On the 17th of November, 1732, all arrangements having been completed, the Anne set sail for the Colony of Georgia, accompanied by Oglethorpe, who furnished his own cabin, and laid in provisions not only for himself, but for his fellow-passengers.  On the 13th of January, 1733, the Anne anchored in Charleston harbor.  From Charleston the vessel sailed to Port Royal; and the colonists were soon quartered in the barracks of Beaufort-town, which had been prepared for their reception.  Oglethorpe left the colonists at Beaufort and, in company with Colonel William Bull, proceeded to the Savannah River.  He went up this stream as far as Yamacraw Bluff, which he selected as the site of the settlement he was about to make.  He marked out the town, and named it Savannah.  The site was a beautiful one in Oglethorpe’s day, and it is still more beautiful now.  The little settlement that the founder of the colony marked out has grown into a flourishing city, and art has added its advantages to those of nature to make Savannah one of the most beautiful cities in the United States....

On the 30th of January, 1733, the immigrants set sail from Beaufort, and on the afternoon of the next day they arrived at Yamacraw Bluff.  On the site of the town that had already been marked off they pitched four tents large enough to accommodate all the people.  Oglethorpe, after posting his sentinels, slept on the ground under the shelter of the tall pines, near the central watch fire.  As a soldier should, he slept soundly.  He had planted the new colony, and thus far all had gone well with him and with those whose interests he had charge of.

To bring these colonists across the ocean and place them in a position where they might begin life anew was not a very difficult undertaking; but to plant a colony amongst savages already suspicious of the whites, and to succeed in obtaining their respect, friendship, and aid, was something that required wisdom, courage, prudence, and large experience.  This Oglethorpe did; and it is to his credit that, during the time he had charge of the colony, he never, in any shape or form, took advantage of the ignorance of the Indians.  His method of dealing with them was very simple.  He conciliated them by showing them that the whites could be just, fair, and honorable in their dealings; and thus, in the very beginning, he won the friendship of those whose enmity to the little colony would have proved ruinous.

Providence favored Oglethorpe in this matter.  He had to deal with an Indian chief full of years, wisdom, and experience.  This was Tomochichi, who was at the head of the Yamacraws.  From this kindly Indian the Georgia Colony received untold benefits.  He remained the steadfast friend of the settlers, and used his influence in their behalf in every possible way, and on all occasions.  Altho he was a very old man, he was strong and active, and of commanding presence.  He possessed remarkable intelligence; and this, added to his experience, made him one of the most remarkable of the Indians whose names have been preserved in history....  Thus, with Oglethorpe to direct it, and with Tomochichi as its friend, the little Georgia Colony was founded, thrived and flourished.