They embarked in the Aldborough man of war on Tuesday, the 7th of May, 1734.

CHAPTER VI.

Oglethorpe arrives in England with his Indian Escort—­Is welcomed by the Trustees—­Apartments are provided for the Indians—­They are introduced to the King and Royal Family—­One of their number dies of the small pox—­Visit the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Eton College—­Shown the public buildings and institutions in London—­Embark for Georgia—­Their arrival.

The Aldborough arrived at St. Helen’s, in the Isle of Wight, on the 16th of June, 1734, bringing the founder of the new Colony, with the most gratifying accounts of his labors and success.  He had “laid the foundation of many generations.”  He had made “the desolate wilderness a pleasant portion;” and, for its wildlings, had substituted offsets which should become “plants of renown.”  And he had brought with him some chiefs of the Indian tribes, to testify their accordance with the new settlement, and to repeat the expression of their desire to receive instruction in the language and religion of the settlers.

When a Roman General returned a conqueror, he entered the Imperial City with a triumphal procession, in martial pomp and pageantry, dragging at his car the kings and captains he had vanquished.  But here was a return from a successful campaign, not bringing captives taken in battle, but an escort of unconquered chieftains, themselves sharers in the ovation of benevolence and the triumph of philanthropy.

Oglethorpe immediately addressed a letter to Sir John Phillips, Baronet, notifying him of his return, and giving him the pleasing intelligence of the safe arrival of the Baron Von Reck, and the Saltzburgers, whom he called “a very sensible, active, laborious, and pious people.”  He mentioned their location as selected to their liking; and said that he left them busily employed in completing its settlement.  He added, “An Indian chief, named Tomo Chichi, the Mico, or king of Yamacraw, a man of an excellent understanding, is so desirous of having the young people taught the English language and religion, that, notwithstanding his advanced age, he has come over hither with me to obtain means, and assistant teachers.  He has brought with him a young man whom he calls his nephew and next heir; and who has already learned the Lord’s prayer in the English and Indian language.”

“I shall leave the Indians at my estate, till I go to the city, where I shall have the happiness to wait upon you, and to relate all things to you more fully; over which you will rejoice and wonder[1].”

[Footnote 1:  Not having met with an English copy of the letter, I have given a version from the German in “Ausfuerliche Nachrichten von der Salzburgischen en America, von SAMUEL URLSPURGHER”.  Halle, 1745. 4to.]

Having repaired to his house in old Palace-Yard, Westminster, he notified the Trustees of his arrival.  Some of the gentlemen immediately called on him, and escorted him to the Georgia office, where he received their congratulations, with “expressions of their great satisfaction in the eminent services which he had performed in behalf of their new settlement."[1]