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192 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
its condition. In order to answer the complaints and to get the neces
sary news, it was deemed needful that Oglethorpe return in person, as
he alone was depended on to furnish information. Accordingly the trus
tees requested that he come at once to England,* and he embarked on
his mission November 29, 1736, after being in Georgia on this visit a
little less than ten months.
On January 12, 1737, he attended a meeting of the trustees and laid
before them his proceedings in Georgia since going there the February
preceding. A resolution was passed congratulating him on his safe
return and thanking him for his many and important services to the
Colony of Georgia.!
In England he attended the hearings before the board of trade rela
tive to the disputes with South Carolina, the results of which are given
later; and he was greatly interested in getting the British government
to take over the defense of the province, relieving the trustees of this
responsibility. This course was finally adopted; and it was determined
to raise a regiment of 600 men for Georgia. Oglethorpe himself was
appointed colonel of the regiment; and he was also nominated captain-
general and commander-in-chief of the forces of South Carolina and
Georgia. |. Up to this time, he had drawn no salary for his services in
the colony. He had been in the service of the trustees and not of the
crown. Now he would draw the regular stipend of a colonel in the
British service; and it seems that he drew in addition a £1,000 per an
num hitherto allowed the governor of South Carolina as commander-in-
chief of the forces of that province.**
As a natural consequence, from this time forth Oglethorpe was more
and more occupied with the matter of defense, and he could give a pro
portionally smaller time to the business affairs of the trust. The ten
dency toward preoccupation with defense is reflected in his attendance
on the meetings of the trustees while he was at home. He was present
at only thirty-nine out of sixty-four meetings of the corporation, and at
nineteen of twenty-eight meetings of the Common Council. Before he
went to Georgia the first time, his attendance was 90 per cent; on his
first return to England it was still about 88 per cent; while on the second
stay at home it was only 63 per cent.
On this trip to England, Colonel Oglethorpe's accounts were audited;
and it was found that he had kept careful accounts, for he had vouchers
for all but £464 of the large sums that had passed through his hands.ft
Since the notes or sola bills issued by the trustees had been so drawn
that only Oglethorpe could issue them, and that he could do it only
when in Georgia, the form was now changed to enable him to issue them
anywhere. He was desired to issue quite a number of them in blank
so that they could be sent to Georgia for use by Messrs. Stephens, Cau-
ston, and Parker as need should develop. Oglethorpe was to be in
demnified against the sola bills he endorsed; and the three officials in
* B. T., Ga., IX, Oct. 22, 1736.
t C. E. I: 266-267.
jr.B. T., Ga., IX: Verclst to Causton, May 27, 1737.
**C.E. V: 66.
tt 0. B. II: 244.