In the afternoon the grant of a Court of Record was read, and the officers were appointed.  The session of the magistrates was then held, a jury impanneled, and a case tried.

These were necessary regulations for establishing a due regard to order, discipline, and government.  And yet, with all the influence which their honored leader could give to sanction the measures and support the authority, there was much to be done to render the administration effective.  The settlers had no common bond of attachment or accordance; of course, it was very difficult to dispose them to the reciprocal offices of a social state, much more so to the still higher obligations of a civil compact.  Together with these aims of those who were put into places of authority, they were obliged daily to use their endeavors to bring the restive and quarrelsome into proper subordination; to keep the sluggish and lazy diligently employed, and to teach the thriftless to be economical and prudent.

“Tantae molis erat disjunctis condere Gentem!”

CHAPTER V.

Oglethorpe intended to visit Boston, in New England—­Governor Belcher’s Letter to him—­Provincial Assembly appoint a Committee to receive him—­Sets out on an exploratory Excursion—­Names an Island, Jekyl—­Visits Fort Argyle—­Returns to Savannah—­Saltzburgh emigrants, conducted by Baron Von Reck, come to settle in Georgia—­Oglethorpe assists them in selecting a place—­They call it Ebenezer—­He then goes up the river to Palacholas—­Returns—­Goes to Charlestown, with Tomo Chichi and other Indians, in order to take passage to England.

Oglethorpe intended to have made the tour of the Colonies; particularly to have visited Boston, in Massachusetts.  Apprized of this intention, Governor Belcher addressed to him the following letter[1].

[Footnote 1:  Copied from the letter-book of Governor Belcher, in the cabinet of the Massachusetts Historical Society.]

    Boston, New England, May 3d, 1733.  HONORED SIR,

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate you on your safe arrival in America; and I have a still greater in the advantages which these parts of his Majesty’s dominions will reap from your noble and generous pursuits of good to mankind in the settlement of Georgia.  May God Almighty attend you with his blessing, and crown your toils with success.  Several of my friends, sir, from London, acquaint me with your intentions to pass by land from South Carolina, through the king’s territories as far as this place; where I shall be very proud of shewing you the just esteem which I have for you; and shall depend that you will please to accept such quarters as my habitation affords during your stay in this government.  When you get to Philadelphia or New York, I shall be glad of the favor of a line from you, to know how and when you make your route hither.

    I am, with great respect, sir,