The trustees were excited to this project by Oglethorpe, who had been deeply engaged in ascertaining the value of wrought silk as an article of commerce, and also of the raw silk for domestic manufacture, at the time when Mr. John Lombe’s invention for winding and reeling had been brought before Parliament.  And now he considered that it would be an exceedingly desirable project to introduce the raising of the commodity in the projected new settlement, and thus diminish to the nation the large sums annually expended in the importation.

This is one of those prospective measures for the advancement of the colony, which were nearly a century before the age.[1] Others will hereafter be mentioned alike entitled to wonder and admiration.

[Footnote 1:  See in the Appendix to this volume, a brief history of the culture of silk in Georgia.]

In order to fulfil the intent and promote the purposes of their incorporation, the trustees gave public notice that they were ready to receive applications from such as were disposed to emigrate.  They also appointed a committee to visit the prisons, and make a list of insolvent debtors for whom a discharge from the demands of their creditors could be obtained, and to ascertain what compromise might be effected for their release;[1] as also to inquire into the circumstances and character of applicants.  To render these more willing to emigrate, it became necessary to hold out encouragement and to offer outfits.  To defray these and meet subsequent expenses in carrying the enterprize into effect, they first set the example of contribution themselves, and then undertook to solicit benefactions from others.  Several individuals subscribed liberally; collections were made throughout the kingdom; the directors of the Bank of England volunteered a handsome contribution; and the Parliament gave ten thousand pounds.

[Footnote 1:  “That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth! to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves!  They shall feed in the ways.  They shall no longer hunger or thirst; FOR HE THAT HATH MERCY ON THEM SHALL LEAD THEM, even by the springs of water shall he guide them, with those that come from far.”—­Isaiah xlix. 9,11.]

Having thus acquired a fund to be laid out in clothing, arming, sending over, and supporting the emigrants, and for supplying them with necessary implements to commence and carry on the settlement, the following statement was published:  “There are many poor, unfortunate persons in this country, who would willingly labor for their bread, if they could find employment and get bread for laboring.  Such persons may be provided for by being sent to a country where there are vast tracts of fertile land lying uninhabited and uncultivated.  They will be taken care of on their passage; they will get lands on which to employ their industry; they will be furnished with sufficient tools for setting their industry to work; and they will be provided with a certain support, till the fruits of their industry can come in to supply their wants; and all this without subjecting themselves to any master, or submitting to any slavery.  The fruits of every man’s own industry are to be his own.  Every man who transports himself thither is to enjoy all the privileges of a free-born subject."[1]