_To the Honourable Trustees of Georgia._
_Gloucester, Dec. 6, 1748._
_Honoured Gentlemen_,
NOT want of respect, but a suspicion that my letters would not be
acceptable, has been the occasion of my not writing to you these four
years last past. I am sensible, that in some of my former letters,
through hurry of business, want of more experience, and in all
probability too great an opinion of my own sufficiency, I expressed
myself in too strong, and sometimes unbecoming terms. For this I desire
to be humbled before GOD and man, knowing that, _Peter_-like, by a
misguided zeal, I have cut off as it were those ears which otherwise
might have been open to what I had to offer. However I can assure
you, honoured gentlemen, to the best of my knowledge, I have acted
a disinterested part, and notwithstanding my manifold mistakes and
imprudence, I have simply aimed at GOD’s glory and the good of mankind.
This principle drew me first to _Georgia_; this, and this alone,
induced me to begin and carry on the scheme of the _Orphan-house_; and
this, honoured gentlemen, excites me to trouble you with the present
lines. I need not inform you, honoured gentlemen, how the colony of
_Georgia_ has been declining for these many years last past, and at
what great disadvantages I have maintained a large family in that
wilderness, through the providence of a good and gracious GOD. Upwards
of five thousand pounds have been expended in that undertaking, and
yet very little proficiency made in the cultivation of my tract of
land, and that entirely owing to the necessity I lay under of making
use of white hands. Had a negroe been allowed, I should now have had
a sufficiency to support a great many orphans, without expending above
half the sum which hath been laid out. An unwillingness to let so
good a design drop, and having a rational conviction that it must
necessarily, if some other method was not fixed upon to prevent it.
These two considerations, honoured gentlemen, prevailed on me about
two years ago, through the bounty of my good friends, to purchase a
plantation in _South-Carolina_, where negroes are allowed. Blessed be
GOD, this plantation hath succeeded; and though at present I have only
eight working hands, yet in all probability there will be more raised
in one year, and with a quarter the expence, than has been produced at
_Bethesda_ for several years last past. This confirms me in the opinion
I have entertained for a long time, that _Georgia_ never can or will be
a flourishing province without negroes are allowed. But notwithstanding
my private judgment, I am determined that not one of mine shall ever be
allowed to work at the Orphan-House, till I can do it in a legal manner,
and by the approbation of the honourable trustees. My chief end in
writing this, is to inform you, honourable gentlemen, of the matter of
fact, and to let you know, that I am as willing as ever to do all I can
for _Georgia_ and the Orphan-house, if either a limited use of negroes
is approved of, or some more indented servants sent over. If not, I
cannot promise to keep any large family, or cultivate the plantation
in any considerable manner. My strength must necessarily be taken to
the other side. I would also further recommend it to your consideration,
honourable gentlemen, whether or not as the Orphan-house was and is
intended for a charitable purpose, it ought not to be exempted from
all quit-rents and public taxes, as I believe is customary universally
for such institutions to be? And as most of the land on which the
Orphan-house is built, is good for little, I would humbly enquire,
whether I may not have a grant for five hundred more acres that are
not taken up, somewhere near the Orphan-house? My intention is, if
you, honourable gentlemen, are pleased to put the colony upon another
footing, (I mean in respect to the permission of a limited use of
negroes) to make the Orphan-house not only a receptacle for fatherless
children, but also a place of literature and academical studies. Such
a place is much wanted in the southern parts of _America_; and if
conducted in a proper manner, must necessarily be of great service to
any colony. I can easily procure proper persons to embark in such a
cause, and I do not know but several families would go over, supposing
I could give them a probable prospect of a support upon their honest
industry, I could say more, but I fear I have been already too prolix.
I humbly recommend what has been urged to your consideration, and beg
leave to subscribe myself, honourable gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble servant,
_G. W._