Wesley Corpus

introduction. - xvii attending him in the last peaceful moments of his exemplary life. In this year, the trustees of the new co lony of Georgia were seeking proper clergy-, men to send over to the settlers to instruct the Indians. The establishment of such a colony in America was suggested by some humane and opulent gentlemen who proposed to trans plant the indigent of Great Britain and Ire land; free of expense, with materials to build and cultivate the soil ; and in 1732 they ob tained a patent from King George II. for le gally carrying their plan into execution. The late General Oglethorpe was appointed the head of the settlement. He was a man of enterprise and ability, an excellent judge of political utility, and sensible of the benefit which might be derived, not only by the pro vision for so many poor people, but by the further security of Carolina, if he could pro cure proper instruments for the undertaking. He was intimately acquainted with the elder brother of the Wesleys, and fixed upon John and Charles as the persons exactly qualified to go out as missionaries in a new world. By his solicitations, aided by the request of the other trustees, they agreed to embark for America : Charles was engaged as his private secretary, besides being the secretary for Indian affairs, and also appointed the minis ter at Frederica ; John, at Savannah. But the fundamental regulations established by the trustees were not adapted to the situation of the poor settlers, or the prosperity of the province. Like other distant legislators who formed laws on speculation, they fell into many errors with the best possible inten tions. Their injudicious restrictions, the wars in which they were involved with the Spaniards and with their neighbours the Creek Indians, and their frequent insurrections among them selves, perpetually threw the colony (which was HI provided with accommodations) into a state of confusion and wretchedness. New settlers are commonly a dissatisfied