Georgia was the last of the thirteen original colonies to be settled,
and, though it long remained the weakest of them all, its history is
very interesting. It, too, was a country of refuge for those suffering
persecution, but their affliction was different in its nature from those
of whom we have made record.
One of the remarkable facts connected with the government of nations
claiming the highest civilization, hardly more than a century ago, was
the brutality of their laws. Many crimes, comparatively trifling in
their nature, were punishable with death. One of the most cruel of these
oppressive laws was that which permitted a man to throw into prison a
neighbor who was unable to pay the money he owed. If a poor tenant fell
ill, and could not pay his landlord, the latter could have him flung
into jail and kept there until the debt was paid. Since the debtor was
unable to earn a penny while in prison, and probably his wife and children were equally helpless, the
landlord thus deprived himself of all possibility of getting his money,
while the wretched debtor literally "rotted" in prison.
Thousands died in dreadful misery, merely because they were poor.
This system of allowing imprisonment for debt prevailed in our own
country until within the memory of men still living. It makes one's
cheeks tingle with shame and indignation to recall that Robert Morris,
who devoted all his wealth and energies to raising money for the
patriots during the Revolution, who furnished Washington with thousands
of dollars, and but for whose help the war must have failed, became poor
after independence was gained and was imprisoned for debt.
The system caused-such horrible suffering in England that the pity of
all good men was stirred. Among these was James Edward Oglethorpe, one
of the most admirable characters in modern history. He was a brave and
skillful soldier, eminently just, of the highest social position and a
member of the Parliament. He determined to do something practical for
the perishing debtors in English jails. He, therefore, asked George II
to give him a grant of land in America to which the imprisoned debtors
could be sent, and the king, whose heart also seemed to be touched,
promptly did so. It was said of Oglethorpe that the universal respect
felt for him made certain that any favor he asked of his own associates
or friends would be willingly granted.
The king not only presented him with valuable equipments, but
Parliament granted him a liberal sum, to which wealthy citizens added.
He had the best wishes of his entire country when he sailed for America
with one hundred and fourteen persons. He named the new colony Georgia
in honor of the king, and began the settlement of Savannah in 1733,
Darien and Augusta being founded three years later. It need hardly be
said of such a man, that, like Penn and Baltimore, he bought the lands
anew of the Indians and retained their friendship from the start. On one of his visits to England he took a party
of red men with him, entertained them at his country place and presented
them at court.
The Spaniards claimed Georgia as their own territory, and raised a
large force with which to expel Oglethorpe, whose colony had been
increased by the arrival of other immigrants, but the English officer
handled his men with such extraordinary skill that the Spaniards were
utterly routed.
It would be supposed that Georgia would have been one of the most
successful of the original colonies, since seemingly it possessed every
advantage, but such was far from the fact. One cause for this was the
"coddling" the pioneers received. They were harmed by too much
kindness. Had they been compelled to hew their own way, like their
neighbors, they would have done better. They were like children spoiled
by being granted too many favors.
Another cause was the poor laws by which the people were ruled.
Slavery at first was forbidden within its borders, though it was
tolerated all about them. Then, in 1747, the trustees yielded to the
general demand and admitted slavery. Other rules caused discontent, and
many settlers moved away. Population appeared to be at a standstill, and
finally the trustees in 1752 surrendered their rights to the crown. More
liberal laws followed and the prosperity increased.
Of General Oglethorpe, it may be added that he lived to reach his
ninety-eighth year. It was said of him that he was the handsomest old
man in London, and people often stopped on the streets to look at and
admire him. He always had a warm regard for the American colonies.
Indeed, it was this marked friendship for them which prevented his
appointment as commander-in-chief of the British forces during the
Revolution.
