Among the numerous men who performed important parts in the early periods of our colonial history, there are few more remarkable for activity, enterprise, and purity of principle, than Oglethorpe. He performed a variety of duties, and generally with equal skill and success. As circumstances required, he could confer with the friends of America in England, on plans for planting colonies, then, collecting bands of emigrants, and placing himself at their head, conduct them across the Atlantic, and transport them to the places assigned for their habitation. He would conduct negotiations with the savages, provide for the sustenance and defence of the community, encourage his companions under adversity, protect them from invaders, and even march, with a band of white men and Indians, through the wilderness, to seize the post of a dangerous enemy, or to intimidate them, when an attack was to be apprehended. Oglethorpe combined in his character much strength of purpose, and boldness and perseverance, with philanthropy and active zeal. Had he been of a less manly disposition, he might have chosen a less exposed and less dangerous theatre to act upon; but the peculiar position of the country now forming the southern part of Georgia, offered attractions for such a spirit as he possessed. It was wholly unoccupied by civilized men; for, although it was included in Heath's old patent, that instrument had been declared void, on account of the failure to fulfil the terms on which it had been granted, viz., that settlements should be made on the land. But the time had now arrived, when it was highly important that some of the principal military points should be occupied: for the Spaniards in Florida, and the French in Louisiana, had the power to traverse it at will, and were at liberty to enter it with whatever force they could command, and might soon annex it to their own territories.

as well as national, was the principal motive for the first settlements made in the territory of Georgia. A charter was therefore granted to Sir James Oglethorpe, and several other noblemen and gentlemen, in 1732, of the country lying between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers; and they proposed to form a colony of criminals taken from the prisons, on the plan afterward practised on a larger scale in New Holland. The project was approved by the benevolent, and a considerable sum of money was collected in different parts of England, while the house of commons granted, at several times, appropriations to the amount of thirty-six thousand pounds, to the enterprise. We have already given a brief outline of some of the principal events, and shall now only attempt to supply some of the important particulars, not included in our cursory glance.

On his first visit to Savannah, Oglethorpe in a short time erected a fort, formed his colonists into a military company, consummated his treaty with the Creek Indians, and, appointing two of his officers, named Scott and St. Julian, to exercise the government of the colony during his absence, returned to England. He gave them charge to make a treaty with the Choctaws, which they successfully accomplished, and thus secured the friendship and protection of another powerful native nation, of great importance in the infancy of the colony.

of this man, then in his youth, are worthy of a much more particular notice than can be given in a work like the present. It is pleasing to recur to this early enterprise of one so eminently distinguished by Christian philanthropy, directed to a class of men, and a region of the New World, presenting so little to incite the interest of any person not devoted to doing good.

John Wesley, with his brother Charles, had become known to Oglethorpe, in London, in consequence of their labors in the prisons, for the instruction and improvement of criminals. They had formed a society, in company with George Whitfield and a few pious young men, while in college, for that truly benevolent object, in which they persevered, in spite of the jeers of some of their acquaintance, who called it in contempt the Godly Club. What important effects have resulted from that association! It may have been the original model of those societies since formed for kindred purposes, especially of those for the reformation of delinquents and criminals, whose influence has been so salutary and extensive.

It was through Oglethorpe's persuasion that the two Wesleys were induced to visit the new colony; and they were accompanied by three or four of their associates, and a company of three hundred other persons, including a hundred and seventy more Moravians. After a short period of religious exertions, he returned to England and Whitfield soon after came out, with similar objects. He proposed the foundation of an orphan asylum, which, as appears from his published letters, was a favorite plan, and pursued with his characteristic zeal and perseverance. It exists at the present day; but it has never proved successful in the degree anticipated by its founder. This may be partly accounted for from the fact, that comparatively few orphans, in our country, need such provision for their support. Vice, rather than the mere loss of parents, reduces children to destitution and distress; for the means of living are easily obtained in our new settlements and

A fort was soon built at Augusta, for the defence of the Savannah river; a second at Frederica, which was a considerable work with four bastions; and a third on Cumberland island, to command the entrance of Jekyl sound, the only ship passage to Frederica. These were constructed at the expense of parliament, which appropriated ten thousand pounds for their erection and maintenance. Before they were completed, a message was received from the Spanish commander in Florida, that a conference was desired with the governor, and the news came that a reinforcement had arrived from Havana. A peremptory demand was made for the immediate evacuation of the territory south of St. Helena sound, with a threat that the king of Spain would seize his own possessions by force of arms in case of refusal. Oglethorpe, being unprovided with adequate means as well as authority, immediately embarked for England, and there received the appointment of major-general of all the forces of South Carolina and Georgia, and a regiment of military emigrants, with whom he hastened back.

On his arrival, he learned that the Spaniards had been busy in attempts to draw off the Indians from his interest, and that some of the Creek chiefs were then at St. Augustine. But he had the address to counteract the enemy; he sent invitations to the Indians to visit him at Frederica, whither they repaired after their return from Florida, and by his influence were easily confirmed in their friendly relations with the English.

But it was not long before alarming symptoms of treachery were discovered among the English troops. One of the soldiers had served at Gibraltar, and there acquired an acquaintance with the Spanish language, through the medium of which he had held a traitorous communication with the enemy; and, after being corrupted himself, he had found means to excite disaffection among his comrades. The first intimation received