Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 2

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294


USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I > Part 2


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).


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517


Thompson, Y. H .. 557


Thompson, Chester,


558


Smith, Robert L ..


651


Thompson, William H. . . 1069


Smith, Halstead.


680


Thomson, William S. 607


Smith, Alexander W


935


. Thomson, William S. 945


West, A. J.


950


Westbrook, L. M.


408


Westbrook, R. N .. 612


Westmoreland, Thomas P .. 951


Westmoreland, Willis F. 953 Westmoreland, George .. 953 Whaley, James T. 1042


White, John T 284


White, H. C. 487


White, John R. 488


White, James 489


Whitfield, Robert 277


Whitley, T. R ..


621


Whitner, John C. 954


Wight, Edwin L .. 612


Wilcox, Jefferson 511


Wilcoxon, John B 560


Steed, J. E ..


407


Troup, George M. 231


Trulock, Andrew J. 592


Turnbull, Waller T. 680


Williams, Robert J. 644


Stetson, James D. 373


Turner, J. D 681


Williams, James E ..


960


Williams, William M. .1055


Stevens, John H. 275


Tye, John L. 947


Williamson, Jasper J .. 448


Stevens, Walter C.


275


Stevens, W. P .. 374


Van Epps, Howard .. 948


Wimberly, Ezekiel H.


.1096


Winn, Samt 1010


Stewart, Andrew J. 1055


Van Hoose, A. W .. .1024


Winn, Thomas E. 1012


Winship, George. 962


Wolff, Bernard. 963


Wood, James O. 285


Vickery, William 1074


Wood, Albert R. 560


Strickland, Colquitt 319


Strickland, Henry H. 444


Strickland, John J 486


Wade, Reuben W 626


Woods, William S. 562


Woodson, Stewart F 964


Woolsey, Isaac G. 657


Tait, Charles. 246


Walker, John H .. 309


Wooster, George.


638


Talbot, Matthew 231


Walker, John H., Jr. 310


Word. John H 448


Taliaferro, John. 993


Walker, James P. 310


Wright, Sir James 224


Talley, James W. 319


Walker, Randolph 310


Wright, Young A. 387


Tanner, G. H .. 939


Walker, William S. 320


Wright, W. W. 592


Tate, Edmund B 637


Walker, James B. 558


Wright, Seaborn,


681


Tattnall, Josiah. 230


Walker, Charles H. 570


Wright, William A. 965


Taylor, J. P. 556


Walker, George W. 1026


Wright, G. W. 990


Taylor, William 556


Wall, J. N. 638


Wright, J. B ... 990


Telfair, Edward. 247


Wallace, Charles B. 311


Wylie, James R 966


Terrell, Joseph M. 941


Terrell, L. M 942


Thomas, William W. 487


Ward, John Elliott. 252


Wynn, Frank A 682


Thomas, John B. 582


Ward, Calvin A., Jr 510


Yancey, Hamilton 683


Thomas, C. H .. 591


Ware, Alexander F 607


Young, Pierce M. B.


250


Thomas, Gabriel L 651


Ware, James B. 1083


Yow, Richard D. 694


Thomas, Lovick P 943


Ware, Nicholas .. 247


Zachry, Charles T. 1087


Thomas, Lewis W. 944


Waring, George H


311


G ... 620


Welden, Elijah B. 657


Wereat, John


226


West, Jahiel J.


608


Smith, Burton 935


Smith, Hoke.


937


Tillman, D. N. 445


Tindall, H. C. 375


Tinsley, Philip 498


Tolbert, J. Thomas 446


Speer, Emory


373


Spence, William M. 443


Spence, McAlvin H. 1067


Tompkins, Benjamin H .. 1082


Stacy, James.


554


Tompkins, Humphrey A .. 1082 Toombs, Robert. 243


Stafford, John D .. 554


Stallings, William T.


555


Standifer, William M. 625


Standifer, William B .. 625


Stanford, Lycurgus L .... 1068


Starke, S. C. 636


Starke, Henry F. 938


Steed, Franklin H. 406


Trimble, William W 307


Wilkins, Grant .. 959


Stephens, William 223


Stephens, Alexander H. . .


238


Stevens, Henry.


274


Turk, L. N 283


Upchurch, John J.


452


Wilson, James W.


1010


Stewart, Andrew P. 939


Stiles, Joseph C. 251


Stiles, William H


252


Stovall, A. C.


636


Strange, John E. 283


Vincent, Aulsey A. 309


Wood, William J 562


Woods, Robert H 561


Strickland, Ansel. 686


Walker, William H. T. 249


Walker, Freeman 246


Strozier, Eugene F


607


Wan Valkenburg, William B 395


Veach, J. M. 308


Wadc, John McG. 625


Tribble, L. N. 693


Treadwell, J. W.


1041


Treutlen, John A 226


Towns, George W. 233


Trammell, Leander N


506


Trammell, Paul B. 946


Tomlinson, Moses.


501


Tompkins, Henry B. 946


Smith, W. T.


1007


Smith, A. R.


1024


Spearman, Wesley


.1081


Tift, Henry H. 319


Smith, Emanuel C ...


602


Walton, George 228 Wynn, Obadiah. 563


Walton, William T. 515


Wynn, Joseph H. 564


Zellers, William S.


408


Thomason, James R


444


Webb, Caloway M.


559


Zellars, Thomas E.


564


Van Goidtsnoven, Emile .. 950


Williams, Henry M.


447


INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.


Page.


Page.


Page.


Aiken, F. D .. 974


Gress, G. V. 799


Martin, E. W. 861


Allen, George D .. 320


Hall, M. M ... 509


Mershon, M. L. 986


Armstrong, W. S ... 703


Hammond, W. R .. 804


Milledge, John 863


Battles around Chatta-


Hardeman, Thomas. 340


Mobley, J. M. 1065


nooga ...... between 132-133


Battles around Atlanta . between 136-137


Bishop, T. L. 714


Harrison, George W 810


Northen, W. J. 148


Bleckley, L. E. 716


Hill, C. D .. 813


Hillyer, George.


815


Peck, J. C. 894


Brandon, Morris


719


Hood, J. B., between 136-137 Hood, E. C .. 1061


Powell, T. O. 270


Buck, E. A. 508


Bulloch, R. B. 730


Burford, R. E. L. 976


Burford, Hugh.


977


Calhoun, A. B.


526


Carter. R. F.


1058


Cline, Peter J


261


Confederate position May 19. .. . between 132-133


Courtney, J. C.


757


Davis, Thomas R.


491


Dorsey, R. T. 761


Du Bignon, Charles 263


Du Bignon, J. E


984


Dukes, W. B. 516


Lucas, W. H. 304


Walker, W. S .. 320


Lumpkin, J. H. 856 Westmoreland, T. P. 951


Evans, Clement A. 80


McCall, J. G ... 383


Whitner, John C.


954


Wright, Seaborn


681


Goodman, J. C.


315


Grant, L. P .. 793


Joyner, W. R. 840


. between 132-133


Kontz, A. L. 848


Smith, Burton. 935


Stanford, L. L 1068


Starke, H. F. 938


Lewis, John R ..


851


Stevens, Henry


274


Talley, J. W .. 319


Thomas, L. W.


944


Lowe, W. B. 855


Trammell, L. N. 506


English, J. W. 767


Lamb, T. W. 985


Leonard, T. K. 391


Powell, T. S ... 899


Hunnicutt, C. W. 830


Rice. Frank P. 907


Root, Sidney 918


Roy, G. G. 924


between 132-133


Sibbett, W. F.


510


Jones, Sam. 301


Sherman, W. T.


Plant, I. C. 369


Brown, Julius L.


724


Harris, Joel C ..


17


Moore, Charles G. 987


Harrison, W. R 493


Murphy, Anthony 868


Harrison, Z. D. 809


Newman, T. 988


Palmer, H. E. W 887


Bowen, W. L. L.


1030


Howel, T. F. 669


Jeter, W. A 354


Johnston, J. E.


Longstreet, James


between 136-137


Futch, Reuben 314


McDaniel, G. A


432


Malone, W. H.


435


Woodson, S. F.


964


Juelahow Column (


MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA


CHAPTER I.


BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.


'CIVIL HISTORY-INCEPTION OF THE COLONY-GEN. OGLETHORPE'S PLAN- GEORGIA'S COLONIAL CHARTER-THE COLONY STARTS FOR THE NEW WORLD-TOMO-CHI-CHI-EARLY STRUGGLES-JOHN AND CHARLES WES- LEY - DIFFICULTIES WITH THE SPANIARDS - SLAVES INTRODUCED- UNDER THE BRITISH CROWN-ADMINISTRATIONS OF GOVS. ELLIS AND WRIGHT-THE EVE OF REVOLUTION-GEORGIA NO LONGER A ROYAL COLONY-IN THE REVOLUTION-SAVANNAH OCCUPIED BY THE BRITISH- STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDED-GEORGIA ENTERS THE UNION-GEORGE WASHINGTON'S VISIT-THE YAZOO FRAUD-GEORGIA CEDES TERRITORY TO THE UNION-WAR OF. 1812-MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA ADMITTED- GEN. LA FAYETTE'S VISIT-THE CHEROKEES REFUSE TO GIVE UP THEIR COUNTRY-INDIAN DIFFICULTIES RENEWED-THE CHEROKEE INDIANS REMOVED-THE MEXICAN WAR-THE SLAVERY AGITATION-THE BEGIN- NING OF HOSTILITIES-GEORGIA PASSES THE ORDINANCE OF SECESSION- ORGANIZATION OF THE CONFEDERACY-FORT SUMTER TAKEN-THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES-GEN. SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA-LAST DAYS OF THE CONFEDERACY -THE ERA OF RECONSTRUCTION - GOV. JENKINS GOES INTO EXILE-RESTITUTION OF THE GREAT SEAL-ELEC- TION OF ALEX. H. STEPHENS AND HIS DEATH.


T HE colony of Georgia was not conceived in the bold, adventurous spirit of enterprising individuals, who merely sought the gratification of their own selfish ends, but, on the contrary, in the sufferings of a large class of British subjects; and the enterprise that culminated in a charter from the crown was the result of a legislative measure enacted for the relief of these sufferers. The colony of Georgia, therefore, was the only one of the original thirteen colonies along the Atlantic coast that derived its existence through the legislative functions of the government; and not only is this fact recalled with pride and pleasure by Georgians, but especially do they recall with satisfaction the feelings of kindness and humanity in which the enterprise originated.


I-2


18


MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.


In order to fully comprehend the scope and nature of the movement that resulted in the colony of Georgia, it is necessary to review the hardships of the debtor class in England and the rise to prominence of their illustrious benefactor, Gen. Oglethorpe, who espoused their cause in the house of commons. It was Gen. Oglethorpe who conceived the idea of compromising with their creditors and of giving them a fresh start in the new world. Under the rigid enforcement of the iron laws that governed the relationship existing between debtor and creditor the former class had become the objects of legislative persecution, and many were the distinguished victims who fell prey to this cruel injustice. If perchance a debtor was unable to meet his obligations, or varied even in the merest detail from the stipulations of his contract, he was rudely thrown in prison as a punishment for the crime imputed to him, and thus permitted to suffer without regard to the excuse rendered, or to such considerations as his physical health or social respectability. No discrimination was made by the law between the honest and the dishonest insolvent, and all who failed to meet its rigid requirements were treated as common thieves and placed on the same scale of criminal equality. Hundreds of the best men in England, representing the culture, genius and respectability of the king- dom, were thus placed under the proscription of a law that blighted their reputation without good and sufficient reason. But this was not all; the operation of the law did not end with the public disgrace to which the hapless victim was upheld, but continued to oppress him within the walls of the prison. The rules by which these torture-dens of oppression were conducted ignored the religious atmosphere of England, and recalled the pre-historic days of barbarism and brutality. The jail officials were monsters of inhumanity, who were utterly deficient in both sense and sympathy. They were the mere hirelings of justice, who tortured the inmates of the prison with a grim delight that seemed to revel in the privilege of applying the lash. But these were scarcely better than the judges who disgraced the bench by the acceptance of bribes and costly presents, and who degraded justice into mercenary traffic. This cruel order of things existed in England for a number of years, but happily for her subjects the obnoxious law was subsequently annulled, and her prison life purified. This reign of terror is now recalled by Englishmen as perhaps the darkest blot on the fair page of their country's civilization.


GEN. OGLETHORPE'S PLAN.


A man whose strong sympathies made him the friend of the unfortunate debtor, and whose broad intellect speedily grasped the situation with a realizing sense of its injustice, was Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony of Georgia.


Gen. Oglethorpe was an Englishman of noble birth and distinguished ancestry. He was born in the parish of St. James, Westminster, on June 1, 1689, and was the third son of Sir Theophilus Oglethorpe. He received his early training at Oxford, after which he entered the military service, having acquired the martial instinct from his father, who was a distinguished officer under James II. His promotion in the army was rapid, and his signal courage displayed on the continent soon gave him a pronounced reputation for soldierly conduct both at home and abroad. On his return to England he succeeded to the family estate at Westbrook, and after a. few years, in 1722, he was elected to the house of commons as a member from the county of Surrey. According to the records he was intrusted with the represen- tation of this county for thirty-two years. At the beginning of his political career Gen. Oglethorpe evinced a decided feeling of sympathy for the unfortunate debtors, and his labors were chiefly devoted to the amelioration of their distresses. His.


19


CIVIL HISTORY.


avowed championship soon gave him a conspicuous place, and made him one of the prominent figures of the house of commons. As the result of this attitude Gen. Oglethorpe was made the chairman of a special committee to visit the prisons, and, after a thorough examination into their rules and regulations as they con- cerned the care and treatment of inmates, to make a full report to the house, suggesting practical measures of reform. Gen. Oglethorpe performed his duty well, and as the result of this investigation of the prisons and his exposure of the manner in which they were conducted, he succeeded in convincing the government that a radical change was necessary and that speedy measures should be adopted for their purification.


Thus engaged in the study of prison life in England, and especially of a method for relieving the unfortunate debtor who, though honestly insolvent, was made a victim of legal persecution, it occurred to Gen. Oglethorpe, as if by inspiration, that the fitting out of an expedition to the new world for the purpose of establishing a colony was the key to the situation. Convinced of the feasibility of his plan he lost no time in taking the preliminary steps. His attention was drawn to the lands lying between the Altamaha and the Savannah rivers as an excellent site for his contemplated colony. The British subjects in Carolina were anxious to secure a neighbor to the south of them in order to prevent the incursions of the Indians upon their territory, and to aid them in successfully defying these ruddy natives of the forest.


Lord Percival was informed of this scheme by Gen. Oglethorpe, and other noblemen were taken into consultation. It was explained that the purpose of the expedition was not to relieve those who were righteously imprisoned for the repudi- ation of their debts, nor for those who merely submitted to a brief imprisonment in order to secure an unmolested title to their shamefully acquired wealth. The object of the enterprise was simply to befriend the honest and worthy inmates of these prisons, who would demonstrate their desert of such clemency by the character of their exertions in the new world. Accordingly a memorial was addressed to the privy council in which the enterprise was fully stated. It was further urged that the care of these indigent debtors was a burden to the public, and that to colonize the better portion of them in America would not only be a relief to the treasury of the kingdom, but would give these debtors an opportunity to make a fresh start, besides strengthening the British possessions on the conti- nent. The petitioners agreed to take a personal charge of the expedition, and to safely conduct the emigrant party to the lands that might be granted to them by the crown. They proposed to establish a plantation, to be owned and regulated by the government, in such a manner as the government might prescribe. The petition was favorably considered, and after passing through the usual channels, received the legal sanction, and a charter was accordingly framed by the advocates of the measure and signed by his majesty George II. on June 9, 1732.


GEORGIA'S COLONIAL CHARTER.


In substance the charter recited, by way of preliminary exposition, a full inventory of the reasons that were urged upon the crown in support of the enterprise of Gen. Oglethorpe. The special reasons emphasized were those of establishing more firmly the British possessions in America, increasing the trade and wealth of the kingdom, and the necessary defense of the colony of South Carolina, exposed to the slaughter and depredation of the red men.


The territory conveyed by the charter embraced all the lands "lying and being in that part of South Carolina, in America, from the northern part of a stream or


20


MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.


a river there commonly called the Savannah, all along the sea coast to the southward, unto the most southern stream of a certain other great water or river called the Altamaha, and westerly from the heads of the said rivers respectively in direct lines to the South seas; and all that share, circuit and precinct of land within the said boundaries, with the islands on the sea lying opposite to the eastern coast of said lands, within twenty leagues of the same, which was not inhabited already or settled by any authority derived from the crown of Great Britain."


It was further stipulated in the terms of the grant that a yearly sum of four shillings should be paid on each hundred acres of land which the corporation should grant, demise, plant and settle; but that no payment should commence or be made until ten years after such grant, demise, planting or settling; that the province should be designated by the name of Georgia, and that for a period of twenty-one years from the date of the charter the corporation should have power to enact laws for the government and regulation of the colony, not repugnant to the laws and statutes of England.


The transaction of the ordinary affairs of the colony was lodged with the common council, and this body was given the power to receive and disburse the moneys of the corporation; to use the common seal in the execution of necessary contracts; to nominate a treasurer, secretary and other important officers; to fix salaries; and to administer oaths for the faithful performance of duty. The creation of this council was to obviate the difficulty of bringing together the entire corporation in carrying on the business of the colony.


In consideration of the reasons for granting the charter the following named subjects were designated as members of the corporation, appointed by the crown: John, Lord Viscount Percival, of the Kingdom of Ireland, Edward Digby, George Carpenter, James Oglethorpe, George Heathcote, Thomas Tower, Robert Moor, Robert Hucks, Roger Holland, William Sloper, Francis Eyles, John Laroche, James Vernon, Wm. Beletha, Esqs., John Burton, Richard Bundy, Arthur Beaford, Samuel Smith and Adam Adamson, Gentlemen, and such other persons to be elected in the manner subsequently prescribed, to be known as "The Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America."


Lord Percival was named as the first president of the corporation, and he was required to convene the corporators within thirty days for the purpose of getting ready for the expedition. A common council of fifteen was also designated by the charter to transact business in behalf of the corporation. Provision was made for subsequent additions to the council, and Edward Digby was selected as the first chairman.


In keeping with the unselfish and benevolent nature of the enterprise, both the president of the corporation and the chairman of the common council were for- bidden to receive pay in compensation for their services either directly or indirectly. Each officer, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, was required to take a solemn and binding oath, obligating himself to perform the duties of his office faithfully.


An important duty enjoined upon the corporation, under the provisions of the charter, was to present a written report each year, addressed to the proper officers of the crown, showing an itemized statement of all transactions and expenditures of money by the colony.


The privilege of transporting British subjects to America was granted by the charter, and also all foreigners who were willing to take the oath of allegiance and become true and loyal subjects of Great Britain. Religious liberty was accorded to all who might avail themselves of the expedition, except the Catholics. In brief, without going into details, the charter provided for the comfort, proper


2I


CIVIL HISTORY.


maintenance and protection of all who should join the emigrating party; and the privilege of taking with them agricultural implements, cattle, provisions, furniture, firearms, and munitions of war, in addition to such merchandise as they might need in carrying on negotiations with the natives, were all granted to the corporation in behalf of the colonists. It was further provided in the charter that, after the expira- tion of twenty-one years, a new and substantial form of government should be adopted in lieu of this provisional one.


THE COLONY STARTS FOR THE NEW WORLD.


A meeting was held by the corporation for the purpose of accepting the charter in July, 1732. This was followed by several others in rapid succession. The. officers of the corporation as provided for in the charter were duly elected and qualified, and the Bank of England was selected as the custodian of all moneys subscribed in furtherance of the enterprise. It is important, as well as interesting, to observe in this connection, the character of the seal adopted. On one side of the instrument two figures were represented, each reclining against an urn from which issued a stream, signifying the two rivers that formed the upper and lower boundaries of the province in America. Each figure held in its hand a spade, suggestive of the agricultural employment that would engage the attention of the settlers. Above these figures was seated a goddess, who impersonated the genius of the colony, holding in her right hand a spear and in her left hand a cornucopia, signifying protection and plenty. In the background stood a tree, and above it was written this inscription: "Colonia Georgia Aug." The purpose of this face of the seal was to attest all deeds and commissions as well as to give proper authenti- cation to legislative acts. The other face of the seal represented a lot of silk-worms with this engraving: "Non Sibi Sed Aliis," the literal meaning of this motto being "Not for Ourselves but for Others." This face of the seal was to be used for all grants, orders and certificates. It was thought at the time of the adoption of this seal that the cultivation of silk would be the controlling industry on account of the number of mulberry trees supposed to abound in the locality.


The charter having been procured, a committee of citizens was appointed to bring the enterprise before the people and solicit contributions in behalf of the colony. The liberal sum of £10,000 was donated by parliament, in addition to large subscriptions from private individuals and benevolent associations. Before the enterprise was fairly launched the heart of England was deeply stirred in behalf of the unfortunate class who had been so long the subject of discriminating legis- lation. The offer of the trustees to defray the expenses of all who wished to embark for the new world, the permission of their creditors having been obtained, met with general acceptance on the part of the oppressed debtors, and many worthy foreigners, in addition to large numbers of poor people, were prevailed upon to join the expedition. They listened to the glowing descriptions that were given to them of the new country, and their imaginations began to picture it as a land of peace and plenty in which they would have no occasion to revert to their former ills except to contrast them with their contented and happy lot.


In the regulations that were drawn up by the trustees each man was regarded as a planter and a soldier. He was not only charged with the cultivation of the soil but also with its defense and protection. It was adjudged that fifty acres of land would be sufficient for himself and his family and this was to be held by him as a military fief. It was provided that no African slaves should be introduced into the colony, but this provision was afterward rescinded. A number of regula- tions were prescribed, in pursuance of the charter, including the tenure of land by


22


MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.


estates in tail, and for life only, in order to prevent confusion. The colonist had the privilege of naming his heir if he died without male issue. The lands were to be cultivated within a certain time or forfeited.


By the time the expedition was ready to start the number of emigrants enrolled was one hundred and fourteen, including men, women and children. Gen. Oglethorpe was appointed to command the expedition and to superintend the planting of the colony. A vessel was comfortably fitted up and provided with all the supplies that were needed for the voyage. In going with the emigrants Gen. Oglethorpe volunteered to bear his own expenses, and to give to the enterprise the unremitting service of his hands and heart. The last Sabbath in England was spent by the emigrants on the banks of the historic Thames. They held devotional exercises and passed the day in prayer and meditation.


On Nov. 17 the vessel weighed anchor and started on its watery journey. The name of the ship was the "Anne," commanded by Capt. Thomas. It numbered thirty-five families and one hundred and thirty persons, including Gen. Oglethorpe, Dr. Henry Herbert, an Episcopal clergyman, and a man by the name of Amatis who was to instruct the emigrants in the cultivation of silk. The weather for the trip was unusually good, and the emigrant vessel reached Charleston Harbor on Jan. 13, 1733. Only two children died at sea. The other members of the party landed in safety.


Gen. Oglethorpe and his crew were cordially received by the governor of South Carolina and pledges of hearty support and co-operation were extended to him. The next morning Gen. Oglethorpe returned to the "Anne" and set sail with his crew for Port Royal. Leaving the colonists at Beaufort he proceeded with Col. Wm. Bull to the Savannah river and explored that stream as far as Yamacraw bluff. His eye at a glance comprehended the situation, and he proceeded at once to mark off the new town and to give it the name of Savannah. The height of the bluff was forty feet and extended for nearly a mile along the river. It was covered with pines, live-oaks and magnolias, and presented a beautiful and pleasing pros- pect to the eye of the noble-hearted Englishman. The bluff extended for several miles to the west. It overlooked the broad expanse of the Carolina lowlands which contained the delta of the Savannah river and presented a gorgeous picture to the morning sun.




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