USA > Georgia > The history of Georgia from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 7
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After remaining thirty days in the heart of the Cherokee territories, Grant concluded to return to Fort Prince George, and await there, recruiting the strength of his men, until he saw whether the enemy were yet sufficiently humbled to sue for peace.
To represent the situation of the savages, when reduced by this severe correction, would be diffi- cult. Even in time of peace, they were destitute of that foresight which, in a great measure, pro- vides for future events ; but in time of war, when their villages were destroyed, and their fields plundered, they were reduced to the extreme of want. Driven to barren mountains, the hunters being furnished with ammunition, might, indeed, obtain a scanty subsistence for themselves; but women, children, and old men, suffered greatly, when almost deprived of the means of supporting life.
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PEACE CONCLUDED.
A few days after Colonel Grant's arrival at Fort Prince George, Attakullakulla, attended by several chiefs, came to his camp and expressed a desire for peace. Severely had they suffered for breaking their alliance with the English, and giving ear to the deceitful promises of the French. Convinced at last of the weakness and perfidy of the latter, who were neither able to assist them in time of war, nor to supply their wants in time of peace, they resolved to renounce all connection with them forever : accordingly, terms of peace were drawn up and proposed, which were no less honourable to Colonel Grant than advantageous to the southern provinces.
The different articles being read and inter- preted, Attakullakulla agreed to them all, except- ing one, a cruel provision, by which it was de- manded, that four Cherokee Indians should be delivered up to Colonel Grant at Fort Prince George to be put to death in the front of his camp, or four green scalps be brought to him within twelve days. Attakullakulla declared that he had no such authority from his nation, that he thought the stipulation unreasonable and un- just, and that he could not voluntarily grant it. Colonel Grant wisely withdrew this offensive article ; after which peace was formally ratified, and their former friendship being renewed, all expressed a hope that it would last as long as the sun should shine and the rivers run.
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CHAPTER XI.
Wright appointed governor-Prosperity of Georgia-Emigra- tion continues-Political aspect of the colony overclouded --- Dr. Franklin appointed agent in England-The legislature define their rights and demand redress-Corresponding com- mittees nominated-Georgia charged with lukewarmness- Defence of the same-Republican spirit manifested-Powder magazine in Savannah broken open and its contents secreted -Cannon spiked on the battery-Delegates appointed to the Congress at Philadelphia-Munitions of war seized-Georgia declares her independence-Governor Wright imprisoned- Escapes in the night-Troops ordered to be raised-Bill of credit issued-Nine merchant vessels burned or dismantled- Patriotism of the citizens of Savannah.
ON the 30th of October, 1760, Sir James Wright was appointed Governor of Georgia, and under his auspices the colony soon began to flourish. By the peace which was soon after made with Spain, the boundaries were extended to the Mississippi on the west, and on the south +o latitude 31° and the St. Mary's River. East and West Florida were also given up by Spain, and though of themselves but little more than a barren waste, formed an important acquisition to Georgia.
No province on the continent felt the happy effects of public security sooner than Georgia. The able and energetic exertions of the governor soon developed resources which had hitherto lain
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PROSPERITY OF GEORGIA.
dormant. Commerce extended rapidly ; agricul- ture flourished. The planters, having the strength of Africa to assist them, laboured with success, and the lands every year yielded greater and greater increase. Many emigrations now took place from Carolina, and settlements were made about Sunbury and the Alatamaha. The plant- ers situated on the other side of the Savannah River found in the capital of Georgia an excel- lent market for their commodities ; and, at length, the shipments of produce from the province to Europe equalled, in proportion to its popula- tion, those of its more powerful and opulent neighbours.
Nothing of any marked interest interfered with the progress of the colonies for several years. The brief but bloody wars of the Indian nations among themselves occasioned at times a tempo- rary alarm among the colonists residing on the frontiers, but by a cautious policy on the part of the governors, and the watchfulness of the Indian agents, all real danger was for the most part averted.
Emigrants continued to flock into the country. In 1765, four additional parishes were laid off between the Alatamaha and the St. Mary's rivers. Within the space of ten years from 1763, the ex- ports of the province increased from twenty-seven thousand, to one hundred and twenty-one thou- sand six hundred pounds sterling. The number
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HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
of negroes in 1773 was estimated at fourteen thousand. The political aspect of the colony was, however, far from being unclouded.
When the offensive stamp act of the 22d of March, 1765, received the royal assent, it pro- duced a tumult in every province in America. It was no sooner repealed than it was succeeded by the revival of another act equally offensive, for quartering his majesty's troops on the inhabitants, and supplying them in their quarters; so that wherever they were stationed, no expense should be brought upon the crown. These and similar grievances occasioned a spirit of discontent, which the systematic neglect of all petitions for relief in no wise tended to allay.
In 1768, Doctor Franklin was recognised as the agent of Georgia in England, but his subse- quent letters afforded only faint hopes of de- quate relief.
The people now determined to speak out for themselves. At a meeting of the legislature in the province of Georgia, in February, 1770, they took into consideration the authority by which the parliament of Great Britain claimed, to bind the people of America by statutes in all cases ; their imposition of taxes on the Americans under various pretences, but in truth for the purpose of raising a revenue ; their establishing of a board of commissioners with unconstitutional powers, and extending the jurisdiction of courts of admi-
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RIGHTS DEFINED.
ralty, not only for collecting the duties imposed by these acts, but for trial of causes arising within the body of a county. Standing armies were also kept up in America in time of profound peace ; and by the revival of a statute made in the thirty- fifth year of Henry the Eighth, colonists might be transported to England, and tried there upon accusations for treason, or misprisions or conceal- ments of treason, committed in the colonies ; and by a-late statute, such trials had been directed in cases therein mentioned. Moreover, the gover- nor had frequently taken upon himself to dissolve the assemblies, contrary to the rights of the peo- ple, when they attempted to deliberate on griev- ances, in conformity to the custom of their an- cestors, for ascertaining and vindicating their rights and liberties.
In consequence of these infringements, the House of Assembly, after defining their rights by the laws of nature, the principles of the English constitution, and the several charters or compacts, resolved, " that the exercise of legislative power in any colony by a council appointed during plea- sure by the crown, may prove dangerous and destructive to the freedom of American legisla- tion : all and each of which, the commons of Georgia, in general assembly met, do claim, de- mand, and insist on, as their indubitable rights and liberties, which cannot be legally taken from
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HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
them, altered, or abridged by any power what- ever, without their consent."
After detailing a list of the acts of Parliament which the members of the assembly considered as infringing upon and violating the rights of the colonies, they demanded the repeal of the same, and closed their deliberations by resolving " that
, -, be deputies to represent this province in the intended American continental congress, proposed to be held at the city of Phila- delphia on the 10th of May next, or at any other place or time as may hereafter be agreed on by the said congress."
Letters from Doctor Franklin, during the course of this year, held out some feeble prospects that, gradually, every obstruction to that cordial amity so necessary to the welfare of the whole empire would be removed. But the arbitrary conduct of the provincial governors and other crown officers, and the blind obstinacy of the British ministry, prevented such pleasing antici- pations from being realized.
In 1772, corresponding committees were nomi- nated in all the colonies, and the crisis approached when it was necessary for them to decide whether they would submit to taxation by the British Par- liament, or make a firm stand for the support of their principles.
, During the intervening period, Georgia had been charged with lukewarmness in the cause of
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SITUATION OF GEORGIA.
freedom by her sister provinces ; but though there appeared to be some grounds for the obnoxious accusation, her course was justified by all impar- tial minds, when the difficulties of her position came to be better understood.
Her situation was a peculiar one. Governor Wright, with that political forecast which led him to anticipate the subsequent events, had se- cured to the interest of the king as many men of wealth, talents, and influence, as he could find willing to hold offices. John Stuart, superintend- ant of Indian affairs, had taken the same precau- tion in the selection of his agents with the different tribes of Indians. Many of the most wealthy inhabitants foresaw that their pecuniary ruin would be the inevitable consequence of partici- pating with the other colonies in resistance to the aggressions of the crown; while another class, composed of the idle and dissipated, who had little or nothing to risk, perceived their advantage in adhering to the royal government.
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 presented a western frontier of two hundred and fifty miles. It had on the northwest the Cherokees; on the west, the Creeks ; on the south, a refugee banditti in Florida ; and on the east, the influence of Go- vernor Wright, who controlled the king's ships
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HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
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 nu- merous, the former but few in number. A great majority of the inhabitants were favourable to the cause of the colonies ; yet, from surrounding dan- gers, their measures were to be adopted with cautious circumspection.
Under these depressing circumstances, the strength of the republican party was of slow growth. The committees of safety, though cau- tious, were active and efficient; and the more daring of the patriots took advantage of every opportunity of serving the cause of freedom, and testifying their abhorrence of the royal domina- tion.
On the night of the 11th of May, 1775, a num- ber of gentlemen, principally members of the council of safety, and zealous in the American cause, broke open the magazine at the eastern extremity of the city of Savannah, took out the powder, sent a part of it to 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 apprehending the offenders and bringing them to punishment ; but the secret was not disclosed until the Americans had occasion to use the ammunition in defence of their rights and property.
PATRIOTIC PROCEEDINGS. 121
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 2d, a number of the inhabitants of the town collected, spiked up all the cannon on the battery, and hurled them to the bottom 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.
A general election was held for delegates, to meet at Savannah on the 4th day of July. The members accordingly assembled ; and on the 15th of that month they appointed the honourable Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, John Joachim Zubly, Noble Wimberly Jones, and Lyman Hall, esquires, to represent this province in Congress, at Philadelphia. The resolution for this measure was signed by fifty-three members, who pledged themselves for its support ; and their proceedings were communicated to Congress, then in session, accompanied by a declaration that this province was determined to unite in, and adhere to the common cause of the provinces.
During the session of the delegates in Savan- nah, Captain Maitland, from London, arrived at Tybee, with thirteen thousand pounds of powder, and other articles for the use of the British troops, and for the Indian trade. It was determined to obtain possession of that valuable prize without loss of time. Accordingly, about thirty volun-
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HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
teers, under the command of Commodore Brown and Colonel Joseph Habersham, embarked on board of two boats, proceeded down the river Savannah to the ship, took possession of her, and discharged the crew. A guard was left on board of the ship, and the powder brought to town and secured in the magazine. Five thousand pounds of the powder were sent to the patriots near Bos- ton.
Owing to a variety of causes, but mainly to a dread of being involved in a war with the Chero- kees, who were already desolating the frontiers of South Carolina, Georgia took no farther open and decided part in the contest, until the meeting of the provincial assembly on the 20th of Janu- ary, 1776.
Then it was that President Ewin, of the com- mittee of safety, laid before the house a variety of documents, representing the oppression of the other colonies to the north, and the united zeal with which the British troops had been opposed. Among other papers was the address of the House of Commons to the king, at the opening of parliament, on the 28th of October, 1775. In this address the English members expressed the greatest satisfaction in having learned that the king had increased his naval establishment, and greatly augmented his land forces; and that he had adopted the economical plan of drawing as many regiments from outposts as could be spared,
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THE GOVERNOR ARRESTED.
to subdue the American colonies, and bring them to a proper sense of their dependence upon the British government.
After the documents were read, the house en- tered into a resolution to embark with the other colonies in the common cause with the utmost zeal; to resist and be free. Orders were given to arrest Governor Wright and his council. Ac- cordingly, on the 28th of January, Joseph Ha- bersham, Esq., who was then a member of the house, raised a party of volunteers, took Gover- nor Wright prisoner, paroled him to his house, and placed a sentinel at his door, prohibiting all intercourse with the members of his council, the king's officers, or any other persons who were supposed to be inimical to the American cause.
On the night of the 11th of February, the governor effected his escape, and passing down the river in a boat, took refuge on board the Scarborough man-of-war, which, with four other armed ships, was lying at Tybee, in the mouth of the Savannah River.
Previous to this occurrence, the assembly had passed a resolution to raise a battalion of conti- nental troops ; and on the 4th of February, the following field officers were appointed to com- mand it : Lachlan McIntosh, Colonel; Samuel El- bert, Lieutenant-colonel; and Joseph Habersham, Major. About the same time, Archibald Bul- loch, John Houstoun, Lyman Hall, Button Gwi-
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HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
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nett, and George Watson, esquires, were elected to represent the province in Congress, at Phila- delphia. Bills of credit were issued in the form of certificates, and resolutions entered into for the punishment of those who refused to receive them in payment of debts, or at par, for any article which was offered for sale.
In direct opposition to a law of Congress, pro- hibiting commercial intercourse between the colo- nies and the British dominions, a number of wealthy loyalist planters, early in March, freighted in Savannah River eleven merchant vessels with rice, and prepared for a sea voyage. To favour this design, the armed ships at the mouth of the river, moved up and threatened the town. The militia under the command of Colonel McIntosh were immediately called out; and with the as- sistance of five hundred Carolinians, commanded by Colonel Bull, succeeded in dislodging the enemy, burning three of the merchant vessels, and dismantling six. The other two escaped to sea.
Upon this trying occasion, the patriotism of the citizens of Savannah was tested, by a resolu- tion which was offered by one of the members of the committee of safety ; the purport of which was, that the houses in Savannah which were owned by those whose motto was "Liberty or Death," including houses which belonged to widows and orphans, should be appraised ; and
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PROPOSAL TO BURN SAVANNAH.
in the event of the enemy's gaining possesion of the city, the torch was to be applied in every di- rection, and the town to be abandoned in smoking ruins. ' To the astonishment, even of those who made the proposition, when the republican party was convened, there was not one dissenting voice. Among the number where this resolution origi- nated, were many of the most wealthy inhabit- ants of Savannah, and some whose all consisted of houses and lots. The houses of those persons who were inimical to the American cause were not to be noticed in the valuation. Committees were accordingly appointed, and in a few hours returns were made to the council of safety. - There are many instances of conflagration by order of a monarch, "who can do no wrong," but there are few instances upon record, where the patriotism of the citizen has urged him on to the destruction of his own property, to pre- vent its becoming an asylum to the enemies of his country.
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HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
CHAPTER XII.
Loyalists take refuge in Florida-Their predatory incursions- Treachery of the McGirth's-Expedition against the Chero- kees-Treaty of peace with that nation-Unsuccessful inva- sions of Florida-Howe's attempt-The American army re- treats-Georgia attacked on the south-Skirmish at Bulltown Swamp-Battle at Medway-Scriven mortally wounded- White retreats to the Ogechee-Sunbury invested-Heroic reply of Colonel McIntosh-The enemy retreats.
DURING the period in which the republican party in Georgia maintained the ascendency, many of the loyalists fled from the latter pro- vince and from the Carolinas, and found a secure retreat in East Florida. The southern frontiers of Georgia were thus exposed to the predatory incursions of these banditti, who bore the appel- lation of "Florida Rangers," and whose place of rendezvous and deposite was a fort on St. Mary's River. The destruction of this recepta- cle became, therefore, an object of great conse- quence.
Accordingly, during the year 1776, Captain John Baker collected seventy mounted militia, and marched to St. Mary's with the hope of sur- prising and demolishing the fort.
Unfortunately, when he was within a short distance of the fortress, he was discovered by a
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TREACHERY AND DESERTION.
negro, who gave the garrison notice of his ap- proach. The enemy were immediately on the alert, and Baker, finding his design frustrated, retreated eight or nine miles and encamped for the night., While his party were sleeping in fancied security, Daniel and James McGirth, two privates who had been placed on guard, stole the greater part of the horses and deserted with them to the enemy. For this act of treachery, Daniel McGirth received the appointment of lieutenant- colonel of the Florida Rangers, and his brother that of captain in the same corps. These trai- tors afterward distinguished themselves above all others, by the energy, audacity, and cruelty with which their predatory incursions were marked.
The subsequent operations of this and the succeeding year consisted of an 'expedition against the Cherokees, which resulted in a treaty of peace with that nation; of numerous skir- mishes between the loyalists and patriots, wherein victory inclined sometimes to the one side and sometimes to the other; and of several abortive attempts made by the Americans to conquer East Florida; which, being planned with rash- ness, and executed without skill, depressed the ardour of the patriots and gave increased confi- dence to the enemy.
Early in the year 1778, Major-general Robert Howe, to whom the command of the southern
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HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
forces had previously been confided, removed his head-quarters from Charleston to Savannah.
The project of reducing Florida being still a favourite one, Governor Houstoun of Georgia consented to co-operate with Howe for that pur- pose.
Accordingly, on the 20th of May, the latter reached the Alatamaha, where he halted till his reinforcements should come up. On the 25th, Howe crossed the river and landed at Reid's Bluff. Here the mischievous effects of a divided command became first apparent. Governor Hous- toun had issued orders in regard to his galleys which it was impossible for them to execute ; neither of the commanders was willing to submit to the dictation of the other, and as unanimity of action was no longer to be expected, the American forces were compelled to return with- out effecting any thing of importance.
These repeated failures were probably among the causes which induced the enemy to become assailants in their turn.
General Augustine Provost, who commanded at St. Augustine, was informed by the British general at New York, that a number of trans- ports with troops on board would sail from thence direct for the coast of Georgia, and was ordered by him to send detachments from his commmand to annoy the southern frontier of that state, and divert the attention of the American troops from
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BRITISH PREDATORY INCURSION.
Savannah. By these measures, the possession of that town would be obtained with little loss, the retreat of the American troops cut off, and their capture rendered probable. Reinforce- ments were promised to insure success to the en- terprise.
In obedience to these orders, Provost de- spatched a portion of his troops, with some light artillery, by water, to Sunbury, where Colonel John McIntosh was stationed with one hundred and twenty-seven men. The command of the British detachment was given to Lieutenant- colonel Fuser, who had orders to possess himself of that important post. Another detachment under Lieutenant-colonel James Mark Provost, consisting of one hundred regular troops, sailed by the inland navigation to Fort Howe on the Alatamaha, where he was joined by the infamous McGirth, with three hundred refugees and In- dians.
On the 19th of November, Lieutenant-colonel Provost advanced into the settlements, making prisoners of all the men found on their farms, and plundering the inhabitants of every valuable article that was portable.
As soon as Colonel John Baker received intel- ligence of the advance of Provost and McGirth, he assembled a party of mounted militia with the intention of annoying the enemy on their march. He had not proceeded farther than Bulltown
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HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Swamp, when he fell into an ambuscade prepared by McGirth, and after a short skirmish was com- pelled to retreat.
In the mean time, Colonel John White had col- lected about one hundred continental troops and militia. With two pieces of light artillery he took post at Medway meeting-house. He constructed a slight breastwork across the road, at the head of the causeway over which the enemy must pass, where he hoped to keep them in check until he should be reinforced by Colonel Elbert from Sa- vannah.
On the 24th, General James Scriven, with twenty militia, joined Colonel White. While the enemy was approaching it was determined to meet them in ambush, about a mile and a half south of Medway meeting-house, where the main road was skirted by a thick wood. But the design was already anticipated by McGirth.
When the Americans approached the ground they intended to occupy, General Scriven, accom- panied by his aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Glascock, inclined to the right to make a reconnoisance, while Colonel White arranged his plan of attack. The British and Americans arrived on the ground, 1 and were preparing their snares for each other about the same time. A firing commenced. Gene- ral Scriven had advanced but a short distance, when he received a mortal wound, of which he died the ensuing day. Major Baker, who com-
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