Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-11-11

1875.
plication was made to the King, by whom
charter was granted, on the 9th of June, 1882.
The main object contemplated by this under
taking, was to furnish home for the poor;
but it was also designed to make the new COL
ony kind of protection to South Carolina.
Twenty.one persons were appointed trus-
tees of the undertaking, and the money
was deposited in the Bank of England. Ev-
cry precaution was taken to secure proper
investment of the funds. In July, the trus-
tees held their first meeting and Lord Perez.
val was chosen president. On the 2Sth of
November, one hundred and sixteen emigrants
set sail from Gravesend, and on the 24th of
January, 1888, they arrived at Charles Town.
1t had been determined by the trustees, at
their first meeting, to form the settlement on
the territory embraced between the rivers Sa-
vannah and Altamaha hence, so soon as they
arrived at Charles Town, preparations were
made for reaching this point.
The newcomers we're gladly welcomed by
Governor johnson and the people of Charles
Town. The people Of South Carolina showed
their generosity by sending the newly arrived
colony provisions, and also, cows and hogs,
with which to stock the contemplated settle
ment. William Bull, afterward din 1881
Governor of South Carolina, volunteered to
accompany the colony to its point Of destina-
tion. General Oglethorpe was with the
lately arrived settlers. Governor johnson
sent the boats belonging to the colony to
accompany them on their journey. On the
18th of February, 1873, they arrived at
Yamacraw bluff, and laid the foundation of
the present city of Savannah. In honor of
George the Second, the King Of England, by
whose liberality the scheme had been greatly
advanced, the trustees had named the settle.
ment Georgia whilst the town built was, from
the river on which it was located, named Sa.
vannah.
This settlement was of vast Importance to
the English colony in South Carolina. 1t
extended the borders Of civilization, increased
the number of Europeans in the country, and
placed settlement between Charles Town
and the Indian tribes. Oglethorpe being ex-
perienced in military affairs, set about to put
the new settlement in proper state for de.
fense. A fort was built and cannon placed
on the breast-works. The Indians, in the i'm
mediate vicinity were the Lower and Upper
Creeks. To these the territory west of the
Savannah river had been granted by Cover.
nor Nicholson of South Carolina. The Up
per Creeks numbered about twenty-five thou
sand. The Lower Creeks had been greatly
reduced in number by war and disease.
To conciliate the Indians, Oglethorpe called
together council of their chiefs. In the ex-
ecution of this, he was aided by an Indian wo.
man named Mary, who had married white
trader. This woman was intelligent, and ex.
ercised very considerable influence amongst
her people. By Oglethorpe she was loaded
with presents, and her services secured at an
annual salary of FIVE hundred dollars.
VIVA
ed by Oglethorpe. A treaty of peace was
made between Oglethorpe and Tomochichi,
the chief of the Creek warriors. Having ar.
ranged the settlement, General Oglethorpe re-
turned to England, taking with him Tomo-
chichi and bis queen. On arriving in Eng
land, they were, with great pomp, introduced
into the presence of George the Second, King
of England. The Indian chief was struck
with astonishment at the greatness and gran
deur of the English, and on the other hand
every thing was done by the English people
to make a favorable impression on the mind
of the chief. The princes and noblemen
Aocked, from all quarters, to gaze upon the
savages Of the New World. The people gath
cred around them for the purpose Of seeing
them, and men high in state invited them to
partake of royal banquets. The King be-
slowed upon them eighty dollars week, dur
ing the four months they remained in Eng;
land, and when they departed for America
loaded them with presents.
Thus, by acts of kindness and deeds OF
generosity, the Indians, residing between the
Savannah and the Altamaha, were induced to
surrender portion of their dominions to the
English.
This Georgia colony, although separate and
distinct from the South Carolina colony, still
sustained to it an important relation. The
general object of both was the same. Both
were in search of land of freedom. Amer.
lea was then regarded as the home for the op-
pressed Of every creed. The poor, who were
oppressed with want, saw prospect for bet
tering the condition of themselves and their
children. But the two colonies had another
grand feature in common. They we're protes-
tants, and spoke the same language. Hence,
the planting of the colony by Oglethorpe in
Georgia, was but extending the borders of
South Carolina.
About this time difficulty occurred among
the settlers, respecting the manner in which
lands were taken up. Grasping individuals
run out large tracts of land, to the great det-
riment of the colony. This was especially
the case in the region bordering upon Port
Royal. Some individuals, with the expecta-
ton of making themselves the owners of vast
tracts of land, had unjustIy laid claim to
tracts of land which had been laid out as
baronies under the proprietary government.
All these empty titles had been abolished by
the royal government. Still, some individu-
ais endeavored to enforce their claim to large
.c 1.sJ !. tLo ,root r;mont of tho