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 5

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 5

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SAVANNAH OCCUPIED BY THE BRITISH.

The defeat of Gen. Howe greatly discouraged the American cause in Georgia, and on the return of Gov. Wright from England in the summer of 1779 a large number of the colonists were induced to join the king on the assurance of a favor- able reception. On the arrival of Gen. Lincoln the situation in Georgia was not very inviting. He had scarcely more than 1,200 men against 4,000 British in possession of the city and adjacent strongholds. The hopes of the patriots were revived in a measure by small victories won over the royalists in Burke county and in the neighborhood of Augusta, and this afforded them enough encouragement to wait for brighter signs. Hostilities were practically suspended during the spring and summer of 1779, though Savannah remained in possession of the British.

'In the meantime the legislative business of the state was carried on in Augusta. John Houston continued to act as governor until the legislature convened, and John Werriat was elected. A quorum, however, was not present, and Col. George Walton challenged the election. A new assembly being called Col. Walton was declared the chief executive.

Count d'Estaing, who represented the favor of the French government, and who had won quite a number of signal victories, reached Georgia on Sept. 23, 1779, with a large number of frigates and battle ships. He captured several British vessels near Tybee Island, and after landing pitched his camp about three miles from Savannah. Gen. Provost, in charge of the British forces, ordered all outposts to fall back into the city.

Count d'Estaing was soon joined by Gen. Lincoln, and together they resolved to lay siege to Savannah. The count, however, perceiving that the storms were ruining his vessels, proposed an attack, and for this purpose 2,500 men were put in motion. The British, who were on their guard, perceived the advance of the Americans and their allies, and proceeded to open fire. Count d'Estaing, in leading the gallant charge, received a severe wound and fell back with his men. The Americans, however, pressed forward until they planted a battle flag on one of the principal redoubts. This flag had been presented to Sergt. Jasper by Mrs. Elliott, of South Carolina. As soon as the flag was placed in position it was immediately struck down. As quick as a flash the gallant hero leaped to the top of the battlement, and, amid a storm of bullets, reinstated the flag securely. This noble feat accomplished, he fell to the ground mortally wounded.

"Tell Mrs. Elliott," said he with his last breath, as he lay on the field, "that I died fighting for my colors."

CIVIL HISTORY.

In the same bloody engagement Count Pulaski, a brave and dashing Polish officer, was also mortally wounded. On the following day Gen. Lincoln retreated to Charleston, S. C., the French fleet returned home, and Savannah remained securely in possession of the British.

In 1780 Charleston shared the fate of Savannah and fell into the hands of the enemy. During the same year the seat of government was changed from Augusta to Heard's Fort, in Wilkes county. Having reduced both Charleston and Savannah, Gen. Clinton next endeavored to subjugate all the southern colonies. He ordered Col. Brown to take possession of Augusta, and this ferocious and brutal officer immediately undertook to capture that stronghold. Col. Elijah Clarke, however, intercepted his movements and put the force to rout, while on the way to Augusta, with great slaughter. He was subsequently reinforced, and Col. Clarke's efforts to retain Augusta proved unsuccessful.

Gen. Nathaniel Greene assumed the command of the southern army in the spring of 1781. He was successful to a marked degree, and the British were driven into the neighborhood of their strongholds at Charleston and Savannah. During the summer, with the aid of Lieut .- Col. Henry Lee and Gen. Pickens, a second effort was made by Col. Clarke to capture Augusta. Forts Grierson and Cornwallis, by which it was defended, were both taken, and June 5, 1781, Augusta was re-occupied by the Americans. It was during this critical season that Nancy Hart, a brave woman residing in Elbert county, who cordially despised the tories, held six of them captive in her house by forbidding them to move, under the penalty of being shot. One of them made a movement toward her and fell dead at her feet. A county was subsequently named in honor of this brave woman. Maj. James Jackson was left in charge of Augusta, while Pickens and Lee hastened to join Gen. Greene at Ninety-Six. -

. At the north the issue of battle was decidedly in favor of the colonies. On Oct. 19, 1781, Gen. Cornwallis surrendered his army of 7,000 men to Gen. Washington. The Americans in the south, especially in Georgia, were greatly reduced on account of privations to which they were subjected, but they had every reason to be encouraged, and they persevered through existing hardships in the hope of ultimate victory.

THE EVACUATION OF SAVANNAH AND THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION.

In January, 1782, Gen. Wayne was sent into Georgia, and by his skillful maneuvering he succeeded in driving the British into their stronghold at Savannah. Realizing that little hope of success was now left to them, and that further resistance was fruitless, they voluntarily surrendered the city on July II, 1782. A treaty of peace was signed between the United States and England at Paris on Nov. 30, 1782, by which the independence of the thirteen states was recognized, and the war of the revolution was at an end.

The governors who had served Georgia during this critical period were George Walton, Richard Howley, Stephen Heard, Nathan Brownson and John Martin. On Jan. 9, 1783, Lyman Hall was elected governor, and George Walton chief justice. On account of the enlarged area of population the seat of government, which was transferred to Savannah after the evacuation by the British, was again changed to Augusta, in order to be nearer the center of population. Gov. Hall delivered an address to the legislature that convened July 8, urging the people of the state to devote themselves to a speedy restitution of their losses, and to prove themselves worthy of the freedom which they had achieved. A tax was levied on slaves and property, and the lands of all the royal adherents were confiscated. A

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

treaty was made with the Indians by which enough territory was ceded for two additional counties. They were given the names of Franklin and Washington, in honor of those two distinguished patriots of the revolution. John Houston was called to the executive chair in January, 1784. At the next session of the legislature a bill was introduced providing for the establishment of a state university.

THE STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDED.

Scarcely had Georgia emerged from the revolution before she commenced to lay the foundation of a broad and liberal system of education. The bill that was introduced in the legislature provided for a survey in each of the counties of Washington and Franklin of 20,000 acres of land, divided into tracts of 5,000 acres each, for the endowment of an institution of learning; the said lands to be granted in trust to the governor for the time being, John Houston, James Haber- sham, William Few, Joseph Clay, Abraham Baldwin, William Houston and Nathan Brownson. By an act of the legislature, passed in the following year, a board of visitors was created, to consist of the governor, the speaker of the house and the chief justice of the state, and a board of trustees composed of influential Georgians, the two bodies to be known as the Senatus Academicus of the University of Georgia. The first meeting of the Senatus Academicus was held in Louisville, Ga., in 1799, and Joseph Meigs was chosen as the first president, at a salary of $1,200. The original site for the university was located in Greene county, but the trustees were not satisfied, and it was subsequently changed to the banks of the Oconee river, in Franklin county, and the name of Athens given to the location.

A land court was organized in 1784 for the purpose of investigating all claims to the land recently ceded by the Indians. Nearly 5,000 applications were received, based on various grounds. Twenty thousand acres were voted to Count d'Estaing in recognition of his gallant services. In 1785 Samuel Elbert was elected governor. His administration was characterized by Indian disturbances along the frontier. The general government had appointed commissioners to meet with the Creeks and the Cherokees to fix the boundary line, but Georgia claimed that her wishes in the matter should have been consulted, and accordingly appointed her own commission to see that her rights were not invaded. The year 1786 began with the election of Edward Telfair as governor, and was subsequently marked by the death of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, who died at his home, about fourteen miles from Savannah. By an act of congress the currency was changed from the English to the American system. It was ascertained that the debt of the state was $150,000, and bills of credit were accordingly issued.

GEORGIA ENTERS THE UNION.

Gov. Telfair was succeeded by George Matthews in 1787. In April of this year a boundary line was agreed upon between Georgia and South Carolina. A convention having been called by the continental congress to meet on Feb. 21, 1787, to establish a national constitution, the following delegates represented the state at Philadelphia: William Few, William Houston, William Pierce, Abram Baldwin, George Walton and Nathaniel Pendleton. The constitution adopted by this convention was duly ratified, and on Jan. 2, 1788, Georgia was admitted as the fourth state into the union.

George Handly was the next governor. On Nov. 4 a state convention was held at Augusta for the purpose of considering a new constitution. This convention adjourned, after a full discussion, in order to give the people of the state an

CIVIL HISTORY.

opportunity to express themselves in a second convention to be held on Jan. 4, 1789. In the meantime electors were chosen in all the states for the ensuing national election, and, as the result of the ballots cast, George Washington and John Adams were declared the choice of the American people for president and vice-president.

On account of several new amendments proposed the second state convention failed to adopt a constitution. Gov. George Walton, having succeeded to the chair of state, called a third convention, which met in Augusta on May 4, 1789, and adopted the new constitution. This instrument went into effect in October, 1789, and Edward Telfair was the first governor under the new constitution. On Dec. 8 the state was divided into three congressional districts, and James Jackson, Abram Baldwin and George Matthews were selected as Georgia's representatives in congress.

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S VISIT.

In order to understand the people better and to give them his personal assur- ances of interest and good will President Washington decided to make a tour of the southern states. He reached Savannah in May, 1791, and was warmly greeted by a large delegation of people collected from all parts of the state and headed by the local authorities. After a pleasant stay in Savannah, horses were provided and the distinguished chieftain, attended by a large escort, set out for Augusta, the state capital. Here he was warmly received by Gov. Telfair and several speeches were delivered. The president was taken to the Richmond academy, and after making the pupils a brief address, presented to Mr. William H. Crawford, who was then a young tutor, with a copy of "Caesar's Commentaries." At the elegant home of Col. Walton near Augusta Gen. Washington was lavishly entertained for more than a week, after which he left for South Carolina greatly impressed by his visit and leaving a fragrant impression in the hearts of all.

The population of the state at this time was 83,000, and the value of goods exported nearly $500,000. The administration of Gov. Telfair was marked by unusual prosperity. For the next few years the progress of the state was uninter- rupted, except for occasional difficulties with the Indians along the frontier. The seat of government was changed from Augusta to Louisville, Ga., in May, 1795, and Gov. Matthews, after serving the state for a second term, was succeeded in January, 1796, by Jared Irwin.

THE YAZOO FRAUD.

A thrilling and dramatic chapter in Georgia's history is the one that records the Yazoo fraud. In order to understand this monumental fraud, perpetrated upon the people, it is necessary to go behind the events that have just been recorded. In the year 1789 a company was organized in South Carolina, known as the South Carolina Yazoo company. This company was organized for the purpose of purchasing from the state of Georgia a large tract of land in what was then the western part of the state, bordering on the Mississippi river. The name was taken from a tribe of Indians that formerly occupied that locality. The land in this section of the state was comparatively unknown, and was remote from the center of population. It occurred to the projectors of this great land enterprise that if the purchase could be effected at a nominal price it would enable them to realize a large sum of money and to live in feudal ease and splendor.

At the same time in Virginia and Tennessee companies of a like character were organized. A man by the name of Tom Washington first conceived the idea of purchasing this large domain. Agents were sent into every part of the country

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

and large sums of money were expended in order to create a favorable impression upon the state legislature. Everything having been arranged a bill was introduced providing for the sale of a portion of these lands. Under the provision of the bill these companies were to receive over 20,000,000 acres of land for $200,000. The bill was passed and received the approval of the governor, much to the regret and disapprobation of the people of the state, but, on account of certain difficulties in the way, the sale of the land was never negotiated.

In 1794 these men renewed their efforts to purchase the land. The companies organized for the purpose of making the purchase from the state were "The Georgia Company," "The Tennessee Company," "The Virginia Yazoo Company," and "The Georgia Mississippi Company." A bill was introduced, finally receiving the approval of the governor, who at first opposed it, conveying 35,000,000 acres of land to these companies for $500,000. This was almost equivalent to giving the land away, and the people of the state were not slow in expressing their indigna- tion. Charges of corruption were brought against members of the legislature in yielding to the overtures of men who merely sought to cheat and defraud the commonwealth. Mr. William H. Crawford, who subsequently became one of the most distinguished men of the state, took a leading part in the opposition. One of the state senators, James Gunn, had been prevailed upon to accept a position in one of the Yazoo companies, but no amount of inducement could persuade his colleague, Hon. James Jackson. He refused to be influenced, and finally resigned his seat in the senate in order to prevent the sale of the Yazoo lands from being consummated. He was elected to the state legislature that met in January, 1796, and became the author of the rescinding act that declared the law a nullity on account of the fraud practiced to obtain it. This act received the official signature of Gov. Jared Irwin on Feb. 13, 1796. A few days later the papers and records pertaining to the fraud were burned in the presence of the assembled representa- tives. They were kindled by a beam of light passed through a magnifying glass in order that the fire of heaven might be the instrument of their destruction.

A prolonged dispute in the courts resulted. The companies were deeply aggrieved by the state's action, and they vowed to prosecute the matter until their rights were recognized. A commission was appointed, but the demands of the companies were never satisfied until Georgia ceded her western domain to the United States and a large sum of money was voted by congress for their extinction. The notoriety attached to the Yazoo fraud was such that Georgia, in the course of a few years, acquired a world-wide renown.

The popularity of Gen. James Jackson was such that he was called to the gubernatorial chair on Jan. 12, 1798. In the following May a constitutional con- vention was held at Louisville and a permanent constitution adopted.

GEORGIA'S NEW SEAL.

A new seal of the state was adopted by the legislature that met in June, 1799. On one side the flag of the United States was displayed from a ship that was receiving on board hogsheads of tobacco and bales of cotton. In the rear of this view a man in the act of plowing and a flock of sheep were represented, with the motto: "Agriculture and Commerce, 1799." On the other side an arch resting upon three pillars represented the constitution as resting upon the three cardinal virtues: "Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation." After the adoption of this seal it was placed in the hands of the secretary of state and by him used in the proper authentication of all state papers.

It will be observed that the silk worm was not honored in the pictorial design

CIVIL HISTORY.

of the new seal, that industry having yielded to a more prolific source of profit-the culture of cotton.

Twenty-four counties were represented in the legislature of 1799, and under the plan of representation there were twenty-four senators and seventy-five representa- tives. Three judicial circuits were formed, known as the eastern, middle, and western, and over these David B. Mitchell, George Walton, and Thomas P. Carnes were elected respectively. Gen. Washington died at his home at Mt. Vernon, Va., on Dec. 14, 1799, and his death was universally deplored. On the following day Georgia sustained an additional loss in the death of Gen. Elijah Clarke, one of the heroes of the revolution.

The introduction of cotton into Georgia is placed to the credit of Josialı Tattnal and John Milledge. At the close of the century the population of the state was 163,000, and the productions of the field and forest represented a great variety. The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney, a Georgian living near Savannah, gave a much-needed impetus to this industry. The Indian tribes that came in contact with the settlers on the frontier were the Creeks and the Cherokees, the Creeks occupying the middle and southern portions of the state, and the Chero- kees living among the mountains. In this connection it may be observed that the Cherokees were the most intelligent Indians that peopled the solitudes of the American forest.

GEORGIA CEDES TERRITORY TO THE UNION.

The reins of government were next placed in the hands of Josiah Tattnall. His first official signature was affixed to an act of the legislature recalling his banished father, whose property had been confiscated and he himself exiled on account of his loyal adherence to the English government during the revolution.

By an act passed on Dec. 2, 1800, Abram Baldwin and James Jackson, the two state senators, and James Jones and Benjamin Taliaferro, representatives, were appointed to settle all disputes growing out of the Mississippi land troubles. John Milledge was subsequently placed on the committee instead of Benjamin Talia- ferro and James Jones. On the part of the United States, James Madison, Albert Gallatin and Levi Lincoln were appointed to meet with the Georgia committee. The conference took place in Washington city in April, 1802, and the following treaty was agreed upon:

"Georgia cedes to the United States all the territory belonging to her south of Tennessee, and west of the Chattahoochee, up to the great bend, thence west of the line direct to Nickajack creek, near the present city of Chattanooga, upon these conditions :

"(I) That out of the proceeds of the sale of these lands the United States shall give to Georgia $1,250,000.

"(2) That all persons who are settled within the said territory shall be confirmed in all their titles under the United States government.

"(3) That the ceded lands be considered a public fund to be distributed by the United States in the proper manner, as other public funds in lands.

"(4) That the United States, at their own expense, extinguish for the use of Georgia as soon as the same can be peaceably done on reasonable terms the Indian claims to the county of Tallahassee, to the land occupied by the Creeks, and to those between the forks of the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers, for which several objects the president of the United States shall order that a treaty be immediately held with the Indians, and that, in like manner, the United States shall extinguish the Indian title to all other lands in the state of Georgia.

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

"(5) That the territory thus ceded shall form a state as soon as it shall contain 60,000 people, and as such be admitted into the union."

The stipulations of this agreement were ratified by the state legislature, and all moneys that were paid into the state treasury by the Yazoo companies were trans- ferred to the vaults of the general government.

A few days after this a treaty was made with the Creek Indians by which they agreed to surrender all their territory between the Oconee and the Ocmulgee rivers. The treaty was signed at Fort Wilkinson by the commissioners and forty chiefs on June 16, 1802, and received the signature of President Jefferson the following year.

In November, 1802, John Milledge, who was then representing the state in congress, was elected governor of Georgia. He had distinguished himself as one of the most illustrious men in the state, having taken an active part in the war of the revolution, and having been one of the most bitter opponents of the Yazoo sale. As the friend and patron of all learning, Gov. Milledge may be well styled the father of the state university, for he was one of the founders and chief benefactors of that institution.

The lands ceded to the state by the Indians were divided into three counties, Wayne, Wilkinson, and Baldwin, and parceled out among the people by means of the lottery system. Twelve months after the drawing each fortunate land owner was required to pay $4 for every 100 acres. Georgia was the only state that adopted this method of division.

THREE DISTINGUISHED GEORGIANS PASS AWAY.

In close succession the state was now called upon to mourn the departure of three of her most distinguished sons. The first of these was Josiah Tattnall. He died in the West Indies on June 6, 1803, and his dying request to those about him was to carry his remains to Georgia, that he might repose on the banks of his own beautiful Savannah. He had served as governor of the state and had been one of the first planters to introduce the cultivation of cotton.

At his home near Augusta, Ga., Gov. George Walton breathed his last on Feb. 2. 1804. No citizen of the state was more profoundly honored than this devoted Georgian. He was a member of the continental congress, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence for Georgia, twice governor of the state, its highest judicial officer, wearing the ermine of the chief justice, and for nearly fifteen years a judge of the superior court, in addition to his gallant services as a colonel in the revolution. He was a man of considerable literary talent, and was on the eve of writing a history of Georgia when his death occurred. During his visit to Augusta in 1796 Gen. Washington was the guest of Gov. Walton, and was entertained by him with lavish hospitality. Gov. Walton at the time of his deatlı was the judge of the middle circuit. One of the largest counties in the state is named in honor of Gov. Walton, and his ashes repose near Augusta, on the banks of the Savannah river.

In March, 1806, while discharging his duties at Washington, Senator James Jackson, who made himself illustrious by his opposition to the Yazoo fraud, died. He was buried four miles from Washington city, but his remains were afterward transferred to the Congressional cemetery. On his tombstone was engraved this plain inscription : "To the memory of Maj .- Gen. James Jackson, of Georgia, who deserved and enjoyed the confidence of a grateful country. A soldier of the revo- lution." In the death of Gen. Jackson the state suffered a severe loss. and he was universally mourned. His place in the senate was filled by ex-Gov. John Milledge.

A brilliant Georgian whose star was beginning to rise at this period of Georgia's

CIVIL HISTORY.

history was William H. Crawford. He became the secretary of war under Presi- dent Madison, and afterward United States minister to France. He was regarded by the great Napoleon as the handsomest man he ever met, and the only one to whom he felt constrained to lift his hat. In 1807 Mr. Crawford was elected to the United States senate, and Gov. Jared Irwin occupied for a second time the gubernatorial chair. The capital of the state was changed to Milledgeville, and here the laws of Georgia were enacted for more than fifty years.

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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 5

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

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