Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

186 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
launched in England, and understanding the powers granted him and
his relations to his fellow trustees, we must next estimate some of the
services he rendered in actually planting the settlement in Georgia.
This side of his career has been so fully developed in his biographies
and in the histories of Georgia that we shall merely refer to the various
incidents without giving details. It has already been noted that in going
to Georgia Oglethorpe could hope for no financial remuneration on
account of provisions in the charter; but it would be a strict interpreta
tion of the provisions that would necessitate his paying his own expenses
for the journey, and so his expenditures in this particular must be con
sidered as a gift to the cause. Not only did he furnish his own cabin
and provide for his servants, but he' also relieved the burdens of the
voyage by contributing to the comforts of his fellow passengers.*
When the colonists reached Port Royal, South Carolina, Oglethorpe
proceeded with Col. William Bull to the Savannah River for the pur
pose of selecting a site for the proposed settlement. This was a matter
of prime importance, affecting every person who might locate in the
town to be established. This work was well done; the spot chosen was
perhaps the best possible one for the Town of Savannah. It is very
likely that credit is due both to Oglethorpe and Bull for the decision
made; but, as the former had final authority in the matter, he is entitled
perhaps to the greater commendation.!
In his personal contact with the early settlers, and in his handling
the' details of the settlement, Oglethorpe seems to have been very suc
cessful. He worked hard himself and spared no pains to get the town
started properly. He was much beloved of the people, who gave him
the title of "Father." He visited the sick and took care of them. If
there were differences, he decided the matters at issue himself; and for
the time at least there seemed to be little dissatisfaction with his judg
ments. He was strict in discipline, allowing neither drunkenness nor
swearing. He laid out a great deal of work and was successful in get
ting much of it done, permitting no idlers around him. J
Oglethorpe showed as much tact in dealing with the Indians as he
exhibited good judgment in the choice of a site and industry in getting
the settlement started. There had been a former treaty between the
Indians 'and South Carolina that no white settlements were to be made
south of the Savannah without the consent of the natives; and they
were at first inclined to object to the coming of the Georgians. On his
first visit for the purpose of selecting the location for the town, Ogle
thorpe had held an interview with Tomo-chi-chi, the chief of the small
Indian tribe living near the river; and with the aid of a half-breed inter
preter, Mary Musgrove, had persuaded him that it would be advantage
ous to the Indians that the white men should come. This interview was
the beginning of a firm friendship which lasted between the English and
the Indians during almost all of the proprietary history of the colony.
Through the influence of Tomo-chi-chi, the other Indian tribes within
the limits of Georgia were gathered for a conference, at which Ogle-
* Wright 58.
t 0. E. Ill: 380.
t Polit. State XLV: 543-544, cited by Wright 65.