USA > Georgia > A school history of Georgia. Georgia as a colony and a state, 1733-1893 > Part 3
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ADMINISTRATION OF ELLIS.
in Governor Reynolds' absence. Reynolds never returned to Georgia, but entered the navy again.
QUESTIONS. - I. Who was made President? What was established ? 2. When did Reynolds arrive? Who was made secretary? What was the government? Who were appointed judges? What other court was established? 3. When and where was the first legislature of Georgia ? What act was passed? 4. In what condition did Governor Reynolds find the colony? Why were the colonists in danger? What did Governor Reynolds do? How did the Indians receive these overtures? 5. What did Governor Reynolds find on his return to Savannah ? Why did he hesitate to receive the people? 6. Who were these emigrants? Why did they leave their homes ? 7. How were they forced to leave Nova Scotia? S. What was Governor Reynolds' next work? What settlement did he choose for a capital ? 9. Why did the Assembly object to Governor Reynolds ? Why did the Lords of Trade and Plantations recall him? Who was appointed governor during his absence ?
CHAPTER X.
ADMINISTRATION OF ELLIS.
1. Henry Ellis arrived at Savannah February 16, 1757, and was immediately installed in office. He profited by the mistakes of Reynolds and governed the colony with great care and suc- cess. During his administration there was perfect harmony in the General Assembly.
2. The most interesting act passed by the Legislature was one dividing the province into parishes and providing for the establishment of religious worship. The parishes were eight in number : Christ Church including Savannah, St. Matthew's parish including Abercorn and Ebenezer, St. George's parish including Halifax, St. Paul's parish including Augusta, St. Phillip's parish including Great Ogeechee, St. John's parish including Midway and Sunbury, St. Andrew's parish including Darien, and St. James' including Frederica. Bartholomew
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Zouberbuhler was declared rector of Christ's Church in Savannah. Commissioners were appointed to provide for the building of churches in other parishes, and a tax was levied on all estate, real or personal, for the support of these churches.
3. It was the intention of the government of Georgia to establish the Church of England, but this now seemed impos- sible, for there were Presbyterians, Lutherans, Congregation- alists, Methodists, Papists and a few Hebrews.
4. Mr. Ellis was so wise in his administration of public affairs, that May, 1758, his majesty announced him governor- in-chief of Georgia. The Spaniards from time to time gave him some trouble, and accused the English of causing the Indians to invade Florida. The governor showed this to be false and was determined to keep peace with the Spaniards.
5. On July 20 there came an important document from William Pitt, afterward Earl of Chatham, calling on Georgia for men and money to aid in the war against the French in Canada. The General Assembly, in answer, told of the extreme poverty of the province and the want of troops even to guard themselves.
6. Trouble now began to arise between the colonists and Indians. The Indians surrounded Fort Loudon, killed several excursion parties, and cut off all supplies from the fort. They then marched on to Keowee, a town near Augusta. A treaty of peace was made here and several Indian chiefs were left as . hostages. Soon, however, the Indians returned to the war-path. Captain Cottyman of Fort Prince George and several men were surprised and murdered in cold blood. In return for this the soldiers of the fort fell mercilessly upon the Indians and killed a great number. This aroused the whole Cherokee nation, who vowed to avenge the death of their chiefs, and, rushing upon the towns, they scalped and murdered men, women and children, and burned their homes. To add to this horror, small-pox was raging everywhere.
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ADMINISTRATION OF ELLIS.
7. Captain Montgomery now came with aid from the north. With a portion of his command he attacked the little town of Keowee and put to death every Indian in the village. Thence he went to Estatoe, and, finding that the inhabitants had fled, he burned the town. All the settlements in the lower Cherokee nation shared the same fate. The Indians were completely overpowered and Captain Montgomery moved on to the relief of Fort Prince George. Finding the Indians indisposed to lay down their arms, Captain Montgomery determined to penetrate into their midst, and marched to within five miles of Etchoe. Here a number of savages in ambush surprised him and a bloody battle ensued. This engagement convinced Colonel Montgomery that, encumbered by his wounded, he could make no headway against the savages, and, in obedience to a recall, he prepared to embark for New York.
8. Feeling the great danger of the colonists, the governor persuaded Colonel Montgomery to leave four companies of the Royal Regiment with him for the protection of the frontier. These troops were left under the command of Major Frederick Hamilton. Fort Loudon was in a most miserable condition. It was chiefly invested by the enraged Cherokees and could get no assistance from any quarter. For a month the entire garrison had subsisted upon lean dogs and a small supply of beans furnished them by a friendly Cherokee woman. The soldiers were in despair and threatened to leave the fort, preferring to die by the hands of the Indians rather than perish from hunger.
9. Captain Stuart determined to surrender the fort to the Indians on condition that they gave them safe escort to Fort Prince George. August 7, 1760, they marched out. Travelling fifteen miles the first day, they camped out, but on the morning found that their guides had deserted them, and soon after the Indians in war-paint and feathers rushed upon them. Entirely unprotected, they were soon overpowered, many killed and the rest taken prisoners to Fort Loudon. Learning that his friend Captain Stuart was taken prisoner, Attakullakulla, an Indian
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
chief, went to the fort, and, giving his clothes and rifle as a ransom, purchased Stuart from his captors. Taking him home with him he made him a member of his family.' The other soldiers, after a miserable captivity, were ransomed at a great cost by South Carolina.
10. The Cherokees now determined to advance upon Fort Prince George. Captain Stuart, assisted by Attakullakulla, made his escape in order to notify Georgia and South Carolina of the threatened danger. The Indians, assisted by the French, were bent on massacre. Assistance was again called for by Georgia, and Colonel Grant with 2500 men was ordered to her relief.
II. He arrived at Fort Prince George May, 1761. Here he was met by Attakullakulla, who besought the English to wait until he could persuade the Cherokees to sue for peace. Colonel Grant refused this request and proceeded to march on. They met the first war party of Indians on the spot Montgomery had met them the year previous, and a bloody battle of six hours' length ensued. The Indians finally retreated. Colonel Grant marched on, destroyed fourteen Indian towns and drove the Indians into the distant mountains. Upon his return to Fort Prince George, Attakullakulla waited upon him and again asked for peace with the English. There- upon a treaty of peace was formally ratified. Thus ended this war with the Cherokees.
12. Governor Ellis now asked for a recall on account of bad health. He was a man much honored and revered for his good qualities, and the colonists were loth to part with him.
QUESTIONS. - 1. Where was Ellis installed? How did he govern the colony? 2. What act was passed by legislature? What were these parishes? Who was made rector of Christ's Church? For what were commissioners appointed ? How were the churches to be supported ? 3. What was the intention of the government? 4. What success had Ellis ? What is said of the Spaniards? 5. What important document is spoken of? 6. What trouble now arose? What did the Indians do: Where was a treaty of peace made? Did the Indians keep this treaty? What
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ADMINISTRATION OF WRIGHT.
did the troops do? What effect had this upon the Cherokees? What added to the horror? 7. What aid now came? What was Montgomery's success with the lower nation of Cherokees? What happened at Etchoe ? S. What did the government request? Who had command of the troops? Tell of Fort London. . 9. What did Captain Stuart do? What was the result ? Tell of Allakullakulla. How were the soldiers warned? 10. What of the Cherokees? What did Captain Stuart do? What assistance did the Indians have? What did Georgia call for? 11. When did Grant arrive? Who met him? Where was the first battle? Who finally retreated ? Tell of Grant's success. What treaties were made? 12. What is said of Governor Ellis ?
CHAPTER XI.
ADMINISTRATION OF WRIGHT.
1. The third and last governor under the British crown was James Wright. He was born in South Carolina, but received his education in England. October 11, 1760, he arrived in Georgia and found the colony in a much depressed condition. Wright worked hard for the good of the colonists, and much improvement was soon seen.
2. George II. died October, 1760. Funeral services were held in Georgia and all proper observances made. The day after King George III. was declared king with much pomp and ceremony. This is the only time a king was proclaimed on Georgia soil.
3. 1760 the population of Georgia amounted to 6000 white people. There were 3500 negro slaves owned. The military force consisted of sixty men belonging to His Majesty's companies, two troops of rangers, each with five officers and seventy privates, and the militia comprising 1000 men. The colony had forty-two vessels of her own, and 3400 pounds of rice were exported. The general trade increased each year, though there were yet no manufactories. The colonists planted
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
rice, indigo, corn, peas, wheat and rye. They made tar, pitch, turpentine, shingles and staves, and raised cattle. A wall was now built around the southern extremity of Savannah with two watch towers. The forts at Augusta and other towns were strengthened.
4. Governor Wright decided not to move the capital from Savannah to Hardwick. By royal proclamation on the 7th day of October, 1760, George III. annexed to the province of Georgia, all lands lying between the rivers of Altamaha and St. Mary. The governments of east and west Florida were also organized. The southern boundary of Georgia became the northern boundary of Florida. So Georgia ceased to be on the frontier and was relieved from the direct attacks of the Spanish.
5. Troubles with the Indians now called the attention of Governor Wright. He sent for the different tribes to meet him at Augusta. At the time appointed about 700 men from the Catawbas, Cherokees. Choctaws, Chickasaws and Creeks met him at Augusta. After a short council treaties of peace were made.
6. The war with the French and Indians had cast Great Britain into debt. The British Ministry urged that the colonies caused the war, and must therefore pay part of the expense. So they resolved upon a tax upon all colonial exports and imports. The colonists were indignant and declared Great Britain had no power to impose this heavy tax. Notwithstanding these appeals, March, 1765, Parliament passed "The Stamp Act," requiring all papers, bonds, deeds, etc., to have stamps. Great indignation was felt throughout America. All the colonists sent resolutions against this act to England. Massachusetts called for a general congress to meet at New York on the Ist Tuesday in October, 1765.
7. Georgia, through Governor Wright's influence, did not send a delegate to this congress, but a letter was forwarded declaring sympathy with the meeting. The General Assembly
3I
ADMINISTRATION OF WRIGHT.
of Georgia dismissed William Knox, colonial agent of Georgia in Great Britain, because he publicly sided with the king. Great excitement had risen. October 26, 1765, Governor Wright ordered a commemoration of His Majesty's accession to the throne. The people gathered in the streets and indignantly threatened the governor, refusing to comply with his orders, or to acknowledge the paramount authority of the king. So began the revolt in Georgia.
8. December 5, 1765, the ship Speedwell, containing Agnus, the stamp distributor, appeared in the Savannah River. Agnus was conveyed secretly to the governor's house to take the required oath of the governor, and though strongly guarded left at once fearing the people's indignation.
9. When his visit became known, Governor Wright received several threatening letters. James Habersham, President of the Council, was waylaid at night and beaten. Finally, several hundred men went to Governor Wright and told him unless the stamps were removed they would burn his house and the fort. The governor at once sent the papers back to the Speedwell, which still remained in the harbor. That night a mob burned the governor in effigy. He ordered out the militia and the marines from the Speedwell. This excitement increased until the Stamp Act was repealed by Parliament, Feb. 22, 1766. Quiet was at once restored, the colonists declaring themselves dutiful subjects so long as their rights were not interfered with. Governor Wright had been loyal to his sovereign and still had the respect of the people. The colony prospered under his control and in 1766 produced 20,000 pounds of cocoons. The population was 18,000.
10. Benjamin Franklin was made agent of Georgia in 1768. He was a man of great integrity and ability and was of much benefit to the colony.
QUESTIONS. - I. Who was the last governor under the British crown ? How did he find the colony? What is said of his efforts? 2. What funeral services were held in Georgia? When was a king proclaimed on
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Georgia soil? 3. What was the population of Georgia in 1760? How many slaves owned? What was the military force? What of Georgia's shipping? How much rice was exported? What were the industries of the colony ? How was Savannah strengthened? Augusta? 4. Was the capital moved? What is said of a royal proclamation? What of the southern boundary of Georgia? 5. What called the attention of Governor Wright ? What did he do ? What tribes met him? What was the result ? 6. What trouble now arose with Great Britain? What effect did this tax have on the people? What did Parliament do? How was this act received? What was called at New York? 7. What did Georgia do? What action did the General Assembly make? What happened October 26, 1765? S. When and for what purpose did the Speedwell come? For what did Angus come? 9. What was the effect of Angus' visit? What was done to James Habersham? What did the people demand of Governor Wright? What did he do? Did this satisfy the people ? When did the excitement cease? Was Wright successful in his manage- ment of the colony ? What was Georgia's population in 1766? 10. What is said of Benjamin Franklin ?
CHAPTER XII.
GEORGIA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
1. In February, 1768, the speaker of the Assembly of Massachusetts sent a letter to the Assembly of Georgia pro- posing a general congress of the colonies. The house was not in session, but Alexander Wyley, the speaker, assured Massachusetts that Georgia would join in the congress. Governor Wright was much incensed at Wyley for this. The Assembly met November, 1768. Noble Jones was made speaker.
2. The citizens met at Savannah. September 16, 1769, and passed a resolution declaring that "any person or persons whatsoever importing any of the articles subject to duties after having it in their power to prevent it, ought not only to be treated with contempt. but deemed an enemy to the country."
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GEORGIA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
In 1770 the Boston Massacre occurred. Georgia joined in the general indignation and determined to cease all commerce with England.
3. Governor Wright now applied to His Majesty for leave of absence. July 10, 1771, he left Georgia to be absent a year and a half. James Habersham was made president of the Council. February, 1773, Governor Wright returned to Savannah and continued his successful administration. During his absence the Indians had made a large debt with the traders. For this debt Governor Wright took a large tract of land, which is now divided into the counties of Wilkes, Taliaferro, Greene, Elbert, Oglethorpe and Lincoln.
4. Parliament now determined to subdue the colonies. March 31, 1774, Parliament passed the Boston Port Bill to stop all commerce with Boston. The charter of Massachusetts was taken away, a law was made by Parliament ordering all persons accused of certain offences to be brought to England for trial, and so the American colonies were driven to strike for liberty from oppression.
5. The Georgia Gazette, July 20, 1774, published a notice calling all citizens who wished liberty to a meeting. This notice was signed by Archibald Bullock, Noble Jones, John Houston and John Walton. Governor Wright issued a procla- mation against this meeting. But in utter disregard of the governor, the meeting was held at Tondee's Tavern in Savannah, August 10, 1774, and a number of resolutions passed, as follows : that the Boston Port Bill was tyranny : that the withdrawal of the charter of Massachusetts was subversive of American rights ; that Parliament had no right to tax American subjects : that it was contrary to national justice to take criminals from America to England to be tried for crime committed in the colonies; that Georgia concurs with her sister colonies in every constitutional measure to obtain redress of American grievances. A committee was appointed to solicit contributions for the Boston sufferers,
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
and within a short time 579 barrels of rice were shipped to Boston.
6. Soon after this meeting Governor Wright called a meeting of the Royalists. This party was strong and active, and those who now called themselves "the Liberty Boys" had hard work to get Georgia firmly placed among the Revolutionists. Governor Wright frankly admitted that it required more than his power to correct the evils and subdue the flame of inde- pendence burning in the colony. Though with the assistance of the Royalists he succeeded in preventing Georgia from sending a delegate to the first Continental Congress. To "the Sons of Liberty " the position of the province was most morti- fying. They were placed under a ban by their seeming indif- ference in not joining with the other colonies in the General Congress.
7. So a Provincial Congress was determined upon. This Congress met January 18, 1775. John Glenn was made chair- man. This meeting was almost a failure. Only four of the twelve parishes were represented, and these were not harmoni- ous. In despair the Congress adjourned having elected Noble Jones, Archibald Bullock and John Houston to represent Georgia in the General Congress at Philadelphia, May 10, 1775. St. John's parish was indignant at the want of action and determined to act independently and in advance of the rest of the colony.
8. This parish possessed one-third of the wealth of Georgia, and the people were noted for their honesty and determination. On the twenty-first of March they held a meeting and declared their entire sympathy with all declarations made by the Gen- eral Congress, and elected Dr. Lyman Hall to represent them in the General Congress. This patriotic act of St. John's par- ish was afterwards acknowledged when all the parishes had joined in the revolution. By a special act of the Legislature. the name of Liberty County was given to the parishes of St. John, St. Andrew and St. James.
7,
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1727018
GEORGIA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
9. The delegates elected by the Provincial Congress de- cided not to attend General Congress, and wrote a letter stating their reasons why. They chose not to represent the province while it was so undecided and expressed their shame that the province had acted in so small a manner. At the next time of meeting of the General Assembly no members were present, and Governor Wright prorogued the session until November 7, 1775. Before that day arrived. however, Georgia had passed into the hands of the Republicans.
Io. Now came the news of the affairs at Lexington and Concord. General Gage had landed and 3000 British troops were in Boston. On the 19th of April, 1775, the battle of Lexington was fought. This called for the union of the colonies, and brought the Georgia parishes to action. The powder magazines at Savannah contained a considerable supply. This the people determined to get. May 11, 1775, a party of men led by Joseph Habersham broke open the mag- azine and took 600 barrels of powder. A portion of this was sent to South Carolina and the rest secreted until needed. The governor issued a reward for the offenders, but though well known they were never captured.
11. Notwithstanding the unsettled state of affairs Governor Wright determined to celebrate the king's birthday. On the night before the day appointed for the celebration the citizens came together and rolled all the cannon to the bottom of the bluff. This was a pointed insult to his majesty. It was with great labor that some of the cannon were recovered by the Royalists in time to fire in the royal ceremonies, amid the jeers of the colonists. During these ceremonies the Liberty boys erected the first liberty pole in Georgia. This was in Savannah, June 5, 1775. On June twenty-first a meeting was held for the purpose of bringing about a union of Georgia with the other colonies for the cause of freedom. A Council of Safety was appointed, the Union flag was hoisted upon the liberty pole and two cannon posted at its base.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
QUESTIONS. - [. What did the Assembly of Massachusetts do? Who answered ? When did Georgia's Assembly meet and who was speaker ? 2. When and where did the citizens meet ? What resolutions were passed ? What happened in 1770? What effect had this on Georgia? 3. How long was Governor Wright absent? Who was president during his absence? What trade did Wright make with the Indians upon his return to Georgia? 4. What did Parliament do? What effect did this have on the colony? 5. What notice did their prominent men sign? Did the governor approve? What effect did his disapproval have on the people? What resolutions were passed at the meeting and what committee appointed? 6. What other meeting was called? Tell something of the Royalists. What was Governor Wright's influence? What was the position of the "Liberty Boys"? 7. Tell of the Provincial Congress. What did Congress do before it adjourned? What parish determined to act? S. What of this parish? How was this act rewarded? 9. What did the delegates do? What of the next Assembly? Io. What news now came? What did the people determine to get? What of Joseph Habersham? 1. What did Governor Wright determine to do? How did the citizens behave? What was done by the "Liberty Boys " during the ceremonies? When was the pole erected ? What meeting was held and what was appointed ?
CHAPTER XIII.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
I. This public feeling of the people alarmed Governor Wright, and he wrote to General Gage for relief for the colony, and stating that war vessels were needed, as the ports were blocked. His letter never reached its destination. As it passed through Charleston the Committee of Safety withdrew the letter and substituted another in the same envelope, stating that Georgia was quiet and the Royalists needed no help. So Georgia secured no assistance from the British.
2. May 19, 1775, the second Continental Congress met at Philadelphia. Peyton Randolph was president. Lyman Hall
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
was Georgia's first representative. George Washington was made commander-in-chief of all American forces.
3. The Provincial Congress which assembled at Savannah, July 4, 1775, was Georgia's first secession convention. Every parish sent representatives. Archibald Bullock was president and George Walton secretary. During this Congress, July 10, Captain Maitland's ship, direct from London, and known to be loaded with powder, arrived at Tybee. A schooner was commissioned by Congress and placed under the command of Captain Bowen and Joseph Habersham. Captain Maitland's ship was pursued and taken by Captain Bowen. Fourteen thousand pounds of powder were captured. Georgia kept 9000 pounds, and at the earnest request from the Continental Congress, sent 5000 pounds to Philadelphia. This Georgia schooner was the first vessel ammunitioned for warfare in the revolution, and this capture was the first made by order of any Congress in America.
4. November 4, 1775, the Council (which met every Monday) ordered a battalion raised for the defense of Georgia. Lachlan McIntosh was appointed colonel. Samuel Habersham, lieu- tenant-colonel, and Joseph Habersham, major.
5. Governor Wright now requested royal permission to return to England, and confessed his inability to rule the " Liberty people " who had taken the government from him by force. He was cheered, however, by the arrival of two British men-of-war. They anchored at Tybee on January 12. 1776. in company with a transport from Boston and a detach- ment of royal troops under the command of Majors Maitland and Grant. The Council of Safety now determined to strike a determined blow, showing kingly rule to be at an end in Georgia, and ordered the arrest of Governor Wright. Major Habersham with a selected party undertook to secure .the governor. He passed the sentinel at the door, advanced to the governor saying: " You are my prisoner." Astounded at this bold movement, the governor surrendered, while his friends
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