BEING sensible of the many and false accounts industriously spread abroad concerning this house in many places, especially in _New-England_, by those who are enemies to its Founder, and the cause he is engaged in, which has certainly been a great hindrance to this worthy undertaking, as it has created even in its friends some prejudices, which has hindered their contributing with that pleasure and freedom they otherwise would have done; and as I am now upon the spot, I think a few moments will not be ill spent, in giving you a particular account of its present situation, which I shall endeavour to do in the most just and impartial manner, that you may have an opportunity of serving the interest in which your heart is so much engaged.
The Orphan-House is pleasantly situated, and, with the buildings belonging to it, presents a much handsomer prospect than is given by the draught annexed to the public accounts. The great house is now almost quite finished, and nothing has hindered but the want of glass, which they daily expect from _Bristol_, and some bricks that are already at _Savannah_, and are to carry up another stack of chimnies, which would have been done before, if a vessel that was bringing brick and other stores, had not been taken by the _Spaniards_, which was a great loss. It is surprizing to see in what forwardness things are, considering what hindrances they have had, and the scarcity of labourers in this province. They have cut a fine road to _Savannah_ of twelve miles length, through a thicket of woods; and, that it might be passable, were obliged to make ten bridges and cross-ways; which was done at no little charge. They have also cleared forty acres of land, twenty of which were planted the last year, and brought them a tolerable crop: the other twenty was for the benefit of the air. They have also a large garden at the front of the house, brought into pretty good order.
The family now consists of eighty persons besides labourers, who all contradict the wicked and false accounts of their being starved and cruelly treated, by the lively and hearty countenances they shew. I have seldom seen such a goodly number of youths together. Twenty-three of them are orphans; others, that have lost one of their parents; one was born in the house; and the rest are fit objects for christian charity. There are in all thirty-nine boys, and ♦fifteen girls. The number was larger some time past: but several of the boys, that were well instructed, have been put to such trades as they inclined to; and others, who were put here for their learning, are returned to their parents, who have handsomely paid the House for their education.
♦ “fifteeen” replaced with “fifteen”