In Their Own Words
June 07, 1742
Tension between Britain and Spain
Tension between the Britain and Spain was building over Georgia settlements and forts on St. Simons Island and other areas of Georgia claimed by Spain. In Savannah, William Stephens wrote of this tension in his journal:
“Recd. a Letter from the General [Oglethorpe], by the hand of Noble Jones, … besides several other Letters and Orders from his Excellence… . The Chief Importance of which, was to give Advice, that there was an Embarkation of men lately arrived at Augustine, Sent from Cuba to reinforce that Garrison, … . His Excellence further Advised us, that he had reason to believe the Spaniards depended much upon a Revolt of the Carolina Negroes, wherefore he Ordered strict care to be taken by every Officer who has a Command, to Stop all Suspicious persons from passing the River Savannah, for as much as it is very probable the Spaniards will send private Messengers,or Spies over land, to give notice to their Correspondents… .”
Source: E. Merton Coulter (ed.), The Journal of William Stephens, 1741-1743 (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1959), pp. 90-91.
