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GEOEGIA AND GEORGIANS 73
Next morning Oglethorpe called the people together for a two-fold
purpose: first, to offer devout thanksgiving to a merciful providence;
and second, to give the settlers a few words of practical advice, on the
threshold of a new life, rich in its possibilities but great in its pit-falls
and perils. He reminded them of the far-reaching effects upon future
generations of even the most trivial thing, whether for good or for evil.
Two vices against which he specially inveighed were: idleness and in
temperance. He also warned them against improper dealings with the
Indians. Said he: " It is my hope that through your good example the
settlement of Georgia may prove a blessing and not a curse .to the native
inhabitants." Then followed an assignment of tasks. To facilitate a
handling of bulky articles, some were set to work erecting a crane;
others, equipped with axes, were directed to fell trees. There were also
squads organized to unload the cargoes, to begin the erection of a fort,
and to do a tbmisand other necessary things. The Georgians were re-
enforced at this time by a number of South Carolina friends who came
over with servants to lend a helping hand. Col. "William Bull was un
remittingly active. His qualifications as an engineer enabled him to
be of material help in laying off squares, lots and streets. He also con
tributed four expert saw men, to aid in preparing boards, with which
to build the settlement store and to erect homes.
Oglethorpe bestowed no thought upon himself. He claimed "in his
own behalf and for his own comfort no labor from the colonists.'' Four.
stately pines were by his direction left standing near the bluff and oppo
site the center of the encampment; and under these he pitched his tent.
He wished to enjoy no luxury in which the humblest settler did not par
take. He declined to accept for himself any labor of which he was not
in urgent need, and for more than a year he lived under canvas. He
then moved into hired lodgings. When a convenient opportunity offered,
Oglethorpe addressed to the trustees his first letter written on Georgia
soil. It ran as follows:
"To THE TRUSTEES FOR ESTABLISHING THE COLONY OP GEORGIA IN
AMERICA.
"Gentlemen,—I gave you an account in my last of our Arrival at
Charles-Town. The, Governor and Assembly have given us all possible
Encouragement. Our People arrived at Beaufort on the 20th of January
where J lodged them in some new Barracks built for the Soldiers, while
I went myself to view the Savannah Elver. I fix 'd upon a healthy situa
tion about ten miles from the sea. The River here forms a Half-Moon,
along the South-Side of which the Banks are about forty Foot high, and
on the Top a Flat which they call a Bluff. The plain high Ground ex
tends into the Country five or six Miles, and along the River-side about a
Mile. Ships that draw twelve Foot Water can ride within ten Yards of
the Bank. Upon the River-side, in the Centre of this Plain, I have
laid out the Town. Opposite to it is an Island of very rich Pasturage,
which I think should be kept for the Trustees' Cattle. The River is
pretty wide, the Water fresh, and from the Key of the Town you see its
whole course to the Sea, with the Island of Tybe, which forms the Mouth
of the River; and the other way you see the River for about six Miles
up into the Country. The Landskip is very agreeable, the Stream being