In South Carolina. Ill 



tion of affairs, I think it most prudent to go on making what im- 

 provements I can on the plantation, and bring a tutor with me from 

 the north in the fall, to teach a few youths the languages, and en- 

 large the family when affairs are more settled. 



He accordingly opened a Latin school, and began 

 " a foundation for literature," in 1747, in aid of which— 

 as well as to pay a debt of £500 contracted in the in- 

 terest of the house — he used £300 which the people of 

 Charleston gave him, in buying land and negroes, and 

 establishing a farm in South Carolina. Under date 

 of March 15, 1747, he says: 



The constitution of that colony [Georgia] is very bad, and it is 

 impossible for the inhabitants to subsist without the use of slaves. 

 But God has put it into the hearts of my South Carolina friends to 

 contribute liberally toward purchasing in this province a plantation 

 ,and slaves, which I purpose to devote to the support of Bethesda. 

 Blessed be God ! the purchase is made. Last week I bought, at a 

 very cheap rate, a plantation of six hundred and forty acres of ex- 

 cellent land, with a good house, barn, and out-houses, and sixty acres 

 of ground ready cleared, fenced, and fit for ric-e, corn, and every 

 thing that will be necessary for provisions. One negro has been 

 given me. Some more I purpose to purchase this week. An over- 

 seer is put upon the plantation, and I trust a sufficient quantity of 

 provisions will be raised this year. The family at Bethesda consists 

 of twenty-six. When my arrears are discharged, I intend to increase 

 the number. I hope God will still stir up the friends of Zion to help 

 me not only to discharge the arrears, but also to bring the plantation 

 lately purchased to such perfection that if I should die shortly Be- 

 thesda may yet be provided for. 



James Hervey, when sending him the manuscripts 

 of " Theron and Aspasio " to revise, promised him £30 

 for the purchase of a negro slave, and he returns the 

 following answer, dated February 9, 1752: "I have 

 read your manuscripts, but for me to play the critic 

 on them would be like holding up a candle to the sun. 

 I think to call your intended purchase Weston, and 

 shall take care to remind him by whose means he was 



