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The History of Georgia
By Charles C. Jones
Volume II - Revolutionary Epoch, 1888
Submitted by: Dena Whitesell
Updated by: Angela D. Bagley-Marianchuk 07/15/08
CHAPTER
IX
pages 171-193
Although by adjourning the General Assembly Governor Wright defeated a concert of action between that body and
the Provincial Congress and prevented the nomination, by the Lower House, of delegates to the General Congress
at Philadelphia, he found to his regret that the members of the Commons House retaliated on the 9th of May by refusing
to respond to the summons reconvening the legislature. Several days elapsed and still there was no quorum. A further
adjournment was ordered to allow the country members an opportunity to come in. Upon the expiration of the specified
time it became manifest that the Commons House did not intend to convene in numbers sufficient to warrant the transaction
of business. Acting upon the advice of the executive council, the governor prorogued the assembly until the 7th
of November. Even then a quorum of the Lower House failed to attend, and a further prorogation became necessary.
Before the day of convocation arrived Georgia had passed into the hands of the republicans, and the royal government
in the province was, for a season, subverted.
Nominated by a Provincial Congress which represented only four of the twelve parishes then constituting the colony
of Georgia (the fifth, St. John, having withdrawn and commissioned Dr. Lyman Hall to act as an independent delegate
from that parish), Messrs. Jones, Bulloch, and Houstoun did not take their seats in the Continental Congress to
which they had been thus accredited. Rightly judging that they could not properly be regarded as representatives
of the province, and yet persuaded that the will of those who selected them should be made known and the mind of
the colony fairly interpreted, those gentlemen, on the 6th of April, 1775, addressed the following communication
to the President of the Continental Congress: —
"Sir, — The unworthy part which the Province of Georgia has acted in the great and general contest leaves
room to expect little less than the censure or even indignation of every virtuous man in America. Although, on
the one hand, we feel the justice of such a consequence with respect to the Province in general, yet, on the other,
we claim an exemption from it in favour of some individuals who wished a better conduct. Permit us, therefore,
in behalf of ourselves and many others, our fellow-citizens, warmly attached to the cause, to lay before the respectable
body over which you preside a few facts which, we trust, will not only acquit us of supineness, but also render
our conduct to be approved by all candid and dispassionate men.
"At the time the late Congress did this Province the honour to transmit to it an extract from their proceedings,
enclosed in a friendly letter from the Honourable Mr. Middleton, the sense and disposition of the people iu general
seemed to fluctuate between liberty and convenience. In order to bring on a determination respecting the measures
recommended, a few well-affected persons in Savannah, by public advertisement in the Gazette, requested a meeting
of all the parishes and districts, by delegates or representatives, in Provincial Congress. On the day appointed
for this meeting, with concern they found that only five out of twelve parishes to which they had particularly
wrote had nominated and sent down delegates ; and even some of these five had laid their representatives under
injunctions as to the form of an association. Under these circumstances, those who met saw themselves a good deal
embarrassed. However, one expedient seemed still to present itself. The House of Assembly was then sitting, and
it was hoped there would be no doubt of a majority in favour of American freedom. The plan, therefore, was to go
through with what business they could in Provincial Congress, and then, with a short address, present the same
to the House of Assembly, who, it was hoped, would by votes, in a few minutes and before prerogative should interfere,
make it the act of the whole Province. Accordingly, the Congress framed and agreed to such an association, and
did such other business as appeared practicable with the people, and had the whole just ready to be presented,
when the Governor, either treacherously informed, or shrewdly suspecting the step, put an end to the session. What
then could the Congress do? On the one hand, truth forbid them to call their proceedings the voice of the Province,
there being bat five out of twelve parishes concerned; and, on the other, they wanted strength sufficient to enforce
them on the principle of necessity, to which all ought for a time to submit. They found the inhabitants of Savannah
not likely soon to give matters a favourable turn. The importers were mostly against any interruption, and the
consumers very much divided.
There were some of the latter virtuously for the measures ; others strenuously against them; but more who called
themselves neutrals than either. Thus situated, there appeared nothing before us bat the alternative of either
immediately commencing a civil war among ourselves, or else of patiently waiting for the measures to be recommended
by the General Congress.
" Among a powerful people provided with men, money, and conveniences, and by whose conduct others were to
be regulated, the former would certainly be the resolution that would suggest itself to every man removed from
the condition of a coward ; but in a small community like that of Sttvannah, (whose members are mostly in their
first advance towards wealth and independence, destitute of even the necessaries of life within themselves, and
from whose junction or silence so little would be added or lost to the general cause,) the latter presented itself
as the most eligible plan, and was adopted by the people. Party disputes and animosities have occasionally prevailed,
and show that the spirit of freedom is not extinguished, but only restrained for a time till an opportunity shall
offer for calling it forth.
" The Congress convened at Savannah did us the honour of choosing us delegates to meet your respectable body
at Philadelphia on the tenth of next month. We were sensible of the honour and weight of the appointment, and would
gladly have rendered our country any services our poor abilities would have admitted of; but alas! with what face
could we have appeared for a Province whose inhabitants had refused to sacrifice the most trifling advantages to
the public cause, and in whose behalf we did not think we could safely pledge ourselves for the execution of any
one measure whatsoever ?
" We do not mean to insinuate that those who appointed us would prove apostates or desert their opinions;
but that the tide of opposition was great: that all the strength and virtue of these our friends might be sufficient
for the purpose. We very early saw the difficulties that would here occur, and therefore repeatedly and constantly
requested the people to proceed to the choice of other delegates in our stead; but this they refused to do. We
beg, sir, you will view our reasons for not attending in a liberal point of light. Be pleased to make the most
favourable representation of them to the Honourable the Members of the Congress. We believe we may take upon ourselves
to say, notwithstanding all that has passed, there are still men in Georgia who, when an occasion shall require,
will be ready to evince a steady, religious, and manly attachment to the liberties of America. For the consolation
of these, they find themselves in the neighbourhood of a Province whose virtue and magnanimity must and will do
lasting honour to the cause, and in whose fate they seem disposed freely to involve their own.
"We have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servants, Noble Wymberley Jones, Archibald
Bulloch, John Houstoun."
Of the determination of these gentlemen not to attend the Continental Congress the Crown was notified by Governor
Wright's dispatch of the 24th of April. He therein claims the credit of having frustrated the plans of the Savannah
congress, and expresses the hope that nothing further would be attempted by those in sympathy with its avowed objects.
At the same time he confesses to no little uneasiness in regard to the hostile attitude maintained by South Carolina
toward the province. Incensed at the refusal of Georgia to become a member of the American Association and to participate
in the deliberations of the Continental Congress, the Carolinians resolved to hold no intercourse with the province.
It was also contemplated, in case any blood was shed in Massachusetts, to make sanguinary reprisal in Georgia as
a colony loyal to the king. Thus more and more unquiet grew the public mind. Thus did the isolated situation of
the province become more apparent and onerous. The more thoroughly the political questions agitating the country
were discussed, smaller became the number of such as acknowledged themselves adherents to the Crown, and the more
numerous they who favored a confederation of the American colonies.
Forwarded by day and by night came the news of the affairs at Lexington and Concord. It reached Savannah on the
evening of the 10th of May and created the profoundest excitement. Gage's order, promulgated by the haughty lips
of Major Pitcairn on that epochal day, — "Disperse, ye Villains: ye Rebels, disperse :" — was answered
with defiant shouts from the granite hills of New England to the echoing savannahs of the south. The blood of yeomen
shed on Lexington green cemented the union of the colonies. The thunders of the 19th of April awoke the Georgia
parishes from their lethargy and turned the popular tide in favor of resistance to parliamentary rule.
The magazine at the eastern extremity of Savannah, built of brick and sunk some twelve feet under ground, contained
a considerable supply of ammunition. So substantial was this structure that Governor Wright deemed it useless to
post a guard for its protection. The excited Revolutionists all over the land cried aloud for powder. Impressed
with the necessity of securing the contents of this magazine for future operations, quietly assembling and hastily
arranging a plan of operations (This meeting was held at the residence of Dr. Jones). Dr. Noble W. Jones, Joseph
Habersham, Edward Telfair, William Gibbons, Joseph Clay, John Milledge, and some other gentlemen, most of them
members of the council of safety and all zealous in the cause of American liberty, at a late hour on the night
of the 11th of May, 1775, broke open the magazine and removed therefrom about six hundred pounds of gunpowder.
A portion was sent to Beaufort, South Carolina, for safe keeping, and the rest was concealed in the garrets and
cellars of the houses of the captors. Upon ascertaining the robbery, Governor Wright immediately issued a proclamation
offering a reward of £150 sterling for the apprehension of the offenders. It elicited no information on the
subject, although the actors in the matter are said to have been well known in the community. The popular heart
was too deeply stirred, and the " Sons of Liberty " were too potent to tolerate any hindrance or annoyance
at the hands of Royalist informers. The tradition lives, and is generally credited, that some of the powder thus
obtained was forwarded to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was actually expended by the patriots in the memorable
battle of Bunker Hill. We know that the liberty-loving citizens of Savannah, on the 1st of June, 1775, deeply moved
by the distresses which the Bostonians were experiencing from the enforcement of the " late acts of a cruel
and vindictive Ministry," and ardently desiring that the noble stand they had taken in the defense of those
rights to which as men and British subjects they were entitled might be crowned with success, transmitted by the
Juliana, Captain Stringham, and under the special conduct of John Eaton LeConte, Esq., sixty-three barrels of rice
and one hundred and twenty-two pounds sterling in specie for the relief of such as had recently left the town of
Boston. It is not improbable that the powder in question may have been forwarded in some such way at an earlier
day.
It had been the custom in the province to celebrate with festivities and military salutes the king's birthday,
which occurred on the 4th of June. Notwithstanding the unsettled condition of affairs, Governor Wright was loath
to omit the usual formalities. He accordingly, on the 1st of June, issued orders for suitable preparations, in
anticipation of the event. On,the night of the 2d a number of the inhabitants of Savannah came together and, having
spiked all the cannon on the bay, dismounted and rolled them to the bottom of the bluff. Such was the pointed insult
offered to the memory of his majesty. It was with great difficulty that some of these disabled guns could be drilled
and restored to their positions in battery in time to participate in the loyal ceremonies of the 4th, which, as
that day chanced to fall on Sunday, were observed on the Monday following.
The first liberty pole erected in Georgia was elevated in Savannah on the 5th of June, 1775. The Royalists were
then celebrating the king's birthday. The " Liberty Boys," in testimony of their desire for a reconciliation
with the mother country on the basis of a recognition of constitutional principles and colonial privileges, at
the feast which they prepared drank as the first regular toast The King. The second was American Liberty.
Within a week afterwards thirty-four leading friends to the union of the colonies convened in Savannah and adopted
a series of spirited resolutions recommending an early association of Georgia with her sister colonies and suggesting
an equitable adjustment of the unhappy differences existing between Great Britain and America.
On the 21st of June was published a call signed by Noble W. Jones, Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, and George
Walton, requesting the inhabitants of the town and district of Savannah to meet at the liberty pole on the following
day at ten o'clock in the forenoon for the purpose of selecting a committee to bring about a union of Georgia with
the other colonies in the cause of freedom. The alarming situation of affairs in America, and particularly in this
province, was urged as a reason for punctual and general attendance.
At the appointed place and designated hour many were present A council of safety, consisting of William Ewen, president,
William LeConte, Joseph Clay, Basil Cooper, Samuel Elbert, William Young, Elisha Butler, Edward Telfair, John Glenn,
George Houstoun, George Walton, Joseph Habersham, Francis H. Harris, John Smith, and John Morel, members, and Seth
John Cuthbert, secretary, was nominated, with instructions to maintain an active correspondence with the Continental
Congress, with the councils of safety in other provinces, and with the committees appointed in the other parishes
in Georgia. This business concluded, a number of gentlemen dined at Tondee's tavern. The union flag was hoisted
upon the liberty pole, and two field-pieces were posted at its foot. Thirteen patriotic toasts were drunk, each
being responded to by a salute from the cannon and by martial music.
One of the resolutions adopted at this meeting of the 22d of June provided that Georgia should not afford protection
to, or become an asylum for, any person who, from his conduct, might be properly considered inimical to the common
cause of America who should have drawn upon himself the disapprobation or censure of any of the other colonies.
In defiance of this resolution a young man named Hopkins spoke contemptuously of the objects and conclusions of
the meeting, and heaped epithets of ridicule upon the heads of the gentlemen composing the committee of public
safety. He was arrested by a mob, tarred and fathered, hoisted into a cart illuminated for the occasion, and was
paraded for four or five hours through the principal streets of Savannah. Similar punishment was meted out by the
parish committee of Augusta in the case of Thomas Brown, who had openly declared his enmity to the American cause
and scoffed at the proceedings of the Continental Congress.
At another meeting of the citizens of Savannah, convened at the residence of Mrs. Cuyler on the 13th of June, the
following temperate preamble and resolutions had been unanimously adopted: —
"Whereas public confessions and grievances are much increased by private dissensions and animosities:
"Resolved therefore, nem : con: that we will use our utmost endeavours to preserve the peace and good order
of this Province, and that no person behaving himself peaceably and inoffensively shall be molested in his personal
property or even in his private sentiments while he expresses them with decency and without any illiberal reflections
upon others.
"Whereas the acts for raising a perpetual revenue in America, and all the measures used to enforce these acts
are not partial but general grievances, and it is most likely that redress will be obtained by the joint endeavours
of all who may think these acts unconstitutional or oppressive, rather than by any measure that might be taken
singly by indiyiduals:
"Therefore Resolved That it is the opinion of this meeting (as a proper measure to be pursued because the
General Assembly is not now sitting from whom an application to the Throne must be very proper, and as no time
should be lost) that a humble, dutiful, and decent petition be addressed to his. Majesty expressive of the sense,
apprehensions, and feelings of all such as may choose to subscribe such petition, which, it is hoped, will be done
by every man in the Province: and it is therefore the wish of this meeting that such a measure be adopted by the
Provincial Congress intended to be held on Tuesday the 4th of July next :
"Resolved That the interest of this Province is inseparable from the Mother Country and all the Sister Colonies,
and that to separate ourselves from the latter would only be throwing difficulties in the way of its own relief
and that of the other Colonies, and justly increasing the resentment of all those to whose distress our disunion
might be an addition:
"Resolved That this Province ought to, and it is hoped it will forthwith join the other Provinces in every
just and legal measure to secure and restore the liberties of all America, and for healing the unhappy divisions
now subsisting between Great Britain and her Colonies:
" Resolved That the proceedings of this meeting be laid before the Provincial Congress on Tuesday the 4th
of July next, and that Mr. Jamieson and Mr. Simpson do wait upon them with the same as recommended to them by this
meeting."
These resolutions were in due course laid before the Provincial Congress on the 5th of July.
This exhibition of the temper of the colony, this increasing avowal of independent sentiments, and the growing
tendency to place under a ban all who failed to avow an active sympathy with the complaints and the claims of the
united colonies, inspired Governor Wright with alarm. Alluding to the situation of those who still adhered to the
Crown, he says: "If these things are done, no man's life or property can be safe, and I look upon mine to
be now in danger. There are still many friends to Government here, but they begin to think they are left to fall
a sacrifice to the resentment of the people for want of proper support and protection; and, for their own safety,
and other prudential reasons, they are falling off and lessening every day. Pardon me, my Lord, but a few troops
12 months ago would have kept all the Southern Provinces out of Rebellion, and I much fear many will now be necessary.
My Lord, the King has not a servant better disposed to serve his honor and just rights than I am, and I can lay
my hand upon my heart and say with an honest and good conscience that I have done everything in my power to support
the just sovereignty of Great Britain, law, government, and good order; but I cannot continue in this very uncomfortable
situation without the means of protection and support, and therefore I must humbly request that his Majesty will
be graciously pleased to give me leave to return home, which I would propose to do next Spring, or sooner as things
may be circumstanced, and would therefore hope to have it as soon as may be." This communication in a despondent
vein confesses the utter inability of the colonial authorities either to protect themselves or to repress the almost
dominant spirit of rebellion.
To General Gage he expresses his astonishment " that these Southern Provinces should be left in the situation
in which they now are : the Governors and King's officers and friends of Government naked and exposed to the resentment
of an enraged people." " The Governors," he adds, " had much better be in England than remain
in America and have the mortification to see their powers executed by committees and mobs."
Contemporaneously with this communication he addressed a letter to Admiral Graves, commanding his majesty's naval
forces on the North American station, informing him that the port of Savannah was blockaded by four or five boats
from South Carolina, and praying for immediate assistance. " Nothing less than a sloop of war of some force,"
he concludes, " would suffice for the protection of the harbor."
In his dispatch, dated Whitehall, July 5,1775, the Earl of Dartmouth apprises Governor Wright that the " advices
received from every quarter contain evidences of an intention in almost all the Colonies to the northward to take
up arms against the government of this Kingdom. In this situation it is the King's firm resolution that the most
vigorous efforts should be made both by sea and land to reduce his rebellious subjects to obedience : and the proper
measures are now pursuing not only for augmenting the army under General Gage, but also for making such addition
to our Naval strength in North America as may enable Admiral Graves to make such a disposition of his fleet as
that besides the Squadron necessary for the New England station there may be separate squadrons at New York, within
the Bay of Delaware, in Chesapeake Bay, and upon the coast of Carolina."
The applications forwarded by Governor Wright to General Gage and to Admiral Graves failed of securing the desired
assistance because they never reached their destination. As they were passing through Charlestown, the committee
of safety withdrew them from their envelopes and substituted in their stead other dispatches representing the Province
of Georgia as quiet, and in need neither of troops nor of war vessels. These being transmitted in the original
envelopes completely deceived the respective commanders to whom they were addressed. The original dispatches were,
by the committee of safety, forwarded to the Continental Congress. It was not until some time after, when Sir James
Wright met General Gage in London and inquired why the requisition for troops had not been filled, that he became
aware of the deception practiced.
The suggestion contained in the communication of Governor Wright to Admiral Graves that the port of Savannah was
blockaided, may be thus explained. The Carolina committee, notified of the fact that a ship had sailed for Georgia
having on board a Luge supply of powder intended for the use of the Indians and the service of the Royalists, resolved
to capture it. Captains Barnwell and Joyner of Beaufort were directed to employ every means at command to seize
the expected ship and secure the military stores on board. Embarking forty men, well armed, in two barges, they
proceeded to the mouth of the Savannah and encamped on Bloody Point in full view of Tybee Island lighthouse. The
Provincial Congress of Georgia offered every assistance to these officers, aud told them, if they so desired, they
should be aided in the capture of the British armed schooner stationed in the river. 'To that end arrangements
were made for a junction of the Carolina and Georgia forces.
A schooner was commissioned by the congress and placed under the command of Captain Bowen and Joseph Habersham.
On the approach of the Georgia schooner the British armed vessel weighed anchor, put to sea, and departed. The
Georgia schooner, taking a position beyond the bar, had been on the lookout only a few days when, on the 10th of
July, Captain Maitland's ship, direct from London and having the powder on board, was descried in the offing. Perceiving
the schooner, and perhaps suspecting some evil de-Bign, the ship paused before entering Tybee inlet, and, in a
little while, tacked and stood out to sea. Quickly pursued, she was overhauled by Captain Bowen and the Georgians
who, assisted by the Carolina party, boarded and took possession of her.
This Georgia schooner ( This schooner was aimed with ten carriage guns and many swivels, and had a complement of
fifty men) is said to have been the first provincial Teasel commissioned for naval warfare in the Revolution, and
this the first capture made by order of any congress in America. Of the powder taken from this ship nine thousand
pounds fell to Georgia as her share of the prize. At the earnest solicitation of the Continental Congress five
thousand pounds were sent to Philadelphia and were there issued in supplying the necessities of the embryo armies
of the united colonies. One authority states that six tons of gunpowder were taken from this vessel, and Captain
McCall estimates the amount at thirteen thousand pounds. It formed a most valuable contribution to the military
stores of the nascent republic, and its exploding thunders shook
the earth upon more than one battlefield during the war of the Revolution.
Among the Georgians engaged in this capture was Ebenezer Smith Platt. Apprehended at a later period by the British,
and identified by two of the crew of Maitland's ship as having been concerned in the seizure of this powder, he
was sent to England under a charge of treason. He was there closely confined for a long time. Eventually, however,
he was recognized as a prisoner of war and exchanged.
From the public and private acts and utterances of the inhabitants it was evident that the period of doubt and
hesitation was at an end, and that Georgia was now prepared to link her fortunes with those of her twelve sisters
and to loyally participate in the deliberations and the conclusions of the Continental Congress. Meetings were
called in every parish in the province to commission delegates to a Provincial Congress which was to assemble at
Savannah on the 4th of July, 1775. The entire colony was aroused and resolved upon decisive action. Even Governor
Wright, usually so hopeful of the future and entertaining such high impressions of the power of the royal party
in Georgia, felt constrained to acknowledge that upon the assembling of that Provincial Congress the probability
was its members would not fail to " entirely approve of whatever might be determined upon by the Continental
Congress."
He frankly admitted to the Earl of Dartmouth that even those who reprobated the action of the majority and in no
wise sympathized with the plans and sentiments of the American Association were not inclined " to expose their
lives and property to the resentment of the people when no support or protection was given them by Government."
Writing on the 17th of June he informs the ministry that within the past six weeks the situation of affairs had
so changed that less than five hundred troops would prove insufficient for the protection of the royal government
in the province. Sadly did he lament the absence of a fort, and suggested the propriety of immediately erecting
one upon the town common at Savannah, with buildings and barracks suitable for the accommodation of such forces
as the king might be pleased to send. "And then," he adds, "the Governor and Officers would be in
a state of security, whereas now they are and must be exposed to every kind of insult and violence the people may
choose to offer them."
Persuaded that the royal power was crumbling in the face of the opposition offered by the American colonies, and
convinced that he could no longer restrain the province of Georgia from forming a coalition with the American league,
he still hoped for some formidable intervention by the Crown which would reduce England's possessions in America
to obedience and submission. Without a fort, even the common jail being small and insecure, and with no army or
navy at command, he fully realized the insecurity of his official situation, and apprehended, at any moment, loss
of property and deprivation of personal liberty.
Memorable in the political annals of the colony were the proceedings of the Provincial Congress which assembled
at Savannah on the 4th of July, 1775. Every parish was represented, and the delegates were fitting exponents of
the intelligence, the dominant hopes, and the material interest of the communities from which they respectively
came. This was Georgia's first secession convention. It placed the province in active sympathy and confederated
alliance with the other twelve American colonies, practically annulled within her limits the operation of the objectionable
acts of Parliament, questioned the supremacy of the realm, and inaugurated measures calculated to accomplish the
independence of the plantation and its erection into the dignity of a State.
The following members, submitting proper credentials, then came together at Tondee's Long Room: —
Town and District of Savannah—Archibald Bulloch, Noble Wymberley Jones, Joseph Habersham, Jonathan Bryan, Ambrose
Wright, William Young, John Glen, Samuel Elbert, John Hou-stoun, Oliver Bowen, John McCluer, Edward Telfair, Thomas
Lee, George Houstoun, Joseph Reynolds, John Smith, William Ewen, John Martin, Dr. Zubly, William Bryan, Philip
Box, Philip Allman, William O'Bryan, Joseph Clay, Seth John Cuthbert.
District of Vernonlurgh — Joseph Butler (declined taking his seat), Andrew Elton Wells, Matthew Roche, Jr.
District of Acton — David Zubly, Basil Cowper, William Gibbons.
Sea Island District — Col. Deveaux, Col. De Le Gall, James Bulloch, John Morel, John Bohan Girardeau, John Barnard,
Robert Gibson.
District of Little Ogeechee—Francis Henry Harris, Joseph Gibbons, James Robertson (declined taking his seat).
Parish of St. Matthew — John Stirk, John Adam Treutlen, George Walton, Edward Jones, Jacob Wauldhauer, Philip How
ell, Isaac Young, Jenkin Davis, John Morel, John Fieri, Charles McCay, Christopher Cramer.
Parish of St. Philip — Col. Butler, William LeConte, Wm. Maxwell, James Maxwell, Stephen Drayton, Adam Fowler Brisbane,
Luke Mann, Hugh Bryan.
Parish of St. George — Henry Jones, John Green, Thomas Burton, William Lord, David Lewis, Benjamin Lewis, James
Pugh, John Fulton.
Parish of St. Andrew — Jonathan Cochran, William Jones, Peter Tarlin, Lachlan Mclntosh, William Mclntosh, George
Threadcraft, John Wereat, Roderick Mclntosh, John Wither-spoon, George Mclntosh, Allan Stuart, John Mclntosh, Raymond
Demere.
Parish of St. David — Seth John Cuthbert, William Williams, Sen.
Parish of St. Mary — Daniel Ryan.
Parish of St. Thomas — John Roberts.
Parish of St. Paul — John Walton, Joseph Maddock (declined taking his seat), Andrew Burns, Robert Rae, James Rae,
Andrew Moore, Andrew Burney, Leonard Marbury.
Parish of St. John — James Screven, Nathan Brownson, Daniel Roberts, John Baker, Sen., John Bacon, Sen., James
Maxwell, Edward Ball, William Baker, Sen., William Bacon, Jr., John Stevens, and John Winn, Sen.
The congress was organized by the election of Archibald Bulloch as president and of George Walton as secretary.
Both these officers were unanimously chosen.
Its organization having been perfected, the body adjourned to the meeting-house of the Rev. Dr. John J. Zubly,
who preached a sermon on the alarming state of American affairs, selecting as his text " So speak ye and so
do as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty."
On the following day a resolution was adopted requesting Governor Wright to appoint a day of fasting and prayer
to be observed throughout the province in the hope that a " happy reconciliation might soon take place between
America and the Parent State." The proceedings of the meeting of the citizens of Savannah, convened at Mrs.
Cuyler's residence on the 13th of Jane, certified by John Mnllryne, chairman, were formally presented by John Jamieson
and John Simpson, Esquires, and considered.
A motion was made and carried " that this Congress do put this Province upon the same footing with our sister
Colonies and the consummation of this important matter was made the special order of the day for the morrow.
On the 6th of July, after careful consideration and soletan deliberation, the following important resolutions were
unanimously adopted: —
" 1st. Resolved: That this Province will adopt and carry into execution all and singular the measures and
recommendations of the late Continental Congress.
"2nd. Resolved: In particular, that we, in behalf of ourselves and oar constituents, do adopt and approve
of the American Declaration or Bill of Rights published by the late Continental Congress, and also of their several
resolves made in consequence of some infractions thereof.
"3rd. Resolved: That we will not receive into this Province any goods, wares, or merchandise shipped from
Great Britain or Ireland, or from any other place, any such goods, wares or merchandise as shall have been exported
from Great Britain or Ireland after this day; nor will we import any East India tea from any part of the world;
nor any molasses, syrups, paneles, coffee or pimento, from the British Plantations, or from Dominica; nor wines
from Madeira or the Western Islands, nor foreign indigo.
"4th. Resolved: That we will neither import nor purchase any slave, imported from Africa or elsewhere, after
this day.
"5th. Resolved: As a non-consumption agreement strictly adhered to will be an effectual security for the observation
of the non-importation, we, as above, solemnly agree and associate, that from this day we will not purchase or
use any tea imported on account of the East India Company, or any on which a duty hath or shall be paid; and we
will not purchase or use any East India tea whatever; nor will we, nor shall any person for or under us, purchase
any of those goods, wares, or merchandise we have agreed not to import, which we shall know or have cause to suspect
were imported after this day.
"6th. Resolved: The earnest deaire we have not to injure our fellow-subjects in Great Britain and Ireland,
and the West Indies, induces us to suspend a non-exportation until the tenth day of September, 1775, at which time,
if the acts and parts of acts of the British Parliament hereinafter mentioned are not repealed, we will not directly
or indirectly export any merchandise or commodity whatsoever to Great Britain, Ireland, or the West Indies, except
rice to Europe.
"7th. Resolved: Such as are merchants and use the British and Irish trade, will give orders as soon as possible
to their factors, agents, and correspondents in Great Britain and Ireland, not to ship any goods to them on any
pretence whatever, as they cannot be received into this Province; and if any merchant residing in Great Britain
or Ireland shall directly or indirectly ship any goods, wares, or merchandise for America in order to break the
said non-importation agreement, or in any manner contravene the same, on such unworthy conduct being well attested,
it ought to be made public, and on the same being so done, we will not thenceforth have any commercial connections
with such merchants.
" 8th. Resolved: That such as are owners of vessels will give positive orders to their captains or masters
not to receive on board their vessels any goods prohibited by the said non-importation agreement, on pain of immediate
dismission from their service.
" 9th. Resolved: We will use our utmost endeavours to improve the breed of sheep, and increase tbeir numbers
to the greatest extent, and to that end we will kill them as sparingly as may be, especially those of the most
profitable kind, nor will we export any to the West Indies or elsewhere; and those of us who are or may become
overstocked with, or can conveniently spare any sheep, will dispose of them to our neighbours, especially to the
poorer sort, on moderate terms.
" 10th. Resolved: That we will, in our several stations, encourage frugality, economy, and industry, and promote
agriculture, arts, and the manufactures of British America, especially that of wool; and will discountenance and
discourage every species of extravagance and dissipation, especially horse-racing, and every kind of gaming, cock-fighting,
exhibitions of shows, plays, and other expensive diversions and entertainments; and on the death of any relation
or friend, none of us or any of our families will go into any farther mourning dress than a black crape or ribbon
on the arm or hat for gentlemen, and a black ribbon or ribbon on the arm or hat for gentlemen, and a black ribbon
or necklace for ladies, and we will discontinue the giving of gloves and scarfs at funerals.
"11th. Resolved : That such as are vendors of goods or merchandise will not take advantage of the scarcity
of goods that may be occasioned by this Association, but will sell the same at the rates we have been respectively
accustomed to do for twelve months last past; and if any vendor of goods or merchandise shall sell any such goods
or merchandise on higher terms, or shall in any manner, or by any device, violate or depart from this agreement,
no person ought, nor will any of us deal with any such person, or his or her factor or agent, at any time thereafter,
for any commodity whatever.
" 12th. Resolved: In case any merchant, trader, or other persons shall attempt to import any goods or merchandise
into this Province after this day, the same shall be forthwith sent back again without breaking any of the packages
thereof.
"13th. Resolved: That a Committee be chosen in every town, district and parish within this Province by those
who pay towards the General Tax, whose business it shall, be attentively to observe the conduct of all persons
touching this Association ; and when it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of a majority of any such Committee
that any person within the limits of their appointment has violated this Association, that such a majority do forthwith
cause the truth of the case to be published in the Gazette, to the end that all such foes to the rights of British
America may be publicly known and universally contemned as the enemies of American liberty, and thenceforth we
will break off all connections with him or her.
"14th. Resolved: That a Committee of Correspondence to this Province do frequently inspect the entries of
the Custom House, and inform the Committees of the other Colonies which have acceded to the Continental Association,
from time to time, of the true state thereof, and of every other material circumstance that may occur relative
to this Association.
"15th. Resolved: that all manufactures of this Province be sold at reasonable prices, so that no undue advantage
be taken of a future scarcity of goods.
" 16th. Resolved: And we do further agree and resolve, that we will have no trade, commerce, dealings or intercourse
whatsoever with any Colony or Province in North America which shall not accede to, or which shall hereafter violate
this Association, but will hold them as unworthy of the rights of freemen and as inimical to the liberties of their
country.
" And we do solemnly bind ourselves and our constituents, under the ties of virtue, honour, and love of our
country, to adhere to this Association until such parts of the several acts of Parliament passed since the close
of the last war as impose, or continue duties upon tea, molasses, syrups, paneles, coffee, sugar, pimento, indigo,
foreign paper, glass and painters colours, imported into America, and extend the powers of the Admiralty Courts
beyond their ancient limits, deprive American subjects of trial by jury, authorize the judge's certificate to indemnify
the prosecutor from damages that he might otherwise be liable to from a trial by his peers, require oppressive
security from claimants of ships or goods seized before he is allowed to defend his property, tire repealed ; and
until that part of the act of the 12th George III, ch; 24, entitled 'An Act for the better securing his Majesty's
Dock-yards, Magazines, Ships, Ammunition, and Stores,' by which any person charged with committing any of the offences
therein described in America, may be tried within any Shire or County within the Realm, is repealed; and until
the four acts passed in the last session of Parliament, viz, that for stopping the port and blocking up the harbour
of Boston, that for altering the charter and government of the Massachusetts Bay, and that which is entitled 'An
Act for the better Administration,9 &c, and that for ' extending the limits of Quebec, &c are repealed;
and until the two acts passed in the present session of Parliament, the one entitled ' A Bill to restrain the trade
and commerce of the Colonies of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina to Great Britain
and Ireland and the British islands in the West Indies, under certain conditions and limitations and the other
'An Act commonly called the Fishery Bill,' are likewise repealed."
From Governor Wright a communication was received on the 7th, in which, although declaring that he could not recognize
the congress as a constitutional body, he announced, in view of the loyal and dutiful terms in which the request
was preferred, and in consideration of the good ends proposed, that he would certainly appoint a day of fasting
and prayer to be observed throughout the province.
In pursuance of a resolution to select five persons to represent the province of Georgia in the Continental Congress,
the convention proceeded to a choice, and John Houstoun, Archibald Bulloch, Rev. Dr. Zubly, Noble W. Jones, and
Dr, Lyman Hall were duly elected (Any three of them to constitute a quorum). Upon a suggestion from Dr. Zubly that
he was greatly surprised at being chosen a delegate, and that he could not accept the honor without the consent
of his congregation, Messrs. Noble W. Jones and John Houstoun were appointed a committee to interview the members
of Dr. Zubly's church and request their permission that he absent himself from his charge for a season in order
that he might perform the important duties devolved upon him by the congress.
Four days afterwards those gentlemen reported that they had conferred with the congregation and that the members
expressed a willingness " to spare their minister for a time for the good of the common cause." Dr. Zubly
thereupon declared his acceptance of the appointment, and thanked the congress for this mark of honor and confidence.
Upon the recommendation of the convention a secret committee of seven was nominated by the president. Its members
were charged to be vigilant and active in the discovery of matters which might affect the public, and were instructed
to lay all important intelligence before the president of this Congress or, during its recess, before the president
of the Council of Safety in order that " the evil designs of wicked men " might be frustrated at the
earliest moment.
Dr. Zubly was selected to prepare a petition to the king "upon the present unhappy situation of affairs,"
and that gentleman and Messrs. John Smith, William Young, William Le Conte, and William Gibbons were directed to
address a letter to the president of the Continental Congress acquainting him fully , with the proceedings of this
congress.
A committee consisting of Dr. Zubly, Basil Cowper, John Walton, Joseph Clay, and Edward Telfair was raised to frame
an address to be presented by congress to his excellency Governor Wright.
On Saturday, the 8th, congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole " to consider ways and means
for raising and sinking the sum of ten thousand pounds sterling to defray the necessary services of this Province
in the present alarming and distracted state of affairs." A conclusion in regard to this matter was not reached
until the 12th, when the following resolutions were adopted: —
"Resolved that the Congress being a full representation of the whole Province, the members of the same, their
constituents, and all others resident or holding property within the same, are bound to contribute by an equal
and general tax towards the sinking the ten thousand pounds.
" Resolved that this Congress, while sitting, and the Council of Safety in its recess, have power to issue
certificates from time to time as occasion shall require, to the amount of ten thousand pounds sterling, and that
all such certificates shall be signed by the treasurers and at least three of the members of the Council of Safety.
"Resolved that any person who shall not receive any such certificate in payment, will be guilty of a breach
of the public faith, and ought to be considered as an enemy to the Province and treated accordingly.
"Resolved that the said certificates be sunk in three years after a reconciliation shall take place between
Great Britain and the Colonies."
A committee of intelligence was appointed, consisting of William Young, David Zubly, Stephen Drayton, Daniel Roberts,
John Glen, Edward Telfair, William Ewen, Joseph Clay, and George Walton.
Proclaiming in terms most emphatic their conception of the natural and constitutional rights which appertained
to them as citizens of Georgia and subjects of Great Britain; testifying their determined opposition to the late
objectionable acts of Parliament, their admiration of the conduct of New England, and their resolution to share
the fortunes of their sister colonies; manifesting their willingness to observe all orders of the Continental Congress,
indicating their loyalty to America, and suggesting such measures as they deemed appropriate in the present perplexed
condition of public affairs, the members of Congress speaking for themselves, their constituents, and for the entire"
province of Georgia, on the 10th of July, 1775, passed the following preamble and resolutions : —
"Whereas, by the unrelenting fury of a despotic Ministry, with a view to enforce the most oppressive acts
of a venal and corrupted Parliament, an army of mercenaries, under an unfeeling commander, have actually begun
a civil war in America; and whereas, the apparent iniquity and cruelty of these obstructive measures have, however,
had this good effect — to unite men of all ranks in the common cause; and whereas, to consult on means of safety
and the method of obtaining redress, the good people of this Province of Georgia have thought proper to appoint
a Provincial Congress; the Delegates met at the said Congress, now assembled from every part of the Province, besides
adopting the resolutions of the late Continental Congress, find it prudent to enter into such other resolutions
as may best express their own sense, and the sense of their constituents on the present unhappy situation of things,
and therefore think fit and neo-essary to resolve as follows, viz.: —
"Resolved, That we were born free, have all the feelings of men, and are entitled to all the natural rights
of mankind.
"Resolved, That by birth or incorporation we are all Britons, and whatever Britons may claim as their birthright
is also ours.
"Resolved, That in the British Empire, to which we belong, the Constitution is superior to every man or set
of men whatever, and that it is a crime of the deepest dye in any instance to impair, or take it away, or deprive
the meanest subject of its benefits.
"Resolved, That that part of the American Continent which we inhabit was originally granted by the Crown,
and the charter from Charles the Second expressly makes its constitutional dependence upon the Crown only.
"Resolved, That those who would now subject all America, or this Province, to dependency upon the Crown and
Parliament, are guilty of a very dangerous innovation which in time will appear as injurious to the Crown as it
is inconsistent with the liberty of the American subject.
"Resolved, That by the law of nature and the British Constitution no man can be legally deprived of his property
without his consent given by himself or his representatives.
" Resolved, That the acts of the British Parliament for raising a perpetual revenue on the Americans by laying
a tax on them without their consent and contrary to their protestations, are diametrically opposite to every idea
of property, to the spirit of the Constitution, and at one stroke deprive this vast continent of all liberty and
property, and as such must be detested by every well-wisher to Great Britain and America.
"Resolved, That the subsequent laws, made with a .view to enforce these acts, viz.: the Boston Port Bill —
the Alteration of their Charter— the Act to carry beyond sea for Trial — and (what refines upon every species of
cruelty) the Fishery Bill, are of such a complexion that we can say nothing about them for want of words to express
our abhorrence and detestation.
"Resolved, That the loyalty, patience, and prudence of the inhabitants of New-England under their unparalleled
pressures having been construed into timidity and a dread of regular troops, a civil war in support of acts extremely
oppressive in themselves hath actually been begun, and there is too much reason to believe that plans have been
in agitation big with everything horrible to other Provinces; plans as rash, barbarous and destructive as the cause
which they were intended to serve.
"Resolved, That in these times of extreme danger, our Assembly not being permitted to sit, we must either
have been a people without all thought or counsel, or have assembled as we now are in Provincial Congress to consult
upon measures which, under God, may prove the means of a perpetual union with the Mother Country, and tend to the
honour, freedom and safety of both.
"Resolved, That this Province bears all true allegiance to our own rightful Sovereign, King George the Third,
and always will and ought to bear it agreeable to the Constitution of Great Britain, by virtue of which only the
King is now our Sovereign, and which equally binds Majesty and subjects.
"Resolved, That we are truly sensible how much our safety and happiness depend on a constitutional connection
with Great Britain, and that nothing but the being deprived of the privileges and natural rights of Britons could
ever make the thought of a separation otherwise than intolerable.
"Resolved, That in case his Majesty or his successors shall at any time hereafter make any requisition on
the good people of this Province by his representative, it will be just and right that such sums should be granted
as the nature of the service may require, and the ability and situation of this Province will admit of.
"Resolved, That this Province join with all the Provinces in America now met by Delegates in Continental Congress,
and that John Houstoun and Archibald Bulloch Esquires, the Rev: Dr Zubly, Lyman Hall, and Noble Wymberley Jones
Esqrs be the delegates from this Province, and that any three constitute a quorum for that purpose.
"Resolved, That a Committee be appointed whose duty it shall be to see that the resolutions of the Continental
Congress and Provincial Congress be duly observed, and that every person who shall act in opposition thereto have
his name transmitted to the Continental Congress, and that his misdeeds be published in every American paper.
"Resolved, That with all such persons, except the indispensable duties we owe to all mankind (bad men and
enemies not ex-cepted) we will have no dealings nor connection: and we extend this our resolution also to all such
persons or corporations in Great Britain who have shown themselves enemies to America,
"Resolved, That we will do what in us lies to preserve and promote the peace and good order of this Province;
and should any person become an innocent sufferer on account of these grievances, we will do whatever we justly
may for his relief and assistance.
"Resolved, That in such calamitous times as the present, every possible indulgence ought to be given to honest
debtors; that it would be ungenerous, (unless there appear intention of fraud,) in any gentleman, of the law to
sue without previous notice; and any person so sued may apply to the Committee; and should it appear to them that
the creditor is in no danger of losing his money, or that he can be properly secured, they shall interpose their
friendly offices to persuade him to drop the prosecution; and every prosecutor that shall appear to take advantage
of the eonfurion of the times to distress his debtor, ought to be publicly pointed out and held in abhorrence.
"Resolved, That notwithstanding in a late Bill for restraining the trade of several Provinces in America this
Province is excepted, we declare that we look upon this exception rather as an insult than a favor; as being meant
to break the union of the Provinces, and as being grounded on the supposition that the inhabitants of such excepted
Province can be base enough to turn the oppression of America into a mean advantage.
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