USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume I > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
-
294 .
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
Wayne placed at the head of city council, with an aldermanic board composed of James Johnston, Wm. Davies. Hazen Kimball, John Tan- ner, James Mork, James S. Bulloch, Geo. L. Cope, Frederick Densler, Paul P. Thomasson, Win. R. Waring and Geo. W. Owens. Judge Wayne was re-elected in 1818. and the aldermen serving with him that year were Adam Cope. Moses Herbert, Ebenezer S. Rees, Isaialı Daven- port. John II. Ash, P. P. Thomasson. Thos. Bourke, Geo. L. Cope, Wm. R. Waring. T. U. P. Charlton, Steele White, Mordecai Sheftall, senior, and Chas. Harris. The Hon. T. U. P. Charlton again sat at the head of the council table in 1819, sharing the responsibility of conducting the municipal affairs with aldermen Chas. Harris, Moses Herbert. Thos. Bourke, Isaiah Davenport, Geo. L. Cope. Jas. Morrison, W. R. Waring, E. S. Rees, M. Sheftall, senior, Steele White, J. P. Henry, John Kelly and L. S. D'Lyon. Again in 1820 Thos. U. P. Charlton was Savannah's mayor, and he had all his old associates with him except Isaiah Daven- port, E. S. Rees. Mordecai Sheftall, Sr., and John Kelly, whose places were taken by Messrs. Thos. E. Lloyd. Thos. N. Morel, Moses Sheftall and Michael Brown.
From the time that the charter was granted until 1823 the mayor of Savannah served without compensation. In 1821 it was deemed proper to make a change in this matter. and a committee of aldermen was charged with the duty of preparing an ordinance to fix the salary of that office: but a report was made that an act of the legislature of February 10, 1787, stood in the way, and it became necessary to have a special act passed to authorize the payinent. The new act was passed, but even after the adoption of an ordinance granting the salary the amount of the same was not fixed until December 26, 1822, by which the mayor received compensation to the extent of $1,000 in the year 1823.
DRY CULTURE CONTRACTS
For many years it had been believed that the planting of rice oppo- site and to the east and west of the city, involving the cultivation of the grain by the wet culture process, was considered very detrimental to the health of the city, and in 1817, on the 24th of March, an ordi- nance providing for what were known as the "dry culture contracts," was adopted. It was entitled "'An ordinance to improve the health of the City of Savannah, and for other purposes," and is as follows:
"Whereas, any plan calculated to improve the health of this city will greatly add to its population, and increase its prosperity in every re- spect ; and whereas the citizens in town meeting assembled on the eight- eenth day of the present month did adopt certain resolutions annexed to a report of the committee previously appointed, which report and resolutions recommend a change of enlture of the low lands contignons to this eity as essential to the health of the inhabitants, and to effeet that object also recommend that contracts be entered with the proprietors of said low lands for a perpetual change of the wet to the dry enlture, that the city do authorize and direct the proper officer of the corporation to sign and exeente said contracts : that a sum to be raised by loan on the faith of the city property which the said contracts may require; that a
295
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
certain portion of the resonrees of the city may be set apart and appro- priated for the punctual payment of the interest and gradual extin- guishment of the sum obtained; and that a board of commissioners be organized, of which the Mayor shall be a member ex-officio, to direct the application of said loan, and to be invested with all necessary powers in relation to the health of the city upon the aforesaid plan of a change of culture;
"And whereas it does appear to council that the measures recom- mended in said report will have the effect of so ameliorating the health of this city as to check, if not to prevent, the ravages heretofore produced by autumnal fevers, and to render it a safe and healthy residence which,
GLYNN COUNTY COURT HOUSE, BRUNSWICK
from its dry, high, and advantageous situation, nature intended it should be ;
"And whereas an object of more importance could not occupy the attention of Council, or justify more satisfactorily the application of the funds and resources of the city ;
"The Mayor do forthwith sign and execute such contracts with the proprietors of the low lands in front and on the eastern and western extremities of this city as he. in conjunction with the commissioners hereinafter appointed. shall approve: the condition of said contents to be a perpetual change of the present wet to a dry culture. under such penalties and with such reservations as to occasional irrigations and over- flowing the lands as said Mayor and Commissioners may agree to and designate.
"As soon as the said contracts shall have been entered into and duly executed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Comniis- sioners associated with him, each of said contracts shall be delivered to the Clerk of Council, to be by him kept among the records of the cor-
296
SAVANNAII AND SOUTH GEORGIA
poration, after the same shall have been recorded by the Clerk of the . Superior Court of Chatham County.
"Annexed to each contract there shall be an accurate and exact sur- vey of the land upon which a dry culture is to take place, designating its quality and munber of acres, which shall be referred to and specified in the contraet.
"The sum of seventy thousand dollars be, and is hereby appropri- ated for the purpose of complying with the payments which may be mentioned and contained in said contracts, and the said sum shall be raised and obtained in the following manner: The said sum shall be con- verted into stock to be called 'City Land Stock,' and payable in cer- tificates or serip, signed by the Mayor and countersigned by the City Treasurer each; certificates shall have the following form:
"HEALTH AND PROSPERITY-CITY LAND STOCK
"SAVANNAH, March 31, 1817 .- The Corporation of the City of Savannah promise
to pay the sum of - dollars, due on contracts with the Mayor and Aldermen for a change of culture of low lands with seven per cent. interest, payable semi-annually, from - day of -, the principal to be extinguished by annual instalments within ten years, pursuant to the directions and provisions of an ordinance passed the 24th day of March, 1817.
"The said sum of seventy thousand dollars shall be divided into cer- tificates of one thousand, five hundred, and one hundred dollars each, and the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to deliver to any mem- ber of said Board of Commissioners who may be appointed for that pur- pose by the Board. the certificates to the full amount of stock hereby created, to be by him deposited in any bank or banks of this City, and that each member of said Board be, and he is hereby, also authorized to insert the name or names of payec or payees and the date when inter- est is to commence, when a loan or loans shall become necessary.
"The faith of the City of Savannah and the public property are hereby pledged as a security for the redemption of the aforesaid stock, to be effected within ten years as by the appropriation of the annual revenue and taxes of the City hereinafter mentioned.
"In aid of the foregoing pledge for the purpose of paying the inter- est of said stock, and the gradual extinguishment of the principal. the rents of the city lots are hereby set apart and specifically appropriated.
"The annual surplus revenue of the City, together with said rents and other taxes, shall be, when collected, paid over to the said Board of Commissioners by the City Treasurer to the amount of ten thousand dollars annually, to be by them so appropriated and applied as may within the time mentioned honorably extinguish the interest and prin- cipal of the debt thus contracted by the Corporation of Savannah."
The necessity for such a system as that adopted was a matter of se- rious discussion for some years. In 1823 Dr. James P. Sereven who had traveled in the south of Europe, made a report to council on his return, in August. on the effect of dry culture in the countries he had visited, and the committee to whom it was reported announced that "it was well calculated to set the question of the utility of a system of dry culture permanently at rest."
-
297
SAVANNAHI AND SOUTH GEORGIA
The city having eseaped the dangers of an epidemie in 1821, Septem- ber 15th and December 12th were observed as days of thanksgiving by the people.
Until 1823 the appointment of a health offieer to Savannah was made by the governor of the state, but the legislature passed an act plaeing the appointment with the city council, and under that aet Doctor Sereven was elected on the Sth of January, 1824.
WINFIELD SCOTT AND DAVID PORTER, SAVANNAH'S GUESTS
The next distinguished person to visit Savannah after President Mon- roe was General Winfield Seott, in the year 1822, at which time the city council appointed a committee to see to his proper entertainment and to accompany him on a tour of inspection of the defenses of the eity.
In 1823 Commodore David Porter was a guest of Savannah when the mayor and three aldermen composed the committee to tender him a public dinner which he politely declined. The committee however pro- posed to present his erew with fruits and fresh vegetables, which the commodore gratefully accepted.
RECEPTION OF LA FAYETTE
-
The tour of the country by General La Fayette in 1824-25 was one of the most important events in the history of the United States, in eon- nection with visits by distinguished persons and heroes, and Savannah took a part in that affair by which she not only did eredit to herself but gratified the honored guest to an unusual degree. On receiving infor- mation of La Fayette's intended visit to the United States council deter- mined to bid for the inelusion of Savannah among the places in his itin- erary, and a formal invitation was made on the 5th of August, 1824. The legislature of the state took action in the matter and it was decided that he should be the guest of Georgia whose governor at that time. George M. Troup, should represent her and her people in the way of showing him all honor and respeet. The eity then invited Colonel Warren, of Pendleton, South Carolina, a veteran of the Revolution who lost a leg during the siege of Savannah, to be her special guest; but illness pre- vented his attendance. The following account of this most interesting event is taken almost in its entirety from a pamphlet published shortly after La Fayette's visit.
The City Council, the citizens, and the military, each appointed com- mittees which united in one body under the name of the La Fayette Com- mittee. That committee was composed of Win. C. Daniell, Mayor : Joseph W. Jackson, Chairman ; Aldermen Chas. Harris. Isaae Minis, Geo. Mil- len, and Wm. R. Waring. from the City Council : George Jones. Ebenezer Jackson, Alexander Telfair, John Shellman, Sheftall Sheftall. Robert Habersham and John Sereven, from the citizens; and Col. James Mar- shall, Major Wm. Thorne Williams. Capt. James Hunter. Capt. Chas. 1. Higgins, Capt. Robt. W. Pooler. Capt. Edward F. Tattnall. and Lieut. George Sibley, from the military. The arrangements made by the com- mittee were perfect in every respect, and it is doubtful whether anything more could have been done than was done to make the occasion a happy
-
298
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
one. La Fayette reached the city on Saturday, March 19, 1825. The pamphlet referred to says:
"At half past 5 o'clock, by a signal from the Chatham Artillery, the military were warned to repair to their several parade grounds. The line was formed at 8 o'clock, soon after which, there being no appearance of the boat, tlie troops piled their arms. and were dismissed until the ar- rival. At an early hour the French and American flags were hoisted on the Exchange Steeple; the Revenue Cutter Gallatin, Capt. Matthews, was also decorated with flags. and the merchant vessels were dressed in the same manner. On Bay street, on each side of the entrance to the city from under the bluff, were placed two French brass pieces. one of which, tradition informs us, was received in this country by the same vessel that brought over La Fayette; they were manned by a company of masters of vessels and others who volunteered for the occasion. The resort to the eastern part of the bluff was general at an early hour of the morning. continuing to increase during the day. and at the time of the arrival was crowded with ladies and citizens on every part which could command a view of the landing. A temporary landing was ereeted at the wharf, consisting of a flight of steps and a platform. During the morning many an eye was strained in the hopeless task of transforming the fog banks and mists which hung over the low lands between Savannah and Tybee into the steamboat bearing the guest of the nation. About 9 o'clock, however, the mists dispersed. the skies were cleared, and the remainder of the day was as pleasant and delightful as spring and a balmy atmosphere could make it. At this time the weather cleared up, a gentle breeze arose, blowing directly up the river. as if to add speed to the vessel which was to land him on our shores. At an early hour the Committee of Reception. deputed from the Joint Committee, together with Colonels Brailsford and Randolph. aides to his Exeellency Gov- ernor Troup. proceeded to Fort Jackson in three barges. decorated with flags, and rowed by seamen in blue jackets and white trousers. under the command of Capts. Nicholls, Campbell and Dubois.
"The first notice of the arrival of the welcome vessel was by a few strokes of the Exchange bell. A few minutes after. the volume of smoke which accompanied her was pereeptible over the land; she was then about twelve or fifteen miles off. but rapidly approaching. The intelligence. 'the boat's in sight.' spread with cleetrieal rapidity. and the bustle which had in some measure subsided, recommeneed, and everyone repaired to the spot where his landing was to take place. The troops were imme- diately formed and marched to the lower part of Bay street, where they were placed in position on the green, in front of the avenue of trees. their right in East Bay. A more gallant and splendid military display we have never seen: the effect was beautiful : every corps exceeded its customary numbers: many who had not appeared under arms for years shouldered them on this occasion. and the usual pride of appearance and honorable emulation was increased by the occasion. Those who know the volunteer companies of Savannah will believe this to be no empty com- pliment.
"As the steamboat passed Fort Jackson, she was boarded by the Committee of Reception, and on their ascending the deek the General
299
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
was addressed by the Chairman, George Jones. Esq. An address was also delivered by Col. Brailsford in behalf of Governor Troup. To both these addresses the General made an appropriate reply, expressive of the pleasure he felt on visiting Georgia. The boat now eame up in gallant style, firing by the way, and with a full band of music on board playing the Marseilles Hymn and other favorite French and American airs. Her appearance was imposing and beautiful. to which the splendid and glittering uniforms of the officers from South Carolina, who attended the General, greatly added. As the steamboat came up to her anchorage. a salute was fired by the Revenue Cutter Gallatin, Capt. Matthews. General La Fayette was now assisted into the first barge, aecompanied by the Committee and others, the other boats being occupied by the re- mainder of the suite. As the boats reached the shore the excitement in every face inereased. A line was then formed from the landing place on the wharf, faeing inwards, composed of the Mayor and Aldermen of the city, the clergy, the judges and officers of the Distriet Court, the Supe- rior Court, and the Court of Over and Terminer," the Union Society, deputations from the Hibernian Society, with their badges and ban- ners; from the St. Andrew's Society, with their badges .; and from the Agricultural Society, with their badges; and citizens.
"The officers and gentlemen who accompanied the General in the steamboat from Charleston, besides the Governor of that State, were Col. F. K. Huger, Major-General Youngblood, Gen. Geddes, Adjt .- Gen. Earle, Col. Keith, Col. Butler, Col. Chesnutt, Col. Brown, Col. Clounie, Col. Fitzsimmons, Col. Taylor, Major Warley, Major Hamilton, Capt. Moses, and Messrs. Bee and MeCord. Col. Huger and Major Hamilton alone accepted the invitation of the Committee to land and participated in the ceremonies of the procession; the Constitution of South Carolina having prohibited the Governor of that State from passing its limits obliged him to decline the civility of the Committee; and courtesy to the chief magistrate of their state, no doubt, was the dominant motive with the officers who accompanied him in likewise declining the invita- tion to join in the review and proeession.
"As the General placed his foot upon the landing place, a salute was fired by the Chatham Artillery in line on the bluff, with four brass field pieces, 4 and 6 pounders, one of which was captured at Yorktown. He was here received by Dr. Win. C. Daniell, Major of the City. Six cheers were now given by the whole of the Citizens who were assembled on the gratifying occasion ; for which the General expressed his grateful acknowledgements to those nearest him. Supported by the Mayor, and attended by the Committee of Reception, he now aseended the bluff. followed by his suite, the members of the Corporation, the Societies and Citizens. Here he was again enthusiastically cheered. On arriving at the top of the bluff on the green he was presented to Governor Troup.
* This Court was established by an Act of December 18, 1819. and called " Court of Common Pleas and Over and Terminer." which "should have cognizance in assumpsit, debt, covenant, trover and of actions on the case, when the damages or cause of actions did not exceed the sum of $200 nor less than $50." It is now the City Court of Savannah. At the time of La Fayette's visit the Hon. John C. Nicoll was judge; Robert W. Pooler, clerk; and Alnaham I. D'Lyon, sheriff.
300
SAVANNAHI AND SOUTHI GEORGIA
by whom, in the most feeling manner, he was welcomed to the soil of Georgia."
The speech of weleome by Governor Troup, short as it is, is a gem in the way of an address of the sort. and well deserves a place here. It follows, together with the response of the distinguished guest, the Marquis de LaFayette, which also is a noteworthy production, and should not be omitted from this account. Governor Troup spoke thus: "Welcome, LaFayette!
"General: "Fis little more than ninety years since the Founder of this State first set foot upon the bank on which you stand. Now, four hundred thousand people open their arms to receive you .. Thanks to a · kind Providence, it called you to the standard of Liberty in the help- lessness of our early revolution-it has preserved you, that, in your latter days, the glory of a great empire might be reflected back upon you, amid the aeclamations of millions.
"The seenes which are to come will be, for you, comparatively tran- quil and placid-there will be no more of dungeons-no more of frowns of tyrants. Oh, Sir, what a consolation for a man who has passed through such seas of trouble, that the million of bayonets which guard the bless- ings we enjoy stand between you and them.
"But, enough-welcome, General ! Welcome-thrice welcome to the State of Georgia !"
To this kind and hearty welcome LaFayette made this reply : "The kind invitation I first received from your Excellency, and which, on the meeting of the General Assembly, was bestowed on me by both houses in terins most gratifying. could not but confirm my eager resolution to visit the State of Georgia. This State, Sir, I had not the good fortune to serve on its own soil; but our more northern movements were not unconnected with its Safety and reseue. I have long been attached to' it by my sense of its patriotism, suffering and exertions, by personal obligation, and private affections. Permit me here to express a regret at the rapidity of my happy visit through the several States. The celebration of the greatest of all birth days at the seat of the General Government could not be omitted; and although I have been obliged to sacrifice the motives of propriety and the feelings of personal friendships which called me to witness the inauguration of the executive branch of the Union, I could not so give up the honourable part conferred upon me, on the half seenlar JJubilee of Bunker's Hill, at the representative, being the only surviving Major General of the Revolutionary Army. My dear Sir, I am happy to witness the improvements which. within less than a century of existence and fifty years of independence. have attended, in this State, the blessings of Republican institutions. Accept, if you please, for yourself and the two houses of the legislature my most affectionate and respectful thanks."
After the speech of welcome and the response, the account given in the pamphlet from which we quote goes on: "He was then introduced to several revolutionary soldiers; among those present were General Stevens. Colonel Shellman, Ebenezer Jackson, Sheftall Sheftall and Captain Rees. The utmost animation appeared to sparkle in the eyes of the General at this time. This was partienlarly the case when the
.
301
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
latter. addressing him with a cordial grip of the hand, said: 'I remember you, I saw you in Philadelphia,' and proceeded to narrate some trifling incidents of the occasion; to which the General replied, 'Ah, 1 remem- ber!' and taking Captain Rees's hand between both of ins, the eyes of each glistening with pleasure, they stood for a few moments appar- ently absorbed in recollections of the days of their youth.
"The officers of the brigade and of the regiment were then introduced. While these introductions were going on. a salute was fired along the whole line of infantry. The General and Suite, together with the Gover- nor and Suite, the Revolutionary officers, Mayor, Committee of Recep- tion, guests, General Harden and Suite, Col. McAllister and the Field Officers for the adjoining counties, proceeded on foot down the front of the line, in review. After passing the troops the General ascended the carriage prepared for his reception, and the procession moved up East Broad street to Broughton street, from there to West Broad street. down that street to Abercorn street, and through Abercorn street to Oglethorpe Square."
The procession moved in the following order:
1. F. M. Stone, marshal of the city, with staff of office.
2. Divisions of the Georgia hussars, Liberty and McIntosh troops of cavalry. Jos. Barnard. first marshal with staff.
3. General LaFayette, and Governor Troup, in a landau, drawn by . four gray horses.
4. The mayor of the city, and Colonel Huger, in a second carriage.
5. G. W. LaFayette, and M. Le Vasseur, in a third carriage.
6. Revolutionary officers, in a fourth carriage.
7. Brigadier General, the suites of the governor and the general,
J. Habersham, second marshal, with staff.
8. The committee of council, of the citizens and of the officers.
9. Aldermen.
10. The Rev. Clergy, judges, officers of the United States, consuls, officers of courts. A. Cope, third marshal, with staff.
11. E. Bourquin, fourth marshal, the Union, the Hibernian, the St. Andrew's, and the Agricultural Societies, in ranks of eight. Citizens in ranks of eight. Sam M. Bond, fifth marshal. Jos. S. Pelot, sixth marshal.
12. Divisions of the Georgia hussars, Liberty and McIntosh troops of cavalry.
13. Field officers of other regiments.
14. Officers of the army and navy.
15. Company officers of the First and other regiments. Lieuten- ant-Colonel, Chatham Artillery, United States troops, Savannah Fenci- bles, Savannah Volunteer Gnards, Georgia Volunteers. Republican Bles, Savannah Juvenile Guards, major and regimental staff.
"When the procession commenced moving a third salute was fired by the marine corps. About half past five o'clock in the afternoon the General arrived at the lodgings appropriated for him at Mrs. . Max- well's, the same in which Governor Troup resided. The time of his
302
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
landing was 3 o'clock: so that the reception and procession took up about two hours and a half. The troops then filed off to the South Com- mon and fired a national salute, after which they returned to the quar- ters of the General, to whom they paid the marching salute. During the passage of the procession, the windows and doors, as well as the spacious streets through which he passed, were crowded to excess; and the ex- pression of enthusiastic feeling was repeatedly displayed by all, from the highest to the lowest. Ile was saluted by the ladies from every place affording a view of the procession, by the waving of handkerchiefs; which he returned by repeated and continual inclinations of the head, bowing in acknowledgment. At sundown, another salute was fired by the Marine Volunteer Corps.'
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.