Worksheet # 30          Home Questions Puzzle Links Next

GEORGIA: THE BUFFER COLONY

And yet for still others, these shores offered a hand

In paying down debts that were owed in England.

As the jails cells were filled with men who could claim:

Their only crime was not having a cent to their name!

So one James Oglethorpe, with this inspired idea,

Took these fellows from prison to the fresh new frontier.

Where they could work and could earn, and could start a new life

Away from their troubles and financial strife.

Hence Georgia was founded and ruled by Sir James

In the deep southern region of Britain’s land claims.

With her lush valley greens, so common down yonder,

Her fine peaches to eat, her great beauty to ponder.

Ah, but reform was not all that the King had in mind

When Oglethorpe’s charter he so graciously signed.

To lay stakes in these lands where piney-woods do abound

An ulterior motive was there to be found…

Yes, ‘twas 1733 or just there about

And the nations of Europe were all seeking more clout.

And the turf of their rivals, they did jealously spy,

Quite eager to seize if the chance came to try!

And English lands in the south and those close about,

Had such fine growing fields…they grew worry and doubt!

And with parcels so fine within Spanish Florida’s reach,

Georgia served as a buffer in event of a breach.

Indeed, squabbles and fights were quite common enough,

-- But Oglethorpe did prove both clever and tough.

He worked out a peace with the natives nearby,

Who so often caused trouble as Spain’s local ally.

And though ruled strictly at first -- no slaves and no rum --

Georgian life soon prospered and did quickly become

A welcome addition to England’s New World canteen,

Whose colonies now totaled a thriving thirteen…