USA > Georgia > Statistics of the state of Georgia : including an account of its natural, civil, and ecclesiastical history ; together with a particular description of each county, notices of the manners and customs of its aboriginal tribes, and a correct map of the state > Part 22
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This venerable man died April 17, 1790, and was buried in Christ Church burying ground, in Philadelphia. When his death was known, Congress ordered a general mourning for him throughout the United States for one month. In France there were also expressions of public sorrow.
GILMER.
BOUNDARIES .- This county is bounded N. by Tennessee and North Carolina, E. by Union and Lumpkin, S. by Chero- kee, and W. by Cass and Murray. Laid out from Cherokee, and organized in 18 32.
RIVERS, CREEKS. - The rivers are Ellijay and Tacoa. The creeks are Carticary, Ticanetlee, Talona, Mountain, Talk- ing Rock, Mountain Town, Fighting Town, Sugar Town,
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and Tumbling. Many of these afford excellent situations for mills.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .- According to the census of 1845, the population was 4,558 whites, 149 blacks ; total, 4,707. The tax as returned for 1848, is $871 68. Sends one representative to the Legislature.
POST OFFICES .- Ellijay, Prince Edward, Tacoa, Talking Rock, Blue Ridge.
TowNS .- Ellijay is the capital of the county, situated on the northwest bank of the Ellijay river, 171 miles N. W. of Milledgeville, 40 miles S. W. of Blairsville, 35 miles N. W. of Dahlonega, 40 miles N. of Canton, 28 miles E. of Spring Place, and 43 miles from Murphy, North Carolina. Popula- tion 150. It has a court-house, jail, five stores, &c. The place is said to be healthy. Public buildings located here in 1834.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY. -- This county may be said to have a healthy climate, although in certain sections there is considerable sickness. The diseases are pneumonia, pleu- risies, &c. Cancers are common, and we have heard of a gentleman in the county who cures them by certain charms, and in whose skill many place entire confidence. Several cases of longevity have come to our knowledge. Among them are Mr. Underwood, over 80, enjoying fine health ; James Kell, over 90 ; Mr. Smith, 90; Mrs. Ellis, 90 ; Mrs. Carroll, 84; George Brock and wife, over 80; Mrs. Cox, 84 ; Mrs. Lucy Harris and Mrs. Ringcaird, over 85.
MILLS, DISTILLERIES, RIFLES .- In the county are 22 grist- mills, 9 saw-mills, 1 jug factory, 4 distilleries. One and three quarters of a mile from Ellijay is Wood & Jones's rifle manu- factory. Price of rifles from fifteen to forty dollars, and are said to be superior articles.
FACE OF THE COUNTRY, NATURE OF THE SOIL, VALUE IR OF LAND .- The face of the country is broken by mountains, the principal of which are Cohuttah, Frog, Coal, Bald, Long Swamp, Amacolola, Turnip Town, Tallona, and Sharp Top. The best lands are in the valleys and on the water-courses ; inclined to be of a black sandy soil, adapted to corn, oats and rye. Wheat does not succeed so well. The broken lands having a growth of post oak, walnut and hickory, in the opinion of many are better suited to wheat than the lands on
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the rivers and creeks. The mountain lands are suitable only for grazing. For the best lands, ten dollars per acre may be put down as the average value. The uplands are worth about four dollars per acre.
MINERALS .- This county is rich in minerals. Gold exists at the White Paths, six miles from Ellijay, on the road lead- ing to Blairsville. The mines at this place embrace three lots owned by different persons, and have been worked for two years. One hundred and twenty pennyweights of gold have been found in this locality in one mass. Carticary mine, 10 miles E. of Ellijay, is a rich deposit mine. Iron ore, of a very excel- lent quality, is abundant. Beautiful marble, white, variegated, is found in several places, and it is confidently asserted that it is not to be excelled by any in the United States. Several gentlemen have entered largely into the marble business ; be- tween sixty and seventy hands are kept in constant employ in the quarries. Good mill-stones are found on Tallona creek.
MINERAL SPRINGS .-- On Briar creek is a spring having medicinal properties, besides others in various portions of the county.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE, AMUSEMENTS .- This county has been settled by people from various places, and it is diffi- cult to define with precision the character of the population. Our own observations would lead us to say that generally the citizens of this county are kind and hospitable, not inclined to industrious habits, and not sufficiently interested in the subject of temperance. In political matters they are well informed, but in agricultural knowledge we think there is room for improvement. Bear hunting is a popular amuse- ment. The Cohuttah mountains, at certain seasons, abound with bear, and they often fall victims to the sure aim of the Gilmer rifle.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- Baptists, Missionary and Anti-Missionary, are the most numerous. The other denomi- nations are Methodists and Presbyterians. Schools are much wanted, and we are happy to state that a great interest is be- ginning to be felt in the cause of education. The country is still new, and allowances must be made for the want of schools.
EARLY SETTLERS .- J. P. Alexander, Samuel Jones, Benja- min Griffith, Stephen Griffith, and others.
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NAME .- Georgia has named all of her civil divisions, with the exception of the counties of Liberty, Union, Muscogee, Coweta, Cherokee, and Chattooga, after distinguished men. Messrs. Cass, Troup, Lumpkin, and Gilmer, are the only gentle- men now living, whose names are thus commemorated. If unwa- vering attachment to the principles of American liberty-if incorruptible integrity-if long and faithful services to his na- tive State-if strict adherence to justice and truth, at a period when jealousy, prejudice, and ignorance united in denouncing the judicial proceedings of Georgia " as unconstitutional, un- just and wicked," be qualities, the possession of which gives a citizen a claim to distinction, then is George R. Gilmer most justly deserving a conspicuous place on the catalogue of Geor- gia's worthy sons. Mr. Gilmer was born on the 11th of April, 1790, on the southern side of Broad river, about two miles above the Fish Dam ford, then in the county of Wilkes, now Oglethorpe. His ancestors were among the most respectable citizens of Virginia, and many of his relatives acted a promi- nent part in the Indian wars, and in the war of the Revolu- tion. His father came from Augusta county, Virginia, to Georgia, in 1785, and settled in Wilkes county.
The company into which young Gilmer was thrown, was of a character to inspire him with an aversion to tyranny and injustice. Many of the original settlers of Wilkes had been in the Revolution, and some of them had occupied high stations in the army. With these, Mr. Gilmer's father was upon the most intimate terms, and they were accustomed to meet at his house, where the incidents and men of '76 were frequently the themes of conversation. Governor Matthews, Colonel Taliafero, and others of the same stamp, would notice the deep attention with which young Gilmer listened, and took much pleasure in communicating to him many facts associated with the Revolution, and the early history of Wilkes county, which left a strong impression upon his mind, and which have been treasured up to this day. Hence it is, that Mr. Gilmer now surpasses any man in Georgia, in a knowledge of the men and incidents of the revolutionary war, especially as it was con- ducted in the upper part of Georgia. He went to several schools, if schools they might be called, for it must be remem-
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bered, that at that time the means of education were not as abundant as they are at this period. Now, the Latin, Greek, and Mathematics, are taught in almost every neighbourhood, but then, the only schools which existed were conducted by deserters from the army or navy, or by some adventurer, who with the multiplication table at his tongue's end, and ability to rehearse the Ten Commandments, came to Georgia for the purpose of enlightening the people. Of course, Gilmer derived no important advantages from schools of this description ; and fortunately for him, when he was thirteen years of age his fa- ther sent him to Dr. Wilson's Classical School, near Abbeville Court House, South Carolina, and afterwards to the Academy of Dr. Waddel. At these institutions he studied the languages, and would have entered college, but his ill health prevented. He then employed his time in teaching his younger brothers, and a few of the children in the neighbourhood of his father. After this, he commenced the study of the law with the Hon. Mr. Upson, but was compelled to abandon it, on account of his health, although he had been admitted to the bar. His physician, Dr. Bibb, then a Senator in Congress, believing that an active life might improve his health, obtained a commission for him in the regular army.
In October, 1813, he was appointed First Lieutenant in the 43d regiment of infantry, and took up his quarters near Wash- ington, where Capt. Tattnall had established a recruiting sta- tion. At this period, a friendship was formed between the latter officer and Lieutenant Gilmer, which was never after- wards broken. Both served together in a legislative capacity, not only in the House of Representatives in Georgia, but also in the Congress of the United States. As soon as a few re- cruits were collected, orders were received from General Pinckney to place them under a suitable officer, and to march them to the Creek territory. With this command Lieut. Gil- mer was invested, and by the prompt manner with which he executed his orders, as well as by his subsequent prudent ar- rangements, contributed most essentially to the quiet of the whites, residing near the Chattahoocheend who had been much alarmed by hostile appearances on the part of the In- dians. After the war Mr. Gilmer returned to Oglethorpe, and
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in 1818, commenced the practice of law at Lexington, and soon acquired reputation as an able lawyer. The citizens of Oglethorpe, relying upon his talents and patriotism, called upon him to represent their interests in the State Legislature ; and for two years he was their faithful representative. The jour- nals of the house for that period will show that his course was independent and fearless. By his exertions chiefly, a law was enacted to prevent private banking, at that time a very sore evil. Mr. Gilmer is entitled also to the praise of having made the first effort which excited public attention to the impor- tance of establishing an Appellate Court for the correction of Errors. In 1820 he was elected to Congress, and again in 1824. In 1828 he was re-elected to Congress. He had left his home for Washington city, when Governor Forsyth issued his proclamation declaring his election, but failing to give notice of his acceptance within the time required by law, Governor Forsyth declared his appointment vacant, and ordered a new election. Mr. Gilmer declined being a candidate.
As a member of Congress, Mr. Gilmer distinguished him- self by his ability and devotion to the interests of Georgia. His speeches evince much clearness of understanding, and vi- gour of intellect. We have now before us a speech which he delivered in Congress when the Revolutionary Pension Bill was before that body, which we think does him great honour. We will give an extract from this speech. Mr. Gilmer said, " that he did not understand that our debt of gratitude was confined to those who performed military service. It extend- ed to all who aided in the cause of freedom. Those men who filled the civil departments of the government ; those who de- fended our rights from 1763 to 1775, by exposing to the people their violation by British laws, and taught them their value ; who pointed out the consequences of submission to lawless taxation, and the glorious consequences of successful resist- ance -- were they entitled to no gratitude for their services ? Sir," said Mr. G., " the battle of Lexington and Bunker Hill would never have been fought, but for the victory which Ame- rican intelligence had gained over British sophistry. Upon what principle was it, that the fatigues and exertions of the body were to be paid for, and not those of the mind ? And
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why forget that pure and elevated patriotism that united into one common feeling of resistance the whole female society of the colonies to the British duty upon tea ? If we are to pay this debt of gratitude, we must compensate every impulse that carried forward the ball of the Revolution. What rule could be formed for determining the extent of the benefits conferred upon our country, by the soul-inspiring and spirit-stirring elo- quence of Patrick Henry ? We might yet have been depen- dent colonies, but for the unwearied industry and mental energies of Benjamin Franklin." Sentiments like these do honour to human nature. They emanate from a lofty, a ge- nerous heart. In 1828, Mr. Gilmer was a candidate for Go- vernor, and was elected, his opponent being Major Joel Crawford. In 1830, he was again a candidate for the guber- natorial chair, but was defeated by Mr. Lumpkin. In 1832, his fellow-citizens selected him as one of their representatives in Congress ; and in 1834 he was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated. In 1836, he was President of the Board of Electors of President and Vice-President, when the votes of that body were given for Judge White, of Ten- nessee. The next year he was elected to the chief magis- tracy of Georgia, the duties of which demanded so much la- bour as seriously to injure his health. No Governor of Geor- gia had ever been called upon to perform so many compli- cated and delicate duties. The situation of the Cherokee In- dians-the injustice said to have been practised upon them by the State of Georgia-the conflicting opinions of the United States Government, and the constituted authorities of Geor- gia, all conspired to render Governor Gilmer's administration any thing else than pleasant. Wisdom, prudence, and firm- ness were requisite to conduct the helm of state at this criti- cal period ; and we believe we utter the sentiments of every thinking man in Georgia, when we say that Governor Gilmer's administration was marked by all these attributes.
Few persons have any idea of the immense responsibi- lities which devolved upon Mr. Gilmer, when Governor ; and although by his manly and independent course he received a large share of abuse, it is now acknowledged by all parties, that the policy he adopted was correct, and that the measures
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he recommended to the people of Georgia were wise. For in- stance, in his message to the Legislature, in 1830, he recom- mends that the lots of land which contain gold should be ex- 'empted from distribution by lottery. " The spirit of specula- tion which the disposition of the lands by lottery is calculated to produce, has always been the greatest objection to that system. The knowledge that the lands contained valuable mines of gold would increase that spirit to the most injurious extent. The community would become highly excited by the hope of acquiring great wealth without labour. The morals of the country would be in danger of corruption from the temptation which would be held out by law to the commission of innu- merable frauds. Regular industry and economy would for a time be suspended by restless idleness, and imaginary as well as real and unnecessary expenditures. In most cases even the successful owners of the rich prizes would not be really bene- fited. Prodigality is the usual result of riches suddenly and easily obtained. Mines are like the accumulation of the peo- ple's money in the public treasury. The government should manage them for general and not for individual advantage. If they should prove exceedingly profitable, the State would thereby be enabled to relieve the people from taxation, improve all the roads, render its rivers navigable, and extend the ad- vantages of education to every class of society." Now we are willing to submit these sentiments to the nicest scrutiny. Their truth cannot be denied. Had the gold mines been re- served to the State, as recommended by Governor Gilmer, what an immense revenue would be at its command! Rail- roads would be found running in every direction. Schools for the benefit of the poor would be established through the length and breadth of the State. The burden of taxation would be hardly felt, and our people would move onward in their career of prosperity. Again, Mr. Gilmer's course in regard to the missionaries confined in the penitentiary was looked upon as cruel and unjust. Now, what were the facts in this case ? By the laws then in force, no white person, however respect- able, had the right to reside in the Indian territory within Georgia, without a license granted him upon his taking the oath to support the constitution and laws of the State. It was
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noticed that many white persons residing in this territory were using exertions to thwart the policy of the General Govern- ment, and to oppose the execution of the laws of Georgia. The Legislature required that all white men residing among the Cherokees should take an oath to support the constitution and laws of Georgia. Two hundred and three took the re- quisite oath; but an obstinate and perverse opposition was made to the authority of the State by certain missionaries in the employ of the American Board of Commissioners for Fo- reign Missions. These men refused to take the oath, and in various ways were opposing the policy of the General Govern- ment. They had been treated with remarkable forbearance. Due regard had been paid to their sacred office. No oath was required of them that would militate against their conscientious opinions. Dr. Butler and Mr. Worcester were not sentenced to the penitentiary for residing among the Cherokees, but for refusing to take an oath to support the laws of Georgia. They refused the clemency of Governor Gilmer, when offered to them, even upon the simple condition of removing from the territory, and whatever punishment they suffered was brought upon them by their own misconduct. We know Governor Gilmer to be one of the kindest men in the world. We believe that it would be impossible to induce him to commit an unkind act. He was only the organ of the people of Georgia, and he would have failed to shed " a lustre upon his native State" had he permitted himself to be influenced by the opinions of north- ern fanatics. The celebrated William Wirt proposed to Go- vernor Gilmer, in behalf of the Cherokees, to submit to the Supreme Court of the United States for its determination, upon a case to be made between the State of Georgia and the Che- rokees, the question " whether the Legislature of Georgia had competent authority to pass laws for the government of the Indians residing within its limits." To this proposition the Governor of Georgia would not for a moment listen. We have now before us the letter of Governor Gilmer, in reply to that of Mr. Wirt proposing the settlement of the Cherokee matters to the Supreme Court of the United States ; and as this letter con- tains much information, in regard to the true position of things at that time, and as few of our readers may have seen it, we
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take much pleasure in laying it before them, believing that it should hold an exalted place in the annals of Georgia.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, GEORGIA, Milledgeville, 19th of June, 1830.
Sir, -- Your communication, addressed to the Governor of Georgia, has been received, informing him of your employment by the Cherokee Indians to defend them against the operation of the laws of the State, and proposing a reference of what you have thought proper to call the dispute between the Cherokee nation and the State of Georgia to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Governor of Georgia knows of no reason why he should be notified that professional duty required of you to take fees of all who ask your advice. Georgia claims no jurisdiction over the lawyers of Maryland. Your justifi- cation will have become appropriate when that State inter- feres with your professional business. Why it should be the misfortune of a citizen of Maryland (as you say it is yours), to differ with the constituted authorities of Georgia, is not very clearly understood. You are neither responsible for the legislation of the State, nor subject to its control. There is no doubt but that many other lawyers, distinguished like your- self (as you say), profess to believe that the State has usurped authority, and violated the faith of treaties, in passing laws for the protection of the rights, and punishing the crimes of the Indian people who reside within its limits. It is known that the extent of the jurisdiction of Georgia, and the policy of re- moving the Cherokees and other Indians to the West of the Mississippi, have become party questions. It is not, therefore, surprising that those who engage in the struggle for power should find usurpation and faithlessness in the measures of the Govern- ment accordingly as the loss of office or the hope of its acquisition, may enlighten their understandings. What you say of the fallibility of the constituted authorities of Georgia, is a truism of universal application, and can have no meaning but by your intention to render the application particular. You say that the Supreme Court of the United States is a high, impartial, and enlightened tribunal. Why such commen- dation ? The promise you make to use your professional in-
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fluence to prevent your clients, the Indians, from committing violence upon the people of Georgia, is very kind, coming as it does from a private citizen of another State, and will with- out doubt create an obligation upon the people whose safety is intended, commensurate with the favour to be received. There are no fears felt in Georgia from Indian violence, although it is highly probable that your efforts will be productive of some mischief. It is believed that the Cherokees in Georgia had de- termined to unite with that portion of their tribe who had removed to the West of the Mississippi, if the policy of the President were sustained by Congress. To prevent this result, as soon as it became highly probable that the Indian bill would pass, the Cherokees were persuaded that the right of self-gov- ernment would be secured to them by the power of the Su- preme Court, in defiance of the legislation of the General and State Governments. It was not known, however, until the receipt of your letter, that the spirit of resistance to the laws of the State, and views of the United States, which of late has been evident among the Indians, had, in any manner, been occasioned by your advice. Although insurrection among the Indian people of Georgia may be the consequence of your proceedings, and those who act in unison with you, the constituted authorities of the State disclaim all right to interfere with you in any manner, so long as you keep your- self beyond the jurisdiction of the State. You have thought proper to give the Governor of Georgia an account of the civil- ization of the Cherokees, describing those whom you have known to be polished gentlemen, and those whom you do not know to have ceased to be savages. What you say of the intelli- gence of the members of the Cherokee tribe who were in Wash- ington City last winter, is partly true, and equally descriptive of many others. They are not Indians, however, but the children of white men, whose corrupt habits or vile passions led them into connection with the Cherokee tribe. It is not surprising that the white men, and the children of white men, have avail- ed themselves of the easy means of acquiring wealth which the Cherokee territory has presented for thirty or forty years, nor that intelligence and spirited activity should increase with their increase of wealth; nor that when wealth, intelligence,
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and industry were confined to the whites, and the children of white men, that the power over the tribe should become cen- tral in the same hands. But that these causes were calculated to produce similar effects upon the Indians (the real aborigines) is disproved by every example among the thousands which the experience of the two last centuries has furnished in every part of this continent. The Cherokees have lost all that was valuable in their Indian character-have become spiritless, de- pendent, and depraved as the whites, and their children have become wealthy, intelligent, and powerful. So long as the Cherokees retained their primitive habits, no disposition was shown by the States, under the protection of whose govern- ments they resided, to make them subject to their laws. Such policy would have been cruel, because it would have interfered with their habits of life, the enjoyments peculiar to Indians, and the kind of government which accorded with those habits and enjoyments. It was the power of the whites, and their children among the Cherokees, that destroyed the ancient laws, customs, and authority of the tribe, and subjected the natives to the rule of that most oppressive of governments, an oli- garchy. There is nothing surprising in this result. From the character of the people, and the causes operating upon them, it could not have been otherwise. It was this state of things that rendered it obligatory upon the State of Georgia to vindi- cate her rights of sovereignty, by abolishing all Cherokee government within its limits. Whether intelligent or ignorant, the State of Georgia has passed no law violative of the liberty, personal security, or private property of any Indian. It has been the object of humanity and wisdom to separate the two classes among them, giving the rights of citizenship to those who are capable of performing its duties, and properly estimating its privileges, and increasing the enjoyment, and the probability of future improvements to the ignorant and idle, by removing them to a situation where the inducements to action will be more in accordance with the character of the Cherokee people. Your suggestion that it would be conve- nient and satisfactory if yourself, the Indians, and the Governor would make up a law case, to be submitted to the Supreme Court for the determination of the question, whether the Legis-
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