Chapter I: Preface

Having visited the South for the benefit of my health, I arrived at Savannah, in Georgia, on the 10th of February, 1834; and, indulging the common inquisitiveness of a stranger about the place, was informed that just one hundred and one years had elapsed since the first settlers were landed there, and the city laid out. Replies to other inquiries, and especially a perusal of McCall's History of the State, excited a lively interest in the character of General OGLETHORPE, who was the founder of the Colony, and in the measures which he pursued for its advancement, defence, and prosperity. I was, however, surprised to learn that no biography had been published of the man who projected an undertaking of such magnitude and importance; engaged in it on principles the most benevolent and disinterested; persevered till its accomplishment, under circumstances exceedingly arduous, and often discouraging; and lived to see "a few become a thousand," and a weak one "the flourishing part of a strong nation."

So extraordinary did Dr. Johnson consider the adventures, enterprise, and exploits of this remarkable man, that "he urged him to give the world his life." He said, "I know of no man whose life would be more interesting. If I were furnished with materials, I would be very glad to write it." This was a flattering offer. The very suggestion implied that the great and worthy deeds, which Oglethorpe had performed, ought to be recorded for the instruction, the grateful acknowledgment, and just commendation of contemporaries; and their memorial transmitted with honor to posterity. "The General seemed unwilling to enter upon it then;" but, upon a subsequent occasion, communicated to Boswell a number of particulars, which were committed to writing; but that gentleman "not having been sufficiently diligent in obtaining more from him," death closed the opportunity of procuring all the requisite information.

There was a memoir drawn up soon after his decease, which has been attributed to Capel Lofft, Esq., and published in the European Magazine. This was afterwards adopted by Major McCall; and, in an abridged form, appended to the first volume of his History of Georgia. It is preserved, also, as a note, in the second volume of Nichols's Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century, with some references and additional information. But it is too brief and meagre to do justice to the memory of one of whom it has been said, "His life was full of variety, adventure, and achievement. His ruling passions were, the love of glory, of his country, and of mankind; and these were so blended together in his mind that they formed but one principle of action. He was a hero, a statesman, an orator; the patron of letters, the chosen friend of men of genius, and the theme of praise for great poets."[1] The writer of this elegant encomium, adds this remark: "AN AUTHENTIC AND TOLERABLY MINUTE LIFE OF OGLETHORPE IS A DESIDERATUM." Such a desideratum I have endeavored to supply. This, however, has been a very difficult undertaking; the materials for composing it, excepting what relates to the settlement of Georgia, were to be sought after in the periodicals of the day, or discovered by references to him in the writings or memoirs of his contemporaries. I have searched all the sources of information to which I could have access, with the aim to collect what had been scattered; to point out what had been overlooked; and, from the oblivion into which they had fallen, to rescue the notices of some striking incidents and occurrences in the life of Oglethorpe, in order to give consistency and completeness to a narrative of the little that had been preserved and was generally known.

[Footnote 1: Gulian Veerplanck, Esq. _Anniversary Discourse before the New York Historical Society_, December 7, 1818, page 33.]

To use the words of one who had experience in a similar undertaking: "The biographer of our day is too often perplexed in the toil of his researches after adequate information for composing the history of men who were an honor to their age, and of whom posterity is anxious to know whatever may be added to increase the need of that veneration, which, from deficient knowledge, they can but imperfectly bestow."

My collected notices I have arranged so as to form a continuous narrative, though with some wide interruptions. The statements of the most important transactions have generally been made in the terms of original documents, or the publications of the day; as I deemed it more just and proper so to do, than to give them my own coloring. And I must apprize the reader, that instead of aiming to express the recital in the fluency of rhetorical diction, or of aspiring to decorate my style of composition with studied embellishments, MY PURPOSE HAS SIMPLY AND UNIFORMLY BEEN TO RELATE FACTS IN THE MOST PLAIN AND ARTLESS MANNER; and I trust that my description of _scenes_ and _occurrences_ will be admitted to be natural and free from affectation; and my inferences, to be pertinent, impartial, and illustrative. I hope, too, that it will not be thought that the detail of _circumstances_ is needlessly particular, and the relation of _incidents_ too minute. For, these, though seemingly inconsiderable, are not unimportant; and, though among the minor operations of active life, serve to indicate the state of existing opinions and prevailing motives, and to exhibit the real aspect of the times. They also have, more or less, relation to forth-coming events. They are foot-prints in the onward march to "enterprises of great pith and moment;" and hence should be carefully traced and inspected. Though my authorities are duly noted, I have not been so particular as to distinguish every passage which I had transcribed by marks of quotation; and, therefore, being willing that this work should be considered as mainly a compilation, with unassuming pretensions, entitle it BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORIALS.

After the lapse of more than a century since Oglethorpe entered on the stage of action, it cannot be expected that the varied incidents of so busy, eventful, and long protracted a life as was his, can be brought out and fully described; or that the prominent personal qualities of so singular a character can be delineated, for the first time, with vivid exactness and just expression. Not having presumed to do this, I have attempted nothing more than a general outline or profile.

Such as I have been able to make the work, I present it to the public. Whatever may be the reception which it may meet, I shall never think the moments misspent, which were devoted to the purpose of reviving the memory of Oglethorpe, and of perpetuating his fame by a more full recital of his deeds than had been heretofore made.

BOSTON, _July 7th_, 1838.

* * * * *

Since the preceding preface was written, the Reverend Charles Wallace Howard, who had been commissioned by the Legislature of Georgia to procure from the public offices in London, a copy of the records of the Trustees for the settlement of the Province, and of other colonial documents, has returned, having successfully accomplished the object of his mission. It may be thought that these are of such importance that all which I have done must be defective indeed, unless I avail myself of them; and so, perhaps, it may prove. But my advanced old age, my feeble state of health, and other circumstances, prevent my doing so. I console myself, however, with the consideration that as they consist of particulars relative to the settlement and early support of Georgia, to which Oglethorpe devoted not quite eleven years of a life extended to nearly a hundred, they would only contribute to render more distinct the bright and glorious meridian of his protracted day,--while I aimed to exhibit its morning promise and its evening lustre;--endeavoring to give some account of what he was and did forty-four years before he commenced "the great emprise," and where he was and how occupied forty-two years after its accomplishment.

Moreover, the official records contain, principally, a detail of the plans and measures which were adopted and pursued by the Trustees in London, or comprise the statement of public grants of money, and military stores and forces;--and these belong to History, and not to Biography.

The Letters of Oglethorpe, besure, would be exceedingly interesting; but I presume that much of what they refer to may be collected from pamphlets and periodicals of the day, where he is spoken of as he would not feel free to speak of himself. As from these I have collected the most material particulars, I cannot think that my actual deficiencies in the history of that eventful period can be very considerable or important.

From a correspondence with I.K. TEFFT, Esq. and WILLIAM B. STEVENS, M.D., of Savannah, I have obtained the clearer statement of some important facts and occurrences, which is respectfully noticed where introduced, and for which I render my grateful acknowledgments. The latter gentleman has also obligingly favored me with an article on the culture of silk in Georgia, which graces my appendix.

I have done the best I could with scanty store;
Let abler man, with ample means, do more;
Yet not deficiencies of mine decry,
Nor make my gatherings his own lack supply.

May _1st_, 1841.

The date, at the close of the first preface, indicates that the publication of this work had been suspended.--A subsequent epistolary correspondence, in reference to it, with friends at Savannah, excited promptings, which were succeeded by a list of nearly two hundred subscribers for the volume in print;--a list that included the names of the most respectable gentlemen of the city, among whom were those that held distinguished stations and filled important offices in public life.

For this flattering encouragement and honorary patronage, the most grateful acknowledgments are rendered.

* * * * *

The name of the capital of South Carolina was originally written Charles-Town and Charles' Town. At the time of the early settlement of Georgia it had become blended in the compound word Charlestown, which, being found in the documents referred to or quoted in this work, is retained here, though of later years it is spelt Charleston.

In the following pages variations occur in the names of persons and places, principally in the extracts from German publications. This lack of uniformity in some instances, as also a few verbal errors in others, was not detected till the sheets had passed the press.

"Acres circumfert centum licet Argus ocellos,
Non tamen errantes cernat ubique typos."

CONTENTS

The chapters, into which this work is divided, are with reference to somewhat distinct portions of the history; and may be likened to a suit of apartments in a capacious house; some large and some small, variously furnished, and with different prospects abroad; but yet adjoining each other, and, if but fitly framed together, adapted to a duly constructed edifice.

CHAPTER I.

Parentage of Oglethorpe--Birth--Christian Name--Education--Military Profession and Promotion--In the Suite of the Earl of Peterborough--Service under Prince Eugene of Savoy--Elected Member of Parliament--Visits a Gentleman in Prison--Moves in the House of Commons for a redress of the rigors of Prison Discipline--Appointed on the Committee--Extracts from his Speeches in Parliament,

CHAPTER II.

Oglethorpe appointed first a Director, and then Deputy Governor of the Royal African Company--Takes a compassionate interest in the situation of an African kidnapped, sold as a slave, and carried to Annapolis, in Maryland, a Province in North America, who proves to have been an Iman, or assistant Priest, of Futa, and was named Job Solomon--Causes him to be redeemed, and sent to England, where he becomes serviceable to Sir Hans Sloane for his knowledge of Arabic; attracts also the notice of persons of rank and distinction, and is sent back to Africa,

CHAPTER III.

Project for settling the south-eastern frontier of Carolina--A Charter granted for it, by the name of Georgia--Trustees appointed, who arrange a plan of Settlement--They receive a grant of Money from Parliament, and from Subscriptions and Contributions--Oglethorpe takes a lively interest in it--States the Object, and suggests Motives for Emigration--A Vessel hired to convey the Emigrants--Oglethorpe offers to accompany the intended Colonists--His disinterested devotedness to the benevolent and patriotic Enterprise,

CHAPTER IV.

The emigrants embark--Arrive at Charlestown, South Carolina--Oglethorpe visits Governor Johnson--Proceeds up the Savannah river--Place of settlement fixed upon--Town laid out--Labors superintended, and assisted by Colonel Bull--Treaty with Tomo Chichi--Progress of settlement--Oglethorpe makes a visit to Governor Johnson, presents himself before the House of Assembly, and makes an Address of grateful acknowledgment of favors received--Returns to Savannah--Holds a treaty with the Lower Creeks--Goes to horse-quarter on the Ogechee--Fort Argyle built--Savannah laid out in wards, and Court of Records instituted,

CHAPTER V.

Oglethorpe intended to visited Boston, in New England--Governor Belcher's Letter to him--Provincial Assembly appoint a Committee to receive him--Sets out on an exploratory Excursion--Names an Island, Jekyl--Visits Fort Argyle--Returns to Savannah--Saltzburgh emigrants, conducted by Baron Von Reck, come to settle in Georgia--Oglethorpe assists them in selecting a place--They call it Ebenezer--He then goes up the river to Palachicolas--Returns--Goes to Charlestown, with Torno Chichi and other Indians, in order to take passage to England,

CHAPTER VI.

Oglethorpe arrives in England with his Indian Escort--Is welcomed by the Trustees--Apartments are provided for the Indians--They are introduced to the King and Royal Family--One of their number dies of the small pox--Visit the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Eton College--Shown the public buildings and institutions in London--Embark for Georgia--Their arrival,

CHAPTER VII.

Oglethorpe remains in England--Trustees make Regulations--Oglethorpe, desirous of providing for the conversion of the Indians, applies to Bishop Wilson to prepare a Book of Religious Instruction for them--Trustees seek for Missionaries--Engage John and Charles Wesley,

CHAPTER VIII.

Trustees make a new selection of Settlers--Their Proposals successful in Scotland--Embarkation of Highlanders for Georgia--Indian hieroglyphic letter sent to the Trustees--Further emigration of Saltzburgers--Great embarkation of Colonists, attended by Oglethorpe and the Missionaries--Employment and religious exercises on board during the voyage--Arrival--Beacon on the Island of Tybee--The people go on shore at Peeper's Island--Oglethorpe goes to Savannah with the Missionaries--Sends provisions and refreshments to the Emigrants--Moore's account of the Public Garden--Tomo Chichi welcomes his friend--Saltzburgers make application for a removal from Ebenezer--Oglethorpe sends pioneers to lay out a road to Darien,

CHAPTER IX.

Special destination of the last Emigrants--Oglethorpe makes arrangements for their transportation to the Island of St. Simons--Follows with Charles Wesley--Arrives and lays out a Town to be called Frederica--Visits the Highlanders at Darien--Returns and superintends the building of a Fort--All the people arrive--Barracks for the Soldiers put up, and a Battery erected--Visited by Tomo Chichi, and Indians, who make a cession of the Islands--Reconnoitres the Islands and gives names to them--Commissioners from St. Augustine--Apparently amicable overtures--Oglethorpe goes to Savannah to hold a conference with a Committee from South Carolina respecting trade with the Indians--Insolent demand of the Spaniards--Oglethorpe embarks for England,