“That the province of Georgia, in America, by reason of its situation, may be an useful barrier to the British provinces on the continent of America against the French and Spaniards, and Indian nations in their interests; that the ports and harbors within the said province may be a good security to the trade and navigation of this kingdom, that the said province, by reason of the fertility of the soil, the healthfulness of the climate, and the convenience of the rivers, is a proper place for establishing a settlement, and may contribute greatly to the increasing trade of this kingdom; that it is very necessary and advantageous to this nation that the colony of Georgia should be preserved and supported; that it will be an advantage to the colony of Georgia to permit the importation of rum into the said colony from any of the British colonies; that the petition of Thomas Stephens contains false, scandalous and malicious charges, tending to asperse the characters of the Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia, in America.”

When the resolution making the importation of rum lawful reached a vote, it was amended by adding, “As also the use of negroes, who may be employed there with advantage to the colony, under proper regulations and restrictions.”  It was lost by a majority of nine votes.  A resolution prevailed calling Thomas Stephens to the bar of the House, “to be reprimanded on his knees by Mr. Speaker,” for his offence against the trustees.

On the next day Stephens, upon his bended knees at the bar of the House of Commons, before the assembled statesmen of Great Britain, was publicly reprimanded by the speaker, and discharged after paying his fees.  Thus ended the attempt of the people of the colony of Georgia to secure permission, over the heads of the trustees, to introduce slaves into their service.

The dark tide of slavery influence was dashing against the borders of the colony.  The people were discouraged.  Business was stagnated.  Internal dissatisfaction and factional strife wore hard upon the spirit of a people trying to build up and develop a new country.  Then the predatory incursions of the Spaniards, and the threatening attitude of the Indians, unnerved the entire Province.  In this state of affairs white servants grew insolent and insubordinate.  Those whose term of service expired refused to work.  In this dilemma many persons boldly put the rule of the trustees under foot, and hired Negroes from the Carolinas.  At length the trustees became aware of the clandestine importation of Negroes into the colony, and thereupon gave the magistrates a severe reproval.  On the 2d of October, 1747, they received the following reply:—­