During the next fifteen years, no considerable overt act of hostility was perpetrated, though the spirit and embers of war still glowed in the hearts of the border colonists. The Georgians were still plundered of their property. Their negroes were enticed and spirited away into the wilds of Florida; and this was justified by the Governor of St. Augustine, on the pretence that the Spaniards “were bound in conscience to draw to themselves as many negroes as they could, in order to convert them to the faith of the Roman Catholic Church.” Moreover, “a plot was discovered, which contemplated the utter extinction of the English settlements. A German Jesuit--one Christian Priben--a resident among the Cherokees, was the master spirit in this conspiracy. He was taken by the English traders. Upon his person was found his private journal, revealing his design to bring about a confederation of all the southern Indians, and to effect a new social and civil organization. He had noted his expectations of assistance in the execution of his original design from the French, and from another nation, whose name was left a blank. Among his papers were found letters for the Florida and Spanish governors, demanding their protection and countenance. Also, there were found among his papers the plan and regulations for a new town. Many rights and privileges were enumerated, marriage was abolished, a community of women and all kinds of licentiousness were to be allowed. In addition, the Spaniards had just made an abortive attempt to dispossess the Georgian colonists of Amelia Island. At this juncture, Oglethorp appeared on the stage of action. He had been recently appointed to the office of governor of the colony. The salvation of the English settlements required prompt and vigorous measures. Oglethorp solicited and secured the co-operation of South Carolina, in a combined effort to insure the safety of the English settlement. The invasion of Florida, and the reduction of St. Augustine, as the nest where were hatched the broils and perils of a border serife, and from whence swarmed the savage hordes which overran and devastated the land, were determined upon. South Carolina promptly responded to the call of Oglethorp. Carolina raised a regiment of five hundred men, and equipped one vessel of war, carrying ten carriage guns and sixteen swivels, with a crew of fifty men. Two hundred men enlisted as a volunteer force. In addition, Oglethorp had his own regiment of five hundred men, two troops of Highland and English rangers, and two companies of Highland and English foot.”[11] His plan was to take the city by surprise. This however failed.