“This Province is much larger than we thought, being one hundred and twenty miles from this river to the Alatamaha.  This river has a very long course, and a great trade is carried on by it to the Indians, there having above twelve trading boats passed since I have been here.

“There are in Georgia, on this side the mountains, three considerable nations of Indians; one called the Lower Creeks, consisting of nine towns, or rather cantons, making about one thousand men able to bear arms.  One of these is within a short distance from us, and has concluded a peace with us, giving up their right to all this part of the country; and I have marked out the lands which they have reserved to themselves.  The King comes constantly to church, and is desirous to be instructed in the Christian religion; and has given me his nephew, a boy, who is his next heir, to educate.

“The two other nations are the Uchees and the Upper Creeks; the first consisting of two hundred, the latter of eleven hundred men.  We agree so well with the Indians, that the Creeks and Uchees have referred to me a difference to determine, which otherwise would have occasioned a war.

“Our people still lie in tents, there being only two clapboard houses built, and three sawed houses framed.  Our crane, our battery of cannon, and magazine are finished.  This is all that we have been able to do, by reason of the smallness of our number, of which many have been sick, and others unused to labor; though, I thank God, they are now pretty well, and we have not lost one since our arrival here."[1]

[Footnote 1:  Political Taste of Great Britain, Vol.  XLV. p. 445.]

The following extract from a letter dated Charlestown, 22d March, 1732-3, and printed in the South Carolina Gazette, describes, in honorable terms, the attention which the leader of this enterprise devoted to its furtherance.[1]

[Footnote 1:  See also “Account showing the progress of the Colony of Georgia from its first Establishment.”  Lond. 1741.  The Appendix, No. 2 contains the Letter, with this notice—­“Written by a Gentleman of Charlestown, who, with some others, went thither, [i.e. to Savannah] out of curiosity.”]

“Mr. Oglethorpe is indefatigable, and takes a great deal of pains.  His fare is but indifferent, having little else at present but salt provisions.  He is extremely well beloved by all the people.  The general title they give him is Father.  If any of them are sick, he immediately visits them, and takes a great deal of care of them.  If any difference arises, he is the person that decides it.  Two happened while I was there, and in my presence; and all the parties went away, to outward appearance, satisfied and contented with his determination.  He keeps a strict discipline.  I never saw one of his people drunk, nor heard one of them swear, all the time I was there.  He does not allow them rum; but in lieu gives them English beer.  It is