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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 67
Says a contemporary writer: "To see a gentleman of his rank and
fortune visiting a distant and uncultivated land, with no other society
but the miserable whom he goes to assist, exposing himself freely to
the same hardships to which they are subjected, in the prime of life,
instead of pursuing his pleasure or ambition, intent on an improved and
well-concerted plan from which his country must reap the profits, at his
own expense, and without a view or even a possibility of receiving any
private advantage from it; this, too, after having done and expended
for it what many generous men would think sufficient to have done,—
to see this, I say, must give every one who has approved and contributed
to the undertaking the highest satisfaction, must convince the world of
the disinterested zeal with which the settlement is to be made, and entitle
him to the truest honor he can gain—the perpetual love and applause of
mankind.'' *
As above stated, Oglethorpe accompanied the colonists to Georgia at
his own expense. He also provided the furnishings for his cabin and
laid in supplies, all of which were placed at the disposal of his fellow-
voyagers. The Sabbath before sailing was spent by the colonists at Mil
ton on the Thames, where, in a body, they worshiped in the parish
church. On the 16th of November quite a number of the trustees went
down to Gravesend where the galley Anne was moored, to extend a for
mal farewell to Oglethorpe and to bid him Godspeed on his voyage to
Georgia. Next morning the vessel lifted anchor and under fair skies
began its long journey across the wide Atlantic. En route, the galley
Anne touched at the Madeira Isles, where five tons of wine were taken
on board. Favoring gales wafted the vessel upon its journey westward.
Pew mishaps were encountered. Only two infants died on the voyage;
and finally, after a lapse of two months, the excited passengers, on Jan
uary 13, 1733, entered the harbor of Charleston.
Going ashore after nightfall, Oglethorpe assembled the colonists to
gether for the purpose of returning thanks to Almighty God who had
prospered them on a perilous voyage to the new world and had brought
them at last in safety to the shelter of a friendly haven. Thence he pro
ceeded to Charleston, a short distance up the river, where his excellency,
Robert Johnson, governor of the Province of South Carolina, greeted
him with formal honors, a reception in which his council participated.
Without attributing to selfish motives a welcome which was undoubt
edly sincere, we can'well understand the joy with which the Georgia
colonists were hailed when we remember that one of the chief objects in
establishing a colony to the west of the Savannah River was to protect
South Carolina's exposed borders. Nor. was the coming of these settlers
unheralded. The Lords of the Admiralty had issued instructions to
commanders in the Virginia and Carolina waters to render every assist
ance possible to the Georgia colonists. At the same time the Duke of
New Castle, then at the head of colonial affairs, had apprised all the
governors in America of Oglethorpe's mission, commending him to the
courteous favor of these officials. All awaited his coming with interest.
To quote Colonel Jones: t "In truth, Georgia was to constitute a pro-
* Political State of Great Britain, February, 1733, Vol. XLV, p. 181, quoted by
William B. Stevens in '' History of Georgia,'' Vol. I, pi 81.
t '' History of Georgia,'' Charles C. Jones, Jr., Vol. I, p. 118.