"That their distresses are unutterably great, I myself have been too often a mournful witness of, in my attendance on them to administer the duties of my function; with one instance of which I shall conclude this melancholy detail. One of the poor women was seized with the pangs of labour in the open fields, and was delivered by the ignorant people about her in the best manner they were able; but, from the injury the tender infant received in the operation, it died soon after I had baptized it; and the wretched mother, after receiving the Sacrament at my hands, expired from the want of proper care and necessaries suitable to her afflicting and truly lamentable condition.
"That the Almighty may, of his infinite mercy, incline the hearts of the great and good of this Kingdom, distinguished for its charity and hospitality, to take under their protection these their unhappy fellow Christians, who did not intrude themselves into this country, but were invited hither, and send them whithersoever they in their wisdom and goodness shall think proper, is the most ardent prayer of
G. A. Wachsel."
A subscription was opened at Batson's Coffee-house, where eight hundred pounds was instantly subscribed; and Government, fully impressed with the urgency of the case, immediately sent 100 tents and other necessaries from the Tower. On the following Sunday 120l. was collected at Whitechapel-church, and several other parishes followed this most urgent example; but one unknown good Samaritan sent Mr. Wachsel an 100l. bank note, who soon after addressed the Editors of the Newspapers with the following welcome information:
"As I have twice solicited the attention of the publick through your paper in regard to the German Emigrants, give me leave now to inform those beloved servants of the Lord, of every rank, who so cheerfully fulfilled the will of their Divine Master, in kindly receiving, feeding, clothing, and visiting these poor strangers, that the remainder of them on the 6th instant (November
1764), left this Christian hospitable shore, to settle in America, on the spot assigned them by the bounty of the gracious Ruler of this happy realm. For all which extraordinary and unparalleled instances of beneficence, and likewise for the attention paid to them by the most worthy gentlemen of the Committee, who not only generously contributed to their relief, but have also been indefatigably employed in conducting this charity with the utmost wisdom and integrity, my warmest and most respectful thanks, as well as those of my poor brethren, are too mean a tribute. But, though they earnestly entreated me to convey their humble and sincere acknowledgments to their very humane and generous benefactors, it is out of the power of language justly to describe their grateful feelings on this occasion: I am, however, confident, that the remembrance of the benefits so seasonably and liberally bestowed on them will remain on their minds to the latest period of their existence; and that they will seize every opportunity of testifying their gratitude to this nation.
"I have been applied to by anonymous letters, complaining of the delay of the promised account of receipts and disbursements; to which I take this opportunity of replying, that when the gentlemen subscribers, after the publication of my first letter, had formed themselves into a Committee for the management of this
Charity, I gave into their hands an account of what I had received and expended before their establishment; and to them I have paid all the monies since received by me, &c. &c.
G. A. Wachsel."
The King sent 300l. to the Committee alluded to by the indefatigable Wachsel, who exerted themselves with the utmost perseverance, in providing food and other necessaries, while the Minister read prayers and preached daily before the Palatines, in addition to his other unwearied exertions in their favour. After the more immediate attentions had been paid to their wants, the Committee determined to petition the King, that he would be pleased to grant the Germans lands in some of the American provinces; which they had no sooner done, than they were informed land in South Carolina should be appropriated for that purpose, and that they would be allowed 150 stand of arms to be used by them on their settlements for defence from the Indians and for hunting. Upon this favourable result, the Committee agreed with certain ship-owners to convey the objects of their care to the place of their destination, on the following liberal terms: