year, 1735. The character and history | smaller towns; and no great number of children are cast off wholly unprovided for. Public or private charity steps in for their relief. 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 by the general, was made in an attempt to assassinate him, which fortunately failed, and the conspirators were executed. By a report made to the trustees of the colony in 1740, it appears that at that time twenty-five hundred persons had been sent out as settlers, and that the amount of money expended was half a million of dollars; but it was so far from yielding any returns to the proprietors, and even from supporting itself, that it still required annual aid. The character of the colonists was far different from that of many of the earlier settlements; though when we consider the natural advantages of the country, we may well be surprised at the discouraging result. A mixed population, however, especially with a large proportion of the dregs of European cities, and even of the prisons of England, could not rationally be expected to bring a colony to such a condition as was early attained by the Pilgrims in the north, the Friends in Pennsylvania, the patient, economical Hollanders at New York, or the bands of farmers and others, who at different periods occupied different points along our extensive seacoast. Perhaps, we might rather be surprised that Oglethorpe was able to accomplish as much as he did for the benefit of the colony, amidst the numerous obstacles which surrounded him. We have before mentioned his attempt to seize St. Augustine, and his want of success, in consequence of an unexpected reinforcement of the Spanish garrison at that place. We have also spoken of the invasion made in retaliation; but a few particulars may here be added, which show at once the perilous condition of affairs at that juncture, and the military abilities of the general. The expedition which sailed from Havana for the Altamaha river in 1742, consisted of six thousand men; and its object was finally to destroy the southern colonies, and to seize upon the territory for the crown of Spain. An energetic demand was immediately made upon South Carolina for troops; but all assistance was refused, and he was left to his own resources. His policy was therefore to be adapted to his weakness; and, instead of offering such resistance as he would have wished on the frontiers, he retreated as far as Frederica, having only about seven hundred Europeans under his command, with a body of Indians. After this show of timidity, or of prudence, however, he boldly, but secretly, moved on toward the enemy, intending to take them by surprise, and had already marched within two miles of their camp, with every prospect of success, when a French deserter among his ranks, fired his musket and fled back to the enemy. Although thus disappointed, Oglethorpe's ingenuity still found a resource, and sitting down, he wrote a letter to the deserter, in terms calculated to lead the Spaniards to suspect the runaway as faithless to them, in the style of instructions to him, for his guidance in the enemy's camp. In this he requested him to represent that Frederica was defenceless, and ought to be immediately taken. If the Spanish commander should appear unwilling to take that step, the Frenchman was instructed to use his utmost exertions to persuade him to remain three days longer in his present position, as that would allow time for the removal of six thousand troops, who, he pretended, were on their way to reinforce the British army, and six ships, expected on the coast. The letter insisted particularly on the greatest caution being used, to avoid any allusions to Admiral Vernon's plan of attack upon St. Augustine, as a secret of the utmost importance. The letter was then put into the hands of a Spanish deserter, who was set at liberty under a promise to deliver it to the Frenchman. On reaching the Spanish camp, however, he took it to the commander, who was completely imposed upon by the ingenious device, and thinking he had happily obtained important information, seized the Frenchman, and put him in irons. In the midst of doubts and fears, into which this letter had thrown the ene my, a fortunate event occurred, which turned the scale in favor of Oglethorpe. South Carolina had slowly yielded to the request he had made for assistance, Among the numerous striking chan so far as to send three vessels with has since experienced, and is likely long troops; and these arrived off the mouth to enjoy. of the Altamaha just in season to be mistaken by the invading general, for ages which have been produced in our part of the naval reinforcement alluded country by the lapse of a short period to in the intercepted letter. Such appa- of time, that effected on the ancient seat rent confirmation of the document con- of Yamacraw may be appropriately vinced him of its truth; and he imme- mentioned. One hundred and eighteen diately destroyed his fortifications, and years ago, a small band of settlers lateembarked for Florida in consternation, ly from England, driving a few "hogs leaving, in his haste, a number of his and cows," which had been given by cannon, &c., and some military stores. people at Charleston, "to begin their The success of this stratagem, the in-stock," arrived near the spot, escorted genuity of which is certainly very remarkable, secured the deliverance of the colony, when it was in its most critical condition, and threatened with final destruction. Without the loss of life, and at a small expense of money, the sagacious Oglethorpe was thus able to deliver the colony of an enemy far too numerous to be resisted, and from the threatening prospect of falling irretrievably into the hands of a foreign power, opposed to that of Great Britain in policy, laws, and religion. Having accomplished so important a service, and finding nothing important to demand his future presence, he embarked for England for the last time, and spent the remainder of his life in tranquillity. On the commencement of hostilities in America in 1775, he received the offer of the command of the British forces, prepared to suppress the spirit of opposition, but accepted only on condition of being authorized to assure the colonies that they should have justice done them. This reply appears to have been unsatisfactory to the ministry, for Sir William Howe was appointed commander in his stead. Oglethorpe remained in retirement until the close of his life. He attained an extraordinary age, surviving the unhappy contest between his native country and the colonies which he had so faithfully served. He witnessed the first nine years of peace which succeeded the revolution, during which, the colony that he had planted, nursed, and defended, became an independent state, connected with a young republic which already showed signs of that rapid increase, in population, wealth, and improvement, which it by "the rangers," and aided by "the scout-boats," sent by the governor of South Carolina. "Oglethorpe and Bull explored the country; and, having found a high and pleasant spot of ground, situated on a navigable river, they fixed on this place as the most convenient and healthy situation for settlers. On this hill they marked out a town; and from the Indian name of the river which ran past it, called it Savannah. A small fort was erected on the banks of it as a place for the defence of the colony. The people were set to work in felling trees and building huts for themselves; and Oglethorpe animated and encouraged them, by exposing himself to all the hardships which the poor objects of his compassion endured. He formed them into a company of militia, appointed officers from among themselves, and furnished them with arms and ammunition. To show the Indians how expert they were in the use of arms, he frequently practised them. "Having thus put his colony in a good state of defence, the next object of his attention was, to treat with the Indians for a share of their possessions. The principal tribes that at this time occupied the territory were the upper and lower Creeks: the former were numerous and strong; the latter, by diseases and war, had been reduced to a smaller number; both tribes together were computed to amount to about twenty-five thousand, men, women, and children. "At a little distance from Savannah, is a high mound of earth, under which the Indian king lies interred who held a conference with Sir Walter Raleigh." S WEEKES S& THE history of Florida, from the earliest expedition of discovery almost to the present hour, has been but a record of disappointments and disasters. Having neither mines of gold, nor any peculiar advantages for agriculture or commerce, the Spanish character of the people, while occupying it for three hundred years, had a full opportunity to display its imbecility; while our own government, since entering upon the possession a few years ago, have exhibited, in a manner no less lamentable, a disregard to humanity in their treatment of the poor remains of the original red race. Florida is one of the few great peninsulas of America, and presents several peculiar features, one of which is its very important position. As has been remarked, in speaking of Georgia, this long point is only the continuation of the southern slope of that state. It nowhere presents any considerable elevation; and the greatest part of the surface is a level, raised but little above the ocean, with vast tracts too wet for use, and even wholly or chiefly impassable, or submerged in water. The western coast of Florida extends six hundred miles, from the Perdido river to Cape Sable; while the eastern, from St. Mary's river, including the southern, to Cape Sable, is four hundred and fifty. The Atlantic ocean bounds the eastern coast, and the southern extremity is washed by the Bahama and Cuba channels. The northern boundary runs from the mouth of St. Mary's river to the mouth of Flint river, up the Chatahoochee, to latitude 31 deg. 40 min., separating it from Georgia. Thence the line proceeds along the limits of Alabama, two hundred and forty miles, | St. John's river is very crooked, and in some parts, four or five miles wide. to Perdido river, and down that stream forty miles, to its mouth. The whole outline of Florida is about fifteen miles, and it extends through six degrees of latitude. The climate is more uniform than in any other tract of equal extent, north and south, in the United States. This is owing to the little variation of surface, and the proximity of the sea. Pine prevails among the forests, as the soil is generally poor; but the variety of other trees is very great. Rice and Indian corn, sweet potatoes, cotton, indigo, and sugarcane, are the chief productions of agriculture, while oranges, limes, pomegranates, and figs, grow in abundance. PENSACOLA, in north latitude 30 deg. 23 min., and longitude 10 deg. 19 min. west from Washington, stands on the northwestern shore of the bay of the same name, and enjoys the advantages of a fine and safe harbor, with a bar passable by vessels drawing twenty-one feet of water. The anchorage is good, but the water is shallow near the land. The city was founded in the year 1699, by a Spanish officer named Don Andre de Riola. The entrance to the bay of Pensacola is narrow, between St. Rose's island and Barrancas point, eight miles from the city. ST. AUGUSTINE is the principal town The surface of Florida presents a and seaport on the Atlantic coast of great proportion of waste land and wa- Florida, in north latitude 29 deg. 48 ter, with all the varieties of bays, creeks, min., and longitude west from Washingand lagoons, along the coast; and in- ton, 40 deg. 21 min. It is the oldest land, of hammocks, savannahs, and ever-settlement in the limits of the Amerglades. The hammocks vary in their nature from dry to wet, and many of them are impassable, or with a few intricate intervals of hard and shallow grounds, wholly under water; never known to any except the Indians, whose superior acquaintance with the country, during the late lamentable Florida war, often gave them advantage over our troops, in the hammocks and everglades. The various plants which grow abundantly in some parts of those swamps and lakes, often add their obstacles to the traveller; especially saw-grass, which soon cuts in pieces the clothes of men, and even their flesh. It would be difficult to give an adequate idea of the forbidding aspect of those extensive and desolate regions. Yet, in some places, verdant tracts occur even among those low and swampy districts, where flowers in profusion display their beauties throughout the year. The eastern coast is dangerous for large vessels, in easterly gales, as the numerous inlets are generally too shallow for ships, having water only for vessels of a light draught. On the west, however, are the harbors of Perdido, Pensacola, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew's, St. Joseph's, Appalachicola, Appelachee, Tampa, Carlos, and Gullivain. ican Union, and even older than the first Canadian colony, having been founded in 1565, by the Spaniards. The harbor has twenty-eight or thirty feet of water, and is safe and commodious, being protected from the sea by Anastatia island. The town extends along its side, on a peninsula, elevated only twelve feet above the level of the sea, and is of an oblong form, about a mile in length, but not very compactly built. The shelllimestone which forms the coast is the building material. It presents a very attractive appearance from without, as orange-trees in abundance grow in the yards and gardens; but many of the streets are crooked and narrow. climate is as mild as that of southern Europe, and this city is therefore a resort of many invalids from the north. The sea-breezes by day, and the landbreezes by night, co-operate to keep the temperature mild and uniform. Steamboats go to Savannah and Charleston. Population about 3,000. The The square near the water is ornamented with an obelisk of stone, erected in the centre by the Spaniards, in the days of the constitution. It is surrounded by two churches, the courthouse, and a number of handsome private buildings. |