embers, for the space
of one week. At the expiration of the time fixed, Stephens appeared,
and all the petitions of the people of Georgia to the trustees in
reference to "the tenure of lands," and for "the use of negroes," were
laid before the honorable body. In the committee of the whole the
affairs of the colony were thoroughly investigated; and, after a few
days session, Mr. Carew reported a set of resolutions, being the sense
of the committee after due deliberation upon the matters before
them:--

"That the province of Georgia, in America, by reason of its
situation, may be an useful barrier to the British provinces
on the continent of America against the French and
Spaniards, and Indian nations in their interests; that the
ports and harbors within the said province may be a good
security to the trade and navigation of this kingdom, that
the said province, by reason of the fertility of the soil,
the healthfulness of the climate, and the convenience of the
rivers, is a proper place for establishing a settlement, and
may contribute greatly to the increasing trade of this
kingdom; that it is very necessary and advantageous to this
nation that the colony of Georgia should be preserved and
supported; that it will be an advantage to the colony of
Georgia to permit the importation of rum into the said
colony from any of the British colonies; that the petition
of Thomas Stephens contains false, scandalous and malicious
charges, tending to asperse the characters of the Trustees
for Establishing the Colony of Georgia, in America."

When the resolution making the importation of rum lawful reached a
vote, it was amended by adding, "As also the use of negroes, who may
be employed there with advantage to the colony, under proper
regulations and restrictions." It was lost by a majority of nine
votes. A resolution prevailed calling Thomas Stephens to the bar of
the House, "to be reprimanded on his knees by Mr. Speaker," for his
offence against the trustees.

On the next day Stephens, upon his bended knees at the bar of the
House of Commons, before the assembled statesmen of Great Britain, was
publicly reprimanded by the speaker, and discharged after paying his
fees. Thus ended the attempt of the people of the colony of Georgia to
secure permission, over the heads of the trustees, to introduce slaves
into their service.

The dark tide of