THAT about twenty-five years ago, your memorialist, assisted by the
voluntary contributions of charitable and well disposed persons,
at a very great expence, and under many disadvantages, did erect a
commodious house, with necessary out-buildings, suitable for the
reception of orphans, and other poor and deserted children; and that
with the repair of the buildings, purchase of negroes, and supporting
a large orphan family for so many years, he hath expended upwards of
twelve thousand pounds sterling, as appears by the accounts, which from
time to time have been audited by the magistrates of _Savannah_.
That your memorialist, since the commencement of this institution, hath
had the satisfaction of finding, that by the money expended thereon,
not only many poor families were assisted, and thereby kept from
leaving the colony in its infant state, but also that a considerable
number of poor helpless children have been trained up; who have
been, and now are useful settlers in this and the other neighbouring
provinces.
That in order to render the institution aforesaid more extensively
useful, your memorialist, as he perceived the colony gradually
increasing, hath for some years past designed within himself, to
improve the original plan, by making further provision for the
education of persons of superior rank; who thereby might be qualified
to serve their king, their country, and their GOD, either in church or
state. That he doth with inexpressible pleasure, see the present very
flourishing state of the province; but with concern perceives that
several gentlemen have been obliged to send their sons to the northern
provinces; who would much rather have had them educated nearer home,
and thereby prevent their affections being alienated from their native
country, and also keep considerable sums of money from being carried
out of this into other provinces.
Your memorialist further observes, that there is no seminary for
academical studies as yet founded, southward of _Virginia_; and
consequently if a college could be established here (especially as the
late addition of the two _Floridas_ renders _Georgia_ more centrical
for the southern district) it would not only be highly serviceable to
the rising generation of this colony, but would probably occasion many
youths to be sent from the _British West India_ islands and other parts.
The many advantages accruing thereby to this province, must be very
considerable.
From these considerations, your memorialist is induced to believe, that
the time is now approaching, when his long projected design for further
serving this his beloved colony, shall be carried into execution.
That a considerable sum of money is intended speedily to be laid out
in purchasing a large number of negroes, for the further cultivation
of the present Orphan-house, and other additional lands, and for the
future support of a worthy able president, professors, and tutors, and
other good purposes intended.
Your memorialist therefore prays your Excellency and Honours to grant
to him in trust, for the purposes aforesaid, two thousand acres of
land, on the north fork of _Turtle River_, called the _Lesser Swamp_,
if vacant, or where lands may be found vacant, south of the river
_Altamaha_.
_G. W._
_Savannah in Georgia_,
_December 18, 1764_.
The ADDRESS of both Houses of Assembly in GEORGIA.
To his Excellency JAMES WRIGHT, Esq. Captain General and Governor
in Chief of his Majesty’s province of _Georgia_.
_May it please your Excellency_,
WE his Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the council and
commons house of assembly of _Georgia_, in general assembly met, beg
leave to acquaint your Excellency, that with the highest satisfaction
we learn, that the Rev. Mr. _George Whitefield_ has applied for lands,
in order to the endowment of a College in this province. The many
and singular obligations _Georgia_ has continually laid under to that
reverend gentleman, from its very infant state, would in gratitude
induce us, by every means in our power, to promote any measure he
might recommend; but in the present instance, where the interest of
the province, the advancement of religion, and the pleasing prospect
of obtaining proper education for our youth, so clearly coincide with
his views, we cannot in justice but request your Excellency to use your
utmost endeavours to promote so desirable an event, and to transmit
home our sincere and very fervent wishes, for the accomplishment of so
useful, so beneficent, and so laudable an undertaking.
By order of the upper House.
JAMES HABERSHAM, President.
_December 20, 1764._
By order of the Commons House.
ALEX. WYLLY, Speaker.
To which his Excellency was pleased to return
the following Answer.
_Gentlemen_,
I AM so perfectly sensible of the very great advantage which will
result to the province in general, from the establishment of a seminary
for learning here, that it gives me the greatest pleasure to find so
laudable an undertaking proposed by the Rev. Mr. _Whitefield_. The
friendly and zealous disposition of that gentleman, to promote the
prosperity of this province, has been often experienced; and you may
rest assured, that I shall transmit your address home, with my best
endeavours for the success of the great point in view.