Chapter I. Antecedent Events.

The chapter “Antecedent Events” unfolds the historical context leading to the establishment of the Georgia colony, initiated through the humanitarian efforts of James Oglethorpe and others empathetic to the plight of debtors in England. The narrative traces the origin of Georgia in 1728, when the English Parliament, influenced by Oglethorpe, looked into the deplorable state of debtors imprisoned for indefinite terms. Oglethorpe envisioned a solution to address the root causes of poverty and imprisonment by proposing the establishment of a new colony in America, catering not only to debtors but also to providing a haven for persecuted Protestants from Europe.

In 1732, King George II approved the charter for establishing the colony of Georgia, managed by “The Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia in America.” This charter emphasized the benevolence of the initiative, forbidding any member from profiting personally, permitting the settlement of British subjects and foreigners willing to assimilate, and offering them the rights and freedoms of Englishmen, excluding Catholics due to political and religious tensions of the time.

The chapter highlights the Trustees’ multifaceted intentions behind the colony – to offer a fresh start to the impoverished and persecuted, to serve as a strategic buffer against Spanish Florida, and to stimulate the economy through the cultivation of silk, wine, oils, and drugs. Their recruitment of settlers was marked with promises of land and subsistence, underscored by idealistic descriptions of the Georgian climate and soil’s fertility.

Special attention is given to the plight of the Salzburgers, German Protestants expelled from their homes due to their faith, who were invited to settle in Georgia with support from both British Parliament and private donations. Their settlement, Ebenezer, symbolizes the broader sanctuary Georgia offered to those persecuted for their religion in Europe.

The narrative also explores the historical context of Moravians and their persecution, offering a brief on the Unitas Fratrum’s origins, their struggles for religious expression, and eventual migration under the auspices of Count Zinzendorf to Saxony. This recounting sets the stage for their later involvement in Georgia, presenting a tableau of religious fervor, exile, and the quest for a place of safety and freedom.

Oglethorpe’s leadership and vision are central to this narrative, underscoring his role in negotiating with Native American tribes and his unwavering commitment to the equitable and humane principles upon which Georgia was founded. This chapter meticulously traces the confluence of humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical motivations that birthed Georgia, setting the scene for the diverse and complex tapestry of its early colonial society.