reinforced by the troops at Augustine, was suffi cient to make Georgia tremble: Oglethorpe sent intelligence to governor Glen of South-Carolina, both by land and water, requesting his military assistance with all possible expedition, and at the same time he despatched a sloop to the WestIndies to acquaint admiral Vernon with the expected invasion.

By this time, Carolina had found great advantage from the settlement of Georgia, which had proved an excellent barrier to that province against the incursions of the Spaniards and the Indians, under their control. The southern parts being ren dered secure by Oglethorpe's regiment in Georgia, the lands south-west of Port-Royal became in great demand, and had risen to four times their former value: though the Carolinians were equally interested with their neighbors in the defence of Georgia, having little confidence in the general's military abilities, since his unsuccessful expedition against Augustine, the planters were seized with a panic, especially those on the southern parts of the province, deserted their plantations and fled to Charleston with their families and effects: the inhabitants of Charleston, many of whom were prejudiced against Oglethorpe, declared against sending him any assistance, and determined to fortify their town and defend themselves upon their own ground, and left Oglethorpe to stand or fall against a superior force. In such an emergency, policy evidently required

the firmest union and the utmost exertion of the combined force of the colonies. If Oglethorpe had been overpowered and crushed, the reduction of Georgia would have opened to the enemy, an easy access into the bowels of Carolina, and offered both provinces a divided prey to the Spaniards. In the mean time general Oglethorpe was making every possible preparation at Frederica, to give a warm reception to the Spanish Don, at the head of a formidable force. Messages were sent by the general, to his faithful Indian allies, who gathered to his assistance in the hour of danger. Captain McIntosh's company of highlanders, joined him on the first notice from Darien, and evidenced their anxiety of retorting Spanish vengeance upon their own heads. With his regiment, a few rangers, highlanders and Indians, the general fixed his head quarters at Frederica, not allowing himself to doubt of a reinforcement from Carolina and expecting their arrival every hour; but determined in case of attack before the reinforcement arrived, that the Spaniards should purchase the province at the expense of many of their lives.

On the 21st of June, nine sail of Spanish ves sels came into Amelia sound; but the eighteen pounders from fort William, commanded by ensign Alexander Stuart, and the guard schooner with eighty men, commanded by captain Dunbar, gave them such a warm reception, as to keep them at a respectable distance. When the general was

advised of this attack, he resolved to support the fortifications on Cumberland, and set out with a detachment on board of his boats; sent captain Horton with his company of grenadiers in front, and was himself obliged to fight his way in two boats, through fourteen sail of Spanish vessels, which endeavored to intercept him in St. Andrews sound. Lieutenant Tolson, who commanded the boat of the greatest strength, instead of following the general, ran into a marsh, where he remained until next morning: when this officer returned to Frederica, he was arrested, tried and found guilty of cowardice. Major Heron from the shore, seeing the general surrounded by the enemy, and obscured by smoke, was alarmed for his fate; but next day to the great joy of the garrison, he returned in the guard schooner to St. Simons. After having withdrawn the troops from St. Andrews, and reinforced fort William, he ordered his detachments from Jekyl and the main, and sent another express to the governor of Carolina, by Mr. Mulryne, informing him of his situation and urging the necessity of a reinforcement.

On the 28th of June, the Spanish fleet amounting to thirty-six sail, and carrying upwards of five thousand men, including seamen and marines, under the command of Don Manuel de Monteano, came to anchor off St. Simons' bar, where they remained until the 5th of July, sounding the channel; and after finding a depth of

water sufficient to admit the ships, came in on the flood tide they were received with a brisk fire from the batteries and the vessels. One of the Spanish ships of twenty-two guns, and a galley with an eighteen and two nine pounders, attempted to board captain Thompson's ship; but with the assistance of captain Carr's marines, lieutenant Wall's and ensign Otterbridge's infantry made such a brave defence, that the Spaniards were obliged to retire with considerable loss. A snow of sixteen guns at the same time attempted to board the guard schooner, but was also repulsed by captain Dunbar. This engagement lasted upwards of three hours; the enemy lost seventeen killed and ten wounded. The fleet an chored about a mile above Oglethorpe's works at the south end of the island, hoisted a red flag at the mizen topmast-head of the largest ship, landed their forces upon the island, and erected a battery, on which twenty eighteen pounders were mounted. Amongst their land forces they had a fine regiment of artillery, under the command of Don Antonio De Rodondo, and a regiment of negroes. The negro commanders were clothed in lace, bore the same rank with the white officers, and with equal freedom and familiarity, walked and conversed with the commander in chief. Such an example might have justly

alarmed the Carolinians.

When general Oglethorpe found that his battery at St. Simons had become useless, and his

situation hazardous, he spiked up the guns, burst the bombs and grendoes, destroyed his stores, and retired to his head-quarters at Frederica-so great was the force of the enemy, that he plainly perceived that nothing remained for him to atchieve with his handful of men; he therefore resolved to use his utmost vigilance, and to act only On the defensive. He kept scouting parties in every direction to watch the motions of the enemy, while his main body were employed in working at the fortifications, making them as strong as circumstances would admit. Day and night he kept his Indian allies ranging through the woods to harass the out posts of the enemy. The general's scouting parties brought in five Spanish prisoners, who informed him of their number and force, and that the governor of Augustine was commander in chief of the expedition. The general still expecting a reinforcement from Carolina, used all his address in planning measures for gaining time and preventing the troops from being discouraged; for this purpose he sent out the highland company also to assist the Indians, and obstruct as much as possible the approach of the enemy, until he should receive assistance from Carolina. His provisions for the garrison were neither good nor plentiful, and his great distance from any settlements, together with the enemy keeping the command of the river, left him without a prospect of getting a supply: he carefully concealed these discouraging circum