_To Mr. R―――― K――――n._
_Bethesda, February 13, 1765._
_My very dear Sir_,
A FEW days more, and then farewel _Bethesda_, perhaps for ever. Affairs,
as to me, I trust are now brought near a close. The within audit I sent
to the G――――r. Next day came Lord _J. A. G――――n_, to pay his Excellency
a visit. Yesterday morning, they with several other gentlemen favoured
me with their company to breakfast. But how was my Lord surprized and
delighted! After expressing himself in the strongest terms, he took me
aside, and informed me, “that the G――――r had shewn him the accompts,
by which he found what a great benefactor I had been: that the intended
college would be of the utmost utility to this and the neighbouring
provinces; that the plan was beautiful, rational, and practicable;
and that he was persuaded his M――――y would highly approve of, and also
favour it, with some peculiar marks of his royal bounty.” At their
desire I went to town, and dined with him and the G――――r at _Savannah_.
On _Tuesday_ next, GOD willing, I move towards _Charles-Town_, leaving
all arrears paid off, and some cash in hand, besides the last year’s
whole crop of rice, some lumber, the house repaired, painted, furnished
with plenty of cloathing, and provision till next crop comes in, and
perhaps some for sale. Messrs. _D――――n_, _S――――k_, and their wives,
stay till my successors come to supply their places. Only a few boys
will be left, and two of them are intended for the foundation. So that
this year they will be getting rather than expending. Near ten, boys
and girls, have been put out, and the small-pox hath gone through the
house, with the loss of about six negroes and four orphans. Before
which, I think not above four children have been taken off these
twenty-four years. As an acknowledgment of Mr. and Mrs. _D――――n_’s
faithfulness and care, I have made them a present of a bill of exchange
drawn upon you. It is for JESUS, who shed his dear and precious blood
for ill and hell-deserving me. And now it may be, I may see _England_
this summer. But still I cry, who shall roll away the stone? JESUS will
do it for me. And now farewel, my beloved _Bethesda_; surely the most
delightfully situated place in all the southern parts of _America_. I
do not forget your dear relations. What a blessed winter have I had!
Peace, and love, and harmony, and plenty, reign here. Mr. _W――――t_ hath
done much in a little time. All are surprized at it. But he hath worked
night and day, and not stirred a mile for many weeks. Help, help, my
dear _English_ friends, to pray me over, as being, for CHRIST’s sake,
my very dear Sir,
Ever yours, theirs, &c. &c.
_G. W._