the Bar; which
was intended early in the Morning, and then he would
quit her, and make the best of his Way to Port-Royal.
Sent my Packet of the 25th ult. by my Son.
Saturday. My Son being now gone, Mr. Jones, who 4.
had been a great while a Stranger at my House, came and
made me a neighbourly Visit, sitting an Hour with me
in familiar Converse on divers Matters relating/ to the
Publick; which I was very glad of, and determined with
myself, that I would not be behind him in all Kinds of
Courtesy, to promote the Service, as far as in me lay;
but could not avoid reflecting on his implacable Disposi
tion towards my Son; which had carried him such a
Length as to avoid my House, during his Abode with
me; and which I could no otherwise account for, than
because he would not tamely submit to those severe Im
putations that came upon him through his Means; but
thinking himself injuriously treated (as indeed I appre
hended he was) used all proper Means to vindicate his
Innocence; and this was construed by an angry Man of
a haughty Temper, to bean Opposition of his Authority.
These Things I concluded would now blow over, and the
Remembrance of them be extinct, by the Time of my
Son's Return again.
Sunday. The publick Service of the Church was duly 5.
observed. In the Evening I received Intelligence by a
Letter from my Son on board the Ship at Tybee, that
they were at the Time of his writing, weighing Anchor,
in order to put to Sea with a fair Wind: Which Letter
was brought me by the Pilot, who lives there; and after
conducting the Ship over the Bar this Morning, left them
about a League off Land.
Monday. This Morning, at the Request of John 6.
Lyndall (appointed Pindar) there was a voluntary Con-

384 COLONIAL RECORDS.
vention of the Freeholders, who had any Property in "39.
Cattle in these Parts; when the Orders and Instructions August
lately given to the Pindar, by the General, were read;
and the Pindar requiring in Consequence of those Or
ders, that some other little Regulations should be agreed
on among themselves, for the better enabling him to do
his Duty; they readily agreed to them, and signed a
Paper signifying their Consent, &c. It was now thought
high Time, to begin the Execution of the Commission
lately sent by the Trust to the Messieurs Parker, Jones,
and me; and we met accordingly in the Afternoon at
Three a Clock, when we began with the Account of
Messieurs Montaigut and Purry first, where we were ap
prehensive of meeting with some Intricacy; especially
from what Mr. Verelst had lately wrote in his Letter of
April 22; and was likely to prove so; for after inspect
ing it closely some Time, we adjourned the farther Con
sideration of it till to-morrow Morning.
Tuesday. The Commissioners met again, and spent 7.
both the Forenoon and Afternoon in close Application
to the Matters before them, taking proper Minutes of
what was thought worth Notice: Among some other
Things, observing that Mr. Williamson had Credit given,
in the Account of Mr. Purry and Company, for about
13 /. which was now made Part of the Debt owing to
him as Claimant for the Trustees, and which was certi
fied by Mr. Causton: Upon looking into Mr. Purry's
Books, it appeared Mr. Williamson was made Debtor
there for sundry Goods bought of that Value: Upon
which we examined Mr. Purry upon Oath, to know how
he came to transfer that as a Debt in the Account of the
Trustees; and he said he did it at Mr. Williamson's Re
quest, and by the Consent of Mr. Causton: Mr. Causton
also appeared Debtor in his own Name in Mr. Purry's
Books, for divers Goods sold and delivered to him for
his own private Use, in the Sum of about 70 /. which he
had likewise transferred to the Trustees Account, and

COLONIAL RECORDS. 385
made Part or what was certified by him, as the Debt ^itss^
which Mr. Purry claimed, to the 29th of September last: A"gust
Since which Time Mr. Causton appeared Debtor to Mr.
Purry, in his Books, for sundry Articles, in the same
Form and Manner as the foregoing Account shewed till
September 29. How far Mr. Causton can exonerate
himself of this Charge, is yet unknown, but looked for.
Wednesday. Continued our Examination: And Cap- 8.
tain McPherson's Account, together with his Rangers,
being before us; we could not but observe the exceeding
great Difference we therein found, of what he claimed
for the last half Year, from Lady-Day to Michaelmas
1738, from any preceding Account for the same Time;
but having Recourse to my Journal of March 24, and
April 1, 2, 3, 1738, I perfectly recollected what I there
found, and withal several other Particulars, not fully
noted there: The Captain at that Time, when we could
not be too much on our Guard against the Spaniards?
took that Advantage, and in a great Measure extorted
such a Compliance with his Demands, as he thought we
durst not refuse: Wherefore after exhorting him to be very
watchful, and more than ordinary diligent in keeping a
good Look-out; he was promised, that, as far as it was in
our Power, he and his People should have all their De
mands fulfilled, which they then insisted on  which
now is humbly submitted to the Judgment of the honour
able Trustees. In the Course of this Enquiry, William
Elbert, who at that Time, or very little before, was one
of Captain McPherson's Rangers, was found to have sold
a Mare to Mr. Causton on his own Account, as he be
lieved, together with two or three other small Articles,
which in the Whole came to 61. 15s. 6d. for which the
Trustees are made Debtors in the said Elbert's Account
certified to Mr. Jones.
Thursday. In the certified Account of Nunes Hen- 9.
riquez, the Trust is made Debtor for 5 /. 1 55. yd.
25 c r— v 4

386 COLONIAL RECORDS.
which we apprehended, from what we could discover, ^j^
properly belonged to Mr. Causton, as also to ten Shill- ^g113'
ings charged to their Account, and owing by Mr. Wil
liamson: And in a subsequent Account with the said
Nunes Henriquez, he charges 2 /. 14*. 6d. y2 to the
Trust for Table-Cloths and some Pewter, delivered to
Mr. Causton's Wife; and I /. 14J. 2d. to the Trust for
Pewter, which was delivered to Mr. Thomas Upton.
Mr. David Provost's Account, certified for one thousand
and eighty-five Pounds, was found unexceptionable; and
so was Mr. Thomas Ware's for 221 /. Thomas Trip, a
Joiner, charging the Trust, in a Bill delivered, with the
Sum of 5 /. 14;?. \\d. was content to take 4 /. \2s. $d. of
Mr. Jones; the remaining 1 /. 2s. 6d. being for Work
done for Mr. Causton. Upon finding that a continual,
daily Attendance on this Work, would render each of
us incapable of a due Regard to any other, we agreed
unanimously, that for the future one Half of the Day,
either Forenoon or Afternoon only, should be alotted for
that Purpose; and to appoint at parting, which would
best suit our Purpose for the Day following, from time
to Time.
Friday. Went through four Accounts more, viz. 10.
William Woodrooffe, John Lloyd, Samuel Mercer, and
Benjamin Adams, wherein such Errors as we found were
mostly to the Injury of the Claimants; especially the
latter of them; where it appeared so defective in due
Entries of Credit given, that we postponed it for a Re
view some other Time. Messieurs Jenny's and Eve-
leigh's Accounts we much wished to get over; but it
was thought proper, that somebody should appear in
their Behalf when we went upon them; and therefore
we must wait a little till we had Advice about it from
Charles-Town. Saturday. Spent the whole Forenoon in examining 11.
Mr. Brownfield's Accounts, relating to the Claims of

COLONIAL RECORDS. 387
Messieurs Pyt and Tuckwell; wherein many Difficulties 1739.
occurred, from divers Articles charged to that Debt of August
the Trust, which we apprehended they had nothing to
do with; but upon farther Enquiry it appeared more and
more intricate; and we found Mr. Causton's Account in
divers Places so blended with the Trust's, that it was not
an easy Task to separate them : But Mr. Brownfield shewed
a ready Disposition to explain it fully, in a Manner more
Intelligible; wherefore we deferred the Consideration of
it to another Day. By a Boat arrived from Fort Au
gusta, I received a Letter from Lieutenant Kent, inform
ing me that from some Intelligence they had lately re
ceived, there were some Reasons to doubt the Creek
Indians not to be so much our Friends as we took them
to be: But the General being now himself among them,
we did not doubt but that he would best judge of their
Sincerity, and take proper Measures to strengthen their
Fidelity. By the same Boat came a Prisoner, whose
Name is Shannon, sent down by the General, and com
mitted by him to safe Custody in our Prison, for treason
able Practices: He had been of the General's own Regi
ment, listed and brought over from England; but was
discovered to be a Villain, in endeavouring to seduce some
of his Fellow Soldiers, &c. for which he was whipped
and drummed out of the Regiment; moreover, upon
searching, he was found to belong to Berwick's Regi
ment, and had a Furlow in his Pocket from the said
Regiment: After which he went up among the Indian
Nations, and was now found to have been practicing his
former Work, endeavouring to persuade them into the
Interest of the French; for which it was to be hoped he
would meet with his Demerits. Spent the Afternoon at
my little Plantation.
Sunday. The Duty of the Day was observed as usual, 12.
and the Sacrament administered by Mr. Norris, to such
as were so well disposed. Mr. Francis Moor, who went
South not long since, returned to us again, intending

385 COLONIAL RECORDS.
now to continue his Abode here till the Return of the "39.
General. Au1fust
Monday. The Commissioners met again, and pro- 13.
ceeded in a farther Examination of the Accounts of
Mr. Brownfield; which we found true in all its Parts of
Credit claimed; but there were sundry Articles, wherein
we apprehended the honorable Trust would not readily own
themselves Debtors, being such as were placed to their
Account by Mr. Causton's Orders, as Mr. Brownfield
very readily acknowledged; and withal, that it was no
more than what he had divers Times done before, not
doubting but it would be approved of, as it had been, and
that Mr. Causton gave the Trust Credit for it in his Ac
counts: Which, together with others of the like Sort,
possibly might be better explained to us, before
we made an absolute Charge of them on Mr. Caus
ton, whom it behoved to look to it. In the After
noon the Magistrates assembled at my House, to inquire
into a Riot committed last Night (Sunday) by some
drunken People, who had insulted one of the Tything-
men, a Peace Officer then upon Duty, who required
them to go peaceably home, and whom they had ill
treated; wherefore he had confined them upon Guard:
And the Matter appearing very heinous against them,
they were three of them bound over under sufficient
Bail, to Answer it at the next Sessions: Which perceiv
ing them much terrified at, I proposed it to them to con
fess where it was they bought the Rum which had occa
sioned it, and I would intercede with the Magistrates to
be milder in their Punishment, upon Conviction of the
Offence which they had been guilty of; and they prom
ised they would another Day; but why not now, I could
not tell: Wherefore I doubted their Sincerity. N. B.
These three Men were not long since out of their Servi
tude, had each of them behaved well in their Services,
as was. acknowledged by their several Masters; were all
promising to be useful Men in the Colony, and one of

COLONIAL RECORDS. 389
them lately married, at whose House they had thus de- 1739.
bauched themselves. From whence it is an obvious Re- August
flexion, how fatal this Excess of Rum-drinking is likely
to prove among the common People; and how ineffectual
all Means have hitherto been found, for suppressing the
Sale of it by unlicens'd Persons in all the bye Corners
of the Town. Mr. Bradley, who yet continued very
weak since his late Sickness, no sooner began to recover,
but he returned to his former Practice, of making Havock
among the Cattle which had been under his Charge;
and notwithstanding his being absolutely discharged
from meddling any more with any of the Trust's Goods
or Effects (as they were pleased to write me lately, and
which I made no Doubt they had signified to him in
those Letters which I had delivered to him from them)
I had Intelligence of his having killed a Calf last Sat
urday Evening, and selling three Fourths of it; more
over, that he had fixed upon a fat Heifer, which he
purposed the same Way to convert to his own Use the
the Beginning of this Week: Wherefore upon my taking
Notice of it to those who were now with me of the Magis
tracy, and Mr. Jones being also one with us; I proposed it
to them to go all of us in a Body to him, to ask his Mean
ing, and when he intended to surrender all that apper
tained to the Trust, into such Hands as were appointed to
receive it: Which we did; and he entertained us in his
usual rambling Way of Talk, very little to the Purpose,
and not coming to any fixed Point, partly seeking by
evasive Answers to blind us, and chiefly pressing our
Forbearance till the General returned, who he would
have persuaded us to believe, would allow of what he
had done, though we were convinced of the contrary;
and moreover we could not expect him among us again
yet awhile; in which Space of Time it was unknown
what Mischief might be done: We therefore were obliged
to charge him at his Peril, not to touch a Hoof more,
or offer to dispose of any; which if he did, might ex
pect to be proceeded against as a Felon: So we left him.

390 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Tuesday. Mr. Jones having received a Bruise'by an "39.
accidental Fall over a Log in the Dark, could not well a^8'
attend the Business this Day, which we were pursuing,
in looking into what we were directed: Wherefore Mr.
Parker and I spent some Hours upon it without him, com
paring divers Accounts, &c. but we thought it best not
to make Minute of any determinate Opinion relating to
it, till we were all together, and agreed in the same. The
Afternoon I took to myself at home, where I never
wanted Matter sufficient to keep me employed; and heard
of nothing abroad that I thought worth Notice.
Wednesday. Mr. Jones continuing yet unable to 15.
act in the Examination of what we were upon, it was
thought proper to respite it for a Day or two longer, in
Hopes of his Attendance to assist, as he now grew bet
ter: And I took this Opportunity of paying some Re
gard to my Plantation Affairs, where we might hope
soon to reap some Fruit of what Labour had been be
stowed; especially as the Season was grown more fa
vourable for bringing on Harvest; and the Heats which
this Month began with, made an agreeable Alteration
in ripening the Corn: But I was not a little chagrined to
think, that the Number of Acres planted near the Town
I feared would fall short of what the last Year produced;
which indeed should be imputed in a great Measure to
the Distress which divers of the Inhabitants were driven
to last Winter; which put them on the Necessity of earn
ing their Bread by any honest Means they could use, at
such Time as their Labour might well have been be
stowed on their Lots, could the Stores have afforded
them a few Months Credit: For I must again repeat
(what I have elsewhere taken Notice of) that the major
Part of the Freeholders remaining in Savannah, shew a
good Disposition to Work, and endeavour to maintain
their Families: And the Alteration latelv made in the
Tenure of Lands by the honourable Trustees, in their
Favour, has had already such an Influence, that several,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 391
even at this Time of the Year, have begun to give a 1739.
Specimen of what might be expected from them when August
the Planting Season returns. As for the outlying Plan
tations that are distant from the Town, I have Reason
to expect such an Account may be returned of them,
that I need not be ashamed of; several of which are oc
cupied by some of our Freeholders, who hold those
Lands upon Lease (they tell me) and where, by Reason
of a convenient Situation, they are enabled to raise a
live Stock of Cattle, and Hogs, &c. whereby their Sub
stance increasing, they will soon attain to a comfortable
Way of living, and become downright Farmers. 
But these are such as have a little Stock to begin with.
Thursday. This Day passed over with very little or is.
no Variation from the preceding.
Friday. The Commissioners met again early, and 17.
followed their Employment till past Noon; in which
Time Captain William Thompson's certified Account
came under Consideration, which divers Exceptions were
made to, having in it sundry Articles, where Credits were
given by him to particular Persons, whose Accounts we
thought ought to be charged with the same, as being ac
countable to him properly, and not inserted in the said
Certificate: Several other Charges we thought unwarrant
able, which we yet could find no Original of in the post
ing Books belonging to the Stores, and must leave it to
Mr. Causton to give a Reason for. Then we reconsid
ered the Accounts of Messieurs Montaigut and Purry,
where several Exceptions were also made; among which
we fouud the Sum of 26/. 13.?. 4d. taken Notice of par
ticularly in Mr. Verelst's late Letter, to stand thus: Mr.
Causton had taken (i. e. borrowed) of Mr. Purry that
Sum, for which he gave him a Bill on Mr. Jenny's, and
therewith debeted the Trust; but upon that Bill being
returned unpaid, we could no where find, that the Trust

392 COLONIAL RECORDS.
had again any Credit given them; for which no Reason 1739.
yet is given, why the Trust should find it so stated. August
Saturday. Stuck close to the same Employment, is.
and went through Recompence Stenbury's Account,
without any Objections that we could see Cause for; as
well as one or two more of no great Moment: But look
ing into the Account of Messieurs Pyt and Tuckwell,
which was said in Mr. Verelst's Letter not to be yet of
fered; we there found divers Articles to stick at, Mr.
Causton's Certification and Mr. Brownfield's Books not
agreeing in the Sums which the Trust was made Debtor
for: Which put us to a Nonplus for the present, and ob
liged us to defer a farther Enquiry till the Beginning of
the Week, when we might hear what Mr. Brownfield
could say to it, and how it came to pass that the Account
certified to be due, was in any Place more than he had
charged in his Books; which we observed were very reg
ular; and hitherto he had not (as far as we perceived)
used any evasive Answers, to whatever we questioned:
He happened, at this Juncture, to be rode a few Miles
out of Town. In the Evening arrived Peter Emery with
his Boat from Charles-Town; but brought no Letters
from England, no Ship being arrived thence since the
Prince Galley, Captain Bowles. {Vide July 25.)
Sunday. The publick Service was regularly observed, 19.
as usual. In the Afternoon two Sloops belonging to
New-York,  Tingley and  Ware Masters, last
from Frederica, arrived at our Port; having disposed of
the greatest Part of their Cargoes in the South; with
whom came Monsieur Thomas, chief Engineer there, to
gether with his Family: By whom we understood a Stop
was put to the carrying on any Fortifications for the
present: He said he was going to Charles-Town, to view
the Fortifications there; and from thence probably he
should go for England.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 393
Monday. ) These two Days were wholly taken up 1739.
Tuesday. / in pursuing our Examination into some of Au*ust
those Accounts which were expected from us: And in 21
several of them we found Errors of the like Nature with
such as we had before observed, viz. making the Trust
Debtor for divers Sums which did not appear to us to
belong to them, but properly should have been charged
to the right Owners; some to Mr. Causton, and some to
others: Whereof though sundry of them possibly might
not be thought very gross, yet in an aggregate Sum,
probably would, in the End, be looked on otherwise.
We began now to think of a proper Account being pre
pared, to be laid before the Trustees, of our Proceed
ings, so far as we had gone, with our Observations there
upon, as we went on: To which we should give Mr.
Causton (as due to him in Justice) an Opportunity of
exculpating, as far as he is able, such Charges as now
stand against him. This being the stated Time of the
Court sitting, the Magistrates met in Form, and adjourned
to Monday next. Finding it impossible to sit de Die in
Diem on the publick Accounts, without great Detriment
to other Affairs ; we resolved to dedicate to-morrow to
our own private Uses, and appointed to meet again on
Thursday Morning.
Wednesday. Plantation- Work required some looking 22.
into, which employed Part of my Time. An heavy
Complaint being exhibited against the Moravian Breth
ren, by Mr. Gilbert (one of the Magistrates;) forasmuch
as the honourable Trustees had several Times advised,
that those People should be dealt tenderly with; it was
thought proper to ask Mr. Jones, Mr. Francis Moor, and
me, to be present when it was enquired into: And it may
not be improper to take Notice, how that Affair truly
appeared. One Robert How, a Freeholder here, the
same who had his House burnt, and was so kindly holp-
en by the Trustees to rebuild it again, though he never
did; and moreover, being a Favourite of Mr. Wesley's,

394 COLONIAL RECORDS.
had considerable charitable Collections made for him; "39.
by both which Means, his Gains abundantly overpaid his Au2|ust
Loss; from that Time laid aside all Thought of Im
provement of Land, but seemed rather desirous of ap
pearing an Adept in the Improvement of Grace: And
being made Choice of by Mr. Wesley as a Clerk to set
the Psalms, and do other little Offices about the Church,
he became a close Attender on the Minister, and was
looked on by many weak Folks, as a person of extraor
dinary Piety; such as divers in those Days sought to be
distinguished by, and some others since have copied
after. This How married a Daughter of Mr. Gilbert,
that died, leaving two Children (Girls) behind her, whom
their Grandmother shewed a kind Affection for; but
their Father purposing to go for England, (since Mr.
Wesley was no more expected, and Mr. Whitfield's Return
was impatiently waited for) he disposed of his two
Children (most unnaturally,- as I conceive) and against
the Will of their Grand Parents, to the Family
of Moravian Brethren, under a Shew of their being
brought up in a stricter Course of Religion, than the es
tablished Church afforded, unless it were more purified;
though what Kind of Religion these Moravians profess,
nobody here knows, except themselves: And to make
Payment for the breeding up these two Children, of the
Age of about seven or eight Years, their Father con
tracts for their Servitude in all Kinds of Work implic
itly, till their attaining the Age of Twenty-four, and so
leaves them. It pleased God to take away one of them
a while since, by Sickness; which no great Notice was
taken of, every Body supposing that due Care was taken
of her in her Illness; tho' now, from what has happened
to the other, many suspect otherwise: For upon the
Grandmother's hearing accidentally of this Child's being
not well, she went to see her; but was denied that Satis
faction, which made her the more importunate; and tak
ing one of her Neighbours with her, by some Means
or other they got Admittance; when they found the

COLONIAL RECORDS. 395
poor Child in a most miserable Condition, with cruel 1739.
Usage, and uncommon Severity; which occasioned this Au|ust
Complaint, and the present Enquiry into the Matter.
The Child was produced, and upon taking off her
Cloaths, she appeared to be scourged in a most terrible
Manner, from her Neck down to her Heels, with Stripes
laid on by a masculine Hand, most piteous to look at,
and her Flesh torn, after the Manner of what a Criminal
uses to have, at the Hands of a commcn Executioner.
Three of the Moravians owned it to be of the Brother
hood's doing, who appeared; that they held a Consulta
tion among themselves (which is their ordinary Way in
most Cases) and that this was the Result of it; forasmuch
as the Child had fouled her Bed: In Consequence of
which Sentence, she was thus inhumanly mangled; and
that too not done by a Woman, but a Man of a Cruel
Disposition. We sent for a Surgeon to give his Opinion
of it; who said, he could not apprehend any Danger
from the Stripes, farther, than if the Anguish should
throw her into a Fever, he knew not what might happen;
and the Child appeared very weak, with her Arms much
emaciated. Upon the Whole the Magistrates thought,
that the least they could do, was to require good Bail
for the Person's Appearance at the next Sessions, who
had been the Instrument of inflicting such Cruelty; and
that the other two also should be obliged, on their own
Recognizances, to appear at the same Time. In the
mean while, the Child was delivered to the Grandmother,
to take Care of it, till it should be farther considered at
the Court.  From such Marks of Sanctification,
libera nos: And whether such a Father, or such Guardi
ans, have the best Title to it, is not my Task to enquire.
Thursday. ) These two Days were wholly taken 23.
Friday. ) up in the same Manner as Monday and 24.
Tuesday last; when we found many abstruse Points to
get thro' in divers Accounts before us, more especially
those of Abram Minis the Jew, and Patrick Graham

396 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Surgeon; which we gave each of them Time till Monday "39.
next to unfold; to which Day we deferred the farther Au2|ust
Consideration of them. Messieurs Jones, Parker, and I, 24.
being together, took Occasion to call again on Mr. Brad
ley, to know what he purposed about delivering up
the Trust's Goods and Effects in his Hands, pursuant to
Order. We found him and his Son both indeed weak,
which was admitted as some Excuse for their not having
yet wrote out an Inventory of all Particulars; but the
live Stock (we told him) might be brought together by
his principal Director under him, without any Trouble
to himself: Which he now promised should no longer
be delayed; and to make a Beginning, four Horse Beasts
were delivered into Mr. Jones's Custody on Friday,
which he said was all he had, and they had been sadly
battered, and near worn out; but having lately found a
little Respite, they appeared to be somewhat thriving.
As for the other Cattle, we thought it best to commit
the Care of them to the Pindar, who was first to take
such an Account of them in Writing as he could get,
and then to see in the several Droves which should be
made, how well it agreed with what he found. Hard
Rains came on again, since the Change of the Moon.
Saturday. Having by Agreement between ourselves, 25.
adjourned our farther Consideration of the Matter of
Accounts from last Night to Monday Morning, we took
each of us this Day to such Uses as we saw best: Wherein
an Affair happened, which, though unwillingly, I can not
avoid taking some Notice of, not knowing what may
be said more of it another Time, when possibly I might
be called on to testify what I observed, viz. Mr. Jones
sitting an Hour with me in the Afternoon in Conference,
upon several Points of the Service; it so fell out that
Bailiff Parker called on me at the same Time; which
would have been not in the least amiss, had he not
brought Mr. Causton with him, who possibly might have
it in his Intention to say something to me, relating to

COLONIAL RECORDS. 397
his own Affairs at the Office; and it was a long while vw>^
since he had been within my Doors, though I had never August
treated him but with Civility: Mr. Jones and he indeed
had such personal Animosity one against the other, that
such a Convention (I feared) could forbode no Good:
And as Mr. Parker was known to be so much a Friend
of Mr. Causton's, as to wish he might clear himself of
all foul Practices; Mr. Jones always looked upon him in
that Light, and sometimes gave shrewd Tokens of his
Disesteem; which the other was ready enough to remem
ber: And in that Manner they both carried a mutual
Ill-will, which sooner or later would be smothered no
longer, but must inevitably break out, as it sometimes
had done, and now again did. Mr. Parker and he soon
fell into some Talk, about delivering of Stores to Park
er's Family; wherein he alledged, that he was used
unkindly, his Wife lying in, and one of the German
Servants with him (by Order from the Trust) had at the
same Time a sick Wife, for whom her Husband, by his
Master's Order, went to the Stores to beg a Bottle of
Wine; but was told it would not be delivered without
Money; which, Mr. Parker said, was a ready Way to
make Servants Thieves, and pilfer their Masters Goods,
to make Money: This Mr. Jones grew warm at; and
Parker not a'Jot less so; when throwing his Arm to and
fro (as is common with him to do in any Vehemence of
Expression) Mr. Jones started from his Seat, and dared
him to Strike; both then shaking their Fists at each
other, but Care was taken to prevent Blows, and it ended
in scurrilous Language on both Sides, each looking on
himself as the best Man, and throwing out Ribaldry in
Abundance, with scurvy Reflexions on one another's
former Courses of Life, before they came here: During
this Hurly-burly Causton vanished; and at length the
Disputants growing cooler, and coming in Appearance
to better Temper, Mr. Parker also took his Leave, and
left us as he found us: When Mr. Jones told me he could
not but believe, that Causton had blown up Parker into

398 COLONIAL RECORDS.
that Heat before he came, aggravating his being denied Jj^
a Bottle of Wine for such Uses, to be what the Trustees A"|uat
would not well approve of; and that he brought him
purposely to affront him: So at present it ended.

Sunday. The usual Service was performed at Church.
Monsieur d'Beausaine brought me a Letter in the After
noon, together with a small Packet inclosing others,
which Mr. Montaigut had received at his Plantation up
the River in Carolina, near Purysburgh, and now sent it
to Mr. d'Beausaine (at present in Town) to deliver to
me. It came per Express from Lieutenant Governor
Bull, who wrote me of what Intelligence he lately had
received from Lieutenant Governour Clarke of New-York,
concerning the French marching from Mont Reall near
Quebec, with a Body of about two hundred French reg
ular Troops, and five hundred Indians, who are to be
inforced by French and Indians in their Journey: That
this Army was designed against Indians who are now in
Friendship with his Britannick Majesty's Subjects of
Carolina and Georgia, and who are situated near some
Branches of the Messasippi River: That a Frenchman
who was redeemed by General Oglethorpe (having been
taken by those Indians) and furnished with a Pass, and
Money, to go back to Canada, is with this Army: The
Governor added, that he should immediately dispatch
an Express to the Creek Nations, to advise General
Oglethorpe of the Contents of his Letters; Then he
added  "The Consequence and Event of this Under-
"taking cannot be foreseen, yet it may be necessary for
"us to think of our Preservation, and be upon our
"Guard: And in a Postscript he wrote, that he supposed
"the Design to be against the Chickasaw Indians. 
Thus far Colonel Bull.  As to myself, I could not
but think it a very lucky Incident, that the General was
now up in the Nations himself, where he, upon receiving
the Intelligence sent him by Colonel Bull, would un
doubtedly leave those Indians who are in Amity or Alli-

26

COLONIAL RECORDS. 399
ance with us, confirmed without wavering, in their true 1739.
Friendship and Fidelity: Which well effected, we should Au^st
have little Cause to be apprehensive of Danger from the
French; though most undoubtedly they were very busy
in fomenting Discord betwixt us and the Indians our
Friends: And if the present Design of the French was
against the Chickasaws, whose Valor they had formerly
experienced to their Cost; on Condition the Creeks
prove true to those People, in an Alliance since made;
the Creeks being a great Nation, it may be reasonably
hoped, that betwixt them they will make Monsieur once
again pay dear for his Attempt.
Monday. The Commissioners met again, and Mr. 27.
Graham the Surgeon's Account took us up the whole
Morning, to get thro' what we had left undone on Friday
last, so much Intricacy was found still remaining in it,
Debtor and Creditor often jumbled, and wrong placed,
which occasioned many Exceptions, and will not pass
without due Observation. Having a Piece of roast Meat
for my Dinner, I engaged my two Associates to take
Part with me, hoping, by bringing them together again,
they might grow better tempered: We sat an Hour after
eating, and nothing was offered by either that could give
any Offence: And I declined touching upon what was
past, hoping it might die away, and be no farther talked
of; for it would not bear being revived, without Mis
chief ensuing; which I well knew. The Court, which
stood adjourned to this Day, was now again farther put
off, and adjourned to the 7th of October, before which
Time we expected the General's Return again; and
there were some Prisoners in Goal, whom it would not
be advisable to try, before such a Charge was exhibited
against them, as he thought proper.
Tuesday. Another Day's Intermission from me'ddling 2s.
in Accounts, by Consent. Mr. d'Beausaine returning up
the River to his Plantation, I wrote a Letter by him to

400 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Mr. Montaigut, acknowledging the Receipt of what Let- ^rm
ters he had sent me from the Lieutenant Governor, and Au2|us6
also inclosed one to Colonel Bull, which I wrote in Re
turn to his; and thought I could not chuse a fitter
Canoille, than the same which he had made Use of, more
especially as Opportunities of writing to Charles-Town
were very rare with us. Mr. Norris coming to sit an
Hour with me, whom I had observed for a while past to
be more reserved and dumpish than usual (as I thought,
tho' not particularly so to me) seemed to wish for Captain
Thompson's Arrival, by whom Mr. Whitfield was ex
pected; saying, that he was determined to take the first
Opportunity of returning for England; which I was sorry
to hear, and offered some such Reasons as occurred to
me, why he should lay aside such Thoughts; for that I
was very confident he stood well in the Opinion of the
Trustees, and I did not doubt but all future Matters
would be rendered easy to him: He replied, that he had
met with many Discouragements, even from the Day of
his first Landing, such as none of his Predecessors had
ever found, and such as he truly believed the Trustees
never meant he should; but they were far off, and it was
not his Temper to be complaining often about little
Things, which often repeated, were grown such, as now
he could not, with any Comfort of Life, bear any longer,
&c. I observed, that one great Grievance (as he termed
it) was, that he thought himself ill treated at the Stores,
where he said he scarce ever met with civil Usage: If he
sent for the Boys and Servants Allowance, who lived un
der the same Roof with him, they were worse served
that any others: If at any Time he sent for a few Bot
tles of Wine for his own Use, he had often such brought
him, as was not fit to drink; when at the same Time he
knew, and had taken Part of what was given out to other
Favourites, that was good. I told him, that possibly it
might happen through the Carelessness or ill Judgment
of Servants, and therefore I would advise him to speak
with Mr. Jones himself of it, who I hoped would rectify

COLONIAL RECORDS. 401
any Mistakes that might have happened: But he told me _"»&
that he had so often done that in vain, that he was abso- Au£U3t
lutely resolved not to have any more to do with him,
having found whatever he said, always disregarded, and
plainly perceived he was to fare the worse with him for
his Function Sake, whose Aversion to the established
Church was too apparent; whilst others were in a partic
ular Manner carressed: To which I offered in Reply, that
I hoped he was mistaken, and though he was a Dissenter
from our Church, yet surely he knew better than openly
to throw any Obstacles in the Way of promoting the
publick Worship: Whereat, with more Marks of Resent
ment than any I had before observed, he asked me what
I thought of his not allowing Candles (as always had
been) for the daily Evening Service? Probably (said I)
there might be none in Store at the Time they were
asked: Then (said he) they might have been provided
since; for unless I had got some by seeking after them
myself, there would have been no Evening Prayer for
several Months past. I was willing to put an End to this
Talk, which I found I could not turn to any Good; and after
diverting it a little while to some other Point, he took
his Leave with his usual Complaisance and Civility,
which he had always shewn remarkably in his general
Carriage to every Body; and I was concerned now to see
what Impression of Mind he was under.
Wednesday. A Vessel from Philadelphia having a 29.-
small Quantity of Provisions to dispose of, such as Mr.
Jones thought necessary for present Use; Mr. Jones was
in Treaty for them with the Master, whose Sloop lay at.
Tybee: And afterwards, Mr. Purry, (whose Partnership-
with Montaigut was ended, and he going to live else
where) having divers Remnants of Iron-work left on his-
Hands; among which were several useful Tools, ' ofteni
wanted, which Mr. Jones said he could buy a great Pen
nyworth, &c. he dealt also for that: Mr. Parker at the
same Time was gone up the River, by Invitation, out of
26 er— vol 4

402 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Curiosity to see a Sloop launched at Mr. William's Plan- "39-
tation; which was building by his Order before he went Auirust
hence, and was the first ever known to be built on this
River: So that no immediate Progress could be made on
the Commission of Accounts. Mr. Cadogan, in his Way
from Carolina Southward, calling here, I took the Oppor
tunity by him of writing to the Major (at present the
Commander in Chief over the King's Troops in this
Province) and transmitting to him those Papers and Ad
vices which I had received on Sunday last from Colonel
Bull. By this Opportunity we had News from Charles-
Town, that Lewis Jones was taken there, and committed
to safe Custody; being the Person who made his Escape
by Flight the next Morning after that Murder was com
mitted, which he was deeply a Party in, and for which
two of them had been hanged. Spent the Afternoon at
my Plantation.
Thursday. The frequent heavy Rains which had so.
fallen this Summer, gave me sometimes fearful Appre
hensions of great Damage ensuing: And the ill News we
now received, shewed those Apprehensions not to be
vain; for by a Letter from one Tyrrel, appointed Direc
tor of the Saw-Mill Work at Old Ebenezer, to Mr. Jones
last Night, we were informed in few Words, that a great
and uncommon Flood came down upon them, and had
blown up the Mill; and therefore desiring some Direction
as soon as possible might be sent, or given, what they
must do. This was judged impossible without seeing it;
wherefore it was proposed, that some of us should go up
thither, and upon viewing it, give such Directions as we
then found necessary: Mr. Jones wished that he and I
might both go, as he had never seen the Place; which I
readily consented to, and withal, Mr. Francis Moor be
ing at present (in Appearance) not overcharged with
Business, it was asked him also to go with us, that so
our Enquiry into the Damage, and our joint Opinion
thereon, might have the greater Weight with the General,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 403
when we saw him again. It being so resolved, we set 1739^
out in a Boat with five Hands and one to steer, about Au,!?ust
Nine or Ten at Night, taking the Benefit of the first of the
Flood, to carry us as far as it would help; which usually
is as far as Purysburgh, and that is reckoned twenty-six
Miles: But now by Reason of the great Stream that
came down and overpowered the Tide, we had the Bene
fit of it no farther than about Joseph's Town, which is
ten Miles; and with very hard Labour against the Cur
rent, we made it past Eight the next Morning before we
reached Purysburgh.
Friday. After two or three Hours Rest and Refresh- 31.
ment, about Eleven we set out again, having only fifteen
Miles to Ebenezer; but now the Stream was grown so
rapid, that after long Toil we made it past Ten at Night
ere we could reach it: From whence (having the Benefit
of the Moon) we sent away a Messenger immediately,
to Barker the Cow-Pen Keeper by the Saw-Mill, to fur
nish us with each a Horse before Sun-rising: After which
we were kindly received by Mr. Bolzius the Minister,
who has lately built a very good House, where he lives;
and Mr. Groneau another near him, of somewhat less
Size. We lodged very commodiously with Bedding
laid on the Floor, and slept comfortably.
Saturday. Horsescomingaccording to Appointment, septemb
we mounted very early, and got to the Mill about Seven,
where we saw indeed a melancholy Wreck, and the Mill
sunk away and fallen all to one Side, but still held en
tire, thought impossible to be set so to right again: From
whence it appeared that the Work was of sufficient
Strength, as the Artificer had put it together; so was
likewise the fore Bay, and the main Hatch-way, through
which the spare Water was to be carried off, no Part of
it that we could discover, giving Way, or taking any
Damage: But the Flood was so strong, and spread so
wide, that when it came, it covered the whole Ground

1.

404- COLONIAL RECORDS.
near it, overflowing the whole Work, which was perfectly "39-
buried under Water, and those Waters worked their Way septenib
from the Outside of the Work underneath the Mill,
which occasioned its Ruin: For after it had once found
Vent, thro' ever so small a Cranny, it soon made it
larger, the Ground washing away apace, being of a loose,
sandy Nature, so that Cavities were quickly made almost
every where round it; the Frame of the Whole yet hold
ing together, after the greater Part of the Foundation
washed away and gone. Wherefore we thought the only
Expedient at present necessary was, that the Frame of
the Mill should be taken to Pieces as soon as possible,
whilst it remained whole, before it received any farther
Damage; and that the several Parts of it should be
sorted, and carefully laid together, as well as the Iron
Work, and Tools, Sec. in a Place of Safety, till the Gen
eral's Pleasure could be known; for which we gave Or
ders: And after spending what Time we had to spare
there, in other Enquiries, we returned to Ebenezer, were
kindly entertained there for an Hour or two, and taking
Boat about One a Clock, we came to Savannah betwixt
Eight and Nine, performing that in so short a Time with
the Stream, which took up more than three Times as
much against it.
Sunday. Another exceeding heavy Rain began about 2.
Four in the Morning, which held till Afternoon; and
many People began to expect so much foul Weather
would end in a Hurricane at last. The public Service of
the Day was not neglected.
Monday. We met again, to proceed on the Commis- s_
sion of Enquiry into Accounts, and took Mr. Minis's in
Hand again, whereon we had spent some Time on a
former Day, and was the more difficult to get through,
from the loose Way of Book-Keeping used by his late
Partner Colman Salamons, who discovered himself guilty
of divers Frauds in his Partnership; which therefore was

COLONIAL RECORDS. 405
put an End to, and Minis was suing him; but he was fled 1789.
and gone: Minis himself not being capable of keeping Septemb.
his own Books (which had been the principal Induce
ment of his taking Salamons into Partnership with him)
and since the Breach betwixt them, he hired an able
Clerk to do his Business; by whose Readiness we got
such Light as was necessary, and proceeding very
warily, we made shift to get over the Whole: Wherein
we found many small Errors of little Moment, and no
visible Marks of any designed Fraud; unless it be charged
to him as such, that Mr. Causton's private Account was
blended with the Trustees in some Articles, to the Value
of about 40 /. Sterling, in the same Manner as we had
found it with several others. Confined myself at home
the latter Part of the Day, and began to think it Time to
prepare another Packet for the Trust.
Tuesday. Spent good Part of my Time in copying 4.
my own Journal, &c. Pasquin began to appear again, in
like Manner as last Year, and was very free with all Sorts
of People, which was good Entertainment to man)': But
whether it was genuine Savannah Wit, or the Produce of
some other Country, was not easy to discover. Mr.
Jennys not appearing yet, or any one from him, we were
at a little Stand in Qfoing- on with our Examination of
Accounts; but resolved at our next Meeting to try how
far we could penetrate of ourselves, into that of Mr.
Jennys's, which carried the Face, so far as we yet saw, of
much Perplexity.
Wednesday. After a few Hours employed, looking 5.
into Mr. Jennys's Accounts, which through Length of
Time, and other Ways, required a close Examination;
upon finding myself under a little more than ordinary
Indisposition, I retired home, to compose my Disorder,
and laid aside Business the rest of the Day.
Thursday. Finding myself better, I returned to what 6.
we were doing Yesterday; the same Account which then

406 COLONIAL RECORDS.
employed us, yet holding out to puzzle; neither could we "39.
get to an End of it, after a long Morning's Work. Copy- septemb.
ing Work at home was my Afternoon's Employment; and
I found nothing of the Day more worth Notice, than the
general Complaint which every Body made of the un
common Heat they felt, which was attributed to a black,
heavy Sky, without Thunder to clear it, as it commonly
does, and without it is almost suffocating.
Friday. By Appointment with Mr. Jones, we were to 7.
have gone to the Trust's Farm this Morning, which was
under Mr. Bradley's Management, to take an Inventory
of what we should find: But by Means of such a Glut of
Rain as had fallen of late (and particularly the Night
past) some Swamp Lands in our Way were rendered un-
passable at present; wherefore we deferred it for a few
Days, and betook ourselves again to what we were look
ing after in the Account of Mr. Jennys, fresh Matter
still appearing to stumble at: But we got through it, as
well as we could, at last, making such Observations in
our going on, as will be best determined when laid before
the Trustees: And we purposed to stop our farther En
quiry for the present here, that we might methodize what
we had done since we began, in order to send it away as
soon as might be. In the Afternoon, by the Help of a
Horse that I borrowed, I made a Visit to my little Plan
tation, which I found greviously drenched with the Wet;
and I feared it might have a bad Effect upon our Pota
toes and Roots under Ground; but the Corn being gen
erally ripe in most Places, and the Stalks bent down (as
the Practice of the Country is) thereby to defend itself,
we hoped it would be safe till a proper Time offered to
gather it; it being common among many old Planters,
after their Corn is so bent down, to let it hang till the
rest of their Crop, whether Pease, Rice, &c. are al
housed. Saturday. Very sudden and unexpected News, of s.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 407
open War being declared with Spain, was brought us by i7»9.
a Sloop that arrived here this Day, with some Provisions septemb.
to sell, from Rhode-Island: The Master of which re
ported, that the Tartar Pink sailed out of England the
17th of June, by Order of the Government, being sent
Express, to inform the Provinces in the Northern Amer
ica of it, &c. That she arrived first at New-England;
from whence Packets, which she brought, were immedi
ately dispatched by a Messenger over Land to Connecti
cut, Rhode-Island, New-York, &c. That the Messenger
made no Stay, but went on in great Haste: And that soon
after, the Governour of Rhode-Island, together with his
Council, went into the Balcony of a publick House; from
whence his Secretary read to the People, who assembled
by Beat of Drum, what Orders he had received; whereby
he was empowered to grant Commissions to all such as
were fitly qualified, to set out Privateers, and to take,
burn, or destroy, any Spanish Ships that they could:
That before he left Rhode-Island, there were accordingly
three Sloops got ready, with eighty Men each, and pre
paring immediately to put to Sea, and three or four more
were preparing to follow them: That he understood the
Tartar Pink was designed to sail, with as little Loss of
Time as might be, from Boston, for Carolina and Geor
gia, with Packets from the Government for those two
Provinces; and that he expected she was here before him.
It was thought proper to require the Master's Affidavit
to the Truth of this Report; which he readily complied
with: And thereupon, Mr. Francis Moor being in Town,
he went South in few Hours after, to acquaint the Major,
who at present is Commander in Chief there, with these
Things, taking a Copy of the Affidavit with him.
Sunday. The publick Divine Service was duly ob- 9.
servedat Church, and the Sacrament administred. In
the Afternoon an Express was dispatched to the General
(if haply he could be found, up in the Nations) to whom
I wrote fully what occurred relating to the Affidavit,

408 COLONIAL RECORDS.
which I also sent Copy of: And whereas in the last "39-
Packet that I received from the Trust on the 25th of July, septemb.
there were several Letters for the General, which at that
Instant I delivered into his Secretary, Mr. Moor's Hands;
he now recommended the Care of those Letters to such
as sent the Express, I made one Packet of the Whole:
After which, I wrote also to the Lieutenant Governor of
Carolina, inclosing Copy of the Master's Affidavit, as
before; and also to the commanding Officer of the Com
pany in the Barracks at Port-Royal, sending it to the
Care of Messieurs Woodward and Flower at Port-Royal,
to whom likewise I wrote: All which I did, upon Advice
newly received, by a Boat arrived from Charles-Town,
that they had none of this News there at his coming
away, and possibly might not have any certain Account
of it, till the Tartar Pink brought it: Moreover, in case
they had authentick Advice, before mine reached them,
it would appear a Token of our Readiness to impart any
Intelligence we received, that either Province were inter
ested in. In the Evening a trading Boat, from New-
Windsor, arrived in her Way to Charles-Town; the
Patroon of which reported, that the General in his
Travels, finding himself not well, was returning this Way,
being not far from Augusta, where it might be expected
he was arrived before this Time; but how far this Patroon
might be credited, I cannot say.
Monday. Captain Davis having a Sloop laying here 10.
for some Time past, which was publickly known to be
bound for Augustin, with the same Trade that he sent
hence by another not long ago: she now fell down the
River to Tybee, intending thence to pursue her Voyage:
But as Affairs stood at present with the Spaniards,
we were a little alarmed at it, and of Opinion, that no
Vessel ought to be permitted to sail thither from hence,
whereby they were to be served in any Thing; and more
over we believed, that at Augustin they had yet no In
telligence of this Rupture, which could only be from the

COLONIAL RECORDS. 409
Havannah; and probably no Advice of it was yet arrived J^,
there from Spain: Wherefore we thought it would be SeP^mb-
wrong to allow this Sloop to sail thither on any Account:
And after a little Conference with Captain Davis thereon
(who at first seemed to dare us to stop his Vessel, at our
Peril, but afterwards finding we were determined to do
it) he wrote an Order himself to the Man whom he had
appointed to command her, to bring her up again, and
come to an Anchor where she lay before; which Order
Mr. Fallowfield, our Naval Officer, was to carry down,
and see executed; waiting farther the General's Pleasure
when he would be here.
Tuesday. Mr. Fallowfield returned from Tybee, and u.
Captain Davis's Sloop anchored again at her Birth. What
else happened worth Notice, was a malicious, wicked Act
done by some Person yet unknown, either Yesterday, or
in the Night, upon Mr. Parker's Cattle; two whereof,
viz. a Milch Cow that had a Calf sucking, and a young
Heifer, were both cruelly maimed, and mortally wounded,
by a Stroke with an Axe, or some heavy Weapon, cross
the Chine, which cut through the Back-Bone of each
alike: For the Discovery of which vile Act, it was
thought fit to publish a Reward of 5 /. Sterling to any
who should bring the Person to Justice that did it; which
Mr. Jones has promised to pay upon Conviction of the
Offender. This was the more remarkable, because Mr.
Parker had suffered divers Losses of late in his Cattle,
and therefore it was pretty evident the Spite was at him
particularly, and probably might arise from some Villain
whom the Magistrate had found sufficient Cause to deal
somewhat sharply with, when he was in the Execution
of his Office.
Wednesday. Notwithstanding what Precaution was 12.
taken on Monday last with Captain Davis, to hinder any
Intelligence going to Augustin, we had now Notice, that
he was preparing to elude it all, and determined, by some

410 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Means or other, to carry on his Design; which gave great 1739.
Apprehensions to many People of the Consequence: septemb.
Whereupon the Magistrates met again, and resolved to
demand sufficient Security of him, by entering into a
Bond of 500 /. Sterling Penalty for himself, and his two
Sureties in 250/. each, that he would not proceed farther
in that Affair, till the General came: In Pursuance of
which, the Recorder (Mr. Christie) was to see it done;
and in the mean while Mr. Parker and I meeting the
Captain, he seemed readily to agree to it: But the Re
corder afterwards (either through Mistake, or rather de
signedly, as we had Reason to believe from what Temper
he discovered) made the Condition of the Bond to be
only for the Vessel's not sailing, and no Restraint on the
Captain himself, who might go where he pleased: The
Consequence of which was 
Thursday. About One a Clock in the Morning, we 13.
were alarmed again, at a fresh and unexpected Move
ment of the Captain's, who with several Hands was car
rying divers Parcels of Baggage to the Water-Side;
among whom was one Foster a Tything-man, at whose
House the Captain lodged, and who was privy to the
whole Intrigue (as we found afterwards) in Breach of his
Duty to the Colony, and was to be one, among others,
that should accompany the Captain in his Expedition:
Another Tything-man that happened accidentally to be
strolling about the Bluff at that Time of Night (on what
Occasion we know not) seeing what was about, went im
mediately and knocked up Mr. Parker, who in like Man
ner calling on me, I rose, and calling Mr. Mercer the
Constable, and thence in our Way we also took Mr.
Jones with us, making what Haste we could to the
Water-Side; where we found Foster and the other
Tything-man (whose Name is Salter) skuffling about put
ting the Baggage into a Boat: Whereupon the Guard
was called, which we were at a good Distance from; and
on their coming all was secured. Here it is to be noted,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 411
that a Skooner lay at Anchor hard by, which came with ^1739^
some petty Cargo for Sale, a long while since, the Mas- Septemb.
ter whereof was an idle, drunken Fellow, and had but
newly taken out his Clearance to return to some North
ern Plantation: It was so concerted now (as afterwards
appeared) that upon the Captain's Sloop being stopt, he
had hired, or (as some believed) bought this Skooner,
to supply the Place of his Sloop, on board of which
these Parcels were shipping, at this unseasonable Time
of Night; and the Captain with his Followers, were also
going in her; which the Captain himself Acknowledged,
but denied his Intention of going to Sea in her, telling
us, that he was only going to Tybee for the Benefit of
Change of Air, by the Advice of Dr. Tailfer, where he
purposed to stay waiting the General's Arrival: Which
we thought was not probable, Tybee being a Place so ex
ceedingly pestered with Musketas, by Reason of the
adjacent Marshes, that no Person would ever be fond of
taking his Abode ashore there, as he pretended he
meant to do in a Hut; where the Skooner, he said, was
to leave him. After looking into the Baggage at the
Guard, where we then came, and finding that most of it
consisted of Bedding, and some other Things useful,
whether on board or ashore, we dismissed the Company,
leaving with the Guard a strict Charge, that they should
suffer no Vessel or Boat to go off without a Permit from
the Magistrates. Captain Davis growing very warm at
these Disappointments, and directing his Discourse to
me, told me I might expect a Protest, for Damages, &c.
which I told him in Return, I valued not, and bade him
do his worst. Soon after, we sent for the Master of the
Skooner out of his Bed where he lodged; and upon Ex
amination, found him grossly prevaricating; but could
not deny that Captain Davis, with other Company, was
to go in his Vessel to Tybee, whilst he lay ashore, and
most of the Sailors were the Captain's own, which be
longed to his Sloop that was stopt. Upon the Whole, there
fore, it was pretty manifest what was intended; and it was

412 COLONIAL RECORDS.
judged necessary to stop the Skooner also in the River, "39.
as well as all other small Craft: After which we all re- sepwmb.
turned to our Rest. Towards Noon an Express arrived,
with Letters of the ioth, from the Government at
Charles-Town; and of Yesterday's Date from the Magis
trates in and near Port-Royal, confirming the War be
ing actually declared, which they had Advice of by a
Sloop also from Rhode-Island, that arrived since the
other which brought the first News of it: But the Tartar
Pink was not yet heard of. By these Letters we were
farther informed, that at the coming away of the Ex
press, several Guns were fired, and Signals made at
Johnson's Port, in the Mouth of that Harbour; by which
they understood several Ships were seen over the Bar,
which they hoped came from Europe. But in the Midst
of these Hostilities from abroad, it was now their great
Unhappiness to have a more dangerous Enemy in the
Heart of their Country to deal with: For their Negroes
had made an Insurrection, which began first at Stonoe
(Midway between Charles-Town and Port-Royal) where
they had forced a large Store, furnished themselves
with Arms and Ammunition, killed all the Family on
that Plantation, and divers other white People, burning
and destroying all that came in their Way; so that the
Messenger who came, told us the Country thereabout
was full of Flames: Our Letters also informed us, that
they were fearful lest it should prove general; and that
the Militia was raised upon them throughout the whole
Province; a Party of whom, of about twenty, had met
and engaged ninety of them in one Body, of whom they
had taken four Prisoners, and killed ten, &c. They far
ther wrote us, they had Reason to believe, that many of
them would bend their Course to the South, and en
deavour to cross the Savannah River; from whence they
intended to go on for Augustin to the Spaniards: Where
fore they hoped we would do what we could, in securing
the Passes on that River, promising a Reward of 50 /.
Currency for every Negro taken alive, and delivered at

COLONIAL RECORDS. 413
Charles-Town; and 25 /. ditto for every one killed. 1739
Upon these Advices, we dispatched Intelligence of it to septemb.
the Major, commanding in the South, who possibly
might, by small Parties, intercept some of them, if they
escaped in crossing the River Savannah, and pursued
their March to the Southward by Land: And as we could
ill spare any of the few Men we had, that were fit to
bear Arms, and by so doing leave ourselves more and
more defenceless, we sent immediately Notice of it to
Mr. Montaigut, whose Plantation with Negroes is not
many Miles distant, and who is also a military Officer
himself; recommending it to him, to have a Guard at
those Passes beyond him, and send proper Caution to
the Fort at Palachocolas, farther than which would be
needless: And we would do the best we could below, to
the Mouth of the River.  Now it fully appeared, that
the securing that Spaniard some Time ago {vide July 29.)
was not upon a groundless Suspicion (as some People
then termed it, who are rarely pleased with whatever is
done, because they have not the doing it) for it is more
than probable, that he had been employed a pretty while,
in corrupting the Negroes of Carolina; and was certainly
with Don Pedro at Charles-Town, at the Time when he
lately came thither with his Launch.
Friday. All appeared quiet, without any farther Dis- 14.
turbance at present: And I was very glad to see the Storm
composed also, which lately happened betwixt our first
Magistrate and Store- Keeper; who both seemed desirous,
that what was past might be forgot; and they conversed
with mutual Tokens of Friendship. Late in the Even
ing arrived Captain Norbury, and with him Ensign
Cadogan, from St. Simon's, being alarmed at the News
of War, which we had sent them from hence; the Cap
tain now making his Way to his Post at Port- Royal, and
Cadogan going for Carolina on Business of the Regi
ment, which was ordered him by the Major.

414 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Saturday, Mr. Francis Moor, who came with those viw»-/
Officers Yesterday as far as Mr. Fallowfield's Plantation septemb.
by Water, and lay there; rode thence this Morning, and
returned to Town. Captain Norbury had an Expectation
of taking a Sum of Money now with him that belonged
to his Company, and was left, it seems, (on what Occa
sion not known) in the Hands of Mr. Upton, by Lieuten
ant Delegal, when he went for England: This Money
Mr. Upton had been trading with at Charles-Town, and
was going to dispose of the Goods in the South after
his having staid here two or three Days; and Captain
Norbury thereupon sent to speak with him about it, un
derstanding he intended to proceed next Day: But Mr.
Upton, instead of seeing him, went off in the Morning
very early with his Boat and Cargo; which the Captain
was so enraged at when he rose, that he got a Warrant
from Mr. Parker to stop him at Thunderbolt; which was
done by Mr. Mercer the Constable: And Mr. Upton came
to such Terms with the Captain, by Assurance of the
Money being paid into an Officer's Hands at St. Simon's,
as soon as the Goods were disposed of; that at length he
permitted him to go on, after a great Hurly-burly, and
warm Controversy, which the Captain had with Mr-
Jones; who he thought took upon him to justify Mr. Up
ton farther than was right.
Sunday. The ordinary Duty of the Day was regularly i6.
observed. Monday. Early this Morning died the Reverend Mr. 17.
Edward Dyson, Chaplain to General Oglethorpe's Regi
ment: He had been absent upon Furlow some Time;
most Part of which he passed away in this Town, where
he sickened a while since, and a Pleuretick Fever carried
him off at last. Captain Norbury, with Mr. Cadogan,
purposed to have gone off this Afternoon; and I took
this Opportunity by them, of sending my Packet of the
10th Instant to Mr. Verelst; which they promised to take

COLONIAL RECORDS. 415
Care of, together with my Letter to Mr. Hopton, recom- 1739.
mending it to him to send it off by the first fitting Occa- Septemb.
sion: But being invited to Mr. Dyson's Funeral this
Evening, where they attended, and did the Corpse the
Honour of firing some small Arms.in Token of his being
one of the Regiment, they put off their Design till to
morrow.

Tuesday. Mr. Parker acquainted me this Morning,
that after Mr. Fallowfield (as Constable on Duty) had
looked cursorily into Mr. Dyson's Chest, Scrutore &c.
wherein many Writings of various Kinds, and Accounts,
were found; at which Inspection we had desired Mr.
Francis Moor to be present, and also Mr. Jones; and they
had locked and sealed all up, to prevent any Embezzle
ment, till a proper Administrator was appointed: Mr.
Christie, the Recorder, had now applied to him (Parker)
to join in putting the Seal to an Administration which
he had prepared, wherein Mr. Fallowfield was appointed
of Right (as he deemed it) to take that Office upon him:
But Mr. Parker (knowing better than to commit the
Trust of such Effects, that were supposed to be very
considerable, to those two) had refused him: And indeed
it was well provided, that the Seal was never to be come
at, without more Keys than one; likewise it is to be
doubted our Recorder might have gone sometimes un
warrantable Lengths; and the Chagrin which sat close
upon him for a while past, was generally imputed to the
Defeats and Disappointments he had met with in his At
tempts. I told Mr. Parker what I thought, that he was
much to be commended; and my Advice was, that every
Thing being safe, under Locks and Seals, it would be
best, for farther Security, to remove all into the publick
Stores, and Mr. Fallowfield might keep the Keys till the
General came, and a proper Person or Persons were ap
pointed by him to administer. About Noon arrived
Peter Emery, with his Boat from Charles-Town, after
several Days Expectation; but brought no News of any

18.

416 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Ship come from England, or any Letters thence: But I J^,
had one from Lieutenant Governor Bull, informing us, septemb.
that what I had wrote him of the 9th, and the Affidavit
inclosed, was verified in all its Parts; and that Captain
Warren in the Squirrel was lately come in, who acquainted
him of his having been at Boston, and that he parted
with Captain Townshend in the Tarter Pink three Days
before, who was stationed at Carolina, and was to follow
him to the South after Delivery of the Orders he had
brought; where he designed, with Captain Laws in the
Spence, to visit the Gulph of Florida, and the Spanish
Coasts: Moreover, Captain Warren assured the Lieuten
ant Governor (as he writes me) that he, with all his
Majesty's Ships on this Northern Station have particular
Orders, upon the first Notice or Suspicion of the Span
iards intending to invade either of these Provinces, to
come to their Assistance immediately; and that he, as
the senior Commander, upon due and full Information,
would send for all his Majesty's Ships aforementioned.
This was good News Indeed: But it occasioned a little
Observation to be made, that whilst all the Northern
Provinces had each of them one, two, or three stationed
Ships always ready to protect them, poor Georgia had
never any but the Hawk Sloop yet. Colonel Bull, after
touching upon a few other Particulars, in Conclusion
tells me, that all Matters which may concern the Safety
and Advantage of either Province, should from Time to
Time be communicated to me: And he informed me
likewise, that their Militia had attacked the rebellious
Negroes, with that Vigour and Success, killing so many
of them, that they had put an End to their Designs;
which was also happy News. But by some other Letters
which came thence, a very terrible Calamity of Sickness
had befallen them at Charles-Town, which proved ex
ceeding mortal, great Numbers dying weekly, and it is
termed a contagious, malignant Fever: Which among a
Multitude of others, had carried off some of our Free
holders, who preferred living there to this Place; namely,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 417
Coates, Muer, Delgrass, and Holmes; whether any others ^173^
of them or not, we are yet to learn. From several In- septemb.
stances it appearing, that Captain Davis was still carry
ing on his Design, of getting secretly away, and to go to
Augustin, in spite of all Caution used to prevent it;
which might be of most dangerous Consequence to this
Colony: And also receiving Information, that his Sloop
which he sent thither about two Months since, was re
turned, and coming up our River; but upon secret Advice
sent her, she turned back, and was sailed to some other
Port, which we imagined was done to prevent any Ex
amination being taken of her by the Magistrates here:
It was now thought high Time to be no longer trifling,.
when we knew not but our All was at Stake; wherefore
the Magistrates took him into safe Custody: But in Con
sideration of his being an infirm Man, would not commit
him to the common Prison; but at his own Request, or
dered him to be confined to his own Lodgings, with two
Centuries over him. N. B. Mr. Christie was not present,
either at this, or any of the former Proceedings concern
ing Davis, though sent to; but joined with the Cabal,
which still subsisted at Jenkins's, censuring and oppos
ing every Thing, as far as they could, that was done,
calling it arbitrary and tyrannical, against Law, &c. Nay,
so far was he possessed with that Spirit of Contradiction,.
that in my Hearing he declared it an unjust Act, to do
what was before done, only on a groundless Suspicion:
Which I could not without some Indignation reply to,
and ask him, whether or not Captain Davis's own Words
of Defiance, which he used, and daring any one to stop
him at their Peril, for to Augustin he was going, and
thither he would go: Whether or not after such a Decla
ration and Attempt to go off secretly in the Night, the
Magistrates proceeded on groundless Suspicion: For if
he propagated such Doctrine, there would be more than
a groundless Suspicion, that he himself was not so well
affected as he ought. It was too remarkable, that for
some Time past, he was become a close Disciple under
27 c r— vol 4

418 COLONIAL RECORDS.
our famous Demagogue, whose continual Practice for a ™j
long while had been to instruct his Hearers in being very septemb.
circumspect, lest their Liberties should be infringed; and
that it was their Duty always to stand in Defence of
them: So that from this Nursery most of those Evils
have sprung that have formerly been taken Notice of;
and this poor, weak Man, having his Vanity tickled, and
being persuaded that his Knowledge in the Law was su
perior to the others his Associates in the Magistracy,
which they ought to pay an implicit Regard to, but did
not; he became peevish, and instead of giving any As
sistance to the publick Affairs carrying on, he advised
with none but those, who never approved of any Thing
which they had not the Direction of, or at least were con
sulted in: So that by his thus withdrawing himself, the
greatest Weight of civil Power to secure the Peace, fell
to Mr. Parker's Share almost totally for the present, Mr.
Gilbert being incapable in many Things to take a Share
abstractedly to himself, though always ready to join in
doing his Duty sans Reproche: By which Means Parker
has shewn fully a good natural Understanding, and clear
Discernment of Justice, with a suitable Courage, not
soon to be terrified from pursuing what he thinks so,
like a right honest Man: And so Mr. Jones esteems him,
notwithstanding their late Discord, which 1 hope is pretty
well forgotten between them, and they will be better
cemented hereafter: It would be pretty hard to deter
mine which of them was in the right at that Time; I
thought them both wrong.
Wednesday. Our two Officers bound to Port-Royal, 19.
and not liking the Weather to cross Delfuska Sound
Yesterday, they went off this Morning: And this prov
ing a Day of more Leisure, every Body followed quietly
their own Business; which among such as had any Planta
tion, was to get some of their Harvest.

Thursday. This Morning I was knocked up about

20.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 419
One a Clock by an Express from the General, who wrote "39.
me of Yesterday's Date from Palachocolas, that he was septemb.
come thither; that his Health was pretty well recovered;
that he should stay there till this Day, to receive Ad
vices of what wa's doing by the revolted Negroes; and
that if nothing happened extraordinary, he intended to
proceed to Ebenezer this Evening; then call at Mr.
d'Beausain's, and so make all the Haste he could down.
By which we found the Report of his Sickness was too
true; and all who had a due Value for him, when I pub
lished the news, as the Day came on, were very joyful to
hear it. Towards Evening I received a large Packet,
sent by the Attorney-General from Charles-Town, which
he wrote me of the 15th he received the Day before, by
the Tartar Pink arrived just then, which had been
earnestly expected, and brought Orders from England
to the Governor what he was to do, upon this War
breaking out: On opening it, I found the Bulk of what
was enclosed, was a distinct Packet to the General, and
one of a small Size directed to me; both which had been
put under one Cover by the Attorney-General, and came
both to him from the Trust: In that for me, were a few
Letters for private Persons, and one to myself from Mr.
Verelst, who wrote me of the 22d of June a short Letter,
but a very kind one, relating to my own Affairs, and the
Trust's Benevolence towards me; which gave me more and
more Vigour: What else he had to say, he told me (be
ing in a Hurry) I might expect by Captain Thompson,
who was ready to sail, but a general Embargo at present
stopt him, which it was expected the Trustees would
soon get a License from the Government to free him
from, and then he would sail. These Packets were sent
from Charles-Town by the Way of Purysburgh, under
the Care of one Major Bryan who was going that Way,
who had the Charge of another Packet, that came also by
the Tartar, not from the Trust, but supposed to be from
some of the publick Officers of State, directed to the
General; and by the same Conveyance likewise came

420 COLONIAL RECORDS.
another Letter of the 15th from Colonel Bull to me, v^j
signifying his having received Orders to grant Letters of saptemt.
Marque, &c. and to act offensively against the Spaniards;
and referring me farther to his Letter of the 13th, which
I had received. All these Dispatches coming to the
Hands of Mr. Montaigut in the Neighbourhood of Purys
burgh, he sent his Boat away with them immediately
hither, where we also looked wishfully to seethe General
tomorrow. Friday. Took a Walk very early this Morning, and 21.
catched the Opportunit)' of a few Hours to spend with
my Crew, and see what Advances they had made in the
Work appointed them last. We were getting in Corn
now, which Jones thought would have been exceeded by
nobody in Goodness, on the like Quantity of Ground:
But the long, heavy Rains that fell this Summer (more
than common) and often covered the low Lands with
Water, bred such an Excess of Worms and Insects, as
did very great Damage, more than Half not escaping;
which must reduce our Measure to the same Proportion:
But the highest and dry Lands have produced such a
Crop for those who have taken proper Care in Cultiva
tion, as ought to encourage them. These Accidents are
not uncommon in all Countries; and in my Native of
England, the Farmers in the up-land Parts seldom or
never grieve, when they see their Neighbours in Vale al
most drowned. I returned in Expectation of seeing
the General some Time to Day; but upon his not com
ing, we concluded that he spent the Night ensuing with
Messieurs Montaigut and Beausain, agreeable to what
he had wrote. Nothing stirring worth Note.
Saturday. Little Attention given to any Thing, be- .2
sides the earnest Expectation that almost every Body
shewed of the General's Arrival, which drew many Peo
ple to the Water-side, to wait his Coming; but it proved
in vain yet. Captain Davis, with some of his principal

COLONIAL RECORDS. 421
Assistants of the Club, we understood was fully em- 1739.
ployed for two or three Days past in drawing up a Re- septemb.
monstrance of the ill Usage he had met with, to be pre
sented to the General as soon as he came; wherein it
would appear so unexampled (as they gave out) that the
Authors of it would have Cause to repent of what they
had done: All which we were to see, and how far our
Actions would be approved by the General, or censured.
Sunday. The Service in the Church had due Observ- 23.
ance. About Five in the Afternoon the Boat was
espied coming down the River, wherein was the General,
who landed soon after, under the usual Compliment of
our Cannon, and as many of our Freeholders, as could
get under Arms in little more than a Quarter of an Hour,
which was about fifty, to receive him; all glad to see
him so well, and healthy, as he appeared, after so dan
gerous a Sickness as he had lately gone through. He
was attended to his Lodging by the principal Officers
and Magistrates of the Town; who after paying their
Respects, and hearing what he was pleased to acquaint
them with (briefly at present) all took their Leave, and
withdrew. I delivered him the Packet from the Trust,
which came to my Hands the 20th; and after he had
opened it and read some of those Advices he seemed to
think of most Moment, I retired, and left him to his
Rest, which I thought he wanted.
Monday. My Duty prompted me to a pretty close 24.
Attendance on the General, which I gladly paid; and in
Conversation he was pleased most agreeably to inform
us, how unquestionably he had the Friendship of the
Lower and Upper Creek Indians secured to us, which at
this Time more especially was of so great Value, when
we were apprehensive, thro' the secret Working of our
Enemies, their former Amity began to wax cold: But as
they were a very numerous and bold Nation, and lay im
mediately on the Back of this Province, we now looked

422 COLONIAL RECORDS.
on them as a Wall of Defence. After imparting to us w®^
what he thought proper, relating to his Travels, the next septemb.
Thing desirable was his Approbation of the publick Pro
ceedings here since he left us; which he let us understand
he was very well pleased with, particularly in bringing
the Authors of that late Murder to Justice, for which
two of them had suffered; and next, for being so watch
ful in guarding against any dangerous Correspondence
at this Season with the Spaniards, commending the Spirit
which appeared among us on that Occasion, and con
firming what was done relating to Captain Davis, as what
the Exigence of Time required; whom he moreover sent
for in the Evening, and after a private Conference with
him for a little while, he remanded him to his former
Confinement, till he should consider farther of it another
Day with the Magistrates. This was the more accepta
ble, because it was a sufficient Token to our Gentry of
the Cabal, how vain and impotent their little Craft, mixed
with much Malice, would appear, in Opposition to those
who pursued such Steps as conduced to the Welfare of
the Colony.
Tuesday, "| The great Variety of Matter, as.
Wednesday, which the General had under his 26.
Thursday, j> Consideration, during his Abode 27-
Friday, | amortgus,at this important Juncture, 28-
Saturday. J made it impracticable for me to keep 29
Pace, as to an exact Diary of all that passes: Wherefore
it was only in my Power to note some of the most re
markable Transactions that happened' during these five
Days past, without specifying particular Times. Captain
Davis, by the General's Order to the Magistrates, was
discharged from his Confinement, upon his entering into
a Bond of 100 /. Penalty not to go to Augustin, or any
Spanish Port, and to be of the good Behaviour: And
afterwards he found Means of obtaining the General's
Opinion of his Sincerity so far, that he undertook to
turn his Sloop, which was intended for Augustin, into a

COLONIAL RECORDS. 423
Privateer, and the General would grant him a Commis- "39.
sion for that Purpose: So that he now appeared as ear- septemb.
nest to plunder the Spaniards, as before he was to succor 26_
them: And it was well known, that through the long In- 27.
tercourse he had with them, and the Knowledge of all 28.
their Coasts, he was capable of annoying them very much: 29.
Wherefore we were now to expect some performances
of those Exploits which he proposed, and due Diligence
at present was used, to fit out this Privateer, and get her
well manned. Frequent Dispatches were sent to divers
Places, with Orders, as the General saw needful: And
Lieutenant Dunbar being sent on this Occasion to
Charles-Town, I wrote to him by Mr. Verelst (to be for
warded by my Correspondent Mr. Hopton) a Letter of
the 25th; wherein I enclosed, by Order from the General,
Copies I had taken of three Affidavits, made in the In
dian Nation, by Brown and Gardner; setting forth the
fatal Consequence of Rum in such Abundance, sent from
Carolina among the Cherokee Indians, &c. and it was
not impropable but that this Letter might overtake at
Charles-Town the former which I wrote of the 10th.
Every Body that we saw from Carolina confirmed the
deplorable State they were in at Charles-Town (as be
fore noted on the 18th) and the freshest News thence
informed us, that Saturday and Sunday last they buried
nineteen and twenty on a Day; so that it is deemed next
to a Pestilence; most of those who are taken with it,
dying in less than forty-eight Hours; and by a careful
Computation among themselves, they reckon the Small-
Pox among them a little while since, and this dreadful
Mortality now, have taken away at least one Fourth of
the white People of that Town: One or two more of our
deserting Freeholders are said to be among the Deceased,
namely, Desborow the Carpenter, and his two Sons, both
grown to Man's Estate; Mr. Amiens, Clerk of the As
sembly; Mr. Lewis, a Lawyer, and Judge of the Admi
ralty; and old Monsieur Thomas, a noted Engineer, who
left St. Simon's lately, upon a Stop being put to any

424 COLONIAL RECORDS.
farther Fortifications there at that Time. Mr. Eyre, a ™j
Cadet in the Regiment, who with others attended the septemb.
General in his Progress among the Indians, was now senth 26.
back thither, with Instructions, and a Commission, to 27.
one Mr. Samuel Brown, a noted and well esteemed 28-
Trader among the Cherokees, to bring down a considera- 29-
ble Body of that Nation, and to march at the Head of j
them, expecting they would be several Hundreds, whom
it is presumed his Excellence purposes to make use of, ;
as a Diversion with the Spanish Indians in the Neigh
bourhood of Augustin: And he depends on a strong De
tachment from the Creeks, pursuant to their late Agree
ment; whom he will not keep idle. During these !
Preparations against the Enemy, which were carried on
and directed by him alone, who best knew how, and in ',
whom proper Powers were invested, our Juntillo, who
sought all Occasions to distinguish themselves at all
Times, now projected to form themselves into a Body^
under the Title of Volunteers, who desired to be regu
lated a Company for Defence of the Country, &c. but
exclusive of any Commands from the standing Militia of
the Town where they lived: For which End, they be
lieved it the wisest Course to name their own Officers;
and accordingly they chose their Captain, Lieutenant,
and Ensign among themselves; who, all together, did not
exceed six or seven in Number; but were looked on as
Men qualified to conduct any Enterprize they took in
Hand (though miserably defeated hitherto in all their
political Schemes) and having so laid this Ground-Work,
they made no Question but Gentlemen Volunteers would
flock together, under the imaginary Command of Cap
tain Tailfer, &c. till after two or three Days Waiting,
and seeing no Recruits come in, they then betook them"
selves to sollicit such as they could prevail with, to be
enrolled in a Piece of Paper; where at length they picked
up about a Dozen more to be added to the former; and
these were generally loose Fellows, mostly Scotch Serv
ants lately out of their Time, or the like. Thus provided,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 425
they next addressed the General, by Petition, that he 1739.
would authorize them to act conformable to what they septemb.
J 2o.
conceived would render them useful to the Colony: But 26
his Excellence not happening to think as they did, that 27
an Independent Command in such Hands would contrib- as.
ute to the Safety of the Colonv, which required Unity, 29
and due Obedience in all Things for our Preservation; he
received it with Contempt, and not without some Re
sentment (it may be imagined) at their Insolence, in con
stituting Officers of their own, in Expectation that he
would give them Commissions, exalting them above all
others.  And so the Week ended.

Sunday. Due Observance was paid to the Day; and 30.
the General was pleased to attend Divine Service both
before Noon and after.
Monday. The General ceased not from a continual October 1.
Application to regulate every Thing that he thought Ex
pedient for us to govern ourselves by, in his Absence,
when he should go for the Southern Frontier, which we
now expected would be in few Days more. Towards
Evening arrived Captain Davis's Snow, under the Com
mand of Captain James Williams, who sailed hence with
Lumber for the West-Indies some Months since {vide
May 28, 29, 30, and June 1.) and leaving the Snow at
Tybee, he came up in his Boat, when he waited on the
General, and made his Report, &c. His Loading was
principally Molasses and Sugar; which unless he found
a Market for here, he intended to look farther: His
Brother Robert, who sailed with him from hence, staid
at St. Kitt's; and it was supposed was gone ere now for
England. Tuesday. Nothing worth Note, unless a violent Rain 2.
may be thought so, which began with the Sunrising, and
held all Day in an uncommon Manner; so that the
Ground was covered with Water, even on the high Land *

426 COLONIAL RECORDS.
where the Town stands; and there was no stirring out of "39-
Doors, neither did it entirely cease at Bed-Time: But October
such Rains being always looked for in other hot Coun
tries, at this Season of the Year, puts an End to any Ad
miration here. To-morrow being the Day when the Re
prieve would expire, which was granted to Levett (one
of those condemned for Murder) and he writing a Peti
tion to the General for Mercy; wherein, instead of own
ing himself guilty of any Crime, he insisted on his Inno
cence, lamenting his Misfortune that he lay under Sus
picion of Murder; the General was much offended at it,
and construed it to be arraigning the Justice of the
Place, and particularly of the Jury, who had found him
Guilty: For how was it possible for them to believe what
he alleged in his own Defence, viz. that he was not well,
and laid down to sleep, so that he heard nothing of it;
when it was confessed by himself, and known, that the
Place where he said he lay, was upon the Deck, and
within very few Yards of where the Fact was committed;
which in the barbarous Manner it was carried on, must
take up much Time, and could not be without Strife and
Noise? The General farther observed, that he now fell
short even of that Confession which he had made before,
and found him prevaricating: Wherefore, to vindicate
the Justice of the Court and Jury, and not to leave it in
his Power, by a Pardon, to throw Reproaches on both
hereafter, he resolved he should die; and ordered that
he should have Notice to prepare himself for it in four
Days more.
Wednesday. The General intending to publish the s.
War with Spain, in due Manner and Form; he gave Or
ders for all the Freeholders to be under Arms at Beat of
Drum, and that the Magistrates, in their Gowns, should
be on the Bench at Noon in the Court-House; whilst in
the mean Time he directed a proper Declaration to be
wrote, setting forth the Orders he received from his
Majesty's Secretary of State, relating thereto; and also

COLONIAL RECORDS. 427
another Paper, cautioning all Persons in this Province, "39.
to have a watchful Eye upon any Negroes, who might October
attempt to set a Foot in it; forasmuch as many of them,
at the Instigation of the Spaniards, had run lately away
from their Masters in Carolina, and found kind Recep
tion at Augustin: And moreover, the late Insurrection of
them in that Province, which was but newly suppressed,
gave Reason to apprehend, that some of such as had yet
escaped, might be lurking about in Georgia, in hopes to
make their Way to the Enemy; and in passing on,
might do great Mischief among our Settlers; promising,
as a Reward for taking them, what the Act here directs,
and withal, what the Government at Carolina promises
to pay, for every such runaway Negroe, delivered at
Charles-Town, alive or dead. When the General came
to the Court-House, where he found the Magistrates on
the Bench, he took his Seat by them: and the Militia,
who being drawn up before the Court-House, had
grounded their Arms, and were all come within the
Doors; his Excellence then made a Speech to them all,
suitable to the Occasion, commending that Chearfulness
which he observed to be in all Ranks of People, assur
ing them, that effectual Care had been taken by him to
prevent any Enemy from coming on our Backs from the
West and South; and as we lay open only to the Sea,
we had already some Frigates cruising on the Coast to
protect us; and he had Assurance from the Government
of more Strength at Sea; as also some Expectation of
an additional Force by Land, to be sent him in a little
while. Then he put those Papers into my Hands, which
were prepared, directing me to read them to the People;
which I did, as audibly as I could; afterwards the Con
stables read them again to the Men, on taking up their
Arms; and next, they we're affixed to the Doors of the
Court-House.- Upon the General's Return to his Lodg
ings five Cannon were fired, and the Militia gave three
handsome Vollies with their small Arms, as it were in

428 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Defiance, without the Appearance of any Dread of the Jj^
Spaniards. Oct3ober
Thursday, \ So little Intermission was found these *•
Friday, > few Days from attending the General's 5-
Saturday. J Commands, which rather multiplied 6-
than abated, through his incessant Application, that the
most material Thing which happened abroad, and I
thought worth noting, was the Death of the old Mico
Thomo Chichi, said to be upwards of ninety Years of
Age: And as the General always esteemed him a Friend of
the Colony, and therefore showed him particular Marks
of his Esteem, when living; so he distinguished him
at his Death, ordering his Corpse to be brought down;
and it was buried in the Centre of one of the principal
Squares, the General being pleased to make himself one
of his Pall-Bearers, with five others, among whom he
laid his Commands on me to be one, and the other four
were military Officers: At the Depositing of the Corpse,
seven Minute Guns were fired, and about forty Men in
Arms (as many as could instantly be found) gave three
Vollies over the Grave; which the General says he in
tends to dignify with some Obelisk, or the like, over it,
as an Ornament to the Town, and a Memorial to the In
dians, how great Regard the English would pay to all
their Nations, who maintain true Friendship with us.
Sunday. Divine Service was performed in the usual 7.
Manner. A Boat arrived from Captain Thompson, just
come to an Anchor without the Bar at Tybee: In the
Boat was Captain Hugh McKay, who went as soon as
ashore to wait on the General, to whom he carried a
Packet: And at the same Time the Cockswain of the
Boat brought me a Bag sealed, wherein I found also a
Packet directed to me, and many Letters loose in the
Bag for divers People; besides one from the Captain of
the Ship to me, desiring me to make haste down to him,
or to send a Reason why not: And moreover I received

COLONIAL RECORDS. 429
a Letter from Mr. Verelst of the 16th of July, signify- "39.
ing the Orders the Trust had given Captain Thompson; October
as also importing the Trustees' Orders to me, to go forth
with on board the Ship, on her Arrival, and receive the
Packet directed to me; in which Packet I should find a
Direction to a covered Box directed to me, N° I.
wherein were Bills General Oglethorpe would sign and
deliver to me, pursuant to the Trustees Request to him.
With Leave of the General, about Ten at Night, I set
off (the Tide then serving) together with Captain Mc
Kay, in the Ship's Yawl, which returned; and we had
provided a small Vessel to follow us (a Skooner) suffi
cient to bring away what Passengers were for this Place;
likewise some few Goods that we were in great Need of,
such as could be readily come at, and by which I myself
might be sure of getting home again, with what Speed I
could possibly; the General sending his Orders by us to
Captain Thompson, to make Sail for St. Simon's without
Loss of Time, apprehending that the Ship might lie in
Danger where she was, either from bad Weather sud
denly rising on the Coast, or possibly from the Enemy,
by some of their Launches, or small Craft well armed:
So that there could be no Expectation of the Bulk of
those Goods consigned to me, being delivered at Savan
nah, till the Ship returned thither; which probably could
not be in less than four or five Weeks. The General
granted a farther Reprieve to Levett, who otherwise must
have suffered Death to-morrow.
Monday. About Three in the Morning we got aboard, 8.
the Ship lying far out at Sea, where with great Impa
tience I waited the Skooner's Coming, all the fore Part
of the Day, which gave Room for a little Chat what was
doing in England, &c. And by Reason of an easterly
Breeze, it was long ere the Skooner got out; so that she
.came up to us late in the Day, and then we used all pos
sible Dispatch to put on board her four Pipes of Madera
Wine (there being not a Drop to be had in Town) and

430 COLONIAL RECORDS.
seventeen Casks of Flour, Part of the forty sent; which rjm
also there was great Need of: And then putting the Pas- October
sengers aboard, I took my Leave; but not without re
membering to carry the Box N° i. with me, and imme
diately both Vessels made Sail, about Seven in the Even
ing, fine Moon-Light, with a small Breeze at East, which
answered equally our Purposes; but a strong Tide with
held us from getting in at Tybee; so that we were forced
to come to an Anchor near the Bar till towards Morn
ing; and then the Wind shifting to the North-West, we 9.
made it a whole Tide's Work to reach Cockspur Road,
about two Miles within the Light-House; and there (see
ing Matters so cross to my Designs) I got a small Canoe,
and rowing up against Tide, I came to Savannah, Tues
day Evening, just at shutting in of Day-Light; when
I waited .on the General, and made Report of what I
knew. Wednesday, ") The greatest Part of my Time i0.
Thursday, i being taken up, as for a while past, 11.
Friday, f most agreeably in attending the 12.
Saturday. J General's Commands, and executing 13-
such as were required; I had only the Power of making
a few short Observations these four Days on the Temper
of the People (as I could easily discover) since Captain
Thompson's Arrival, and the great Alterations which
came by the Letters he brought, that were to be made
in the Magistracy of this Place: And I saw plainly, that
they were in a good Disposition to be well pleased, and
pay all due Obedience to whatever the honourable Trus
tees thought proper, for the good Government which
they were to live under: But the Advancement of Mr.
Christie to the Place of first Bailiff, was a little shock
ing to almost every Body, even the best of the Inhabi
tants; that a Man, who for some Time past was grown
so obnoxious among them, for his bare-faced Partiality,
for his scandalous living in open Adultery with a Man's
Wife (Richard Turner) who run away hence to the West-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 431
Indies a while ago; and his close Adherence to that mis- "39.
chievous Assembly at Jenkins's, who had been contin- October
ually stirring up Strife and Sedition, insomuch that, not u
without good Reason, they were apprehensive his future 12i
Behaviour on the Bench, would shew manifestly under is.
what Influence he acted; and it began already to appear,
how far that Rump of an almost worn-out Party, were
again elated, and pricked up their Ears at this News; for
when it was understood by them, that Mr. Christie was
to take that Office upon him, as soon as he had made
out Copies of the Proceedings of the Town-Court to the
Time Mr. Williamson, who was to succeed him, was
sworn in; when I was to deliver to Mr. Christie his Con
stitution as first Bailiff, and not before; and likewise that
I was to deliver Mr. Williamson's Constitution for the
Place of Recorder, as soon as Mr. Christie had perfected
his Copy of the proceedings of the Court, to the Time
of Mr. Williamson's taking upon him that Office, and
not before; (the former of which was such a Task, as
was well known would employ him a long Time, if ever
it could be perfected; in such Confusion and Disorder
were the Court Proceedings kept; and the latter no Man
could foresee when it would happen, Mr. Williamson
having left this Place, and being gone to Charles-Town
to practise there as an Attorney, uncertain when, or
whether ever, to return hither:) This so galled them,
that they could not contain themselves; but they gave a
full Loose to their Passions: And thereupon, after a Day
or two whispering their Sentiments about Town, endeav
ouring to inveigle unwary People into an Opinion, that
some Craft was at the Bottom to destroy their Liberties;
it became an open Talk in the Streets, that it was de
termined, as soon as the Court opened, which would be
next Monday, to set Mr. Christie on the Bench, which
was his Right, forcibly, if it could not be done other
wise. All this I took Care to inform the General of;
who ordered me to put it into Writing by Way of Letter
to him, and to give Notice to the Freeholders to make a

432 COLONIAL RECORDS.
full Appearance at the Time of opening the Court: I ra
did so, and well knew that the Orders the General gave, October
were sufficient to defeat the Purposes of such pigmy u_
Enterprizers, should they attempt any Violence: For 12.
how faulty soever we may have been at Savannah, I am 13.
very confident more than nine Parts in ten, would on
such, or any other Occasion, oppose and defeat all Con
trivances to annoy the Civil Power.  But the Peace is
best preserved without such Experiments.
Sunday. Mr. Norris officiated at Church, in the pub- 14
lick Service, as usual; and the General was pleased to
attend it. •
Monday. The General having well considered the 15.
present Circumstances of Affairs, was pleased to direct,
that I should deliver to Mr. Fallowfield and Mr. Jones,
their several Constitutions, appointing them to be second
and third Bailiffs, and also to Mr. Christie his Constitu
tion, appointing him to_ supersede Mr. Henry Parker in
the Commission for examining Accounts, &c. But as
to the Place of first Bailiff, he thought it not advisable
to invest him with that Authority immediately, without
either of the Conditions performed on his Part: Where
fore he farther ordered, that Mr. Parker might very
properly keep his Seat, as before, on the Bench, till the
Pleasure of the Trustees was farther known. Pursuant
to this, I gave to each of them the several Constitutions
for the Uses before-mentioned: After which two new
Bailiffs were sworn duly before the General; and then
the Court sat, when they took their Places; Mess. Parker
and Christie yet continuing in their former, till farther
Orders, in a full Court, without any Interruption or Dis
order; the Abettors of all Disturbance finding themselves
sufficiemly over-awed. A Grand Jury was called and
sworn, and proper Matters laid before them to consider
of ; and then the Court adjourned till to-morrow.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 433
Tuesday. Several Presentments were delivered into 1739.
Court by the Grand Jury, and Indictments for Misde- October
meanours, &c. after which they were discharged: Then
the Court proceeded to determine some little Matters;
but there being some Actions of considerable Moment
and Value commenced, carried on, and multiplied, by
some persons in Trade, against each other, with the Ap
pearance of much Rancour; it was the Opinion of the
Court to postpone those Trials a little, that some Means
might be sought, if possible, to bring them into better
Temper, and see if they would be persuaded to refer
their Differences to Arbitration, especially as they con
sisted chiefly of Matters in Accounts: Wherefore the
Court adjourned to Friday Morning.
Wednesday. The General observing, that since the 17.
Land of the Common being cleared of Trees, Abun
dance of Shrub-Wood was daily growing up, which
filled the Ground; and that the publick Squares, and
most open Parts of the Town, were filled with an offen
sive Weed, near as high as a Man's Shoulders; both
which were a great Annoyance, and besides hindering
Grass from growing up, harboured and increased many
troublesome Insects and Vermin; and moreover if set
on Fire when dry, might endanger the Burning of the
Town: For these Reasons, he was pleased over Night to
send out Orders, that upon Beat of Drum, this Morning,
all Persons inhabiting the Town, whether Freeholders, or
Inmates, and Boys of a competent Age, should appear
at Sun-rising this Morning, and go to Work in clearing
this great Nusance: Which accordingly they readily did;
and all falling to Work heartily, before Night they had
(some with one Instrument, and some with another) laid
smooth some Hundreds of Acres: The General was
pleased to be among them himself; and every Body,
without Distinction, took Pains to do what he could;
which gave his Excellence a double Pleasure, it being
not only a Trial of the Peoples Disposition to obey, but
23 c r— vol 4

tober 17.

434 COLONIAL RECORDS.
hereby he saw plainly, under his own View, the Number "39.
of People within this Town; which (allowing some Boys °
of good Stature and Strength, and reckoning Servants,
and Inmates of all Sorts, living in Town) appeared to
be very near two hundred Men, able, on Occasion, to bear
Arms. He ordered a Cask of Bread, and another of Beer
for them at Breakfast-Time in the Morning, and at leav
ing off Work in the Evening, another such Refreshment;
highly delighted to see how large a Tract of Land they
had cleansed: And as there remained another Day's
Work, but much less than this of the Day, which would
compleat the Whole; the General ordered that should
be on the 5th of November; when at their finishing it,
they were to be so again treated, and they might make
a Bonfire of the Rubbish they had now under foot.
Thursday. The Affair of settling the Militia of the 11.
Town under proper Officers, was one Business of this
Day, which took up great Part of it, in the General's en
quiring after the Causes of many little Squabbles, which
he found growing among the Tything-men, and the Con
stables also: As Things now stood with us, he was of
Opinion, that instead of eighteen Tything-men, which
we had, ten good ones would be sufficient, and two Con
stables only; Wherefore he made Choice of ten such
Tything-men as he liked, and appointed Robert Potter
Constable (in the Room of John Fallowfield, now made
second Bailiff) to act in Conjunction with Samuel Mer
cer, the other Constable, formerly appointed.  But he
resolved to consider of these Things a little farther.
Friday, j The publick Affairs now urgently 19.
Saturday. j calling the General Southward, these 20.
two Days required close Attendance, from such as waited
for his Orders and Directions in many Cases during his
Absence: So that I had little to remark elsewhere.
Sunday. The Divine Service was duly observed; and 21,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 435
the General, as before, failed not to give a good Exam- 1789.
pie in attending it. In the Evening, having observed ocober
that in Times past Disputes had frequently arisen among
the Constables and other Officers, concerning their sev
eral Commands in the Militia, which in the present Situ
ation of Affairs might prove to be of very dangerous
Consequence; and being of Opinion, that the best Way
to prevent it, would be to lodge the principal Command
in one Person, whose Orders all were to obey; he was
pleased to entertain so good an Opinion of my Behav
iour, as to make Choice of me for that Purpose; and
accordingly delivered me his Commission,, appointing
me to train, instruct, exercise, and govern, the Militia of
the Northern Part of the Province, for the special De
fence and Safety of the said Province: To assemble in
martial Array, put in war-like Posture, the Inhabitants
of the said Northern Division; and to lead and conduct
them, and with them to encounter, expulse, repel, resist,
and pursue, by Force of Arms; and to kill, slay, de
stroy, and conquer, by all fitting Ways, Enterprizes, and
Means whatsoever, all and every such Person or Persons,
as shall at any Time hereafter, in an hostile Manner, at
tempt, or enterprize the Destruction, Invasion, Detriment,
or Annoyance of the said Province, &c. Which Com
mission (how unworthy soever I thought myself of it)
it behoved me not to scruple the Acceptance of, lest an
Imputation should follow, either of my setting little
Value on the Honour conferred, or of such a Sort of
Bashfulness, as at this Time would be very unseasonable,
and might be construed something else, which I avoid
naming: For which Reasons I threw aside my Marks of
Reluctance, resolving in all Things, as far as I was capa.
ble, to exert myself in promoting the publick Welfare.
Monday. This Day the General purposed to have 22.
left us; but upon Intelligence received, that a Body of
Indians, partly Chickasaws, and partly Euchies, had
joined, to the Number of a hundred Men, and were com-

436 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ing down voluntarily, to attend, and serve against the ^J^
Spaniards, and would be here in a few Days; he thought October
it worth his while to wait their Coming, knowing of what
Use they might be, and therefore would take them with
him. N. B. These Indians were no Part of those much
greater Numbers he expected from the populous Nations
of the Creeks, and Cherokees, that he had sent for, and
should expect to march to him at St. Simon's directly.
Tuesday. The Court having dispatched what Busi- 23.
ness they thought necessary to be done this Sessions,
adjourned to the next orderly Time of their meeting
again towards the latter End of November. The Gen
eral granted a farther Reprieve for Levett, upon his al
tering the Stile of his Petition, and owning that he was
justly condemned by the Law, for being privy to the
Uproar which happened on board, when the Murder was
committed, and not revealing it; for which he begged
Mercy, persisting still in saying he had no Hand in it,
nor knew of his Death till he was over-board: And it
was now expected these repeated Reprieves would end
in a Pardon at last.
Wednesday. Finding a little Vacancy, from Business 24.
growing less urgent than hitherto, with the General; I
devoted this Day almost wholly to look into what my
People were doing abroad, and what Product was to be
seen off the Land that I had planted this Year, which
now was pretty near got together: And what I before
had observed, relating to the uncommon wet Summer we
had, {vide Sept. 21.) appeared now too well verified; for
all the low Lands had suffered extreamly; among which,
those Lots happened which I occupied, and Abundance
of the Corn was utterly spoiled, partly by the Stalks rot
ting ere it came to Maturity; and most of that which
ripened, was infested with the Worm, that did great
Damage; whilst the dry Lands threw out a plentiful
Crop: Nevertheless, communibus annis, the Summer Heats

COLONIAL RECORDS. 437
here are such, that I would, in my own Judgment, al- vw>j
ways prefer the low Lands to the high; and though it October
happened that they failed this Year, through such ex
cessive Wet, yet most undoubtedly they are less apt to
do so than the other. The General having lately con
firmed the Grant of five hundred Acres, which he partly
put me in Possession of on the 19th of April last, at
the Mouth of Vernon River {ut anted) it was now my De
sire, with all convenient Speed, to set some Hands at
Work there, and make what Improvements I could, as
the Season was proper; taking Care at the same Time,
that those Lots I had been cultivating for two Years
past, should be occupied; so that what Labour had been
bestowed, should not be thrown away, till the right
Owner came to possess it.
Thursday. Ensign Cadogan arrived this Morning 25.
from Carolina, whom I was very glad to enquire of, what
came of the Packet which I delivered to his Care, to
gether with Captain Norbury, on the 17th of September
last, which I had for some Time since been very uneasy
about, not hearing a Word of any such Packet coming
to the Hands of my Correspondent Mr. Hopton, who
always had been very exact and punctual, and to whom
(as usual) I had wrote a Letter with it: Moreover he had
advised me of the Receipt of another Letter of mine,
to Mr. Verelst, dated December 25th, and what Ship he
had sent it by; but still not a Word of my former, dated
the 10th Ditto; till now that Mr. Cadogan brought me a
Letter from him, informing me, that that former Packet
was at last come to Hand, and just timely enough to
send it away by a Ship bound for Topsham, which sailed
the same Day (viz. the 21st Instant) Captain Ward in
the Mary Brig. Mr. Cadogan in Excuse said, that both
he and Captain Norbury were taken very ill at Port-
Royal, which continued a long while upon them, before
he was able to proceed to Charles-Town; and he was
not willing to put it out of his own Hands to the Care

438 COLONIAL RECORDS.
of another: By which Means it may be expected, that "39.
my Letter of the 25th of September will find its Way October
some Time sooner than that of the 10th. The reduc
ing the Number of Tything-men, which the General had
several Times under Consideration, so as to leave a com
petent Strength for carrying on the Duties of that Office,
and yet not to establish an Expence more than could be
answered, since no Provision was made in the Estimate
for that Service; he now settled that Affair to his Lik
ing, appointing only ten for it, viz. two for each of the
old Wards, instead of four; and one for each of the new;
and dividing the Town through Broughton-Street, from
East to West; he appointed two Constables only, one
over the Northern Division, consisting of three Wards;
and the other over the Southern, consisting of the like
Number; pursuant to which, he gave out the Tything-
mens Warrants for me to deliver to them, and the Con
stables he delivered to them himself.

Friday. An Express from the South, with Letters,
&c. to the General; which brought ill News from the
Camp, that they were grown very sickly, and that they
had not Officers sufficient to do the common Duty; but
the Sickness did not prove mortal, being a Sort of Ague
and Fever with regular Intermission, which pulled many
down, both Officers and Soldiers, to a very weak State;
such as is pretty common in these Parts, at certain Sea
sons, especially among fresh People from Europe, and is
usually termed a Seasoning. On this Occasion the Gen
eral immediately sent off two or three Subalterns who
attended him here, and began to grow impatient till he
could go himself; but was very unwilling to leave the
hundred Indians behind him, whom he looked earnestly
for every Day, as noted on Monday last. In the Afternoon
I convened all the Officers, Constables and Tythingmen,
to whom I first read my own Commission, and afterwards
theirs; from whence I took Occasion to exhort them
all to lay aside all little Picques and Animosities among

26.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 439
themselves, and to unite heartily in promoting the pub- 1739.
lick Peace, and discouraging all Attempts to sow Discord October
among them, especially at this Time, where it behoved
us to be on our Guard against all Enemies, whether open
or secret; the worst of the two. I assured them of my
ready Disposition to consult with them, and advise, upon
all Emergencies; and in Case of any dangerous Attempt
upon our Safety, my Command should not expose them
to such Service as I would decline myself: And withal
openly told them, that I must (in Justice to the Commis
sion I had the Honour to bear) expect due Obedience to be
paid to such Orders, as at any Time I should issue, whether
my Superiors or my own; and as I should be a vigilant Ob
server of their several Deportments, so they might be
assured of my representing it without Partiality, to those
whose Favour was well worth deserving. They expressed
themselves well pleased with my being at their Head,
and seemed to be truly of Opinion, that all Occasion of
Disputes about Priority was now removed, much to their
Satisfaction (as they said:) Mutual' Assurances were
given on all Sides, of an hearty Good-will towards one
another; which I observed some of them were of Opin
ion would be best confirmed over a Bottle; wherefore
taking the Hint, I willingly agreed to what they termed
wetting my Commission; and took a cheerful Glass with
them for an Hour or two in the Evening, to drink the
King's Health, and the Royal Family, the honourable
Trustees, Success to his Majesty's Arms, and General
Oglethorpe at the Head of them in these Provinces, &c.
every Body, when we parted, going home in good Or
der, and good Humor.
The General now (Saturday) finding himself a little 27.
more at Leisure than for a while past, diverted his Care
about other Matters, to look into the State of the great
Lots of five hundred Acres; and some Doubts having
arisen about the Certainty of those Lands, whether run
out true or not, by the late Surveyor Jones; the General

440 COLONIAL RECORDS.
went himself to see the first original Lines, as they had 1739.
been marked out; from whence, if due Observance was October 27.
had, in running the traverse Lines, it must unavoidably
prove the Truth of the Whole: And this was incumbent
on the former Surveyor to demonstrate, that so the Per
son whom the General should see fit to appoint for the
future ascertaining those Lands, to whom they belonged,
might be well instructed by the present Plan how to pro
ceed; which took up this whole Day, and was likely to
be Work enough for another. During which Intermis
sion I had Matter sufficient to employ my Pen at home,
and which I stuck closely to, to get forward what my
Duty required, being unavoidably fallen very much in
Arrear, and it would cost me some Pains to fetch up
again. Sunday. The Divine Service was what called all Peo- 28.
pie to the Performance of, and which it was to be wished
every one was alike careful to observe, as the proper
Business of the Day: And nothing of any Moment hap
pened to divert their Thoughts from it.
Monday. The General, waiting only for his Indians 2s.
coming now, before he left us, was intent upon looking
carefully into the Plat of Lands formerly run out, to
prevent any Mistakes; and I was not less so in reducing
my loose Papers into right Order, transcribing what was
needful, &c. which required some Time. Mr. Bradley,
after too long trifling, and seeking many Shifts and
Evasions, not to quit the great House belonging to the
Trust, which he had taken Possession of; finding himself
driven to the Necessity of it, now moved his Goods to
another in Town that was vacant, at a moderate Rent,
intending it for his Habitation no longer (as he gave out)
than till he had provided a Place to be in, upon the five
hundred Acres allotted him; which he had a long while
raised many Objections to, and shewed himself dissatis
fied about; but now those imaginary Obstacles being

COLONIAL RECORDS. 441
dissipated by the General, it would appear ere long, how "39.
far he was in earnest to cultivate that Farm. October
Tuesday. Mr. Norris taking Breakfast with me this so.
Morning, began again to complain very heavily of the
unkind Usage which he met with; and which for a pretty
while past, he refrained from speaking of to me (probably
from his observing that I shewed not an Over-readiness
to listen to such disagreeable Controversy, as far as I
could well avoid it) but now, he said, he could with-hold
no longer, since it was God's Cause, and his Service was
impugned; insomuch, that for Want of Candles, the
Evening Prayers now ceased; as they must have done a
long while since, had not he himself, at his own Expence,
bought Candles where he could get them, but now he
could find none in Town to be sold; and knowing Mr-
Jones had some in the Stores, he sent thither to buy,
with Money to pay, but was refused: From hence he
took Occasion to expatiate largely on the Treatment he
had met with, so different from any of his Predecessors)
ever since his being here; particularly at the Stores, as
he had divers Times before made known, and which he
little expected, from those Assurances he had, of kinder
Regard being shewn him, before he left England: But
as for the little malicious Stories spread of him, and the
frequent Reproaches so basely whispered about, by a Set
of Men, who (he believes) think the Lessening of his
Character will conduce to aggrandize that of him who
succeeds him; he prays God to forgive them, and they
create him not the least Uneasiness: At the same Time
he was so just to acknowledge the Readiness I had al
ways shewn him to do him any Service I could, and
looked upon me as his true Friend. To all this I had
little to say: The Want of Candles, and thereby the
Want of Evening Prayers, I know was too true: But as
Mr. Jones and I were (I hoped) in a mutual good Under
standing with each other, in all Things that our Duties
required us to act jointly together, I was not fond of

442 COLONIAL RECORDS.
entering into any Arguments with him, knowing his u*^
testy Temper: Wherefore I told Mr. Norris, that as the October
General was now here, the best Way undoubtedly for
him, would be to lay open any Grievances there, where
it was likely to find a Remedy: But at the same Time,
understanding the General had engaged him to go with
him to Frederica, where for Want of a Minister, the
most necessary Parts of a Priest's Office were wanting,
more especially Baptism and the Lord's Supper; I hoped
with myself, that finding Things more agreeable to him
where he was going, would make him forget what he
took amiss here, from very few; for the Generality of
the People shewed him the Respect which his truly un
blamable Behaviour among us deserved: And it was
probable, that Mr. Whitfield's coming soon hither (whom
we now looked for) might prevent any future Cause of
Complaint from him hence. After he left me, I betook
myself to my own Work, the same as Yesterday.
Wednesday. The General doing me the Favour of 31.
asking me to dine with him, was pleased afterwards to
engage my Stay there the remaining Part of the Day;
when, free from all other Company, most Part of the Time
I had the Pleasure of a long Conversation with him, and
of knowing his Sentiments in many Things, which might
be of use to me in my future Conduct: Divers Matters
he gave me a particular Charge in, which he seemed to
think of great Consequence; and among others, he re
quired me not to fail laying before the honourable
Trustees, a true State of the whole Affair relating to the
late Change of Magistrates, and the Reasons why their
Orders concerning Parker and Christie had not yet been
entirely fulfilled: I told him, that I never missed noting
in my Journal every Thing of Moment that came to my
Knowledge, and there it would be found; but he said he
did not think that sufficient, without a Letter; for Jour
nals might, or might not, be read; but Letters to be sure
always were: And tho' he was more and more confirmed

COLONIAL RECORDS. 443
in Opinion, that what Orders he had given in that Affair "89.
were needful, till the Pleasure of the Trustees could be October
farther known; yet it would be necessary, for his Hon
our's Defence, to have that Business laid open, as clear
as possible: Which I promised to do as well as my Ca
pacity would allow; and then took my Leave.
Thursday, ) Being seized with some sharp Pains in Novemb.
Friday. j my Breast, and divers other Parts, I was 2
bound to keep in, hoping by Warmth, and good Kitchen
Physick, to get the better of it: As I did; for in twenty-
four Hours it began to wear off, and plainly shewed me
it was no more than a Cold; which might reasonably be
expected from the sudden Change of Weather in very
few Days past; in which short Time, the great Warmth
we had, by Means of a Southerly Wind and clear Sky,
was changed into a North-West Wind and thick Clouds,
which made as great a Difference in the Temper of the
Air, as is usually found in England between the Months
of June and December: And these surprizing Alterations
some Times happen at any Season of the Year. All that
I could learn worth noting in these two Days was, that
Captain Fennel, whom I gave some Account of, in my
former Notes of the 30th of July and the 1st and 3d of
August, was now come in from Carolina to Cockspur, with
a new Sloop of his own, carrying ten Guns and twenty
Men, and bound for Jamaica; where he should also have
another Sloop; and with those (being now disingaged
from the South-Sea Company and Spanish Trade) he pur
posed to carry on a private Trade of his own, betwixt
the West-Indies and the Northern Provinces, being well
armed, and provided for Attack or Defence, as he should
see needful. With him came Mr. George Saxby, and Mr.
William Williamson, as Passengers from Charles-Town;
the first on his Pleasure, more than any Business; and
the other we supposed might come on Account of the
Recordership of this Place, which he understood was his
Appointment, and which now would soon be considered

444 COLONIAL RECORDS.
of by the General, &c.  By whom they were all ^^
courteously received.

Novemb. 1.
2.

Saturday. Finding myself pretty well at Ease, I went 3.
abroad again and waited on the General, where I found
the Strangers at Breakfast with him: And Captain Fen
nel being a sensible, genteel Man, beyond the common
Level of some unpolished Tars; he seemed pleased with
the Opportunity of such a Conference, with such an in
telligent Person, who could satisfy his Curiosity in divers
Things which he thought fit to enquire into: Wherefore
on their withdrawing, he engaged them both to dine
with him, as he did afterwards Mr. Williamson also.
Nothing could fall out more opportunely for me, than
such a Conjuncture; for having a Bill sent me from the
Trust, drawn by Mr. Hemmerton, for 200 /. Sterling on
this same Gentleman (Mr. Saxby) for Value received of
the Trustees, for his Majesty's Service; and Mr. Saxby
being Deputy-Receiver of the King's Quit-Rents in Car
olina. I now presented the same to him, together with
Mr. Hammerton's Letter of Advice; but was a little sur
prized at his telling me he could not accept it, for that he
had not half so much of the King's Money in his Hands;
which was all that passed betwixt us then: But in the
Evening I thought it proper to take Mr. Jones with me
to Jenkins's where those Gentlemen quartered; and
there in a civil Manner, over a Glass of Wine, I again
presented the Bill for Acceptance, before proper Wit
ness, acquainting him, upon his Refusal again, that I
should be obliged to protest and return it; which he said
he was sorry for, but could not help it.
Sunday. Young Mr. Vernon, who had sailed under 4.
Captain Gascoigne in the Hawk (which was gone for
England, as was also Captain Gascoigne in another Ship)
having been some Time at Charles-Town, waiting in Ex
pectation when his Uncle the Admiral would come to
the West-Indies, now took the Opportunity of a Passage

COLONIAL RECORDS. 445
with Captain Fennel to Jamaica; and coming up to Town "39.
this Morning from Cockspur, first waited on the General, Novemb.
and afterwards did me the Favour of a Visit; which I
took very kindly, and wished any little Civilities I could
shew him here, might be rated as a Respect due from
me to his Father. The Church Service was orderly ob
served, which the General was pleased to attend, as did
also the two Strangers. In the Evening Mr. Saxby dis
covered a little uneasiness at my Intention of returning
that Bill, knowing how great Cost must attend it;
wherefore he said he should take it as a Favour, after
my protesting it, if I should defer returning it a little
while, till he got home to Charles-Town, from whence
he would write me positively, whether he could pay it or
not; for that he wished to do it if he could: Wherefore,
presuming no Damage could ensue, by a short Delay, I
agreed so to do. Soon after, I attended the General, to
gether with Mr. Jones, where we met Mr. Williamson;
and the Affair of the Recordership was the Subject Mat
ter to be considered; which Mr. Williamson said he was
ready to accept of, and was what brought him hither at
this Time from Charles-Town: But in his Conversation
and Discourse elsewhere, he discovered different Senti
ments; and talking with me of it in particular Yesterday,
he said plainly it was a Thing of great Indifference to
him, whether he had it or not; for that the Business
which he was falling into at Charles-Town, was likely to
be of much greater Value to him; and indeed the prin
cipal Motive which induced him to come now after it,
was his knowing that his Uncle Taylor had obtained it
from the Trustees, and now for him not to accept of it,
would be giving Offence to his Uncle, to whom he had
lately wrote to procure him either the Place of Judge of
the Admiralty (if he could) void by the Death of Mr.
Maurice Lewis; or that of Clerk of the Assembly, void
by the Death of Mr. Amiens; either of which would be
of abundant greater Value to him than this; but his Un
cle having procured him this, before he had heard from

446 COLONIAL RECORDS.
him about the other; he would not be thought to make ™>j
light of it: I then said it looked to me as if he meant to Novemb.
make this a Sort of Sinecure, which he might execute
by a Deputy; but I presumed the Trust would not allow
of any such Appointments, nor suffer their Favours to
be undervalued: To which he told me in plain Words,
that when he was once possessed of the Place, he would
see who could hinder him, or to that Effect: And
now in this Conference with the General, the chief Top-
ick of the Whole seemed to favour much of the Re
strictions, which it was expected a Person occupying
that Place must submit to; and to lay aside all Imagina
tion, that the same Power which created him such an
Officer, could not in the same Manner take it away from
him again at Pleasure, without Regard to quamdiu se bene
gesserit: Then it was shewn to Mr. Williamson, what the
Trustees had been pleased to direct me, relating to the
several new Constitutions lately sent; and therein par
ticularly, what I was to do in this present Affair now be
fore us, and what was required to be done by Mr. Chris
tie before a Successor could take Place; which Mr. Wil
liamson finding little Room to say any Thing to, he then
asked me peremptorily, whether I would deliver him his
Constitution or not; and upon my saying that I should
do it as soon as Mr. Christie enabled me, by performing
his Part, and not sooner, unless I had new Commands
from my Superiors; he appeared not disappointed in the
least; and so that Discourse ended.
Monday. Upon my seeing Mr. Williamson this Morn- 5.
ing, I asked him how he relished the Answer he pressed
me (against my Inclination) to give him last Night; and
he told me frankly, that had he been in my Place, he did
not see how any other could be given; which he said he
was very easy at, telling me, at the same Time, that he
saw no Likelihood of the present Recorder's quitting
that Place in haste; for he had sworn deeply to him,
that he would never deliver up any Copy of his Records

COLONIAL RECORDS. 447
to me, nor to any one else, but the Trustees only; which 1739.
I only smiled at, and wished he had it in his Power to do Novemb.
that compleat, as it was expected; but 1 feared it was
not: At parting soon after, he told me, that he had wrote,
and sent in to the General, a Letter, wherein he begged
he would please to remember, that he had been to offer
his Acceptance of the Recorder's Office, &c. intimating-
to preserve his Uncle's good Opinion: But the General
conceived something farther meant in it, and ordered
his Secretary to take particular Care, and keep it safe.
And now the Time was come, when the General would
not stay longer waiting for his Indians, who must come
after: For having received a Letter from Captain Warren
(the oldest Sea Commander of all in these Northerly Sta
tions) that he was upon sailing to St. Simon's, to confer
with him for the better Protection of this Province; he
left us about Three in the Afternoon, having spent six
Weeks here in doing what he thought needful; and going
off in the Scout-Boat, with three or four Indians that he
had a special Value for, Mr. Norris, and his Secretary
Mr. Moor, went in another Boat that attended, making
the best of their Way South. The only Matter in Town
that I had to observe, was, that the Inhabitants at Beat
of Drum early in the Morning assembled, and went on
vigorously with the Work of clearing the Common of all
that shrubby Matter which it was over-run with; and
what they could not accomplish at their last Meeting
(the 17th of October) they put an End to now, under
the Direction of the Town-Officers, &c.
Tuesday. All now in Appearance husht and quiet. a.
The General was gone, and every Body at Leisure to
mind their own proper Business; which I made as good
Use of as I could, that another Packet might be ready
soon to send to the Trust. ' Mr. Williamson (I was in
formed) discovered what Disposition he was in plainly,
by joining in close Council with the Committee, which
continued to sit at Jenkins's (Dr. Tailfer in the Chair) t0

448 COLONIAL RECORDS.
enquire into Grievances, in order to get them redressed, 1739^
by such Means as their Wisdom should devise: Thither Novemb.
resorted at all Times, as to an Oracle for Advice, every"
Malecontent, who believed himself more deserving than
his Neighbours; and this knotty Point how to get over,
of settling the Recordership and Magistracy, imme
diately to their better Liking, was now thought worth
their Consideration; from whence I did not doubt I
should soon hear somewhat more about it: And, as I ex
pected, Wednesday, in the Morning, Mr. Williamson came 7.
again, bringing Mr. Fallowfield with him as Witness (I
understood it) of what passed betwixt us: And then Mr.
Williamson again renewed his Demand of being put in
Possession of the Place of Recorder, &c. To which I
answered (as I had before done) that when Mr. Christie
had fulfilled the Trustees Orders, of making out Copy
of the Court Proceedings to this Time, I should be then
ready to observe on my Part, their Orders likewise of
delivering their Constitution to him (Mr. Williamson)
and not sooner, without fresh Orders: He then told me,
that Mr. Christie had informed him he was ready with
his Copy of the Court Proceedings; but swore he would
deliver them neither to me, nor to any one, except the
Trustees themselves (the same he had so solemnly sworn
before) with this Addition now, that I was an old Fool
to expect it: Such dirty Compliments gave me not the least
Disturbance; but I then replied, that if he thought me not
worthy 'the Sight of them, though upon this Occasion I
apprehended, by the Office I had the Honour to execute
under the Trust, I might insist upon seeing them; yet I
was very ready to wave that Point, to facilitate the Af
fair as much as possible: But I hoped, and expected,
that he would shew his Work to the Magistrates at least,
who surely had a Right to it; and upon their certifying
the Truth of it, I would be satisfied: But to speak plainly,
he was grown a Man of so little Veracity, that whatever

COLONIAL RECORDS. 449
he said, found little Credit with almost any Body: And ras^
as I well knew, that the Books he had made out the last Novemb.
Year, and sent to the Trust then with my Packet, was
the Work of Mr. Causton and him together at Ockstead,
where they sat close about it some Weeks, Mr. Christie
having then Notice from me, that it was expected from
him; and if he had not found that Help, it is most probable
he had been nonpluss'd: For these, and divers other
good Reasons, I was fully persuaded to believe him as
much and more at a Loss now, unless he had the Skill of
collecting Sybils Leaves. It so happened, that Mr.
Jones, calling at my House, was present at this Confer
ence; which I was very glad of, to be as well prepared
as the Complainer, with Evidence of what was said and
done. After some little Wranglings, which I gave no
great Heed to, they walked away; and Mr. Williamson,
in few Hours more, took Boat to return to Charles-Town;
but not till he had first paid his Respects to Dr. Tailfer
(as Care was taken to observe) at his own House, where
no Doubt but he made Report of what he had been do
ing, in Pursuance of that Resolution which Yesterday
brought forth: And their farther Operations we are next
to wait for.
Thursday. Ill News cameto Town this Morningof Mr. s_
Montaigut's Death, who sickened in a Fever of the worst
kind, about eight Days since, at his Plantation up the River
in Carolina, whereof he died Yesterday in the Evening.
Mr. Christie not thinking it convenient (I suppose) to be
observed going out, and coming in, so frequently to his
Doxy Mrs. Turner, at her House here, thought it best to
remove to his Hut on the Lot, about two Miles off: So
he sent her with Bed and Bedding, &c. before, following
her soon after.
Friday. Little worth observing till the Afternoon, 9.
when Mr. Montaigut's Corpse was brought down and de
cently buried, the French Minister of Purysburg per-
29 e r— v 4

450 COLONIAL RECORDS.
forming the Funeral Rites, in the Absence of Mr. Norris, 1J39.
who was now gone to the South: Most of the principal Novemb.
Inhabitants (who were particularly invited) attended him
to the Grave; and in Regard to the military Command,
which he had in Carolina, thinking it a Respect due, I
ordered twelve Minute Cannon to be fired, during the
Time of his Interment; to answer which Purpose, hav
ing not Powder sufficient in Store, Monsieur d'Beausain
ordered some to be provided. It is to be hoped we shall ere
long be furnished with what is necessary of that Kind,
when Captain Thompson arrives from the South, where
he yet continues; and without it indeed, we seem among
some Folks to be a Subject of Ridicule. N. B. This I
wrote upon what Information the Gunner gave me: But
Mr. Jones has since told me, that he got some Powder
for that Use from Mr. Brownfield.
Saturday. This Day I converted to my own peculiar 10.
Use, and spent most Part of it at my little Plantations,
forming to myself new Schemes of what I proposed
next Year, which according to the Planters Way of
reckoning, began about this Time. At my Return home,
hearing accidentally of a Boat going South, I wrote to
the General, acquainting him with what I apprehended he
ought to be informed of from hence since he left us. Mr.
Christie, I understood, had been exposing to publick
Sale a few of his own old Goods of little Value; such as
two or three ordinary Chairs and Stools, a Table, one
Pewter Dish, a few common Dutch printed Pictures col
oured upon Paper, and the like; by which it was intended
to be understood, that he purposed soon to leave the
Colony; but most People were of a different Opinion, and
took it rather to be an Experiment made by his trusty Ad
visers, to see whether or not we would suffer so valu
able a Man to quit the Place, through the ill Treatment
he found, in not meeting with the Promotion intended
for him, so readily as he expected. As to myself, I
gave little Heed to it, having, to the best of my Under-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 451
standing, and not without proper Advice, acted in that 1739.
Affair, as I have now done; neither could I readily be- Novemb.
lieve his real Design to be leaving the Colony, from
what was said; having ever since I knew the Place, been
frequently giving it out, that he was determined to go
soon for England, for that he found not Encouragement
to continue in that Office; though it is well known, that
he only took Fees in many Cases, when the other Magis
trates never pretended to make any Demand; and I myself
have heard him in the Height of his Vanity boast, that
he made a hundred Pounds a Year of it.
Sunday. In the Absence of Mr. Norris, Mr. Haber- n.
sham read the Prayers of the Church.
Monday. Early this Morning arrived an Indian trad- 12.
ing Boat, bound for Charles-Town, by which came John
Rea (a Freeholder here) from Fort Augusta, with divers
Letters for the General, importing (among other Things)
that the Chicasaw Indians, our good Friends, whom the
French had attempted several Times to destroy, had
lately, by a small Party in Ambuscade, attacked a large
French Boat, in her Way on the Messasippi to Moville,
from the Mouth of that River, laden with many very
valuable Goods, and Letters to the French Governor at
that Place: That they had killed several of them, and
taken some Prisoners; then plundered the Boat of what
they thought most valuable, namely, fine Woollen, Linen,
Plate and Ammunition, which by them is most prized;
and (what wq apprehend to be of more Value to us) a
Packet of Letters for that Governor, which they sent as
a Present to our General, whereby probably some Dis
covery might be made of the French Designs; and after
taking with them what they could carry off, they sunk
the Boat with the Remainder. Which Packet and Let
ters to be sure we lost no Time in sending forward to
the General.

452 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Tuesday. The Season now requiring every one to be "39.
busy on his Lands, who had any Design of improving Novemb.
them; and my chief View the ensuing Year, being to
wards my five hundred Acres (as before noted October
24.) I employed what Hands I could possibly, to set
about that Work; and it being a considerable Distance
from Town, which would not admit of my Eyes being
over them frequently, I chose, on that Occasion, to allow
myself the whole Day. At my Return in the Evening,
Mr. Jones informed me, that the Report of Mr. Christie's
Intention to quit the Colony, began to find a little more
Credit than hitherto; and some People were inclined to
believe it; as also that he would take his Beloved with
him.  A little Time probably might bring to Light
what his Purposes were. He farther told me, that Mr.
Bradley having applied for a Permit to go in a Boat for
Carolina (as no Boat, now for some Time past, was al
lowed by the Guard to put off hence, without such Leave
under one of the Magistrates Hands) which was denied
him upon divers Applications from Persons he was in
debted to, or had Disputes with; who apprehended that
he designed never to return: He privately took Horse,
and rode up the River, with Design to pass it at the first
convenient Place he could come at, leaving Part of his
Family at the House he had lately taken in Town, when
he went out of that great one belonging to the Trust.
His real Intention also, as well as the other's, will require
a little more Time to unfold.
Wednesday. Upon Enquiry after what became of the u.
Effects of Wise, Clarke, and others, after their Decease;
in Pursuance of the Orders I received from the Trust; I
learnt, that there had formerly been some Care taken in
it by the Court, who had directed the Jury to make In
quisition strictly into that Affair; and they found, that
there was publick Sale made of Wise's Goods, an Ac
count whereof was returned to the Recorder Mr. Chris-
ie: Since which Time I could not find that any farther

COLONIAL RECORDS. 453
Notice was taken of it; nor could I get any Information, 1739.
whether the Money arising by that Sale, or any Part of Novemb.
it, was paid to Mr. Christie, or any other: Wherefore I
applied to the Magistrates, and told them, that there was
a Box in Mr. Christie's Custody with two Locks upon it,
whereof he kept one Key, and one of the Magistrates
another; it would be very needful for them all together
to look into that Box, and see what Papers were in it
that might be of Value, &c. and they appointed so to do
to-morrow; and in the mean while to give Notice to Mr.
Christie to be there with them. In the Evening Ensign
Maxwell, and Quarter-Master Wansell arrived from St.
Simon's; by whom I received a Letter from the General
of the nth Instant, relating to Mr. Douglass's having
Leave to sell his great House which he had built here:
The former in his Way to Frederica Fort at Port-Royal,
from whence he was to detach ten Men to go with him
to the South; and the other came to look into the Goods
and Stores that had been lodged in this Town by Colonel
Cockran at his first Coming, and lay here ever since:
But now the General had ordered them all to be taken
hence, and carried to the South.
Thursday. The Magistrates met, and together with 15-
Mr. Christie opened the Box, wherein were found divers
Papers, giving an Account of the Effects of several Per
sons deceased; and among others, those of William Wise,
which had been most of them sold, as beforementioned;
and the Particulars charged to sundry People; whereof a
Return had been made to Mr. Christie by the Jury that
was directed to make Enquiry into it; and the Sum
amounted to 20 /. and odd; but how to come at the
Knowledge of what had been paid, and to whom, was
not to be easily discovered; Mr. Christie pleading Igno
rance of it; and denying that he had ever received any
Money on that Account: Wherefore that Nut was a little
too hard for us to crack yet, and required our farther
Endeavour to come at what we wanted. After so wet a

454 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Summer, the Air was so thin and purified, that our Win- ^it^
ter began earlier than common, with sharp Frosts for Novemb.
some Days past; which made it very delightful, and
probably would conduce much to the Health of the Peo
ple: But it behoved such as were nursing up Vines, and
Oranges, &c. to take good Care of those especially which
were young and tender: And it was now Evident from
Experience, that all such Kinds of Plants thrived the
better, the nearer they grew to the Sea, where the Frost
is less severe.
Friday. This Day passed over without any Thing 16.
notable: But late in the Evening we received the ill
News of the Death of Captain John Cuthbert, by the
Arrival of Scroggs from Carolina. The State of War
which we were now in, occasioned the General to revive
the Company of Rangers, which Captain McPherson be
fore had the Command of, till broke: And now they
were to consist of thirty Men, well horsed, and armed,
whom this Gentleman was to command; and he was
lately sent into Carolina, together with his Lieutenant
Scroggs, by the General's Order, to buy Horses, &c. be
ing furnished with Money for that Purpose; but he un
happily sickened and died in that Country: Whereupon
Mr. Scroggs, after securing his Papers, Money and Ef
fects, and seeing him buried, now returned; and the
News of his Death occasioned Grief to many People,
being a good-natured, sprightly Man, generally beloved;
and it was believed by all, that he would have acquitted
himself well in that Post. He had made considerable
Improvements upon his five hundred Acres up the River
Savannah, and was judged to have one of the best Plan
tations yet in the Colony: He died unmarried, leaving a
Sister (who took Care of his House) dangerously ill here,
insomuch that her Death was feared, when we little ex
pected to hear of his; and whether she will survive him
long or not. none can tell.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 155
Saturday. All that I found material to be observed, i™^
was, that some of our wise Reformers (who would in all Novemb.
Things be meddling) thought it worth their peculiar
Care, to be providing such an Administrator, to the Ef
fects of our deceased Friend, as they judged fit for that
Purpose, and in the same Manner as was attempted when
Mr. Dyson died {vide Sept. 17 and 18.) all was to be
done in a Hurry: But it happened, that every Body did
not agree with them in that Opinion; for which Reason
it was thought proper to defer the farther Consideration
of it to another Day.
Sunday. Mr. Habersham read the Service of the 1*.
Day, and a Sermon after it, setting forth the Operation
of the Spirit upon a new Birth, etc. (out of which Au
thor I know not) which was a Subject some of the Au
dience were pretty well tired with heretofore.
Monday. The Affair of an Administrator was renewed 1
by such as began it the other Day; and Mr. Jones being
applied to on that Occasion, he sent to Mr. Parker and
me to be present at the Time it was debated: When in
Answer to what was urged in Behalf of the Creditors
(of whom Dr. Tailfer and Mr. Jenkins alledged they
were the chief, one a Victualler, and the other a Dis
penser of Physick) they were told, that the Trust also
were Creditors, and must be looked on as such; but it
appeared very strange to us, that they should offer at it,
when they knew the Deceased had a Sister yet living,
who undoubtedly claimed a Priority; and if she should
fail, possibly some other near Relation might be found,
who had a Right of Preference to either of them; more
over, that it was the universal Practice of the Civil Law
Courts, to allow a certain limited Time in such Cases,
for any Person concerned to offer a Claim, if they had
any to make in their own Behalf, or to enter a Caveat
against any other. For the Satisfaction of all then pres
ent, it was thought not amiss, that a List and short In-

456 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ventory should be taken of the ready Money, Notes, "89-
Bills, or the like found upon him at the Time of his De- Novemb.
cease, and now in Custody of Mr. Scroggs: Which ap
pearing to be no inconsiderable Sum, and being well
known to be Part of what the General had advanced for
the Purposes aforesaid; it was thought proper to commit
it to the Care of Mr. Scroggs again, to carry to the Gen
eral where he was to go: And in the Evening I wrote
what I thought needful to the General; as Mr. Jones also
did, to be ready for the same Bearer, who was to set off
in the Morning.
Tuesday. Mr. Scroggs went off early for St. Simon's. 23.
In the Afternoon arrived Lieutenant Dunbar, and Cap
tain Aeneas Mackintosh, whom the General had sent to
Fort Augusta, to enquire after some Chicassaw Indians,
that lived in that Neighbourhood remote from their own
Nation, in a vagrant Manner; but were looked on by all
as a daring, bold People: And some of these the Gen
eral had expected before he went hence. These Gentle
men now told us they were coming, and we might expect
them to-morrow or next Day; that they were but few
(under thirty) but were pickt Men, all Warriors, led by
experienced Chiefs, and might be esteemed more than
equal to a hundred common Men.

Wednesday. Nothing occurred to my Knowledge
this whole Day, that I thought deserved any Notice here.
Thursday. What happened most remarkable this
Day, was the Receipt of a Packet from the General,
brought me by Mr. Upton, who came from Frederica last
Sunday: Enclosed in it I found a small Packet directed
to the Trust from his Excellence, together with one to
Lieutenant Governor Bull; one to Mr. Pinkney, Speaker
of the Assembly; one to Captain Warren, commanding
his Majesty's Ships at Charles-Town; and one to Colonel
Palmer, at his Plantation in Carolina: All which I was

21.

22.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 457
to send forward by the first Opportunity. The Letter w®j
to Colonel Palmer, I guess, might be in Return to an Novemb.
handsome Offer which I heard the Colonel had made to
.his Excellence; that in Case he had any Design upon
Augustin, he (the Colonel) would attend him with an
hundred and fifty good Men, and himself at the Head of
them, under the General's Command, on that Enterprize.
Such a seasonable Complement (if punctually performed)
might be a good Example to others in that Province to
do the like: But from the Behaviour of too many of
them towards this Colony, I doubt we have little Reason
to expect much Assistance from them; though it is evi
dent, that whatever good Success may attend our Gen
eral's Toil in Arms, they will be sure to find the Benefit
of it in Carolina. The first Blood spilt, that we heard
of in these Parts, since the War broke out, unhappily
fell to our Lot: The General acquainting me, in a Letter
he was pleased to write me by this Packet, that the
Enemy had attacked and murdered two Highland Men
in Amelia; and from Mr. Upton I gather some particular
Circumstances thereto relating: But first it is to be un
derstood in what Posture we were there, when this hap
pened. Amelia Island is the fartherest Look-out we
have against the Spaniards, where a Scout-Boat was sta
tioned with sixteen Men belonging to her, who were to
relieve one another as the Service might require; they
who staid ashore employing themselves' in cultivating
Land, whilst the rest were upon Duty: To these the
General added a Serjeant's Guard of twelve Men; and
as some of each Sort had Wives and Children, they
might be computed as near forty in all; who were forti
fied with a Palisade, &c. and two or three small Pieces
of Cannon, to command any Boat passing that Way. It
happened (as I am told) that three of the Scout-Men,
straggling unwarily into the Woods, were attacked in the
Manner aforesaid, when two of them were thus slain;
and the third being missing, it is believed he is carried
off Prisoner: One of those killed being scalped, and the

458 COLONIAL RECORDS.
other's Head taken off, it is not doubted but the Authors J739-,
of it were Spanish Indians, who landed unseen at the Novemb.
Back of the Island, and stole their Way thus privately
to do it. At the Hearing of ten or eleven Guns fired
(which discovered them to be at least that Number) our
People were alarmed, and made all the Haste they could
to come up with them; but they fled in such Haste, that
they got off unseen, before we could intercept them.
The General, on the first Hearing of it, got what Boats
he could find, and went in Pursuit, with about fifty Men,
hoping some where or other to repay them: And it is
supposed he went for the River St. John's, where there
is a Spanish Settlement: But as this is known to himself
alone, it is only guessing his Designs at Random.
Friday. As the greatest Danger we imagine our- 23.
selves exposed to in this Colony, may be from such In
dians as are in the Spanish Interest; whom it is pretty
hard to distinguish from our Friends, in Case they strag
gle far Northward; though our neighbouring Indians
know them well: The General's Orders to me in Yester
day's Packet, were to give out in Orders here, that no
Person should presume to go into the Woods in these
Parts without arms, at their own Peril; which I took
Care to publish accordingly.
Saturday. The Indians (partly Chicassaws, and partly 21.
Euchies) who Messieurs Mackintosh and Dunbar told us,
were coming to us on Tuesday last, arrived here this
Day; and we received them with all Demonstration of
Friendship: They appeared highly pleased to hear of
Action began by the Spaniards, and seemed to thirst for
some of their Blood in Requital,
Sunday. The Prayers of the Church continued to be 5.
read by Mr. Habersham. It was with great Uneasiness
I waited to send off the General's Packet to the Trust,
with other Letters, which have been ever since Thursday

COLONIAL RECORDS. 459
last in my Custody; and not doubting but they were of "39.
the greatest Importance, I feared the Blame would fall Novemb.
on me for such a Delay; for which Reason I had several
Times applied to Mr. Jones (who had all Boats and Serv
ants at his Command here) to assist me in sending away
that Packet; but he still put me off, in telling me there
was no Boat or Hands to spare; for that they were all
employed in the Service, some one Way, and some an
other: But had the General sent his Packet to him, I
well knew he would have shewn his Diligence, and lost
no Time in it; though he was in no Care what Reflexions
might fall on me.
Monday. Mr. Bradley having absented himself ever 20.
since the 13th, when he went off in the Manner then set
forth; and having a little before bought a small Skooner,
under Pretence of trading with it to the Northward; but
since his Departure, it being observed, that divers of his
best household Goods were privately put on board by his
Son, from the House he was removed to, near the Water
side; his Creditors grew alarmed at it; and two of them
having before got Judgment for their Debts, now made
haste to take out Execution (which hitherto they had de
layed) and stopt the Vessel from proceeding, intending
to make Sale of Effects sufficient to pay what was owing
to them. No Token yet appeared how, or when, I
might discharge my Duty, in sending off the General's
Packet to the Trust, with other of his Letters; which
threw me into the utmost Impatience, and I could not
forbear remonstrating it to Mr. Jones in such a Manner,
that he must perceive I was determined to acquit myself
of whatever ill Consequence might attend it.
Tuesday. Mr. Jones, with Mr. Upton, acquainted me, 27.
that a Boat would be provided this Evening, wherein Mr.
Upton was going to Charles-Town; and if I thought
proper, it would be a good Convenience for me to send
what I had in my Care: I thought so too, since I could

460 COLONIAL RECORDS.
come at none sooner, and resolved so to do: But as Mr. ^__
Upton told me, when he brought me that Packet last Novemb.
Thursday, that he designed soon to go to Charles-Town
on Business of his own; I could not avoid surmising,
that either this Delay was contrived to accommodate
Mr. Upton when he was ready; or else that Mr. Jones
had Letters to write by him which were not sooner per
fected: Whereas I had not allowed myself to write more
than a few Lines to Mr. Verelst, dated the 25th; every
Day and Hour expecting to be called on in haste, for
what I had ready at a Moment's Notice; and now deliv
ering into Mr. Upton's Hands immediately the General's
Packet, together with one from myself; writing to my
Correspondent Mr. Hopton, at the same Time, to take
special Care (as indeed he had always done) to forward
them by the first Ship for England.
Wednesday. Mr. Upton went off for Charles-Town 28.
very early in the Morning; and in an Hour or two after,
the Indians under the Conduct of Lieutenant Dunbar,
accompanied by the Quarter-Master Wansel, after re
freshing themselves here a few Days, made the best of
their Way to the General in the South. The late Ac
counts we had from Charles-Town acquainted us, that
that Place was growing pretty healthy again; but the
Numbers swept away by Death in some Months past,
during that grievous Sickness, occasioned a melancholy
Appearance of the Inhabitants, who were much thinned;
and that it was hardly known, when so few Ships were
there, as at present; but that probably might be owing
to the present State of War we are in, it being supposed
that few English Ships would put to Sea, but as they
found Opportunity of Convoy, the first Part of their
Voyage. Thursday. The Court now sat again, according to 29.
the ordinary Course; when a Grand Jury was sworn;
and leaving them to present what was properly cognizable

COLONIAL RECORDS. 461
when the Court met again, they adjourned till to-morrow. w®^
More ill News of People wrecked and lost at Sea, came Novemb.
to Town by a Boat which arrived this Day from Charles-
Town; who reported, that in his Way hither, he saw the
Wreck of a Boat upon a small Island, with her Stern
beat out, but her Mast and Sail standing, the People that
were in her being supposed to be drowned; for that it
appeared she had struck on the North-Breakers off St.
Helena Sound, in attempting to go without all: From
whence it was feared it could be no other than a Boat of
Mr. Upton's, %mich Was laden at Charles-Town by his
Order, and which he had impatiently expected here for
some Time, wondering why she staid so long; and it was
most likely, that good Part of the Business which he
went hence about Yesterday Morning, was to enquire
about her: And in few Hours after this, we were more
confirmed in the Belief that this Report was true: For
as it was known the Cargo was of considerable Value,
being partly Butter, Soap, Candles, &c. for his own re
tailing (which were all much wanted in this Town) and
partly several Coils of Rope and Cordage, belonging to the
General, for rigging small Vessels in the South, together
with some Casks of Pitch and Tar, and a Parcel of Saddles
for equipping the Troop of Rangers; we had it now cer
tified to us, that what Goods remained yet in the Wreck,
were some Casks of Butter, and some of the Coils of
Rope; being such as were not liable so immediately to
be lost, as the other Part of the Loading; and the Owner
of the Island was taking an honest Care, to save what
could be saved; but the Persons in her, nobody doubted
their being lost; which were four Hands, whereof An
drew Barber, as Patroon, had the Direction, who was
looked upon as a pretty good Pilot within Land; and I
fear his attempting to go without, at this Time of the
Year with a Boat loaden, hardly can he justified.
Friday. There remained now no farther Question of so.
the Truth of Yesterday's News, which came confirmed

462 COLONIAL RECORDS.
from all Hands, and withal, that two of those Men lost "39.
were said to be Soldiers belonging to Captain Norbury's Novemb.
Company at Port-Royal; which we wished might not
prove as true as the rest. The Court sat again; but the
Recorder being taken so ill, that he said he could not
avoid going home, they broke up, after doing little Busi
ness, and adjourned till to-morrow. This being St. An
drew's Day, which the Scotch never fail to celebrate an
nually, and look on it as a friendly Act in such as join
them; I went in the Evening to shew the Regard I had
for their Society; as Mr. Jones also did, and several
others; when we passed it away inoffensively, with Chear-
fulness, without entering into any political Arguments,
which could not well take Place at this Time; the usual
Committee at Jenkins's well knowing, that divers of
their own Countrymen were possessed of Sentiments
very different from theirs; as also were several others
then present.
Saturday. Once again the Court sat to little Purpose; D>cemb.
for the Recorder did not appear, by Reason of his Indispo
sition, who had the most material Papers relating to
what was to come before them at this Court: Wherefore
the Grand Jury was discharged, after delivering into
Court what Presentments they had to offer; and then the
Court adjourned farther to Monday the ioth Instant, in
Expectation they might by that Time find all Things
ready to proceed on. The Magistrates, as well as Mr.
Bradley's Creditors, having Reason, from good Informa
tion, to believe that he was actually buying some Sows,
and other Stock in Carolina, with Design to return hither;
that no Discouragement might be given him in it, they
took off the Attachment that was on the Skooner, allow
ing her to proceed, and his Son in her, to his Assistance;
taking Care at the same Time, that no ill Use was made
of this Indulgence, by carrying off hence any of his
best Goods and Effects. {Vide Nov. 26.)

COLONIAL RECORDS. 463
Sunday. Mr. Habersham read the Prayers of the 1739.
Church, as he used to do, during Mr. Norris's Ab- Decemb.
sence in the South.

Monday. Mrs. Matthews calling here on her Way
to the General at St. Simon's, and seeing Mr. Jones, he
had the Opportunity of writing Letters hither; which I
missed, for want of timely Notice: However, Mr. Eyre
coming to Town soon after, in Company with Mr.
Holmes, an Indian Trader from the Cherokee Nation,
whither he was sent so long since by the General, as the
29th of September last (see the Notes of that Day) and
was now on his Return to the General; I could make
good that Defect. He was so kind to call upon me im
mediately on his Arrival, when I delivered him the
Packet that was committed to my Care, which came with
the other Letters by Captain Thompson, and which I re
ceived about a Week after Mr. Eyre was gone, from his
Kinsman, one of the honourable Trustees; and it was
Matter of great Joy to him, as therefore it was a Pleas
ure to me: For he was esteemed by every Body as a good-
natured Gentleman, very active in his Duty, and wanted
not Resolution and Spirit sufficient to carry him through
all Parts of it with Bravery. He had not the good For
tune to meet with that Success immediately which he
expected, in Execution of the Commission he carried;
which was occasioned partly through the great Mortality
among them, which had swept away great Numbers of
their best Men; whereof the Cause was set forth in some
Affidavits I sent by the General's Order in my Letter of
the 25th of September to Mr. Verelst, as it is also noted
in my Journal of that Date; and their chief Warriors
now happened to be all abroad upon their Hunt, which
is carefully and duly observed by all Indians, and gen
erally holds two or three Months at a Time, when per
haps they wander on that Employment some Hundreds
of Miles: But Mr. Eyre had now with him one of their
principal Leaders, who would attend the General with

Decemb. 8.

464 COLONIAL RECORDS.
him, and give his Excellence Assurances of a great Body "39
of chosen Men, that would certainly join him early in
the Spring: But as for the common Run, Mr. Eyre
wisely chose to meddle with none of them: For such as
stay at home, on these appointed Seasons of being abroad,
are looked on by their own People, as good for nothing;
and he rightly judged, that the General wanted none
such as must be fed and cloathed, without any good
Service to be expected from them.
Tuesday. This Day I laid hold of, to make another
Visit to my People, and provide for their intended Move
ment to my other Plantation near Vernon River. At my
Return my Ears were presently filled with the Talk which
almost every Body had at their Tongue End, of Mr.
Scroggs's being defrauded of a great Sum of Money,
which it was supposed was done by picking his Pocket
of a Letter-Case, wherein were Notes to the Value of
about 70 /. Sterling, and was Part of that Money which
the General had advanced to Captain Cuthbert, to buy
Horses, Mr. Scroggs having waited in the General, from
whom he was newly returned with this Sum for the Pur
pose aforesaid {vide 16 and 20 of November;) but now
in all Appearance was thus cheated: Which occasioned
various Conjectures, but all at Random: It was certain
that the Letter-Case, with the Notes in it, was seen in
his Hands, in an honest Man's House in Town; where
he was also seen to put it up again, about an Hour or
less before it was lost: The next Question then was, what
Company he had been in since; and it did not appear
that he had sat down any where, nor could he remember
that he had associated himself with any one, only as he
might accidentally, in common with others; three Persons
he particularly remembered he had talked with, in that
casual Way: But as they were all well known in Town,
and lay under no suspicious Character, there could be no
Accusation against them : Mr. Jones (who had good Ex
perience in detecting Roguery) told me he had made use

COLONIAL RECORDS. 465
of the best Skill he had, in his Enquiry; but it was past 1739.
his finding out yet: And so it remained till some lucky Decemb.
Accident or other possibly might give us more Light an
other Time.
Wednesday. What I had several Times before heard 5.
as a flying Report only, I had such farther Information
of, that I now took it for Truth, viz. that Messieurs Ster
ling, Baylie, Grant and Douglass, seeing no Hopes left
of obtaining Negroes, or Prospect of settling in Georgia
to their own Liking, were determined, and preparing, to
try their Fortune on the Banks of the River Savannah,
in Carolina, about fifty or sixty Miles by Water short
of New-Windsor. This by some few, very few, was
looked on and talked of as a considerable Loss to the
Colony; but People of more Discernment could not
think so; for what Loss can it be to any Place, if such
leave it, who will put their helping Hands to no Good
in it? Which these Persons have evidently shewn they
had no Intention of: The Committee at Jenkins's will
indeed hereby lose so many trusty Members, who never
failed constant Attendance; and I conceive the total
Dissolution of that mutinous Assembly is approaching,
Discord of late being crept in among them, and some of
them now thinking themselves pretty good Adepts in
the political Way, sometimes differ in their Sentiments,
about what they have been so long forming Schemes in
vain for, and refuse paying implicit Obedience to the
Dictator any longer; who, if Fame is to be credited, or
he himself believed, is also threatening to leave us to
ourselves, and remove to some Island or another in the
West-Indies.  May Georgia suffer no greater
Loss, and all will be well.
Thursday. Messieurs Eyre and Holmes, lately ar- 6
rived from the Cherokee Nation, preparing to set off for
the South this Day, and attend the General there; I
wrote by them to his Excellency, inclosing divers Let-
30 c r— v 4

466 COLONIAL RECORDS.
ters and Papers that came to my Hands, designed to be ™j^,
sent him. I had no sooner finished what I had to do, Decemb.
and delivered it to Mr. Eyre just taking Boat, when a
Packet was brought me from the Trust, forwarded by
the Attorney-General at Charles-Town; who sent me a
Letter with it, dated November 5, wherein he wrote me,
that he had just then received it by Captain Nicholson,
newly arrived in the Minerva from London, who had a
tedious Passage of twelve Weeks: And the Passage
which this Packet had from Charles-Town, was much
after the same Rate; the Fellow who had the Charge of
it, though a Freeholder here, loitering at Port-Royal by
the Way, on Business of his own; so that it was a full
Month in coming from Charles-Town. I luckily stopped
the Gentlemen a few Minutes, and the Tide pressing
them away, I had just Time to deliver to them for the
General, what I received for him from England, together
with other Letters that came with it from Charles-Town ;
but had no Time to write him any more than that I had
before done. Afterwards I had Leisure to peruse Mr.
Verelst Letter to me, dated the 10th of August; which
was so near after the Date of the former per Capt.
Thompson, that the Purport of it chiefly was, to inform
me of the Substance of the Act, which the honourable
Trustees had prepared for his Majesty's Approval, and
which, when printed, would be sent hither.
Friday. Ensign Maxwell having finished what he had 7.
to do in Carolina by Order, returned with the ten Sol
diers detached from the Garison at Port-Royal: And in
the Evening Mr. Upton also came back from Charles-
Town: who found all that had been reported here, too
true, concerning the Loss of his Boat and Cargo; but
was of Opinion there was Roguery in it, and that the
Men were not drowned, but run away, after plundering
the Boat of what was most valuable and portable; which
they might do easily, he said, and go to some remote
Place on the Coast, by the Help of a Canoe they had

COLONIAL RECORDS.
with them: And what induced him the more to suspect ra^
it was, that some Trunks, which had the most valuable Decemb.
Things in them, were found broke open, and stript. The
Truth of which might in Time be discovered. He brought
me a Letter from Mr. Hopton, informing, that he had re
ceived the Packets which I committed to Mr. Upton's
Care the 27th ult. and that they came in very good Time
to go for England, in the Ship Endeavour, Captain Al
exander Hope, who was just upon sailing, and to whose
Care he had committed it.
Saturday. Ensign Maxwell proceeded South, to- 8.
gether with his Detachment of Soldiers. News came in
the Evening of another sad Accident, that happened to
a poor Man, who was at Work (among others) for Mr.
Habersham, by his Appointment, on a Tract of upwards
of five hundred Acres of Land, which was newly run out
by the General's Order, next adjoining to mine near
Vernon River; and in the falling of a Tree, the Man was
killed by a small Branch of it. The Intent of this Land
being run out, was, that it might be ready for Mr. Whit
field's converting to a proper Use whenever he came;
and whatever Use that shall be, this that Mr. Habersham
pursues is preparatory to it. Nothing more worth noting;
but sufficient for this Day, may be said, was the Evil
thereof. Sunday. Mr. Habersham continued, as he had done, 9,
to read the Prayers of the Church, and a Sermon.
Monday. Captain Davis having now got his Snow 10
ready for sailing, after a pretty deal of Time spent in
equipping her for the Design of privateering; she fell
down to Tybee in order for a Cruize; but not being yet
sufficiently manned, he would wait there for more Hands,
which he expected: She was a neat-built Vessel, sailed
well, and of good Force, if well manned, carrying about
twenty Guns mounted on Carriages, besides Swivels; and

468 COLONIAL RECORDS.
required at least a hundred Men. A Jury of twelve "'».
Men were impanelled, and sent to sit in Inquest on the Decemb.
Body of the poor Man, who lost his Life on Saturday;
who found it Accidental Death, and saw the Body buried:
His Name was Gardener, had some Land allotted him at
Skeedoway, where he lived a little while, and cleared a
small Piece of two or three Acres; but grew weary and
deserted it, more than two Years since, as divers others
have done; and lived of late by letting himself out to
Hire. Tuesday, ) Nothing more than common requir- 11.
Wednesday. ) ing my Attention in Town, my prin- 12.
cipal Care these two Days was, to promote and hasten
forward the Work I had begun at my new Plantation;
which at first setting out was attended with many new
Expences; and I found it necessary to begin de novo
with those Hands which I was to employ there, by pro
viding them with new Axes, Houghs, &c. and a new Set
of Cloathing from Head to Foot, both Linen and Wool
len, to be added to what they were now wearing out, of
what was last provided for them: And as they were
henceforward to be employed at such a Distance from
hence, that they could not be supplied so frequently as
formerly with what they might want, it would be also
necessary to lay in such a Store of Provisions, as might
be sufficient for their Wants a while to come, of all Kinds.
Thursday, A little Disorder, occasioned bv a Cold 13.
coming upon me, made it advisable to keep home; where
I could always employ myself usefully, when well.
Friday. The same: Nothing interrupting me from 14.
abroad, I made what Advances I could with my Pen and
Ink; and found myself much better as the Day ended.
Saturday. Mr. Jones having a Desire to see Aber- 1.-..
corn (which he never had) at his Request I went up the

COLONIAL RECORDS. 469
River with him; and the rather, because one Bunyon, a n:i9.
Builder of Boats and a Settler there, had newly, by the Decemb.
General's Order, built a large Ferry-Boat, fit to carry
about nine or ten Horses at a Time, which was intended
to be kept at Palachocolas, it being a proper and con
venient Pass on this River from that Fort: Here we
found the said Boat newly finished, and by her Appear
ance on the Water, we judged she would well answer
the Purpose she was intended for. As there was no
Place in the whole Province, of the like Allotment of
fifty Acres each, which in my Eye seemed so desirable,
being a most pleasant Situation on the Banks of such a
River, with as good Land belonging to each Lot, as is
readily to be found in most Parts of the Province; I
never saw it but with Regret, that there never yet had
been a Number of Settlers there deserving it; but gener
ally they happened to be loose, idle People, who after
some short Abode, wandered elsewhere, and left it: It
consists of twelve Lots, the two Trust-Lots bounding
each Extream; and there are at present five Families
only remaining there, nor has there often been more at
one Time. As the Trust- Lands seem to be now in some
better Way of cultivating by their own Servants, than
hitherto; I proposed it to Mr. Jones to send down a few
German Families to work on the Trust-Lots there; which
by helping to fill the Place, very probably might induce
others the sooner to occupy Lands there also: He agreed
with me in Opinion, and said he would write of it to the
General.

Sunday. We made what haste we could home; but
the Tide not favouring us in due Time, it was past Noon
ere we reached Savannah; and a wet Day.
Monday. Most Part of the Day employed with Mr.
Jones in methodizing Accounts, which were preparing as
fast as we could to send to the Trustees. In the Even
ing I had once more an Inclination to make a Visit to

16.

17.

470 COLONIAL RECORDS.
our nightly Club; where in this Time of Scarcity of v®^
News from all Parts, I thought I should not fail of some- Decemb.
thing, either true or false; for rather than want, they
could coin: I found them now reduced to a very small
Number, three or four only; who upon my coming in
(whatever Subject they had been upon before) turned most
of their Discourse into a doleful Story of the sad State
they saw poor Georgia fallen into, and how People were
deserting it Day by Day: Which not having Sagacity
enough of myself to discover, I said I wished to know
who they were: And after a pretty long Pause upon it,
they named two or three, adding to them all the Jews in
general; which I said little to then, intending to be bet
ter informed: And by Degrees passing from one Point
to another, at length the Trustrees Answer to their Rep
resentation was to be animadverted on; which with Pa
tience I heard them a pretty while take in Pieces, and
reason upon in their own Way as they liked, offering
sometimes a Word or two myself in Vindication of what
needed none: Till at last they came to that Length as to
tell me, in plain Words, they thought it not a fair An
swer, nor Way of proceeding in the Trust, to publish an An
swer in Print, to what so very few in England had seen
in Writing; and that in Justice they should have set one
against the other, and printed them both together, where
by the World would then judge who was in the right:
Which I thought such a Piece of Impudence, that I could
no longer bear; and so I took my Leave, not likely to
trouble them, or myself about them again in haste.
Tuesday. After dispatching some necessary Business 18i
at home, being pretty eagerly whetted at what passed
last Night; I went out with a Resolution to discover, as
far as I could, what Foundation appeared for such a Talk
of Desertion, as I was then entertained with: And I was
very well assured, that not one of the Jews who were
People of Industry, or of any Value among us, had any
such Thoughts or Design, being easy and contented in

COLONIAL RECORDS. 471
the present State they lived; some of them Planters, "39.
and others in a Way of Trade; only one, who was a Decemb.
Barber,, and lived wholly by Shaving, but never improved
his Lot; another who neglected his Land wholly, and
followed no visible Business; and a third, who had not
the least Property among us, but was a Wanderer; these
three I understood had received lately some Advice
from their Friends in Jamaica, inviting them to come
thither; which they were pondering upon, and unre
solved in: And among the common Freeholders, I
could hear of none except Robert Potter, who was an
elderly Man, lately made one of the Constables, by the
General's Favour, to encourage him; from whence he
seemed to expect a Maintenance, that he had no Title
to otherwise; and therefore could not obtain it: He (it
is confessed) had of late shewn some Tokens of Uneasi
ness, and given it out, that he would not stay here and
starve, but rather try his Fortune with Captain Davis
in his Privateer; who being now upon sailing in few
Days, we should soon see how far he was in earnest.

Wednesday. My chief Employment great Part of
the Day, was to hasten on the Work I had taken in
Hand, of a new Plantation ; wherein I was not willing
to admit of loitering. Towards Evening I received by
a trading Boat just arrived, Letters from Lieutenant
Kent at Fort Augusta, informing me, among other
Things, that it was currently reported in the Nations
near us, the French were once more marching with a
great Body of Men to attack the Chicassaw Indians,
whose Fidelity to us, and whose Bravery against their
Enemies, had been thoroughly experienced: Wherefore
we could not but be in some Pain for their Defence: In
closed I found a Letter also for the General, which I
made no Doubt imported the same News, and I should
forward with all the Dispatch I could.
Thursday. Often in Conference with Mr. Jones, and

19.

472 COLONIAL RECORDS.
busy in Accounts; when between while we fell into Dis- "39.
course about those who were said to be leaving us; the Decemb.
Principal of whom being Robert Potter, and he having
now declared openly his Resolution of seeking his For-
tune in privateering, I asked Mr. Jones to tell me freely
his Opinion of him, that (without telling him mine) I
might know how well our Sentiments agreed: And with
out Hesitation, he answered plainly, that he knew him
to be a sly, old Knave, and that he only wished he might
hold his Resolution of going; which rather than he
should not, he would give Money out of his own Pocket,
that the Colony might be rid of him: Which Opinion
of his, I entirely concurred in; the same Reasons induc
ing us to think so; among which some we specified.
 As to his Religion, he put on at Times a Shew of
consistant Attendance on the publick Worship of the
Church, perhaps for a Month; and then would absent
himself from it more than twice as long, professing
himself a Dissenter; but it is generally suspected he had
no Title to the Word Protestant, for it is certain he was
bred a Roman Catholick in Ireland, and many People do
not scruple to say, that he is actually in Orders under
that Church, even now: He is universally looked on as a
great Hypocrite, affecting to go in a tattered Habit, and
complaining of Poverty; whereas it is well known, he
has good Store of better Apparel in his Chest; and as
to his Pretence of Want, scarcely any one gives Ear to
it, believing rather that he has a Miser's Hoard, which
he dares not make proper Use of: Nevertheless, utterly
to destroy all such Shams, it is well known Mr. Jones
employed him several Months at the Rate of nine Shil
lings per Week, as a constant Guard on the Office where
the publick Accounts were examining, and where all the
Books were secured, to take effectual Care lest any un
fair Dealing should be used, or Embezzlement made to
the Detriment of the Trust; and upon the late Promo
tion of Mr. Fallowfield to the Magistracy, a Vacancy of
one of the Constables happening, the General made him

COLONIAL RECORDS. 473
a Constable, to which was annexed a Payment of 10 /. J^
per Annum, intended as a Mark of his Favour for not Decemb.
subscribing the late Representation, his Excellence kindly
overlooking oil other Defects: But Mr. Jones had some
Time before discharged him from his Employment at
the Office, upon discovering some evident Tokens of his
Infidelity: This 10 /. of itself, however, was sufficient for
feeding him, and only one Daughter, which he had (a
Girl of about ten Years of Age;) and if he would have
added any Thing to it, by cultivating a little Land, as he
had formerly done, and with Pleasure he now might,
having a few Acres well cleared, he had a fair Prospect
of living comfortably; but this last Year he wholly neg
lected that, and now thought himself hardly used, for
not being maintained as he expected. This being the
true State of Mr. Potter's Case, I cannot apprehend the
Colony will sustain any Damage for the Want of him.
Two others likewise, that a pretty while since engaged
in the Privateer Service, would as little be missed: One
of them, whose Name is Elisha Foster, and by Office a
Tything-man, at whose House Capt. Davis lodged, was per
suaded to think he could not miss making his Fortune
in that Way, and entered as Quarter-Master, whose
Office was, upon taking a Prize, to stand between the
Captain and his Men, and see that every one had his
Dividend right: What Improvement he had made ashore
on his Lot, is, a pretty good little House to live in; but
in five or six Years that he has lived here, he never cul
tivated one Acre of Land, chusing to get Money any
other Ways, if he could, by some Traffick; which from
the little visible Appearance of, was generally thought
to be unwarrantable, being strongly suspected to be one
of the Number of such as furnish this Place with Spirits;
and whereof he took so plentiful a Share himself, that
it was common with him to appear publickly drunk in
the Streets in open Day. The next to be named is one
Garrett, a Sort of Quack, who had little Skill and little
Practice, settling here about three Years since, or more ;

474 COLONIAL RECORDS.
had a Freehold Lot granted him in this Town, which he '^j
kept not long, and then threw it up, refusing to do the Decemb.
Guard Duty, or discharge it by another: But both he
and Foster, we now hear, are already wavering whether
or not to pursue their intended Voyage. These were
some of the good People, whom the Company I kept
last Monday, were persuading to believe the Loss of,
would be of sad Consequence: But we happened not to
think alike; and I had good Reason to believe, that if
they stopped short from proceeding to Sea, it was not
for Want of Encouragement from them, who delighted
in nothing more than to seduce all they could from con
tinuing among us.
Friday. Early this Morning arrived a small Boat 21.
from the South (John Rea Patroon) with several Passen
gers, mostly belonging to this Place and Neighbourhood:
We all sought eagerly for News, having not had any
fresh Intelligence of late; but they could tell us little
more than that the General was just returned safe, from
the Expedition he had been upon near St. Juan's, where
the Spanish Guard Sloop lately lay that was stationed
there; but now was gone, and no Enemy appeared: The
General, we were told, advanced with his little Body of
about two hundred Men, partly Mariners, and some
Landmen, with a few Indians; but scarce any of the
regular Troops, except some Gentlemen Cadets, and
three or four Commission Officers, who obtained the Fa
vour to attend him; and with these he advanced within
a little Way of Augustin: In marching, our Indians set
up the War Whoop; which those of the Enemy's Side
understood so well, that the)' who were near took to
their Heels, and ran into the Town for Safety; only one
of our Indians overtook one of their Negroes with a
Ball, which stopt his Flight and killed him. After recon-
noitering thus far, and finding none to oppose, his Ex
cellence probably did not think it prudential to wait, and
see whether or not they would take Courage and inter-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 475
cept them with a strong Body: Wherefore he retreated vui^
homewards, but not in such haste as to neglect taking Decemb.
in Fort St. George by the Way; which was the utmost
of our Limits for a while, and given up again upon some
Terms of Accommodation as were then agreed to: Here
the General replaced now a few Men, as a Look-out, to
keep Garison, and observe what the Spaniards are
about.  This was what we could pick out from these
Passengers, who said they came off in half an Hour's
Time after the General's Arrival, who was much fatigued,
and went to take his Rest: Wherefore we next hoped for
some more authentick Advices thence by the next Op
portunity. This being his Excellency's Birth-Day, was
observed by firing some Guns, and his Health was drank
under the Flag, without any Profuseness of Powder or
Wine; which he forbid upon any publick Solemnity.
Saturday. Upon Advice received, that a small Skooner 22-
had been observed lurking for several Days past within
Ussybaw Sound, and some that belonged to her
had been ashore at one of our Plantations in that Neigh
bourhood, where by making Shew of their being in want
of many Things, they gave good Cause of Suspicion that
they had no good Design; Captain Davis was applied to,
to send out hisSloop, nowat Tybee, to prevent her getting
away by Sea: At the same Time a Boat well armed went
within Land, to lay hold of her; and Messieurs Parker
and Jones (two Magistrates) required the Master, as well
as the Men belonging to her, to be brought ashore at the
nearest and most commodious Place of landing, where
they might be examined; for which Purpose the said
Magistrates rode thither; and finding their Orders punc
tually executed, by Noble Jones, who had a Plantation
near the Place, they there examined them, and found her
navigated by four or five Hands only, without any Ap
pearance of Arms: Nevertheless, as she came from His-
paniola, laden with Spanish contraband Goods, consigned
to Messieurs Woodward and Flower at Port-Royal, she

476 COLONIAL RECORDS.
was seizable; and. moreover her lying there so many Days, "j^
gave Grounds of Suspicion, that they were founding the Decemb.
Depths of that Inlet, or something else was in their
View, which they would not own, but pretended that
they mistook their Port: She was ordered around to
Tybee, and to be secured, till we had the General's Or
ders concerning her. This Afternoon Mr. Christie came
to my House, and brought with him Messieurs Fallow
field, Theo. Hetherington and Andrew Grant, as Wit
nesses to his peremptory Demand of the Constitution ap
pointing him first Bailiff; having, as he said, fulfilled the
Conditions required of him, in making out a Copy of the
Proceedings of the Court to this Time; and putting into
my Hands a Packet with several Sheets of Paper writ
ten, the Contents to me unknown, which he put into a
Cover of brown Paper immediately; and being then
sealed with divers Seals, he delivered it to me, directed
to the honourable Trustees, and told me he expected I
would send it: To which Mr. Fallowfield, in a most in
solent Manner (as it is his usual Way) added many rude
Expressions in' a Sort of menacing, which I little re
garded; but directing my Answer to Mr. Christie, 1 told
him, that it was my Duty to transmit faithfully to the
Trust whatever was put into my Hands for that Intent,
and accordingly would take Care of this; but what Name
to give it I could not tell, unless I was better informed;
for it did not appear to me, that it was a full Copy of
the Court Proceedings; to which he replied, that Mr.
Hetherington then present could testify that it was ex
amined by his Book; but I alledged, that Mr. Hether-
ton could be no Judge whether or not that Book was
duly kept, or contained what ought to be recorded; for
it was known, that the Book itself, as well as this now
called a Copy, were all made out since the late Stop put
to delivering him the Constitution of first Bailiff, and it
was out of such 'Fragments, as it was to be feared were
never to be reduced into perfect Order; moreover, that
it was well known also there were several Fines due to

COLONIAL RECORDS. 477
the Trustees, and other Sums paid into Court, which he "39.
never yet accounted for, or charged himself with; which D?cemb.
none could so well discover how well they were taken
Notice of, as the Magistrates themselves, who I appre
hended had a Right at all Times to call for that Book,
and have Recourse to it: To which he replied positively,
that neither the Magistrates, nor any one living, should
look into his Book: And to conclude, I told him my
last Orders from the General were, that all these Mat
ters should remain as they now stood, till the Trustees
Pleasure was farther known; that nevertheless I would
write to the General who was near, for his Advice as
soon as he pleased; and that I would not fail to lay be
fore the Trustees what now passed, by the next first
Packet that I sent for England: And so they left me.
Sunday. Mr. Habersham continued to read the pub- 23
lick Prayers, &c. during the Absence of a Minister. Some
Persons came up to Town from Tybee, belonging to a
Sloop Privateer which came from Providence Island,
that anchored at Cockspur last Night: Their Business
was with the General, to get their Commission improved
and strengthened by him; but missing him here, they
would lose no Time in going to find him at St. Simon's:
They had taken some small Prizes from the Spaniards
(as they said) which they sent home, but they told us a
Privateer belonging unto Rhode-Island had the good
Fortune lately, though but a small Sloop with forty
Hands, to take a rich Spaniard lately on the Spaniards'
own Coast, with such a Quantity of Silver aboard, that
they shared four hundred Dollars apiece, besides solid
Plate for the Use of a Church, and many rich Bro
cades, &c.
Monday. The most remarkable Occurrence of this 24.
Day was the Arrival of a Sloop from Philadelphia, be
longing to Mr. Whitfield, which he had bought, and sent
hither, filled with great Variety of Necessaries for such

478 COLONIAL RECORDS.
as were to settle here: She brought seven or eight such rw^
(Men, Women and Children) besides two that had been Decemb
here, and now returned from England, namely, a young
Son of Mr. Bradley's, and one Robert How, who it
might be hoped from Mr. Whitfield's Instruction was be
come a new Man; for he carried out a bad Character
with him from hence. They made Report, that Mr.
Whitfield was coming, in Company with two or three to
attend him, by Land, thro' Maryland, Virginia, North
and South-Carolina, hither; which is computed at least
six hundred Miles; and that we might expect him here
in about a Week more.
Tuesday, Christmas-Day. Publick Divine Service 25.
was observed; as at other Times.
Wednesday. The Skooner that was taken on Suspi- 2«.
cion of unwarrantable Practices last Saturday, and ap
parently loaden with Spanish Goods, being ordered
round hither, arrived; and Col. Flower, of Port-Royal,
who was the Owner, having Intelligence what a Situa
tion she was in, thought it Time to bestir himself, and
came hither also; who alleged many Things in his own
Favour, plausible and fit to be considered; but as the
General was now in the Province, no Judicature here
would venture to decide so nice an Affair, without first
taking his Opinion and Advice: Wherefore Colonel
Flower determined to wait on his Excellence at Frederica
with all convenient Speed; when at the same Time the
Magistrates, who had acted in it so far, would inform
the General of all Proceedings. By Colonel Flower I
received the Packets sent from the Trust by Captains
Ayres and Gregory, with Letters of September 14, and
October 6; together with a Letter from Mr. Hopton (as
he never failed) now informing me, that Captain Ayres
made eleven Weeks Passage of it, by whom he had the
large Packet, and also a Box for the General: And Cap
tain Gregory, who arrived in eight Weeks, and was

COLONIAL RECORDS. 479
within very few Days of the other, brought him the vw>j
small Packet: All which he forwarded to me by Mr. Decemb.
Jonathan Bryan, who was to deliver it to Mr. Wyre, his
Correspondent at Port-Royal; and who accordingly took
this first Opportunity of sending it to me by the Colonel:
But Mr. Bryan being on Horseback, could not take the
Box with him; wherefore Mr. Hopton waited the first
Convenience of sending it.
Thursday. The whole Day taken up in writing Let- 27.
ters, and preparing many Things which required being
sent to the South, wherewith a Pettyagua was now load
ing, and a small Boat was ordered also at the Colonel's
Request and Expence; by which he purposed to make
quick Expedition to-morrow Morning; and I designed,
by the same Conveyance, to transmit to the General
what I had received for him Yesterday.
Friday. Colonel Flower's Design of setting out for 28.
Frederica, being baulked by a very wet Day, which pre
vented his going on Horseback as far as Noble Jones's
Plantation, who was to accompany him in his Passage
thence, for which Purpose the Boat was sent round
thither Yesterday; I delivered the General's Packet, and
other Letters for him, to Mr. Parker, who had engaged
to shew the Colonel the Way to Noble Jones's, his own
Plantation also lying in that Neighbourhood; and he
promised to put what I gave him the Charge of, into
Noble Jones's Hands, to deliver it all safe to the Gen
eral. Bad Weather and Christmas Holidays meeting,
occasioned a Conjunction also of Friends at one an
other's Houses, and scarcely any one to be seen abroad,
nor any Thing passed worth Note.

Saturday. Took Horse, and rode to my Plantation
(intended) at the Mouth of Vernon River, being the
first Visit I made my People since I sent them to begin
there, after they had first fenced in the full Quantity of

29.

480 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Land allotted; which was the sooner done, by Means of "39.
an Isthmus of near a Mile extent, that we set our Fence Decemb.
on, and so parted it from the Wilderness. I found them
well covered from the bad Weather, by a strong Pal-
meta Hut, which they had made as soon as they arrived;
to which in the next Place they would add a convenient
Enlargement with Clapboards in few Days more, and
then to work in falling Trees, clearing Ground, &c. I
had five Hands there, besides one that I had hired for
an Overseer, on such Terms as would make it his Inter
est to take Care they all did their Duty; and that he
also put a helping Hand to it himself. As this was
the very utmost Settlement in the Northern Division
of this Province, towards the Sea-Coast, and required
their keeping a good Look-out that Way against
the Spaniards; as well as backwards against any strag
gling Spanish Indians that should attempt to come upon
them unprovided; I furnished them with two Fusees and
Bayonets of my own, and a [Couple of Muskets I got
from the Stores for them, with Powder and Ball suffi
cient; telling them, that in Case of any Danger, I hoped
they would behave like Men; which they promised me
very chearfully; and I assured them they should want
for no Encouragement from me, that they deserved.
Returned home in the Evening; and being informed by
the Tything-man upon Duty, that there was like to be a
weak Guard to-night, through several Peoples Neglect,
&c. I gave him Charge to make a particular Return to
me, of all that was fit to be taken Notice of when he
went off his Guard; resolving to see the late Orders left
us by the General, relating to those Affairs, strictly ob
served. Sunday. Mr. Norris not yet returning, the publick 30.
Service, and a Sermon upon Justification, was read by
Mr. Habersham.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 481
Monday. The Year ended without any Thing remark- 1789.
able, after too many that I would gladly have taken no Decemb.
Notice of, had it been consistent with the Duty required
of me: But while some among us were too busy in pro
moting Discord, and tempting divers to think they might
live happier elsewhere (which few here of real Value
would give Ear to; but on the contrary saw some return
ing; heard of others who were become very miserable,
not knowing how to get their Bread, and had no Reason
to expect much Countenance here, from their former ill
Course of Life; besides what Accounts we frequently
had of several of them that were taken away by Death,
in the late common Calamity of Sickness, which fell
upon the People of Carolina, and Charles-Town espe
cially) kind Providence bestowed the Blessing of Health
in so large a Share upon this Province, that so few were
not known to have died in one Year, since the planting
of the Colony. The Camp nevertheless at St. Simon's
grew sickly, about the Fall of the Leaf, and the Soldier's
were addicted to Agues, which rendered many of them
weak; but very rarely proved mortal, they that had tasted
of the current Distemper recovering apace.
Tuesday. Great Part of this Day spent with Mr. 1740.
Jones in adjusting divers Accounts which had been ex- January
amined some Time past, in Order now to hasten them
away with what Speed we could to the Trustees; who
by their last Letters required us so to do; wherein we
had found great Intricacy: And it is a Piece of Justice
due to Mr. Jones to acknowledge, that without his Ap
plication to that Business, I see little could be done in it
by either of those Colleagues joined in Commission
with him: For as to myself, who had no Pretence to the
Rank of an Accomptant, I only tread in the Path that
he first traces out, very often through many Turnings
and Windings; and when the Light opens, so that Truth
may be more easily discovered from Error, whether by
Accident or Design, I then make use of what little
31 0 r— v 4

1.

482 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Capacity I have, to inform my Judgment, in such Man- 1740
ner that I may not set my Hand blindfold to I know not January
what; in which Pursuit I never fail to join him, whenever
he calls upon me so to do, and tells me he has Leisure.
Wednesday. In Conference with Mr. Jones on sun- 2.
dry Affairs, he acquainted me in what Manner he was
accosted by Mr. Christie; who bringing two Witnesses
with him, namely, Andrew Grant and Theoph. Hether
ington, in the same Manner as he did to me on the 22d
ult. he produced an Account which he shewed; wherein
he made the Trustees Debtors to him in a large Sum
upwards of 100 /. Sterling; and he (Mr. Jones) looking
on it as what there was no just Foundation for, told him
in a satirical Way, that they would have done well, if
they had brought their several Concubines with them,
as farther Evidence of what passed; wherein Grant and
Christie were most barefaced and scandalously culpable;
the first of these having two Bastards by one Woman,
who all cohabit with him; and the other with as little
Shame had taken to his Bed another Man's Wife (who
was run away some Time) with whom he lived in open
Adultery {vide 10, 11, 12, 13 of Oct.) Christie then
asked him how he dared issue any Money without his
Privity; to which the other replied, that he was not
looked on as a Man fit to be trusted in those Affairs,
who was known to have made several Concealments of
Money belonging to the Trustees, which had come to his
Hands; and withal he let him know in plain Words, that
his Character was grown so bad, the General declared
he would never suffer his Name to stand on the same
Paper with his. The Time drawing near of our Court
sitting again next Week; from these several Attacks lately
made, was imagined something was intended by them
when that Day came, these Proceedings being well
known to be the 'Result of our Committee of Safety;
which though now reduced to a small Number, yet like
Vipers near expiring, continue to show a Disposition to

COLONIAL RECORDS. 483
Mischief as long as they can: Of which Number Mr. "40^
Christie (as before observed) has for a considerable Time January
past made himself one; and I wish I could wholly clear
one of our new Magistrates (Mr. Fallowfield) from any
the like Imputation, who has been observed to be a
pretty frequent Attender on that Club; but how far a
Partaker of their Counsels, Time will best shew; Facts,
and not Suppositions only, being the Guide I must
follow. Thursday. The Day at length came, that had been 3.
long expected, when Captain Davis and his People took
Leave of this Place for a while, Potter and Foster, two
of our Officers (before mentioned) making Part of their
Crew; and both the Snows and Sloop lay at Tybee ready
for sailing, fitted out by Davis, who took the Command of
one of them himself, and James Williams had that of the
other: It was expected they would find good Hands, and
enough, at Providence, where they were bound first; but
they were yet poorly manned, neither could it be ex
pected they were to be found here. A New York Sloop
that had been at Frederica, and disposed of most of her
Cargo of Provisions there,  Tinley Master, stopt
at Anchor in our River; and the Master brought no Let^
ters, but reported, that the General was preparing, when
he came thence on Tuesday last, to set out on another
Expedition against the Enemy, much stronger than be
fore, resolving (as it was believed) at any Rate to drive
the Spaniards out of two Forts they had on St. John's
River: Wherein it seems some Attempt had been made
a little while since, by a small Party, under the Com
mand of a Subaltern or two, who found the Forts so
fortify'd and garison'd, that it was impracticable to at
tack them with Success, by naked Men, under no De
fence or Cover; for which Reason they then returned
re infectd after one (a Serjeant) being mortally wounded,
who is since dead: What this Master farther reported
was, that a Duel was fought lately between Messieurs

484 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Leman and Sutherland (two Ensigns) and that Mr. "*o.
Leman lay dangerously ill of his Wounds. January
Friday. Samuel Lacy coming in his Pettyagua from 4.
Charles-Town, brought Letters with him thence for the
General, to be forwarded for his Majesty's Service;
some Letters also for me, but of no great Import; and
several for other People; but no Ship arrived from Eng.
land since Captain Gregory, nor any farther News than
what he brought with him.
Saturday. Most of my Time this Day, as well as s.
for several preceding, was taken up with Mr. Jones, in
getting forward such Accounts as we possibly could, of
those which had been examined some Time past, but
had not been yet put into due Order: And what yet re
mained to be examined, supposing them to be alike
perplexed (at least several of them) it was not in our
Power to foresee with any Certainty, what Time it would
take to finish them: In the mean while I was unwilling
my next Letters should go without some Specimen of
what we had been doing; which on the other Hand
must occasion a Delay more than usual in sending away
my Packet,
Sunday. No News yet of Mr. Norris's Return from 6.
the South, or of Mr. Whitfield from the North: Where
fore Mr. Habersham continued, as he had done, to read
the Service of the Church, and a Sermon after it.
Monday. This being the ordinary Day of the Court's 7.
sitting, the Magistrates met, and opened it in due
Form; but upon calling over the Names of the Persons
summoned, both on the Grand and Petty Jury, so many
failed to appear, that they could not make out a Num
ber sufficient for either; and observing that the Per
sons on those Lists, were many of them such as were
well known to be at present far out of Town, they con
ceived that the Recorder (who had always taken that Part

COLONIAL RECORDS. 485
upon him of giving out those Lists to be summoned) "40.
had now picked out enough Absentees to prevent the January
Court's proceeding any farther: Wherefore being now
assembled together, they took Care that other Lists
should immediately be made, of the Freeholders, suffi
cient to prevent any such Defect when they met again;
which by Adjournment they appointed this Day Fort
night. Mr. Jones returned, and I with him, to hasten
on, as fast as might be, some of those Accounts the
Trustees expected.
Tuesday. The same: And I learnt nothing material 8.
from without. A New-York Sloop with Provisions, &c.
came up the River,  Ware Master;, who after pri
vately higgling about among our Keepers of Stores,
and furnishing them with what they best liked, offered
the Remainder to us; which we rejected with Scorn.
Wednesday. Colonel Flower returned from the South, 9-
where he had been to wait on the General, about his \f-
fair before-mentioned (Dec. 26 & seg.) and brought Let
ters from the General: In one of which to Mr. Jones, he
gave some Directions relating to that Skooner, which
he communicated to Mr. Parker and me; Copies whereof
he promised to send to the Trustees: And this Evening,
at. Colonel Flower's Request, the three Bailiffs and I
met him, in order to consider what to be done therein;
when it was proposed by Messieurs Jones, Parker, and
self (in order to make the Colonel as easy as could be,
in so difficult an Affair, which we were not fond of de
ciding) that the Case should be stated, and sent to Mr.
Rutledge, a Lawyer in Charles-Town, whom the General
has employed on several Occasions; desiring him to ad
vise with the Officers of the Customs thereon, and to let
us know how far we might proceed without Blame: But
the Colonel thereupon said, that if that was the Resolu
tion to be taken, he would save us that Trouble; for he
well knew, that as he could not deny but there were

486 COLONIAL RECORDS.
some contraband Goods abroad, viz. a small Parcel of "40.
Coffee and Soap, that alone would, in the Opinion of the January-
Lawyers and Custom-House Officers, condemn the Ves
sel; but he hoped we should not carry Things on with
that Rigour; since (as he said) those Things were taken
in by the Master, without Direction from him; and the
Bulk of the Cargo was Molasses and Sugar, which if
suffered to be entered, would be of Service to the Col
ony. Hereupon Mr. Fallowfield declaring, with his
usual Warmth, that the Affair was properly cognizable
by him as Naval Officer, and none else; that he would
enter the Molasses and Sugar; and as for those Goods
that were contraband, he would take them into his Cus
tody till farther Order; and the Blame (if any) he would
take upon himself; that he knew what he did, being a
better Judge of those Matters than any one here, &c.
and appearing so very positive in it, Messieurs Jones and
Parker were of Opinion not to enter into any Contro
versy with him, but to let him take his own Course; and
if any new Difficulty should arise, they would meet upon
it again to-morrow Morning: In the mean Time Mes
sieurs Jones and Parker desired I would note what
passed, that they might be justified.
Thursday. The same Persons meeting again this 10.
Morning, continued in the same Opinion as Yesterday;
and Mr. Fallowfield undertook the Whole of what was
to be done: But upon its being urged by us, that those
contraband Goods could no where be so safely and
properly lodged, as in the Trustees' own Custody; Mr.
Fallowfield thought fit to yield that Point, and promised
they should be brought to the Trust's Stores; and as for
the rest, he undertook the Colonel should give his Bond
to the Trustees, for paying the Duty on those Goods,
which Bond he would deliver to me.  Ware, Mas
ter of the New- York Sloop, going to the South, to see
if he could dispose of the Residue of his Cargo there,
I took the Opportunity of sending by him a Packet to

COLONIAL RECORDS. 487
the General, wherein were enclosed sundry Letters that imo^
came to my Hands from different Parts of the two Ja»«ary
Provinces for him, since the last I sent on the 28th ult.
In the Afternoon arrived Mr. Norris (long wished for)
from the South, and with him Mr. Eyre, the Cadet, in
his Way again to the Cherokee Nation, by Order from the
General: By whom I found the Story confirmed in all
its Parts, as related to me, and noted the 3d Instant;
Mr. Eyre having been one at the Attack of those Forts:
He told us, that Mr. Leman, who had been ill in a Fever,
occasioned by the Wound he received in that Duel, was
upon Recovery; and confirmed likewise the other En-
terprize the General was intending, and which he actually
was set out on, upon Tuesday the 1st Instant, with about
two hundred good Men, Soldiers and Volunteers, for the
Purpose before related.
Friday. Towards Noon arrived Mr. Whitfield, ac- 11.
companied by three or four in his Travels: and it luck
ily happening, that Mr. Norris arrived Yesterday from
the South, it was quickly seen with what Tempers they
met: When, to the Disappointment of some People, who
are pleased best with Contention, upon Mr. Whitfield's
shewing the Authority he brought with him, Mr. Norris,
without the least Emotion, told him, that he should by
no Means enter into any Disputes to disturb the Peace
of the Church; nor had he ever wrote once to the Trus
tees concerning it, from the first Notice he had of what
was in Agitation; wherefore it was far from his Inten
tion to enter into any Controversy with him; but on the
contrary declared, that his Ministry at Savannah ceased
from that Instant, declining to officiate at Evening Prayer
this Night, but left it to Mr. Whitfield to take Posses
sion of the Church immediately; who accordingly did
so, when a greater Congregation than usual most Days
were met, many (I fear) more out of Curiosity than De
votion. He delivered to me in the Afternoon a Letter
from Mr. Martyn, Secretary to the Trust, dated June 1,

488 COLONIAL RECORDS.
relating to the Land appointed for his Use, and whereon "40.
to set the Orphan-House, &c. which after I had read, he January
also did; and I told him I would not be wanting in any
Thing on my Part to promote what the Trust appointed,
and to give him what Assistance I could; but as to the
five hundred Acres, Mr. Habersham, without conferring
with me upon it, when the General was here, applied
himself to him, who approved of the Place he had
made Choice of, ordered it to be run out, and then
signed a Warrant, which he directed me to give the
Constable, empowering him to give Possession of it to Mr.
Habersham; which was done accordingly in some short
Time after: And that Mr. Habersham had already began
fencing and clearing upon it. After his reading his Let
ter from Mr. Martyn, he desired me to let him take a
Copy of it; which I would not refuse him.
Saturday. Mr. Whitfield lost no Time in setting 12.
forward the Work which he professed to have much at
Heart, about an Orphan-House; and rode out to view
the Land which Mr. Habersham had taken Care to pro
vide against his coming, consisting of five hundred
Acres, that he had taken Possession of in his own Name;
where Mr. Whitfield gave such Orders and Directions as
he thought proper. I met with very little Interruption
from abroad in what I had to do at home; so that I
stuck to it pretty closely: Only Mr. Fallowfield called
on me, to show the rough Draught of a Bond which he
was preparing for Colonel Flower to execute, pursuant
to what was agreed on last Thursday: But I soon found
it differed pretty much from what I expected; for it was
not made to the Trustees, but to the King; which he
said, upon considering of, he thought most proper: I
then asked him, whether or not he knew that all Re
cognizances, either for the Peace or otherwise, which in
England were made to the King, were here always taken
in the Name of the Trustees; and that he had little to
say to, but he thought it not a parallel Case: Then I

COLONIAL RECORDS. 489
asked if he did not intend to deliver the Bond, when 1740.
signed, into my Custody; which he plainly told me he January
saw no Occasion for: But as I had the Honour to serve
the Trust in the Station appointed me, I apprehended all
Things of that Kind, which so immediately concerned
the honourable Trustees, and their Interest, would be
properly lodged in my Hands: Then I asked him whose
Servant he thought himself to be ? from whom he re
ceived the Powers by which he acted ? and to whom he
believed he was accountable ? To all which he seemed
to turn a deaf Ear, and only wished I would inform him,
whether the Form of the Bond was right or not : But as
he had not fulfilled the Promise and Engagement he
was under, I thought it my wisest Way not to meddle,
or offer to mend what he had so warmly taken on him
self, exclusive of all others.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield's Name, which of late had 1:1.
made so much Noise in England, could not fail drawing
all Sorts of People to Church, who professed Chris
tianity, to hear what Doctrine it was that he preached:
When both in the Morning and Afternoon, he made our
Justification by Faith only, the Subject of his Discourse;
taking those Words in St. Matthew for his Text, "What
think you of Christ?" Which he pressed home with great
Energy, denouncing Anathema's on all such as taught
otherwise. In the Evening, at his Request, I drank Tea
with him; where Mr. Norris also came; and delivering
back to me Mr. Martyn's Letter from the Trust, which
he had taken Copy of, he told me he was so well satis
fied with the Situation of the five hundred Acres, which
he found provided for him by Mr. Habersham against
his coming, that he would lay aside all farther Thoughts
where to build his Orphan-House, being determined to
fix it on that Land, and not meddle with what Robert
Hows had resigned up to the Trust (which Lot therefore
now became void.) As this five hundred Acres was
about ten Miles from Town, after some Pause, he re-

490 COLONIAL RECORDS.
fleeted a little upon some Inconveniences which he mo.
should thereby bring upon himself, forasmuch as he pur- January
posed, where the Orphan-House was, to have a Chapel
(or Oratory) and also an Apartment for himself, intend
ing to make it pretty much the Place of his Residence,
when in these Parts: Wherefore he seemed to wish for
some Help in discharging the Office of his Ministry at
Savannah, whilst he carried on the good Work he was
upon; and for the better effecting whereof, it would be
expedient for him, after some Months Abode here, to
take another Travel, in order to get the Fund augmented
for that End: And addressing himself to Mr. Norris, he
made him an Offer of exercising his Function here with
us, at all Times when he pleased, and did not see (he
said) but it might be done very well, by his being some
times here, and sometimes at Frederica, as formerly it
had been done by Mr. Wesley, &c. But Mr. Norris re
plied, that since the Trust had been pleased to appoint
him specially at Frederica, he thought himself bound
not to neglect his Charge, which next under God he was
accountable for to the Bishop, who for his future En
couragement, had obtained a Stipend of 50 I. per Annum,
to be paid him by the Society for propagating the Gospel
in Foreign Parts, additional to what the Trust allowed.
Monday. An exceeding heavy Rain kept every body u.
within Doors all the Day; which Mr. Jones and I spent
good Part of nevertheless together; and upon my asking
(now Colonel Flower's Skooner was unladen) whether
or not Mr. Fallowfield had put those contraband Goods
into the Trust's Stores, as he engaged; Mr. Jones told
me, that there was no such Thing done; to which I re
plied, that then he had not kept his Word with me in
any one Thing insisted on, which he had promised.
Tuesday. What I thought most worth present Ob- 15.
servation, arose from the extraordinary Preparations
making to build the Orphan-House, &c. wherein Mr.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 491
Whitfield indeed shewed himself much in earnest; and 1740.
it may be presumed, he expected it would be finished in Januaiy
few Months; in order to which, there was hardly one
Sawyer of any Value in Town, but all hired, and engaged
by him to go over and work, where he meant to erect
that Building: Most of our Carpenters, Bricklayers, &c.
were likewise engaged by him, and a great Quantity of
Scantling Timber, ready sawn, was coming (as I heard)
for the more Expedition, from North-Carolina. The
House that Mr. Bradley had lived in, being empty, Mr.
Jones complimented the first Comers with the Use of,
for the present; and Mr. Whitfield chose, upon his Arri
val, to carry those Friends that came with him thither
also, as well as to be with them himself, leaving Mr.
Norris in Possession of the Parsonage-House (which
could not hold more than two or three) till he could con
veniently move what he had there, and carry it with him
to Frederica: But the great House not being finished
within, and incommodious on many Accounts, especially
by letting the Rain come through the Roof, which was
flat; Mr. Whitfield agreed with David Douglass for the
Use of his House (much the largest of any private Lot
in Town) at the Rent of 20 /. Sterling for half a Year
only; when I heard he might have rented it for a whole
Year under 30 /. which plainly shews (in my Opinion)
that he depended on the new Building to be ready for
him within that Time; and Douglass took the Advantage
of exacting so unreasonable a Rent on that Occasion.
Wednesday. This Day was mostly taken up in recti- 16.
fying many Things relating to our Militia, and the Guard
Duty; which, without good Looking into, too many were
apt to be negligent in: Wherefore I thought it my Duty
to examine particularly into all such Neglects, as I ap
prehended were growing among us, ordering a Return to
be made constantly to the Constable every Morning, by
the Tything-man going off Duty, giving an exact and
true Account how many, and who were upon Guard of

492 COLONIAL RECORDS.
his Tything, and who were absent; as also to certify "io.
what Occurrences he met with in the Night; what Boats January
came, or went (by Permit) and who were in them: And
forasmuch as in these dangerous Times, it was not im
probable but some Incendiaries might be employed by
the Enemy, secretly to make what Destruction they
could; I gave Orders, that there must be a punctual Ob
servance of the Patrol walking the Rounds on the Skirts
of the Town, once in two Hours at least: And as I
found by an Inspection, which I had before ordered to
be made, that several Arms were wanting, especially
among some who had Freehold Lots lately granted them
by the General; I took Care this Instant they should
be furnished out of the Stores, where they must be
accountable, and produce them again when required:
Then I recommended it to the Constable Samuel Mercer
(who since Potter's going off to Sea, was the only one,
till the General should appoint another) that he would be
frequent in visiting the Guard at uncertain Hours in the
Night, that they might not know when to expect him,
and to see if they were alert, or not; which I told him I
should think it my Duty also to do sometimes: He prom
ised me to observe it; and I did not doubt it, for a more
diligent Officer in that Post I never knew in Savannah.
Thursday. Mr. Whitfield going again to his new ]7.
Plantation, took Mr. Mercer the Constable with him, to
shew him the Way; but when he came there, what he
asked of him, was to give him Possession of that five
hundred Acres, as he had before done to Mr. Habersham,
who was now ready to surrender it to him, for the Use
of the Orphan-House: But Mercer desired to be ex
cused, giving his Reasons for it: Whereat Mr. Whitfield
was much displeased; and as soon as he came home in
the Afternoon, he sent, desiring me to come to him; and
when I came, he complained much of his being so dealt
with; but I explained the Cause of it to him as well as I
could, which in Substance was thus.  Mr. Habersham

COLONIAL RECORDS. 493
(his Agent here) from the Time of Mr. Norris's first Ar- 1740.
rival by Appointment from the Trust, had shewn many January
evident Tokens of Disrespect to him, and was (not with
out good Reason) suspected of stirring up, and abetting,
a little Party of angry Zealots; from whence idle Stories
were frequently spread abroad, tending to lessen Mr.
Norris's Character, which they put in Contrast with Mr.
Whitfield's, to make his appear with the greater Advan
tage, whom they expected to return again, with more
Power than ever. Be that as it would, I had the Trus
tees Orders to countenance Mr. Norris, and to join with
the Magistrates in giving him all the Assistance we could,
for the Support of his Ministry, &c. I did so; and in
some of my Letters to the Trust, vindicated him for his
unblameable Conduct: Whereupon Mr. Habersham, find
ing me an Advocate for Mr. Norris (I perceived very
plainly) appeared shy in Conversation with me, and never
uttered so much as' one Word to me about his Intention
of running out any Land for Mr. Whitfield's Purpose,
till the Work was began; tho' I then had by me the Com
mands of the Trust of the 14th of July, signifying, that
Mr. Whitfield was to consult me in that Affair: But the
General being here a while after, Mr. Habersham rather
chose to go to the Fountain's Head (wherein no one can
blame him;) and the first Notice I had of what was
doing, was from the General himself, who ordered me to
make out a Warrant for giving Mr. Habersham five hun
dred Acres of Land, in such a certain Place, under the
usual Restrictions, as I had done to others; which I did;
and when the General had signed it, I delivered it to Mr.
Habersham, who by Virtue of it, in a short Time after,
got Mercer the Constable, whom it was directed to, to go
and give him Possession of it; after which, Mr. Mercer
re-delivered the Warrant endorsed, as duly executed, for
me to keep among many others. This being really the
Case, I told Mr. Whitfield, that I could not think but
Mercer had acted very cautiously, and with Prudence,
in stopping where he did: For how could he justify it to

494 COLONIAL RECORDS.
the General, to give Possession of the same Land to an- it**-
other Person, without the same, or equal Authority? Mr. January
Whitfield said little more to it, but I saw he was pretty
uneasy; and thereupon I told him, that nothing should
be wanting in me to clear the Way with what Expedition
I could, and give him what little Assistance I was able.
Friday. This whole Day produced nothing observa- 3S-
ble, but that the late heavy Rains which had fallen this
Winter, as well as the Summer foregoing, rendered our
Ways to the several Lots almost unpassable. We began
now to look with some Impatience for some News from
the South, and to hear what Success the General met
with, in the late Expedition he went upon the 1st In
stant. Saturday. Little to observe, more than Yesterday; 19.
only hard Rains continuing, occasioned several People
travelling on Horseback, to be in great Danger of drown
ing, their Horses swimming in some Places, which had
scarce ever before been known under Water; and all the
low Lands were so flooded, that it was feared we should
hear of great Losses of Cattle; the like having not been
known (as it was said) since the first planting of the
Colony. I attended Mr. Jones again about the publick
Accounts, being urgent (as often) to send away such as
were gone through, and wishing that I might not be
obliged to send away my Packet at last without any.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield did the Duties of the Day, 20.
with more than ordinary Diligence, by reading Prayers
at Seven in the Morning; at Ten again, with a Sermon
after it; 'at Three again, the same as at Ten; and a Lec
ture at Seven in the Evening; besides the Sacrament,
which he administered to betwixt thirty and forty Peo
ple after the second Morning Service: His Sermons both
before Noon and after, in the same Manner as on Sun
day last, were wholly on the Doctrine of Justification

COLONIAL RECORDS. 495
.and Regeneration; which we hoped would ere long be ^it^
followed by an Exhortation to the Practice of all Chris- January
tian Duties, that so our Faith might be shewn by our
Works; otherwise a dry and inactive Faith, it is to be
feared, might prove a dangerous State. This Evening
Mr. Bradley returned from Carolina.
Monday. The Court now sat again, when upon call- 21.
ing over the Names of those that had been summoned
to serve upon the Grand Jury, seventeen appeared: And
whereas it had been frequently complained of, as well
by Mr. Norris in his Time of Ministry, as now of late
by Mr. Whitfield, that several Persons in this Town lived
most scandalous Lives with their Whores, and went on
impunS in open Defiance of all Laws both divine and
human, to the great Reproach of the Place in which
they lived; and therefore hoping that the Magistracy
would take Notice of it, since there could be no Process
against such notorious Offences, by any ecclesiastical
Law, where those Offences were committed: The Court
now sitting thought it high Time to take some Cogni
zance of it; and Mr. Parker (who since the Time of the
Trustees Appointment of a new Set of Magistrates, de
clined as much as possible taking upon him to act, but
in such Cases only where it was unavoidably necessary)
desiring to be excused from giving the Charge as usual
to the Grand Jury, looking on himself in no other Light,
than as one substituted by the General to fill that Place
on the Bench, till the Trustees Pleasure was farther
known (as noted 'on the 15th of October last) and Mr.
Fallowfield declining to take upon him, which he knew
himself not well qualified for: Mr. Jones undertook that
Part; and among other Things proper to be recommended
to their Consideration, insisted strongly upon it as their
Duty, to make a Presentment to the Court, of all such
Offences as came to their Knowledge, either through
common Fame, or such Evidence as might be produced,
which were committed against the known Laws of God

496 COLONIAL RECORDS.
and Man, or were contra bonos mores; particularly speci- "«>.
fying Adultery, and Inconsistency: After which, Mr. January
Whitfield, sitting near the Bench, rose, and made an
Oration, setting forth the Heinousness of such Crimes,
in very pathetick Terms; shewing that we must never
expect a Blessing on this Colony, unless the civil Power
would give all possible Assistance, in rooting out this
accursed Thing; concluding that it was his firm Persua
sion, the slow Progress that was made in the Advance
ment of the Colony, was owing to God's not permitting
it to prosper while such barefaced Wickedness was,
through Neglect, suffered to remain among us; which
every good Man was ready to allow: But I found a
pretty many who thought so, seemed not well pleased at
his taking upon him to harangue the Grand Jury with
what would more properly have come from the Pulpit;
and I myself then feared, it would have a different Ef
fect upon the Grand Jury from what was hoped and ex
pected. Tuesday. What I feared came to pass; for upon the 22.
Court's adjoining Yesterday to give Room for the Delib
erations of the Jury, they fell immediately into warm
Debates on what had happened; which held all that Day,
and came to nothing; and it was late in the Afternoon
this Day, ere they agreed upon any Thing; when they
came into Court, and delivered in a few Presentments of
ordinary Matters; but not a Word concerning what was
of much greater Consequence: Whereat the Majority of
the Court appeared displeased, and adjourned to a long
Day, namely, the 4th of February, to take Time and
consider what Expedient could be attained, how to bring
their good Designs to pass. In the Evening the Magis
trates all assembled at my House; and in Obedience to
the Command of the Trustees, knowing Mr. Bradley to
be returned to Town, they sent for him; who readily
came; and was given to understand what the Trust ex
pected of him, viz. that he must find Security for his not

COLONIAL RECORDS. 497
leaving the Colony till his Accounts were made up: "«.
Which he seemed somewhat shocked at, and plainly told January
them, he must then conclude himself utterly lost; for
that he knew not one in the whole Town who would be
his Bail; which indeed we all thought alike in: But that
occasioned a sorrowful Reflexion, what Sort of Behaviour
then he must have shewn among them, not to find one
Friend in this Time of Need, who would appear to give
him kind Assistance: The Magistrates were all unwilling
to push Matters against him with the utmost Severity,
and immediately commit him; wherefore in great Ten
derness, they allowed him till to-morrow to get what Se
curity he could.
Wednesday. In Conference with Mr. Jones this Day, 23.
about the Affair of sending off to the Trust so many of
the Accompts as had passed Examination; I found him,
I thought, a little doubtful in himself concerning it,
whether or not we ought to send them in such a Manner
by piece-meal, or defer it a little longer, till the whole
List of Debts sent us by the Trustees, to be examined
and looked carefully into, could be perfected; which it
was to be hoped in Time we might see an End of: But
as to Messieurs Causton and Bradley's Accounts, he
plainly told me, he almost despaired of getting to the
Bottom of either. And if he had such Thoughts of his
own Inability in such Work, much more Reason was
there for me to think so of mine, who never pretended
to judge of Accompts, which were so intricate especially:
But my Opinion was, that it was incumbent on us to send
what was ready, that thereby the Trustees might see, and
make some Judgment of what we had done; and to
hasten forward the Remainder as fast as we were capa
ble: Moreover I told him, that I had deferred writing a
pretty while longer than usual, which I could offer no
Excuse for, excepting my great Desire, that another
Letter might not go from me unaccompanied with some
of those Accounts, which had been fully looked into:
32 c r— v 4

49S COLONIAL RECORDS.
And he promised me it should be ready some Time next ™°j
Week, to take out of the Clerk's Hands. Mr. Bradley Jan^ary
failed in getting Security this Day, as was ordered; and
it was to be feared, another Day's Indulgence on that
Occasion would produce nothing better; which I was
sorry to see.
Thursday. Since it so happened, that Mr. Whitfield 24.
was mistaken in his Expectations on last Thursday, in
the Manner I then noted; at his Request I went with him
and Mr. Habersham, attended by two or three more of
those who followed him hither, to see what he had begun
to do on the five hundred Acres, and to know whether
any Means could immediately be used for giving him
Possession; which he appeared very uneasy at, to find
any Delay; telling me, that as the Trust had recommended
him to me to see it done, he would apply no where else:
In Answer to which, I told him I was ready to attend
hjm this Day, and any other that he should ask, and
would readily do the Thing required; but his own Agent
Mr. Habersham, by the precipitate Measures he had
taken, had put it out of my Power to do it instantly: For
as Mr. Habersham had obtained a Grant of that partic
ular^ Land from the General, which I knew nothing of,
till the General himself ordered a Warrant to be made
out, for giving Possession of that Tract to Mr. Haber
sham; which Warrant the General signed; who shall
dare take npon them, of those that serve the Trust, to
make void that Act of his, but he himself ? who un
doubtedly would set all right, as the Trust intended it,
as soon as he is informed truly of the Case. This Ar
gument (however) did not so satisfy, but that Mr. Whit
field shewed plainly he was uneasy: Wherefore, to give him
all the Satisfaction I could, I proposed it to him, that
his Friend Habersham might make a Surrender to him
of all that Tract of Land for the Uses intended, resign
ing thereby all the Right, Title, and Property, which he
has, or ever had in the same; which I would be present

COLONIAL RECORDS. 499
at, and ready to testify: Accordingly when we came "<w.
there, Mr. Habersham did so in Form, delivering to Mr. January
Whitfield a small Shrub, which he plucked up, and there
with declaring, that he surrendered all his Right, &c. in
those Lands, to him, for the Purpose intended: Which
though I knew could not be deemed taking a legal Posses
sion, forasmuch as no Surrender of any Lands (as I ap
prehend) can be made to another Person, without being
authorized by the Trust, or some Person to whom such
Power is delegated; yet they appeared content with it
for the present; and I had only farther to observe, that I
found the new-intended Work already carrying on with
a good Number of Hands, Artificers and Labourers;
which Mr. Whitfield not thinking yet sufficient, he was
sending for Men out of other Provinces, to hasten it as
fast as possible. In our Way home, falling into some
Talk of the ill Success our Attempt met with on Mon
day last, in getting Presentments from the Grand Jury,
against such Men as were become scandalous for their
Debauchery; I understood Mr. Christie had been with
him, and promised him to put away his House-keeper
(as he called her) that there might be no farther Occa
sion of Scandal; insinuating, that those Reports which
were spread of him, were very injurious, and without
any real Foundation: But I fear rather his Guilt gave
him Apprehensions, that Truth could not be withstood,
when Proof could be produced, from more than one pos
itive Evidence, of his House-keeper and himself having
only one Bed between them, which they made use of
together for a long while, and were seen so to do by a
Man and Boy Servant, who then lived with him.

Friday. Mr. Whitfield, having at his first Coming,
given Notice in Church, that he would Administer the
Sacrament there constantly on all Sundays and Holidays;
there was a Communion early at Morning Prayer, being
the Festival of St. Paul. The Occurrences of the Day

25

500 COLONIAL RECORDS.
were no more than common, and therefore not worth "4()-
Observing. January

Saturday. The great Rains ceasing for some Days
past, a smart Frost succeeded, with a clear Sky, and
pleasant Weather; but being attended with a fresh North-
West Wind, it was piercing cold, and Ice, which gen
erally goes off in the Day, returned at Nights with more
than ordinary Rigour. These sudden Extreams of
Weather, nevertheless, had no ill Effect on the Inhabi
tants of this Place, which was never known more healthy,
having scarcely one sick Person in it; nor did any Thing
happen this Day deserving more Notice than the pre-
ceeding. Capt. Thompson now was expected daily with
his Ship from St. Simon's.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield called a Congregation again,
four Times, at the same Hours as on Sunday last; and in
his Sermons before Noon and after, pursued the Doctrine
of Justification and a New Birth. Capt. Thompson ar
rived at Tybee in the Evening, and came up in his Boat,
late at Night, together with Lieutenant Horton, from
Frederica; Mr. Horton having the General's Leave to go
with Thompson for England; and to return again, after
he has dispatched what Business calls him hence.
Monday. A Boat was sent down to Cockspur to bring
up Capt. Heron, and Mr. Carteret, with their Ladies,
who all came with Capt. Thompson from Frederica; and
the Ladies were bound for England with him; and I
allowed myself the Liberty of being pretty much with
them this Day, where I had the Pleasure of hearing the
whole Relation of the Manner wherein the General pro
ceeded, in his late Expedition against the Spanish Forts,
on the River St. Juan's: One of which (it seems) was
deserted by the Enemy, since the late Attempt against
them; who judged it not tenable, in Case we returned
with another Visit: But the other they defended with

26.

28.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 501
good Resolution, till our Forces played three or four h&
small Pieces of Cannon upon them; which going thro' January
and thro,' they sent out a Flag of Truce, in order to treat
of surrendering; but the General would allow of no
other Terms, than at Discretion; which they were obliged
to submit to: It was held only by twelve Men, but so
fortified with Logs of Timber, as to be Proof against
Musket-Shot; and he who commanded, told the General,
that had he not brought Ordnance with him, he could
have withstood any Attack that could be made, if there
had been double the Number against him there was. The
General caused some new Works of Fortification to be
made, and left a Garison of thirty good Men, under a
proper Officer, to defend it. This Fort is esteemed of
great Consequence, as being a Pass where all must come,
who would go to Augustin by Land, whether they are
disaffected Indians out of the Nations, or runaway Ne
groes from Carolina; which is such a Benefit to that
Province, that it is hoped they will contribute handsomely
to strenghten the General's Hands, so as to enable him
to put these Provinces out of all Danger from Augustin
in Time coming; for nothing now stands in our Way
thither, and it is currently talked, delenda est Carthago.
Began my Letters to the Trust, but had not Time to
finish them.
Tuesday. Capt. Heron proceeded early to Charles- 29. "
Town, on the Affairs which he was charged with from
the General; and in the Afternoon Mr. Eyre took his
Way up the River in Pursuance of the General's Orders,
making what speed he could to the Cherokee Nation of
Indians; which the great Floods we had lately, forbad
him to attempt, since his Arrival here the 10th Instant,
till now. Messieurs Horton and Carteret continued here
with the Ladies, and probably might for a while, wait
ing the Time when Thompson would be ready to sail.
A Boat being upon going to the South, i.t took me up

502 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Part of this Day in writing Letters to the General and w^
others, and preparing several Papers to be sent. January
Wednesday. From Mr. Whitfield's giving Notice in 30.
Church last Sunday, that this Day was to be publickly
observed; it was expected he would have officiated him
self; but he chose rather to visit his People at the new
Settlement, leaving Mr. Norris to perform the Duty at
Church, who read the appointed Service, and a Church
Homily after it, against Rebellion: In the Evening Mr.
Whitfield read the usual Prayers, and expounded on the
second Lesson, as constantly at other Times; but took
no Notice of any Part of the Service appointed for the
Day; from whence every Body concluded he had no
Regard to it.

Thursday. I delivered my Letters, &c. this Morn
ing, which I had prepared on Tuesday, to the Care of
Mr. Upton, who was going South in a Pettyagua of his
own, which he had bought lately, and was now loaden
mostly with Corn, for the Use of the Camp and Gari-
sons, under the Conduct of a proper Patroon; he him
self going as Supercargo, and carrying on a Traffick in
various Commodities, betwixt Charles-Town, this Town,
Frederica, &c. which has often been a Matter past my
Comprehension to dive into, knowing him to have very
little or no Fund of his own; and it must be not a tri
fling Sum, that can enable him to do what he does: The
General (it is well known) has shown him Favours, since
his quitting what he had in the Neighbourhood of Fred
erica; and given him the Grant of an Island called All-
Honey, Midway betwixt this and that, where he purposes
to keep a large Stock of Cattle, Hogs, &c. which must
require also a Purse, at first setting out; but whence that
comes, may possibly be better known hereafter, than at
present: In the mean while that Mr. Upton has the good
Fortune to find such good Aid, he is certainly not to be
blamed for making as good Use of it as he can: People

31.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 503
very often advance their Fortunes by joining with an "40.
able Partner. The Day produced nothing material re- January
lating to the Publick.
Friday. This being the Anniversary Day of the Col- February
ony's first Landing here, under the Conduct of James
Oglethorpe, Esq; the Gunner asked me whether or not
he should fire any Guns, as had been formerly accus
tomed; to which Mr. Jones (then with me) answered,
no; but I was of a different Opinion, and thought the An
swer would more properly have come from me, as the
General had left the Command of all the Militia with
me, in his Absence; Who when here last, told us, that
now in Time of War, Powder ought not to be wasted in
needless Salutes, &c. Upon which Mr. Jones made that
the Foundation of his Opinion, calling it a Saving; which
I had before shewn a particular Regard to, by divers Re
strictions made, where I thought it proper; which would be
found Savings indeed, worth Notice; but to shew a Con
tempt of this Day, by such a poor Pretence, which in Effect
was a bad Compliment to theGeneral himself too, Ithought
a mean Act, and might carry such a Reflexion, as could
not easily be justified: Therefore the least I could do,
was to order five Guns to be fired; which I did, as a
Memorial; hoping that Ages to come will celebrate this
Day annually here, in a better Manner. In the Evening
a select Company of such as had Confidence in one an
other's sincere Disposition towards promoting the Col
ony's Welfare, met, and took a chearful Glass to its
Founders, Protectors, and Benefactors Healths, Mes
sieurs Carteret and Horton (now in Town) joining us;
and nothing appeared among us but Love and Good-
humour. Saturday. After the Fore-part of the Day spent with 2.
my Pen and Ink at home, the Remainder of it I dedi
cated to Improvement of Land; and having now most
of my Strength employed upon my five hundred Acres,

504 COLONIAL RECORDS.
unwilling nevertheless to throw up what I had been do- "40.
ing for two Years past nearer home, I resolved to try what February
I could do with one Hand, upon the five-Acre Lot, which
was perfectly cleared, but had made a very poor Return
hitherto, for the Labour and Cost bestowed upon it: My
Design now being to dress and cultivate such Parts of
it, as I hoped for any Benefit from, and by Degrees to
make an Orchard of it all, consisting chiefly of Mulber
ries; whereof I had already planted a pretty many the
last two Years, and now was preparing a good Number
more for the present Season. In this Amusement I
passed away a few Hours and returned home as Night
came on.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield performed the divine Office 3.
as before; but being taken with a sudden Disorder upon
me, during the Service at Eleven, I was obliged to go
out of Church home; where, after a few Hours, with a
little Help of warm Things inwardly applied, I quickly
found Relief; and at the Seven a Clock Evening Lecture,
I went again, having never yet been there; when the
Work he took in Hand, was expounding on a Chapter in
St. John's Gospel; and, indeed, he did it, I thought, with
great Perspicuity; but when he came towards a Con
clusion, he could not shut up without a Touch on his
darling Topick of Regeneration, which must spring from
a vital Principle in the Heart, infused by the Holy
Spirit; till which is made sure to us, we are all in a
State of Damnation: And the Way to attain this, is by
strong Faith, without Regard to good Works; which
will occasion great Pangs in the New Birth; and when
by struggling with God in Prayer, we have obtained his
Grace, we shall find the Holy Spirit sensibly moving
upon our Hearts, as it did. upon the Face of the Waters:
Which if any one denies, in plain he told us he lied; for
that the Warmth of the Spirit was as sensibly felt, as
the Beams of the Sun upon our Bodies: But this, he
said, was a Doctrine which very few of our modern

COLONIAL RECORDS. 505
Clergy approved of; whom he inveighed against terribly, "^
as slothful Shepherds, dumb Dogs, &c. who led their February
People dreaming on in a carnal Security to Destruction;
and that he was firmly persuaded in himself, very few
great and rich Men, and as few of our learned Doctors,
for an Age and more past, could ever see Heaven;
among whom, the Author of the Whole Duty of Man,
he verily believed, had sent Thousands to Hell: Then
he exhorted such of his Hearers as were true Converts,
to be on their Guard against all Temptations, which
they must surely expect, to try them, whether or not
they were steadfast; telling them they must meet with
Contempt and Derision, on their thus setting out on their
Way to Glory; and by and by Persecution would follow:
For Men in high Places would be offended at all Oppo
sition made to their Delusions, and then we might ex
pect undoubtedly it was at hand. These Things were
very shocking to many People, who were otherwise well
disposed. Monday. The Court sat again, as per Adjournment; 4.
dispatched some little Affairs, and farther adjourned to
the 22d Instant, not finding any Means to' revive what
they were disappointed in at their last Meeting; Some
little Good, however, came to pass, if true what was
said, that Mr. Christie in the Fright, put off his House
keeper. In the Afternoon the Magistrates and Mr.
Whitfield (by their Appointment) met at my House, to
consider of the Orphans Affair; when Mr. Jenkins, the
only surviving Trustee, shewed a great Desire he had to
be quit of that Business, as he had indeed desired many
Times before; and now upon Mr. Whitfield's telling him,
that he was ready to take all that Trouble off his
Hands; he promised to bring, and deliver into his Care, all
that he had been accountable for, to-morrow; from which
Time Mr. Whitfield engaged to free him from account
ing any farther, and his Accounts hitherto were to be
looked into as the Court should direct. During this

506 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Convention, in discoursing on the Subject-Matter of wo-,
their Meeting, a little Disputation arose betwixt Mr. February
Whitfield, and Mr. Parker, who had two Orphan-Boys
with him (their Name was Tondee) the eldest of which
being a well-grown Lad of fifteen or sixteen Years of
Age, Mr. Parker said, he thought it would be a great
Hardship to have that Boy taken from him, now he is
grown capable of doing him some Service, after living
so long with him when he could do him none: To which
Mr. Whitfield said, that the Boy would be so much the
better for him and his Purpose, as he could be employed
for the Benefit of the other Orphans: But Parker took
that to be no Answer, to what he thought himself ag
grieved in, and showed a little more Warmth than I
thought seasonable at that Time; which I blamed him
for: His Argument was, that where the Child was taken
Care of as he ought, by a good Master (which the Magis
trates might judge of) and without any Charge to the
Trust; he did suppose such a Boy not to be reckoned
an Orphan that Mr. Whitfield was entitled to by the
Trust: Mr. Whitfield then produced the Deed he had
from the Trust; which was the first Time I had seen it,
though I observed my own Name to be mentioned in it
for divers Purposes.  But enough of that.
Tuesday. Nothing of any Consequence occurred 5.
this Day. Wrote to the General by George Cuthbert.
Wednesday. Capt. Thompson's Ship having been 5.
detained at Cockspur ever since the 27th past by con
trary Winds, came up this Day, in order to deliver what
remained in her, of such Things as, per Advices I re
ceived, were designed for this Place; which I had heard
nothing more of since my being on board at Tybee the
Beginning of October last: And we would make no De
lay now in clearing the Ship, that she might return home
again, which was intended directly from this Place, where
she would find a Loading of Rice from the neighboring

COLONIAL RECORDS. 507
Plantations in Carolina, without going to Charles-Town. J^
Having some Notice, that there was like to be a thin February
Guard this Evening, I went about Bed-Time to look into
it, and found it so indeed, scarce half the Number upon
Duty that ought to be: Which was such a Neglect, as
gave me much Disturbance in my Mind, and I chiefly
imputed it to the Advantage they took, of our having
but one Constable at present to act, since Potter's going
off (viz. Mercer) who was vigilant, whenever he could
be so; but by reason of his new Plantation at a Distance,
must necessarily be out of Town sometimes, or it would
come to nothing: So that I was every Day in hopes of
receiving from the General, a Constitution of another
Constable, which by taking their Turn, would make it
easy for them both. I could at present only give it in
strict Charge to the Tything-man, to see and keep a
good Look-out, with those Men he had; and to make a
particular Report to me to-morrow Morning of all that
happened: And it was incumbent on me to use all Means,
pleasing or displeasing, that might oblige all Persons to
perform that fundamental Duty required upon Guard,
which was so essential to the common Safety of all.
While I was at the Guard, a Scout-Boat from Frederica,
as the Officer told me, arrived, whom I sent to enquire;
and he farther acquainted me, that the Patroon was gone
with Letters to Mr. Jones; but if he had any for me,
I believed he would think to-morrow Morning Time
enough to deliver them: Such was the Custom, and such
the Difference.
Thursday. As I imagined, so it was: About Eight 7.
this Morning, the Master of the Scout-Boat gave me a
Letter from the General; wherein, among other Things,
he was pleased to give a particular, and very pleasing
Detail, of his late Proceedings against the Enemy, de
scribing the Situation of all those Parts near Augustin,
with the several Forts, most of which had been aban
doned; but one which he had attacked and taken, was

508 COLONIAL RECORDS.
of very great Importance to secure a Pass there, which i™^
would prevent any Annoyance from the Spaniards upon February
the Back of this Colony: He moreover ordered a De
scription to be sent me, of the Fortification of the Town
and Castle of Augustin, and the Strength of the Garison,
how many and what Troops they consisted of: All which
I could communicate with Delight to such as wished to
hear it. Spent the Day in frequent Conference with
Mr. Jones, tending to hasten on the Accompts.
Friday. Met the Magistrates at Breakfast with Mr. 8.
Whitfield, by his Desire; where the Affair of the Or
phans was again resumed; and two or three of such as
had any in their Keeping, having shewn an Unwilling
ness to deliver up those who were now grown up pretty
well in Years, and therefore capable of doing them good
Service, especially as the planting Season was coming
on; it was the Opinion of all present, upon having Re
course again to the Trust's Deed to Mr. Whitfield, that
there was not any Exception made; but all Orphans
were included, who either were, or had been, chargeable
to the Trust: One Exception only was allowed, nem.con.
nevertheless, to be just; and that was in the Case of one
Little, an Orphan, under the Care of Samuel Mercer
(Constable) who having a particular Friendship for the
Father, and seeing the Child in bad Hands, by Leave
of the Magistrates at that Time, took him into his
Keeping; and though he was very young, promised he
should be a Charge to nobody; wherein he has not only
kept his Word, but having no other Children, besides
what came with his Wife, who was a Widow; he has
taken the same Care of him as of a Son; and from a Cow
and Calf which the Child had at his Parents Death, he
has seen them so well looked after, that from the In
crease which he has in a few Years past, probably before
he comes to Man's Estate (and he is yet not more than
eight or nine Years old) he may be looked on as a Man
of good Substance to begin the World, and make no

COLONIAL RECORDS. 509
contemptible Freeholder: This, therefore, all agreed to 1740.
be a singular Case, and fit to remain as it was. In the February
Afternoon arrived Peter Emery, in a trading Boat, bound
for Augusta from Charles-Town, whereof he was Patroon,
and brought with him a Letter from Mr. Hopton, dated
the 1st Instant, and enclosing several Letters thence to
the General; among which one from himself: With this
he also sent a Box for the General, which I took Notice
of in my Notes of the 26th of December, and which he
had attempted to send to St. Simon's by the Tartar; but
that Ship being driven back to Charles-Town by foul
Weather, he now took this Opportunity of sending it to
me thus, to be forwarded from hence.
Saturday. Samuel Lacy being ready to sail for 9.
Charles-Town, with his Pettyagua, I was glad to send
my Packet and Letters by him, dated so long since as
the 28th of January; and to accompany it, I sent one
other Packet also from Mr. Christie, which he had left
to my Care; writing at the same Time to Mr. Hopton,
to forward them per first Opportunity for London.
Wrote Letters to the South, and enclosed several to the
General, which had come to my Hands since the 5th,
when I wrote by George Cuthbert, intending to send
these off by the Scout-Boat that came hither from thence
on last Thursday, and was to return on Monday. Mr.
Parker, I understood, had delivered up Tondee the Or
phan to Mr. Whitfield's Care, which he did, he said, lest
the Trustees should be offended at him more and
more; but complained, that it was a great Loss and Dis-
. appointment to him; as indeed it must be in his plant
ing, to be deprived of the Benefit of such an Youth's
Labour, now grown to a good Stature, so as to do con
stant Guard-Duty for his own Lot. {Vid. Feb. 4.)
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield took Care that the Day should ' 10.
be duly observed, by performing Divine Service four ,'
Times, as before; and with great Vehemence, which some

510 COLONIAL RECORDS.
call Power, inforced his Doctrine of Justification by ™^
Faith, which good Works would follow of course; seem- February
ing determined to lay down this, as a Foundation for
Christians to rest on; and therefore allowed himself lit
tle Variation in handling his Subject, which he most
solemnly pronounced to be so essentially necessary to
Salvation, that without a firm Belief in its Truth, no
Person ought to make use of the Lord's Prayer, and call
God his Father, when he was undoubtedly a Child of the
Devil. From henceforth I resolved not to turn Obser-
vator, or be at any Pains in endeavouring to collect
what possibly in his Warmth might sometimes drop
from him: Nevertheless I should still think it my duty to
attend the publick Worship, whatever my Sentiments
were of the Preacher: But I feared every Body would not
be of the like Mind.
Monday. Samuel Lacy went not for Charles-Town 11.
till this Morning early, to whose Care I had delivered my
Packets for England: And this Afternoon I delivered my
Letters for the General, to John Latter, Master of the
Scout-Boat, together with the Box that I received on
Friday by Peter Emery; the Boat being to set off this
Evening: Which Mr. Whitfield made a seasonable Use
of, having it lately in his Thoughts, to go and pay his
Respects to the General at Frederica: Wherefore he rode
to his new Plantation, where the Orphan-House was
building, intending to stay and rest this Night among
his Workmen, there, or thereabout; in that Neighbour
hood, probably at Mr. Burnside's; where the Scout-Boat,
that was to go round, might take him in to-morrow Morn
ing. This being the right Season for planting Mulber
ries, wherein the General had given me Direction to de
liver out of the publick Garden what Seedlings or Suck
ers could be had thence this Year, to all such as I judged
would make a good Use of them; I made that my Em
ployment good Part of this Day.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 511
Tuesday. After little more than a Month past, since "«.
Capt. Davis went out a privateering with two Vessels February
{vide Jan. 3.) they were now both returned to Cockspur,
and the two Commanders come to Town again, in order
to get their Ships refitted, having been terribly buffeted
in a long Continuance of bad Weather, which drove
them quite off the Coast, more than one hundred and
fifty Leagues; so that their Sails and Rigging were
utterly ruined; and for want of able Sailors, they were
almost out of all Hopes of getting into Harbour again,
having not found Men to add to their Strength, since
they went so weakly out; and it may be supposed our
two brave Officers, Potter and Foster (who not content
with the Station they were in, imagined they should soon
become great Men) have taken a Surfeit of going to seek
their Fortunes at Sea, which we may soon expect they
will confess: At the same Time it is to be feared, that
unless some Means can soon be found of getting able
Men, to carry on such an Enterprise, it cannot be to
good Effect.
Wednesday. Scarce any Thing to observe. Capt. 13.
Mcintosh from Palachocolas arrived, on his Way to the
General in the South, in order to clear his Accompts,
and take his Leave of these Parts, after several Years
Continuance, purposing to take the first Opportunity of
going for his native Country in North Britain, upon Ad
vice he had received, that his Brother the Chieftain of
that Clan was dead, or near dying; and whom, as next
Heir, he was to succeed in Title and Estate. Wrote
Letters to the South, to the General, Mr. Hawkins, &c.
and inclosed several which I had lately received for the
General. In the Night arrived Jacob Matthews from the
Altamaha, where he and his Wife were settled far up in
that Country, by the General's Approbation, to keep a
Store; and he was now come to spend a few Days at
their former Habitation on this River, and then to return
again.

512 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Thursday. Capt. Mcintosh going off this Morning "40.
for Frederica, I sent my Letters by him, which I had February
prepared Yesterday; and attended Mr. Jones good Part
of the Day in getting forward the Accounts; as indeed
most other Days, what spare Time I had from other in
dispensable Business, was that Way employed; that we
might be ready against Capt. Thompson sailed, to send
what was possible for us to do, wherein he could not al
ways be alike intent. In the Afternoon he came to me
under a great Disorder of Mind, complaining of a most
outrageous Insult made upon him at the Stores by Jacob
Matthews: Who having been among our incendiary Gen
tlemen at Jenkins's (which is the Company that he al
ways kept, when in Town formerly, and Robert Wil
liams, and he, the Tailfer, were never long asunder) he
got very drunk, and it is too probable was spurred on
now, by those continual Mischief-makers, to do some
Exploit, that might shew what he dared; and (as Mr.
Jones told me) it was in this Manner.  At first he
picked a Quarrel with one of the Trust's Servants, who
was attending a Waggon drawn by Oxen, for the publick
Work; asking him how he dared to drive his Oxen?
and, without farther Words, knocked him down with his
Fist; when Mr. Jones, being near, interposed, and asked
him what he meant, by thus abusing a Servant of the
Trust, who he was bound to protect? telling him, he
must expect to answer it in another Place: Whereat
Matthews, cursing and swearing, told him he would beat
him too; and immediately coming at him, in Spite of
two or three with-holding him, gave him a Blow in the
Face, and a Kick in the Belly: After which he was hud
dled away by some of his Friends, put into his Boat,
and so sent off to his Dwelling up the River. Enquiring
of Mr. Jones what Pretence Matthews had to call the
Oxen his; he informed me, that those Oxen were as
signed by the General for common Draught, to the Care
of John Mellidge, a young Fellow, Son to one of them
that came" first over; who being a diligent Youth, the

COLONIAL RECORDS. 513
General had, among other Marks of his Favour, given 1J40.
him this farther Encouragement; and the better to be February
assured of the Use of those Oxen, Mellidge had branded
them with the two first Letters of his Name, J. M. which
Matthews now said was Jacob Matthews; though he
knew most undoubtedly they were not of his branding.
It is most likely the Venom lay next his Heart, ever
since the former Dispute about Cattle; when he thought
a scandalous Aspersion was cast at him, and his Friend
Williams, by Mr. Jones, which he kept in Memory {vid.
April 23.) but whoever was in the Right then, it is cer
tain that Matthews was much in the Wrong now. In the
Afternoon arrived Mr. Cadogan (Ensign) from Charles-
Town, where he had been sent some Time since, with
divers Dispatches to the Governor, Council, &c. demand
ing some Aid from them against the Spaniards; on which
Occasion Capt. Heron also followed him (as noted Jan,
29.) and Mr. Cadogan was now on his Way South, Ex
press to the General, with Letters from the Government
at Charles-Town, signifying, that the Council and As
sembly had agreed to raise 120,000 /. Currency (15,000
/. Sterling) for his use in carrying on the War: Which
was within a Trifle, I hear, of what the General asked:
And they have agreed also to assist him with a consid
erable Number of white Men (some say five hundred)
well appointed for Action, together with some Hundreds
of Negroes for Pioneers. So far is well; but with it (if
it is true what we hear) there comes a Stain which takes
away the Lustre of a good Act being done with an
hearty Unanimity; for it is said, the Affair was carried
on by the Majority of only one Vote: So close does their
Ill-will to this Province stick to many of them. After a
few Hours stopping here, Mr. Cadogan made what Ex
pedition he could to the General at Frederica.

Friday. Nothing came to my Knowledge worth ob
serving: My own Time was sufficiently taken up in pur
suing the Work I was daily upon, to get forward such
S3 e r— to] 4

15.

514 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Matters as it was intended to send by Capt. Thompson. "40.
Mr. Whitfield's Sloop, Capt. Gladman, arrived with some February
Stores from Carolina.
Saturday. Gave myself a little Vacancy from other 16.
Business, to attend what was doing abroad, and spent
good Part of the Day at the five-Acre Lot, in planting
Vines, Mulberries, &c. resolving (as before noted) to try
if I could not make that little Spot turn to some good
Account, which hitherto had disappointed me in what I
might reasonably have expected from it. (Vid. Feb.
2.) Sunday. Upon Mr. Whitfield's going South the Be- n,
ginning of the Week past, Mr. Norris took Care of the
Church here in his Absence, and read the Morning and
Evening Service; as he also preached this Day twice:
But he told me, he had not so much as any Knowledge
given him of Mr. Whitfield's Intention to be absent: So
strangely were they disposed towards each other. An
other unhappy Accident fell out to-day to be added to
divers of the like Sort formerly: A Boy that belonged
to Capt. Thompson, and attended in the Cabin, was
drowned: The Ship lying at the new Wharf, in order to
take in her Loading, People went in and out, on a Cou
ple of Planks laid for that Purpose; and this poor Boy
misstepping, fell in, and was lost. Mr. Upton, with his
Pettyagua, arrived, in order to carry more Provisions to
the South; as Mr. Perkins, who arrived Yesterday with
his Pettyagua, came on the same Errand, both from
Frederica; where (it is to be presumed) a large Mag
azine is necessary, for the Maintenance of such a Num
ber of Men, as the General shall think proper for any
Enterprize. Monday. Nothing particular to observe; but it was 18.
too evident in general not to observe that there was yet
but a poor Appearance of planting likely to be this

COLONIAL RECORDS. 515
Spring, from the Inhabitants of Savannah: I mean from "jo^
such, as have no other Dependence but their own Labour; Febraary
whereof I purpose to make some necessary Remarks oc
casionally, as the Year advances; that so the full Truth
and Causes being laid open, the Consequences will natu
rally follow, which either promote or retard the Progress
of this Colony in Agriculture: Such as are going on
with it, have divers of them applied to me for Mulber
ries; which by the General's Order I got what Quantity
of we possibly could; and I take Care to deliver out
such a Number of Plants, whether twenty, thirty, forty,
fifty, or to an hundred, for their Use, in such Proportion
as I know they have laboured in clearing their Land.
One Thing here I cannot but take Notice of with some
Pleasure, which is, that I find an uncommon Tendency
lately sprung up among our People of all Ranks, towards
planting Vines; wherein they shew an Emulation, if
they get but a few, of outdoing one another; and I
would be glad to encourage them in that; or any Thing
commendable; more especially where cultivating Land
has its Share, whatever be the Product; And I tell them,
that against another Season, I make no Doubt but Pro
vision will be made, in such a Manner, to get the Choicest
of Vine-Cuttings for their Encouragement; that with
their own Diligence added to it, they may reasonably
hope in a short Time to be each of them Master of a
Vineyard; To promote this, nothing seems to be want
ing but Store of Cuttings, from Vines best esteemed;
which may be procured, I hope, against another Season:
In the mean while, I expect this Year to see a very con
siderable Increase of this Plant, and the Fruit of it
shewing some Tokens of a large Recompence to the
Planter in due Time.
Shrove-Tuesday. After dispatching what I thought 19.
needful at home the first Part of the Day; in the After
noon I applied myself to the Magistrates, for their As
sistance in promoting the Guard Duty, wherein great Neg-

516 COLONIAL RECORDS.
lect had been from sundry Persons, as appeared by sev- "*o.
eral Reports made to me, from divers of the Tything- February
men, on coming off their Guard; which Reports I strictly
required always: And upon our present Enquiry, finding
there was just Cause of Complaint, we fixed upon a few
of the most culpable, to make Examples of, by the
Magistrates issuing their Warrant, to levy by Distress
two Shillings for every such Neglect committed by each
of them; hoping it would be a Means of Reformation,
when they found that paying the Penalty of two Shil
lings, was double to what it would cost any of them,
who chose rather to hire a Man in their Stead, than per
sonally to perform it themselves, that Duty coming
about once in eighteen Nights: And the Magistrates,
at my Request, issued such Warrant accordingly.
Wednesday. Mr. Patrick Houston coming to Town 20.
from his Plantation near Vernon River, whom I looked
on as a good Neighbour there, and who had made good
Improvements, by cultivating a considerable Tract of
Land, &c. called on me this Morning; and knowing he
had been lately at Frederica, we naturally fell into some
Talk about what was doing there, and how great Things
the General had in view: Among other Matters, telling
him, that I had heard from several, there was a Box
directed to me from the honourable Trustees, wherein
were said to be many Papers, which I had no Advice of
by any Letter; that the Box came by the Ship St.
George, which arrived at St. Simon's ever since the Be
ginning of January, and was now gone again; but that
I had never heard what came of that Box (if any such was
come) nor any Letter relating to it; He readily told me,
that there was such a Box directed to me, which he saw
lying in the Stores at Frederica; that what was in it he
knew not; but it was generally said to be full of Papers,
and it was believed, of some Value; for that the Master
of the Ship said he had given his Receipt for it in Lon
don, and therefore he must have a Receipt for it again,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 517
upon his delivering it; which Receipt he understood Mr. u*f^
Hawkins had given him, and taken the Box out of the February
Ship. Upon hearing this so particularly, it was indeed
a Matter of Admiration to me, what could be the Mean
ing of such dark Work; and I began to think what a
notable Correspondent I was likely to find in him whom
the Trust had appointed: Many Things occurred to my
Thoughts on this Occasion.  But no more of that now.
Thursday. A Letter came to the Magistrates from 21.
Mr. Christie, now at Thunderbolt, acquainting them,
that he was not well, and therefore could not attend the
Court that was adjourned to to-morrow. It was gen
erally talked of, and believed, that he and Mr. Hether
ington were preparing both to go for England; and as
his House-keeper and he yet stuck close together, it was
imagined, that he purposed to take her also with him,
notwithstanding what was given out of his Intention to
part with her; that Fright being pretty well over. Spent
as much of the Day as I could with Mr. Jones, in get
ting forward what we could, to go by Capt. Thomson.
Friday. The Court was opened, and adjourned far- 22.
ther to the 10th of March. This Evening the Company
returning home, that had been on their Pleasure up the
River, this very cold Weather, at Mr. Matthews's for
two or three Days and Nights past; I cannot well let it
pass unobserved, having the Appearance in it to many
People, of something pretty particular. The Invitation
was from Matthews, not many Days after the Insult he had
made on Mr. Jones; and the Company was of a very
odd Mixture: First, Dr. Tailfer and his Lady; next, Mr.
Carteret and his, together with Capt. Heron's Lady and
her Daughter (the Captain not being yet returned from
Charles-Town) then Mr. Upton and his; Capt. Thompson,
and Mr. Norris, making also Part of the Company some
of the Time. I could not learn from any of them, that
they dealt much in Politics; the very opposite Way of

518 COLONIAL RECORDS.
thinking (so well known among divers of them) forbid- wo^
ding it; but what People thought remarkable was, that February
it looked like a Piece of Daring in Matthews, to show
the World he had no Concern upon him, for that violent
Outrage he had been so lately guilty of; for which Mr.
Jones (if he had thought fit) might have sent an Officer,
and spoiled their Entertainment, by taking mine Host
into Custody, &c. but he rather chose to send a Narra
tive of it to the General, and leave it to him in what
Manner to resent it. The Truth is, Matthews's Wife has
always been in great Esteem with the General, and not
without good Reason; for being half Indian by Extract,
she has a very great Influence upon many of them, par
ticularly the Creek Nation, our next Neighbours; so
that there always has been a frequent Resort of these
People to her House; and the General would advise with
her in many Things, for his better dealing with the In
dians; taking her generally for his Interpreter, and
using her very kindly on all Occasions. A few Years
since, after her late Husband Musgrave's Death, she
thought fit to marry this Man, a hail, lusty, young Fel
low, an Englishman, and her Servant: Such a Promotion
from Obeying to Commanding, had the usual Effect,
which seldom fails; and he soon grew vain, dressing
gaily (which ill became him) and began to behave inso
lently among all he kept Company with, looking on
himself at least equal to the best Man in the Colony, from
the Substance he was possessed of with his Wife: And
Mr. Williams's Plantation lying contiguous to his on this
River, by Degrees there grew an Intimacy betwixt them,
as Neighbours; and in Process of Time, when Mr. Wil
liams, unhappily with others in Conjunction, began to
sow Discord, and draw as many as they could, of the
People in Town, into a Dislike of their Tenure, with
many other supposed Grievances which they wanted the
Power to rectify to their Humour; Matthews made one
among them: And at that Time our Malecontents so
blowed up their new Favourite among them, that he was

COLONIAL RECORDS. 519
taught to believe he ought to be distinguished, and grat- "40.
ified in whatever he asked; and that he should look February
upon himself, as a Man capable of doing great Service
to the Colony, or resenting it severely, in Case he found
himself slighted, having such a powerful Body of Men
to stand by him: But whatever Credit he gave to that,
he has several Times experienced that he was sadly mis
taken; for when in his drunken Frolicks, he has some
times attempted any Sort of Authority or Command,
over such as came occasionally that Way from the Na
tion, he seldom has failed of a good Thrashing from
them, to convince him of his Error: For though they
shew some Regard to Mary (as they call his Wife) they
shew none to him: And yet it is supposed, the good
Company he came from drunk the other Day, when he
did that Exploit, had filled his Head again with some of
their former Doctrine, that he was not to be in Awe of
any Man he had to do with. From hence some Estimate
may be made of what may be at any Time necessary to
observe of the future Behaviour of Mr. Matthews.
Saturday. Being somewhat cloyed with the close 23.
Application, I tied myself down to, of Business with my
Pen and Ink, the Week past; I gave a Loose to my In
clination this Day, and passed away good Part of it very
agreeably, at my little five-Acre Lot, in planting more
Vines, Mulberries, &c. and walking among some of the
adjacent Lots, to see what Preparation was made by any
towards planting Corn, or the like: A few such I found,
but wished it had been many more; it being high Time
now to get ready for that Work; and it would be soon
seen who intended it and who not.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield not being yet returned from 24.
the South, Mr. Norris continued to do the Office of the
Day; and preached such orthodox Divinity to his Hear
ers, as they might well understand, and ought to put in
Practice.

520 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Monday. Followed what I had to do and lost no JJ*^
Time at home, where I spent most of the Day, and February
found nothing so remarkable in it, as the exceeding sud
den Change of Seasons , the Weather for a pretty while past,
being mostly frosty, since those heavy Rains and extream
cold, thro' a strong North-West Wind, which continued
precisely till this Morning, the very last Night being as
severe as any past: And after the Sun arose, the Wind
getting round to the Southward, the Weather became
immediately as warm as we ordinarily find it in England
at Midsummer: From whence I reckon Winter is now
quite over; and it is to be wished, that the Summer
Heats may not come on so fast upon us, as to cut our
Spring short.
Tuesday. Capt. .-Eneas Mcintosh, who went hence 26.
the 14th to wait on the General, returned this Day, and
brought Letters from his Excellence at Frederica, im
porting various Directions to Mr. Jones and me, so suited
to each as he saw proper. I was very sorry to hear what
the Captain, and the Master of the Boat which brought
him, reported had lately happened in the South, viz.
that Lieutenant Dunbar, being sent out with a Party of
Men, in a well-armed Pattyagua, and a Scout-Boat to at
tend him, in order to reconnoitre the Coast, and several
Creeks which fall into the Alatamaha; they came to An
chor, where the commanding Officer saw good; and the
Scout-Boat, with some Soldiers in her, was sent off, to
make what Discoveries they could, of the Banks of the
River, and to know how far it was to any convenient
Place of. Landing: But at the same Time strict Orders
were given, that at their Peril they should not offer to
go ashore, or come any where within Musket-Shot of it:
Nevertheless these poor infatuated People seeing great
Plenty of Oranges in the Woods, growing naturally and
full of Fruit; they went ashore to gather some, but very
soon found the Consequence: For espying some Span
iards and Indians coming towards them, they retreated

COLONIAL RECORDS. 521
to their Boat, and were put off; when the Enemy fired n4o^
upon them, and killed two Men; one of whom was a February
Soldier shot in the Breast, and the other was the Master
of the Boat (appointed by the General) who was shot
into the Hind-part of his Head: Which shews the Situa
tion they were in, the first at the Oar, the other at the
Helm; whose Loss is particularly lamented by his poor
Wife, and two small Children that live here; where the
Man was a Freeholder, and his Name Francis Brooks,
formerly a menial Servant of the General's. It was far
ther reported by the said Persons, that they met with a
Spanish Launch, that had nobody in her; which they
took, and might have been sufficient to shew them, there
were some that belonged to her not far off. The Gen
eral was not pleased to mention it in his Letter to me;
but told me, he should write me farther by Mr. Whit
field, who was upon his Return hither; and who I found,
by what he wrote me, he thought had gone beyond what
the Trust intended, in taking some Orphans into his
Keeping, who were well grown, and might have been of
good Service this planting Time, to the Masters they
lived with. I can not pass over this Circumstance of the
Oranges, without a little Observation, having frequently
heard the same related, of their growing common in the
Woods: It is agreed by all, that no Beast will feed on
them, or crop them; neither will the Dropping of any
Trees annoy them, except the Pine, which will suffer no
Tree to grow by him: Wherefore I purpose to make an
Experiment this Season of putting some Hundreds of
good Orange-Seeds into the Ground, two or three in a
Hole, in such Places as I judge proper, in my new Plan
tation by Vernon River; which differs not a great deal
in Latitude from the Alatamaha: And whereas the ill
Success we have hitherto had with Oranges in this Part,
is said to proceed from being too remote from the Salt;
as well for the Influence of that Air, as that the Frost
is never so severe, as here farther up on the Freshes;
the Situation of my Land is open to the Sea: And from

522 COLONIAL RECORDS.
all this put together, I am not without Hopes that r^
Oranges, by some lucky incident or other, may in Time February
be the Product of Georgia; though this severe Winter
has left very few young ones alive, either in the publick
Garden, or in any private about us, in Spite of all our
Care. Wednesday. Capt. Mcintosh made the best of his 27.
Way this Morning for Palachocolas, in order to surrender
the Command of that Fort to his Brother, whom the
General had given a Commission to succeed him: Before
his going hence, we learnt another Piece of News, that
he brought with him from the South, far more agreeable
that the other Account which he gave, of that un
happy Disaster, viz. that a Party of the Enemy lately,
having a Packet of Letters in their Charge, from St.
Mark's, and not knowing that the Fort of St. Francis de
Pupa was taken by us, went directly thither; where they
found themselves Prisoners: And it is said, the Letters
they had with them, were of the greatest Consequence;
discovering a Design of a great Body of French, and
Spaniards, to join somewhere near that Place, and march
about the Middle of April towards the Savannah; which
they were to cross, either at Augusta, or Palachocolas,
and so come upon the Back of both these Provinces.
We could learn no farther Particulars, nor make any cer
tain Judgment what Credit was to be given to this Re
port: But it certainly behooved us to be on our Guard;
and we did not doubt, if the General got such Intelli
gence, we should be advised of it from him, and receive
his Orders thereon. A sudden Report went about Town
this Evening (whence it arose I know not) that he would
be here in two or three Days.
Thursday. My present Thoughts being pretty full of 2s.
Contrivances, how to improve that little domestick five-
Acre Lot, which lay so near under my Eye (while that
of much more Importance was far remote, where my

COLONIAL RECORDS. 523
chief Strength was employed) I went thither early in the 1740.
Morning, and after entertaining myself there some Hours, February
when the Heat of the Day came on, I returned home to
my ordinary Employment, where I had little to observe
at present. Mr. Whitfield with his Friend Seward, came
to Town in the Afternoon, not having it in their Power
to accomplish their Intention sooner since they went
South on Monday the nth Inst: By them I received a
Letter from the General of the 18th Instant, signifying,
that he had given 150/. by his Bill on Mr. Verelst,
as Money advanced towards building the Church; and
recommending it to me to assist in forwarding that
Work; having at the same Time Regard to the Season of
the Year; in not discouraging planting, by hiring labour
ing Hands, &c. and in his Letter to me per Capt. Mcin
tosh, which I received on Tuesday last, he was pleased
to tell me his Opinion freely in relation to the Orphans,
by sending me a Paper inclosed, which was a Duplicate
of what we had sent Mr. Jones; at the same Time ad
vising me to acquaint the Trustees with what is done re
lating to the Orphans, the Orphan-House, and the
Church: Which I have noted most commonly in the
foregoing Pages, particularly on the 4th and 8th of this
Month; and sundry other Places, since the Time of Mr.
Whitfield's Arrival on the nth of January; and shall
for the future be observant not to fail therein.
Friday. A Negro Slave that belonged to the late 29.
Mr. Dyson, whom he kept in a clandestine Manner to
and fro betwixt the two Provinces, being laid hold on by
the Magistrates, after his Master's Decease here, and
kept in Custody; the General sent Orders to Mr. Jones
to sell him; wherein consulting me, I was of Opinion it
should be at a publick Sale by Auction: In Pursuance of
which, publick Advertisements being fixed up Yester
day, that the .Sale would be this Morning; it was so; and
among several Bidders, Captain Thompson advancing

524 COLONIAL RECORDS.
highest, he bought him for 23 /. 5 s. Sterling. The rest iJ4o^
of the Day produced nothing extraordinary. February
Saturday. I could not learn any Thing this Day fit Ma'on
to take Notice of here. Capt. Thompson began to think
of falling down the River, Part of the Way to Tybee,
for more Depth of Water, doubting, as he was far ad
vanced now in his Loading, lest he might be taken up by
some Shoal; and being past such, he would take in the
rest of his Loading there, Wherefore I was now, to
gether with Mr. Jones, to get ready with all Diligence,
what Papers we meant to send by him.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield went on without slacken- 2
ing his Rate of four Times a Day, weekly, in praying,
preaching, expounding and administering the Sacrament:
Wherein he took great Pains, exhorting his Hearers to a
steadfast, saving Faith; the same as when he preached
here last, on the 10th of February, and before: Wherein I
wished he had spared his Invectives against the Clergy.
Monday. Divers of our Pieces of Artillery lying 3
useless, either without Carriages, or such as were unfit
for Service; I had for some Time past given Directions,
to remount as many as needed it on Ship-Carriages (or
Trucks) which would be far less expensive than Field-
Carriages, and as proper for the Use intended them.
here, as the other: Which being now prepared, I ranged
them in decent Order under a Shed, from whence on any
Occasion they might with Ease be immediately run out,
and in the mean while the Carriages be preserved from
the Weather. One of the smartest Pieces on a Truck-
Carriage, I chose out to place commodiously on the new
Wharf under the Bluff; where it might be brought so to
bear, as to command the River upwards and downwards,
whenever there was present Cause for it; and all the rest
were uuder the constant Care of the Guard, at their
usual Place of Duty; which indeed was now so open and

COLONIAL RECORDS. 525

March

exposed, that I hoped the General would grant Leave, (i74o
when I saw him again, to let it be inclosed with a slight
Palisade at least, at very little Cost; which would keep
idle People among ourselves from committing any An
noyance, and playing Tricks, as sometimes they were
too apt to practice: And all Strangers coming and going
would see that we were disposed to be in earnest.
Tuesday. Mr. Minis going South this Morning, in
order to dispose of the Provisions which arrived lately
in a Sloop there, Capt. Tingley from New-York; which
Goods were consigned to Minis; I wrote Letters by him
to the General, in Answer to those, I received by Capt.
Mcintosh and Mr. Whitfield. A Boat arrived from
Frederica, wherein were two Cadets (Messieurs Wemys
and Goldsmith) sent by the General for Charles-Town,
whither they were hastening without Delay; by whom
we learnt, that the General was coming quickly after,
and bound to the same Place, which we judged was in
order to confer with the Government of that Province,
concerning the future Attempts intended against the En
emy, now the Council and Assembly had voted such an
Aid. Another Boat came in from the South this Morn
ing, which was also bound for Charles -Town, on Traf-
fick; in which was one Mr. Ramsay, who brought me a
small Packet from Mr. Hawkins, in Return to what I
wrote him of the 13th ult. and inclosing several Lists,
which by the Trustees Order I had called on him for:
But as to the Box sent me from the Trustees by the
Ship St. George, which arrived the Beginning of Janu
ary at St. Simon's, and which Box I had so particular an
Account of very lately by Mr. Patrick Houston {vide
Feb. 20.) and I had wrote to Mr. Hawkins, to be careful
in sending it to me per first Opportunity: The Answer
I now received from him was this, in a Postscript. "I have
" inclosed one of the Papers from the Trustees, not be-
" ing certain whether the Box is come to your Hands:
" About forwarding the same I have spared no Pains."

526 COLONIAL RECORDS.
This carries with it such a Show of  , that I know J^IL
not what to make of it, or what to call it: By his saying Maren
that he had sent me one of the Papers, I suppose I
am to understand, that the Box contained them and
nothing else: If so, why are they not sent me? or how
can I believe him at such an Uncertainty, whether the
Box is come to my Hands or not, after what I have
heard from Mr. Houston? These are Mysteries too
deep for me to fathom.
Wednesday. Capt. Thompson loosed his Ship from 5.
the Wharf, got up her Anchor, and attempted to fall
down the River, in order to take in the rest of his Load
ing below: But through the Negligence of the Pilot (as
it is said) the Ship ran aground on the Edge of a Marsh
near the Town, tho' there was Water more than suffi
cient in the right Course, and the Wind very fair, an easy
Breeze at West: What makes it the worse is, that it hap
pened to be just at high Water, and the Top of the
Spring Tide; so that when the Water ebbed, the Ship
laid fast on the Mud, and there remained but little Ex
pectation of her floating again till next Spring Tide. It
must not, however, be inferred from hence, that the
Navigation of this River is attended with uncommon
Difficulties, Ships that draw as much or more Water
than this, having frequently passed up and down, with
out any Obstruction, as I well know; and the Entrance
in at Tybee over the Bar is allowed to exceed all on this
Coast, many Leagues Northward and Southward; be
sides the great Advantage of so fine a Land-Mark there,
which it is to be hoped will shortly be well repaired and
strengthened, before it is too late to mend it. Mr. Pat
rick Graham, Surgeon, who has made very considerable
Improvements in building on his Lot in this Town, as
well as been a constant Planter for two or three Years
past, having Mrs. Cuthbert (Sister to the late Capt. Cuth-
bert, deceased) for his Patient, dangerously ill in a Fever,
at that Time a Lodger in his House; the Doctor took

COLONIAL RECORDS. 527
the Opportunity of prescribing Matrimony to her, as a 1740.
Specifick which he was sure would compleat her Cure; Mareh
and on consenting to take his Advice in it, they were
married at her late Brother's Plantation: Mr. Jones and
I (only) were pressingly invited to the Wedding; which
we complied with; though we could hardly persuade
ourselves to be so long idling; and we rowed up to
Joseph-Town this Forenoon, timely enough to take Part
of a good Dinner with them; but the Ceremony of the
Wedding was over, the Marriage performed Yesterday
by Mr. Norris, and consummated the same Evening: So
after two or three Hours spent, we returned to the Place
whence we came.
Thursday. Meeting Mr. Fallowfield this Forenoon, 6-
he shewed me a Letter he had received from Mr. Wil
liamson at Charles-Town, and pointed out a Paragraph
for me to read (by Direction I suppose from the Writer)
full of Scurrility and Abuse; asking how I dared with
hold Mr. Christie's and his Constitutions, which were sent
them by the Trustees? That I ought to know my Duty
to my Masters better, and should be taught to know the
Superiority of the Magistrates, under whom I was to act
only as Secretary and Letter-Carrier to the Trust; with
Abundance more such polite Strokes of his Wit: Which
I only smiled at, and told his Crony who imparted it to
me, that I hoped I needed not him for an Instructor in
my Duty; that the State of that Affair was, by Order
from the General, laid before those whom I thought it
an Honour to serve as my Masters, which I should en
deavour to do with Fidelity; nor would I be terrified
from so doing: And that as soon as I knew their Pleas
ure, I should most undoubtedly obey it; which Mr. Fal
lowfield made no Reply to; and so we parted, at the
Stores; where, with Mr. Jones, I spent great Part of the
Day, in perfecting those Accompts which were intended
to be sent by Capt. Thompson.

528 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Friday. The common Talk of the Town Yesterday, "«•
being of what passed between our two Ministers on March
Wednesday, whilst Mr. Jones and I were at the Wedding-
House abroad; Mr. Norris thought proper to give me a
verbal Relation this Day of the principal Parts of their
Conference; which being ex parte only, I must not take
upon me to judge betwixt them: But as he desired me
to take in Writing what he related, and his Credit should
stand at Stake for the Veracity and Impartiality of what
he desired might be noted; I would not refuse him nor
would I do the same on the other Side, in Case it should
be asked of me at any Time; which I had the less Rea
son to expect, because Care was taken when they met,
that two Witnesses, namely, Mr. Habersham and Mr.
Brownfield, were to be present, that they might testify
what they heard; whilst Mr. Norris was not so guarded,
who told me as follows.  " That on Wednesday
" last, understanding Mr. Whitfield had a Desire to see
"him, he went to wait on him; when he was received
" with common Civilly, and a Cup of Tea, &c. That he
" had heen there but a little while, ere the two Persons
"above-named came in as Witnesses of what was said;
" when (all farther Ceremony laid aside) he was flatly
"charged with having preached false Doctrine here,
"during the Time of Mr. Whitfield's being absent in the
"South: Wherein Mr. Norris finding himself so struck
" at, confessed he was pretty much startled, and asked
" what Testimony there was of it? To which he was
" answered, the two Persons before-mentioned were Wit-
" nesses of it, as also the following named, viz. Gladman
" (Master of Mr. Whitfield's Sloop) Hunter (an Apothe-
" cary that came with Mr. Whitfield) the Widow Vander-
" plank, and lastly Mr. Jones, who lodges at her House.
" Mr. Norris then required that they should give him
''some Particulars in Writing, of what they alleged;
" but they said they should not do that; nevertheless they
" insisted upon it, that his Foundations in general were
"false: Then Mr. Whitfield pressed him to produce his

COLONIAL RECORDS. 529
'Notes; but he said he did not think it proper to do ™^'
"that, which might give them an Advantage over him, March;
'' as they were maliciously disposed to wrest every Thing
"he had spoken, to a wrong Meaning; but upon their
" pointing out what they had taken such Offence at, he
"would stand or fall by what appeared in the Sermons
"he had preached: Then he told them, that he had
" preached here eighteen Months among them, and never
" was suspected of false Doctrine till now; that he would
"appeal to the most competent Judges in this Town, or
" Neighbourhood, touching the Orthodoxy of his Ser-
" mons; but excepted particularly against Mr. Jones, who
'' was bred a Dissenter, and had ever since his being
" here, shewn an utter Antipathy to him; and more par-
" ticularly when he preached that Sermon on Matt. vi. 23.
" (which is what he supposes they are so angry at) as
" soon as he had named his Text; Mr. Whitfield said,
" Mr. Jones had told him himself, that he took a Book,,
"and read, during the whole Sermon; which must in-
" capaciate him to judge the Connexion of his Dis
course, and render him an incompetent Judge: And
" from that Time Mr. Jones never came near the Church
"whilst he supplied it. Mr. Norris farther alleged, that
" he had received double Orders from the Bishop of
"London; and upon a strict Examination before his
" Lordship and his Arch-Deacon, had given a full and
" satisfactory Account of his Faith: To which Mr. Whit-
" field replied, that he believed so; but that he took the
" Bishop of London to be no better a Judge, or knew
" more of Christianity, than Mahomet, or an Infidel; and
" that he was now proving him to be such, having wrote
" two Letters, which he had sent to Charles-Town to be
" printed: Then Mr. Norris asked him, whether or not he
" had read that Bishop's OEconomy of our Redemption?
"Which he said he had; but that he was quite wrong,
" and that that Book was sufficient to send Thousands
" to Hell; as also Archbishop Tillotson, and the Author
"of the Whole Duty of Man: Mr. Whitfield also told
34 c r— v 4

530 COLONIAL RECORDS.
" him, that he was at Work for the Devil, and capable JJ4^
" of doing abundantly more Hurt than Dyson, or any Ma7reh
" such immoral Livers; Which Saying of Mr. Whitfield's,
"proceeded from Mr. Norris's asking him, what he had
"to alledge against him, as to his Way of Life and Con
versation? When all he had to object, was that he
" played on the Fiddle, and at Cards with the Ladies,
"and kept polite Company; adding this for a Conclu
sion, that he (Mr. Norris) had assisted him twice in
"administering the Sacrament, but that he never should
"again, or receive it at his Hands." I found nothing
fit to make any Remark on, of the ordinary Occurrences
of the Day; nor shall I offer any on this that I have
wrote: But I wish it may stop here, without any farther
Distraction among us.
Saturday. Good Luck, and a strong easterly Wind, 8.
having beyond Expectation lifted up Capt. Thompson's
Ship from where she lay, by the Help of a high Tide,
he was now got down lower in the River; so that what
Mr. Jones and I could get ready to send by him, would
admit of little Delay. It was currently reported about
Town, that Mr. Christie, together with Mr. Hethering
ton, were gone off privately for Carolina, in their Way
to England; but I was not readily inclined to believe it,
for he had more than a Year past frequently given out
such Speeches himself, of his Intention so to do; all
which coming to nothing, few People now gave Credit to
any such Talk: And a particular Esteem which he had
for Hetherington, with whom he spent a Day or two
sometimes at Thunderbolt, occasioned his going thither
lately, to give no Umbrage: But about Evening we had
certain Advice of it, that they were both gone, and had
taken their Bed-fellows with them (one his Wife, formerly
Roger Lacey's; and the other his famous House-keeper,
whom he had for a good while stuck close to.) By this
Flight I fear Thunderbolt is now almost deserted.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 531
Sunday. In my Way to Church this Forenoon, Mr. m*^
Andrew Grant met me, and shewed me a Letter he had March
just received from Mr. Christie, of Yesterday's Date,
from a Plantation on this Side Port-Royal; where he and
his Companions stopped a little, as they were going from
Charles-Town: Inclosed he had one from him to deliver
to me, wherein were some Keys; wherefore I forebore
opening it immediately, but deferred it till we came from
Church, resolving with myself to have somebody with
me, as a Witness of what the Contents of it were; more
especially as this Mr. Grant was employed by Mr. Chris
tie, to be a Witness (among others) of what passed, when
Christie made his late demand on me, to deliver him that
Constitution which appointed him first Bailiff, &c. {vide
Dec. 22.) and I well knew, that all Steps taken in such
Affairs, were the Result of that wise Council at Jenk
ins's, whereof this Grant was a steadfast Member. After
Church, I took with me Mr. Jones, together with Mr.
Grant, to my House; and opening the Letter (which was
very short) I found three Keys, which he wrote me were
the Keys of the Office, Records, and the Orphan-Box:
I said little about it to Mr. Grant, but locked up the
Keys, intending to give them to-morrow to the Magis
trates; when (as it happened) they were to assemble, per
Adjournment of the Court. Capt. Norbury, and Lieu
tenant Horton, came to Town both this Morning; the lat
ter from Charles-Town, in order to proceed at once for
England with Thompson; and the other from his Com
mand at Port-Royal, with some of his Family, whom he
purposed to send by the same Ship. Mr. Whitfield
preached, and prayed, as hitherto, sticking fervently to
the Doctrine of a New Birth, and Justification by Faith,
provided it be such, as to produce an Evidence within
ourselves, that the Spirit of God is working in our
Hearts; which he insists on, we may feel with a real
Sensation; and till that is wrought within us, we are in a
State of Damnation.

March 10.

532 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Monday. The Magistrates met at the Court-House, mm
pro forma, according to their last Adjournment; but not
finding any Matters designed to come before the Court,
to be such, as by being deferred would bring, or occasion,
any Loss or Damage to any Complainant, they adjourned
farther to the next Day, which must have been other
wise their ordinary Time of sitting in April: But before
they did so, they looked (at my Request) into the many
Defaults that were made by several, in not observing
their Guard Duty; divers of whom were fined, to pay
double the Money which they might hire a Man for, to
have do'ne Duty in their Stead; and it is hoped they will
take more Care hereafter. The Wind changing suddenly
from East to North-West, with much Lightning, be
tokened Storms.
Tuesday. We found ourselves not mistaken in Yes
terday's Prognosticks of the Weather; for a furious
Wind from the North-West blowed all this Day, and so
piercing cold, that no Day in the past Winter exceeded
it, which it was apprehended would produce a severe
Frost. An old Woman of Mr. Whitfield's Household,
who came hither, among others, when he did, dying last
Night, was buried this Evening, with a solemn Funeral;
thirty or forty little Boys and Girls walking in Pairs,
partly Orphans, and others, whom with their Parents'
Request or Consent, he had taken under his Care, sung
Psalms as they went on to the Church; then fol
lowed Mr. Whitfield, and after him the Corpse, half a
Dozen distinguished, chosen Men holding up the Pall;
and a Number of mixed People, to close the Procession,
joined them as they came by: Many People were gath
ered together at the Church, waiting; where after the
usual Prayers, Mr. Whitfield gave them a Sermon, apro
pos, on the Words Watch and pray: After which, the
Corpse was carried to the common Place of Burial, and
there interred in the ordinary Manner. This was all that

COLONIAL RECORDS. 533
came to my Knowledge of this Day's Production, which J^
I thought worth Notice, if it can deserve any. March
Wednesday. Mr. Whitfield intending for some Days 12.
past, to take a Passage for Charles-Town in his own
Sloop, bound that Way, but with-held by contrary
Winds, went off in her this Morning very early, the Wind
at West, and a cruel Frost; which it is to be feared may
prove pernicious again to the Vines, and all Kinds of
tender Plants. Robert Potter, late Constable, who so
lightly esteemed the Promotion the General had given
him to that Office, as to go a privateering, and came
lately sick ashore, died at the Widow Montaigut's Plan
tation, where he was designed by her for an Overseer of
her Negroes; and his Corpse was brought down from
thence, and buried here this Evening.
Thursday. The Rigour of the Weather abated, but 13.
continued frosty still. Allowed myself little Intermis
sion this whole Day, from attending with Mr. Jones to
examine carefully those Accompts which had passed our
Enquiry, that no Errors might escape uncorrected.
Friday. Kept close at home, copying my Journal, &c. u.
(heavy Work, but such as I dared not commit to an
other.) Mr. Minis returned home about Noon from
Frederica; by whom I wrote to the General when he
went thither (as noted the 4th Instant) but he brought
me no Letter, except one, from Mr. Houston; who re
membering what Conversation we had together when he
was here (as noted the 20th ult.) was so kind to enquire
of Mr. Hawkins at Frederica, why that Box was not
sent me ? To which Mr. Hawkins replied, it was con
signed to the General, and was in his Custody: So Mr.
Houston now wrote me: And the same Answer, I appre
hend, would have been more ingenuous from Mr. Haw
kins before, than such Trifling as he then used {vide
March 4.) I then should have ceased from, asking any

534 COLONIAL RECORDS.
farther after it; which possibly I may have given Offence U&
in, to his Excellence, by such repeated Enquiry: But I March
would not incur his Displeasure knowingly; and con
ceiving it to be my Duty to ask after any Thing that I
hear is directed to me by the honourable Trustees, and
meets with Accidents or Delays by the Way; I ought to
hope it will not be imputed to me as a Crime. Wrote
my Letter to the Trust, expecting Capt. Thompson would
sail in a Day or two.
Saturday. It was Work enough for this Day, to 15.
finish what we had been preparing to go by Capt.
Thompson, who intended to take his Leave, to-morrow.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield not returning yet from Charles- 16.
Town, Mr. Habersham read the Prayers at Church, and
a Sermon after it: Mr. Norris determining with himself
not to meddle any farther here, since the Treatment he
had lately received; some Particulars whereof he had
related to me on Friday the 7th Instant.  Capt.
Thompson had not yet come.
Monday. This Morning Mr. Norris took his Depart- 17.
ure hence; and bringing me the Keys of the House he
had lived in, desired I would not deliver them to any of
Mr. Whitfield's Followers, but to Mr. Whitfield himself,
when he came home; for that he did not know how far
the Malice, which they bore towards him, might prompt
them to further Injuries. I took all possible Care to
avoid interfering with any of their Disputes on either
Side; but kept my own Thoughts to myself, not ill
pleased that he was going; for it was evident, so long as
he should continue in this Place, there was like to be no
Peace among us.  Delivered my Packet now to Capt.
Thompson. Tuesday. Having now seen every Thing to the best i8.
of my Power dispatched, that was to be sent by this Ship

COLONIAL RECORDS. 535
for England; I was very glad of a little Respite from 1740.
that Employment, and went in the Morning early to see March
how Things stood at the five-Acre Lot, which I culti
vated, at a little Distance from the Town: There I spent
the greatest Part of the Day most agreeably, in seeing
my planting go forward, and putting various Seeds, with
my own Hands, into the Earth, partly experimental, and
partly with Expectation of the Use of them hereafter in
my own Kitchen. At my Return I was informed, that
Capt. Thompson went off in the Forenoon; and taking
with him some of his principal Passengers that yet re
mained here, namely Mr. Horton, and some Ladies, who
had lived at Frederica; he purposed to sail as soon as
he got aboard his Ship at Cockspur. In the Evening
Mr. Norris came back to Town again, disappointed in
his Passage South, by reason of the Pettyagua wherein
he was going being laden; and meeting with cross Winds,
they were obliged to lie at Anchor, uncertain when to
proceed farther.
Wednesday. By a Boat which came up the River 19.
this Morning, we were informed, that Capt. Thompson
was not sailed, the fair westerlv Wind that we had Yes-
terdav, shifting to the North-East, so he could not get
out at Tybee, till veered again to some more favourable
Point: In the Afternoon the Captain came again up to
Town, to look after a runaway Sailor, that had left him
very injuriously, at this Time especially: But little
Hopes appearing of his being retaken, he returned to
Tybee in the Night Tide, very intent upon sailing the
first Offer of a wind.
Thursday. Early this Morning, by an Express Mes- 20.
senger we were informed, that the General was on his
Passage from Frederica to Charles-Town, and would stop
an Hour or two at Thunderbolt, where he would be glad
to see Mr. Jones and me: Accordingly we set out imme
diately on foot, not waiting till Horses could be got;

536 COLONIAL RECORDS.
and found him where he had appointed: From whence, "*°-
after an Hour or two's Conference, and receiving his MaJeh
Commands in divers Matters, he proceeded; and we re
turned home about Noon. Capt. Thompson, I under
stood, lay yet windbound at Tybee.
Friday. Not having had it in my Power for a good 21.
while past, to see how my Affairs went on at my new
Plantation by Vernon River; I took this Day to myself
for that Purpose, and rode thither: The extreme Point of
which, Southward from Savannah, is near about twelve
Miles; where I designed the Place of Habitation to be.
Here indeed I was much pleased, to see what Progress
they had made, since I saw them last; having now built
several good Huts, sufficient to withstand any Weather,
and for various Uses; the principal one being made with
whole Logs, very strong, and capable of some Defence,
in Case of any sudden Attack made by vagrant Enemies,
whether Indian or Spaniards; with several Loop-holes
for the Discharge of small Arms; and my Servants there,
every one provided by me with such; which I found
clean, and in good Order; and the Appearance of a
ready Disposition in them all to make a good Use of
those Arms, if Occasion required: Another Hut made of
Clapboards for the Servants to rest in: Another to keep
Stores of all Kinds needful: Besides proper Receptacles,
for my Poultry, Swine, &c. which I saw an Increase of
in each Kind happily begun; and a very reasonable
Cause of hoping, that Multiplication may take Place
next after Increase: Near adjoining they had sunk a
Well, the Sides of which they had supported with a strong
Timber Frame; and at about seventeen or eighteen Foot
Depth, they came at excellent Water, not in the least
brackish, though within the Space of a hundred and fifty
Yards of the Salt: There was an Opening made of about
seven Acres, wherein Abundance of large Trees were
fallen, and the Ground in a good Forwardness of beino-
cleared; which, together with some more that he hoped

COLONIAL RECORDS. 537

to add to it, was intended to be planted with Corn, and
Potatoes: So that it appeared from the Whole, they had
not been idle since their being there; for it was after
Christmas they began Plantation- Work at that Place,
where it was intended to settle: And herein appeared the
Use of a good Overseer, who will both direct, and also
employ his own Hands in carrying on the Work. I was
now called upon, to give the Place a Name; and there
upon naturally revolving in my Thoughts, divers Places
in my native Country, to try if I could find any that had
a Resemblance to this; I fancied that Bewlie, a Manor
of his Grace the Duke of Montague in the New Forest,
was not unlike it much, as to its Situation; and being on
the Skirts of that Forest, had Plenty of large Timber
growing every where near; moreover a fine Arm of the
Sea running close by, which parts the Isle of Wight
from the main Land, and makes a beautiful Prospect;
from all which, Tradition tells us it took its Name, and
was antiently called Beaulieu, though now vulgarly Bew
lie; only by leaving out the a in the first Syllable, and
the u in the End of the last. After a few Hours spent
at Bewlie, my direct Way home (which I took) was
through the five hundred Acre Tract of Land, taken up
by Mr. Whitfield for the Use of the Orphan-House;
which Land adjoins to mine, as we return northerly:
And here I found the Building of that House carrying
on with great Application, and Abundance of Hands;
which it is expected will in few Months effect the De
sign: But I conceive it would have turned to as good an
Account for the Publick, if a little less Haste had been
made in that Work, which takes up so many People at
this Season, when one would wish to have seen them as
intent upon planting: Some among them probably might
have taken a little to it; but I could not promise for
many, such a Backwardness still appears among the ordi
nary, labouring People, who are apt to let themselves
out to Hire, preferring that at all Times when they can,
¦to Cultivation of Land; telling us plainly, that they are

1740.

March 21.

538 COLONIAL RECORDS.
sure of Pay for their Pains, when they work that Way; 1740. ¦
but if they trust to planting, their Families may starve. March
The Day so spent, I returned home in the Evening.
Saturday. Mr. Whitfield, and his Companions, re- 22.
turned from Charles-Town in his own Sloop; by whom I
learnt, that during the few Days he staid there,. he had
preached nine Times in various non-conforming Meeting-
Houses, and collected good Sums of Money towards the
charitable Work of an Orphan-House being promoted;
at one Sermon particularly, upwards of 70 /. Sterling:
The Carolina printed News-Papers coming with them, I
could not but observe an Advertisement in one of them,
signifying, that Mr. Whitfield had published two Letters
there; one of them shewing that Archbishop Tillotson
knew no more of Christianity than Mahomet; and the
other shewing the fundamental Errors of a Book, enti
tled, The Whole Duty of Man; which confirmed my Be
lief of what I before doubted the Truth of, when it was
told me, that he made one of his Boys throw that Book
into the Fire, with great Detestation. Mr. Hopton sent
me by this Opportunity, a few private Letters from my
Friends, which came by a Ship lately arrived from Cowes,
to his Hands; but none from London; whence several
Ships were daily expected. What I found wrote me
(as reported) relating to the honourable Trust, was so
exceedingly shocking, that I dare not commit it to Paper,
hoping it will prove to have no Foundation, and deserve
not the least Credit: Nevertheless, the hearty Zeal which
must always attend my Actions, in the Station wherein
I have the Honour to serve them, leaves me under great
Impatience till I receive their farther Commands; when
I will not doubt but such an Ecclaircisment will appear,
that no Room will be left for Jealousies and Fears.
Capt. Thompson sailed out at Tybee this Day for Eng
land.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 539
Sunday. The Church Service was performed by Mr. r^o.
Whitfield, without any Variation from his usual Method M|™n
of enforcing the Necessity of a New Birth.
Monday. A frightful Story was published this Morn- 21.
ing, of the French, and Indians in their Alliance, having
fallen upon the Chicasaws, cut off divers of our English
Traders among the Nations, particularly Thomas An
drews, one of the most noted of them; and were going
on with a View of farther Mischief, &c. But I had now
so long experienced the Use which I had found of these
bugbear Tales, that I was resolved to trace it as far as I
could, to its first Source; which at length I discovered
to be from that Mint of Scandal and Lies, which has
for so long Time past created that Uneasiness in many
People of this Colony; and who made it their Business
still to terrify weak Minds, infusing sad Apprehensions
of the Dangers that surrounded us, and sticking at
nothing they thought would make the Place odious to
the Inhabitants: Insomuch that it appeared evidently,
it was a peculiar Pleasure to them, whenever they knew any
Desertion of a Family likely to happen; which very prob
ably also was by their Advice and Persuasion. As for
the present Story, I could not find any Foundation for it.
Tuesday. It may be proper here to insert a Copy of 25.
what the General wrote to Mr. Jones, as his Sentiments,
relating to Mr. Whitfield's Proceedings concerning the
Orphan-House: Extract whereof, the General was
pleased to order, should be given me, that I might make
it known to whom it might concern, viz.
SI R (Mr. Jones)
"As for Mellidge's Brothers, I think your Representa-
" tion is very just; that taking them away to the Orphan-
" House will break up a Family, which is in a likely
"Way of living comfortably: Mr. Whitfield's Design is
"for the Good of the People, and the Glory of God;
"and I dare say, when he considers this, he will be very

540 COLONIAL RECORDS.
"well satisfied with the Boy and Girl's Return to their i™^
"Brother John Mellidge, since they can assist him: M^eh
" Upon this Head I am to acquaint you, that I have
" inspected the Grant relating to the Orphan-House; Mr.
" Seward said, that the Trustees had granted the Orphans
"to Mr. Whitfield; but I shewed him that it could not
"be in the Sense he at first seemed to understand it: It
"is most certain'that the Orphans are human Creatures,
" and neither Cattle, nor any other Kind of Chattels;
"therefore cannot be granted: But the Trust have
" granted the Care of the helpless Orphans to Mr. Whit-
" field, and have given him five hundred Acres of Land,
"and a Power of collecting Charities, as a Consideration
"for maintaining all the Orphans, who are in Necessity
" in this Province; and thereby the Trustees think them-
" selves discharged from maintaining of any: But at the
¦"same Time the Trustees have not given, as I see, any
" Power to Mr. Whitfield to receive the Effects of the
" Orphans, much less to take by Force any Orphans who
" can maintain themselves, or whom any other substan
tial Person will maintain: The Trustees in this, act ac
cording to the Law of England; in Case Orphans are
'' left destitute, they become the Charge of the Parish,
"and the Parish may put them out to be taken Care of;
"but if any Person will maintain them, so that they are
" not chargeable to the Parish, then the Parish doth not
"meddle with them: And since taking away the Court
"of Wards and Liveries, the Guardianship of Orphans
" is in their next Relations; or themselves, at certain Age,
" can chuse their Guardians; and the Chancellor, Judges,
" Magistrates, &c. have the same Inspection over the
" Effects and Persons of the Orphans, as they have over
"those of his Majesty's other Subjects: And the Effects
" and Person of Orphans are as much under the Protec-
" tion of the Laws, as those of any other of his Majes
ty's Subjects."
In Pursuance of his Excellency's Opinion thus signi
fied, John Mellidge was advised to wait on Mr. Whit-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 541
field, and desire that he should permit his younger "40.
Brother and Sister to go home to him, that they might M|™n
be helpful to one another: But upon his so doing this
Day, he told me, that Mr. Whitfield gave him for An
swer, his Brother and Sister were at their proper Home
already, and he knew no other Home they had to go to;
desiring him to give his Service to the General, and tell
him so.
Wednesday. I betook myself again to Agriculture, 25.
and passed away a few Hours at the five-Acre Lot very
agreeably, in improving it to various Purposes, as my
Inclination or Fancy led me to conceive, hoping to come
at an experimental Knowledge of what would turn to
most Advantage, and be therefore worth my chiefest
Care hereafter. Beside the usual Sorts of Bread-Kind
planted, I thought Cotton deserved a Place not too
scanty; at leastwise I would try, whether it would turn
to any Account or not; for the West-India Cotton, which
is perennial there, dies here every Winter (as I have
found) and the annual Plant which will grow in this
Country, produces plenty enough; and the Cotton is at
least equal to the other, if not better; but so full of
Seeds, that it cannot be cleansed by the ordinary Way
of a Gin, nor by any other Means than picking out with
Fingers; which is Work only for decrepid, old People,
and little Children; for which Purpose Mr. Whitfield in
tends (he says) to provide a good Stock of it, for Em
ployment of the least of his Flock. Some Hundreds
of Mulberries and Vines I had before planted, for two
Years past, besides of this Season; to which I added
upwards of fourscore of Vine-Cuttings more, which I
received the latter End of the last Week by a Ship ar
rived lately at Charles-Town from Cowes, all fresh, and
ready to put out; so promising, that I hope few or none
of them will fail; and if they are taken from those Vines
of my own former planting (as I expect) I have almost
Vanity enough to promise myself they will hardly be

542 COLONIAL RECORDS.
exceeded by any that are brought into this Colony from w&
foreign Countries: Sir William Bowyer of Bucks, who M5Jch
was curious in Gardening, especially in Vines, brought
some choice Cuttings himself out of Italy, which he
was pleased to make me a Present of a few of; and they
proved excellent in two or three Kinds: Wherefore I
hope the nearer Approach of the Sun will not make
them degenerate here, after more than forty Years flour
ishing in a more Northern Climate.
Thursday. The Town was now grown so thin of 27.
People, that few were to be met with in the Streets, ex
cept some small Remains of the political Club, who
commonly assemble in the Evening in the most publick
Parts, making a tinsel Appearance; which drew more
Ridicule than Respect from all Men of Sense; and after a
little Heat, they seldom failed in adjourning to Jenkins's,
there to pursue their usual Debates, how to improve
whatever Mischief they took in hand.  Most of our
labouring Men, and Artificers, were in full Employ at
the Orphan-House, ten Miles off; so that Planting went
on heavily, with a small Number of such as were left at
home: And from what I yet saw, it did not appear to
me, that we were to expect more than a Dozen or there
about, of the five-Acre Lots in the Neighbourhood of
this Town, planted with Care (for such as are planted
with more Haste than good Speed, and not well culti
vated at first, as well as attended closely afterwards,
I look upon to be of but very little Value.) Neverthe
less, I had yet pretty good Hopes, that we should find a
while hence something done, among some of the larger
Tracts of Land, that would be worth observing; divers
who occupied such (some by Virtue of a Grant, and some
in Expectation of a Lease, being permitted to go on)
having set themselves to work in Earnest, with such Help
as they can get; which it were to be wished they could
find more of.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 543
Friday. Little Likelihood appeared of any Altera- 1740.
tion in Favour of planting yet awhile (which Yesterday M^cn
I took Notice of) the first News I heard this Morning,
being of an able Man voluntarily lost; which looking
somewhat like a Paradox, may need a little Explanation-.
This Man's Name is JohnSellier, who holds a Freehold Lot
here by Virtue of his Marriage some Years since with the
Widow Tibeau, who has a Son grown a good hard Youth,
and trained up to Labour by his Father-in-Law Sellier.
This Lad seeing many other Boys, besides Orphans, ac
cepted into Mr. Whitfield's House, there to be instruct
ed and maintained, in Consideration of their Labour
(which several of them were capable of undertaking a
good Share of) whether through his Parents' Leave, or
any other Persuasion, does not appear; entered into that
House; where, after about a Month's Continuance, find
ing there was no Intermission, but every Hour of his
Life was fully taken up, betwixt Things temporal and
divine; grew weary, and returned home to his Parents,
liking it better to work for them, or any other Master
where he got a Penny: But his Father-in-Law Sellier has
shewn a different Way of thinking, and is grown lately
so signal a Convert, through the Power of the Word as
delivered by Mr. Whitfield, that he has bid adieu to all
worldly Care; and resolving from henceforth to be con
tent with Food and Raiment for his Labour, has given
himself up to Mr. Whitfield's entire Disposal for his Serv
ice, on the said Condition of being fed and cloathed
for Life. This Man has been as regular and orderly in
his Behaviour, and Pains-taking in planting constantly,
as most of the Inhabitants, according to his Ability; and
what he did plant, was done carefully and well; wherein
to encourage him, the General was pleased to make him
one of our Tything-men: He is a strong, healthy Man,
betwixt forty and fifty Years of Age; has left his
Wife, &c. regardless of this Colony, to make one in
building up the New Jerusalem: Young Tibeau, who left
that Station which his Father-in-Law has now taken,

544 COLONIAL RECORDS.
continues with his Mother; and it is to be hoped they "*<>•
will be able to plant their five-Acre Lot without him. Ma™n
Methinks, it is great Pity this Place should be bereft of
the Labour of such Youth, who are of Age and Strength
sufficient to maintain themselves.  But 1 must not
run beyond the Length of my Tedder.
Saturday. Mr. Norris who returned, baulked in his 29.
intended Passage (as noted on the 18th Instant) and
waited ever since for the Opportunity of another Boat
going, went off this Morning for Frederica. The same
Day (after he was gone) it was commonly talked, that
Mr. Whitfield would be going in few Days on another
Progress among the Northern Plantations, in Pensylva-
nia, New York, &c. Capt. Davis, after so long labour
ing- in vain, to fit out his Privateers, for want of Men
and other Requisites on that Occasion, now began to
turn his Thoughts other ways; and it was given out, that
with the few Hands he had, he would go a trading Voy
age to St. Kitt's, or some of the West-Indian Islands.
I Sunday. Mr. Whitfield, this Day, declared his Inten- so.
1 tion of leaving us for awhile, preaching a farewel Ser
mon, in the same Manner as St. Paul exhorted the Elders
of the Church in Acts xx. taking for his Text the 26th
and 27th Verses of that Chapter, and carrying the Par
allel betwixt the Apostle and himself as far as it would
go; signified, that he expected Persecution wheresoever
he went; therefore knew not, whether ever those among
whom he had preached the Gospel here, should see his
Face any more, or not: However, as the Work was great
which he had in hand, it must take up some Months, at
least, before he could return.

Monday. Received a Letter this Morning from Lieu
tenant Kent at Augusta, brought by two or three Men
newly come thence, who had left Carolina lately, com
plaining how hard a Matter it was for a labouring Man to

31.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 545
live there, the Negroes doing all the Work: And Mr. ] mo.
Kent recommended them to me, to obtain some Land for Ma^°n
them at Augusta, from the General, where they had a
great Desire to settle (as indeed it was become very de
sirable by many others, from the Goodness of the Soil.)
I told them they came hither in a good Time, for that;
the General being gone to Charles-Town, we now ex
pected him back every Day. The rest of Mr. Kent's
Letter was more displeasing, informing me of an un
happy Accident that befel one of their Men lately at the
Fort; who upon firing one of their little Pieces of Can
non, and the Gun bursting, had his Head struck clean off.
The remaining Part of what he wrote was, that from
what he heard, he was doubtful lest the Cherokee Nation
should fall off, and not perform what the General ex
pected from them, in sending him an Aid of several
hundred Men, to march with him against the Spaniards.
Tuesday. Mr. McLeod, Minister at Darien, coming April
lately to Town in a Visit to Mr. Whitfield, and to see
this Part of the Country, which he was a Stranger to;
there was a notable Ride out this Day, to the Orphan-
House, by a pretty many, who were desirous to attend
on that Occasion, and shew their particular Regard to
their Teachers. After such Orders given there by Mr.
Whitfield, as he thought proper, for carrying on the
Work (which was in great Forwardness by such a Num
ber of Artificers and Labourers constantly employed)
they returned to Town again in the Afternoon; where
nothing was to be heard of worth Notice till Evening;
when Mr. Whitfield (after expounding on the Lesson
for the Day out of the New Testament, as his usual
Manner was) took Occasion to reproach his Audience i
with their Hardness of Heart, and little Marks which
they shewed in Improvement of Grace; insomuch that
they came behind all, to whom he had preached the
Word elsewhere; for he seldom failed of Numbers in
those Places, who followed him with Weeping, desirous to
35 c r— vol 4 '

1.

546 COLONIAL RECORDS.
know how they must be saved; but he found very few ^^
such here; Those few that had found themselves prickt APril
to the Heart, and began to be enlightened by the Holy
Spirit, he charged to take Care of Backsliding; telling
them they must expect many Trials and Temptations;
to be scoffed at and derided, and probably persecuted
too; wherefore they must not forget to assemble and
meet together, strengthning and comforting one another:
And for the rest, he told us, he had often thought this
Colony would never be suffered by Providence to pros
per, till God had planted it with Seed of his own. 
The Construction of which I must humbly submit to
my Betters.
Wednesday. About Eight this Morning Mr. Whit- 2.
field went on board his Sloop, accompanied with Mr.
Seward, and taking with them Mr. Habersham, formerly
School-Master here, hitherto deputed by Mr. Whitfield
to officiate in his Absence; but now seemed chosen out
for other Purposes elsewhere: The Wind being fair, they
sailed immediately; and the Place they were said to be
bound to, was some Part of Pensylvania, but far short
of Philadelphia, to which Town they meant to travel by
Land, gathering the Brethren together, and preaching
the Gospel in their Way: From Pensylvania they were
to proceed to New-York, and so on to New-England; if
my Information is right: By the same Information I
learnt, that Mr. Whitfield had farther Views in taking up
a Tract of Land in some one of the Provinces, and
erecting a School or Nursery for the Instruction of
young Negro Children, in the Christian Religion; which
Works of so extensive Piety, are most undoubtedly to be
highly esteemed: At the same Time it is to be wished,
that whilst he is gone far off to make Proselytes, he
may retain a few charitable Thoughts at least towards
this poor Place, and not look upon all the Inhabitants,
as Castaways not worth regarding; except the little
Children which he has taken to himself, and about half a

COLONIAL RECORDS. 547
Score full-grown Persons, Men and Women (some of 1740.
which came with him, and a few others became early APr11
Adepts) who are distinguished by the Name of True Be
lievers; and separating themselves from among their
Neighbours, they appear with a different Aspect, and
converse as little as may be with any but one another.
 But it would make a Volume to pursue this Theme,
which I meddle with unwillingly in these short Notes;
having no Prejudice, or the least Ill-will to Mr. Whit
field; but on the contrary, a Desire to join with him in
all Christian Fellowship and Communion; as I have evi
dently shewn, though (I am sorry to say) I have thought
myself, on divers Occasions, to be coldly received: What
ever Remarks, therefore, I may have made on this Af-,
fair, or may hereafter, it has been, and shall be, only the'
Result of what I think a conscientious Discharge of my
Duty, without any sinister Views, or particular Respect
of Persons. Notice being brought me in the Afternoon,)
that some Person (unknown yet) had set Fire to a large
Tract of old Canes, growing in the Swamp at the West
Side of the Town; which was become such a terrible
Conflagration, by reason of a strong Wind driving it on,
that nobody dared to go near it; I sent immediately, and
got what little Strength together I could, to do our En-j
deavours about it; when indeed we gave over all Pre-1
tence to extinguish it; but as there was a new Bridge
that lay in its Way very much in Danger, which was
built about a Year or more since, at an exorbitant Ex-
pence of the Trustees; we applied ourselves, if possible,
to save that from perishing; and by taking timely Care, j
we so managed Matters, as to conduct the Flames clear
on each Side, at some little Distance from it: After which '
we had nothing to fear from its raging in those Swamps;
neither, if it threatened the upper Lands, was there a
sufficient Pabulum to maintain it. These Fires are a
common Practice in all these Countries, as well for de
stroying Vermin, as to allow young tender Grass to grow

548 COLONIAL RECORDS.
for the Cattle: But I conceive it would need some Regu- 1740.
lation. April 2.
Thursday. Most of my Time taken up this Day, in s.
getting together Provisions of all Kinds, to be sent to
my People at Bewlie by Water; being far around: Where
fore I thought best to send such a Store as might hold
out a few Months, and prevent my being too frequently
called upon to supply their Wants, and interrupted at
such Seasons when I could ill attend them.
Friday. This being a Day much regarded by the 4.
Church of England, it was expected that it would have
had some Notice taken of it by such as Mr. Whitfield
had constituted to take Care of all divine Affairs here
in his Absence; but I was sorry to find not the least Re
gard shewn to it at Church, nor any Part of the partic
ular Service appointed by the Rubrick, read; either
Psalms, Lessons, or Collects. Though it is a sad Truth
that this Place has little Piety, to deserve being looked
on as a People zealous in good Works; yet it is to be
hoped there may be some well-meaning Persons in it,
who find a Comfort in frequenting the Church, and join
ing in the publick Service, when duly performed; that
are equally grieved when they see the Liturgy mangled,
and giving Way to  . We know not what next.
Saturday. Finding little abroad that required my B.
Attention, I made the best Use of my Time at home,
where my Pen and Ink seldom stood still. In the Even
ing pretty late, the General arrived from Charles-Town,
on his Way back to the South; whither he was hasting,
and designed to make but a short Stay here: There was
little Room to have much Talk with him this Night; but
we found him well satisfied with his Reception in Caro
lina, and the Aid he was assured of from thence: So
that the Seige of Augustin was now again talked of as a
Thing certainly designed.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 549
Easter-Sunday. Prayers appointed by the Church "40.
of England were read, Morning and Afternoon, by Mr. APril
Simms, deputed by Mr. Whitfield to perform that Office
in his Absence, and who likewise was charged by him
with the principal Care of the Orphans: Mr. McLeod,
Minister at Darien, having not yet left the Town, was
pleased to give us two Sermons after Morning and Even
ing Prayer. Simms was one who came from England
lately in Company with Mr. Whitfield; had the Appear
ance of a modest young Man, and one of very few
Words, especially with any but of the Brotherhood; but
whether he was a Butcher living in Clare-Market, or not
(as it is currently said here) who left all, by the Impulse
of the Spirit, to follow wheresoever he thought it called
him, I can say nothing of; but the Truth or Falsity of
it, may upon Enquiry be made easily appear; as also
it may, whether one Peryam, another Instructor of the
Orphans, was bred a Lawyer, and found out at a Mad-
House, from whence his Liberty was procured, that he
might, with the greater Fervency of Devotion, unite
among those who are become approved Converts.
Monday. The General was so thronged with Affairs of 7.
various Kinds, which he would allow himself but a short
Time to dispatch whilst here, that it was difficult to have
Access to him for Advice, in many needful Cases, how to
conduct myself hereafter. He Vas pleased now to de
liver me a small Packet, sent from the Trust, and dated
the 28th of September last, which came by Capt. Wright,
who brought with him the Box of Papers at the same
Time, the Beginning of January last; which Box I have
not yet: In this Packet was a Letter from Mr. Verelst,
by Order of the Trust: Invoice of Goods on board that
Ship; Notice for Persons to claim, to be fixed in the
Town-Court of Savannah, and Copy of the same to be
pnblished in the South Carolina Gazettes, &c. And the
Contents of the Box not yet received, viz. a Deed-Poll
relating to forfeited Lots: And also two hundred of the

550 COLONIAL RECORDS.
printed Resolutions for the Inhabitants, relating to the ™J
Grants and Tenure of Lands, &c. These Things could ^y11
not be otherwise than a little surprising at first; till I be
came assured in myself, that the General would certify
it so to the Trust, as to take off all Blame from me.

Thursday. The Advices of Yesterday had now so far
wrought on the General, that he resolved personally to
go up the Country, in order to meet those that were on
their Way hither, and prevent their coming to this Town;
which would create an unnecessary Expence, and also
retard them from making such Expedition as he wished:
Wherefore he designed to alter their Rout, and point
out the March they must make cross the Country, over
the River Ogeechy, to Darien, &c. which when he had
ordered as he saw good, he purposed to take this Town

9.

Tuesday, ) Both these Days were entirely taken 8,
Wednesday. ) up in attending the General, and re
ceiving his Instructions, how to behave when he left us;
which he intended the next Morning early; but a Boat
arriving late in the Evening on Wednesday, from Au
gusta, which brought Letters importing, that Mr. Eyre
was on his Way from the Cherokees, with a hundred
chosen Men of that Nation, who were the Forerunners
of several hundred more to follow; that he had more
over about seventy of the Chicassaws with him, and
twenty white Men, Volunteers: And also being advised,
that several Hundred of the Upper and Lower Creek
Nations were preparing to join him: Withal, that the
Report of the Chicassaw Nation being destroyed by the
French, and one of our principal Traders (Thomas An
drews) cut off among them, was a malicious, false, and
groundless Report, spread to intimidate and discour
age the People of this Colony: Such good and season
able News coming, occasioned his Excellence to con
sider farther, and incline to pause a little upon it, before
he would set out. .

10.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 551
in his Way South himself; by which Time he expected jm
the Reinforcement from Carolina would begin to be on APjrU
their Way to the Place of general Rendezvous, appointed
by him at St. John's River. After having dispatched
many Orders and counter Orders, which so sudden of
his Purpose, therefore must unavoidably produce; he
set out in the Evening by Water up the River, having
before sent Orders for Horses to be ready for him to
mount, where he thought fit.
Friday. The General, upon delivering the Packet, as u.
mentioned on Monday last, understanding from me what
Orders the Trust had been pleased to send, relating to
my publishing the Notice to be given, that all Grantees
of Lands were required to enter their Claims in one of
the Town-Courts of Georgia, &c. for the more effectual
Performance of which Publication, they had also di
rected me to get it printed in the South-Carolina Ga
zette: His Excellency was pleased now to tell me, that
if the Trustees had known the Circumstance of Affairs
at present here, he was sure they would have thought
farther of it: And directing his Discourse in a particular
Sort to me, asked me if I did not know, that Dr. Dale
was the Writer of that Gazette? Which I answered I
did: Then he asked me, what my Opinion of him was,
with Regard to this Colony? To which I made no Scru
ple in saying, that I looked on him as one of the most
inveterate Opposers of any good that might befal it;
and that he was generally so esteemed: Then his Excel
lence replied, how easy a Matter would it be for a Man
of such a Disposition, that delights in Scribbling and
Scandal, to give such a Turn to the true Intent of it,
either by Addition or Omission of two or three Words,
as to render it ridiculous? And that he would be the
first Person to print such Remarks on it as he thought
good. For these Reasons he was pleased to say, that
he thought it advisable not to print it at Charles-Town,
but to post up divers written Copies of it in the usual

552 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Places of publishing any other Affairs in this Town that *f*o^
required it: Upon which, I did so this Day; and at the ap^u
same Time (which was his express Command) whereso
ever I fixed one of those Notices so written, close by the
Side of it I placed one of those printed Answers, which
the honourable Trustees had long since given, to that
notable Representation, sent by this Town and Neigh
bourhood, of Grievances which they thought they lay
under. This was all I remembered fit to take Notice of:
The Box, with those other Papers often mentioned, re
maining still at Frederica, nothing yet can be said farther
of that.
Saturday. Some Inhabitants of Frederica, who had 12.
been two or three Days here, on Business of their own,
returned this Morning in the same Boat they came; and
Mr. McLeod, who had spent some Time among us, took
the Opportunity, by the same Boat, of returning to his
Care at Darien. In the Evening Mr. Thomas Holmes,
one of our Indian Traders among the Cherokees, to
gether with  Craig, a Carolina Trader inhabiting at
New-Windsor, arrived_ with Letters to the General from
Mr. Eyre, and also to me (doubting where the General
was to be found) whereby we were informed, that he was
coming down with a certain Number of Indians, and
twenty white Men (as before noted on the 9th Instant)
to go on immediate Service under the General; and that
they were to be followed by a good Body more: By the
same Hand I had also Letters from Mr. Wigan, signify
ing the present State and Disposition of the Creeks,
among whom he had lived many Years a principal
Trader; and also a Letter from Lieutenant Willy to the
same Purpose: By all which it appeared, that some ill-
meaning People had been tampering with the Indians of
those several Nations, and endeavouring to excite them
to a Rupture; but (it was hoped) in vain.
Sunday. The Office of the Day was performed by 13.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 553
Mr. Simms, appointed thereto by Mr. Whitfield; who J^
read such Parts of it as he saw good; but mangled, omit- Ai>3Til
ting the Psalms, and such other Parts as it may be sup
posed he thought unnecessary. Towards Evening a
Messenger arrived, with a Letter to Mr. Jones from the
General, then at the Uchee Town, belonging to a Tribe
of Indians so called; where he met the Body of Indians,
Cherokees, &c. mentioned on Wednesday last; and ac
quainting us, that they would pursue their intended
March as far by Land as Musgrave's (i. e. Matthews's)
where he would have some Pettyaguas sent to meet them
on Monday Evening, and bring them thence on Tuesday
to Savannah.
Monday. The General arrived in his Cutter, about u.
Three a Clock this Morning, at Savannah: About Eight,
after taking a little Rest, he conversed with such as had
received his Commands, and had any Matters of Conse
quence to lay before him: In the Afternoon, the Petty
aguas which he had before ordered, were dispatched up
the River to Matthews's; and nothing more happened
memorable. Tuesday. I had the General's Orders to receive the 15.
Indians under Arms, with as many Freeholders as could
readily be got together, other spare Men and Inmates
being not allowed on this Occasion: And upon Beat of
Drum, we got soon together about forty; which indeed
was more than expected, considering how many were
abroad at work, some one Way, and some another, es
pecially at the Orphan-House; and Minors also, who
were not of sufficient Stature, though judged capable of
doing Guard Duty in their own Right, were excluded
here. At Eleven a Clock they landed, under the Con
duct of Mr. Eyre, and Mr. Samuel Brown an Indian
Trader of Distinction; when I received them; and the
greatest Part of the Town were gathered together, out
of Curiosity, to see them: They were a Body of lusty,

554 COLONIAL RECORDS.
lively Fellows, with all their Faces most dismally painted w&
with Vermillion and Blue, variously, as each fancied, to Ag[11
make himself appear terrible (as is their usual Custom)
and well armed with Firelocks and Hatchets: The Free
holders marched first, four in a Rank; then the Indians
in the same Manner, with each Party a Drum in the
Centre, which alternately beat the English March, till
we came to the Court-House, where the General sat to
receive them ; and the Freeholders then forming two
strait Lines, the Indians passed betwixt them into the
House, and the Drums ceased: During the March up the
Town, fifteen Pieces of Cannon were discharged: When
they were all seated, the General talked kindly to them
a while by an Interpreter, and they had Pipes and To
bacco given them, which they all took readily: After
that was over, I had Orders to conduct them to the Place
prepared for them to rest in; which I did, in the same
Manner as before; and there they found what necessary
Refreshment was provided, &c. After which, I dis
charged our People, to follow their own Business, and
took my Leave.
Wednesday. What I thought most worth regarding, i6-
was some private Intelligence I got, that there was a
Combination carrying on, among our incessant Workers
of Mischief, to form another Representation of Griev
ances, in a different Strain from their former, and of
more dangerous Consequences; forasmuch as that was
speculative only, and imported divers Propositions, so
far culpable, as they were the Production of a rash Pre
sumption: But this (I understood) was intended to strike
at the Foundation of the executive Power in this Place,
by heaping up Abundance of illegal and arbitrary Pro
ceedings, deserving immediately to be remedied; and
laying them to the Charge of all those in any Authority,
who hitherto boldly withstood their mischievous Pur
poses; wherein even the General himself (if my Infor
mation proves true) will hardly escape their vile Cal-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 555
umny: It is said moreover, that the People at Darien act mo^
secretly in Concert with them; and that an Agent from Af6r11
thence, whose Name I yet forbear mentioning (though I
observed for several Weeks past his frequent coming and
going to and fro) has been very busy here, on this good
Work. Among other Pieces of curious Politicks, I am
told farther, they want an Officer to be created, under
the Title of Sheriff; but how far his Power is to extend,
or be limited, I can not yet learn; nor whether, in these
Times of War, he is to be elective, Dictator-like, or not,
is not yet revealed: But in case it comes out such a fin
ished Piece as we may expect, it will then be seen what
the Authors dare to drive at; which a little Time will
shew. Late at Night arrived some Expresses; by one
of which the General was advised, a large Body of the
Creeks were preparing to march, and join his Excellence
in the South: And by another he was informed, that sev
eral half Gallies, and Sloops, well armed and manned,
came out of the Harbour at St. Augustin, and in a Calm
attacked one of our Frigates of twenty Guns, com
manded by Capt. Warren, who was upon a Cruise off
that Place: That they fired several Shot at him, and with
a nine Pound Ball went through and through his Ship
betwixt Decks, killing one Man only: But the Captain
so behaved, that they found a warm Reception; and
after about twenty of their Men slain, they were glad to
sheer off; and not able to get in by the Way they came
out, they took Shelter in a small Cove near by, where
they were pent up. About Two in the Morning the
General dispatched an Express to Charles-Town, to has
ten the Force he expected, and to acquaint the Com
manders of those Frigates that were stationed there,
how needful it was for them to turn out, and give what
Assistance they could in preventing any Succors getting
in, or any useless Hands out of Augustin, where he be
gan to grow impatient till he could make them a Visit.
Thursday. Much Hurry, and crowding of Business, "¦

556 COLONIAL RECORDS.
took up the whole Day: The General determining with "40.
himself not to lose an Hour that could be saved, in set- AP7ril
ting forward the Operations of War, and putting himself
at the Head of what Forces he had, with all possible <
Expedition: Wherein nothing happened particularly fit to
be taken Notice of here. Capt. Davis, with his Snow
and Sloop, were all now put to Sea from Tybee; but
whither bound, very few knew.
Friday. Orders being given for the Indians to em- is.
bark on board the Pettyaguas which brought them, and
sufficient Provisions for them on their Passage, &c. that
was the Work of the Forenoon; and about Two a Clock
they all sailed, under the Discharge of eleven Pieces of
Cannon: In little more than an Hour after, the General
took his Cutter, and followed, expecting to overtake
them at Anchor, as soon as the Tide they had with
them was spent; for the Wind being southerly, and
against them, till they were past Skeedoway Narrows,
they must depend on the Tide alone, unless it veered to
a more favourable Point. Out of the eight Companies
of fifty-two private Men in each, which were to be paid
by the Government of Carolina, the General had en
gaged to raise two of them on this River, under the Com
mand of Messieurs Richards and La Feit, appointed
Captains: Which succeeded so well, that Richards, who
lives at Purysburgh, had that whole Town to follow
him, leaving only Women and Children, with a few old
Men, to keep Possession at home; so that he had a Sur
plus to spare, towards forming the other Company; to
which three or four were added from Ebenezer; and the
Remainder, even this Town, in the low Estate it is, with
out all Doubt will make up; for we seldom fail of ram
bling Fellows among us, sufficient for such an Enter-
prize, and ready to shew their Bravery against the Span
iards: All such, together with some of our young Men
inhabiting here, readily and voluntarily shew their good
Disposition, by enlisting themselves for four Months

COLONIAL RECORDS. 557
(which is the Time limited for this Expedition, and) "ia
within the Compass of which, the Success against Au- APgril
gustin is expected to be known. In such a Juncture)
when we daily hear of divers Gentlemen, Volunteers,
taking to Arms at their own Expence, from Carolina and
elsewhere, in order to signalize themselves against the
Enemies of their Country; it might have been hoped,
that some of our reforming Gentry, in their Gold and
Silver buttoned Coats, and gay Waistcoats, would have
made some little Advance, beyond the Parade, which
they daily tread here, and displayed their Abilities, tarn
Marte quam Mercurio : But herein only they are modest.
Saturday. Being under a little Disorder, by reason 1
of an accidental Bruise in one of my Legs, I sat all Day
at home, where I never was at a Loss to find Employ
ment; and did not hear of any Thing abroad more than
common.

20.

Sunday. Mr. Simms read the common Prayers of the
Church regularly this Day, and a Sermon both in the
Forenoon and after, still setting forth the Necessity of
a strong Faith, &c.
Monday. A Report had flown about for a Week past, 21.
that Donald Stewart (Master of a small Sloop, often
made use of as a Pilot, and a Freeholder) was cast away
with his Sloop, and drowned; but being contradicted by
several, little Credit was given to it; till now it was un
happily confirmed. He was hired by some Persons in
this Town, who were on their Way thus far to settle at
Augusta, to go and fetch their Families and Effects from
the Place where they had left them in Carolina {vide
March 31.) On which Occasion, this poor Man sailing,
within Port-Royal Island, in crossing a Sound, under a
hard Gale of Wind, ran upon some Shoals, and staved
his Vessel, his Son and another escaping with their
Lives; but himself and one Man more drowned.

558 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Tuesday. One of the two Companies appointed to ™®j
be raised on the Banks of this River, being not yet com- A|2r11
pleat, which was to be commanded by Capt. La Feit;
the enlisting Officer applied to me for the Guard- Drum
to beat up for Volunteers; which I very gladly made
him a Compliment of; hitherto no such Means of Invita
tion having been used, but all that enlisted, came with
out a Call; but now the Town was grown so exceeding
thin, the Orphan-House taking off hence such a Num
ber one Way, and so many more going into the War.
chearfully and commendably another, that we were
almost become uncapable of finding Hands sufficient to
carry on the ordinary Guard-Duty; and Planting was
regarded by very few.
Wednesday. A Boat was sent off early this Morning 23.
to the General at Frederica, with an Express from
Charles-Town, by whom Mr. Jones and I wrote Letters
needful. The ordinary Club, which meet at Jenkins's,
rode out, with Landlord at the Head of them this Day,
by Invitation, to an Entertainment provided for them at
Mr. Fallowfield's Plantation, about eight Miles off; where
it may be presumed, it was taken into Consideration,
what Steps farther to make in these dubious Times
towards settling this Colony upon such a Foundation as
would best please them: It having been observed, that
at these select Meetings out of Town, usually something
extraordinary has been the Subject Matter of their De
liberations; and it is not questioned, but their aspiring
Temper is somewhat offended, at a Rebuke one of their
Fellow Workers lately met with from the General; who
overtaking the Pettyaguas with the Indians, on Friday
Night last, and espying on board one of them, a Man
whom his Excellency thought not proper to mix with
that Company, knowing him to be a close Attender of
the Club, and a busy Person, often passing to and fro
betwixt this and the South, which rendered him suspi-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 559
cious of being employed to no good Purposes; he or- v&
dered the Master of the Pettyagua to set him ashore APr11
that Instant, at the first Place of Landing; which hap
pened to be on the Island called the Isle of Hope, whereon
Mr. Fallowfield is one of the three that are settled there,
and where now this Company met: But whether or not
it was only to celebrate the Festival of St. George, they
best knew: Hoisting up the British Flag, was all I
thought needful in the Town of Savannah.
Thursday. Enlisting of Men was now the principal 24.
Affair in hand; which had so drained the Town, that it
was hard to find a Man more to enter: Wherefore it was
resolvad by the Officer, to make a Visit to the People
at work about Mr. Whitfield's Plantation at the Orphan-
House; which I would have nothing to say to, but left
them to do as they pleased, being unwilling to shew the
least Discouragement in so important a Service; and not
over-fond of meddling, where my appearing in it (I had
Reason to apprehend) would be ill construed as a Sort
of Sacrilege, in breaking in upon such a Work, carrying
on for so pious an Use: Moreover, I knew it was a Mat
ter much in question among the Directors of that Work,
whether or not it was lawful in the Sight of God, to take
up Arms with an offensive Intent, or on any Occasion,
but purely in Defence of our own Lives. In the After
noon an Officer in the new-raised Troops of Carolina,
arrived from Charles-Town, by the Way of Purysburgh,
with Letters express from thence for the General, which
was incumbent upon us to forward, with what Expedition
we could: But indeed, the daily Demand upon us for
Boats, and Men to go in them, was so disproportioned
to our Abilities (being now so far bereft of People for
ordinary Uses) that we were hard put to it to do, what
we wished, more readily for the publick Service. One
or two of the Letters now brought us for the General, I
observed by the Superscription, came from England by

560 COLONIAL RECORDS.
the Charming Philly, Capt. Colebatch; which gave me ™>^
Hopes, that I might also have some from thence for me APril
fall into Mr. Hopton's Hands at Charles-Town, who
would not slip the first Opportunity he could meet with,
of forwarding whatever he received.
Friday. The Letters we received Yesterday per Ex- 25.
press from Charles-Town, we sent over Land by the Way
of Darien; and other Letters for the General, which
came by the South, expecting he was here, we sent back
also by the same Hand, together with more Letters now
wrote from hence. The enlisting Officer stuck to his
Purpose of Yesterday, and marched with a few Volun
teers, and a Drum attending him, to beat up for more
Soldiers at the Orphan-House, where he would find a
Number of People; but what Disposition any of them
were in for War, or what Success he met with, we yet
had not learnt. What occurred in Town was not worth
remembering. Saturday. Capt. La Feit, and his Subaltern Recruit- 20.
ing Officer, taking Breakfast with me, I was informed by
them what Success they had attending Yesterday's Ex
pedition to Bethesda (which is the Name given to that
Place by Mr. Whitfield) and it proved almost fruitless,
one or two Fellows only taking on: They took Notice
to me of the People in general there, being provided
with one and the same Answer; which it was supposed
was taught them to give, by their Employers, when in
vited to take Arms; which was, that they had good Pro
visions, and a Place to sleep in, with ready Money
to Pay for their Work, where they were, which they
were not desirous to change for the Hazard of
being knocked on the Head, and the Certainty of be
ing continually exposed to bad Weather, either Heats,
or heavy Rains. By reason of several Tythings now
rendered incapable of doing effectual Duty on our
Guard, for want of Hands sufficient, it behoved me to

COLONIAL RECORDS. 561
make some new Regulations, for carrying on so neces- "40.
sary a Service: For when the utmost was done in our Av^n
Power to raise Recruits, which might contribute to Ac
tion against our Enemies in the South; it was Time to
consider a little our own Safety, in being watchful with
those Freeholders which remained, that we might not be
surprized by any Party of Florida Indians straggling, to
come on our Backs, nor by any armed Boat coming up
the River, sculking to do Mischief; who coming upon us
unaware, and unprovided, might carry all before them;
whereas on Discovery of approaching, imminent Danger,
we yet hoped, by putting Arms into our spare Men's
Hands, and calling in all others employed within little
Distance, we might make a Stand with at least one hun
dred and fifty Men, sufficient to repel any such Attempt:
Upon looking carefully, therefore, over the List of Free
holders, with the Constables; it was thought advisable,
that three or four of those Tythings, with the fewest
Hands left in them, not competent to make a reasonable
Guard, should be totally reduced for this present Occa
sion, and the few Freeholders left in them, should be
divided among other Tythings, so as to make them suffi
cient, and called upon to do Duty with them: This we
apprehended could produce no Inconvenience, but must
bring their mounting on Guard a little quicker about;
but that could not be holpen, and was therefore ordered:
As also the Orders before given, I now renewed in the
strongest Terms, requiring a frequent Patrole from the
Guard every Night, and that the Constables would be
careful in visiting the Guard often, and making constant
Report to me in Writing of what passed.
Sunday. Mr. Simms observed the Directions given 27.
him by Mr. Whitfield, in reading the Prayers of the
Church, and a Sermon (out of what Author I know not)
in the Forenoon, and after, maintaining the Doctrine of
Justification by Faith alone, in stronger Terms than had
been delivered yet; excluding from Heaven all who came
36 c r— v 4 1

562 COLONIAL RECORDS.

174 0.
April

not fully up to that Pitch of Faith, and such might rest
assured of Sanctification next following, and of their A^-
being numbered among the Elect. In the Afternoon a
Skooner from Charles-Town, laden with sundry Stores
for the Use of the Army, and bound for the South; hav
ing been out a full Week with contrary Winds; fearing
they should want Water, came up the River for a Sup
ply of that, with Intent to go down again to-morrow,
and wait for the first Wind at Tybee.
Monday. Volunteers no longer now offering them- 28.
selves to enlist, and a few more yet being wanted to
compleat the Company; what few Servants remained
among us, who were the property of private Persons,
had Temptations offered them, to exchange their present
Service for one more valuable; which, without some Stop
put to it, must have been of mischievous Consequence:
And the General well knowing that, had forbidden it:
Moreover, instead of twenty-five Men, which his Excel
lency said he thought would be an handsome Quota for
this Town, if so many could readily be spared, they had
already enlisted upwards of thirty: Wherefore some of
the Magistrates thought proper to represent to the Offi
cers, that there was a Necessity of their interposing, to
prevent great Injury accruing to Masters; for if indented
Servants had the Liberty of going off on this Occasion,
possibly there would hardly be one left in Town: Out of
seven that remained with me, after the Loss of three by
Death and Desertion, I made the Captain a Present of
one for this Expedition, who was a lively Fellow at any
Thing but what I most wanted him for, viz. Work; and
all would have gone the same Way readily. Late in the
Evening came Letters from the General, by the Return
of a Boat lately sent to Frederica; wherein were some
short Orders for Mr. Jones to observe, &c. but what was
most acceptable to us, was telling us in few Words, "All
goes well, and the Spaniards desert daily."

COLONIAL RECORDS. 56S
Tuesday. Most part of this Day was taken up by me "«>•,
in going over a List of all the Inhabitants, and taking APrtl
personally, from Tything to Tything, as true an Account
of the State of each, as possibly I could, for the Satis
faction of the honourable Trustees: Which Work I had of
late attempted several Times in vain, by reason of such
frequent Changes and Alterations happening, during
some Months past, in this Town and Neighbourhood;
insomuch that it baffled my utmost Endeavours, to make
out a List perfectly correct; and even now, I cannot
warrant but this may need some Emendation, before it
is many Days out of my Hand.
Wednesday. More Letters and Expresses from divers so.
Parts arrived, for the General; among which one for me
from Lieutenant Willy in the Creek Nation; setting
forth several Attempts made by the French, to draw
those People, as also the Chicassaws, off from any Alli
ance with us, and what large Presents they had made
them, of Stores of all Sorts, for Food and Cloathing;
and great Plenty of Guns, Ammunition, &c. endeavour
ing, at any Rate, to make Peace with the Chicassaws,
who were strongly attached to us, and whose Bravery in
the Field they had experienced many Times to their own
Cost; and from what Assurances the General had re
ceived from them, they still appeared firm in their
Friendship with us, several of their People being gone
to serve in the Wars under him, and more were expected
to follow: Moreover, at this very Time, another small
Party of the Chicassaws, joined by as many Euchies,
were on their Way down to the South, under the Con
duct of one Hewet, an Indian Trader, who came to
Town in the Night past, whilst they followed after. So
many Men as were listed for Soldiers, living idle about
Town, and frequent Disorders happening from thence,
by their getting drunk; it was much to be wished that
their Officers would send them away to their Duties;
more especially since it was found that the Authors of

564 COLONIAL RECORDS.
all Licentiousness, and Contempt of the Civil Power, at "*°-
our noted Club, were never wanting to encourage, and Ag*u
make Sport of, any Disturbance given to our Peace and
Quiet; so that every Thing tending to a Riot, appeared
to be what they aimed at.
Thursday. Having found no convenient Leisure for May
about six Weeks past, to see what my People at Bewlie
were doing; I chose this Day to make them a Visit;
where I had the Satisfaction to see they had not been
idle, but had planted as much Land, as could well be
expected, in the Time they were there, considering what
Work they had to do, at first sitting down on a Planta
tion, in building convenient Huts, and other necessary
Conveniences of Life; falling Abundance of large Tim
ber, disbranching that, whereof they had burned and
destroyed great Part, and clearing the Whole from all
Shrub-Wood, and other Impediments of Planting; be
sides their farther going on, and adding to it daily: So
that I had good Reason to hope, before the Season of
Planting was quite over, I should be yet better pleased
with my new Plantation. In my Return home, I stopped
at the Orphan-House, which I found carrying on with a
great Number of Hands for various Uses, at an unknown
Expence; but undoubtedly it must be proportionable to
the grand Appearance it already makes, by the two
Wings that are now carried up and covered, intended
for several Offices: The Body of the Dwelling-House,
which is hitherto carried up with substantial Brick-Work
for Cellars, &c. to a certain Height, a little above the
Surface of the Land, will be very large, and disposed
into such Apartments as are, or shall be judged proper,
each fronting Angle whereof is to have a Communica
tion with the Offices in the before-mentioned Wings,
whether by a Colonade, after the Manner of Buckingham
House, or not, I have not learnt. Rain had been much
wanted a long while, none falling since the Beginning of
March; which dry Spring occasioned such as regarded

COLONIAL RECORDS. 565
Planting, to fear their Labour would prove fruitless; but 1740^
we now happily found what we wished for, great Plenty May
of it overtaking me in my Travel, and I was well pleased
to get home in the Evening, thoroughly washed to my
Skin. Friday. A blessed Rain continued most Part of the i.
Day, which confined every body at home: Towards
Night Letters were brought me out of the Creek Nation
from Lieutenant Willy, Mr. Wiggan, and others, by one
Finlay; the Contents whereof were setting forth many
Particulars, relating to the present dubious State and dis
position of those Indians, which it behoved me to lay
before the General by the Opportunity that first offered.
It seems old Chigellie, their chief Mico at present, had
of late shewn an unusual Coldness towards meddling in
the Wars that we are engaged in against Spain; telling
some of his People, that they had no Business to inter
pose among the white Mens Quarrels: Which Behaviour
of his, it is suspected arose from some French and Span
ish Emissaries among them; but the main Body of his
People were eagerly bent upon joining the General; and
his Nephew Malatchie, who was the Son of old Bream,
the former Mico, stuck close to them, and put himself at
their Head, resolving in the first Place to go himself,
and have a personal Talk (which is a Term they use)
with the General at Frederica; and whither he was ac
cordingly gone: After which, if he liked the General's
Talk, he would return and try who had the best Interest
in his Country, he or Chigellie.
Saturday. Capt. Heron-(now said to be Major in the s.
General's Regiment) arrived from Frederick Fort at Port-
Royal in a ten-oar'd Boat, filled with Soldiers, having
been sent by the General to fetch a certain Number of
the Company commanded by Capt. Norbury, to join the
other Forces in the South; and he had brought away
thence forty-two, what he had not with him, being in a

566 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Pettyagua that was coming after. Mrs. Matthews ar- "40.
rived in the Afternoon from the South, by whom came May
several Letters and Orders from the General, and withal,
Malatchie, accompanied by three or four head Men, and
noted Warriors of their Nation, who had been to get a
Talk with the General, agreeable to what I noted Yes
terday; in which he had made such quick Dispatch, and
was so well pleased, that he was now making the like
Speed home, resolved to put his Purpose in Execution;
and if Chigellie opposed him, to cut off his Head: For
the farther Explanation whereof, it should be observed,
that when old Bream, the Father of Malatchie, died, his
Son was then a Youth; and thereupon Chigellie had the
Power put in his Hands by the old Men, till Malatchie
came to the Age of Maturity: During which Time, the
young Man has signalized himself to be a great Warrior,
and behaved so well, that he is now looked on as the
greatest Man of that, or most other Nations; which
makes him highly esteemed among them: Nevertheless
(he says) he never intended to take the Government out
of old Chigellie's Hands, but let him die possessed of it,
had he ruled for the Good of his Country; but now, if he
shews no longer Regard to the pleasing his People, it is
Time to put an End to his Power; and he thinks himself
of Age sufficient to take his own Right, being near
Thirty: And as his Ability, as well as his Good-will to
the English, is not to be questioned; so his Person is
very engaging: His Stature but a little short of six Foot,
his Make clean, and perfectly well shaped from Head to
Foot, as he appears when naked to his Skin; and when
he puts on a Coat and Hat, his Behaviour is such, that
one would rather imagine from his Complaisance, he had
been bred in some European Court, than among Barba
rians : At the same Time, though the Features of his
Face were inviting, and shew Tokens of Good-Nature;
yet there is something in his Aspect which demands Awe.
By Mrs. Matthews we were moreover informed, that two
Men of War were newly arrived at St. Simon's; and that

COLONIAL RECORDS. 567
the General was preparing to set out in few Days for the "40.
appointed Place of Rendezvous: To whom I wrote by May
Capt. Heron, inclosing those Letters I received from
him on Friday last.
Sunday. About Two this Morning Capt. Heron went 4.
down the River, proceeding with his Men for the Camp:
And about Eight Malatchie went up the River, with his
Attendants, intending to stay a Day or two with Mrs.
Matthews, whilst a Scarlet Coat, &c. with other Presents
for him by the General's Order, were making ready. Mr.
Simms read the Prayers of the Church, and Sermons on
the same constant Topick of Faith and Free Grace.
Monday. Nothing of any Kind happened within my 5.
Observation worth remembring; so that I had full
Leisure at home, to take such Matters in hand, as re
quired Dispatch, to be sent for England.
Tuesday. Some of our few Freeholders left, begin- e.
ning again to grow slack in their Duty of keeping a
good Guard; upon looking over the Defaulters returned
to me by the several Tything-men, I had them sum
moned before the Magistrates; when we made the Pock
ets of those that were most culpable, pay for their
Neglect; for it was Time now to be strict: And whereas
divers of our Tythings were grown much thinner than
others, and too weak to make a competent Guard; it was
thought best, in this Case of Necessity, to vary a little
from the ordinary Custom, and by reducing two or three
of those Tythings, who had perhaps not more than two
or three Freeholders occupying them, in the Out-parts
of the Town, and joining such with another Tything,
which was a little stronger; by so doing, I found, upon
a careful Calculation, that we could 'make out eighteen
Tythings capable of doing constant Duty round, with an
Officer and eight Men; which I would be content with,
nstead of ten that was the original Establishment; but

568 COLONIAL RECORDS.
a less Number would not be sufficient, some of the Guard "}<^
having my Orders to keep the Patrole constantly going May
round the Town in the Night: This being resolved, I
took Care to see Lists made out, and given to the several
Tything-men, of the Names of those eight Men appointed
to Duty under each of them; which would make a Round
of eighteen Days before they mounted again, and could
not be thought hard: But it is not to be understood from
hence, that every Night produced fresh Men, many of
our People doing frequent Duty upon Hire, or otherwise,
for others, who perhaps lived remote, or had Avocation
on such Business, as induced them rather to pay a Man
for standing in their Stead, than shewing any eager
Disposition to personal Service, unless an Alarm were
to call them out in good Earnest.
Wednesday. Two or three Indian Traders arrived 7.
from the Creek Nation, in order to renew their Licences;
by whom I had another Letter from Mr. Wigan, relating
to some farther Apprehensions they were under of Dis
turbances arising among them: But as Malatchie was
now preparing to be with them soon, whose Fidelity we
could rely on, we promised ourselves, and were very
confident, that all Doubts of that Sort would soon vanish.
One of Mr. Fallowfield's Boys, from his Plantation in
the Isle of Hope, came and brought me a Letter, which
he said was left the Day before, by Mr. Hird of Frederica,
who was passing by in a Boat for Carolina: Upon opening
it, I found it was a Letter from Mr. Verelst, dated the
22d of October last, which (he said) he took the Op
portunity of writing by a Ship with Stores of War for
the General; and I knew that must be Capt. Wright in
the St. George, whose Name had been several Times
mentioned before on some such like Occasion: It hap
pened, indeed, to be only a private Letter, acquainting
me, that he had seen my Son then newly arrived in
England, who he thought knew of no immediate Oppor
tunity of writing to me; wherefore he very kindly sent

COLONIAL RECORDS. 569
me himself what he thought would be the first Advice I "4°.
should have of his being well; but therein he happened May
to be mistaken several Months, which is of less Signifi
cance, since it proved of no Detriment to the Publick; but
inevitably it must recur to my Thoughts, what I formerly
noted, concerning what I was to expect by that Ship,
&c. whereto I shall add no more now.  About Noon
arrived a trading Boat from Charles-Town, bound up the
River (  Johnson Patroon) by whom I had Letters
from Mr. Hopton of the 29th and 30th ult. acquainting
me, that he had sent by that Boat three Boxes, one of
which directed to me, came out of England in the
Colchester Man of War, Capt. Symonds Commander;
who meeting with bad Weather, and receiving great
Damage in his Rigging, was forced to put in at Virginia;
but had sent that Box by Sir Yelverton Peyton, Com
mander of the Hector, bound for Charles-Town, from
whom Mr. Hopton had received it, and now sent it by
this first Conveyance to me: In which Box I found a
good and welcome Parcel of Stationary Ware, a large
Packet for the General, and several other Letters; among
which one from the Secretary, Mr. Martyn, to me, and
one from Mr. Verelst; both dated the 5th of December
last; together with sundry Papers, relating to Mr. Robert
Williams's Accounts, which were to be examined, &c.
Mr. Hopton farther wrote me, that the other two Boxes
now sent, came a few Days before by Capt. Somerset, a
trading Ship; one of which was for Peter Joubert, a
Freeholder here; and the otherwas directed for Ebenezer:
I was moreover informed by Mr. Hopton, that there were
yet in his Custody two more Boxes, or Cases, which also
were brought by Capt. Somerset, but one of them more
especially being of great Weight, and the Patroon of
this Boat therefore not caring to take it in, being already
deep laden; I might expect them both by Peter Emery,
who was coming this Way very soon. Besides this, Mr.
Hopton referred me to several Particulars, which he had
wrote me of the 21st past; when at the same Time he

570 COLONIAL RECORDS.
sent me (as he now wrote) some Letters from Mr. ^L
Verelst, by Ensign Tolson to Port-Royal, and engaged M»y
him to forward them from thence: But as yet I had no
farther Tidings of any such Letters.
Thursday. Capt. La Feit intending to carry off what 8.
Men he had raised, for the South, this Evening; the
Fore-part of the Day was wholly taken up by me, in
writing divers Letters that Way; which, together with
the Packet I received Yesterday, for the General, I com
mitted to the Care of James Carwils, one of our Free
holders, who had been an old Soldier, and formerly a
Sergeant in the Army, and was now going, not a listed
Soldier, but a Volunteer, to be disposed of as his Excel
lence saw good; and as there was Room enough to em
ploy experienced Men, among these yet undisciplined,
there was little Reason to doubt of his being kindly ac
cepted. It was no small Trouble to the Captain and his
Officers, to get his Men together, out of the several little
Holes in Town, where many of them had been too long
debauching themselves; so that the Tide being far spent,
they were obliged to wait, after their being on board
till the next Tide served; when they went off before
Morning. Friday. A Skooner in the Service of the Province 9.
of Carolina, arrived here from Port-Royal by Order, to
take in Major Richards's Company, who were expected
down from Purysburgh, and so to the general Rendez
vous in the South, where the Forces intended for this
Expedition were now drawing together apace. By this
Skooner I had the Packet sent by the Hands of Ensign
Tolson, to be left at Port-Royal, and forwarded from
thence; as Mr. Hopton had wrote me in his Letter of
the 2 1st of April, which accompanied this Packet, as
noted by me on Wednesday last: Under which Cover I
found a Letter to the General, one to Colonel Cook, and
one to another Person in the Regiment; besides two for

COLONIAL RECORDS. 571
myself from Mr. Verelst, one of the ioth, and one of 1740.
the I2th of December; all which came by Capt. Somer- May
set, who had been four Months from England, in the
Carolina Packet, on his Passage, last from Madera.
Saturday. Capt. La Feit and his Men now gone, and 10.
all spare Hands, for the Camp; the Orphan-House also
drawing off a considerable Number, very few remained
in Town, to be seen in our Streets; from whence little
could be observed.
Sunday. Mr. Simms went on in executing the Office u.
appointed him by Mr. Whitfield, reading the Prayers and
Sermons before Noon and after; wherein we found al
ways hitherto the Substance the same, with very little
Diversity of Phrase from such former Discourses; which
many People seemed to grow weary of hearing.
Monday. Mr. Upton came to Town from the South, 12.
and brought us the News of the General's being gone,
with what Forces he had ready, to Fort Francisco del
Pupa (taken a while since from the Enemy) upon the
River St. Juan's, being the Rendezvous appointed, where
others from divers Parts were daily joining him. In
the Evening Major Richards arrived at Savannah from
Purysburgh, with Part of his new-raised Company, the
other Part being sent off some Time before; and with
these he was to proceed to-morrow in the Skooner ap
pointed, as noted on Friday last. All well-meaning Peo
ples Hearts were now full of good Wishes for Success
in this Enterprize, of so great Importance for the Secur
ity of his Majesty's Dominions in these Parts, and the
Enlargement of his Power, to bridle the Pride of the
haughty Spaniard.
Tuesday. His Majesty's Declaration of War against 13.
Spain, which had lately been published in most of the
neighbouring Parts, but never yet here, was by the Gen
eral's Order read this Day, with due Solemnity at our

572 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Guard-House, in Presence of the Magistrates, all the 1740.
Town-Officers, and most of the Inhabitants, under a m*t
Discharge of all our Cannon, with chearful Acclamations
of the People; wherein the new-raised Men, under Com
mand of Major Richards, joined us; and in the Even
ing they proceeded Southward, in the Skooner before
provided: But before their going off, a little Ruffle hap
pened between our Magistrates and the Major, on the
following Occasion. Mr. Groneau, one of the Ministers
of Ebenezer, coming to Town a Day or two since, on
some Business, with a Boat rowed down by some of
their own People, as usual, came to me complaining,
that Major Richards had impressed one of his Men into the
Service, and took him by Force aboard the Skooner, in
tending to carry him off; whereupon I recommended
him to the Magistrates, who I told him I was sure would
not suffer a Freeholder of this Colony to be carried
away against his Will: Accordingly upon hearing the
Complaint, and finding it to be just, (for the Man was
aboard on the Deck, with two Men as a Guard over him)
they sent two Tything-men to demand the Fellow's Ap
pearance before them ashore, where they themselves
then stood, that they might enquire into the Truth, the
Vessel lying fast at the new Wharf: But several of the
listed Men obstructed them in their Way, and set up a
great Shout, crying out to their Comrades, Couragio:
Whereat the Magistrates seeing themselves so contemned,
called particularly to one of the Tything-men (known re
markably for a robust, daring Man) and bad him lay hold
on one of the most insolent among them, and to bring
him before them; whereupon John Lyndal the Tything-
man instantly collar'd him, and betwixt him and his
Partner, they brought him up the Hill, when the Magis
trates directly committed him into Custody: Upon which
the Major then appeared, and offered some Words in
Justification; which made it rather worse: Wherefore
seeing it in vain to contend, he gave up the Man again
to Mr. Groneau; and upon asking it as a Favour, the

COLONIAL RECORDS. 573
Magistrates gave him his Soldier out of Custody. So "40.
Peace was concluded, and the Service went forward. May
Wednesday. After several Days waiting for an Op- "•
portunity to send the General that Packet which I re
ceived on Friday last, with several other Letters en
closed, for Colonel Cook, &c. I took Occasion by Mr.
John Pye, one of our Clerks, now going by the General's
Order from hence, to transmit it all to his Excellence.
Several Matters of Controversy and Litigation being at
this Time brought before the Magistrates, assembled on
that Occasion at the Stores, I thought it proper to attend
them there, at their Desire, more especially having some
what to offer to their Consideration, which I conceived
would require it: Among the rest, one Marmaduke
Canon, an Orphan, and Freeholder here, happening to
be seen now in Town, I had him brought before them,
that due Enquiry might be made concerning him, and
the Way of Life he was in, many Stories, and uncertain
Reports, often passing, which we wanted to get to the
Bottom of; and it may not be improper to make a short
Minute here, how it appeared to us upon Examination.
The Boy was taken by Mr. Causton (with the Allowance
and Approbation, it may be supposed, of his Brother
Magistrates at that Time) into his House, with Intent to
maintain him; for which undoubtedly his Master had
Reason to expect some Service from him: This com
menced several Years since, long before I saw Georgia
in the Year 1736; at which Time I observed him there
a lively Youth; from which Period, Mr. Causton then
beginning his Improvements at Ockstead, the Boy was
sent thither, and there employed in hard Labour, as
others were; where he has continued ever since, except
ing when sent to Town on an Errand. Upon Mr. Whit
field's coming with those Powers lately from the honour
able Trustees, to take all the Orphans under his Care,
Mr. Causton was the only Person who refused to comply,
and persisted in not surrendering him; though some

574 COLONIAL RECORDS.
others, who had equal Pretence, gave up theirs, howso- ,1540.
ever against their Inclination. The Boy now appeared May
much dejected, looked poorly, and in miserable Rags,
weeping: Upon asking him whether or not he was mis
used, he seemed under a Terror, not daring to complain;
but it was alledged by some of the Bystanders, that his
Mistress tyrannized over him with great Cruelty, whilst
his Master gave little. Heed to Things of that Kind. He
was 'grown a tall Lad, at least five Foot high, and could
hardly read his Primer: I asked him whether or not he
had received a Gun, which I ordered to be delivered to
him, by the General's Direction; who told me I should
give a light Indian Gun out of the Stores, to each Or
phan Boy that was capable of handling it, who was a
Freeholder, that they might be trained, in their younger
Years, to do Guard-Duty; which would become habitual,
and teach them to be ready in Defence of their own
Property: This I had observed, and such of them as I
allowed of, were delighted at it: And upon my telling
this Boy, that I must not lose a Soldier, but that he must
appear this very Evening with his Gun, upon Guard, it
being his Turn to come on; and that he must go home,
and fetch it from his Master, acquainting him that he
came by my Order; he promised to do so, and went his
Way; returning in the Evening with his Gun, and did
his Night's Duty with the rest very orderly.
Thursday. Young Canon, on his Appearance this 15.
Morning, and declaring his Desire of leaving Mr. Caus
ton, and putting himself under Mr. Whitfield; one of
the Persons who were left in Charge of the Boys by Mr.
Whitfield, was sent for by Mr. Jones, to whom the Lad
was delivered, and he took him with him. All was husht
and quiet now in Town, and every body following their
own Business, without any Thing happening extraordi
nary.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 575
Friday. ) The only Occurence I found to ob- *w>^
Saturday. ) serve these two Days was, that some May
Boats from Carolina stopped at Thunderbolt, waiting an n
Hour or two for the Tide in their Way South; wherein
was Colonel Barnwell, with near thirty other Gentlemen;
who acquainted us, that near thirty more were gone at
the same Time in the Tartar Pink, all Gentlemen Volun
teers, to serve under the General in this Expedition.
Sunday. Mr. Simms continued to read the Prayers of is.
the Church, and Sermons, as before.
Monday, John Rea, who went lately Patroon of a 19.
Boat to Charles-Town, returned from thence, and brought
with him what Mr. Hopton had committed to his Care,
that he had lately received by the Ship Ann and Mari
anne, Capt. Campbel, newly arrived, viz. several Packets
of Letters, and a Box containing Blank Sola Bills to the
Value of iooo /. Sterling, with many Letters enclosed
therein, and Packets to me for the General, and divers
other Persons near him: All which it was incumbent on
me to hasten forward as soon as might be; as I would
also take Care to see what came for others in this Neigh
bourhood duly delivered to them: Among the rest, there
was a Packet for Messieurs Bolzius and Groneau, at Ebe
nezer; and Mr. Hopton took this Opportunity of send
ing another of those three Cases which came for them
in Capt. Somerset's Ship, as noted on Wednesday the 7th
Instant; but the largest was yet in Mr. Hopton's Custody,
till he could find a suitable Conveyance. What Letters
came for me were two from Mr. Verelst, one of the 28th
of December, and the other of the 25th of February
last: In the former of which was enclosed Copy of Mr.
Robert Ellis's Account, &c. and the latter contained
Matters of the utmost Importance, relating to the
Trust; which, to be sure, my Duty and Fidelity required
me to pay the strictest Regard to, and to pursue the In
structions sent me, with all Diligence. By this I now

576 COLONIAL RECORDS.
partly understood what was meant in that Letter, and "40.
Passage therein, then hinted to me (as noted on the 22d May
of March last) wherein the Writer acquainted me, that
it was currently reported the Parliament would make an
Enquiry into the State of this Colony; which many
People seemed to speak lightly of, as if it was likely
never to come to any Good.  These are some of the
Fruits of our detestable Club, who have so long been
labouring to get the Direction of all into their own
Hands; restless under any but their own headstrong
Will, which produced that memorable Representation,
calculated (I am fully convinced) purely to set Williams
and Tailfer at the Head of the Negro Trade, which they
meant to be the sole Importers of; and finding them
selves therein mistaken, Malice and Revenge succeeds to
such a Degree, that their whole Study appears to be
making Mischief at any Rate, and even the utter De
struction of the Whole, were it in their Power, would
give them Pleasure: But let them take Care, lest they
trip in their Career, and fall headlong at once.

Tuesday. Mr. Brownfield called on me, and shewed
me a Letter he had received from my Son, which came
not in any Packet directed to me, but (as I observed)
was directed to the Care of one Mackenzie, Merchant in
Charles-Town; from whom Mr. Brownfield had it, and it
was dated the 28th of December. The Substance of it
was to inform him, of a Design carrying on, to obtain a
parliamentary Enquiry into the bad State of this Colony,
&c. which he made no Scruple to inform him, he was,
among others, a Promoter of, and professed, that what
he did therein, he did not desire should be concealed, for
that he meant it openly and publick. This, without any
Thing else to employ my Thoughts, was more than
sufficient for one Day's Disquiet; whereof none can
judge, but such only as have the Misfortune to deal with
an unruly Son of his own. At our last parting, and
frequently before, too, well knowing the Impetuosity of

20.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 5,/
his Temper, I begged and conjured him to promise me 1740.
not to meddle in any Affairs relating to the Colony, or May
to keep Company with any, whom he knew to have
Pique or Ill-will against it: For I knew Robert Williams's
Intention was, to be in London in the Winter; and as I
also knew, that there was a Familiarity betwixt them
here, my Heart foreboded that no Good would come of
their meeting in London, being not unlike in Warmth,
but very unequal in Craft. He knew my Opinion of all
that Set of People very well, and how narrowly I ob
served all their Proceedings here; which he often, when
with me, would blame them for (in good Earnest I verily
believe at that Time) and engaged to me in the most
solemn Manner to keep at a Distance from all such Corn-
pan)', mind his own private Affairs only, and return to
me in the Winter. What a Shock, therefore, must an
old Man feel from such a Blow given by his own Son?
No Letter from him to frame any Excuse to me for what
he has done, or to offer at any Vindication of himself (and
so far, perhaps, he judges right, that it is inexcusable)
but the World, nevertheless, will not fail to censure the
Father as an Adviser in this, however contrary to his
constant Profession, his open Zeal, and even to his Oath;
which must render me infamous, unless the honourable
Trustees please to entertain more kind and charitable
Thoughts of my Simplicity; which from the many In
stances of their past Benevolence towards me, it would
be a Crime in me not to hope for their Continuance of.
Wednesday. Yesterday's Affair sat so heavy upon 21.
my Spirits, that it rendered me incapable of Action; nor
could I shake off that Pain of Mind which I laboured
under, all this Day; wherein it so happened, that no
Transactions in this Place, was of such Consequence, as
to need any Remark of mine.
Thursday. Our Court met, as per Adjournment; sat 22.
an Hour or two; little to be done; and aojourned
37 c r— v 4

578 COLONIAL RECORDS.
farther to the 7th Day of July next. This being the "40.
Season of the Year, when the Indian Traders usually May
came to renew their Licences; two of them, newly ar
rived, were this Day with me; one of whom, that had
last Year taken Licence from Carolina, doubting he was
not well warranted from thence to trade in those Towns
therein named; now threw it up, and desired a Licence
might be granted him from Georgia.

Friday. Another Party of Gentlemen Volunteers
passed this Day by Thunderbolt, on their Way to the
General, which renewed my Sorrow, in thinking how
much more commendably my Son might have been so
employed, than in what he has been busied about at
London, or elsewhere in England. Conferring with
some Indian Traders, and adjusting Matters with them,
in order to obtain new Licences, or Permits, to continue
their former for a Year longer, took up much of my
Time this Day. Mr. Jones acquainted me, that he had
taken a Resolution (after considering well what I had
shewn him, of Mr. Verelst's writing to me from the
Trust, in his Letter of the 25th of February) to go
South, and wait on the General, and take his Advice, as
well on that, as divers other Matters now depending: To
which I had no Objection at present, but desired him to
be as expeditious in his Return as possible; for that he
knew how daring and insolent our good People at Jenk
ins's were lately grown, even to the Casting out Threats
against all who opposed them.
Saturday. Being disappointed in my Expectation of
sending off a small Packet for England, which I had
got ready in a Hurry, dated the 14th Instant, and been
forced to keep by me ever since I prepared it, directed
to the Trust's Secretary, Mr. Martyn; I now sent it away
by the Carolina Scout-Boat, Thomas Biswick Patroon,
who was bound to Port-Royal, where he engaged to de
liver it safely to Mr. Wire, whom I knew to be a con-

23.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 579
stant Correspondent there, with Mr. Hopton of Charles- 1710.
Town, and would be careful in sending it to him, to- May
gether with a Letter accompanying it, that I wrote to
Mr. Hopton: So very difficult was it now become, for
me to carry on a regular Correspondence any where; all
Boats here, and hereabout, being impressed for the pub
lick Service in the South. This Afternoon I had a full
Instance given me, what the present Disposition was of
our mischief-making Cabal: Mr. Tailfer, attended by
William Sterling, and Landlord Jenkins himself, thought
fit to call on me; the first as the principal Catechist
to examine me; and the other two as able susquipedarian
Evidence, qualified in a tumultuous Manner to promote
an Uproar; if they were of Opinion that I acted clan
destinely, and kept back any Thing from them, that the
Trustees required me to communicate. Being therefore
interrogated, what Letters and Orders I received from
the Trust in their last Packet; and whether, among other
Things, I was not enjoined by them to lay divers Affairs *
relating to the present State of the Colony, in open
Court before them, for their being enabled to give such
Answers to them as they thought proper? Without
disputing by what Authority they took upon them to
take such Examination of me; I told them plainly, that
whilst I continued to serve the Trust in my present Sta
tion, I should never think myself subject to give any
Answer at all, to what they demanded in the first Place,
of knowing what Orders or Letters I received at any
Time, but such only as immediately required it: And as
to what they more particularly insisted on, viz. my ex
posing to publick View those Affairs before-mentioned,
I said flatly, that I had received no such Orders; where
in I conceived I departed not from strict Truth: For
upon reading over again and again those Orders to my
self, I cannot any Way put such a Construction upon
them, as would oblige me to it; neither can it (I think)
be justly supposed that the Trustees meant to have it
so; which would be an effectual Means of defeating the

580 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Purpose they intended by it, and would put it out of the ^^
Power of well-meaning Men to disintangle Truth from May
Error, were these good People to have the Preference of
all in scanning over those Particulars, which more espe
cially the Trustees expect shall be set in a true Light;
towards which we are not to look for any Help from
them. They had little more to say to me at present,
visibly much out of Humour; and so they left me, with
farther Admonition, that if I had no such Orders from
the Trustees yet, most undoubtedly I should very soon:
By which I might understand, that their Intelligence
came from good Hands, near the Fountain-Head.
Whit-Sunday. Mr. Simms went on in reading the 20.
Church Service, and two Sermons, Morning and After
noon, upon the Resurrection. Mr. Jones determining
to set out to-morrow on his Expedition Southward; this
Evening I committed those Packets to his Care, which I
received lately by John Rea from Mr. Hopton, who had
them out of the Ann and Marianne, Capt. Campbel, from
England; with which I wrote also to the General himself,
enclosing divers Papers needful.
Monday. This Holiday-Time (a Word made use of 26.
by several of my Acquaintance) I was inclinable to com
ply with the Mode, and take a Day or two to myself:
Wherefore I took a Ride to Bewlie, to see how they
went on at that Plantation, where I had not been since
the 1st of this Month: And upon my telling Mr. Jones
that it was twelve Miles by Land, and at least thirty by
Water, and that the Boat in its Way to Frederica must
pass very near by us there, he was persuaded to send
the Boat round, and take Horse with me to Bew
lie, where he might refresh himself: He did so, and the
Boat came thither four or five Hours after us; from
whence he proceeded in her as soon as the Tide would
admit, which was not till near Night; and then, not
willing to ride through the Woods so far alone home, I

COLONIAL RECORDS. 581
chose to'stay all Night where I was, having a very good 1740.
rooLover my Head; and making a good Nest of Pal- May
meta Leaves, whereon was laid a Blanket, I laid myself
upon that, and slept very heartily.
Tuesday. No Want of Diversion to employ my Time 27j
and Thoughts: It was a Pleasure to see my Corn coming
on, and other Things that were planted, very promising,
the live Stock increasing, and all hitherto in a hopeful
Way: Besides the Amusement it gave me, in forming
Schemes for many future Improvements in Gardening,
and more curious Cultivation of Land, for the Production
of Vines, Mulberries, Cotton, &c. of all which, I had
provided a small Nursery, in the little five-Acre Lot
near home. Mr. Mercer, and another Neighbour or two,
who had Improvements in those Parts, calling on me in
the Afternoon, we travelled home together, and got to
Town in very good Time in the Evening.
Wednesday. No Appearance of any Thing at present w.
to disturb our Quiet; every body followed his own
Business; and all I had to observe was, that Mr. Brad
ley's Door being locked up, it was not doubted but he
was gone off to Carolina, where he had been for a good
while past providing for a Retreat; even before those
Orders came from the Trust, requiring him to give good
Security, for his not going out of the Province, till his
Accompts were made up: Which the Magistrates de
manding of him, and often putting him in Mind of,
being unwilling (if possibly it could be avoided) to
commit him to Prison; and plainly seeing, that he could
find not one Man to appear for him (such was the Opin
ion that every body had of him) they indulged him,
upon making large Promises, and giving his Parole of
Honour, to appear when required, so far as to enjoy his
Liberty of walking the Streets, and employing himself
about his Accompts, &c. but upon his asking several
Times for a Permit to take a Boat (which is strictly

582 COLONIAL RECORDS.
expected from every body) and that being not granted "*>.
him, he now took Leave without asking, and went off M|y
clandestinely by some back Way. It has been sufficiently
proved, that had he staid here ever so long, he would
have done nothing towards clearing up any Doubts, or
Objections, that might be made, but make new Obstacles
continually: Wherefore there remained no other Method
of going on, in Behalf of the Trust, but to state it as
well as it could be done, from his own Accompt delivered
in, comparing it with the Store Books, and leaving proper
Room for him (if he thought fit) to make any Remarks
of his own, upon any Part where he thought himself
aggrieved. This being so done, and ready to receive
any such Remarks of his, I am apt to think he found it
pinch too close for him to evade coming to an Issue;
wherefore he left it upon our Hands, as not worth his
farther Care or Notice.  A Man of such a finished
Character, that he most eminently merits a due Apella-
tion. Thursday. Nothing stirring that was new, and no 2»
Intelligence from the Camp for a little while past; it was
Time to expect some framed at home would be sent out,
and pass currently; which had often succeeded to the
Wish of the Publishers, whose principal Business it was,
to spread Terrors, that might discourage weak People,
and keep them under continual Alarm: No less now than
four or five of our People who were gone to War, were
said to be killed by the Enemy, who lay in Ambush for
them; but where or when, none could tell: Nevertheless
the Report went about so strongly, that some good
Wives bewailed the Loss of their Husbands with Tears;
and I found it no easy Matter to undeceive them pres
ently, till the first Flash of the Report was pretty well
past, and I found convincing Arguments to shew them
there was no Truth in all they heard, but it was contrived
with only a wicked Design, &c. which at length pacify
ing them, I was not well contented myself, to see three

COLONIAL RECORDS. 583
or four audacious Persons daily going on impuue, to r?4o^
disturb the Minds of the People, which they made their May
Pastime and Delight: But if I can luckily fix upon one
of them, with good Proof, to be the Author of spreading
such false News, I shall not doubt but the Magistrates
will find Law sufficient to restrain them for the future,
as well as give them their Demerits for what is past.

Friday. Nothing occurred of any Moment, but every
body wished for some Intelligence what was doing in the
South, to clear up those Doubts which had for some
Days past arisen among us, by the Means before-men
tioned, which I could find no Grounds for.
Saturday. The Time was now come, when Truth must
appear, by the Arrival of a Person who came immediately
from the Camp (William Ewen) who had formerly been
a Servant in the Stores, and now came away in haste
from Mr. Houston, whose Employment was to deliver
out Provisions to the General's Regiment; so that he
brought no Letters from the General, but made Report,
on his own Knowledge, in Substance as follows, viz.
That the General was broke up from the late Camp on
the Main, opposite to the Island St. George, and ad
vanced nearer the Enemy: That upon receiving Intelli
gence there was a large Cow-Pen not far off, which had
more than a thousand Cattle belonging to it, supposed to
be the King of Spain's own, for the Use of the Garison
of Augustin, and defended by a Fort called St. Diego;
his Excellence resolved to take that in, and accordingly
marched to attack it, making use of a little Strategem,
as well as Force: Which was, by appointing three or four
Drums together beating here and there in divers Places
in the Woods, and now and then a few Men appearing
suddenly, and then withdrawing out of Sight again;
which the Enemy in the Fort were so confounded at, not
doubting but they were invested by a greater Number of
Troops than we really had, they made but a feint Oppo-

30.

584 COLONIAL RECORDS.
sition, by firing a few Guns over our Mens Heads "40-
(which whether so intended or not, is uncertain) and upon May
being summoned to surrender, they did not long hesitate
ere they did so, on Condition of being treated as Prison
ers of War, and (what they principally insisted on) not
to be delivered into the Hands of the Indians with us;
which was granted; and they were in Number forty-six
Spaniards, and four Negroes, most of whom were sent
on board our Men of War, only the Commander had his
Liberty to walk to and fro in the Camp, on his Parole
given to the General; and one other, said to be a Gunner,
and upon good Examination found to be an expert one,
upon his Request to take on in our Service, the General
readily accepted of him; and from what private Intelli
gence he got of him, shews him great Countenance; a
very agreeable Instrument at this Season. The Camp is
now said to be within thirteen Miles of Augustin, and
the General has been several Times to view it, at a very
little Distance: Great Numbers of Boats of all Kinds
and Sizes lie ready for any Service, within the Mouth of
the River St. Juan, and two Men of War (the Phoenix
and Flamborough) without all, to protect them; some
being employed in fetching Mortars, Bombs, and other
Stores of Ammunition to the Camp, from Frederica, and
where else they had been landed: Several other Men of
War are constantly cruising, to prevent any one getting
into, or coming out of Augustin; wherefore it is pre
sumed we shall now soon hear of the Town's being ac
tually besieged, which all our Troops are brisk and intent
upon: In the, mean Time, after such a prodigious Seizure
of Cattle, our People eat roast Beef in Plenty, and are
likely to do so awhile to come, as well as mount Spanish
Horses, which they also took great Numbers of.
Sunday. All Fears being now blown once more over, June
such as were so disposed, went quietly to Church, to
hear the Prayers read by Mr. Simms, and two Sermons
as usual.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 585
Monday. Advice being brought me by Jacob Morris, "to.
an Indian Trader among the Cherokees, who arrived Ju,ne
late last Night, that he had brought down with him out
of that Nation twelve Men, whom he had left at Mr.
Matthews's, and desired I would send a Conveyance for
them hither; I assured him no Delay in the Service should
be imputed to me, which was in my Power to prevent:
But the great Difficulties we lay under for want of Boats
here, which were mostly employed already in the South,
must unavoidably check such Expedition in many Cases,
as otherwise we should readily make: Soon after, we
made Shift to get a Boat however, to go up thither, large
enough to bring them all down with the next Tide. In
the Afternoon I received Letters from Lieutenant Will)',
in the Upper Creeks, and Mr. Wigan, a Trader in the
Lower Creeks, both setting forth divers Artifices used
by the French Emissaries to create a cold Indifference
in that Nation toward us: Whereof Notice has before
been taken {vide May 2, 3 and 7.) but as Malatchie was
not arrived, who was every Day expected, when these
Letters were wrote that I now received; we expect his
Presence among them, on his Return, will alter the Face
of Affairs there very soon. In the Evening the Boat
came down with those Indians from Matthews's, whom
I received in the accustomed Manner of greeting, went
with them to the House provided for them, and took
Care that they had Provisions of Meat, Drink, Pipes and
Tobacco, to their Content, after the Rate which had
always been allowed.
Tuesday. A Riot happened lately in the Lower 3.
Creek Nation, by several unlicensed Traders insulting
some of 'those legally appointed, wounding, assaulting,
and binding two or three, and threatening immediate ;
Death to them: For which Violence, Endeavours have
been used to seize the Offenders, but hitherto only two
of them have been laid hold on; one of whom was
catcht at Frederica, or near it, whose Deserts the Gen-

586 COLONIAL RECORDS.
eral will best judge of: Another, since taken up in the rm
Nations, was now brought down a Prisoner here, whom J^ne
the Magistrates have taken in hand; and finding that he
was not a Fomenter of the Mischief, but came at the
latter End of the Fray, they thought fit to accept of
Bail for his Appearance at our next Court, he offering
such as was unexceptionable. Two or three others, the
most culpable, are yet sought after, and it is hoped,
• through Mr. Kent's Diligence at Fort Augusta, they will
be Apprehended in a little Time. My immediate Care
at present, was to hasten away those few Indians that
came last Night; wherein I would not lose an Hour wil
lingly: But we were now left in such a low State, with
out almost any Boats or Hands to row them, all our
Strength on the Water being employed in the South,
that it was not instantly in my Power to send away this
Handful of People after them; but I would leave no
Stone unturned, till spme Expedient or other might be
found, to accomplish my Purpose. Mr. Williamson,
newly arrived from Charles-Town, called on me in the
Form of a Visit; and falling of course into some Talk
of what passed several Months since, relating to the Re-
cordership, &c. I asked him, whether or no at that Time
he did not tell me, in case he had been in my Place, he
must have acted as I did? which he now confessed; but
told me the Case was since altered, by Mr. Christie's
going off: To which I replied, that the whole Affair
having at that Time been laid before the honourable
Trustees, I could not persuade myself to ¦think, it would
become me, to take the least Step farther in it, till I re
ceived their Orders fully thereon: And it was well known,
that the utmost Extent of my Office, was to be a Ve
hicle of their Commands, which some People fancied
the Title of, the Trusts Letter-Carrier, was a synonymous
Term for {vide May 6.) We parted in good Humour;
and in the next Place I was to expect what an extraor
dinary Council held at Jenkins's would produce.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 587
Wednesday. Having Intelligence, that Capt. Davis "«>.
was come into the River at Tybee, after much Time lost 3a^'e
at Charles-Town, his Men being impressed into the Men
of War, and himself engaged in much Controversy at
Law, which put a full End now to any farther Thoughts
about Privateering: He therefore purposed to make the
best of his Way to the General in the South, hoping,
that as he had shewn him many Favours, he would re
ceive him kindly, and admit the Sloop he had with him
into the publick Service, among so many others em
ployed. This I thought a providential Piece of good
News for us, whereby it was hoped that we might get
these Indians off our Hands, which we were at so much
Loss about before; and therefore I wrote a Letter imme
diately to the Captain, and sent it by the same Person
who came up, and brought us this News, (which was
Elisha Foster, one of our Freeholders, that sailed with
him in some Office) desiring that we might have the
Benefit of such a Conveyance, which would be shewing
a ready Disposition to promote the Service, and making
a Compliment to the General, which without Doubt he
would take kindly; and that they should be fully vict
ualled from hence. This I conceived was so reasonable
a Request, that I assured myself it could not be refused;
but must wait for his Answer. In the mean while, the
Devil had been hard at Work in finding out fresh Means
to disturb Peoples Minds, with Rumours of strange
Things we were to see very soon, namely, that his Maj
esty being made sensible of the Hardships which his
Subjects of this Colony labour'd under, he was deter
mined to put an End to the Trust, and would establish
such Rules and Forms, as he saw proper to be observed,
under a new Governor, whom he would appoint. How
ever ridiculous this must appear to Men of good Under
standing, yet there was not wanting some honest Men
of the common Rank, who in.a Sort of Consternation
came to be informed of the Truth of what they had
heard, expecting I would tell them all the Truth; but

Thursday. The Relict of John West, a while since
deceased, died this Morning, after a short Illness; but
whether she was a Widow or Wife, many People doubted;
though she cohabited with Mr. William Kellaway, a
Trader and Freeholder in this Town; and it was said they
were privately married by the French Minister at Purys
burgh, which some questioned the Truth of. Mr. Whit
field, to the Surprize of most People, came to Town in a
Boat from Tybee, where he left his Sloop that he sailed
in for Pensilvania, and was a Month or two sooner than
expected. Upon my making him a Visit in the After
noon, to bid him welcome; he told me, that he had col
lected upwards of 500 /. Sterling for the Use of the Or
phan-House, on his preaching several Sermons, notwith
standing the Opposition he met with: Whereat observing
it was what I seemed to take particular Notice of; he
farther added, that he should not think himself a Preach
er of the Gospel, unless he met with Opposers: I under
stood he had travelled by Land to New- York from Phil
adelphia, and back again; after dispatching his Friend,
Mr. Seward, first to Old-England, before he himself vis
ited the New; which he told me was in his Intention the
latter End of this Summer, after he had tarried a while

June

588 COLONIAL RECORDS.
when they found I had nothing to say to it, but laughed
at them, for suffering themselves to be so easily imposed J1l
on, when they so well knew from whence these vile Sto
ries so frequently sprang, they went away with equal
Shame in themselves, as Indignation at the Authors,
whom they bestowed their Curses upon bitterly. This
is looked upon by many People as the utmost Stretch of
Politicks our Wiseacres of the Club have attempted,
vain as it is, but designed to try how well it would rel
ish amonof us. Whether or not Mr. Williamson's Pres-
ence added any Weight to their Deliberations, does not
appear to us without; but undoubtedly they are all big
with the Expectation of something that is to come to
pass (very soon, as they give out.)

COLONIAL RECORDS. 589
here. His Sloop that he came in, was fully loaden with 1740.
Provisions of all Sorts, for Food and Cloathing, and ten J""e
Passengers (Men and Women) of divers Trades, useful
to his Purpose, viz. Taylor, Shoemaker, Glazier, &c. In
the Evening (after pausing and hesitating a while) he
buried the Corpse that died this Morning; but after it
was in the Ground, and the Service was over, he made a
Sort of Declamation against a loose and debauched Life
and Conversation; not sparing the Deceased, as one who
had given publick Scandal to good People, by her De
portment for some Time past: Mr. Kellaway, her sup
posed Husband, being at present attending the General,
as an Interpreter of the Spanish Language, which he is
a good Master of, having lived among them several
Years in Time past.
Friday. This Morning early Peter Emery, with his o.
Boat, arrived from Charles-Town, to whom Mr. Hopton
had committed the Care of the following Particulars,
which he wrote me came by the Charles, Capt. Hara-
mond, on Sunday the 1st Instant, and were now deliv
ered to me, viz. a large Box directed to the General, and
a Letter with it for him; a Box of a less Size directed
to me, wherein were Blank Sola Bills to the Value of
1000 /. Sterling; and with it divers Letters for Messieurs
Jones, Parker, Fallowfield, Christie, Bolzius, &c. and
among others, one for me from Mr. Verelst, importing
the Orders and Directions of the Trust to be observed
by me: Withal a new Constitution, appointing Mr. Par
ker first Bailiff, and revoking that which was formerly
sent Mr. Christie: Also a Constitution appointing John
Pye to officiate as Recorder, during the Suspension of
Thomas Christie; and Revocation of Mr. Williamson
from that Office: Moreover, a Grant of three hundred
Acres of Land to the Rev. Mr. McLeod, Minister of Da
rien, for the Benefit of him and his Successors, dated
October 10, 1739, together with a Counterpart for him
to execute, &c. I lost no Time in delivering out the

(i.

590 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Letters, whereat I observed some People appeared as "*°-
if thunder-struck, finding themselves so defeated in their Jl},ne
Designs: For it was evident beyond Contradiction, that
had the Scheme succeeded, which some few had formed
in their Imaginations, the whole Determination of all
Matters would have rested in the Will of our political
Club, who knew how to lead two of those as they pleased,
who they expected would sit on the Bench of Justice;
Mr. Fallowfield by too often frequenting that Company,
imbibing many Notions tending to create much Disturb
ance in this Place, and had of late shewn himself a
Creature of theirs, whom he advised with on all Occa
sions: But I am unwilling to say more of that now,
hoping he will see his Error, when he finds it in vain to
set himself in Opposition to two of his Brethren; either
of whom he is in no Degree comparable with, in Under
standing or Judgment: And if Mr. Williamson's being
among us for so many Days past, was owing to an Opin
ion that about this Time the Trustees Orders would come
for establishing such a Court of Justice, as he and a few
others looked for: I saw no Obstacle now to his return
ing when he pleased to Carolina, till he saw Matters go
more to his Liking, As to myself, nothing could be
equal Comfort to me, under my present Anxiety of Mind,
with the kind and tender Regard which Mr. Verelst
wrote me the honourable Trustees expressed on that Oc
casion. Saturday. Having received a Letter from Capt. Davis,
readily consenting to what I asked of him a Day or two
since, relating to his Conveyance of those Indians to the
South, that were lately come hither, I sent them off this
Day in a small Sloop, to be put by her on board the
Captain at Tybee, namely, eleven Cherokee Indians, and
nine Chicassaws, together with their Conductors, and a
few other white Men that accompanied them out of their
Nations, making in all about thirty Men: And with them
I sent the Box that I had newly received for the Gen-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 591
eral; as also the Letter that came with it; together with nio.
Letters, and various Dispatches to his Excellence, from Jliue
myself, and others in these Parts; all which I charged
Mr. George Currie with the Care of, whom I always had
looked upon as a sedate, sober Person, to be confided in:
Which is more than I can say of many of our Indian
Traders, that are too much addicted to a loose Way of
Living. This Afternoon I entertained myself by look
ing into my little Plantation and Nursery near the Town,
where I spent a few Hours; which, though so nigh, was
more than I could find Leisure to do for a Fortnight
past. Sunday. Mr. Whitfield appeared to be returned to 8.
his Ministry here, with double Vigour; and after read
ing the Common Prayer, what he delivered extempore,
as well in Prayer as Sermon, seemed to be with uncom
mon Vociferation and Waste of Spirits; enforcing the
Doctrine of original Sin, and the Necessity of a Regen
eration, Conversion, and Justification by Faith in Christ,
&c. otherwise Hell was ready to receive us. It matters
little how far I thought all he said was sound Divinity;
but unless he abates some of his Threats to keep Heaven
Gates shut, against all whom he shall think unworthy to
enter in, I fear the Consequence will be bad.

y.

Monday, | The violent Heat of Weather more
Tuesday. J than ordinary, which People felt for a 10.
few Days past, made the most Hardy submit to it, and les
sen their Labour: And I found such Influence from it on
my own Spirits, that every Thing I attempted becoming
irksome, I acquiesced in an indolent State, as others did,
waiting a little refreshing Change of Air: My Thoughts,
however, were not asleep, but sufficiently busied about those
weighty Matters, which those Letters contained, lately
sent me from the Trust; and I began now with some
Impatience, to look for Mr. Jones's Return from the
General, after more than a Fortnight's Absence, that we

592 COLONIAL RECORDS.
misrht l'oin in our Endeavours, to answer what was re- "4°-
quired. By a Boat arrived this Day (Tuesday) from Port- Jl^ne
Royal, we learnt, that Capt. Davis's Sloop at Tybee, 10
with the Indians on board, was not yet sailed thence;
but the Captain told him he intended to put to Sea this
same Night; whereat I began to grow a little uneasy,
wishing him gone.
Wednesday. This Day we had Intelligence again of n.
another Rising of the Negroes in Carolina, which, unless
soon suppressed, has the Appearance of greater Danger
than any of the former; forasmuch as this broke out
near Charles-Town itself, about Ashley River, Dor
chester, and the circumjacent Parts, where at least a
hundred and fifty were got together in Defiance: But
as they were yet unprovided with Arms, and there was
no Corn on the Ground ripe, for their Subsistance, it was
hoped they would quickly be dispersed: And the Coun
try being all alarmed and in Pursuit of them, they had
already taken about fifty, whom they were daily hang
ing, ten in a Day. Such dreadful Work, it is to be
feared, we may hear more of in Time, in case they come
to breaking open Stores to find Arms, as they did the last
Year; and are able to keep the Field, with Plenty of
Corn and Potatoes every where; and above all, if it is
considered how vastly disproportionate the Number of
white Men is to theirs: So that at best, the Inhabitants
cannot live without perpetually guarding their own Safety,
now become so precarious. What Inference may be
drawn from hence, with relation to this Colony, will be best
done by the honourable Persons who make the Welfare
of Georgia their Study. I had this Afternoon the Pleas
ure of seeing a Beginning made, of the Work long
wished for, viz. building a Church at this Town: a few
Load of Stones being brought, and laid down in the
Place where it is intended to stand.
Thursday. This Day began with the melancholy 12.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 593

June 12.

News of more Duelling at the Camp in the South, and ^m
the fatal Consequence of it. Ensign Tolson, of Capt
Norbury's Company, having a Quarrel with Mr. Eyles,
a Surgeon in the Army, they fought; and the latter was
killed on the Spot; a Man of very good Skill in his Pro
fession, and well esteemed: Not many Days after Peter
Grant, lately of this Town, and a Freeholder, afterwards
made Naval Officer at Frederica by the General, and
since changing to be a Cadet in the Army; having a
Quarrel with one Mr. Shenton, a Cadet likewise; which
Mr. Shenton endeavoured (as far as he well could) to
avoid deciding by the Sword; but the other admitting
of no Terms of Reconciliation, they fought, and the Ag
gressor dropt dead. These Tidings came by a small
Boat on its Way from the Camp to Charles-Town, which
stopt and left it at one of our Out-Plantations; and is
looked on with great Pity: It is not very long since
Ensign Leman, in a Rencounter, being wounded in his
Leg, and a Mortification ensuing, he was forced to suffer
an Amputation, and supply its Place with a wooden
one. Surely our Enemies will hear this with Pleasure.
After three or four Days Detention at Tybee, by contrary
Winds, I was now advised, by a Boat from thence, that
Capt. Davis, with the Indians lately taken by him on
board his Sloop, sailed Yesterday to the South; which I
was very glad to hear. In the Evening Mr. Jones ar
rived from thence, having been about seventeen Days on
this Expedition.
Friday. In frequent Conference with Mr. Jones, I is.
learnt the General's Opinion in divers of those Matters
which had been laid before him, for our better Conduct;
and withal, his Excellency's near Approach to the Fort
ress of Augustin; wherein various Conjectures were
made, whether they should meet with an obstinate De
fence, or the contrary; but a very little Time now, would
let us see the Event, which every good Man had much at
Heart. It was observable, that since the Answers I had
38 c r— -vol 4

591 COLONIAL RECORDS.
given to those Questions, demanded of me on the 24th 1740.
ult. those Examiners, or some of the same Fraternity, Jjp*
were often on Horseback, taking a Progress through
most of the Plantations, as well near, as more remote,
looking on themselves as Surveyors, and Inspectors,
appointed so to do; and it was not improbable, that their
Correspondents in England had so advised them, in or
der to see how well the different Reports would agree,
which must be expected from hence hereafter; when
without Doubt no Pains would be wanting in them, to
accumulate Abundance of Grievances to obviate any
Positions, or Sentiments offered, by Persons who retain
a just Opinion of the impartial Proceedings of the hon
ourable Trustees.
Saturday. A Sloop from New-York (  Tingley 14.
Master) arrived with sundry Sorts of Provisions for Sale;
but no Beef or Pork; which being greatly wanted, we
were much disappointed in our Expectations, not know
ing which Way to come at any this Summer Season:
Wherefore, after some few Things of least Value were
taken off his Hands, he designed to proceed with the
Bulk of his Loading to the Army in the South, consist
ing of Flour, Rice, Biscuit, strong Beer, Wine, &c. which
would be welcome there, to make use of with their
choice Food, that they were lately so happily supplied
with at St. Diego from the Spaniards (much Good may
it do them.) As for us here, though it is too early yet
to meet with Beef that is thoroughly fat; we are obliged
for Subsistance to kill now and then a Steer, perhaps
once in ten Days, which we debet ourselves with as Cash,
and sell out, to the People who are able to pay for it, in
small Pieces, for immediate Use; otherwise it will cor
rupt, Salt not availing to cure during these Heats. I
cannot pass over this, without offering my poor Opinion
humbly thereon to the honourable Trustees (as I think I
have done some Time formerly) that if they would
please at a proper Season in the Winter, or early in

COLONIAL RECORDS. 595
the Spring, to send us a Vessel of pretty good Burden, ma
laden in Ireland with good Beef, some Tallow, a little J£ne
Butter, and nothing else; it would be gladly received,
and accounted for as Cash, and put us out of all Anx
iety about Meat, which we always suffer at this Time
of Year, for about four or five Months, when it is not to
be had for Money by the most industrious among us,
otherwise than I have said.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield performed the Divine Service, "•
with such a devout Emotion of Spirit, as nobody could
justly blame him for: After which he dwelt a while on
extempore Prayer (as usual;) and in his Preaching, I
was very glad to observe him more temperate in his
Utterance, than sometimes he appears: Nor did I think
his Reasoning a Jot the less enforcing, without Rant
ing. Monday. Another Set-out this Morning with two or i«.
three of our new-appointed Inspectors from Jenkins's,
to make what Observations they thought proper, and
report to their Principals, how they found Matters at
their Return: Which without Doubt they meant to apply
to a right Use, for perfecting the Work of Reformation,
which they had so long been labouring in, for the Good
of th© Colony. Late in the Evening Mr. Whitfield took
Boat up the River, to make a Visit at Ebenezer, accom
panied by Mr. Groneau, one of the Ministers there, who
was come hither to wait on him. I could not find any
Thing else all this Day to make Remark of.
Tuesday. The Weather happening to be rainy, was 17i
a little Baulk to our Inspectors, who thought it best to
repose themselves at Mr. Fallowfield's Plantation these
two Days; where it may be presumed they found Mat
ter in Discourse, to make farther Improvement on in due
Season: All we could know of their Proceedings was,
that they returned home again this Afternoon, as wise

596 COLONIAL RECORDS.
as theyrwent. Spending an Hour or two with Mr. Jones i"^
at the Store (as I frequently use to do) he told me Mr. J™e
Whitfield had made him a Visit there the Day before,
complaining to him, that he thought himself hardly
used by him (Mr. Jones) during the Time of his Ab
sence in the Northern Provinces; by taking away one
of the Orphans out of his House, in an authoritative
Manner, whereas he could have no such Authority;
which might in Effect destroy the Deed of the Trust to
him. Mr. Jones alledged the General's positive Orders
to him, to do what he did: But that availed little with
Mr. Whitfield, who said he was resolved to write there
upon to the Trust. Wherefore, being no Party myself
in this Affair, it may not be amiss to recollect what I re
member about it.  Mellidge, a Freeholder here,
and one of the first forty, at his Death left several Or
phans, whom the General (then only Mr. Oglethorpe)
shewed particular Marks of his Favour to, for their
Father's Sake, whom he looked on as a valuable Man;
and in the Process of a few Years, the eldest Boy prov
ing to be an active, diligent, and well-grown Youth, he
was become serviceable, in many Cases, to his good
Patron, and employed by him variously, as Occasion re
quired: The eldest Sister began now likewise to be capa
ble of managing the House at home, and guiding the
young Family: Whereupon the General last Spring en
couraged them to begin, and try what they could do
about Planting, intending seemingly thereby to shew,
what might be expected from Boys, if encouraged, and
well looked after. About that Time it happened, that
Mr. Whitfield came, with the Power which the Trust had
granted him, for taking the Orphans under his Care;
among whom the Younger of these two Brothers (Mel
lidge) was taken by him for one, leaving the Elder at
home; who complained, that his Brother being taken
from them at this Time, when he could be of so much
Use; it would be a Means of breaking up a Family that
were now come to the Point of shifting for themselves:

COLONIAL RECORDS. 597
Which agreeing exactly with the General's Thoughts vm^
(then at Frederica) he sent Orders to Mr. Jones, to take JJ£e
the young Lad home to the Family, which now would
be no Charge to the Publick: And on that Occasion was
pleased to write his Sentiments relating to the Orphans;
which (as I remember) I enclosed Copy of to Mr. Verelst,
for the Perusal of the Trust; whose Opinion we shall
now hope for, upon Mr. Whitfield's laying this Case be
fore them.
Wednesday. A profound Quiet; and nothing stirring is,
all Day worth taking Notice of.
Thursday. After having at sundry Times conferred 19-
with some Persons, whom I thought I could repose the
greatest Confidence in, relating to what the Trust had
been pleased to impart to me, of the Parliament being
appealed to, by some of our Malecontents, who sought
all Ways to give them Trouble: And by Degrees inform
ing such as I knew to be open-hearted, well-meaning
People, what Means the honourable Trustees proposed,
to defeat their malicious and base Designs, namely, by
our attesting the Truth, of what we knew to be such, in
several Articles they had ordered to be laid before us:
(In the doing whereof it behoved me to act with the ut
most Caution, lest a Judas should be found among us) I
thought as little Time as possible should be lost in re
ducing some of our Thoughts into Writing: For which
Purpose I conceived, that three or four at a Time meet
ing, would be sufficient; who were stedfast to the Truth,
and utterly averse to all such Clamour as they saw made
of late; which they rightly apprehend must produce
great Mischief, if suffered to go on: Thus in some Meas
ure prepared, I resolved, in a Day or two more, to make
a Beginning, and try whether or not we could produce
somewhat towards the Support of Truth, at least as valid
as what our woful Patriots brought forth at Jenkins's, to
disguise it. Mr. Williamson's Stay so long among us

598 COLONIAL RECORDS.
here, gave Occasion for various Reports (now in other "*°-
Folks Turn) to fly about, and assign some Cause for it, Ju°e
right or wrong: Some said he was sending for his Wife
to come to him; from whence others concluded, that
Charles-Town was too hot for him — at this Season; and
such Stories still improving as they go, a great many
Things were talked of to his Discredit; which, without
sure Grounds, I would not, in common Charity, be the
Reporter of: Time will discover greater Mysteries than
this. Friday. The New-York Sloop that arrived here last 20.
Saturday, after disposing of a few small Wares, which
were of little Value; and intending to sail for the South
this Day, I wrote by her to the General, &c. giving my
Letters in Charge to Mr. Minis, a Jew Freeholder of this
Town, to whom the Loading was consigned. Two or
three Indian Traders, wanting to renew their Licences,
and pretty much flustered in Drink (which is pretty com
mon among them) took up more of my Time this Day
with their Impertinence, than I could well afford.
Saturday. To pursue my Design of Thursday last, 21.
with as little Delay as possible; I now called to my As
sistance three such as I had no Doubt of their Qualifica
tions or Good-will, to promote that necessary Piece of
Service, namely, Messieurs Parker and Jones, first and
third Bailiffs, and Mercer, first Constable: When we
spent a few Hours together, in an hearty Concurrence of
Opinion on what was under our Consideration; which we
hoped, in due Time, to reduce into such Form, as we
might be able to justify to every Person unprejudiced,
who had a real Disposition to maintain the Truth: And
at parting we resolved to meet again, and communicate
our Thoughts to each other, as often as conveniently
might be. Mr. Jones afterwards, in Discourse on vari
ous other Matters betwixt ourselves, shewed a great Dis
like of several of Mr. Whitfield's late Proceedings; more

COLONIAL RECORDS. 599
especially with Regard to calling his Authority in Ques- "mo
tion, concerning what he did lately about young Mel- J^e
lidge (which I took Notice of on Tuesday last) and Mr.
Whitfield's having wrote a Letter to the Trust thereon,
complaining of Mr. Jones, without acquainting him that
he intended so to do, before their late Conference on
that Affair; which Mr. Jones resented very much; and I
plainly found, by his warm Expressions, it was likely to
come to an open Rupture between them: One, on all Ap
pearance, setting little Value on any Power, either eccle
siastical or civil, which claimed a Superiority over him;
and the other, not much heeding what Obedience was
paid to Church Government, resolved not to abate one
Iota of what he thought due to the Civil Magistrate.
Sunday. Mr. Whitfield stuck closely to his Vocation, 22.
in praying and preaching extempore, as was his Custom,
after the appointed Service was first read: But the Sur
plice for some Time past seemed to be laid aside as use
less. The Morning Service was on one of the Beati
tudes, concerning hungering and thirsting after Right
eousness; which he treated of to very good Purpose a
while; till at length he had wound himself up into one
of his ordinary Rhapsodies, touching a New Birth, Con
viction, Conversion, Free Grace, Justification by Faith,
&c. which, be the Subject what it would, all his Dis
courses terminated in: And now he told us plainly, that
unless we were so far advanced in the Knowledge of
Christ, as to have a full Assurance that we felt the Holy
Spirit move within us, we were as uncapable of hunger
ing and thirsting after Righteousness, as the Stones in a
Wall; without which, nevertheless, we were all in a repro
bate State, &c/&c. In the Afternoon he took St. Paul's
Words to Timothy, in his 2d Epistle, 3d Chapter, and
1 2th Verse, for his Subject: Wherein addressing himself
to those few particularly, who were his strictest Disciples,
and scarcely allowed themselves to converse with any
that had not found the Spirit yet upon them, he shewed

600 COLONIAL RECORDS.
what the Word Persecution imported in its full Latitude; ^"^
and that from the Apostle's asserting, all who will live JJ2ne
holy must suffer Persecution, it was plainly begun al
ready, in opposing the Doctrine he taught, and ridiculing
the converted Saints, who endeavored to live up to it:
Bidding them be of good Cheer, to stand fast together
as Brethren: And as for himself, he was expecting all
cruel Treatment from his Adversaries, who were set on
by the Devil; all which he was ready to undergo. This
Point he had lightly touched on, twice or thrice before;
but now he has grown more vehement; which occasioned
some Talk after Church was over, several Constructions
being put upon it; and among others, Mr. Jones would
needs have it, that he was one pointed at, next under the
General himself.
Monday. From the Time of my Arrival here in the 23.
Trust's Service, on November 1, 1737, 1 had divers Times
notified the Danger I apprehended from the Decay of
the Sea-Mark at Tybee, lest it should come to Ruin for
Want of timely Care to prevent it, which would bring a
Reproach from all the trading People in these Parts, for
so shameful a Neglect, and also might prove of very bad
Consequence to many: But all I could say upon it,
proved of no Effect, some publick Work or other still
taking Place, as more immediately needful; insomuch
that not any Survey had been taken of the Condition it
was in; till now, upon the Trust's making particular
Mention of it, in their late Letter; and hereupon my
urging it again, it was agreed by Mr. Jones and me to
go down this Day; as we did; and taking sufficient
Workmen with us, who were competent Judges of the
State it was in; it was very grievous to me to hear every
one of them declare, that it was not in the Power of Man
now to repair it, it was so far gone to Ruin: And it would
hardly have been thought credible by me, what I now
saw myself, how greatly the Destruction of it was in
creased, since the last Time I saw it, which was in Octo-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 601

June 23.

ber last, when I conceived it might have been somewhat i«o
holpen; and so I reported it at my Return, after going
on board Capt. Thompson, at that Time there: But every
Part, both of the upper and lower Work, was now so
perished, and all the Joints become so rotten, that it was
rather to be admired it yet stood as it did, many of the
Braces frequently dropping; and it must now be ex
pected, as soon as the strong North-West Winds come,
which we usually look for in Autumn, it must tumble all
together. Under these melancholy Apprehensions we
returned home.
Tuesday. The Heat of the Weather abating, which
had confined me at home all Day; towards Evening, in
my Walk to catch a little Breeze of Air, I accidentally
met Mr. Williamson, who soon found something to say
to me; and so we fell into Discourse from one Thing to
another; wherein he took Pains (as I thought) to make
me believe, how much better Opinion he had of Georgia,
where he once lived, than Carolina, where the Business
he was in obliged him at present to be resident: Then
he inveighed against the Vanity of the Inhabitants, and
the inveterate Ill-will they almost in general bore to this
Colony; which they would talk of with great Contempt,
though at the same Time they were under strong Appre
hensions, that in a few Years it would outdo them in
Trade and Manufactures too, who in such a Length of
Time had attained to nothing but Rice. I told him, in
my Turn, that we were under no Pain at several of our
People deserting this Place, last Year particularly; most
Part of whom have experienced, to their Cost (some
with the Loss of their Lives) what an unhappy Change
they made: Some are escaped out of their Misery there,
and returned to poor Georgia, glad to be admitted again
to work for their Bread among us; and one Family or
two more, as I am advised from them, are purposing the
like just now. I could not refrain from adding, that if
we can be so happy to get Possession of Augustin, I did

602 COLONIAL RECORDS.
not doubt but we should quickly see some of the fine "40-
Folks at Charles-Town looking out for a Place to sit J£4ne
down in, more in the Way of a Spanish and West-India
Trade, than where they are; and might be glad to sub
mit to the Constitution of Georgia, which so much Pains
had been taken to explode. He replied, that he was
firmly of that Opinion; and whatever some might
think of him, he would not quit what Interest he had in
Land here, for 200 /. Sterling: Then he told me, that I
had guessed right in what I said; for that to his Knowl
edge, several were hunting about for Titles of Grants of
Lands, run out here formerly; and among others, he said
the Attorney-General had sent his Service to me by
him, and advised me, as a Friend, not to be at any farther
Expence in making Improvements, as I was going on at
my Plantation; for that he had a good Title to a large
Tract of Land there (I think he said a Barony) wherein
mine, which I held from the Trust, was included: I
smiled, and desired him to return my Compliments to
that Gentleman; and to assure him, I should not stop
my Hands at Bewlie, nor be in any Pain about the Title
to it; and so we parted.  Fas est & ab Hoste doceri.
Wednesday. Very little worth taking Notice of: But 25.
I found, upon some Talk I had with Mr. Jones, that no
good Understanding was yet to be looked for, betwixt
him and Mr. Whitfield; for that he had sent this Morn
ing to one of Mr. Whitfield's principal Actors to come
to him, whom he had discoursed with very freely, and
plainly told him divers Things, wherein he thought Mr.
Whitfield to blame, as to his outward Conduct and Be
haviour, especially with respect to the General, whose
Name, at any Time when mentioned, he seemed to make
light of; and if it was made use of in any Instance,
where his Approbation was judged needful, Mr. Whit
field commonly would express his Dislike of it, by say
ing  What have I to do with the General? or Words
to that Effect: Seeming to insist on it, that in all Cases

COLONIAL RECORDS. 603
he should have Regard only to the collective Body of ™>j
the Trustees. Mr. Jones added farther (as he said to J^e
me) that he could not but take Notice of Mr. Whitfield's
going on so unadvisedly as he did, in paying such an
extravagant Price for Stones, which were now bringing,
in order to begin building a Church, without ever con
sulting, or advising, with any one but himself; when he
knew he was directed by the Trustees, to confer with
me thereon; and the General moreover had directed
both him (Mr. Jones) and me, to be assisting to him in
promoting that Work; especially in the Laying out and
Disposal of the 1 50 I. lately advanced towards it from
the Trust, who, as Guardians of all the Benefactions for
that Purpose, have most undoubtedly a Right to appoint
Officers of their own, to inspect and controll the Dis
bursement thereof, &c. &c. All which, the Person whom
it was said to, was charged to acquaint Mr. Whitfield
with; and it is to be presumed he did so. Here it may
be proper to explain the Occasion of the Word extrava
gant being made use of as above. One William Gough,
a Freeholder here, who near two Years since left this
Place, and went to Carolina, taking up his Abode at Port-
Royal, where he made a poor Shift to live, by teaching
little Children to read; had it nevertheless still at heart,
to return again some Time or other to Savannah, where
he hoped to see more Prosperity; on which Account, to
preserve his Claim, he took Care that his Guard-Duty
should be performed duly: For which End he left the
Care of his five-Acre Lot to Duchee the Potter, who in
lieu of Rent would provide for the said Duty; and has
continued so to do: But Duchee having before made
some Trial what that Lot would produce, found in it a
plentiful Quarry of Iron Stone; went to work upon it,
and turned out a considerable Quantity of such Stone;
which was then looked upon as a Rarity; and he sold a
great deal of it to divers People for various Uses; some
for building Chimnies, and some for other Purposes; at
the Rate of two Shillings per Load, and at one

Thursday. An odd Humour being lately sprung up
among some of our People for Horse-Racing, several
Days successively; it gave me a Jealousy of some far
ther latent Design; when I observed it was promoted
by that desperate Crew, whose whole Study and Em
ployment was to disturb the Quiet of the Place, and
keep the Spirits of the Well-meaning in a continual Flut
ter. The Horses were ordinarily mean and low-prized,
such as are mostly adapted to common Uses, for Hire,
&c. the Riders also ready, for Payment in Drink, to con
tribute to the Diversion: The Race a little more than a
Quarter of a Mile, from the Gate of the publick Garden,
to the Midst of Johnson's-Square. This answered the
Purpose of the Bettors (Dr. Tailfer and his Associates)
very well, and occasioned a Gathering together of a
Number of People, idling; among whom, a great Num
ber of Children, in the Way of Danger (as I thought.)
After the Race was over, it was very remarkable, that
instead of going to Jenkins's Tailfer directed the Bets
to be spent at another publick House; for this Reason
only, as I could find; because he could there find more
People to talk to, than at their Club; several not scru
pling to go there, who would have thought it a Scandal
on themselves to be seen in their Company at the usual
Place of their meeting. Seeing Matters thus carried on,

Juno 25.

604 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Shilling per Load for digging, besides Carriage; by J^l
which he got a pretty deal of Money: And that
put some others upon Experiments, whether or not
the like could not be found in their Lots: Among whom,
Mr. Mercer happened to find some on his Lot, at least
equally good with the other; which he offered to any
one that would dig it, and fetch it away, at Six-pence a
Load; and which we intended to make use of at that
Rate, for such publick Work as we were directed to
carry on, viz. about the House lately Mr. Bradley's, &c.
and would exceedingly differ from the Rate which Mr.
Whitfield was to get them at from Mr. Duchee.

26.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 605
I had the Curiosity to try if we could not penetrate far- }W^
ther into what they were doing: Wherefore Mr. Jones JJ"1*
and I went in the Evening to the same House (Mr.
Parker being out of Town at his Plantation;) and taking
a little Room adjoining to this Assembly, we called for
a Glass of Wine, sitting to observe what passed: Where
we soon discovered what I guessed to be their Business;
and could hear distinctly their Prolocutor, displaying
his Parts most vehemently to his Audience, in a long
Harangue; to shew how greviously ill-used this poor
Colony had been, for a great while past, through the
arbitrary Proceedings of those who had the Government
of it: And now at last, after all, they could imagine,
that People were to be sweetened by some trifling Amend
ments which they thought fit to make, in relation to the
Inheritance of their Lands: But he would make it appear
it was the basest Tenure in Christendom; and that it
was not in the Power of any Man living to be safe in
what he held, it being liable to such a Multitude of For
feitures, which the Grantors would, at their Pleasure,
take Advantage of: But he hoped in a few Months to
see a new Leaf turned over, and that Justice would be
done by a superior Power: And as for those Tools who
worked under them here (meaning, without Doubt, such
as had the Execution of the Trust's Commands) it was
in vain for them to conceal their Instructions; for all
must now very soon come to Light, &c. with Abundance
more such like Ribaldry, too long to dwell upon here;
all tending to inflame his Hearers, and excite Distur
bances. I could not find, however (with all this Contri
vance) that any Person of good Character had joined
their Company; only two or three loose, idle Fellows,
were got among them, who had more Regard for their
Share of Drink in the Wagers lost, than to the Doctor's
Eloquence: But the stanch Members of the Club stuck
together, as at other Times. After about an Hour's
Stay, my Companion having no longer Patience to bear

606 COLONIAL RECORDS.
such Roasting among others; we walked off, and left "">•
them to make what they pleased of it. Ju°e
Friday. The same Humour of Horse-Racing going 27.
forward, my Apprehensions increased, of the Conse
quence proving pernicious, from such mad, tumultous
Work; and I could not forbear imparting my Sentiments
of it to Mr. Jones, as a Magistrate; recommending a
Stop to be put to it, as a Breach of the Peace; by their
publishing an Advertisement, forbidding such illegal As
semblies; which undoubtedly ought to be deemed so, in
the Heart of the Town, how warrantable soever they
might be at a Distance out of it: Wherein he seemed to
be tacitly of my Opinion; but no other Magistrate being
then to be found, it rested for the present; and the
Sportsmen, as Yesterday, took a plentiful Cup in the
Evening, imbibing (I fear) but little Good under so sig
nal a Conductor.
Saturday. Capt. Patrick Mackay, going for Charles- 2s.
Town, I wrote some Letters by him to Mr. Hopton, and
others. Messieurs Whitfield and Jones, coming (in out
ward Appearance at least) to a better Understanding, I
was invited, with Mr. Jones, to Dinner at the Parson's,
where he acquainted us with his Intention of going the
Beginning of the Week for Charles-Town: But whether
he should go farther, or not, he was not fully determined,
for that he purposed to be back again here in about three
Weeks. Private Information was brought me this After
noon, that a Paper, ready drawn at Charles-Town, full of
more sad Complaints against our chief Rulers, and infe
rior Magistrates also, was secretly crept into this Place,
with Intent to be handed about, and to get as many
Names to it, as could be had among our Malecontents:
But what Title it bore, whether it was by Way of Peti
tion, or Remonstrance, my Informer could not yet learn;
only he promised to use his best Endeavours to get far
ther Knowledge about it very soon, viz. whose Framing

COLONIAL RECORDS. 607
it was, what the Substance of it, and whom it was in- ™>j
tended to be presented to. One of this Kind of Pro- Ju8ne
ductions, I before took Notice of, was beginning to
appear about the Middle of April last; but by what
Means it proved abortive, I could never learn.
Sunday. The publick Service was duly observed, 29.
as usual; and Mr. Whitfield gave an instructive Discourse
on the barren Fig-Tree. After Church we had the ill
News, by a trading Boat just arrived from Charles-
Town, of a sharp Action that happened lately near Au
gustin, wherein we lost about seventy Men; and it was
related thus, viz. That Colonel Palmer, a Gentleman of
good Fortune in Carolina, and an old Officer there for
merly, but now not commissioned in this new-raised Reg
iment, and serving as a Volunteer, was appointed by the
General, with the- Command of about a hundred Men, to
take Post at a certain Distance from the Town, towards
the Land: That in the Morning, about Day-break, or be
fore, a Body of five or six hundred Spaniards out of the
Town attacked them; when they defended themselves
bravely a while, and repelled them twice; but being
over-powered with Numbers, a great Slaughter ensued,
and two Thirds of our Men fell by the Sword; but not
without making the Enemy pay dearly for their Lives:
Among the Dead was Colonel Palmer himself, the Re
mainder making what Escape they could: And it is said
farther, that a great Number of the Enemy, at least
twice as many as on our Side, were slain. Thus we had
it told us by the Patroon of this Boat: But as we seldom
find the Reports from that Neighbourhood verified in all
Parts, and moreover having not the least Intelligence of
any Thing like it sent us from the General's Camp (which
seems very strange) we are willing to hope the next au
thentic Account we have from thence, will make some
Abatement of this disagreeable Story, and render it more
favourable.

608 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Monday. Lieutenant Kent from Fort Augusta, ar- *w>j
rived this Morning, by Permission, for a few Days, to Jugne
adjust divers Matters, relating to his own private Affairs,
as well as consult the Magistrates in some Affairs
concerning the Civil Power, wherein he met with frequent
Embarrassment how to put it in Execution; there was
such Jangling among the Traders, and pften Attempts of
Violence with one another, to decide Controversies by
Force, rather than submit to any Judicature; having
committed the Care of the Fort to a Serjeant under
him, whom he could well confide in, during his Absence:
He also had with him three Men, that he brought Pris
oners, whom he had lately taken, after a diligent Pursuit;
and were Part of those who committed that notorious
Riot in the Creek Nation some Time ago {vide June 3.)
but one or two of the most criminal were got out of his
Reach, and fled to Charles-Town; which they looked on
as a safe Asylum against all Prosecutions from Georgia:
These who now appeared, found good Bail for their so
doing again at our Court, near at hand now, and to abide
the Judgment of the same. Mr. Whitfield went off for
Carolina about Noon, taking one only Companion of his
Household with him (Mr. Simms) after having constituted
Mr. Habersham, to perform the Office of the Church in
his Absence, and Mr. Brownfield chief Steward of the
Whole, who now gave himself up wholly to that Care,
appointing William Ewen to manage his own private Af
fairs, about keeping Stores, who had formerly been Mr.
Causton's principal Agent in delivering out those of the
Publick: Since which, the said Ewen went on very in
dustriously with a fifty- Acre Lot at Skeedoway; but now
all was given up to promote a Work thought to be of
greater Importance; which was the Case with many
others, not only of this Town, but of Hampstead, High-
gate, and divers Places besides; so that the Work at the
Orphan- House seemed to be the great Gulph which
swallowed up most of our common People, whether
Artificers, Labourers, or Planters, that thought it more

COLONIAL RECORDS. 609
preferable to be so employed; which made the Town r^j
become thin indeed. The Humour of Horse-Racing J^e]
was yet kept up; but they thought fit to alter the Scene,
and carry on the Show a little out of Town.
Tuesday. Three or four more Indian Traders took up July
good Part of my Time this Day; which I could not well
spare, from being employed about what I was directed
to use by best Diligence in, to get ready such a State of
the Colony, as the Trustees could abide by the Truth of,
in any parliamentary Enquiry, &c. and therein my daily
Employment should be doing something towards it.
Mr. Causton having for some Months past forsaked the
Town, and retired to Ockstead, it has often been re
ported among us, that he was in a decaying State of
Health; which (it is to be feared) a great Anxiety of
Mind has contributed to; and now we heard from thence,
that he was so wasted away, and weak, it was believed
his Life was near an End.
Wednesday. Mr. Mackenzie, a Store-Keeper at Au- 2.
gusta, stopping here, on his Way home from Charles-
Town, confirmed the bad News, as he had it there, which
was reported to us by one of the trading Boats thence,
on the 29th past, of the Loss of a great many Men; who
(it was also said) sold their Lives at a dear Price, taking
Payment of the Enemy by the Death of more than two
hundred of them slain; which they could ill spare : The
Loss is said unhappily to fall heaviest (on our Side) upon
the Men of this Colony; most of those that were killed
being either of the Darien People, or of our Troop of
Rangers, or other small Parties; none of the regular
Forces, or of the Carolina Regiment, having any share
in the Action. This rather quickens than abates the
Resolution of the Besiegers, who are now animated with
a Spirit of Revenge; and we hear, that a large Battery
of heavy Cannon had begun to play on the Town. Dur
ing these Transactions, we of this Place can come at
39 c r— v 4

610 COLONIAL RECORDS.
very little News that is certain, to be relied on, having ^^
not had any Intelligence from the General since Mr. J^ly
Jones's Return; and what we more admire at is, that not
any Letters come thence from any of our People to their
Friends. Thursday. After a pretty long Continuance of ex- 3.
ceeding hot Weather, we were blessed this Day with a
plentiful Rain, but accompanied with terrible Thunder
and Lightning, which lasted a great Part of the Night
following; whereby the Earth, and all thereon, were
much refreshed; and such as had Employment for a Pen
and Ink, were sure to be undisturbed by any Avocations
from home, or giving Attention to what was doing
abroad. Friday, ) Being under some Indisposition, I *•
Saturday. ' would not allow myself the Liberty of 5
being abroad; but Messieurs Parker, Jones, &c. now and
then calling on me, we conferred betwixt while on the
principal Affair at present in hand, to make what Progress
in it we could: Wherein I wished for better Abilities,
than I found myself endued with, so to illustrate the
Truth, as to vindicate the Trustees Honour, and expose
the Malignity of those who attempted to impeach it.
Thinking it of little Significance now, to puzzle my
Thoughts farther, in putting together those Fragments
which I had been collecting, in order to lay the State we
were in before the Trust, when the State of the Colony
was expected so fully to be explained and laid open to
them with our utmost Care and Diligence, at this Time
to be used : I chose rather to make up a Packet, with
my Journal to this Time, and other Papers, &c. together
with a Letter to Mr. Verelst, which might be ready at
anyTime to send off, when Opportunity offered; and which
indeed was all I attempted these two Days.
Sunday. Mr. Habersham, in Mr. Whitfield's Absence, o.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 611
read the Prayers of the Church, and Sermons before "40^
Noon and after, out of some old Author; wherein, tho' J^y
the Language was somewhat antiquated, the Doctrine
was good, tending to promote Piety and Virtue.
Monday. Our Court met this Day, as per Adjourn- 7.
ment, and sat, to determine several Controversies among
some of our Keepers of Stores at Augusta, and some
Indian Traders who dealt with them; wherein I observed
a Propensity pretty equal on both Sides, to over-reach
one another, and scramble which of them should gain
most. Attending the Court before Noon, and some of
the Traders after, who came to renew their Licences,
took up most of my Time all Day.
Tuesday. The Court went on with such Matters as 8.
they could not well avoid hearing; much of the same
Significance as Yesterday, and worth little Notice from
me: But what else occurred there, I thought required
my particular Remark, being what possibly one Day or
other I may be called to account for: When the Court
was about rising, an Attempt was made, by two or three,
to interrupt them in a clamorous Manner, and demand
an Entry of their Claims to such Lands as they held:
Which they received an Answer to in the softest Man
ner, to pacify them as far as might be, viz. that they
would readily concur in so doing; but they apprehended,
from what I had some Time since acquainted them with,
that there was a Box directed to me, sent from the Trus
tees, wherein were divers Papers, printed, intended to be
dispersed by me for the Satisfaction of the People, re
lating to the future intended Tenure of Lands; and
among other Things in the said Box, a Deed-Poll re
lating to forfeited Lots; which printed Papers concerning
the Tenure of Lands, and Deed-Poll relating to forfeited
Estates, they had never yet seen, and that they should
have expected some plain Instructions thereon, when I
published the Notice that I received from the Trust for

612» COLONIAL RECORDS.
m
the People to enter their Claims; but all appeared dark vm^
to them, as Matters now stood; and they were fearful lest Jl$y
they might commit some Error, &c. reserving them to
me at last, to explain the whole Progress (or rather I
should say Obstruction) of my putting in Execution
the Orders sent me from the Trust, concerning this im
portant Affair; wherein the one only Step I have been
able to take about it, has been publishing the Notice in
our Town which was written and enclosed from the
Trust, about Claims, &c. and even that I never received
till the 7th of April last, tho' the Letter it came in, was
dated the 28th of September last; and no Box, or other
Thing relating, has yet ever come to my Hand; of all
which I took proper Notice on the said 7th of April,
and nth Ditto, in this Diary; as I had several Times
before in divers preceding Articles, and now I related
the Whole fully to them, for their Satisfaction; being
sorry to hear it even whispered by some, that they found,
if any Benefit was intended them, it by some Means or
other was sure to prove abortive: And forasmuch as all •
Claims to be made pursuant to this Notice must be be
fore the 28th of August now drawing near, I recom
mend it to the Magistrates to make another short Ad
journment of the Court, that farther Consideration might
be timely had of it; for I greatly feared, that this Check
given to their Expectation from the honourable Trust,
might be a Sowering to some, who had hitherto readily
acquiesced in all Determinations from them; whereupon
the Court adjourned to the 1st of August.
Wednesday. About Two a Clock this Morning, I was 9.
knocked up by a Party of about eight or nine People,
who fled from Mr. Whitfield's Works at the Orphan-
House, terrified with the Apprehensions they were un
der, of two Boats full of Spanish Indians coming upon
them in the Night; for that two of their young Men
who were fetching some Lime in a Boat the Evening be
fore, were pursued by thoise Indians, and in their Fright

COLONIAL RECORDS. 613
fearing to be taken by them, they got ashore, and run |iMo^
to their Comrades at the said Works; whereupon these Jx£f
People now made what Haste they could, to give us In
formation of it, bringing the two young Men with them:
I went instantly to see what Posture our Guard was in,
sending, at the same Time, our Magistrates Notice, and
to the Constables to meet me: I was glad to find the
Guard waking and alert, and immediately alarmed the
Town, by Beat of Drum to Arms, which in less than a
Quarter of an Hour brought betwixt thirty and forty to
gether (and but few more could be expected on the Spot,
considering where, and how many of our Freeholders
were daily employed) I then sent out two Patroles, with
an Officer and six Men' to each, to take a Round at a
little Distance from the Town, appointing them where
to join, and return, &c. After the two Lads had been
examined by the Magistrates (who stood to what they
had before reported) upon a Consultation had, seven or
eight of our most expert Cattle-Hunters were sent out
on Horseback to scout about those Parts, and see if any
farther Discovery could be made, and in such Case to
give us immediate Notice. In this Posture we contin
ued till about Ten a Clock, when on a sudden we were
well informed, by two or three Persons coming one after
another from Thunderbolt, Skeedoway, and that Neigh
bourhood, that the Indians, whom the two Lads took to
be Enemies, were no other than some of those our
Friends who live near us, and who at this Time were out
a hunting on those Islands, and the adjacent Coast: We
were also farther assured, that they had spoke with them,
at the Place where their Camp was last Night, and where
they made Fires to dress their Venison: Which Circum
stance alone is sufficient to demand Belief of their not
being Enemies; for it is a Rule among all of them, when
they go to War, to make not the least Fire, which would
discover them, and spoil their Designs, that are always
projected to attack their Foes, when they do not look

614 COLONIAL RECORDS.
for them.  Thus all this imagined Storm blowed r^
over, and every body went to their Homes in Peace. J^y
Thursday, ) Very little seemed worth Regard now 10.
Friday. ) among us, in Comparison of what great "•
Things we were daily expecting some Intelligence of
from the South; from whence (to our Admiration) no
authentick Account had for a long Time past come to
our Hands; but during these two Days, several private
Letters were received by some of our People, from their
Friends thereabout; which Letters came round about,
having been as far as Port-Royal, and most of them
agreeing, in the Main, on what Advices we got before,
in the Manner I took Notice (the 29th of June, and 2d
of July;) but variously told now, as the Writers got Infor
mation, none of them having been personally in that
Action. It was past all Doubt, that it was a great
Slaughter on both Sides; our People fought very bravely,
and grown desperate, seeing themselves so over-pow
ered, sold their Lives at a dear Rate, at least double the
Number of the Enemy being slain, Sword in Hand, to
what fell of our Men. It fell heavy upon our Party of
Rangers, who were a Set of gallant, brave, young Men;
and behaved signally well: But the most bloody Part of
all fell to the unhappy Share of our good People at
Darien, who almost all to a Man engaged, under the
Command of their Leader John Mackintosh (More) a
worthy, careful Director among his People at home, and
who now shewed himself as valiant in the Field of Bat
tle, where calling on his Countrymen and Followers to
follow his Example, they made such Work with their
broad Swords, as the Spaniards cannot easily forget:
This is certainly an unhappy Accident, not more
however than the Chance of War often produces; and
therefore it behoves us still to look forward, whence it is
to be hoped, ere long, we shall find a different Story to
tell, all Accounts confirming, that the Siege of Augustin
goes on successfully by Sea and Land; that we are

COLONIAL RECORDS. 615
Masters of the Harbour, where are several warlike Gal- w*^
lies, &c. that must fall into our Hands; that we are ^
firing at the Fort from a Battery of heavy Cannon; that n
we had thrown a hundred and sixty Bombs, whereof not
more than six or seven had missed falling into the
Castle, &c. and it is said the General declared, that he
expected soon to be Master of the Place. N. B. The
above-mentioned Attack is said to have been on Sunday
the 15th of June.
Saturday. We now at length attained to some more 12.
satisfactory Account, than any yet to be depended on,
of the late Action with the Enemy, by Means of a Let
ter from Mr. Patterson at Frederica to Mr. Jones; which
Letter had taken a Round also to Port-Royal, as well as
all others of late, that were wrote from the South to
this Place; the Bearers being some of our Carolina
Gentry for the most Part, who went as Volunteers, and
made more Haste to return home, than was for their
credit, carrying with them the News of this Misadven
ture, which they reported in such Colours, as their Fright
suggested, few or none of them having been Witnesses
of it; which struck a Damp upon some weak Minds that
are apt to take the first Impression too deep. What
Mr. Patterson wrote Mr. Jones was authentick, being
Copies of the General's own Letters to the Magistrates
of Frederica, and to Mr. McLeod, Minister of Darien:
Wherein, the Bravery of our People is set forth to their
Honour, and the Loss of Men much lessened, from what
was at first given out; which the General says he ex
pected would be by a Parcel of runaway Cowards, many
being since come in that at first were said to be slain.
Colonel Palmer, a Gentleman in good Esteem, is among
the Dead; but John More Mackintosh, the Leftder of the
Darien People, together with some of his Countrymen,
and some also of the Rangers, are Prisoners in the Town;
whence his Excellence writes, he does not doubt but
to release them soon: In the mean while he was pleased

616 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1740.

to write a Letter to the Governor, by a Flag of Truce,
telling him, that he expected the Prisoners should not J*g
be ill treated; for that in case they were, he would hang
up every Prisoner he had before the Gates of the Town;
of which he had a great Number: Whereupon the Gov
ernor ordered our Men that were taken, to write to the
General; who acquainted him, that they were kindly
used.  And now we are imagining Things near a Crisis
at Augustin; which raised our Expectations daily, of
such Advices from thence, as will preponderate all past
that was disagreeable. It was not an Observation of my
own only, but the like made to me by some honest Men,
that during the Obscurity which the Truth of these
Things lay under, our common Disturbers took great
Pains, with a Kind of Sneer, to publish what they thought
fit, in a frightful Manner, as what their Friends had (I
know not from whence) wrote them they might depend
on, seemingly full of deep Concern for poor Georgia:
All which, any Man of common Understanding could
easily see thro': But the Light now appearing through
that Cloud, it was yet more remarkable, that the coun
terfeit Sorrow which they had then put on, now visibly
became real; and when other Folk grew chearful, they
so forgot themselves, as to look sullen and out of Hu
mour: What Inference may justly be drawn from hence,
I chuse to submit to those who are the best Judges.
Sunday. Mr. Habersham performed the Divine Serv- is.
ice, Morning and Afternoon; reading after it two Ser
mons, one exhorting to a due Obedience of God's Laws,
and the other setting forth his Omnipresence: Both (I
thought) better adapted to a Reformation of Life, than
such nice Points concerning Justification, which were so
often taken in hand.
Monday. The last Week carried off most of our In- 14.
dian Traders, and Store-Keepers at Augusta, who had
spent a little Time with us: Lieutenant Kent also re-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 617
turning Yesterday to his Command at the Fort there; 'J^-
and among others, Mr. Williamson likewise at length Jffi
thought fit to go back to Charles-Town, after having em
ployed himself here a long Time past, doing what Mis
chief he could in promoting false Rumours, and concert
ing Measures with our wicked Crew, how most effect
ually to alienate the Minds of well-disposed People,
from shewing a due Regard to the good Intention of the
honourable Trustees, whose Designs for the Welfare of
the Colony they always talked of in an ironical Stile, or
in such a Manner as to be on their Guard, lest any Ex
pressions should drop from them, which if animadverted
on, they might have Cause to repent of; for they well
know what they may expect, if they openly dare to re
vile those in the highest Authority over us. It now ap
peared, that the principal Cause of Williamson's coming
hither, was in Expectation that his Uncle Causton was
dead, or dying; that so he might be ready to take Pos
session of what he could; but Mr. Causton, tho' grown
very weak, yet leaving Room for his Friends to enter
tain some Hopes of his Recovery, gave him a cold Re
ception, and blamed his Conduct very much (as I am
informed) for meddling so much as he did, with the Af
fairs of the Colony, and allowing himself the Liberty of
censuring the Acts of the Trustees; much less would
Causton be persuaded by him, to be a Partaker in those
wise Councils, which were carrying on among them at
their Club; for (to give Causton his Due) he had more
Penetration than all of them put together, and could see
afar off what their Politicks would end in: Whereat the
other enraged, left him; and coming to Town, let loose
all the Scandal he could think of against him at Jen
kins's, giving him the Title of both Fool and Knave, for
not concurring with them, in appealing to the Parlia
ment against the Trustees, who had dealt so hardly with
him: Which Causton was so provoked at, that when the
other came a few Days after to see him, he forbad him
his House, and ordered the Doors to be shut against

618 COLONIAL RECORDS.
him. Our Court sitting soon after, he then turned Sol- 1740.
licitor, in a Cause or two to be heard betwixt some of J?iy
our Indian Traders, &c. But being timely admonished,
thought it safest not to appear as a Pleader; tho' he
confidently affirmed, that he had the Trust's Leave to
practise as an Attorney. From thence-forward, as well
as before, he busied himself as an Inspector among our
self-elected ones, riding frequently to and fro, to note
what he imagined would make for his Purpose; and at
going off, left this Memento behind him; that he had
made himself so far Master of all the Settlements, Plan
tations, and Families, in the Province; how many, and
whom they consisted of, and what every one was em
ployed about, that he should get a faithful Account
ready against the next Enquiry into the State of the
Colony, to confront any sent by other Hands, and pre
vent Gentlemen from being missed. What passed be
twixt him and me, towards the latter End of his Mission
here, I think not worth remembering; but upon meeting
him once or twice accidentally, and his attempting to
obtrude a Question or two upon me, which I took to be
ensnaring, I told him, that I thought such Questions
would be best answered before Witnesses, as (he knew)
had been practised by him and his Friends upon me;
and so I turned my Back on him. Lieutenant Kent, in
his Way home, meeting with a Letter sent to him out of
the Cherokee Nation, thought it proper to be sent
hither; that if we saw it needful, we might transmit it to
the General: It came to us this Morning, and was from
Lodowick Grant, a Trader in that Nation; who wrote
him, that there were eighty of those People lately
marched out in two Parties, on what Design, at first not
known; but it proved to be against the French, whom
they attacked as they were coming up the River to Ter-
riqua, in three Perriaguas, two of which they plundered
and destroyed: What the Consequence may be we know
not,_ but think it forebodes no 111 to the English. In the
Evening Mr. Fallowfield came to Town from his Planta-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 619
tion on the Isle of Hope; which it may be proper to mo.
take Notice here, is a Name given it by the Settlers Ju4'y
thereon, who are Messieurs Parker, Fallowfield, and
Noble Jones: It is a Peninsula, cut off from the Main
with a very little Isthmus, which by a short Fence makes
the Island an entire Possession to them; and it is equally
divided betwixt them, which they hold by Lease (or Ex
pectation of such) from the Trust, having occupied it
two or three Years, and made considerable Improve
ments: The Isle of Skeedoway lies without it, and be
twixt them is the Way that all Boats pass to and fro,
betwixt us and the South.  What News Mr. Fallow
field brought was very surprizing, viz. that about Noon
there was a Boat passing from the Camp towards Caro
lina, wherein was young Mr. Delagal, a Lieutenant in
the General's own Regiment: That upon hailing the
Boat, and asking what News? Delagal told him, the
General was intending to draw off his Forces from before
Augustin, and make them another Visit in October next;
which being somewhat startled at, he would have asked
him some more Questions, but that he thought Delagal
was shy, and seemed unwilling to talk any farther with
him; but as the Men lay upon their Oars, he called on
them hastily to pull away, which they did. What he ob
served farther was, that he saw a Gentleman under the
Awning, who lay still, and did not shew himself. Upon
this Report made to us, and so many odd Circumstances
attending it (among others I should not forget that the
Rowers appeared to Mr. Fallowfield not to be natural-
born Subjects, being of a black and swarthy Complex
ion, somewhat of the Mulatto Kind) various were our
Conjectures, too many to name: But most were of Opin
ion, that Delagal was not well warranted to give such
Intelligence. Nevertheless it must needs leave us under
much Perplexity of Thought, till we could come at the
Truth. Tuesday. The dark Account we had last Night of is.

620 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Matters at Augustin, which came by that Boat Mr. Fal- vijM^
lowfield had spoked with, seemed to vanish, with the 3^
Light of another Day: Two of the Men who rowed in
her, who thro' much Sweat and Toil appeared with dirty
Faces, and were taken to the Mulatto's landing not
many Miles off; this Morning we found one of them to
be an Englishman, who had lived several Years up in the
Cherokee Nation; and talking that Language perfectly,
was made useof by the General as an Interpreter with them
at the Camp; where those Cherokees having a peculiar
Sickness among them, whereof several of them had lately
died, the rest, with the General's Leave, were returning
home, and were on their Way hither; to which Place this
Man was sent as a Forerunner, to make Preparation
against their Arrival; the other, who was his Companion,
was an insignificant, little, old Fellow, a Sort of Jack
Pudding at Augusta, wh om the Inhabitants there made
use of on Occasion in a servile Manner, and he was
maintained out of their Plenty; to which Place he was
now returning, together with this People; but what Mo
tive carried him to War, I am not able to guess from these
two; we made shift to understand, that the General
finding Bombarding to have very little Effect on the
Works of the Fort, which were made Bomb Proof, had
put some of his heavy Artillery on board the Men of
War, who now (according to the Usage of those Coun
tries) were obliged to stand farther off to Sea, fearing
lest in case of a Hurricane coming upon them at this
Season (the usual Time of expecting such) they should
be catcht, and not able to get out from the Bay; that
the Enemy lately made an Attempt of sallying with a
Party of Horse, but were soon glad to make haste in
again; several of the Horses carrying only their Saddles,
without any Riders. That the coming away of these
Cherokees would not be missed, for there Room would
be more than supplied by three hundred from the Creek
Nation, who were within few Days March of the Camp
when these left it; and that the General seemed deter-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 621
mined to carry on the Siege; which I must own I could "40.
hardly believe; unless he meant to turn it into a Block- J»iy
ade, and wait the coming of more Force from other
Parts (as it was of late pretty much talked of) under the
Lord Cathcart. The Person in the Boat who did not
shew himself Yesterday, we now heard was Colonel
Barnwell of Carolina, whom the General had been friendly
with; and it was not doubted but both he and Lieutenant
Delagal had with them some particular Orders and In
structions from his Excellency. Thus all was pretty
well again, and most Folk must talk about what few of
them understood.
Wednesday. Peter Emery arriving last Night with is.
his Boat from Charles-Town, brought me a Box sent me
by my Son from England, with sundry Necessaries that
I wanted, which came by a Ship newly come in, as Mr.
Hopton wrote me; but no Letter, except one, advising me
of the Contents. This Day produced nothing relating
to the Publick worth regarding.
Thursday. The whole Attention of all People this 17.
Day, was to the various Reports that came by several
Persons returning to Carolina from the Army; who in
their Way home dropt such Accounts of Matters here
and there among our Out-Settlements, as were very in
consistent, and much disagreeing; so that the Truth
could not yet be fully come at; but gave Occasion of
a great deal of Talk at random to no Purpose.
Friday. Capt. Tingley arrived this Morning from the is
South, where he had been to dispose of his Cargo {vide
June 14.) and with him came Mr. Abraham Minis, a Jew
Freeholder here, whom the Cargo was consigned to, and
who was looked on by all of us, as an honest Man:
Wherefore we could make no Scruple of giving Credit
to what was told us, as real Fact. The Action which
happened upon the Enemy's sallying out in the Night,

622 COLONIAL RECORDS.
and attacking our Party early in the Morning, so often ™^
canvassed amongst us here, differed very little in Circum- 3^J
stances from what we had heard; and it was very sharp;
but the Number slain was too much magnified on our
Side; for out of about one hundred and thirty, which
the Party consisted of, it is now said that forty were
killed, and ten taken Prisoners; among the first of whom,
Colonel Palmer was one; and among the latter, Capt.
John Mlntosh More, the Principal of the Darien People;
the rest making their Escape. It is agreed by all,
that the Enemy suffered twice as much; for our Men
finding themselves enclosed, fought desperately, and
made their Way thro' and thro' them, Sword in Hand:
But the certain Loss they sustained, is not to be discov
ered; for remaining Masters of the Field a-while, they
buried their Dead, leaving us to do the same with ours;
which we did soon after: But to countervail the Loss of
Colonel Palmer, the principal Commander of the Span
iards there was killed at the first Onset, when our Men
maintained a brisk Fire for some Time, before they en
gaged Hand to Hand; and it is still said the Spaniards
were upwards of five hundred. They made a faint At
tempt very lately of sallying with a Party of Horse, to
perform some farther Exploit: But the General was so
well provided for them, that they made more haste back,
than they had done so far, and a great many Horses
were seen to have left their Riders; as we were before
told by those two Men whom we talked with on last
Tuesday; and what the same Men then told us of the
General having shipped off his Artillery, and his Reasons
for so doing; as also of the Men of War standing off
farther to Sea, for Fear of a Hurricane, was now con
firmed: Moreover, the General seeing his Men beginning
to grow sickly, and finding little more could be done,
resolved to turn the Siege into a Blockade (as I imagined
would be the Case) till they were recruited with good
Health, and some additional Strength, intending after
Michaelmas to have something more to say to them: In

COLONIAL RECORDS. 623
the mean Time, he was marched, with his little Army, 1740.
to his former Camp at St. Juan's. Ju'y
Saturday. The only Thing that came farther to my 19.
Knowledge worth observing from the South, was, that
Capt. Davis, whom on many Occasions, I have formerly
at several Times, for a whole Year past, taken Notice of,
as a Man, in my Opinion, carrying on dark Purposes,
which I did what in me lay to obstruct, by the Assistance
of the Magistrates; which produced a great Clamour
from our Patrons of Liberty at the Club, charging us
with acting illegally, &c. (the Particulars whereof were
noted in my Journal of Sept. 10, 11, 12 and 13, 1739;
and again on the 18th Ditto;) tho' afterward upon As
surances of his Fidelity, he was pleased to grant him a
Commission to act as a Privateer; which he never did;
his Character was such among the Sailors, that he could
never get Hands sufficient for that Purpose: This Man
now lying with his Sloop near St. Augustin, in Expecta
tion of being employed, as many others were, by the
General, we are now informed is taken into Custody by
his Excellency's Order, for sending off two of the Span
ish Prisoners, in his own Boat, into the Town of Augus
tin, by whom the Enemy would get the best Intelligence
they could wish.  But I must not anticipate what Ev
idence will appear, nor the Consequence.
Sunday. Mr. Habersham continued to perform the 20.
Office of Reader of the Divine Service, and a Sermon in
the Forenoon and after, with good practical Doctrine;
till in the Conclusion the Author left a Disrelish to all
he said, by denouncing Damnation to all who were not
justified by Faith.
Monday. I had waited now ever since the 28th of 21.
last Month, to get a little farther Account, if I could, of
the Paper, which I had private Intelligence of that Day,
was sent among us from Charles-Town; but I could not

621 COLONIAL RECORDS.
find that its Poison had operated upon any worth nam- "*°-
ing: It was sent to the Care of the Wife of Edward J£|y
Townsend, whose Husband keeps a Perriague, and is at
present employed among others by the General. Prob
ably she may be better known by the Name of Hodges
(her former Husband) and it is very well known how ex
ceeding kind Mr. Oglethorpe was to her, and her Family,
for several Years; notwithstanding all which, she has,
to an inconceivable Degree, most ungratefully upon all
Occasions, reviled her kind Benefactor, and given her
self most unwarrantable Liberties with her Tongue to
defile his Character; which he used to hear of with
Contempt, and beneath his Notice: But Mr. Brownfield
marrying her Daughter, he foretold would be a Means
of his becoming tainted with the Sourness of that Fam
ily; which I fear was too true a Prediction; for he is un
happily fallen into the same Way of thinking with Re
gard to this Colony, as other of our Malecontents are (or
I should rather say was one of the earliest of them) but se
cretly, and avoiding all publick Clamour: But this good
Mother-in-law of his, exposes the Bitterness of her
Heart continually, as far as she dares, and her House
was a long while the Place of Resort for such as de
lighted in her Way of Railing, and would take a Part in
it themselves; till at length a superior Genius prevailed
at Jenkins's, which this was obscured by; but the Woman
still retaining the same Faculty of scattering what Venom
she can, the Author of this doughty Piece judged so far
right, that she would be a Well-wisher to it at least:
Wherefore it was deposited with her, to see what good
Use she could make of it; and stiled no less than An
humble Petition to the King and Council, setting forth
what terrible Hardships the People of this Province la
boured under, &c. as the Author's fertile Genius thought
fit to display; who was said to be Mr. Bradley, as my
Informant told me, who averred that he knew it to be
his Son's Hand Writing: But this Cockatrice Egg was
crushed, and not allowed to come to Maturity, by our

COLONIAL RECORDS. 625
supream Divan; who would suffer no Interfering in those 1740.
weighty Matters, which they alone were sufficient for. July
Found an Opportunity of spending a little Time at the
five-Acre Lot near the Town, good Part of which I had
converted to particular Uses, as a Nursery for greater
Purposes: The little Quantity of Corn growing there, I
thought no farther worth my present regarding, than to
observe, that since the Time I first began planting, I had
never known so promising an Increase as now, of that
Grain, and also Potatoes; so that the like proving pretty
general, I thought it great Pity that all those who were
grown weary of persevering in Cultivation, would now
see Cause to wish their Patience would hold out longer.
, After taking much Pleasure in seeing divers'other Things
come forward, such as Vines, Mulberries, Cotton, &c. I
returned home, not without wishing for such a Recess
oftener; for it was more than a Month since my last
Visit there.
Tuesday. What passed at the Time of our Court's 22.
adjourning on the 8th Instant, relating to the several
Claims being received, which divers were desirous to
make, and for which Purpose I obtained a farther short
Adjournment to the 1st of August, gave me much Un
easiness, lest any Defect of Duty should in the End be
imputed to me; wherefore I thought it proper to fix up
publick Advertisement, signed by me, to give all People
Notice, that Whereas the Court now stood adjourned
till the first of August, it would then sit, and be ready
to receive Claims from all Persons who had any to make
for Lands, &c. held under the Trust, provided they speci
fied where their Lots lay which they claimed, and that
the Persons so claiming signed the same: This was all
that I could think of in my Power to do at present.
Much Buzzing began again to appear in our Town
(among most People indeed now) since the News came
of the General's having withdrawn a little from the
Fortress of- Augustin; from whence it was not unreason-
40 c r — v 4

626 COLONIAL RECORDS.
able to infer, that whilst the General had a watchful Eye i«fc
over the Enemy by Land, they might possibly send out J^2ly
Row-Gallies and Launches, &c. by Sea, with which they
might very much annoy the Coast, and make Depreda
tions on our Out-Settlements lying all along that Way,
of which mine stood foremost on a Point facing Ussibaw
Sound: Nevertheless, I could discover no Terror among
the Generality of our People, who were mostly of Opin
ion, that whatever Mischief might fall on the most re
mote Parts, that lay exposed, they would scarcely ven
ture so far up as Savannah, and run the Risk of being
intercepted: Wherein I concurred with them; and after
giving what Orders I found necessary, for a strict In
spection into every individual Man's Arms, and for a
Distribution of what Powder and Ball was proper; as
also special repeated Orders touching the Guard, &c all
appeared in good Temper, whom it might be expected
from, but some nothing would satisfy.
Wednesday. Whilst my Thoughts were employed as 23.
usefully as I could for the Publick, in the Station ap
pointed me, it was not amiss to have some Regard like
wise to my own little Affair: And having not seen Bew
lie since Whitsuntide, which was now eight Weeks ago,
I rode out to make them a Visit there, and see what
Disposition my little Family were in, under such daily
Rumours there. I found eight Acres of Land as well
filled with Corn, Pease, and Potatoes as I could wish, all
thriving, and likely to do well: More I could not expect
to see planted this Year, considering what Tim.e they
began, and how many Kinds of Works they had upon
their Hands as first setting down. The Men were easy,
and their present Work was to erect another Edifice,
partly for holding Corn, and partly for divers other
Uses; after which, in the next Place, I purposed to set
up a Dwelling-House, in such a Manner, that it mio-ht
be for a comfortable Reception of myself and a Friend
at any Time, as well as whomsoever I thought fit to live

COLONIAL RECORDS. 627
in it. Upon asking my People, whether or not they m^
would allow the Spaniards to come ashore and eat the J^J
Fruits of their Labour; they promised me very chear-
fully, to shew they would not part with all for Nought;
and having with them two Fusees of my own, and two
Muskets that I sent them from the Stores, which I as
sured them they should not want Ammunition for, they
engaged to behave manfully, if it came to a Trial: And
knowing him that was appointed by me their Overseer,
to be a brisk Man, I was pretty confident in them that
they would not set an ill Example to my next Neigh
bours there, by running away sooner than they were
forced. Thursday. Hard Thunder-Showers falling in the 24.
Evening, stopped me at Bewlie till this Morning, and
then I set out homeward, in Company with my Neigh
bour Mercer: We called in our Way at Bethesda (the
Name given to that Place by Mr. Whitfield) next adjoin
ing to Bewlie, where I saw great Things done since I
viewed it last: The principal House was a grand Edifice;
the Design of the Apartments within I am not Master
of; they were in such Forwardness, as to be ready for
raising the Roof this Week; it is all well cellared under
neath; the Foundation Walls are of Brick, which rise
several Foot higher than the Surface of the Land, and
the Rooms of both lower and upper Story are of good
Height: As we approach it, are six good handsome Edi
fices, three of each Side, for the following Purposes, viz. a
Work-house for Women and Children, opposite an In
firmary of like Dimensions; next a Kitchen, opposite to
it another of the same Size, for Washing, Brewing, &c.
the other two I was not yet informed what Uses they
were designed for. Thence travelling on, we got home
about Nine a Clock in the Morning; where I found about
thirty of the Cherokee Indians, arrived the Day before
from the Camp, being those whom we expected, from
the Account we had of them, as noted on the 15th

628 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Instant. They continued very sickly and weak, and one "4k
of them died this Evening: They were conducted hither J^ly
by Messieurs Samuel Brown, and Jacob Morris, two
Traders in that Nation. The Heats were now grown so
violent, that very /few attempted to stir abroad; and I
was contented to sit still, as others did, not hearing of
any Thing that required Action without Doors.
Friday. Indolence prevailed with most People, which *¦
I took my Share of; and avoiding any Business abroad,
I found sufficient always at home to employ my Time
and Thought there, in getting forward what I had to do.
Mr. Whitfield returned in the Afternoon from his Expe
dition to Carolina; but what Success he met with there,
in preaching, to promote the great Designs he had in
hand, I yet heard nothing of: Before his Coming, we
had various Reports of the Opposition he met with from
Mr. Garden, Minister at Charles-Town, who (it is said)
by Virtue of a Power from the Bishop, cited him to ap
pear, and answer for many Doctrines which he preached
that were not orthodox, and also for his irregular Pro
ceedings, which gave so great Disturbances to the pub
lick Peace, as well as Divisions among Families: To all
which Mr. Whitfield gave but little Heed; but offering
to partake of the Sacrament, Mr. Garden refused him,
&c.  The certain Truth of these Things, we may
probably soon be better informed in.
Saturday. Our Declaimers of the Club, finding those 26,
Terrors, which they scattered among the People, did not
operate so effectually as they expected, seemed resolved
to try what Example would do; and it was publickly
given out, that Tailfer and Landlord Jenkins were pre
paring to send their Wives and Families out of Harm's
Way, into some other Province, I know not where, in
tending to follow, when they judged a proper Time.
These cannot be numbered surely among our defensive
Men, nor any who have the like Faculty of smelling

COLONIAL RECORDS. 629
Danger at a Distance; of such it is to be hoped there rao^
are but few, if such these are. I really think it would J^y
be for the Benefit of the Colony, that they all left it,
notwithstanding the Decrease of People for some while
past; for if they do not think their Property worth de
fending, I know not what Good can be expected from
them; and most certainly a small Band, well united, is
of more Force than a loose one more numerous, but
easily dispersed.

Sunday. Mr. Whitfield attended on the Service of
the Church, as usual ; but being in a weak State of Health
(supposed to be occasioned by the Fatigue he underwent
in his late Progress) he was not able to preach in the
Forenoon; and in the Evening Service he was obliged to
break off, and return home.
Monday. Every Day now brought forth some new
Report or other,' touching the present Situation of Af
fairs in this Colony, and how far any Danger from the
Enemy might affect us in these Parts: But I found the
Generality pretty equanimous, and in no wise fond of
giving Credit to many Falsehoods that were frequently
published to affright Families (for Women will always
have their Fears:) On the contrary, it was pretty evident
with what Pleasure any News was received, which im
ported a Probability of acting in a little Time offensively
against the Spaniards: Such was the Report of this Day,
that came by a Boat from Carolina: Whereby we were
informed, that a Ship arrived at Charles-Town from
Cowes, brought Intelligence, that there was a very con
siderable Body of Soldiers, that were draughted out of
several standing Regiments lying in the Neighbourhood
of Portsmouth, when he came away designed to embark
soon to enable General Oglethorpe to carry on his En-
terprizes against the Enemy. Whether there was any
Foundation for this, or not. tho' much doubted, yet it is
scarce credible how much all were enlivened by it, whom

27.

630 COLONIAL RECORDS.
any Regard was due to: And on this Occasion, looking i™^
over our List of Freeholders, I thought even in this our J^Jy
low Estate I could mark out about seventy of them, who
would be ready to defend their Country, and stand to
their Arms in good Earnest, if Occasion called them out
for that Purpose; and it is of the Freeholders only, In
habitants in Savannah, that I now speak: For upon
reckoning all the spare Men, and Servants, Dutch and
English, belonging to the Town, there may be found
more than enough to double that Number, exclusive of
Highgate, Hampstead, &c. and the Town of Ebenezer
alone is able to furnish betwixt fifty and sixty good
Men. Tuesday. Capt. Tingley, who lately returned from 29
the South, where he had disposed of his Cargo, intend
ing this Evening to proceed homeward for New-York; it
would now be seen how many took this Opportunity, by
Flight, to leave us; as we were told to expect Abun
dance would (by those who would be glad to see it.) I
took Care, as I used to do, to be exactly informed who
went; and as Permits were refused to none who were
weary of staying here, excepting such only as had just
Demands upon them, which were yet unsatisfied, and no
Persuasion, much less Compulsion, had been used to
stop any body against their Inclination; there could be
no truer Test, whereby to judge of the People's Dispo
sition than this. And behold it ended all in what fol
lows: 1. Joseph Stanley, a Freeholder superannuated,
weak and past any Labour; his Wife left him, and went
to England three Years since, and he now went to a Re
lation, who he expects will keep him in his old Age: He
never did any Thing towards maintaining himself by
Planting whilst here. 2. Jacob Bernal, a Jew, of no vis
ible Way of Livelihood. 3. Hiam Bendannoon, ditto,
with his Wife and two small Children. And last of all
(thank God) the eminent Mrs. Townsend thought fit to
leave us, whose Tongue has been a Nusance to this Town

COLONIAL RECORDS. 631
ever since I knew it; taking her young Daughter with J^
her now, and had not Patience to wait her Husband's J^*
Return home from the South, where he with his Perriague
had been employed; and what Loss the Colony sustains
by such a Desertion, of whom no one has been a Grain
of Corn the better for, I leave to our wise Men of the
Club to discuss, being past my Discovery. N. B. None
of these now going off, were reckoned in that Number of
seventy in Yesterday's Notes.
Wednesday. A Skooner passed by Thunderbolt from so.
the South, wherein was said to be about eighty of the
Carolina Regiment, on their Return home; which Regi
ment, from all the Reports we had, proved of little or
no Use to the General in carrying on the Siege of Au
gustin, being always turbulant and disobedient to Or
ders, man)- Instances whereof were notorious, but not
proper to be noted here, before due Enquiry made into
all those Things, which it is expected will be in another
Place, ere long; most of the gay Volunteers run away
by small Parties, basely and cowardly, as they get Boats
to carry them off during the Time of the greatest Action;
and Capt. Bull (a Son of the Lieutenant-Governor) who
had the Command of a Company in that Regiment,
most scandalously deserted his Post when on Duty, and
not staying to be relieved regularly, made his Flight
privately, carrying off four Men of his Guard with him,
and escaped to Charles-Town; for which he ought in
Justice to have been tried as a Deserter; but he was
well received at home; and upon the Assembly's meet
ing, his Brother was chosen Speaker of that House, in
the Room of Mr. Pinckny, who was lately gone off
(so the Carolina Gazette terms it) with two others of
particular Note and Distinction in that Province, namely
Messieurs Wragg and Whitaker; the first one of the
most considerable Merchants there, and the other a
noted Lawyer, chosen by the Council to fill the Place of
Chief Justice, till there should be one duly appointed by

632 COLONIAL RECORDS.
his Majesty: It is said that they are gone to New-York, ^740^
to look for some Place to settle on, where they may be Jffl
more easy, not liking (it seems) the Situation of Affairs
at present, where they were.  If Half that we hear
of these People proves true, it will afford Room for
many Inferences, which I would not be too hasty in
making till we know a little farther.
Thursday. Nothing to be heard of now from all 31.
Quarters, but Abundance of flying Reports concerning the
late Transactions before Augustin, which were so differ
ent, that in giving too easy Credit to a Man would most
probably soon find himself deceived: One only Report,
every one who wished well to the Place, was in Hopes
would prove true; which was that we might expect the
General here in a Fortnight, and then we might assure
ourselves many Truths would be laid open, which yet
lay concealed. Mr. Whitfield's Sloop came in from Car
olina, by which several of his Disciples in those Parts
came; but whether it was purely on a Visit, or that any
of them had a Design of continuing among us, was not
known; tho' the latter did not seem likely yet a-while,
one of them being an Anabaptist Teacher.
Friday. Pursuant to the Court's Adjournment on the August
8th ult. to this Day, for the Reason then given, they now
met; when about seventy Freeholders delivered in their
several Claims to such Lots as they held, &c. But foras
much as many others did not appear, either thro' Ig
norance, or Mistake, or other pardonable Occasion, that
none might think themselves hardly dealt with, the
Court adjourned farther for a Fortnight to the 15th In
stant. Nothing else material to take Notice of.
Saturday. Mr. Whitfield not coming to Church this 2-
Morning (occasioned, as it is said, by the late Indisposi
tion continuing upon him) Mr. Habersham read the Con
fession, Lord's Prayer, and a Chapter out of the Gospel;

COLONIAL RECORDS. 633
after which the Preacher before taken Notice of, ad- "io.
vanced to the Desk (there being yet no Pulpit) and nam- Au|ust
ing the five first Verses of the second Chapter of the
first Epistle of St. Peter, for his Text, he proceeded to
give us a Sermon, setting forth the same Doctrine we
were taught for a long while past, concerning the Neces
sity of a New Birth, and being endued with that vital
Principle in our Hearts here on Earth, without which no
one could enter into Heaven, being altogether carnal
and void of saving Grace: After Sermon ended extem
pore, he made use of a long Prayer in the same Way;
wherein he gave Thanks to God for the great Progress,
and wonderful Success which the Publication of the
Terms of Salvation had met with, from that Instrument
whom he had made use of in these Parts, and who (he
prayed) might be as a Post of Iron, or Wall of Brass,
in Defence of the Truth he contended for, &c.
Sunday. Divers of the Carolina Strangers, who came 3.
last Week, continuing with their Wives, &c. among
whom Mr. Jones, Minister at Port-Royal, was one; Mr.
Whitfield had two Divines with him on the Bench this
Day, when Mr. Jones read the Prayers of the Church,
who is a Man of very good Character, and orthodox
Principles: Mr. Tilly, the Anabaptist Teacher, sat as an
Auditor only, and Preaching was the Part which Mr.
Whitfield took to himself, the like before Noon and
after; when he seemed to exert himself in a particular
Manner, labouring to make good the Doctrine, which
more especially he had taught hitherto.
Monday. Having in vain waited for a Month or more 4.
past, to find a safe Conveyance of a Packet to Charles-
Town, designed for the Trust, which I made up on the
5th of July; but hearing of no Boat going that I could
confide in, till now, when I understood a fair Opportu
nity offered to-morrow, I resolved to do what I could,
in getting another Packet ready, to be sent in Company

634 COLONIAL RECORDS.
with the former; and that was my chief Employment rw^
this Day. AT8t
Tuesday. What with one Hindrance or another, 5.
which unavoidably sometimes called me aside, I found
this Day short enough to finish what I took in hand Yes
terday; but at length putting an End to it, and Mr.
Jones likewise having got ready what he had to send, I
put it all up in a small Box, together with my former
Packet of the 5th ult. and in the Evening delivered it to
the Patroon of the Boat (Peter Shepherd) whom I had
Confidence in, and who was to set off with the next Tide
about Three in the Morning; by him I also sent another
Box for Mr. Eyre (one of the honourable Trust) wherein
Sundries left in Charge with me by this Kinsman, a
Cadet in the Army in the South; and with the Boxes I
wrote to Mr. Hopton, as usual. Mr. Whitfield, with the
Company about him, taking Horse early to go and view
what was doing at Bethesda (where they spent the Day;)
after the Morning Lesson was read at Church by Mr.
Habersham, Mr. Tilly, the Anabaptist, supplied the
Place of an Expositor on the second Chapter of the
Ephesians. Wednesday. Returned now to my former Task, how 6.
to set the present State of the Colony in its due Light
before the honourable the Trustees, as they required:
Wherein I met with such Contrariety of Opinion, among
divers whom I conversed with, touching some of those
Questions that were to be resolved, that it was a great
Difficulty how to reconcile them, so as to make one uni
form Contexture of the Whole; which I had strong In
clination to do, that as little Dissention as possible might
appear among those, whom I knew to be Persons of a
good Disposition towards the Colony; and such as I
knew too well to expect they could be brought into any
Measures but those they had been projecting I know not
how long past, I was determined not to have any Thing

COLONIAL RECORDS. 635
to say to them. In the Afternoon arrived Colonel Van- vz&
derdussen, Commander of the Carolina Regiment, which August
had been in the Service at Augustin, with whom he was
now on his Return to Charles-Town; and with him were
several of his Officers: They had been beating the Sea
several Days against a contrary Wind, without getting
forward; for which Reason they came ashore here for
some Refreshment. By Conversation with the Colonel,
I was informed of several Things which I was a
Stranger to before, and found him as ready as others,
to condemn the dastardly Behaviour of many of those
runaway Volunteers, and to express a Resentment against
the ill Conduct of some of his own Officers; but from
what he said, I understood he was himself on very good
Terms with the General, whom he spoke of with all due
Honour and Deference; but it raised a Concern in us to
be told by him, that the General was in so ill a State of
Health at Frederica, as he was at the Time when he now
left him, being (as he said) reduced to an extraordinary
Weakness, by a continual Fever upon him, with some In
termission, for two Months past; during which Time his
Spirits supported him under all Fatigue; but the Disap
pointment of Success (it is believed) now galled him,
and too great Anxiety of Mind preyed upon him.
Thursday. Colonel Vanderdussen, and some of his 7.
Officers, shewing a Desire of viewing the Town, and
Parts adjacent, which they were Strangers to, and ad
mired the pleasant Situation of; I walked with them to
shew what I thought most worth their Notice; and upon
some of them seeming to express a great Pity, that so
fine a Place made no faster Advances towards Perfection,
I could not refrain from addressing myself to such
among them, as I knew to live in the Neighborhood of
Port-Royal; and saying (in Return) that I also thought
it great Pity, so commodious a Place as Beaufort was,
should seem at a Stand; for that in so many Years as I have
known it, I did not discover the least Increase of Inhab-

636 COLONIAL RECORDS.
itants; but the same Show of a few straggling Houses ">°-
still appeared as when I first saw it: And as for Charles- August
Town, it was well known by some old People yet living,
how many Years that Town lay in a languishing State,
with little Hopes of Recovery: The same Observation
was to be made on Pensilvania, now one of the most
flourishing Provinces in these Parts, from being almost
in Despair of ever rising, &c. and I made no Doubt,
Georgia would also find the Way to its true Interest in
a little more Time; tho' I should never expect it would
consist in planting of Rice, which I apprehended they
began to grow weary of now in Carolina; when it was
apparent that as the Rate of Interest of Money was at
10 per Cent, unless Rice would bring 40 s. per Hundred,
the Planters must be ruined; and the Increase of that
Product is grown so exorbitant, that for two Years past
it will not exceed 30 .j. From all which I might natu
rally have inferred, that the Zenith of that Province's
most flourishing State must certainly be past, unless they
turn their Strength, as Georgia must, to some different
Use from what is past. After some little inoffensive
Raillery among us on this Occasion, I dined with them,
as did also Mr. Jones; and towards. Evening they took
themselves Boats, and went down the River to the Ten
der which they came in.

Friday. Little passed worth Notice. Mr. Whit
field's Weakness continued upon him, which he had
brought on himself by such an excessive Vehemence in
preaching and expounding : He was sometimes obliged
to break off, unable to proceed; nevertheless I under
stood he was preparing to set out very soon on another
Progress Northward, intending now to visit New-Eng
land and those Parts. Mr. Jones (the Minister of Port-
Royal) left us this Evening, with his Wife, and went
home, to the Disappointment of many who wished to
have heard some of his Doctrine; but why they did not,
I could no ways learn: The other Strangers, who with

8.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 637
their Wives came hither more than a Week since, to 1740.
hear the Word from Mr. Whitfield, designed (as I heard) August
to attend him till he departed hence, ere they returned
to their several Homes in Carolina. By a fresh Account
this Day from Ockstead, we heard, that Mr. Causton
was so far wasted as to leave his Friends little Hopes of
surviving it much longer.
Saturday. Mr. Tilly, the Anabaptist Teacher, sup- 9.
plied Mr. Whitfield's Place, in expounding a Part of the
Scripture; for which he made Choice of the third Chap
ter to the Philippians, at usual Time of Morning Service:
The ensuing Day produced nothing particularly remark
able. Sunday. Mr. Habersham read the Prayers of the 10.
Church, and Mr. Tilly again preached. In the After
noon the Congregation found some good Doctrine from
a regular Divine of the Church, Mr. Jones of Port-Royal,
who went hence on Friday Evening, but meeting with a
cross Passage, was forced to return hither about Noon,
and now gave the People a good Sermon, exhorting them
to have a lively Faith in Christ, to lead virtuous Lives,
and to put their Trust in God's good Providence for all
Things needful.
Monday. Mr. Whitfield officiated at the Morning 11.
Service in his usual Manner, but was yetvery weak: About
Noon Mr. Noble Jones arrived here last from Frederica,
and brought many Letters thence for divers of our Peo
ple; besides a Letter from the General to Mr. Jones and
me each: Whereat I conceived much Pleasure, having
not had the Honour of any from his Excellency for sev
eral Months past; neither could I well expect it, as Af
fairs stood: He was pleased to acquaint me, that he
had ordered the Bearer, Noble Jones, to raise ten Men
for. a Guard and Scout-Boat; and that he was to receive
his Orders from me, where principally to have a watchful

638 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Eye, that so we might have timely Notice, a"nd not be "40.
surprized; and the like Caution was taken in divers other August
Parts, the General well knowing how very much the
Safety of both these Provinces is exposed to the Ene
my's Half Galleys, with a wide-extended Frontier to
wards the Sea; hardly to be defended by a few Men;
wherefore we must wish that our Frigates, which are
stationed to cruize on this Coast, may be alert in their
Duty also, and not lie asleep in Harbour, which I have
known in former Times has been laid to the Charge of
some Commanders; but far be it from me to suspect any
of our present Captains can be guilty of so dishonour
able an Indifference towards the Preservation of these
Countries. The Men that came now with Noble Jones
(in Number upwards of thirty) were all Georgia Men,
mostly of Savannah Town, and listed voluntarily here,
towards compleating the Carolina Regiment, which was
one Cause of Noble Jones's having a Lieutenant's Com
mission therein; and now their Time is near expired, the
Colonel Vanderdussen required all of them to proceed
with the rest of the Regiment for Charles-Town, to be
paid off; but the General foreseeing, that if they went
thither, very few of them probably would return hither
again, except such as were married, most of the rest
being young Men, who were easy to be seduced; and
moreover a pretty many Servants among them, both
Dutch and English, who had their Masters Leave to go,
but not thereby to take the Remainder of their indented
Time to themselves: For these Reasons they were all of
them put on one Bottom, under this Officer's Care, who
was charged by the General to see them all safe ashore
on this Place; and if any Doubt arose at Charles-Town
concerning the Pay due, he would see that looked into;
and Noble Jones was to go on himself to Charles-Town,
to signify the General's Sentiments to the Government
there. Tuesday. I found nothing stirring all this Day that 12.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 639
deserved particular Notice; some of our Carolina Strang- VMj
ers, who found themselves pretty well replenished with August
the Spirit, which they thought abounded from the Doc
trine they had learnt here, now left us; and Mr. Jones
the Minister of Port-Royal also, who was defeated in his
Endeavour to return home last Week, attempted it again
this Morning: But Mr. Tilly being found useful during
Mr. Whitfield's Weakness, continued yet as a Helper,
and Fellow Labourer.
Wednesday. The extream Heat of Weather more 13.
than common, for some Days past, had such an Influence
as to throw me into a little Disorder, which would not
admit of my close Attention to any Business at present;
neither did I hear of any Thing material to observe
abroad. "Thursday. This Morning began with a very surprizing 14
Piece of ill News; that the Spanish Prisoner, whom the
Magistrates committed above a Year since {vide 29th
and 30th of July, 1739.) upon strong Presumption of
being a Spy, together with an Irishman his Companion,
under the Term of a Servant; and whom, under Appre
hensions of a War likely to break out soon, the General
had given Orders to be continued in safe Custody: They
both broke out of Prison this last Night, and were fled:
Some strong Grounds of Suspicion arising several Days
before, of their having a Design to make some Attempt
that Way; the Magistrates ordered them to have Irons
put on, for their better Security; which upon View a few
Days after, were found so near sawn off, that they might
readily get quit of them; upon which fresh Irons were
ordered, and withal an Iron Belly-band, with a Chain
fixed in a Staple driven into the Floor: Notwithstanding
all which Precaution, and they being also locked into
a close Cell, thev found Means to wrench the Staple
of that Lock, and got into the outer Prison, where in a
most incredible Manner they got free also from their

610 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Fetters and Chains, and before Morning found Means to ^40^
get out at the Top of the Prison Room, by some of the August
Timber-Work being raised up, which could not be done
but by some Help from without; nor could they have
effected what they did within, had they not been supplied
with proper Materials, by some Villains who assisted
them; and out of Hatred to the Authority by which this
Colony subsists, are wicked enough to turn Parricides,
and wish to see Destruction brought upon the Whole:
These are some of the Fruits of that seditious Club
which infested this Place; and though I would not, with
out plain Conviction, charge any of that Assembly with
being personally aiding in so detestable an Act, I can
very readily believe the Perpetrators of it to be well-
instructed Disciples of theirs, ready at all Times to ob
struct (as far as in them lies) every Thing done, however
legally, which does not suit their Humours; and now
more especially upon missing a little while that Success,
which was immediately expected at Augustin, I made no
Doubt but we should see more and more daring Attempts
made in various Shapes, to irritate People (if possible)
to commit some Outrage or other; and that very soon
too. All was done that could be thought of, in the
Power of those in Authority, to endeavor retaking these
Fugitives, and Men sent every Way on Horseback, and
Foot, and by Water, to try if any Discovery could be
made; but as to my own Part, I own, that my Hopes
were very small about it; being possessed with an Opin
ion, that it was an Affair concerted by such as had good
Skill, as well as Will, to conduct it. And the Considera
tion of an enraged and provoked Enemy being broke
loose, capable of giving the Spaniards such Information
at this Time, of all Circumstances here, must needs
quicken the Apprehensions of divers good People among
us, whom I look on as valuable Men, and disposed truly
to give Proof at any Time of their firm Attachment to
the Colony.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 641
Friday. The Court sat again, as per Adjournment, 1740.
and received Claims from all who brought any such, for August
what Lands they held under the Trust, which were as
many, or more, than at their last Sitting. Great was our
Expectation of what would be the Success of their En
deavours, who were gone in Pursuit of the Goal Break
ers; but yet it proved vain.
Saturday. What happened this Day among us, I 16.
thought a pretty plain Indication of my Imagination not
being without some Foundation, from whence such
Thoughts arose on Thursday last: For two or three of
our Indian Traders, who took up their Lodging at Jen
kins's (who are generally, with a few Exceptions, a de
bauched, dissolute People) having continued in Town
somewhat longer than usual, and got intimate with our
Club Gentry there, who had taught them the Way of
railing against all publick Transactions of this Place,
and talking with Contempt in whatever Company they
kept, of the Magistrates, and all in any Authority; it
was no more than might be expected, if such Indolence
shortly broke out into Action, and open Defiance of all
Power whatever. Accordingly Messieurs Parker and
Jones, having summoned one of these Traders to appear
before them, and answer the Complaint of a certain
Keeper of Stores at Augusta, who was a well behaved
Man, and ready to make it appear how grievously he
had injured him, and fraudulently attempted to carry off
a great Quantity of his Goods: The first Step taken by
him was an absolute Disobedience of their Warrant,
which put them under the Necessity of sending the Con
stable to bring him by Force; which was no sooner done,
but two more of his Comrades followed after him; and
when the Magistrates attempted to examine into the
Truth of Things, with all due Temper, they were inter
rupted in a scandalous Manner, and set at nought by
them all three, swearing, cursing, and daring them to do
their worst, refusing to submit to any Determination of
41 c r— T 4

642 COLONIAL RECORDS.

1740.

theirs, and even to lay aside their Hats in Token of al
lowing them to be Magistrates, though they well knew Au1^ist
it. One of them was audacious enough to discover the
Venom of his Heart, by bitter Imprecations, and de
claring, that he hoped to see this cursed Town shortly
in Flames, which nothing should extinguish but the
Blood of the Inhabitants; for which he was immediately,
and most deservedly, sent to Prison: Another of them,
in the Time of his Ranting, shaking his Fist at Bailiff
Parker, and threatened to call him to Account for these
Things to-morrow, it was thought proper to send him to
the Custody of the Guard, for preventing of Mischief:
And in his Way thither he attacked the Constable, who
being a Man of Spirit, and a good Officer (viz. Samuel
Mercer) he soon shewed him he was mistaken in his
Man, and delivered him a Prisoner; which in a little
Time brought some of his Club Acquaintance to pay
him a Visit there, being a Person in much Esteem among
them, and looked on by them as an able Railer, and
Maker of Mischief; wherefore they came not empty-
handed, but brought both Wine and Landlord Jenkins
himself with them, to keep up a good Heart in him.
The third (who was the first Occasion of this Uproar)
refusing to come to any Terms of Agreement whatever
with his Adversary, or to comply with any Thing pro
posed by the Magistrates, wherein they sought all Ways
possible to give him Contentment, as far as Justice would
permit; but he continued obstinate and inflexible, bidding
them do their worst; though they would have been con
tent with his giving his own Bond to come to a fair Ac
count with the Complainant in any reasonable Time; or
would even have accepted of his entering into a single
Recognizance for his Appearance at any Sessions three
or four Months hence; but refusing to accept any such
Indulgence, and persisting still in his contumelious Be
haviour, there was no avoiding the Necessity they were
under of committing him; which they did, to the same
Place where they had sent his incendiary Companion.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 643
During these Transactions, another Fellow (a Stranger, m-
who has some Concern among these Traders) came Au^uat
saucily up to the Centry upon Guard, who would not
suffer him to go in without Orders; and in an impudent
Manner, with Abundance of Oaths, telling the Guard to
their Teeth they were a Pack of Scoundrels, and that he,
and a few more such, as he knew where to find, would
come and drive them all into the River: The Officer of
the Guard laid hold of him, and bringing him to me, I
sent him to the Magistrates to get his Demerits with the
others; but it appearing he was pretty much gone in
Drink, and an honest Man of the Town being near who
knew him, upon Security given for his Appearance at a
proper Time, he was dismissed; but after the Magis
trates had done, I thought something farther necessary
for me; for on one Occasion or another, observing a
pretty many People gathered together, and it growing a
little late in the Night, I was not without some Appre
hensions of a yet greater Feud arising; wherefore I sent
to the Tything-man next upon Duty, ordering him im
mediately to bring his People with him, which I waited
till he did; and then doubling the Guard, and leaving
strict Orders to prevent any Disturbance, a little after
Midnight I went home. No News yet of the Runa
ways. Sunday. One of our Neighbour Indians coming to 17.
Town this Morning, and hearing of what had happened
of the late Escape made by the two Prisoners, told us,
that he met two such Persons as were described, about four
Miles off, on the Path leading to Palachocolas; by which
we found they had been lurking near, if not in Town,
till they thought the first Heat of Pursuit was a little
over; and now upon the same Indian's telling us, he be
lieved it was not too late to overtake them, wherein he
would give what Assistance he could, by tracking, &c.
we sent out immediately fresh Parties, Horse and Foot, !
in Quest of them, under his Guidance, with fresh Hopes

644 COLONIAL RECORDS.
of Success. Mr. Whitfield did his Office of praying "«.
and preaching this Morning, but was in a very weak August
State; and in the Afternoon was forced to go out of
Church as soon as he came in, leaving Mr. Habersham to
read the Prayers, and Mr. Tilly, the Anabaptist, to perform
the rest; who after an extempbre Prayer of more than an
Hour, and a Sermon of as great a Length, dismissed the
Audience; a great Part of which (if I mistake not) would
have chosen rather to have staid at home. Whether he,
or who else, wasappointed by Mr. Whitfield to perform
the Duty of a Minister here, during his Absence, I know
not; but notwithstanding the low State he was in, I
found he was determined to leave us in a few Days,
and go to the Northern Provinces: For in a Kind of a
farewel Sermon that he gave us in the Forenoon, when
he recommended us all to the Grace of God, and in a par
ticular Manner charged those of his own House how to
behave as well towards each other, as the Children he
left under their Care; he signified that he believed it would
be a long while ere he saw us again: And indeed unless he
got a little Recovery of Strength soon, which was so
wasted by his incessant Labour and Vehemence in preach
ing, I much doubted whether or not he would live to
come back.

Monday. I could not learn any Thing, during the
Course of this whole Day, that deserved Notice from me
here: The Pursuers of the Fugitives not yet returning,
we know not what to expect. A fine Shower of Rain
falling, was exceeding delightful and refreshing, the
Heats for a while past having been more than ordinary
violent; nevertheless the Town had the great Blessing
of Health to a Degree far beyond its Neighbours cross
the River in Carolina, which it was to be wished might
not be impaired, as the Fall came on, through the im
mense Quantity of Peaches growing every where, which
our People have long eaten with Greediness, alike
with the Swine, that have in great Part been fed with

18,

COLONIAL RECORDS. 645
them. All Peace and Quiet again, and Saturday Night's mo.
Ruffle forgot for the present. August
Tuesday. Mr. Whitfield went on board his Sloop 19.
very early, about Three in the Morning, falling down the
River on his intended Voyage Northward, and taking
with him Mr. Simms only of his own Household, to at
tend him in his Travels; divers others, Men and Women,
Strangers, went Passengers as far as Charles-Town, who
had a good while been his Disciples here, and now re
turned to their several Homes in Carolina; Mr. Tilly also
took the same Opportunity and left us; Robert Gilbert
(one of our Freeholders, and Magistrate last Year) with
his Wife, were the only Persons who went with them,
which they could give no good Reason for; not that
their Loss is of any great Significance, for he was origi
nally a Seller of old Cloaths in London, here a botch
ing Taylor, and no Planter, but a sober, quiet Man, doing
no Harm, nor much Good, more than doing his own per
sonal Guard-Duty; and if I am rightly informed, he
hath formerly received many distinguishing Marks of
Favour, very solid ones too, from Mr. Oglethorpe; for
he came in a very poor State; but howsoever hard
Thoughts some Folks may have conceived of Georgia,
it is plain he has found a Place where he could live and
make Money; whereof he is not wanting to carry with
him to Pensilvania, to which Place he thinks himself
directed by the Spirit, which mixed with some Ingrati
tude, I think to be his present Composition. The next
Movement of any of our settled Inhabitants, it is ex
pected will happen among our restless Gentry of the
Club, some of whom, namely, Dr. Tailfer and Jenkins,
I have before taken Notice were preparing to send off
their Wives and Families; but that not yet being done,
it is now publickly given out, that they themselves also
are preparing to go with them, and were putting their
Goods on board a small Sloop lying near, formerly built
by Mr. Robert Williams, but never yet employed, whereof

646 COLONIAL RECORDS.
another of the Club was to go as Master on this Occa- le
sion, whose Skill in Navigation is supposed not to be August
great; and when I see this come to pass, I shall think
the Colony happily delivered from the most mischievous
Set of People that ever sat down in it; for it must inev
itably cause a Dissolution of that Society when their
great Pan is gone; nevertheless as they all stand Debtors
in some Degree or other on the Trustees Books, it is to
be expected they must come to an Account before they
are suffered to depart; though probably that may, among
others, be termed an arbitrary and tyrannical Act.
Wednesday. Some of our Pursuers being returned 20.
re infecld, who went out on Sunday last, and others yet
continuing abroad, after tracking them as far as the
River Oguchee, we did not despair utterly of their com
ing up with them. One of the Persons taken into Cus
tody on Saturday last, being discharged from the Guard
on Monday Morning, upon asking Pardon for his Offence,
and finding Sureties for the Peace; another of them was
this Day discharged out of Goal, upon his Submission
likewise, and complying with what was at first required
of him, confessing he found himself mistaken in some
whom he expected to take his Part, that in this Time of
Need would not so much as appear to be his Bail; from
whence it was pretty evident who had been the Instiga
tors of that Disturbance, as we judged at that Time; but
the third superlative to the others, with his Menaces of
Flame and Blood, the Magistrates thought proper to de
tain till he was made a little more sensible of his Crime.
What fell out more in the Day, was of no Moment.
Thursday. The rest of the Horsemen now returned 21.
from their Pursuit of the Goal-Breakers, all agreeing in
one Opinion, that they could not have passed the Ogu
chee River, but they must have made some Discovery of
it; but the Swamps and Thickets on this Side were so
impenetrable, that no Good could be done by attempt-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 647
ing to look into them; and thereupon some of our Indi- ^^
ans, which they had with them, undertaking to guard all August
those Places difficult of Access, and to watch them nar
rowly if they lay hid there (as was supposed) what
Hopes we now had remaining, were built upon the Dili
gence of those Indians. Mr. Jones calling on me this
Afternoon, and conferring a while (as we frequently used
to do with one another) was gone not far from my
House, when a Gun went off; and he returning immedi
ately, asked me if I knew whence that Shot was, for that
it was with a Ball, which he heard whiz very near him:
He went away again but a little Way, when another Shot
was made from the same Quarter, with a Ball also, and
that I heard pass clearly over my Head as I stood at the
Gate of my Yard looking out; whereupon I called on
Mr. Jones (not yet out of Sight) and when he came,
upon laying these Things together, we thought the Cir
cumstances attending it were pretty remarkable; where
fore Mr. Jones taking the Tything-man with him, who is
a Smith, and whose Shop is over against the Backside of
my House, in one of the Planks of which Shop one of
these Balls lodged that were now fired, they went directly
and seized the Fellow, who was yet standing on, or near
the same Spot from whence he had fired, and had his Gun
again ready loaden; it was just without the Skirts of the
Town; the House where I live at present is in Huck's
Tything, N° 9, in Percivall Ward, not far from the Court-
House: The Distance of Mr. Jones from me was as far
as N° 6. in the same Tything, when the first Shot passed
by him, on his Way home: Upon Examination, the Fel
low owned that he was not shooting at any Mark or
other particular Thing whatever, but only diverting him
self with his Gun; when we asked him whether he
thought it a reasonable Diversion or not, to stand without
the Town and fire Ball into it, levelling his Piece directly:
He had nothing to say more, than that he did not mean
any Harm: But Mr. Jones not satisfied with that Answer,
and which I neither could think a very sufficient one; he

648 COLONIAL RECORDS.
committed him for the present, and took the Gun from 1740.
him, which I was told afterwards was found to be loaden August
with Drop Shot (the same as is commonly used in killing
of Deer) by which it looked as if he resolved to make
sure of some Mischief the next Discharge, the two last
that he made passing so near each of us, though at so
wide a Distance as we then were from one another. The
Fellow was a Servant to Phelps a Scotchman, who for a
Year or two past had rented a House in Town, where he
kept Store of Cloth, and other like dry Goods, and was
one of the most active and busy Men of our Club, being
the same whom the General shewed such a particular
Mark of his Displeasure to, as noted in my Journal of
the 23d of April last; and of late finding his Behaviour
narrowly watched, he thought it best to withdraw to
Charles-Town, quitting his House, where he had little
Store left; and this Man was appointed to stay here,
waiting his farther Orders. Divers of our People, best
affected, are apt to draw Inferences from this, which I
cannot readily join in; for how malicious soever the
Master may be, I am unwilling to think he had a particu
lar and personal Antipathy towards me, or that his Serv
ant would, at any Instigation, perpetrate so base and
wicked an Act, as to destroy a Man in cold Blood, who
had never injured him, and hardly knew him.
Friday. The Court sat again, to receive Claims from 22.
any who brought them, whereof divers yet came in. Mr.
Currie (an Indian Trader) went privately out of Town,
as the Magistrates were informed, to the Orphan-House,
where some of Mr. Whitfield's People had promised to
assist him with a Boat, to carry him to the General at
Frederica, with Intent to make Complaint to his Excel
lency of the hard Usage which some of his Fraternity
had met with in those Proceedings against them, as noted
on Saturday last & seq. but the Magistrates were under
no Apprehension of his Displeasure, for having done no
more than their Duty on such an Occasion, when the

COLONIAL RECORDS. 649
publick Peace was at Stake, and their lawful Authority "*o.
set at naught. August
Saturday. This Day I devoted wholly to my little 23.
Ville at Bewlie, where I spent it with Pleasure, having not
seen it since the 23d past: The principal Work now in
hand was setting up a little Edifice of somewhat better
Sort than any yet done, as Necessity required hitherto;
for I was also desirous to frame a small Habitation, com
modious for myself and a Friend with me, when I saw
it during my own Time, and useful to such afterward as
were to take Possession. After a pretty hot Day I chose
to return pretty late in the Evening, having the Benefit
of a bright Moon, and heard of nothing strange when I
came home.
Sunday. St. Bartholomew. Mr. Habersham now 24.
supplying Mr. Whitfield's Place during his Absence, he
read the Prayers, and a Sermon before Noon and after:
but out of what Author I knew not; it seemed to be
entering upon a fresh Round of the Doctrine of Regen
eration, Conversion and Justification, beginning again
with our Saviour's Conference with Nicodemus. Having
no fresh Intelligence since Thursday of what Success
might be expected relating to the Recovery of those
Goal-Breakers, we began now to despair of any Good.
Monday. In the Afternoon arrived Peter Emery with 25.
his Boat from Charles-Town, and brought with him two
Packets from the Trust, which were committed to his
Care by Mr. Hopton, who also wrote me a Letter, signi
fying his having received them about a Week before, and
acquainting me, that a new Post-Master being lately ap
pointed, he suffered no Letters to be brought ashore,
but what he fetch'd himself; wherefore all Letters and
Packets, for the future, must be paid for; and that he
was now obliged to pay 20 s. Currency (i.e. Haifa Crown)
for these two; he wrote me likewise, that the two Boxes

650 COLONIAL RECORDS.
I sent him lately, one directed to Mr. Verelst, the other ™j
to Robert Eyre, Esq; as specified in my Letter to him August
of the 5th Instant, he had delivered to the Care of Capt.
Samuel Ragly of the Betty, taking the Captain's Re
ceipt for them, which he had inclosed to Mr. Verelst in
a Letter; but was obliged to mention in the Receipt 10 s.
Sterling to be paid for Freight of them, or he would not
take them and sign it. In each of these Packets I found
one for the General, with various other Letters to sundry
People, one to Mr. Jones, and two short ones to myself
of the 24th of April and the 5th of May, referring to
divers Papers inclosed from Mr. Verelst, &c. I sent
abroad all that came to hand for other People, and the
Contents of what Mr. Jones and I receiv'd gave Occa
sion of our Conference good Part of the Evening; when
we concluded upon it, that one of us would go and wait
on the General ourselves in a Day or two, with those
Packets for him, having not seen or heard from him for
a good while past; and it was highly needful to inform
him of divers Things passed here of late, that we might
be advised the better ore tenus.
Tuesday. Mr. Causton being brought to Town a few 2<s.
Days since in a very weak State, hoping that Change of
Air, and the Conversation of his Friends might contrib
ute towards his Recovery; I had the Opportunity of de
livering him his Letter from the Trust, whereof I had
received a Copy. He was reduced, indeed, to the
Shadow of a Man, and there appeared little Room of his
Amendment, otherwise than from him with whom all
Things are possible. It was again given out, that Mess.
Stirling, Grant and Douglas, had received in that Letter
which I delivered them from the Trust, a satisfactory
Answer to what they had requested, touching their set
tling on Wilmington Island; which I knowing of could
say nothing to: But as Dr. Tailfer was preparing now in
Earnest to leave us, and that Club must thereby come to
an End, I apprehended no ill Consequence, provided

COLONIAL RECORDS. 651
they were under a Covenant to cultivate Land, as well imo.
as raise a live Stock, which, perhaps, was their Aim Au2|ust
only. Wednesday. Much Talk now of Dr. Tailfer's Prepa- 27.
ration to leave us soon, together with his close Adhe
rents; and more than ordinary Pains having been taken
by them since the Siege of Augustin being raised, to set
forth the destitute and indefensable State this Colony was
left in, and that we might surely expect the Enemy to
come soon upon us; I made no Doubt but I should find
this doughty Club, at their Breaking entirely up, go off
with some little Train of pusillanimous Attendants: My
Wishes at the same Time were, that they might not
leave one among us behind them so actuated by the like
Spirit of Discord, as to be capable of propagating more
Mischief. Thursday. Noble Jones being in Town, whom the 28.
General had given the Command of a Scout and Guard-
Boat, with ten Men, to watch the Narrows at Skedoway,
and who was to take his Orders from me as Occasion
might happen; I had many Things to say to him there
on, concerning a Boat which I had in my Eye at Puris-
burgh, that was to be sold, and I conceived would very
fitly answer our Purpose, wherein I gave him proper
Directions, as I also did about getting able and good
Men for the Use intended {vide nth Instant;) moreover
acquainting him, that as it was probable I might go
South very soon, to wait on the General, I should in
such Case, on my Return, expect to find his Boat and
Men at their proper Station; and therefore recommended
to him to use all possible Diligence in so necessary a
Piece of Service; which he promised.
Friday. The Packets for the General having Iain in 29.
my Hands since Monday, and seeing no Opportunity
offer to send them; upon conferring with Mr. Jones upon

652 COLONIAL RECORDS.
it, I observed he had it in his Intention, to be the Bearer r»&
of them himself; but having not waited on the General August
in the South for more than a Year past (which Mr. Jones
had divers Times) and withal having a more than ordi
nary Desire at this Time, to consult his Excellence on
those arduous Points, which the Trustees in their Let
ters (of late received) had required me to be very ex
plicit in, and for that Reason they had desired me to
crave his Help; I thought proper not to be too free with
my Compliments at present, but said plainly to him,
that I thought it was my Turn; at which he acquiesced,
and a Boat was ordered to be ready against the Morning
Tide, very early. Dr. Tailfer now also began to send
off his Goods and Luggage on board a small Sloop
lying at the Wharf, in order to proceed for Charles-Town
in a Day or two, as it was said.
Saturday. I took Boat at Three in the Morning, 30.
having with me Mr. Clee, who had some small Affair of
his own to transact at Frederica, &c. and knowing him to
be well skilled as a Pilot to steer, and moreover an inof
fensive Companion, I was glad of him in both Capacities.
Noble Jones was to go out of Town in the Morning on
Horseback, to meet me at his own Plantation, which is
within a Mile or two Distance from the Guard-House:
We arrived at his House about Nine, and he came soon
after; when we went together to the Watch-House;
which I found in pretty good Order; but with little more
Expence and Labour, it would be very useful, and capa
ble of Annoyance and Defence; and after a little Time
so spent, we went on with our Boat, and reached Bear
Island that Evening, where we went ashore, rested during
the Night: and,

Sunday, very early, we went forward, and rested that
Night on Sapiloe Island, not venturing too far, by rea
son the Wind arose, and began to blow hard.

31

COLONIAL RECORDS. 653
Monday. Arrived at Frederica about Sunsetting; ™^
when understanding the General was in but a weak State septemb.
of Health, seldom conversing with any more than need
ful; and being myself also pretty much discomposed
and fatigued, I sent him his Packet by Mr. Hawkins,
and asked his Leave to wait on him in the Morning;
whereupon he was so good to send me a Bottle of Wine,
and a Bottle of Cyder: And the best Compliment I had
to make him in Return, was to acquaint him I had a Bot
tle of Savannah Wine at his Service, made there, which
I had brought with me, to present it with my own Hand
from the Maker.
Tuesday. I did so in the Morning; when I was read- 2>
ily admitted, and kindly received; but wished to have
found his Excellency in better Health, for a lurking
Fever that hanged on him for a long Time past had worn
away his Strength very much; so that he indulged him
self pretty much on his Bed, and seldom came down
Stairs, but retained still the same Vivacity of Spirit in
Appearance to all whom he talked with, though he chose
to converse with very few; wherefore I never was urgent
to speak with him, when I called to ask his Servants
how he did (which was pretty often) but only left my
Name, &c. waiting for the Time when he found an In
clination to talk with me of the Business I came about,
which he very well knew. From this Day during my
Abode there, it was in vain for me to attempt keeping a
daily Journal, which must have been pro forma only, and
filled with incoherent Trifles, not worth mentioning.
One Day I took to go and make a Visit to the Camp at
the South-East End of St. Simon's, and paid my Re
spects to Colonel Cook, Major Heron, and some other
Officers whom I knew, which is about eight Miles from
Frederica by Land, but by Water (as I went) it is much
farther round: Four Companies were here stationed, and
the other two are at Frederica with the General, who are
also encamped without the Lines of the Town, which the

654 COLONIAL RECORDS.
General is fortifying, by casting up a Trench, and mak- i7*__
ing proper Works at due Distances. I was glad to see septemb.
the Men so soon and well recovered from the Sickness
which they brought with them from Augustin, very few
of them being now unfit for Service, and the Companies
much fuller than I expected, wanting little more than a
fifth Part to recruit the Whole; though the Company
which marched at the Beginning of the Summer from
Port-Royal, to join them, had lost so many by Sickness,
Accident of drowning, Desertion, &c. that it wanted
near half its Completement at its first taking the Field.
From these two Camps, Detachments are made to sup
ply the Out Garisons near the Frontiers, viz. St. Andrew,
Fort William, Amelia, St. George, &c. in Proportion to
their Strength, and they are relieved as thought fit by
the General. After nine or ten Days, his Excellency
growing stronger, began to talk more closely of Busi
ness; and by Degrees taking the Affair into Considera
tion, which principally occasioned my waiting on him,
I collected his Sentiments in many Things that I wanted
to know, and withal informed him how far I could attest
and maintain the Truth of divers Things which would
need it: Many Things were discussed during the last few
Days of my Stay, too long to enter into again here, but
not fit to be forgotten by me; so having gone through
what was requisite, having the Pleasure of parting with
his Excellency in a much better State of Health than I
found him, I took my Leave; and,
Wednesday, about One o'Clock, we put off again 17.
with our Boat for Savannah, and rested that Night at
our former Camp on Sapiloe.
Thursday. We proceeded,, and by the Help of a fair is.
Wind we reached Vernon River; a little Way within the
Mouth of which was Bewlie, where I took Opportunity
of looking into what was doing; but was sorry to find
so much Sickness among them; one of my best Servants

COLONIAL RECORDS. 655
ill; as was also my Overseer's Wife, whilst he himself r?^
newly gone to Town for some Help, was also taken ill septemb.
there. Friday. It was Noon this Day before the Tide would 19-
admit of our going on, with the Wind against us; and
then we proceeded, after leaving the best Directions
among them that I could, with Promises of remember
ing them farther, of which they should have Tokens as
soon as I got home. On our Way we met with the
Scout-Boat at her proper Station, which was appointed
to guard that Pass of Skedoway Narrows; and it was a
Satisfaction to me to find the Orders I left with Noble
Jones {vide the 28th of August) so well observed: After
rowing a few Miles farther, the Wind holding contrary,
we were oblig'd to come to an Anchor, and wait another
different Tide coming, to carry us on, so we dozed in
the Boat a-while; and putting forward again about Eleven
at Night, we arrived at Savannah about Three or Four
o'Clock in the Morning, being about the same Hour we
left it just three Weeks since.
Saturday. The first News I met with this Morning, 29.
as soon as abroad, was a full Completion of what I fore
saw would come to pass, as I noted it on the 27th ult.
For soon after I went South, the Doctor and his Crew
made their Way North (it is said) to Charles-Town; his
Attendants or Followers soon after, were Grant, Douglas,
Sterling, Baylie, and (to make Set compleat) Landlord
Jenkins, with his Wife also. It is needless to say what
instigated these People, who have sufficiently shewn their
good Disposition for some Years past. Thus we at last
see an End of that cursed Club, which has so long been
the very Bane of this Place, and which might have been
happy ere now, had not the poisonous Influence of that
Crew blinded their Understandings. It is said that the
Fear of the Spaniards was what drove away these next
following (all likewise since my going from home) viz.

656 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Dr. Nunez and his Son Daniel, De Lion's Wife, Pye's "«>•
Wife (Sister to Mr. Brownfield) our Constable Duchee's septemb.
Wife; their Husbands yet staying to wait a farther Event;
and Penrose's Wife went off in Defiance of hers; a no
torious Termagant, whom I suppose he thinks himself
well rid of: On the contrary, I this Day received the bad
News of my own dear Wife's Death.
Sunday. Mr. Habersham read the Prayers and Sermon 21.
in the same Way as before. Towards Evening Laughlan
M°Intosh alighted at my Door, and gave me a dismal
Relation of what happened at Fort Argyle, upon the
River Oguchee: Which in Substance was, That having
been some Days absent from the Fort on Business, partly
at Savannah and elsewhere; on his Return thither last
Thursday Evening, he found the Doors all open, what
Chests or Boxes were within rifled, much Blood spilt on
the Bed, Floor, &c. and his Dog wrapt up in a Blanket
with his Throat cut: from whence he concluded, that a
Man and Woman Servant, whom he left there were both
murdered. How it happened that so few Hands were
left there, or why he himself, who had the Charge of the
Place, left them so defenceless, it was not a Time for me
to enter into an Enquiry of; but I soon called the Mag
istrates together, that due Examination might be taken
of all Circumstances which could be come at: And then
he deposed, that they had found the Servant Man's Body
floating in the River a Mile or two lower, with no Head
to it, which was supposed to have been cut off; but they
could find no Token of what became of the Maid: He
said, that when he went thither on Thursday last, he had
in Company with him William Francis of this Town,
who was appointed one to keep Garison there; and be
fore he came thence now, two or three other Men arrived
there, under the same Appointment: It was observed,
that during his Examination, he appeared very much
disordered, by an uncommon Flutter of Spirits, which
raised a Jealousy there was something more than ordi-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 657
nary which he had not discovered; wherefore it was it*o^
thought best to defer a farther Examination till to-mor- sep^t»mb.
row; and in the mean while a watchful Eye was appointed
to be near him, as a Companion, that he might not
slip out of Town, whilst at the same Time he knew
not himself to be under Confinement. Various were
Peoples Conjectures on this Occasion, and indeed the
whole Town was alarmed, most Part of them concluding,
that it must be some Indians, but what Indians they could
not tell, unless our own Friends and Neighbours, which
there was not the least Grounds to suspect. My own
Thoughts (which divers concurred with me in) were, that
the Spanish Doctor, and the Irishman, who broke Prison,
and escaped hence (as noted the 14th of August, &c.
seq.) finding themselves under great Difficulties how to
subsist, and make a thorough Escape, had joined them
selves to some Negroes lately fled from Carolina, who
were wandering Southward (as of late many of them had
deserted; insomuch that there was a Party of Horse ap
pointed always to scout on the Banks of the River, and
guard the Passes out of that Province) and these so
joined very probably might attempt such an Act, es
pecially when they would meet with no Opposition; and
what induced me the rather to incline to this Opinion
was, that among the several Particulars of Plunder car
ried off, which chiefly consisted of Eatables, I took par
ticular Notice they had taken a Quire of Writing-Paper,
which could be of no Use to an Indian; and moreover
it is to be observed, that when an Indian kills, he always
takes the Scalp alone; but the Negro most commonly
takes the whole Head. We were next to wait for what
farther Discoveries we could come at to-morrow.
Monday. The Magistrates now met again, and took 22
Depositions in Form of whatBLaughlan M°Intosh had to
say; which he made Affidavit of: And finding him ab
struse in many Things, and differing from what he
had reported Yesterday; they became more suspicious
42 c r — vol i

658 COLONIAL RECORDS.
than before, that something at Bottom was not right; }]_^_
wherefore Mr. Parker the Magistrate, and Mr. Mercer septemb.
the Constable, offering voluntarily to go to the Fort
themselves, and endeavour to find out the Truth of the
Whole, it was so agreed at my House; and as their
readiest Way to come at it, was up the Oguchee from
the Mouth of it, they purposed to go by Land to Noble
Jones's Plantation; to whom I wrote an Order to be
assisting to them, with his Guard-Boat, and proper
Hands; and accordingly they set out soon after. In the
mean while proper Means were used to amuse Laughlan,
and keep him in Town, till we should get some Report
from Parker and Mercer how they found Matters at the
Fort.

Tuesday. I thought every Day now lost that was not
chiefly employed in forwarding the great Work in hand,
to set the present State of the Colony in a due Light
before the Trustees, as they had required for some Time
past; and therefore having got some of the principal
Materials together, in the best Manner I could, it must
next be my Care to get it perfected with all possible
Expedition; and so I resolved.
Wednesday. Nothing happened that required my
taking Notice of in the Town, or abroad elsewhere,
which I was not sorry for, having enough to do at home
every Day for some Time coming; and such Confinement
happened now to be also requisite, on Account of a lame
Leg that I brought home with me from my late Expedi
tion, which was occasioned by a trifling Accident of a
Bite from one of our flying Insects (of which there is a
great Variety in this Part of the World) which occasioned
a small Swelling, from whence ensued an extream Itch
ing, and that was attended with Scratching, which added
to the Venom; and the Skin being thereby a little broke,
an Humour immediately followed it; so that maugre
what Mr. Hawkins applied to stop it at Frederica, from

28.

COLONIAL RECORDS. 659
the Bigness or a Pin's Head, it soon became a Sore as 1740.
broad as a Man's Hand, as it yet continues; but by the septemb.
J 24.
Help of innocent cooling Things made use of now, and
proper Rest, I hope soon to see it healed.
Thursday. Messieurs Parker and Mercer returned; 25-
and having examined, upon Oath, the Persons whom
they found at the Fort, and made the best Enquiry they
could, upon comparing the several Affidavits together,
it was found, that in the main Points they agreed all.
Peter Emery at this same Time having his Boat freighted
with sundry Goods bound for Frederica, Mr. Jones and I
both wrote Letters to the General, advising him of what
was needful in many other Cases, as well as in this, de
livering all to Emery's Care, and recommending it to
Laughlan Mcintosh to go in the same Boat, and relate
all to the General himself; and so he resolved to do.
Friday, ) Confinement at home being doubly 2a.
Saturday. ) necessary now, as well on Account of 27.
my Lameness, as to get forward what I had in hand; I
stuck to it, and heard of nothing abroad that required
my Attention these two Days.
Sunday. A Presbyterian Divine, who arrived from 28.
Carolina some Days since, preached to the Congregation
before Noon and after; but my Infirmity would not ad
mit of my going to hear him.
Monday. Fresh Intelligence being brought us this 29.
Evening, that the Spanish Doctor, who with his Com
panion broke Prison, and escaped hence some Time ago,
had been seen that Morning near the Cow-Pen at Old
Ebenezer; we began to conceive again more Hopes of
Success in our Endeavours to take them; wherefore upon
Consultation had, we made Choice of three of the most
active and expert Men in the Woods that we had, to
ride out well armed and provided with Food, to try what

660 COLONIAL RECORDS.
they could do; and for their Encouragement, a Reward "40.
of 20 /. Sterling was promised upon catching them, or Septemb.
proportionable for either; being now pretty full in Opin
ion, that the late Murder and Plunder at Fort Argyle
was perpetrated by that Crew; one at least, if not more,
having lately joined them; but who, we could not tell.
Tuesday. The Persons appointed rode out this Morn- 30.
ing in Pursuit of those Villains; and I rested in the same
Posture at home as before, doing what I could in em
ploying my Pen to a right Purpose.
Wednesday. Still confined at home; Mr. Causton October
having spent a few Weeks in Town, for the Benefit of
conversing with some of his old Acquaintance, thereby
hoping to get a little Strength; during his Continuance
here had the Misfortune to lose his Son (his only Child)
who was taken in one of those intermitting Fevers,
which are pretty frequent in this Part of the World, at
this Time of the Year, whereof very few die; and being
of a weak Constitution, it carried him soon off, which
so affected his Father, that he returned mournfully to
Ockstead, ill able to sustain his Grief.
Thursday. Nothing came to my Knowledge from 2.
abroad worth Notice, but every body following their own
Business, as I did mine, and hope soon to be on my
Legs again.
Friday. At length the Time was come which brought ».
the News we wanted, of those Villains being taken; two
of those Men we sent out returning this Day, and ac
quainting us, that they came upon them about twenty-
five Miles beyond the Cow-Pen at Ebenezer, at a Place
called Mount Pleasant, or the Uchee Town (from some
of those Indians inhabiting thereabout) on the River
Savannah, and in the usual Place of crossing it to the
Palachocolas: Here the Rain had driven them for Shel-

COLONIAL RECORDS. 661
ter into a Hut, and our Pursuers surprizing them, they JJio^
were secured without Resistance; tho' they had Arms October
with them, which they took at Fort Argyle, and where
they readily confessed they had murdered that Man and
Woman, and made Plunder of what they liked. After
binding them safely, they left them under the Charge of
one of their own Company, joined with several other
well known trusty Persons, whom they met on their Pas
sage by Water to Savannah, where they were bound;
and it was a convenient Opportunity of sending the Pris
oners with them, whom we were to expect to-morrow;
but they utterly denied having any third Person in their
Company, as it was reported.
Saturday. Great were all Peoples Expectations of 4-
seeing those Prisoners brought down, which were in Cus
tody, as they that took them reported to us Yesterday;
but one of their Guard being a principal Indian Trader
among the Creeks and Uchees, we judge he might be
detained a little by his Business with them, before he
set out for Savannah; and so we would look for them
to-morrow. A New- York Sloop, Samuel Tingley Mas
ter, arrived with Store of Provision for Sale, which ef
fectually put a Stop to one current Lie, that our late
Deserters had spread before their Departure; that all
Provinces looked on us as a Place given up for lost, and
none of them would deal with us any farther for any
Support: At the same Time the said Master told us,
that he himself heard some of those that went thither
from hence, complaining already how much dearer they
found it living there than here, and beginning to wish
they had not been so misled. In the Evening Mr. Cam- ¦
bel returned, who went hence for London with Captain
Thompson, and arrived at Charles-Town about a Fort
night since; where he fell ill, that Place of late being
grown very sickly again: And he told me, he had brought
several Packets for the General, which he had sent to
Frederica, by a Boat going that Way; and that he had

662 COLONIAL RECORDS.
also one for me from Mr. Verelst, which he had during m.
his Illness delivered to another Boat, under the Care of October
Young Germain, who was the Patroon bound hither; but
that Boat being somewhere detained (as he imagined)
was not yet arrived with the said Packet, and he got
hither by another Conveyance, before her, which gave
me some Uneasiness: He farther told us, that seeing
some of our late Club at Charles-Town, they asked him
if he was not mad to go again to Savannah, where all
People that were left were starving, and the Place must
soon be depopulated? So incessant were their vile
Tongues employed in uttering their Venom against this
Colony.

APPENDIX,

A
STATE OF THE

Province of Georgia,
Attested upon. Oath, in the Court of Savannah,
Nov. 10, 1740.
The Province of Georgia lies from the most Northern Stream
of the River Savannah (the Mouth of which is in the Latitude
of 32 Deg.) along the Sea-Coast, to the most Southern Stream
of the Alatamaha (the Mouth of which is 303^ Deg.) and West
ward from the Heads of the said Rivers, respectively in direct
Lines to the South Seas.
This Province was Part of South-Carolina; but the Eastern
and Southern Parts of it, inhabited by the Creek Indians; the
Northern by the Cherokees and Chickesaws; the Western by
the Chactaws; the Blewmouths, and other Indian Nations, to
South-Sea. The Creek Indians, who always acknowledged the
King of England for their Sovereign, yet made War with the
People of Carolina, to obtain Satisfaction for Injuries done by
their pedling Traders: The War was concluded by a Peace,
which obliged the People of Carolina not to settle beyond the
River Savannah; and no Englishman was settled within this
District, that we know of, when the first Colony of Georgia ar
rived. The Country was then all covered with Woods. Mr.

664 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Oglethorpe agreed with the Indians, and purchased of them the
Limits mentioned in the Treaty.
The Town of Savannah was laid out and began to be built, in
which are now 142 Houses, and good habitable Huts. The Soil
in general, when cleared, is productive of Indian Corn, Rice,
Peas, Potatoes, Pumpions, Melons, and many other Kinds of
Gourds, in great Quantities; Wheat, Oats, Barley, and other
European Grains, 'tis found by divers Experiments, may be
propagated in many Parts (more especially in the Uplands
towards Augusta) with Success. Mulberry Trees and Vines agree
exceeding well with the Soil and Climate, and so does the An
nual Cotton, whereof large Quantities have been raised; and it
is much planted: But the Cotton, which in some Parts is peren
nial, dies here in the Winter; which nevertheless the Annual is
not inferior to in Goodness, but requires more Trouble in cleans
ing from the Seed. Cattle, Hogs, Poultry, and Fruit-Trees of
most Kinds, have increased even beyond Imagination.
Ships of about three hundred Tons can come up to the Town,
where the Worm (which is the Plague of the American Seas)
does not eat; and the River is navigable for large Boats, as far
as the Town of Augusta, which lies in the Latitude of 33 D. 5
M. and is 250 Miles distant from Savannah by Water; small
Boats can go 300 Miles farther, to the Cherokees.
There is already a considerable Trade in the River; and there
is in this Town a Court-House, a Goal, a Store-House, a large
House for receiving the Indians, a Wharf or Bridge, a Guard-
House, and some other publick Buildings; a publick Garden of
ten Acres cleared, fenced, and planted with Orange-Trees, Mul
berry-Trees, Vines, some Olives which thrive very well, Peaches,
Apples, &c.
It must be confessed, that Oranges have not so universally
thriven with us, as was expected, by Reason of some severe
Blasts by Frosts in the Spring; yet divers with proper Care have
preserved them; and as we see them grow and thrive well, with
many of our Neighbours of Carolina to the Northward, we are
convinced that they will with us also, as soon as we are become
more perfect in the Knowledge of propagating them in a right
Manner; in order to which frequent Experiments are making;

COLONIAL RECORDS. 665
and we have already discovered not only what Kind of Soil
agrees best with them, but also that they flourish most when
they grow under Forest Trees, whereby we imagine they are
protected from Blasts; and 'tis observed, that they take no Harm
from the Droppings of any, except the Pine, which suffers noth
ing to grow near it, unless of its own Kind.
Notwithstanding the Quantity of Silk, hitherto made, has not
been great, yet it increases, and will more and more considera
bly, as the Mulberry-Trees grow, whereof there are great Num
bers yearly planted.
Vines likewise of late are greatly increased, many People ap
pearing to have an Emulation of outdoing their Neighbours,
and this Year has produced a considerable Quantity of very
fine Grapes, whereof one Planter in particular made a Trial, to
see what Kind of Wine they would make, which he put into a
large Stone-Bottle, and made a Present of it to the General;
who upon tasting, said he found it to be something of the Na
ture of a small French White Wine, with an agreeable Flavour;
and several Persons here, who have lived formerly in Countries
where there are a Plenty of Vineyards, do affirm, that all young
Vines produce small Wines at first, and the Strength and Good
ness of it increases as the Vines grow older.
Three Miles up the River there is an Indian Town, and at six
Miles Distance are several considerable Plantations: At ten
Miles Distance are some more, and at fifteen Miles Distance is
a little Village, called Abercorn.
Above that, on the Carolina Side, is the Town of Purysburgh,
twenty-two Miles from Savannah; and on the Georgia Side,
twelve Miles from Purysburgh, is the Town of Ebenezer, which
thrives very much; there are very good Houses built for each
of the Ministers, and an Orphan House; and they have partly
framed Houses, and partly Huts, neatly built, and formed into
regular Streets; they have a great deal of Cattle and Corn-
Ground, so that they sell Provisions at Savannah; for they raise
much more than they can consume.
Thirty Miles above Ebenezer, on the Carolina Side, lies the
Palachocolas Fort: Five Miles above the Palachocolas, on Geor
gia Side, lies the Euchee Town (on Mount Pleasant) to which

666 COLONIAL RECORDS.
about a hundred Indians belong; but few of them stay now in
the Town, they chusing rather to live dispersed. All the Land
from Ebenezer to the River Briers belongs to those Indians, who
will not part with the same, therefore it cannot be planted.
One hundred and forty-four Miles above Mount Pleasant, on
the Carolina Side, is Silver Bluff, where there is another Settle
ment of Euchee Indians: On both Sides of the River are Fields
of Corn planted by them.
Thirty Miles above Silver Bluff is New Windsor, formerly
known by the Name of Savannah Town, or Moore's Port, where
there are but two or three Families on the Carolina Side, and a
small Fort.
Seven Miles above New Windsor, on the Georgia Side, lies the
Town of Augusta, just below the Falls; this was laid out by the
Trustees Orders in the Year 1735, which has thriven prodigiously;
there are several Warehouses thoroughly well furnished with
Goods for the Indian Trade, and five large Boats belonging to
the different Inhabitants of the Town, which can carry about nine
or ten thousand Weight of Deer-Skins each, making four or five
Voyages at least in a Year to Charles-Town, for exporting to Eng
land; and the Value of each Cargo is computed to be from 12
to 1500 /. Sterling. Hither all the English Traders, with their
Servants, resort in the Spring; and 'tis computed above two
thousand Horses come thither at that Season; and the Traders,
Packhorse-men, Servants, Townsmen, and others, depending upon
that Business, are moderately computed to be six hundred white
Men, who live by their Trade, carrying upon Packhorses all
Kinds of proper English Goods; for which the Indians pay in
Deer-Skins, Bever, and other Furs; each Indian Hunter is reck
oned to get three hundred Weight of Deer-Skins in a Year-
This is a very advantageous Trade to England, since it is mostly
paid for in Woollen and Iron.
Above this Town to the North-West, and on the Georgia Side
of the River, the Cherokees live, in the Valley of the Appelachin
Mountains; they were about five thousand Warriors; but last
Year it is computed they lost a thousand, partly by the Small-
Pox, and partly (as they themselves say) by too much Rum
brought from Carolina. The French are striving to get this

COLONIAL RECORDS. 667
Nation from us, which if they do, Carolina must be supported
by a vast Number of Troops, or lost: But as long as we keep
the Town of Augusta, our Party in the Cherokees can be so
easily furnished with Arms, Ammunition and Necessaries, that
the French will not be able to gain any Ground there.
The Creek Indians live to the Westward of this Town. Their
chief Town is the Cowetas, two hundred Miles from Augusta,
and one hundred and twenty Miles from the nearest French
Fort. The Lower Creeks consist of about a thousand, and the
Upper Creeks of about seven hundred Warriors, upon the Edge
of whose Country, the French Fort of Albamahs lies: They are
esteemed to be sincerely attached to his Majesty's Interest.
Beyond the Creeks lie the brave Chickesaws, who inhabit
the near Missisipi River, and possess the Banks of it; these have
resisted both the Bribes and the Arms of the French, and Tra
ders sent by us live amongst them.
At Augusta there is a handsome Fort, where there is a small
Garrison of about twelve or fifteen Men, besides Officers; and
one Reason that drew the Traders to settle the Town of Augusta,
was the Safety they received from this Fort, which stands upon
high Ground on the Side of the River Savannah, which is there
one hundred and forty Yards wide, and very deep; another
Reason was the Richness and Fertility of the Land. Th e great
Value of this Town of Augusta occasioned the General to have
a Path marked out, through the Woods, from thence to Old Eben
ezer; and the Cherokee Indians have marked out one from thence
to their Nation, so that Horsemen now can ride from the Town of
Savannah to the Nation of Cherokees, and any other of the
Indian Nations, all on the Georgia Side of the River; but there
are some bad Places which ought to be causewayed and made
good, and which the General says he has not yet Capacity to do.
This Road^egins to be frequented, and will every Day be more
and more so, and by it the Cherokee Indians can at any Time
come down to our Assistance.
At old Ebenezer there is a Cow-Pen, where the Trustees have
a great Number of Cattle, and 'tis hoped with Care they will
amount to six or seven hundred Head in another Year: But they

COLONIAL RECORDS.
were much neglected, there not being Horses or Men sufficient
to drive up the young and out-lying Cattle.
This is the Situation of the Settlements upon the River, at the
Mouth of which lies the Island of Tybee, with the Light-House,
which has been of the greatest Use to all Ships falling in with
this Part of America. But from Savannah Southward, there are
several Plantations (besides the Villages of Hampstead and
Highgate) several of which are settled by such of the Inhabi
tants of the Town, as being able to purchase Cattle, have pe
titioned for Leases of Lands, and are settled upon those Lands
by the General's Permission, until the Trustees Pleasure be
known concerning the Leases: The Terms they propose, is the
Lease to be for twenty-one Years, renewable every seven Years,
upon paying one Year's Purchase of the improved Value; the
first seven Years to be free, and no Fine paid for the first Re
newal. Besides these Settlements, there are some others of five
hundred Acres per Grant from the Trust, which extends as far
as the Ogeechy River; upon which River lies Fort Argyll, in
such a Situation, as is intended thereby to command all the
Passes in that Part of the Province.
The next is Darien, where the Scots Highlanders are settled;
the Buildings are mostly Huts, but tight and warm; and they
have a little Fort: They have been industrious in Planting, and
have got into driving of Cattle, for the Supply of the Regiment,
&c. but this last Year most of them going voluntarily into the
War, little was done at home, where their Families remained.
Below the Town of Darien, is the Town of Frederica, where
there is a strong Fort, and Store- Houses, many good Buildings
in the Town, some of which are Brick; there is a Meadow near
adjoining that is ditch'd in, of about three hundred and twenty
Acres, of which there is good Hay made. The People have not
planted much there this Year, occasioned by the War so near
their Doors, and being chiefly Tradesmen, who make more by
working, or selling to the Camp, than they can by Planting.
There are some little Villages upon the Island of St. Simon's,
and some very handsome Houses built by the Officers of the
Regiment; and there has been Pot-Herbs, Pulse, and Fruit, pro
duced upon the Island, of great Use towards supplying the

COLONIAL RECORDS. 669
Town and Garrison: But Corn, Beer, and Meat, they have from
elsewhere. Between this Island and Jekyll Island, is an Inlet of the Sea,
called Jekyll Sound, which is a very fine Harbour, and is one of
the best Entries the English have to the Southward of Virginia.
This is an excellent Station for Ships to cruize on the Spaniards,
it commanding the homeward-bound Trade, which must come
through the Gulph of Florida, and near St. Simon's; the Entry
lies in 31 D. 10 M. The Place is barred, but upon the Bar
there is Water sufficient every Tide to carry in Twenty-Gun
Ships; and taking the best Opportunity, Forty- Gun Ships may
be carried in to refit;  a great Conveniency to a Squadron in
this Place. Upon Jekyll Island there is but very little good
Land, not above three or four hundred Acres, the rest being
sandy Sea-Beach. Mr. Horton has his Lot upon this Island,
and has made great Improvements there. To the Southward of
Jekyll lies the Island of Cumberland, and the Fort of St. An
drew's, situated upon a fine commanding Ground; and on the
S. E. of the same Island, is another strong Fort called Fort
William, which commands Amelia Sound, and the inland Pas
sage from Augustine. The next Island is Amelia; beyond that
is St. John's, one of the Spanish Outguards; and between forty
and fifty Miles from that is Augustine.
We are now fully acquainted with the Colony, and what it
will produce; the inland Part is hilly, till it rises into Mountains,
where all Kinds of Timber grow. Near the Sea the Ground is
more level and flat, where Laurels, Cedars, Cyprus, Bays, and
Live Oak, are of the Size of Timber-Trees: Among the Shrubs,
some of the principal are Pomegranates, which will grow well
in Hedges, Myrtle, prickly Pears, Shumach, Saffafras, China
Root, several Sorts of Snake Root, &c. There is commonly
black Mould in the low Lands; the rising Ground is frequently
Clay, where Oak and Hickery mostly grow; as it also does in a
great Part of the flat Land that is dry, where Walnut, Ash,
Gum-Tree, Oak of several Kinds, Hickery, Beech, wild Cher
ries, &c. are in great Plenty to be found. The higher Lands are
of a sandy Surface, where Pines usually grow, all Parts pro
ducing Trees of some Kind or other, except the Savannahs, and

670 COLONIAL RECORDS.
Marshes, which bear Grass; and many of the low Land Swamps
covered with Canes, which are excellent Feed for Cattle in the
Winter. Where the Oak and Hickery grow, the Soil is in gen
eral of a strong Nature, and very well esteemed for Planting,
being found by Experience to produce the best Crops of Indian
Corn, and most Sorts of Grain, except Rice, which thrives best
in swampy Ground: This is only spoken of the lower Parts of
Georgia, which reaches from the Sea-Shore to the Foot of the
Hills, being a flat Country of sixty or seventy Miles, or more,
in Breadth. The Hill Country is very different, there being Mar
ble, Chalk, Gravel, Rocks, and all the same Variety of Soil that
is in Europe; with respect to the Proportion of the different
Kinds of Soil, it cannot be given, unless the Whole were sur
veyed; but the American Dialect distinguishes Land into Pine,
Oak and Hickery, Swamp, Savannah, and Marsh. Near the
Town of Savannah we have found Stone, which is dug for
Building; as there is also good Clay, whereof Bricks are made;
and a Pottery Work is carried on with Success, where common
Ware for most Uses is made in good Plenty, and exported to
the neighbouring Provinces; and the Master, who is of an enter-
prizing Genius, has undertaken, as soon as he has made proper
Furnaces, to make a superfine Sort, of such as shall not be infe
rior to Porcelian itself; but a little Time will discover his fur
ther Performances.
The Coast is low, with a hard, sandy Beach: When we ap
proach it at twenty-five Leagues Distance, we find Ground in
twenty-five Fathom Water, and it shoals gradually to the Shore;
the Sounding being so regular, makes it a safe Coast to fall in
with, having good Anchoring all along, and no Rocks. The
Mouths of the Rivers Savannah and Alatamaha make a great
Number of Islands, and the Entries between them form good
Harbours. To the Southward of Tybee are the following En
tries, viz. Wassaw, Ossebah, St, Catharine's, Sapello, Doboy, St.
Simon's, which is the North-Entry to Frederica; Jekyll Sound,
which is the South-Entry to Frederica, to which Place the
Channel is navigable, from the ordinary Place of Anchoring in
the Sound, for Ships of a good Burden up to the Town.
The Staple of the Country of Georgia being presumed, and

COLONIAL RECORDS. 671
intended to be, principally Silk and Wine, every Year confirms
more our Hopes of succeeding in those two, from the great In
crease (as has been before observed) of the Vines and Mulberry-
Trees, wherein Perseverance only can bring it to Perfection.
Several other Things might be produced, and perhaps more im
mediately profitable to the Planters; but it is apprehended, that
it is not any Business of this Colony, nor any Benefit to the
Trade of England, to interfere with what other English Planta
tions have produced, such as Rice, &c.
As the Boundaries of the Colony are now known, together
with the Climate, and Manner of Agriculture, more might be
done henceforward in one Year, than could in several Years be
fore we attained to that Knowledge; but our People are weak,
being decreased, by great Numbers having been decoyed away
to other Colonies: Many having taken to Idleness, upon shutting
up the Store went away; but those who stayed, and now remain,
are still a Body of the most valuable People, that find Means to
live comfortably, some by their Trades, some by Planting, and
raising live Stock, and some by their Labour, either by Land or
Water; and one of those remaining, are worth three that left
us, for such Work: And if an Embarkation was to come in with
the next Year, it would be of great Service to the Colony, the
Saltzburghers wishing for more of their Countrymen, and having
been very industrious.
The Persons sent from England on the Charity were of the
Unfortunate, many of whom have by their Industry proved that
they deserved better, and have thriven; many also shewed they
were brought into those Misfortunes by their own Faults; and
when those who quitted their own Country to avoid Labour,
saw Labour stand before their Eyes in Georgia, they were
easily persuaded to live in Carolina by Cunning, rather than
Work: This has been a great Misfortune also upon many Persons,
who brought over Servants indented to serve them, for a certain
Number of Years, who being picked up in the Streets of Lon
don, or some such Manner, their Masters found them unfit for
Labour, and many of them took such Opportunities as they
could get, to desert and fly into Carolina, where they could be
protected. Indeed, good and bad which came from England,

672 COLONIAL RECORDS.
were mostly Inhabitants of Towns there; but such seldom turn
out good Husbandmen with their own Hands; yet some of them
proved very useful in a new Colony, since they most readily
compose Towns, which is the first Thing necessary to be a Re
ceptacle for new Comers: And from thence, when all Demands
of Labour, for Building and Trade are supplied, the laborious
People may enlarge into the Country, and raise Provisions for
the Use of the Towns: Whereas, if the first were all labouring
Countrymen, they would naturally disperse to the most fertile
Land, and perhaps succeed for a While; but for Want of Neigh
bourhood and Markets, would force most of them to remove,
and the Country remain little or nothing the better improved,
as it happened in Virginia, till the Government, with great Diffi
culty at last, raised Towns in that Province.
It ought not here to be passed over, how ready the Country
is to receive a Number of German Families, accustomed to
Husbandry, such as usually come once a Year down the Rhine
to Holland, and embark thence for America, or the East-Indies;
some of these we have already had Experience of, insomuch
that the People here would take off a good Number of them:
And it would be of great Service (as we apprehend) to this Col
ony, at present, to send a Ship over, loaden with Germans, on
the same Terms Mr. Hope does to Philadelphia, only taking
Care that Provisions for them on their Passage be more plenti
ful, and that they are less crowded than on board his Ships:
The Terms are, they pay Half their Passage themselves on em
barking, and six Weeks after their Arrival, to pay the other
Half, which they generally do, with private Contracts to People;
but in case they do not, then they may be bound by the Ship's
Master for four or five Years, if they are above twenty-one
Years of Age; but if under, they may be bound until the Age
of twenty-one if Men, and eighteen if Girls. It must be at the
same Time confess'd, that divers of these Foreigners have,
during the Time of their Servitude, shewn themselves of a
dogged Disposition, surly and obstinate, discovering an Averse-
ness to their Masters Orders, which proceeds (as we imagine)
from a Dislike of their being subject to Strangers; whilst others
again have behaved well; but it may be alleged with Truth, that

COLONIAL RECORDS. 675
when, or wheresoever among us, any of them have worked for
their own Benefit, they are indefatigable, and out-done by none,
which joined with great Parsimony, fits them for excellent Set
tlers when free.
To enable the industrious English Settlers to go on with Plant
ing, who are truly desirous of cultivating Land; we humbly
conceive nothing could be a greater Inducement to it, than that
the honourable Trustees would please to import yearly, so long
as they see good, a Number of English or Welch Servants, such
as are used to hard Labour in the Country, and Strangers to
London, to be contracted with in England, to serve the Trustees
for five Years, from two to four Pounds yearly Wages, according
to their Ability, for finding themselves in Apparel. Those Serv
ants, on their Arrival, to be hired by the Inhabitants for one
Year, the Person hiring to pay over and above the contracted
Wages, one Pound yearly to the Trustees, so that in five Years
the Passage-Money will be paid. And to enable the Planters to
pay the said Wages, it is humbly proposed, that a Bounty be set
tled on every Product of the Land, viz. Corn, Pease, Potatoes,
Wine, Silk, Cotton, Flax, &c. to what Value the honourable Trust
shall judge meet to be limited in the following, or any other Man
ner, viz. For the first Years the said Bounty to be payable
for Corn, Pease, Potatoes, &c. only; and thenceforward to cease
wholly, and the Residue of Years wherein any Bounty should
be allowed, to be payable only for Silk, Wine, Oil, &c. by which
Means the Planter so assisted might be able to live, whilst at the
same Time he propagates Vines, Mulberry-Trees, &c. from
which he can expect no immediate Benefit before they come to
some Maturity. A Rule to be made, that they who hire the said
Servants shall employ, them only in Plantation- Work of their
own, and not let them out at Hire to work at handicraft Trades,
or any other Business, &c. That each Servant shall serve one
whole Year; and if they part at the Year's End, he shall find
himself another Master within Days to serve for one
Year also, and so on to the End of their respective Times to serve;
by which Means good Masters will not want good Servants, and
'twill be a great Means to make other Masters become good, in
43 c r— v 4

674 COLONIAL RECORDS.
order to get good Servants, or else be content with the bad, or
none. If any Disputes arise between Masters and Servants,
such to be determined by the Magistrates, according to the
Laws of England, wherein the Magistrate concerned as a Party
shall not appear as a Judge, or offer to interfere with the Opinion
of the others, but acquiesce in their Determination, if it happens
to be in Favour of the Servant, whom they ought to defend
from cruel Usage, and where they find such evil Treatment either
thro' too severe Correction, or want of sufficient wholesome
Food, according to the Custom of the Colony, the Magistrates
to have Power of vacating such Services, and obliging the Serv
ants to find another Master.
The kind Intention of the honourable Trustees to extend
the Tenure of Lands in the Manner proposed (as signify'd to
their Secretary here) gave great Satisfaction to all reasonable
Persons who seem'd to desire no more, and only wish to find that
ratify'd, which they apprehend to be not yet done, and that oc
casions some Anxiety about it.
Whether these Helps, or whatever other, the honourable
Trustees shall be pleas'd to afford us, the Ability of the Inhabi
tants to support themselves must still in a great Measure depend
on the Industry and Frugality of each. Divers in'the Provinces
who understand Planting, and are alread}^ settled, provided they
can attain to some live Stock, can and do support themselves.
Men working for Hire, Boat-men, Pack-horse-men, &c. support
themselves very well, if they will work; and more such would,
were they to be found. Shopkeepers, Trades-men, and Artifi
cers, such as Tallow-Chandlers, Soap-Boilers, Brasiers, Sadlers,
Shoe-makers, Tanners, &c. live very well on their Business here,
and many more might, were there more Merchants to import
Goods for supplying the Indian Traders, which would increase
the Resort to Savannah; whereas those Traders are now obliged
to get the greatest Part of what they want from Charles-Town
in Carolina. New Planters, and such as go on upon particular
Improvements, such as Wine, Silk, &c. will need some As
sistance. Magistrates, Constables, and Tything-men, and others
whose Time is taken up in the publick Service, require some'
Allowance for the same. It is also needful for the Well-being

COLONIAL RECORDS. 675
of the Colony, that Roads should be maintain'd: Posts for com
municating of Letters, and Forts upon the Frontiers, as well to
wards the Indians and Spaniards, be supported: As likewise other
publick Works, which the People here are in no Degree able to
bear. When the East Part of the Province of Georgia was taken
Possession of under the Trustees Charter by Mr. Oglethorpe, ac
cording to the Limits of the British Dominions in America,
Forts were erected upon the Extremities to keep up Marks of
Possession: The Strength and Materials were of such a Nature,
as the Men he had with him could make, and sufficient for De
fence against any Strength that could be brought against them
by the neighbouring Indians, or Spaniards in Florida.
The first Foundation of the Colony was upon Tenures, by
which each Lot was to be occupied by a Freeholder, obliged to
take Arms for the Defence of the Colony; and this Militia, with
the'Assistance of our friendly Indians, held the Colony against
all Attempts of the Spaniards from Augustine, who alarmed
them almost every Spring, pretending a Claim, and therefore a
Right to invade, without being said to infringe the Peace; but
did not take one Foot of Ground from us.
In the Beginning of the Year 1738, great Preparations were
made at the Havannah, and Troops were sent from thence and
Old Spain to Augustine, for the taking Possession (as they call'd
it) of that Part of Carolina in which Georgia was comprehended,
and which they gave out belong'd to them. Upon the Trustees
having early Notice of these great Preparations, they applied to
his Majesty to take upon him the Protection of the Colony,
which in its Infancy was unable to repel so great a Force. His
Majesty thereupon ordered a Regiment to be raised and posted
on the Spanish Frontiers, since which the War is broke out, and
that Regiment, with the Assistance of Troops and Indians raised
in Georgia and Carolina, in Conjunction with a Squadron of
Men of War, attack'd Augustine, and after raising the Siege of
that Place, remain'd in the Possession of the Frontiers, as before
the War; but for the Defence of the Colony now, it is necessary
to have Vessels that can act in shoal Water, on so large and ex
tended a Frontier towards the Sea, and Rangers who can ride

676, COLONIAL RECORDS.
the Woods; as also Artillery, and all other Things necessarily
appertaining thereto, and Means for augmenting our Fortifica
tions equal to the increas'd Strength of the Spaniards.
Savannah, Nov. io, 1740.
We whose Names are hereunto subscribed, being duly sworn
in open Court, do declare, that the above State of the Province of
Georgia is true, according to the best of our own Knowledge, and
from the most certain Informations we could obtain from oth
ers; and do desire, that the Seal of this Court may be affixed
thereto. *Pat Graham George Johnson
*Jos. Fitzwalter Samuel Parker
*James Carwells Thomas Palmer
*Thomas Upton William Stephens
*Giles Becu Henry Parker
*Thomas Egerton Thomas Jones
*Thomas Cundell Samuel Mercer
Anthony Camuse James Campbell
John Burton John Rae
Jos. Pavey Noble Jones
Robert Hainks Thomas Young
John Mellidge Thomas Ellis.
Tho. Bayley (Smith)
N. B. Those seven mark'd with *, at their own voluntary
Desire, were admitted to sign it, and were sworn before the
Magistrates out of Court.
The Deposition of Lieutena7it George Dunbar, taken upon the Holy
Evangelists, before the Recorder of the Town of Frederica, Jan.
20, 1738-9.
This Deponent says, That he arrived in Georgia the Begin
ning of June last, with the first Detachment of General Ogle
thorpe's Regiment; and from that Time, to the Beginning of
August, all the Carpenters of the said three Companies, and a
certain Number of other Soldiers, were employ'd in building

COLONIAL RECORDS. 677
Clap-board Huts for the said Companies, and the other Sol
diers were employ'd in unloading Vessels and Boats loaded with
Clap-boards, and other Necessaries for Building, and Provisions
of different Kinds, often up to their Necks in Water: They were
also employ'd in carrying Clap-boards, &c. upon their Backs to
the Camp, in clearing Ground from Roots of Trees, &c. for a
Parade, burning the Wood and Rubbish upon it, carrying of
Bricks, and burning Lime: And the Artists who were excused
from these Works, wrought at their own Trades, without stand
ing still, by Reason of Heat. The Hours of Labour were from
Day-Light, till between Eleven and Twelve; and from between
One and Two, and sometimes Two or Three, till Dark. All
that Time the Men kept so healthy, that often no Man in the
Camp ailed in the least, and none died except one Man, who
came sick on board, and never worked at all; nor, did I hear,
that any of the Men ever made the Heat a Pretence for not
Working. And this Deponent further says, That he has been often in
America, and frequently heard, that in the Negro Colonies, the
Hire of White Men is more than that of Negroes. And this
Deponent knows, that in South-Carolina White Ship-Carpenters
and Caulkers have about one Third more Wages than a Negro
of the same Trade or Profession, this Deponent having often
paid Wages to both; and also knows there is the aforesaid Dif
ference in many Handicrafts, and verily believes it is so in all;
and affirms, that the same is owing to the White Men exceeding
the Negroes in the same Professions, both in Quantity and Qual
ity of their Work. George Dunbar.
Sworn before me the
Day and Year above
written,
Francis Moore.
Extracl of a Letter from Mr. Thomas Jones at Savannah in Georgia,
to the Trustees Accomptanl, dated fuly i, 174.1*
The Trustees German Servants in general behave well, and
are industrious: Of these, eight or ten Families are more re-

678 COLONIAL RECORDS.
markably so, and have this last Year purchas'd a good Stock of
Cattle, some having six Cows, the least two; and each having a
Garden, where they raise some Corn, Pease, Pompions, Potatoes,
&c. which with the Milk of their Cows is the chief Part of their
Food: They are at little Expence in Cloathing; but this exposes
them to the Envy and Hatred of our Negro-Mongers, and such
who seek the Extirpation of the Colony, as well as of the
drunken, idle Sort amongst us.
I am informed by Francis Harris and William Russell (who
are very conversant with them, and can talk the German Tongue)
That they have lately joined, in a Letter writ and sent to their
Friends and Acquaintance in Germany, persuading them to
come to Georgia, where they may, by their Industrv, live in
greater Plenty, and more comfortably than they can else
where. These Servants are very desirous, That (when the Time of
their Service is expired) they may have Lands allotted to them
within twelve or fifteen Miles of Savannah, where they may
bring Things by Land-Carriage in a Vicinage, and that they may
make one common Fence (as the People of Ebenezer have done)
and be assisting to one another.
The Copy of a Letter from the Reverend Mr. Frederick
Michael Ziegenhagen, German Chaplain to his Majesty, dated at
Kensington, January II, 1741-2, and sent to the Trustees for
Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America.
Gentlemen,Having seen Paragraphs in Print representing the Saltz-
burghers as being uneasy with their Settlement at Ebenezer in
Georgia, and desirous to remove therefrom; and fearing such
Reports (if credited) might give just Offence to your Honours
their Guardians, as well as to their Benefactors in Germany, and
thereby deprive them from having yours, and their Favours con
tinued. I thought it my indispensible Duty to acquaint your Hon
ours, That by all the Letters and Journals I have received since
their Settlement at New Ebenezer, they have express'd quite

COLONIAL RECORDS. 679
different Sentiments; and not to trouble you with many Particu
lars, I beg Leave herewith to inclose you two Extracts of the
latest Accounts I received from them in November last.
Extracl of a Letter from the Reverend Mr. Bollzius at Ebenezer,
dated the 23d of Jidy, 1741, to the Reverend Dr. Francke, Profes
sor of Divinity at Hall.
"Together with these spiritual Blessings, and the salutary Ef-
" feet of the Word of God to the Conversion of many Souls,
"we enjoy also this year, by the Mercy of God, many temporal
" good Things.
"The present War, and the Burden of it, hath not affected us
"yet, and we don't feel the least of it; and in the great Dear-
" ness the Colony suffered last Year, we have not been in Want
" of necessary Provisions. As to the present Year, we have a
" very hopeful Prospect of a good Harvest, every Thing in the
" Fields and Gardens growing so delightful, as our Eyes hardly
" have seen in this Country before. *If Isaac, by the Blessing of
" the Lord, received from what he had sowed, an. hundred Fold,
" I believe, I dare say, to the Praise of the great Mercy of God
" over us, our Saltzburghers will get thousand Fold, notwith
standing that the Corn, when it came out of the Ground, was
" eaten quite up two or three Times by the Worms, of which
" nobody can hardly form a right Idea, except he sees it with
"his own Eyes. Wheat, Rice, and other Grain, must be sowed
" very thin, because each Grain brings forth fifty, an hundred, or
" more Stalks and Ears. The Land is really very fruitful, if the
" Sins of the Inhabitants, and the Curse of God for such Sins,
" doth not eat it up, which was formerly the unhappy Case of
"the blessed Land of Canaan.
"And I am heartily sorry to acquaint you, that I don't find in
" some of the Inhabitants of the Colony, a due Thankfulness
" for and Contentment with the many Benefits bestowed on them
" for several Years together; although those who are industri-
" ous, and will labour for their Maintenance, may, as we do, live
"contentedly, and subsist under the Blessing of God, promised
*Gen. xxvi. 12.

680 COLONIAL RECORDS.
"by St. Paul, Heb. xiii. 5. / will never leave thee, nor forsake
"thee. Which Blessing the Idle and Unthankful are not intitled
"to."
Extracl out of the Journal of Mr. Boltzius, Minister of the Gospel at
Ebenezer in Georgia.
"The 10th of August, 1741. We have this Year Plenty of
" Peaches, and as this Fruit doth not keep, some of our Peo-
" pie try to make a certain Sort of Brandy of them, others give
" them to the Swine: This is more than any body could have
"promised to himself, or others, some Years ago. Even at this
" Time, when I am writing this, a Man brings a large Dish of
"blue Grapes to me, grown wild in the Woods; they are of a
"sweet Taste, and pretty like our European Grape; that I am
"very apt to believe, the wild Vine-Trees, if properly managed,
"would give good Wine. Thanks be to our gracious God, who
"gives us here every good Thing for our Support.
"The gth of September, 1741. Some Time ago I wrote to
" an honoured Friend in Europe, That the Land in this Country,
" if well managed and laboured, brings forth, bv the Blessings of
" God, not only hundred Fold, but thousand Fold; and I this
"Day was confirmed therein. A Woman having two Years ago
" picked out of Indian Corn, bought at Purysburg, no more than
" three Grains of Rye (called here German Corn) and planting
"them here at Ebenezer, one of these Grains produced an hun-
" dred and seventy Stalks and Ears, and the three Grains yielded
"her a Bag of Corn as large as a Coat-Pocket, the Grains
" whereof were good and full grown; and she desired me to send
" Part of them to a kind Benefactor in Europe. One of our
" Saltzburghers brought tome also a like Bag of Beans, all
" grown out of one Bean.
"True it is, notwithstanding the Fertility of the Land, the
"first Tillagers of it must undergo and struggle with great Dif-
"ficulties; but them that come after them will reap the Benefit
" thereof, if they go on to do their Labour in the Fear of God.
" The Land is able to provide every good Thing, and more
"particularly is Pasturage very plenteous."

INDEX.

A.
Abercorn, an Account of the Village  469, 665
Account of the Spaniards' Designs at Augustin  38, 120, 130
Of an Order from the Havannah to put a Stop to them  123
Adams goes to settle in South-Carolina  54
Returns to Savannah  63
Aglionby, his Death and Character  61, 188, 189
Alarm of four Spaniards entering Parker's Plantation  127
Amelia Island attack'd by the Spaniards  74, 136, 457
Amory, his Complaint of no Land being laid out for him  71, 106, 107
His Settlement, an Account of it  164
Gets a Grant of Land in South-Carolina  238, 241
Anderson, Hugh, a remarkable Letter drawn up by him  256, 257, 258
Goes to settle in South-Carolina  307
Augusta, an Account of the Port being finished there  47, 664, 666
Account of the Indian Traders Conduct there  203
Augustine, Account of an Action at the Siege. . 508, 607, 614, 615, 619, 622
Account of raising the Siege  619, 621, 622, 625, 626
B.
Bailleau, a Hatter, his Hut burnt  214
Barnwell, Col. goes with others from Carolina to the Siege of Augus
tine  575, 621
Baylie, an Account of him, and his Intentions to leave the Colony. . . . 465
Leaves the Colony  655
Been, a Baker, his Hut burnt  214
Bernal, Jacob, a Jew, without any visible Way of Livelihood, leaves
the Colony  630
Bernandoon, Hiam, another Jew, leaves the Colony  630
Bishop committed to Prison for killing other Peoples Cattle  152
Tried for the same, and convicted  16S, 169, 171
Escapes out of Goal  175
Bounty promised by General Oglethorpe upon Corn and Potatoes.... 315
Bradford, a Thief who had escap'd from Georgia, demanded at Charles -
Town  334
Committed to Prison at Savannah, and escapes by the Keeper's
Negligence  348

682 INDEX.
Bradley indicted for shooting Cattle  12, 18
His Complaints of Mr. Causton  26, 27, 57, 83, 86, 87, 88, 92
93, 95, 101, 106
Goes away to South-Carolina  224
Returns to Savannah  234
Tells Mr. Stephens what Stores he had bought for himself  237
Gets a Grant of Land in South-Carolina  238
Kills one of the Trust's Steers for his own Use without Authority. 106
An Account of his House, and his Conduct  174
His Demands upon the Trust, and Debt to them .... 261, 301, 316., 317
Takes Possession of a Lot of five hundred Acres in Georgia. . 316, 323
Kills one of the Trust's Steers without any Authority for it. . 285, 331
Eequir'd to deliver up every Thing in his Custody belonging to
the Trust  334
Sends away his Goods to Charles-Town  343
Kills and Sells the Trust's Cattle  389
Call'd upon again by the Magistrates to deliver up the Trust's Ef
fects  396
Quits the great House built by the Trust's Servants  440
His Intentions to go off to Carolina  452
Stopt by his Creditors  459
Permitted to go  :  462
Requir'd to give Security not to leave the Colony till his Accounts
are made up  *  496, 497
Goes off privately without giving Security  581, 582
Brixy, Master of a Sloop, confin'd upon Suspicion of Murder. . . . 366. 368
His Trial and Conviction  372, 373, 379
His Execution  382
Brooks, Francis, kill'd in a Boat by a Party of Spaniards  521
Broughton, Lieutenant-Governor of South-Carolina, his Death  40
Brown, an Inhabitant of Highgate  27
Shoots his Servant  63, 97
Gets away one of the Evidence against him ,  .'  173, 174
His Trial  146, 148, 188
Brown, an Inhabitant of Augusta, his Plantation taken from him by
the Carolina Governor of New- Windsor  Ill, 112, 203
Brownfield, his Conversation with Mr. Stephens on the State of the
Colony  28, 304
Keeps a large Warehouse at Savannah  309
Appointed by Mr. "Whitfield, in his Absence, Steward of the Or
phan-House  608
Brownjohn goes away to South-Carolina  54
Returns to Savannah  63
An Account of him, and his Cultivation  84, 85
A farther Account  103
Takes some runaway Servants  107, 108
His Death and Character  184

INDEX. 683
Bull, Col. his Relation of the Orders given to the Captains of the Men
of War  416, 420
Bull, Capt. deserts his Post at the Siege of Augustine  631
Bunyon builds a boat at Abercorn  469
Burnsyde, his Settlement upon Rotten-Possum  56
C.
Cadogan, Ensign, returns from Charles-Town with Dispatches about
the Supply granted by the Assembly for carrying on the War, 272, 573
Cambel, his Account of the Malecontents dissuading him at Charles-
Town from going to Georgia  661, 662
Campbell leaves the Colony with Mr. John Wesley  41
His Character  41
Canon, Marmaduke, an Orphan and Freeholder at Savannah, an Ac
count of him  573, 574
Cargo of Flour and Cheese spoilt  362, 363, 369
Carolina, Invitations from thence to the Malecontents at Savannah. . . 240
Carolina Regiment, their Behaviour at the Siege of Augustine, 609, 615
631
Carwils, James, a Freeholder of Savannah, goes a Volunteer to the
Siege of Augustine  570
Causton, his Quarrel with Mr. Wesley  12
His Plantation at Ockstead  13
A further Description of the same  13
His Conference with Mr. Wesley in Presence of Mr. Stephens. .34, 35
His Speech to the Court when the Magistrates first appeared in
their Gowns  65
Justifies the Verdicts given against Bradley  65
His Complaints of Bradley  65, 102
His Disputes with Brownjohn  104, 108
His Complaints about his Office of Store-Keeper  91, 111, 114
Shuts up the Stores  208, 210
Dismissed from his Office, and to find Security for his Appearance. 213 214
Apprehended upon a Suspicion of his going off to Charles-Town . 223
263, 273
His Account of a Person's offering to carry him away  225
His Entertainments at Ockstead  252, 258
His Complaints against Thomas Jones  233, 280, 295, 310, 397
Causton, Mrs. her Behaviour about Mulberry-Leaves purchased by
Jones  310, 311
Charles-Town, a contagious Sickness in it  191, 416, 423, 460
Christie, Thomas, his Conduct in relation to his Servants  235
His Plantation robbed byrunaway Servants  299

684 INDEX.
Christie, his Complaints of Thomas Jones  319, 321
His Conduct in relation to Capt. Davis  : .... 347, 410, 417
His Commission for first Bailiff of Savannah suspended. .431, 432, 446
His Conduct relating to a Copy of the Court Proceedings  448
A further Account of him.. 449, 450, 451, 452, 476, 482, 483, 499, 505, 517
His Conduct about Wise's Effects  452, 453
Demands of Mr. Stephens the Constitution appointing him first
Bailiff  476
Produces an Account to Mr. Jones, making the Trust Debtor of
100 I. to him  482
His Commission for first Bailiff of Savannah revok'd  589
Leaves the Colony in order to come to England  530
Coates delivers a Paper of Grievances to Mr. Stephens  39
Leaves the Colony with Mr. Wesley  41
His Character  39, 41
Coates, his Death at Charles-Town  41 7
Cockran, Lieutenant-Colonel, arrives in Georgia, with Part of the
Regiment  140
Brought under a Guard to Savannah in order to be sent to Eng
land  293, 294, 295
Commissioners for examining the Trust's Accounts, their Proceedings. 213
384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 390, 391, 392, 393, 395, 399, 404, 405, 406, 469
481, 484, 485, 494, 497, 527, 533, 610
Conn, a Sailor, examin'd about an Information of the Soldiers Designs
against General Oglethorpe, and sent to the South  329
Constables, an Account of their Behaviour  46, 293, 434, 435, 507
Cooksey, an Account of his Plantation  163
Cooksey settles at Charles-Town  365
Cooper the Millwright, his Behaviour  161, 162
Corn, a Failure of Crops owing to the Badness of the Seed  160, 190, 200
Court at Savannah, their Proceedings. .34, 65, 68, 71, 89, 90, 92, 94, 95, 100
137, 145, 148, 167, 168, 172, 188, 193, 196, 232, 233, 258, 259, 260, 263
264, 267, 268, 313, 314, 367, 368, 372, 375, 379, 380, 393, 399, 432, 433
460, 462, 484, 495, 496, 505, 517, 577, 611, 618, 632, 641, 648
Court-Martial upon the Difference between Col. Cockran and Capt.
Mackay  270
Cozens tried for Murder and convicted  372, 373, 377
His Execution  382
Creek Indians War against Carolina  663
Currie, George, his Character  591
A further Account of him  648
Cuthbert, his Plantation  160
Cuthbert, Capt. his Death and Character.  454

INDEX. 685

D.

Darien, a Report of the Inhabitants Discontents  239, 240, 555
Davis, Capt. a Trader, suspected of carrying Provisions to Augustin.. . 64
His Relation of his Negroes running from South Carolina to Au
gustin  248
Takes up a Lot at Savannah  309
A remarkable Controversy between him and Pope the Master of a
Ship  343, 344, 345, 346
His Sloop stopt from going to Augustine  408, 409
Endeavours to escape with.her  409, 410, 411
Put under Confinement  417
Discharg'd upon giving Security not to go to Augustine  422
Turns his Sloop into a Privateer  423, 467
£ails upon a Cruise against the Spaniards  423, 483
Returns to Savannah  425, 511, 544, 587
Taken into Custody for sending off two Spanish Prisoners to Au
gustine  623
Defuska-Sound, a Boat stranded on the Shoals  '  152
Another Boat stranded there  271, 281
A Pettyagua cast away, and sixteen Persons drowned  302, 303
Delgrass, his Death at Charles-Town  417
Desborough, who had left the Colony, returns to it  78
Desborow, his Death at Charles-Town, with his two Sons  423
Disorders at Savannah  342, 363, 377, 481
Douglass, an Account of him, and his Intentions to leave the Colony. . 453465
Leaves the Colony  655
Duchee, his Conversation with Mr. Stephens about the Pottery Manu
facture  253
Agrees to build a Wharf, with a Store-house at Savannah, for 50 I. 315
Duchee undertakes to build a Wharf at Savannah  353
Dunbar, his Plantation  163
Dyson, Chaplain to General Oglethorpe's Regiment, his Death. . . .414, 415
Dyson, his Conduct and Character  198
E.
Ebenezer, an Account of it  160, 665
Ebenezer Old, an Account of it  161, ibid.
El gar tried for killing other Peoples Cattle  167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172
Ellis, a Sloop belonging to him with damaged Provisions  118, 127
A further Account of the same  127, 136
English Servants desired  673
Evans, a young Man, kill'd by an Accident  362

686 INDEX.
Ewen, Mr. Causton's Servant, goes off to Charles-Town  221
Returns to Savannah, is required to give Security not to leave the
Colony  228
Ewen, William, leaves off cultivating his Lot to work at the Orphan-
House  583, 608
Eyles, Mr. Surgeon to the Regiment, kill'd in a Duel by Ensign Tolson. 593
Eyre, Mr. sent by General Oglethorpe to the Cherokee Indians  372
Returns to Savannah, his Conduct relating to the Indians  553
Goes to the South  465
Goes again to the Cherokee Nation  424, 487, 501
Brings a large Body of them to the Siege of Augustine. 363, 364, 550, 552
F.
Fallowfield, his Complaints of Causton  53
His House burnt  61
Appointed first Constable  61, 217
Fallowfield sworn in second Bailiff at Savannah  432
An Account of his Conduct  476, 482, 483, 488, 590
Visited by the Club of Malecontents  267
His Conduct relating to a Schooner seiz'd  486, 490
His Plantation on the Isle of Hope, an Account of it  559, 619
Fennel, Capt. his Relation of the Posture of Affairs at Havannah  379
Arms a Sloop to go to Jamaica  383, 443
Fitzwalter dismiss'd from his Employment in the Trust-Garden  214
Fort Argyle  668
Foster, Elisha, a Tything-man, his Conduct in relation to Capt. Davis . . 410473
Goes a privateering with Capt. Davis  473, 4S3, 511, 587
Francis, an establish'd Messenger by Land betwixt the North and South
Parts of the Province  229, 236
Freeholders, the Appearance of them at Savannah  67, 381, 421
French, their Preparations of War against the Chicasaw Indians  110
Attack the Chicasaws  134
Col. Bull's Account of their Designs  398
Lieutenant Kent's Account of their marching against the Chicas-
saw Indians  471
A Body of them attack'd, and taken Prisoners by the Cherokee
Indians  618
Frost, a remarkable one at Savannah  98, 100, 256, 300, 500, 533
G.
Galloway is lost in Pursuit of runaway Servants  208
Gardiner kill'd by an Accident  467, 468
Garrett, an Account of him  473, 474

INDEX. 687
German Servants, an Account of their Behaviour  117, 145
Grand Jury's Presentment of their carrying Arms without Li-
cence  177, 268
A further Account of their Behaviour.. .256, 267, 268, 283, 301, 302, 364
An Account of one of them being found dead in the Log-
House  292, 293
Gilbert sworn ore of the Bailiffs at Savannah  213, 217
His Complaint of the Moravians  393
Leaves the Colony  645
His Character  g^5
Gould leaves the Colony  207
Gough, a Tything-man, leaves the Colony with Mr. Wesley  41
His Character  30 41
Gough, William, an Account of him. . .  603
Graham, Patrick, his Marriage at Savannah  526, 527
Grant, a Tything-man, committed for affronting the Magistrates in
Court  j  147
A further Accoun t of his Behaviour  147, 149, 151, 153
Grant, an Account of him, and his Intentions to leave the Colony  465
A further Account of him  482, 531
Leaves the Colony  655
Grant, Peter, a Cadet, kill'd in a Duel by Mr. Shenton  593
Green, his Information about the Soldiers mutinying  318, 319, 329, 330
H.
Habersham, his Brother lost in a Swamp for three Days  180, 182, 183
Habersham appointed by Mr. Whitfield, in his Absence, to officiate for
him  179, 180, 184, 219
Haines, a Servant of Mr. Stephens, committed by the Magistrates, 281, 289
Hetherington committed for killing other Peoples Cattle  152
Tried for the same, and convicted  168, 169, 170, 171, 172
Escapes out of Prison  175
Hetherington goes off privately to Charles-Town  530
Holmes, his Death at Charles-Town  417
Hopton, Mr. at Charles-Town, appointed to take Care of the Trust's
Letters  8
Horse-Racing set up by the Malecontents in Savannah  604, 606, 609
Horton, Mr. his Complaints of Mr. Causton  52
Sent by General Oglethorpe to prevent the Creek Indians committing
any Hostilities against the Spanish Indians  327, 328
Houston, Mr. a Dispute about him  195
Houston, a clerk in the Store-house, goes off to South-Carolina  221
Returns to Savannah, and gives Security not to leave the Colony.. 233

688 INDEX.
How, Robert, leaves the Colony to come to England  394
Returns to Georgia  478
Hughes, a Smith at Abercorn, leaves the Colony  78
Hughes, a Tallow-Chandler, of Savannah, leaves the Colony  207
Hunt, Capt. refus'd Leave to dispose of his Cargo, Rum being Part
of it  351, 352
Hurst, a Clerk of Mr. Causton's, leaves the Colony  207
I.
Indians, Chicasaws, a Settlement of them near Augusta  47
Choctaw, in the French Interest, attack the Chicasaws  326
Fall out with the French, and make Peace with the Chicasaws — 156
Come to Savannah, in order to visit General Oglethorpe  279, 284
Indians, Chicassaw, take a large French Boat with Goods and Letters . 451
A Party of Chicassaws and Euchies come to Savannah to join Gen
eral Oglethorpe  436, 456, 458, 553
Cherokee, an Account of their intending to attack the White Men
among them  241
Iron Stone, Quarries of it found  603, 604

Jenkins, Trustee for the Orphans, delivers up his Trust to Mr. Whit
field  505
An Account of his Conduct  531, 542, 558, 578, 586, 595, 628
Goes away from the Colony  645, 655
Jones, Lewis, an Accomplice in a Murder, makes his Escape  372, 376
Taken in Charlestown  402
Jones Noble, Surveyor, Complaints of his Neglect of Duty . . 46, 71, 86, 87
Discharg'd from his Employment of Surveyor  214
Returns to Savannah after the Siege of Augustine, with several
Volunteers  637, 638
Appointed with a Guard-Boat to watch the Narrows of Skeed-
oway  638, 651
His Conduct approv'd of  655
Jones Thomas, his Arrival in the Colony, and Conduct  206, 207
Appointed by General Oglethorpe to inspect Accounts of the
Stores  206, 213
The Books, &c. belonging to the Stores delivered to him  214, 218
Consults with Messieurs Stephens and Parker about delivering
Stores  220
His Relation of the Intricacies in Causton's Accounts. .221, 222, 250
260, 261, 497
A Quarrel between him and Robert Williams  319, 321
His Difference with the Magistrates. ...322, 331, 332, 333, 331, 418, 482
Goes to Frederica  322, 333, 358

INDEX. 689
Returns to Savannah  326, 368
Sworn in third Bailiff at Savannah  432
His Complaints of Mr. Whitfield  596, 598, 599, 602, 603, 606
Jury Grand, insists on a Right to administer Oaths. . 89, 92, 137, 146, 258
Acquiesce in the Trustees Answer upon it  259
K.
Kellaway , his House robb'd  290
Has a large Store-house at Savannah  308
Kent, Lieutenant, desired Mr. Stephens's Instructions for his Conduct
at Augusta  47, 118
Instructions sent to him upon Lacy's Death  181, 184
Sends Letters to Mr. Stephens relating to Augusta  235
Sends an Account of a Conference with the Cherokee Indians. .312, 375
A Letter from him recommending some Men to be settled in Geor
gia  544, 545
Comes to Savannah about the Conduct of the Traders at Augusta. . 608
Kitson drowned at Def uska-Sound  303
His Corpse found and buried  308, 309
Kitt committed for seditious Practices, and makes his Escape  368
L.
Lacy, his Account of a Seizure of an unlicens'd Trader's Goods  166
An Account of his Death  179, 180
Lacy, Mrs. Concern'd in killing other Peoples Cattle  168, 170, 171, 178
Lafeit appointed Capt. of a Company to be paid by the Government of
Carolina  556, 558, 559, 560
Goes with his Company from Savannah to the South  570, 571
Lefete, a Justice of Peace in South-Carolina, refuses his Assistance for
the Apprehending runaway Servants  171
Leman, Ensign, his Duel with Ensign Sutherland  483, 484, 487, 593
Letters received from the Trust.. 90, 113, 144, 199, 206, 231, 253, 254, 312
324, 327, 337, 350, 352, 359, 360, 376, 419, 429, 466, 478, 487, 549, 568
569, 571, 575, 589, 649
Letters sent to the Trust.... 69, 70, 97, 113, 135, 146, 148, 174, 176, 188
191, 207, 234, 235, 255, 260, 274, 276, 300, 303, 322, 353, 362, 383, 459
534, 578, 610, 633, 634
Letters, Uncertainty of their Conveyance  56, 114
Levett tried for Murder, and convicted  372, 373, 376, 377, 378, 382, 426
Repriev'd  381, 429, 436
Libels on the Magistrates and others  165
Presented by the Grand Jury  168
Lyon, Abraham, a Description of his Vineyard  43, 44
Lyndal, John, the Pindar, Regulations made for his Conduct  384
His Conduct relating to a Freeholder press'd by Major Richards. . 572
41 e r — v 4

690 INDEX. M.
Mackay, Hugh, brought under a Guard to Savannah to be sent to Eng
land  176, 294, 295
Mackay, Patrick, an Account of him  15, 16
His Plantation  108, 160
Mackintosh, Capt. his Design of going home to Scotland  511
Surrenders the Command of Palachacolas Fort to his Brother .... 522
Mackintosh, John More, Prisoner at Augustine  615, 622
Mackintosh, Laughlan, his Relation of a Murder at Fort Argyle. . . 656, 657
658, 659
The Murder confess'd by the Spanish Spy and an Irishman  661
Macpherson, an Account of him  110, 113, 115, 116, 117, 120, 385, 386
Mackensie returns from England to Savannah with Letters for Mr.
Stephens  231,576
Magistrates of Savannah, their Conduct about the Administration of
Cuthbert's Effects  455
Their Conduct relating to a Freeholder press'd by Major Richards. 572
Their Conduct relating to the Insurrections of Negroes in Carolina. 592
Malatchie, one of the Creek Indians, his Conduct  565, 566, 567, 568, 585
Malecontents make the People dissatisfied at their first going over. ... 46
4S, 49, 51
An Account of their Club  Ill, 257, 264, 265, 276, 431, 465, 470, 483
519, 542, 564, 590, 595
Their Remarks on the Trustees Answer to their Representation. . . 250 470
Their Reports about the French attacking the Chicassaw Indians. . 539550
Their Reports about the King's dissolving the Trust  576, 587
A further Account of them  579, 582, 590, 595, 597, 604, 605, 606, 611
616, 624, 628, 640, 650, 651, 655, 662
Martin, a Soldier, discharged from the Regiment, committed to the
Log-house  281
Matthews, Jacob, goes to the South to prevent any Hostilities against
the Spanish Indians  491 , 511
Insults Mr. Jones at the Store-house  512
A further Account of him  512, 513, 517, 518, 519
McLeod, Minister of Darien, Grant of Land for him and his Success
ors  545, 552 , 589
Mercer leaves the Colony to settle in Carolina  54
Returns to Savannah  63
Appointed second Constable of Savannah  217
Mercer, his Care of the Effects of Little, an Orphan  508
Militia at Savannah settled  71, 291 , 434
Miller, of Augusta, desires Letters of Administration to take Care of
the Effects of two Inhabitants deceased, his Debtors  234

INDEX. 691
Minas, his Complaints against Causton  105
Montaigut, Mr. his Death and Funeral  449, 450
Moravians, an Account of them  22
Their Cruelty to How's Daughter  394, 395
Muer, his Death at Charles-Town  417
Musgrave, a Description of the Land given him by Tomo Chachi  50
N.
Negroes, runaway, from Carolina, stopt in Georgia  191
Negroes in South-Carolina, an Insurrection of them. .275, 277, 412, 592
A Negro sold by Auction at Savannah  523
Nelson, a Mate of a Ship, examin'd about the Soldiers Designs against
General Oglethorpe  329
Norris, Mr. the Reverend, arrives in Georgia  212, 215
A Misunderstanding between him and Habersham the School-
Master  219, 229, 493
A scandalous Report about him raised by a Woman at Savannah . . 255
Goes to Frederica  544
Comes to Savannah  487
His Uneasiness about Mr. Whitfield's being sent to Savannah.. 440, 487
His Complaints of Thomas Jones  400, 401, 441, 529
Goes to the South  534
Nunez, Dr. and his Son, leave the Colony  656
O.
Oakes, Apprentice to Thomas Young, runs away from his Master. .231, 246
Apprehended and committed to the Log- house  249
Oglethorpe, General, his Arrival at St. Simon's with Part of the Regi
ment  206
Goes to Savannah  212
His Speech to the People about retrenching Issues of the Stores. . 213
Consults Messieurs Stephens and Parker about issuing Stores for
Debts  216
Returns to St. Simon's  217
Comes to Savannah  226
His Admonitions to Mr. Causton  226
His Orders tq Capt. Steward not to carry Persons under Bail out
of the Colony  273
Comes to Savannah  294, 314, 368
Goes to visit the Indian Nations   371
Returns from the Indian Nations  421
His Account of the Creek Indians  421
His Proclamation in Savannah for stopping runaway Negroes .... 427
Orders Capt. Thompson to sail to St. Simon's  429
Inspects the five hundred Acre Lots  439, 440
Returns to the South  447

692 INDEX.
Takes Fort St. George, and garrisons it  475
Takes two Forts on St. Juan's River  483, 500, 501
Recommends to Mr. Stephens to forward the Building of the
Church  523
Goes to Charles-Town  535
His Letter to Mr. Jones about the Management of the Orphans. 539, 540
Returns from Charles-Town  548, 553
Returns to the South  551
Takes Fort Diego . . . ,  583, 584
Raises the Siege of Augustine  622
His Sickness  635, 653
Orphans Accounts examined  ,  205
Orphan House, an Account of it  608, 627
P.
Palatines, a Ship freighted with them arrives at Tybee  54
Palmer, Col. kill'd at the Siege of Augustine  456, 607, 615, 622
Paris, Mr. acquaints Mr. Stephens with the Designs of the Spaniards. . 38
Parker, one of the Magistrates, his Necessities and Character  21, 32
His Conversation with Mr. Stephens about Christie  44, 45
Appointed first Bailiff  214, 217, 232
His Complaints of Thomas Jones  333, 347
His Cattle maim'd  306, 409
His Conduct about Dyson's Effects  415
His Character  ,  506
Appointed first Bailiff of Savannah  589
Pasquinade relating to the Alarm about the Spaniards  130, 135, 405
People refuse to work but at exorbitant Wages  201, 205
Persons sent from England, their Character  671
People clear the Town of Savannah and the Common from Weeds, &c. . 433447
Number of them  434
Periam deputed by Whitfield to take Care of the Orphans in his Absence 549
Phelps, a Scotch Merchant, his Trading with the People  252
Pindar appointed at Savannah to take Care of the Cattle  314, 396
Another appointed at Old Ebenezer  315
Plantations, an Account of them near Savannah. . . 77, 80, 81, 85, 108, 126
163, 164
Pope, a Controversy between him and Capt. Davis before the Magis
trate  343, 344, 345, 346, 347
Potter appointed Constaole at Savannah  434, 473
His Conduct and Character  471, 472, 473, 483
Goes a privateering with Capt. Davis  483, 511
His Death  533

INDEX. 693
Provost, a Trader with New-York, carries his Cargo to St. Simon's. . . . 242
Builds a large Warehouse at Savannah  309
Purysburgh  665
Pye, John, his Commission to act as Recorder during the Suspension of
Christie  '  589
R.
Rangers, a Company of them appointed by General Oglethorpe  454
Representation formed by Dr. Tailfer and others about the Colony, 101, 242
A further Account of it  243, 244
Sent to be signed by the People at Darien, returned unsigned  264
A further Account of it  265, 267, 276, 305
Richards appointed Captain of a Company to be paid by the Govern
ment of South-Carolina  556
Goes with the Company from Purysburgh to the South. . .570, 571, 572
Roberts, Thomas, Mr. Stephens's Servant, runs away from him. . . .139, 249
Is taken again  140
His Character  140, 248, 261, 269, 270
Rum sold at Savannah   62, 121, 122, 197, 388
People drunk with it insult the Peace-Officers  388
S.
Salter, a Tything-man, stops Capt. Davis's Baggage  410
Savannah Town, a remarkable Proof of the Healthiness of it  266
Saw-Mill, an Account of it  161, 162
Saw-Mill at Old Ebenezer blown up  402, 403
Scooner, Spanish, seiz'd and secur'd at Tybee  477, 478
Scott tried for selling Rum  78, 90
Scroggs, Lieutenant, secures the Effects of Capt. Cuthbert  454
Robb'd at Savannah  464
Sellier turns Methodist, and leaves the Colony  543
Servants, runaway, protected in South-Carolina  192, 208, 238, 333
Two committed to Prison for killing Cattle in the Woods  306
Shannon, a Soldier, committed for treasonable Practices  387
Shenton saved from a Wreck at Def uska-Sound  302, 303
Simms, deputed by AVhitfield, in his Absence, to take Care of the Or
phans  549, 553, 608
Sloop built in Georgia  402, 469
Sloop from Philadelphia, belonging to Mr. Whitfield, arrives at Savan
nah  :  477, 478
Srdith, a Shoe-maker, committed to Prison for Clipping  82
Tried for the same, and convicted  90, 91
Smithard, a Millwright, his Behaviour  161, 162

694 INDEX.
Spanish Launch stopt at Tybee  475, 476, 521
Spanish Spy confin'd  123, 378, 379
Escapes with his Servant from Prison  639
An Account of it  639, 640
He and his Servant Murder two Persons at Fort Argyle. .656, 657, 659660
Is taken again  660, 661
Stephens, Mr. arrives at Charles-Town  8
Arrives at Savannah  11
His Commission for Secretary in the Province read in Court  34
Receives a Packet from the Trustees with the Seals broken  37
His Conversation with Mr. Causton about the Colony  46
Proposes a Regulation about the Tything-men and Constables  51
His Son arrives at Savannah  55
His Account of the People's Idleness, with the Causes and Effects
of it  '  59
His Conversation with Causton about the Colony and Bradley  60
His Conversation with Causton about unlicens'd Retailers of Li
quors  62
His Conversation with Mercer about settling in South-Carolina. ... 64
His Account of a Complaint from Augustin about the Indians. ... 69
Sets out to visit the Settlements in the South  70
His Account of the Settlement there  72, 73, 74
His Account of the Answer sent to Augustin about the Indians. . . 74
His Conference with the Magistrates at Frederica  75
His Account of the People's Industry at Darien  76
His Account of Christie, the Recorder at Savannah  80
His Account of Improvements on Bradley's Son's Lot  81
His Conference with the Magistrates at Savannah about the Span
iards  .'  124, 130
His Conference with Causton about the Servants protected in Car
olina  155
Visits the Settlements near the Savannah River  149, 160
His Account of Ebenezer  160
His Account of Old Ebenezer, the Cow-Pen and Saw-Mill. 160, 161, 162
His Account of Abercorn, and several Plantations  163, 164
His Hut for his Servants burnt  173
His Conversation with Causton about Augusta  181
His Servants seduced into Idleness  185, 197, 201
His Account of a Visit of the Upper Creek Indians  203, 204
His Account of an Attempt against General Oglethorpe among the
Soldiers   '  227
His Account of Thomas Young's Conduct to his Apprentice Oakes. 231
His Account of a Conspiracy among the Negroes in Carolina  275
His Account of a Deputation from Carolina, to demand runaway
Negroes at Augustin....'.  275, 276
His Account of a Conspiracy among Montaigut's and Beaufain's
Negroes  283, 284

INDEX. 695
His Conference with Thomas Jones about the Trust's Cattle. . .286, 287
His Account of a Transaction between his Son and Lieutenant-
Colonel Cockran  ,  296, 297, 298
His Conversation with Brownfield about the Representation  304
His Account of a Dispute between his son and Thomas Jones. .338, 339
340, 341, 356, 357
Settles a Dispute between the Pindar and other Persons  341, 342
His Conference with Parker about Sola Bills  358, 359
Receives a Commission to examine, with Mess. Jones and Parker,
the Trust Accounts  360
His Reasons for refusing to sign for the issuing of Sola Bills. . .369, 370
His Son sets out for England  380, 382
His Account of a Quarrel between Parker and Thomas Jones. .396, 397
Commission'd by General Oglethorpe to command the Militia. .435, 503
His Account of his Plantation  406, 420, 436
His Speech to the Constables, Tything-men, &c  438, 439
His Account of Hamerton's Bill for 200 I. being refus'd Pay
ment  444, 445
His Conduct relating to the Militia and Guard-Duty. .480, 491, 492, 507
516
His Account of the People's Planting about Savannah  510, 515
His Account of a Box of Trust-Letters directed to him being de-
tain'd by Mr. Hawkins at Frederica  516, 517, 525, 533
His Account of the Growth of Oranges in Georgia  521, 522
His Conduct in relation to the Artillery  524, 525
His Account of a Letter from Williamson relating to Mr. Christie's
Constitution of first Bailiff  527
His Account of his Plantation by Vernon River. .479,. 480, 535, 536, 537
His Account of the Growth of Cotton  541
Fixes up Advertisements for Grantees of Land entering their
Claims  549, 551, 552, 625
His Remarks upon his Son's Conduct in England  576, 577
His Conversation with Williamson about the Recordership  586
Sends off a Party of Indians to assist at the Siege of Augus
tine  590, 593
His Opinion about sending Provisions from Ireland  594, 595
His Conversation with some Persons about forming a Representa
tion of the State of the Colony  597
Calls to his Assistance for the said Work Mess. Parker, Jones and
Mercer  598
His Account of the Light-House at Tybee  600, 601
His Conversation with Williamson about the Colony  601, 602
His Account of a Paper of Grievances fram'd by the Malecontents . . 606
His Relation of an Action at Augustine  607, 609
His Account of the Increase of Rice in South-Carolina  636
In Danger of being killed by a Servant of Phelps's  647, 648
Goes to General Oglethorpe at Frederica  652
His Account of the Regiment  653, 654

/

696 INDEX.
Sterling, William, his Conduct  465, 579
Leaves the Colony  655
Stewart the Pilot, his Neglect of Duty  210
Stewart, Donald, Master of a Sloop, drowned within Port-Royal
Island  ,  557
T.
Tailfer, Dr. his Endeavours to form a Company of Volunteers  424
His Conduct with the Malecontents  447, 449, 517, 576, 579, 604, 628
Leaves the Colony  645, 650, 651, 652, 655
Thomas, Monsieur, an Engineer, arrives in the Colony  392
His Death  423
Thomson, Capt. arrives at Savannah with German Servants  212
Tibbet, who had left the Colony, returns to it  67
Tomo Chichi promises to go and restrain the Creek Indians from com
mitting any Hostilities against the Spaniards  328
His Death and Funeral  428
Townshend, Mrs. her Conduct and Character  624
Leaves the Colony  630
Traders, Indian, apply for Licenses at Savannah  354, 357, 358, 364, 369
372, 568, 578, 611
Their Conduct at Augusta  203
Some of them insult the Magistrates at Savannah, and are sup
ported by the Club of Malecontents at Jenkins's  641, 642
Unlicens'd, their Riots in the Lower Creek Nation  585
Trading- Vessels, several lying at Savannah  211, 312
Trustees for the Orphans, their Accounts examined  205
Turner opposes a Tything-man, and flies from the Colony  58, 59
Returns, and is committed to Prison  66
Tything-man upon Guard-Duty refuses to execute a Warrant  30
Tything-men, the Number of them at Savannah settled  51, 434, 43S
U.
Upton quits his Settlement near Frederica  166
A further Account of him  222, 314
Disposes of his Land near Frederica, and gets another Grant on
All-honey Island  358
Detain'd in Georgia by a Warrant upon Capt. Norbury's Account.. 414
His Boat cast away  461
Suspects it to be done with Design  466, 467
Carries on a Trade between Georgia and Charles-Town  502
V.
Vanderdussen, Col. his Resentment at the Behaviour of some of his
Officers and the Carolina Volunteers  635
Is pleas'd with the Town of Savannah  635

INDEX. 697
Vanderplank, his Death and Character  48
Vernon, Mr. Jones's Servant, dismissed, the Reason of it  252
His Arrival at Savannah  445
Vines sent to Georgia, spoil'd for want of Care in packing them. ..330, 331
Thrive best near the Sea  454
Volunteers, a Proposal to form a Company of them  131, 424
A further Account of it  425
Volunteers at Savannah enlist for some Months to serve at the
Siege of Augustine  556
W.
War between England and Spain  1 84
News of it arrives in Georgia  185, 212, 412
Declaration of it publish'd at Savannah  407, 427, 571
Warren, Capt. attack'd by several Spanish Half-Gallies and Sloops. . . . 555
Watson, his Accounts referred to Arbitration  22
His Complaint to Mr. Stephens about his Trial  23
A Warrant against him refused to be executed by the Officers . 30, 31, 32
A Cause between him and Matthews tried  91, 94
Wesley, Mr. his Quarrel with Causton about Causton's Niece. 14, 15, 16, 17
18, 19, 20, 21
Insults the Magistrates in Court.  18, 19
His Advertisement of his Design to leave the Colony  36, 39, 40
Leaves the Colony in the Night  41, 42
West, his Death  377
Whitfield, Mr. arrives at Savannah  142, 487
His Conduct relating to the Orphan-House  488, 489, 490, 491, 492
493, 498
Harangues the Grand Jury  496
A Lot of five hundred Acres deliver'd to him  499, 537
Takes two Orphan Servants of Parker's from him  506, 509
Forbid by General Oglethorpe to take away any Orphans from
their Masters  521
Charges Mr. Norris with preaching false Doctrine  528, 529, 530
His Conduct at Charles-Town  533, 538
His Discourse to the People  545, 546
Leaves the Colony ibid  544, 546
Returns again  588
His Conduct relating to Mellidge, an Orphan  541, 596
Goes to South-Carolina  60S
Cited by Mr. Garden, Minister at Charles-Town, to appear, and
answer for his Doctrine  628
Returns to Savannah ibid  628
Goes a Progress to the Northern Provinces  636, 644, 645
Wig, of South-Carolina, his Neglect of the Trustees Packets  254

698 INDEX.
Wigan, a Trader among the Lower Creeks, his Letter about the At
tempts of the French to draw off the Indians from the English
Interest  552,. 585
Williams, Robert, complains of the Tenures and Want of Negroes.. 11
29, 48
His Conference with Mr. Stephens about the same. .11, 49, 109, 202, 242
Freights a Ship with Lumber for the Leewar,d Islands. . . .118, 129, 309
Williamson, his Advertisement against Wesley's leaving the Colony. . 37
His Conduct about the Recordership of Savannah. . . .384, 443, 445, 446
447, 448, 449
His Commission for Recorder of Savannah revok'd  589
His Conduct at Savannah  35, 598, 601, 602, 617, 618
Willy, Lieutenant, his Letters about the Attempts of the French to
draw off the Indians from the English Interest  82, 241
His Account of the Conduct of the French among the Indians. . . 82
563, 585
A Letter from him about the Choctaw Indians attacking the Chica
saws  325, 326
Woodhouse, a Soldier, committed to Custody for irregular Behaviour.. 232
Woodrooffe keeps a Shop well furnished in Savannah  309
Wright committed to Prison for trading with the Indians without Li
cence, &c  166,172
Escap'd out of Prison, taken, and sent by Lieutenant Kent from
Augusta  175, 362, 373
Y.
Young, a Wheelwright, his Neglect  79
Young, Isaac, his Plantation  164