I WROTE you the 4th, 11th, and 14th instant. Doubtless the contents of my letters will give you some concern, and will be a means of hastening you over to us. I hope you will find us at our desired habitation. Hitherto the Lord seems to be on our side, and fights our battles. News is lately come from the General, that the Spaniards have moved off in great confusion; but it is not sufficiently confirmed; when it is, we purpose moving to Bethesda. In mine of the 11th instant, I informed you, according to my knowledge of the state of your family, and the colony till that time. I told you brother Grant and self were just returning to Georgia. We soon got there, and found our goods and house safe. John Goldwire, I, and a boy, staid at Bethesda while brother Grant went to Carolina, and returned with two boats. In the mean time we heard the General had engaged twice with a party of the Spaniards, and killed and taken one hundred and fifty of them, and that the enemy was so intimidated, and the General’s army so encouraged, that there was great expectations that the Spaniards would soon be drove off the island. God was pleased at this time to bring me very low by bodily illness, so that I was almost incapable of making any escape, if the enemy had been suffered to come upon us, having a hundred miles to ride through bad swamps, to my friends in Carolina. Likewise there was no one there, nor at Savannah, to give me any relief.
The 20th instant, having left three people at Bethesda, and our family wanting necessaries at Carolina, brother Grant and I returned with most of our goods. When we now left Bethesda, we were not very apprehensive of any danger of staying ourselves, or leaving the goods there; but as I was obliged to seek for some assistance, and our dear people wanted things we had there, we thought it was but a very little more trouble to load the boats. I have many times intended to write to you since I came here, but was not able conveniently till to day, but I bless God I feel myself much better in health. As far as I can learn, the General has behaved himself exceeding well, and the Lord has wonderfully ordered things for him, contrary, I believe, to his own and others expectations. His clemency to the Spanish prisoners, his confidence, prudence, and courage throughout the whole affair is so conspicuous, that his greatest enemies cannot impeach his conduct. I don’t as yet hear, that he has lost (except by accident) above three or four men. Indeed the hand of God has been evidently against the boasting enemy. Some say near fifty vessels set out at first to invade us, but in their passage, which is usually run in a week or ten days, they were fifty days, and by some means fifteen of them were separated from the rest, and did not come up to them at St. Simon’s. They first proposed to land in Carolina, and cause an insurrection among the negroes; to that end they brought a number of negroes, to head and persuade our negroes (I suppose) to revolt. But being so long on their passage, they wanted water, and were obliged to put in at St. Simon’s. In their council of war there, they said they would soon cut off the General and his few men, and did not doubt but to settle and regain King Philip’s dominions, yea, even as far as the Capes of Virginia. I should have wished you had been present when we consulted about fleeing for our lives; it would have been great satisfaction to us all; but I am of opinion, you would not have staid with the great troop of little ones, under the apprehension of so much danger. I have met with none but what have approved of what we did.
Every one, I believe, are willing to contract expences.—I hope, nay I am assured, that all things shall work together for good; and I am of opinion, we shall all have reason to bless God for every, yea, especially for his late awful dispensation.—The deliverances we have had are many and wonderful, and he that has done much can do more. In regard to the Spaniards, they came like a flood, but the Lord can save by few as well as by many.
From Mr. Habersham.
Bethesda, August, 19, 1742.
My dearest Friend and Brother,
I HOPE ere this reaches you, you have received mine of the 4th, 11th, 14th, and 27th of July last, and that you see your way clear to come to us. Blessed be God we have reason to conclude the Spaniards have entirely left the colony, and we are now very comfortably settled again. The deliverance the Lord has wrought for us by the General, I think is the most remarkable I ever heard or read of, except some instances recorded in the Old Testament. It is so manifest, that “Surely God has fought our battles,” is in the mouth of every one, whatever may be in their hearts. I cannot now mention particulars, being much streightened for time; at Savannah the poor people are almost all sick; four have been cut off. At Frederica likewise, and at Mr. Bryan’s, and other neighbours, they are in the same condition. We have also many down. God has been chastising us with whips, but now seems to be scourging us with scorpions. O that the goodness and patience of God may lead us to repentance! We have a good crop on the ground, and have none to gather it in but the few boys. Brother Hunter has his hands full, and is chiefly at Savannah. It is but little we buy abroad.—We hunt and kill our own stock, and have potatoes and corn enough of our own. I am but poorly, as is dear brother Barber, who is singularly useful at this trying time.—What should I have done without him? I have much to say to you. Indeed I hope you are now in your passage to us. We cannot but expect you. B. Grant hurries me to conclude. Please to give my tender love to your wife, and all with you, and believe me to be
Your affectionate servant in our Lord,
J. Habersham.
I.