He further says, that he has been up in the country, as far as the mountains from whence the gold-dust is wafted down; and that if the English would build flat-bottomed boats to go up the river, and send persons well skilled in separating the gold from the ore, they might gain vastly more than at present they do by the dust trade; and that he should be always ready and willing to use the utmost of his power, (which is very considerable in that country,) to encourage and support them therein."[1]

[Footnote 1:  Political State of Great Britain, Vol.  LIII. p. 18.]

Mr. Nichols, who has inserted his name among the members of the Gentleman’s Society at Spalding, adds, “died 1773."[1]

[Footnote 1:  Literary Anecdotes, Vol.  VI. p. 90.]

CHAPTER III.

Project for settling the south-western 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.

The project, which had been for some time in contemplation, of settling the south-eastern frontier of Carolina, between the rivers Savannah and Alatamaha,[1] suggested to Oglethorpe that it could be effected by procuring the liberation of insolvent debtors, and uniting with them such other persons in reduced circumstances as might be collected elsewhere, and inducing them to emigrate thither and form a settlement.

[Footnote 1:  See A Discourse concerning the designed establishment of a new Colony to the south of Carolina, by Sir ROBERT MONTGOMERY, Baronet.  London, 1717.]

As such a project and design required for its furtherance more means than an individual could furnish, and more managing and directing power than, unaided, he himself could exert, Oglethorpe sought the cooeperation of wealthy and influential persons in the beneficent enterprise.  Concurring with his views, twenty-one associates petitioned the throne for an act of incorporation, and obtained letters-patent, bearing date the 9th of June, 1732; the preamble of which recited, among other things, that “many of his Majesty’s poor subjects were, through misfortunes and want of employment, reduced to great necessities, and would be glad to be settled in any of his provinces of America, where, by cultivating the waste and desolate lands, they might not only gain a comfortable subsistence, but also strengthen the colonies, and increase the trade, navigation, and wealth of his Majesty’s realms.”  And then added, that, for the considerations aforesaid, the King did constitute and appoint certain persons, whose names are given, “trustees for settling and establishing the colony of Georgia in America,” the intended new province being so called in honor of the King, who encouraged readily the benevolent project, and contributed largely to its furtherance.