Chapter II. Negotiations with the Trustees of Georgia.

In “The Moravians in Georgia,” Chapter II dives into the intricate negotiations led by Count Zinzendorf with the Georgia Trustees to secure a settlement for the Moravian community and the Schwenkfelders—an exiled religious group under Zinzendorf’s temporary protection. The unfolding narrative highlights the complex religious and political landscape of the 18th century, where the desire for religious freedom intersects with colonial ambitions in North America.

Zinzendorf, influenced by the hospitable ethos of his estate and driven by a blend of benevolence and strategic planning, aimed to secure refuge for the persecuted Schwenkfelders and create a Moravian settlement in Georgia. The journey toward this goal was fraught with bureaucratic challenges and geopolitical sensitivities, including accusations against Zinzendorf of harboring dissenters, which he navigated by requesting a judicial examination to clear his name. However, the expulsion decree against the Schwenkfelders from Saxony pushed Zinzendorf to expedite his plans, leveraging his noble status and connections for negotiations with the Georgia Trustees through anonymous proposals that balanced a deep commitment to religious freedom with compliance to British colonial laws and obligations.

These negotiations culminated in securing land grants and logistical arrangements for the Moravian settlers, who, despite initial plans, ended up diverging from the Schwenkfelders—the latter eventually choosing Pennsylvania over Georgia due to counsel from other religious communities. Despite this separation, the Moravians persevered, guided by their missionary zeal and the broader vision of Zinzendorf for a settlement that could serve both as a sanctuary for religious exiles and a base for missionary activities among indigenous peoples.

Through adept navigation of political and religious complexities, Zinzendorf and the Moravians embodied a vision of utopian community building that intertwined faith, migration, and colonial expansion, all while maintaining a delicate balance of loyalty to sovereign powers and adherence to religious conviction. The narrative intricately details the historical context, the diplomatic skill, and the unwavering faith that propelled the Moravians toward their eventual settlement in Georgia, marking a significant chapter in the broader tapestry of religious migrations to the New World.