JAMES EDWARD OGLETHORPE (1696 - 1785) English soldier and philanthropist who became interested in prison reform, founded Georgia in 1733 as a colony for unemployed men released from debtor's prison. Excessively rare A.L.S. "J. Oglethorpe" also signing "Mrs. Oglethorpe" twice in text, 2pp. 4to., Crantham Hall, [Essex], Dec. 30,1778 to Maj. Tunstall in Yorkshire. The letter reads in full: "The favor of yours was most welcome to my Heart. To be remembered by such as you flatter my vanity but is a proof of merit in you. How for[?] regard an absent & useless Friend? Mrs. Oglethorpe says she is not wanting in sweet Remembrance of your Lady. Neither Time nor absence efface the memory of real merit. I have often heard her mention Mr. Tunstall with the Highest Respect. Mrs. Weston where she had the pleasure of seeing her, is very well, All but the complaint in her Eyes, which we hope may by Gods Mercy mend with the all-repairing Spring. I find you have changed your Post, home Collecting Birds, to providing Enlarged quarters, & groves for their reception, From the Animal, to the Vegetable Kingdom. There hardly is a more useful nor more pleasing employment, than planting. It is so engaging, that it drives out all other passions, even Love itself, as the unhappy masterof that [?] Ovid himself says Cum semel hoc animum copis mulecre voluptas Delibrebus pennis initers exit et mor [illeg.] I think your Lady ought to Join your friends against its taking too strong Possession of you. What a terrible Rival would a Huge Timber Tree be. The [?] will reprobate the Trees if they should falsify the good news spread among your Curious & Philosophic friends, that you are to be intown about Easter. Nobody will be happier in finding the Glad Tidings than he who takes the Liberty of Subscribing him Self Dear Svt. If these glad tiding be not true pray by way of Consolation. Let me hear frequently from you that I may see your Hand tho' the Rest of you be invisible & Hid by the young trees in Yorkshire This Mrs. Oglethorpe says will make her happy in hearing off your lady Your Affectionate Friend & Obedient Humble Servant J Oglethorpe. N.B. I've gone to London for winter next week." The recipient, years later, writes on the outside margins of the integral address leaf, in part: "...My worthy & much respected friend General Oglethorpe died June 30 1785 atCranham Hall in Essex after arrived at the very advanced age of 102, the first in rank in the English army having been in it as early as 1706, he passed thro' a long life with honor & applause, was founder of the colony Georgia, intrepid in field as admirable to his friends &acquaintances in private life, well versed in almost every branch of literature, retained to the last his senses with a degree of Keenness,few are [?] of in the most flourishing state of health & age: his paceshowed some ravages of time, but when following him, you might think you was following a man of 20, so active & nimble he was." Usual folds small loss from wax seal of which 60% remains, light soiling to address panel, otherwise in very good condition. A true rarity!