USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume I > Part 34
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The corner stone of the building just described was laid on the 4th
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of June, 1799, as this account of the ceremonies attending it is from the records of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. "The Grand Lodge convened in consequence of an invitation by the Mayor and Aldermen to lay the Corner Stone of the City Exchange. The members present were in procession. attended by the corporation, when the stone was placed in position in the usual Masonic form by Most Worshipful Grand Master Wm. Stephens, aided by the Grand Wardens, and accompanied by the brethren; after which the Grand Master deliv- ered an appropriate oration.
THE CITY EXCHANGE, ERECTED IN 1799
"The plate deposited with the stone had the following inscription :
"'A. L. 5799.
"""'A. D. 1799.
"''Of American Independence the 23d year.
"''Matthew McAllister, Mayor.
" 'William Stephens, Grand Master.'
"The plan of the building provided that it be a 'brick and stone,' three stories high, with apartments for the different public offices, and otherwise calculated for a city exchange."
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It is not known when it was completed, but it was probably early in 1801. The bell bore the date 1803.
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS 1797-1802
Savannah's Mayor in 1797 was John Glen. who became a member of the corporation then for the first and only time. He served from July 10 to July 9 of the following year, and the new members of eouneil were George Anderson, John Glass, James Robertson, John Peter Ward, and John Holland-Messrs. Gibbons, Young and Moore, of the former eouneil holding over. Matthew MeAllister was mayor in 1798, with Messrs. Robert Bolton. Win. Hunter, Richard Dennis, Richard Wayne, Jr., and Henry Putnam as new members of the board, and John Y. Noel, Joseph Welseher and John Glass who had served before. In 1799 Thomas Gibbons became mayor for the third, but not sueeessive time. with only three new aldermen Levi Sheftall. John Millen, and Samuel Lawrence-Messrs. Bolton, Dennis, Lewden. McCredie. Belcher, and MeAllister being former aldermen. Again in 1800 Thomas Gibbons served as elief magistrate, and, as new members, he had in his eouneil Messrs. J. G. Williamson, Win. Taylor, Archibald Smith, and Edward Harden, the old being Levi Steftall, John Glass. Robert Bolton, Andrew MeCredie and Richard Dennis. David B. Mitchell was chief magis- trate in 1801, with Stephen Blount and James Johnston, Jr., serving for the first time, and Glass, Bolton, Noel. Dennis and Harden reseated. For the first time Chas. Harris was mayor in 1802, with all old members of council, except Steffins and Jones; Blount. Williamson, Sheftall. Edward Steffins. Glass. George Jones, Hardeu and We!scher
The year 1802 was marked by the organizing of that military eom- pany, the Savannah Volunteer Guards, which has made an enviable history and has continued the history with nothing to mar its character for usefulness and readiness for duty at all times-a continuous line of patriotie activities with not a single item of record to its diseredit.
VISIT OF AARON BURR
It was in this year also that Aaron Burr, then vice president of the United States visited the city, and the guards assisted in honoring him. Learning of his contemplated arrival the city council appointed three of its board to select a place for him to lodge, and appropriated $250 for the purpose. The three aldermen were Messrs. Charles Harris. Richard Dennis, and Edward Harden. On Thursday, May 20th, the Georgia Gazette announced: "The Vice President of the United States is expected in town this day:" and the account of what was done was recorded in its next issue. the 27th, in this short statement. "On Thursday last the Vice President of the United States arrived here from Charleston. About six miles from town he was received by a mim- ber of gentlemen and the troop of horse: on his approaching Spring Hill he was saluted by discharges of eamon from the artillery company [Chatham Artillery] ; at Spring Hill the Chatham rangers and Savan- nah volunteer guards joined the troop, and escorted him to lodgings
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fitted up for him in the eity where he was again saluted by the artillery. On Monday he partook of an elegant dinner at the City Hall in company with a numerous and most acceptable assemblage of citizens. And on Tuesday forenoon he left the city on his retnin to the Northward. being saluted by guns of the revenue cutter on his departure." The Columbian Museum and Savannah Advertiser, however, considered the event one of sufficient importance to devote a large portion of its columns to it, as follows :
"On Thursday, the twentieth instant the Vice President of the United States was received on his way to this city by the Military and Civil Officers and several companies of volunteers, and was congratulated on his arrival by Charles Harris. Edward Harden, and Richard Dennis, Esqrs., a committee on behalf of the corporation, and by Wm. B. Bulloeh, James Houstoun and George M. Troup, Esqs., a committee on behalf of the citizens of Savannah. And on the Monday following a festival was given in honor of the Vice President by the citizens of this place. The brilliancy of the entertainment. the number and respectability of the Company. and the harmony which universally prevailed have never been exceeded. perhaps never equalled, on any former oeeasion. The following toasts were given :
"1. The United States of America, the retreat of toleration and of freedom. May they continue to afford an asylum to the virtuous of all nations.
"2. The Soldiers and Statesmen of '76 who made an Empire of British dependencies. The Republicans of 1800 who redeemed the Con- stitution.
"3. The Constitution of the United States, perpetuity to this illus- trious example of a Government founded on the voluntary consent of the people.
"4. Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States .- May his measures continue to meet the confidence of his friends and defeat the calumnies of his enemies.
"5. The memory of the great and good Washington.
"6. The officers presiding over the Federal departments of State. Their talents, industry, and vigilanee eminently entitle them to the gratitude of the people.
"7. The support of the State Governments in all their rights as the Surest bulwark against anti-republican tendeneies, and the preser- vation of the general government in its whole constitutional vigour as the sheet anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad.
"8. The State and Government of Georgia.
"9. Our delegates to Congress. May their late zealous and patriotic . exertions for their Country's good be justly esteemed and treasured up in the hearts of their constituents.
"10. Economy in the public expenditure and the honest payments of our debts, without impairing the saeredness of publie faith.
"11. May those who would wish to dissolve our union or to change its present republican form stand nndisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated when reason is left free to eombat it.
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"12. The existing judiciary of the United States. The Judges dependent on God, their good behaviour and the existence of their offices.
"13. The Militia. Army, and Navy of the United States. May they continue the prompt defenders of their country, under the control of the Civil Authorities.
"14. A jealous eare of the right of election by the people
"15. The memory of General Greene. Respect to the wisdom of those sages and the blood of those heroes who devoted themselves to the liberties of their country.
"16. The memory of General Oglethorpe whose arduous toils and struggles in the establishment of Georgia entitled him to our warmest gratitude.
"17. An unrestrained freedom of the press, and universal toleration of religion .- Where there is equal liberty, justiee and truth will triumph over calumny and falsehood.
"Volunteer toasts. After the Vice President retired .- The Vice President of the United States. After General McIntosh retired .- General MeIntosh. After General Jackson retired .- General Jackson. By Mr. Simon McIntosh .- The Governor of the State of New York. By Captain O. Smith .- The Republicans of Georgia and South Caro- lina. By Major Harden .- The Memorable fourth of March, 1801. After Mr. Telfair retired .- Mr. Telfair."
During his stay in Savannah Mr. Burr was domiciled in the home of Mr. Montmollin whose wife was a relative, on the north side of south Broad street [now Oglethorpe avenue] between Whitaker and Barnard. Charles IFarris was again elected mayor in 1803, and his former asso- eiates aldermen Blount, Williamson. and Welscher were likewise honored by being returned as couneilmen; but Messrs. John H. Morel, Fingal T. Flyming, Geo. D. Sweet. George Woodruff and Solomon Shad were chosen as new members of the aldermanie board. The popularity of Judge Jolm Y. Noel was shown in his being ealled to preside over council to succeed Mr. Harris in 1804, in which eapaeity he was asso- eiated with aldermen Adam Cope, Isaac Fell, Levi Sheftall, F. T. Flyming, G. D. Sweet, Wm. Davies, Jos. Welsehier, Solomon Shad, Geo. H. Davis and Edward L. Davis.
TERRIFIC STORM OF 1804
It was in this year that one of the worst storms ever known oeeurred. Beginning at about nine o'clock in the morning of the 8th of September. its fury lasted until after ten in the night, and its work of destruction was most serious. Besides the damage done in the city the whole of Hutchinson's island was under water, caused by the high tide, and the plantations with the riee erops on them were greatly damaged. More than a hundred negroes were drowned. The wharves along the river front were flooded while the warehouses adjoining with their con- tents were almost ruined. Falling chimneys injured many persons. three of whom died, and the Exchange and Filature, courthouse and jail were badly battered and torn. At that time the Independent Pres-
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byterian church, moved from Market square to the southwest corner of Whitaker and President streets, suffered from the effects of the gale. Its steeple fell, and, in its fall, struek a house in which was a siek man, cutting off a part of the bed, but, strange to say, left the man uninjured. The bell was not broken but was used for a while in the new building erected in 1819 on its lot extending from Bull to Whitaker street on Oglethorpe avenue; but it was replaced with another bell in 1824.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR OF 1812
For several years before the actual declaration of war between the United States and England in 1812 the country was in a state of unrest and the condition of affairs bore anything but a peaceful aspeet. MIr. Jefferson, President of the United States, in 1807, recommended an embargo and was supported in his view by the Republican party while the Federal party opposed it. In advocating the measure the President said that circumstances existed "showing the great and increasing dangers with which our vessels, our seamen and merchandise are threat- ened on the high seas and elsewhere, from the belligerent power of Europe, and it being of great importance to keep in safety these essential resources, I deem it my duty to recommend the subject to Congress," and a bill was introduced and passed in December to lay "an embargo on all ships and vessels in the ports and harbors of the United States." The organization of a military company in Savannah the following year. 1808, ealled the Republican Blues doubtless sprang from the desire of its supporters to aid the government in the war which everyone believed
to be imminent. The company has ever since maintained its position as a permanent and reliable portion of the eity's military force of which her inhabitants have always been justly proud. The spirit of the people in the alarming condition of the country at that time may be judged by the fact that a special meeting of couneil was held on the 9th of July, 1807, to discuss the proposal to remove from the magazine thirteen casks of gun powder. A resolution was adopted that "it is expedient at the present alarming erisis that eare be taken to prevent any powder from being removed from the magazine for improper purposes." and only a few days after a committee of citizens applied to council for a loan of powder "to meet any emergencies that may arise out of the present situation of our affairs with Great Britain," and, the matter having met with approval. economy was exercised in actually dispensing with the lighting of the streets at night for a whole month in order to supply the amount asked for. Other steps were taken which need not now be mentioned.
Thus we see that the time was ripe for the raising of volunteer com- panies to defend the city and country in case of a clash of arms between the United States and Great Britain. All accounts of the rise of the Republican Bines hitherto published give the year 1808 as the time of its organization ; but a thorough search for the facts has convineed the present writer that. although steps in that direction may have been taken in the latter part of that year, the company was not placed on a. firm footing by being legally officered until early in the next year, and, in evidence of this statement he presents the following :
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No reference to the subject is found in the newspapers of 1808, but on the 11th of February, 1809, being Saturday, this advertisement appeared in the Republican and Savannah Evening Ledger:
"NOTICE.
"The Election of Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign, to command the REPUBLICAN BLUES, which was to have taken place on Monday last, is postponed until MONDAY NEXT, the 12th instant, when said Election will be held at the Court House, at 11 o'clock precisely.
"WILLIAM A. MOORE, "JOHN PETTIBONE, "ALTON PEMBERTON, "Justices of the Peace.
"Feb. 11, 18 -. "
But even at the time appointed, which appears to have been the second time, no election was held; for another notice appeared in the same paper of Tuesday, February 14th, in this form :
"NOTICE.
"An Election will be held at the Court House on FRIDAY the 24th inst., for a Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign, to command the REPUBLICAN BLUES. The poll will be opened at 11 o'clock A. M.
"WILLIAM A. MOORE, "JOHN PETTIBONE, "ALTON PEMBERTON. "Justices of the Peace. "Feb. 14, 18 -. "
It is reasonable to believe that the election was held on the 24th of February, 1809, as no further notices were published.
Organized, as seems probable, for service in the event that war between this country and England should be declared, the company stood ready for duty, and its action was just what it engaged to do in the events which soon followed.
Vol. 1 -18
CHAPTER XXII
THE WAR OF 1812
FORT WAYNE-LOCAL MILITIA READY TO ACT-STRENGTHENING THE FORT WAYNE WORKS-CELEBRATING THE WARRINGTON AND PORTER NAVAL VICTORIES-VIGOROUS PREPARATIONS FOR RESISTING BRITISH ATTACK -THE "MARTELLO TOWER."-CELEBRATING THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS-PEACE DECLARED.
War being deemed inevitable. the citizens of Savannah, as always, stood by the government and determined that the city should be loyal in every respect. In proof of this, we give in full a resolution, offered by Alderman Charlton. May 22, 1812. and unanimously adopted by council: "Whereas, it is at all times important that the government should know the sentiments of the people in every section of the nation, and particularly at a crisis like the present
"Resolved, That the citizens of Savannah be and they are hereby requested and invited to assemble at the Court house on Saturday, the 30th inst., at 12 o'clock for the purpose of taking into consideration the present situation of their country, of expressing their opinion thereon, and of adopting such other business as their patriotism may dietate." At the meeting resolutions of a most patriotic character were submitted and adopted and at an adjourned meeting, on the 3d of June, it was asserted that the country had grievances against both England and France which were sufficient to cause war, and calling for the seizure by the United States of East Florida.
FORT WAYNE
The trustees of the colony of Georgia, it will be remembered. were honored in the laying out of Savannah by having a tract at the extreme northeastern portion of the bluff set off and known as the Trustees' Garden. On a portion of that tract a guard house was built. protected with a battery of eannon. This point was strongly fortified by the British during the siege by the allied troops, and when the city was evacuated in 1782, the fort there was named for Gen. Anthony Wayne. In con- sequence of the fact that for so long a time that spot was protected by some sort of fortification it has, together with the adjacent land been called "the fort." It is not at all unnsnal, when a dweller in that district (partienlarly one of the colored tribe) is asked where he lives, to get promptly the reply : "In the fort side," or "down in the fort."
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On the 16th of January, 1756, a grant of "10 acres of land to the eastward of the town of Savannah" was, after approval of the governor and council, signed by the governor in favor of John Reynolds, he being at that time himself the chief magistrate of the province; and, on the 5th of March following. he acquired, in the same way, title to lot Z in the city of Savannah, containing sixty by one hundred and eighty feet. It is not recorded when the trustees' garden was aban- doned for the purpose of an orchard which seems to have been the use to which it was adapted, but there can be no question that the traet of land granted to Governor Reynolds was a part of that original garden, and included probably, the site of the old fortifications. An act passed April 24, 1760, named commissioners with full power "to construct and cause to be built a Fort to include the Magazine in the Town of Savannah of such form and space as to them shall be judged most con- venient."
The exact date of the naming of the point Fort Wayne cannot be ascertained. but the first mention of it that this writer can find is in a preamble and resolution adopted by the House of Assembly, February 21, 1784, which are in these words: "Whereas, from the multiplieity of business it will not be practicable to pass a bill now before this House for establishing a Seamen's Hospital, therefore be it
"Resolved, that it shall be lawful for Gen. Samuel Elbert, Edward Telfair, James Habersham, Joseph Clay, Peter Bard. Seth John Cuth- bert and William O'Bryan, Esquires, and Mr. Leonard Cecil, or any three of them. to remove the barracks from Fort Wayne to any part of the Common of Savannah which they may judge most proper and con- venient for receiving sick seamen."
That the location of Fort Wayne was originally a portion of the trustees' garden cannot be doubted when the record now to be quoted is considered. On the 2nd of January, 1809, John C. Lucena and Miss Joanna Lucena granted to the United States, for a valuable considera- tion, "all that and those parts and parcels of land marked and desig- nated and known as a copy of the plan thereof hereto annexed, all that piece of ground taken off a lot known by the number sixteen (16) seventy- five feet by one hundred and ten of all that piece of ground taken off of lot known by number seventeen (17) one hundred and seventy-five feet by one hundred and ten." and other pieces of land adjacent "originally part of ten acres of land called Trustees Garden, granted to John Rey- nolds." Later on, namely, on the 30th of January, 1810, Francis Wells sold and conveyed to the United States portions of a tract of land originally a portion of Trustees Garden; and on the 6th of March. 1810, Edwin II. Bolton sold to the said United States a certain piece of land "formerly Trustees' Garden"-all conveyed to the government, as stated in the deeds, for the "building of a fort, arsenal, or other public use. ""
Foreseeing the probability of a clash of arms between England and this country, the United States had taken the precaution to look out for a place or places on which to build fortifications, and the deeds just mentioned were the outcome of that foresight; but even before that time, in faet as early as 1808, the goverment made an effort to seenre
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`the land for such purpose in which the city of Savannah was interested. We learn that on the 17th of January of that year George Jones wrote a letter to council in which he diselosed the fact that the secretary of war desired the city "to donate as a site for fortifications that part of the premises of the old fort and adjoining lots, ineluding streets, together with the part of Reynolds street which extends from the old fort to the water's edge and a part of Wright Street. " and that the city assented to the request. Of that transaction the Columbian Museum and Saran- nah Advertiser of January 15th said: "We are informed that the City Couneit have made a cession to the United States of that part of the old Fort contained in Wright and Reynolds Streets to the water's edge, excepting such lots as have become private property; which we under- stand the Hon. Judge Jones is authorized to purchase on account of the United States-the whole intended as a permanent site for fortifieations ; and we are happy to hear that the works will shortly commence."
LOCAL MILITIA READY TO ACT
On the 22nd of May, 1812, the city council of Savannah. at a regular meeting, "Resolved unanimously," as we have seen, to ask the eitizens to hold a meeting and diseuss public affairs, on Wednesday, the 3d of June, at twelve o'clock. when, among others, the following resolution was adopted : "Resolved, that the erection of works at Fort Wayne. ad- joining Savannah, by the federal government, on the ground lately pur- chased by it, is highly and immediately necessary for the safety of the citizens and their families: and that our senator and representatives be requested earnestly to represent the same to the executive of the United States.
"Resolved, That these resolutions be published, and that copies be transmitted to the President of the United States, and our delegates in Congress."
No apology is deemed necessary for the insertion at this point of the following lines, in relation partienlarly to the then new company of Republican Blues and the older military corps of Savannah Volunteer Guards which appeared in the Republican and Savannah Evening Ledger of Tuesday, June 16. 1812:
"Colonel Cuthbert, aid-de-eamp to Governor [David B.] Mitehell, and commander of the Corps of Republican Blues of this city. arrived here last week in gun-boat No. 168, for the purpose of procuring one hundred men to proceed to East Florida.
"A call was made on the patriotism of the young men of this place, which was so promptly attended that the number of volunteers soon exceeded that required. The Republican Blues and Savannah Vohn- teer Guards were accepted for the service, and were shortly after en- camped on the South-Common, where they remained until Friday fore- noon, when they struek their tents. marched to the bluff and embarked amidst a heavy fall of rain, accompanied by the best wishes of their fellow-citizens who had assembled in crowds on the shore for the purpose of taking leave.
"They were escorted to the place of embarkation by the Chatham .
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Artillery and Chatham Rangers, who fired salutes on the occasion, which were returned by the gun boat. They went down the river on Saturday, and, we understand, proceeded to sea on Sunday morning.
"The youths of Savannah have done honor to themselves on this occasion. More volunteers offered than were authorized to. be re- ceived by general orders-none were accepted but from the Blues and Guards-the two other uniformed corps being deemed necessary to be left and assist in the protection of the city in case of danger.
"What is life without honor ? What is dearer than the interest and admiration of one's fellow citizens?" The city council placed on record its hearty approval of the action of those two military organiza- tions in these words: "Whereas one of the greatest rewards that can be conferred upon patriotic citizen soldiers is the expression of the public approbation through the medium of the constituted authority, be it therefore resolved by the mayor and aldermen of the city of Savannah that the said volunteer company of Republican Blues and detachment of the Guards have deserved well of their fellow citizens at large and particularly of this city." The resolution was offered by Alderman T. U. P. Charlton, and Aldermen Charlton, James Bond Read and Archibald Stobo Bulloch composed a committee "to have inscribed and enrolled on parchment the names of the officers and privates, pre- faced by these resolutions, to be framed and suspended in the city hall as a just and honorable tribute of respect conferred by this corporation upon the patriotism and valor of said volunteers."
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