of any such likely to come, until we are on bet

ter terms.

"It is true, his majesty has been graciously pleased to grant a regiment for the defence of this province and the neighboring colony, which indeed will much assist us in defending ourselves against our enemies, but otherwise does not in the least contribute to our support; for all that part of their pay which is expended here, is laid out with transient people and our neighbors of Carolina, who are capable of supporting them with provisions and other necessaries at a moderate price, which we as before observed, are not at all capable of doing upon the present establishment: This being our present condition, it is obvious what the consequences must be.

"But we, for our parts, having entirely relied on, and confided in your good intentions, believing you would redress such grievances that should arise, and now by long experience from industry and continual application to improvement on our land, do find it impossible to pursue it, or subsist ourselves any longer, according to the present nature of the constitution: And likewise believing that you will agree to the measures which are found by experience, capable of making this colony succeed, and to promote which, we have spent all our money, time and labor. We do from a sincere regard to its welfare, and in duty, both to you and ourselves, beg leave to solicit your immediate consideration to the two follow

ing chief causes of these our misfortunes, and the deplorable state of the colony; and which, we are certain, if granted, would be an infallible remedy to both :

"First. The want of a free title or fee simple to our lands, which if granted, would occasion great numbers of new settlers to come amongst us, and likewise encourage those who remain here, cheerfully to proceed in making further improvements, as well to retrieve their sunk fortunes, as to make provision for their posterity.

"Second. The want and use of negroes with proper limitations, which if granted, would both induce great numbers of white people to come here, and also render us capable of subsisting ourselves by raising provisions upon our lands, until we could make some produce from it for exportation, and in some measure to balance our importation. We are very sensible of the inconveniencies and mischiefs that have already and do daily arise from an unlimited use of negroes; but we are as sensible that these might be prevented by a proper limitation, such as, so many to each white man, or so many to such a quantity of land, or in

any other manner which your honors shall think most proper. By granting us, gentlemen, these particulars, and such other privileges as his majesty's most dutiful subjects in America enjoy, you will not only prevent our impending ruin, but we are fully satisfied also, will soon make this the most flourishing colony possessed by his

N

majesty in America, and your memories will be perpetuated to all future ages, our latest posterity sounding your praises as their first founders, patrons and guardians: but if, by denying us those privileges, we ourselves and families are not only ruined, but even our posterity likewise ; you will always be mentioned as the cause and authors of all their misfortunes and calamities; which we hope will never happen.

"We are with all due respect,

your honors most dutiful,

and obedient servants.

Savannah in Georgia, December 9th, 1738." This representation was signed by all the freeholders in the county of Savannah (now Chatham) except a few, who adhered to the arrangements of the trustees, and the plans of the general. Copies of this petition were drawn up, and one sent to the Revd Mr. Boltzius, at Ebenezer, and another to John Moore M'Intosh, at Darien. The Germans and Highlanders, not only refused joining in the petition, but drew up and signed a counter one, and Mr. M'Intosh enclosed the one transmitted to him, to Oglethorpe, at Frederica. As these petitions form the counterpart of the former, and give a true impression of the embarrassments with which the general had to contend; it is thought proper to insert them:

"To his Excellency General Oglethorpe. "We are informed that our neighbors of Savannah, have petitioned your excellency for the

liberty of having slaves; we hope and earnestly intreat that before such proposals are harkened unto, your excellency will consider our situation, and of what dangerous and bad consequences such liberty would be to us, for many reasons.

"First. The nearness of the Spaniards, who have proclaimed freedom to all slaves who run from their masters, make it impossible for us to keep them, without more labor in watching them, than they would be at to do their work.

"Second. We are laborious, and know a white man may be by the year, more usefully employed than a negro.

"Third. We are not rich, and becoming debtors for slaves, in case of their running away, or dying, would inevitably ruin the poor master, and he become a greater slave to the negro merchant, than the slave he bought could be to him.

Fourth. It would oblige us to keep a guard duty, at least as severe as when we expected a daily invasion; and if that was the case, how miserable would it be to us, and our wives and children, to have an enemy without, and a more dangerous one in our bosom.

"Fifth. It is shocking to human nature, that any race of mankind, and their posterity, should be sentenced to perpetual slavery; nor in justice, can we think otherwise of it, than that they are thrown amongst us, to be our scourge one day or other for our sins; and as freedom to them must be as dear as to us, what a scene of horror must

it bring about! and the longer it is unexecuted, the bloody scene must be the greater. We therefore for our own sakes, our wives and children, and our posterity, beg your consideration, and intreat that instead of introducing slaves, you will put us in the way to get some of our countrymen, who with their labor, in time of peace, and our vigilance, if we are invaded; with the help of those will render it a difficult thing to hurt us, or that part of the province we possess. We will forever pray for your excellency, and are with all submission,

Your excellency's most obedient,

Humble servants, &c.

New-Inverness (Darien) 3d, Jan. 1739." [This petition was signed by eighteen inhabitants of Darien.] "To his excellency Gen. Oglethorpe,"

Ebenezer, 13th March, 1739:

"We the Saltzburghers, and inhabitants of Ebenezer, that have signed this letter, intreat humbly in our, and our brethren's names, your excellency would be pleased to show us the favor of desiring the honorable trustees for sending to Georgia, another transport of Saltzburghers, to be settled at Ebenezer. We have with one accord wrote a letter to our father in God, the Reverend Mr. Senior Urlspurger, at Augsperg, and in that letter expressly named those Saltzburghers and Austrians, whom, as our friends, relations and countrymen, we wish to settle here. We can indeed attest of them, that they fear the