Biographical Memorials of James Oglethorpe | Page 9

regard for the colonial settlements in
North America, which, afterwards, became with him a decided
principle.
"In all cases," said he, "that come before this House, where there seems
a clashing of interests, we ought to have no exclusive regard to the
particular interest of any one country or set of people, but to the good
of the whole. Our colonies are a part of our dominions. The people in
them are our own people; and we ought to show an equal respect to all.
If it should appear that our Plantations upon the continent of America
are against that which is desired by the sugar colonies, we are to
presume that the granting thereof will be a prejudice to the trade or
particular interests of our continental settlements. And, surely, the
danger of hurting so considerable a part of our dominions,--a part
which reaches from the 34th to the 46th degree of north latitude,--will,

at least, incline us to be extremely cautious in what we are going about.
If, therefore, it shall appear that the relieving our sugar colonies will do
more harm to the other parts of our dominions, than it can do good to
them, we must refuse it, and think of some other method of putting
them upon an equal footing with their rivals in any part of trade.
"Our sugar colonies are of great consequence to us; but our other
colonies in that part of the world ought also to be considered. From
them we have, likewise, yearly, large quantities of goods. We ought not
to raise one colony upon the destruction of another. Much less ought
we to grant a favor to any particular set of people which may prove to
be against the public good of the nation in general."
To these, and other matters of general moment, Oglethorpe devoted his
time, his talents, and his influence while in Parliament. He earnestly
supported the cause of silk manufacture, which had then begun to
spread in England by means of the improvement introduced by Sir
Thomas Lombe, in the invention of his large engines, which are
described as being of "a most curious and intricate structure,"[1] but
which in our own day, when mechanical ingenuity has reached a high
degree of excellence, and machinery seems itself almost an intelligent
principle, would, probably, be regarded as merely "curious and
intricate," without possessing any practical value.[2]
[Footnote 1: The 6th of the excellent Essays by the Rev. Jared Eliot,
_on Field Husbandry, &_ c., 1761, is devoted principally to
recommendations of the culture of mulberry trees for the raising of
silk-worms. In page 161, is a reference to Sir Thomas Lombe, "that
eminent throwster, who erected the great engine in Derbyshire; a
wonderful structure, consisting of twenty-nine thousand five hundred
and eighty-six wheels, all set a going and continued in motion by one
single water-wheel, for working silk with expedition and success." See
also Appendix VII.]
[Footnote 2: Manuscript lecture of J. Willard, Esq.]
A Corporation was formed in London, in 1707, with the professed
intention of lending money to the poor on small pledges, and to persons

of better rank, upon an answerable security, for setting them up, or
assisting them in business. Its capital was then limited to £30,000, but
in 1730 increased to £600,000, and a charter granted to the Corporation,
by act of Parliament. But in October 1731, two of the chief officers,
George Robinson, Esq., member for Marlow, the Cashier, and John
Thompson, the Warehouse keeper, disappeared on the same day. This
gave the Proprietors great alarm; and an inspection of affairs led to the
discovery that for a capital of about £500,000, no equivalent was found
to the value of £30,000; the remainder having been disposed of by
ways and means of which no one could give an account. In
consequence of this defalcation, a petition of the Proprietors was
presented to the Parliament alleging that some who had been guilty of
these frauds had transported themselves to parts beyond the seas, and
carried with them some of the books and effects of the Corporation;
and that there was great reason to believe that such an immense sum of
money could not have been embezzled without the connivance and
participation of others who remained in the kingdom; but that the
petitioners were unable to come at the knowledge of their combinations
or to bring them to justice, unless aided by the power and authority of
that House; and therefore prayed that it might be afforded.
On the reading of the petition, Mr. Oglethorpe rose and spoke as
follows:
"Sir, I am persuaded that this petition will be received in a manner
befitting the unhappy case of the sufferers and the justice of this House.
I can hardly suspect that any gentleman that