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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 163
lie willingly encountered in their behalf a variety of fatigue and danger, and
thus became the founder of the Colony of Georgia; a Colony which afterwards set
the noble example of prohibiting the importation of slaves.
This new establishment he strenuously and successfully defended against a power
ful attack of the Spaniards. In the year in which he quitted Englaud to found this
settlement, he nobly strove to secure our true national defence by sea and land—
a free navy—without impressing a constitutional militia. But his social affections
were more enlarged than even the term Patriotism can express: he was the friend
of the oppressed negro,—no part of the globe was too remote,—no interest too
unconnected,—or too much opposed to his own, to prevent the immediate succor of
suffering humanity.
For such qualities he received from the ever memorable John, Duke of Argyle,
a full testimony, in the British Senate, to his military character, his natural gen
erosity, his contempt of danger, and regard for the Public. A similar encomium is
perpetuated in a foreign language;* and, by one of our most celebrated poets,t
his remembrance is transmitted to posterity in lines justly expressive of the purity,
the ardor, and the extent of his benevolence. He lived till the 1st of July, 1786;
a venerable instance to what a duration a life of temperance and virtuous labor is
capable of being protracted. His widow, Elisabeth, daughter of Sir Nathan Wright,
of Crauham Hall, Bart., and only sister and heiress of Sir Samuel Wright, Bart.,
of the same place, surviving, with regret, but with due submission to Divine Provi
dence, an affectionate husband, after an union of more than forty years, hath
inscribed to his memory these faint traces of his excellent character.
(Then follows several lines of inferior verse.)
* Reference is here made, to an eloquent eulogy of Oglethorpe by Abbe Raynal,
in his '' Historic Philosophique et Politique.''
t Alexander Pope's famous lines are here recalled—
" Hail, Oglethorpe! with nobler triumphs crowned
Than ever were in camps or sieges found.
* * #
Thy great example shall through ages shine,
A favorite theme with poet and divine;
People unborn thy merits shall proclaim
And add new honors to thy deathless name."