Charter of 1732

Read your copy of the original Georgia charter of 1732 (good luck!) Complete the questions provided.

1. Who granted the Charter of 1732 to the Trustees? GEORGE the second, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, and so forth. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting. 2. Why was Georgia founded? Economic Reasons …strengthen our colonies and increase the trade, navigation and wealth of these our realms. Defense of South Carolina (notice only Native Americans are blamed) …And whereas our provinces in North America, have been frequently ravaged by Indian enemies, more especially that of South-Carolina, which in the late Was by the neighboring savages, was laid waste with fire and sword and great numbers of English inhabitants, miserably massacred, and our loving subjects who now inhabit them, by reason of the smallness of their numbers, will in case of a new war…and whereas we think it highly becoming our crown and royal dignity, to protect all our loving subjects, be they ever so distant from us;

3. Could the trustees receive any financial benefits? Charity Reasons to extend our fatherly compassion even to the meanest and most unfortunate of our people…and that it will be highly conducive for accomplishing those ends, that a regular colony of the said poor people be settled and established in the southern territories of Carolina. 3. Could the trustees receive any financial benefits? …or under the common council of the said corporation-such member shall from the time of his having, holding, exercising, accepting possessing and enjoying such office, place and employment of profit, cease to be a member of the said corporation. 4. Could the trustees create rules and regulations? …full power and authority to constitute, ordain and make, such and so many by-laws, constitutions, orders and ordinances, as to them, or the greater part of them, at their general meeting for that purpose, shall seem necessary and convenient for the well ordaining and governing of the said corporation.

5. What was the land area given to the Colony of Georgia 5. What was the land area given to the Colony of Georgia? Make sure to draw the borders on the map below …the whole in eight equal parts to be divided, of all those lands, countrys and territories, situate, lying and being in that part of South-Carolina, in America, which lies from the most northern part of a stream or river there, commonly called the Savannah, all along the sea coast to the southward, unto the most southern stream of a certain other great water or river called the Alatamaha, and westerly from the heads of the said rivers respectively, in direct lines to the south seas; and all that share, circuit and precinct of land, within the said boundaries, with the islands on the sea, lying opposite to the eastern coast of the said lands.

6. How long was the trustees’ term of office? …that for and during the term of twenty-one years… 7. What were some of the incentives that colonist received from Great Britain? …with sufficient shipping, armour, weapons, powder, shot, ordnance, munition, victuals, merchandise and wares, as are esteemed by the wild people; clothing, implements, furniture, cattle, horses, mares, and all other-things necessary for the said colony, and for the use and defence and trade with the people there, and in passing and returning to and from the same. 8. What was the largest amount of land that a Georgia colonist could receive? …provided also, that no greater quantity of lands be granted, either entirely or in parcels, to or for the use, or in trust for any one person, than five hundred acres.

Georgia’s Charter Georgia’s charter specified the colony’s boundaries, its form of government, the powers of its officials, and the rights of its settlers. It had three main purposes: Charity – Georgia was to be a colony for England’s “worthy poor,” who crowded the streets of London. Economics – Georgia would be a good member of England’s mercantile system, producing and selling more than it bought. Defense – Georgia would serve as a barrier between Spanish Florida and the British colony of Carolina.

Other purposes While the Charter of 1732 didn’t explain these purposes in detail, they were underlying reasons for the creation of Georgia. Religion – England was having problems with different religious groups, so it wished to create a colony that allowed settlers the opportunity to practice any religion they wished. (The trouble-makers could leave England!) However, Catholics were specifically prohibited. Why do you think they prohibited Catholics?

The last reason involved economics, religion, and defense: Runaway slaves from the plantations of South Carolina were fleeing to Spanish Florida. Why? Spanish Florida promised freedom to any runaway slave who became Catholic. Additionally, many of these runaway slaves joined Spanish military units.

Charter of 1732 6000 words Trustees responsibilities Could not own land Could not hold political office Could not get paid Must only pass laws approved by the King Used regulations instead of laws No governor in Georgia

Who was excluded? Slaves Lawyers Trustees thought slavery was immoral and would make colonists lazy. Lawyers Colonists were expected to resolve disputes or turn them over to the trustees. Oglethorpe was to handle all problems. No courts.

Who was excluded? Alcohol distributors Catholics (Papists) Florida was Catholic and the Spanish were a threat. Spain offered freedom to all slaves who could escape to FL and convert to Catholicism. Alcohol distributors They wanted colonists to work, not drink Rum and hard liquor were illegal Many traders were cheating Indians and/or supplying them with rum especially in the backcountry (upcountry) – unsettled land far inland from the coast

Who was excluded? Debtors Criminals Trustees were afraid that they were not hard workers. Criminals Trustees did not want any problems – especially crime

Model Society The goal of the trustees was to create a “model” society. Strict rules on land and work Carefully selected colonists Trustees raised the money Motto: “Not for ourselves but for others” What do you think this means?

Trustee Restrictions Anger about no slavery and no rum: The malcontents insisted on slavery, and some even rented them from SC. (Salzburgers and Highland Scots opposed slavery and were very successful farmers (silk, rice) without slaves!) Limits on land ownership – to prevent a rich upper class Charity – town lot plus 50 acres (45 in country, 5 at edge of town Paid – same as charity plus 50 acres for every servant brought (up to 500 acres)

Colonist Responsibilities Add more from your charter of 1732 notes! Defend colony against enemies Clear land Raise crops/mulberry trees (silk) Build houses/public structures Follow trustees’ rules Colonist Benefits Free passage on ship – Ann Land – 50 acres (could not be sold) Weapons Seeds and tools for building and farming Food until 1st harvest Add more from your charter of 1732 notes!

Georgia as a “Trustee Colony” Georgia was not established as a corporate colony, even though the charter refers to Oglethorpe and 20 other men as a “corporation.” It was not a proprietary colony, because the 21 men did not own the colony. It was not established as a royal colony either. Georgia was established as a “Trustee Colony.”

What is a “Trustee Colony?” A trustee is someone who looks after someone else. The Charter of 1732 stated that James Oglethorpe and 20 other men were to manage Georgia for 21 years. As trustees, they were not to profit from their positions, They could not receive salaries Not Own land Or not hold public office.

Potential Problems In order to meet the design of the charter and have a chance of success, the trustees had to choose families that had the skills to start a new colony, and be poor. To help raise money for the trip to America and supplies, advertisements were made, donations were accepted and, basically, a “fund raiser” was held. Eventually, 35 families were chosen. None of them were debtors who had been released from English prisons, as Oglethorpe had hoped.