Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

132 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
attack, having guarded every passageway of approach, by such means
as lay within his power, Oglethorpe again set sail for England, on No
vember 29, 1736. He went to secure re-enforcements for the struggle,
whose fiery storm-clouds were gathering. This trip also met the wishes
of the trustees, who desired him to be present at the approaching session
of Parliament, so that needed supplies for Georgia's maintenance and
protection might be obtained. Major Horton, in the absence of Ogle
thorpe from the colony, was left in general charge of its defense. With
headquarters at Frederica, the latter made frequent tours of inspection
to its various outposts. But nothing of any special moment transpired
to disturb the even tenor of life on the frontier; and while the founder
was away a benign providence seemed to brood over Georgia, shielding
her from all harm. 4
Narrowly escaping shipwreck in the British Channel, Oglethorpe
reached London in time to attend a special meeting of the trustees on
January 19, 1737. After giving a full report of the colony's progress,
he discussed at some length his negotiations with the Spanish author
ities at St. Augustine, his preparations for an attack from the Span
iards, and his need of further assistance from England. The trustees,
by a unanimous vote, returned thanks to Oglethorpe for his wise over
sight of the colony and resolved at once to petition Parliament for a
grant of men, munitions and money, with which to protect the province
against a threatened invasion by Spain. Coincident with Oglethorpe's
arrival, a communication was received from Madrid asking for his dis
missal. The Spanish ambassador also protested against the sending of
troops to Georgia and against the return of Oglethorpe; but the under
lying motives for these overtures was only too obvious. To quote a
writer in the "London Post": "If this be a fact"—the rumor of Spain's
request for Oglethorpe's recall—"we have a most undeniable proof that
the Spaniards dread the abilities-of Mr. Oglethorpe. It is, of course, a
glorious testimony to his merit and a certificate of his patriotism that
ought to endear him to every honest Briton.'' England's further answer
to this appeal for the dismissal of Oglethorpe was a commission from the
Crown appointing him general and commander-in-chief of all his ma
jesty's forces in Georgia and Carolina. This was done in order that he
might wield the military power of the two provinces all the more readily
in the event of hostilities. At the same time, along with this general
command, he was specially authorized to raise a regiment in England,
to consist of six companies, of 100 men each, exclusive of non-commis
sioned officers. Later, a company of grenadiers was added. The manner
in which this regiment was raised will indicate its select character. Ogle
thorpe secured as officers, so we are told, only such persons as were
gentlemen of family and well reputed. He disdained to commercialize
the service of his country by selling commissions in his regiment; and so
far from deriving any pecuniary benefit from these appointments, it is
known that in some cases he actually advanced out of his own private
fortune what sums were necessary to procure commissions and to pur
chase uniforms. He also engaged some twenty young men of position
but without fortune to serve as cadets with the promise of promotion as
vacancies occurred. Moreover, at his own expense, he engaged forty
supernumeraries. To induce the members of his regiment to settle in
Georgia permission was granted each to take to the colony a wife for