USA > Georgia > The history of Georgia: containing brief sketches of the most remarkable events, up to the present day, Vol. II > Part 3
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him, and that it should be his unremitted study to secure to them, their just claims : that he had presided over them for fourteen years, and had given them ample proof of his affection and re- gard. That it would give him pain to see the seeds of rebellion sown in a province, where he had so long resided, and which he had seen nour- ished by the crown at such vast expense. That they had been happy in avoiding Scylla, and he conjured them in the strongest terms to steer clear of. Charybdis. He closed his address by calling their attention to their provincial concerns, and conjured them to avoid the discussion of the po- litical matters which had produced such a mania in the other provinces.
The house of assembly in reply, lamented the unhappy. divisions ; disapproved of violent and . intemperate measures, and declared it to be their pride and glory to be constitutionally connected with Great-Britain by the closest and most endear- ing ties ; and that they dreaded nothing more than a dissolution of those ties. Yet, anxious for the welfare of their country and the interests of their posterity ; their ardent wish was, that his majesty's American subjects might enjoy the rights and privileges of British subjects, as fully and effectu- ally as the inhabitants of Great-Britain : and to. that end it appeared highly necessary, that the constitutional rights of his American subjects, should be clearly defined and firmly established : that they might hold those inestimable blessings
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on such a footing as would unite the mother country and the colonies, by a reciprocation of benefits, and on terms consistent with the spirit and true meaning of the constitution, and the honor, dignity and safety of the whole empire. They wished and hoped to see a matter of such importance taken up by the house on constitution- al principles, not doubting that if such prudent and temperate measures were adopted by the le- gislatures of the several provinces, their wishes would soon be crowned with success, which might remove the unhappy divisions subsisting ; bind them to the mother country by the strongest ties of interest, love and gratitude, and establish the prosperity and power of the British empire, on a foundation which would last until time should be no more. But they considered that they must want sensibility indeed, not to feel the numerous grievances with which they had been oppressed, without calling for that redress, for which every good American contended. That it was the en- joyment of those rights and liberties which soften- ed every care of life and rendered existence itself supportable. At the same time they declared, that in all their proceedings, they would studious- ly avoid every measure that should not appear to them at once strictly consistent with their duty to his majesty, and the interest, liberty and wol- fare of their constituents.
· In order to divert the public mind as much as possible from the objects which had engrossed
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the attention of the other colonies; the govern- or called for the co-operation of the legislature in planning measures for the speedy settlement of the lands which had been ceded by the Indian treaty 1 in 1773 : and issued his proclamation, requiring all those who had sustained losses by the Indians, either by the debts which they had contracted, or property they had plundered, to exhibit these claims, which should be liquidated and received in payment of bounty on land, or any other claim of the province ; and that the attention of the gov- ernor and council would be given to claimants on the first Tuesday in every month. -
During the session of the assembly, petitions were received from the different parishes, urging that a stand should be made in support of their rights in unison with the other provinces. They could not remain unconcerned spectators of the poignant sufferings in the other colonies, which had in vain sought for redress by mild conciliato- ry measures.
The British minister had declared in parlia- ment, that it was his determination, before he left the helm ; to subject America to obedience by force of arms. At that time general Gage was employed at the head of the British army in at- tempting to reduce the northern colonies to sub- mission, in conformity with the declaration of the ministry. Armed ships and transports were daily arriving at different points on the American coast, with re-enforcements to the British army, and par-
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ties detached in different directions to take pos- session of arms and ammunition, and keep the people in awe.
On the 29th of January, there was a meeting of four or five hundred merchants in London, at the king's arms tavern, who drew up a petition and presented it to parliament, stating several particulars of the extensive trade with North- · America, as it respected the barter of commodi- ties, the balance of cash, as well as the negociation of exchange in several parts of Europe. It also stated that this very extensive trade was injured by the several revenue bills affecting North-Ame- rica, passed between the repeal of the stamp act, and the year 1773. It concluded by praying re- dress in these particulars as well as in the opera- tion of all other acts which might affect the trade between Great-Britain and North-America.
The king's speech to parliament in Novem- ber 1774, represented that a most daring spirit of resistance and disobedience had appeared in his North-American colonies, and that the seeds of discord and rebellion were sprouting in every province; that unlawful combinations were form- ed to resist the operation of his laws, and that he had adopted such measures as he deemed most effectual for carrying into execution the laws of the last session of parliament ordering the ap- plication of military force, in case of further re- sistance. This speech occasioned a warm debate in the house of commons, but when the vote was
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taken, an address of thanks was carried by a large majority. A similar address was carried in the upper house, but nine of the Lords entered a pro- test against it. In this state of affairs, parliament adjourned until January. Soon after the adjourn- .ment the proceedings of the American congress reached Great-Britain. At the meeting of the ensuing session of parliament, the subject of American affairs was again taken up. Lord Chat- ham, after a long retirement, resumed his seat in the house of Lords, and endeavoured by his extra- ordinary eloquence and reasoning, to dissuade the government from an attempt to reduce the Ame- rican colonists to submission by the force of arms, Upon this occasion the fire of youth flashed from the tongue of this venerable and illustrious sage ; but the powers of his eloquent reasoning could not prevail. He enlarged on the ruinous events which were coming upon the nation, by separating the important wing in the west of the empire, by a trifling etiquette in the ministerial plans ; arraign- ed the conduct of the ministers, and reprobated the whole system of procedure on American af- fairs with great severity. He moved that an humble address should be presented to the king, in order to open the way to a re-establishment of good order and friendship, and that the British forces should be withdrawn from the populous towns in the provinces, so soon as the rigour of the season would render it practicable : and that their petitions should receive that attention and
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respect which the people merited, as the offspring of the British nation. These well grounded opin- ions were supported by his Lordship in a most pathetic speech of great length, and were second- ed by Lords Camden and Shelburne and the mar- quis of Rockingham ; but they were finally re- jected by a majority of two to one.
On the 26th of January, Doctor Franklin, Mr. Bolan and Mr. Lee, offered another petition to the house, stating that they were authorised by the American congress to present it to the king, and had been referred by his majesty to that house, and that they would be able to throw much light upon the subject, if they were permitted to be heard at the bar, in support of its contents. 'The friends of the ministry refused a discussion on the- subject, and insulted the application by remark- ing that it contained nothing but frivolous and pretended grievances : it was rejected by a large majority. Lord Chatham persevered in his con- ciliatory scheme and presented to the house the outlines of a bill in the form of a provisional act to settle the disputes in America, and ascertain the supreme legislative authority of the superin- tending power of Great-Britain over the colonies : this was also rejected, and not allowed even to lie on the table for consideration. This was succeed- ed by a joint address to the king, thanking him for the firm measures he had adopted to reduce the colonies to subjection, and strongly urged a perseverance of energetic measures to enforce the operation of his laws.
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Before the adjournment of parliament, Lord North introduced a bill which he called the con- ciliatory proposition. The purport of it was, that the British parliament would forbear to tax any colony which should engage to make provision for contributing its proportion to the common defence, and make provision also for the support of civil government, and the administration of justice in each colony. This proposition was founded on no principle of reconciliation. Lord North at length acknowledged that his intention was, to divide the sentiments of the Americans and unite the people of Great-Britain. It was transmitted to the colonial governors in a circular letter from Lord Dartmouth, but the object was at once discovered and it had the effect of irritating and uniting, instead of dividing the public opin- ion in America.
Lord Effingham said, that whatever had been done in America, must be deemed the conse- quence of the unjust demands of Great-Britain. " They come to you with fair argument; you have refused to hear them :- they make the most re- spectful remonstrances ; you have answered them, with pains and penalties :- they know they ought to be free; you tell them that they shall be slaves. Is it then a wonder, if they say in despair, that for the short remainder of their lives, they will be free ? Is there any one among your lordships, who in a situation similar to that I have described, would not resolve the same ? If there could be such a one, I am sure he ought not to be here.
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" To bring the history down to the present scene : here are two armies in presence of each other ; armies of brothers and countrymen, each dreading the event, yet each feeling that it is in the power of the most trifling accident-a private dispute-a drunken afray in any public house in Boston ; in short, a nothing-to cause the sword to be drawn and to plunge the whole country into all the horrors of blood, flames and paricide. In this dreadful moment, a set of men, more wise and moderate than the rest, exert themselves to bring us all to reason. They state their claims and their grievances; nay, if any thing can be proved by law and history, they prove them. They propose oblivion, they make the first con- cessions : we treat them with contempt, we pre- fer poverty, blood and servitude; to wealth, hap- piness and liberty.
" What weight these observations may have, I don't know ; but the candour with which your lordships have indulged me, requires a confession on my part, which may still lessen that weight. I must own I am not personally disinterested. Ever since I was of an age to have any ambition at all, my highest has been to serve my country in a military capacity. If there was on earth an event I dreaded, it was to see my country so situ- ated as to make that profession incompatible with my duty as a citizen. That period is in my opini- on arrived, and I have thought myself bound to relinquish the hopes I had formed, by a resigna-
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tion, which appeared to me the only method of avoiding the guilt of enslaving my country and embruing my hands in the blood of her sons .*
" When the duties of a soldier and a citizen become incompatible, I shall always think myself obliged to sink the character of the soldier into that of the citizen, till such time as these duties shall again, by the malice of our enemies, become united. It is no small sacrifice which a man makes who gives up his profession ; but it is a much greater, when a predilection strengthened by habit, has given him so strong an attachment to his profession as I feel. I have however, this consolation, that by making that sacrifice, I give to my country an unequivocal proof of the since- rity of my principles."
Chatham, Effingham, Burke, Richmond, Wilkes, Glynn and Camden, who distinguished themselves as advocates for American rights, on this occasion, were complimented by naming a county after each of them in Georgia, by the con- stitution of 1777. The other county was called Liberty, from the circumstance of its sending a representative to congress before the province had openly acceeded to the union.
In conformity with a resolution entered into the last year by the corresponding committees of. this colony, their deputies met in Savannah, on the 18th of January, endeavouring as near as possi-
* Effingham held a colonel's commission in the British army, which he resigned because his regiment was ordered to America,
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ble to conform to the resolutions entered into by the other colonies ; and the particular measures now adopted, for carrying into execution the continental association, on condition, that trade and commerce should be extended to this colony by the others, and her delegates received in con- gress. The apprehension of the consequences, which would attend these measures, gave a tem- porary check to their joining in the common cause, and the deputies adjourned without com- ing to any definite agreement.
When these deputies returned to their respec- tive parishes, the cautious steps which had been adopted, received the sanction of their constitu- ents, except in the parish of St. John, where twenty-one members of the committee were con- vened on the 9th of February, and addressed a circular letter to the other colonial committees, soliciting their consent to the reception of a mem- ber of congress, as a representative from that particular parish. Encouraged by the answers which were received, the committee again con- vened on the 21st of March, and Doctor Lyman Hall, was unanimously elected torepresent that par- ish in congress at Philadelphia .* In order to insure his reception, sundry resolutions were entered into, binding themselves to exclude from that parish,
* Doctor Hall carried with him from Sunbury, a present of one hundred and sixty barrels of rice, and fifty pounds sterling, for the suffering republicans in Boston, who had opposed the . British army under General Gage.
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the use of prohibited articles, and to conform to all the rules and regulations, which had been, or should thereafter be laid down by congress, for the government of the other provinces. A peti- tion was also forwarded to that honorable body, soliciting that Lyman Hall, Esquire, might be re- ceived and admitted as a member.
Doctor Hall announced his arrival at congress on the 13th of May, and desired to be informed, whether he might be permitted to take a seat. It was agreed unanimously, that he should be admitted as a delegate from the parish of St. John; in the colony of Georgia, subject to such regula- tions as congress should thereafter determine, relative to his voting. During the deliberations of that body, it became necessary to take the opinion of congress by colonies, upon which a question arose, whether the delegate from the par- ish of St. John, in the colony of Georgia, should be admitted to vote. Doctor Hall replied, that the distressing situation of American affairs, had induced the necessity of the convention of con- gress, which was composed of delegates repre- senting whole colonies ; that as he represented but a small section of a colony, he could not in- sist on giving a vote, but would be contented in hearing and assisting in the deliberations, and to give his vote in all cases, except when it became necessary to take the opinion of congress by colonies ; that he hoped the example which had been set by the parish which he then represented,
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would be followed by the others from Geor- gia, and that the representation would soon be complete.
General Gage had arrived at Boston in May 1774, with a fleet and army, and assumed the go- vernment of Massachusetts. War commenced . soon after and several battles and skirmishes were fought, in which many were killed and wounded on both sides. When this intelligence reached Savannah, the indignation of the people was rous- ed, and the ferment soon extended to every parish in the province.
The magazine at the eastern extremity of the city of Savannah contained a considerable quanti- ty of ammunition. The magazine was sunk about twelve feet under ground, enclosed with brick, and secured by a door in such way, that governor Wright thought it useless to have it guarded. To gain possession of this valuable prize, which had already become in great demand among the revolutionists in the northern states, was an object no longer to be delayed. A few of the patriots had a meeting at the house of Doctor Jones, and concerted the plan of operation. On the night of the 11th of May, Noble W. Jones, Joseph Habersham, Edward Telfair, William Gibbons, Joseph Clay, John Milledge and some other gentlemen, principally members of the coun- cil of safety, and zealous in the American cause, broke open the magazine at a late hour of the night, took out the powder, sent a part of it to
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Beaufort in South-Carolina, and concealed the remainder in their cellars and garrets. Governor Wright issued a proclamation, offering a reward of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling for ap- prehending the offenders and bringing them to punishment ; but the secret was not disclosed un- til the Americans had occasion to use the ammu- nition in defence of their rights and property.
On the 1st of June, governor Wright and the loyal party at Savannah, ordered preparations to be made for the celebration of the king's birth day. On the night of the 2nd, a number of the inhabitants of the town collected, spiked up all the cannon on the battery and hurled them to the bot- tom of the bluff. With difficulty a few of the spikes were drawn and drilled out, and the guns re-mounted to perform the usual ceremonies.
On the 21st of June, a notice was given in the Gazette, signed by Noble W. Jones, Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, and George Walton, Esquires, requesting the inhabitants of the town. and district of Savannah, to meet at the liberty pole the ensuing day, at ten o'clock, agreeably to a previous notice ; for the purpose of choosing a committee to enforce the association with the other colonies in the cause of freedom. It was hoped that the alarming situation of American affairs in general, and of this province in particular would prompt every man to be punctual in his attend- ance. A council of safety was nominated, .of which major William Ewen, was appointed presi-
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dent, William Le Conte, Joseph Clay, Basil Coop- er, Samuel Elbert, William Young, Elisha But- ler, Edward Telfair, John Glenn, George Hous- toun, George Walton, Joseph Habersham, Fran. cis II. Harris, John Smith and John Morel, Es- quires, members; and Seth John Cuthbert, secre- tary. This body was instructed to keep up a cor. respondence with congress at Philadelphia, the . councils of safety in the other provinces, and the committees in the several parishes in Georgia. After this business was closed, a number of gen- themen dined at Tondee's tavern, where the union flag was hoisted upon the liberty pole, and two pieces of artillery placed under it. After dinner, thirteen patriotic toasts were drunk, each succeed- ed by a discharge of cannon and martial music.
By one of the resolutions entered into, it was declared, that this province should not afford pro- tection to, nor become an asylum for any person or persons whomsoever, who from their conduct should be considered inimical to the common cause of America ; or should have drawn upon themselves the disapprobation or censure of any of the other colonies. Notwithstanding these re- solutions, a young man by the name of Hopkins, had the temerity to express himself contumacious- ly of the objects of the meeting, and to superadd illnatured epithets of ridicule, which he applied to the gentiemen who composed the committee of public safety. In consequence of this indiscre- tion, he was subjected to the painful obloquy of
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being tarred and feathered by a mob, who to com. plete his disgrace and render more conspicuous the popular feelings, hoisted him in a cart, which was illuminated for the occasion, and paraded with a crowded retinue through the principal streets of the town, four or five hours.
A similar circumstance occurred soon after in Augusta, by order of the parish committee of that place. Thomas Brown and William Thompson had expressed their enmity to the American cause, accompanied by toasts at a dinner, ridiculing their procedure. A party pursued them to New-Rich- mond in South-Carolina. Thompson escaped, but Brown was brought back, and after under- going a trial before the committee, was sentenced to be tarred and feathered, and publicly exposed in a cart, to be drawn three miles, or until he was willing to confess his error and take an oath that he would thereafter give his aid and assistance to the cause of freedom.
The hostility of the governors of the southern provinces, to the claims of the colonies, rendered it necessary to watch their actions, and to counter- act their measures, by every mean that could be devised. To this end, secret committees had been appointed in South Carolina. In one of the mails, proceeding to the northward, one of the committees found a letter addressed by governor Wright to general Gage, requesting the aid of a military force, to enable him to keep in check the rebellious spirit of the people of Georgia, and to
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preserve a friendly correspondence with the neigh- bouring nations of Indians. The committee for- warded this letter to congress ; and substituted for it another, under an imitated signature of gov- crnor Wright, which was placed in the mail- purporting, that the people of Georgia had be- come quiet, and resigned to the will of the royal government ; that such an unexpected change in the state of the colony, rendered it unnecessary to send any military assistance to the southward. In the mean time general Gage had applied military force in the northern provinces, wherever there was an appearance of resistance to the laws of England.
In July, the council of safety in South-Caroli- na sent proposals to Cameron, the British agent with the Cherokee Indians, through major An- drew Williamson, who was his countryman, and with whom, he was in habits of friendship ; offer- ing for his acceptance, a salary equal to that which he received from the British government, and a remuneration for any losses which he might sus- tain by joining in the interests of the colonies. It was of great consequence to obtain the neutrality of the Cherokee Indians, and it was believed, that by securing the friendly offices of Mr. Cameron, who was influential with that nation, that impor- tant object would be obtained. Cameron declin- ed the overture ; nor would he enter into any en- gagements which would be at variance with such instructions as he might receive from the British
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government. Soon after this conference, he con- sulted his personal safety by retiring into the midst of the Cherokee nation. This movement of Cam- eron, gave cause of alarm to the frontier settlers, although he had disavowed the receipt of any in- structions from Stewart, the principal super- intendant of Indian affairs, which would tend to hostility with the frontiers of Georgia or Carolina.
The situation of Georgia was inauspicious. It was but thinly inhabited, on a territory about one hundred and fifty miles from north to south ; and about thirty miles from east to west. It pre- sented a western frontier of two hundred and fifty miles. It had on the north-west the Cherokees ; on the west, the Creeks ; on the south, a refugee banditti in Florida ; and on the east, the influence of governor Wright, who controled the king's ships on the sea-coast. The population of the eastern district of the province, was composed of white people and negro slaves; the latter, the most numerous, the former but few in number. A great majority of the inhabitants, was favoura- ble to the cause of the colonies : yet, from sur- rounding dangers, their measures were to be adopted with cautious circumspection.
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