A circumstance occurred on the third day after this event which forced Mr. Oglethorpe to an explanation: he had ordered that no man should shoot on the Lord's day; nevertheless in the midst of sermon, on Sunday the 21st, a gun was fired: the constable ran out, found it was the Doctor, and told him that it was contrary to orders, and that he must go with him to the officer. The Doctor's passion kindled;"What," said he, "don't you know that I am not to be looked upon as a common fellow ?" The constable not knowing what to do, went back, and after consulting with Hermsdorff, returned with two centinels, and took him to the guard-room. His wife then charged and fired a gun, and ran thither like a mad woman, and said she had shot, and would be confined too. She curst and swore in the utmost transport of rage, threatening to kill the first man who should come near her ; but at last was persuaded to go away. In the afternoon she assailed Mr. Wesley in the street with the greatest bitterness and scurrility; asserting he was the cause of her husband's confinement, but she would be revenged, &c. &c. He replied, that he pitied her, but defied all that she or the devil could do; and that he hoped she would soon be of a better mind.

Mr. Oglethorpe being immediately expected to return from his excursion with the Indians; the violence of the party against Mr. Wesley was so great, that the Doctor sent his wife to arm herself from among his instruments to force her escape, that she first might speak to the governor on his landing, and even to wound any person who should oppose her.

Mr. Charles Wesley thus relates his interview with Mr. Oglethorpe." When notice was given us of Mr. Oglethorpe's landing, Mr. H. Mr. Ingham, and I were sent for. We found him in his tent, with the people round it, and Mr. and Mrs. H. within. After a short hearing the officers were reprimanded, and the prisoners dis

missed. At going out Mrs. H. modestly told me, that she had something more to say against me, but she would take another opportunity-I only answered, you know, Madam, it is impossible for me to fear you. When they were gone, Mr. Oglethorpe said, he was convinced and glad that I had no hand in all this-I told him that I had something to impart of the last importance, when he was at leisure. He took no notice, but read his letters, and I walked away. At half past seven, Mr. Oglethorpe called me out of my hut; I looked up to God and went. He charged me with mutiny and sedition; and with stirring up the people to leave the colony. Accordingly he said, they had a meeting last night, and sent to him this morning, desiring leave to go-That their speaker had informed against them, and me the spring of all-That the men were such as constantly came to prayers, therefore I must have instigated them-That he should not scruple to shoot half a dozen of them at once, but that he had, out of kindness, first spoken to me. My answer was, I desire, Sir, that you would have no regard to my friends, or to the love you have had for me, if any thing of this charge be made out against me-I know nothing of their meeting or designs. Of those you have mentioned, not one comes to prayers or sacrament-I never invited any one to leave the colony-I desire to answer my accusers face to face. He said my accuser was Mr. Lawley, whom he would bring, if I would wait here-I added, Mr. Lawley is a man who has declared, that he knows no reason for keeping fair with any one, but a design to get all he can by him; but there was nothing to be got by the poor Parson.

"When Mr. Oglethorpe returned with Lawley, he observed the place was too public-I offered to take him to my usual walk in the woods-In the way, it came into my mind to say to Mr. Oglethorpe, shew the least disinclination only to find me guilty, and you will see

what a turn it will give to the accusation. He took the hint, and insisted on Lawley to make good his charge. He began with the quarrel in general, but did not shew himself angry with me, or desirous to find me to blame. Lawley, who appeared full of guilt and fear, upon this dropt his accusation, or rather shrunk it into my forcing the people to prayers. I replied, the people themselves would acquit me of that; and as to the quarrel of the officers, I appealed to the officers them-selves for the truth of my assertion, that I had no hand at all in it. I professed my desire and resolution of promoting peace and obedience-Here Mr. Oglethorpe spoke of reconciling matters: bade Lawley tell the people that he would not so much as ask who they were, if they were but quiet for the future. I hope, added he, they will be so; and Mr. Wesley here, hopes so too. Yes, says Lawley, I really believe it of Mr. Wesley: I had always a great respect for him. I turned and said to Mr. Oglethorpe, did I not tell you it would be so ? He replied to Lawley, yes, you had always a very great respect for Mr. Wesley; you told me he was a stirrer up of sedition, and at the bottom of all this disturbance. With this gentle reproof he dismissed him; and I thanked Mr. Oglethorpe for having first spoken to me of the things of which I was accused, begging he would always do so, which he promised."

On the 10th of April Mr. John Wesley and Mr. Delamotte arrived from Savannah to visit Mr. C. Wesley, who was considerably reduced from his labours, privations and exercises of mind-after a few days stay in which they animated him with all possible encouragement they returned to Savannah: On the 24th he was requested to attend Mr. Oglethorpe. Thier meeting is thus described by him. "When I entered he addressed

me, Mr. Wesley, you know what has passed between us. I took some pains to satisfy your brother about the re

ports concerning me, but in vain; he here renews his suspicions in writing. I did desire to convince him, because I have an esteem for him; and he is just as considerable to me as my esteem makes him. I could clear up all, but it matters not; you will soon see the reason of my actions. I am now going to death, you will see me no more. Take this ring, and carry it from me to Mr. V-if there be a friend to be depended on, he is one. His interest is next to Sir Robert's; whatever you ask, within his power, he will do for you, your brother and family. I have expected death for some days. These letters shew that the Spaniards have long been seducing our Allies, and intend to cut us off at a blow. I fall by my friends, on whom I depended to send their promised succours. But death is nothing to me; I will pursue all my designs, and to Him I recommend them and you." He then gave me a diamond ring I took it, and said, "If, postremum fato quod te alloquor hoc est, hear what you will quickly know to be a truth as soon as you are entered on a separate state; this ring I shall never make any use of for myself: I have no worldly hopes, I have renounced the world-life is bitterness to me-I came hither to lay it down-You have been deceived as well as I-I protest my innocence of the crimes I am charged with, and think myself now at liberty to tell you what I thought never to have uttered." It is probable that he unfolded to Mr. Oglethorpe the whole plot, as Mrs. W. had discovered it to him.

"When I had finished this relation he seemed entirely changed; full of his old love and confidence in me. After some expressions of kindness, I asked him, are you now satisfied? He replied, Yes, entirely." Why then Sir, I desire nothing more on earth, and care not how soon I follow you. He added, how much he desir

E

66

ed the conversion of the heathen, and believed my brother intended for it. But I believe, said I, it will never be under your patronage; for then men would account for it, without taking God into the account. He repli ed, I believe so too-then embraced and kissed me with the most cordial affection."

On the 29th of April Mr. Oglethorpe returned from his expedition: three large ships and four others had been off the mouth of the river during the three weeks previous, but the wind being boisterous and contrary, they could not make a descent, and circumstances obliged them to depart. The governor now evinced his former kindness and respect for Mr. Wesley, which he ever after retained. In May the Indian traders met him at Savannah to procure their licences, upon which Mr. John Wesley visited Frederica. In July, Mr. Oglethorpe and the two brothers were at Savannah: on the 21st of that month, it was intimated to Mr. Charles Wesley that he must prepare to sail for England in a few days, as the bearer of dispatches from Mr. Oglethorpe to the Board of Trustees, to the Board of trade, and to the Government. The two brothers arrived at Charleston on the 31st of July; and whilst they resided there, Mr. C. Wesley's disorders increased-but he was determined to sail in the first vessel, and notwithstanding the dissuasions of his friends, the very leaky condition of the vessel, and the brutality of the Captain, he persisted. He accordingly engaged his passage on board the London Galley which left that port on the 16th of August:but it was soon discovered that they could not weather the passage for on the 26th, in addition to the quantity of water which entered the vessel, they were reduced to short allowance, and after immense difficulty and danger they reached Boston on the 24th of September.

Mr. Wesley was much esteemed whilst in Boston, and the hospitality which was shewn to him received his