[Footnote 1:  “Laudari viris laudatis”—­to be praised by men themselves renowned, is certainly the most valuable species of commendation.]

A writer, who had good authority for his opinion, declares, that,” though this expedition was not attended with the success some expected from it, the taking the fortress of St. Augustine, it was, nevertheless, of no little consequence, inasmuch as it kept the Spaniards for a long time on the defensive, and the war at a distance; so that the inhabitants of Carolina felt none of its effects as a Colony, excepting the loss suffered by their privateers, till the Spaniards executed their long projected invasion in 1742, in which they employed their whole strength, and from which they expected to have changed the whole face of the Continent of North America; and, even then, the people of Carolina suffered only by their fears."[1]

[Footnote 1:  HARRIS’s Voyages, Vol.  II. page 340.]

In a letter to Lord Egmont, by Governor Belcher, dated Boston, May 24th, 1741, is this remark; “I was heartily sorry for the miscarriage of General Oglethorpe’s attempt on Augustine, in which I could not learn where the mistake was, or to what it was owing, unless to a wrong judgment of the strength of the place, to which the force that attacked it, they say, was by no means equal.  I wish that a part of Admiral Vernon’s fleet and General Wentworth’s forces may give it a visit, before the Spaniards sue for peace.  It seems to me absolutely necessary for the quieting of the English possessions of Carolina and Georgia, that we should reduce Augustine to the obedience of the British crown, and keep it, as Gibraltar and Mahon."[1]

[Footnote 1:  Letter-book of his Excellency JONATHAN BELCHER, in the archives of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Vol.  V. p. 254.]

CHAPTER XV.

Oglethorpe pays particular attention to internal Improvements—­Meets with many annoyances—­The Creeks, under Toonahowi, make an incursion into Florida—­The Spanish form a design upon Georgia—­Some of their fleet appear on the coast—­Oglethorpe prepares for defence—­Applies to South Carolina for assistance—­Spaniards attack Fort William—­Dangerous situation of Oglethorpe—­Spanish fleet enter the harbor and land on St. Simons—­In three successive engagements they are defeated—­A successful stratagem—­Enemy defeated at Bloody Marsh—­ Retire and attack Fort William, which is bravely defended by Ensign Stewart—­Spanish forces, repulsed in all their assaults, abandon the invasion in dismay, and return to St. Augustine and to Cuba.

Of the year 1741 but few memorials are to be found.  Oglethorpe resided principally at Frederica; but occasionally visited Savannah; and, every where, and at all times, actively exerted his powers of persuasion, his personal influence, or his delegated authority to reconcile the jarring contests and restore the social accordance and peace of the community, while with vigilance and precaution he concerted measures to guard the Colony against the threatening purposes of the Spaniards.  In reference to his peculiar trials and vexatious annoyances, are the following remarks, copied from a letter of a gentleman at Savannah, deeply read in the early history of the Colony.[1]