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 7

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 7

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GOV. FORSYTH'S ADMINISTRATION.

In the fall of 1827 John Forsyth, a distinguished Georgian who had served in the halls of national legislation and who had represented the United States government in the court of Spain, was called to the chair of state vacated by Gov. Troup. He had no opposition on the day of election, as the candidate of the Clarke party, Matthew Talbot, died during the campaign. Gov. Forsyth was a man of distinguished ability and his talents made him a worthy successor to Gov. Troup. President John Quincy Adams, having failed of a re-election, the presidential honors were conferred upon Gen. Andrew Jackson of Tennessee, who took such I-4

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

a distinguished part in the war of 1812. In the selection of his cabinet the claims of Georgia were recognized in the conspicuous talents of Hon. John McPherson Berrien, who was made attorney-general. The congress immediately preceding the election of Gen. Jackson had passed a protective tariff in order to stimulate American industry and to enable home institutions to compete with those abroad. The southern states refused to support the tariff measure, although it was strongly advocated in the north and east.

The candidates for governor at the next election were George R. Gilmer and Joel Crawford. - The election resulted in favor of Gilmer by a good majority. The administration of Gov. Forsyth had been one of comparative ease and tran- quillity. A rougher sea, however, awaited the inauguration of his successor.

GOV. GILMER'S ADMINISTRATION.

In the selection of Mr. Gilmer to guide the affairs of state the people of Georgia made a wise choice. Born in Wilkes county, he was a thorough Georgian and stood among the leading men of the state. He figured with prominence in the war of 1812, after which he represented Oglethorpe county in the state legislature and subsequently illustrated Georgia in the halls of congress. At the beginning of his administration Gov. Gilmer found the state in a prosperous condition. The cultivation of cotton had become the chief agricultural industry of the state and sev- eral hundred thousand bales were annually exported. The population of the state had reached nearly 600,000 souls and numerous public buildings, including houses of worship and educational institutions, had sprung up. Having disposed of the Creek Indians a sequel to this unpleasant chapter was now at hand in the defiant attitude of the Cherokees, who refused to surrender their mountain homes and to give up the domain of their forefathers. They claimed that, having advanced in civ- ilization, the government should allow them to remain and to constitute an inde- pendent state in the federal union. They had enacted a system of laws for the regu- lation of their domestic affairs, and in this connection it may be observed that the Cherokees were the only Indians in America who possessed a written alphabet. In spite of the intelligence that characterized the better class of these Indians, the people of the state continued to clamor for their removal, especially since they were continually harassed along the frontier by Indian depredations. In 1829 Wilson Lumpkin, a representative in congress, introduced a bill providing for the removal of the Cherokees, and this bill was referred to the committee on Indian affairs, who reported it back favorably. An act was subsequently passed providing for a transfer of all the Indian tribes to a government reservation west of the Mississippi river.

THE CHEROKEES REFUSE TO GIVE UP THEIR COUNTRY.

The Cherokees stubbornly refused to consider any proposition that contem- plated a surrender of their country. They continued to assert their independence and to resist the laws of the state in deference to their own established legislation. In the meantime, however, an act was passed by the legislature extending the jurisdiction of the courts into the Cherokee domain and holding the Indians amenable for all crimes and depredations committed. The Cherokees entered their indignant protest and employed counsel to represent them in the federal courts. Gov. Gilmer, on the part of the state, and Wm. Wirt, as attorney for the Indians, carried on a lengthy correspondence, the result of which was Gov. Gil- mer's positive refusal to submit the matter to the supreme court of the United States, as he held that Georgia had jurisdiction over her own territory.

CIVIL HISTORY.

The situation at this time was further complicated by the discovery of gold which intensified the greed of the white settlers and caused them to encroach upon the Indian lands. In order to stop this illicit gold-digging, stringent measures were adopted by the legislature of 1830, and it was found necessary to employ force in order to stop the Indians and the white settlers, who were both viewed in the light of trespassing upon the state's property. Maj. Wagner of the United States army, with a number of troops, entered the Cherokee domain, and after seizing the provisions and utensils of the gold-diggers he placed the trespassers under arrest. They were subsequently released, however, with the understanding that all illicit gold-digging should be suspended. In the fall of this year a Chero- kee Indian by the name of George Tassel was arrested for murder. He was tried before Judge Clayton in the Hall county superior court and sentenced to be hung. Tassel appealed for protection to the supreme court of the United States and Gov. Gilmer was accordingly summoned by Chief Justice John Marshall to appear before him, on behalf of the state of Georgia, in December, 1830.

The legislature directed Gov. Gilmer to ignore all papers that were served upon him, as he represented the sovereignty of the state and Georgia recognized no higher tribunal than her own courts. The authorities of Hall county were directed to proceed at once with the execution of Tassel and this injunction was accordingly obeyed. The bold attitude of the state had its proper effect. The Cherokees appealed to the supreme court to restrain the state of Georgia from exercising jurisdiction over their territory, but the injunction was refused.

In order to keep the white settlers from trespassing upon the Indian lands a law was enacted by the legislature making it a penal offense for a white man to be discovered on the Cherokee lands without permission from the authorities, and the oath of allegiance to the state of Georgia. The penalty for this offense was hard labor in the penitentiary for a term of not less than four years. A num- ber of missionaries who determined to evade the law were arrested, but Judge Clayton held that, since they were merely disbursing charities, they were not amenable to the law and they were thereupon dismissed. Later on, however, Gov. Gilmer learned from the authorities at Washington that they were not authorized agents of the government, and he gave them ten days in which to leave the terri- tory. At the expiration of this time they were tried and convicted. Eight of them were afterward set at liberty on agreeing to recognize the authority of the state, but the others were imprisoned. These eventually were pardoned also on the same conditions.

GOV. LUMPKIN'S ADMINISTRATION.

It was during this critical period that Gov. Wilson Lumpkin was inaugurated. He was the candidate of the Clarke party and defeated Gov. Gilmer, who was the candidate of the Troup party and stood for re-election. Gov. Lumpkin was a Virginian by birth and came to Georgia during his infancy. He lived in Ogle- thorpe county and was a neighbor of Gov. Gilmer. As soon as the legislature convened Gov. Lumpkin declared himself in favor of appropriating the Indian domain and recommended an immediate survey. The legislature directed the survey to begin on April 1, 1831.

The tariff agitation overshadowed the Indian troubles at this juncture. The southern states, on account of the high tariff duties imposed, felt themselves con- siderably aggrieved. A convention was held by the people of South Carolina and this was followed by one at Milledgeville in November, 1833. Gov. Gilmer was the presiding officer of the convention. Dissensions arose causing a number of delegates to withdraw, leaving a majority of the members behind; but only a

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

minority of the counties were represented. However, a set of resolutions against the tariff was framed and the convention adjourned to meet in July, IS33. In the meantime President Andrew Jackson was re-elected over Henry Clay of Kentucky, and in his message to congress he recommended a reduction of the tariff. Prior to this South Carolina had threatened to leave the union, but this question was abandoned and peace soon prevailed. A hundred years had elapsed since the settlement of Georgia by Gen. Oglethorpe and the centennial of the state was celebrated on Feb. 13, 1833, with great pomp and ceremony.

Gov. Lumpkin, as the candidate of the union party, as that faction was now called, defeated Joel Crawford, the candidate of the states' rights party, in the October election for governor. In view of the approaching national election Gov. George M. Troup was endorsed by the states' right party for the presidency. He had just resigned his seat in the United States senate. The death of Hon. Wm. H. Crawford on Sept. 15, 1834, removed from the stage of public life one of the grandest men of his day. The latter years of his life were spent in great bodily affliction and, though he presided for a number of years on the bench of the northern circuit, he was not the same man who had graced the French court and aspired to presidential honors. He was buried near his home in Oglethorpe county.

INDIAN DIFFICULTIES RENEWED.

For two or three years no serious depredations were committed by the Chero- kees, but in March, 1834, Eli Hicks, a son of one of the Indian chiefs who was friendly to the white settlers and advocated a removal of the tribe, was shot by a band of savage Indians. Numerous outrages followed and several distinguished advocates of the movement suffered the fate of the first Indian martyr.

A division of sentiment among the Cherokees resulted in the formation of two parties, and deputations were sent by each of these to Washington city in February, 1835. John Ross headed the delegation opposed to emigration and John Ridge the one that favored it. Ross, though opposed to leaving the state, was willing to cede the Indian lands for $20,000,000. This proposition was promptly rejected. Ridge asked that a person be designated to meet with his delegation and discuss terms of removal. This was granted and a conference was held at which it was agreed to submit a definite proposition to the Cherokee nation for ratification.

As a result of this conference a meeting with the Indians was held at Running Waters. A number of speeches were made, but nothing was accomplished. Later on a meeting was held at Red Clay, at which resolutions were adopted by the Ridge party favoring emigration. The Ross party having withdrawn from the meeting sent a delegation to Washington city, but the senate refused to entertain their objections.

A treaty with the Cherokees was signed at New Echota on Dec. 21, 1835. By the terms of this treaty the Indians were to give up their lands in Georgia, in con- sideration of $5,000,000, in addition to a perpetual reservation of 7,000,000 acres of land west of the Mississippi river. The government agreed to protect them in their rights and to maintain them for one year after their removal.

THE CHEROKEE INDIANS REMOVED.

The Indians were allowed to remain in the state two years after the confirma- tion of the treaty. On May 18, 1838, a military force, in command of Gen. Scott, was ordered out and the collection of the Indians commenced. It was not until the last of June that the Cherokee nation, 14,000 strong, started for the reservation

CIVIL HISTORY.

beyond the Mississippi. Just before leaving the state Maj. Ridge and his son, John Ridge, were murdered by unknown hands, supposed to belong to the opposing faction. On the way to the Indian territory a large number of the Cherokees died. Having reached their destination, the pledges of the government were promptly executed, and ever since that time the Cherokees and their descend- ants have enjoyed their possessions unmolested. They have advanced in civilization and morality, and have frequently imperiled their lives in defense of the national flag.

GOV. SCHLEY'S ADMINISTRATION AND THE CREEK WAR

Gov. Wm. Schley, in the fall election of 1835, received the highest vote for governor and was duly inaugurated. His administration, however, was vexed by troubles with the Creek Indians in Alabama, who were nerved by the outbreak of the Seminole Indians in Florida. They began their hostilities along the Chatta- hoochee river, in the summer of 1836, and a large number of settlers were murdered. Intense alarm and excitement prevailed throughout the state, and Gov. Schley took the field in person. Volunteer companies were raised and a cam- paign against the Indians was commenced. Gen. Scott, who was placed in command of the United States forces, proceeded to organize his troops at Colum- bus, Ga. On account of the destitute condition of the Indians in that neighborhood they shortly surrendered.

The village of Roanoke, on the Chattahoochee, was burned by the Creeks on the night of May 15, 1836. Numerous plantations were destroyed along the river and several bloody engagements between the Indians and the whites occurred. Having committed these depredations, an effort was made by the Creeks to join the Seminoles in Florida. On their way southward they continued to murder the settlers, and having collected a large force of their scattered tribe they proceeded to penetrate the swamps. In the swamps, however, a desperate battle ensued, in which the Indians were driven back with great slaughter by the white forces in command of Maj. Jernigan, who had been stationed to guard the swamps. A second effort to cross the Florida line by the remaining Creeks met with a similar fate, and the nation was compelled to surrender. This closed the era of bloodshed known as the Creek war.

A charter for the first railroad in the state, running between Savannah and Macon, was granted in April, 1833. Later on a survey was made for the purpose of building a road between the Tennessee and the Chattahoochee rivers, in order to join two other proposed lines from Macon and Augusta. From this junction, at a point seven miles east of the Chattahoochee river, was destined to spring the capital of the state and the future metropolis of the south.

In 1837 Emory college was founded at Oxford, Ga., and Dr. Ignatius Few was called to the presidency. Two years later a charter was granted to the trustees of Mercer university, then located in Penfield, Ga. The first of these educational institutions was planted by the Methodists and the second by the Baptists, who named the college in honor of Rev. Jesse Mercer.

GOV. GILMER'S SECOND ELECTION.

For the second time Gov. George R. Gilmer, who had filled the executive chair several years before, was called upon to exercise the functions of the highest official position in the state. This time he defeated Gov. Schley, the candidate of the union party for re-election. It was during Gov. Gilmer's term of office that the

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Cherokee Indians were removed. Still another important event that gives it prominence is the charter creating the first female college in the world. It was tendered to the Methodist church, by which denomination it was given the name of the Wesleyan Female college, and Bishop Geo. F. Pierce was called to the president's chair.

The building of railroads was now carried on with astonishing rapidity. Nearly 700 miles had been completed. A stimulus to the manufacturing industries had been received and over $3,000,000 had been invested. The population of the state, according to the census of 1840, was nearly 700,000 people, and the annual exports amounted to $7,000,000. The chief cities of the state were Savannah, Augusta, Macon and Columbus. From every direction the tide of immigration had set in, the resources of the state had commenced to attract attention, and the future prosperity of Georgia was now assured by every sign.

GOV. M'DONALD'S ADMINISTRATION.

The next governor of the state was Chas. J. McDonald, a native of South Carolina and a man of distinguished ability. His defeated opponent in the October election was Charles Dougherty, the candidate of the state's rights party.

A stringency in the money market at the beginning of Gov. McDonald's administration made it very unpleasant for that official, but the complaint of hard times was not by any means restricted to the state of Georgia. A number of banks throughout the country suspended operations, and it was necessary to call an extra session of congress to relieve the distress of the situation. An act was passed providing relief in what was known as the sub-treasury system, and authorizing the issue of treasury notes to the amount of $10,000,000.

In Georgia a number of banks suspended the payment of specie, thereby en- tailing great disaster upon the state; numerous measures were resorted to by ther legislature, but no relief was given and the people continued to suffer. The price of cotton continued to drop and the situation assumed daily a more alarming aspect. Finally a bill was passed by the legislature of 1840 requiring all banks to resume the payment of specie by the act of February, 1831, under the penalty of forfeiting their charters by a failure to comply with this demand.

An unsuccessful effort was made by the Seminoles to invade the southern portion of the state this year. Gen. Nelson was dispatched to the frontier with a volunteer force hastily collected, and the Indians were repulsed with great loss and bloodshed. In the national election of 1840 Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison, the candidate of the whig party, was elected over Martin Van Buren, who sought a re-election. The whigs contended that the hard times were caused by the admin- istration, and for that reason Mr. Van Buren was defeated. The death of Gen. Harrison a month after his inauguration caused a deep sorrow all over the nation, and Georgia shared in the grief that mourned the loss of this truly great and good man.

In spite of the fact that Mr. Van Buren had been defeated in the national election by the cry of hard times attributed to his administration, the opposite result was observed in Georgia. In the fall election of 1841 Gov. McDonald was re-elected over Wm. C. Dawson, one of the most popular men in the state. The establishment of a new state bank at Savannah with several branches located in other parts of the state was recommended by Gov. McDonald as a substitute for the local banks; but as these latter institutions had resumed the payment of specie, no measures of relief were adopted.

The creation of a supreme court, or court of appeals, was strongly urged upon

CIVIL HISTORY.

the legislature by Gov. McDonald. A uniform administration of the law made it imperatively necessary for such a tribunal to be established. The advice of Gov. McDonald was acted upon two years later.

The country was still in a very depressed financial condition, and the legisla- ture of 1842 was about to adjourn without making any provision for the current expenses of the year. In this perplexity Gov. McDonald issued an order to the treasurer directing him to suspend all payments, except by legal warrants, as the legislature was about to adjourn, leaving an empty treasury. It was necessary to pay the interest on the public debt, to defray the expenses of protecting the frontier and to meet the running expenses of the government. Unable to draw their salaries by reason of this effective move on the part of Gov. McDonald, the members of the legislature lost no time in passing a general appropriation bill, under which the financial affairs of the state were successfully managed.

The legislature of 1842 severely criticised Senator Berrien because of his failure to represent the views of the state in his support of the national bank bill and the land distribution bill. He was asked to resign, but stubbornly refused to do so. In the legislature of the following year the whig element predominated, and the course of Senator Berrien was warmly approved. The lunatic asylum, for which provision was made in 1837, was formally opened this year. The discovery of anaesthesia, produced by sulphuric ether, also belongs to this year, and Dr. Crawford W. Long, of Athens, Ga., is entitled to the credit of having contributed to medical science one of its greatest boons. Though Dr. Long's discovery has been disputed, his claims have been recognized by the state, and his portrait is hung upon the marble walls of her capitol.

For several years prior to these events the state of Georgia had been deeply concerned about the annexation of Texas. At this time Texas formed a part of the Mexican republic, but was not given the full privileges of statehood. The people of Texas, as soon as Santa Anna, who had declared himself dictator, refused to admit her into the Mexican union, declared a revolution. Col. J. H. Fannin, of Georgia, and Col. Mirabeau B. Lamar were among the first to enlist in the struggle for Texan independence. Gen. Sam Houston was put in command of all the forces at the beginning of hostilities. The treacherous character of the Mexicans and their brutal massacre of the Texans greatly incensed the people of Georgia. In June, 1836, however, Gen. Houston defeated Santa Anna, and the independence of the Texas republic was recognized. Texas then applied for admission into the American union, and a great national issue was thus created. James K. Polk, the presidential candidate who favored the admission of Texas,. with all it entailed in the way of protection, was elected to office, and Texas was formally admitted into the sisterhood of the American union. The whigs of Georgia nominated Geo. W. Crawford for governor and favored the election of Henry Clay for president. The democrats nominated Mark A. Cooper for gov- ernor and espoused the claims of Mr. Polk for the presidency. In the fall election Mr. Crawford, the whig candidate, was elected governor; but Mr. Polk, the demo- cratic choice for president, carried the state by 2,000 votes, the year following.

GOV. CRAWFORD'S ADMINISTRATION AND THE MEXICAN WAR.

The whig convention met in the summer of 1843 and nominated George W. Crawford for governor. Presidential delegates were also elected to vote for Henry Clay and to urge the nomination of Mr. Berrien, a distinguished son of Georgia, for the vice-presidency. Mr. Crawford's opponent was Hon. Mark A.

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Cooper, the candidate of the democratic party. Mr. Cooper received a flattering vote, but failed to secure the gubernatorial chair.

The newly-elected governor was a native of Columbia county, Ga., and for several years had been a prominent figure in the state. Gov. Crawford's first niessage to the legislature was a noble document and clearly evinced his familiarity with the situation. His report of the state's progress was very encouraging. An important measure was adopted by the general assembly of this year, reducing the number of senators to forty-seven, one from each senatorial district, and the repre- sentatives to one hundred and thirty, elected from each county. A committee appointed by the legislature to examine the treasury reported that Gov. Crawford was rapidly paying off the public debt and that, financially, the state was never in a more prosperous condition.

The strength of the two opposing parties in the state was equally matched in the congressional election of 1844, the delegation containing four whigs and four democrats. The democrats were Lumpkin, Cobb, Jones and Haralson; the whigs, King, Poe, Toombs, and Stephens. In the presidential election Mr. Polk, the successful candidate, carried the state by a good majority.

The popularity of Gov. Crawford's administration was such that in the summer of 1845 he was again the unanimous choice of the whig party, and defeated M. H. McAllister, the democratic candidate. Just before the re-election of Mr. Crawford the Georgia railroad had been completed to Atlanta and the success of this enter- prise was signalized by a great demonstration held at Walton Spring in September, 1845. Atlanta was a small village at this time, and her population scarcely exceeded 500 people.

Since the admission of Texas into the Union was an issue in the presidential campaign, the election of Mr. Polk and his subsequent inauguration on March 4, 1845, was in effect a declaration of hostilities against Mexico in behalf of Texas. Mexico resented the interference of the United States and refused to recognize the independence of the Texas republic. Gen. Zachary Taylor, in command of the army at this time, was ordered to the frontier, and difficulties ensued immediately upon his arrivel. While Gen. Taylor was thus engaged in driving back the swarthy Mexicans a formal declaration of war was made by the United States in May, 1845. The war department, in the spring of 1846, called upon the state of Georgia to furnish a volunteer regiment to serve twelve months. The martial enthusiasm of the state was fully aroused, and no difficulty was experienced in raising the necessary troops. From every part of the state letters were received from ardent and impulsive spirits, eager to rush into the fight. On June 20, 1846, the regiment was organized at Columbus, Ga., with Henry R. Jackson, of Savannah, Ga., as colonel. The regiment under Col. Jackson immediately repaired to the scene of hostilities and remained for twelve months on the frontier. Though not partici- pating in the actual clash of the opposing armies, the regiment did much effective service. Nearly 150 men died from sickness on the plains. The return of tlie regiment elicited a complimentary resolution from the legislature, commending its conspicuous valor and the patriotic service rendered the country.

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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 7

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