“I once thought, it was unlawful to keep negro slaves, but I am now induced to think God may have a higher end in permitting them to be brought to this Christian country, than merely to support their masters.  Many of the poor slaves in America have already been made freemen of the heavenly Jerusalem, and possibly a time may come when many thousands may embrace the gospel, and thereby be brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  These, and other considerations, appear to plead strongly for a limited use of negroes; for, while we can buy provisions in Carolina cheaper than we can here, no one will be induced to plant much.”

But the trustees stood firm against the subtle cunning of the politicians, and the eloquent pleadings of avarice.

On the 7th October, 1741, a large meeting was held at Savannah, and a petition drawn, in which the land-holders and settlers presented their grievances to the English authorities in London.  On the 26th of March, 1742, Mr. Thomas Stephens, armed with the memorial, as the agent of the memorialists, sailed for London.  While the document ostensibly set forth their wish for a definition of “the tenure of the lands,” really the burden of the prayer was for “Negroes.”  He presented the memorial to the king, and his Majesty referred it to a committee of the “Lords of Council for Plantation Affairs.”  This committee transferred a copy of the memorial to the trustees, with a request for their answer.  About this time Stephens presented a petition to Parliament, in which he charged the trustees with direliction of duty, improper use of the public funds, abuse of their authority, and numerous other sins against the public welfare.  It created a genuine sensation.  The House resolved to go into a “committee of the whole,” to consider the petitions and the answer of the trustees.  The answer of the trustees was drawn by the able pen of the Earl of Egmont, and by them warmly approved on the 3d of May, and three days later was read to the House of Commons.  A motion prevailed “that the petitions do lie upon the table,” for the perusal of the members, for the space of one week.  At the expiration of the time fixed, Stephens appeared, and all the petitions of the people of Georgia to the trustees in reference to “the tenure of lands,” and for “the use of negroes,” were laid before the honorable body.  In the committee of the whole the affairs of the colony were thoroughly investigated; and, after a few days session, Mr. Carew reported a set of resolutions, being the sense of the committee after due deliberation upon the matters before them:—­