THAT about twenty-six years ago, your memorialist, assisted by the voluntary contributions of charitable and well disposed persons, at a very great expence, and under many disadvantages, did erect a very commodious house, with necessary out-buildings, suitable for the reception of orphans and other poor and deserted children; and that with the repair of the buildings, purchase of negroes, and supporting a large orphan family so many years, he hath expended upwards of twelve thousand pounds sterling, as appears by the accounts, which from time to time have been audited by the magistrates of _Savannah_, and which are humbly presented with this memorial.
That your memorialist, since the commencement of this institution, hath had the satisfaction of finding, that by the money expended thereon, not only many poor families were assisted and thereby kept from leaving the colony in its infant state; but also that a considerable number of poor helpless children have been trained up, who have been, and are now useful settlers in this and the other neighbouring provinces; that in order to render the institution aforesaid more extensively useful, your memorialist, as he perceived the colony gradually rising, hath for some years past designed, within himself, to improve the original plan, by making further provision for the education of persons of superior rank, who thereby may be qualified to serve their king, their country, and their God, either in church or state.
That in his late visit to _Georgia_, he did with inexpressible pleasure see the province in a very flourishing state; but with concern perceived that several gentlemen had been obliged to send their sons to the northern provinces, who would much rather have had them educated nearer home; and thereby prevent their affections being alienated from their native country, and also considerable sums of money from being carried out of _Georgia_ into other provinces.
Your memorialist begs leave further to observe, that there is no seminary for academical studies as yet founded southward of _Virginia_; and consequently if a college could be established (especially as the addition of the two _Floridas_ renders _Georgia_ more centrical for the southern district) it would not only be highly serviceable to the rising generation of the colony of _Georgia_, but would probably occasion many youths to be sent from the neighbouring southern provinces for education. The many advantages accruing to _Georgia_ thereby, must necessarily be very considerable.
That in consideration of the foregoing premises, your memorialist, in _December 1764_, presented a memorial to his Excellency the Governor, and the honourable the council of the province of _Georgia_, praying that two thousand acres of land might be granted in trust, towards carrying on the desirable end of founding a College; which motion was not only immediately complied with, but the general assembly being then sitting, an address, a copy of which is herewith also sent, was presented from them to his Excellency, expressing their unanimous and highest approbation, with a desire that his Excellency would use his endeavours to have this affair forwarded at home with all possible expedition. That upon the arrival of your Memorialist, he was informed that this address was remitted to, and laid before the Lords Commissioners for trade and plantations; and having received repeated advices, that numbers both in _Georgia_ and _South-Carolina_ are waiting with impatience to have their sons initiated in academical exercises; your Memorialist therefore prays, that a charter upon the plan of _New-Jersey_ College may be granted; upon which your Memorialist is ready to give up his present trust, and make a free gift of all lands, negroes, goods, and chattels, which he now stands possessed of in the province of _Georgia_, for the present founding, and towards the future support of a College, to be called by the name of _Bethesda_ College in the province of _Georgia_.
_Mr._ Whitefield _to the Archbishop_.
_June 17, 1767._
_May it please your Grace_,